As confidentially submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 2021

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Amendment No. 2

 

to

 

FORM 10

 

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

CONSTELLATION NEWHOLDCO, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Pennsylvania (State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization)	87-1210716 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
c/o Exelon Corporation 10 South Dearborn Street P.O. Box 805379 Chicago, Illinois (Address of Principal Executive Office)	60680-5379 (Zip Code)

 

(800) 483-3220
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class to be so registered		Name of each exchange on which each class is to be registered
Common Stock, without par value		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer	¨	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	x	Smaller reporting company	¨
		Emerging growth company	¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET BETWEEN INFORMATION STATEMENT AND ITEMS OF FORM 10

 

Item 1.

Business.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Summary,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Overview of the U.S. Power Markets,” “Our Business” and “Where You Can Find More Information” of the information statement filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10 (the “information statement”). Those sections are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Summary—Summary of Risk Factors,” “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 2.

Financial Information.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 3.

Properties.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the section “Our Business—Properties and Facilities” of the information statement. That section is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 4.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the section “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” of the information statement. That section is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 5.

Directors and Executive Officers.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the section “Management” of the information statement. That section is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 6.

Executive Compensation.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Executive and Director Compensation” and “Management – Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 7.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Management” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.

Legal Proceedings.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Our Business—Legal Proceedings” and Note 3 – Regulatory Matters and Note 19 – Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 9.

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “The Separation – Results of the Separation,” “Trading Market”, “Dividend Policy”, and “Description of Capital Stock” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

Item 10.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 11.

Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the section “Description of Capital Stock” of the information statement. That section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 12.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Exelon Related to the Separation—Separation Agreement” and “Description of Capital Stock—Limitations on Liability of Directors and Indemnification of Directors and Officers” of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 13.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Financial Statement Presentation,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” (inclusive of the report of independent registered public accounting firm, financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements described in that index) of the information statement. Those sections are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 14.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

None.

 

Item 15.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a)       List separately all financial statements filed as part of the registration statement.

 

The information required by this item is contained under the sections “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” beginning on page F-1 of the information statement and the report of independent registered public accounting firm, financial statements and notes to consolidated referenced therein. Those sections are incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b)       Furnish the exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K (§229.601 of this chapter).

 

 

The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto:

 

Exhibit No.		Description
2.1		Form of Separation Agreement by and between the Company and Exelon**
3.1		Articles of Incorporation of the Company**
3.2		Bylaws of the Company**
4.1		Form of 4.25% Senior Note due 2022 issued by Exelon Generation Company, LLC. (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated June 18, 2012, Exhibit 4.1)*
4.2		Form of 5.60% Senior Note due 2042 issued by Exelon Generation Company, LLC. (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated June 18, 2012, Exhibit 4.2)*
4.3		Form of 6.000% Senior Notes due 2033 issued by Exelon Generation Company, LLC (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated September 30, 2013, Exhibit No. 4.1)*
4.4		Indenture dated as of September 28, 2007 from Exelon Generation Company, LLC to U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated September 28, 2007, Exhibit 4.1)*
4.5		Form of 6.25% Exelon Generation Company, LLC Senior Note due 2039 (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated September 23, 2009, Exhibit 4.2)*
4.6		Form of 4.00% Exelon Generation Company, LLC Senior Note due 2020 (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated September 30, 2010, Exhibit 4.1)*
4.7		Form of 5.75% Exelon Generation Company, LLC Senior Note due 2041 (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated September 30, 2010, Exhibit 4.2)*
4.8		Indenture, dated as of September 30, 2013, among Continental Wind, LLC, the guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated September 30, 2013, Exhibit 4.1)*
4.9		Form of Exelon Generation Company, LLC 2.950% senior notes due 2020 (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated March 10, 2017, Exhibit 4.1)*
4.10		Form of Exelon Generation Company, LLC 3.400% notes due 2022 (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated March 10, 2017, Exhibit 4.2)*
4.11		Form of Exelon Generation Company LLC 3.250% Senior Notes due 2025 (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated May 15, 2020, Exhibit 4.1)*
10.1		Form of Transition Services Agreement by and between the Company and Exelon**
10.2		Form of Tax Matters Agreement by and between the Company and Exelon**
10.3		Form of Employee Matters Agreement by and between the Company and Exelon**
10.4		Credit Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2017, as thereafter amended and conformed among ExGen Renewables IV, LLC, ExGen Renewables IV Holding, LLC, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. as administrative agent, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as depository bank and collateral agent, and the lenders and other agents party thereto. (Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted by redacting a portion of text, as indicated by asterisks in the text. This exhibit has been filed separately with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (File No. 001-16169, Form 10-K dated February 9, 2018, Exhibit 10.94)*
10.5		Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2020, among Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. as servicer, and NewEnergy Receivables LLC, as seller, MUFG Bank, LTD., as Agent, the Conduits party thereto, the Financial Institutions party thereto and the Purchaser Agents party thereto (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K dated April 9, 2020, Exhibit 10.1)*
10.6		Credit Agreement, among ExGen Renewables IV, LLC, the lenders party thereto, Jefferies Finance LLC, as administrative agent, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as depositary bank and collateral agent, dated December 15, 2020 (File No. 333-85496, Form 8-K dated December 15, 2020, Exhibit 1.1)*
10.7		Amendment No. 2 to Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2021, among Constellation NewEnergy, Inc., as servicer, and NewEnergy Receivables LLC, as seller, MUFG Bank, LTD., as agent, the Conduits party thereto, the Financial Institutions party thereto and the Purchaser Agents party thereto (File No. 001-16169, Form 8-K, dated March 31, 2021, Exhibit 10.1)*
21.1		Subsidiaries of the Company**
99.1		Amended Preliminary Information Statement, dated October 21, 2021

 

* Incorporated by reference.
** To be filed by amendment.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date:  October 21, 2021	Constellation Newholdco, Inc.
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A Registration Statement on Form 10 relating to these securities has been confidentially submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. DATED OCTOBER 21, 2021

 

Information Statement

 

Distribution of Common Stock of Constellation Newholdco, Inc.
by
EXELON CORPORATION
to
EXELON CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS

 

This information statement is being sent to you in connection with the separation of Constellation Newholdco, Inc. (collectively with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company”) from Exelon Corporation (“Exelon”). As a result of the separation, Exelon’s competitive power generation and customer-facing energy businesses conducted through Exelon Generation Company, LLC (“Generation”) and its subsidiaries will be owned by the Company, which will be an independent, publicly-traded company. Exelon will complete the separation by distributing all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock (“Company common stock” or “our common stock”), on a pro rata basis to the holders (“Exelon shareholders”) of Exelon’s common stock. We refer to this pro rata distribution as the “distribution,” and we refer to the separation as the “separation”.

 

Each Exelon shareholder will receive           share(s) of our common stock for every share of Exelon common stock held by such shareholder on            , 2022, the record date. Exelon will not distribute any fractional shares of Company common stock. Instead, the distribution agent will aggregate fractional shares into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices and distribute the aggregate net cash proceeds from the sales pro rata to each holder who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the separation. The distribution of shares will be made in book-entry form only. The distribution will be effective as of 12:01 a.m., Eastern time, on          , 2022. Immediately after the distribution becomes effective, the Company will be an independent, publicly-traded company.

 

We expect that the distribution will be tax-free to Exelon shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except to the extent of cash received in lieu of fractional shares. You should consult your own tax advisor as to the particular consequences of the distribution to you, including the applicability and effect of any U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax laws.

 

No vote or other action of Exelon shareholders is required in connection with the separation. We are not asking you for a proxy, and Exelon requests that you do not send Exelon a proxy. Exelon shareholders will not be required to pay any consideration for the shares of Company common stock they receive in the distribution, and they will not be required to surrender or exchange their shares of Exelon common stock or to take any other action in connection with the separation.

 

All outstanding shares of the Company common stock are currently owned by Exelon. Accordingly, there is no current trading market for the Company common stock. We anticipate that a limited market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop shortly before the record date, and that “regular-way” trading in shares of the Company common stock will begin on the first trading day following the distribution date. If trading begins on a “when-issued” basis, you may purchase or sell the Company common stock up to and including the distribution date, in which case your transaction will settle within two trading days after regular-way trading commences following the distribution. We intend to list the Company common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) under the ticker symbol “ .”     As discussed below under “Trading Market,” if you sell your Exelon common stock in the “regular-way” market before the distribution date, you also will be selling your right to receive shares of the Company common stock in connection with the distribution. However, if you sell your Exelon common stock in the “ex-distribution” market before the distribution date, you will still receive shares of the Company common stock in the distribution.

 

In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21 of this information statement.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this information statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

This information statement is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities.

 

The date of this information statement is                       , 2022.

 

A Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement Materials containing instructions describing how to access this information statement was first mailed to Exelon shareholders on or about          , 2022.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS	i
FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION	ii
INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA	ii
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	iii
SUMMARY	1
RISK FACTORS	21
THE SEPARATION	38
TRADING MARKET	44
DIVIDEND POLICY	46
CAPITALIZATION	46
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	47
OVERVIEW OF THE U.S. POWER MARKETS	54
OUR BUSINESS	64
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	95
MANAGEMENT	123
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION	126
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	154
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS	159
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT	160
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK	161
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	165
CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS	166
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	F-1

 

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this information statement to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “our company” refer to Constellation Newholdco, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and references herein to “Exelon” refer to Exelon Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the completion of the separation.

 

Each of the Company’s and Exelon’s affiliated operations is owned and operated by a separate subsidiary that has its own management, employees and assets. References herein to the consolidated “Company,” “Exelon,” “Parent” or “its” or “our” assets and activities are not meant to imply, nor should they be construed as meaning, that the Company or Exelon has any direct operating assets, employees or revenue, or that any of the subsidiaries are operated by the Company or Exelon.

 

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all information in this information statement gives effect to the effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, the forms of which will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

 

This information statement includes certain historical consolidated financial and other data for Generation and its subsidiaries. Constellation Newholdco, Inc. will become the parent of Generation immediately prior to the separation. Constellation Newholdco, Inc. is the registrant under the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part and will be the financial reporting entity following the consummation of the separation. Generation is presently, and will continue to be, a financial reporting entity following the separation.

 

This information statement also includes an unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020, which present our consolidated financial position and results of operations after giving effect to the separation and distribution, and the other transactions described under “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.” The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial position that would have occurred if the relevant transactions had been consummated on the date indicated, nor is it indicative of future operating results.

 

You should read the section titled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” which is qualified in its entirety by reference to the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and the financial and other information, including in the sections titled “Risk Factors,” “Capitalization” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in each case included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

Constellation Newholdco, Inc. was formed on June 15, 2021 in connection with the separation transaction and has engaged in no activity other than incidental to the separation. As of June 15, 2021, it has no assets or liabilities. In connection with the separation transaction, Constellation Newholdco, Inc. will become the parent of Generation and its subsidiaries, which will constitute all of its assets and business operations.

 

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

 

This information statement contains estimates and projections regarding market and industry data that were obtained from internal Company estimates as well as third-party sources, such as market research, consultant surveys, publicly available information and industry publications and surveys. We believe the information provided or made available by these third-party sources is generally reliable. However, market data is subject to change and cannot always be verified with complete certainty due to limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data-gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties inherent in any statistical survey, interpretation or presentation of market data and management’s estimates and projections. In addition, projections are often wrong. As a result, you should be aware that market data set forth herein, and estimates, projections and beliefs based on that data presented herein, may not be reliable. We have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon therein, and we cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Unless identified as a third-party source, market data is based on internal company estimates and data. Similarly, internal company estimates, which we believe to be reliable, are based upon management’s knowledge of the industry as of the date of those estimates and have not been verified by any independent sources. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information and you should not place undue reliance on that information when making your investment decision.

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This information statement and other materials Exelon and we have filed or will file with the SEC (and oral communications that Exelon and we may make) contain or incorporate by reference statements that relate to future events and expectations and, as such, constitute forward-looking statements under the securities laws. Forward-looking statements include those statements containing words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intends,” “may,” “outlook,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “sees,” “should,” “targets,” “will,” “would,” or other words with similar meaning. All statements that reflect Exelon’s or our expectations, assumptions or projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements and guidance regarding future financial results or operating performance; and statements about Exelon’s or our strategies, outlook, business and financial prospects. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Although each of Exelon and we believe that the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements it makes are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these expectations will be attained, and it is possible that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include the following:

 

·

deterioration in global economic and financial market conditions generally;

·

unfavorable changes in the markets served by Exelon and us;

·

competition from disruptive technologies, industry consolidation or other developments;

·

the loss of key customers or significant changes in the business or financial condition of customers;

·

political, economic, and regulatory risks relating to Exelon’s and our operations;

·

acts of war, terrorism or civil unrest;

·

pandemics or other public health crises, and adverse changes in economic and market conditions related to such pandemics or other health crises;

·

a material disruption of our operations, particularly at one or more of our nuclear generating facilities;

·

the inability to achieve the level of revenue growth, cash generation, cost savings, improvement in profitability and margins, fiscal discipline, or strengthening of competitiveness and operations anticipated or targeted;

·

the impact of potential cyber-attacks and information technology or data security breaches;

·

the inability to develop innovative new products or implement technology initiatives successfully;

·

adverse changes in discount rates or investment returns on pension assets;

·

Exelon’s and our inability to realize expected benefits, in each case as planned and by targeted completion dates, from acquisitions, divestitures, facility closures, curtailments, expansions or joint ventures;

·

a significant downturn in the business or financial condition of a significant supplier;

·

the outcome of contingencies, including legal proceedings, government or regulatory investigations, and environmental compliance and remediation, which can expose Exelon and us to substantial costs and liabilities;

·

the expected benefits and timing of the separation, and uncertainties regarding the planned separation, including the risk that conditions to the separation will not be satisfied and that it will not be completed pursuant to the targeted timing, asset perimeters, and other anticipated terms, if at all;

·

the impact of the separation on Exelon’s businesses;

·

a determination by the IRS that the distribution or certain related transactions should be treated as taxable transactions;

·

the possibility that any consents or approvals required in connection with the separation will not be received or obtained within the expected time frame, on the expected terms or at all;

·

the risk that dis-synergy costs, costs of restructuring transactions and other costs incurred in connection with the separation will exceed our estimates; and

·

the impact of the separation on our businesses and the risk that the businesses will not be separated successfully or such separation may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected, which could result in additional demands on Exelon’s resources, systems, procedures and controls, and disruption of our ongoing business, and impact our relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other business counterparties.

 

There can be no assurance that the distribution and separation will in fact be consummated in the manner described or at all. The above list of factors is not exhaustive or necessarily in order of importance. For additional information on identifying factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those stated in forward-looking statements, see the discussions under “Risk Factors” in this information statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and each of Exelon and we assume no obligation to update or revise such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

You should carefully consider each of the following risk factors and all of the other information set forth in this information statement. Based upon information currently known to us, the following information identifies the material risk factors affecting our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods.

 

The risks we face can be categorized as risks related to: market and financial factors; regulatory, legislative and legal factors; operational factors; our separation from Exelon; and our common stock:

 

·

Risks related to market and financial factors primarily include:

 

·

the price of fuels, in particular the price of natural gas, which affects power prices,

·

the generation resources in the markets in which we operate,

·

our ability to operate our generating assets, our ability to access capital markets, and the impacts on our results of operations due to the global outbreak (pandemic) of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19),

·

the impacts of on-going competition, and

·

emerging technologies and business models, including those related to climate change mitigation and transition to a low carbon economy.

 

·

Risks related to regulatory, legislative and legal factors primarily include changes to, and compliance with, the laws and regulations that govern:

 

·

the design of power markets,

·

the renewal of permits and operating licenses,

·

environmental and climate policy, including zero emission credit programs, and

·

tax policy.

 

·

Risks related to operational factors primarily include:

 

·

changes in the global climate could produce extreme weather events, which could put our facilities at risk, and such changes could also affect the levels and patterns of demand for energy and related services,

·

the safe, secure and effective operation of our nuclear facilities and the ability to effectively manage the associated decommissioning obligations,

·

the ability of energy transmission and distribution companies to maintain the reliability, resiliency and safety of their energy delivery systems, which could affect our ability to deliver energy to our customers and affect our operating costs, and

·

physical and cyber security risks for us as an owner-operator of generation facilities and as a participant in commodities trading.

 

·

Risks related to our separation from Exelon primarily include:

 

·

challenges to achieving the benefits of separation, including limited business diversification, loss of economies of scale in sourcing goods and services, and the need to replicate certain services provided by Exelon (such as treasury, finance, human resources, investor relations and legal), which will require additional resources and expense,

·

little control over the terms and timing of the separation (including regulatory approvals), which are determined by Exelon (and with respect to regulatory approvals, the applicable regulator), and Exelon may change those terms at any time or elect not to proceed,

·

performance by Exelon and us under the transaction agreements, including indemnification responsibilities tied to the allocation of businesses and liabilities, and

·

restrictions on future capital-raising or strategic transactions during the two-year period following the distribution arising from the need to protect the tax-free treatment of the distribution.

 

 

·

Risks related to our common stock primarily include:

 

·

following the separation, there can be no assurance that the combined trading prices of Exelon common stock and our common stock will be equal to or greater than the trading price of Exelon shares prior to the separation,

·

the absence of a currently existing trading market for our stock and possible volatility in the market for our stock as holders of Exelon stock seek to reorganize their holdings based on stock index or industry strategies, investment policies or other factors, in addition to the general factors affecting the market price of common stock,

·

our status as a holding company is dependent on cash flows from our subsidiaries to meet financial obligations, and

·

certain anti-takeover provisions in our charter and bylaws that could have the effect of delaying or discouraging an acquisition of our company or a change in its management.

 

Risks Related to Market and Financial Factors

 

We are exposed to price volatility associated with both the wholesale and retail power markets and the procurement of nuclear and fossil fuel.

 

We are exposed to commodity price risk for natural gas and the unhedged portion of our electricity generation supply portfolio. Our earnings and cash flows are therefore exposed to variability of spot and forward market prices in the markets in which we operate.

 

Price of Fuels. The spot market price of electricity for each hour is generally determined by the marginal cost of supplying the next unit of electricity to the market during that hour. Thus, the market price of power is affected by the market price of the marginal fuel used to generate the electricity unit.

 

Cost of Fuel. We depend on nuclear fuel and fossil fuels to operate most of our generating facilities. The supply markets for nuclear fuel, natural gas and oil are subject to price fluctuations, availability restrictions and counterparty default.

 

Demand and Supply. The market price for electricity is also affected by changes in the demand for electricity and the available supply of electricity. Unfavorable economic conditions, milder than normal weather, and the growth of energy efficiency and demand response programs can depress demand. In addition, in some markets, the supply of electricity can exceed demand during some hours of the day, resulting in loss of revenue for base-load generating plants such as our nuclear plants. Conversely, new demand sources such as electrification of transportation could increase demand and change demand patterns.

 

Retail Competition. Our retail operations compete for customers in a competitive environment, which affects the margins we can earn and the volumes we are able to serve. In periods of sustained low natural gas and power prices and low market volatility, retail competitors can aggressively pursue market share because the barriers to entry can be low and wholesale generators (including us) use their retail operations to hedge generation output.

 

The impact of sustained low market prices or depressed demand and over-supply could be emphasized given our concentration of base-load electric generating capacity within primarily two geographic market regions, namely the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic. These impacts could adversely affect our ability to reduce debt and provide attractive shareholder returns. In addition, such conditions may no longer support the continued operation of certain generating facilities, which could adversely affect our financial statements primarily through accelerated depreciation and amortization expenses and one-time charges.

 

Market Designs. The wholesale markets vary from region to region with distinct rules, practices and procedures. Changes in these market rules, problems with rule implementation, or failure of any of these markets could adversely affect our business. In addition, a significant decrease in market participation could affect market liquidity and have a detrimental effect on market stability.

 

 

Our results were negatively affected by the impacts of COVID-19.

 

COVID-19 has disrupted economic activity in our markets and negatively affected our results of operations. The estimated impact of COVID-19 to our Net income was approximately $170 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and is not expected to be material for the year ending December 31, 2021. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Significant 2020 and 2021 Transactions and Developments — COVID-19” for additional information. We cannot predict the full extent of the impacts of COVID-19, which will depend on, among other things, the rate, and public perceptions of the effectiveness, of vaccinations and rate of resumption of business activity. In addition, any future widespread pandemic or other local or global health issue could adversely affect customer demand and our ability to operate our generation assets.

 

We are potentially affected by emerging technologies that could over time affect or transform the energy industry.

 

Advancements in power generation technology, including commercial and residential solar generation installations and commercial micro turbine installations, are improving the cost-effectiveness of customer self-supply of electricity. Improvements in energy storage technology, including batteries and fuel cells, could also better position customers to meet their around-the-clock electricity requirements. Improvements in energy efficiency of lighting, appliances, equipment and building materials will also affect energy consumption by customers. Changes in power generation, storage, and use technologies could have significant effects on customer behaviors and their energy consumption.

 

These developments could affect the price of energy, levels of customer-owned generation, customer expectations and current business models and make portions of our generation facilities uneconomic prior to the end of their useful lives. These technologies could also result in further declines in commodity prices or demand for delivered energy. Each of these factors could affect our consolidated financial statements through, among other things, reduced operating revenues, increased operating and maintenance expenses, increased capital expenditures, and potential asset impairment charges or accelerated depreciation and decommissioning expenses over shortened remaining asset useful lives.

 

Market performance and other factors could decrease the value of our nuclear decommissioning trust funds and employee benefit plan assets, which then could require significant additional funding.

 

Disruptions in the capital markets and their actual or perceived effects on particular businesses and the greater economy could adversely affect the value of the investments held within our nuclear decommissioning trusts and employee benefit plan trusts. We have significant obligations in these areas and hold substantial assets in these trusts to meet those obligations. The asset values are subject to market fluctuations and will yield uncertain returns, which could fall below our projected return rates. A decline in the market value of the nuclear decommissioning trust fund investments could increase our funding requirements to decommission our nuclear plants. A decline in the market value of the pension and OPEB plan assets would increase the funding requirements associated with our pension and OPEB plan obligations. Additionally, our pension and OPEB plan liabilities are sensitive to changes in interest rates. As interest rates decrease, the liabilities increase, potentially increasing benefit costs and funding requirements. Changes in demographics, including increased numbers of retirements or changes in life expectancy assumptions or changes to Social Security or Medicare eligibility requirements could also increase the costs and funding requirements of the obligations related to the pension and OPEB plans.

 

We could be negatively affected by unstable capital and credit markets and increased volatility in commodity markets.

 

We rely on the capital markets, particularly for publicly offered debt, as well as the banking and commercial paper markets, to meet our financial commitments and short-term liquidity needs. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets in the United States or abroad could negatively affect our ability to access the capital markets or draw on our bank revolving credit facilities. The banks may not be able to meet their funding commitments to us if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests within a short period of time. The inability to access capital markets or credit facilities, and longer-term disruptions in the capital and credit markets as a result of uncertainty, changing or increased regulation, reduced alternatives or failures of significant financial institutions could result in the deferral of discretionary capital expenditures, affect our ability to hedge effectively our generation portfolio, require changes to our hedging strategy in order to reduce collateral posting requirements, or require a reduction in discretionary uses of cash. In addition, we have exposure to worldwide financial markets, including Europe, Canada and Asia. Disruptions in these markets could reduce or restrict our ability to secure sufficient liquidity or secure liquidity at reasonable terms. As of December 31, 2020, approximately 20%, 17%, and 16% of our available credit facilities were with European, Canadian and Asian banks, respectively.

 

 

The strength and depth of competition in energy markets depend heavily on active participation by multiple trading parties, which could be negatively affected by disruptions in the capital and credit markets and legislative and regulatory initiatives that could affect participants in commodities transactions. Reduced capital and liquidity and failures of significant institutions that participate in the energy markets could diminish the liquidity and competitiveness of energy markets that are important to our business. Perceived weaknesses in the competitive strength of the energy markets could lead to pressures for greater regulation of those markets or attempts to replace market structures with other mechanisms for the sale of power, including the requirement of long-term contracts.

 

If we were to experience a downgrade in our credit ratings to below investment grade or otherwise fail to satisfy the credit standards in our agreements with our counterparties or regulatory financial requirements, we would be required to provide significant amounts of collateral that could affect our liquidity and we could experience higher borrowing costs.

 

Our business is subject to credit quality standards that could require market participants to post collateral for their obligations upon a decline in ratings. We are also subject to certain financial requirements under NRC regulations as a result of our operation of nuclear power plants that could require us to provide cash collateral or surety bonds if those requirements are not met. One or both events could affect adversely available liquidity and, in the case of a rating downgrade, borrowing and credit support costs.

 

If we fail to meet project-specific financing agreement requirements, we could experience an impairment or loss of the financed project.

 

We have project-specific financing arrangements and must meet the requirements of various agreements relating to those financings. Failure to meet those arrangements could give rise to a project-specific financing default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the specific project being required to repay the associated debt or other borrowings earlier than otherwise anticipated, and if such repayment were not made, the lenders or security holders would generally have broad remedies, including rights to foreclose against the project assets and related collateral or to force our subsidiaries in the project-specific financings to enter into bankruptcy proceedings. The impact of bankruptcy could result in the impairment of certain project assets.

 

Our risk management policies cannot fully eliminate the risk associated with our commodity trading activities.

 

Our asset-based power position as well as our power marketing, fuel procurement and other commodity trading activities expose us to risks of commodity price movements. We buy and sell energy and other products and enter into financial contracts to manage risk and hedge various positions in our power generation portfolio. We are exposed to volatility in financial results for unhedged positions as well as the risk of ineffective hedges. We attempt to manage this exposure through enforcement of established risk limits and risk management procedures. These risk limits and risk management procedures may not work as planned and cannot eliminate all risks associated with these activities. Even when our policies and procedures are followed, and decisions are made based on projections and estimates of future performance, results of operations could be diminished if the judgments and assumptions underlying those decisions prove to be incorrect. Factors, such as future prices and demand for power, natural gas and other energy-related commodities, become more difficult to predict and the calculations become less reliable the further into the future estimates are made. As a result, we cannot predict the impact that our commodity trading activities and risk management decisions could have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Financial performance and load requirements could be negatively affected if we are unable to effectively manage our power portfolio.

 

A significant portion of our power portfolio is used to provide power under procurement contracts with Exelon’s utility subsidiaries and other customers. To the extent portions of the power portfolio are not needed for that purpose, our output is sold in the wholesale power markets. To the extent our power portfolio is not sufficient to meet the requirements of our customers under the related agreements, we must purchase power in the wholesale power markets. Our financial results could be negatively affected if we are unable to meet cost-effectively the load requirements of our customers, manage our power portfolio or effectively address the changes in the wholesale power markets.

 

 

The impacts of significant economic downturns could lead to decreased volumes delivered and increased expense for uncollectible customer balances.

 

The impacts of significant economic downturns on our retail customers, such as less demand for products and services provided by commercial and industrial customers, could result in an increase in the number of uncollectible customer balances and related expense.

 

We could be negatively affected by the impacts of weather.

 

Our operations are affected by weather, which affects demand for electricity and natural gas, the price of energy commodities, as well as operating conditions. To the extent that weather is warmer in the summer or colder in the winter than assumed, we could require greater resources to meet our contractual commitments. Extreme weather conditions or storms have affected the availability of generation and its transmission, limiting our ability to source or send power to where it is sold, and have also affected the transportation of natural gas to our generating assets and our ability to supply natural gas to our customers. In addition, drought-like conditions limiting water usage could impact our ability to run certain generating assets at full capacity. These conditions, which cannot be accurately predicted, could cause us to seek additional capacity at a time when wholesale markets are tight or to seek to sell excess capacity at a time when markets are weak.

 

Climate change projections suggest increases to summer temperature and humidity trends, as well as more erratic precipitation and storm patterns over the long-term in the areas where we have generation assets. The frequency in which weather conditions emerge outside the current expected climate norms could contribute to weather-related impacts discussed above.

 

Beginning on February 15, 2021, our Texas-based generating assets within the ERCOT market, specifically Colorado Bend II, Wolf Hollow II, and Handley, experienced periodic outages as a result of historically severe cold weather conditions. We estimate a reduction in Net income of approximately $670 million to $820 million for the full year 2021 arising from these market and weather conditions. See “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Significant 2020 and 2021 Transactions and Developments — Impacts of February 21 Extreme Weather Event and Texas-based Generating Assets Outages” for additional information.

 

Long-lived assets and other assets could become impaired.

 

Long-lived assets – principally, generation assets –represent the single largest asset class on our statement of financial position.

 

We evaluate the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used whenever events or circumstances indicating a potential impairment exist. Factors such as, but not limited to, the business climate, including current and future energy and market conditions, environmental regulation, and the condition of assets are considered.

 

An impairment would require us to reduce the carrying value of the long-lived asset to fair value through a non-cash charge to expense by the amount of the impairment.

 

We could incur substantial costs in the event of non-performance by third-parties under indemnification agreements, or when we have guaranteed their performance. We are exposed to other credit risks in the power markets that are beyond our control.

 

We have entered into various agreements with counterparties that require those counterparties to reimburse us and hold us harmless against specified obligations and claims. To the extent that any of these counterparties are affected by deterioration in their creditworthiness or the agreements are otherwise determined to be unenforceable, we could be held responsible for the obligations.

 

We have issued indemnities to third parties regarding environmental or other matters in connection with purchases and sales of assets, including several of the Exelon utilities in connection with our absorption of their former generating assets. We could incur substantial costs to fulfill our obligations under these indemnities.

 

We have issued guarantees of the performance of third parties, which obligate us to perform in the event that the third parties do not perform. In the event of non-performance by those third parties, we could incur substantial cost to fulfill their obligations under these guarantees.

 

In the bilateral markets, we are exposed to the risk that counterparties that owe us money or are obligated to purchase energy or fuel from us, will not perform under their obligations for operational or financial reasons. In the event the counterparties to these arrangements fail to perform, we could be forced to purchase or sell energy or fuel in the wholesale markets at less favorable prices and incur additional losses, to the extent amounts, if any, were already paid to the counterparties. In the spot markets, we are exposed to risk as a result of default sharing mechanisms that exist within certain markets, primarily RTOs and ISOs. We are also a party to agreements with entities in the energy sector that have experienced rating downgrades or other financial difficulties. In addition, our retail sales subject us to credit risk through competitive electricity and natural gas supply activities to serve commercial and industrial companies, governmental entities and residential customers. Retail credit risk results when customers default on their contractual obligations. This risk represents the loss that could be incurred due to the nonpayment of a customer’s account balance, as well as the loss from the resale of energy previously committed to serve the customer.

 

 

Risks Related to Regulatory, Legislative and Legal Factors

 

Federal or state legislative or regulatory actions could negatively affect the scope and functioning of the wholesale markets.

 

Approximately 70% of our generating resources, which include directly owned assets and capacity obtained through long-term contracts, are located in the area encompassed by PJM. Our future results of operations are impacted by (1) FERC’s and PJM's level of support for policies that favor the preservation of competitive wholesale power markets and recognize the value of zero-carbon electricity and resiliency and for states' energy objectives and policies and (2) the absence of material changes to market structures that would limit or otherwise negatively affect us. Market rules in other regions could affect us in a similar fashion. We could also be affected by state laws, regulations or initiatives to subsidize existing or new generation.

 

FERC’s requirements for market-based rate authority could pose a risk that we may no longer satisfy FERC’s tests for market-based rates. A loss of market-based rate authority would mean that we would sell power at cost-based rates.

 

Our business is highly regulated and could be negatively affected by regulatory and legislative actions.

 

Substantial aspects of our business are subject to comprehensive Federal or state regulation and legislation.

 

Our consolidated financial statements are significantly affected by our sales and purchases of commodities at market-based rates, as opposed to cost-based or other similarly regulated rates and Federal and state regulatory and legislative developments related to emissions, climate change, capacity market mitigation, energy price information, resilience, fuel diversity and RPS. Legislative and regulatory efforts in Illinois, New York and New Jersey to preserve the environmental attributes and reliability benefits of zero-emission nuclear-powered generating facilities through ZEC programs are or could be subject to legal and regulatory challenges and, if overturned, could result in the early retirement of certain of our nuclear plants.

 

Fundamental changes in regulations or other adverse legislative actions affecting our business would require changes in our business planning models and operations. We cannot predict when or whether legislative and regulatory proposals could become law or what their effect would be.

 

NRC actions could negatively affect the operations and profitability of our nuclear generating fleet.

 

Regulatory risk. A change in the Atomic Energy Act or the applicable regulations or licenses could require a substantial increase in capital expenditures or could result in increased operating or decommissioning costs. Events at nuclear plants owned by others, as well as those owned by us, could cause the NRC to initiate such actions.

 

Spent nuclear fuel storage. The approval of a national repository for the storage of SNF and the timing of that facility opening, will significantly affect the costs associated with storage of SNF and the ultimate amounts received from the DOE to reimburse us for these costs.

 

Any regulatory action relating to the timing and availability of a repository for SNF could adversely affect our ability to decommission fully our nuclear units. We cannot predict whether a fee may be established or to what extent, in the future for SNF disposal.

 

We could be subject to higher costs and/or penalties related to mandatory reliability standards.

 

We, as a user of the bulk power transmission system, are subject to mandatory reliability standards promulgated by NERC and enforced by FERC. The standards are based on the functions that need to be performed to ensure the bulk power system operates reliably and are guided by reliability and market interface principles. Compliance with or changes in the reliability standards could subject us to higher operating costs and/or increased capital expenditures. If we were found in non-compliance with the Federal and state mandatory reliability standards, we could be subject to remediation costs as well as sanctions, which could include substantial monetary penalties.

 

 

We could incur substantial costs to fulfill our obligations related to environmental and other matters.

 

We are subject to extensive environmental regulation and legislation by local, state and Federal authorities. These laws and regulations affect the manner in which we conduct our operations and make capital expenditures, including how we handle air and water emissions, hazardous and solid waste, and activities affecting surface waters, groundwater, and aquatic and other species. Violations of these requirements could subject us to enforcement actions, capital expenditures to bring existing facilities into compliance, additional operating costs for remediation and clean-up costs, civil penalties and exposure to third parties’ claims for alleged health or property damages or operating restrictions to achieve compliance. In addition, we are subject to liability under these laws for the remediation costs for environmental contamination of property now or formerly owned by us and of property contaminated by hazardous substances we generated or released. Also, we are currently involved in a number of proceedings relating to sites where hazardous substances have been deposited and could be subject to additional proceedings in the future.

 

We could be negatively affected by federal and state RPS and/or energy conservation legislation, along with energy conservation by customers.

 

Changes to current state legislation or the development of Federal legislation that requires the use of clean, renewable and alternate fuel sources could significantly impact us. The impact could include reduced use of some of our generating facilities with effects on our revenues and costs.

 

Federal and state legislation mandating the implementation of energy conservation programs and new energy consumption technologies could cause declines in customer energy consumption and lead to a decline in our revenues. See “We are potentially affected by emerging technologies that could over time affect or transform the energy industry” above.

 

Our financial performance could be negatively affected by risks arising from our ownership and operation of hydroelectric facilities.

 

FERC has the exclusive authority to license most non-Federal hydropower projects located on navigable waterways, Federal lands or connected to the interstate electric grid. We cannot predict whether we will receive all the regulatory approvals for the renewed licenses of our hydroelectric facilities. If FERC does not issue new operating licenses for our hydroelectric facilities or a station cannot be operated through the end of its operating license, our results of operations could be adversely affected by increased depreciation rates and accelerated future decommissioning costs, since depreciation rates and decommissioning cost estimates currently include assumptions that license renewal will be received. We could also lose revenue and incur increased fuel and purchased power expense to meet our supply commitments. In addition, conditions could be imposed as part of the license renewal process that could adversely affect operations, require a substantial increase in capital expenditures, result in increased operating costs or render the project uneconomic. Similar effects could result from a change in the Federal Power Act or the applicable regulations due to events at hydroelectric facilities owned by others, as well as those owned by us.

 

We could be negatively affected by challenges to tax positions taken, tax law changes and the inherent difficulty in quantifying potential tax effects of business decisions.

 

We are required to make judgments in order to estimate our obligations to taxing authorities. These tax obligations include income, real estate, sales and use and employment-related taxes and ongoing appeal issues related to these tax matters. These judgments include reserves established for potential adverse outcomes regarding tax positions that have been taken that could be subject to challenge by the tax authorities.

 

Legal proceedings could result in a negative outcome, which we cannot predict.

 

We are involved in legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising out of our business operations. The material ones are summarized in Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Adverse outcomes in these proceedings could require significant expenditures, result in lost revenue or restrict existing business activities.

 

 

We could be subject to adverse publicity and reputational risks, which make us vulnerable to negative customer perception and could lead to increased regulatory oversight or other consequences.

 

We could be the subject of public criticism. Adverse publicity of this nature could render public service commissions and other regulatory and legislative authorities less likely to view energy companies in a favorable light, and could cause those companies, including us, to be susceptible to less favorable legislative and regulatory outcomes, as well as increased regulatory oversight and more stringent legislative or regulatory requirements.

 

Risks Related to Operational Factors

 

We are subject to risks associated with climate change.

 

We periodically perform analyses to better understand how climate change could affect our facilities and operations. We primarily operate in the Midwest and East Coast of the United States, areas that historically have been prone to various types of severe weather events, and as such we have well-developed response and recovery programs based on these historical events. However, our physical facilities could be placed at greater risk of damage should changes in the global climate impact temperature and weather patterns and result in more intense, frequent and extreme weather events, unprecedented levels of precipitation, sea level rise, increased surface water temperatures, and/or other effects. In addition, changes to the climate may impact levels and patterns of demand for energy and related services, which could affect our operations. Over time, we may need to make additional investments to protect our facilities from physical climate-related risks and/or adapt to changes in operational requirements as a result of climate change.

 

We also periodically perform analyses of potential pathways to reduce power sector and economy-wide GHG emissions to mitigate climate change. To the extent additional GHG reduction regulation or legislation becomes effective at the Federal and/or state levels, we could incur costs to further limit the GHG emissions from our operations or otherwise comply with applicable requirements. To the extent such additional regulation or legislation does not become effective, the potential competitive advantage offered by our low-carbon emission profile may be reduced.

 

Our financial performance could be negatively affected by matters arising from our ownership and operation of nuclear facilities.

 

Nuclear capacity factors. Capacity factors for nuclear generating units significantly affect our results of operations. Lower capacity factors could decrease our revenues and increase operating costs by requiring us to produce additional energy from primarily our fossil facilities or purchase additional energy in the spot or forward markets in order to satisfy our supply obligations to committed third-party sales. These sources generally have higher costs than we incur to produce energy from our nuclear stations.

 

Nuclear refueling outages. In general, refueling outages are planned to occur once every 18 to 24 months. The total number of refueling outages, along with their duration, could have a significant impact on our results of operations. When refueling outages last longer than anticipated or we experience unplanned outages, capacity factors decrease, and we face lower margins due to higher energy replacement costs and/or lower energy sales and higher operating and maintenance costs.

 

Nuclear fuel quality. The quality of nuclear fuel utilized by us could affect the efficiency and costs of our operations. Remediation actions could result in increased costs due to accelerated fuel amortization, increased outage costs and/or increased costs due to decreased generation capabilities.

 

Operational risk. Operations at any of our nuclear generation plants could degrade to the point where we must shut down the plant or operate at less than full capacity. If this were to happen, identifying and correcting the causes could require significant time and expense. We could choose to close a plant rather than incur the expense of restarting it or returning the plant to full capacity. In either event, we could lose revenue and incur increased fuel and purchased power expense to meet supply commitments.

 

Further, our nuclear operations produce various types of nuclear waste materials, including SNF. The approval of a national repository for the storage of SNF and the timing of that facility opening, will significantly affect the costs associated with storage of SNF and the ultimate amounts received from the DOE to reimburse us for these costs. Any regulatory action relating to the timing and availability of a repository for SNF could adversely affect our ability to decommission fully our nuclear units. We cannot predict whether a fee may be established or to what extent, in the future for SNF disposal.

 

If we are required to arrange for the safe and permanent disposal of spent fuel beyond current expectations, this could lead to substantial expense or capital expenditures.

 

 

For plants operated but not wholly owned by us, we could also incur liability to the co-owners. For nuclear plants not operated and not wholly owned by us, from which we receive a portion of the plants’ output, our results of operations are dependent on the operational performance of the operators and could be adversely affected by a significant event at those plants. Additionally, poor operating performance at nuclear plants not owned by us could result in increased regulation and reduced public support for nuclear-fueled energy. In addition, closure of generating plants owned by others, or extended interruptions of generating plants or failure of transmission lines, could affect transmission systems that could adversely affect the sale and delivery of electricity in markets served by us.

 

Nuclear major incident risk and insurance. The consequences of a major incident could be severe and include loss of life and property damage. Any resulting liability from a nuclear plant major incident within the United States, owned or operated by us or owned by others, could exceed our resources, including insurance coverage. We are a member of an industry mutual insurance company, NEIL, which provides property and business interruption insurance for our nuclear operations. Uninsured losses and other expenses, to the extent not recovered from insurers or the nuclear industry, could be borne by us. Additionally, an accident or other significant event at a nuclear plant within the United States or abroad, whether owned by us or others, could result in increased regulation and reduced public support for nuclear-fueled energy.

 

As required by the Price-Anderson Act, we carry the maximum available amount of nuclear liability insurance, $450 million for each operating site. Claims exceeding that amount are covered through mandatory participation in a financial protection pool. In addition, the U.S. Congress could impose revenue-raising measures on the nuclear industry to pay claims exceeding the $13.8 billion limit for a single incident.

 

Decommissioning obligation and funding. NRC regulations require that licensees of nuclear generating facilities demonstrate reasonable assurance that funds will be available in certain minimum amounts at the end of the life of the facility to decommission the facility.

 

We recognize as a liability the present value of the estimated future costs to decommission our nuclear facilities. The estimated liability is based on assumptions in the approach and timing of decommissioning the nuclear facilities, estimation of decommissioning costs and Federal and state regulatory requirements. The costs of such decommissioning may substantially exceed such liability, as facts, circumstances or our estimates may change, including changes in the approach and timing of decommissioning activities, changes in decommissioning costs, changes in Federal or state regulatory requirements on the decommissioning of such facilities, other changes in our estimates or ability to effectively execute on our planned decommissioning activities.

 

We make contributions to certain trust funds of the former PECO units based on amounts being collected by PECO from its customers and remitted to us. While we, through PECO, have recourse to collect additional amounts from PECO customers (subject to certain limitations and thresholds), we have no recourse to collect additional amounts from utility customers for any of our other nuclear units if there is a shortfall of funds necessary for decommissioning. If circumstances changed such that there was an inability to continue to make contributions to the trust funds of the former PECO units based on amounts collected from PECO customers, or if we no longer had recourse to collect additional amounts from PECO customers if there was a shortfall of funds for decommissioning, the adequacy of the trust funds related to the former PECO units could be negatively affected.

 

Should the expected value of the NDT fund for any former ComEd unit fall below the amount of the expected decommissioning obligation for that unit, the accounting to offset decommissioning-related activities in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income for that unit would be discontinued, the decommissioning-related activities would be recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income and the adverse impact to our financial statements could be material. Any changes to the PECO regulatory agreements could impact our ability to offset decommissioning-related activities within the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income, and the impact to our financial statements could be material.

 

Forecasting trust fund investment earnings and costs to decommission nuclear generating stations requires significant judgment, and actual results could differ significantly from current estimates. If the investments held by our NDT funds are not sufficient to fund the decommissioning of our nuclear units, we could be required to take steps, such as providing financial guarantees through letters of credit or parent company guarantees or making additional contributions to the trusts, which could be significant, to ensure that the trusts are adequately funded and that current and future NRC minimum funding requirements are met.

 

 

We are subject to physical security and cybersecurity risks.

 

We face physical security and cybersecurity risks. Threat sources continue to seek to exploit potential vulnerabilities in the electric generation and natural gas industry associated with protection of sensitive and confidential information, grid infrastructure and other energy infrastructures, and these attacks and disruptions, both physical and cyber, are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dynamic. Continued implementation of advanced digital technologies increases the potentially unfavorable impacts of such attacks.

 

A security breach of our physical assets or information systems or those of our competitors, vendors, business partners and interconnected entities in RTOs and ISOs, or regulators could impact the operation of the generation fleet and/or reliability of the transmission and distribution system or result in the theft or inappropriate release of certain types of information, including critical infrastructure information, sensitive customer, vendor and employee data, trading or other confidential data. The risk of these system-related events and security breaches occurring continues to intensify, and while we have been, and will likely continue to be, subjected to physical and cyber-attacks, to date we have not directly experienced a material breach or disruption to our network or information systems or our operations. However, as such attacks continue to increase in sophistication and frequency, we may be unable to prevent all such attacks in the future.

 

If a significant breach were to occur, our reputation could be negatively affected, customer confidence in us or others in the industry could be diminished, or we could be subject to legal claims, loss of revenues, increased costs or operations shutdown. Moreover, the amount and scope of insurance maintained against losses resulting from any such events or security breaches may not be sufficient to cover losses or otherwise adequately compensate for any disruptions to business that could result.

 

In addition, new or updated security regulations or unforeseen threat sources could require changes in current measures taken by us or our business operations and could adversely affect our consolidated financial statements.

 

Our employees, contractors, customers and the general public could be exposed to a risk of injury due to the nature of the energy industry.

 

Employees and contractors throughout the organization work in, and the general public could be exposed to, potentially dangerous environments near our operations. As a result, employees, contractors and the general public are at some risk for serious injury, including loss of life. These risks include nuclear accidents, dam failure, gas explosions, pole strikes and electric contact cases.

 

Natural disasters, war, acts and threats of terrorism, pandemic and other significant events could negatively impact our results of operations, ability to raise capital and future growth.

 

Our fleet of power plants and the transmission infrastructure to which they are connected could be affected by natural disasters and extreme weather events, which could result in increased costs, including supply chain costs. Natural disasters and other significant events increase our risk that the NRC or other regulatory or legislative bodies could change the laws or regulations governing, among other things, operations, maintenance, licensed lives, decommissioning, SNF storage, insurance, emergency planning, security and environmental and radiological matters. In addition, natural disasters could affect the availability of a secure and economical supply of water in some locations, which is essential for our continued operation, particularly the cooling of generating units.

 

The impact that potential terrorist attacks could have on the industry and on us is uncertain. We face a risk that our operations would be direct targets or indirect casualties of an act of terror. Any retaliatory military strikes or sustained military campaign could affect our operations in unpredictable ways, such as changes in insurance markets and disruptions of fuel supplies and markets, particularly oil. Furthermore, these catastrophic events could compromise the physical or cybersecurity of our facilities, which could adversely affect our ability to manage our business effectively. Instability in the financial markets as a result of terrorism, war, natural disasters, pandemic, credit crises, recession or other factors also could result in a decline in energy consumption or interruption of fuel or the supply chain. In addition, the implementation of security guidelines and measures has resulted in and is expected to continue to result in increased costs.

 

 

We could be significantly affected by the outbreak of a pandemic. We have plans in place to respond to a pandemic. However, depending on the severity of a pandemic and the resulting impacts to workforce and other resource availability, the ability to operate our generating assets could be adversely affected.

 

In addition, we maintain a level of insurance coverage consistent with industry practices against property, casualty and cybersecurity losses subject to unforeseen occurrences or catastrophic events that could damage or destroy assets or interrupt operations. However, there can be no assurance that the amount of insurance will be adequate to address such property and casualty losses.

 

Our business is capital intensive, and our assets could require significant expenditures to maintain and are subject to operational failure, which could result in potential liability.

 

Our business is capital intensive and require significant investments in electric generating facilities. Equipment, even if maintained in accordance with good utility practices, is subject to operational failure, including events that are beyond our control, and could require significant expenditures to operate efficiently. Our consolidated financial statements could be negatively affected if we were unable to effectively manage our capital projects or raise the necessary capital.

 

Our performance could be negatively affected if we fail to attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce.

 

Certain events, such as the separation transaction, an employee strike, loss of employees, loss of contract resources due to a major event, and an aging workforce without appropriate replacements, could lead to operating challenges and increased costs for us. The challenges include lack of resources, loss of knowledge and a lengthy time period associated with skill development. In this case, costs, including costs for contractors to replace employees, productivity costs and safety costs, could arise. We are particularly affected due to the specialized knowledge required of the technical and support employees for generation operations.

 

We could make acquisitions or investments in new business initiatives and new markets, which may not be successful or achieve the intended financial results.

 

We could continue to pursue growth in our existing businesses and markets and further diversification across the competitive energy value chain. This could include investment opportunities in technology and innovation, renewables and other types of generation, and potential expansion of the existing wholesale gas businesses. Such initiatives could involve significant risks and uncertainties, including distraction of management from current operations, inadequate return on capital, and unidentified issues not discovered during diligence performed prior to launching an initiative or entering a market. Additionally, it is possible that FERC, state public utility commissions or others could impose certain other restrictions on such transactions. All of these factors could result in higher costs or lower revenues than expected, resulting in lower than planned returns on investment.

 

We may not realize or achieve the anticipated cost savings through the cost management efforts.

 

Our future financial performance and level of profitability is dependent, in part, on various cost reduction initiatives and may be affected by the separation transaction. We may encounter challenges in executing these cost reduction initiatives and not achieve the intended cost savings.

 

Risks Related to Our Separation from Exelon

 

We have no recent history of operating as an independent company, and our historical and pro forma financial information are not necessarily representative of the results that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

 

The historical information about Generation in this information statement refers to the business of Generation as integrated with Exelon. Additionally, the pro forma financial information included in this information statement is derived from our historical financial information and (i) gives effect to the separation and (ii) reflects our anticipated post-separation capital structure. Accordingly, the historical and pro forma financial information does not necessarily reflect the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company during the periods presented or those that we may achieve in the future primarily as a result of the factors described below:

 

·

Prior to the distribution, our business has been operated by Exelon as part of its broader corporate organization, rather than as an independent company. One of Exelon’s affiliates has performed various corporate functions for us, including legal, treasury, accounting, auditing, human resources, investor relations, and finance. Our historical and pro forma financial results reflect allocations of corporate expenses from Exelon for such functions, which may be less than the expenses we would have incurred had we operated as a separate, publicly traded company.

 

 

·

Currently, our business is integrated with the other businesses of Exelon. Historically, we have shared economies of scope and scale in costs, employees and vendor relationships. While we have sought to minimize the impact on us when separating these arrangements, there is no guarantee these arrangements will continue to capture these benefits in the future.

·

As a current part of Exelon, we take advantage of Exelon’s overall size and scope to obtain more advantageous procurement terms. After the distribution, as a standalone company, we may be unable to obtain similar arrangements to the same extent as Exelon did, or on terms as favorable as those Exelon obtained, prior to completion of the distribution.

·

After the completion of the distribution, the cost of capital for our business may be higher than our cost of capital prior to the distribution.

 

Other significant changes may occur in our cost structure, management, financing and business operations as a result of operating as a company separate from Exelon. For additional information about the past financial performance of our business and the basis of presentation of the historical consolidated financial statements and the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements of our business, see “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

Following the separation, our financial profile will change, and we will be a smaller, less diversified company than Exelon prior to the separation.

 

The separation will result in us and Exelon being smaller, less diversified companies with more limited businesses concentrated in their respective industries. As a result, we may be more vulnerable to changing market conditions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the diversification of our revenues, costs, and cash flows will diminish as a standalone company, such that our results of operations, cash flows, working capital and financing requirements may be subject to increased volatility and our ability to fund capital expenditures and investments, pay dividends and service debt may be diminished.

 

We may not achieve some or all of the expected benefits of the separation, and the separation may materially adversely affect our business.

 

As discussed below under “The Separation—Reasons for the Separation,” we believe that the separation is in the best interest of our shareholders. However, we may not be able to achieve the full strategic and financial benefits expected to result from the separation, or such benefits may be delayed or not occur at all.

 

If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits expected to result from the separation, or if such benefits are delayed, it could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

 

Exelon’s plan to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies is subject to various risks and uncertainties and may not be completed in accordance with the expected plans or anticipated timeline, or at all, and will involve significant time and expense, which could disrupt or adversely affect our business.

 

In February 2021, Exelon announced its plan to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies. The separation is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions (or waiver by Exelon in its sole and absolute discretion), including final approval by Exelon’s board of directors of the final terms of the separation and certain other conditions. Furthermore, the separation is complex in nature, and unanticipated developments or changes, including changes in the law, the macroeconomic environment, competitive conditions of Exelon’s markets, regulatory approvals or clearances, the uncertainty of the financial markets and challenges in executing the separation, could delay or prevent the completion of the proposed separation, or cause the separation to occur on terms or conditions that are different or less favorable than expected. Additionally, Exelon’s board of directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, may decide not to proceed with the separation at any time prior to the distribution date.

 

The process of completing the proposed separation has been and is expected to continue to be time-consuming and involves significant costs and expenses. The separation costs may be significantly higher than what we currently anticipate and may not yield a discernible benefit if the separation is not completed or is not well executed, or if the expected benefits of the separation are not realized. Executing the proposed separation will also require significant amounts of management’s time and effort. Other challenges associated with effectively executing the separation include attracting, retaining and motivating employees during the pendency of the separation and following its completion; addressing disruptions to our supply chain and other operations resulting from separating Exelon into two independent companies; and separating Exelon’s information systems.

 

Until the separation occurs, Exelon has sole discretion to change the terms of the separation in ways that may be unfavorable to us.

 

Until the separation occurs, we will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon. Accordingly, Exelon will effectively have the sole and absolute discretion to determine and change the terms of the separation, including the establishment of the record date for the distribution and the distribution date. These changes could be unfavorable to us.

 

In addition, Exelon may decide at any time not to proceed with the separation and distribution if at any time Exelon’s board of directors determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the distribution of our common stock or the terms thereof are not in the best interests of Exelon and its shareholders or that legal, market or regulatory conditions or other circumstances are such that the separation and distribution are no longer advisable at that time. If Exelon’s board of directors determines to cancel the separation and distribution, Exelon’s shareholders will not receive any distribution of our common stock and Exelon will be under no obligation whatsoever to its shareholders to distribute those shares.

 

The terms we will receive in our agreements with Exelon could be less beneficial than the terms we may have otherwise received from unaffiliated third parties.

 

The agreements we will enter into with Exelon in connection with the separation, including the separation agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement, and a transition services agreement, were prepared in the context of the separation while we were still a wholly owned subsidiary of Exelon. Accordingly, during the period in which the terms of those agreements were prepared, we did not have an independent board of directors or a management team that was independent of Exelon. As a result, the terms of those agreements may not reflect terms that would have resulted from negotiations between unaffiliated third parties. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

 

Exelon may fail to perform under various transaction agreements that will be executed as part of the separation, which could cause us to incur expenses or losses we would not otherwise incur.

 

In connection with the separation and prior to the distribution, we and Exelon will enter into the separation agreement and will also enter into various other agreements, including a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement, and a transition services agreement. The separation agreement, the tax matters agreement and the employee matters agreement will determine the allocation of assets and liabilities between the companies following the separation for those respective areas and will include any necessary indemnifications related to liabilities and obligations. We will rely on Exelon to satisfy its performance and payment obligations under these agreements. If Exelon is unable or unwilling to satisfy its obligations under these agreements, including its indemnification obligations, we could incur operational difficulties and/or losses.

 

 

In connection with the separation into two public companies, each of Exelon and we will indemnify each other for certain liabilities. If we are required to pay under these indemnities to Exelon, our financial results could be negatively impacted. The Exelon indemnities may not be sufficient to hold us harmless from the full amount of liabilities for which Exelon will be allocated responsibility, and Exelon may not be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations in the future.

 

Pursuant to the separation agreement and certain other agreements between Exelon and us, each party will agree to indemnify the other for certain liabilities, in each case for uncapped amounts, as discussed further in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Agreements with Exelon Related to the Separation — Separation Agreement” of this information statement. Indemnities that we may be required to provide Exelon are not subject to any cap, may be significant and could negatively impact our business. Third parties could also seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that Exelon has agreed to retain. Any amounts we are required to pay pursuant to these indemnification obligations and other liabilities could require us to divert cash that would otherwise have been used in furtherance of our operating business. Further, the indemnities from Exelon for our benefit may not be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of such liabilities, and Exelon may not be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations.

 

Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from Exelon any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses ourselves. Each of these risks could negatively affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We may fail to have necessary systems and services in place when certain of the transaction agreements expire.

 

If we do not have in place our own systems and services, or if we do not have agreements with other providers of these services once certain separation transaction agreements expire, we may not be able to operate our business effectively, and our profitability may decline. We are in the process of creating our own, or engaging third parties to provide, systems and services to replace many of the systems and services that Exelon currently provides to us. We may incur temporary interruptions in business operations if we cannot transition effectively from Exelon’s existing operating systems, databases and programming languages that support these functions to our own systems. Our failure to implement the new systems and transition our data successfully and cost-effectively could disrupt our business operations and have a material adverse effect on our profitability. In addition, our costs for the operation of these systems may be higher than the amounts reflected in our historical combined financial statements.

 

If the distribution, together with certain related transactions, fails to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then we, Exelon and Exelon’s shareholders could be subject to significant tax liability or tax indemnity obligations.

 

It is a condition to the completion of the separation that Exelon receive the IRS Ruling and an opinion from its counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, together substantially to the effect that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a tax-free reorganization under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the IRC.

 

Although a private letter ruling from the IRS is generally binding on the IRS, the IRS Ruling, if received from the IRS, will rely on certain facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings from Exelon and us regarding the past and future conduct of Exelon’s and our business, among other matters. Moreover, the IRS Ruling will not be a comprehensive ruling regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the separation and distribution. The opinion of counsel, if received from Exelon’s counsel, will also rely on certain facts, assumptions and covenants, as described therein, as well as on the validity of the IRS Ruling. In addition, Exelon’s counsel’s ability to provide an opinion will depend on the absence of changes in existing facts or law between the date of this information statement and the closing date of the separation. The opinion of counsel will not be binding on the IRS or the courts, and the IRS or the courts may not agree with such opinion.

 

Even if Exelon receives the IRS Ruling and opinion of counsel, the IRS could determine on audit that the distribution or any of certain related transactions is taxable if it determines that any of the facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings upon which such ruling and opinion rely are not correct or have been violated or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinion that are not covered by the IRS Ruling, or for other reasons, including as a result of certain significant changes in the stock ownership of Exelon or us after the distribution. If the distribution or certain related transactions is ultimately determined to be taxable, the distribution could be treated as a taxable dividend to you for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and you could incur significant U.S. federal income tax liability. In addition, Exelon and/or we could incur significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities or tax indemnification obligations, whether under applicable law or the tax matters agreement that we will enter into with Exelon, if it is ultimately determined that certain related transactions were undertaken in anticipation of the distribution.

 

 

We may not be able to engage in desirable capital-raising or strategic transactions following the separation.

 

Under current U.S. federal income tax law, a spin-off that otherwise qualifies for tax-free treatment can be rendered taxable to the parent corporation and its shareholders as a result of certain post-spin-off transactions, including certain acquisitions of shares or assets of the spun-off corporation. To preserve the tax-free treatment of the distribution, and in addition to potential tax indemnity obligations, we will agree to certain limitations or prohibitions in the tax matters agreement that may prohibit us, for the two-year period following the distribution and except in specific circumstances, from, among other things:

 

·

entering into any transaction pursuant to which all or a portion of the shares of our stock, or substantially all of our assets, would be acquired, whether by merger or otherwise;

·

issuing equity securities beyond certain thresholds;

·

repurchasing shares of our stock other than in certain open-market transactions; and

·

ceasing to actively conduct our business.

 

The tax matters agreement will also prohibit us from taking or failing to take any other action that would prevent the distribution and certain related transactions from qualifying as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the IRC. These restrictions may limit our ability to pursue certain equity issuances, strategic transactions, repurchases or other transactions that we may believe to be in the best interests of our shareholders or that might increase the value of our business. For more information, see the sections entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Agreements with Exelon Related to the Separation — Tax Matters Agreement” and “The Separation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Separation.”

 

The transfer to us of certain contracts may require the consents or approvals of, or provide other rights to, third parties. If such consents or approvals are not obtained, we may not be entitled to the benefit of such contracts, which could increase our expenses or otherwise harm our business and financial performance.

 

In some circumstances, we and Exelon are joint beneficiaries of contracts, and we and Exelon may need the consent of third parties in order to split or separate the existing contracts or the relevant portion of the existing contracts between us and Exelon.

 

Some parties may use consent requirements or other rights to seek to terminate contracts or obtain more favorable contractual terms from us, which, for example, could take the form of adverse price changes, require us to expend additional resources in order to obtain the services or assets previously provided under the contract, or require us to seek arrangements with new third parties or obtain letters of credit or other forms of credit support. If we are unable to obtain required consents or approvals, we may be unable to obtain the contractual commitments that are intended to be allocated to us as part of our separation from Exelon, and we may be required to seek alternative arrangements to obtain services and assets which may be more costly and/or of lower quality. The termination or modification of these contracts or the failure to timely complete the transfer or separation of these contracts could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

 

We cannot be certain that an active trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained after the separation, and following the separation, our stock price may fluctuate significantly.

 

A public market for our common stock does not currently exist. We anticipate that on or prior to the record date for the distribution, trading of shares of our common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis and will continue through the distribution date. However, we cannot guarantee that an active trading market will develop or be sustained for our common stock after the separation. If an active trading market does not develop, you may have difficulty selling your shares of common stock at an attractive price, or at all. In addition, we cannot predict the prices at which shares of our common stock may trade after the separation.

 

 

 

Similarly, we cannot predict the effect of the separation on the trading prices of our common stock. After the distribution, Exelon’s common stock will continue to be listed and traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “EXC.” Subject to the consummation of the separation, we expect our common stock to be listed and traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “     .” The combined trading prices of the shares of our common stock and Exelon common stock after the separation, as adjusted for any changes in the combined capitalization of these companies, may not be equal to or greater than the trading prices of Exelon’s common stock prior to the separation. Until the market has fully evaluated the business of Exelon without our business, and fully evaluated us, the price at which Exelon’s or our common stock trades may fluctuate significantly.

 

Many factors could cause the market price of our common stock to rise and fall, including the following:

 

·

our business profile and market capitalization may not fit the investment objectives of Exelon’s current shareholders, causing a shift in our investor base, and our common stock may not be included in some indices in which Exelon’s common stock is included, causing certain holders to sell their common stock;

·

our announcements or our competitors’ announcements regarding new products or services, enhancements, significant contracts, acquisitions or strategic investments;

·

fluctuations in our quarterly or annual financial results or the quarterly or annual financial results of companies perceived to be similar to us;

·

the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock after the separation;

·

changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;

·

the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;

·

investors’ general perception of us and our industry;

·

changes to the regulatory and legal environment under which we operate;

·

changes in general economic and market conditions;

·

changes in industry conditions; and

·

the other factors described in this “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this information statement.

 

In addition, if the market for stocks in our industry, or the stock market in general, experiences a loss of investor confidence, the trading price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition or results of operations. If any of the foregoing occurs, it could cause our stock price to fall and may expose us to lawsuits that, even if successfully defended, could be costly to defend and a distraction to management.

 

A significant number of shares of our common stock may be sold following the distribution, which may cause our stock price to decline.

 

Any sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market or the perception that such sales might occur, in connection with the distribution or otherwise, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. Upon completion of the distribution, we expect that we will have an aggregate of approximately shares of our common stock issued and outstanding (based on shares of Exelon common stock outstanding as of , 2022). Shares distributed to Exelon shareholders in the separation will generally be freely tradeable without restriction or further registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), except for shares owned by one of our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

We are unable to predict whether large amounts of our common stock will be sold in the open market following the distribution. We are also unable to predict whether a sufficient number of buyers of our common stock to meet the demand to sell shares of our common stock at attractive prices would exist at that time.

 

 

Your percentage of ownership in us may be diluted in the future.

 

In the future, your percentage ownership in us may be diluted because of equity issuances for acquisitions, capital market transactions or otherwise, including any equity awards that we will grant to our directors, officers and employees. Our employees will have stock-based awards that correspond to shares of our common stock after the distribution as a result of conversion of their Exelon stock-based awards. We anticipate that the compensation committee of our board of directors may grant additional stock-based awards to our employees after the distribution. Those awards will have a dilutive effect on the number of our shares outstanding, and therefore on our earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. From time to time, we will issue additional stock-based awards to our employees under our employee benefits plans.

 

Anti-takeover provisions could enable us to resist a takeover attempt by a third party.

 

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will contain, and Pennsylvania law contains, provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the bidder and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover.

 

We believe these provisions will protect our shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors and by providing our board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers; however, these provisions will apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some shareholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our board of directors determines is not in the best interests of us and our shareholders. These provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors. See “Description of Common Stock — Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions.”

 

In addition, an acquisition or further issuance of our stock could trigger the application of Section 355(e) of the IRC, causing the distribution to be taxable to Exelon. For a discussion of Section 355(e) of the IRC, see “The Separation — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Separation.” Under the tax matters agreement, we would be required to indemnify Exelon for the resulting tax, and this indemnity obligation might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control that our shareholders may consider favorable.

 

The combined post-separation value of share of our common stock and one share of Exelon common stock may not equal or exceed the pre-distribution value of one share of Exelon common stock.

 

As a result of the separation, we expect the trading price of shares of Exelon common stock immediately following the separation to be different from the “regular-way” trading price of Exelon common shares immediately prior to the separation because the trading price will no longer reflect the value of our businesses. There can be no assurance that the aggregate market value of share of our common stock and one share of Exelon common stock following the separation will be higher than, lower than or the same as the market value of a share of Exelon common stock if the separation did not occur.

 

 

THE SEPARATION

 

Background

 

On February 21, 2021, Exelon’s board of directors unanimously authorized management to pursue a plan to separate the Company from Exelon. The board considered a sale of Exelon’s competitive generation and customer-facing business as a possible alternative, but ultimately decided that a separation was the most efficient way to separate its businesses in a manner intended to enhance long-term value to Exelon’s shareholders.

 

The Exelon board regularly reviews the businesses that comprise Exelon to confirm that its business mix and portfolio are in the best interests of Exelon and its shareholders. In the more recent reviews leading to the February decision, the board determined that separating Exelon’s regulated utility businesses from its competitive generation and customer-facing businesses would improve strategic and management focus and could unlock shareholder value. In reaching its decision to pursue the separation, the board considered a possible sale of competitive generation and customer-facing businesses to third parties. With the assistance of advisors, that consideration included an evaluation of the potential tax costs of a sale, the effort and distractions associated with a sale process, the likelihood of a complete disposition to a single buyer versus a partial disposition to multiple buyers and associated impacts upon generation operating performance and efficiencies, and possible regulatory hurdles due to potential overlapping markets served by potential buyers. Those factors made a sale alternative less attractive as compared to the separation alternative, which, as described under “Reasons for the Separation” below, achieved a number of objectives that the board felt accomplished better results for Exelon’s shareholders. The board ultimately determined not to engage in a sale process and negotiations as it concluded that a separation was the most efficient way to separate Exelon’s businesses in a manner intended to enhance long term value to Exelon’s shareholders.

 

As a result of that separation, the Company will become a separate, publicly-traded company, and Exelon will have no continuing stock ownership interest in the Company. Prior to the separation, Exelon will effect several internal transactions. See “—Manner of Effecting the Separation—Internal Transactions.”

 

To complete the separation, Exelon will, following the completion of the internal transactions, distribute to Exelon shareholders all of the outstanding shares of our common stock. The distribution will occur on the distribution date, which is expected to be              , 2022. Each holder of Exelon common stock will receive             share of our common stock for every share of Exelon common stock held at p.m. Eastern Time, on              , 2022, the record date. After completion of the distribution:

 

·

We will be a publicly-traded company (NASDAQ: ) and, through Generation, will own Exelon’s competitive generation and customer-facing energy businesses; and

·

Exelon will continue to be a publicly-traded company (NASDAQ: EXC) and will continue to own and conduct its regulated electric distribution and transmission and gas distribution businesses.

 

Each holder of Exelon common stock will continue to hold his, her or its shares in Exelon. No vote of Exelon shareholders is required or is being sought in connection with the separation, and Exelon shareholders will not have any appraisal rights in connection with the separation.

 

The distribution is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. In addition, until the distribution has occurred, Exelon’s board of directors has the right not to proceed with the distribution, even if all of the conditions are satisfied. See “—Conditions to the Distribution.”

 

Reasons for the Separation

 

Exelon is comprised of six regulated utility operating companies that together serve more than 10 million customers, and Generation, an electricity producer and a competitive energy retailer. The utility operating companies provide electricity transmission and distribution and gas distribution services within relatively defined geographic areas under service terms, conditions and rates that are regulated by public utility commissions based on each utility’s investment in plant, property and equipment, referred to as rate base, and their operating costs. Generation generates electricity primarily from nuclear generating plants and sells electricity and natural gas to wholesale and retail customers within a broad geographic area under service terms, conditions and prices determined by competitive market forces.

 

The Exelon board of directors believes that the separation of the competitive generation and customer-facing businesses from the regulated utility businesses is in the best interest of Exelon and its shareholders for a number of reasons, including:

 

·

Direct investment identity—Exelon’s board of directors believes that Exelon’s regulated utility businesses and our competitive businesses appeal to different types of investors with different industry focuses, investment goals and risk profiles. The utility and competitive businesses have different investment and business characteristics, including different opportunities for growth, capital structures, business models and financial returns. The separation will better position each business within its peer set and will support business strategies tailored to distinct investment profiles and meeting unique customer needs.

 

·

More specialized strategic focus —The separation will allow each company to more effectively pursue its own distinct operating priorities and strategies and will enable the management of both companies to respond to changes in the industry in which operates, pursue separate opportunities for long-term growth and profitability, without taking into account potentially conflicting or competing needs and objectives of two disparate businesses operating in a single company. This ability will unlock strategic flexibility for each company to focus on its core business strategies to better meet evolving customer needs and stakeholder goals. As a standalone company, the Company may be able to pursue investments or acquisitions in the competitive energy infrastructure space that Exelon’s current shareholders would not find attractive as it would increase Exelon’s exposure to non-regulated businesses.

 

·

More efficient allocation of capital — The separation will permit each company to concentrate its financial resources solely on its own operations, providing greater flexibility to invest capital in its business in a time and manner appropriate for its distinct strategy and business needs, all of which will facilitate a more efficient allocation of capital

 

 

·

Allows each business to maintain risk profiles more appropriate for their shareholders — The competitive generation and customer-facing energy businesses of Exelon are exposed to certain market risks, including, in the near term, the volatility in the price of power, natural gas and other commodities. As operated today, the competitive businesses are substantially hedged in the near-term against certain commodity risks, because commodity price movements could adversely affect Exelon’s near-term earnings, cash flows and credit ratings if Exelon were substantially unhedged. The Company will be committed to disciplined risk-mitigation policies, including a ratable hedging strategy, and Exelon’s board of directors believes that separating the Company from the regulated utilities of Exelon will give our management further flexibility to manage our risk.

 

·

Aligns management incentives — The separation will permit the creation of equity-based incentive compensation programs for each of the companies that is expected to reflect more closely the efforts and performance of each company’s management and will allow each company to better recruit, retain and motivate employees pursuant to compensation policies that are appropriate for their respective lines of business.

 

For information about risks related to the separation, see the “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Separation from Exelon” beginning on page 31 of this information statement. Neither Exelon nor we can assure you that, following the separation, any of the benefits described above or otherwise will be realized to the extent anticipated or at all.

 

Manner of Effecting the Separation

 

The general terms and conditions relating to the separation will be set forth in a separation agreement between us and Exelon, which we refer to as the separation agreement.

 

Internal Transactions

 

We were incorporated as a Pennsylvania corporation on June 15, 2021 for the purpose of holding Generation and its competitive generation and customer-facing energy businesses.

 

Immediately prior to the separation:

 

·

Generation will repay to Exelon an intercompany note expected to have an outstanding principal amount of $258 million.

·

Exelon will contribute its equity ownership in Generation, including its subsidiaries, to us.

·

Exelon will contribute $     in cash to us.

 

 

Distribution of Shares of Our Common Stock

 

Under the separation agreement, the distribution will be effective as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern time, on              , 2022, the distribution date. As a result of the separation, on the distribution date, each holder of Exelon common stock will receive share of our common stock for every share of Exelon common stock that he, she or it owns as of              p.m. Eastern time, on              , 2022, the record date. The actual number of shares to be distributed will be determined based on the number of shares of Exelon common stock outstanding as of the record date. The shares of our common stock to be distributed by Exelon will constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock held by Exelon immediately prior to the distribution.

 

On the distribution date, Exelon will release the shares of our common stock to the Distribution Agent to distribute to Exelon shareholders. The Distribution Agent will credit the shares of our common stock to the book-entry accounts of Exelon shareholders established to hold their shares of our common stock. The Distribution Agent will send these shareholders a statement reflecting their ownership of our common stock. Book-entry refers to a method of recording stock ownership in our records in which no physical certificates are issued. For shareholders who own Exelon common stock through a broker or other nominee, their shares of our common stock will be credited to these shareholders’ accounts by the broker or other nominee. It may take the Distribution Agent up to two weeks to distribute shares of our common stock to Exelon shareholders or to their bank or brokerage firm electronically by way of direct registration in book-entry form. Trading of our stock will not be affected by this delay in distribution by the Distribution Agent.

 

 

Exelon shareholders will not be required to make any payment or surrender or exchange their shares of Exelon common stock or take any other action to receive their shares of our common stock.

 

No vote of Exelon shareholders is required or sought in connection with the separation. Exelon shareholders have no appraisal rights in connection with the separation.

 

Treatment of Fractional Shares

 

The Distribution Agent will not distribute any fractional shares of our common stock to Exelon shareholders. Instead, as soon as practicable on or after the distribution date, the Distribution Agent will aggregate fractional shares of our common stock to which Exelon shareholders of record would otherwise be entitled into whole shares, sell them in the open market at the prevailing market prices and then distribute the aggregate net sale proceeds ratably to Exelon shareholders who would otherwise have been entitled to receive fractional shares of our common stock. The amount of this payment will depend on the prices at which the Distribution Agent sells the aggregated fractional shares of our common stock in the open market shortly after the distribution date and will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld for tax purposes and any brokerage fees and other expenses incurred in connection with these sales of fractional shares. Receipt of the proceeds from these sales generally will result in a taxable gain or loss to those Exelon shareholders. Each shareholder entitled to receive cash proceeds from these shares should consult his, her or its own tax advisor as to the shareholder’s particular circumstances. The tax consequences of the distribution are described in more detail under “—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Separation.”

 

Transaction and Separation Costs

 

In connection with the separation, we currently estimate that the one-time separation costs we will incur, primarily employee-related costs such as recruitment expenses, costs to establish certain stand-alone functions and information technology systems, professional services fees and other transaction-related costs during our transition to being a stand-alone public company, will range from approximately $       to $       .

 

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Separation

 

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holders (as defined below) of shares of Exelon common stock in connection with the distribution and certain related transactions. This summary is based on the IRC, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all as in effect as of the date of this information statement, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations and may change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. Any such change could affect the tax consequences described below. This summary assumes that the separation will be consummated in accordance with the separation agreement and as described in this information statement.

 

This summary is limited to holders of shares of Exelon common stock that are U.S. Holders, as defined immediately below. For purposes of this summary, a U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of Exelon common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

·

an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the United States;

·

a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

·

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

·

a trust (i) with respect to which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more U.S. persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the IRC) have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (ii) that has a valid election in place under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

This summary does not discuss all tax considerations that may be relevant to Exelon shareholders in light of their particular circumstances, nor does it address the consequences to Exelon shareholders subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including:

 

·

a financial institution, regulated investment company or insurance company;

·

a tax-exempt organization;

·

a dealer or broker in securities, commodities or foreign currencies;

 

 

·

a holder that holds Exelon common stock as part of a hedge, appreciated financial position, straddle, conversion or other risk reduction transaction;

·

a holder that holds Exelon common stock in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account; or

·

a holder that acquired Exelon common stock pursuant to the exercise of options or similar derivative securities or otherwise as compensation.

 

This summary also does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to Exelon shareholders who do not hold shares of Exelon common stock as a capital asset. Moreover, this summary does not address any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences, or any federal tax other than U.S. federal income tax consequences (such as estate or gift tax consequences or the Medicare tax on certain investment income).

 

If a partnership (or any other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of Exelon common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in that partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partner and the partnership. Such a partner or partnership is urged to consult its tax advisor as to the tax consequences of the separation.

 

WE URGE YOU TO CONSULT WITH YOUR TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE SPECIFIC U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SEPARATION IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

Treatment of the Separation

 

Completion of the separation is conditioned upon Exelon’s receipt of the IRS Ruling and an opinion from its counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, together substantially to the effect that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a tax-free reorganization under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the IRC.

 

Although a private letter ruling from the IRS is generally binding on the IRS, the IRS Ruling, if received from the IRS, will rely on certain facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings from Exelon and us regarding the past and future conduct of Exelon’s and our business, among other matters. Moreover, the IRS Ruling will not be a comprehensive ruling regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the separation and distribution. The opinion of counsel, if received from Exelon’s counsel, will also rely on certain facts, assumptions and covenants, as described therein, as well as on the validity of the IRS Ruling. In addition, Exelon’s counsel’s ability to provide an opinion will depend on the absence of changes in existing facts or law between the date of this information statement and the closing date of the separation. The opinion of counsel will not be binding on the IRS or the courts, and the IRS or the courts may not agree with such opinion.

 

Even if Exelon receives the IRS Ruling and opinion of counsel, the IRS could determine on audit that the distribution or any of certain related transactions is taxable if it determines that any of the facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings upon which such ruling and opinion rely are not correct or have been violated or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinion that are not covered by the IRS Ruling, or for other reasons, including as a result of certain significant changes in the stock ownership of Exelon or us after the distribution. If, notwithstanding the IRS Ruling and the opinion of counsel, it is ultimately determined that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, do not qualify as tax-free under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the IRC, then Exelon or we could incur significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities attributable to the separation and distribution. In addition, if the distribution does not qualify as tax-free under Section 355 of the Code, each Exelon shareholder that receives shares of our common stock in the distribution would be treated as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of our common stock that was distributed to the shareholder, which would generally be taxed as a dividend to the extent of the shareholder’s pro rata share of Exelon’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, including Exelon’s taxable gain, if any, on the separation, then treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s basis in the Exelon stock and thereafter treated as capital gain from the sale or exchange of Exelon common stock. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, certain non-corporation citizens or residents of the United States (including individuals) currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on dividends (assuming certain holding period requirements are met) and long-term capital gains (i.e., capital gains on assets held for more than one year) at reduced rates.

 

 

Assuming that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will qualify for tax-free treatment, and subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth herein (including the discussion below relating to the receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares), for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

·

no gain or loss will be recognized by Exelon on the distribution;

 

·

no gain or loss will be recognized by, or be includible in the income of, a U.S. Holder solely as a result of the receipt of our common stock in the distribution;

 

·

the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Exelon common stock and shares of our common stock, including any fractional share deemed received, in the hands of each U.S. Holder immediately after the distribution will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Exelon common stock held by such holder immediately before the distribution, allocated between the shares of Exelon common stock and shares of our common stock, including any fractional share deemed received, in proportion to their relative fair market values immediately following the distribution; and

 

·

the holding period with respect to shares of our common stock received by U.S. Holders will include the holding period of their shares of Exelon common stock, provided that such shares of Exelon common stock are held as capital assets immediately following the distribution.

 

U.S. Holders that have acquired different blocks of Exelon common stock at different times or at different prices are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the allocation of their aggregate adjusted basis among, and their holding period of, our common stock and Exelon common stock.

 

If a U.S. Holder receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock as part of the distribution, the U.S. Holder will be treated as though it first received a distribution of the fractional share in the distribution and then sold it for the amount of cash actually received. Such U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the cash received for such fractional share and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in that fractional share, as determined above. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Exelon common stock exceeds one year on the date of the distribution. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to significant limitations.

 

Even if the distribution otherwise qualifies for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code, the separation may result in corporate level taxable gain to Exelon under Section 355(e) of the IRC if 50% or more, by vote or value, of the Exelon stock or our stock is treated as directly or indirectly acquired or issued as part of a plan or series of related transactions that includes the distribution (including as a result of transactions occurring before the separation). The process for determining whether an acquisition or issuance triggering these provisions has occurred is complex, inherently factual and subject to interpretation of the facts and circumstances of a particular case, and any such acquisitions may not be within our or Exelon’s control. For this purpose, any acquisitions or issuances of Exelon stock within two years before the day of the distribution, and any acquisitions or issuances of our stock or Exelon stock within two years after the day of the distribution generally are presumed to be part of such a plan (subject to certain exceptions and safe harbors), although we or Exelon, as applicable, may be able to rebut that presumption. If an acquisition or issuance of our stock or Exelon stock triggers the application Section 355(e) of the IRC, Exelon could incur significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities attributable to the distribution and certain related transactions, but the distribution would generally be tax-free to each of Exelon shareholders, as described above. Under some circumstances, the tax matters agreement would require us to indemnify Exelon for such tax liability associated with the taxable gain.”

 

U.S. Treasury regulations require certain Exelon shareholders who receive our common stock in the distribution and, immediately prior to the distribution, own (i) at least 5% of the total outstanding stock of Exelon, or (ii) securities of Exelon with an aggregate basis of $1 million or more, to attach to their U.S. federal income tax return for the year in which our stock is received a detailed statement setting forth certain information relating to the tax-free nature of the distribution. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors to determine whether they are required to provide the foregoing statement and the contents thereof.

 

Under the tax matters agreement, we will generally be required to indemnify Exelon for the resulting taxes in the event that the distribution and/or related transactions fail to qualify for their intended tax treatment due to any action by us or any of our subsidiaries. If the distribution were to be taxable to Exelon, the liability for payment of such tax by Exelon or by us under the tax matters agreement could have a material adverse effect on Exelon or us, as the case may be.

 

 

WE URGE YOU TO CONSULT WITH YOUR TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE SPECIFIC U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE SEPARATION IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

Results of the Separation

 

After the separation, we will be a publicly-traded company. Immediately following the separation, we expect to have approximately record holders of shares of our common stock and approximately shares of our common stock outstanding, based on the number of shareholders and outstanding shares of Exelon common stock on , 2022, and assuming each holder of Exelon common stock will receive share of our common stock for every share of Exelon common stock. The actual number of shares to be distributed will be determined as of the record date.

 

We are in the process of determining the treatment of Exelon equity awards in connection with the separation. The treatment of equity awards will be described in greater detail in a subsequent amendment to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part. For information regarding the treatment of equity awards of the Company’s directors and executive officers after the distribution, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Exelon Related to the Separation—Employee Matters Agreement” and “Management.”

 

We are in the process of determining the treatment of bonuses in connection with the separation, in respect of (i) the current performance year, (ii) any pre-existing awards that have been earned but that remain unpaid, and (iii) any go-forward bonus programs and/or arrangements. The treatment of bonuses will be described in greater detail in a subsequent amendment to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part.

 

Before the separation, we will enter into several agreements with Exelon to effect the separation and provide a framework for our relationship with Exelon after the separation. These agreements will govern the relationship between us and Exelon after completion of the separation and provide for the allocation between us and Exelon of the assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of Exelon. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with Exelon Related to the Separation.”

 

Trading Prior to the Distribution Date

 

See “Trading Market – Trading Prior to the Distribution Date” for information regarding trading in our common stock and Exelon’s common stock prior to the distribution date.

 

Conditions to the Distribution

 

We expect that the distribution will be effective as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern time, on , 2022, the distribution date. The distribution is subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by Exelon, of the following conditions:

 

·

the final approval of the distribution by Exelon’s board of directors, which approval may be given or withheld in its absolute and sole discretion;

·

our registration statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part, shall have been declared effective by the SEC, with no stop order in effect with respect thereto;

·

the mailing by Exelon of this information statement (or notice of internet availability thereof) to record holders of Exelon common stock as of the record date;

·

our common stock shall have been approved for listing on NASDAQ, subject to official notice of distribution;

·

Exelon shall have received the IRS Ruling and an opinion of its counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, together substantially to the effect that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will qualify as a tax-free reorganization under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the IRC;

·

the following governmental approvals and any required material governmental approvals and other consents necessary to consummate the distribution or any portion thereof shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect:

 

 

·

NRC consent and approval to indirectly transfer and to amend the nuclear facility operating licenses,

·

FERC approval to indirectly transfer control of facilities subject to its jurisdiction, through the upstream change in ownership resulting from the separation, and

·

NYPSC approval of the change in the ultimate upstream ownership of three nuclear plants (FitzPatrick, Nine Mile Point and Ginna) located in New York;

·

the absence of any events or developments having occurred prior to the distribution that, in the judgment of Exelon’s board of directors, would result in the distribution having a material adverse effect on Exelon or its shareholders;

·

our adoption of amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and the filing of those documents with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part;

·

no order, injunction or decree issued by any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of all or any portion of the distribution shall be in effect, and no other event shall have occurred or failed to occur that prevents the consummation of all or any portion of the distribution;

·

the internal transactions shall have been completed, except for such steps as Exelon in its sole discretion shall have determined may be completed after the distribution date; and

·

each of the separation agreement, the tax matters agreement, the employee matters agreement, the transition services agreement and the other ancillary agreements shall have been executed and delivered by each party thereto and be in full force and effect.

 

We are not aware of any material federal, foreign or state regulatory requirements that must be complied with or any material approvals that must be obtained in connection with the distribution and separation, other than the aforementioned approvals of the NRC, FERC and NYPSC; compliance with SEC rules and regulations; approval for listing on NASDAQ; and the declaration of effectiveness of the registration statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part, by the SEC. Some of these conditions may not be met and Exelon may waive any of the conditions to the distribution. In addition, until the distribution has occurred, Exelon’s board of directors has the right to not proceed with the distribution, even if all of the conditions are satisfied. In the event Exelon’s board of directors determines to waive a material condition to the distribution, to modify a material term of the distribution or not to proceed with the distribution, Exelon intends to promptly issue a press release or other public announcement and file a Current Report on Form 8-K to report such event.

 

Reasons for Furnishing this Information Statement

 

This information statement is being furnished solely to provide information to Exelon shareholders that are entitled to receive shares of Company common stock in the distribution. This information statement is not, and is not to be construed as, an inducement or encouragement to buy, hold or sell any of our securities or any securities of Exelon. We believe that the information in this information statement is accurate as of the date set forth on the cover. Changes may occur after that date and neither Exelon nor we undertake any obligation to update the information.

 

TRADING MARKET

 

We intend to list our common stock on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “     .”

 

Trading Prior to the Distribution Date

 

Beginning shortly before the record date and continuing up to and including the distribution date, we expect that a limited market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop in our common stock. “When-issued” trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. The “when-issued” trading market will be a market for shares of our common stock that will be distributed to Exelon shareholders on the distribution date. If you own shares of Exelon common stock at     p.m. Eastern time, as of the record date, you will be entitled to shares of our common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. You may trade this entitlement to shares of our common stock, without trading the shares of Exelon common stock you own, on the “when-issued” market. On the first trading day following the distribution date, “when-issued” trading with respect to our common stock will end and “regular-way” trading will begin. We will announce our when-issued trading symbol when and if it becomes available.

 

 

It is also anticipated that, beginning shortly before the record date and continuing up to and including the distribution date, there will be two markets in Exelon common stock: a “regular-way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. Shares of Exelon common stock that trade on the “regular-way” market will trade with an entitlement to shares of Company common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. Shares that trade on the “ex-distribution” market will trade without an entitlement to shares of our common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. Therefore, if you own shares of Exelon common stock at the close of business on the record date and sell those shares on the “regular-way” market before the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of our common stock in connection with the distribution. If you own shares of Exelon common stock at the close of business on the record date and sell those shares on the “ex-distribution” market before the distribution date, you will still receive the shares of our common stock that you would be entitled to receive pursuant to your ownership of the shares of Exelon common stock on the record date. However, if Exelon shareholders own shares of Exelon common stock at p.m. Eastern time, as of the record date and sell those shares on the “ex-distribution” market up to and including the distribution date, the selling shareholders will still receive the shares of our common stock that they would otherwise receive pursuant to the distribution.

 

Market for Our Common Stock

 

There is currently no public market for our common stock and an active trading market may not develop or may not be sustained.

 

We cannot predict the prices at which our common stock may trade before the separation on a “when-issued” basis or after the distribution and separation. Those prices will be determined by the marketplace. Prices at which trading in our common stock occurs may fluctuate significantly. Those prices may be influenced by many factors, including anticipated or actual fluctuations in our operating results or those of other companies in our industry, investor perception of the Company and the retail power and gas and power generation business, market fluctuations and general economic conditions. In addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the performance of many stocks and that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. These are just some factors that may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Common Stock” for further discussion of risks relating to the trading prices of our common stock.

 

Transferability of Shares of Our Common Stock

 

On         , 2022, Exelon Corporation had approximately million shares of its common stock issued and outstanding. Based on this number, we expect that upon completion of the distribution, we will have approximately million shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The shares of our common stock that you will receive in the distribution will be freely transferable, unless you are considered an “affiliate” of ours under Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Persons who can be considered our affiliates after the distribution generally include individuals or entities that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with, us, and may include certain of our officers and directors. As of the distribution date, we estimate that our directors and officers will beneficially own in the aggregate less than percent of our shares. In addition, individuals who are affiliates of Exelon on the distribution date may be deemed to be affiliates of ours. Our affiliates may sell shares of our common stock received in the distribution only:

 

·

under a registration statement that the SEC has declared effective under the Securities Act; or

·

under an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, such as the exemption afforded by Rule 144.

 

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, an affiliate will be entitled to sell, within any three-month period commencing 90 days after the date that the registration statement of which this information statement is a part is declared effective, a number of shares of our common stock that does not exceed the greater of:

 

·

1.0% of our common stock then outstanding; or

·

the average weekly trading volume of our common stock on NASDAQ during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

 

Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to restrictions relating to manner of sale and the availability of current public information about us.

 

 

In the future, we expect to adopt new equity-based compensation plans and issue stock-based awards. We currently expect to file a registration statement under the Securities Act to register shares to be issued under these equity plans. Shares issued pursuant to awards after the effective date of that registration statement, other than shares issued to affiliates, generally will be freely tradable without further registration under the Securities Act.

 

Except for our common stock distributed in the distribution and employee-based equity awards, we will have no equity securities outstanding immediately after the separation.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have not made a decision on whether we will pay dividends on our common stock. Any decision to declare and pay dividends will be made at the sole discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

·

our historic and projected financial condition, liquidity and results of operations;

·

our capital levels and needs;

·

tax considerations;

·

any acquisitions or potential acquisitions that we may consider;

·

statutory and regulatory prohibitions and other limitations;

·

the terms of any credit agreements or other borrowing arrangements that restrict our ability to pay cash dividends;

·

general economic conditions; and

·

other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.

 

As a Pennsylvania corporation, we will be subject to certain restrictions on dividends under Pennsylvania corporate law. Generally, a corporation may only pay dividends under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law if the total assets of the corporation would be more than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the time as of which the distribution is measured, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution.

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table presents Generation’s unaudited cash and capitalization as of December 31, 2020 on a historical basis, and our unaudited cash and capitalization as of December 31, 2020 on a pro forma basis to give effect to the distribution and separation as if it occurred on December 31, 2020. You can find an explanation of the pro forma adjustments made to the historical combined financial statements under “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.” The capitalization table below should be read together with “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” section of this information statement.

 

We are providing the capitalization table below for informational purposes only. The capitalization table below may not reflect the capitalization or financial condition that would have resulted had we been operated as a stand-alone public company at that date and is not necessarily indicative of our future capitalization or financial condition.

 

We have not yet finalized our post-separation capitalization. We intend to update and include pro forma financial information reflecting our post-separation capitalization in an amendment to this information statement.

 

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

On February 21, 2021, Exelon’s board of directors authorized management to pursue a plan to separate its competitive generation and customer-facing energy businesses into a stand-alone publicly traded company. The separation will occur through a distribution to Exelon’s shareholders of all of the shares of common stock of the Company, which will own Generation, including its competitive generation, customer-facing power and gas supply, and related businesses. Following the distribution, Exelon shareholders will own 100% of the shares of our common stock.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements have been derived from the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Generation, included elsewhere in this information statement. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 gives effect to the separation and related transactions, including the purchase of the noncontrolling interest in CENG, as if they had occurred on January 1, 2020, the beginning of the most recent fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 gives effect to the separation and related transactions, including the purchase of the noncontrolling interest in CENG, as if they had occurred on December 31, 2020.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared for illustrative and informational purposes only and are not intended to represent what our results of operations or financial position would have been had the separation and the purchase of the noncontrolling interest in CENG occurred on the dates indicated. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements also should not be considered indicative of our future results of operations or financial position as an independent, publicly traded company. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included in this information statement. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information does not reflect the realization of any expected cost savings or other synergies as a result of the separation and related transactions, including the purchase of the noncontrolling interest in CENG.

 

On November 20, 2019, Generation received notice that, pursuant to an April 1, 2014 Put Option Agreement, EDF intended to exercise its put option to sell to Generation its 49.99% equity interest in CENG. Following the required sixty-day notice period, the put option was automatically exercised on January 19, 2020. On August 6, 2021, Generation and EDF entered into a settlement agreement pursuant to which Generation, through a wholly owned subsidiary, purchased EDF’s equity interest in CENG for a net purchase price of $885 million, which includes, among other things, a credit for EDF’s share of the balance of a preferred distribution payable by CENG to Generation. The difference between the net purchase price and EDF’s noncontrolling interest as of the closing date was recorded to Membership interest on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations and unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet give pro forma effect to the following:

 

Separation transaction accounting adjustments

 

·

the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock based on distribution ratio of        share of our common stock for each share of Exelon common stock outstanding on the record date.

 

·

the impact of the separation agreement, employee matters agreement, tax matters agreement and the provisions therein.

 

 

CENG put transaction adjustments

 

·

the purchase of 49.99% noncontrolling interest in CENG from EDF in accordance with the Put Option Agreement, including the establishment of a deferred tax liability and the issuance of approximately $880 million under a term loan credit agreement to fund the transaction.

  

·

the adjustment of the provision (benefit) for income taxes related to the taxation of income previously attributable to noncontrolling interest holders.

 

Autonomous entity adjustments

 

·

the incremental costs that the Company expects to incur as an independent, separate public company under the transition services agreement.

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with:

 

·

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which are included elsewhere within this information statement.

 

·

the historical audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes of Generation as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, which are included elsewhere within this information statement.

 

·

the accompanying notes to the pro forma financial information.

 

 

Constellation Newholdco, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

		For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
						Pro Forma Adjustments (Note 2)
(In millions, except per share data)		Historical				Separation Transaction Accounting Adjustments				CENG Put Transaction Accounting Adjustments				Autonomous Entity Adjustments				Pro Forma
Operating revenues
Operating revenues		$	16,392			$	1,211	(e)										$	17,603
Operating revenues from affiliates			1,211				(1,211	)(e)											—
Total operating revenues			17,603				—				—				—				17,603
Operating expenses
Purchased power and fuel			9,592				(7	)(e)											9,585
Purchased power and fuel from affiliates			(7	)			7	(e)											—
Operating and maintenance			4,613				555	(e)							[—]	(j)			5,168
							[—](d)
Operating and maintenance from affiliates			555				(555	)(e)											—
Depreciation and amortization			2,123																2,123
Taxes other than income taxes			482																482
Total operating expenses			17,358				—				—				—				17,358
Gain on sales of assets and businesses			11																11
Operating income			256				—				—				—				256
Other income and (deductions)
Interest expense, net			(328	)							[—]	(h)							(328	)
Interest expense to affiliates			(29	)			29	(b)											—
Other, net			937				[—]	(d)											937
Total other income and (deductions)			580				29				—				—				609
Income before income taxes			836				29				—				—				865
Income taxes			249				[—]	(k)			[—]	(i)			[—]	(k)			249
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates			(8	)															(8	)
Net income			579				29				—				—				608
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests			(10	)							[—]	(h)							(10	)
Net income attributable to membership interest or common shareholders			589				29				—				—				618
Average shares of common stock outstanding (Note 3):
Basic			N/A																[—]
Diluted			N/A																[—]
Earnings per average common share (Note 3):
Basic			N/A																[—]
Diluted			N/A																[—]

 

 

Constellation Newholdco, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

		As of December 31, 2020
						Pro Forma Adjustments (Note 2)
(In millions)		Historical				Separation Transaction Accounting Adjustments				CENG Put Transaction Accounting Adjustments				Pro Forma
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	226				[—]	(b)			[—]	(h)		$	226
							[—]	(g)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents			89												89
Accounts receivable
Customer accounts receivable			1,330				153	(e)							1,483
Customer allowance for credit losses			(32	)											(32	)
Customer accounts receivable, net			1,298				153				—				1,451
Other accounts receivable			352				[—]	(f)							352
Other accounts receivable, net			352				—				—				352
Mark-to-market derivative assets			644												644
Receivables from affiliates			153				(153	)(e)							0
Unamortized energy contract assets			38												38
Inventories, net
Fossil fuel and emission allowances			233												233
Materials and supplies			978												978
Renewable energy credits			621												621
Assets held for sale			958												958
Other			1,357												1,357
Total current assets			6,947				—				—				6,947
Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $13,370 as of December 31, 2020)			22,214												22,214
Deferred debits and other assets
Nuclear decommissioning trust funds			14,464												14,464
Investments			184												184
Goodwill			47												47
Mark-to-market derivative assets			555												555
Prepaid pension asset			1,558				[—]	(c)							1,558
Unamortized energy contract assets			293												293
Deferred income taxes			6												6
Other			1,826				[—]	(f)							1,826
Total deferred debits and other assets			18,933				—				—				18,933
Total assets		$	48,094				—				—			$	48,094

 

 

Constellation Newholdco, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

		As of December 31, 2020
						Pro Forma Adjustments (Note 2)
(In millions)		Historical				Separation Transaction Accounting Adjustments				CENG Put Transaction Accounting Adjustments				Pro Forma
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings		$	840								[—]	(h)		$	840
Long-term debt due within one year			197												197
Accounts payable			1,253				107	(e)							1,360
Accrued expenses			788												788
Payables to affiliates			107				(107	)(e)							0
Borrowings from Exelon intercompany money pool			285				[—]	(b)							285
Mark-to-market derivative liabilities			262												262
Unamortized energy contract liabilities			7												7
Renewable energy credit obligation			661												661
Liabilities held for sale			375												375
Other			444												444
Total current liabilities			5,219				—				—				5,219
Long-term debt			5,566												5,566
Long-term debt to affiliates			324				[—]	(b)							324
Deferred credits and other liabilities
Deferred income taxes and unamortized investment tax credits			3,656				[—]	(c)			[—]	(h)			3,656
							[—]	(f)
Asset retirement obligations			12,054												12,054
Pension obligations			—				[—]	(c)							0
Non-pension postretirement benefit obligations			858				[—]	(c)							858
Spent nuclear fuel obligation			1,208												1,208
Contractual obligation for regulatory agreement units			—				3,017	(e)							3,017
Payables to affiliates			3,017				(3,017	)(e)							0
Mark-to-market derivative liabilities			205												205
Unamortized energy contract liabilities			3												3
Other			1,308												1,308
Total deferred credits and other liabilities			22,309				—				—				22,309
Total liabilities(a)			33,418				—				—				33,418
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Member’s equity
Membership interest			9,624				[—]	(a)			[—]	(h)			9,624
							[—]	(c)
Undistributed earnings			2,805				[—]	(a)							2,805
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net			(30	)			[—]	(a)							(30	)
Shareholders' equity
Common stock			—				[—]	(a)							0
Additional paid-in capital			—				[—]	(a)							0
							[—]	(g)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net			—				[—]	(a)							—
							[—]	(c)
Total member’s or shareholders' equity			12,399				—				—				12,399
Noncontrolling interests			2,277								[—]	(h)			2,277
Total equity			14,676				—				—				14,676
Total liabilities and equity		$	48,094				—				—			$	48,094

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1. Basis of Presentation

 

The historical financial information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is derived from and should be read in conjunction with the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Generation appearing elsewhere in this information statement and the assumptions outlined in Note 2 below.

 

2. Pro Forma Adjustments and Assumptions

 

Separation transaction accounting adjustments

 

(a)

Reflects the issuance of shares of Company common stock based on the distribution ratio of      share of Company common stock for each share of Exelon common stock outstanding on the record date and reflects the elimination of historical membership interest and undistributed earnings.

 

(b)

Reflects the repayment of $609 million of intercompany debt between Generation and Exelon and the elimination of the related interest expense.

 

(c)

Reflects the estimated impact to prepaid asset, pension obligation and accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from the legal separation of the pension and OPEB plans, historically sponsored by Exelon and accounted for as multi-employer benefit plans, related to current and former Exelon employees transferred to the Company in accordance with the employee matters agreement.

 

(d)

Reflects the estimated impact to Operating and maintenance and Other, net for the presentation reclass of non-service cost components resulting from the legal separation of the pension and OPEB plans, historically sponsored by Exelon and accounted for as multi-employer benefit plans, related to current and former Exelon employees transferred to the Company in accordance with the employee matters agreement.

 

(e)

Reflects the reclassification of sales, purchases and other intercompany transactions between the Company and Exelon's utility subsidiaries, from related party transactions to third-party transactions. Other intercompany transactions include long-term payables to ComEd and PECO related to nuclear decommissioning of Regulatory Agreement Units. See Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

	(f)	Reflects the elimination of the deferred taxes related to tax credit carryforwards and recording of a receivable from Exelon for the reimbursement of the tax credits when utilized by Exelon in accordance with the tax matters agreement.
	(g)	Reflects the expected cash contribution from Exelon to the Company of $          in accordance with the separation agreement.

 

CENG put transaction accounting adjustments

 

(h)

Reflects the purchase of 49.99% noncontrolling interest in CENG from EDF in accordance with the Put Option Agreement, including the establishment of a deferred tax liability and the issuance of approximately $880 million under a 364-day term loan credit agreement to fund the transaction, which bears interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus a risk premium. The interest rates assumed for purposes of preparing this pro forma financial information comprise of the LIBOR rate of          % as of          , 2021 plus the risk premium specified in the credit agreement. A 1/8% change to the annual interest rate would change interest expense by approximately $          on an annual basis.

 

(i)

Reflects the adjustment of the provision (benefit) for income taxes related to the taxation of income previously attributable to noncontrolling interest holders and for the adjustments made to income (loss) before income taxes at an estimated statutory rate of approximately 25%.

 

 

Autonomous entity adjustments

 

(j)

Reflects the estimated incremental costs of approximately $ for the support services to be provided by Exelon's business services subsidiary, BSC, under the transition services agreement, in addition to the corporate and shared costs allocated to Generation in its historical consolidated financial statements.

 

Historically, Exelon has charged its operating subsidiaries for a variety of support services at cost, including legal, human resources, financial, information technology and supply management services, incurred in the operation of the business. Primarily during the first year following the separation date, Exelon will continue to provide certain support services, including legal, financial, and information technology services to the Company until such time as the Company can create all of the necessary stand-alone functions. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations has been adjusted to depict the Company as an independent, separate public company following the separation.

 

Other transaction accounting and autonomous entity adjustments

 

(k)

Reflects the adjustment of the provision (benefit) for income taxes for the adjustments made to income (loss) before income taxes at an estimated statutory rate of approximately 25%.

 

3. Pro Forma Earnings Per Share

 

The calculation of pro forma basic net income per share is calculated by dividing the pro forma net income by the weighted average number of shares of Exelon common stock outstanding for the period indicated, adjusted for a distribution ratio of          share of Company common stock for each share of Exelon common stock outstanding. For more information on the distribution ratio, see Note 2(a) above. The calculation of pro forma diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing the pro forma net income by the weighted average number of shares of Exelon common stock outstanding and dilutive shares of common stock outstanding for the periods indicated, adjusted for the same distribution ratio. This calculation may not be indicative of the dilutive effect that will actually result from share-based awards subsequently transferred to or granted by us.

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE U.S. POWER MARKETS

 

Prior to the 1990s, most electricity customers in the U.S. were served by regulated, vertically-integrated utilities. During the late 1990s, organized regional competitive wholesale markets began to form and many states in the U.S. also pursued competitive retail structures allowing non-utility generators to sell electricity to utilities and/or retail service providers to sell to end-use customers. Deregulation of the U.S. electric industry has progressed differently across the U.S., with the states in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Texas generally being the most deregulated and the states in the Southeast and much of the Midwest and West generally being the most regulated. A recent key trend in the U.S. power markets is the growing shift toward clean energy. Nuclear power facilities are particularly well-positioned to respond to and benefit from this trend, as nuclear power provides reliable, carbon-free baseload power to meet the evolving needs of power markets and customers across the U.S.

 

Competitive Retail Energy Markets

 

Retail competition in states across the U.S. ranges from full competition of generation supplier for all retail customers (commercial, industrial and residential) to partial retail competition available up to a capped amount for industrial customers only.

 

The District of Columbia and thirteen states (Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Texas) have implemented full retail competition for nearly all customers of investor owned utilities. These competitive jurisdictions represent nearly one-third of all electricity consumption in the continental U.S.

 

14 Customer Choice Jurisdictions^(a)

 

 

a)

Source: Retail Energy Supply Association, June 1, 2020

 

In these states allowing full retail competition, regulated utilities continue to provide transmission and distribution service at regulated rates. Generation service, however, is no longer rate regulated. Instead, the rates paid by customers are those offered by competitive retail electricity suppliers or, for customers who do not receive service from competitive suppliers, utility provided POLR service that is reflective of wholesale market prices.

 

There are also several additional states in the U.S. that offer limited electric customer choice and may be considered “hybrid” models. For example, states including California, Michigan, Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, Virginia, Washington and Montana allow limited portions of total load to be served competitively at retail.

 

Competitive Wholesale Markets

 

Distinct from retail markets, which involve the sales of electricity directly to consumers, wholesale markets involve the sales of electricity among electric utilities and electricity marketers before it is eventually sold to end-use consumers. These jurisdictions include many of the most populous states.

 

 

Some regions of the country have evolved further in terms of forming ISOs or RTOs, which are FERC-regulated entities that coordinate, control, and monitor the operation of the electrical power system. Examples include PJM, ISO-NE and NYISO. Approximately two-thirds of the nation’s wholesale electricity sales occur in competitive markets managed by the ISOs or RTOs. These regions have independent oversight of the wholesale markets, and are regulated by FERC, which provides oversight of the operators that encompass multiple states (all but ERCOT). ISOs and RTOs generally afford more formalized and structured wholesale electricity markets than non-ISO or non-RTO regions and have implemented mechanisms to facilitate market monitoring, reliability and efficiency. ISO/RTO-guided initiatives, such as locational marginal pricing and capacity markets, are designed to send the appropriate price signal for new investment in capacity when new capacity is needed to maintain system reliability. ERCOT is unique in that its locational marginal pricing is based solely on system energy and congestion, with no accounting for marginal losses occurring on the system. While not yet formalized into an ISO or RTO, many of the previously fragmented dispatch and control areas in the Western part of the US are starting to combine, as they recognize both the operational benefits, as well as the ability to save money for customers through sharing and co-optimization of generation resources and reserves.

 

PJM. 65% of our generation fleet, measured by net generating capacity, operates within the PJM market. By MW, our generation fleet in PJM consists of approximately 78% nuclear, 9% renewables, 8% gas and 5% oil. PJM is the largest power market in the US and is comprised of all or parts of 13 Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states and the District of Columbia. PJM is one of the most advanced power markets in the U.S., with nodal day-ahead and real-time energy markets, ancillary service products, and a forward capacity market (the Reliability Pricing Model or RPM) that clears capacity three years in advance of the capacity commitment period.

 

PJM forecasted 150.2 GW of peak load in the 2022/2023 delivery year with a minimum reserve margin of 14.50%. PJM relies heavily on natural gas-fired and coal-fired generation. PJM’s installed capacity mix in 2020 includes 28% coal, 27% natural gas, 18% nuclear, 15% gas / other secondary capacity, 5% water, 5% oil and 2% other.

 

Natural gas pricing is one of the primary drivers of energy prices throughout PJM. The discovery and production of vast amounts of shale gas in the U.S., particularly from the Marcellus and Utica shales within the bounds of PJM, combined with development of significant amounts of new efficient gas-fired generation has resulted in a decline in wholesale power prices in PJM.

 

State policies also impact the investment decisions of resources in the PJM market, including state RPS programs, ZEC and/or CMC programs in Illinois and New Jersey, and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). RGGI is a mandatory greenhouse gas cap and trade program that imposes costs via the purchase of allowances for in-state fossil fuel generators. Eleven states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are members of the RGGI program and Pennsylvania is in the process of joining the program.

 

Source: PJM Capacity By Fuel Type 2020, PJM 2022/2023 RPM Base Residual Auction Planning Period Parameters.

 

ERCOT. 12% of our generation fleet, measured by net generating capacity, operates within the ERCOT market. By MW, our generation fleet in ERCOT consists of approximately 97% gas and 3% renewables. ERCOT is the system operator for most of Texas and is not under FERC jurisdiction due to the market being solely located within the state of Texas and not being synchronously interconnected to another part of the U.S. The ERCOT market is projected to have 86.8 GW of capacity available in summer 2021 to meet a peak demand of 75.2 GW, resulting in a reserve margin of 15.5%. ERCOT’s fuel mix for 2021 is projected to consist of 32% gas (combined-cycle), 28% wind, 19% coal, 12% nuclear, 6% gas, and 3% solar, with less than 0.2% from biomass, hydro and other.

 

As an energy-only market, ERCOT’s market design is different from other competitive electricity markets in the U.S. Other markets, including PJM, maintain a minimum reserve margin through regulated planning, resource adequacy requirements and/or capacity markets. In contrast, ERCOT’s resource adequacy is predominately dependent on free market processes and energy market price signals. All electricity prices are subject to a system-wide offer cap, which is $9,000/MWh, as of July 2021.

 

Source: ERCOT 2021 Fuel Mix Report, ERCOT December 2020 Capacity Demand and Reserves Report.

 

NYISO. 6% of our generation fleet, measured by net generating capacity, operates within the NYISO Market. By MW, our generation fleet in NYISO consists of almost 100% nuclear. Established in 1999 as one of the first ISOs, NYISO features liquid day-ahead and real-time energy and ancillary service markets. NYISO also has a spot capacity market, called the ICAP market, which clears capacity up to 6 months in advance of the delivery period. As a result, power generation within NYISO can earn revenues from liquid ancillary, energy and capacity markets. There are four distinct supply and demand zones in the NYISO market: ROS (generally encompassing upstate New York), Zone G-J (known as the “G-J Locality” and located in the Lower Hudson Valley), Zone J (New York City), and Zone K (Long Island). The overall market is known as NYCA.

 

 

NYISO is projected to have 41.1 GW of capacity available to meet 32.3 GW of projected peak demand in 2021, resulting in a reserve margin of 27.0%. NYISO is heavily reliant on natural gas and oil-fired generators with hydro and nuclear resources rounding out most of the remainder. NYISO’s generation supply stack is characterized by numerous aging plants. Over 15 GW of generating capacity, representing over 38% of NYISO’s total generation capacity, is over 50 years old.

 

Source: NYISO 2021 Gold Book, April 2021.

 

Other power markets. The remaining 17% of our generation fleet operates in other markets including CAISO, ISO-NE, MISO and SPP in the U.S. and AESO in Canada. Our generation in these markets, by MW, consists of approximately 20% nuclear, 46% gas, 13% oil and 20% renewables.

 

The CAISO market serves customers primarily in California. CAISO features day-ahead and real-time energy markets and ancillary service markets. While CAISO does not operate a formal capacity market, it does have a mandatory resource adequacy requirement supported through bilateral contracts.

 

The ISO-NE market covers the six states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. It offers day-ahead and real time energy markets, ancillary service products, and a forward capacity market.

 

MISO is an RTO that covers all or parts of 15 states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin; as well as the Canadian province of Manitoba. MISO operates day-ahead and real time energy markets and ancillary service markets. Capacity requirements are addressed through bilateral transactions or a voluntary annual auction that MISO administers.

 

SPP has members in 14 states: Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. It also provides contract reliability coordination services in Arizona, Colorado and Utah. SPP operates day-ahead and real-time energy markets and transmission service markets.

 

AESO provides the function of Independent System Operator in Alberta, Canada, where we own one generation asset. It is currently an energy-only model and does not operate a capacity market. AESO also operates a separate ancillary services market where resources provide specific services that help maintain grid reliability.

 

PJM Base Residual Auction. The PJM Base Residual Auction (“BRA”) is PJM’s annual capacity auction to procure power supply resources in advance of a specific delivery year to meet electricity needs for PJM. In each BRA, PJM seeks to procure a target capacity reserve level for the RTO in a least cost manner while recognizing certain reliability-based constraints on the location and type of capacity that can be committed.

 

Auctions are typically held three years prior to the delivery year. The 2022/2023 Delivery Auction was originally scheduled to be held in May 2019 but was postponed as FERC considered approval of new capacity market rules. In November 2020, PJM announced a revised auction schedule for the next six auctions. In May 2021, PJM conducted its first annual capacity auction since May 2018 and posted the results of the 2022/2023 Delivery Year auction on June 2, 2021. PJM’s next auction, for the 2023/2024 Delivery Year, is scheduled to take place in December 2021, although PJM has requested that auction be delayed until January 2022 to allow time for PJM to implement additional changes to its capacity market rules.

 

MOPR Proceedings. PJM and NYISO capacity markets include a MOPR. If a resource is subjected to a MOPR, its offer is adjusted to remove the revenues it receives through a government-provided financial support program, resulting in a higher offer that may not clear the capacity market. Prior to December 19, 2019, the MOPR in PJM applied only to certain new gas-fired resources. Currently, the MOPR in NYISO applies only to certain resources in downstate New York.

 

On December 19, 2019, FERC required PJM to broadly apply the MOPR to all new and existing resources including nuclear, renewables, demand response, energy efficiency, storage and all resources owned by vertically-integrated utilities. This greatly expanded the breadth and scope of PJM’s MOPR, which became effective as of PJM’s capacity auction for the 2022/23 Delivery Year. While FERC included some limited exemptions, no exemptions were available to state-supported nuclear resources. As a result, the MOPR applied in the 2022/23 capacity auction to our owned or jointly owned nuclear plants in those states receiving a benefit under the Illinois ZES and the New Jersey ZEC program. The MOPR prevented Quad Cities from clearing in the capacity auction.

 

At the direction of the PJM Board of Managers, PJM and its stakeholders developed further MOPR reforms to ensure that the capacity market rules respect and accommodate state resource preferences such as the ZEC programs. PJM filed related tariff revisions at FERC on July 30, 2021. On September 29, 2021, PJM’s proposed MOPR reforms become effective by operation of law. Under the new tariff provisions, the MOPR will no longer apply to any of our owned or jointly owned nuclear plants.

 

 

Key Drivers

 

The U.S. energy sector is experiencing unprecedented changes that we believe will increase the demand for reliable, clean power generation and benefit our business. We believe our generation fleet, including our nuclear assets, is well-positioned to deliver reliable, clean power and benefit from the higher prices that higher demand is expected to drive.

 

Key drivers of increased demand for clean energy include:

 

·

governmental and corporate policies designed to accelerate the de-carbonization of the economy, including continued momentum for incentives for and investment in wind and solar, along with emerging carbon-free technologies like storage and hydrogen;

 

·

policy support for nuclear energy sources that also enable energy security, reliability and diversification;

 

·

the rapid electrification of the U.S. economy; and

 

·

evolving customer preferences favoring clean energy, choice and digitization, to which we believe our customer-facing business is well-positioned to respond.

 

We believe existing nuclear generation, which is currently the largest source of zero emissions electricity in the U.S. accounting for approximately 20% of total 2020 utility-scale electricity generation in the U.S. and complementing other zero-carbon power sources, is essential to achieving existing and future policy objectives for the reduction of GHG emissions. A 2018 study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “The Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon-Constrained World,” found that the costs of achieving transformational de-carbonization targets would increase significantly without the contribution of nuclear power.

 

Policy Support for De-Carbonization and Emerging Carbon-Free Technologies. Driven by societal concerns about climate change, governments, corporations, and investors are increasingly advocating for the reduction of GHG emissions across all sectors of the economy, with reduction of GHG emissions by the energy sector being a key focus. Governments at the international, national and state levels have established or are currently contemplating increasingly stringent policies that require the reduction of GHG emissions over time. Corporations have also adopted targets to reduce the carbon emissions in their business operations, spurred in part by demand from investors and customers for sustainable, environment-friendly business practices. Emerging technologies like storage and hydrogen are also helping to advance de-carbonization.

 

As decarbonization accelerates, we expect our generation fleet will play a critical role in meeting baseload power needs. Nuclear energy is key to achieving decarbonization objectives, given its existing penetration of the U.S. market today and its greater reliability than renewable energy sources. We believe our business is well-positioned to benefit from growing policy support for de-carbonization, which will drive higher demand and higher prices for the reliable, zero-carbon power our nuclear assets generate.

 

International Climate Change Agreements. At the international level, the U.S. is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The parties to the UNFCCC adopted the Paris Agreement at the 21st session of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP 21) on December 12, 2015, and it became effective on November 4, 2016. Under the Paris Agreement, the parties agreed to try to limit the global average temperature increase to 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial levels. In doing so, parties developed their own national reduction commitments. The Biden administration has announced a new target of 50-52 percent reduction in U.S. Greenhouse Gas Pollution from 2005 Levels by 2030. In order to achieve this target and maintain high standards of reliability, the U.S. will need a reliable baseload of zero-carbon generating electricity sources, which our nuclear fleet helps provide.

 

 

Federal Climate Change Legislation and Regulation. Combating climate change is one of the top legislative agenda items of the Biden administration. U.S. President Biden’s stated climate change policy targets 100% clean energy economy with net zero GHG emissions no later than 2050. Within the U.S. power sector specifically, the Biden agenda calls for zero GHG emissions from electricity generation by 2035. Since entering office in January 2021, U.S. President Biden has signed a number of executive orders targeting climate change that include removing certain subsidies for the fossil fuel industry. On March 31, 2021, President Biden proposed the American Jobs Plan, a $2 trillion infrastructure plan that includes measures to combat climate change, such as spending on electric vehicle charging and the creation of a Clean Electricity Standard requiring 100 percent of electricity in the United States to be generated by carbon-free sources by 2035. On Earth Day 2021, President Biden emphasized his commitment to mitigating climate change and pledged to cut U.S. greenhouse gas pollution in half by 2030. While it remains uncertain if the American Jobs Plan or other U.S. federal legislation to reduce GHG emissions will be enacted in the near-term, such legislation would increase the need for reliable carbon-free power generation, which would benefit us as the nation’s largest carbon-free power producer.

 

Given the Administration’s aggressive goals for reducing emissions within the electric power sector, policymakers have recognized the urgent need to prevent the retirement of nuclear power plants prior to the end of their licensed lives. Nuclear energy provides 20 percent of the nation’s electricity and over 50 percent of the nation’s carbon free power. A dozen nuclear reactors have closed in recent years, primarily as a result of economic challenges in merchant power markets. Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) have introduced legislation to provide a $15/megawatt hour production tax credit for merchant nuclear power plants. The amount of the PTC is decreased for plants with revenues exceeding $25/megawatt hour. The U.S. Treasury Department proposed an allocated production tax credit for nuclear plants as part of their annual “Green Book” compilation of tax priorities for the Administration. The outlook for this legislation is directly tied to action on legislation extending other clean energy tax credits and remains uncertain.

 

Regional and State Climate Change Legislation and Regulation. A number of states in which we operate have state and regional programs to reduce GHG emissions, including from the power sector. Eleven northeast and mid-Atlantic states (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia) currently participate in the RGGI, which is in the process of strengthening its requirements. The program requires most fossil fuel-fired power plants in the region to hold allowances, purchased at auction, for each ton of CO2 emissions. Non-emitting resources do not have to purchase or hold these allowances.

 

In October 2019, Governor Wolf of Pennsylvania issued an Executive Order that directed the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to begin a rulemaking process that will allow Pennsylvania to join RGGI, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions from the electricity sector.

 

Many states in which we operate also have state-specific programs to address GHGs, including from power plants. Most notable of these, besides RGGI, are renewable and other portfolio standards. In 2019, New York enacted the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which commits the state to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 with interim emission reduction and renewable energy requirements in 2030 and 2040. On September 15, 2021, the Illinois Public Act 102-0662 was signed into law by the Governor of Illinois (“Clean Energy Law”). The Clean Energy Law is designed to achieve 100% carbon-free power by 2045 to enable the state’s transition to a clean energy economy.

 

Renewable and Clean Energy Standards. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), thirty states and the District of Columbia have adopted an RPS, while seven more states have set renewable energy goals. These standards impose varying levels of mandates for procurement of renewable or clean electricity (the definition of which varies by state) and/or energy efficiency. These are generally expressed as a percentage of annual electric load, often increasing by year. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have 100% clean electricity targets, deep GHG reduction targets, or both, encompassing 53% of U.S. residential electricity customers. Utilities comply with these various requirements through purchasing qualifying renewables, implementing efficiency programs, acquiring sufficient credits (e.g., RECs), paying an alternative compliance payment, and/or a combination of these compliance alternatives. New York, Illinois and New Jersey adopted standards targeted at preserving the zero-carbon attributes of certain nuclear-powered generating facilities. We own multiple facilities participating in these programs within these states. Other states in which our generation facilities operate are considering similar programs. We believe our nuclear assets can play a key role in helping states achieve these goals by providing fuel-secure power that maintains grid reliability and complements variable renewable sources like wind and solar.

 

 

100% Clean Electricity Standards, 100% RPS, or High GHG Reduction Targets by State ^(a)

 

 

 

a)

Source: Clean Air Task Force, state public disclosures

 

Corporate Clean Energy Targets. Corporations are facing increasing pressure from their customers and investors to align their businesses with international and national environmental and sustainability objectives, including supporting goals to reduce GHG emissions in their business operations. Leading institutional investors and money managers are increasingly considering sustainability as a key factor in investment decisions and are increasingly advocating for more transparency in disclosure on climate-related matters and pledging to align proxy voting to climate-rated proposals with its fiduciary duty. An increasing number of corporations are also proactively making commitments to reducing their GHG emissions footprint over time, either through procuring increasing amounts of clean energy or RECs to offset their carbon footprint over time. As the nation’s largest producer of clean energy, we support taking bold action to address the climate change crisis and reestablish leadership in both emerging technologies and existing clean infrastructure that together will power the future.

 

Emerging Carbon-Free Technologies. Emerging carbon-free technologies like storage and hydrogen are also expected to help accelerate the economy’s de-carbonization. The U.S. added 1.1 GW / 2.6 GWh of energy storage in 2020, a significant scale-up of the market. In total, we anticipate that 13.6 GW / 35.4 GWh of storage projects will be deployed from 2021 to 2023. Lower costs, state-directed mandates, a backlog of storage projects in the interconnection queue, and utilities seeking large-scale storage capacity to support higher renewables penetration have created conditions for rapid growth of this technology in the U.S. Clean hydrogen also has the potential to drive de-carbonization, particularly as it relates to more challenging sectors like long-haul transportation, steel, chemicals, heating and long-term power storage. Nuclear power can be used to produce clean hydrogen, and our nuclear fleet positions us well to explore this emerging space. Entering the hydrogen space could provide de-carbonization alternatives and supplements to natural gas product offerings. Both energy storage and clean hydrogen continue to gain political and business support and are expected to help support net-zero carbon goals.

 

Policy Support for Nuclear Energy

 

In the current market environment, many merchant nuclear facilities are economically challenged as a result of the low near-term outlook for power prices, which has been negatively impacted by low gas prices, the influx of subsidized renewable energy generation with zero marginal production costs, over-development of new gas-fired generation and weak demand for electricity as a result of increased energy efficiency and weak economic activity. Policy support for nuclear energy recognizes that due to its strong reliability, efficiency and carbon-free nature, nuclear power will continue to play a critical role in the clean energy transition.

 

 

Our nuclear plants are meaningful contributors to the clean energy mix in the states in which they operate. States may not be able to meet their zero-carbon goals without our nuclear plants, as our plants provide a significant portion of the current carbon-free power. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute and the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical 1,000 MW nuclear facility in the United States needs just over 1 square mile to operate, whereas wind farms and solar plants respectively require 360 and 75 times more land area to produce the same electricity. Producing the same amount of power as a typical commercial nuclear reactor would require over 3 million solar panels or over 430 utility-scale wind turbines. This disparity highlights that nuclear is currently the only baseload, carbon-free solution of scale.

 

Current Carbon-Free Power Mix in Key States^(a)

 

 

 

 

a)

Source: 2020 U.S. Energy Information Administration data

 

Federal Policy Support for Nuclear Generation. Given the Administration’s aggressive goals for reducing emissions within the electric power sector, policymakers have recognized the urgent need to prevent the retirement of nuclear power plants prior to the end of their licensed lives. Nuclear energy provides 20 percent of the nation’s electricity and over 50 percent of the nation’s carbon free power. A dozen nuclear reactors have closed in recent years, primarily as a result of economic challenges in merchant power markets. Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) have introduced legislation to provide a $15/megawatt hour production tax credit for merchant nuclear power plants. The amount of the PTC is decreased for plants with revenues exceeding $25/megawatt hour. The U.S. Treasury Department proposed an allocated production tax credit for nuclear plants as part of their annual “Green Book” compilation of tax priorities for the Administration. The outlook for this legislation is directly tied to action on legislation extending other clean energy tax credits and remains uncertain.

 

State Policy Support for Nuclear Generation. A number of states in which our nuclear facilities operate have established policies to support nuclear generation. The supportive policies are driven by a number of factors, including recognition by governments and policy makers that existing nuclear generation facilities are essential to meeting policy objectives on reduction of GHG emissions, the desire to support jobs and regional economies, and the need to ensure reliability and security of the electrical grid through resource diversity.

 

Illinois Zero Emission Standard and Carbon Mitigation Credit Procurement. Pursuant to FEJA, on January 25, 2018, the ICC announced that our Clinton Unit 1, Quad Cities Unit 1 and Quad Cities Unit 2 nuclear plants were selected as the winning bidders through the IPA's ZEC procurement event. We executed the ZEC procurement contracts with Illinois utilities, effective January 26, 2018, and began recognizing revenue with compensation for the sale of ZECs retroactive to the June 1, 2017 effective date of FEJA. The ZEC price was initially established at $16.50 per MWh of production, subject to annual future adjustments determined by the IPA for specified escalation and pricing adjustment mechanisms designed to lower the ZEC price based on increases in underlying energy and capacity prices. Illinois utilities are required to purchase all ZECs delivered by the zero-emissions nuclear powered generating facilities, subject to annual cost caps.

 

On September 15, 2021, Illinois Public Act 102-0662 was signed into law  by the Governor of Illinois (“Clean Energy Law”). The Clean Energy Law is designed to achieve 100% carbon-free power by 2045 to enable the state’s transition to a clean energy economy. The Clean Energy Law establishes decarbonization requirements for Illinois as well as programs to support the retention and development of emissions-free sources of electricity. Among other things, the Clean Energy Law authorizes the IPA to procure up to 54.5 million CMCs from  qualifying nuclear plants for a five-year period beginning on June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2027. CMCs are credits for carbon-free attributes of eligible nuclear power plants in PJM. Our Byron, Dresden, and Braidwood nuclear plants located in Illinois will be eligible to participate in the CMC procurement process and, if awarded contracts, would be committed to operate through May 31, 2027. Selected generators will by December 3, 2021 contract directly with ComEd for the procurement of the CMCs based upon the number of MWh produced annually by the eligible facilities, subject to specified caps and minimum performance requirements. The price to be paid for each CMC will be determined through a competitive bidding process that includes consumer-protection measures that cap the maximum acceptable bid amount and reduce CMC prices by an energy price index, the base residual auction capacity price in the ComEd zone of PJM, and the monetized value of any federal tax credit or other subsidy if applicable. Regulatory or legal challenges regarding the validity or implementation of the Clean  Energy Law are possible and we cannot reasonably predict the outcome of any such challenges.

 

New Jersey Clean Energy Legislation. On May 23, 2018, New Jersey enacted legislation that established a ZEC program that provides compensation for nuclear plants that demonstrate to the NJBPU that they meet certain requirements, including that they make a significant contribution to air quality in the state and that their revenues are insufficient to cover their costs and risks. Under the legislation, the NJBPU will issue ZECs to qualifying nuclear power plants and the electric distribution utilities in New Jersey will be required to purchase those ZECs. On April 18, 2019, the NJBPU approved the award of ZECs to Salem 1 and Salem 2. On October 1, 2020, PSEG and Generation filed applications seeking ZECs for the second eligibility period (June 2022 through May 2025). On April 27, 2021 the NJBPU approved the award of ZECs to Salem 1 and Salem 2 for the second eligibility period, with the subsidy extended at $10 per MWh.

 

 

New York Clean Energy Standard. On August 1, 2016, the NYPSC issued an order establishing the New York CES, a component of which is a Tier 3 ZEC program targeted at preserving the environmental attributes of zero-emissions nuclear-powered generating facilities that meet the criteria demonstrating public necessity. The NYPSC has determined that our FitzPatrick, Ginna and Nine Mile Point nuclear facilities meet the criteria. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) centrally procures the ZECs through a 12-year contract extending from April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2029, administered in six two-year tranches. ZEC payments are made based upon the number of MWh produced by each facility, subject to specified caps and minimum performance requirements. The ZEC price for the first tranche was set at $17.48 per MWh of production and is administratively determined using a formula based on the social cost of carbon as determined in 2016 by the federal government, subject to pricing adjustments designed to lower the ZEC price based on increases in underlying energy and capacity prices. Following the first tranche, the price will be updated bi-annually. The ZEC price for the third tranche was set at $21.38 per MWh and took effect on April 1, 2021. The next update is scheduled to occur on April 1, 2023. Each Load Serving Entity (LSE) is required to purchase an amount of ZECs from NYSERDA equivalent to its load ratio share of the total electric energy in the New York Control Area.

 

Electrification

 

The push to reduce or eliminate GHG emissions could lead to acceleration of the electrification of the U.S. economy, including electrification of transportation, industrial operations, heating and cooling, and appliances, which could materially increase demand for electricity. Widespread electrification could increase 2050 U.S. electricity consumption by between 20% and 38%. Higher demand for electricity will likely drive higher prices and benefit our business. We expect reliable, baseload nuclear power will be essential to meeting increased demand, well-positioning our fleet to benefit from the electrification of the U.S. economy.

 

Although EV sales in North America are well behind Europe and China, increased policy support from the Biden administration, together with a number of electric pickup trucks and SUVs, including hybrid EVs, hitting the market over the next five years will drive the U.S. market in 2021 and beyond. Beginning in 2021, U.S. consumers will have a stronger EV lineup to choose from, including EVs from prominent producers like Tesla, Rivian, Nissan, Ford, Audi, GMC, Hyundai, and Volkswagen, among others. For example, in January 2021, General Motors announced a goal to phase out gas and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035, which account for roughly 98% of their sales today. With over 90% of states offering incentives for setting up EV charging infrastructure, U.S. EV market sales are projected to rise to 6.9 million units by 2025.

 

U.S. Passenger EV Charging Infrastructure Demand^(a)

 

 

 

a)

Source: Bloomberg NEF Electric Vehicle Outlook 2020. Note: BEV = Battery Electric Vehicle

 

 

U.S. EV Electricity Demand Outlook^(a)

 

 

 

a)

Source: Bloomberg NEF Electric Vehicle Outlook 2020. Note: BEV = Battery Electric Vehicle

 

Electrification of industrial processes, commercial equipment and residential appliances that currently run on fossil fuels will also play a role in increasing the net demand for electricity. This trend is likely to be driven by increased corporate, investor, and customer focus on sustainability, as well as by an underlying need to increase efficiencies and manage operational costs. Electric systems tend to be relatively more efficient than existing systems, including having a higher performance lifetime and relatively superior design, yield, process controllability, and flexibility. As the costs of renewables, including energy storage, continue to decline, it is likely reducing energy and overhead costs will also be a driving factor towards the electrification of industrial processes and operations. Conversion of heating systems that currently run on gas and oil represents another potential source of increased demand for electricity. According to the International Energy Agency, heat makes up two-thirds of industrial energy demand, and almost one-fifth of global energy consumption, prompting efforts by energy companies and industrial manufacturers to electrify their thermal processes. For companies like us whose core competency is safely generating and serving electricity and related products to its customers, this increasing trend toward electrification provides natural growth opportunities.

 

U.S. Electricity Use by End-Use Sector | TWh^(a)

 

 

 

a)

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2021 (Feb 2021). Reflects the AEO2021 Reference Case.

 

 

Evolving Customer Preferences

 

Evolving customer preferences that favor additional clean energy solutions, choice and access through increased digitization, will impact the commercial power and natural gas (or energy) industry. Recent key trends include: (i) consumer preferences for additionality (i.e., meeting sustainability goals by adding incremental renewable resources to the grid instead of utilizing existing spare capacity), (ii) the ability to be connected to, trace and validate the source of their green energy choices, (iii) value-add services and products around their energy usage, and (iv) the ability to buy, manage and measure their energy usage digitally. Today’s power markets provide the ability to offer more customized energy solutions and green products to better address and serve the demands of customers today.

 

Under de-carbonization, customer preferences for additionality to meet sustainability goals through adding incremental renewable resources to the grid will contribute to greater buildout of renewables. Consumers are also increasingly purpose-driven and knowledgeable of services that drive de-carbonization, leading them to value the ability to be connected to and trace the source of their clean energy choices. A third-party study found that 60% of consumers have become more aware of climate change since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than half of consumers likely to invest and upgrade to energy efficiency programs today than before.

 

Growing awareness of climate change and green energy helps drive customer interest in value-add services and products around their energy usage, such as residential rooftop solar, EV charging, smart, energy-efficient home technologies, and the ability to choose 100 percent clean power in competitive retail energy markets. Developments in power technology and automation mean that the relationship between the customer and the understanding of how they manage their energy is now more connected through digital applications. Increasingly, affordable technologies and the growing availability of smart meter data are facilitating customers’ ability to make a range of unprecedented energy choices. A third-party study found that more than half of customers are interested in time-of-use tariffs / flexible tariffs / demand-response options to increase cost savings by shifting their electricity consumption from evenings to daytime / nights.

 

With the digitization of the broader economy, customers and businesses at each purchasing entry point level have increased desire for flexibility to directly engage in their buy decisions electronically, as well as manage their energy usage digitally in real time. Digital marketplaces and monitoring systems will facilitate greater control and opportunities for customers and businesses to more frequently engage with their energy providers and become more knowledgeable of their energy choices, including the products we provide.

 

Responding to these evolving customer preferences will facilitate continued innovation in the commercial power space and new opportunities for providers to connect energy decision making more directly to the end-user.

 

 

OUR BUSINESS

 

Our Company is America’s leading clean energy company, based on the production of carbon-free electricity. We are the largest supplier of clean energy and sustainable solutions to homes, businesses, public sector, community aggregations and a range of wholesale customers (such as municipalities, cooperatives, and other strategics) across the continental U.S., backed by more than 31,000 megawatts of generating capacity consisting of nuclear, wind, solar, natural gas and hydro assets. In 2020, the Company produced nearly 12% of the nation's carbon-free energy (based on generation output of electricity) according to published reports on energy delivery by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, making it an important partner to business and state and local governments that are setting ambitious carbon-reduction goals and seeking long-term solutions to the climate crisis.

 

The Company is comprised of two primary business units: Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. and Exelon Generation Company, LLC. The combined Company operates in 48 states, Canada and the U.K. and employs approximately 12,400 people.

 

We believe shareholder value is built on a foundation of operational excellence and the pairing of our customer facing platform with our clean energy fleet. We are committed to maintaining investment grade credit ratings. We are focused on optimizing cash returns through a disciplined approach to cost management and efficient operations, underpinned by stable and durable margins from our customer-facing business coupled with visible generation payments associated with our clean energy attributes. We are committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet, to returning value to our shareholders (subject to approval by our Board of Directors) and to investing in clean energy solutions.

 

Our Operations

 

Customer-Facing Business: Constellation

 

Constellation is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative energy suppliers, serving customers of all sizes through the U.S. Constellation is active in all domestic wholesale power and gas markets that span the entire lower 48 states and has complementary retail activity across many of those states.

 

Constellation Retail has a Diverse Geographic Footprint

 

 

 

Power Supply

 

Constellation is a leader in power supply serving 215 TWhs annually to a diverse geographic customer base, including utilities, municipality, cooperatives, commercial, industrial, residential, public sector and three-fourths of the Fortune 100 companies. It is the largest retail commercial and industrial power provider and the third largest residential power provider in the U.S., supplying approximately 145 TWh to business and public sector customers and approximately 10 TWh to residential customers.

 

 

Power Load is Served Across Regions^(a)

 

 

a)

Includes retail and wholesale load auction volumes only. Other includes New England, South and West.

 

Constellation is Defined by Consistent Load, Enabling Durable, Stable Cash Flows^(a)

 

 

 

a)

Reflects retail load and wholesale load auction volumes as of December 31, 2020.

 

Constellation’s wholesale channel-to-market serves approximately 60 TWh of power load across competitive utility load procurements and bilateral sales to municipalities, coops, banks, and other wholesale entities. Complementary to its national portfolio, Constellation has several decades of relationships with wholesale counterparties across all domestic power markets as a means of both monetizing its own generation, as well as sourcing contracted generation to meet customer and portfolio needs. With the increased trend toward customer demand for sustainability, this ability to source contracted generation has provided a capital-light way for the Company to provide customers with the renewable products they are demanding to support a cleaner energy ecosystem. This creates durable customer relationships and repeatable business through the ability to respond to customer and marketplace trends. Similarly, this contracting acumen provides the ability to supplement our native generation with other non-renewable assets to meet changing portfolio needs in a balance sheet efficient manner.

 

Gas Supply

 

Constellation is also a leader in gas supply serving 1,600 Bcf of gas annually to a wide range of residential, commercial, wholesale, and municipal customers across many sectors, including manufacturing, services, public sector, transportation, and utilities. Because we have an integrated gas business that focuses not only on supplying customer needs, but also providing fuel for our power plants and sourcing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for the Everett Marine LNG Import Terminal, we have strong capabilities across the entire natural gas value chain allowing us to optimize our portfolio to provide both low cost and customized solutions to our customers. Similarly, the scope of our natural gas business provides us wide geographic coverage across all domestic natural gas markets.

 

 

In addition to providing energy management strategies that focus on more than just price, customers are able to focus on actively managing costs, mitigating risk and supporting long-term budget certainty. Constellation’s gas managed products are designed to minimize volatility and achieve budget certainty over time, while providing customers the ability to create a structured plan that reduces the pressure to capture the lowest price to create protection from volatility. It is the breadth of offerings, experience across the value chain, and customer and geographic diversity that contribute to the robust cash flows derived from the gas business. Constellation is committed to the ongoing sustainability needs of gas customers by providing renewable energy products and solutions as options to reduce carbon emissions through Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and Carbon Offsets for natural gas consumption. Similarly, due to the tight interrelationship between natural gas and electricity markets, Constellation’s natural gas business also provides valuable market intelligence useful to our overall business.

 

2020 Constellation Gas Sales by Market Sector and Customer Type

 

 

 

Customer Acquisition and Retention

 

Constellation primarily serves C&I customers across the United States. These strong, proven customer relationships are a key part of our customer-facing business strategy. High customer satisfaction levels, market expertise, stability and scale drive growth and result in historically-proven business consistency and margins. Customer retention rates have been strong over the last five years across C&I power customer groups, with average contract terms of 25 months and customer duration of more than six years, with many customers beyond these metrics. Specifically, Constellation enjoyed a 79% C&I power, a 91% C&I gas, and 78% power and gas residential renewal rate in 2020, consistent with the previous four years, owing to both its competitive pricing as well as its strong customer relationships. Our consistently high renewal rates are driven by our ability to provide customized solutions and deliver focused attention to our customers’ needs, resulting in industry-leading customer satisfaction. Constellation is successful at acquiring new customers by offering a diversity of innovative services and products, meeting customers where they are in the buying cycle. In addition to our high customer retention rates, we are able to acquire nearly one out of every three customers who have chosen to shop. While providing customers with the best possible price is a key focus, Constellation leverages its broad suite of electric and gas product structures, oftentimes customized, to provide customers with the commodity solution that best fits their needs. It is this attention to the customer that creates the durable, repeatable value highlighted in these statistics.

 

Consumer purchasing strategies have trended from direct supply relationships to third party relationships with a growing number of customers looking to third party consultants to find suppliers like Constellation to reduce costs and evaluate the increasing number of options available for expanding energy solutions beyond commodity. Constellation has seen its third-party sourced business grow from approximately 42% of its C&I Power load to 64% between 2014 and 2020, and 20% of its C&I Gas load to 40% during the same period. In response, Constellation expanded its third-party capabilities, created scale through a comprehensive support structure, and enhanced digital applications providing tools, tracking and measurement as well as the ability to extend the reach of Constellation’s sustainability services and products to drive additional market share.

 

 

Constellation Benefits From Strong Customer Relationships, with Leading C&I Renewal Rates

 

 

 

Energy Solutions

 

As one of the largest customer-facing platforms in the U.S., Constellation benefits from significant economies of scale, which allow us to provide our customers with competitively priced energy and to structure highly tailored solutions targeted to a customer’s unique power needs and clean energy goals. Our customer solutions include specialty power and gas products matching customers’ risk tolerance and risk management needs, energy efficiency, carbon free products for power and gas (RECs, EFECs, RINs, carbon offsets), energy usage and management solutions, among others. Our volumes across multiple products and markets also provide us with unique market intelligence and expertise, including visibility into emerging trends and opportunities to identify new revenue opportunities and to capture incremental margin. Similarly, the scale and scope of the portfolio provides risk-mitigating product and geographic diversification. The scale of our industry-leading national platform also allows for quick and effective integration of new customers and acquisitions, accelerating the impact of strategic growth to the bottom-line.

 

Constellation is a leader in enabling a clean energy future for its customers through informative purchasing strategies that expand beyond power and natural gas. Constellation partners with its customers to provide options along the sustainability continuum, including, renewable, efficiency and technology applications to meet their carbon free energy goals. Constellation offers a suite of services and products to its power and gas customers that can be integrated into existing commodity purchasing strategies. Constellation is viewed as a center of excellence for customers looking to evaluate, understand and incorporate innovative solutions, products or technology into their existing energy strategy.

 

Constellation energy efficiency products provide the ability to optimize performance and maximize efficiency across customer facilities and operations through attractive contract structures including implementation of energy efficiency upgrades at no upfront capital requirements. Additionally, these services provide scalable solutions to meet sustainability goals through investment across the life of the facility or operations and allow for budget certainty. The ongoing ability to optimize energy consumption for customers allows Constellation to support customer demands with the right combination of technology and efficiency program options.

 

Constellation also offers Pear.ai, a smart utility expense management platform that helps customers proactively manage utility costs, understand trends, and develop strategies to optimize spend and drive sustainability objectives. Pear.ai allows Constellation new avenues to incremental growth by coupling the opportunities for customer usage optimization with accompanying products and solutions that Constellation can provide the customer. Services like Pear.ai allow Constellation to grow its customer base in previously inaccessible regulated markets through the offering of non-commodity energy products.

 

Further, our CORe (Constellation Offsite Renewables) product serves C&I customer’s sustainability needs by matching contracted, third-party renewable generation with customer desire for additional solutions and geographic preference. In addition to larger-scale CORe offerings, Constellation offers a range of sustainability attribute solutions to its customers (RECs, EFECs, RINs, carbon offsets, etc.) in order to support their energy needs during the transition to a cleaner energy ecosystem.

 

 

Constellation Technology Ventures’ commercialization team collaborates with portfolio companies to deploy products and technologies across our broad customer base to drive value for both Constellation and portfolio companies. Portfolio company solutions include electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, sustainability monitoring and reporting tools, distributed energy resources and financing solutions, a web-based energy marketplace, and more. For example, Constellation Technology Ventures’ commercialization of ChargePoint, a company providing a network of electric vehicle charging stations, demonstrates our commitment to the electrification trend and immediately scalable channels-to-market for technology solutions to create value for our customers. Future growth will be driven from new and growing digital channels with a focus on innovative products aimed at clean energy solutions. New products and strategic investments will help our customers positively impact the environment, yield strong customer retention rates, and open up additional revenue opportunities to supplement existing, economically beneficial products with solid margins.

 

Generation

 

Generation operates the largest zero-carbon fleet in the nation and one of the largest generating fleets in the country.

 

Generation’s nuclear fleet has current generating capacity of approximately 19 gigawatts and produced 150 terawatt hours of zero-emissions electricity last year – enough to power 13.6 million homes and avoid more than 106 million metric tons of carbon emissions. Generation has ownership interests in thirteen nuclear generating stations currently in service, consisting of 23 units. Generation wholly owns all of its nuclear generating stations, except for undivided ownership interests in three jointly-owned nuclear stations, Quad Cities (75% ownership), Peach Bottom (50% ownership), and Salem (42.59% ownership), and Nine Mile Point Unit 2 (82% undivided ownership interest).

 

Generation will continue to be a leading advocate for clean energy policies aimed at preserving and growing clean energy to combat the climate crisis.

 

Generation operates the nation’s largest fleet of nuclear power plants and consistently operates at best in class levels. In 2020, Generation recorded a capacity factor of 95.4%, second only to 2019 performance in fleet history, and an average refueling outage duration of 22 days, 11 days better than the industry average. More broadly, the nuclear capacity factor has been approximately four percentage points better than the industry average annually since 2013. Our stations exclude TMI located in Middletown, Pennsylvania, which permanently ceased generation operations on September 20, 2019 and Oyster Creek located in Forked River, New Jersey, which permanently ceased generation operations on September 17, 2018 and was subsequently sold to Holtec International (Holtec) on July 1, 2019.

 

We operate more than 12 gigawatts of natural gas, oil, hydroelectric, wind, and solar generation assets, which provide a mix of baseload, intermediate, and peak power generation. Our fossil and renewable fleet has similarly demonstrated a track record of strong performance with a 98.4% power dispatch match and 93.4% renewables energy capture.

 

 

Collectively, the combined fleet is nearly 90% carbon-free (based on generation output of electricity) and represents the fourth largest generation portfolio in the U.S. in terms of total generation with meaningful geographic diversity.

 

The charts below illustrate our supply source as of December 31, 2020:

 

Supply Source^(a)(b)

 

 

 

a)

Nuclear includes the proportionate share of output where Generation has an undivided ownership interest in jointly-owned generating plants and includes the total output of plants that are fully consolidated.

b)

Renewable includes wind, hydroelectric, solar, and biomass generating assets.

 

 

The following map illustrates the locations of our generation facilities as of March 31, 2021:
 

The Company’s Generation Fleet Map^(a)

 

 

 

a)

Note: One symbol is included per location. Some locations may have multiple generating units. Locations in tight geographic proximity may appear as one symbol. Units that are not currently operational are not captured.

 

Constellation employs an integrated, ratable hedging strategy to manage energy price volatility over time. As a policy, we hedge commodity risk on a ratable basis over a rolling three-year period to reduce the financial impact of market price volatility. Constellation uses a combination of wholesale and retail customer load sales, as well as non-derivative and derivative contracts, including financially-settled swaps, futures contracts and swap options, physical options and physical forward contracts, all with credit-approved counterparties, to hedge this anticipated exposure. The scale of our generation portfolio, along with its geographic proximity to our load, allows us to lean heavily on a generation-to-load matching strategy to structurally hedge energy price risk. This helps to mitigate incremental collateral needs to serve load, while still allowing flexibility to serve and grow our customer business. As of June 30, 2021, the percentage of expected generation hedged for the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York, and ERCOT reportable segments was 98%-101% for 2021. The Generation portfolio has enjoyed more than a decade of a risk-mitigated ratable hedging strategy, whereby the prompt three years are hedged on an approximate rolling 90% / 60% / 30% basis, providing cash flow stability for its investors, while still allowing commercial opportunities to generate value for the enterprise. Constellation has been and will continue to be proactive in using hedging strategies to mitigate commodity price risk.

 

We have a scale presence in key markets, allowing us to operate integrated portfolios and capture operational synergies, including allocation of fixed costs across a broader asset base, enhanced procurement opportunities, and diversity of cash flows. These advantages, in combination with a strong balance sheet and significant liquidity, enable us to operate with more financial flexibility, and as such, optimize our competitive scale and operations.

 

Management

 

We have not yet finalized the composition of our Board or management following the separation. We will select the members of our Board and management prior to the separation, and information concerning each member, such as biographies and the qualifications and experience each person would bring to our Board or management, as the case may be, will be included in an amendment to the registration statement of which this information statement is a part.

 

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

We believe that we are well-positioned to execute our business strategy and create superior value for stakeholders based on the following competitive strengths:

 

·

We are positioned to help address the climate crisis and lead to a clean energy future

 

As a Company, we are committed to a clean energy future, and we believe our generation fleet is essential to helping meet clean energy policy and targets, at either the state or national level. Approximately 90% of our generation fleet energy output is emissions free (based on generation output), and we do not own coal-fired generation. According to the July 2021 Benchmarking Air Emission report, our Company produces approximately 65% more clean energy than the next leading provider and more than 8 to 15 times the clean energy of independent power producer peers. Our fleet has the lowest emissions intensity – nearly five times less intensive than the next lowest generator.

 

Our generation fleet is essential to meeting federal and state clean energy goals. Generation produced 12% of the zero-carbon energy nationwide and even more in the states we operate in – 95% in Maryland, 82% in Illinois, 38% in Pennsylvania and 33% in New York. Each state has set decarbonization and clean energy targets. Losing any of our clean assets in these states would be a significant step backward for achieving any clean energy or climate goals while also creating higher costs for customers and significant economic hardship for our plant communities.

 

Generation Plays a Central Role in Enabling States’ Respective Clean Energy Goals^{(a) (b)}

 

 

 

a)

Source: 2020 U.S. Energy Information Administration data. Assumes whole unit output of CENG generation. Does not adjust for announced retirements by Company at Byron and Dresden in Illinois and retirement by another operator of Indian Point 3 nuclear unit in New York. Note: Renewables includes hydroelectric, solar, and wind generation and excludes biomass. Reflects clean energy goals as outlined in the state’s existing law or goal established by the state Governor.

 

b)

Generation owns an 82% undivided ownership interest in Nine Mile Point Unit 2.

 

 

We believe these attributes are a clear advantage for us as the federal government and our states pursue policies that will address the climate crisis and a clean energy future. The Company will continue to be a leading advocate for these clean policies aimed at preserving and growing clean energy.

 

In addition to preserving the environmental value that our existing generating fleet provides, Constellation is committed to further development of customer-focused products and capabilities that provide clean energy solutions across the power, gas, and broader energy solutions spaces. Whether through venture investing via Constellation Technology Ventures, R&D efforts or expansion of our clean products for customers, commercialization of more mature technologies or leveraging our innovation culture, we will proactively drive a clean energy future with our customers.

 

·

Industry-leading customer-facing business providing sustainability solutions for our customers

 

Geographic scale, diversity, customer-tailored product offerings and services and high customer satisfaction underpin our robust customer-facing platform and allow us to partner with customers to solve their emerging needs on their clean energy goals in a differentiated way.

 

Constellation is the largest customer facing platform in the U.S., which we view as a source of considerable competitive advantage. Our industry-leading national platform not only allows us to capture operational efficiencies for more effective integration of new customers and acquisitions, but also allows for a scalable go-to-market approach. This allows for rapid deployment of new energy services and products and innovative energy technology applications that are responsive to marketplace trends and demands, improving our position for growth.

 

Constellation’s heavy customer concentration in the C&I retail space, coupled with high customer satisfaction, further differentiates the business within the competitive landscape in its ability to provide repeatable, derisked value to the shareholder. Customer concentration in C&I enables more predictable load and stable unit margins, lower customer acquisition costs, and insulation from weather driven volatility. Cash flows are further maximized by high customer satisfaction levels resulting in business consistency, stable unit economics, and high win and renewal rates. Since 2016, the Company has achieved retail renewal rates in excess of 70% (74-79% for C&I Power, 90-92% for C&I Gas), and the average customer duration has been six years.

 

Another advantage is Constellation’s industry leadership in consistently developing and providing clean energy and sustainability solutions for our customers. Partnering with our customers to help them meet their environmental and sustainability goals provides us with solid margins, contributes to strong customer retention rates, and opens up additional revenue opportunities.

 

·

Best-in-class nuclear operations

 

Our world class operations result in industry-leading operating performance at our generation facilities. Our generation fleet has achieved an industry-leading nuclear capacity factor of approximately 94% or higher since 2013, four percentage points better than the 2020 industry average of approximately 90%. Our 2020 average refueling outage duration was 22 days, 11 days better than the industry average.

 

 

Generation is Defined by Best-in-class Operating Performance

 

Nuclear Capacity Factor^(a)

 

 

 

Average Nuclear Refueling Outage Days^(b)

 

 

 

a)

Reflects the Company’s ownership share of partially-owned units. Includes Fitzpatrick beginning in April of 2017, and Oyster Creek and TMI partial year operation in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Excludes Salem and Fort Calhoun. Industry average is for major operators excluding Generation and includes 3 months of Fitzpatrick prior to Generation’s acquisition.

 

b)

Reflects partially-owned units at 100% ownership share. Includes Fitzpatrick beginning in 2018. Excludes Salem. Industry average reflects nuclear refueling outage days as tracked by the Nuclear Energy Institute.

 

·

Disciplined financial management focused on strong balance sheet and optimizing cash returns

 

Our continued commitment to investment grade credit ratings remains paramount as we prioritize capital allocation to support a strong balance sheet, invest in both clean energy solutions and our customer-facing businesses, and return value to shareholders. Our financial policy, focused on a prudent hedging strategy and effective cost management, provides us with financial flexibility, reduces the volatility of our cash flows and enables more efficient utilization of both working capital and collateral to operate the business through all cycles.

 

We view a strong balance sheet as a competitive strength in managing through periods of commodity price volatility with heightened agility. We are focused on allocating available cash flow to manage leverage to meet investment grade targets with incremental cash flows allocated to investing in both clean energy solutions and our customer-facing businesses and returning capital to shareholders. We believe a strong balance sheet and robust cash flow generation, combined with our current presence and scale in diverse markets, will position us favorably in pursuit of value-enhancing growth opportunities.

 

 

With high customer satisfaction, strong customer renewal and retention and best-in-class operating expertise, we are well-positioned to deliver sustainable and durable cash flows. To further support cash flow, we will continue to focus on operational efficiencies and cost management while ensuring the safety and reliability of our operations. In addition, our integrated and ratable hedging activities serve to manage commodity price volatility in energy gross margins over time. Finally, state payments for our fleet’s carbon-free attributes and capacity payments provide visibility and consistency of cash flows. We believe the stability of our cash flow, coupled with our investment grade rating, provides a competitive advantage by improving resilience during market fluctuations, decreasing reliance on external funding through low financial leverage and positioning the business for growth.

 

•

Committed to supporting all stakeholders through a strong commitment to environmental, social and governance practices

 

We are committed to the highest standards of corporate governance to help us achieve our performance goals and to maintain the trust and confidence of our shareholders, employees, customers, regulators and other stakeholders. Environmental, Social and Governance principles have been at the core of our business since its original founding and will continue to be core to the Company.

 

We will continue to support our diverse employees, customers, communities and business partners, ensuring all are able to fully and equitably participate in social, environmental and economic progress. We will maintain the highest standards of corporate governance, operating responsibly and transparently with a continued focus on board refreshment and diversity.

 

Our Business Strategy

 

Our business strategy is to maximize value for all of our stakeholders through a particular emphasis on:

 

Focus on cash returns, business optimization, robust customer revenues, and capital allocation

 

We run our business with a focus on producing strong, robust cash flows in order to sustain our operations, maintain our investment grade credit targets, and fund shareholder return and growth opportunities. We remain focused on operating efficiency and cost management, while ensuring safety and operational excellence, to support stability in free cash flow generation.

 

We aim to achieve growth in cash flows from our customer facing business by increasing volumes and driving margin improvement across all channels to market. Increasing volumes can come from organic and acquisitive customer growth, both in commodity offerings as well as reaching previously inaccessible customers through non-commodity energy services and solutions. Increasing margins are expected to come from value-add products, services, and analytics coupled with existing offerings. Additionally, customer loyalty increases with the number of products and services we provide, contributing to repeatable, derisked cash flows. Constellation is a leader in enabling a clean energy future for its customers through informative purchasing strategies that expand beyond power and natural gas, focused on renewable, efficiency and technology applications to meet their carbon free energy goals. We will continue to target growth in volumes through both organic growth channels and disciplined mergers and acquisitions. We can leverage our existing platform to achieve economies of scale benefits on incremental volumes, leading to higher overall margins per customer and improved free cash flow conversion. Cash flows are further maximized by high customer satisfaction levels resulting in business consistency, stable unit economics, and high win and renewal rates. We will continue to manage cash flow volatility through prudent risk management strategies across the customer facing business, as described later in this document.

 

We also aim to achieve growth in cash flows from our generation business through a rigorous focus on operating performance and cost optimization. We will continue to evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of all operating and capital allocation decisions to optimize value for our stakeholders, without sacrificing our commitment to safety. Further, our ratable hedging strategies, coupled with stable revenues generated through capacity markets and contracts for zero emission attributes will enable the business to continue to mitigate cash flow volatility, while preserving long-term optionality to realize potential upside from market price improvements and/or state and federal clean energy programs. In addition, we will continue advocating for clean energy policies and seek fair compensation for the zero-carbon attributes of our nuclear plants while maintaining the discipline to retire uneconomic assets.

 

We will employ a disciplined approach to acquisitions that grows future cash flow and supports strategic initiatives. We will continue to evaluate asset and business divestitures to rationalize the portfolio and optimize cash proceeds.

 

 

Capital allocation decisions are made on a cash return basis, as we believe this discipline is necessary to drive consistent long-term value creation for our shareholders. We believe that our management team, reliable operating structure and strong commercial management enables us to deliver sustainable cash flows to support the balance sheet, return value to our shareholders and invest in and grow the existing platform, while achieving attractive returns on investment. In the years ahead, we expect to deliver substantial free cash flow supported by our stable customer facing business, disciplined hedging strategy and effective cost management, with more than $1.1 billion of cost reductions realized since 2015.

 

Financial discipline and balance sheet commitment.

 

We are committed to maintaining sufficient financial liquidity and an appropriate capital structure to support safe, secure and reliable operations, even in volatile market conditions. We believe our investment grade credit rating is a source of competitive advantage, and we intend to continue to maintain our credit position and best-in-class balance sheet. In line with that commitment, available cash flow will first be used to manage leverage to comfortably meet investment grade credit targets, with incremental capital allocated towards shareholder return and disciplined growth.

 

Excellence in operations.

 

Value is built on a foundation of operational excellence. We recognize operational efficiency, a culture of continuous improvement and disciplined investment, and robust safety practices as critical drivers.

 

We inherit robust safety programs from our predecessor company, and we have historically demonstrated a deep commitment through our exceptional safety track record, underpinned by a strong compliance and risk management culture. At the Company, we have strong, durable relationships with our customers resulting in stable financial margins, underpinned by strong operational performance in our customer-facing business. Our retail power customer renewal rates have averaged 77% since 2016 and 91% for natural gas customer retention rates.

 

We will continue to evaluate the cost / benefit of all operating and capital allocation decisions to optimize value for our stakeholders. However, above all, we will continue to prioritize safety, which is a core value for our organization.

 

Taking the lead on driving toward a clean energy future.

 

We are committed to enabling a clean energy future through our generation operations and our customer-facing business. Through our two businesses, we aim to serve as an indispensable partner to businesses and the state and local governments that are setting ambitious carbon-reduction goals and seeking long-term solutions to the climate crisis. We advocate for policies that address the climate crisis and preserve and grow clean energy.

 

We are differentiated by the cleanest generation fleet in the country. Since our generation fleet is nearly 90% emissions-free (based on generation output), we would have minimal compliance costs compared to our peers.

 

 

 

Our Company is the Largest Producer of Clean Electricity in the U.S.^(a)

 

 

a)

Source: Benchmarking Air Emissions, July 2021, published by M.J. Bradley & Associates LLC. Reflects 2019 regulated and non-regulated generation. Number in parentheses is the company’s generation ranking in that year.

 

As environmental sustainability continues to build momentum and grows for businesses across the country, the demand for clean and sustainable energy solutions increases. Constellation offers clean products to help customers meet their sustainability goals. In addition to our current product offerings, we will innovate and develop new products to meet our customers’ needs.

 

For nearly two decades, our predecessor company was a strong advocate for policies that would address the climate crisis. We will continue to be a leading advocate at the federal level and in our states for policies that will reduce greenhouse emissions, and preserve and grow clean energy.

 

Our Key Markets

 

We operate across various markets in the U.S., as well as Canada and the U.K. Our generation resources allow us to generate, procure and sell electricity to retail and wholesale customers, highlighting the integrated nature of our business. We also have the ability to contract for generation in the markets in which we operate, further facilitating our ability to match generation output to customer demand (gen-to-load) and customer-to-supply as an integrated business. We have five reportable segments consisting of the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York, Texas and Other Power Regions. These reflect the following geographical areas:

 

·

Mid-Atlantic: Eastern half of PJM, which includes New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, the District of Columbia, and parts of Pennsylvania and North Carolina

 

·

Midwest: Western half of PJM and the U. S. footprint of MISO, excluding MISO’s Southern Region.

 

·

New York: NYISO

 

·

Texas: ERCOT

 

·

Other Power Regions: New England, South, West and Canada

 

 

Generation Markets

 

At December 31, 2020, our interests in net electric generating capacity totaled 31,271 MW. Our supply sources by region are summarized below:

 

Supply Source (GWhs)		2020
Nuclear Generation(a)
Mid-Atlantic			52,202
Midwest			96,322
New York			26,561
Total Nuclear Generation			175,085
Fossil and Renewables
Mid-Atlantic			2,206
Midwest			1,204
New York			4
ERCOT			11,982
Other Power Regions			11,121
Total Fossil and Renewables			26,553
Purchased Power
Mid-Atlantic			22,487
Midwest			770
ERCOT			5,636
Other Power Regions			51,079
Total Purchased Power			79,972
Total Supply/Sales by Region
Mid-Atlantic(b)			76,895
Midwest(b)			98,332
New York			26,565
ERCOT			17,618
Other Power Regions			62,200
Total Supply/Sales by Region			281,610

 

(a)

Includes the proportionate share of output where Generation has an undivided ownership interest in jointly-owned generating plants and includes the total output of plants that are fully consolidated.

(b)

Includes affiliate sales to PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL, and ACE in the Mid-Atlantic region and affiliate sales to ComEd in the Midwest region.

 

Customer Markets

 

Our integrated business also consists of the physical delivery and marketing of power and natural gas across multiple geographical regions through Constellation, our customer-facing business. Constellation serves power and natural gas across all competitive markets, reaching approximately 2 million customers, including three-fourths of the Fortune 100, approximately 216,500 business and public sector customers, and about 1.6 million unique residential customers. Constellation also has a vibrant non-commodity element of its customer facing business, providing sustainability, efficiency and technology solutions to provide a comprehensive suite of energy solutions to meet customers’ growing and evolving needs.

 

 

Generation Resources

 

Nuclear Facilities.

 

We have ownership interests in thirteen nuclear generating stations currently in service, consisting of 23 units with an aggregate of 18,880 MW of capacity. These stations exclude TMI located in Middletown, Pennsylvania, which permanently ceased generation operations on September 20, 2019, and Oyster Creek located in Forked River, New Jersey, which permanently ceased generation operations on September 17, 2018 and was subsequently sold to Holtec International (Holtec) on July 1, 2019. We wholly own all of our nuclear generating stations, except for undivided ownership interests in four jointly-owned nuclear stations: Quad Cities (75% ownership), Peach Bottom (50% ownership), Salem (42.59% ownership) and Nine Mile Point Unit 2 (82% ownership), which are consolidated in our financial statements relative to our proportionate ownership interest in each unit.

 

Our nuclear generating stations are all operated by Generation, with the exception of the two units at Salem, which are operated by PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG Nuclear), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of PSEG.

 

In 2020, 2019 and 2018, electric supply (in GWh) generated from the nuclear generating facilities was 62%, 64% and 68%, respectively, of our total electric supply, which also includes fossil, hydroelectric, and renewable generation and electric supply purchased for resale. Our wholesale and retail power marketing activities are, in part, supplied by the output from the nuclear generating stations.

 

In May 2021, PJM conducted its first annual capacity auction since May 2018 and posted the results of the 2022/2023 Delivery Year auction on June 2, 2021. All of Generation’s nuclear and fossil generation power plants located in the PJM market cleared in the auction, with the exception of the Byron, Dresden and Quad Cities nuclear generation facilities. Despite also not clearing in the auction, the Quad Cities plant will continue to operate with support provided under the Illinois Future Energy Jobs Act, a clean energy law that took effect in 2017. The Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) recently implemented by PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. prevented Quad Cities from clearing in the capacity auction. The result is that customers in Northern Illinois and throughout PJM will pay for more capacity from polluting generation instead of securing carbon-free megawatts from Quad Cities, at what would have been a lower cost absent the MOPR.

 

At the direction of the PJM Board of Managers, PJM and its stakeholders developed further MOPR reforms to ensure that the capacity market rules respect and accommodate state resource preferences such as the ZEC programs. PJM filed related tariff revisions at FERC on July 30, 2021. On September 29, 2021, PJM’s proposed MOPR reforms become effective by operation of law. Under the new tariff provisions, the MOPR will no longer apply to any of our owned or jointly owned nuclear plants.

 

Nuclear Operations. Capacity factors, which are significantly affected by the number and duration of refueling and non-refueling outages, can have a significant impact on our results of operations. Our generation operations from our nuclear plants have historically had minimal environmental impact and the plants have a safe operating history.

 

 

We manage our scheduled refueling outages to minimize their duration and to maintain high nuclear generating capacity factors, resulting in a stable generation base for our wholesale and retail power marketing activities. During scheduled refueling outages, we perform maintenance and equipment upgrades in order to minimize the occurrence of unplanned outages and to maintain safe, reliable operations. During 2020, 2019, and 2018, the nuclear generating facilities operated by Generation, achieved capacity factors of 95.4%, 95.7%, and 94.6%, respectively, at ownership percentage.

 

In addition to the maintenance and equipment upgrades performed by us during scheduled refueling outages, we have extensive operating and security procedures in place to ensure the safe operation of the nuclear units. We also have extensive safety systems in place to protect the plant, personnel, and surrounding area in the unlikely event of an accident or other incident.

 

Regulation of Nuclear Power Generation. Generation is subject to the jurisdiction of the NRC with respect to the operation of its nuclear generating stations, including the licensing for operation of each unit. The NRC subjects nuclear generating stations to continuing review and regulation covering, among other things, operations, maintenance, emergency planning, security, and environmental and radiological aspects of those stations. As part of its reactor oversight process, the NRC continuously assesses unit performance indicators and inspection results and communicates its assessment on a semi-annual basis. The NRC categorizes each nuclear unit into one of five performance bands. All nuclear units operated by Generation are categorized in the Licensee Response Column (highest NRC performance band) except Clinton and FitzPatrick, which are in the Regulatory Response Column (second highest NRC performance band). The NRC may modify, suspend or revoke operating licenses and impose civil penalties for failure to comply with the Atomic Energy Act or the terms of the operating licenses. Changes in regulations by the NRC may require a substantial increase in capital expenditures and/or operating costs for nuclear generating facilities.

 

The generation of nuclear energy results in spent nuclear fuel (SNF). SNF generated by nuclear generating facilities is currently stored in storage pools or in dry cask storage facilities. As a by-product of their operations, nuclear generating units also produce LLRW. LLRW is accumulated at each generating station and permanently disposed of at licensed disposal facilities. The Federal Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1980 provides that states may enter into agreements to provide regional disposal facilities for LLRW and restrict use of those facilities to waste generated within the region.

 

Operation of nuclear generation is subject to liability, property damage and other risks associated with major incidents. NRC regulations require that licensees of nuclear generating facilities demonstrate reasonable assurance that funds will be available in specified minimum amounts at the end of the life of the facility to decommission the facility. The ultimate decommissioning obligation is expected to be funded by the NDTs.

 

Licenses. Generation has original 40-year operating licenses from the NRC for each of its nuclear units and has received 20-year operating license renewals from the NRC for all its nuclear units except Clinton. PSEG has received 20-year operating license renewals for Salem Units 1 and 2. Peach Bottom has received a second 20-year license renewal from the NRC for Units 2 and 3. On August 27, 2020, Generation announced that it intends to permanently cease generation operations at Byron in September 2021 and at Dresden in November 2021.

 

The following table summarizes the current license expiration dates for Generation’s operating nuclear facilities in service:

 

Station		Unit				In-Service Date(a)				Current License Expiration
Braidwood			1				1988				2046
			2				1988				2047
Byron			1				1985				2044
			2				1987				2046
Calvert Cliffs			1				1975				2034
			2				1977				2036

 

 

Station		Unit				In-Service Date(a)				Current License Expiration
Clinton(b)			1				1987				2027
Dresden			2				1970				2029
			3				1971				2031
FitzPatrick			1				1975				2034
LaSalle			1				1984				2042
			2				1984				2043
Limerick			1				1986				2044
			2				1990				2049
Nine Mile Point			1				1969				2029
			2				1988				2046
Peach Bottom			2				1974				2053
			3				1974				2054
Quad Cities			1				1973				2032
			2				1973				2032
Ginna			1				1970				2029
Salem			1				1977				2036
			2				1981				2040

 

 

(a)

Denotes year in which nuclear unit began commercial operations.

 

(b)

Although timing has been delayed, Generation currently plans to seek license renewal for Clinton and has notified the NRC that any license renewal application would not be filed until the first quarter of 2024. In 2019, the NRC approved a change of the operating license expiration for Clinton from 2026 to 2027.

 

The operating license renewal process takes approximately four to five years from the commencement of the renewal process, which includes approximately two years for Generation to develop the application and approximately two years for the NRC to review the application. Depreciation provisions are based on the estimated useful lives of the stations, which reflect the first renewal of the operating licenses for all of Generation’s operating nuclear generating stations except for Clinton, Peach Bottom, Byron, and Dresden. Clinton depreciation provisions are based on an estimated useful life of 2027 which is the last year of the Illinois ZECs. Peach Bottom depreciation provisions are based on estimated useful life of 2053 and 2054 for Unit 2 and Unit 3, respectively, which reflects the second renewal of its operating licenses. Byron and Dresden depreciation provisions are based on the announced shutdown dates of September 2021 and November 2021, respectively.

 

Nuclear Waste Storage and Disposal. There are no facilities for the reprocessing or permanent disposal of SNF currently in operation in the U.S., nor has the NRC licensed any such facilities. Generation currently stores all SNF generated by its nuclear generating facilities on-site in storage pools or in dry cask storage facilities. Since Generation’s SNF storage pools generally do not have sufficient storage capacity for the life of the respective plant, Generation has developed dry cask storage facilities to support operations.

 

As of December 31, 2020, Generation had approximately 87,100 SNF assemblies (21,600 tons) stored on site in SNF pools or dry cask storage, which includes SNF assemblies at Zion Station, for which Generation retains ownership even though the responsibility for decommissioning Zion Station has been assumed by another party, and TMI, which is no longer operational. See “—Decommissioning” below for additional information regarding Zion Station. All currently operating Generation-owned nuclear sites have on-site dry cask storage. TMI's on-site dry cask storage is projected to be in operation in 2021. On-site dry cask storage in concert with on-site storage pools will be capable of meeting all current and future SNF storage requirements at Generation’s sites through the end of the license renewal periods and through decommissioning.

 

 

As a by-product of their operations, nuclear generating units produce LLRW. LLRW is accumulated at each generating station and permanently disposed of at licensed disposal facilities. The Federal Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1980 provides that states may enter into agreements to provide regional disposal facilities for LLRW and restrict use of those facilities to waste generated within the region. Illinois and Kentucky have entered into such an agreement, although neither state currently has an operational site and none is anticipated to be operational for the next ten years.

 

Generation ships its Class A LLRW, which represents 93% of LLRW generated at its stations, to disposal facilities in Utah and South Carolina, which have enough storage capacity to store all Class A LLRW for the life of all stations in Generation's nuclear fleet. The disposal facility in South Carolina at present is only receiving LLRW from LLRW generators in South Carolina, New Jersey (which includes Salem) and Connecticut.

 

Generation utilizes on-site storage capacity at all its stations to store and stage for shipping Class B and Class C LLRW. Generation has a contract through 2032 to ship Class B and Class C LLRW to a disposal facility in Texas. The agreement provides for disposal of all current Class B and Class C LLRW currently stored at each station as well as the Class B and Class C LLRW generated during the term of the agreement. However, because the production of LLRW from Generation’s nuclear fleet will exceed the capacity at the Texas site (3.9 million curies for 15 years beginning in 2012), Generation will still be required to utilize on-site storage at its stations for Class B and Class C LLRW. Generation currently has enough storage capacity to store all Class B and Class C LLRW for the life of all stations in Generation’s nuclear fleet. Generation continues to pursue alternative disposal strategies for LLRW, including an LLRW reduction program to minimize on-site storage and cost impacts.

 

Nuclear Insurance. Generation is subject to liability, property damage and other risks associated with major incidents at all of its nuclear stations. Generation has reduced its financial exposure to these risks through insurance and other industry risk-sharing provisions.

 

Generation is self-insured to the extent that any losses may exceed the amount of insurance maintained or are within the policy deductible for its insured losses. Such losses could have a material adverse effect on Generation’s and our future financial statements.

 

Decommissioning. NRC regulations require that licensees of nuclear generating facilities demonstrate reasonable assurance that funds will be available in specified minimum amounts at the end of the life of the facility to decommission the facility. The ultimate decommissioning obligation is expected to be funded by the NDT funds.

 

Oyster Creek Decommissioning. On July 1, 2019, Generation completed the sale with Holtec and its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Oyster Creek Environmental Protection, LLC (OCEP), of Oyster Creek nuclear generating station under which OCEP has assumed the responsibility for decommissioning that station.

 

Zion Station Decommissioning. On September 1, 2010, Generation completed an ASA with EnergySolutions, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, EnergySolutions, LLC and ZionSolutions under which ZionSolutions has assumed responsibility for decommissioning Zion nuclear generating station.

 

Fossil and Renewable Facilities (including Hydroelectric)

 

We wholly own all of our fossil and renewable generating stations, with the exception of: Wyman; certain wind project entities and a biomass project entity with minority interest owners; and EGRP, which is owned 49% by another owner. Our fossil and renewable generating stations are all operated by us, with the exception of Wyman, which is operated by a third party. In 2020, 2019 and 2018, electric supply (in GWh) generated from owned fossil and renewable generating facilities was 9%, 11% and 11%, respectively, of our total electric supply. The majority of this output was dispatched to support our wholesale and retail power marketing activities. On March 31, 2021, we closed an agreement to sell a significant portion of our solar business.

 

Licenses. Fossil and renewable generation plants are generally not licensed, and, therefore, the decision on when to retire plants is, fundamentally, a commercial one. FERC has the exclusive authority to license most non-Federal hydropower projects located on navigable waterways or Federal lands, or connected to the interstate electric grid, which include Conowingo Hydroelectric Project (Conowingo) and Muddy Run Pumped Storage Facility Project (Muddy Run). Muddy Run's license expires on December 1, 2055. On March 19, 2021, Generation received a new 50-year license for Conowingo.

 

 

Insurance. We maintain business interruption insurance for our renewable projects, but not for our fossil and hydroelectric operations unless required by contract or financing agreements. We maintain both property damage and liability insurance. For property damage and liability claims for these operations, we are self-insured to the extent that losses are within the policy deductible or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. Such losses could have a material adverse effect on our future financial conditions and their results of operations and cash flows.

 

Contracted Generation

 

In addition to energy produced by owned generation assets, we source electricity from plants we do not own under long-term contracts. The following tables summarize our long-term contracts to purchase unit-specific physical power with an original term in excess of one year in duration, by region, in effect as of December 31, 2020:

 

Region		Number of Agreements				Expiration Dates		Capacity (MW)
Mid-Atlantic		8				2021 - 2032		183
Midwest			3			2021 - 2032			351
ERCOT			5			2021 - 2035			864
Other Power Regions			17			2021 - 2032			2,568
Total			33						3,966

 

		2021				2022				2023				2024				2025				Thereafter				Total
Capacity Expiring (MW)			884				304				103				101				461				2,113				3,966

 

The following table shows sources of electric supply in GWh for 2020 and 2019:

 

		Source of Electric Supply
		2020				2019
Nuclear(a)			175,085				181,326
Purchases — non-trading portfolio			79,972				70,939
Fossil (primarily natural gas and oil)			19,501				21,554
Renewable(b)			7,052				7,777
Total supply			281,610				281,596

 

 

	(a)	Includes the proportionate share of output where Generation has an undivided ownership interest in jointly-owned generating plants and includes the total output of plants that are fully consolidated.

(b)

Includes wind, hydroelectric, solar, and biomass generating assets.

 

The cycle of production and utilization of nuclear fuel includes the mining and milling of uranium ore into uranium concentrates, the conversion of uranium concentrates to uranium hexafluoride, the enrichment of the uranium hexafluoride, and the fabrication of fuel assemblies. Generation has inventory in various forms and does not anticipate difficulty in obtaining the necessary uranium concentrates or conversion, enrichment, or fabrication services to meet the nuclear fuel requirements of its nuclear units.

 

 

Natural gas is procured through long-term and short-term contracts, as well as spot-market purchases. Fuel oil inventories are managed so that in the winter months sufficient volumes of fuel are available in the event of extreme weather conditions and during the remaining months to take advantage of favorable market pricing.

 

We use financial instruments to mitigate price risk associated with certain commodity price exposures, using both over-the-counter and exchange-traded instruments.

 

Customers, Marketing and Price Risk Management

 

Constellation sells electricity and natural gas, including renewable energy and associated attributes, in competitive domestic energy markets to both wholesale and retail customers. We leverage our generation portfolio to serve customers under both long-term and short-term contracts, as well as spot market sales. We also have the capability to contract for generation to meet customer and portfolio needs to complement our existing fleet in a capital light, de-risked way.

 

Power Marketing

 

Our integrated business operations include physical delivery and marketing of power and natural gas. We largely obtain physical power supply from our owned and contracted generation in multiple geographic regions. The commodity risks associated with the output from owned and contracted generation is managed using various commodity transactions including sales to customers and our ratable hedging program. The main objective is to obtain low-cost energy supply to meet physical delivery obligations to both wholesale and retail customers. We sell electricity, natural gas, and other energy related products and solutions to various customers, including distribution utilities, municipalities, cooperatives, and commercial, industrial, governmental and residential customers in competitive markets.

 

Price and Supply Risk Management

 

Constellation uses a combination of wholesale and retail customer load sales, as well as non-derivative and derivative contracts, including financially-settled swaps, futures contracts and swap options, and physical options and physical forward contracts, all with credit-approved counterparties, to hedge the price risk of the generation portfolio. The portfolio has enjoyed more than a decade of a risk-mitigated ratable hedging strategy, whereby the prompt 3 years are hedged on an approximate rolling 90%/60%/30% basis, providing cash flow stability for its investors while still allowing commercial opportunities to generate value for the enterprise. Constellation will continue to be proactive in using hedging strategies to mitigate commodity price. Similarly, the scale and scope of the portfolio provides risk-mitigating technology, product and geographic diversification.

 

The percentage of expected generation hedged is the amount of equivalent sales divided by the expected generation. Expected generation is the volume of energy that best represents our commodity position in energy markets from owned or contracted generation based upon a simulated dispatch model that makes assumptions regarding future market conditions, which are calibrated to market quotes for power, fuel, load following products and options. Equivalent sales represent all wholesale and retail load sales, as well as hedging products, which include economic hedges and certain non-derivative contracts. A portion of our hedging strategy may be implemented through the use of fuel products based on assumed correlations between power and fuel prices. The risk management group monitors the financial risks of the wholesale and retail power marketing activities. We also use financial and commodity contracts for proprietary trading purposes, but this activity accounts for only a small portion of our efforts. The proprietary trading portfolio is subject to a risk management policy that includes stringent risk management limits.

 

Seasonality

 

Our operations are affected by weather, which affects demand for electricity and natural gas, as well as operating conditions. The market price for electricity is also affected by changes in the demand for electricity and the available supply of electricity.  With respect to the electric business, very warm weather in summer months and, with respect to the electric and natural gas businesses, very cold weather in winter months are referred to as “favorable weather conditions” because those weather conditions result in increased deliveries of electricity and natural gas. Conversely, mild weather reduces demand. As a result, our operating results in the future may fluctuate substantially on a seasonal basis, especially when more severe weather conditions such as heat waves or extreme winter weather make such fluctuations more pronounced. The pattern of this fluctuation may change depending on the type and location of the facilities owned, the retail load served and the terms of contracts to purchase or sell electricity.

 

 

Properties and Facilities

 

The following table presents Generation’s interests in net electric generating capacity by station at December 31, 2020:

 

Station(a)

Location

No. of Units

Percent Owned (b)

Primary Fuel Type

Primary Dispatch Type(c)

Net Generation Capacity (MW)(d)

Midwest

Braidwood

Braidwood, IL

2

Uranium

Base-load

2,386

Byron

Byron, IL

2

Uranium

Base-load

2,347

(e)

LaSalle

Seneca, IL

2

Uranium

Base-load

2,320

Dresden

Morris, IL

2

Uranium

Base-load

1,845

(e)

Quad Cities

Cordova, IL

2

75

Uranium

Base-load

1,403

(f)

Clinton

Clinton, IL

1

Uranium

Base-load

1,080

Michigan Wind 2

Sanilac Co., MI

50

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

46

(f)

Beebe

Gratiot Co., MI

34

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

42

(f)

Michigan Wind 1

Huron Co., MI

46

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

35

(f)

Harvest 2

Huron Co., MI

33

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

30

(f)

Harvest

Huron Co., MI

32

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

27

(f)

Beebe 1B

Gratiot Co., MI

21

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

26

(f)

City Solar

Chicago, IL

1

Solar

Intermittent

9

Solar Ohio

Toledo, OH

2

Solar

Intermittent

4

(h)

Blue Breezes

Faribault Co., MN

2

Wind

Intermittent

3

CP Windfarm

Faribault Co., MN

2

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

2

(f)

Southeast Chicago

Chicago, IL

8

Gas

Peaking

296

(i)

Clinton Battery Storage

Blanchester, OH

1

Energy Storage

Peaking

10

Total Midwest

11,911

 

 

Station(a)

Location

No. of Units

Percent Owned (b)

Primary Fuel Type

Primary Dispatch Type(c)

Net Generation Capacity (MW)(d)

Mid-Atlantic

Limerick

Sanatoga, PA

2

Uranium

Base-load

2,317

Peach Bottom

Delta, PA

2

50

Uranium

Base-load

1,324

(f)

Salem

Lower Alloways Creek Township, NJ

2

42.59

Uranium

Base-load

995

(f)

Calvert Cliffs

Lusby, MD

2

50.01

(j)

Uranium

Base-load

895

(f)

Conowingo

Darlington, MD

11

Hydroelectric

Base-load

572

Criterion

Oakland, MD

28

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

36

(f)

Fair Wind

Garrett County, MD

12

Wind

Intermittent

30

Solar MC

Various, MD

44

Solar

Intermittent

44

(h)

Fourmile Ridge

Garrett County, MD

16

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

20

(f)

Solar New Jersey 1

Various, NJ

5

Solar

Intermittent

18

(h)

Solar New Jersey 2

Various, NJ

2

Solar

Intermittent

11

(h)

Solar Horizons

Emmitsburg, MD

1

51

(g)

Solar

Intermittent

16

(f)

Solar Maryland

Various, MD

11

Solar

Intermittent

8

(h)

Solar Maryland 2

Various, MD

3

Solar

Intermittent

8

(h)

JBAB Solar

District of Columbia

4

Solar

Intermittent

7

(h)

Gateway Solar

Berlin, MD

1

Solar

Intermittent

7

(h)

Constellation New Energy

Gaithersburg, MD

2

Solar

Intermittent

6

(h)

Solar Federal

Trenton, NJ

1

Solar

Intermittent

5

(h)

Solar New Jersey 3

Middle Township, NJ

5

51

(g)

Solar

Intermittent

2

(f)

Solar DC

District of Columbia

1

Solar

Intermittent

1

(h)

Muddy Run

Drumore, PA

8

Hydroelectric

Intermediate

1,070

Eddystone 3, 4

Eddystone, PA

2

Oil/Gas

Peaking

760

Perryman

Aberdeen, MD

5

Oil/Gas

Peaking

404

Croydon

West Bristol, PA

8

Oil

Peaking

391

Handsome Lake

Kennerdell, PA

5

Gas

Peaking

268

Richmond

Philadelphia, PA

2

Oil

Peaking

98

 

 

Station(a)

Location

No. of Units

Percent Owned (b)

Primary Fuel Type

Primary Dispatch Type(c)

Net Generation Capacity (MW)(d)

Philadelphia Road

Baltimore, MD

4

Oil

Peaking

61

Eddystone

Eddystone, PA

4

Oil

Peaking

60

Delaware

Philadelphia, PA

4

Oil

Peaking

56

Southwark

Philadelphia, PA

4

Oil

Peaking

52

Falls

Morrisville, PA

3

Oil

Peaking

51

Moser

Lower Pottsgrove Twp., PA

3

Oil

Peaking

51

Chester

Chester, PA

3

Oil

Peaking

39

Schuylkill

Philadelphia, PA

2

Oil

Peaking

30

Salem

Lower Alloways Creek Township, NJ

1

42.59

Oil

Peaking

16

(f)

Total Mid-Atlantic

9,729

 

Station(a)

Location

No. of Units

Percent Owned (b)

Primary Fuel Type

Primary Dispatch Type(c)

Net Generation Capacity (MW)(d)

ERCOT

Whitetail

Webb County, TX

57

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

47

(f)

Sendero

Jim Hogg and Zapata County, TX

39

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

40

(f)

Constellation Solar Texas

Various, TX

11

Solar

Intermittent

13

(h)

Colorado Bend II

Wharton, TX

3

Gas

Intermediate

1,143

Wolf Hollow II

Granbury, TX

3

Gas

Intermediate

1,115

Handley 3

Fort Worth, TX

1

Gas

Intermediate

395

Handley 4, 5

Fort Worth, TX

2

Gas

Peaking

870

Total ERCOT

3,623

 

 

Station(a)

Location

No. of Units

Percent Owned (b)

Primary Fuel Type

Primary Dispatch Type(c)

Net Generation Capacity (MW)(d)

New York

Nine Mile Point

Scriba, NY

2

50.01

(j)

Uranium

Base-load

838

(f)

FitzPatrick

Scriba, NY

1

Uranium

Base-load

842

Ginna

Ontario, NY

1

50.01

(j)

Uranium

Base-load

288

(f)

Solar New York

Bethlehem, NY

1

Solar

Intermittent

3

(h)

Total New York

1,971

 

 

Station(a)

Location

No. of Units

Percent Owned (b)

Primary Fuel Type

Primary Dispatch Type(c)

Net Generation Capacity (MW)(d)

Other

Antelope Valley

Lancaster, CA

1

Solar

Intermittent

242

Bluestem

Beaver County, OK

60

51

(g) (k)

Wind

Intermittent

101

(f)

Shooting Star

Kiowa County, KS

65

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

53

(f)

Albany Green Energy

Albany, GA

1

99

(l)

Biomass

Base-load

50

(f) (m)

Solar Arizona

Various, AZ

127

Solar

Intermittent

46

(h)

Bluegrass Ridge

King City, MO

27

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

29

(f)

California PV Energy 2

Various, CA

89

Solar

Intermittent

27

(h)

Conception

Barnard, MO

24

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

26

(f)

Cow Branch

Rock Port, MO

24

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

26

(f)

Solar Arizona 2

Various, AZ

56

Solar

Intermittent

34

(h)

California PV Energy

Various, CA

53

Solar

Intermittent

21

(h)

Mountain Home

Glenns Ferry, ID

20

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

21

(f)

High Mesa

Elmore Co., ID

19

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

20

(f)

Echo 1

Echo, OR

21

50.49

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

17

(f)

Sacramento PV Energy

Sacramento, CA

4

51

(g)

Solar

Intermittent

30

(f)

Cassia

Buhl, ID

14

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

15

(f)

Wildcat

Lovington, NM

13

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

14

(f)

Echo 2

Echo, OR

10

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

10

(f)

Solar Georgia 2

Various, GA

8

Solar

Intermittent

10

(h)

Tuana Springs

Hagerman, ID

8

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

9

(f)

Solar Georgia

Various, GA

10

Solar

Intermittent

8

(h)

Greensburg

Greensburg, KS

10

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

6

(f)

Solar Massachusetts

Various, MA

10

Solar

Intermittent

7

(h)

Outback Solar

Christmas Valley, OR

1

Solar

Intermittent

6

(h)

Echo 3

Echo, OR

6

50.49

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

5

(f)

Holyoke Solar

Various, MA

2

Solar

Intermittent

5

(h)

Three Mile Canyon

Boardman, OR

6

51

(g)

Wind

Intermittent

5

(f)

 

 

Loess Hills

Rock Port, MO

4

Wind

Intermittent

5

California PV Energy 3

Various, CA

31

Solar

Intermittent

8

(h)

Denver Airport Solar

Denver, CO

1

51

(g)

Solar

Intermittent

4

(f)

Solar Net Metering

Uxbridge, MA

1

Solar

Intermittent

2

(h)

Solar Connecticut

Various, CT

1

Solar

Intermittent

1

(h)

Mystic 8, 9

Charlestown, MA

6

Gas

Intermediate

1,413

(e)

Hillabee

Alexander City, AL

3

Gas

Intermediate

753

Mystic 7

Charlestown, MA

1

Oil/Gas

Intermediate

512

(n)

Wyman 4

Yarmouth, ME

1

5.9

Oil

Intermediate

35

(f)

Grand Prairie

Alberta, Canada

1

Gas

Peaking

105

West Medway

West Medway, MA

3

Oil

Peaking

124

West Medway II

West Medway, MA

2

Oil/Gas

Peaking

192

Framingham

Framingham, MA

3

Oil

Peaking

31

Mystic Jet

Charlestown, MA

1

Oil

Peaking

9

(n)

Total Other

4,037

Total

31,271

 

(a)

All nuclear stations are boiling water reactors except Braidwood, Byron, Calvert Cliffs, Ginna, and Salem, which are pressurized water reactors.

(b)

100%, unless otherwise indicated.

(c)

Base-load units are plants that normally operate to take all or part of the minimum continuous load of a system and, consequently, produce electricity at an essentially constant rate. Intermittent units are plants with output controlled by the natural variability of the energy resource rather than dispatched based on system requirements. Intermediate units are plants that normally operate to take load of a system during the daytime higher load hours and, consequently, produce electricity by cycling on and off daily. Peaking units consist of lower-efficiency, quick response steam units, gas turbines and diesels normally used during the maximum load periods.

(d)

For nuclear stations, capacity reflects the annual mean rating. Fossil stations and wind and solar facilities reflect a summer rating.

(e)

Generation has announced it will permanently cease generation operations at Byron and Dresden nuclear facilities in 2021 and Mystic Unit 8 and 9 in 2024. See Note 7 — Early Plant Retirements of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(f)

Net generation capacity is stated at proportionate ownership share.

(g)

Reflects the prior sale of 49% of EGRP to a third party. See Note 21 — Variable Interest Entities of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(h)

On December 8, 2020, Generation entered into an agreement with an affiliate of Brookfield Renewable, for the sale of a significant portion of Generation's solar business. The transaction was completed on March 31, 2021. See Note 2 — Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

(i)

Generation has deactivated the site and is evaluating for potential return of service or retirement beyond 2021.

(j)

Reflects Generation’s interest in CENG, a joint venture with EDF, as of December 31, 2020. On August 6, 2021, Generation and EDF entered into a settlement agreement pursuant to which Generation, through a wholly owned subsidiary, purchased EDF’s equity interest in CENG.

(k)

EGRP owns 100% of the Class A membership interests and a tax equity investor owns 100% of the Class B membership interests of the entity that owns the Bluestem generating assets.

(l)

Generation directly owns a 50% interest in the Albany Green Energy station and an additional 49% through the consolidation of a Variable Interest Entity.

(m) On April 28, 2021, Constellation Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Generation, entered into a purchase agreement to sell Generation’s interest in the Albany Green Energy biomass. Completion of the transaction is expected in the second half of 2021 and is subject to various customary closing conditions. 

(n)

Generation has plans to retire and cease plant operations in 2021.

 

 

The net generation capability available for operation at any time may be less due to regulatory restrictions, transmission congestion, fuel restrictions, efficiency of cooling facilities, level of water supplies, or generating units being temporarily out of service for inspection, maintenance, refueling, repairs, or modifications required by regulatory authorities.

 

Generation maintains property insurance against loss or damage to its principal plants and properties by fire or other perils, subject to certain exceptions. For additional information regarding nuclear insurance of generating facilities, see Note 19 – Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Generation is self-insured to the extent that any losses are within the policy deductible or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect in Generation’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

Employees

 

At the time of the separation, we expect to have up to 13,000 employees, of which            are full-time.

 

As of December 31, 2020, approximately 3,418 employees are covered by 22 collective bargaining agreements. The terms of the collective bargaining agreements expire at various times and some may be subject to negotiations before the separation.

 

Engaged Workforce

 

We believe our employees are our greatest assets. We strive to create a workplace that is diverse, innovative, and safe for our employees. In order to provide the services and products that our customers expect, we must create the best teams. These teams must reflect the diversity of the communities that we serve. Therefore, we endeavor to attract highly qualified and diverse talent and routinely review hiring and promotion practices to ensure equitable and bias free processes are maintained to neutralize unconscious bias.

 

Exelon undertakes an extensive employee engagement survey every other year to help identify successes and opportunities for growth. In 2019, 81% of all Generation employees responded to the survey, and of those who responded, 78% indicated they were proud to work at Generation and 88% indicated they were proud of Generation’s involvement in the community.

 

Career Development

 

We provide growth opportunities, competitive compensation and benefits, and a variety of training and development programs. We are committed to helping employees grow their skills and careers largely through training opportunities in technical, safety and business acumen areas, mentorship programs, and continuous feedback and development discussions and evaluations to develop a diverse talent pipeline for future jobs through training and mentoring programs. We understand that continued education leads to a more engaged, skilled and productive workforce and we support our employees in their educational endeavors in order to attract and retain people who are committed to personal and professional development by offering tuition reimbursement for approved higher education, certification or licensing courses.

 

Next Generation of Talent

 

We are also committed to exposing young people within our communities to career opportunities in the energy industry. Through internships, university and veteran recruiting, STEM programs, and partnerships with organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers, we are committed to providing professional development and opportunities for the next generation of our workforce. Major focus areas include:

 

·

Creating the right STEM and vocational education and awareness among young people in our areas;

 

·

Reducing or removing educational barriers and obstacles faced by young people and underrepresented and underserved members of the community; and

 

·

Deepening current and executing new approaches and partnerships with employers, nonprofits, and community groups to expand training and job opportunities for work-ready adults and youth.

 

 

Well-Being and Benefits

 

Our employees are encouraged to thrive outside the workplace as well. We provide a full suite of wellness benefits targeted at supporting work-life balance, physical, mental, and financial health. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, our employees also received the following additional benefits:

 

·

100% coverage of all in-network medical expenses associated with COVID-19 testing and treatment through June 2021;

 

·

Paid time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccine; and

 

·

Extended back-up child and elder care benefits through September 2020.

 

Community

 

We are also committed to helping improve the quality of life for people in the communities where we live, work and serve. We provide opportunities for company-sponsored volunteerism. Even in pandemic conditions, our employees donated over $5.1 million to non-profit organizations.  Additionally, our employees provided nearly 50,000 hours of volunteering in 2020.

 

Turnover Rates. As turnover is inherent, management succession planning is performed and tracked for all executives and critical key manager positions. Management frequently reviews succession planning to ensure we are prepared when positions become available.

 

The table below shows the average turnover rate for all employees for the last three years of 2018 to 2020:

 

Retirement Age			4.80	%
Voluntary			3.88	%
Non-Voluntary			0.86	%

 

Diversity Metrics. The following tables show diversity metrics for all employees and management as of December 31, 2020:

 

Employees		Generation
Female(a) (b)			2,492
People of Color(b)			2,083
Aged <30			1,363
Aged 30-50			6,712
Aged >50			4,407
Total Employees(c)			12,482

 

 

Management(d)		Generation
Female(a) (b)			299
People of Color(b)			220
Aged <30			51
Aged 30-50			1,220
Aged >50			841
Within 10 years of retirement eligibility			1,113
Total Employees in Management(c)			2,112

 

(a)

We are devoted to creating an environment that allows women to stay in the workforce, grow with the company, and move up the ranks, all with parity of pay. We employ an independent third-party vendor to run regression analysis on all management positions each year. The analysis consistently shows that we have no systemic pay equity issues.

(b)

This is based on self-disclosed information.

(c)

Total employees represents the sum of the aged categories.

(d)

Management is defined as executive/senior level officials and managers as well as all employees who have direct reports and supervisory responsibilities.

 

Environmental Matters

 

We are subject to comprehensive and complex environmental legislation and regulation at the federal, state, and local levels, including requirements relating to climate change, air and water quality, solid and hazardous waste, and impacts on species and habitats.

 

Our board of directors is responsible for overseeing the management of environmental matters. Performance of those individuals directly involved in environmental compliance and strategy is reviewed and affects compensation as part of the annual individual performance review process.

 

Climate Change Mitigation

 

We support comprehensive federal climate legislation that addresses the climate crisis and would ensure the country meets the targets set by the Paris Climate Accord. In the absence of comprehensive federal legislation, we support the EPA moving forward with meaningful regulation of GHG emissions under the Clean Air Act.

 

We are currently subject to, and may become subject to additional, federal and/or state legislation and/or regulations addressing GHG emissions. We produce electricity predominantly from low- and zero-carbon generating facilities (such as nuclear, hydroelectric, natural gas, wind, and solar PV) and neither own nor operate any coal-fueled generating assets. Our natural gas and biomass fired generating plants produce GHG emissions, most notably CO2. However, our owned-asset emission intensity, or rate of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emitted per unit of electricity generated, is among the lowest in the industry. In addition, we sell natural gas at retail; and consumers’ use of such natural gas produces GHG emissions.

 

International Climate Change Agreements. At the international level, the United States is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Parties to the UNFCCC adopted the Paris Agreement at the 21st session of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP 21) on December 12, 2015. Under the Agreement, which became effective on November 4, 2016, the parties committed to try to limit the global average temperature increase and to develop national GHG reduction commitments. The Biden administration has announced a new target of 50-52 percent reduction in U.S. Greenhouse Gas Pollution from 2005 levels by 2030. In order to achieve this target and maintain high standards of reliability, the U.S. will need a reliable baseload of zero-carbon generating electricity sources, which our nuclear fleet helps provide.

 

Federal Climate Change Legislation and Regulation. It is highly uncertain whether federal legislation to significantly reduce GHG emissions will be enacted in the near-term. If such legislation were adopted, it would likely increase the value of our low-carbon fleet even though we may incur costs either to further limit or offset the GHG emissions from its operations or to procure emission allowances or credits. Continued inaction could negatively impact the value of our low-carbon fleet.

 

The Clean Power Plan and Affordable Clean Energy Rule. The EPA’s 2015 Clean Power Plan (CPP) established regulations addressing carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil-fired power plants under Clean Air Act Section 111(d). The CPP’s carbon pollution limits could be met through changes to the electric generation system, including shifting generation from higher-emitting units to lower- or zero-emitting units, as well as the development of new or expanded zero-emissions generation. In July 2019, the EPA published its final Affordable Clean Energy rule, which repealed the CPP and replaced it with less stringent emissions guidelines for existing fossil-fired power plants based on heat rate improvement measures that could be achieved within the fence line of individual plants. Exelon, together with a coalition of other electric utilities, filed a lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court on September 6, 2019, challenging the Affordable Clean Energy rule as unlawful. This lawsuit was consolidated with separate challenges to the Affordable Clean Energy rule filed by various states, non-governmental organizations, and business coalitions. On January 19, 2021, the D.C. Circuit Court held the Affordable Clean Energy Rule to be unlawful, vacated the rule, and remanded it to the EPA. The EPA has indicated it will promulgate new GHG limits for existing power plants in accordance with the D.C. Circuit Court's order.

 

 

State Climate Change Legislation and Regulation. A number of states in which we operate have state and regional programs to reduce GHG emissions and renewable and other portfolio standards, which impact the power sector. See discussion below for additional information on renewable and other portfolio standards. As the nation’s largest generator of carbon-free electricity, our fleet supports these efforts to produce safe, reliable electricity with minimal GHGs.

 

On September 15, 2021, Illinois Public Act 102-0662 was signed into law by the Governor of Illinois. The Clean Energy Law is designed to achieve 100% carbon-free power by 2045 to enable the state’s transition to a clean energy economy. The Clean Energy Law establishes decarbonization requirements for Illinois as well as programs to support the retention and development of emissions-free sources of electricity. See “Overview of the U.S. Power Markets – Key Drivers – Policy Support for Nuclear Energy – Illinois Zero Emission Standard and Carbon Mitigation Credit Procurement” above for more information.

 

Eleven northeast and mid-Atlantic states (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia) currently participate in the RGGI, which is in the process of strengthening its requirements. The program requires most fossil fuel-fired power plants in the region to hold allowances, purchased at auction, for each ton of CO2 emissions. Non-emitting resources do not have to purchase or hold these allowances. In October 2019, the Governor of Pennsylvania issued an Executive Order directing the PA DEP to begin a rulemaking process to allow Pennsylvania to join the RGGI, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions from the electricity sector. On November 7, 2020, the PA DEP proposed its rule.

 

Broader state programs impact other sectors as well, such as New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which establishes statewide emission limits; and Massachusetts’ Clean Energy and Climate Plan, which aims to reduce GHG emissions across all sectors through increased efficiency in buildings and vehicles, the electrification of vehicles and thermal conditioning in buildings, and the replacement of carbon intensive fuels with renewable energy sources.

 

While we cannot predict the nature of future regulations or how such regulations might impact future financial statements, we have a low emission portfolio, and GHG restrictions would likely benefit zero- and low-emission generating units relative to higher-emission fossil fuel-fired generating units.

 

In addition, our facilities and operations are subject to the global impacts of climate change. We believe our operations could be significantly affected by the physical risks of climate change. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21 of this information statement for additional information.

 

Renewable and Clean Energy Standards

 

Thirty states and the District of Columbia, incorporating the vast majority of states where we operate, have adopted some form of renewable or clean energy procurement requirement. These standards impose varying levels of mandates for procurement of renewable or clean electricity (the definition of which varies by state) and/or energy efficiency. These are generally expressed as a percentage of annual electric load, often increasing by year. We own multiple facilities participating in these programs within states that have adopted standards targeted at preserving the zero-carbon attributes of certain nuclear-powered generating facilities, including Illinois, New York, and New Jersey. Other states in which we operate are considering similar programs. See Note 3 — Regulatory Matters of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Air Quality

 

Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS). In 2011, the EPA signed a final rule, known as MATS, to reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants from power plants. MATS requires coal-fired power plants to achieve high removal rates of mercury, acid gases, and other metals, and to make capital investments in pollution control equipment and incur higher operating expenses. In 2016, in response to a Supreme Court decision requiring the EPA to consider costs in determining whether it was appropriate and necessary to regulate power plant emissions of hazardous air pollutants, the EPA issued a supplemental finding that, after considering costs, it remained appropriate and necessary. On May 22, 2020, the EPA reversed course, publishing a final rule revoking the "appropriate and necessary" finding underpinning MATS. A coal mining company filed a lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court seeking vacatur of MATS based on the EPA’s May 22, 2020 finding; on September 11, 2020, the D.C. Circuit Court granted a motion by Exelon and two other entities to intervene in that lawsuit to defend MATS, and on September 28, 2020, the D.C. Circuit Court issued an Executive Order holding this portion of the MATS litigation in abeyance. On July 21, 2020, Exelon and two other entities filed a lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court challenging the EPA’s May 22, 2020 rescission of the appropriate and necessary finding underpinning MATS. This portion of the case is also being held in abeyance in response to the DOJ’s motion filed February 12, 2021. On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order directing the EPA to reconsider its May 22, 2020 rescission by August 2021; the EPA is expected to re-affirm the finding that it is appropriate and necessary to regulate power plant emissions of hazardous air pollutants. As a result, this litigation is likely to be rendered moot, and MATS will likely remain in place in the interim.

 

 

Water Quality

 

Under the federal Clean Water Act, NPDES permits for discharges into waterways are required to be obtained from the EPA or from the state environmental agency to which the permit program has been delegated, and permits must be renewed periodically. Certain of our facilities discharge stormwater, industrial wastewater, and/or cooling water into waterways and are therefore subject to these regulations and operate under NPDES permits.

 

Clean Water Act Section 316(b) is implemented through the NDPES program and requires that the cooling water intake structures at electric power plants reflect the best technology available to minimize adverse environmental impacts. Our power generation facilities with cooling water intake systems are subject to the EPA’s Section 316(b) regulations finalized in 2014; the regulation’s requirements have been or will be addressed through renewal of these facilities’ NPDES permits. Until the compliance requirements are determined by the applicable state permitting director on a site-specific basis for each plant, we cannot estimate the effect that compliance with the EPA’s 2014 rule will have on the operation of its generating facilities and its financial statements. Should a state permitting director determine that a facility must install cooling towers to comply with the rule, that facility’s economic viability could be called into question. However, the final rule does not mandate cooling towers and allows state permitting directors to require alternative, less costly technologies and/or operational measures, based on a site-specific assessment of the feasibility, costs, and benefits of available options.

 

On July 28, 2016, the NJDEP issued a final permit for Salem that did not require the installation of cooling towers and allows Salem to continue to operate utilizing the existing cooling water system with certain required system modifications. However, the permit is being challenged by an environmental organization, and if successful, could result in additional costs for Clean Water Act compliance. Potential cooling water system modification costs could be material and could adversely impact the economic competitiveness of this facility.

 

Under Clean Water Act Section 404 and state laws and regulations, we may be required to obtain permits for projects involving dredge or fill activities in Waters of the United States.

 

Where our facilities are required to secure a federal license or permit for activities that may result in a discharge to covered waters, we may be required to obtain a state water quality certification for those facilities under Clean Water Act section 401.

 

We are also subject to the jurisdiction of the Delaware River Basin Commission and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, regional agencies that primarily regulate water usage.

 

Solid and Hazardous Waste and Environmental Remediation

 

CERCLA provides for response and removal actions coordinated by the EPA in the event of threatened releases of hazardous substances and authorizes the EPA either to clean up sites at which hazardous substances have created actual or potential environmental hazards or to order persons responsible for the situation to do so. Under CERCLA, generators and transporters of hazardous substances, as well as past and present owners and operators of hazardous waste sites, are strictly, jointly and severally liable for the cleanup costs of hazardous waste at sites, many of which are listed by the EPA on the National Priorities List (NPL). These PRPs can be ordered to perform a cleanup, can be sued for costs associated with an EPA-directed cleanup, may voluntarily settle with the EPA concerning their liability for cleanup costs, or may voluntarily begin a site investigation and site remediation under state oversight. Most states have also enacted statutes that contain provisions substantially similar to CERCLA. Such statutes apply in many states where we currently own or operate, or previously owned or operated, facilities, including Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. In addition, RCRA governs treatment, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and cleanup of sites where such activities were conducted.

 

Our operations have in the past, and may in the future, require substantial expenditures in order to comply with these Federal and state environmental laws. Under these laws, we may be liable for the costs of remediating environmental contamination of property now or formerly owned by us and of property contaminated by hazardous substances generated by us. We own or lease a number of real estate parcels, including parcels on which our operations or the operations of others may have resulted in contamination by substances that are considered hazardous under environmental laws. We and our subsidiaries are, or could become in the future, parties to proceedings initiated by the EPA, state agencies, and/or other responsible parties under CERCLA and RCRA or similar state laws with respect to a number of sites or may undertake to investigate and remediate sites for which they may be subject to enforcement actions by an agency or third-party.

 

 

As of December 31, 2020, we have established appropriate contingent liabilities for environmental remediation requirements. In addition, we may be required to make significant additional expenditures not presently determinable for other environmental remediation costs. See Note 3 — Regulatory Matters and Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our environmental matters, remediation efforts, and related impacts to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We are parties to various lawsuits and regulatory proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. For information regarding material lawsuits and proceedings, see Note 3 – Regulatory Matters and Note 19 – Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Such descriptions are incorporated herein by these references.

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Company Overview

 

Our integrated business consists of the generation, physical delivery, and marketing of power across multiple geographical regions through our customer-facing business, Constellation, which sells electricity and natural gas to both wholesale and retail customers and the production and sale of power through our competitive power generation business, Generation. We also sell renewable energy and other energy-related products and services. We have five reportable segments consisting of the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York, ERCOT, and Other Power Regions. For a more detailed description of the business, see "Summary" and "Our Business," which are included elsewhere within this information statement.

 

The Separation

 

On February 21, 2021, Exelon’s board of directors authorized management to pursue a plan to separate its competitive generation and customer-facing businesses into a stand-alone publicly traded company, which we refer to as the separation in this information statement. The separation will occur through a distribution to Exelon’s shareholders of all of the shares of common stock of the Company, which will own Generation, including its competitive generation, customer-facing power and gas supply, and related businesses. Following the distribution, Exelon shareholders will own 100% of the shares of our common stock. For a more detailed description of the separation, see “Summary” and "The Separation," which are included elsewhere within this information statement.

 

Significant 2020 and 2021 Transactions and Developments

 

COVID-19

 

We have taken steps to mitigate the potential risks posed by the global outbreak (pandemic) of COVID-19. We provide a critical service to our customers which means that it is paramount that we keep our employees who operate our businesses safe and minimize unnecessary risk of exposure to the virus. We have taken extra precautions for our employees who work in the field and for employees who continue to work in our facilities. We have implemented work from home policies where appropriate, and imposed travel limitations on our employees. In addition, we have updated our existing business continuity plan in the context of this pandemic.

 

We continue to implement strong physical and cyber-security measures to ensure that our systems remain functional in order to both serve our operational needs with a remote workforce and keep them running to ensure uninterrupted service to our customers.

 

There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting in 2020 as a result of COVID-19 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Unfavorable economic conditions due to COVID-19 have impacted the demand for electricity and natural gas, which has resulted in a decrease in operating revenues.

 

As a result of COVID-19, we temporarily suspended interruption of service for all retail residential customers for non-payment and temporarily ceased new late payment fees for all retail customers from March to May of 2020. Such measures resulted in an increase in credit loss expense.

 

We have also incurred direct costs related to COVID-19 consisting primarily of costs to acquire personal protective equipment, costs for cleaning supplies and services, and costs to hire healthcare professionals to monitor the health of our employees. These costs are recorded as Operating and maintenance expense.

 

The estimated impact to our Net income was approximately $170 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and is not expected to be material for the year ending December 31, 2021.

 

We rely on the capital markets for publicly offered debt as well as the commercial paper markets to meet our financial commitments and short-term liquidity needs. As a result of the disruptions in the commercial paper markets in March of 2020, we borrowed $1.5 billion on our revolving credit facility to refinance commercial paper, which we repaid on April 3, 2020. We also entered into two short-term loan agreements in March of 2020 for an aggregate of $500 million. On April 8, 2020, we received approximately $500 million in cash after entering into an accounts receivable financing arrangement. In addition, we issued long-term debt of $1.7 billion and were able to successfully complete our planned long-term debt issuances in 2020. See Liquidity and Capital Resources, Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements, and Note 6 — Accounts Receivable of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

 

 

We assessed long-lived assets and investments for recoverability and there were no material impairment charges recorded in 2020 as a result of COVID-19. See Note 12 — Asset Impairments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to other impairment assessments in the third quarter of 2020. Certain assumptions are highly sensitive to changes. Changes in significant assumptions could potentially result in future impairments, which could be material.

 

This is an evolving situation that could lead to extended disruption of economic activity in our markets. We will continue to monitor developments affecting our workforce, customers, and suppliers and will take additional precautions that we determine to be necessary in order to mitigate the impacts. The extent to which COVID-19 may impact our ability to operate our generating assets, the ability to access capital markets, and results of operations, including demand for electricity and natural gas, will depend on the spread and proliferation of COVID-19 around the world and future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time.

 

Impacts of February 2021 Extreme Cold Weather Event and Texas-based Generating Assets Outages

 

Beginning on February 15, 2021, our Texas-based generating assets within the ERCOT market, specifically Colorado Bend II, Wolf Hollow II, and Handley, experienced periodic outages as a result of historically severe cold weather conditions. In addition, those weather conditions drove increased demand for service, dramatically increased wholesale power and gas prices, and also increased gas prices in certain regions.

 

We estimate a reduction in Net income of approximately $670 million to $820 million for the full year 2021 arising from these market and weather conditions. The ultimate impact to our consolidated financial statements may be affected by a number of factors, including final settlement data, the impacts of customer and counterparty credit losses, any state or federal solutions to address the financial challenges caused by the event, and related litigation and contract disputes.

 

We expect to offset between $370 million and $450 million of this impact for the full year 2021 through a combination of enhanced revenue opportunities, deferral of selected non-essential maintenance, and primarily one-time cost savings.

 

CENG Put Option

 

We own a 50.01% membership interest in CENG, a joint venture with EDF, which wholly owns the Calvert Cliffs and Ginna nuclear stations and Nine Mile Point Unit 1, in addition to an 82% undivided ownership interest in Nine Mile Point Unit 2. CENG is 100% consolidated in our financial statements.

 

On April 1, 2014, Generation entered into various agreements with EDF including a NOSA, an amended LLC Operating Agreement, an Employee Matters Agreement, and a Put Option Agreement, among others. Under the amended LLC Operating Agreement, CENG made a $400 million special distribution to EDF and committed to make preferred distributions to Generation until Generation has received aggregate distributions of $400 million plus a return of 8.50% per annum. Under the Put Option Agreement, EDF has the option to sell its 49.99% equity interest in CENG to Generation exercisable beginning on January 1, 2016 and thereafter until June 30, 2022. On November 20, 2019, Generation received notice of EDF’s intention to exercise the put option to sell Generation its interest in CENG, and the put automatically exercised on January 19, 2020 at the end of the sixty-day advance notice period.

 

On August 6, 2021, Generation and EDF entered into a settlement agreement pursuant to which Generation, through a wholly owned subsidiary, purchased EDF’s equity interest in CENG for a net purchase price of $885 million, which includes, among other things, a credit for EDF’s share of the balance of the preferred distribution payable by CENG to Generation. The difference between the net purchase price and EDF’s noncontrolling interest as of the closing date will be recorded to Membership interest on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

In connection with the settlement agreement, on August 6, 2021, Generation issued approximately $880 million under a term loan credit agreement to fund the transaction, which will expire on August 5, 2022.

 

Clean Energy Law 

 

On September 15, 2021, the Illinois Public Act 102-0662 was signed into law by the Governor of Illinois. The Clean Energy Law is designed to achieve 100% carbon-free power by 2045 to enable the state’s transition to a clean energy economy. The Clean Energy Law establishes decarbonization requirements for Illinois as well as programs to support the retention and development of emissions-free sources of electricity. Among other things, the Clean Energy Law authorizes the IPA to procure up to 54.5 million CMCs from qualifying nuclear plants for a five-year period beginning on June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2027. CMCs are credits for carbon-free attributes of eligible nuclear power plants in PJM. The Byron, Dresden, and Braidwood nuclear plants located in Illinois will be eligible to participate in the CMC procurement process and, if awarded contracts, would be committed to operate through May 31, 2027. Selected generators will by December 3, 2021 contract directly with ComEd for the procurement of the CMCs  based upon the number of MWhs produced annually by the eligible facilities, subject to specified caps and minimum performance requirements.

 

Following enactment of the Clean Energy Law, we announced on September 15, 2021, that we have reversed our previous decision to retire Byron and Dresden given the opportunity for additional revenue. In addition, we no longer consider the Braidwood or LaSalle nuclear plants to be at risk for premature retirement.

 

Early Retirement of Facilities

 

In August 2020, we announced that we intended to retire the Byron Generating Station in September 2021, Dresden Generating Station in November 2021, and Mystic Units 8 and 9 at the expiration of the cost of service commitment in May 2024. As a result, we recognized certain one-time charges in the third and fourth quarters of 2020. Further, there were ongoing annual financial impacts stemming from shortening the expected economic useful lives of these facilities, primarily related to accelerated depreciation of plant assets (including any ARC) and accelerated amortization of nuclear fuel. Also, as a result, in the third quarter of 2020, we recognized a $500 million impairment of our New England asset group. In the second quarter of 2021, an incremental decline in value resulted in an additional pre-tax impairment charge of $350 million for the New England asset group. Further, in the second quarter of 2021, we recorded pre-tax charges of $53 million for decommissioning-related activities that were not offset for the Byron units due to the inability to recognize a regulatory asset at ComEd.

 

On September 15, 2021, we reversed our previous decision to early retire Byron and Dresden and updated the expected economic useful life for both facilities to 2044 and 2046 for Byron Units 1 and 2, respectively, and to 2029 and 2031 for Dresden Units 2 and 3, respectively. Depreciation was therefore adjusted beginning September 15, 2021, to reflect these extended useful life estimates.

 

 

Agreement for Sale of our Solar Business

 

On December 8, 2020, we entered into an agreement with an affiliate of Brookfield Renewable, for the sale of a significant portion of our solar business, including 360 megawatts of generation in operation or under construction across more than 600 sites across the United States. We will retain certain solar assets not included in this agreement, primarily Antelope Valley.

 

Completion of the transaction contemplated by the sale agreement was subject to the satisfaction of several closing conditions which were satisfied in the first quarter of 2021. The sale was completed on March 31, 2021 for a purchase price of $810 million. We received cash proceeds of $675 million, net of $125 million long term debt assumed by the buyer and certain working capital and other post-closing adjustments. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $68 million which is included in Gain on sales of assets and businesses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

Agreement for the Sale of a Biomass Facility

 

On April 28, 2021, we entered into a purchase agreement with ReGenerate Energy Holdings, LLC (“ReGenerate”), under which ReGenerate agreed to purchase our interest in the Albany Green Energy biomass facility. As a result, in the second quarter of 2021, we recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $140 million. The sale was completed on June 30, 2021 for a net purchase price of $36 million.

 

Sales of Customer Accounts Receivable

 

On April 8, 2020, NER, a bankruptcy remote, special purpose entity, which is wholly owned by us, entered into an accounts receivable financing facility with a number of financial institutions and a commercial paper conduit (the Purchasers) to sell certain customer accounts receivables (the Facility). We received approximately $500 million of cash in accordance with the initial sale of approximately $1.2 billion receivables. On February 17, 2021, we received additional cash of $250 million from the Purchasers for the remaining capacity in the Facility. The Facility was renewed on March 29, 2021. The Facility term was extended through March 29, 2024, unless further renewed by the mutual consent of the parties, and the maximum capacity was increased to $900 million. On March 31, 2021, we received cash of approximately $150 million in connection with the increased capacity at the time of the Facility renewal. See Note 6 — Accounts Receivable of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Other Key Business Drivers

 

Power Markets

 

Section 232 Uranium Petition

 

On January 16, 2018, two Canadian-owned uranium mining companies with operations in the U.S. jointly submitted a petition to the U.S. Department of Commerce ("DOC") seeking relief under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 from imports of uranium products, alleging that these imports threaten national security.

 

The United States Nuclear Fuel Working Group ("Working Group") report was made public on April 23, 2020. The Working Group report states that nuclear power is intrinsically tied to national security, and promises that the U.S. government will take bold actions to strengthen all parts of the nuclear fuel industry in the U.S. It recommends the Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Investigation on Uranium from the Russian Federation (the “Russian Suspension Agreement” or "RSA") be extended and to consider reducing the amount of Russian imports of nuclear fuel. The Russian Suspension Agreement is the historical resolution of a 1991 DOC investigation that found that the Russians had been selling or “dumping” cheap uranium products into the U.S. The RSA has been amended several times in the intervening years to allow Russia to supply limited amounts of uranium products into the U.S. It was set to expire at the end of 2020, but was amended on October 5, 2020 to extend for another 20 years.

 

The Working Group report should be viewed as policy recommendations that may be implemented by executive agencies, congress, and or regulatory bodies. We cannot currently predict the outcome of all of the policy changes recommended by the Working Group.

 

 

Complaint at FERC Seeking to Alter Capacity Market Default Offer Caps

 

On February 21, 2019, PJM's Independent Market Monitor (IMM) filed a complaint alleging that the number of performance assessment intervals used to calculate the default offer cap for bids to supply capacity in PJM is too high, resulting in an overstated default offer cap that obviates the need for most sellers to seek unit-specific approval of their offers. The IMM argued that this allows for the exercise of market power. The IMM asked FERC to require PJM to reduce the number of performance assessment intervals used to calculate the opportunity costs of a capacity supplier assuming a capacity obligation. This would, in turn, lower the default offer cap and allow the IMM to review more offers on a unit-specific basis. Several consumer advocates filed a complaint seeking similar relief several months after the IMM’s complaint. On March 18, 2021, FERC granted the complaints, finding the current estimate of performance assessment intervals to be excessive compared to the reasonably expected number of performance assessment intervals which results in an unjust and unreasonable default offer cap. FERC did not establish the number of performance assessment intervals that should be used to calculate the default offer cap and instead request briefs on the matter, including alternative approaches to mitigation in the capacity market. We submitted an initial and reply briefs on May 3, 2021 and June 9, 2021, respectively, and an answer to briefs filed by other parties on June 24, 2021. On September 2, 2021, FERC issued an order adopting the IMM’s unit-specific avoidable cost offer review methodology and directed PJM to submit a compliance filing establishing new deadlines for offer review and related other activities leading up to the base residual auction for the 2023-2024 planning year and an additional compliance filing revising the PJM Tariff to comply with FERC’s order. We filed at FERC for rehearing on this matter on October 4, 2021. We cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or the financial statement impact.

 

Hedging Strategy

 

Our policy to hedge commodity risk on a ratable basis over three-year periods is intended to reduce the financial impact of market price volatility. We are exposed to commodity price risk associated with the unhedged portion of our electricity portfolio. We enter into non-derivative and derivative contracts, including financially-settled swaps, futures contracts and swap options, and physical options and physical forward contracts, all with credit-approved counterparties, to hedge this anticipated exposure. As of December 31, 2020, the percentage of expected generation hedged for the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York, and ERCOT reportable segments is 94%-97% for 2021. We have been and will continue to be proactive in using hedging strategies to mitigate commodity price risk.

 

We procure natural gas through long-term and short-term contracts and spot-market purchases. Nuclear fuel assemblies are obtained predominantly through long-term uranium concentrate supply contracts, contracted conversion services, contracted enrichment services, or a combination thereof, and contracted fuel fabrication services. The supply markets for uranium concentrates and certain nuclear fuel services are subject to price fluctuations and availability restrictions. Approximately 60% of our uranium concentrate requirements from 2021 through 2025 are supplied by three suppliers. In the event of non-performance by these or other suppliers, we believe that replacement uranium concentrate can be obtained, although at prices that may be unfavorable when compared to the prices under the current supply agreements. Non-performance by these counterparties could have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

See Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for additional information.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that management apply accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect results of operations and the amounts of assets and liabilities reported in the financial statements. Management believes that the accounting policies described below require significant judgment in their application, or incorporate estimates and assumptions that are inherently uncertain and that may change in subsequent periods. Additional information of the application of these accounting policies can be found in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Nuclear Decommissioning Asset Retirement Obligations

 

Our ARO associated with decommissioning our nuclear units was $11.9 billion at December 31, 2020. The authoritative guidance requires that we estimate our obligation for the future decommissioning of our nuclear generating plants. To estimate that liability, we use an internally-developed, probability-weighted, discounted cash flow model which, on a unit-by-unit basis, considers multiple decommissioning outcome scenarios.

 

As a result of recent nuclear plant retirements in the industry, nuclear operators and third-party service providers are obtaining more information about costs associated with decommissioning activities. At the same time, regulators are gaining more information about decommissioning activities which could result in changes to existing decommissioning requirements. In addition, as more nuclear plants are retired, it is possible that technological advances will be identified that could create efficiencies and lead to a reduction in decommissioning costs. The availability of NDT funds could impact the timing of the decommissioning activities. Additionally, certain factors such as changes in regulatory requirements during plant operations or the profitability of a nuclear plant could impact the timing of plant retirements. These factors could result in material changes to our current estimates as more information becomes available and could change the timing of plant retirements and the probability assigned to the decommissioning outcome scenarios.

 

 

The nuclear decommissioning obligation is adjusted on a regular basis due to the passage of time and revisions to the key assumptions for the expected timing and/or estimated amounts of the future undiscounted cash flows required to decommission the nuclear plants, based upon the following methodologies and significant estimates and assumptions:

 

Decommissioning Cost Studies. We use unit-by-unit decommissioning cost studies to provide a marketplace assessment of the expected costs (in current year dollars) and timing of decommissioning activities, which are validated by comparison to current decommissioning projects within the industry and other estimates. Decommissioning cost studies are updated, on a rotational basis, for each of our nuclear units at least every five years, unless circumstances warrant more frequent updates. As part of the annual cost study update process, we evaluate newly assumed costs or substantive changes in previously assumed costs to determine if the cost estimate impacts are sufficiently material to warrant application of the updated estimates to the AROs across the nuclear fleet outside of the normal five-year rotating cost study update cycle.

 

Cost Escalation Factors. We use cost escalation factors to escalate the decommissioning costs from the decommissioning cost studies discussed above through the assumed decommissioning period for each of the units. Cost escalation studies, updated on an annual basis, are used to determine escalation factors, and are based on inflation indices for labor, equipment and materials, energy, LLRW disposal and other costs. All of the nuclear AROs are adjusted each year for the updated cost escalation factors.

 

Probabilistic Cash Flow Models. Our probabilistic cash flow models include the assignment of probabilities to various scenarios for decommissioning cost levels, decommissioning approaches, and timing of plant shutdown on a unit-by-unit basis. Probabilities assigned to cost levels include an assessment of the likelihood of costs 20% higher (high-cost scenario) or 15% lower (low-cost scenario) than the base cost scenario. The assumed decommissioning scenarios include the following three alternatives: (1) DECON which assumes decommissioning activities begin shortly after the cessation of operation, (2) Shortened SAFSTOR generally has a 30-year delay prior to onset of decommissioning activities, and (3) SAFSTOR which assumes the nuclear facility is placed and maintained in such condition that the nuclear facility can be safely stored and subsequently decontaminated generally within 60 years after cessation of operations. In each decommissioning scenario, spent fuel is transferred to dry cask storage as soon as possible until DOE acceptance for disposal.

 

The actual decommissioning approach selected once a nuclear facility is shutdown will be determined at the time of shutdown and may be influenced by multiple factors including the funding status of the nuclear decommissioning trust fund at the time of shutdown.

 

The assumed plant shutdown timing scenarios include the following four alternatives: (1) the probability of operating through the original 40-year nuclear license term, (2) the probability of operating through an extended 60-year nuclear license term (regardless of whether such 20-year license extension has been received for each unit), (3) the probability of a second, 20-year license renewal for some nuclear units, and (4) the probability of early plant retirement for certain sites due to changing market conditions and regulatory environments. As power market and regulatory environment developments occur, we evaluate and incorporate, as necessary, the impacts of such developments into its nuclear ARO assumptions and estimates.

 

Our probabilistic cash flow models also include an assessment of the timing of DOE acceptance of SNF for disposal. We currently assume DOE will begin accepting SNF in 2035. The SNF acceptance date assumption is based on management’s estimates of the amount of time required for DOE to select a site location and develop the necessary infrastructure for long-term SNF storage. For additional information regarding the estimated date when DOE will begin accepting SNF, see Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Discount Rates. The probability-weighted estimated future cash flows for the various assumed scenarios are discounted using credit-adjusted, risk-free rates (CARFR) applicable to the various businesses in which each of the nuclear units originally operated. We initially recognize an ARO at fair value and subsequently adjust it for changes to estimated costs, timing of future cash flows and modifications to decommissioning assumptions. The ARO is not required or permitted to be re-measured for changes in the CARFR that occur in isolation. Increases in the ARO as a result of upward revisions in estimated undiscounted cash flows are considered new obligations and are measured using a current CARFR as the increase creates a new cost layer within the ARO. Any decrease in the estimated undiscounted future cash flows relating to the ARO are treated as a modification of an existing ARO cost layer and, therefore, is measured using the average historical CARFR rates used in creating the initial ARO cost layers. If our future nominal cash flows associated with the ARO were to be discounted at current prevailing CARFR, the obligation would increase from approximately $11.9 billion to approximately $15.0 billion.

 

 

The following table illustrates the significant impact that changes in the CARFR, when combined with changes in projected amounts and expected timing of cash flows, can have on the valuation of the ARO (dollars in millions):

 

Change in the CARFR applied to the annual ARO update (in millions)		(Decrease) Increase to ARO at December 31, 2020
2019 CARFR rather than the 2020 CARFR		$	(370	)
2020 CARFR increased by 50 basis points			(390	)
2020 CARFR decreased by 50 basis points			490

 

ARO Sensitivities. Changes in the assumptions underlying the ARO could materially affect the decommissioning obligation. The impact to the ARO of a change in any one of these assumptions is highly dependent on how the other assumptions may correspondingly change.

 

The following table illustrates the effects of changing certain ARO assumptions while holding all other assumptions constant (dollars in millions):

 

Change in ARO Assumption (in millions)		Increase to ARO at December 31, 2020
Cost escalation studies
Uniform increase in escalation rates of 50 basis points		$	2,560
Probabilistic cash flow models
Increase the estimated costs to decommission the nuclear plants by 10 percent			1,050
Increase the likelihood of the DECON scenario by 10 percent and decrease the likelihood of the SAFSTOR scenario by 10 percent(a)			610
Shorten each unit's probability weighted operating life assumption by 10 percent(b)			1,690
Extend the estimated date for DOE acceptance of SNF to 2040			280

 

(a)

Excludes any sites in which management has committed to a specific decommissioning approach.

(b)

Excludes any retired sites.

 

See Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies, Note 7 — Early Plant Retirements and Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding accounting for nuclear AROs.

 

Unamortized Energy Contract Assets and Liabilities

 

Unamortized energy contract assets and liabilities represent the remaining unamortized balances of non-derivative energy contracts that we have acquired. The initial amount recorded represents the fair value of the contracts at the time of acquisition. The unamortized energy contract assets and liabilities are amortized over the life of the contract in relation to the expected realization of the underlying cash flows. Amortization of the unamortized energy contract assets and liabilities is recorded through purchased power and fuel expense or operating revenues, depending on the nature of the underlying contract. See Note 13 — Intangible Assets of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

We regularly monitor and evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets and asset groups for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of those assets may not be recoverable. Indicators of potential impairment may include a deteriorating business climate, including, but not limited to, declines in energy prices, condition of the asset, an asset remaining idle for more than a short period of time, specific regulatory disallowance, advances in technology, plans to dispose of a long-lived asset significantly before the end of its useful life, and financial distress of a third party for assets contracted with them on a long-term basis, among others.

 

 

The review of long-lived assets and asset groups for impairment utilizes significant assumptions about operating strategies and estimates of future cash flows, which require assessments of current and projected market conditions. Forecasting future cash flows requires assumptions regarding forecasted commodity prices for the sale of power and purchases of fuel and the expected operations of assets. 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. An impairment evaluation is based on an undiscounted cash flow analysis at the lowest level at which cash flows of the long-lived assets or asset groups are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. The lowest level of independent cash flows is determined by the evaluation of several factors, including the geographic dispatch of the generation units and the hedging strategies related to those units as well as the associated intangible assets or liabilities recorded on the balance sheet. The cash flows from the generating units are generally evaluated at a regional portfolio level with cash flows generated from the customer supply and risk management activities, including cash flows from related intangible assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. In certain cases, generating assets may be evaluated on an individual basis where those assets are contracted on a long-term basis with a third party and operations are independent of other generating assets (typically contracted renewables). For such assets the financial viability of the third party, including the impact of bankruptcy on the contract, may be a significant assumption in the assessment.

 

On a quarterly basis, we assess our long-lived assets or asset groups for indicators of impairment. If indicators are present for a long-lived asset or asset group, a comparison of the undiscounted expected future cash flows to the carrying value is performed. When the undiscounted cash flow analysis indicates the carrying value of 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 of the long-lived asset or asset group is dependent upon a market participant’s view of the exit price of the assets. This includes significant assumptions of the estimated future cash flows generated by the assets and market discount rates. Events and circumstances often do not occur as expected resulting in differences between prospective financial information and actual results, which may be material. The determination of fair value is driven by both internal assumptions that include significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) such as revenue and generation forecasts, projected capital, and maintenance expenditures and discount rates, as well as information from various public, financial and industry sources.

 

See Note 12 — Asset Impairments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of asset impairment assessments.

 

Depreciable Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment

 

We have significant investments in electric generation assets. These assets are generally depreciated on a straight-line basis, using the group, composite or unitary methods of depreciation. The group approach is typically for groups of similar assets that have approximately the same useful lives and the composite approach is used for heterogeneous assets that have different lives. Under both methods, a reporting entity depreciates the assets over the average life of the assets in the group. The estimation of asset useful lives requires management judgment, supported by formal depreciation studies of historical asset retirement experience. Depreciation studies are generally completed every five years, or more frequently if an event, regulatory action, or change in retirement patterns indicate an update is necessary.

 

Along with depreciation study results, management considers expected future energy market conditions and generation plant operating costs and capital investment requirements in determining the estimated service lives of our generating facilities and reassesses the reasonableness of estimated useful lives whenever events or changes in circumstances warrant. When a determination has been made that an asset will be retired before the end of its current estimated useful life, depreciation provisions will be accelerated to reflect the shortened estimated useful life, which could have a material unfavorable impact on future results of operations. See Note 7 — Early Plant Retirements of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Changes in estimated useful lives of electric generation assets could have a significant impact on the future results of operations. See Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding depreciation and estimated service lives of the property, plant and equipment.

 

 

Accounting for Derivative Instruments

 

We use derivative instruments to manage commodity price risk, foreign currency exchange risk and interest rate risk related to ongoing business operations. Our derivative activities are in accordance with our Risk Management Policy (RMP). See Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

We account for derivative financial instruments under the applicable authoritative guidance. Determining whether a contract qualifies as a derivative requires that management exercise significant judgment, including assessing market liquidity as well as determining whether a contract has one or more underlyings and one or more notional quantities. Changes in management’s assessment of contracts and the liquidity of their markets, and changes in authoritative guidance, could result in previously excluded contracts becoming in scope of new authoritative guidance.

 

All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value, except for certain derivatives that qualify for, and are elected under, NPNS. Derivatives entered into for economic hedging and for proprietary trading purposes are recorded at fair value through earnings.

 

NPNS. As part of our energy marketing business, we enter into contracts to buy and sell energy to meet the requirements of our customers. These contracts include short-term and long-term commitments to purchase and sell energy and energy-related products in the retail and wholesale markets with the intent and ability to deliver or take delivery. While some of these contracts are considered derivative financial instruments under the authoritative guidance, certain of these qualifying transactions have been designated as NPNS transactions, which are thus not required to be recorded at fair value, but rather on an accrual basis of accounting. Determining whether a contract qualifies for the NPNS requires judgment on whether the contract will physically deliver and requires that management ensure compliance with all of the associated qualification and documentation requirements. Revenues and expenses on contracts that qualify as NPNS are recognized when the underlying physical transaction is completed. Contracts that qualify for the NPNS are those for which physical delivery is probable, quantities are expected to be used or sold in the normal course of business over a reasonable period of time and the contract is not financially settled on a net basis.

 

Commodity Contracts. Identification of a commodity contract as an economic hedge requires us to determine that the contract is in accordance with the RMP. We reassess our economic hedges on a regular basis to determine if they continue to be within the guidelines of the RMP.

 

As a part of the authoritative guidance, we make estimates and assumptions concerning future commodity prices, load requirements, interest rates, the timing of future transactions and their probable cash flows, the fair value of contracts and the expected changes in the fair value in deciding whether or not to enter into derivative transactions, and in determining the initial accounting treatment for derivative transactions. Under the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements, we categorize these derivatives under a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.

 

Derivative contracts are traded in both exchange-based and non-exchange-based markets. Exchange-based derivatives that are valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets are generally categorized in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Certain derivatives’ pricing is verified using indicative price quotations available through brokers or over-the-counter, on-line exchanges. The price quotations reflect the average of the bid-ask mid-point from markets that we believe provide the most liquid market for the commodity. The price quotations are reviewed and corroborated to ensure the prices are observable and representative of an orderly transaction between market participants. Our derivatives are traded predominately at liquid trading points. The remaining derivative contracts are valued using models that consider inputs such as contract terms, including maturity, and market parameters, and assumptions of the future prices of energy, interest rates, volatility, credit worthiness and credit spread. For derivatives that trade in liquid markets, such as generic forwards, swaps and options, the model inputs are generally observable. Such instruments are categorized in Level 2.

 

For derivatives that trade in less liquid markets with limited pricing information, the model inputs generally would include both observable and unobservable inputs and are categorized in Level 3.

 

We consider nonperformance risk, including credit risk in the valuation of derivative contracts, including both historical and current market data, in our assessment of nonperformance risk, including credit risk. The impacts of nonperformance and credit risk to date have generally not been material to the financial statements.

 

 

See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities and Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding derivative instruments.

 

Taxation

 

Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, primarily due to the uncertainty related to tax positions taken, as well as deferred tax assets and liabilities and valuation allowances. We account for uncertain income tax positions using a benefit recognition model with a two-step approach including a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold and a measurement approach based on the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Management evaluates each position based solely on the technical merits and facts and circumstances of the position, assuming the position will be examined by a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. Significant judgment is required to determine whether the recognition threshold has been met and, if so, the appropriate amount of tax benefits to be recorded in the consolidated financial statements.

 

We evaluate quarterly the probability of realizing deferred tax assets by reviewing a forecast of future taxable income and their intent and ability to implement tax planning strategies, if necessary, to realize deferred tax assets. We also assess negative evidence, such as the expiration of historical operating loss or tax credit carryforwards, that could indicate our inability to realize our deferred tax assets. Based on the combined assessment, we record valuation allowances for deferred tax assets when it is more-likely-than-not such benefit will not be realized in future periods.

 

Actual income taxes could vary from estimated amounts due to the future impacts of various items, including future changes in income tax laws, our forecasted financial condition and results of operations, failure to successfully implement tax planning strategies, as well as results of audits and examinations of filed tax returns by taxing authorities. See Note 14 — Income Taxes of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Accounting for Loss Contingencies

 

In the preparation of our financial statements, we make judgments regarding the future outcome of contingent events and record liabilities for loss contingencies that are probable and can be reasonably estimated based upon available information. The amount recorded may differ from the actual expense incurred when the uncertainty is resolved. Such difference could have a significant impact in our consolidated financial statements.

 

Environmental Costs. Environmental investigation and remediation liabilities are based upon estimates with respect to the number of sites for which we will be responsible, the scope and cost of work to be performed at each site, the portion of costs that will be shared with other parties, the timing of the remediation work and changes in technology, regulations and the requirements of local governmental authorities. In addition, periodic reviews are performed to assess the adequacy of other environmental reserves. These matters, if resolved in a manner different from the estimate, could have a significant impact in the consolidated financial statements. See Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Other, Including Personal Injury Claims. We are self-insured for general liability, automotive liability, workers’ compensation, and personal injury claims to the extent that losses are within policy deductibles or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. We have reserves for both open claims asserted and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported (IBNR). The IBNR reserve is estimated based on actuarial assumptions and analysis and is updated annually. Future events, such as the number of new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of claims, as well as the numerous uncertainties surrounding litigation and possible state and national legislative measures could cause the actual costs to be higher or lower than estimated. Accordingly, these claims, if resolved in a manner different from the estimate, could have a material impact in the consolidated financial statements.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Sources of Revenue and Determination of Accounting Treatment. We earn revenue from various business activities including: the sale of power and energy-related products, such as natural gas, capacity, and other commodities in non-regulated markets (wholesale and retail) and the provision of other energy-related non-regulated products and services.

 

The accounting treatment for revenue recognition is based on the nature of the underlying transaction and applicable authoritative guidance. We primarily apply the Revenue from Contracts with Customers and Derivatives guidance to recognize revenue as discussed in more detail below.

 

 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers. We recognize revenues in the period in which the performance obligations within contracts with customers are satisfied, which generally occurs when power, natural gas and other energy-related commodities and services are provided to the customer. Transactions within the scope of Revenue from Contracts with Customers generally include non-derivative agreements, contracts that are designated as NPNS and spot-market energy commodity sales, including settlements with independent system operators.

 

The determination of our retail power and natural gas sales to individual customers is based on systematic readings of customer meters, generally on a monthly basis. Energy delivered to customers that has not yet been billed as of the reporting period is estimated and corresponding unbilled revenue is recorded. The measurement of unbilled revenue is based upon individual customer meter readings, forecasted volumes, and applicable rates. See Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Derivative Revenues. We record revenues and expenses using the mark-to-market method of accounting for transactions that are accounted for as derivatives. These derivative transactions primarily relate to commodity price risk management activities. Mark-to-market revenues and expenses include: inception gains or losses on new transactions where the fair value is observable, unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of open contracts and realized gains and losses.

 

Factors Affecting the Comparability of our Future Results of Operations to our Historical Results of Operations

 

The historical audited financial information we have included in this information statement does not necessarily reflect what our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows would have been as an independent public company during the periods presented and is not necessarily indicative of our future financial condition, future results of operations or future cash flows. This is primarily a result of the following factors:

 

·

The historical audited financial results reflect allocations of expenses for services historically provided by BSC, and those allocations may be different than the comparable expenses we would have incurred as an independent company,

 

·

Our cost of debt and other capitalization may be different from that reflected in our historical audited financial statements,

 

·

The historical audited financial information does not reflect the changes that will occur in our cost structure, management, financing arrangements and business operations as a result of our separation from Exelon, including the costs related to being an independent company, and

 

·

Other significant changes may occur in our cost structure, management, financing and business operations as a result of our operation as a company separate from Exelon.

 

 

Results of Operations

 

(in millions)		2020				2019				(Unfavorable) Favorable Variance
Operating revenues		$	17,603			$	18,924			$	(1,321	)
Operating expenses
Purchased power and fuel			9,585				10,856				1,271
Operating and maintenance			5,168				4,718				(450	)
Depreciation and amortization			2,123				1,535				(588	)
Taxes other than income taxes			482				519				37
Total operating expenses			17,358				17,628				270
Gain on sales of assets and businesses			11				27				(16	)
Operating income			256				1,323				(1,067	)
Other income and (deductions)
Interest expense			(357	)			(429	)			72
Other, net			937				1,023				(86	)
Total other income and (deductions)			580				594				(14	)
Income before income taxes			836				1,917				(1,081	)
Income taxes			249				516				267
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates			(8	)			(184	)			176
Net income			579				1,217				(638	)
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests			(10	)			92				(102	)
Net income attributable to membership interest		$	589			$	1,125			$	(536	)

  

Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019. Net income attributable to membership interest decreased by $536 million primarily due to:

 

·

One-time charges and accelerated depreciation and amortization associated with our decisions in the third quarter of 2020 to early retire Byron and Dresden nuclear facilities in 2021 and Mystic Units 8 and 9 in 2024, partially offset by the absence of accelerated depreciation and amortization due to the early retirement of TMI in September 2019;

 

·

Impairment of the New England asset group;

 

·

Lower capacity revenue;

 

·

Reduction in load due to COVID-19;

 

·

Lower realized energy prices;

 

·

Higher nuclear outage days;

 

·

Impact of our annual update to the nuclear ARO for Non-regulatory Agreement Units;

 

·

Lower net unrealized and realized gains on NDT funds;

 

·

COVID-19 direct costs; and

 

The decreases were partially offset by:

 

·

Higher mark-to-market gains;

 

 

·

Unrealized gains resulting from equity investments without readily determinable fair values that became publicly traded entities in the fourth quarter of 2020 and were fair valued based on quoted market prices of the stocks as of December 31, 2020;

 

·

Lower operating and maintenance expense primarily due to previous cost management programs, lower contracting costs, and lower travel costs partially offset by lower NEIL insurance distributions;

 

·

Lower nuclear fuel costs;

 

·

Lower depreciation and amortization expense due to the impact of extending the operating license at Peach Bottom;

 

·

A tax benefit related to a settlement in the first quarter of 2020, partially offset by the absence of a tax benefit related to certain research and development activities recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019.

 

Operating revenues. The basis for our reportable segments is the integrated management of our electricity business that is located in different geographic regions, and largely representative of the footprints of ISO/RTO and/or NERC regions, which utilize multiple supply sources to provide electricity through various distribution channels (wholesale and retail). Our hedging strategies and risk metrics are also aligned with these same geographic regions. Our five reportable segments are Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York, ERCOT, and Other Power Regions. See Note 5 — Segment Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these reportable segments.

 

The following business activities are not allocated to a region and are reported under Other: natural gas, as well as other miscellaneous business activities that are not significant to overall operating revenues or results of operations.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019, Operating revenues by region were as follows:

 

										2020 vs. 2019
(in millions)		2020				2019				Variance				% Change(a)
Mid-Atlantic		$	4,645			$	5,075			$	(430	)			(8.5	)%
Midwest			4,024				4,293				(269	)			(6.3	)%
New York			1,431				1,596				(165	)			(10.3	)%
ERCOT			958				1,013				(55)				(5.4)	%
Other Power Regions			4,002				4,246				(244)				(5.7)	%
Total electric revenues			15,060				16,223				(1,163	)			(7.2	)%
Other			2,433				2,706				(273	)			(10.1	)%
Mark-to-market gains (losses)			111				(2	)			113
Total Operating revenues		$	17,603			$	18,924			$	(1,321	)			(7.0	)%

 

(a)

% Change in mark-to-market is not a meaningful measure

 

Supply Sources. Our supply sources by region are summarized below:

 

										2020 vs. 2019
Supply Source (GWhs)		2020				2019				Variance				% Change
Nuclear Generation(a)
Mid-Atlantic			52,202				58,347				(6,145	)			(10.5	)%
Midwest			96,322				94,890				1,432				1.5	%
New York			26,561				28,088				(1,527	)			(5.4	)%
Total Nuclear Generation			175,085				181,325				(6,240	)			(3.4	)%
Fossil and Renewables
Mid-Atlantic			2,206				2,884				(678	)			(23.5	)%
Midwest			1,240				1,374				(134	)			(9.8	)%
New York			4				5				(1	)			(20.0	)%
ERCOT			11,982				13,572				(1,590	)			(11.7	)%
Other Power Regions			11,121				11,476				(355	)			(3.1	)%
Total Fossil and Renewables			26,553				29,311				(2,758	)			(9.4	)%
Purchased Power
Mid-Atlantic			22,487				14,790				7,697				52.0	%
Midwest			770				1,424				(654	)			(45.9	)%
ERCOT			5,636				4,821				815				16.9	%
Other Power Regions			51,079				48,673				2,406				4.9	%
Total Purchased Power			79,972				69,708				10,264				14.7	%
Total Supply/Sales by Region(b)
Mid-Atlantic			76,895				76,021				874				1.1	%
Midwest			98,332				97,688				644				0.7	%
New York			26,565				28,093				(1,528	)			(5.4	)%
ERCOT			17,618				18,393				(775	)			(4.2	)%
Other Power Regions			62,200				60,149				2,051				3.4	%
Total Supply/Sales by Region			281,610				280,344				1,266				0.5	%

 

(a)	Includes the proportionate share of output where we have an undivided ownership interest in jointly-owned generating plants and includes the total output of plants that are fully consolidated.
(b)	Reflects a decrease in load due to COVID-19.

 

Nuclear Fleet Capacity Factor. The following table presents nuclear fleet operating data for our plants, which reflects ownership percentage of stations operated by us, excluding Salem, which is operated by PSEG. The nuclear fleet capacity factor presented in the table is defined as the ratio of the actual output of a plant over a period of time to its output if the plant had operated at full average annual mean capacity for that time period. We consider capacity factor to be a useful measure to analyze the nuclear fleet performance between periods. We have included the analysis below as a complement to the financial information provided in accordance with GAAP. However, these measures are not a presentation defined under GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations or be more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report. 

 

		2020				2019
Nuclear fleet capacity factor			95.4	%			95.7	%
Refueling outage days			260				209
Non-refueling outage days			19				51

 

ZEC Prices. We are compensated through state programs for the zero-emissions attributes of our nuclear generation. ZEC prices have a significant impact on Operating revenues. The following table presents the average ZEC prices ($/MWh) for each of our major regions in which state programs have been enacted. Prices reflect the weighted average price for the various delivery periods within each calendar year.

 

										2020 vs. 2019
State (Region)		2020				2019				Variance				% Change
New Jersey (Mid-Atlantic)		$	10.00			$	10.00			$	—				—
Illinois (Midwest)			16.50				16.50				—				—
New York (New York)			19.59				19.06				0.53				2.8	%

 

Capacity Prices. We participate in capacity auctions in each of our major regions, except ERCOT which does not have a capacity market. We also incur capacity costs associated with load  served, except in ERCOT. Capacity prices have a significant impact on our operating revenues and purchased power and fuel. The following table presents the average capacity prices ($/MW Day) for each of our major regions. Prices reflect the weighted average price for the various auction periods within each calendar year.

 

										2020 vs. 2019
Location (Region)		2020				2019				Variance				% Change
Eastern Mid-Atlantic Area Council (Mid-Atlantic and Midwest)		$	159.50			$	163.79			$	(4.29	)			(2.6	)%
ComEd (Midwest)			194.22				207.87				(13.65	)			(6.6	)%
Rest of State (New York)			47.81				26.95				20.86				77.4	%
Southeast New England (Other)			200.69				269.35				(68.65	)			(25.5	)%

 

Electricity Prices. The price of electricity has a significant impact on our operating revenues and purchased power cost. The following table presents the average day-ahead around-the-clock price ($/MWh) for each of our major regions.

 

										2020 vs. 2019
Location (Region)		2020				2019				Variance				% Change
PJM West (Mid-Atlantic)		$	20.95			$	26.69			$	(5.74	)			(21.5	)%
ComEd (Midwest)			18.96				23.59				(4.63	)			(19.6	)%
Central (New York)			16.36				21.80				(5.44	)			(25.0	)%
North (ERCOT)			22.03				37.80				(15.77	)			(41.7	)%
Southwest Massachusetts (Other) (a)			23.57				31.51				(7.94	)			(25.2	)%

 

(a)

Reflects New England, which comprises the majority of the activity in the Other region

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019 changes in Operating revenues by region were approximately as follows:

 

		2020 vs. 2019
(in millions)		Variance				% Change(a)				Description
Mid-Atlantic		$	(429	)			(8.5	)%		• unfavorable settled economic hedges of $(175) due to settled prices relative to hedged prices • unfavorable retail load revenue of $(205) primarily due to lower volumes • unfavorable wholesale load revenue of $(95) primarily due to lower prices; partially offset by • favorable ZEC revenues of $20 due to the approval of the NJ ZEC program in the second quarter of 2019
Midwest			(269	)			(6.3	)%		• unfavorable retail load revenue of $(230) primarily due to lower volumes • unfavorable wholesale load revenue, net of generation of $(110) primarily due to lower load volume, partially offset by higher generation due to lower nuclear outage days • unfavorable net capacity revenues of $(50) due to lower prices, partially offset by higher volumes; partially offset by • favorable settled economic hedges of $85 due to settled prices relative to hedged prices
New York			(165	)			(10.3	)%		• unfavorable retail load revenue of $(70) primarily due to lower volumes • unfavorable generation from jointly-owned nuclear stations of $(50) due to higher outage days • unfavorable settled economic hedges of $(30) due to settled prices relative to hedged prices
ERCOT			(55	)			(5.4	)%		• unfavorable retail load revenue of $(50) primarily due to lower volumes • unfavorable settled economic hedges of $(30) due to settled prices relative to hedged prices
Other Power Regions			(244	)			(5.7	)%		• unfavorable wholesale load revenue of $(195) primarily due to lower prices • unfavorable settled economic hedges of $(175) due to settled prices relative to hedged prices; partially offset by • favorable retail load revenue of $130 primarily due to higher volumes
Other			(272	)			(10.1	)%		• unfavorable gas revenue of $(205) primarily due to lower prices • unfavorable revenue of $(55) related to the energy efficiency business
Mark-to-market(b)			113							• gains on economic hedging activities of $111 in 2020 compared to losses of $2 in 2019
Total		$	(1,321	)			(7.0	)%

 

	(a)		% Change in mark-to-market is not a meaningful measure
	(b)		See Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on mark-to-market gains and losses.

 

 

Purchased power and fuel expense.  See Operating revenues above for discussion of our reportable segments and hedging strategies and for supplemental statistical data, including supply sources by region, nuclear fleet capacity factor, capacity prices, and electricity prices.

 

The following business activities are not allocated to a region and are reported under Other: natural gas, as well as other miscellaneous business activities that are not significant to overall purchased power and fuel expense or results of operations, and accelerated nuclear fuel amortization associated with nuclear decommissioning.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019, Purchased power and fuel expense by region was as follows:

										2020 vs. 2019
(in millions)		2020				2019				Variance				% Change		(a)
Mid-Atlantic		$	2,442			$	2,420			$	(22	)			(0.9	)%
Midwest			1,121				1,330				209				15.6	%
New York			434				502				68				13.5	%
ERCOT			532				705				173				24.5	%
Other Power Regions			3,336				3,625				289				7.9	%
Total electric purchased power and fuel			7,865				8,582				717				8.3	%
Other			1,904				2,061				157				7.6	%
Mark-to-market (gains) losses			(184)				213				397
Total purchased power and fuel		$	9,585			$	10,856			$	1,271				11.7	%

 

(a)

% Change in mark-to-market is not a meaningful measure

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2019 changes in Purchased power and fuel by region was approximately as follows:

 

		2020 vs. 2019
(in millions)		Variance				% Change(a)				Description
Mid-Atlantic		$	(22	)			(0.9	)%		• unfavorable purchased power and net capacity obligation of $(130) primarily due to lower nuclear generation as a result of the permanent cease of operations at TMI and higher nuclear outage days; partially offset by • favorable nuclear fuel of $50 primarily due to the permanent cease of generation at TMI in the third quarter of 2019 and higher nuclear outage days • favorable RPS expense of $55 primarily due to lower prices
Midwest			209				15.7	%		• favorable purchased power of $110 primarily due to lower retail and wholesale load • favorable settlement of economic hedges of $60 due to settled prices relative to hedged prices
New York			68				13.5	%		• favorable purchased power of $85 primarily due to lower retail load and lower prices
ERCOT			173				24.5	%		• favorable purchased power of $140 primarily due to availability of generation during peak price periods
Other Power Regions			289				8.0	%		• favorable purchased power and net capacity obligation of $105 primarily due to lower prices • favorable fuel cost of $105 due to lower prices and lower generation • favorable RPS expense of $145 primarily due to lower prices; partially offset by • unfavorable settled economic hedges of $(65) due to settled prices relative to hedged prices
Other			157				7.6	%		• favorable net gas purchase costs and settlement of economic hedge of $215; partially offset by • unfavorable accelerated nuclear fuel amortization associated with announced early plant retirements of $(75)
Mark-to-market(b)			397							• gains on economic hedging activities of $184 in 2020 compared to losses of $212 million in 2019
Total		$	1,271				11.7	%

 

	(a)		% Change in mark-to-market is not a meaningful measure
	(b)		See Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on mark-to-market gains and losses.

 

  

The changes in Operating and maintenance expense, consisted of the following:

 

		2020 vs. 2019
(in millions)		Increase (Decrease)
Asset Impairments		$	499
ARO update			125
Nuclear refueling outage costs, including the co-owned Salem plants			60
Insurance			52
COVID-19 direct costs			46
Litigation settlements			26
Change in environmental liabilities			18
Credit loss expense(a)			16
Accretion expense			14
Plant retirements and divestitures			(8	)
Pension and non-pension postretirement benefits expense			(19	)
Corporate allocations			(35	)
Travel costs			(38	)
Other			(71	)
Labor, other benefits, contracting, materials(b)			(235	)
Total increase		$	450

 

(a)

Increased credit loss expense including impacts from COVID-19.

(b)

Primarily reflects decreased costs related to the permanent cease of generation operations at TMI, lower labor costs resulting from previous cost management programs, and decreased contracting costs.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 increased primarily due to the accelerated depreciation and amortization associated with our decision to early retire the Byron and Dresden nuclear facilities, partially offset by the permanent cease of generation operations at TMI.

 

Taxes other than income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 decreased primarily due to decreased sales and power usage.

 

Gain on sales of assets and businesses for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 decreased primarily due to our gain on sale of certain wind assets in 2019 partially offset by the loss on sale of Oyster Creek.

 

Other, net for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 decreased due to activity associated with NDT funds as described in the table below.

 

 

(in millions)		2020				2019
Net unrealized gains on NDT funds(a)		$	391			$	411
Net realized gains on sale of NDT funds(a)			70				253
Interest and dividend income on NDT funds(a)			90				110
Contractual elimination of income tax expense(b)			180				216
Unrealized gains from equity investments(c)			186				—
Other			20				33
Total other, net		$	937			$	1,023

 

(a)

Unrealized gains, realized gains and interest and dividend income on the NDT funds are associated with the Non-Regulatory Agreement Units.

(b)

Contractual elimination of income tax expense is associated with the income taxes on the NDT funds of the Regulatory Agreement Units.

(c)

Unrealized gains resulting from equity investments without readily determinable fair values that became publicly traded entities in the fourth quarter of 2020 and were fair valued based on quoted market prices of the stocks as of December 31, 2020.

 

Interest Expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 decreased primarily due to the redemption of long-term debt in 2020.

 

Effective income tax rates were 29.8% and 26.9% for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The change in 2020 is primarily related to one-time income tax settlements partially offset by the absence of research and development refund claims. See Note 14 — Income Taxes of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 increased primarily due to the impairment of equity method investments in certain distributed energy companies in the third quarter of 2019.

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 decreased primarily due to lower unrealized losses on NDT fund investments for CENG.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

All results included throughout the liquidity and capital resources section are presented on a GAAP basis.

 

Our operating and capital expenditures requirements are provided by internally generated cash flows from operations, the sale of certain receivables, as well as funds from external sources in the capital markets and through bank borrowings. Our business is capital intensive and requires considerable capital resources. We annually evaluate our financing plan and credit line sizing, focusing on maintaining our investment grade ratings while meeting our cash needs to fund capital requirements, retire debt, fund pension and OPEB obligations, and invest in new and existing ventures. A broad spectrum of financing alternatives beyond the core financing options can be used to meet our needs and fund growth including monetizing assets in the portfolio via project financing, asset sales, and the use of other financing structures (e.g., joint ventures, minority partners, etc.). Our access to external financing on reasonable terms depends on our credit ratings and current overall capital market business conditions. If these conditions deteriorate to the extent that we no longer have access to the capital markets at reasonable terms, we have access to credit facilities with aggregate bank commitments of $6.9 billion. As a result of disruptions in the commercial paper markets due to COVID-19 in March of 2020, we borrowed $1.5 billion on our revolving credit facility to refinance commercial paper. We repaid the $1.5 billion borrowed on the revolving credit facility on April 3, 2020 using funds from short-term loans issued in March 2020, cash proceeds from the sale of certain customer accounts receivable, and borrowings from the Exelon intercompany money pool. See Note 6 — Accounts Receivable of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the sale of customer accounts receivable. See Results of Operations for additional information on COVID-19. We continue to utilize our credit facilities to support our commercial paper programs, provide for other short-term borrowings and to issue letters of credit. See the “Credit Matters” section below for additional information. We expect cash flows to be sufficient to meet operating expenses, financing costs and capital expenditure requirements.

 

We primarily use our capital resources, including cash, to fund capital requirements, including construction expenditures, retire debt, pay dividends, fund pension and OPEB obligations, and invest in new and existing ventures. See Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of our debt and credit agreements.

 

 

Despite disruptions in the financial markets due to COVID-19, we issued long-term debt of $1.7 billion and were able to successfully complete our planned long-term debt issuances in 2020.

 

NRC Minimum Funding Requirements 

 

NRC regulations require that licensees of nuclear generating facilities demonstrate reasonable assurance that sufficient funds will be available in certain minimum amounts to decommission the facility. These NRC minimum funding levels are typically based upon the assumption that decommissioning activities will commence after the end of the current licensed life of each unit. If a unit fails the NRC minimum funding test, then the plant’s owners or parent companies would be required to take steps, such as providing financial guarantees through letters of credit or parent company guarantees or making additional cash contributions to the NDT fund to ensure sufficient funds are available. See Note 10 - Asset Retirement Obligations of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

If a nuclear plant were to early retire there is a risk that it will no longer meet the NRC minimum funding requirements due to the earlier commencement of decommissioning activities and a shorter time period over which the NDT funds could appreciate in value. A shortfall could require that we address the shortfall by providing additional financial assurances, such as surety bonds, letters of credit, or parental guarantees, for our share of the funding assurance. However, the amount of any guarantees or other assurance will ultimately depend on the decommissioning approach, the associated level of costs, and the NDT fund investment performance going forward. Within two years after shutting down a plant, we must submit a PSDAR to the NRC that includes the planned option for decommissioning the site. As a result of the early retirement reversal, additional financial assurance is no longer required for Byron.

 

Upon issuance of any required financial assurances, each site would be able to utilize the respective NDT funds for radiological decommissioning costs, which represent the majority of the total expected decommissioning costs. However, under the regulations, the NRC must approve an exemption in order for us to utilize the NDT funds to pay for non-radiological decommissioning costs (i.e. spent fuel management and site restoration costs, if applicable). If a unit does not receive this exemption, those costs would be borne by us without reimbursement from or access to the NDT funds.

 

As of March 31, 2021, we would not be required to provide any additional financial assurances for TMI Unit 1 under the SAFSTOR scenario which is the planned decommissioning option as described in the TMI Unit 1 PSDAR filed by us with the NRC on April 5, 2019. On October 16, 2019, the NRC granted our exemption request to use the TMI Unit 1 NDT funds for spent fuel management costs. An additional exemption request would be required to allow the funds to be spent on site restoration costs, which are not expected to be incurred in the near term.

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

Our cash flows from operating activities primarily result from the sale of electric energy and energy-related products and services to customers. Our future cash flows from operating activities may be affected by future demand for and market prices of energy and our ability to continue to produce and supply power at competitive costs as well as to obtain collections from customers. See Note 3 — Regulatory Matters and Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of regulatory and legal proceedings and proposed legislation.

 

 

The following table provides a summary of the change in cash flows from operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

(Decrease) increase in cash flows from operating activities (in millions)
Net income		$	(638	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash:
Non-cash operating activities			328
Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit contributions			(80	)
Income taxes			(116	)
Changes in working capital and other noncurrent assets and liabilities			(2,633	)
Option premiums paid, net			(110	)
Collateral received, net			960
Decrease in cash flows from operating activities		$	(2,289	)

 

Changes in our cash flows from operations were generally consistent with changes in results of operations, as adjusted by changes in working capital in the normal course of business, except as discussed below. In addition, significant operating cash flow impacts for 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

 

·

See Note 22 —Supplemental Financial Information of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for additional information on non-cash operating activity.

 

·

See Note 14 —Income Taxes of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for additional information on income taxes.

 

·

Depending upon whether we are in a net mark-to-market liability or asset position, collateral may be required to be posted with or collected from our counterparties. In addition, the collateral posting and collection requirements differ depending on whether the transactions are on an exchange or in the OTC markets.

 

·

Changes in working capital and other noncurrent assets and liabilities are primarily due to the revolving accounts receivable financing arrangement entered into on April 8, 2020. See Note 6 — Accounts Receivable of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the sales of customer accounts receivable.

 

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

 

See Note 15 — Retirement Benefits of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on planned contributions to the qualified pension plans, planned benefit payments to non-qualified pension plans, and planned contributions to OPEB plans in 2021.

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

The following table provides a summary of the change in cash flows from investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

Increase (decrease) in cash flows from investing activities (in millions)
Capital expenditures		$	98
Proceeds from NDT fund sales, net			(87	)
Acquisitions of assets and businesses, net			41
Proceeds from sales of assets and businesses			(6	)
Collection of DPP			3,771
Other investing activities			8
Increase in cash flows from investing activities		$	3,825

Significant investing cash flow impacts for 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

 

·

Variances in capital expenditures are primarily due to the timing of cash expenditures for capital projects. Refer below for additional information on projected capital expenditure spending.

 

 

Capital Expenditure Spending

 

Our most recent estimate of capital expenditures for plant additions and improvements for 2021 is approximately $1.2 billion. Projected capital expenditures and other investments are subject to periodic review and revision to reflect changes in economic conditions and other factors.

 

Approximately 48% of projected 2021 capital expenditures are for the acquisition of nuclear fuel, with the remaining amounts primarily reflecting additions and upgrades to existing generation facilities (including material condition improvements during nuclear refueling outages). We anticipate that we will fund capital expenditures with internally generated funds and borrowings.

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

The following table provides a summary of the change in cash flows from financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

Increase (decrease) in cash flows from financing activities (in millions)
Changes in short-term borrowings, net		$	200
Long-term debt, net			(958	)
Changes in intercompany money pool			385
Distributions to member			(835	)
Contributions from member			23
Other financing activities			(19	)
Decrease in cash flows from financing activities		$	(1,204	)

 

Significant financing cash flow impacts for 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

 

·

Changes in short-term borrowings, net, is driven by repayments on and issuances of notes due in less than 365 days. Refer to Note 17 - Debt and Credit Agreements of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on short-term borrowings.

 

·

Long-term debt, net, varies due to debt issuances and redemptions each year. Refer to debt issuances and redemptions tables below for additional information.

 

·

Changes in intercompany money pool are driven by short-term borrowing needs. Refer to more information regarding the intercompany money pool below.

 

·

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, other financing activities primarily consists of debt issuance costs. See debt issuances table below for additional information on our debt issuances.

 

 

Debt Issuances and Redemptions

 

See Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of our long-term debt. Debt activity for 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

 

During 2020, the following long-term debt was issued:

 

Type

Interest Rate

Maturity

Amount (in millions)

Use of Proceeds

Senior Notes

3.25

%

June 1, 2025

$

900

Repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.

EGR IV Nonrecourse Debt(a)

LIBOR + 2.75%

December 15, 2027

750

Repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.

Energy Efficiency Project Financing(b)

3.95

%

February 28, 2021

3

Funding to install energy conservation measures for the Fort Meade project.

Energy Efficiency Project Financing(b)

2.53

%

March 31, 2021

3

Funding to install energy conservation measures for the Fort AP Hill project.

 

(a)

See Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of nonrecourse debt.

(b)

For Energy Efficiency Project Financing, the maturity dates represent the expected date of project completion, upon which the respective customer assumes the outstanding debt.

 

During 2019, the following long-term debt was issued:

 

Type		Interest Rate				Maturity			Amount (in millions)					Use of Proceeds
Energy Efficiency Project Financing(a)			3.95	%			February 28, 2021			$	4			Funding to install energy conservation measures for the Fort Meade project.
Energy Efficiency Project Financing(a)			3.46	%			February 28, 2021				39			Funding to install energy conservation measures for the Marine Corps. Logistics Project.
Energy Efficiency Project Financing(a)			2.53	%			March 31, 2021				2			Funding to install energy conservation measures for the Fort AP Hill project.

 

(a)

For Energy Efficiency Project Financing, the maturity dates represent the expected date of project completion, upon which the respective customer assumes the outstanding debt.

 

 

During 2020, the following long-term debt was retired and/or redeemed:

 

Type		Interest Rate				Maturity				Amount (in millions)
Senior Notes			2.95	%			January 15, 2020			$	1,000
Senior Notes			4.00	%			October 1, 2020				550
Senior Notes(a)			5.15	%			December 1, 2020				550
Tax-Exempt Bonds			2.50% - 2.70%				December 1, 2025 - June 1, 2036				412
EGR IV Nonrecourse Debt(b)			3 month LIBOR + 3.00%				November 30, 2024				796
Continental Wind Nonrecourse Debt(b)			6.00	%			February 28, 2033				33
Antelope Valley DOE Nonrecourse Debt(b)			2.29% - 3.56%				January 5, 2037				23
RPG Nonrecourse Debt(b)			4.11	%			March 31, 2035				9
Energy Efficiency Project Financing			3.71	%			December 31, 2020				4
NUKEM			3.15	%			September 30, 2020				3
SolGen Nonrecourse Debt			3.93	%			September 30, 2036				3
Energy Efficiency Project Financing			4.12	%			November 30, 2020				1

 

(a)

The senior notes are legacy Constellation mirror debt that were previously held at Exelon and Generation. As part of the 2012 Constellation merger, Exelon and Generation assumed intercompany loan agreements that mirrored the terms and amounts of external obligations held by Exelon, resulting in notes payable to related parties in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(b)

See Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of nonrecourse debt.

 

 

During 2019, the following long-term debt was retired and/or redeemed:

 

Type		Interest Rate		Maturity		Amount (in millions)
Antelope Valley DOE Nonrecourse Debt(a)		2.33% - 3.56%		January 5, 2037		$	23
Kennett Square Capital Lease		7.83%		September 20, 2020			5
Continental Wind Nonrecourse Debt(a)		6.00%		February 28, 2033			32
Pollution control notes		2.50%		March 1, 2019			23
RPG Nonrecourse Debt(a)		4.11%		March 31, 2035			10
Energy Efficiency Project Financing		3.46%		April 30, 2019			39
EGR IV Nonrecourse debt(a)		3 month LIBOR +3.00%		November 30, 2024			38
Hannie Mae, LLC Defense Financing		4.12%		November 30, 2019			1
Energy Efficiency Project Financing		3.72%		July 31, 2019			25
NUKEM		3.15%		September 30, 2020			36
SolGen Nonrecourse Debt(a)		3.93%		September 30, 2036			6
Energy Efficiency Project Financing		4.17%		October 31, 2019			1
Energy Efficiency Project Financing		3.53%		March 31, 2020			1
Energy Efficiency Project Financing		4.26%		September 30, 2019			1
Senior Notes		5.20%		October 1, 2019			600
Dominion Federal Corp		3.17%		October 31, 2019			18
Fort Detrick Project Financing		3.55%		October 31, 2019			1

 

(a)

See Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of nonrecourse debt.

 

From time to time and as market conditions warrant, we may engage in long-term debt retirements via tender offers, open market repurchases or other viable options to reduce debt.

 

Credit Matters

 

We fund liquidity needs for capital investment, working capital, energy hedging and other financial commitments through cash flows from continuing operations, public debt offerings, commercial paper markets and large, diversified credit facilities. The credit facilities include $6.9 billion in aggregate total commitments of which $4.7 billion was available to support additional commercial paper as of December 31, 2020, and of which no financial institution has more than 8% of the aggregate commitments. We had access to the commercial paper markets and had availability under our revolving credit facilities during 2020 to fund our short-term liquidity needs, when necessary. We routinely review the sufficiency of our liquidity position, including appropriate sizing of credit facility commitments, by performing various stress test scenarios, such as commodity price movements, increases in margin-related transactions, changes in hedging levels, and the impacts of hypothetical credit downgrades. We have continued to closely monitor events in the financial markets and the financial institutions associated with the credit facilities, including monitoring credit ratings and outlooks, credit default swap levels, capital raising, and merger activity. See “Risk Factors” in this information statement for additional information regarding the effects of uncertainty in the capital and credit markets.

 

 

We believe our cash flow from operating activities, access to credit markets and our credit facilities provide sufficient liquidity. If we lost our investment grade credit rating as of December 31, 2020, we would have been required to provide incremental collateral of approximately $1.5 billion to meet collateral obligations for derivatives, non-derivatives, normal purchases and normal sales contracts, and applicable payables and receivables, net of the contractual right of offset under master netting agreements, which is well within the $4.7 billion of available credit capacity of our revolver.

 

Project Financing

 

Project financing is used to help mitigate risk of specific generating assets. Project financing is based upon a nonrecourse financial structure, in which project debt is paid back from the cash generated by the specific asset or portfolio of assets. Borrowings under these agreements are secured by the assets and equity of each respective project. The lenders do not have recourse against us in the event of a default. If a specific project financing entity does not maintain compliance with its specific debt financing covenants, there could be a requirement to accelerate repayment of the associated debt or other project-related borrowings earlier than the stated maturity dates. In these instances, if such repayment was not satisfied, or restructured, the lenders or security holders would generally have rights to foreclose against the project-specific assets and related collateral. The potential requirement to satisfy its associated debt or other borrowings earlier than otherwise anticipated could lead to impairments due to a higher likelihood of disposing of the respective project-specific assets significantly before the end of their useful lives. Additionally, project finance has credit facilities. See Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on nonrecourse debt and credit facilities.

 

Credit Facilities

 

We meet our short-term liquidity requirements primarily through the issuance of commercial paper and, historically, through borrowings from the Exelon intercompany money pool. We may use our credit facilities for general corporate purposes, including meeting short-term funding requirements and the issuance of letters of credit. See Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of our credit facility and short term borrowing activity.

 

Capital Structure

 

At December 31, 2020, our capital structure consisted of the following:

 

		Percentage of Capital Structure
Long-term debt			27	%
Long-term debt to affiliates			1	%
Member’s equity			68	%
Commercial paper and notes payable			4	%

 

Security Ratings

 

Our access to the capital markets, including the commercial paper market, and our financing costs in those markets, may depend on our securities ratings.

 

Our borrowings are not subject to default or prepayment as a result of a downgrading of securities, although such a downgrading could increase fees and interest charges under our credit agreements.

 

As part of the normal course of business, we enter into contracts that contain express provisions or otherwise permit us and our counterparties to demand adequate assurance of future performance when there are reasonable grounds for doing so. In accordance with the contracts and applicable contracts law, if we are downgraded by a credit rating agency, it is possible that a counterparty would attempt to rely on such a downgrade as a basis for making a demand for adequate assurance of future performance, which could include the posting of collateral. See Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on collateral provisions.

 

 

S&P lowered Generation’s senior unsecured debt rating to ‘BBB’ from ‘BBB+’ on November 4, 2020, following public announcement by Exelon of a strategic review of its corporate structure and consideration of separating the competitive generation and customer-facing businesses, bringing Generation’s rating in-line with its stand-alone credit profile. The change was the result of S&P’s Group Rating Methodology and the revision of the strategic relationship between the Company and Exelon from “core” to “moderately strategic,” removing any rating benefit from Exelon. The Group Rating Methodology and the associated impacts are unique to S&P.

 

Subsequently on February 24, 2021, S&P lowered Generation’s senior unsecured debt rating to ‘BBB-‘ from ‘BBB’ in response to the financial impacts of the February 2021 weather event and Texas-based generating assets outages. See “Significant 2020 and 2021 Transactions and Developments — Impacts of February 2021 Extreme Weather Event and Texas-based Generating Assets Outages” for additional information.

 

The S&P ratings changes did not materially impact our financial statements. Furthermore, there were no material increases in required collateral or financial assurances or material impacts to our anticipated access to liquidity or cost of financing.

 

Intercompany Money Pool

 

To provide an additional short-term borrowing option that will generally be more favorable than the cost of external financing, we have historically participated in Exelon's intercompany money pool. Maximum amounts contributed to and borrowed from the money pool and the net contribution or borrowing as of December 31, 2020, are presented in the following table:

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020								As of December 31, 2020
Maximum Contributed (in millions)				Maximum Borrowed (in millions)				Borrowed (in millions)
$	254			$	(980	)		$	(285	)

 

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The following table summarizes the future estimated cash payments as of December 31, 2020 under existing contractual obligations, including payments due by period. 

 

						Payment due within
(in millions)		Total				2021				2022 - 2023				2024 - 2025				2026 and beyond
Long-term debt		$	6,066			$	195			$	1,024			$	900			$	3,947
Interest payments on long-term debt(a)			3,536				270				474				443				2,349
Operating leases(b)			731				47				114				109				461
Purchase power obligations(c)			1,613				512				823				264				14
Fuel purchase agreements(d)			4,450				928				1,207				1,022				1,293
Other purchase obligations(e)			2,286				1,208				231				155				692
SNF obligation			1,208				—				—				—				1,208
Total contractual obligations		$	19,890			$	3,160			$	3,873			$	2,893			$	9,964

 

(a)

Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2020 and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances. Variable rate interest obligations are estimated based on rates as of December 31, 2020.

(b)

Capacity payments associated with contracted generation lease agreements are net of sublease and capacity offsets of $98 million, $55 million, $44 million, $44 million, $44 million and $179 million for 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and thereafter, respectively and $464 million in total.

(c)

Purchase power obligations primarily include expected payments for REC purchases and capacity payments associated with contracted generation agreements, which may be reduced based on plant availability. Expected payments exclude payments on renewable generation contracts that are contingent in nature.

(d)

Represents commitments to purchase nuclear fuel, natural gas and related transportation, storage capacity and services, including those related to CENG.

(e)

Represents the future estimated value at December 31, 2020 of the cash flows associated with all contracts, both cancellable and non-cancellable, entered into with third-parties for the provision of services and materials, entered into in the normal course of business not specifically reflected elsewhere in this table. These estimates are subject to significant variability from period to period.

 

See Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information of other commitments potentially triggered by future events and SNF obligation. See Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on long-term debt and interest payments on long-term debt. See Note 11 — Leases of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on operating leases.

 

 

Sales of Customer Accounts Receivable

 

On April 8, 2020, we entered into an accounts receivable financing facility with a number of financial institutions and a commercial paper conduit to sell certain receivables, which expires on April 7, 2021 unless renewed by the mutual consent of the parties in accordance with its terms. The facility allows us to obtain financing at lower cost and diversify our sources of liquidity. See Note 6 — Accounts Receivable of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We are exposed to market risks associated with adverse changes in commodity prices, counterparty credit, interest rates, and equity prices. The RMC approves risk management policies and objectives for risk assessment, control and valuation, counterparty credit approval, and the monitoring and reporting of risk exposures. Historically, the RMC has been chaired by the chief executive officer of Exelon and included the chief risk officer, chief strategy officer, chief commercial officer, chief financial officer, and chief executive officer of Constellation and reported to the Finance and Risk Committee of the Exelon Board of Directors on the scope of the risk management activities.

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

Commodity price risk is associated with price movements resulting from changes in supply and demand, fuel costs, market liquidity, weather conditions, governmental regulatory and environmental policies, and other factors.

 

Electricity available from our own or contracted generation supply in excess of our obligations to customers is sold into the wholesale markets. To reduce commodity price risk caused by market fluctuations, we enter into non-derivative contracts as well as derivative contracts, including swaps, futures, forwards, and options, with approved counterparties to hedge anticipated exposures. We use derivative instruments as economic hedges to mitigate exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices. We expect the settlement of the majority of our economic hedges will occur during 2021 through 2023.

 

In general, increases and decreases in forward market prices have a positive and negative impact, respectively, on our own and contracted generation positions which have not been hedged. Our hedging program involves the hedging of commodity price risk for our expected generation, typically on a ratable basis over three-year periods. As of December 31, 2020, the percentage of expected generation hedged for the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York, and ERCOT reportable segments is 94%-97% for 2021. The percentage of expected generation hedged is the amount of equivalent sales divided by the expected generation. Expected generation is the volume of energy that best represents our commodity position in energy markets from owned or contracted generation based upon a simulated dispatch model that makes assumptions regarding future market conditions, which are calibrated to market quotes for power, fuel, load following products and options. Equivalent sales represent all hedging products, which include economic hedges and certain non-derivative contracts, including our sales to ComEd, PECO, BGE, Pepco, DPL and ACE to serve their retail load.

 

A portion of our hedging strategy may be accomplished with fuel products based on assumed correlations between power and fuel prices, which routinely change in the market. Market price risk exposure is the risk of a change in the value of unhedged positions. The forecasted market price risk exposure for our entire economic hedge portfolio associated with a $5 reduction in the annual average around-the-clock energy price based on December 31, 2020 market conditions and hedged position would be a decrease in pre-tax net income of approximately $15 million for 2021. Power price sensitivities are derived by adjusting power price assumptions while keeping all other price inputs constant. We actively manage our portfolio to mitigate market price risk exposure for our unhedged position. Actual results could differ depending on the specific timing of, and markets affected by, price changes, as well as future changes in our portfolio. See Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Fuel Procurement

 

We procure natural gas through long-term and short-term contracts, and spot-market purchases. Nuclear fuel assemblies are obtained predominantly through long-term uranium concentrate supply contracts, contracted conversion services, contracted enrichment services, or a combination thereof, and contracted fuel fabrication services. The supply markets for uranium concentrates and certain nuclear fuel services are subject to price fluctuations and availability restrictions. Supply market conditions may make our procurement contracts subject to credit risk related to the potential non-performance of counterparties to deliver the contracted commodity or service at the contracted prices. Approximately 60% of our uranium concentrate requirements from 2021 through 2025 are supplied by three suppliers. In the event of non-performance by these or other suppliers, we believe that replacement uranium concentrates can be obtained, although at prices that may be unfavorable when compared to the prices under the current supply agreements. Non-performance by these counterparties could have a material adverse impact on our financial statements.

 

 

Trading and Non-Trading Marketing Activities

 

The following table detailing our trading and non-trading marketing activities are included to address the recommended disclosures by the energy industry’s Committee of Chief Risk Officers (CCRO).

 

The following table provides detail on changes in our commodity mark-to-market net asset or liability balance sheet position from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2020. It indicates the drivers behind changes in the balance sheet amounts. This table incorporates the mark-to-market activities that are immediately recorded in earnings. This table excludes all NPNS contracts and does not segregate proprietary trading activity. See Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the balance sheet classification of the mark-to-market energy contract net assets (liabilities) recorded as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

(in millions)		Mark-to-market Energy Contract Net Assets (Liabilities)
Balance as of December 31, 2018(a)		$	548
Total change in fair value during 2019 of contracts recorded in result of operations			(427	)
Reclassification to realized at settlement of contracts recorded in results of operations			226
Changes in allocated collateral			572
Net option premium received			29
Option premium amortization			(22	)
Upfront payments and amortizations(b)			(58	)
Balance as of December 31, 2019(a)		$	868
Total change in fair value during 2020 of contracts recorded in result of operations			(203	)
Reclassification to realized at settlement of contracts recorded in results of operations			469
Changes in allocated collateral			(513	)
Net option premium paid			139
Option premium amortization			(104	)
Upfront payments and amortizations(b)			73
Balance as of December 31, 2020(a)		$	729

 

(a)

Amounts are shown net of collateral paid to and received from counterparties.

(b)

Includes derivative contracts acquired or sold through upfront payments or receipts of cash, excluding option premiums, and the associated amortizations.

 

 

Fair Values

 

The following table presents maturity and source of fair value for mark-to-market commodity contract net assets (liabilities). The table provides two fundamental pieces of information. First, the table provides the source of fair value used in determining the carrying amount of our total mark-to-market net assets (liabilities), net of allocated collateral. Second, the table shows the maturity, by year, of our commodity contract net assets (liabilities), net of allocated collateral, giving an indication of when these mark-to-market amounts will settle and either generate or require cash. See Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding fair value measurements and the fair value hierarchy.

 

		Maturities Within
(in millions)		2021				2022				2023				2024				2025				2026 and Beyond				Total Fair Value
Normal Operations, Commodity derivative contracts(a)(b):
Actively quoted prices (Level 1)		$	(48	)		$	8			$	8			$	11			$	17			$	—			$	(4	)
Prices provided by external sources (Level 2)			212				78				13				(1	)			1				—				303
Prices based on model or other valuation methods (Level 3)			215				109				75				20				10				1				430
Total		$	379			$	195			$	96			$	30			$	28			$	1			$	729

 

(a)

Mark-to-market gains and losses on other economic hedge and trading derivative contracts that are recorded in the results of operations.

(b)

Amounts are shown net of collateral paid to and received from counterparties (and offset against mark-to-market assets and liabilities) of $416 million at December 31, 2020.

 

Credit Risk

 

We would be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties that execute derivative instruments. The credit exposure of derivative contracts, before collateral, is represented by the fair value of contracts at the reporting date. See Note 16—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of credit risk.

 

The following tables provide information on our credit exposure for all derivative instruments, normal purchases and normal sales agreements, and payables and receivables, net of collateral and instruments that are subject to master netting agreements, as of December 31, 2020. The tables further delineate that exposure by credit rating of the counterparties and provide guidance on the concentration of credit risk to individual counterparties and an indication of the duration of a company’s credit risk by credit rating of the counterparties. The figures in the table below exclude credit risk exposure from individual retail customers, uranium procurement contracts, and exposure through RTOs, ISOs, and commodity exchanges, which are discussed below.

 

Rating as of December 31, 2020 (in millions)		Total Exposure Before Credit Collateral				Credit Collateral(a)				Net Exposure				Number of Counterparties Greater than 10% of Net Exposure			Net Exposure of Counterparties Greater than 10% of Net Exposure
Investment grade		$	577			$	27			$	550			—			$	—
Non-investment grade			32				—				32			—				—
No external ratings
Internally rated—investment grade			165				1				164			—				—
Internally rated—non-investment grade			80				28				52			—				—
Total		$	854			$	56			$	798			—			$	—

 

 

		Maturity of Credit Risk Exposure
Rating as of December 31, 2020 (in millions)		Less than 2 Years				2-5 Years				Exposure Greater than 5 Years				Total Exposure Before Credit Collateral
Investment grade		$	520			$	36			$	21			$	577
Non-investment grade			32				—				—				32
No external ratings
Internally rated—investment grade			128				25				12				165
Internally rated—non-investment grade			67				10				3				80
Total		$	747			$	71			$	36			$	854

 

Net Credit Exposure by Type of Counterparty (in millions)		As of December 31, 2020
Financial institutions		$	15
Investor-owned utilities, marketers, power producers			607
Energy cooperatives and municipalities			138
Other			38
Total		$	798

 

(a)

As of December 31, 2020, credit collateral held from counterparties where we had credit exposure included $31 million of cash and $25 million of letters of credit.

 

Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features

 

As part of the normal course of business, we routinely enter into physical or financial contracts for the sale and purchase of electricity, natural gas, and other commodities. In accordance with the contracts and applicable law, if we are downgraded by a credit rating agency, especially if such downgrade is to a level below investment grade, it is possible that a counterparty would attempt to rely on such a downgrade as a basis for making a demand for adequate assurance of future performance. Depending on our net position with a counterparty, the demand could be for the posting of collateral. In the absence of expressly agreed-to provisions that specify the collateral that must be provided, collateral requested will be a function of the facts and circumstances of the situation at the time of the demand. See Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding collateral requirements and Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the letters of credit supporting the cash collateral.

 

We transact output through bilateral contracts. The bilateral contracts are subject to credit risk, which relates to the ability of counterparties to meet their contractual payment obligations. Any failure to collect these payments from counterparties could have a material impact on our financial statements. As market prices rise above or fall below contracted price levels, we are required to post collateral with purchasers; as market prices fall below contracted price levels, counterparties are required to post collateral with us. To post collateral, we depend on access to bank credit facilities, which serve as liquidity sources to fund collateral requirements. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Credit Matters” of “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional information.

 

RTOs and ISOs

 

We participate in all, or some, of the established, wholesale spot energy markets that are administered by PJM, ISO-NE, NYISO, CAISO, MISO, SPP, AESO, OIESO, and ERCOT. ERCOT is not subject to regulation by FERC but performs a similar function in Texas to that performed by RTOs in markets regulated by FERC. In these areas, power is traded through bilateral agreements between buyers and sellers and on the spot energy markets that are administered by the RTOs or ISOs, as applicable. In areas where there is no spot energy market, electricity is purchased and sold solely through bilateral agreements. For sales into the spot markets administered by an RTO or ISO, the RTO or ISO maintains financial assurance policies that are established and enforced by those administrators. The credit policies of the RTOs and ISOs may, under certain circumstances, require that losses arising from the default of one member on spot energy market transactions be shared by the remaining participants. Non-performance or non-payment by a major counterparty could result in a material adverse impact on our financial statements.

 

 

Exchange Traded Transactions

 

We enter into commodity transactions on NYMEX, ICE, NASDAQ, NGX, and the Nodal exchange ("the Exchanges"). The Exchange clearinghouses act as the counterparty to each trade. Transactions on the Exchanges must adhere to comprehensive collateral and margining requirements. As a result, transactions on Exchanges are significantly collateralized and have limited counterparty credit risk.

 

Interest Rate and Foreign Exchange Risk

 

We use a combination of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt to manage interest rate exposure. We may also utilize interest rate swaps to manage our interest rate exposure. A hypothetical 50 basis point increase in the interest rates associated with unhedged variable-rate debt (excluding Commercial Paper) and fixed-to-floating swaps would result in approximately a $2 million decrease in our pre-tax income for the year ended December 31, 2020. To manage foreign exchange rate exposure associated with international energy purchases in currencies other than U.S. dollars, we utilize foreign currency derivatives, which are typically designated as economic hedges. See Note 16—Derivative Financial Instruments of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Equity Price Risk

 

We maintain trust funds, as required by the NRC, to fund certain costs of decommissioning its nuclear plants. As of December 31, 2020, our NDT funds are reflected at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The mix of securities in the trust funds is designed to provide returns to be used to fund decommissioning and to compensate us for inflationary increases in decommissioning costs; however, the equity securities in the trust funds are exposed to price fluctuations in equity markets, and the value of fixed-rate, fixed-income securities are exposed to changes in interest rates. We actively monitor the investment performance of the trust funds and periodically reviews asset allocation in accordance with our NDT fund investment policy. A hypothetical 25 basis points increase in interest rates and 10% decrease in equity prices would result in a $851 million reduction in the fair value of the trust assets. This calculation holds all other variables constant and assumes only the discussed changes in interest rates and equity prices. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” under “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional information of equity price risk as a result of the current capital and credit market conditions.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

We have not yet finalized the composition of our Board or management following the separation. We will select the members of our Board and management prior to the separation, and information concerning each member, such as biographies and the qualifications and experience each person would bring to our Board or management, as the case may be, will be included in an amendment to this information statement. As of the distribution date, our Board is expected to consist of           members, of whom          will meet applicable regulatory and exchange listing independence requirements.

 

Our Corporate Governance

 

Our corporate governance will be structured in a manner that we believe will align our interests with those of our shareholders.

 

Following the separation, we anticipate that our corporate governance will include the following notable features:

 

Board Diversity. Our Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing with the board of directors, on an annual basis, the appropriate characteristics, skills and experience required for the board of directors as a whole and its individual members. In evaluating the suitability of individual candidates (both new candidates and current members), the Nominating and Governance Committee, in recommending candidates for election, and the board of directors, in approving (and, in the case of vacancies, appointing) such candidates, will take into account many factors, including the following:

 

·

personal and professional integrity, ethics and values;

·

experience in corporate management, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly held company;

 

 

·

experience as a board member or executive officer of another publicly held company;

·

strong finance experience;

·

diversity of expertise and experience in substantive matters pertaining to our business relative to other board members;

·

diversity of background and perspective, including with respect to age, gender, race, place of residence and specialized experience;

·

experience relevant to our business industry and with relevant social policy concerns; and

·

relevant academic expertise or other proficiency in an area of our business operations.

 

Currently, our board evaluates each individual in the context of the board of directors as a whole, with the objective of assembling a group that can best maximize the success of the business and represent shareholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment using its diversity of experience in these various areas.

 

Composition of the Board of Directors Following the Separation

 

Upon completion of the separation, our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide that our board of directors may consist of no less than        and no more than         directors. The number of directors on our board of directors will be fixed exclusively by our board of directors, subject to the minimum and maximum number permitted by our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws. We expect our board of directors to have           members,          of whom we expect will qualify as “independent” under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules (the “Marketplace Rules”).

 

There will be no cumulative voting in the election of directors, and a director will be elected by receiving a majority of votes cast in uncontested elections and by a plurality of the votes cast in any contest election of directors.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Following the separation, our board of directors will have an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and governance committee, each of which will have the composition and responsibilities described below and whose members will satisfy the applicable independence standards of the SEC and the transition periods provided under the rules and regulations of the Marketplace Rules. The charter of each such standing committee will be posted on our website in connection with the separation. Our board of directors may also establish from time to time any other committees that it deems necessary or desirable. The members of our committees may change subject to the discretion of our board of directors.

 

Audit Committee

 

Upon completion of the separation, we expect our audit committee will consist of          , with           serving as chair. It will function pursuant to a written charter adopted by the board of directors. The audit committee’s responsibilities will include, among other things:

 

·

Assists the board of directors in the oversight and review of the quality and integrity of the Company’s financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting

·

Appoints, retains and oversees the independent auditor and evaluates its qualifications, performance, independence and fees

·

Oversees the Company’s internal audit function

·

Reviews the processes by which the Company assesses and manages enterprise risk

·

Oversees compliance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct, and the process for the receipt and responses to complaints regarding accounting, internal controls, ethics or audit matters

 

The responsibilities of our audit committee will be more fully described in our audit committee charter. Our board of directors is expected to determine that each of the committee’s members satisfy the applicable independence and other requirements of the Marketplace Rules and the SEC for audit committees and that         qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under applicable SEC rules and regulations.

 

 

Compensation Committee

 

Upon completion of the separation, we expect our compensation committee will consist of         , with          serving as chair. It will function pursuant to a written charter adopted by the board of directors. The compensation committee’s responsibilities will include, among other things:

 

·

Assists the board of directors in establishing performance criteria, evaluation, and compensation for CEO

·

Approves executive compensation program design for executive officers, other than the CEO

·

Monitors and reviews leadership and succession information for executive roles

·

Retains the Committee’s independent compensation consultant

·

Reviews Compensation Discussion and Analysis and prepares Compensation Committee Report for proxy statements

 

The responsibilities of our compensation committee, which are anticipated to be substantially the same as the responsibilities of Exelon’s compensation committee, and its procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation, will be more fully described in our compensation committee charter. Our board of directors is expected to determine that each of the committee’s members satisfy the applicable independence and other requirements of the Marketplace Rules, the SEC and the IRS for compensation committee members.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee

 

Upon completion of the separation, we expect our nominating and governance committee will consist of         , with serving as chair. It will function pursuant to a written charter adopted by the board of directors. The nominating and corporate governance committee’s responsibilities will include, among other things:

 

·

Identifies and recommends qualified candidates for election by the board of directors and shareholders and oversees the board of directors and committee structure and compensation

·

Recommends Corporate Governance Guidelines and advises on corporate governance issues including evaluation processes for the board of directors, committees, each director, the chair of the board of directors and CEO

·

Oversees the Company’s environmental strategies, including climate change and sustainability policies

·

Reviews the Company’s director compensation program and retains an independent compensation consultant

·

Has authority to retain an independent search firm to identify candidates for a director

 

The responsibilities of our nominating and governance committee and the process for identifying and evaluating director nominees (including nominees recommended by shareholders) will be more fully described in our nominating and governance committee charter. Our board of directors is expected to determine that each of the committee’s members satisfy the applicable independence and other requirements of the Marketplace Rules and the SEC for nominating and governance committee members.

 

Director Independence

 

We expect that our board of directors, upon recommendation of our nominating and governance committee, will formally determine the independence of our directors following the separation. We expect that a majority of the directors will be independent. We expect that our board of directors will determine that the following directors, who are anticipated to be elected to our board, are independent:         . We expect that our board of directors will determine the independence of directors annually based on a review by the directors and the nominating and governance committee. In determining whether a director is independent, we expect that our board of directors will determine whether each director meets the objective standards for independence set forth in the Marketplace Rules.

 

Meetings of Independent Directors

 

We expect that our independent directors will meet regularly in executive session.

 

Attendance at Annual Meeting of Shareholders

 

Although we do not expect to have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of our board of directors at our annual meeting of shareholders, we intend to encourage our directors to attend and expect that at least a majority of our board of directors will attend the annual meeting.

 

 

Shareholder Communication

 

We expect that our board of directors will adopt a policy that will permit shareholders and other interested parties to communicate directly with the board, any committee of our board or any individual director.

 

Risk Oversight

 

We expect that our board of directors will rely on each of its committees to help oversee the risk management responsibilities relating to the functions performed by such committees. Our audit committee will periodically discuss with management our major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including our risk assessment and risk management policies. Our compensation committee will help the board of directors to identify our exposure to any risks potentially created by our compensation programs and practices. Our nominating and governance committee will oversee risks relating to our policies and assist the board of directors and management in promoting an organizational culture that encourages robust governance practices and oversight. Each of these committees will be required to make regular reports of its actions and any recommendations to the board of directors, including recommendations to assist the board of directors with its overall risk oversight function.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

We expect that none of the members of our compensation committee will have at any time been one of our officers or employees or have any relationships with us of the type that is required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. We expect that none of our executive officers will have served at any time as a member of the board of directors, compensation committee or other board committee performing equivalent functions of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as one of our directors or on our compensation committee.

 

Code of Conduct and Ethics

 

Prior to the completion of the separation, our board of directors will adopt a code of conduct and ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that will apply to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and persons performing similar functions. The Code of Ethics will be available upon written request to our corporate secretary or on our website, which we currently intend to make available at following the completion of separation. If we amend or grant any waiver from a provision of our Code of Ethics that applies to our executive officers, we will publicly disclose such amendment or waiver on our website and as required by applicable law. The information contained on, or accessible from, our website is not part of this information statement by reference or otherwise.

 

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

Compensation Discussion & Analysis

 

The Company is currently a wholly owned subsidiary (which, prior to the separation, will own Generation and its subsidiaries) of Exelon Corporation and its compensation committee has not yet been formed. All decisions regarding 2020 compensation of Generation and its subsidiaries’ named executive officers were made by the Compensation and Leadership Development Committee of the Exelon board of directors (referred to in this section as the “Exelon Compensation Committee”) if the executive previously served as an executive officer of Exelon, or otherwise by Exelon management. After the distribution, the executive compensation programs, policies and practices for the Company’s executive officers will be subject to the review and approval of the Compensation Committee of the Company board (the “Company Compensation Committee”).

 

For purposes of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the following executive compensation tables, the individuals referred to as the “named executive officers” (“NEOs”) are Generation and its subsidiaries’ principal executive officer, principal financial officer and the three most highly compensated executive officers of Generation and its subsidiaries’ based on 2020 compensation. The compensation discussed in this section refers to legacy Exelon compensation plans. The compensation philosophy and design for Generation and its subsidiaries’ executive officers going forward is discussed in the section entitled “Management” in this information statement.

 

The individuals determined to be our NEOS based on 2020 compensation are listed below. The Company’s executive management has not yet been determined and the individuals listed below may not be NEOs going forward.

 

 

CHRISTOPHER CRANE(a)	President and Chief Executive Officer, Exelon
KENNETH W. CORNEW(a)	(Former) President and Chief Executive Officer, Generation
BRYAN WRIGHT	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Generation
MICHAEL PACILIO(b)	(Former) Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Generation
BRYAN HANSON(c)	Executive Vice President, Chief Generation Officer, Generation
JAMES MCHUGH	Chief Executive Officer, Constellation business unit

 

(a)

Mr. Crane was named principal executive officer of Generation effective October 21, 2020. Mr. Cornew served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Exelon; President and Chief Executive Officer, Generation through his departure on March 31, 2021.

 

(b)

Mr. Pacilio held the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Generation until his retirement on January 15, 2021.

 

(c)

Mr. Hanson held the title of Senior Vice President Generation; President & Chief Nuclear Officer Generation Nuclear until his promotion to Executive Vice President, Chief Generation Officer effective September 9, 2020.

 

All NEOs have compensation that is structured in part like Exelon’s executive officers, based in part on overall Exelon goals as well as goals of Generation and its subsidiaries. The Company NEOs will participate in compensation programs designed to align their interests with the Company’s customers and other stakeholders.

 

Mr. Pacilio departed Generation on January 15, 2021 and Mr. Cornew departed Generation as of March 31, 2021. Additional details about their separations are included on the termination tables shown below.

 

For both the CEO and NEOs, a significant portion of their compensation is tied to the achievement of short- and long-term financial and operational goals and is paid in the form of Exelon equity with all components except for salary being “at-risk.”

 

CEO			All NEOs
Base Salary	9.1%		Base Salary	22.5%
Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)	13.2%		Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)	17.9%
Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)	77.6%		Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)	59.6%
Pay at Risk (AIP + LTIP)	90.9%		Pay at Risk (AIP + LTIP)	77.5%

 

Executive Compensation Program Philosophy and Objectives

 

The goal of our executive compensation program is to retain and reward leaders who create long-term value by delivering on objectives that support strategic business objectives. Each element of total direct compensation is based on market data, the executive’s competencies and skills, scope of responsibilities, experience and performance, retention, succession planning and organizational structure of the business.

 

2020 Compensation Program Structure

 

The 2020 compensation program is summarized below. Primary compensation elements include fixed and variable components.

 

 

Pay Element	Form	Shareholder Alignment
Salary	Cash	a) Fixed income at competitive, market-based levels attracts and retains top talent.
Annual Incentive Plans  (“AIP”)	Cash	b) Motivates executives to achieve key annual financial and operational goals that reflect commitment to superior operations and supporting our customers and communities
Long-Term Incentive Plan  (“LTIP”)	Performance   Shares   (67% of LTIP)	c) Drives executive focus on long-term goals supporting utility growth, financial results, and capital stewardship d) Rewards relative achievement of financial goals and stock price compared to utility peers (“UTY”) over three-year period e) Aligns the interests of executives with stockholders by capping payouts if absolute TSR is negative for the prior 36-month period
	Restricted Stock   (33% of LTIP)	f) Balances LTI portfolio providing executive with market competitive time-based award.

 

2020 Base Salaries

 

Base salaries for 2020 were determined by the Exelon Compensation Committee for Messrs. Crane and Cornew. The Exelon Compensation Committee also set the base salary for Mr. Hanson following his promotion in September 2020. When evaluating whether to make any adjustments, the Exelon Compensation Committee considers a number of factors including the outcome of the annual merit review, results of the annual market assessment of executive compensation provided by Exelon Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant, the need to retain experienced executives, individual performance, scope of responsibility, leadership skills and values, current compensation, internal equity, and legacy matters.

 

Base salaries for the remaining Generation and subsidiary NEOs are set by the Exelon CEO. Base salaries may be adjusted (1) as part of the annual merit review or (2) based on a promotion or significant change in job scope. The Exelon CEO considers the results of the annual market assessment in addition to the following factors when contemplating a merit review: individual performance, scope of responsibility, leadership skills and values, current compensation, internal equity, and legacy matters.

 

In January 2020 as part of its annual merit review, the Exelon Compensation Committee recommended Mr. Crane’s base salary be held flat based on the annual market assessment conducted by the independent compensation consultant, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC. At the same time, the Exelon Compensation Committee approved a 2.5% increase in base salary for Mr. Cornew. For each other NEO, Mr. Crane approved a 2.5% increase in base salary. Merit increases were effective March 1, 2020.

 

In September 2020, Mr. Hanson was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Generation Officer and his total direct compensation was increased accordingly.

 

2020 Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) Overview and Goal Setting

 

AIP metrics are linked to business goals and strategic focus areas. The goal-setting process employs a multi-layer approach and analysis that incorporates a blend of objective and subjective business considerations and other analytical methods to ensure that the goals are sufficiently rigorous. Such considerations include:

 

Recent History - Goals generally reflect a logical progression of results from the recent past

 

Relative Performance - Performance is evaluated against a relevant group of Generation and its subsidiaries’ peers

 

Strategic Aspirations - Near- and intermediate-term goals follow a trend line consistent with long-term aspirations

 

Shareholder Expectations - Goals are aligned with externally communicated financial guidance and shareholder expectations

 

 

Sustainable Sharing - Earned awards reflect a balanced degree of shared benefits between shareholders and participants

 

The following process was used to determine 2020 AIP awards for each NEO:

 

1)

Set AIP Target - Expressed as percentage of base salary. Mr. Crane’s annual incentive target was 145% and for the other NEOs, the annual incentive targets ranged from 50%-100%.

 

2)

Determine Performance Factor - Based on various financial and operating metrics.

 

3)

Determine Individual Performance Multiplier (IPM) – IPM measures individual performance and ranged from 50% to 110% (target of 100%). Messrs. Crane, Cornew, and Hanson were not eligible for an IPM. For the other NEOs, the IPMs were approved by Mr. Crane up to a maximum of 110%.

 

4)

Apply Final Multiplier – Multiply the target award by the performance factor and then multiply the outcome by the IPM. Awards could range from 0% to 200% of target (target of 100%).

 

The following tables detail the 2020 threshold, target, and distinguished, i.e., maximum, performance goals, and the results achieved for the AIP. The Exelon Compensation Committee selected the performance metrics below as they align with the long-term business strategy.

 

Messrs. Crane, Cornew, and Hanson (for Mr. Hanson, for September 9 – December 31, 2020 only):

2020 Goals		Threshold				Target				Distinguished				2020 Actual Results				Unadjusted Payout as a % of Target				Weighted Performance
Exelon Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating EPS1*		$	2.97				$3.19 - $3.22			$	3.57			$	3.08				75.00	%			52.5	%
CAIDI			92				85				80				80				200.00	%			15.0	%
SAIFI			0.82				0.69				0.56				0.59				176.92	%			13.27	%
Fleetwide Capacity Factor			91.954	%			93.954	%			95.847	%			94.381	%			122.56	%			9.19	%
Dispatch Match			94.8	%			97.4	%			99.4	%			98.4	%			150.00	%			11.25	%
																			Payout:				101.21	%

 

Mr. Hanson (January 1 – September 8, 2020):

2020 Goals		Threshold				Target				Distinguished				2020 Actual Results				Unadjusted Payout as a % of Target				Weighted Performance
Exelon Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating EPS1*		$	2.97				$3.19 - $3.22			$	3.57			$	3.08				75.00	%			37.5	%
Generation Operating Net Income ($M)*		$	1,124.0			$	1,208.6			$	1,353.6			$	1,410.3				200.00	%			50.00	%
Fleetwide Capacity Factor %			91.954	%			93.954	%			95.847	%			94.381	%			122.56	%			30.64	%
																			Payout:				118.14	%

 

Mr. Wright

2020 Goals		Threshold				Target				Distinguished				2020 Actual Results				Unadjusted Payout as a % of Target				Board Limiter Application
Average of Nuclear, Power, and Constellation KPIs			50	%			100	%			200	%			131.86	%			131.86	%			YES
																			Payout:				130.00	%

 

 

Mr. Pacilio

2020 Goals		Threshold				Target				Distinguished				2020 Actual Results				Unadjusted Payout as a % of Target				Weighted Performance
Exelon Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating EPS1*		$	2.97				$3.19 - $3.22			$	3.57			$	3.08				75.00	%			37.5	%
Generation Operating Net Income ($M)*		$	1,124.0			$	1,208.6			$	1,353.6			$	1,410.3				200.00	%			50.00	%
Average of Nuclear and Power KPIs			50	%			100	%			200	%			141.1	%			141.1	%			35.3	%
																			Payout:				122.78	%

 

Mr. McHugh

2020 Goals		Threshold				Target				Distinguished				2020 Actual Results				Unadjusted Payout as a % of Target				Weighted Performance
Exelon Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating EPS1*		$	2.97				$3.19 - $3.22			$	3.57			$	3.08				75.00	%			37.5	%
Generation Operating Net Income ($M)*		$	1,124.0			$	1,208.6			$	1,353.6			$	1,410.3				200.00	%			50.0	%
Constellation Adj EBIT*		$	5,987.2			$	6,507.8			$	7,288.8			$	6,437.4				93.24	%			23.3	%
																			Payout:				110.81	%

 

(1)

Exelon’s 2020 Adjusted EPS was $3.22. However, for purposes of determining the 2020 AIP payouts for Exelon executives, $3.08 was used, which excludes the impact of $0.14 of unrealized gain from equity investments.

*

Exelon reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) and supplements its reporting with certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings per share, earned ROE, and FFO/Debt to enhance investors’ understanding of Exelon’s performance. Our method of calculating adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings and operating ROE may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations.

 

Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings per share exclude certain costs, expenses, gains and losses and other specified items, including mark-to-market adjustments from economic hedging activities, unrealized gains and losses from nuclear decommissioning trust fund investments, certain costs associated with plant retirements and divestitures, costs related to cost management programs, and other items as set forth in the table below reconciling adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings from GAAP earnings, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Management uses adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings as one of the primary indicators to evaluate performance, allocate resources, set incentive compensation targets and plan and forecast future periods. We believe the measure enhances an investor’s overall understanding of period over period financial results and provides an indication of Exelon’s baseline operating performance by excluding items that are considered by management to not be directly related to the ongoing operations of the business.

 

The table below reconciles reported GAAP Earnings per share to adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings per share for 2020 (amounts may not add due to rounding).

 

2020 GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share			2.01
Adjustments:
Mark-to-market impact of economic hedging activities			(0.22	)
Unrealized gains related to nuclear decommissioning trust (NDT) funds			(0.26	)
Asset impairments			0.41
Plant retirements and divestitures			0.74

 

 

Cost management program			0.05
Change in environmental liabilities			0.02
COVID-19 direct costs			0.05
Deferred Prosecution Agreement Payments			0.20
Asset retirement obligation			0.05
Income tax-related adjustments			0.07
Noncontrolling interests			0.11
2020 Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Earnings (Loss) Per Share			3.22

 

Earned ROE is calculated using adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings, reflecting all lines of business for the utility businesses (electric distribution, gas distribution, transmission), divided by average shareholder’s equity over the year. Management uses operating ROE as a measurement of the actual performance of the company’s utility business.

 

FFO/Debt is a coverage ratio that compares funds from operations to total debt and is a key ratio analyzed by the credit rating agencies in determining Exelon’s credit rating. An investment grade rating is critical as it increases the ability to participate in commercial business opportunities, lowers collateral requirements, creates reliable and cost-efficient access to capital markets and increases business and financial flexibility. The ratio is calculated following S&P’s current methodology. The most directly comparable GAAP measure to FFO is GAAP Cash Flow from Operations and the most directly comparable GAAP measure to Debt is Long-Term Debt plus Short-Term Borrowings. Management uses FFO/Debt to evaluate financial risk by measuring the company’s ability to service debt using cash from operations. We believe the measure enhances an investor’s overall understanding of the creditworthiness of Exelon’s operating companies.

 

Due to the forward-looking nature of some forecasted non-GAAP measures, information to reconcile the forecasted adjusted (non-GAAP) measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure may not be currently available; therefore, management is unable to reconcile these measures.

 

The following table shows how the formula was applied and the actual amounts awarded. The Exelon Compensation Committee applied negative discretion to limit Mr. Wright’s payout to 130% of target.

 

NEO		AIP Target (%)				AIP Target ($)				Formulaic Performance Factor (Note 1)				Individual Performance Multiplier (IPM)				Actual Award ($)
Crane			145	%			1,874,850				101.21	%			100	%			1,897,536
Cornew			100	%			951,541				101.21	%			100	%			963,055
Wright			50	%			226,504				130.00	%			105	%			309,178
Pacilio			85	%			742,050				122.78	%			110	%			1,002,198
Hanson			80	%			560,000				101.21	%			100	%			594,728
McHugh			80	%			525,600				110.81	%			105	%			611,538

 

Mr. Hanson’s AIP award was prorated based on the performance goals prior to his promotion in September 2020 (performance factor of 118.14%) and the performance goals after his promotion (101.21%).

 

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) Overview & Goal Setting Process

 

The Exelon Compensation Committee grants long-term equity incentive awards annually at its January or February meeting. When the total target equity incentive award is determined, the value is split between RSUs (33%) and performance shares (67%).

 

 

Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”). RSUs granted to NEOs vest ratably over a three-year period. RSUs receive dividend equivalents that are reinvested as additional RSUs and remain subject to the same vesting conditions as the underlying RSUs. RSUs are not subject to any performance metrics.

 

Performance Shares. Performance shares granted to NEOs in January 2020 are earned based on performance achieved for the three-year period ending on December 31, 2022. The performance metrics underlying the 2020-2022 performance share awards are listed below. These are the same performance metrics underlying the performance shares granted for the 2018-2020 and 2019-2021 performance cycles.

 

Performance share metrics:		Why it is Important
Utility Earned ROE* (33.3%)   Average utility ROE weighted by year-end rate base. Earned ROE is calculated using adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings, reflecting all lines of business for the utility businesses (electric distribution, gas distribution, transmission), divided by average shareholder’s equity over the year.		Measure of value created by utility businesses. Aligned with our strategy to invest in our utilities where we can earn an appropriate return.
Utility Net Income (33.3%)   Aggregate utility adjusted (non-GAAP) operating earnings, including Exelon hold-co net operating income (loss)		Measures financial performance of the Utilities. Aligned with our strategy to grow our regulated utility business.
Exelon FFO/Debt* (33.4%)   Funds from operations to total debt ratio. The ratio is calculated following S&P’s current methodology. Management uses FFO/Debt to evaluate financial risk by measuring ability to service debt using cash from operations		Key ratio for determining our credit rating and thereby our access to capital. Aligned with our strategy to generate free cash and reduce debt.

* See definitions of Non-GAAP measures on page 130

 

Setting Performance Share Targets. Performance share targets are set based on external commitments and/or probability modeling. The performance scale range for the Utility ROE and Utility Net Income metrics was based on the following probability levels of achievement: 95% for threshold and 5% for distinguished with the target aligned with projected performance. The target for the Exelon FFO/Debt metric is aligned with the expectations of credit rating agencies.

 

Actual Targets Disclosed After Each Cycle. Actual targets used in our performance share cycles are not disclosed until each cycle is completed to safeguard the confidentiality of our long-term outlook on projected performance. This policy supports the propriety of our long-standing disclosure practices to only issue annual performance guidance as part of our financial disclosure policies.

 

Performance Share Awards Subject to TSR Modifier and Cap. Performance share awards are subject to a total shareholder return (“TSR”) modifier that compares Exelon’s performance relative to the performance of the UTY index on a point by point basis. Performance share awards are also subject to a TSR cap that will limit payouts at target if TSR is negative for the prior 36-month period.

 

The Exelon Compensation Committee used the following process to determine performance share targets and awards:

 

(1)

Establish Performance Share Award Target - Targets are set in January/February of the first year of the performance cycle.

 

(2)

Determine Performance Multiplier - The Performance Multiplier is based on performance achieved over the three-year cycle. Performance can range from 0% to 150% of target (target of 100%).

 

(3)

Determine TSR Modifier - Calculated by subtracting the TSR of the UTY over the three-year performance period from Exelon’s TSR for the same three-year period.

 

(4)

Calculate Final Multiplier - Calculated by multiplying the Performance Multiplier by (100% + TSR Modifier). This value is the Final Multiplier.

 

(5)

Apply Final Multiplier & TSR Cap (if applicable) - Apply the Final Multiplier to determine the number of shares issued. If Exelon’s absolute TSR for the final 12-month of the performance period is negative, payout will be capped at 100%. (Beginning with the 2020-2022 cycle, the TSR cap will apply if TSR is negative for the prior 36-month period.) Awards can range from 0% to 200% of target (target of 100%) after application of the TSR modifier.

 

 

2018 – 2020 Performance and Performance Share Payout Determinations

The following table details the 2018 - 2020 threshold, target, and distinguished performance goals, and the results achieved. The performance multiplier for the 2018 - 2020 Performance Share awards was calculated to be 76.01% of target, based on the following:

 

Performance Share Scorecard
		Metric Weighting		Threshold (50%)		75%		Target (100%)		125%		Distinguished (150%)		Actual Score		Actual Award v. Metric Weighting
Utility Earned ROE*		33.3%		8.0%				9.3%				10.7%		8.7%		25.62%
Utility Net Income		33.3%		$1,587				$1,880				$2,185		$1,740		25.34%
Exelon FFO/Debt*		33.4%		≥16.0% and <17.0%		≥17.0% and <18.0%		≥18.0% and <22.0%		≥22.0% and <24.0%		≥24.0%		17.8%		25.05%
										Committee Approved Performance:						76.01%

 

The Utility Earned ROE* and Utility Net Income use interpolation between threshold, target, and distinguished levels of performance whereas the FFO/Debt* metric uses a “stair-step” approach with no interpolation between the performance levels.

 

* See definitions of Non-GAAP measures on page 130

 

Payout Determinations. The Exelon Compensation Committee approved a payout of 63.65%, based on 2018 - 2020 performance and the application of a TSR modifier of -16.26% based on 2018 - 2020 TSR performance relative to the UTY.

 

The following table shows how the formula was applied and the actual amounts awarded.

 

NEO		Target Shares						Performance Factor						Actual Award
Crane			176,541			x			63.65	%		=			112,368
Cornew			51,020			x			63.65	%		=			32,474
Wright			8,531			x			63.65	%		=			5,430
Pacilio			36,927			x			63.65	%		=			23,504
Hanson			25,346			x			63.65	%		=			16,133
McHugh			27,547			x			63.65	%		=			17,534

 

Performance Awards Settled in Common Stock and/or Cash. Pursuant to the terms of the long-term incentive program, all NEOs that have achieved 200% or more of their stock ownership targets receive performance share award payouts in cash. Other performance share participants who have not achieved 200% of their stock ownership targets receive payouts that are settled 50% in shares of Exelon common stock and 50% in cash.

 

 

Performance Share Goal Rigor

 

To ensure adequate rigor for the financial targets applicable to the 2020-2022 performance share cycle, we conducted statistical simulations to understand the level of difficulty of our payout range. We conducted a sensitivity analysis of reasonable value ranges for several internal and external variables that are significant drivers of performance, and we also examined historical levels of deviation of Generation and its subsidiaries’ performance compared to plan.

 

2020 Target Compensation for Named Executive Officers

 

The table below lists the target value of the compensation elements for each NEO as of December 31, 2020.

 

	Cash Compensation			Long-Term Incentives
NEO	Base ($)	AIP Target	Target Total Cash ($)	RSUs (33% of LTIP) ($)	Performance Shares (67% of LTIP) ($)	Target Total LTIP ($)	Target Total Direct Compensation ($)
Crane	1,293,000	145%	3,167,850	3,630,000	7,370,000	11,000,000	14,167,850
Cornew	951,541	100%	1,903,082	963,204	1,955,596	2,918,800	4,821,882
Wright	453,008	50%	679,512	161,040	326,960	488,000	1,167,512
Pacilio	873,000	85%	1,615,050	697,125	1,415,375	2,112,500	3,727,550
Hanson	700,000	80%	1,260,000	684,750	1,390,250	2,075,000	3,335,000
McHugh	657,000	80%	1,182,600	552,750	1,122,250	1,675,000	2,857,600

 

Shareholder Engagement

 

The Exelon Compensation Committee regularly reviews executive compensation, taking into consideration input received through regular and ongoing engagement with investors. Feedback is typically solicited throughout the year in connection with the annual meeting of shareholders and the Exelon Compensation Committee’s review of the executive compensation program. The Chairs of Exelon’s Compensation and Corporate Governance Committees participated in select investor discussions in 2020. Feedback from all discussions was shared with the appropriate board committee and/or the full board. Shareholders in general expressed their approval of the ongoing executive compensation program and did not request any significant changes during our engagement conversations.

 

2020 Compensation Decisions – Setting Target Total Direct Compensation (“TDC”)

 

Setting Target TDC for Mr. Crane: The Exelon Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending the Exelon CEO’s target total direct compensation. The CEO’s compensation is then approved by the independent members of the Exelon board. The Exelon Compensation Committee fulfills this responsibility by analyzing peer group compensation and performance data with its independent compensation consultant. The Committee also reviews the various elements of the CEO’s compensation in the context of the target TDC, which includes base salary, annual and long-term incentive target opportunities.

 

Setting Target TDC for Messrs. Cornew, and Hanson: The Exelon Compensation Committee is also responsible for approving the executive compensation for each of Exelon’s executive officers (including Messrs. Cornew and Hanson) by analyzing peer group compensation and performance data. Mr. Hanson’s compensation was first included under the Committee’s scope as of September 9, 2020 as a result of his promotion.

 

Setting Target TDC for the other NEOs: The Exelon CEO analyzes a variety of data to gauge market competitiveness, including peer group compensation and performance data provided by Exelon’s independent compensation consultant. TDC can vary by named executive officer based on competencies and skills, scope of responsibilities, the executive’s experience and performance, retention, succession planning and the organizational structure of the businesses (e.g., internal alignment and reporting relationships).

 

 

Role of the Compensation Consultant

 

As referenced earlier, the Exelon Compensation Committee retains Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”), an independent compensation consultant, to support its duties and responsibilities. Meridian provides advice and counsel on executive and director compensation matters and provides information and advice regarding market trends, competitive compensation programs, and strategies including as described below:

 

·

Market data for each senior executive position, including evaluating Exelon’s compensation strategy and reviewing and confirming the peer group used to prepare the market data,

 

·

An independent assessment of management recommendations for changes in the compensation structure,

 

·

Assisting management to ensure Generation and its subsidiaries’ executive compensation programs are designed and administered consistent with the Exelon Compensation Committee’s requirements, and

 

·

Ad hoc support on executive compensation matters and related governance trends.

 

Peer Groups Used for Benchmarking 2020 Executive Compensation

 

Exelon uses a blended peer group for assessing our executive compensation program that consists of two sub-groups: energy services peers and general industry peers because (1) there are not enough energy services peers with size, scale and complexity comparable to Exelon to create a robust energy services-only peer group, and (2) Exelon’s market for attracting talent includes general industry peers, with key executives hired from several Fortune 100 companies. When selecting general industry peers, we look for capital asset-intensive companies with size, scale and complexity similar to Exelon, and we also consider the extent to which they may be subject to the effects of volatile commodity prices similar to Exelon’s sensitivity to commodity price volatility. Exelon evaluates its peer group on an annual basis in July and adjusts for changes with our energy and general industry peers when needed.

 

Exelon’s revenues are at the 64^th percentile of the following blended peer group comprising 21 companies:

 

(1)

Energy Services (11 peer companies): American Electric Power Company, Inc.; Dominion Energy, Inc.; DTE Energy; Duke Energy Corporation; Edison International; Entergy Corporation; FirstEnergy Corporation; NextEra Energy, Inc.; Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.; Sempra Energy; and The Southern Company.

 

(2)

General Industry (10 peer companies): 3M Company; Deere & Company; Delta Air Lines; General Dynamics Corporation; Honeywell International, Inc.; International Paper Company; Lockheed Martin; Marathon Petroleum Company; Northrop Grumman Corporation; and Valero Energy Corporation.

 

Because there is a correlation between the size of an organization and its compensation levels, market data is statistically adjusted using a regression analysis. This commonly applied technique allows for a more precise estimate of the market value of Generation and its subsidiaries given the size and scope of responsibility for Generation and its subsidiaries’ executive roles. Each element of NEO compensation is then compared to these size-adjusted medians of the peer group.

 

In preparation for the separation, we are reviewing the peers to be used for benchmarking the assessment of 2022 compensation for named executive officers of the Company.

 

Stock Ownership

 

To strengthen the alignment of executive interests with those of Exelon’s shareholders, officers of Generation and its subsidiaries are required to own certain amounts of Exelon common stock five years following his or her employment or promotion to a new position (six-times base salary for Mr. Crane; two to three times base salary for the other NEOs). As of the annual measurement date of September 30, 2020, all NEOs had exceeded 200% of their stock ownership guidelines. We expect to adopt a similar stock ownership policy for officers of the Company.

 

Prohibition on Hedging and Pledging of Common Stock; Other Trading Requirements

 

Exelon requires executive vice presidents and above who wish to sell Exelon common stock to do so only through the adoption of a stock trading plan meeting the requirements of SEC Rule 10b5-1(c). This requirement is designed to enable officers with the ability to diversify holdings in an orderly manner to meet personal financial plans. Our insider trading policy includes provisions that prohibit directors and employees (including officers) and certain of their related persons (including certain family members and entities which they own a significant interest) from engaging in short sales, put or call options, hedging transactions, pledging, or other derivative transactions involving Exelon stock. We expect to adopt a similar policy for officers of the Company.

 

 

 

Clawback Policy

 

The Exelon board of directors approved its current clawback policy in 2018. The policy provides broad discretionary ability to clawback incentive compensation when deemed appropriate. Under the policy, the Exelon board has sole discretion to recoup incentive compensation if it determines that (a) the incentive compensation was based on the achievement of financial or other results that were subsequently restated or corrected, (b) the incentive plan participant engaged in fraud or intentional misconduct that caused or contributed to the need for restatement or correction, (c) a lower incentive plan award would have been made to the participant based on the restated or corrected results, and (d) recoupment is not precluded by applicable law or employment agreements.

 

The Exelon board or Exelon Compensation Committee may also seek to recoup incentive compensation paid or payable to current or former incentive plan participants if, in its sole discretion, the Exelon board or Exelon Compensation Committee determines that (a) the current or former incentive plan participant breached a restrictive covenant or engaged or participated in misconduct or intentional or reckless acts or omissions or serious neglect of responsibilities that caused or contributed to a significant financial loss or serious reputational harm to Exelon or its subsidiaries regardless of whether a financial statement restatement or correction of incentive plan results was required, and (b) recoupment is not precluded by applicable law or employment agreements.

 

We expect to adopt clawback policies that are similar to those maintained by Exelon.

 

Risk Management Assessment of Compensation Policies and Practices

 

The Exelon Compensation Committee reviews Exelon’s compensation policies and practices as they relate to the risk management practices and risk-taking incentives. The Exelon Compensation Committee partners with Generation’s enterprise risk management group to assess and validate that the controls in place continued to mitigate incentive compensation risks.

 

Tax Consequences

 

Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code), generally NEO compensation over $1 million for any year is not deductible for United States income tax purposes. The Compensation and Leadership Development Committee believes that it must maintain flexibility in its approach to executive compensation in order to structure a program that it considers to be the most effective in attracting, motivating and retaining the Company’s key executives, and therefore, the deductibility of compensation is one of several factors considered when making executive compensation decisions.

 

 

Executive Compensation Tables

 

2020 Summary Compensation Table

 

Name		Year				Salary ($)				Bonus ($) (Note 1)				Stock Awards ($) (Note 2)				Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (Note 3)				Change in Pension Value and Nonquali- fied Deferred Compen- sation Earnings ($) (Note 4)				All Other Compen- sation ($) (Note 5)				Total ($)
Christopher Crane
President and CEO, Exelon			2020				1,293,000				—				11,000,013				1,897,536				757,754				214,500				15,162,803
Kenneth Cornew
(Former) President and Chief Executive Officer, Generation			2020				947,189				—				2,918,828				963,055				299,794				338,335				5,467,201
Bryan Wright
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Generation			2020				450,936				64,723				488,016				294,455				123,461				25,975				1,447,566
Michael Pacilio
(Former) Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Generation			2020				869,067				91,109				2,112,544				911,089				870,150				67,338				4,921,297
Bryan Hanson
Chief Generation Officer, Generation			2020				686,418				—				1,450,054				594,728				885,522				59,602				3,676,324
James McHugh
Chief Executive Officer, Constellation business unit			2020				653,981				29,121				1,675,059				582,417				26,209				60,738				3,027,525

 

Notes to the Summary Compensation Table

 

(1)

In recognition of their overall performance, certain NEOs received an individual performance multiplier (IPM) to their annual incentive payments or other special recognition awards. Messrs. Crane, Cornew and Hanson were not eligible for an IPM.

 

(2)

The amounts shown in this column include the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock unit and performance share unit awards for the 2020-2022 performance period granted January 27, 2020. The grant date fair values of the stock awards have been computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 using the assumptions described in Note 21 of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Exelon’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The 2020-2022 performance share award component of the stock award values depicted above are subject to performance conditions and the grant date fair value assumes the achievement of the target level of performance; however, values may be higher based on performance including the maximum total shareholder return multiplier as follows:

 

 

			Performance Share Award Value
Name			At Target ($)				At Maximum ($)
Crane				7,370,008				14,740,016
Cornew				1,955,607				3,911,214
Wright				326,967				653,934
Pacilio				1,415,406				2,830,812
Hanson				971,540				1,943,080
McHugh				1,122,284				2,244,568

 

(3)

The amounts shown in this column for 2020 represent payments made pursuant to the Annual Incentive Plan.

 

(4)

The amounts shown in this column represent the change in the accumulated pension benefit for the NEOs from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020. None of the NEOs had above market earnings in a non-qualified deferred compensation account in 2020.

 

(5)

All Other Compensation: The following table describes the incremental cost of other benefits provided in 2020 that are shown in this column.

 

All Other Compensation

Name		Perquisites ($)  (Note 1)				Reimbursement for Income Taxes ($) (Note 2)				Exelon Contributions to Savings Plans ($) (Note 3)				Exelon Paid Term Life Insurance Premiums ($) (Note 4)				Total ($)
Crane			108,713				3,257				64,545				37,985				214,500
Cornew			271,930				17,363				45,290				3,752				338,335
Wright			7,500				—				14,150				4,325				25,975
Pacilio			19,340				375				43,056				4,567				67,338
Hanson			19,343				1,669				34,476				4,114				59,602
McHugh			24,382				428				31,552				4,376				60,738

 

Notes to All Other Compensation Table

 

(1)

Amounts reported for personal benefits provided to NEOs include: (1) transportation related benefits (including corporate aircraft, parking, spousal and family travel); and (2) other benefits (including personal financial planning, company gifts, and matching charitable contributions).

 

a.        Amounts reported for the personal use of corporate aircraft are based on the aggregate incremental cost to Exelon and are calculated using the hourly incremental cost for flight services, including federal excise taxes, fuel charges, and domestic segment fees. Exelon’s board-approved policy on corporate aircraft usage includes spousal/domestic partner and other family member usage when appropriate. Amounts reported in this column for Mr. Crane include $81,873 for personal use of corporate aircraft.

 

b.       Amounts include the value received by Mr. Cornew due to Generation’s agreement to have its relocation vendor purchase at an appraised value the Baltimore residence purchased by Mr. Cornew in connection with his relocation to Baltimore as Chief Executive Officer of Constellation business unit. The value of the benefit included is $216,640, based on a determination of the difference between the average of two appraisals to be received and the price Mr. Cornew paid for the home in 2012 plus qualified capital improvements as provided for under the executive relocation program’s standard terms.

 

 

c.        Limited personal financial planning benefits valued at $16,840 for each executive are provided with usage values imputed as additional taxable income. Executive officers may request matching gifts to qualified charitable organizations in amounts up to $10,000 and up to $15,000 for Mr. Cornew under the Constellation Energy Group, Inc. legacy policy.

 

(2)

Exelon provides reimbursements of tax obligations incurred when: employees are required to work outside their state of home residence and encounter double taxation in states and localities where tax credits are not permitted in home state tax filings; business-related spousal travel involves personal benefits and income is imputed to the employee and for required relocation and housing/living expenses incurred in compliance with regulatory requirements.

 

(3)

The amounts represent the respective corporate matching contributions to the NEOs’ accounts. Each of the named executive officers participated in the 401(k) Plan and the Deferred Compensation Plan. Mr. Wright does not participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

(4)

Exelon provides basic term life insurance, accidental death and disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to all employees, including NEOs. The values shown in this column include the premiums paid during 2020 for additional term life insurance policies for the NEOs and for additional supplemental accidental death and dismemberment insurance and long-term disability over and above the basic coverage provided to all employees.

 

 

2020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

				Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards   (Note 1)												Estimated Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (Note 2)												All Other Stock  Awards: Number of Shares or Units				Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
Name		Grant Date		Threshold ($)				Plan ($)				Maximum  ($)				Threshold (#)				Target (#)				Maximum (#)				(#) (Note 3)				($) (Note 4)
Crane		1/27/20			70,307				1,874,850				3,749,700
		1/27/20															25,991				155,913				311,826								7,370,008
		1/27/20																											76,793				3,630,005
Cornew		1/27/20			35,683				951,541				1,903,082
		1/27/20															6,897				41,371				82,742								1,955,607
		1/27/20																											20,377				963,221
Wright		1/27/20			56,626				226,504				453,008
		1/27/20															1,153				6,917				13,834								326,967
		1/27/20																											3,407				161,049
Pacilio		1/27/20			46,378				742,050				1,484,100
		1/27/20															4,991				29,943				59,886								1,415,406
		1/27/20																											14,748				697,138
Hanson		1/27/20			21,000				560,000				1,120,000
		1/27/20															3,426				20,553				41,106								971,540
		1/27/20																											10,123				478,514
McHugh		1/27/20			32,850				525,600				1,051,200
		1/27/20															3,958				23,742				47,484								1,122,284
		1/27/20																											11,694				552,775

 

Notes to Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

 

(1)

All NEOs have annual incentive plan target opportunities based on a fixed percentage of base salaries. Under the terms of the AIP, threshold performance earns 50% of the respective target, while performance at plan earns 100% of the respective target and the maximum payout is capped at 200% of target.

 

a.

For Messrs. Crane, Cornew, and Hanson, the possible payout at threshold for AIP was calculated at 3.75% of target based on a threshold payout of 50% for the lowest weighted metric of 7.5%.

 

b.

For Mr. Wright, the possible payout at threshold for AIP was calculated at 25% of target based on a threshold payout of 50% and an individual performance multiplier of 50%.

 

c.

For Messrs. Pacilio and McHugh, the possible payout at threshold for AIP was calculated at 6.25% of target based on threshold payout of 50% for the lowest weighted metric and an individual performance multiplier of 50%.

 

For additional information about the terms of these programs, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above.

 

(2)

NEOs have a long-term performance share unit target opportunity that is a fixed number of performance share units commensurate with the officer’s position. The possible payout at threshold for performance share unit awards was calculated at 16.67% of target. The possible maximum payout for performance share units was calculated at 150% of target, with an uncapped total shareholder return multiplier, capped at 200% of target. For additional information about the terms of these programs, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table above.

 

 

(3)

This column shows restricted stock unit awards made during the year. The vesting dates of the awards are provided in footnote 2 to the Outstanding Equity Table below.

 

(4)

This column shows the grant date fair value, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, of the performance share unit awards and restricted stock units granted to each NEO during 2020. Fair value of performance share unit awards granted on January 27, 2020 are based on an estimated payout of 100% of target.

 

2020 Outstanding Equity Awards at Year End

 

		Option Awards (Note 1)																Stock Awards
Name		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options That Are Exercisable (#)				Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options That Are Not Exercisable (#)				Option Exercise or Base Price ($)				Option Expiration   Date				Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Yet Vested (#) (Note 2)				Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Yet Vested Based on 12/31 Closing Price $42.22 ($) (Note 2)				Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Yet Vested (#) (Note 3)				Equity Incentive Plan Awards:   Market or Payout Value or Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Yet Vested ($) (Note 3)
Crane			285,000				—				39.21				04/02/22				278,970				11,778,113				623,192				26,311,166
			94,000				—				43.40				01/24/21				—				—				—				—
Cornew			70,000				—				39.81				03/12/22				77,445				3,269,728				165,362				6,981,584
Wright			—				—				—				—				12,951				546,791				27,648				1,167,299
Pacilio			—				—				—				—				56,052				2,366,515				119,684				5,053,058
Hanson			—				—				—				—				78,478				3,313,341				82,150				3,468,373
McHugh			—				—				—				—				44,905				1,895,889				94,898				4,006,594

 

Notes to Outstanding Equity Table

 

(1)

Non-qualified stock options were previously granted to NEOs pursuant to the Company’s long-term incentive plans. All grants are fully vested and expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date.

 

(2)

The amount shown includes unvested restricted stock unit awards and the performance share award earned for the performance period beginning January 1, 2018 and ending December 31, 2020, which vested on January 25, 2021. The unvested restricted stock unit awards are composed of the final third of the award made in January 2018, which vested on January 25, 2021; two-thirds of the award made in February 2019, half of which vested on January 25, 2021 and half of which will vest on the date of the Exelon Compensation Committee’s first regular meeting in 2022; and the full award granted on January 27, 2020, one-third of which vested on January 25, 2021 and one-third of which will vest on the date of each of the Exelon Compensation Committee’s first regular meetings in 2022 and 2023, respectively. All RSU awards accrue additional shares through automatic dividend reinvestment. For Mr. Hanson, the amount shown includes grants of 40,000 restricted stock units awarded on January 29, 2018, which vest on January 29, 2022. All shares are valued at $42.22, the closing price on December 31, 2020.

 

(3)

The amount shown includes the target performance share awards granted on February 4, 2019 for the performance period ending December 31, 2021 and the target performance share awards granted on January 27, 2020 for the performance period ending December 31, 2022. These target awards have been increased to reflect the highest level of performance for the period, 200%. All shares are valued at $42.22, the closing price on December 31, 2020.

 

 

2020 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

			Option Awards								Stock Awards (Note 1)
Name			Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)				Value Realized on Exercise ($)				Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)				Value Realized on Vesting ($)
Crane			—				—				300,152				14,188,163
Cornew			—				—				86,120				4,070,907
Wright			—				—				14,403				680,841
Pacilio			—				—				62,333				2,946,463
Hanson			—				—				42,780				2,022,215
McHugh			—				—				44,666				2,111,376

 

Notes to Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

 

(1)

Share amounts are composed of the following tranches of prior awards that vested on January 27, 2020: the performance share awards granted for the performance period of January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019; the final third of the RSU awards granted in January 2017, the second third of the RSU awards granted in January 2018 and the first third of the RSU awards granted in January 2019. All of these awards were valued at $47.27 upon vesting.

 

Pension Benefits

 

Exelon sponsors the Exelon Corporation Retirement Program, a defined benefit pension plan that includes the Service Annuity System (SAS), a traditional pension plan covering NEOs who commenced employment prior to January 1, 2001 and the Cash Balance Pension Plan (“CBPP”), an account-based plan covering eligible NEOs hired between January 1, 2001, and February 1, 2018, and certain NEOs who previously elected to transfer to the CBPP from the SAS. Exelon also sponsors the Pension Plan of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (“CEG Pension Plan”), which covers certain legacy Constellation Energy Group, Inc. employees. It includes a traditional pension formula for employees hired before January 1, 2000, and a pension equity formula (“PEP”) for employees hired thereafter or who elected to participate in that formula. The Retirement Program and CEG Pension Plan are intended to be tax-qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Service Annuity System (“SAS”)

 

For NEOs participating in the SAS, the annuity benefit payable at normal retirement age is equal to the sum of 1.25% of the participant’s earnings as of December 25, 1994, reduced by a portion of the participant’s Social Security benefit as of that date, plus 1.6% of the participant’s highest average annual pay, multiplied by the participant’s years of credited service (up to a maximum of 40 years). Pension-eligible compensation for the SAS’s Final Average Pay Formula includes base pay and annual incentive awards. Benefits under the SAS are vested after five years of service.

 

The “normal retirement age” under the SAS is 65. The plan also offers an early retirement benefit prior to age 65, which is payable if a participant retires after attainment of age 50 and completion of 10 years of service. The annual pension payable under the plan is determined as of the early retirement date, reduced by 2% for each year of payment before age 60 to age 58, then 3% for each year before age 58 to age 50. In addition, under the SAS, the early retirement benefit is supplemented prior to age 65 by a temporary payment equal to 80% of the participant’s estimated monthly Social Security benefit. The supplemental benefit is partially offset by a reduction in the regular annuity benefit.

 

 

Cash Balance Pension Plan (“CBPP”)

 

For NEOs who participate in the CBPP, a notional account is established for each participant, and the account balance grows as a result of annual benefit credits and annual investment credits. NEOs who transferred from the SAS to the CBPP also have a frozen transferred SAS benefit and received a “transition” credit based on age, service and compensation at the time of transfer. When the CBPP was initially established in 2001, it provided an annual benefit credit of 5.75% of an employee’s base pay and annual incentive award for the year, and an annual investment credit based on the average of that year’s S&P 500 stock index return and the 30-year bond rate for the month of November (subject to 4% minimum). The benefit and investment credit rates have been subsequently modified periodically pursuant to U.S. Treasury Department guidance on cash balance plans. NEO participants in the CBPP currently receive an annual benefit credit ranging from 7.0% to 10.5% (depending on length of service) of base salary and annual incentive award, and an annual investment credit based on the third segment spot rate of interest on long-term investment grade corporate bonds for the month of November of the year (subject to a 4% minimum). Benefits vest after three years of service and are payable in an annuity or a lump sum at any time following termination of employment. Apart from the benefit credits and the vesting requirement, years of service are not relevant to a determination of accrued benefits under the CBPP.

 

In 2019, Generation and its subsidiaries also provided a one-time Transition Benefit Credit to all CBPP participants in recognition of the transition to a fully fixed income investment credit rate. The amount of the credit ranged from 0% to 30.5% of 2018 annualized base pay, based on years of service as of December 31, 2007.

 

Pension Plan of Constellation Energy Group, Inc. (CEG Pension Plan)

 

For NEOs who participate in the PEP, a lump sum benefit amount is computed based on covered earnings multiplied by a total credit percentage. Covered earnings are equal to the average of the highest three of the last five twelve-month periods’ base pay plus annual incentive awards. The total service credit percentage is equal to the sum of the credit percentages based on the following formula: 5% per year of service through age 39, 10% per year of service from age 40 to age 49, and 15% per year of service after age 49. No benefits are available under the PEP until a participant has at least three years of vesting service. Benefits payable under the PEP are paid as an annuity unless a participant elects a lump sum within 60 days after separation.

 

Supplemental Management Retirement Plan (“SMRP”) and
Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Benefits Restoration Plan (“CEG BRP”)

 

All NEOs participate in either the SMRP or the CEG BRP. The SMRP and CEG BRP provides supplemental benefits to the benefits provided under the tax-qualified Retirement Program and CEG Pension Plan, respectively, for individuals whose annual compensation exceeds the limits imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Under the terms of the SMRP and the CEG BRP, participants are provided the amount of benefits they would have received under the SAS, CBPP or PEP but for the application of the Internal Revenue Code limits.

 

Up to two years of service credits may be provided under the SMRP upon a qualifying termination of employment under severance or change in control agreements or awards that are intended to make up for lost pension benefits from another employer.

 

The amount of the change in the pension value for each of the NEOs is the amount included in the Summary Compensation Table above. The present value of each NEO’s accumulated pension benefit is shown in the following tables. The present value for CBPP participants is the account balance.

 

 

2020 Pension Benefits

 

Name		Plan Name		Number of Years Credited Service (#)				Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($)				Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($)
Crane		SAS			22.26				1,685,578				—
		SMRP(1)			32.26				19,344,451				—
Cornew		CBPP			26.59				962,826				—
		SMRP			26.59				2,293,831				—
Wright		PEP			17.33				506,333				—
		CEG BRP			17.33				893,213				—
Pacilio		SAS			38.53				3,179,938				—
		SMRP			38.53				11,327,758				—
Hanson		SAS			32.30				2,415,927				—
		SMRP			32.30				6,220,625				—
McHugh		CBPP			18.79				327,631				—
		SMRP			18.79				353,797				—

a)

Based on discount rates prescribed by the SEC proxy disclosure guidelines, Mr. Crane’s non-qualified SMRP present value is $19,344,451. Based on lump sum plan rates for immediate distributions under the non-qualified plan, the comparable lump sum amount applicable for service through December 31, 2020 is $28,495,474. Note that, in any event, payments made upon termination may be delayed by six months in accordance with U.S. Treasury Department guidance.

 

 

Deferred Compensation Programs

 

Exelon Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan

 

The Exelon Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan is a non-qualified plan that permits the NEOs to defer certain cash compensation to facilitate tax and retirement planning. The Deferred Compensation Plan also permits Generation and its subsidiaries to credit related matching contributions that would have been contributed to the Exelon Corporation Employee Savings Plan (the Exelon’s tax-qualified 401(k) plan) but for the applicable limits under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Exelon Corporation Employee Savings Plan

 

The Employee Savings Plan is intended to be tax-qualified under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Exelon maintains the Employee Savings Plan to attract and retain qualified employees, including the NEOs, and encourage retirement savings, which under the Plan may be supplemented by Generation and its subsidiaries’ matching contributions. Generation and its subsidiaries maintain the excess matching feature of the Deferred Compensation Plan to enable highly compensated employees to save for retirement to the extent they otherwise would have, were it not for the limits established by the IRS.

 

Once participants in the Employee Savings Plan reach their statutory contribution limit during the year, their elected payroll contributions and Generation and its subsidiaries’ matching contribution will be credited to their accounts in the Deferred Compensation Plans. The investment options under the Deferred Compensation Plan consist of a basket of investment fund benchmarks substantially the same as those funds available through the Employee Savings Plan. Deferred amounts represent unfunded, unsecured obligations of Generation and its subsidiaries.

 

2020 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

 

Name		Executive Contributions in 2020 ($) (Note 1)				Registrant Contributions in 2020 ($) (Note 2)				Aggregate Earnings in 2020 ($) (Note 3)				Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($)				Aggregate Balance at 12/31/20 ($) (Note 4)
Crane			75,425				44,179				(12,854	)			—				2,336,947
Cornew			19,824				24,272				(8,926	)			—				726,658
Wright			—				—				—				—				—
Pacilio			65,475				28,906				141,961				—				1,391,234
Hanson			56,510				21,897				6,846				—				200,703
McHugh			35,413				17,620				(8,029	)			—				72,528

 

Notes to Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

 

(1)

The full amount shown for executive contributions is included in the base salary figures for each NEO shown above in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

(2)

The full amount shown under registrant contributions is included in Generation and its subsidiaries’ contributions to savings plans for each NEO shown above in the All Other Compensation Table.

 

(3)

The amount shown under aggregate earnings reflects the NEOs’ gain or loss based upon the individual allocation of his notional account balance into the basket of mutual fund benchmarks. These gains or losses do not represent current income to the NEO and have not been included in any of the compensation tables shown above.

 

(4)

For all NEOs the aggregate balance shown includes those amounts, both executive contributions and registrant contributions, that have been disclosed either as base salary as described in Note 1 or as Generation and its subsidiaries’ contributions under all other compensation as described in Note 2 for the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.

 

 

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

 

Each NEO is entitled to compensation in the event his or her employment terminates or upon a change in control. The Exelon Compensation Committee adopted changes to severance and change in control benefits effective in 2020, with the amount of benefits payable being contingent upon a variety of factors, including the circumstances under which employment terminates.

 

Severance Benefits

 

NEOs are entitled to certain payments and benefits in connection with a termination of employment other than for cause (which generally includes refusal to perform duties, willful or reckless acts or omissions, commission of a felony, a material violation of the Code of Business Conduct, or any breach of a restrictive covenant) or disability or resignation for good reason (which generally includes certain reductions in salary, demotions or material reductions in the NEO’s position or duties) as provided for in the Senior Management Severance Plan (“SMSP”).

 

The “Severance Period” is 24 months after termination of employment for all NEOs except for Mr. Wright. The Severance Period for Mr. Wright is 15 months. Benefits under the Plan include the following items.

 

Severance Pay	Continued payment of base salary for the applicable Severance Period
Annual Incentive	Target annual incentive awards for the applicable Severance Period and a pro-rated annual incentive award for the year in which the termination of employment occurs.
Equity Awards	1. RSUs: Unvested awards are prorated based on date of termination and vest 2. LTIP (including performance shares): Prorated portion vests based on actual performance; payable at the time provided for in the award terms 3. Stock Options: Outstanding awards are exercisable to the extent the award was exercisable on the date of termination and may be exercised until the earlier of 90 days from termination date or expiration date of award.
SMRP Benefits	Benefit equal to the amount payable under the SMRP determined as if the SMSP benefit were fully vested and the severance pay constituted covered compensation for purposes of the SMSP.
Retirement Benefits	If applicable, benefits equal to the actuarial equivalent present value of any non-vested accrued benefit under Exelon’s qualified defined benefit retirement plan. All current NEOs are fully vested.
Insurance, Health and Welfare Benefits	Life, disability, accident, health and other welfare benefit coverage continues during the severance pay period on the same terms and conditions applicable to active employees, followed by retiree health coverage if applicable.1
Financial Planning	Outplacement and financial planning services for at least 12 months.

1.

Executives are eligible for retirement benefits, including retiree health coverage, if they are at least 55 years old and have completed at least 10 years of service.

 

Payments under the SMSP are subject to reduction by Exelon to the extent necessary to avoid imposition of excise taxes imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code on excess parachute payments or under similar state or local law.

 

Post-Termination Arrangement for Mr. Cornew

 

As previously announced, Mr. Cornew’s role was eliminated in connection with organizational restructurings and ongoing succession management. Mr. Cornew entered into a separation agreement providing for his receipt of standard benefits provided under the non-change in control provisions of the SMSP, subject to customary waivers, releases, non-solicitation and non-compete provisions for two years following his departure dates. Benefits include a severance benefit equal to two times the sum of his base salary and target annual incentive awards. In addition, he is eligible for a pro-rated annual incentive award for 2021 based on the achievement of business performance metrics consistent with those applied to executive peers. In accordance with the terms in effect on the date of grant for outstanding equity awards, a portion of the performance share unit awards granted to Mr. Cornew will be prorated to reflect the portion of the performance period during which he was employed and all such awards will remain outstanding and subject to their original performance-based vesting schedule. Outstanding restricted stock units will vest and any outstanding stock options will remain exercisable until their expiration date. Mr. Cornew will also be entitled to receive accrued pension benefits, health care coverage, and other SERP or deferred compensation benefits, as applicable and as described above.

 

 

Mr. Cornew also received home sale relocation benefits under which Exelon’s relocation vendor purchased the Baltimore residence Mr. Cornew acquired in connection with his relocation to Baltimore to take the role of Chief Executive Officer of Constellation business unit. The value of the benefit is $216,640, based on a determination of the difference between the average of two appraisals and the price Mr. Cornew paid for the home in 2012 plus qualified capital improvements as provided for under the executive relocation program’s standard terms.

 

Change in Control Benefits

 

NEOs are eligible for certain benefits upon certain involuntary terminations or a resignation for “good reason” (which generally includes certain reductions in compensation and benefits, reductions in position, duties or responsibilities, relocations or breaches by the company of the SMSP) in connection with a change in control of Exelon Corporation. Pursuant to the terms of his separation agreement, Mr. Cornew is not eligible for change in control benefits.

 

Under the SMSP, a “change in control” includes any of the following: (a) when any person or group acquires 20% of Exelon’s then outstanding common stock or of voting securities; (b) the incumbent members of the Exelon board (or new members nominated by a majority of incumbent directors) cease to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Exelon board; (c) consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, or sale or other disposition of at least 50% of Exelon’s operating assets (excluding a transaction where Exelon shareholders retain at least 60% of the voting power); or (d) upon shareholder approval of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution.

 

If the executive resigns for good reason or his or her employment is terminated by Exelon other than for cause or disability, during the period commencing 90 days before a change of control or during the 24-month period following a change in control, the executive is entitled to the benefits outlined below.

 

Severance Pay	The executive receives 2.99 times base salary (1.5 times for Mr. Wright) to be paid in substantially equal regular payroll installments.
Annual Incentive	Target annual incentive award for a period of 2.99 years (1.5 years for Mr. Wright) after termination of employment and a pro-rated annual incentive award for the year in which the termination of employment occurs.
Equity Awards	1. RSUs: Unvested awards vest 2. LTIP (including performance shares): Prorated portion vests based on actual performance; payable at the time provided for in the award terms 3. Stock Options: Outstanding awards are immediately exercisable and may be exercised until the earlier of 5 years from termination date or expiration date of award.
SMRP Benefits	Benefit equal to the amount payable under the SMRP determined as if (1) the executive had 18 additional months (2.99 years for Mr. Crane; 15 months for Mr. Wright) of age and years of service and (2) the severance pay constituted covered compensation for purposes of the SMRP.
Retirement Benefits	Benefits equal to the actuarial equivalent present value of any non-vested accrued benefit under Exelon’s qualified defined benefit retirement plan. All current NEOs are fully vested.
Insurance, Health and Welfare Benefits	Life, disability, accident, health and other welfare benefit coverage continues during the severance pay period on the same terms and conditions applicable to active employees, followed by retiree health coverage if applicable.1
Financial Planning	Outplacement and financial planning services for at least 12 months.

 

Executives are eligible for retirement benefits, including retiree health coverage, if they are at least 55 years old and have completed at least 10 years of service.

 

 

2020 Estimated Value of Benefits to be Received Upon Retirement

 

The following table shows the estimated value of payments and other benefits to be conferred upon the NEOs, except Mr. Cornew, assuming they retired as of December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, Mr. McHugh had not reached the minimum age required to be eligible for retirement benefits. These payments and benefits are in addition to the present value of the accumulated benefits from each NEO’s qualified and non-qualified pension plans shown in the tables within the Pension Benefit section and the aggregate balance due to each NEO that is shown in the tables within the Deferred Compensation section.

 

Name		Cash Payment   ($)   (Note 1)				Value of Unvested Equity Awards ($) (Note 2)				Total Value of All   Payments and Benefits   ($)   (Note 3)
Crane			1,898,000				27,643,000				29,541,000
Cornew			—				—				—
Wright			309,000				—				309,000
Pacilio			1,002,000				5,459,000				6,461,000
Hanson			595,000				3,748,000				4,343,000
McHugh			—				—				—

 

Notes to Benefits to be Received Upon Retirement Table

 

(1)

Under the terms of the 2020 AIP, a pro-rated actual incentive award is payable upon retirement based on the number of days worked during the year of retirement. The amount above represents the executive’s 2020 annual incentive payout after Generation or its applicable subsidiary/business unit performance was determined.

 

(2)

Includes the value of the executives’ unvested performance share awards granted in 2018, 2019, and 2020 assuming target performance and the accelerated portion of the executives’ RSU awards that, per applicable awards agreements, would vest upon retirement. The value of the shares is based on Exelon’s closing stock price on December 31, 2020 of $42.22.

 

(3)

Estimate of total payments and benefits based on a December 31, 2020 retirement date.

 

 

2020 Estimated Value of Benefits to be Received Upon Termination due to Death or Disability

 

The following table shows the estimated value of payments and other benefits to be conferred upon the NEOs, except Mr. Cornew, assuming employment is terminated due to death or disability as of December 31, 2020. These payments and benefits are in addition to the present value of the accumulated benefits from the NEOs’ qualified and non-qualified pension plans shown in the tables within the Pension Benefit section and the aggregate balance due to each NEO that is shown in tables within the Deferred Compensation section.

 

Name		Cash Payment ($) (Note 1)				Value of Unvested Equity Awards ($) (Note 2)				Total Value of All Payments and Benefits ($) (Note 3)
Crane			1,898,000				27,643,000				29,541,000
Cornew			—				—				—
Wright			309,000				1,262,000				1,571,000
Pacilio			1,002,000				5,459,000				6,461,000
Hanson			595,000				5,437,000				6,032,000
McHugh			612,000				4,321,000				4,933,000

 

Notes to Benefits to be Received Upon Termination due to Death or Disability Table

 

(1)

Under the terms of the 2020 AIP, a pro-rated actual incentive award is payable upon death or disability based on the number of days worked during the year of termination. The amount above represents the executives’ 2020 annual incentive payout after Generation’s or its applicable subsidiary’s and/or business unit’s performance was determined.

 

(2)

Includes the value of the executives’ unvested performance share awards granted in 2018, 2019, and 2020 assuming target performance and the accelerated portion of the executives’ RSU awards that, per applicable awards agreements, would vest upon death or disability. The value of the shares is based on Exelon’s closing stock price on December 31, 2020 of $42.22.

 

(3)

Estimate of total payments and benefits based on a December 31, 2020 termination due to death or disability.

 

 

2020 Estimated Value of Benefits to be Received Upon Involuntary Separation Not Related to a Change in Control

 

The following table shows the estimated value of payments and other benefits to be conferred upon the NEOs assuming they were terminated as of December 31, 2020 under the terms of the SMSP. These payments and benefits are in addition to the present value of the accumulated benefits from the NEOs’ qualified and non-qualified pension plans shown in the tables within the Pension Benefit section and the aggregate balance due to each NEO that is shown in the tables within the Deferred Compensation section.

 

Name		Cash Payment ($) (Note 1)				Retirement Benefit Enhancement ($) (Note 2)				Value of Unvested Equity Awards ($) (Note 3)				Health and Welfare Benefit Continuation ($) (Note 4)				Perquisites And Other Benefits ($) (Note 5)				Total Value of All Payments and Benefits ($) (Note 6)
Crane			8,234,000				2,471,000				27,643,000				112,000				40,000				38,500,000
Cornew			4,769,000				362,000				7,544,000				44,000				40,000				12,759,000
Wright			1,158,000				1,009,000				1,262,000				21,000				40,000				3,490,000
Pacilio			4,232,000				1,200,000				5,459,000				46,000				40,000				10,977,000
Hanson			3,115,000				1,411,000				4,735,000				39,000				40,000				9,340,000
McHugh			2,977,000				—				4,240,000				45,000				40,000				7,302,000

 

Notes to Benefits to be Received Upon Involuntary Separation Not Related to a Change in Control Table

 

(1)

Represents the estimated severance benefit equal to 2.0 times (1.25 times for Mr. Wright) the sum of (i) current base salary and (ii) the target annual incentive for the year of termination, plus a pro-rated annual incentive award for the year in which termination occurs. The amount above represents the executives’ 2020 annual incentive payout after Generation or its applicable subsidiary/business unit performance was determined.

 

(2)

Represents the estimated retirement benefit enhancement that consists of a one-time lump sum payment based on the actuarial present value of a benefit under the non-qualified pension plan assuming that the severance pay period was taken into account for purposes of vesting, and the severance pay constituted covered compensation for purposes of the non-qualified pension plan.

 

(3)

Includes the value of the executives’ unvested performance share awards granted in 2018, 2019, and 2020 assuming target performance and the accelerated portion of the executives’ RSU awards that, per applicable awards agreements, would vest upon an involuntary separation not related to a change of control. The value of the shares is based on Exelon’s closing stock price on December 31, 2020 of $42.22.

 

(4)

Estimated costs of healthcare, life insurance, and long-term disability coverage which continue during the severance period.

 

(5)

Estimated costs of outplacement and financial planning services for up to 12 months for all NEOs.

 

(6)

Estimate of total payments and benefits based on a December 31, 2020 termination date.

 

 

2020 Estimated Value of Benefits to be Received Upon a Qualifying Termination following a Change in Control

 

The following table shows the estimated value of payments and other benefits to be conferred upon the NEOs, except Mr. Cornew, assuming they were terminated upon a qualifying change in control as of December 31, 2020. These payments and benefits are in addition to the present value of accumulated benefits from the NEOs’ qualified and non-qualified pension plans shown in the tables within the Pension Benefit section and the aggregate balance due to each NEO that is shown in tables within the Deferred Compensation section.

 

Name		Cash Payment ($) (Note 1)				Retirement Benefit Enhancement ($) (Note 2)				Value of Unvested Equity Awards ($) (Note 3)				Health and Welfare Benefit Continuation ($) (Note 4)				Perquisites And Other Benefits ($) (Note 5)				Total Value of All Payments and Benefits ($) (Note 6)
Crane			11,370,000				3,976,000				27,643,000				168,000				40,000				43,197,000
Cornew			—				—				—				—				—				—
Wright			1,328,000				1,082,000				1,262,000				26,000				40,000				3,738,000
Pacilio			5,831,000				1,854,000				5,459,000				68,000				40,000				13,252,000
Hanson			4,362,000				1,877,000				5,437,000				59,000				40,000				11,775,000
McHugh			4,148,000				—				4,321,000				68,000				40,000				8,577,000

 

Notes to Benefits to be Received Upon a Qualifying Termination following a Change in Control Table

 

(1)

Represents the estimated cash severance benefit equal to 2.99 times (1.5 times for Mr. Wright) the sum of (i) current base salary and (ii) the annual incentive award at target, plus a pro-rated annual incentive award for the year in which termination occurs. The amount above represents the executives’ 2020 annual incentive payout after Generation or its applicable subsidiary/business unit performance was determined.

 

(2)

Represents the estimated retirement benefit enhancement that consists of a one-time lump sum payment based on the actuarial present value of a benefit under the non-qualified pension plan assuming that the severance pay period was taken into account for purposes of vesting, and the severance pay constituted covered compensation for purposes of the non-qualified pension plan.

 

(3)

Includes the value of the executives’ unvested performance shares, all of which will vest upon termination at the actual level earned and awarded (it is assumed the 2018, 2019, and 2020 performance shares are earned at target) and the accelerated portion of the executives’ RSUs that would vest upon a qualifying termination following a change in control. The value of the shares is based on Exelon’s closing stock price on December 31, 2020 of $42.22.

 

(4)

Estimated costs of healthcare, life insurance and long-term disability coverage which continue during the severance period.

 

(5)

Estimated costs of outplacement and financial planning services for up to 12 months for all NEOs.

 

(6)

Estimate of total payments and benefits based on a December 31, 2020 termination date.

 

 

Director Compensation

 

The Company non-employee director compensation program will be subject to the review and approval of the Company board or a committee thereof after the distribution. The Exelon Compensation Committee of the Exelon board of directors has approved an initial director compensation program for the Company that is designed to enable ongoing attraction and retention of highly qualified directors and to address the time, effort, expertise and accountability required of active board membership. This program is described in further detail below.

 

Annual Retainer

 

The following chart shows the initial annual retainers for non-employee directors as well as additional fees paid to the independent chair and committee chairs. Directors serving in multiple leadership roles will receive incremental compensation for each role.

 

Role

Cash ($)

Deferred Stock Units ($)

Total ($)

All Directors (base retainer)

Independent Board Chair

Audit Committee Chair

Compensation Committee Chair

Governance Committee Chair

 

Directors do not receive additional compensation for attending regularly scheduled board or committee meetings. All board fees are paid quarterly in arrears. New directors joining the board receive a prorated fee for the quarter based on the date of their election.

 

Directors may elect to defer any portion of cash compensation into a non-qualified multi-fund deferred compensation plan. Under the plan, each director has an unfunded account where the dollar balance can be invested in one or more of several mutual funds. Fund balances are settled in cash and may be distributed in a lump sum or in annual installment payments upon a director reaching age 65, age 72, or upon departure from the board.

 

Deferred stock units earn dividend equivalents which are reinvested in the deferred stock accounts as additional stock units. The account balance of deferred stock units will be settled in shares of the Company common stock and may be distributed in a lump sum or in annual installments upon reaching age 65, age 72, or upon a director’s departure from the board.

 

For a description of the adjustments that are expected to be made to outstanding Exelon equity-based compensation awards, including those held by Company directors who previously served on the Exelon board of directors, in connection with the distribution, see the section titled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

 

Director Share Ownership Requirements

 

Each non-employee director will be required to own shares of Company common stock (including deferred stock units). Directors must achieve the required stock ownership level within five years after joining the board.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Company was not an independent company and did not have a compensation committee or any other committee serving a similar function.

 

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Existing Arrangements with Exelon

 

We have a number of existing arrangements whereby affiliates of Exelon and affiliates of the Company have provided various services to each other. In connection with the separation, we (including our subsidiaries) expect to enter into agreements with Exelon that have either not existed historically, or that may be on different terms than the terms of the existing arrangement or agreements.

 

Agreements with Exelon Related to the Separation

 

This section of the information statement summarizes material agreements between us and Exelon that will govern the ongoing relationships between the two companies after the separation and are intended to provide for an orderly transition to our status as an independent, publicly-traded company. Additional or modified agreements, arrangements and transactions, each of which would be negotiated at arm’s length, may be entered into between us and Exelon after the separation.

 

Following the separation, we and Exelon will operate independently, and neither company will have any ownership interest in the other. Before the separation, we will enter into a separation agreement and several other agreements with Exelon related to the separation. These agreements will govern the relationship between us and Exelon after completion of the separation and provide for the allocation between us and Exelon of various assets, liabilities, rights and obligations. The following is a summary of the terms of the material agreements we expect to enter into with Exelon. These summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the applicable agreements, which will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part.

 

Separation Agreement

 

We intend to enter into a separation agreement with Exelon prior to the distribution of shares of our common stock to Exelon shareholders. The separation agreement will provide for the allocation of assets and liabilities between us and Exelon and will establish certain rights and obligations between the parties following the distribution. We have not yet finalized all of the terms of the separation agreement, and we intend to include additional details on the terms of this agreement in an amendment to this information statement.

 

Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities. The separation agreement will provide for certain transfers of assets and assumptions of liabilities that are necessary in connection with our separation from Exelon so that each of Exelon and the Company is allocated the assets necessary to operate its respective businesses and retains or assumes the liabilities allocated to it in accordance with the separation plan. The separation agreement will also provide for the settlement or extinguishment of certain liabilities and other obligations among Exelon and the Company. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 

Further Assurances. To the extent that any transfers of assets or assumptions of liabilities contemplated by the separation agreement have not been consummated on or prior to the date of the distribution, the parties will agree to cooperate reasonably with each other and use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such transfers or assumptions as promptly as reasonably practicable following the date of the distribution. In addition, each of the parties will agree to cooperate reasonably with the other and use commercially reasonable efforts to take or to cause to be taken all actions, and to do, or to cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary under applicable law or contractual obligations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by the separation agreement and the ancillary agreements.

 

Representations and Warranties. In general, neither we nor Exelon will make any representations or warranties regarding any assets or liabilities transferred or assumed, any consents or approvals that may be required in connection with such transfers or assumptions, the value or freedom from any lien or other security interest of any assets transferred, the absence of any defenses relating to any claim of either party or the legal sufficiency of any conveyance documents, or any other matters.

 

Except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement or in any ancillary agreement, all assets will be transferred on an “as is, where is” basis.

 

The Distribution. The separation agreement will govern certain rights and obligations of the parties regarding the proposed distribution and certain actions that must occur prior to the proposed distribution, such as the election of officers and directors and the adoption of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws.

 

 

Prior to the distribution, Exelon will deliver all the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock to the Distribution Agent. Following the distribution date, the Distribution Agent will electronically deliver the shares of our common stock to Exelon shareholders based on each holder of Exelon common stock receiving share of Company common stock for every share of Exelon common stock held by such shareholder. The Exelon board of directors will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine (and change) the terms of, and whether to proceed with, the distribution and, to the extent it determines to so proceed, to determine the date of the distribution.

 

Conditions. The separation agreement will provide that the distribution is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. For further information regarding these conditions, see “The Separation—Conditions to the Distribution.” The Exelon board of directors may, in its sole discretion, determine the distribution date and the terms of the distribution and, until the distribution has occurred, the Exelon board of directors has the right to elect not to proceed with the distribution in its sole discretion, even if all of the conditions are satisfied.

 

Termination. The separation agreement will provide that it may be terminated by Exelon at any time in its sole discretion prior to the distribution.

 

Intercompany Accounts. The separation agreement will provide that, subject to any provisions in the separation agreement or any ancillary agreement to the contrary, prior to the distribution, intercompany accounts will be settled as will be set forth in the separation agreement.

 

Release of Claims and Indemnification. We and Exelon will agree to broad mutual general releases pursuant to which we will each release the other and certain related persons specified in the separation agreement from any claims against any of them that arise out of or relate to events, circumstances or actions occurring or failing to occur or alleged to occur or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to exist at or prior to the time of the distribution. These mutual general releases will be subject to certain exceptions set forth in the separation agreement and the ancillary agreements.

 

The separation agreement will provide for cross-indemnities that, except as otherwise provided in the separation agreement, are principally designed to place financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of our business with us, and financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of Exelon’s business with Exelon.

 

The amount of each party’s indemnification obligations will be subject to reduction by any insurance proceeds actually received by the party being indemnified. The separation agreement will also specify procedures with respect to claims subject to indemnification and related matters. Indemnification with respect to taxes will be governed solely by the tax matters agreement.

 

Insurance. The separation agreement will provide for the allocation among the parties of benefits under existing insurance policies for occurrences prior to the distribution and sets forth procedures for the administration of insured claims. The separation agreement will allocate among the parties the right to proceeds and the obligation to incur deductibles under certain insurance policies.

 

Other Matters Governed by the Separation Agreement. Other matters governed by the separation agreement will include access to financial and other information, confidentiality, access to and provision of records and treatment of outstanding guarantees and similar credit support.

 

Transition Services Agreement

 

We intend to enter into a transition services agreement with Exelon under which Exelon will provide us with certain services, we will provide Exelon with certain services, or both of us will mutually provide certain services, for a prescribed period of time following the distribution to help ensure an orderly transition following the distribution.

 

 

Services. The services are expected to include specified accounting, finance, information technology, human resources, employee benefits and other services that are currently provided on a centralized basis by Exelon Business Services Company. The most extensive of these services will be the provision by Exelon and its third party vendors to us of information technology systems support while we establish our own standalone systems. Other services, such as accounting, finance, human resources, security and employee benefits, are expected to provide interim support as our and Exelon’s staffing is filled-out post-separation. Services are to be provided in a manner, scope, nature, timeliness and quality consistent with the provision of those services prior to the separation. In addition, from time to time during the term of the agreement, we and Exelon may mutually agree to expand the scope of services, to provide additional services and to cease provision of any services that are no longer required.

 

Payment. A recipient of any such services used will pay the provider for such services at agreed amounts as set forth in the agreement. Invoices are generally expected to be sent monthly or as prescribed in the agreement.

 

Administration. The agreement provides for the formation of a TSA Oversight Committee to administer requests for expanded or additional services and requests to terminate scheduled services earlier than the term assigned to that service in the agreement. The committee will be composed of representatives from Exelon and us.

 

Representations and Warranties. Except as noted above with respect to the manner, scope, nature, timeliness and quality of services, neither we nor Exelon will make any representations or warranties regarding the services provided by it under the agreement. Except as expressly set forth in the agreement, all services will be provided on an “as is, where is” basis.

 

Indemnification; Limitation on Liability. Each of Exelon and us, in our respective capacity as a service provider, has agreed to indemnify the other, in its capacity as a service recipient, for losses arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of services or a material breach of the agreement. The agreement limits a party’s liability to the aggregate amount received by that party in respect of services provided under the agreement.

 

Term; Termination. The obligation to provide a described service, and the ability to request that service, will be subject to a specified term, which, except for specified information technology-related services, will not exceed 24 months. Specified information technology services may be provided by Exelon to us for up to 36 months following the separation.

 

Tax Matters Agreement

 

We intend to enter into a tax matters agreement with Exelon that will govern the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of Exelon and us after the separation with respect to tax liabilities and benefits, tax attributes, tax returns, tax contests and other tax sharing regarding U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income taxes, other tax matters and related tax returns.

 

Responsibility and Indemnification for Taxes. As a subsidiary of Exelon, we have (and will continue to have following the separation) joint and several liability with Exelon to the IRS for the combined U.S. federal income taxes of the Exelon consolidated group relating to the taxable periods in which we were part of that group. However, the tax matters agreement will specify the portion of this tax liability for which we will bear responsibility, and we and Exelon will each agree to indemnify each other against any amounts for which such indemnified party is not responsible. Specifically, we will generally be liable for taxes due and payable in connection with tax returns that we are required to file. We will also generally be liable for our share of certain taxes required to be paid by Exelon with respect to taxable years or periods (or portions thereof) ending on or prior to the separation to the extent that we would have been responsible for such taxes under the existing Exelon tax sharing agreement.

 

The tax matters agreement will also provide special rules for allocating tax liabilities in the event that the separation or any other related transaction is not completely tax-free. Our share of such taxes will be based on the facts and circumstances giving rise to such taxes, including whether such taxes are attributable to actions undertaken by us (or with respect to our stock).

 

Tax Refunds and Attributes. The tax matters agreement will provide for the allocation of certain pre-closing tax attributes between us and Exelon. Tax attributes generally will be allocated in accordance with the principles set forth in the existing Exelon tax sharing agreement, unless otherwise required by law. In addition, under the tax matters agreement, we generally will be entitled to refunds for taxes for which we are responsible under the tax matters agreement. We will also be entitled to be compensated for certain tax credit carryforwards that are utilized by Exelon after the separation.

 

 

Restrictive Covenants. The tax matters agreement will provide for certain covenants that may restrict our ability to pursue strategic or other transactions if such transactions could implicate the tax-free nature of the separation. These restrictive covenants could prevent us from undertaking certain transactions that otherwise could optimize or maximize the value of our business. Under the tax matters agreement, we may under certain circumstances be permitted to pursue transactions that would otherwise be restricted under the tax matters agreement by obtaining a tax opinion or private letter ruling.

 

Tax Return Preparation. Exelon generally will prepare tax returns for pre-distribution periods for Exelon and its affiliates, other than tax returns that we are required to file on a stand-alone basis.

 

Representations and Warranties. We and Exelon will make certain representations to one another in the tax matters agreement as to the tax-free status of the separation.

 

Cooperation and Exchange of Information. Under the tax matters agreement, we and Exelon will cooperate with one another in connection with the filing of tax returns and the conduct of tax contests. As a general matter, the party responsible under the tax matters agreement for taxes that are the subject of a tax contest will have the right to control such tax contest, except that Exelon will in all events control tax contests relating to whether the separation was undertaken on a tax-free basis. We may, under certain circumstances, be required to reimburse Exelon for third party costs and expenses incurred by Exelon in connection with tax contests relating to taxes for which we may be liable.

 

Indemnity Obligations and Payments. Under the tax matters agreement, we and Exelon generally will be required to indemnify one another against certain liabilities, costs, or expenses arising out of the fraudulent or negligent preparation of a tax return or claim for refund.

 

Scope. Although valid as between the parties, the tax matters agreement will not be binding on the IRS.

 

Employee Matters Agreement

 

We intend to enter into an employee matters agreement with Exelon that will govern the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of Exelon and the Company after the spin-off with respect to employment matters and employee and retiree compensation and benefits. The employee matters agreement will govern the allocation of employees between Exelon and the Company, the treatment of Exelon equity-based awards in connection with the spin-off and the allocation and treatment of assets and liabilities related to incentive plans, retirement plans and employee health and welfare benefit plans in which transferred employees participated prior to the spin-off.

 

Treatment of Exelon Equity-Based Awards. In general, the employee matters agreement will provide for Exelon equity-based awards held by our employees (including restricted stock units (RSUs), restricted stock, deferred stock units and stock options) to be converted into Company equity-based awards of equivalent value, and awards held by Exelon employees and nonemployee directors will be adjusted to preserve value and will continue as Exelon awards.

 

With respect to performance-based equity awards, Exelon performance share awards granted in 2020 will be replaced with an RSU award subject solely to time-based vesting (with shares denoted in Company stock, for our employees), with the number of underlying shares determined based on projected performance results through the end of the performance period. Exelon performance share awards granted in 2021 will be either converted to a Company performance share award of equivalent value (for our employees) or adjusted to preserve their value (for Exelon employees). Applicable performance criteria for Company performance share awards will be determined by our Board, and performance goals for adjusted Exelon performance share awards will be equitably adjusted by the Exelon Compensation Committee.

 

In addition, the employee matters agreement provides that, following the spin-off, we will adopt an employee stock purchase plan that is similar to Exelon’s employee stock purchase plan.

 

Treatment of Employee Benefit Plans. The employee matters agreement will provide for the allocation and treatment of assets and liabilities related to the Exelon qualified and non-qualified retirement plans and employee health and welfare benefit plans in which transferred employees participated prior to the spin-off.

 

 

With respect to retirement plans, certain qualified retirement plans (i.e., 401(k) and pension plans) that are specific to our employees will be transferred in whole to the Company, including all associated assets and liabilities. In addition, Exelon retirement, pension and deferred compensation plans will transfer any assets and liabilities under those plans relating to current and former employees of our business to new Company plans, which we will establish concurrently with spin-off.

 

With respect to health and welfare plans, we will establish and maintain new employee health and welfare benefit plans (e.g., medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability) in which current and former employees of our business will participate following the spin-off (including retiree health and welfare benefit plans). The employee matters agreement further requires us to recognize the transferred employees’ (i) past Exelon service for participation and vesting purposes, (ii) payments made prior to the spin-off toward deductibles, co-payments and out-of-pocket maximums, (iii) beneficiary designations and (iv) flexible spending account balances. In addition, the employee matters agreement provides that Company subaccounts in Exelon “voluntary employees’ beneficiary association” (VEBA) trusts will be transferred to new VEBA trusts that we will establish concurrently with the spin-off.

 

Other Benefit and Compensation Arrangements. In addition to the matters described above, the employee matters agreement includes the following provisions relating to employee benefit and compensation arrangements:

 

·

The Company will establish an annual bonus program for our employees for performance periods following the spin-off;

 

·

The Company will adopt severance plans and policies for our employees that are substantially similar to the Exelon severance plans and policies under which they were covered prior to the spin-off;

 

	·	The Company will assume liability for our employees’ vacation, holiday, sick leave and personal days off, including vacation days accrued prior to the spin-off; and
	·	The Company will cooperate with Exelon following the spin-off on matters relating to the employee matters agreement, including by sharing employee data and personnel records.

 

Issuance and Grant of Company Common Stock to Certain Related Persons

 

With respect to any long-term incentive equity awards, it is expected that our compensation committee will develop programs reflecting appropriate measures, goals, targets and business objectives based on the Company’s competitive marketplace. The amount and timing of any equity-based compensation to be paid to certain related persons at or following the distribution will be determined by our compensation committee and will generally be granted pursuant to a new equity incentive plan to be adopted by the Company in connection with becoming an independent, publicly-traded company. These programs and/or arrangements will be described in greater detail in a subsequent amendment to the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part.

 

Policies and Procedures Regarding Related Party Transactions

 

In connection with the separation, we expect that our board will adopt a written policy and procedures with respect to related person transactions, which will include specific provisions for the approval of related person transactions. Pursuant to this policy, related person transactions would include a transaction, arrangement or relationship or series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which we and certain enumerated related persons participate, the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and the related person has a direct or indirect material interest. We expect our nominating and governance committee will review: (i) potential conflict of interest situations on an ongoing basis, (ii) any future proposed transaction, or series of transactions, with related persons, and (iii) either approve or disapprove each reviewed transaction or series of related transactions with related persons.

 

In the event that a related person transaction is identified, such transaction will be reviewed and approved or ratified by our nominating and governance committee. If it is impracticable for our nominating and governance committee to review such transaction, pursuant to the policy, the transaction will be reviewed by the chair of our nominating and governance committee, whereupon the chair will report to the nominating and governance committee the approval or disapproval of such transaction.

 

In reviewing and approving related person transactions, pursuant to the policy, the nominating and governance committee, or its chair, shall consider all information believed to be relevant and important to a review of the transaction and shall approve only those related person transactions that are determined to be in, or not inconsistent with, our best interests and that of our shareholders, taking into account all available relevant facts and circumstances available . Pursuant to the policy, these facts and circumstances will typically include, but not be limited to, the benefits of the transaction to us; the impact on a director’s independence in the event the related person is a director, an immediate family member of a director or an entity in which a director is a partner, shareholder or executive officer; the availability of other sources for comparable products or services; the terms of the transaction; and the terms of comparable transactions that would be available to unrelated third parties or to employees generally. Pursuant to the policy, we expect that no member of the nominating and governance committee shall participate in any review, consideration or approval of any related person transaction with respect to which the member or any of his or her immediate family members is the related person.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

We expect that Generation will enter into an amended and restated credit agreement providing for a revolving credit facility. The credit agreement will include availability for letters of credit and for short-term borrowings and is expected to be unsecured. A description of that credit agreement is expected to be included in an amendment to the registration statement of which this information statement is a part.

 

Generation is also party to several bilateral credit agreements that support the issuance of letters of credit. The agreements are unsecured, have terms generally reflective of Generation’s revolving credit agreement and include committed and uncommitted facilities. See Note 17—Debt and Credit Agreements of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this information statement for a description of these agreements that existed at December 31, 2020.

 

Generation Senior Unsecured Notes

 

As of December 31, 2020, Generation had approximately $4.2 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes outstanding. The notes are unsecured and are not guaranteed by any subsidiaries of Generation. The notes range in maturity from 2022 to 2042, and bear interest ranging from 3.25% to 7.60%. The indenture governing the notes requires Generation to maintain its limited liability company existence and contains restrictions on its ability to merge, consolidate or sell all or substantially all of its assets. The indenture does not limit the ability of Generation to incur additional indebtedness, including the issuance of additional notes.

 

Accounts Receivable Facility

 

On April 8, 2020, NewEnergy Receivables LLC (“NER”), a bankruptcy remote, special purpose entity, which is wholly-owned by us, entered into a revolving accounts receivable financing facility with a number of financial institutions and a commercial paper conduit (“Purchasers”) to sell certain customer accounts receivable. The facility was renewed on March 29, 2021. In the renewal, the facility’s term was extended through March 29, 2024, unless further renewed by the mutual consent of the parties, and the maximum funding limit was increased to $900 million. Under the facility, NER may sell eligible short-term customer accounts receivable to the Purchasers in exchange for cash and subordinated interest. The transfers are reported as sales of receivables in Generation’s consolidated financial statements. The subordinated interest in collections upon the receivables sold to the Purchasers is referred to as the Deferred Purchase Price, which is reflected in Other current assets on Generation’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Nonrecourse Debt

 

We have issued nonrecourse debt financing, in which approximately $2.2 billion of generating assets have been pledged as collateral at December 31, 2020. Borrowings under these agreements are secured by the assets and equity of each respective project. The lenders do not have recourse against us in the event of a default. If a specific project financing entity does not maintain compliance with its specific nonrecourse debt financing covenants, there could be a requirement to accelerate repayment of the associated debt or other borrowings earlier than the stated maturity dates. In these instances, if such repayment was not satisfied, the lenders or security holders would generally have rights to foreclose against the project-specific assets and related collateral. The potential requirement to satisfy its associated debt or other borrowings earlier than otherwise anticipated could lead to impairments due to a higher likelihood of disposing of the respective project-specific assets significantly before the end of their useful lives. See Note 17—Debt and Credit Agreements of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this information statement for more information regarding these nonrecourse debt financings.

 

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

As of the date of this information statement, all of the outstanding shares of our common stock are beneficially owned by Exelon. After the separation, Exelon will not own any shares of our common stock. The percentage values are based on shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2020, which will be updated closer to the distribution date.

 

The following tables provide information with respect to the anticipated beneficial ownership of our common stock by:

 

·

each of our shareholders who we believe (based on the assumptions described below) will beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;

·

each of our directors and nominees;

·

each of the individuals we expect to be our named executive officers; and

·

all of our directors and executive officers following the separation as a group.

 

To the extent our directors and executive officers own Exelon common stock at the record date of the distribution, they will participate in the distribution on the same terms as other holders of Exelon common stock.

 

Except as otherwise noted in the footnotes below, each person or entity identified in the tables below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities owned by such person or entity. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each director and executive officer is c/o the Company,     .

 

Immediately following the separation, we estimate that approximately million shares of our common stock will be issued and outstanding, based on the number of shares of Exelon common stock expected to be outstanding as of the record date and based on each holder of Exelon common stock receiving share of Company common stock for each share of Exelon common stock. The actual number of shares of our common stock outstanding following the separation will be determined on     , 2022, the record date.

 

		Shares				Percentage
Name and address of beneficial owner			beneficially owned				of class
The Vanguard Group(1)			83,391,341				8.56	%
100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355
BlackRock, Inc.(2)			77,161,858				7.9	%
55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055
Wellington Management Group LLP(3)			75,359,646				7.74	%
Wellington Group Holdings LLP
Wellington Investment Advisors Holdings LLP
c/o Wellington Management Company LLP
280 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210
State Street Corporation(4)			59,883,500				6.15	%
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111

 

(1)

The Vanguard Group disclosed in its Schedule 13G/A that it has sole power to vote or direct the vote of 0 shares, shared voting power over 1,573,299 shares, sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of 79,113,691 shares, and shared dispositive power over 4,277,650 shares.

 

(2)

BlackRock, Inc. disclosed in its Schedule 13G/A that it has sole power to vote or to direct the vote of 66,117,799 shares and sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of 77,161,858 shares.

 

(3)

Wellington Management Group LLP, Wellington Group Holdings LLP, Wellington Investment Advisors Holdings LLP, and Wellington Management Company LLP disclosed in its Schedule 13G/A that it has shared voting power over 73,362,922 shares and shared dispositive power over 75,359,646.

 

(4)

State Street Corporation disclosed in its Schedule 13G that it has shared voting power over 46,649,195 shares and shared dispositive power over 59,831,569 shares.

 

 

						Common Stock
		Beneficial Ownership				Underlying Options				Total Shares
		of Common Stock				Exercisable Within				Beneficially Owned
Directors and Named Executive Officers		(Note 1)				60 Days				(Note 2)
Anthony Anderson			30,999				0				30,999
Ann Berzin			100,276				0				100,276
Laurie Brlas			8,180				0				8,180
Marjorie Rodgers Cheshire			2,255				0				2,255
Yves de Balmann			79,120				0				79,120
Nicholas DeBenedictis			66,390				0				66,390
Linda Jojo			20,849				0				20,849
Paul Joskow			57,987				0				57,987
Robert Lawless			118,920				0				118,920
John Richardson			5,101				0				5,101
Mayo Shattuck III			310,619				0				310,619
John Young			8,980				0				8,980
Christopher M. Crane			717,588				285,000				1,002,588
Joseph Nigro			153,086				13,000				166,086
Kenneth W. Cornew			127,330				70,000				197,330
William A. Von Hoene, Jr.			262,670				88,000				350,670
Calvin G. Butler Jr.			139,157				0				139,157
Directors & Executive Officers as a group (24 people) (Note 3)			2,587,525				488,000				3,075,525

 

(1)

Includes any shares as to which the individual has sole or shared voting or investment power, Directors’ deferred stock units, officers’ RSUs and deferred shares held in the Stock Deferral Plan, and Directors’ and officers’ phantom shares held in a non-qualified deferred compensation plan which will be settled in cash on a 1 for 1 basis upon retirement or termination.

 

(2)

Total share interest of Directors and executive officers, both individually and as a group, represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Exelon common stock.

 

(3)

Total includes shares held by all Directors and NEOs as well as Exelon executive officers listed in Item 1, “Executive Officers of the Registrants” in Exelon’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 24, 2021, who are not NEOs for purposes of compensation disclosure.

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws will be amended and restated prior to the consummation of the separation. The following description of certain terms of our common stock as it will be in effect upon completion of the separation is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws. We have not yet finalized the terms of our amended and restated articles of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws and will include expanded descriptions thereof in an amendment to this information statement. The articles of incorporation and bylaws, each in a form expected to be in effect at the time of the distribution, will be included as exhibits to the registration statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

Under “Description of Capital Stock,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “our company” refer to the Company and not to any of its subsidiaries, “Articles” refer to our articles of incorporation that are expected to be in effect prior to the consummation of the separation, and “Charter Documents” refer to our Articles and bylaws that are expected to be in effect prior to the consummation of the separation.

 

Authorized Capital Stock

 

Prior to the distribution date, our board of directors and Exelon, as our sole shareholder, will approve and adopt amended and restated versions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws. Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, authorized capital stock will consist of shares of our common stock, without par value, and shares of our preferred stock, without par value.

 

 

Common Stock

 

We estimate that shares of our common stock will be issued and outstanding immediately after the separation, based on the number of shares of Exelon common stock that we expect will be outstanding as of the record date. The actual number of shares of our common stock outstanding following the separation will be determined on , 2022, the record date.

 

Dividends. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably those dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors, in its discretion, out of funds legally available therefor, subject to any preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred stock.

 

Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided in the Charter Documents or by law, the holders of common stock have the exclusive voting power, and every holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for every share of common stock standing in the name of the shareholder on the Company’s books. Except as otherwise provided in the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law (the “PBCL”) or the Charter Documents, whenever any corporate action is to be taken by vote of the shareholders of the Company, it shall be authorized by a majority of the votes cast at a duly organized meeting of shareholders by the holders of shares entitled to vote thereon. The shareholders of the Company may act only at a duly organized meeting. The board of directors of the Company shall have the full authority permitted by law to determine the voting rights, if any, and designations, preferences, limitations, and special rights of any class or any series of any class of preferred stock that may be desired to the extent not determined by the Charter Documents.

 

Liquidation Rights. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets and funds available for distribution after the payment of all of the Company’s liabilities and subject to the liquidation preferences of any outstanding preferred stock.

 

Other Rights and Preferences. The Company’s common stock does not carry preemptive rights, is not redeemable, does not have any conversion rights, is not subject to further calls and is not subject to any sinking fund provisions. The rights and preferences of holders of the Company’s common stock are subject to the rights of any series of preferred stock that the Company may issue.

 

Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

Potential Issuances of the Company’s Preferred Stock

 

Although we do not currently have any shares of preferred stock outstanding, we are authorized under our amended and restated articles of incorporation to issue shares of preferred stock, and the rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future. The Articles also authorize our board of directors to establish, from the authorized but unissued shares, one or more series of the shares of preferred stock and to determine, with respect to any such series of the Company’s preferred shares, the terms and rights of such series, including, for example, the designation, the preferences, limitations and special rights.

 

The authorized shares of the Company, including shares of preferred stock and common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by the Company’s shareholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Company’s securities may be listed or traded.

 

Provisions for Shareholder Nominations and Shareholder Proposals at Annual Meetings.

 

Our bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for shareholders to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before annual meetings of the Company’s shareholders (the “Shareholder Notice Procedure”). The Shareholder Notice Procedure requires that written notice of nominations or proposals for substantive business must be received by the Company not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the Company first mailed its proxy materials to shareholders for the prior year’s annual meeting of shareholders; provided, that nothing in the bylaws affects any rights of shareholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

A shareholder who wishes to recommend a candidate (including a self-nomination) to be considered by the nominating and governance committee of our board for nomination as a director must submit the recommendation in writing to the chair of the nominating and governance committee as set forth in the bylaws. The nominating and governance committee will consider all recommended candidates and self-nominees when making its recommendation to the full board of directors to nominate a slate of directors for election. In order to nominate a candidate for election as a director, a shareholder must comply with the Shareholder Notice Procedure in our bylaws and the notice must include information set forth in the bylaws. Under this procedure, any shareholder can nominate any number of candidates for director for election at the annual meeting, but the shareholder’s nominees will not be included in the Company’s proxy statement or form of proxy for the meeting.

 

 

Provisions Relating to the Election of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

Under our Charter Documents, shareholders are entitled to only one vote for each share held in all elections for directors. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of votes cast in any election in which the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected.

 

Removal of Company Directors. Under the Articles, the entire board of directors or any individual director may be removed from office by vote of the shareholders entitled to vote thereon only for cause.

 

Director Vacancies. Under the Articles, vacancies in the board of directors, including vacancies resulting from an increase in the number of directors or from the failure by shareholders to elect the full authorized number of directors, may only be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the board, or by a sole remaining director, and each person so selected shall be a director to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders, and until a successor has been selected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

Amendment to Articles.

 

In addition to any other vote that may be required by law, applicable stock exchange rule or terms of any series of preferred stock, any amendment to the articles requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, except for amendments on matters specified in Section 1914(c) of the PBCL that do not require shareholder approval.

 

Amendment to Bylaws.

 

Except as otherwise provided for in the express terms of any series of the shares of the Company, any one or more provisions of our bylaws may be altered or repealed by the board of directors. The shareholders or the board of directors may adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws except that the board of directors may not adopt, alter or repeal bylaws that the PBCL specifies may be adopted only by shareholders.

 

Special Meeting of Company Shareholders.

 

The Charter Documents do not contain a provision permitting shareholders to call a special meeting.

 

Shareholder Action by Written Consent.

 

The Charter Documents do not contain a provision permitting action by written consent of the shareholders.

 

Pennsylvania Anti-Takeover Statutes.

 

Under Section 1715 of the PBCL, directors stand in a fiduciary relation to their corporation and, as such, are required to perform their duties in good faith, in a manner they reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the corporation and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, skill and diligence, as a person of ordinary prudence would use under similar circumstances. In discharging their duties, directors may, in considering the best interests of their corporation, consider various constituencies, including, shareholders, employees, suppliers, customers and creditors of the corporation, and upon communities in which offices or other establishments of the corporation are located. Absent a breach of fiduciary duty, a lack of good faith or self-dealing, any act of the board of directors, a committee thereof or an individual director is presumed to be in the best interests of the corporation. The PBCL expressly provides that the fiduciary duty of directors does not require them to (i) redeem or otherwise render inapplicable outstanding rights issued under any shareholder rights plan; (ii) render inapplicable the anti-takeover statutes set forth in Chapter 25 of the PBCL (described below); or (iii) take any action solely because of the effect it may have on a proposed acquisition or the consideration to be received by shareholders in such a transaction.

 

 

Chapter 25 of the PBCL contains several anti-takeover statutes applicable to publicly-traded corporations. Corporations may opt-out of such anti-takeover statutes under certain circumstances. We have not opted-out of any of such statutes.

 

Section 2538 of Subchapter 25D of the PBCL requires certain transactions with an “interested shareholder” to be approved by a majority of disinterested shareholders. “Interested shareholder” is defined broadly to include any shareholder who is a party to the transaction or who is treated differently than other shareholders and affiliates of the corporation.

 

Subchapter 25E of the PBCL requires a person or group of persons acting in concert which acquires 20% or more of the voting shares of the corporation to offer to purchase the shares of any other shareholder at “fair value.” “Fair value” means the value not less than the highest price paid by the controlling person or group during the 90-day period prior to the control transaction, plus a control premium. Among other exceptions, Subchapter 25E does not apply to shares acquired directly from the corporation in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to a one-step merger.

 

Subchapter 25F of the PBCL generally establishes a 5-year moratorium on a “business combination” with an “interested shareholder.” “Interested shareholder” is defined generally to be any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the corporation's voting stock. “Business combination” is defined broadly to include mergers, consolidations, asset sales and certain self-dealing transactions. Certain restrictions apply to business combination following the 5-year period. Among other exceptions, Subchapter 25F will be rendered inapplicable if the board of directors approves the proposed business combination or approves the interested shareholder's acquisition of 20% of the voting shares, in either case prior to the date on which the shareholder first becomes an interested shareholder.

 

Subchapter 25G of the PBCL provides that “control shares” lose voting rights unless such rights are restored by the affirmative vote of a majority of (i) the disinterested shares (generally, shares held by persons other than the acquirer, executive officers of the corporation and certain employee stock plans) and (ii) the outstanding voting shares of the corporation. “Control shares” are defined as shares which, upon acquisition, will result in a person or group acquiring for the first time voting control over (a) 20%, (b) 331/3% or (c) 50% or more of the outstanding shares, together with shares acquired within 180 days of attaining the applicable threshold and shares purchased with the intention of attaining such threshold. A corporation may redeem control shares if the acquiring person does not request restoration of voting rights as permitted by Subchapter 25G. Among other exceptions, Subchapter 25G does not apply to a merger, consolidation or a share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction agreement.

 

Subchapter 25H of the PBCL provides in certain circumstances for the recovery by the corporation of profits realized from the sale of its stock by a controlling person or group if the sale occurs within 18 months after the controlling person or group became a controlling person or group, and the stock was acquired during such 18-month period or within 24 months before such period. A controlling person or group is a person or group that has acquired, offered to acquire, or publicly disclosed an intention to acquire 20% or more of the voting shares of the corporation. Among other exceptions, Subchapter 25H does not apply to transactions approved by both the board of directors and the shareholders prior to the acquisition or distribution, as appropriate.

 

Subchapter 25I of the PBCL mandates severance compensation for eligible employees who are terminated within 24 months after the approval of a control share acquisition. Eligible employees generally are all employees employed in Pennsylvania for at least two years prior to the control share approval. Severance equals the weekly compensation of the employee multiplied by the employee's years of service (up to 26 years), less payments made due to the termination.

 

Subchapter 25J of the PBCL requires the continuation of certain labor contracts relating to business operations owned at the time of a control share approval.]

 

Limitations on Liability of Directors and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Pennsylvania law requires that to the extent that one of our directors or officers has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action or proceeding referred to above or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, that director or officer shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorney fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. Our amended and restated bylaws further provide that the right to indemnification includes the right to have expenses reasonably incurred in defending any action or proceeding described above paid by us in advance of the final disposition of the action or proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by Pennsylvania law; provided that, if required by Pennsylvania law, the payment of such expenses incurred in advance of the final disposition of the action or proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to us of an undertaking to repay all amounts so advanced without interest if it is ultimately determined that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified. The PBCL provides that indemnification shall not be made in respect in any case where the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness.

 

 

Our Charter Documents will provide that, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the PBCL, as now in effect or as amended, we may indemnify any officer, employee or agent of the Company. Any amendment of this provision will not reduce our indemnification obligations relating to actions taken before an amendment.

 

We are in the process of drafting policies meant to insure our directors and officers and those of our subsidiaries against certain liabilities they may incur in their capacities as directors and officers. Under these policies, the insurer, on our behalf, may also pay amounts for which we have granted indemnification to the directors or officers.

 

Listing and Trading

 

We intend to have our shares of common stock listed on NASDAQ. We expect our shares to trade under the ticker symbol “ .”

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is EQ Shareholder Services.

 

 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed a Registration Statement on Form 10 with the SEC with respect to the shares of common stock that Exelon shareholders will receive in the distribution. This information statement does not contain all of the information contained in the Registration Statement on Form 10 and the exhibits and schedules to the Registration Statement on Form 10. Some items are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For additional information relating to us and the separation, reference is made to the Registration Statement on Form 10 and the exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form 10, which are on file at the offices of the SEC. Statements contained in this information statement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance, if the contract or document is filed as an exhibit, reference is made to the copy of the contract or other documents filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form 10. Each statement is qualified in all respects by the relevant reference.

 

The SEC maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov, from which you can electronically access the Registration Statement on Form 10, including the exhibits and schedules to the Registration Statement on Form 10.

 

We maintain an Internet site at . Our Internet site and the information contained on that site, or connected to that site, are not incorporated into the information statement or the Registration Statement on Form 10.

 

As a result of the distribution, we will be required to comply with the full informational requirements of the Exchange Act. We will fulfill our obligations with respect to these requirements by filing periodic reports and other information with the SEC. We plan to make available, free of charge, on our Internet site our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, reports filed pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such materials to the SEC.

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this information statement or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information or to make any representation not contained in this information statement.

 

 

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

 

Except where the context suggests otherwise, we define certain terms in this information statement as follows:

 

ACE		Atlantic City Electric Company
AEC		Alternative Energy Credit that is issued for each megawatt hour of generation from a qualified alternative energy source
AESO		Alberta Electric Systems Operator
AIP		Annual Incentive Plan
Antelope Valley		Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One
ARC		Asset Retirement Cost
ARO		Asset Retirement Obligation
ASA		Asset Sale Agreement
Bcf		Billion cubic feet
BGE		Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
BSC		Exelon Business Services Company, LLC
CAISO		California ISO
CBPP		Cash Balance Pension Plan
CENG		Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC
CERCLA		Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended
CES		Clean Energy Standard
C&I		Commercial and Industrial
Clean Air Act		Clean Air Act of 1963, as amended
Clean Energy Law		Illinois Public Act 102-0662 signed into law on September 15, 2021
Clean Water Act		Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972, as amended
CMC		Carbon Mitigation Credit
CODM		Chief Operating Decision Maker
ComEd		Commonwealth Edison Company
Company		Constellation Newholdco, Inc.
Constellation		Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit		United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
DOE		United States Department of Energy
DOEE		Washington, DC Department of Energy & Environment
DOJ		United States Department of Justice
DPL		Delmarva Power & Light Company
EDF		Electricite de France SA and its subsidiaries
EFEC		Emissions-Free Energy Certificate
EGR IV		ExGen Renewables IV, LLC
EGRP		ExGen Renewables Partners, LLC
EPA		United States Environmental Protection Agency
EPS		Earnings per share
ERCOT		Electric Reliability Council of Texas
ERISA		Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
Exelon		Exelon Corporation
FASB		Financial Accounting Standards Board
FEJA		Illinois Public Act 99-0906 or Future Energy Jobs Act
FERC		United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FFO		Funds from operations
FitzPatrick		James A. FitzPatrick nuclear generating station

 

 

FRCC		Florida Reliability Coordinating Council
FRR		Fixed Resource Requirement
GAAP		Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States
Generation		Exelon Generation Company, LLC
GHG		Greenhouse Gas
Ginna		R. E. Ginna nuclear generating station
GWh		Gigawatt hour
ICC		Illinois Commerce Commission
ICE		Intercontinental Exchange
IPA		Illinois Power Agency
IRC		Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
IRS		Internal Revenue Service
ISO		Independent System Operator
ISO-NE		ISO New England Inc.
kW		Kilowatt
kWh		Kilowatt-hour
LIBOR		London Interbank Offered Rate
LLRW		Low-Level Radioactive Waste
LNG		Liquefied Natural Gas
LTIP		Long-Term Incentive Plan
MATS		U.S. EPA Mercury and Air Toxics Rule
MDE		Maryland Department of the Environment
MISO		Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.
MOPR		Minimum Offer Price Rule
MW		Megawatt
MWh		Megawatt hour
NAV		Net Asset Value
NASDAQ		Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
NDT		Nuclear Decommissioning Trust
NEIL		Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited
NEO		Named Executive Officer
NERC		North American Electric Reliability Corporation
NGX		Natural Gas Exchange, Inc.
NJDEP		New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Non-Regulatory Agreement Units		Nuclear generating units or portions thereof whose decommissioning-related activities are not subject to contractual elimination under regulatory accounting
NOSA		Nuclear Operating Services Agreement
NPDES		National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPNS		Normal Purchase Normal Sale scope exception
NRC		United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NWPA		Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982
NYISO		New York ISO
NYMEX		New York Mercantile Exchange
NYPSC		New York Public Service Commission
OCI		Other Comprehensive Income
OIESO		Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator
OPEB		Other Postretirement Employee Benefits

 

 

PA DEP		Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
PAPUC		Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
PCAOB		Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
PECO		PECO Energy Company
Pepco		Potomac Electric Power Company
Pepco Energy Services or PES		Pepco Energy Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries
Pepco Holdings or PHI		Pepco Holdings LLC (formerly Pepco Holdings, Inc.)
PG&E		Pacific Gas and Electric Company
PJM		PJM Interconnection, LLC
POLR		Provider of Last Resort
PPA		Power Purchase Agreement
Price-Anderson Act		Price-Anderson Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act of 1957
PRP		Potentially Responsible Parties
PSEG		Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated
PV		Photovoltaic
RCRA		Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended
REC		Renewable Energy Credit which is issued for each megawatt hour of generation from a qualified renewable energy source
Regulatory Agreement Units		Nuclear generating units or portions thereof whose decommissioning-related activities are subject to contractual elimination under regulatory accounting
RFP		Request for Proposal
RGGI		Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
RIN		Renewable Identification Number
RMC		Risk Management Committee
RNF		Revenue Net of Purchased Power and Fuel Expense
ROE		Return on equity
ROU		Right-of-use
RPG		Renewable Power Generation
RPM		PJM Reliability Pricing Model
RPS		Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards
RSA		Restricted Stock Award
RSU		Restricted Stock Unit
RTO		Regional Transmission Organization
S&P		Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services
SAIFI		System Average Interruption Frequency Index
SAS		Service Annuity System
SEC		United States Securities and Exchange Commission
SERC		SERC Reliability Corporation (formerly Southeast Electric Reliability Council)
SMRP		Supplemental Management Retirement Plan
SNF		Spent Nuclear Fuel
SolGen		SolGen, LLC
SPP		Southwest Power Pool
STEM		Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
TDC		Total Direct Compensation
TMI		Three Mile Island nuclear facility
TSR		Total Shareholder Return
TWh		Terawatt-hour

 

 

Upstream		Natural gas and oil exploration and production activities
VIE		Variable Interest Entity
WECC		Western Electric Coordinating Council
ZEC		Zero Emission Credit
ZES		Zero Emission Standard

 

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

			Page Number
Consolidated financial statements of Exelon Generation Company, LLC for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018			F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018			F-5
Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 31, 2020 and 2019			F-6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018			F-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			F-9

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Member of Exelon Generation Company, LLC

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the consolidated financial statements, including the related notes, as listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2)(i), and the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2)(ii), of Exelon Generation Company, LLC and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Change in Accounting Principle

 

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for leases in 2019.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Critical Audit Matters

 

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

 

Annual Nuclear Decommissioning Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO) Assessment

 

As described in Notes 1 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has a legal obligation to decommission its nuclear generation stations following the expiration of their operating licenses. To estimate its decommissioning obligation related to its nuclear generating stations for financial accounting and reporting purposes, management uses a probability-weighted cash flow model, which on a unit-by-unit basis, considers multiple scenarios that include significant estimates and assumptions such as decommissioning cost studies, cost escalation rates, probabilistic cash flow models and discount rates. Management updates its ARO annually unless circumstances warrant more frequent updates, based on its review of updated cost studies and its annual evaluation of cost escalation factors and probabilities assigned to various scenarios. As of December 31, 2020, the nuclear decommissioning ARO was approximately $11.9 billion.

 

 

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the Company’s annual ARO assessment is a critical audit matter are the significant judgment by management when estimating its decommissioning obligation; this in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating the reasonableness of management’s cash flow model and significant assumptions related to decommissioning cost studies. In addition, the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

 

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s development of the inputs, assumptions, and model used in management’s ARO assessment. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for developing the ARO estimates by evaluating the appropriateness of the cash flow model, testing the completeness and accuracy of data used by management, and evaluating the reasonableness of management’s significant assumptions related to decommissioning cost studies. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating the results of decommissioning cost studies.

 

Impairment Assessment of Long-Lived Generation Assets

 

As described in Notes 1 and 12 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company evaluates 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, or plans to dispose of a long-lived asset significantly before the end of its useful life. Management determines if long-lived assets and 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 expected future cash flows include significant unobservable inputs including revenue and generation forecasts, projected capital and maintenance expenditures and discount rates. As of December 31, 2020, the total carrying value of long-lived generation assets subject to this evaluation was approximately $22.2 billion.

 

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the Company’s impairment assessment of long-lived generation assets is a critical audit matter are the significant judgment by management in assessing the recoverability of these asset groups; this in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and evaluating the reasonableness of management’s significant assumptions related to revenue and generation forecasts. In addition, the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

 

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s development of the inputs, assumptions, and model used to estimate the recoverability and fair value of the Company’s long-lived generation asset groups. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for developing expected future cash flows for long-lived generation asset groups by evaluating the appropriateness of the future cash flow model, testing the completeness and accuracy of the data used by management, and evaluating the reasonableness of management’s significant assumptions related to revenue and generation forecasts. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating the reasonableness of revenue forecasts.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland

 

February 24, 2021

 

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2001.

 

 

Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

 

		For the Years Ended December 31,
(In millions)		2020				2019				2018
Operating revenues
Operating revenues		$	16,392			$	17,752			$	19,169
Operating revenues from affiliates			1,211				1,172				1,268
Total operating revenues			17,603				18,924				20,437
Operating expenses
Purchased power and fuel			9,592				10,849				11,679
Purchased power and fuel from affiliates			(7	)			7				14
Operating and maintenance			4,613				4,131				4,803
Operating and maintenance from affiliates			555				587				661
Depreciation and amortization			2,123				1,535				1,797
Taxes other than income taxes			482				519				556
Total operating expenses			17,358				17,628				19,510
Gain on sales of assets and businesses			11				27				48
Operating income			256				1,323				975
Other income and (deductions)
Interest expense, net			(328	)			(394	)			(396	)
Interest expense to affiliates			(29	)			(35	)			(36	)
Other, net			937				1,023				(178	)
Total other income and (deductions)			580				594				(610	)
Income before income taxes			836				1,917				365
Income taxes			249				516				(108	)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates			(8	)			(184	)			(30	)
Net income			579				1,217				443
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests			(10	)			92				73
Net income attributable to membership interest		$	589			$	1,125			$	370
Comprehensive income, net of income taxes
Net income		$	579			$	1,217			$	443
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges			(2	)			—				12
Unrealized gain on investments in unconsolidated affiliates			—				1				1
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation			4				6				(10	)
Other comprehensive income			2				7				3
Comprehensive income		$	581			$	1,224			$	446
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests			(10	)			93				74
Comprehensive income attributable to membership interest		$	591			$	1,131			$	372

 

 

Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

		For the Years Ended December 31,
(In millions)		2020				2019				2018
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income		$	579			$	1,217			$	443
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion, including nuclear fuel and energy contract amortization			3,636				3,063				3,415
Asset impairments			563				201				50
Gain on sales of assets and businesses			(11	)			(27	)			(48	)
Deferred income taxes and amortization of investment tax credits			78				361				(451	)
Net fair value changes related to derivatives			(270	)			228				307
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on NDT fund investments			(461	)			(663	)			303
Unrealized gain on equity investments			(186	)			—				—
Other non-cash operating activities			18				(124	)			298
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			1,125				(186	)			(359	)
Receivables from and payables to affiliates, net			24				(52	)			8
Inventories			(77	)			(47	)			(12	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			(343	)			(248	)			376
Option premiums paid, net			(139	)			(29	)			(43	)
Collateral received (posted), net			479				(481	)			64
Income taxes			186				302				(193	)
Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit contributions			(255	)			(175	)			(139	)
Other assets and liabilities			(4,362	)			(467	)			(158	)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities			584				2,873				3,861
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures			(1,747	)			(1,845	)			(2,242	)
Proceeds from NDT fund sales			3,341				10,051				8,762
Investment in NDT funds			(3,464	)			(10,087	)			(8,997	)
Collection of DPP			3,771				—				—
Proceeds from sales of assets and businesses			46				52				90
Acquisitions of assets and businesses, net			—				(41	)			(154	)
Other investing activities			11				3				10
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities			1,958				(1,867	)			(2,531	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Change in short-term borrowings			20				320				—
Proceeds from short-term borrowings with maturities greater than 90 days			500				—				—
Issuance of long-term debt			3,155				42				15
Retirement of long-term debt			(4,334	)			(813	)			(141	)
Retirement of long-term debt to affiliate			(550	)			—				—
Changes in Exelon intercompany money pool			285				(100	)			46
Distributions to member			(1,734	)			(899	)			(1,001	)
Contributions from member			64				41				155
Other financing activities			(70	)			(51	)			(55	)
Net cash flows used in financing activities			(2,664	)			(1,460	)			(981	)
(Decrease) increase in cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents			(122	)			(454	)			349
Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents at beginning of period			449				903				554
Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents at end of period		$	327			$	449			$	903
Supplemental cash flow information
Decrease in capital expenditures not paid		$	(88	)		$	(34	)		$	(199	)
Increase in DPP			4,441				—				—
Increase (decrease) in PP&E related to ARO update			850				959				(130	)

 

 

Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

		December 31,
(In millions)		2020				2019
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	226			$	303
Restricted cash and cash equivalents			89				146
Accounts receivable
Customer accounts receivable			1,330				2,973
Customer allowance for credit losses			(32	)			(80	)
Customer accounts receivable, net			1,298				2,893
Other accounts receivable			352				619
Other accounts receivable, net			352				619
Mark-to-market derivative assets			644				675
Receivables from affiliates			153				190
Unamortized energy contract assets			38				47
Inventories, net
Fossil fuel and emission allowances			233				236
Materials and supplies			978				1,026
Renewable energy credits			621				336
Assets held for sale			958				—
Other			1,357				605
Total current assets			6,947				7,076
Property, plant, and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $13,370 and $12,017 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively)			22,214				24,193
Deferred debits and other assets
Nuclear decommissioning trust funds			14,464				13,190
Investments			184				235
Goodwill			47				47
Mark-to-market derivative assets			555				508
Prepaid pension asset			1,558				1,438
Unamortized energy contract assets			293				336
Deferred income taxes			6				12
Other			1,826				1,960
Total deferred debits and other assets			18,933				17,726
Total assets(a)		$	48,094			$	48,995

 

 

Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

		December 31,
(In millions)		2020				2019
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings		$	840			$	320
Long-term debt due within one year			197				2,624
Long-term debt to affiliates due within one year			—				558
Accounts payable			1,253				1,692
Accrued expenses			788				786
Payables to affiliates			107				117
Borrowings from Exelon intercompany money pool			285				—
Mark-to-market derivative liabilities			262				215
Unamortized energy contract liabilities			7				17
Renewable energy credit obligation			661				443
Liabilities held for sale			375				—
Other			444				517
Total current liabilities			5,219				7,289
Long-term debt			5,566				4,464
Long-term debt to affiliates			324				328
Deferred credits and other liabilities
Deferred income taxes and unamortized investment tax credits			3,656				3,752
Asset retirement obligations			12,054				10,603
Non-pension postretirement benefit obligations			858				878
Spent nuclear fuel obligation			1,208				1,199
Payables to affiliates			3,017				3,103
Mark-to-market derivative liabilities			205				123
Unamortized energy contract liabilities			3				11
Other			1,308				1,415
Total deferred credits and other liabilities			22,309				21,084
Total liabilities(a)			33,418				33,165
Commitments and contingencies
Equity
Member’s equity
Membership interest			9,624				9,566
Undistributed earnings			2,805				3,950
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net			(30	)			(32	)
Total member’s equity			12,399				13,484
Noncontrolling interests			2,277				2,346
Total equity			14,676				15,830
Total liabilities and equity		$	48,094			$	48,995

 

(a)

Our consolidated assets include $10,182 million and $9,512 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, of certain VIEs that can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE. Our consolidated liabilities include $3,572 million and $3,429 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, of certain VIEs for which the VIE creditors do not have recourse to us. See Note 21–Variable Interest Entities for additional information.

 

 

 

Exelon Generation Company, LLC and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

 

		Member’s Equity
(In millions)		Membership Interest				Undistributed Earnings				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net				Noncontrolling Interests				Total Equity
Balance, December 31, 2017		$	9,357			$	4,349			$	(37	)		$	2,290			$	15,959
Net income			—				370				—				73				443
Sale of noncontrolling interests			6				—				—				—				6
Changes in equity of noncontrolling interests			—				—				—				(60	)			(60	)
Distributions to member			—				(1,001	)			—				—				(1,001	)
Contributions from member			155				—				—				—				155
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes			—				—				2				1				3
Impact of adoption of Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities standard			—				6				(3	)			—				3
Balance, December 31, 2018		$	9,518			$	3,724			$	(38	)		$	2,304			$	15,508
Net income			—				1,125				—				92				1,217
Sale of noncontrolling interests			7				—				—				—				7
Changes in equity of noncontrolling interests			—				—				—				(48	)			(48	)
Distributions to member			—				(899	)			—				—				(899	)
Contributions from member			41				—				—				—				41
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes			—				—				6				(2	)			4
Balance, December 31, 2019		$	9,566			$	3,950			$	(32	)		$	2,346			$	15,830
Net income			—				589				—				(10	)			579
Sale of noncontrolling interests			3				—				—				—				3
Changes in equity of noncontrolling interests			—				—				—				(59	)			(59	)
Distribution to member of deferred taxes associated with net retirement benefit obligation			(9	)			—				—				—				(9	)
Distributions to member			—				(1,734	)			—				—				(1,734	)
Contributions from member			64				—				—				—				64
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes			—				—				2				—				2
Balance, December 31, 2020		$	9,624			$	2,805			$	(30	)		$	2,277			$	14,676

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

1.

Significant Accounting Policies

 

Description of Business

 

We are a company engaged in the generation, delivery and marketing of power across multiple geographical regions through our customer-facing business, Constellation, which sells electricity to both wholesale and retail customers. We also sell natural gas, renewable energy and other energy-related products and services. We have five reportable segments: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York, ERCOT and Other Power Regions.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

On February 21, 2021, Exelon’s Board of Directors approved a plan to separate Exelon's utility subsidiaries and Generation, creating two publicly traded companies. Under the separation plan, Exelon shareholders will retain their current shares of Exelon stock and receive a pro-rata distribution of shares of Constellation Newholdco, Inc. stock in a transaction that is expected to be tax-free to Exelon and its shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The actual number of shares to be distributed to Exelon shareholders will be determined prior to closing. Exelon is targeting to complete the separation in the first quarter of 2022, subject to final approval by its Board of Directors, this Form 10 registration statement being declared effective by the SEC, regulatory approvals, and satisfaction of other conditions. The transaction is subject to approval by the FERC, NRC and NYPSC and receipt of a private letter ruling from the IRS and tax opinion from Exelon’s tax advisors. There can be no assurance that any separation transaction will ultimately occur or, if one does occur, of its terms or timing.

 

These Consolidated Financial Statements represent Generation's historical Consolidated Financial Statements presented in Exelon’s combined Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on February 24, 2021. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of our subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references herein to the terms “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Generation as historically part of consolidated Exelon.

 

Through its business services subsidiary, BSC, Exelon provides us with a variety of support services at cost, including legal, human resources, financial, information technology and supply management services. The costs of BSC are directly charged or allocated to us.

 

We own 100% of our significant consolidated subsidiaries, either directly or indirectly, except for certain consolidated VIEs, including CENG and EGRP, of which we hold a 50.01% and 51% interest, respectively. The remaining interests in these consolidated VIEs are included in noncontrolling interests on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 21 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information of consolidated VIEs.

 

We consolidate the accounts of entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, after the elimination of intercompany transactions. Where we do not have a controlling financial interest in an entity, proportionate consolidation, equity method accounting or accounting for investments in equity securities with or without readily determinable fair value is applied. We apply proportionate consolidation when we have an undivided interest in an asset and are proportionately liable for our share of each liability associated with the asset. We proportionately consolidate our undivided ownership interest in jointly owned electric plants. Under proportionate consolidation, we separately record our proportionate share of the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses related to the undivided interest in the asset. We apply equity method accounting when we have a significant influence over an investee through an ownership in common stock, which generally approximates a 20% to 50% voting interest. We apply equity method accounting to certain investments and joint ventures. Under equity method accounting, we report our interest in the entity as an investment and our percentage share of the earnings from the entity as single line items in our financial statements. We use accounting for investments in equity securities with or without readily determinable fair values if we lack a significant influence, which generally results when we hold less than 20% of the common stock of an entity. Under accounting for investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values, the investments are reported based on quoted prices in active markets and realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in earnings. Under accounting for investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values, the investments are reported at cost adjusted for changes from observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer, less impairment, and changes in measurement are reported in earnings.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies

 

COVID-19

 

We have taken steps to mitigate the potential risks posed by the global outbreak (pandemic) of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). We provide a critical service to our customers and have taken measures to keep employees who operate the business safe and minimize unnecessary risk of exposure to the virus, including extra precautions for employees who work in the field. We have implemented work from home policies where appropriate and imposed travel limitations on employees. In addition, we have updated our existing business continuity plan.

 

Management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and accompanying notes, and the amounts of revenues and expenses reported during the periods covered by those financial statements and accompanying notes. Management assessed certain accounting matters that require consideration of forecasted financial information, including, but not limited to the allowance for credit losses and the carrying value of other long-lived assets, in context with the information reasonably available to us and the unknown future impacts of COVID-19 as of December 31, 2020 and through the date of this report. Our future assessment of our current expectation of the magnitude and duration of COVID-19, as well as other factors, could result in material impacts to our consolidated financial statements in future reporting periods.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Areas in which significant estimates have been made include, but are not limited to, the accounting for nuclear decommissioning costs and other AROs, pension and OPEB, inventory reserves, allowance for credit losses, asset impairment assessments, derivative instruments, unamortized energy contracts, fixed asset depreciation, environmental costs and other loss contingencies, taxes and unbilled energy revenues. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Revenues

 

Operating Revenues. Our operating revenues generally consist of revenues from contracts with customers involving the sale and delivery of energy commodities and related products and services and realized and unrealized revenues recognized under mark-to-market energy commodity derivative contracts. We recognize revenue from contracts with customers to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Our primary source of revenue includes competitive sales of power, natural gas, and other energy-related products and services. At the end of each reporting period, we accrue an estimate for the unbilled amount of energy delivered or services provided to customers.

 

Option Contracts, Swaps and Commodity Derivatives. Certain option contracts and swap arrangements that meet the definition of derivative instruments are recorded at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recognized as revenue or expense. The classification of revenue or expense is based on the intent of the transaction. See Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information.

 

Taxes Directly Imposed on Revenue-Producing Transactions. We collect certain taxes from customers such as sales and gross receipts taxes, along with other taxes, surcharges and fees, that are levied by state or local governments on the sale or distribution of electricity and natural gas. Some of these taxes are imposed on the customer, but paid by us, while others are imposed on us. Where these taxes are imposed on the customer, such as sales taxes, they are reported on a net basis with no impact to the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. However, where these taxes are imposed on us, such as gross receipts taxes, they are reported on a gross basis. Accordingly, revenues are recognized for the taxes collected from customers along with an offsetting expense. See Note 22 — Supplemental Financial Information for the taxes that are presented on a gross basis.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies

 

Leases

 

We adopted new accounting guidance issued by the FASB related to leases as of January 1, 2019. We recognize a ROU asset and lease liability for operating leases with a term of greater than one year. Operating lease ROU assets are included in Other deferred debits and other assets and operating lease liabilities are included in Other current liabilities and Other deferred credits and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The ROU asset is measured as the sum of (1) the present value of all remaining fixed and in-substance fixed payments using our incremental borrowing rate, (2) any lease payments made at or before the commencement date (less any lease incentives received) and (3) any initial direct costs incurred. The lease liability is measured the same as the ROU asset, but excludes any payments made before the commencement date and initial direct costs incurred. Lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease if it is reasonably certain they will be exercised. We include non-lease components for most asset classes, which are service-related costs that are not integral to the use of the asset, in the measurement of the ROU asset and lease liability.

 

Expense for operating leases and leases with a term of one year or less is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, unless another systematic and rational basis is more representative of the derivation of benefit from use of the leased property. Variable lease payments are recognized in the period in which the related obligation is incurred and consist primarily of payments for purchases of electricity under contracted generation and are based on the electricity produced by those generating assets. Operating lease expense and variable lease payments are recorded to Purchased power and fuel expense for contracted generation or Operating and maintenance expense for all other lease agreements in the Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

Income from operating leases, including subleases, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, unless another systematic and rational basis is more representative of the pattern in which income is earned over the term of the lease. Variable lease payments are recognized in the period in which the related obligation is performed and consist primarily of payments received from sales of electricity under contracted generation and are based on the electricity produced by those generating assets. Operating lease income and variable lease payments are recorded to Operating revenues in the Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

Our operating leases consist primarily of contracted generation, real estate including office buildings, and vehicles and equipment. We generally account for contracted generation in which the generating asset is not renewable as a lease if the customer has dispatch rights and obtains substantially all of the economic benefits. For new agreements entered after January 1, 2019, we generally do not account for contracted generation in which the generating asset is renewable as a lease if the customer does not design the generating asset. We account for land right arrangements that provide for exclusive use as leases while shared use land arrangements are generally not leases.

 

See Note 11 — Leases for additional information.

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred Federal and state income taxes are recorded on significant temporary differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for tax benefits carried forward. Investment tax credits have been deferred in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are recognized in book income over the life of the related property. We account for uncertain income tax positions using a benefit recognition model with a two-step approach; a more-likely-than-not recognition criterion; and a measurement approach that measures the position as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. If it is not more-likely-than-not that the benefit of the tax position will be sustained on its technical merits, no benefit is recorded. Uncertain tax positions that relate only to timing of when an item is included on a tax return are considered to have met the recognition threshold. We recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in Interest expense, net or Other, net (interest income) and recognize penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

We consider investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents represent funds that are restricted to satisfy designated current liabilities. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, restricted cash and cash equivalents primarily represented the project-specific nonrecourse financing structures for debt service and financing of operations of the underlying entities. See Note 22 — Supplemental Financial Information for additional information.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses on Accounts Receivables

 

The allowance for credit losses reflects our best estimate of losses on the customers' accounts receivable balances based on historical experience, current information, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.

 

The allowance for credit losses for our retail customers is based on accounts receivable aging historical experience coupled with specific identification through a credit monitoring process, which considers current conditions and forward-looking information such as industry trends, macroeconomic factors, changes in the regulatory environment, external credit ratings, publicly available news, payment status, payment history, and the exercise of collateral calls. The allowance for credit losses for our wholesale customers is developed using a credit monitoring process, similar to that used for retail customers. When a wholesale customer’s risk characteristics are no longer aligned with the pooled population, we use specific identification to develop an allowance for credit losses. Adjustments to the allowance for credit losses are recorded in Operating and maintenance expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

We have certain non-customer receivables in Other deferred debits and other assets which primarily are with governmental agencies and other high-quality counterparties with no history of default.  As such, the allowance for credit losses related to these receivables is not material.  We monitor these balances and will record an allowance if there are indicators of a decline in credit quality.

 

Variable Interest Entities

 

We account for our investments in and arrangements with VIEs based on the following specific requirements:

 

•

requires an entity to qualitatively assess whether it should consolidate a VIE based on whether the entity has a controlling financial interest,

 

•

requires an ongoing reconsideration of this assessment instead of only upon certain triggering events, and

 

•

requires the entity that consolidates a VIE (the primary beneficiary) to disclose (1) the assets of the consolidated VIE, if they can be used to only settle specific obligations of the consolidated VIE, and (2) the liabilities of a consolidated VIE for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary.

 

See Note 21 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies

 

Inventories

 

Inventory is recorded at the lower of weighted average cost or net realizable value. Provisions are recorded for excess and obsolete inventory. Fossil fuel, materials and supplies, and emissions allowances are generally included in inventory when purchased. Fossil fuel and emissions allowances are expensed to purchased power and fuel expense when used or sold. Materials and supplies generally includes generating plant materials and are expensed to operating and maintenance or capitalized to property, plant and equipment, as appropriate, when installed or used.

 

Debt and Equity Security Investments

 

Debt Security Investments. Debt securities are reported at fair value and classified as available-for-sale securities. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are reported in OCI.

 

Equity Security Investments without Readily Determinable Fair Values. We have certain equity securities without readily determinable fair values. We have elected to use the practicability exception to measure these investments, defined as cost adjusted for changes from observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer, less impairment. Changes in measurement are reported in earnings.

 

Equity Security Investments with Readily Determinable Fair Values. We have certain equity securities with readily determinable fair values. For equity securities held in NDT funds, realized and unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on our NDT funds associated with the Regulatory Agreement Units are included in Noncurrent payables to affiliates. Realized and unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on our NDT funds associated with the Non-Regulatory Agreement Units are included in earnings. Our NDT funds are classified as current or noncurrent assets, depending on the timing of the decommissioning activities and income taxes on trust earnings. For all other equity securities with readily determinable fair values, realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in earnings. See Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities and Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at original cost. Original cost includes construction-related direct labor and material costs. When appropriate, original cost also includes capitalized interest. The cost of repairs and maintenance, including planned major maintenance activities and minor replacements of property, is charged to Operating and maintenance expense as incurred.

 

Upon retirement, the cost of property is generally charged to accumulated depreciation in accordance with the composite and group methods of depreciation. Upon replacement of an asset, the costs to remove the asset, net of salvage, are capitalized to gross plant when incurred as part of the cost of the newly-installed asset and recorded to depreciation expense over the life of the new asset. Removal costs, net of salvage, incurred for property that will not be replaced is charged to Operating and maintenance expense as incurred.

 

Capitalized Software. Certain costs, such as design, coding, and testing incurred during the application development stage of software projects that are internally developed or purchased for operational use are capitalized within Property, plant and equipment. Similar costs incurred for cloud-based solutions treated as service arrangements are capitalized within Other Current Assets and Deferred Debits and Other Assets. Such capitalized amounts are amortized ratably over the expected lives of the projects when they become operational, generally not to exceed five years. Certain other capitalized software costs are being amortized over longer lives based on the expected life or pursuant to prescribed regulatory requirements.

 

Capitalized Interest. During construction, we capitalize the costs of debt funds used to finance construction projects. Capitalization of debt funds is recorded as a charge to construction work in progress and as a non-cash credit to interest expense. See Note 8 — Property, Plant and Equipment, Note 9 — Jointly Owned Electric Utility Plant and Note 22 — Supplemental Financial Information for additional information regarding property, plant and equipment.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies

 

Nuclear Fuel

 

The cost of nuclear fuel is capitalized within Property, plant and equipment and charged to fuel expense using the unit-of-production method. Any potential future SNF disposal fees will be expensed through fuel expense. Additionally, certain on-site SNF storage costs are being reimbursed by the DOE since a DOE (or government-owned) long-term storage facility has not been completed. See Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies for additional information regarding the cost of SNF storage and disposal.

 

Nuclear Outage Costs

 

Costs associated with nuclear outages, including planned major maintenance activities, are expensed to Operating and maintenance expense or capitalized to Property, plant and equipment (based on the nature of the activities) in the period incurred.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Except for the amortization of nuclear fuel, depreciation is generally recorded over the estimated service lives of property, plant and equipment on a straight-line basis using the group, composite or unitary methods of depreciation. The group approach is typically for groups of similar assets that have approximately the same useful lives and the composite approach is used for dissimilar assets that have different lives. Under both methods, a reporting entity depreciates the assets over the average life of the assets in the group. The estimated service lives are based on a combination of depreciation studies, historical retirements, site licenses and management estimates of operating costs and expected future energy market conditions. See Note 7 — Early Plant Retirements for additional information on the impacts of early plant retirements, Note 8 — Property, Plant and Equipment for additional information regarding depreciation, and Note 22 — Supplemental Financial Information for additional information regarding nuclear fuel and ARC.

 

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

We estimate and recognize a liability for our legal obligation to perform asset retirement activities even though the timing and/or methods of settlement may be conditional on future events. We generally update our nuclear decommissioning ARO annually, unless circumstances warrant more frequent updates, based on our annual evaluation of cost escalation factors and probabilities assigned to the multiple outcome scenarios within our probability-weighted discounted cash flow models. Our multiple outcome scenarios are generally based on decommissioning cost studies which are updated, on a rotational basis, for each of our nuclear units at least every five years, unless circumstances warrant more frequent updates. AROs are accreted throughout each year to reflect the time value of money for these present value obligations through a charge to Operating and maintenance expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for Non-Regulatory Agreement Units and through a decrease in noncurrent payables to affiliates for Regulatory Agreement Units. See Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information.

 

Guarantees

 

If necessary, we recognize a liability at the time of issuance of a guarantee for the fair market value of the obligations we have undertaken by issuing the guarantee. The liability is reduced or eliminated as we are released from risk under the guarantee. Depending on the nature of the guarantee, the release from risk may be recognized only upon the expiration or settlement of the guarantee or by a systematic and rational amortization method over the term of the guarantee. See Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies for additional information.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies

 

Asset Impairments

 

Long-Lived Assets. We regularly monitor and evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets and 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, or plans to dispose of a long-lived asset significantly before the end of its useful life. We determine if long-lived assets and 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. See Note 12 — Asset Impairments for additional information.

 

Equity Method Investments. We regularly monitor and evaluate equity method investments to determine whether they are impaired. An impairment is recorded when the investment has experienced a decline in value that is other-than-temporary in nature. Additionally, if the entity in which we hold an investment recognizes an impairment loss, we would record their proportionate share of that impairment loss and evaluate the investment for an other-than-temporary decline in value.

 

Debt Security Investments. Declines in the fair value of debt security investments below the cost basis are reviewed to determine if such declines are other-than-temporary. If the decline is determined to be other-than-temporary, the amount of the impairment loss is included in earnings.

 

Equity Security Investments. Equity investments with readily determinable fair values are measured and recorded at fair value with any changes in fair value recorded through earnings. Investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values are qualitatively assessed for impairment each reporting period. If it is determined that the equity security is impaired on the basis of the qualitative assessment, an impairment loss will be recognized in earnings to the amount by which the security’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value unless they qualify for certain exceptions, including the NPNS. For derivatives intended to serve as economic hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings each period. Amounts classified in earnings are included in Operating revenue, Purchased power and fuel, Interest expense, or Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income based on the activity the transaction is economically hedging. While the majority of the derivatives serve as economic hedges, there are also derivatives entered into for proprietary trading purposes, subject to our Risk Management Policy, and changes in the fair value of those derivatives are recorded in revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.  Cash inflows and outflows related to derivative instruments are included as a component of operating, investing, or financing cash flows in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, depending on the nature of each transaction. On July 1, 2018, we de-designated our fair value and cash flow hedges. 

 

As part of the energy marketing business, we enter into contracts to buy and sell energy to meet the requirements of our customers. These contracts include short-term and long-term commitments to purchase and sell energy and energy-related products in the energy markets with the intent and ability to deliver or take delivery of the underlying physical commodity. NPNS are contracts where physical delivery is probable, quantities are expected to be used or sold in the normal course of business over a reasonable period of time and will not be financially settled. Revenues and expenses on derivative contracts that qualify, and are designated, as NPNS are recognized when the underlying physical transaction is completed. While these contracts are considered derivative financial instruments, they are not required to be recorded at fair value, but rather are recorded on an accrual basis of accounting.

 

See Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information.

 

Retirement Benefits

 

Exelon sponsors defined benefit pension plans and OPEB plans for essentially all current employees. The plan obligations and costs of providing benefits under these plans are measured as of December 31. We account for our participation in Exelon’s pension and OPEB plans by applying multi-employer accounting. Exelon allocates costs related to its pension and OPEB plans to its subsidiaries based on both active and retired employee participation in each plan. We include the service cost and non-service cost components in Operating and maintenance expense and Property, plant, and equipment, net in our consolidated financial statements. See Note 15 — Retirement Benefits for additional information.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies

 

New Accounting Standards

 

New Accounting Standards Adopted in 2020: In 2020, we adopted the following new authoritative accounting guidance issued by the FASB.

 

Impairment of Financial Instruments (Issued June 2016). Provides for a new Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) impairment model for specified financial instruments including loans, trade receivables, debt securities classified as held-to-maturity investments and net investments in leases recognized by a lessor. Under the new guidance, on initial recognition and at each reporting period, an entity is required to recognize an allowance that reflects its current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial instrument based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The standard was effective January 1, 2020 and requires a modified retrospective transition approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. This standard is primarily applicable to our trade accounts receivables balances. The guidance did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

2.

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions

 

CENG Put Option

 

We own a 50.01% membership interest in CENG, a joint venture with EDF, which wholly owns the Calvert Cliffs and Ginna nuclear stations and Nine Mile Point Unit 1, in addition to an 82% undivided ownership interest in Nine Mile Point Unit 2. CENG is 100% consolidated in our financial statements. See Note 21 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information.

 

On April 1, 2014, we entered into various agreements including a NOSA, an amended LLC Operating Agreement, an Employee Matters Agreement, and a Put Option Agreement, among others with EDF. Under the amended LLC Operating Agreement, CENG made a $400 million special distribution to EDF and committed to make preferred distributions to us until we have received aggregate distributions of $400 million plus a return of 8.50% per annum. Under the Put Option Agreement, EDF has the option to sell its 49.99% equity interest in CENG to us exercisable beginning on January 1, 2016 and thereafter until June 30, 2022. On November 20, 2019, we received notice of EDF’s intention to exercise the put option to sell its interest in CENG to us, and the put automatically exercised on January 19, 2020 at the end of the sixty-day advance notice period.

 

Under the terms of the Put Option Agreement, the purchase price is to be determined by agreement of the parties, or absent such agreement, by a third-party arbitration process. The third parties determining fair market value of EDF’s 49.99% interest are to take into consideration all rights and obligations under the LLC Operating Agreement and Employee Matters Agreement including but not limited to our rights with respect to any unpaid aggregate preferred distributions and the related return. As of December 31, 2020, the total unpaid aggregate preferred distributions and related return owed to us is $619 million. At this time, we cannot reasonably predict the ultimate purchase price that will be paid to EDF for its interest in CENG. The transaction will require approval by the NYPSC and the FERC. The FERC approval was obtained on July 30, 2020. The process and regulatory approvals are expected to close in the second half of 2021.

 

Agreement for Sale of Our Solar Business

 

On December 8, 2020, we entered into an agreement with an affiliate of Brookfield Renewable, for the sale of a significant portion of our solar business, including 360 megawatts of generation in operation or under construction across more than 600 sites across the United States. Under the terms of the transaction, the purchase price is $810 million, subject to certain working capital and other post-closing adjustments. We will retain certain solar assets not included in this agreement, primarily Antelope Valley.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 2 — Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions

 

As a result of the transaction, in the fourth quarter of 2020, we reclassified the solar assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as held for sale. The transaction is expected to result in an estimated pre-tax gain ranging from $75 million to $125 million. The gain will be recorded in Gain on sales of assets and businesses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income upon completion of the transaction. Completion of the transaction contemplated by the sale agreement is subject to the satisfaction of several closing conditions and is expected to occur in the first half of 2021. See Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements for additional information on the SolGen nonrecourse debt included as part of the transaction.

 

Disposition of Oyster Creek

 

On July 31, 2018, we entered into an agreement with Holtec and its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, OCEP, for the sale and decommissioning of Oyster Creek located in Forked River, New Jersey, which permanently ceased generation operations on September 17, 2018. Completion of the transaction contemplated by the sale agreement was subject to the satisfaction of several closing conditions, including approval of the license transfer from the NRC and other regulatory approvals, and a private letter ruling from the IRS, which were satisfied in the second quarter 2019. The sale was completed on July 1, 2019. We recognized a loss on the sale in the third quarter of 2019, which was immaterial.

 

Under the terms of the transaction, we transferred to OCEP substantially all the assets associated with Oyster Creek, including assets held in NDT funds, along with the assumption of liability for all responsibility for the site, including full decommissioning and ongoing management of spent fuel until the spent fuel is moved offsite. The terms of the transaction also include various forms of performance assurance for the obligations of OCEP to timely complete the required decommissioning, including a parental guaranty from Holtec for all performance and payment obligations of OCEP, and a requirement for Holtec to deliver a letter of credit to us upon the occurrence of specified events.

 

Upon remeasurement of the Oyster Creek ARO, we recognized an $84 million and a $9 million pre-tax charge to Operating and maintenance expense in 2018 and in 2019, respectively. See Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information.

 

Disposition of Electrical Contracting Business

 

On February 28, 2018, we completed the sale of our interest in an electrical contracting business that primarily installs, maintains, and repairs underground and high-voltage cable transmission and distribution systems for $87 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain which is included within Gain on sales of assets and businesses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

3.    Regulatory Matters

 

The following matters below discuss the status of our material regulatory and legislative proceedings.

 

Illinois Regulatory Matters

 

Zero Emission Standard. Pursuant to FEJA, on January 25, 2018, the ICC announced that our Clinton Unit 1, Quad Cities Unit 1, and Quad Cities Unit 2 nuclear plants were selected as the winning bidders through the IPA's ZEC procurement event.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 3 — Regulatory Matters

 

We executed the ZEC procurement contracts with Illinois utilities, including ComEd, effective January 26, 2018 and began recognizing revenue with compensation for the sale of ZECs retroactive to the June 1, 2017 effective date of FEJA. The ZEC price was initially established at $16.50 per MWh of production, subject to annual future adjustments determined by the IPA for specified escalation and pricing adjustment mechanisms designed to lower the ZEC price based on increases in underlying energy and capacity prices. Illinois utilities are required to purchase all ZECs delivered by the zero-emissions nuclear-powered generating facilities, subject to annual cost caps. For the initial delivery year, June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2018, and subsequent delivery year, June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019, the ZEC annual cost cap was set at $235 million. For subsequent delivery years, the IPA-approved targeted ZEC procurement amounts will change based on forward energy and capacity prices. ZECs delivered to Illinois utilities in excess of the annual cost cap may be paid in subsequent years if the payments do not exceed the prescribed annual cost cap for that year. During the first quarter of 2018, we recognized $150 million of revenue related to ZECs generated from June 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

 

New Jersey Regulatory Matters

 

New Jersey Clean Energy Legislation. On May 23, 2018, New Jersey enacted legislation that established a ZEC program that provides compensation for nuclear plants that demonstrate to the NJBPU that they meet certain requirements, including that they make a significant contribution to air quality in the state and that their revenues are insufficient to cover their costs and risks. Under the legislation, the NJBPU will issue ZECs to qualifying nuclear power plants and the electric distribution utilities in New Jersey will be required to purchase those ZECs. On April 18, 2019, the NJBPU approved the award of ZECs to Salem 1 and Salem 2. Upon approval, we began recognizing revenue for the sale of New Jersey ZECs in the month they are generated and have recognized $69 million and $53 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. On May 15, 2019, New Jersey Rate Counsel appealed the NJBPU's decision to the New Jersey Superior Court. Briefing has been completed, and on December 9, 2020, an oral argument took place. On October 1, 2020, PSEG and us filed applications seeking ZECs for the second eligibility period (June 2022 through May 2025). The NJBPU will act on the applications by the end of April 2021. We cannot predict the outcome of the appeal. See Note 7 - Early Plant Retirements for additional information related to Salem.

 

New York Regulatory Matters

 

New York Clean Energy Standard. On August 1, 2016, the NYPSC issued an order establishing the New York CES, a component of which is a Tier 3 ZEC program targeted at preserving the environmental attributes of zero-emissions nuclear-powered generating facilities that meet the criteria demonstrating public necessity as determined by the NYPSC to be our FitzPatrick, Ginna, and Nine Mile Point nuclear facilities.

 

On November 30, 2016 (as amended on January 13, 2017), a group of parties filed a Petition in New York State court seeking to invalidate the ZEC program, which argued that the NYPSC did not have authority to establish the program, that it violated state environmental law and that it violated certain technical provisions of the State Administrative Procedures Act when adopting the ZEC program. On January 22, 2018, the court dismissed the environmental claims and the majority of the plaintiffs from the case but denied the motions to dismiss with respect to the remaining five plaintiffs and claims, without commenting on the merits of the case. On October 8, 2019, the court dismissed all remaining claims. The petitioners filed a notice of appeal on November 4, 2019 and originally had until May 4, 2020 to file their brief. Due to COVID-19 related restrictions, the court extended the deadline to July 29, 2020. Petitioners did not file a brief by the deadline, so the case is deemed dismissed. Petitioners are permitted up to one year from July 29, 2020 to file a motion to vacate the dismissal if they can show good cause for the delay.

 

See Note 7 — Early Plant Retirements for additional information related to Ginna and Nine Mile Point.

 

New England Regulatory Matters

 

Mystic Units 8 & 9 and Everett Marine Terminal Cost of Service Agreement. On March 29, 2018, we notified grid operator ISO-NE of our plans to early retire Mystic Units 8 and 9 absent regulatory reforms on June 1, 2022. On May 16, 2018, we made a filing with FERC to establish cost-of-service compensation and terms and conditions of service for Mystic Units 8 & 9 for the period between June 1, 2022 - May 31, 2024. On December 20, 2018, FERC issued an order accepting the cost of service compensation, reflecting a number of adjustments to the annual fixed revenue requirement, and allowing for recovery of a substantial portion of the costs associated with the adjacent Everett Marine Terminal acquired in October 2018. Those adjustments were reflected in a compliance filing made on March 1, 2019. In the December 20, 2018 order, FERC also directed a paper hearing on ROE using a new methodology. On January 22, 2019, Generation and several other parties filed requests for rehearing of certain findings in the order.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 3 — Regulatory Matters

 

On July 17, 2020, FERC issued three orders, which together affirmed the recovery of key elements of Mystic's cost of service compensation, including recovery of costs associated with the operation of the Everett Marine Terminal. FERC directed a downward adjustment to the rate base for Mystic Units 8 and 9, the effect of which will be partially offset by elimination of a crediting mechanism for third party gas sales during the term of the cost of service agreement. A compliance filing was submitted on September 15, 2020 and is pending. Several parties filed protests to the compliance filing on the issue of how gross plant in-service was calculated, and we filed an answer to the protests on October 21, 2020. On July 28, 2020, FERC ordered additional briefings in the ROE proceeding. On December 21, 2020, FERC issued an order on rehearing of the three July 17, 2020 orders, clarifying several cost of service provisions.

 

On August 25, 2020, a group of New England generators filed a complaint seeking to extend the scope of the claw back provision in the cost-of-service agreement, whereby we would refund certain amounts recovered during the term of the cost of service if it returns to market afterwards. On September 14, 2020, we filed an answer to the complaint arguing that the complaint is procedurally improper and a collateral attack on existing FERC orders, and pointing out that the ISO-NE tariff contains protections against the New England generators' concerns that they failed to mention. On September 28, 2020, New England generators filed an answer to our answer. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding.

 

On June 10, 2020, we filed a complaint with FERC against ISO-NE on the grounds that ISO-NE failed to follow its tariff with respect to its evaluation of Mystic for transmission security for the 2024 to 2025 Capacity Commitment Period (FCA 15) and that the modifications that ISO-NE made to its unfiled planning procedures to avoid retaining Mystic should have been filed with FERC for approval. On July 27, 2020, ISO-NE issued a memo to NEPOOL announcing its determination pursuant to its unfiled planning procedures that Mystic Units 8 and 9 are not needed for FCA 15 for transmission security. It had previously determined Mystic Units 8 and 9 are not needed for fuel security. On August 17, 2020, FERC issued an order denying the complaint. On September 16, 2020, we filed a request for rehearing with FERC. On October 19, 2020, FERC denied rehearing by operation of law and on December 18, 2020, we appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The timing and the outcome of this proceeding is uncertain.

 

See Note 7 — Early Plant Retirements and Note 12 — Asset Impairments for additional information on the impacts of our August 2020 decision to retire Mystic Units 8 & 9 upon expiration of the cost of service agreement.

 

Federal Regulatory Matters

 

PJM and NYISO MOPR Proceedings. PJM and NYISO capacity markets include a MOPR. If a resource is subjected to a MOPR, its offer is adjusted to effectively remove the revenues it receives through a state government-provided financial support program - resulting in a higher offer that may not clear the capacity market. Prior to December 19, 2019, the MOPR in PJM applied only to certain new gas-fired resources. Currently, the MOPR in NYISO applies only to certain resources in downstate New York.

 

For our facilities in PJM and NYISO that are currently receiving ZEC compensation, an expanded MOPR would require exclusion of ZEC compensation when bidding into future capacity auctions, resulting in an increased risk of these facilities not receiving capacity revenues in future auctions.

 

On December 19, 2019, FERC required PJM to broadly apply the MOPR to all new and existing resources including nuclear, renewables, demand response, energy efficiency, storage, and all resources owned by vertically-integrated utilities. This greatly expands the breadth and scope of PJM’s MOPR, which is effective as of PJM’s next capacity auction. While FERC included some limited exemptions, no exemptions were available to state-supported nuclear resources.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 3 — Regulatory Matters

 

FERC provided no new mechanism for accommodating state-supported resources other than the existing FRR mechanism (under which an entire utility zone would be removed from PJM’s capacity auction along with sufficient resources to support the load in such zone). In response to FERC’s order, PJM submitted a compliance filing on March 18, 2020 wherein PJM proposed tariff language interpreting and implementing FERC's directives, and proposed a schedule for resuming capacity auctions that is contingent on the timing of FERC's action on the compliance filing.

 

On April 16, 2020, FERC issued an order largely denying most requests for rehearing of FERC's December 2019 order but granting a few clarifications that required an additional PJM compliance filing which PJM submitted on June 1, 2020.

 

On October 15, 2020, FERC issued an order denying requests for rehearing of its April 16, 2020 order and accepting PJM’s two compliance filings, subject to a further compliance filing to revise minor aspects of the proposed MOPR methodology. As part of that order, FERC also accepted PJM’s proposal to condense the schedule of activities leading up to the next capacity auction. In November 2020, PJM announced that it will conduct its next capacity auction beginning on May 19, 2021 and ending on May 25, 2021 and will post the results on June 2, 2021.

 

Because neither Illinois nor New Jersey have implemented an FRR program in their PJM zones, the MOPR will apply in that next capacity auction to our owned or jointly owned nuclear plants in those states receiving a benefit under the Illinois ZES, or the New Jersey ZEC program, as applicable, increasing the risk that those units may not clear the capacity market.

 

We are currently working with PJM and other stakeholders to pursue the FRR option as an alternative to the PJM capacity auction. If Illinois implements the FRR option, our Illinois nuclear plants could be removed from PJM’s capacity auction and instead supply capacity, and be compensated under the FRR program, which has the potential to mitigate the current economic distress being experienced by our nuclear plants in Illinois, as discussed in Note 7 — Early Plant Retirements. Implementing the FRR program in Illinois will require both legislative and regulatory changes. Whether legislation is needed in New Jersey would depend on how the state chooses to structure an FRR program. We cannot predict whether or when such legislative and regulatory changes can be implemented.

 

On February 20, 2020, FERC issued an order rejecting requests to expand NYISO’s version of the MOPR (referred to as buyer-side mitigation rules) beyond its current limited applicability to certain resources in downstate. However, on October 14, 2020, two natural gas-fired generators in New York filed a complaint at FERC seeking to expand the MOPR in NYISO to apply to all resources, new and existing, across the entire NYISO market. We are strenuously opposing expansion of FERC’s MOPR policies in the NYISO market. While it is too early in the proceeding to predict its outcome and there are significant differences between the NYISO and PJM markets that would justify a different result, if FERC follows its MOPR precedent in PJM and applies the MOPR in NYISO broadly as requested in the complaint, our facilities in NYISO that are receiving ZEC compensation may be at increased risk of not clearing the capacity auction.

 

If our state-supported nuclear plants in PJM or NYISO are subjected to the MOPR or equivalent without compensation under an FRR or similar program, it could have a material adverse impact on our financial statements, which we cannot reasonably estimate at this time.

 

Operating License Renewals

 

Conowingo Hydroelectric Project. On August 29, 2012, we submitted a hydroelectric license application to FERC for a new license for the Conowingo Hydroelectric Project (Conowingo). In connection with our efforts to obtain a water quality certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (401 Certification) from MDE for Conowingo, we have been working with MDE and other stakeholders to resolve water quality licensing issues, including: (1) water quality, (2) fish habitat, and (3) sediment.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 3 — Regulatory Matters

 

On April 21, 2016, we and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior executed a settlement agreement (DOI Settlement) resolving all fish passage issues between the parties.

 

On April 27, 2018, MDE issued its 401 Certification for Conowingo. As issued, the 401 Certification contains numerous conditions, including those relating to reduction of nutrients from upstream sources, removal of all visible trash and debris from upstream sources, and implementation of measures relating to fish passage, which could have a material, unfavorable impact on our financial statements through an increase in capital expenditures and operating costs if implemented. On May 25, 2018, we filed complaints in federal and state court, along with a petition for reconsideration with MDE, alleging that the conditions are unfair and onerous and in violation of MDE regulations and state, federal, and constitutional law. We also requested that FERC defer the issuance of the federal license while these significant state and federal law issues are pending. On February 28, 2019, we filed a Petition for Declaratory Order with FERC requesting that FERC issue an order declaring that MDE waived its right to issue a 401 Certification for Conowingo because it failed to timely act on Conowingo’s 401 Certification application and requesting that FERC decline to include the conditions required by MDE in April 2018.

 

On October 29, 2019, we and MDE filed with FERC a Joint Offer of Settlement (Offer of Settlement) that would resolve all outstanding issues relating to the 401 Certification. Pursuant to the Offer of Settlement, the parties submitted Proposed License Articles to FERC to be incorporated by FERC into the new license in accordance with FERC’s discretionary authority under the Federal Power Act. Among the Proposed License Articles are modifications to river flows to improve aquatic habitat, eel passage improvements, and initiatives to support rare, threatened and endangered wildlife. If FERC approves the Offer of Settlement and incorporates the Proposed License Articles into the new license without modification, then MDE would waive its rights to issue a 401 Certification and we would agree, pursuant to a separate agreement with MDE (MDE Settlement), to implement additional environmental protection, mitigation, and enhancement measures over the anticipated 50-year term of the new license. These measures address mussel restoration and other ecological and water quality matters, among other commitments. Our commitments under the various provisions of the Offer of Settlement and MDE Settlement are not effective unless and until FERC approves the Offer of Settlement and issues the new license with the Proposed License Articles.

 

The financial impact of the DOI and MDE Settlements and other anticipated license commitments are estimated to be $11 million to $14 million per year, on average, recognized over the new license term, including capital and operating costs. The actual timing and amount of the majority of these costs are not currently fixed and will vary from year to year throughout the life of the new license. We cannot currently predict when FERC will issue the new license. As of December 31, 2020, $45 million of direct costs associated with Conowingo licensing efforts have been capitalized. Our current depreciation provision for Conowingo assumes renewal of the FERC license.

 

Peach Bottom Units 2 and 3. On July 10, 2018, we submitted a second 20-year license renewal application with the NRC for Peach Bottom Units 2 and 3, which was approved on March 6, 2020. Peach Bottom Units 2 and 3 are now licensed to operate through 2053 and 2054, respectively. See Note 8 – Property, Plant and Equipment for additional information regarding the estimated useful life and depreciation provisions for Peach Bottom.

 

4.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

We recognize revenue from contracts with customers to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Our primary sources of revenue include competitive sales of power, natural gas, and other energy-related products and services. The performance obligations, revenue recognition, and payment terms associated with these sources of revenue are further discussed in the table below. There are no significant financing components for these sources of revenue.

 

Unless otherwise noted, for each of the significant revenue categories and related performance obligations described below, we have the right to consideration from the customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value transferred to the customer for the performance completed to date. Therefore, we generally recognize revenue in the amount for which we have the right to invoice the customer. As a result, there are generally no significant judgments used in determining or allocating the transaction price.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 4 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

Revenue Source	Description	Performance Obligation	Timing of Revenue Recognition	Payment Terms
Competitive Power Sales	Sales of power and other energy-related commodities to wholesale and retail customers across multiple geographic regions through its customer-facing business, Constellation.	Various including the delivery of power (generally delivered over time) and other energy-related commodities such as capacity (generally delivered over time), ZECs, RECs or other ancillary services (generally delivered at a point in time).	Concurrently as power is generated for bundled power sale contracts. (a)	Within the month following delivery to the customer.
Competitive Natural Gas Sales	Sales of natural gas on a full requirement basis or for an agreed upon volume to commercial and residential customers.	Delivery of natural gas to the customer.	Over time as the natural gas is delivered and consumed by the customer.	Within the month following delivery to the customer.
Other Competitive Products and Services	Sales of other energy-related products and services such as long-term construction and installation of energy efficiency assets and new power generating facilities, primarily to commercial and industrial customers.	Construction and/or installation of the asset for the customer.	Revenues and associated costs are recognized throughout the contract term using an input method to measure progress towards completion.(b)	Within 30 or 45 days from the invoice date.

 

(a)

Certain contracts may contain limits on the total amount of revenue we are able to collect over the entire term of the contract. In such cases, we estimate the total consideration expected to be received over the term of the contract net of the constraint and allocate the expected consideration to the performance obligations in the contract such that revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the entire contract as the performance obligations are satisfied.

(b)

The method recognizes revenue based on the various inputs used to satisfy the performance obligation, such as costs incurred and total labor hours expended. The total amount of revenue that will be recognized is based on the agreed upon contractually-stated amount. The average contract term for these projects is approximately 18 months.

 

We incur incremental costs in order to execute certain retail power and gas sales contracts. These costs, which primarily relate to retail broker fees and sales commissions, are capitalized when incurred as contract acquisition costs and were immaterial as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

Contract Balances

 

Contract Assets

 

We record contract assets for the revenue recognized on the construction and installation of energy efficiency assets and new power generating facilities before we have an unconditional right to bill for and receive the consideration from the customer. These contract assets are subsequently reclassified to receivables when the right to payment becomes unconditional. We record contract assets and contract receivables within Other current assets and Customer accounts receivable, net, respectively, within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table provides a rollforward of the contract assets reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 4 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

		Contract Assets
Balance as of December 31, 2018		$	187
Amounts reclassified to receivables			(143	)
Revenues recognized			130
Balance at December 31, 2019			174
Amounts reclassified to receivables			(86	)
Revenues recognized			68
Contract assets reclassified as held for sale(a)			(12	)
Balance at December 31, 2020		$	144

 

(a)

Represents contract assets related to our solar business, which were classified as held for sale as a result of the sale agreement. See Note 2 — Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions for additional information.

 

Contract Liabilities

 

We record contract liabilities when consideration is received or due prior to the satisfaction of the performance obligations. We record contract liabilities within Other current liabilities and Other non-current liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These contract liabilities primarily relate to upfront consideration received or due for equipment service plans, solar panel leases, and the Illinois ZEC program that introduces a cap on the total consideration to be received by us. The following table provides a rollforward of the contract liabilities reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

		Contract Liabilities
Balance as of December 31, 2017		$	35
Consideration received or due			465
Revenues recognized			(458	)
Balance as of December 31, 2018			42
Consideration received or due			287
Revenues recognized			(258	)
Balance at December 31, 2019			71
Consideration received or due			282
Revenues recognized			(266	)
Contracts liabilities reclassified as held for sale(a)			(3	)
Balance at December 31, 2020		$	84

 

(a)

Represents contract liabilities related to our solar business, which were classified as held for sale as a result of the sale agreement. See Note 2 — Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions for additional information.

 

The following table reflects revenues recognized in the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, which were included in contract liabilities at December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively:

 

		2020				2019				2018
Revenues recognized		$	64			$	32			$	11

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 4 — Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations

 

The following table shows the amounts of future revenues expected to be recorded in each year for performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied as of December 31, 2020. This disclosure only includes contracts for which the total consideration is fixed and determinable at contract inception. The average contract term varies by customer type and commodity but ranges from one month to several years. This disclosure excludes our power and gas sales contracts as they contain variable volumes and/or variable pricing.

 

		2021				2022				2023				2024				2025 and thereafter				Total
Remaining performance obligations		$	352			$	124			$	55			$	34			$	243			$	808

 

Revenue Disaggregation

 

We disaggregate the revenue recognized from contracts with customers into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. See Note 5 — Segment Information for the presentation of revenue disaggregation.

 

5. Segment Information

 

Operating segments are determined based on information used by the CODM in deciding how to evaluate performance and allocate resources.

 

We have five reportable segments consisting of the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York, ERCOT, and all other power regions referred to collectively as “Other Power Regions.”

 

The basis for our reportable segments is the integrated management of our electricity business that is located in different geographic regions, and largely representative of the footprints of ISO/RTO and/or NERC regions, which utilize multiple supply sources to provide electricity through various distribution channels (wholesale and retail). Our hedging strategies and risk metrics are also aligned to these same geographic regions. Descriptions of each of our five reportable segments are as follows:

 

•

Mid-Atlantic represents operations in the eastern half of PJM, which includes New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, the District of Columbia, and parts of Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

 

•

Midwest represents operations in the western half of PJM and the United States footprint of MISO, excluding MISO’s Southern Region.

 

•

New York represents operations within NYISO.

 

•

ERCOT represents operations within Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

 

•

Other Power Regions:

 

•

New England represents operations within ISO-NE.

 

•

South represents operations in the FRCC, MISO’s Southern Region, and the remaining portions of the SERC not included within MISO or PJM.

 

•

West represents operations in the WECC, which includes CAISO.

 

•

Canada represents operations across the entire country of Canada and includes AESO, OIESO, and the Canadian portion of MISO.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 5 — Segment Information

 

The CODM evaluates the performance of our electric business activities and allocates resources based on RNF. We believe that RNF is a useful measurement of operational performance. RNF is not a presentation defined under GAAP and may not be comparable to other companies’ presentations or deemed more useful than the GAAP information provided elsewhere in this report. Our operating revenues include all sales to third parties and affiliated sales to the Exelon's utility subsidiaries. Purchased power costs include all costs associated with the procurement and supply of electricity including capacity, energy, and ancillary services. Fuel expense includes the fuel costs for our owned generation and fuel costs associated with tolling agreements. The results of our other business activities are not regularly reviewed by the CODM and are therefore not classified as operating segments or included in the regional reportable segment amounts. These activities include natural gas, as well as other miscellaneous business activities that are not significant to our overall operating revenues or results of operations. Further, our unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses on economic hedging activities and our amortization of certain intangible assets and liabilities relating to commodity contracts recorded at fair value from mergers and acquisitions are also excluded from the regional reportable segment amounts. We do not use a measure of total assets in making decisions regarding allocating resources to or assessing the performance of these reportable segments.

 

The following tables disaggregate the revenue recognized from contracts with customers into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. The disaggregation of revenues reflects our two primary products of power sales and natural gas sales, with further disaggregation of power sales provided by geographic region. The following tables also show the reconciliation of reportable segment revenues and RNF to our total revenues and RNF for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.

 

		2020
		Revenues from external customers(a)
		Contracts with customers				Other(b)				Total				Intersegment Revenues				Total Revenues
Mid-Atlantic		$	4,785			$	(168	)		$	4,617			$	28			$	4,645
Midwest			3,717				312				4,029				(5	)			4,024
New York			1,444				(12	)			1,432				(1	)			1,431
ERCOT			735				198				933				25				958
Other Power Regions			3,586				463				4,049				(47	)			4,002
Total Competitive Businesses Electric Revenues		$	14,267			$	793			$	15,060			$	—			$	15,060
Competitive Businesses Natural Gas Revenues			1,283				720				2,003				—				2,003
Competitive Businesses Other Revenues(c)			355				185				540				—				540
Total Consolidated Operating Revenues		$	15,905			$	1,698			$	17,603			$	—			$	17,603

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 5 — Segment Information

 

		2019
		Revenues from external customers(a)
		Contracts with customers				Other(b)				Total				Intersegment Revenues				Total Revenues
Mid-Atlantic		$	5,053			$	17			$	5,070			$	4			$	5,074
Midwest			4,095				232				4,327				(34	)			4,293
New York			1,571				25				1,596				—				1,596
ERCOT			768				229				997				16				1,013
Other Power Regions			3,687				608				4,295				(49	)			4,246
Total Competitive Businesses Electric Revenues		$	15,174			$	1,111			$	16,285			$	(63	)		$	16,222
Competitive Businesses Natural Gas Revenues			1,446				702				2,148				62				2,210
Competitive Businesses Other Revenues(c)			440				51				491				1				492
Total Consolidated Operating Revenues		$	17,060			$	1,864			$	18,924			$	—			$	18,924

 

		2018
		Revenues from external customers(a)
		Contracts with customers				Other(b)				Total				Intersegment Revenues				Total Revenues
Mid-Atlantic		$	5,241			$	233			$	5,474			$	13			$	5,487
Midwest			4,527				190				4,717				(11	)			4,706
New York			1,723				(36	)			1,687				—				1,687
ERCOT			572				560				1,132				1				1,133
Other Power Regions			3,530				871				4,401				(66	)			4,335
Total Competitive Businesses Electric Revenues		$	15,593			$	1,818			$	17,411			$	(63	)		$	17,348
Competitive Businesses Natural Gas Revenues			1,524				1,194				2,718				62				2,780
Competitive Businesses Other Revenues(c)			510				(202	)			308				1				309
Total Consolidated Operating Revenues		$	17,627			$	2,810			$	20,437			$	—			$	20,437

 

(a)

Includes all wholesale and retail electric sales to third parties and affiliated sales to Exelon's utility subsidiaries.

(b)

Includes revenues from derivatives and leases.

(c)

Represents activities not allocated to a region. See text above for a description of included activities. Includes unrealized mark-to-market gains of $110 million and losses of $4 million and $262 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, and the elimination of intersegment revenues.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 5 — Segment Information

 

		2020												2019												2018
		RNF from external customers(a)				Intersegment RNF				Total RNF				RNF from external customers(a)				Intersegment RNF				Total RNF				RNF from external customers(a)				Intersegment RNF				Total RNF
Mid-Atlantic		$	2,174			$	30			$	2,204			$	2,637			$	18			$	2,655			$	3,022			$	51			$	3,073
Midwest			2,902				—				2,902				2,994				(32	)			2,962				3,112				23				3,135
New York			983				14				997				1,081				13				1,094				1,112				10				1,122
ERCOT			407				19				426				338				(30	)			308				501				(243	)			258
Other Power Regions			759				(94	)			665				694				(74	)			620				883				(154	)			729
Total RNF for Reportable Segments		$	7,225			$	(31	)		$	7,194			$	7,744			$	(105	)		$	7,639			$	8,630			$	(313	)		$	8,317
Other(b)			793				31				824				324				105				429				114				313				427
Total RNF		$	8,018			$	—			$	8,018			$	8,068			$	—			$	8,068			$	8,744			$	—			$	8,744

 

(a)

Includes purchases and sales from/to third parties and affiliated sales to Exelon's utility subsidiaries.

(b)

Other represents activities not allocated to a region. See text above for a description of included activities. Primarily includes:

 

•

unrealized mark-to-market gains of $295 million and losses of $215 million and $319 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively;

 

•

accelerated nuclear fuel amortization associated with the announced early plant retirements as discussed in Note 7 - Early Plant Retirements of $60 million, $13 million, and $57 million in for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively; and

 

•

the elimination of intersegment RNF.

 

6.

Accounts Receivable

 

Allowance for Credit Losses on Accounts Receivable

 

The following table presents the rollforward of Allowance for Credit Losses on Customer Accounts Receivable for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

		Allowance for Credit Losses
Balance as of December 31, 2019		$	80
Plus: Current Period Provision for Expected Credit Losses			13
Less: Write-offs, net of recoveries(a)			5
Less: Sale of customer accounts receivable(b)			56
Balance as of December 31, 2020		$	32

 

(a)

Recoveries were not material.

(b)

See below for additional information on the sale of customer accounts receivable in the second quarter of 2020.

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 6 — Accounts Receivable

 

Unbilled Customer Revenue

 

We recorded $258 million and $807 million of unbilled customer revenues in Customer accounts receivables, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Sales of Customer Accounts Receivable

 

On April 8, 2020, NER, a bankruptcy remote, special purpose entity, which is wholly-owned by us, entered into a revolving accounts receivable financing arrangement with a number of financial institutions and a commercial paper conduit (the Purchasers) to sell certain customer accounts receivable (the Facility). The Facility, whose maximum capacity is $750 million, is scheduled to expire on April 7, 2021, unless renewed by the mutual consent of the parties in accordance with its terms. Under the Facility, NER may sell eligible short-term customer accounts receivable to the Purchasers in exchange for cash and subordinated interest. The transfers are reported as sales of receivables in the consolidated financial statements. The subordinated interest in collections upon the receivables sold to the Purchasers is referred to as the DPP, which is reflected in Other current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

On April 8, 2020, we derecognized and transferred approximately $1.2 billion of receivables at fair value to the Purchasers in exchange for approximately $500 million in cash purchase price and $650 million of DPP. On February 17, 2021, we received additional cash of $250 million from the Purchasers for the remaining capacity in the Facility.

 

The following table summarizes the impact of the sale of certain receivables:

 

		As of December 31, 2020
Derecognized receivables transferred at fair value(a)		$	1,139
Cash proceeds received			500
DPP			639

 

(a)

Includes additional customer accounts receivable sold into the Facility of $6,608 million since the start of the financing agreement.

 

		For the year ended December 31, 2020
Loss on sale of receivables(a)		$	30

 

(a)

Reflected in Operating and maintenance expense on our Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

		For the year ended December 31, 2020
Proceeds from new transfers		$	2,816
Cash collections received on DPP			3,771
Cash collections reinvested in the Facility			6,587

 

Our risk of loss following the transfer of accounts receivable is limited to the DPP outstanding.  Payment of DPP is not subject to significant risks other than delinquencies and credit losses on accounts receivable transferred, which have historically been and are expected to be immaterial. We continue to service the receivables sold in exchange for a servicing fee. We did not record a servicing asset or liability as the servicing fees were immaterial.

 

We recognize the cash proceeds received upon sale in Net cash provided by operating activities in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The collection and reinvestment of DPP is recognized in Net cash provided by investing activities of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 6 — Accounts Receivable

 

See Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities and Note 21 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information.

 

Other Purchases and Sales of Customer and Other Accounts Receivables

 

We are required, under supplier tariffs in ISO-NE, MISO, NYISO, and PJM, to sell customer and other receivables to utility companies, which include Exelon's utility subsidiaries. The following table presents the total receivables sold for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

		For the year ended December 31, 2020
Total Receivables Sold		$	824
Related Party Transactions:
Receivables sold to Exelon's utility subsidiaries			252

 

7.

Early Plant Retirements

 

We continuously evaluate factors that affect the current and expected economic value of our plants, including, but not limited to: market power prices, results of capacity auctions, potential legislative and regulatory solutions to ensure plants are fairly compensated for benefits they provide through their carbon-free emissions, reliability, or fuel security, and the impact of potential rules from the EPA requiring reduction of carbon and other emissions and the efforts of states to implement those final rules. The precise timing of an early retirement date for any plant, and the resulting financial statement impacts, may be affected by many factors, including the status of potential regulatory or legislative solutions, results of any transmission system reliability study assessments, the nature of any co-owner requirements and stipulations, and NDT fund requirements for nuclear plants, among other factors. However, the earliest retirement date for any plant would usually be the first year in which the unit does not have capacity or other obligations, and where applicable, just prior to its next scheduled nuclear refueling outage.

 

Nuclear Generation

 

In 2015 and 2016, we identified the Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear plants in Illinois, Ginna and Nine Mile Point nuclear plants in New York, and TMI nuclear plant in Pennsylvania as having the greatest risk of early retirement based on economic valuation and other factors. In 2017, PSEG made public similar financial challenges facing its New Jersey nuclear plants, including Salem, of which we own a 42.59% ownership interest. PSEG is the operator of Salem and also has the decision-making authority to retire Salem.

 

Assuming the continued effectiveness of the Illinois ZES, New Jersey ZEC program, and the New York CES, we and CENG, through its ownership of Ginna and Nine Mile Point, no longer consider Clinton, Quad Cities, Salem, Ginna, or Nine Mile Point to be at heightened risk for early retirement. However, to the extent the Illinois ZES, New Jersey ZEC program, or the New York CES do not operate as expected over their full terms, each of these plants, in addition to FitzPatrick, would be at heightened risk for early retirement, which could have a material impact on our future financial statements. In addition, FERC’s December 19, 2019 order on the MOPR in PJM may undermine the continued effectiveness of the Illinois ZES and the New Jersey ZEC program unless Illinois and New Jersey implement an FRR mechanism under which our plants in these states would be removed from PJM’s capacity auction. See Note 3 — Regulatory Matters for additional information on the Illinois ZES, New Jersey ZEC program, New York CES, and FERC's December 19, 2019 order on the MOPR in PJM.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 7 — Early Plant Retirements

 

In Pennsylvania, the TMI nuclear plant did not clear in the May 2017 PJM capacity auction for the 2020-2021 planning year, the third consecutive year that TMI failed to clear the PJM base residual capacity auction and on May 30, 2017, based on these capacity auction results, prolonged periods of low wholesale power prices, and the absence of federal or state policies that place a value on nuclear energy for its ability to produce electricity without air pollution, we announced that we would permanently cease generation operations at TMI. On September 20, 2019, we permanently ceased generation operations at TMI.

 

Dresden, Byron, and Braidwood nuclear plants in Illinois are also showing increased signs of economic distress, in a market that does not currently compensate them for their unique contribution to grid resiliency and their ability to produce large amounts of energy without carbon and air pollution. The May 2018 PJM capacity auction for the 2021-2022 planning year resulted in the largest volume of nuclear capacity ever not selected in the auction, including all of Dresden, and portions of Byron and Braidwood. While all of LaSalle's capacity did clear in the 2021-2022 planning year auction, we have become increasingly concerned about the economic viability of this plant as well in a landscape where energy market prices remain depressed and energy market rules remain fatally flawed.

 

On August 27, 2020, we announced that we intend to permanently cease generation operations at Byron in September 2021 and at Dresden in November 2021. The current NRC licenses for Byron Units 1 and 2 expire in 2044 and 2046, respectively, and the licenses for Dresden Units 2 and 3 expire in 2029 and 2031, respectively.

 

As a result of the decision to early retire Byron and Dresden, we recognized certain one-time charges for the year ended December 31, 2020 related to materials and supplies inventory reserve adjustments, employee-related costs, including severance benefit costs further discussed below, and construction work-in-progress impairments, among other items. In addition, as a result of the decisions to early retire Byron and Dresden, there are ongoing annual financial impacts stemming from shortening the expected economic useful lives of these nuclear plants primarily related to accelerated depreciation of plant assets (including any ARC), accelerated amortization of nuclear fuel, and changes in ARO accretion expense associated with the changes in decommissioning timing and cost assumptions to reflect an earlier retirement date. See Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information on changes to the nuclear decommissioning ARO balance and Note 12 — Asset Impairments for impairment assessment considerations given to the Midwest asset group as a result of the early retirement decision. The total impact on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income is summarized in the table below.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 7 — Early Plant Retirements

 

Income statement expense (pre-tax)		2020(a)				2019(b)				2018(c)
Depreciation and amortization
Accelerated depreciation(d)		$	895			$	216			$	539
Accelerated nuclear fuel amortization			60				13				57
Operating and maintenance
One-time charges			255				—				32
Other charges(e)			34				(53	)			—
Contractual offset(f)			(364	)			—				—
Total		$	880			$	176			$	628

 

	(a)	Reflects expense for Byron and Dresden.
	(b)	Reflects expense for TMI.
	(c)	Reflects expense for TMI and Oyster Creek.
	(d)	Includes the accelerated depreciation of plant assets including any ARC.
	(e)	For Dresden, reflects the net impacts associated with the remeasurement of the ARO. For TMI, primarily reflects the net impacts associated with the remeasurement of the ARO. See Note 10 - Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information.
	(f)	Reflects contractual offset for ARO accretion, ARC depreciation, and net impacts associated with the remeasurement of the ARO. For Byron and Dresden, based on the regulatory agreement with the ICC, decommissioning-related activities in 2020 have been offset within the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The offset in 2020 resulted in an adjustment to the noncurrent payables to ComEd. See Note 10 - Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information.

 

Severance benefit costs will be provided to employees impacted by the early retirements of Byron and Dresden, to the extent they are not redeployed to other nuclear plants. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded severance expense of $81 million within Operating and maintenance expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. The final amount of severance benefit costs will depend on the specific employees severed.

 

The following table provides the balance sheet amounts as of December 31, 2020 for our significant assets and liabilities associated with the Braidwood and LaSalle nuclear plants. Current depreciation provisions are based on the estimated useful lives of these nuclear generating stations, which reflect the first

renewal of the operating licenses.

 

		Braidwood				LaSalle				Total
Asset Balances
Materials and supplies inventory, net		$	84			$	106			$	190
Nuclear fuel inventory, net			120				285				405
Completed plant, net			1,397				1,590				2,987
Construction work in progress			31				30				61
Liability Balances
Asset retirement obligation			(570	)			(954	)			(1,524	)
NRC License First Renewal Term			2046 (Unit 1	)			2042 (Unit 1	)
			2047 (Unit 2	)			2043 (Unit 2	)

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 7 — Early Plant Retirements

 

We continue to work with stakeholders on state policy solutions, while also advocating for broader market reforms at the regional and federal level. The absence of such solutions or reforms could result in future impairments of the Midwest asset group, or accelerated depreciation for specific plants over their shortened estimated useful lives, both of which could have a material unfavorable impact on our future results of operations.

 

Other Generation

 

In March 2018, we notified ISO-NE of our plans to early retire, among other assets, the Mystic Generating Station's units 8 and 9 (Mystic 8 and 9) absent regulatory reforms to properly value reliability and regional fuel security. Thereafter, ISO-NE identified Mystic 8 and 9 as being needed to ensure fuel security for the region and entered into a cost of service agreement with these two units for the period between June 1, 2022 - May 31, 2024. The agreement was approved by the FERC in December 2018.

 

On June 10, 2020, we filed a complaint with FERC against ISO-NE stating that ISO-NE failed to follow its tariff with respect to its evaluation of Mystic 8 and 9 for transmission security for the 2024 to 2025 Capacity Commitment Period (FCA 15) and that the modifications that ISO-NE made to its unfiled planning procedures to avoid retaining Mystic 8 and 9 should have been filed with FERC for approval. On August 17, 2020, FERC issued an order denying the complaint. As a result, on August 20, 2020, we determined we will permanently cease generation operations at Mystic 8 and 9 at the expiration of the cost of service commitment in May 2024. See Note 3 — Regulatory Matters for additional discussion of Mystic’s cost of service agreement.

 

As a result of the decision to early retire Mystic 8 and 9, we recognized $22 million of one-time charges for the year ended December 31, 2020, related to materials and supplies inventory reserve adjustments, among other items. In addition, there are annual financial impacts stemming from shortening the expected economic useful life of Mystic 8 and 9 primarily related to accelerated depreciation of plant assets. We recorded incremental Depreciation and amortization expense of $26 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. See Note 12 — Asset Impairments for impairment assessment considerations of the New England Asset Group.

 

8.

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

The following table presents a summary of property, plant and equipment by asset category as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

Asset Category		December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019
Electric		$	29,724			$	29,839
Nuclear fuel(a)			5,399				5,656
Construction work in progress			450				702
Other property, plant, and equipment			11				13
Total property, plant, and equipment			35,584				36,210
Less: accumulated depreciation(b)			13,370				12,017
Property, plant, and equipment, net		$	22,214			$	24,193

 

(a)

Includes nuclear fuel that is in the fabrication and installation phase of $939 million and $1,025 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

(b)

Includes accumulated amortization of nuclear fuel in the reactor core of $2,774 million and $2,867 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 8 — Property, Plant and Equipment

 

The following table presents the average service life for each asset category in number of years:

 

Asset Category		Average Service Life (years)
Electric		1-58
Nuclear fuel		1-8
Other property, plant, and equipment		1-10

 

Depreciation provisions are based on the estimated useful lives of the stations, which reflect the first renewal of the operating licenses for all of our operating nuclear generating stations except for Clinton, Byron, Dresden and Peach Bottom. Clinton depreciation provisions are based on an estimated useful life through 2027, which is the last year of the Illinois ZES. Peach Bottom depreciation provisions are based on estimated useful life of 2053 and 2054 for Unit 2 and Unit 3, respectively, which reflects the second renewal of its operating licenses. Beginning August 2020, Byron, Dresden, and Mystic depreciation provisions were based on their announced shutdown dates of September 2021, November 2021, and May 2024, respectively. See Note 3 — Regulatory Matters for additional information regarding license renewals and the Illinois ZECs and Note 7 — Early Plant Retirements for additional information on the impacts of early plant retirements.

 

The following table presents the annual depreciation rates for each asset category. Nuclear fuel amortization is charged to fuel expense using the unit-of-production method and not included in the below table.

 

		Annual Depreciation Rates
		December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Electric			6.11	%			4.35	%			5.37	%

 

Capitalized Interest

 

The following table summarizes capitalized interest by year:

 

		December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
Capitalized interest		$	22			$	24			$	31

 

See Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies for additional information regarding property, plant and equipment policies.

 

 

Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 9 — Jointly Owned Electric Utility Plant

 

9.

Jointly Owned Electric Utility Plant

 

Our material undivided ownership interests in jointly owned electric plants at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

 

		Nuclear Generation
		Quad Cities				Peach Bottom				Salem				Nine Mile Point Unit 2
Operator		Generation				Generation				PSEG Nuclear				Generation
Ownership interest			75.00	%			50.00	%			42.59	%			82.00	%
Our share as of December 31, 2020
Plant in service		$	1,188			$	1,506			$	717			$	990
Accumulated depreciation			670				601				265				187
Construction work in progress			13				13				39				25
Our share as of December 31, 2019
Plant in service		$	1,161			$	1,466			$	663			$	951
Accumulated depreciation			627				571				249				156
Construction work in progress			13				21				53				27

 

Our undivided ownership interests are financed with our funds and all operations are accounted for as if such participating interests were wholly owned facilities. Our share of direct expenses of the jointly owned plants are included in Purchased power and fuel and Operating and maintenance expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

10.

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

Nuclear Decommissioning Asset Retirement Obligations

 

We have a legal obligation to decommission its nuclear power plants following the expiration of their operating licenses. To estimate our decommissioning obligation related to our nuclear generating stations for financial accounting and reporting purposes, we use a probability-weighted, discounted cash flow model which, on a unit-by-unit basis, considers multiple outcome scenarios that include significant estimates and assumptions, and are based on decommissioning cost studies, cost escalation rates, probabilistic cash flow models, and discount rates. We update our ARO annually unless circumstances warrant more frequent updates, based on our review of updated cost studies and our annual evaluation of cost escalation factors and probabilities assigned to various scenarios. We began decommissioning the TMI nuclear plant upon permanently ceasing operations in 2019. See below section for decommissioning of Zion Station.

 

The financial statement impact for changes in the ARO, on an individual unit basis, due to the changes in and timing of estimated cash flows generally result in a corresponding change in the unit’s ARC within Property, plant, and equipment in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. If the ARO decreases for a Non-Regulatory Agreement unit without any remaining ARC, the corresponding change is recorded as decrease in Operating and maintenance expense within the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations

 

The following table provides a rollforward of the nuclear decommissioning ARO reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020:

 

		Nuclear Decommission ARO
Balance at January 1, 2019		$	10,005
Net increase due to changes in, and timing of, estimated future cash flows			864
Sale of Oyster Creek			(755	)
Accretion expense			479
Costs incurred related to decommissioning plants			(89	)
Balance at December 31, 2019(a)			10,504
Net increase due to changes in, and timing of, estimated future cash flows			1,022
Accretion Expense			489
Costs incurred related to decommissioning plants			(93	)
Balance at December 31, 2020(a)		$	11,922

 

(a)

Includes $80 million and $112 million as the current portion of the ARO at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which is included in Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

The net $1,022 million increase in the ARO during 2020 for changes in the amounts and timing of estimated decommissioning cash flows was driven by multiple adjustments throughout the year. These adjustments primarily include:

 

•

A net increase of approximately $800 million was driven by updates to Byron and Dresden reflecting changes in assumed retirement dates and assumed methods of decommissioning as a result of the announcement to early retire these plants in 2021. Refer to Note 7 — Early Plant Retirements for additional information.

 

•

An increase of approximately $360 million resulting from the change in the assumed DOE spent fuel acceptance date for disposal from 2030 to 2035.

 

•

A decrease of approximately $220 million due to lower estimated decommissioning costs primarily for Limerick and Peach Bottom nuclear units resulting from the completion of updated cost studies.

 

The 2020 ARO updates resulted in an increase of $60 million in Operating and maintenance expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 within the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

The net $864 million increase in the ARO during 2019 for changes in the amounts and timing of estimated decommissioning cash flows was driven by multiple adjustments throughout the year, some with offsetting impacts. These adjustments primarily include:

 

•

An increase of approximately $780 million for changes in the assumed retirement timing probabilities for sites including certain economically challenged nuclear plants and the extension of Peach Bottom’s operating life.

 

•

An increase of approximately $490 million for other impacts that included updated cost escalation rates, primarily for labor, equipment and materials, and current discount rates.

 

•

Lower estimated costs to decommission TMI, Nine Mile Point, Ginna, Braidwood, Byron, and LaSalle nuclear units of approximately $410 million resulting from the completion of updated cost studies.

 

The 2019 ARO updates resulted in a decrease of $150 million in Operating and maintenance expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 within the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. See Note 7 — Early Plant Retirements for additional information regarding TMI and economically challenged nuclear plants and Note 3 — Regulatory Matters regarding the Peach Bottom second license renewal.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations

 

NDT Funds

 

NDT funds have been established for each generation station unit to satisfy our nuclear decommissioning obligations. Generally, NDT funds established for a particular unit may not be used to fund the decommissioning obligations of any other unit.

 

The NDT funds associated with our nuclear units have been funded with amounts collected from the previous owners and their respective utility customers. PECO is authorized to collect funds, in revenues, for decommissioning the former PECO nuclear plants through regulated rates, and these collections are scheduled through the operating lives of the former PECO plants. The amounts collected from PECO customers are remitted to us and deposited into the NDT funds for the unit for which funds are collected. Every five years, PECO files a rate adjustment with the PAPUC that reflects PECO’s calculations of the estimated amount needed to decommission each of the former PECO units based on updated fund balances and estimated decommissioning costs. The rate adjustment is used to determine the amount collectible from PECO customers. On March 31, 2017, PECO filed its Nuclear Decommissioning Cost Adjustment with the PAPUC proposing an annual recovery from customers of approximately $4 million. This amount reflects a decrease from the previously approved annual collection of approximately $24 million primarily due to the removal of the collections for Limerick Units 1 and 2 as a result of the NRC approving the extension of the operating licenses for an additional 20 years. On August 8, 2017, the PAPUC approved the filing and the new rates became effective January 1, 2018.

 

Any shortfall of funds necessary for decommissioning, determined for each generating station unit, is ultimately required to be funded by us, with the exception of a shortfall for the current decommissioning activities at Zion Station, where certain decommissioning activities have been transferred to a third-party (see Zion Station Decommissioning below) and the CENG units, where any shortfall is required to be funded by both us and EDF. Through PECO, we have recourse to collect additional amounts from PECO customers related to a shortfall of NDT funds for the former PECO units, subject to certain limitations and thresholds, as prescribed by an order from the PAPUC. Generally, PECO, and likewise we will not be allowed to collect amounts associated with the first $50 million of any shortfall of trust funds compared to decommissioning costs, as well as 5% of any additional shortfalls, on an aggregate basis for all former PECO units. The initial $50 million and up to 5% of any additional shortfalls would be borne by us. No recourse exists to collect additional amounts from utility customers for any of our other nuclear units. With respect to the former ComEd and PECO units, any funds remaining in the NDTs after all decommissioning has been completed are required to be refunded to ComEd’s or PECO’s customers, subject to certain limitations that allow sharing of excess funds with us related to the former PECO units. With respect to our other nuclear units, we retain any funds remaining after decommissioning. However, in connection with CENG's acquisition of the Nine Mile Point and Ginna plants and settlements with certain regulatory agencies, CENG is subject to certain conditions pertaining to NDT funds that, if met, could possibly result in obligations to make payments to certain third parties (clawbacks). For Nine Mile Point and Ginna, the clawback provisions are triggered only in the event that the required decommissioning activities are discontinued or not started or completed in a timely manner. In the event that the clawback provisions are triggered for Nine Mile Point, then, depending upon the triggering event, an amount equal to 50% of the total amount withdrawn from the funds for non-decommissioning activities or 50% of any excess funds in the trust funds above the amounts required for decommissioning (including spent fuel management and decommissioning) is to be paid to the Nine Mile Point sellers. In the event that the clawback provisions are triggered for Ginna, then an amount equal to any estimated cost savings realized by not completing any of the required decommissioning activities is to be paid to the Ginna sellers. We expect to comply with applicable regulations and timely commence and complete all required decommissioning activities.

 

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the NDT funds totaled $14,599 million and $13,353 million, respectively. The NDT funds include $134 million and $163 million for the current portion of the NDT at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which are included in Other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 22 — Supplemental Financial Information for additional information on activities of the NDT funds.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations

 

Accounting Implications of the Regulatory Agreements with ComEd and PECO

 

Based on the regulatory agreements with the ICC and PAPUC that dictate our obligations related to the shortfall or excess of NDT funds necessary for decommissioning the former ComEd units on a unit-by-unit basis and the former PECO units in total, decommissioning-related activities net of applicable taxes, including realized and unrealized gains and losses on the NDT funds, depreciation of the ARC and accretion of the decommissioning obligation are generally offset within the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income and are recorded as related party balances on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the purposes of making this determination, the decommissioning obligation referred to is different, as described below, from the calculation used in the NRC minimum funding obligation filings based on NRC guidelines.

 

For the former PECO units, given the symmetric settlement provisions that allow for continued recovery of decommissioning costs from PECO customers in the event of a shortfall and the obligation for us to ultimately return any excess funds to PECO customers (on an aggregate basis for all seven units), decommissioning-related activities are generally offset within the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income regardless of whether the NDT funds are expected to exceed or fall short of the total estimated decommissioning obligation. The offset of decommissioning-related activities within the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income results in an equal adjustment to noncurrent payables to or noncurrent receivables from affiliates. Any changes to the existing PECO regulatory agreements could impact our ability to offset decommissioning-related activities within the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income, and the impact to our financial statements could be material.

 

For the former ComEd units, given no further recovery from ComEd customers is permitted and we retain an obligation to ultimately return any unused NDTs to ComEd customers (on a unit-by-unit basis), to the extent the related NDT investment balances are expected to exceed the total estimated decommissioning obligation for each unit, the offset of decommissioning-related activities within the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income results in us recognizing a noncurrent payable to affiliates. However, given the asymmetric settlement provision that does not allow for continued recovery from ComEd customers in the event of a shortfall, recognition of a regulatory asset at ComEd is not permissible and accounting for decommissioning-related activities for that unit would not be offset, and the impact to the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income could be material during such periods.

 

As of December 31, 2020, decommissioning-related activities for all of the former ComEd units, except for Zion (see Zion Station Decommissioning below), are currently offset within the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

The decommissioning-related activities related to the Non-Regulatory Agreement Units are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

See Note 23 — Related Party Transactions for additional information regarding balances with affiliates.

 

Zion Station Decommissioning

 

In 2010, we completed an ASA under which ZionSolutions assumed responsibility for decommissioning Zion Station and we transferred to ZionSolutions substantially all the Zion Station’s assets, including the related NDT funds.

 

Following ZionSolutions' completion of its contractual obligations and transfer of the NRC license to us, we will store the SNF at Zion Station until it is transferred to the DOE for ultimate disposal, and will complete all remaining decommissioning activities associated with the SNF dry storage facility.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations

 

We had retained our obligation for the SNF as well as certain NDT assets to fund the obligation to maintain the SNF at Zion Station until transfer to the DOE and to complete all remaining decommissioning activities for the SNF storage facility. Any shortage of funds necessary to maintain the SNF and decommission the SNF storage facility is ultimately required to be funded by us. As of December 31, 2020, the ARO associated with Zion's SNF storage facility is $175 million and the NDT funds available to fund this obligation are $66 million.

 

NRC Minimum Funding Requirements

 

NRC regulations require that licensees of nuclear generating facilities demonstrate reasonable assurance that funds will be available in specified minimum amounts to decommission the facility at the end of its life. The estimated decommissioning obligations as calculated using the NRC methodology differ from the ARO recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets primarily due to differences in the type of costs included in the estimates, the basis for estimating such costs, and assumptions regarding the decommissioning alternatives to be used, potential license renewals, decommissioning cost escalation, and the growth rate in the NDT funds. Under NRC regulations, if the minimum funding requirements calculated under the NRC methodology are less than the future value of the NDT funds, also calculated under the NRC methodology, then the NRC requires either further funding or other financial guarantees.

 

Key assumptions used in the minimum funding calculation using the NRC methodology at December 31, 2020 include: (1) consideration of costs only for the removal of radiological contamination at each unit; (2) the option on a unit-by-unit basis to use generic, non-site specific cost estimates; (3) consideration of only one decommissioning scenario for each unit; (4) the plants cease operation at the end of their current license lives (with no assumed license renewals for those units that have not already received renewals); (5) the assumption of current nominal dollar cost estimates that are neither escalated through the anticipated period of decommissioning, nor discounted using the CARFR; and (6) assumed annual after-tax returns on the NDT funds of 2% (3% for the former PECO units, as specified by the PAPUC).

 

In contrast, the key criteria and assumptions used by us to determine the ARO and to forecast the target growth in the NDT funds at December 31, 2020 include: (1) the use of site specific cost estimates that are updated at least once every five years; (2) the inclusion in the ARO estimate of all legally unavoidable costs required to decommission the unit (e.g., radiological decommissioning and full site restoration for certain units, on-site spent fuel maintenance and storage subsequent to ceasing operations and until DOE acceptance, and disposal of certain LLRW); (3) the consideration of multiple scenarios where decommissioning and site restoration activities, as applicable, are completed under possible scenarios ranging from 10 to 70 years after the cessation of plant operations; (4) the consideration of multiple end of life scenarios; (5) the measurement of the obligation at the present value of the future estimated costs and an annual average accretion of the ARO of approximately 4% through a period of approximately 30 years after the end of the extended lives of the units; and (6) an estimated targeted annual pre-tax return on the NDT funds of 5.6% to 6.1% (as compared to a historical 5-year annual average pre-tax return of approximately 9.0%).

 

We are required to provide to the NRC a biennial report by unit (annually for units that have been retired or are within five years of the current approved license life), based on values as of December 31, addressing our ability to meet the NRC minimum funding levels. Depending on the value of the trust funds, we may be required to take steps, such as providing financial guarantees through surety bonds, letters of credit, or parent company guarantees or making additional contributions to the trusts, which could be significant, to ensure that the trusts are adequately funded and that NRC minimum funding requirements are met. As a result, the cash flows and financial positions may be significantly adversely affected.

 

We filed our biennial decommissioning funding status report with the NRC on February 24, 2021 for all units, including our shutdown units, except for Zion Station which is included in a separate report to the NRC submitted by ZionSolutions, LLC. The status report demonstrated adequate decommissioning funding assurance as of December 31, 2020 for all units except for Byron Units 1 and 2. We stated that it intends to submit its PSDAR with additional decommissioning cost information by July 1, 2021, for Byron Units 1 and 2, and will evaluate the status of funding assurance based on the updated cost information and provide additional funding assurance by the time of shutdown if required.

 

We will file the next decommissioning funding status report with the NRC by March 31, 2022. This report will reflect the status of decommissioning funding assurance as of December 31, 2021 for shutdown units.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations

 

As the future values of trust funds change due to market conditions, the NRC minimum funding status of our units will change. In addition, if changes occur to the regulatory agreement with the PAPUC that currently allows amounts to be collected from PECO customers for decommissioning the former PECO units, the NRC minimum funding status of those plants could change at subsequent NRC filing dates.

 

Non-Nuclear Asset Retirement Obligations

 

We have AROs for plant closure costs associated with the fossil and renewable generating facilities, including asbestos abatement, removal of certain storage tanks, restoring leased land to the condition it was in prior to construction of renewable generating stations and other decommissioning-related activities. See Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies for additional information on the accounting policy for AROs. 

 

The following table provides a rollforward of the non-nuclear AROs reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020:

 

		Non-nuclear AROs
Balance at January 1, 2019		$	238
Net increase due to changes in, and timing of, estimated future cash flows			7
Development projects			2
Accretion expense			12
Asset divestitures			(42	)
Payments			(1	)
Balance at December 31, 2019			216
Net increase due to changes in, and timing of, estimated future cash flows			2
Development projects			1
Accretion expense			11
Asset divestitures			(4	)
Payments			(4	)
AROs reclassified to liabilities held for sale(a)			(10	)
Balance at December 31 , 2020		$	212

 

(a)

Represents AROs related to our solar business, which were classified as held for sale as a result of the sale agreement. See Note 2 — Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions for additional information.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 11 — Leases

 

11.

Leases

 

Lessee

 

We have operating leases for which we are the lessee. The significant types of leases are contracted generation, real estate, and vehicles and equipment. The following table outlines other terms and conditions of the lease agreements as of December 31, 2020. We do not have material finance leases in 2020 or in 2019.

 

	Years
Remaining lease terms	1-35
Options to extend the term	2-30
Options to terminate within	1-4

 

The components of operating lease costs were as follows:

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		2020				2019
Operating lease costs		$	194			$	222
Variable lease costs			234				282
Short-term lease costs			2				19
Total lease costs (a)		$	430			$	523

 

(a)

Excludes $44 million of sublease income recorded for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

The rental expense under the prior lease accounting guidance for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $558 million. This was inclusive of the contingent operating lease payments associated with contracted generation agreements that are not included in the minimum future operating lease payments table. Payments made under the contracted generation lease agreements totaled to $493 million.

 

The following table provides additional information regarding the presentation of operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

		As of December 31, 2020				As of December 31, 2019
Operating lease ROU assets(a)
Other deferred debits and other assets		$	726			$	895
Operating lease liabilities(a)
Other current liabilities			132				157
Other deferred credits and other liabilities			775				925
Total operating lease liabilities		$	907			$	1,082

 

(a)

The operating ROU assets and lease liabilities include $528 million related to contracted generation as of December 31, 2020 and $664 million as of December 31, 2019.

 

The weighted average remaining lease terms, in years, and the weighted average discount rates for operating leases were as follows:

 

		Weighted Average Remaining Lease Terms (in Years)				Weighted Average Discount Rates
As of December 31, 2020			10.5				4.9	%
As of December 31, 2019			10.6				4.8	%

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 11 — Leases

 

Future minimum lease payments for operating leases as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Year		Future Minimum Lease payments
2021		$	145
2022		113
2023		100
2024		98
2025		99
Remaining years		640
Total		1,195
Interest		288
Total operating lease liabilities		$	907

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities was $204 million and $206 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

ROU assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations were $3 million and $14 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

 

Lessor

 

We have operating leases for which we are the lessor. The significant types of leases are contracted generation and real estate. The following table outlines other terms and conditions of the lease agreements as of December 31, 2020.

 

	Years
Remaining lease terms	1-31
Options to extend the term	1-5

 

The components of lease income were as follows:

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		2020				2019
Operating lease income		$	47			$	47
Variable lease income			282				258

 

Future minimum lease payments to be recovered under operating leases as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Year		Minimum lease payments to be recovered
2021		$	45
2022			45
2023			45
2024			45
2025			45
Remaining years			182
Total		$	407

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 12 — Asset Impairments

 

12.

Asset Impairments

 

We 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. We 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 our long-lived assets.

 

Antelope Valley Solar Facility

 

Antelope Valley, a 242 MW solar facility in Lancaster, CA, sells all of its output to PG&E through a PPA. As a result of the PG&E bankruptcy filing in the first quarter of 2019, we completed a comprehensive review of Antelope Valley's estimated undiscounted future cash flows and no impairment charge was recorded.

 

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 17 - 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, we notified grid operator ISO-NE of its plans to early retire its Mystic Units 8 and 9 absent regulatory reforms on June 1, 2022. These events suggested that the carrying value of the New England asset group may be impaired. In the first quarter of 2018, we completed a comprehensive review of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the New England asset group and no impairment charge was required.

 

In the third quarter of 2020, in conjunction with the retirement announcement of Mystic Units 8 and 9, we completed a comprehensive review of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the New England asset group and concluded that the estimated undiscounted future cash flows and fair value of the New England asset group were less than their carrying values. As a result, a pre-tax impairment charge of $500 million was recorded in the third quarter of 2020 within Operating and maintenance expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. See Note 7 - Early Plant Retirements for additional information.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 12 — Asset Impairments

 

Midwest Asset Group

 

In the third quarter of 2020, in conjunction with the retirement announcements of the Byron and Dresden nuclear plants, we completed a comprehensive review of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the Midwest asset group and no impairment charge was required.

 

We will continue to monitor the recoverability of the carrying value of the Midwest asset group as certain other nuclear plants in Illinois are also showing increased signs of economic distress, which could lead to an early retirement. See Note 7 - Early Plant Retirements for additional information.

 

Equity Method Investments in Certain Distributed Energy Companies

 

In the third quarter of 2019, our equity method investments in certain distributed energy companies were fully impaired due to an other-than-temporary decline in market conditions and underperforming projects. We recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $164 million in Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates and an offsetting pre-tax $96 million in Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. As a result, we accelerated the amortization of investment tax credits associated with these companies and recorded a benefit of $46 million in Income taxes. The impairment charge and the accelerated amortization of investment tax credits resulted in a net $15 million decrease to our earnings. See Note 21 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information.

 

13.

Intangible Assets

 

Our intangible assets and liabilities, included in Unamortized energy contract assets and liabilities and Other deferred debits and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, consisted of the following as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. The intangible assets and liabilities shown below are amortized on a straight line basis, except for unamortized energy contracts which are amortized in relation to the expected realization of the underlying cash flows:

 

		December 31, 2020												December 31, 2019
		Gross				Accumulated Amortization				Net				Gross				Accumulated Amortization				Net
Unamortized Energy Contracts		$	1,963			$	(1,642	)		$	321			$	1,967			$	(1,612	)		$	355
Customer Relationships			326				(215	)			111				343				(190	)			153
Trade Name			222				(197	)			25				243				(193	)			50
Total		$	2,511			$	(2,054	)		$	457			$	2,553			$	(1,995	)		$	558

 

The following table summarizes the amortization expense related to intangible assets and liabilities for each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018:

 

For the Years Ended December 31,		Amortization Expense(a)
2020		$	81
2019			74
2018			63

 

(a)

Amortization of unamortized energy contracts totaling $30 million, $21 million, and $14 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, was recorded in Operating revenues or Purchased power and fuel expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 13 — Intangible Assets

 

The following table summarizes the estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2020:

 

For the Years Ending December 31,		Estimated Future Amortization Expense
2021		$	81
2022			57
2023			51
2024			48
2025			41

 

Renewable Energy Credits

 

Our RECs are included in Other current assets and Other deferred debits and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Purchased RECs are recorded at cost on the date they are purchased. The cost of RECs purchased on a stand-alone basis is based on the transaction price, while the cost of RECs acquired through PPAs represents the difference between the total contract price and the market price of energy at contract inception. Generally, revenue for RECs that are sold to a counterparty under a contract that specifically identifies a power plant is recognized at a point in time when the power is produced. This includes both bundled and unbundled REC sales. Otherwise, the revenue is recognized upon physical transfer of the REC to the customer.

 

The following table presents the current and non-current REC's as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

		As of December 31, 2020				As of December 31, 2019
Current REC's		$	621			$	336
Noncurrent REC's			—				86

 

14.

Income Taxes

 

Components of Income Tax Expense or Benefit

 

Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations is comprised of the following components:

 

		For the Years ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Included in operations:
Federal
Current		$	130			$	147			$	337
Deferred			150				346				(347	)
Investment tax credit amortization			(25	)			(69	)			(21	)
State
Current			40				10				6
Deferred			(46	)			82				(83	)
Total		$	249			$	516			$	(108	)

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 14 — Income Taxes

 

Rate Reconciliation

 

The effective income tax rate from continuing operations varies from the U.S. federal statutory rate principally due to the following:

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		2020(a)				2019(a)				2018(a)
U.S. federal statutory rate			21.0	%			21.0	%			21.0	%
Increase (decrease) due to:
State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit			0.5				3.8				(16.6	)
Qualified NDT fund income			23.5				12.3				(11.8	)
Amortization of investment tax credit, including deferred taxes on basis difference			(2.6	)			(3.0	)			(6.5	)
Production tax credits and other credits			(5.4	)			(4.8	)			(13.5	)
Noncontrolling interests			3.2				(1.2	)			(6.1	)
Tax settlements			(10.3	)			—				—
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017			—				—				2.7
Other			(0.1	)			(1.2	)			1.3
Effective income tax rate			29.8	%			26.9	%			(29.5	)%

 

(a)

Positive percentages represent income tax expense. Negative percentages represent income tax benefit.

 

Tax Differences and Carryforwards

 

The tax effects of temporary differences and carryforwards, which give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets (liabilities), as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are presented below:

 

		As of December 31, 2020				As of December 31, 2019
Plant basis differences		$	(2,592	)		$	(2,814	)
Accrual based contracts			(37	)			(43	)
Derivatives and other financial instruments			(41	)			88
Deferred pension and postretirement obligation			(236	)			(220	)
Nuclear decommissioning activities			(742	)			(503	)
Deferred debt refinancing costs			16				20
Tax loss carryforward			55				55
Tax credit carryforward			838				897
Investment in partnerships			(813	)			(808	)
Other, net			347				236
Deferred income tax liabilities (net)		$	(3,205	)		$	(3,092	)
Unamortized investment tax credits(a)			(445	)			(648	)
Total deferred income tax liabilities (net) and unamortized investment tax credits		$	(3,650	)		$	(3,740	)

 

(a)

Does not include unamortized investment tax credits reclassified to liabilities held for sale as of December 31, 2020.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 14 — Income Taxes

 

The following table provides our carryforwards, which are presented on a post-apportioned basis, and any corresponding valuation allowances as of December 31, 2020.

 

Federal
Federal general business credits carryforwards and other carryforwards		$	852
State
State net operating losses and other carryforwards			1,118
Deferred taxes on state tax attributes (net)			76
Valuation allowance on state tax attributes			23
Year in which net operating loss or credit carryforwards will begin to expire(a)			2034

 

(a)

State net operating loss carryforwards will begin expiring in 2029.

 

Tabular Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

 

The following table presents changes in unrecognized tax benefits.

 

		Unrecognized tax benefits
Balance at January 1, 2018		$	468
Change to positions that only affect timing			15
Increases based on tax positions prior to 2018			21
Decreases based on tax positions prior to 2018(a)			(36	)
Decrease from settlements with taxing authorities			(53	)
Decreases from expiration of statute of limitations			(7	)
Balance at December 31, 2018			408
Change to positions that only affect timing			12
Increases based on tax positions related to 2019			1
Increases based on tax positions prior to 2019			19
Decreases based on tax positions prior to 2019			(3	)
Decrease from settlements with taxing authorities			4
Balance at December 31, 2019			441
Increases based on tax positions related to 2020			1
Increases based on tax positions prior to 2020			23
Decreases based on tax positions prior to 2020(b)			(346	)
Decrease from settlements with taxing authorities(b)			(69	)
Balance at December 31, 2020		$	50

 

(a)

We decreased our unrecognized state tax benefits primarily due to the receipt of favorable guidance with respect to the deductibility of certain depreciable fixed assets.

(b)

Our unrecognized federal and state tax benefits decreased in the first quarter of 2020 by approximately $411 million due to the settlement of a federal refund claim with IRS Appeals. The recognition of these tax benefits resulted in an increase in net income of $73 million in the first quarter of 2020, reflecting a decrease to income tax expense of $67 million.

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 14 — Income Taxes

 

Recognition of unrecognized tax benefits

 

The following table presents the unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would decrease the effective tax rate.

 

December 31, 2020			$	39
December 31, 2019				429
December 31, 2018				408

 

Total amounts of interest and penalties recognized

 

We did not record material interest and penalty expense related to tax positions reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest expense and penalty expense are recorded in Interest expense, net and Other, net, respectively, in Other income and deductions in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

Description of tax years open to assessment by major jurisdiction

 

Major Jurisdiction		Open Years
Federal consolidated income tax returns		2010-2019
Illinois unitary corporate income tax returns		2012-2019
New Jersey separate corporate income tax returns		2013-2019
New York combined corporate income tax returns		2010-March 2012
New York combined corporate income tax returns		2011-2019
Pennsylvania separate corporate income tax returns		2011-2019

 

Other Tax Matters

 

Long-Term Marginal State Income Tax Rate

 

Quarterly, we review and update the marginal state income tax rates for changes in state apportionment. We remeasure our existing deferred income tax balances to reflect the changes in marginal rates, which results in either an increase or a decrease to their net deferred income tax liability balances.

 

		December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
(Decrease) increase to Deferred Income Tax Liability and Income Tax Expense, Net of Federal Taxes		$	(26	)		$	9			$	(53	)

 

Allocation of Tax Benefits

 

We are a party to an agreement with Exelon and other subsidiaries of Exelon that provides for the allocation of consolidated tax liabilities and benefits (Tax Sharing Agreement). The Tax Sharing Agreement provides that each party is allocated an amount of tax similar to that which would be owed had the party been separately subject to tax. In addition, any net federal and state benefits attributable to Exelon is reallocated to the parties. That allocation is treated as a contribution to the capital of the party receiving the benefit.

 

The following table presents the allocation of tax benefits from Exelon to us under the Tax Sharing Agreement.

 

December 31, 2020			$	64
December 31, 2019				41
December 31, 2018				155

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 14 — Income Taxes

 

Research and Development Activities

 

In the fourth quarter of 2019, we recognized additional tax benefits related to certain research and development activities that qualify for federal and state tax incentives for the 2010 through 2018 tax years, which resulted in an increase in net income of $75 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, reflecting a decrease in Income tax expense of $66 million.

 

15.

Retirement Benefits

 

Exelon sponsors defined benefit pension plans and OPEB plans for essentially all our current employees. Substantially all non-union employees and electing union employees hired on or after January 1, 2001 participate in cash balance pension plans. Effective January 1, 2009, substantially all newly-hired union-represented employees participate in cash balance pension plans. Effective February 1, 2018, most newly-hired non-represented, non-craft, employees are not eligible for pension benefits, and will instead be eligible to receive an enhanced non-discretionary employer contribution in an Exelon defined contribution savings plan. Effective January 1, 2018, most newly-hired non-represented, non-craft, employees are not eligible for OPEB benefits and employees represented by Local 614 are not eligible for retiree health care benefits. Effective January 1, 2021, most non-represented, non-craft, employees who are under the age of 40 are not eligible for retiree health care benefits.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 15 — Retirement Benefits

 

The table below shows the pension and OPEB plans in which our employees participated at December 31, 2020:

 

Name of Plan

Qualified Pension Plans:

Exelon Corporation Retirement Program(a)

Exelon Corporation Pension Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees(a)

Exelon New England Union Employees Pension Plan(a)

Exelon Employee Pension Plan for Clinton, TMI and Oyster Creek(a)

Pension Plan of Constellation Energy Group, Inc.(b)

Pension Plan of Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC(c)

Nine Mile Point Pension Plan(c)

Constellation Mystic Power, LLC Union Employees Pension Plan Including Plan A and Plan B(b)

Pepco Holdings LLC Retirement Plan(d)

Non-Qualified Pension Plans:

Exelon Corporation Supplemental Pension Benefit Plan and 2000 Excess Benefit Plan(a)

Exelon Corporation Supplemental Management Retirement Plan(a)

Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Senior Executive Supplemental Plan(b)

Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Supplemental Pension Plan(b)

Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Benefits Restoration Plan(b)

Constellation Energy Nuclear Plan, LLC Executive Retirement Plan(c)

Constellation Energy Nuclear Plan, LLC Benefits Restoration Plan(c)

Baltimore Gas & Electric Company Executive Benefit Plan(b)

Baltimore Gas & Electric Company Manager Benefit Plan(b)

Pepco Holdings LLC 2011 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan(d)

Conectiv Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan(d)

OPEB Plans:

PECO Energy Company Retiree Medical Plan(a)

Exelon Corporation Health Care Program(a)

Exelon Corporation Employees’ Life Insurance Plan(a)

Exelon Corporation Health Reimbursement Arrangement Plan(a)

Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Retiree Medical Plan(b)

Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Retiree Dental Plan(b)

Constellation Energy Group, Inc. Employee Life Insurance Plan and Family Life Insurance Plan(b)

Constellation Mystic Power, LLC Post-Employment Medical Account Savings Plan(b)

Exelon New England Union Post-Employment Medical Savings Account Plan(a)

Retiree Medical Plan of Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC(c)

Retiree Dental Plan of Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC(c)

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC Medical Care and Prescription Drug Plan for Retired Employees(c)

Pepco Holdings LLC Welfare Plan for Retirees(d)

 

(a)

These plans are collectively referred to as the legacy Exelon plans.

(b)

These plans are collectively referred to as the legacy Constellation Energy Group (CEG) Plans.

(c)

These plans are collectively referred to as the legacy CENG plans.

(d)

These plans are collectively referred to as the legacy PHI plans.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 15 — Retirement Benefits

 

Costs Allocation from Exelon

 

We account for our participation in Exelon’s pension and OPEB plans by applying multi-employer accounting. Exelon allocates costs related to its pension and OPEB plans to its subsidiaries based on both active and retired employee participation in each plan.

 

The amounts below represent our allocated pension and OPEB costs. We include the service cost and non-service cost components in Operating and maintenance expense and Property, plant, and equipment, net in the consolidated financial statements.

 

For the Years Ended December 31,			Allocated Pension and OPEB Costs
2020			$	115
2019				135
2018				204

 

Contributions

 

Exelon allocates contributions related to its legacy Exelon pension and OPEB plans to its subsidiaries based on accounting cost. For legacy CEG, CENG, FitzPatrick, and PHI plans, pension and OPEB contributions are allocated to the subsidiaries based on employee participation (both active and retired). The following table provide our contributions to the pension and OPEB plans:

 

Pension Benefits												OPEB
2020				2019				2018				2020				2019				2018
$	236			$	160			$	128			$	19			$	15				11

 

Exelon considers various factors when making pension funding decisions, including actuarially determined minimum contribution requirements under ERISA, contributions required to avoid benefit restrictions and at-risk status as defined by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the Act), management of the pension obligation, and regulatory implications. The Act requires the attainment of certain funding levels to avoid benefit restrictions (such as an inability to pay lump sums or to accrue benefits prospectively), and at-risk status (which triggers higher minimum contribution requirements and participant notification). The projected contributions below reflect a funding strategy to make levelized annual contributions with the objective of achieving 100% funded status on an ABO basis over time. This level funding strategy helps minimize volatility of future period required pension contributions. Unlike the qualified pension plans, Exelon’s non-qualified pension plans are not funded, given that they are not subject to statutory minimum contribution requirements.

 

While OPEB plans are also not subject to statutory minimum contribution requirements, Exelon does fund certain of its plans. For Exelon's funded OPEB plans, contributions generally equal accounting costs, however, Exelon’s management has historically considered several factors in determining the level of contributions to its OPEB plans, including liabilities management, levels of benefit claims paid, and regulatory implications (amounts deemed prudent to meet regulatory expectations and best assure continued rate recovery). The amounts below include our benefit payments related to unfunded plans.

 

The following table provides our planned contributions to the qualified pension plans, planned benefit payments to non-qualified pension plans, and planned contributions to OPEB plans in 2021:

 

		Qualified Pension Plans				Non-Qualified Pension Plans				OPEB
Planned contributions		$	196			$	27			$	24

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 15 — Retirement Benefits

 

Defined Contribution Savings Plan

 

We participate in various 401(k) defined contribution savings plans that are sponsored by Exelon. The plans are qualified under applicable sections of the IRC and allow employees to contribute a portion of their pre-tax and/or after-tax income in accordance with specified guidelines. We match a percentage of the employee contributions up to certain limits. The following table presents matching contributions to the savings plan for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

 

For the Years Ended December 31,
2020			$	63
2019				73
2018				86

 

16.

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

We use derivative instruments to manage commodity price risk, interest rate risk, and foreign exchange risk related to ongoing business operations.

 

Authoritative guidance requires that derivative instruments be recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value, with changes in fair value of the derivative recognized in earnings immediately. Other accounting treatments are available through special election and designation, provided they meet specific, restrictive criteria both at the time of designation and on an ongoing basis. These alternative permissible accounting treatments include NPNS, cash flow hedges, and fair value hedges. All derivative economic hedges related to commodities, referred to as economic hedges, are recorded at fair value through earnings. For all NPNS derivative instruments, accounts receivable or accounts payable are recorded when derivative settles and revenue or expense is recognized in earnings as the underlying physical commodity is sold or consumed.

 

Authoritative guidance about offsetting assets and liabilities requires the fair value of derivative instruments to be shown in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on a gross basis, even when the derivative instruments are subject to legally enforceable master netting agreements and qualify for net presentation in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. A master netting agreement is an agreement between two counterparties that may have derivative and non-derivative contracts with each other providing for the net settlement of all referenced contracts via one payment stream, which takes place as the contracts deliver, when collateral is requested or in the event of default. In the tables below, which present fair value balances, the energy-related economic hedges and proprietary trading derivatives are shown gross. The impact of the netting of fair value balances with the same counterparty that are subject to legally enforceable master netting agreements, as well as netting of cash collateral, including margin on exchange positions, is aggregated in the collateral and netting columns.

 

Our use of cash collateral is generally unrestricted unless we are downgraded below investment grade.

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

We employ established policies and procedures to manage our risks associated with market fluctuations in commodity prices by entering into physical and financial derivative contracts, including swaps, futures, forwards, options, and short-term and long-term commitments to purchase and sell energy and commodity products. We believe these instruments, which are either determined to be non-derivative or classified as economic hedges, mitigate exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices.

 

To the extent the amount of energy we produce differs from the amount of energy we have contracted to sell, we are exposed to market fluctuations in the prices of electricity, fossil fuels, and other commodities. We use a variety of derivative and non-derivative instruments to manage the commodity price risk of our electric generation facilities, including power and gas sales, fuel and power purchases, natural gas transportation and pipeline capacity agreements, and other energy-related products marketed and purchased. To manage these risks, we may enter into fixed-price derivative or non-derivative contracts to hedge the variability in future cash flows from expected sales of power and gas and purchases of power and fuel. The objectives for executing such hedges include fixing the price for a portion of anticipated future electricity sales at a level that provides an acceptable return. We are also exposed to differences between the locational settlement prices of certain economic hedges and the hedged generating units. This price difference is actively managed through other instruments which include derivative congestion products, whose changes in fair value are recognized in earnings each period, and auction revenue rights, which are accounted for on an accrual basis.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Additionally, we are exposed to certain market risks through our proprietary trading activities. The proprietary trading activities are a complement to our energy marketing portfolio but represent a small portion of our overall energy marketing activities and are subject to limits established by the RMC.

 

The following table provides a summary of the derivative fair value balances recorded as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

  

		Economic Hedges				Proprietary Trading				Collateral (a)(b)				Netting(a)				Subtotal
December 31, 2020
Mark-to-market derivative assets (current assets)		$	2,757			$	40			$	103			$	(2,261	)		$	639
Mark-to-market derivative assets (noncurrent assets)			1,501				4				64				(1,015	)			554
Total mark-to-market derivative assets			4,258				44				167				(3,276	)			1,193
Mark-to-market derivative liabilities (current liabilities)			(2,629	)			(23	)			131				2,261				(260	)
Mark-to-market derivative liabilities (noncurrent liabilities)			(1,335	)			(2	)			118				1,015				(204	)
Total mark-to-market derivative liabilities			(3,964	)			(25	)			249				3,276				(464	)
Total mark-to-market derivative net assets (liabilities)		$	294			$	19			$	416			$	—			$	729
December 31, 2019
Mark-to-market derivative assets (current assets)		$	3,506			$	72			$	287			$	(3,190	)		$	675
Mark-to-market derivative assets (noncurrent assets)			1,238				25				122				(877	)			508
Total mark-to-market derivative assets			4,744				97				409				(4,067	)			1,183
Mark-to-market derivative liabilities (current liabilities)			(3,713	)			(38	)			357				3,190				(204	)
Mark-to-market derivative liabilities (noncurrent liabilities)			(1,140	)			(11	)			163				877				(111	)
Total mark-to-market derivative liabilities			(4,853	)			(49	)			520				4,067				(315	)
Total mark-to-market derivative net assets (liabilities)		$	(109	)		$	48			$	929			$	—			$	868

 

(a)

We net all available amounts allowed under the derivative authoritative guidance in the balance sheet. These amounts include unrealized derivative transactions with the same counterparty under legally enforceable master netting agreements and cash collateral. In some cases we may have other offsetting exposures, subject to a master netting or similar agreement, such as trade receivables and payables, transactions that do not qualify as derivatives, letters of credit and other forms of non-cash collateral. These amounts are not material and not reflected in the table above.

(b)

Of the collateral posted, $209 million and $511 million represents variation margin on the exchanges at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Economic Hedges (Commodity Price Risk)

 

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, we recognized the following net pre-tax commodity mark-to-market gains (losses) which are also located in the Net fair value changes related to derivatives line in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

		Gain (Loss)
Income Statement Location		2020				2019				2018
Operating revenues		$	112			$	—			$	(270	)
Purchased power and fuel			168				(204	)			(47	)
Total		$	280			$	(204	)		$	(317	)

 

In general, increases and decreases in forward market prices have a positive and negative impact, respectively, on owned and contracted generation positions that have not been hedged. We hedge commodity price risk on a ratable basis over three-year periods. As of December 31, 2020, the percentage of expected generation hedged for the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York, and ERCOT reportable segments is 94%-97% for 2021.

 

Proprietary Trading (Commodity Price Risk)

 

We also execute commodity derivatives for proprietary trading purposes. Proprietary trading includes all contracts executed with the intent of benefiting from shifts or changes in market prices as opposed to those executed with the intent of hedging or managing risk. Gains and losses associated with proprietary trading are reported as Operating revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income and are included in the Net fair value changes related to derivatives line in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, net pre-tax commodity mark-to-market gains and losses were not material.

 

Interest Rate and Foreign Exchange Risk

 

We utilize interest rate swaps, which are treated as economic hedges, to manage our interest rate exposure. On July 1, 2018, we de-designated our cash flow hedges related to interest rate risk. The notional amounts were $516 million and $569 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

We utilize foreign currency derivatives to manage foreign exchange rate exposure associated with international commodity purchases in currencies other than U.S. dollars, which are treated as economic hedges. The notional amounts were $149 million and $231 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

The mark-to-market derivative assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the mark-to-market gains and losses for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 were not material.

 

Credit Risk

 

We would be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties on executed derivative instruments. The credit exposure of derivative contracts, before collateral, is represented by the fair value of contracts at the reporting date.

 

For commodity derivatives, we enter into enabling agreements that allow for payment netting with our counterparties, which reduces our exposure to counterparty risk by providing for the offset of amounts payable to the counterparty against amounts receivable from the counterparty. Typically, each enabling agreement is for a specific commodity and so, with respect to each individual counterparty, netting is limited to transactions involving that specific commodity product, except where master netting agreements exist with a counterparty that allow for cross product netting. In addition to payment netting language in the enabling agreement, our credit department establishes credit limits, margining thresholds and collateral requirements for each counterparty, which are defined in the derivative contracts. Counterparty credit limits are based on an internal credit review process that considers a variety of factors, including the results of a scoring model, leverage, liquidity, profitability, credit ratings by credit rating agencies, and risk management capabilities. To the extent that a counterparty’s margining thresholds are exceeded, the counterparty is required to post collateral with us as specified in each enabling agreement. Our credit department monitors current and forward credit exposure to counterparties and their affiliates, both on an individual and an aggregate basis.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The following tables provide information on the credit exposure for all derivative instruments, NPNS and payables and receivables, net of collateral and instruments that are subject to master netting agreements, as of December 31, 2020. The tables further delineate that exposure by credit rating of the counterparties and provide guidance on the concentration of credit risk to individual counterparties. The figures in the tables below exclude credit risk exposure from individual retail counterparties, nuclear fuel procurement contracts, and exposure through RTOs, ISOs, NYMEX, ICE, NASDAQ, NGX, and Nodal commodity exchanges.

 

Rating as of December 31, 2020		Total Exposure Before Credit Collateral				Credit Collateral(a)				Net Exposure				Number of Counterparties Greater than 10% of Net Exposure				Net Exposure of Counterparties Greater than 10% of Net Exposure
Investment grade		$	577			$	27			$	550				—			$	—
Non-investment grade			32				—				32
No external ratings
Internally rated — investment grade			165				1				164
Internally rated — non-investment grade			80				28				52
Total		$	854			$	56			$	798				—			$	—

 

 

Net Credit Exposure by Type of Counterparty		As of December 31, 2020
Financial institutions		$	15
Investor-owned utilities, marketers, power producers			607
Energy cooperatives and municipalities			138
Other			38
Total		$	798

 

(a)

As of December 31, 2020, credit collateral held from counterparties where we had credit exposure included $31 million of cash and $25 million of letters of credit. The credit collateral does not include non-liquid collateral.

 

Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features

 

As part of the normal course of business, we routinely enter into physically or financially settled contracts for the purchase and sale of electric capacity, electricity, fuels, emissions allowances, and other energy-related products. Certain of our derivative instruments contain provisions that require us to post collateral. We also enter into commodity transactions on exchanges where the exchanges act as the counterparty to each trade. Transactions on the exchanges must adhere to comprehensive collateral and margining requirements. This collateral may be posted in the form of cash or credit support with thresholds contingent upon our credit rating from each of the major credit rating agencies. The collateral and credit support requirements vary by contract and by counterparty. These credit-risk related contingent features stipulate that if we were to be downgraded or lose our investment grade credit rating (based on our senior unsecured debt rating), we would be required to provide additional collateral. This incremental collateral requirement allows for the offsetting of derivative instruments that are assets with the same counterparty, where the contractual right of offset exists under applicable master netting agreements. In the absence of expressly agreed-to provisions that specify the collateral that must be provided, collateral requested will be a function of the facts and circumstances of the situation at the time of the demand. In this case, we believe an amount of several months of future payments (i.e., capacity payments) rather than a calculation of fair value is the best estimate for the contingent collateral obligation, which has been factored into the disclosure below.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk related contingent features in a liability position that are not fully collateralized (excluding transactions on the exchanges that are fully collateralized) is detailed in the table below:

 

		As of December 31,
Credit-Risk Related Contingent Features		2020				2019
Gross fair value of derivative contracts containing this feature(a)		$	(834	)		$	(956	)
Offsetting fair value of in-the-money contracts under master netting arrangements(b)			537				649
Net fair value of derivative contracts containing this feature(c)		$	(297	)		$	(307	)

 

(a)

Amount represents the gross fair value of out-of-the-money derivative contracts containing credit-risk-related contingent features ignoring the effects of master netting agreements.

(b)

Amount represents the offsetting fair value of in-the-money derivative contracts under legally enforceable master netting agreements with the same counterparty, which reduces the amount of any liability for which we could potentially be required to post collateral.

(c)

Amount represents the net fair value of out-of-the-money derivative contracts containing credit-risk related contingent features after considering the mitigating effects of offsetting positions under master netting arrangements and reflects the actual net liability upon which any potential contingent collateral obligations would be based.

 

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we posted or held the following amounts of cash collateral and letters of credit on derivative contracts with external counterparties, after giving consideration to offsetting derivative and non-derivative positions under master netting agreements.

 

		As of December 31,
		2020				2019
Cash collateral posted		$	511			$	982
Letters of credit posted			226				264
Cash collateral held			110				103
Letters of credit held			40				112
Additional collateral required in the event of a credit downgrade below investment grade			1,432				1,509

 

We entered into supply forward contracts with certain utilities with one-sided collateral postings only from us. If market prices fall below the benchmark price levels in these contracts, the utilities are not required to post collateral. However, when market prices rise above the benchmark price levels, counterparty suppliers, including us, are required to post collateral once certain unsecured credit limits are exceeded.

 

17.

Debt and Credit Agreements

 

Short-Term Borrowings

 

We meet our short-term liquidity requirements primarily through the issuance of commercial paper and borrowings from the Exelon intercompany money pool. We may use our credit facility for general corporate purposes, including meeting short-term funding requirements and the issuance of letters of credit.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements

 

Commercial Paper

 

The following table reflects our commercial paper program supported by the revolving credit agreements and bilateral credit agreements at December 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

Maximum Program Size at December 31,								Outstanding Commercial Paper at December 31,								Average Interest Rate on Commercial Paper Borrowings at December 31,
	2020(a)(b)				2019(a)(b)				2020				2019				2020				2019
$	5,300			$	5,300			$	340			$	320				0.27	%			1.84	%

 

(a)

Excludes $1,500 million and $1,400 million in bilateral credit facilities at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $144 million and $159 million in credit facilities for project finance at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These credit facilities do not back our commercial paper program.

(b)

At December 31, 2020, excludes $38 million of a credit facility agreement arranged at minority and community banks. This facility expires on October 8, 2021 and is solely utilized to issue letters of credit. At December 31, 2019, excludes $44 million of a credit facility agreement arranged at minority and community banks.

 

In order to maintain our commercial paper program in the amounts indicated above, we must have a credit facility in place, at least equal to the amount of our commercial paper program. We do not issue commercial paper in an aggregate amount exceeding the then available capacity under our credit facility.

 

At December 31, 2020, we had the following aggregate bank commitments, credit facility borrowings and available capacity under our respective credit facilities:

 

														Available Capacity at December 31, 2020
Facility Type		Aggregate Bank Commitment(b)				Facility Draws				Outstanding Letters of Credit				Actual				To Support Additional Commercial Paper
Syndicated Revolver(a)		$	5,300			$	—			$	262			$	5,038			$	4,698
Bilaterals			1,500				—				840				660				—
Project Finance			144				—				119				25				—

 

(a)

On May 26, 2018, our syndicated revolving credit facility had the maturity date extended to May 26, 2023.

(b)

Excludes $38 million of credit facility agreements arranged at minority and community banks. These facilities expire on October 8, 2021 and are solely utilized to issue letters of credit. As of December 31, 2020, letters of credit issued under these facilities totaled $5 million.

 

On March 19, 2020, we borrowed $1.5 billion on our revolving credit facility due to disruptions in the commercial paper markets as a result of COVID-19. The funds were used to refinance commercial paper. We repaid the $1.5 billion borrowed on the revolving credit facility on April 3, 2020.

 

Short-Term Loan Agreements

 

On March 19, 2020, we entered into a term loan agreement for $200 million. The loan agreement has an expiration of March 18, 2021. Pursuant to the loan agreement, loans made thereunder bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.50% and all indebtedness thereunder is unsecured. The loan agreement is reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet within Short-term borrowings.

 

On March 31, 2020, we entered into a term loan agreement for $300 million. The loan agreement has an expiration of March 30, 2021. Pursuant to the loan agreement, loans made thereunder bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.75% and all indebtedness thereunder is unsecured. The loan agreement is reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet within Short-term borrowings.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements

 

Bilateral Credit Agreements

 

The following table reflects the bilateral credit agreements at December 31, 2020:

 

Date Initiated				Latest Amendment Date		Maturity Date(a)		Amount
October 26, 2012		(b)		October 23, 2020		October 22, 2021		$	200
January 11, 2013		(c)		January 4, 2019		March 1, 2021			100
January 5, 2016		(c)		January 4, 2019		April 5, 2021			150
February 21, 2019		(c)		N/A		March 31, 2021			100
October 25, 2019		(c)		N/A		N/A			200
October 25, 2019		(c)		N/A		N/A			100
November 20, 2019		(c)		N/A		N/A			300
November 21, 2019		(c)		N/A		N/A			150
November 21, 2019		(c)		N/A		November 21, 2021			100
May 15, 2020		(c)		N/A		N/A			100

 

(a)

Credit facilities that do not contain a maturity date are specific to the agreements set within each contract. In some instances, credit facilities are automatically renewed based on the contingency standards set within the specific agreement.

(b)

Bilateral credit facility relates to CENG and supports the issuance of letters of credit and funding for working capital and does not back our commercial paper program. During the second and third quarters of 2020, CENG drew on its bilateral credit facility. As of December 31, 2020, there was no outstanding balance at this facility.

(c)

Bilateral credit agreements solely support the issuance of letters of credit and do not back our commercial paper program.

 

Borrowings under our revolving credit agreement bear interest at a rate based upon either the prime rate or a LIBOR-based rate, plus an adder based upon our credit rating. The adders for the prime based borrowings and LIBOR-based borrowings are 27.5 and 127.5, respectively.

 

If we lose our investment grade rating, the maximum adders for prime rate borrowings and LIBOR-based rate borrowings would be 65 basis points and 165 basis points, respectively. The credit agreement also require the borrower to pay a facility fee based upon the aggregate commitments. The fee varies depending upon the respective credit ratings of the borrower.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements

 

Long-Term Debt 

 

The following table present the outstanding long-term debt as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

											Maturity			December 31,
		Rates									Date			2020				2019
Long-term debt
Senior unsecured notes			3.25	%	-			7.60	%		2022 - 2042			$	4,219			$	5,420
Pollution control notes			2.50	%	-			2.70	%		2020				—				412
Nuclear fuel procurement contracts								3.15	%		2020				—				3
Notes payable and other			2.10	%	-			4.85	%		2021 - 2028				111				115
Nonrecourse debt:
Fixed rates			2.29	%	-			6.00	%		2031 - 2037				977				1,182
Variable rates			2.99	%	-			3.18	%		2021 - 2027				765				811
Total long-term debt															6,072				7,943
Unamortized debt discount and premium, net															(5	)			(5	)
Unamortized debt issuance costs															(46	)			(42	)
Fair value adjustment															66				78
Long-term debt due within one year															(197	)			(3,182	)
Long-term debt														$	5,890			$	4,792

 

Long-term debt maturities in the periods 2021 through 2025 and thereafter are as follows:

 

2021			$	197
2022				1,025
2023				1
2024				1
2025				900
Thereafter				3,948
Total			$	6,072

 

Debt Covenants

 

As of December 31, 2020, we are in compliance with debt covenants.

 

Nonrecourse Debt 

 

We have issued nonrecourse debt financing, in which approximately $2.2 billion of generating assets have been pledged as collateral at December 31, 2020. Borrowings under these agreements are secured by the assets and equity of each respective project. The lenders do not have recourse against us in the event of a default. If a specific project financing entity does not maintain compliance with its specific nonrecourse debt financing covenants, there could be a requirement to accelerate repayment of the associated debt or other borrowings earlier than the stated maturity dates. In these instances, if such repayment was not satisfied, the lenders or security holders would generally have rights to foreclose against the project-specific assets and related collateral. The potential requirement to satisfy its associated debt or other borrowings earlier than otherwise anticipated could lead to impairments due to a higher likelihood of disposing of the respective project-specific assets significantly before the end of their useful lives.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements

 

Antelope Valley Solar Ranch One. In December 2011, the DOE Loan Programs Office issued a guarantee for up to $646 million for a nonrecourse loan from the Federal Financing Bank to support the financing of the construction of the Antelope Valley facility. The project became fully operational in 2014. The loan will mature on January 5, 2037. Interest rates on the loan were fixed upon each advance at a spread of 37.5 basis points above U.S. Treasuries of comparable maturity. The advances were completed as of December 31, 2015 and the outstanding loan balance will bear interest at an average blended interest rate of 2.82%. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, approximately $460 million and $485 million were outstanding, respectively. In addition, we have issued letters of credit to support the equity investment in the project. As of December 31, 2020, we had $37 million in letters of credit outstanding related to the project. In December 2017, our interests in Antelope Valley were contributed to and are pledged as collateral for the EGR IV financing structures referenced below.

 

Antelope Valley sells all of its output to PG&E through a PPA. On January 29, 2019, PG&E filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which created an event of default for Antelope Valley’s nonrecourse debt that provided the lender with a right to accelerate amounts outstanding under the loan such that they would become immediately due and payable. As a result of the event of default and in the absence of a waiver from the lender foregoing their acceleration rights, the debt was reclassified as current in the Consolidated Balance Sheet in the first quarter of 2019. Further, distributions from Antelope Valley to EGR IV were suspended.

 

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. On July 21, 2020, Antelope Valley received a waiver from the DOE for the event of default and, as such, distributions from Antelope Valley to EGR IV were permitted and the debt was classified as noncurrent as of June 30, 2020. The debt continues to be presented as noncurrent as of December 31, 2020.

 

See Note 12 — Asset Impairments for additional information.

 

Continental Wind, LLC.  In September 2013, Continental Wind, our indirect subsidiary, completed the issuance and sale of $613 million senior secured notes. Continental Wind owns and operates a portfolio of wind farms in Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Oregon, New Mexico and Texas with a total net capacity of 667 MW. The net proceeds were distributed to us for general business purposes. The notes are scheduled to mature on February 28, 2033. The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.00% with interest payable semi-annually. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, approximately $415 million and $447 million were outstanding, respectively.

 

In addition, Continental Wind has a $122 million letter of credit facility and $4 million working capital revolver facility. Continental Wind has issued letters of credit to satisfy certain of its credit support and security obligations. As of December 31, 2020, the Continental Wind letter of credit facility had $114 million in letters of credit outstanding related to the project.

 

In 2017, our interests in Continental Wind were contributed to EGRP. Refer to Note 21 - Variable Interest Entities for additional information on EGRP.

 

Renewable Power Generation.  In March 2016, RPG, our indirect subsidiary, issued $150 million aggregate principal amount of a nonrecourse senior secured notes.  The net proceeds were distributed to us for paydown of long term debt obligations at Sacramento PV Energy and Constellation Solar Horizons and for general business purposes.  The loan is scheduled to mature on March 31, 2035.  The term loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.11% payable semi-annually.  As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, approximately $95 million and $106 million were outstanding, respectively.

 

In 2017, our interests in RPG were contributed to EGRP. Refer to Note 21 - Variable Interest Entities for additional information on EGRP.

 

SolGen, LLC.  In September 2016, SolGen, LLC (SolGen), our indirect subsidiary, issued $150 million aggregate principal amount of a nonrecourse senior secured notes. The net proceeds were distributed to us for general business purposes.  The loan is scheduled to mature on September 30, 2036.  The term loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.93% payable semi-annually.  As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, approximately $125 million and $131 million were outstanding, respectively. As a result of the sale agreement with an affiliate of Brookfield Renewable in the fourth quarter of 2020, the outstanding balance was reclassified to Liabilities held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020. In 2017, our interests in SolGen were contributed to and were pledged as collateral for the EGR IV financing structure. In December 2020, as part of the EGR IV financing, SolGen was removed from the collateral terms structured within the agreement. See EGR IV discussed below for additional information and Note 2 — Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions for additional information on the sale agreement.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements

 

ExGen Renewables IV.  In November 2017, EGR IV, our indirect subsidiary, entered into an $850 million nonrecourse senior secured term loan credit facility agreement with a maturity date of November 28, 2024. In addition to the financing, EGR IV entered into interest rate swaps with an initial notional amount of $636 million at an interest rate of 2.32% to manage a portion of the interest rate exposure in connection with the financing.

 

In December 2020, EGR IV entered into a financing agreement for a $750 million nonrecourse senior secured term loan credit facility, scheduled to mature on December 15, 2027. The term loan bears interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.75%, subject to a 1% LIBOR floor with interest payable quarterly. In addition to the financing, EGR IV entered into interest rate swaps with an initial notional amount of $516 million at an interest rate of 1.05% to manage a portion of the interest rate exposure in connection with the financing.

 

The proceeds were used to repay the November 2017 nonrecourse senior secured term loan credit facility of $850 million, of which $709 million was outstanding as of the retirement date in December of 2020, and to settle the November 2017 interest rate swap. Our interests in EGRP and Antelope Valley remained contributed to and are pledged as collateral for this financing. As of December 31, 2020, $750 million was outstanding. See Note 21 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information on EGRP and Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information on interest rate swaps.

 

18.

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

We measure and classify fair value measurements in accordance with the hierarchy as defined by GAAP. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:

 

•

Level 1 — quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to liquidate as of the reporting date.

 

•

Level 2 — inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable through corroboration with observable market data.

 

•

Level 3 — unobservable inputs, such as internally developed pricing models or third-party valuations for the asset or liability due to little or no market activity for the asset or liability.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

Fair Value of Financial Liabilities Recorded at Amortized Cost

 

The following tables present the carrying amounts and fair values of the short-term liabilities, long-term debt, and SNF obligation as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. We have no financial liabilities classified as Level 1.

 

The carrying amounts of the short-term liabilities as presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are representative of their fair value (Level 2) because of the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

		December 31, 2020																December 31, 2019
		Carrying				Fair Value												Carrying				Fair Value
		Amount				Level 2				Level 3				Total				Amount				Level 2				Level 3				Total
Long-Term Debt, including amounts due within one year(a)		$	6,087			$	5,648			$	1,208			$	6,856			$	7,974			$	7,304			$	1,366			$	8,670
SNF Obligation			1,208				909				—				909				1,199				1,055				—				1,055

 

(a)

Includes unamortized debt issuance costs which are not fair valued. Refer to Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements for additional information on unamortized debt issuance costs.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

We use the following methods and assumptions to estimate fair value of financial liabilities recorded at carrying cost:

 

Type		Level		Valuation
Long-term Debt, including amounts due within one year
Taxable Debt   Securities		2		The fair value is determined by a valuation model that is based on a conventional discounted cash flow methodology and utilizes assumptions of current market pricing curves. We obtain credit spreads based on trades of existing our debt securities as well as other issuers in the utility sector with similar credit ratings. The yields are then converted into discount rates of various tenors that are used for discounting the respective cash flows of the same tenor for each bond or note.
Variable Rate Financing Debt		2		Debt rates are reset on a regular basis and the carrying value approximates fair value.
Government Backed Fixed Rate Project Financing Debt		3		The fair value is similar to the process for taxable debt securities. Due to the lack of market trading data on similar debt, the discount rates are derived based on the original loan interest rate spread to the applicable U.S. Treasury rate as well as a current market curve derived from government-backed securities.
Non-Government Backed Fixed Rate Nonrecourse Debt		3		Fair value is based on market and quoted prices for its own and other nonrecourse debt with similar risk profiles. Given the low trading volume in the nonrecourse debt market, the price quotes used to determine fair value will reflect certain qualitative factors, such as market conditions, investor demand, new developments that might significantly impact the project cash flows or off-taker credit, and other circumstances related to the project.
SNF Obligation
SNF Obligation		2		The carrying amount is derived from a contract with the DOE to provide for disposal of SNF from our nuclear generating stations. When determining the fair value of the obligation, the future carrying amount of the SNF obligation is calculated by compounding the current book value of the SNF obligation at the 13-week U.S. Treasury rate. The compounded obligation amount is discounted back to present value using our discount rate, which is calculated using the same methodology as described above for the taxable debt securities, and an estimated maturity date of 2035 and 2030 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

 

The following table presents assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

		As of December 31, 2020																				As of December 31, 2019
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Not subject to leveling				Total				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Not subject to leveling				Total
Assets
Cash equivalents(a)		$	124			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	124			$	214			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	214
NDT fund investments
Cash equivalents(b)			210				95				—				—				305				365				87				—				—				452
Equities			3,886				2,077				—				1,562				7,525				3,353				1,801				—				1,388				6,542
Fixed income
Corporate debt(c)			—				1,485				285				—				1,770				—				1,421				257				—				1,678
U.S. Treasury and agencies			1,871				126				—				—				1,997				1,808				131				—				—				1,939
Foreign governments			—				56				—				—				56				—				42				—				—				42
State and municipal debt			—				101				—				—				101				—				90				—				—				90
Other			—				41				—				961				1,002				—				33				—				953				986
Fixed income subtotal			1,871				1,809				285				961				4,926				1,808				1,717				257				953				4,735
Private credit			—				—				212				629				841				—				—				254				508				762
Private equity			—				—				—				504				504				—				—				—				402				402
Real estate			—				—				—				679				679				—				—				—				607				607
NDT fund investments subtotal(d)(e)			5,967				3,981				497				4,335				14,780				5,526				3,605				511				3,858				13,500
Rabbi trust investments
Cash equivalents			4				—				—				—				4				4				—				—				—				4
Mutual funds			29				—				—				—				29				25				—				—				—				25
Life insurance contracts			—				28				—				—				28				—				25				—				—				25
Rabbi trust investments subtotal			33				28				—				—				61				29				25				—				—				54
Investments in equities(f)			195				—				—				—				195				—				—				—				—				—
Commodity derivative assets
Economic hedges			745				1,914				1,599				—				4,258				768				2,491				1,485				—				4,744
Proprietary trading			—				17				27				—				44				—				37				60				—				97
Effect of netting and allocation of collateral(g)(h)			(607	)			(1,597	)			(905	)			—				(3,109	)			(908	)			(2,162	)			(588	)			—				(3,658	)
Commodity derivative assets subtotal			138				334				721				—				1,193				(140	)			366				957				—				1,183
DPP consideration			—				639				—				—				639				—				—				—				—				—
Total assets		$	6,457			$	4,982			$	1,218			$	4,335			$	16,992			$	5,629			$	3,996			$	1,468			$	3,858			$	14,951
Liabilities
Commodity derivative liabilities
Economic hedges			(682	)			(1,928	)			(1,354	)			—				(3,964	)			(1,071	)			(2,855	)			(927	)			—				(4,853	)
Proprietary trading			—				(21	)			(4	)			—				(25	)			—				(34	)			(15	)			—				(49	)
Effect of netting and allocation of collateral(g)(h)			540				1,918				1,067				—				3,525				1,071				2,714				802				—				4,587
Commodity derivative liabilities subtotal			(142	)			(31	)			(291	)			—				(464	)			—				(175	)			(140	)			—				(315	)
Deferred compensation obligation			—				(42	)			—				—				(42	)			—				(41	)			—				—				(41	)
Total liabilities			(142	)			(73	)			(291	)			—				(506	)			—				(216	)			(140	)			—				(356	)
Total net assets		$	6,315			$	4,909			$	927			$	4,335			$	16,486			$	5,629			$	3,780			$	1,328			$	3,858			$	14,595

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

(a)

We exclude cash of $171 million and $177 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and restricted cash of $20 million and $58 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

(b)

Includes $116 million and $90 million of cash received from outstanding repurchase agreements at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is offset by an obligation to repay upon settlement of the agreement as discussed in (e) below.

(c)

Includes investments in equities sold short of $(62) million and $(48) million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, held in an investment vehicle primarily to hedge the equity option component of convertible debt.

(d)

Includes derivative assets of $2 million and $2 million, which have total notional amounts of $1,043 million and $724 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The notional principal amounts for these instruments provide one measure of the transaction volume outstanding as of the periods ended and do not represent the amount of our exposure to credit or market loss.

(e)

Excludes net liabilities of $181 million and $147 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which include certain derivative assets that have notional amounts of $104 million and $99 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These items consist of receivables related to pending securities sales, interest and dividend receivables, repurchase agreement obligations, and payables related to pending securities purchases. The repurchase agreements are generally short-term in nature with durations generally of 30 days or less.

(f)

Reflects equity investments held by us which were previously designated as equity investments without readily determinable fair values but are now publicly traded and therefore have readily determinable fair values. We recorded the fair value of these investments in Other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the quoted market prices of the stocks at December 31, 2020, which resulted in an unrealized gain of $186 million within Other, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2020.

(g)

Collateral posted/(received) from counterparties, net of collateral paid to counterparties, totaled $(67) million, $321 million, and $162 million allocated to Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 mark-to-market derivatives, respectively, as of December 31, 2020. Collateral posted/(received) from counterparties, net of collateral paid to counterparties, totaled $163 million, $551 million, and $214 million allocated to Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 mark-to-market derivatives, respectively, as of December 31, 2019.

(h)

Of the collateral posted/(received), $209 million and $511 million represents variation margin on the exchanges as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2020, we have outstanding commitments to invest in private credit, private equity, and real estate investments of approximately $195 million, $254 million, and $369 million, respectively. These commitments will be funded by our existing NDT funds.

 

We hold investments without readily determinable fair values with carrying amounts of $55 million and $69 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Changes in fair value, cumulative adjustments, and impairments were not material for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

Reconciliation of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities

 

The following tables present the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

		For the year ended December 31, 2020
		NDT Fund Investments				Mark-to-Market Derivatives					Total
Balance as of January 1, 2020		$	511			$	817				$	1,328
Total realized / unrealized gains (losses)
Included in net income			2				(414	)	(a)			(412	)
Included in noncurrent payables to affiliates			21				—					21
Change in collateral			—				(53	)				(53	)
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements
Purchases			8				143					151
Sales			—				(27	)				(27	)
Settlements			(45	)			—					(45	)
Transfers into Level 3			—				(12	)	(b)			(12	)
Transfers out of Level 3			—				(24	)	(b)			(24	)
Balance as of December 31, 2020		$	497			$	430				$	927
The amount of total gains included in net income attributed to the change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets and liabilities held as of December 31, 2020		$	2			$	6				$	8

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

		For the year ended December 31, 2019
		NDT Fund Investments				Mark-to-Market Derivatives				Total
Balance as of January 1, 2019		$	543			$	575			$	1,118
Total realized / unrealized gains (losses)
Included in net income			5				(31	)	(a)		(26	)
Included in noncurrent payables to affiliates			34				—				34
Change in collateral			—				138				138
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements
Purchases			44				132				176
Sales			(21	)			(2	)			(23	)
Settlements			(94	)			5				(89	)
Transfers into Level 3			—				5		(b)		5
Transfers out of Level 3			—				(5	)	(b)		(5	)
Balance as of December 31, 2019		$	511			$	817			$	1,328
The amount of total gains included in net income attributed to the change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets and liabilities held as of December 31, 2019		$	5			$	351			$	356

 

(a)   Includes a reduction for the reclassification of $420 million and $377 million of realized gains due to the settlement of derivative contracts for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

(b)   Transfers into and out of Level 3 generally occur when the contract tenor becomes less and more observable, respectively, primarily due to changes in market liquidity or assumptions for certain commodity contracts.

 

The following table presents the income statement classification of the total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in income for Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

		Operating Revenues				Purchased Power and Fuel			Other, net
Total (losses) gains included in net income for the year ended December 31, 2020		$	(404	)		$	(10)		$	2
Change in unrealized (losses) gains relating to assets and liabilities held for the year ended December 31, 2020			(31	)			37			2
Total gains (losses) included in net income for the year ended December 31, 2019		$	219			$	(245)		$	5
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities held for the year ended December 31, 2019			546				(195)			5

Valuation Techniques Used to Determine Fair Value

 

Cash Equivalents. Investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased, including mutual and money market funds, are considered cash equivalents. The fair values are based on observable market prices and, therefore, are included in the recurring fair value measurements hierarchy as Level 1.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

NDT Fund Investments. The trust fund investments have been established to satisfy our and CENG's nuclear decommissioning obligations as required by the NRC. The NDT funds hold debt and equity securities directly and indirectly through commingled funds and mutual funds, which are included in equities and fixed income. Our and CENG's NDT fund investments policies outline investment guidelines for the trusts and limit the trust funds’ exposures to investments in highly illiquid markets and other alternative investments, including private credit, private equity, and real estate. Investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased, including certain short-term fixed income securities are considered cash equivalents and included in the recurring fair value measurements hierarchy as Level 1 or Level 2.

 

Equities. These investments consist of individually held equity securities, equity mutual funds, and equity commingled funds in domestic and foreign markets. With respect to individually held equity securities, the trustees obtain prices from pricing services, whose prices are generally obtained from direct feeds from market exchanges, which we are able to independently corroborate. Equity securities held individually, including real estate investment trusts, rights, and warrants, are primarily traded on exchanges that contain only actively traded securities due to the volume trading requirements imposed by these exchanges. The equity securities that are held directly by the trust funds are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and categorized as Level 1. Certain equity securities have been categorized as Level 2 because they are based on evaluated prices that reflect observable market information, such as actual trade information or similar securities. Certain private placement equity securities are categorized as Level 3 because they are not publicly traded and are priced using significant unobservable inputs.

 

Equity commingled funds and mutual funds are maintained by investment companies, and fund investments are held in accordance with a stated set of fund objectives. The values of some of these funds are publicly quoted. For mutual funds which are publicly quoted, the funds are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and have been categorized as Level 1. For equity commingled funds and mutual funds which are not publicly quoted, the fund administrators value the funds using the NAV per fund share, derived from the quoted prices in active markets of the underlying securities and are not classified within the fair value hierarchy. These investments typically can be redeemed monthly or more frequently, with 30 or less days of notice and without further restrictions.

 

Fixed income. For fixed income securities, which consist primarily of corporate debt securities, U.S. government securities, foreign government securities, municipal bonds, asset and mortgage-backed securities, commingled funds, mutual funds, and derivative instruments, the trustees obtain multiple prices from pricing vendors whenever possible, which enables cross-provider validations in addition to checks for unusual daily movements. A primary price source is identified based on asset type, class, or issue for each security. With respect to individually held fixed income securities, the trustees monitor prices supplied by pricing services and may use a supplemental price source or change the primary price source of a given security if the portfolio managers challenge an assigned price and the trustees determine that another price source is considered to be preferable. We have obtained an understanding of how these prices are derived, including the nature and observability of the inputs used in deriving such prices. Additionally, we selectively corroborate the fair values of securities by comparison to other market-based price sources. Investments in U.S. Treasury securities have been categorized as Level 1 because they trade in highly-liquid and transparent markets. Certain private placement fixed income securities have been categorized as Level 3 because they are priced using certain significant unobservable inputs and are typically illiquid. The remaining fixed income securities, including certain other fixed income investments, are based on evaluated prices that reflect observable market information, such as actual trade information of similar securities, adjusted for observable differences and are categorized as Level 2.

 

Other fixed income investments primarily consist of fixed income commingled funds and mutual funds, which are maintained by investment companies and hold fund investments in accordance with a stated set of fund objectives. The values of some of these funds are publicly quoted. For mutual funds which are publicly quoted, the funds are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and have been categorized as Level 1. For fixed income commingled funds and mutual funds which are not publicly quoted, the fund administrators value the funds using the NAV per fund share, derived from the quoted prices in active markets of the underlying securities and are not classified within the fair value hierarchy. These investments typically can be redeemed monthly or more frequently, with 30 or less days of notice and without further restrictions.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

Derivative instruments. These instruments, consisting primarily of futures and swaps to manage risk, are recorded at fair value. Over-the-counter derivatives are valued daily, based on quoted prices in active markets and trade in open markets, and have been categorized as Level 1. Derivative instruments other than over-the-counter derivatives are valued based on external price data of comparable securities and have been categorized as Level 2.

 

Private credit. Private credit investments primarily consist of investments in private debt strategies. These investments are generally less liquid assets with an underlying term of 3 to 5 years and are intended to be held to maturity. The fair value of these investments is determined by the fund manager or administrator using a combination of valuation models including cost models, market models, and income models and typically cannot be redeemed until maturity of the term loan. Private credit investments held directly by us are categorized as Level 3 because they are based largely on inputs that are unobservable and utilize complex valuation models. For managed private credit funds, the fair value is determined using a combination of valuation models including cost models, market models, and income models and typically cannot be redeemed until maturity of the term loan. Managed private credit fund investments are not classified within the fair value hierarchy because their fair value is determined using NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient.

 

Private equity. These investments include those in limited partnerships that invest in operating companies that are not publicly traded on a stock exchange such as leveraged buyouts, growth capital, venture capital, distressed investments, and investments in natural resources. These investments typically cannot be redeemed and are generally liquidated over a period of 8 to 10 years from the initial investment date, which is based on our understanding of the investment funds. Private equity valuations are reported by the fund manager and are based on the valuation of the underlying investments, which include unobservable inputs such as cost, operating results, discounted future cash flows, and market based comparable data. These valuation inputs are unobservable. The fair value of private equity investments is determined using NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient, and therefore, these investments are not classified within the fair value hierarchy.

 

Real estate. These investments are funds with a direct investment in pools of real estate properties. These funds are reported by the fund manager and are generally based on independent appraisals from sources with professional qualifications, typically using a combination of market comparables and discounted cash flows. These valuation inputs are unobservable. The fair value of real estate investments is determined using NAV or its equivalent as a practical expedient, and therefore, these investments are not classified within the fair value hierarchy.

 

We evaluated our NDT portfolios for the existence of significant concentrations of credit risk as of December 31, 2020. Types of concentrations that were evaluated include, but are not limited to, investment concentrations in a single entity, type of industry, foreign country, and individual fund. As of December 31, 2020, there were no significant concentrations (generally defined as greater than 10 percent) of risk in our NDT assets.

 

See Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information on the NDT fund investments.

 

Rabbi Trust Investments. The Rabbi trusts were established to hold assets related to deferred compensation plans existing for certain active and retired members of executive management and directors. The Rabbi trusts' assets are included in investments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and consist primarily of money market funds, mutual funds, fixed income securities, and life insurance policies. Money market funds and mutual funds are publicly quoted and have been categorized as Level 1 given the clear observability of the prices. The fair values of fixed income securities are based on evaluated prices that reflect observable market information, such as actual trade information or similar securities, adjusted for observable differences and are categorized in Level 2. The life insurance policies are valued using the cash surrender value of the policies, net of loans against those policies, which is provided by a third-party. Certain life insurance policies, which consist primarily of mutual funds that are priced based on observable market data, have been categorized as Level 2 because the life insurance policies can be liquidated at the reporting date for the value of the underlying assets.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

Deferred Compensation Obligations. Our deferred compensation plans allow participants to defer certain cash compensation into a notional investment account. We include such plans in other current and noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The value of our deferred compensation obligations is based on the market value of the participants’ notional investment accounts. The underlying notional investments are comprised primarily of equities, mutual funds, commingled funds, and fixed income securities which are based on directly and indirectly observable market prices. Since the deferred compensation obligations themselves are not exchanged in an active market, they are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

The value of certain employment agreement obligations (which are included with the Deferred Compensation Obligation in the table above) are based on a known and certain stream of payments to be made over time and are categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

 

Investments in Equities. We hold certain investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values in addition to those held within the NDT funds. These equity securities are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and are categorized as Level 1.

 

Deferred Purchase Price Consideration.  We have DPP consideration for the sale of certain receivables of retail electricity. This amount is valued based on the sales price of the receivables net of allowance for credit losses based on accounts receivable aging historical experience coupled with specific identification through a credit monitoring process, which considers current conditions and forward-looking information such as industry trends, macroeconomic factors, changes in the regulatory environment, external credit ratings, publicly available news, payment status, payment history, and the exercise of collateral calls. Since the DPP consideration is based on the sales price of the receivables, it is categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 6 — Accounts Receivable for additional information on the sale of certain receivables.

 

Mark-to-Market Derivatives. Derivative contracts are traded in both exchange-based and non-exchange-based markets. Exchange-based derivatives that are valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets are categorized in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Certain derivatives’ pricing is verified using indicative price quotations available through brokers or over-the-counter, on-line exchanges and are categorized in Level 2. These price quotations reflect the average of the bid-ask, mid-point prices and are obtained from sources that we believe provide the most liquid market for the commodity. The price quotations are reviewed and corroborated to ensure the prices are observable and representative of an orderly transaction between market participants. This includes consideration of actual transaction volumes, market delivery points, bid-ask spreads, and contract duration. The remainder of derivative contracts are valued using the Black model, an industry standard option valuation model. The Black model takes into account inputs such as contract terms, including maturity, and market parameters, including assumptions of the future prices of energy, interest rates, volatility, credit worthiness, and credit spread. For derivatives that trade in liquid markets, such as generic forwards, swaps, and options, model inputs are generally observable. Such instruments are categorized in Level 2. Our derivatives are predominantly at liquid trading points. For derivatives that trade in less liquid markets with limited pricing information, model inputs generally would include both observable and unobservable inputs. These valuations may include an estimated basis adjustment from an illiquid trading point to a liquid trading point for which active price quotations are available. Such instruments are categorized in Level 3.

 

For valuations that include both observable and unobservable inputs, if the unobservable input is determined to be significant to the overall inputs, the entire valuation is categorized in Level 3. This includes derivatives valued using indicative price quotations whose contract tenure extends into unobservable periods. In instances where observable data is unavailable, consideration is given to the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. This includes assumptions about market risks such as liquidity, volatility, and contract duration. Such instruments are categorized in Level 3 as the model inputs generally are not observable. Forward price curves for the power market utilized by the front office to manage the portfolio, are reviewed and verified by the middle office, and used for financial reporting by the back office. We consider credit and nonperformance risk in the valuation of derivative contracts categorized in Level 2 and 3, including both historical and current market data, in our assessment of credit and nonperformance risk by counterparty. Due to master netting agreements and collateral posting requirements, the impacts of credit and nonperformance risk were not material to the financial statements.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

Disclosed below is detail surrounding our significant Level 3 valuations. The calculated fair value includes marketability discounts for margining provisions and other attributes. Our Level 3 balance generally consists of forward sales and purchases of power and natural gas and certain transmission congestion contracts. We utilize various inputs and factors including market data and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities as well as assumptions about the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. The inputs and factors include forward commodity prices, commodity price volatility, contractual volumes, delivery location, interest rates, credit quality of counterparties, and credit enhancements.

 

For commodity derivatives, the primary input to the valuation models is the forward commodity price curve for each instrument. Forward commodity price curves are derived by risk management for liquid locations and by the traders and portfolio managers for illiquid locations. All locations are reviewed and verified by risk management considering published exchange transaction prices, executed bilateral transactions, broker quotes, and other observable or public data sources. The relevant forward commodity curve used to value each of the derivatives depends on a number of factors, including commodity type, delivery location, and delivery period. Price volatility varies by commodity and location. When appropriate, we discount future cash flows using risk free interest rates with adjustments to reflect the credit quality of each counterparty for assets and our own credit quality for liabilities. The level of observability of a forward commodity price varies generally due to the delivery location and delivery period. Certain delivery locations including PJM West Hub (for power) and Henry Hub (for natural gas) are more liquid and prices are observable for up to three years in the future. The observability period of volatility is generally shorter than the underlying power curve used in option valuations. The forward curve for a less liquid location is estimated by using the forward curve from the liquid location and applying a spread to represent the cost to transport the commodity to the delivery location. This spread does not typically represent a majority of the instrument’s market price. As a result, the change in fair value is closely tied to liquid market movements and not a change in the applied spread. The change in fair value associated with a change in the spread is generally immaterial. An average spread calculated across all Level 3 power and gas delivery locations is approximately $2.49 and $0.38 for power and natural gas, respectively. Many of the commodity derivatives are short term in nature and thus a majority of the fair value may be based on observable inputs even though the contract as a whole must be classified as Level 3. See Note 16 — Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information on mark-to-market derivatives.

 

The following table presents the significant inputs to the forward curve used to value these positions:

 

Type of trade		Fair Value at December 31, 2020				Fair Value at December 31, 2019				Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		2020 Range & Arithmetic Average														2019 Range & Arithmetic Average
Mark-to-market derivatives—Economic hedges (a)(b)		$	245			$	558			Discounted Cash Flow		Forward power price		$	2.25			-		$	163			$	30			$	9			-			$	180		$	29
												Forward gas price		$	1.57			-		$	7.88			$	2.59			$	0.83			-			$	10.72		$	2.55
										Option  Model		Volatility percentage			11	%		-			237	%			32	%			8	%		-				236	%		70	%
Mark-to-market derivatives—Proprietary trading (a)(b)		$	23			$	45			Discounted Cash Flow		Forward power price		$	10			-		$	106			$	27			$	25			-			$	180		$	33

 

(a)

The valuation techniques, unobservable inputs, ranges, and arithmetic averages are the same for the asset and liability positions.

(b)

The fair values do not include cash collateral posted on level three positions of $162 million and $214 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 18 — Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

 

The inputs listed above, which are as of the balance sheet date, would have a direct impact on the fair values of the above instruments if they were adjusted. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of our commodity derivatives are forward commodity prices and for options is price volatility. Increases (decreases) in the forward commodity price in isolation would result in significantly higher (lower) fair values for long positions (contracts that give us the obligation or option to purchase a commodity), with offsetting impacts to short positions (contracts that give us the obligation or right to sell a commodity). Increases (decreases) in volatility would increase (decrease) the value for the holder of the option (writer of the option). Generally, a change in the estimate of forward commodity prices is unrelated to a change in the estimate of volatility of prices. An increase to the reserves listed above would decrease the fair value of the positions. An increase to the heat rate or renewable factors would increase the fair value accordingly. Generally, interrelationships exist between market prices of natural gas and power. As such, an increase in natural gas pricing would potentially have a similar impact on forward power markets.

 

19.

Commitments and Contingencies

 

Commercial Commitments. Commercial commitments as of December 31, 2020, representing commitments potentially triggered by future events, were as follows:

 

						Expiration within
		Total				2021				2022				2023				2024				2025				2026 and beyond
Letters of credit		$	1,228			$	1,164			$	50			$	14			$	—			$	—			$	—
Surety bonds(a)			926				873				53				—				—				—				—
Total commercial commitments		$	2,154			$	2,037			$	103			$	14			$	—			$	—			$	—

 

(a)

Surety bonds—Guarantees issued related to contract and commercial agreements, excluding bid bonds.

 

Nuclear Insurance

 

We are subject to liability, property damage and other risks associated with major incidents at any of our nuclear stations. We have mitigated our financial exposure to these risks through insurance and other industry risk-sharing provisions.

 

The Price-Anderson Act was enacted to ensure the availability of funds for public liability claims arising from an incident at any of the U.S. licensed nuclear facilities and to limit the liability of nuclear reactor owners for such claims from any single incident. As of December 31, 2020, the current liability limit per incident is $13.8 billion and is subject to change to account for the effects of inflation and changes in the number of licensed reactors at least once every five years with the last adjustment effective November 1, 2018. In accordance with the Price-Anderson Act, we maintain financial protection at levels equal to the amount of liability insurance available from private sources through the purchase of private nuclear energy liability insurance for public liability claims that could arise in the event of an incident. Effective January 1, 2017, the required amount of nuclear energy liability insurance purchased is $450 million for each operating site. Claims exceeding that amount are covered through mandatory participation in a financial protection pool, as required by the Price Anderson-Act, which provides the additional $13.3 billion per incident in funds available for public liability claims.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

Participation in this secondary financial protection pool requires the operator of each reactor to fund its proportionate share of costs for any single incident that exceeds the primary layer of financial protection. Our share of this secondary layer would be approximately $2.9 billion, however any amounts payable under this secondary layer would be capped at $434 million per year.

 

In addition, the U.S. Congress could impose revenue-raising measures on the nuclear industry to pay public liability claims exceeding the $13.8 billion limit for a single incident.

 

As part of the execution of the NOSA on April 1, 2014, we executed an Indemnity Agreement pursuant to which we agreed to indemnify EDF and its affiliates against third-party claims that may arise from any future nuclear incident (as defined in the Price-Anderson Act) in connection with the CENG nuclear plants or their operations. Exelon guarantees our obligations under this indemnity. See Note 21 — Variable Interest Entities for additional information on our operations relating to CENG.

 

We are required each year to report to the NRC the current levels and sources of property insurance that demonstrates we possess sufficient financial resources to stabilize and decontaminate a reactor and reactor station site in the event of an accident. The property insurance maintained for each facility is currently provided through insurance policies purchased from NEIL, an industry mutual insurance company of which we are a member.

 

NEIL may declare distributions to its members as a result of favorable operating experience. In recent years, NEIL has made distributions to its members, but we cannot predict the level of future distributions or if they will continue at all. Our portion of the annual distribution declared by NEIL is estimated to be $75 million for 2020, and was $136 million and $58 million for 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, in March 2018, NEIL declared a supplemental distribution. Our portion of the supplemental distribution declared by NEIL was $31 million. The distributions were recorded as a reduction to Operating and maintenance expense within the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

Premiums paid to NEIL by its members are also subject to a potential assessment for adverse loss experience in the form of a retrospective premium obligation. NEIL has never assessed this retrospective premium since its formation in 1973, and we cannot predict the level of future assessments, if any. The current maximum aggregate annual retrospective premium obligation for us is approximately $252 million. NEIL requires its members to maintain an investment grade credit rating or to ensure collectability of their annual retrospective premium obligation by providing a financial guarantee, letter of credit, deposit premium, or some other means of assurance.

 

NEIL provides “all risk” property damage, decontamination and premature decommissioning insurance for each station for losses resulting from damage to its nuclear plants, either due to accidents or acts of terrorism. If the decision is made to decommission the facility, a portion of the insurance proceeds will be allocated to a fund, which we are required by the NRC to maintain, to provide for decommissioning the facility. In the event of an insured loss, we are unable to predict the timing of the availability of insurance proceeds to us and the amount of such proceeds that would be available. In the event that one or more acts of terrorism cause accidental property damage within a twelve-month period from the first accidental property damage under one or more policies for all insured plants, the maximum recovery by us will be an aggregate of $3.2 billion plus such additional amounts as the insurer may recover for all such losses from reinsurance, indemnity and any other source, applicable to such losses.

 

For our insured losses, we are self-insured to the extent that losses are within the policy deductible or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. Uninsured losses and other expenses, to the extent not recoverable from insurers or the nuclear industry, could also be borne by us. Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

Spent Nuclear Fuel Obligation

 

Under the NWPA, the DOE is responsible for the development of a geologic repository for and the disposal of SNF and high-level radioactive waste. As required by the NWPA, we are a party to contracts with the DOE (Standard Contracts) to provide for disposal of SNF from our nuclear generating stations. In accordance with the NWPA and the Standard Contracts, we historically had paid the DOE one mill ($0.001) per kWh of net nuclear generation for the cost of SNF disposal. Due to the lack of a viable disposal program, the DOE reduced the SNF disposal fee to zero in May 2014. Until a new fee structure is in effect, we will not accrue any further costs related to SNF disposal fees. This fee may be adjusted prospectively to ensure full cost recovery.

 

We currently assume the DOE will begin accepting SNF in 2035 and use that date for purposes of estimating the nuclear decommissioning asset retirement obligations. The SNF acceptance date assumption is based on management’s estimates of the amount of time required for DOE to select a site location and develop the necessary infrastructure for long-term SNF storage.

 

The NWPA and the Standard Contracts required the DOE to begin taking possession of SNF generated by nuclear generating units by no later than January 31, 1998. The DOE, however, failed to meet that deadline and its performance is expected to be delayed significantly. In August 2004, we and the DOJ, in close consultation with the DOE, reached a settlement under which the government agreed to reimburse us, subject to certain damage limitations based on the extent of the government’s breach, for costs associated with storage of SNF at our nuclear stations pending the DOE’s fulfillment of its obligations. Our settlement agreement does not include FitzPatrick and FitzPatrick does not currently have a settlement agreement in place. Calvert Cliffs, Ginna and Nine Mile Point each have separate settlement agreements in place with the DOE which were extended during 2020 to provide for the reimbursement of SNF storage costs through December 31, 2022. We submit annual reimbursement requests to the DOE for costs associated with the storage of SNF. In all cases, reimbursement requests are made only after costs are incurred and only for costs resulting from DOE delays in accepting the SNF.

 

Under the settlement agreements, we received total cumulative cash reimbursements of $1,455 million through December 31, 2020 for costs incurred. After considering the amounts due to co-owners of certain nuclear stations and to the former owner of Oyster Creek, we received net cumulative cash reimbursements of $1,266 million. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the amount of SNF storage costs for which reimbursement has been or will be requested from the DOE under the DOE settlement agreements is as follows:

 

		December 31,2020				December 31,2019
DOE receivable - current(a)		$	129			$	249
DOE receivable - noncurrent(b)			70				30
Amounts owed to co-owners(c)			(23	)			(37	)

 

(a)

Recorded in Accounts receivable, other.

(b)

Recorded in Deferred debits and other assets, other.

(c)

Recorded in Accounts receivable, other. Represents amounts owed to the co-owners of Peach Bottom, Quad Cities, and Nine Mile Point Unit 2 generating facilities.

 

The Standard Contracts with the DOE also required the payment to the DOE of a one-time fee applicable to nuclear generation through April 6, 1983. The below table outlines the SNF liability recorded as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

 

		December 31,2020				December 31,2019
Former ComEd units(a)		$	1,082			$	1,075
Fitzpatrick(b)			126				124
Total SNF Obligation		$	1,208			$	1,199

 

(a)

ComEd previously elected to defer payment of the one-time fee of $277 million for its units (which are now part of us), with interest to the date of payment, until just prior to the first delivery of SNF to the DOE. The unfunded liabilities for SNF disposal costs, including the one-time fee, were transferred to us as part of Exelon’s 2001 corporate restructuring.

(b)

A prior owner of FitzPatrick elected to defer payment of the one-time fee of $34 million, with interest to the date of payment, for the FitzPatrick unit. As part of the FitzPatrick acquisition on March 31, 2017, we assumed a SNF liability for the DOE one-time fee obligation with interest related to FitzPatrick along with an offsetting asset, included in Other deferred debits and other assets, for the contractual right to reimbursement from NYPA, a prior owner of FitzPatrick, for amounts paid for the FitzPatrick DOE one-time fee obligation.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

Interest for our SNF liabilities accrues at the 13-week Treasury Rate. The 13-week Treasury Rate in effect for calculation of the interest accrual at December 31, 2020 was 0.096% for the deferred amount transferred from ComEd and 0.101% for the deferred FitzPatrick amount.

 

The following table summarizes sites for which we do not have an outstanding SNF Obligation:

 

Description		Sites
Fees have been paid		Former PECO units, Clinton and Calvert Cliffs
Outstanding SNF Obligation remains with former owners		Nine Mile Point, Ginna and TMI

 

Environmental Remediation Matters

 

General. Our operations have in the past, and may in the future, require substantial expenditures to comply with environmental laws. Additionally, under Federal and state environmental laws, we are generally liable for the costs of remediating environmental contamination of property now or formerly owned by us and of property contaminated by hazardous substances generated by us. We own or lease a number of real estate parcels, including parcels on which our operations or the operations of others may have resulted in contamination by substances that are considered hazardous under environmental laws. In addition, we are currently involved in a number of proceedings relating to sites where hazardous substances have been deposited and may be subject to additional proceedings in the future. Unless otherwise disclosed, we cannot reasonably estimate whether we will incur significant liabilities for additional investigation and remediation costs at these or additional sites identified by us, environmental agencies or others. Additional costs could have a material, unfavorable impact on our financial statements.

 

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had accrued the following undiscounted amounts for environmental liabilities in Other current liabilities and Other deferred credits and other liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

		December 31,2020				December 31,2019
Total environmental investigation and remediation liabilities		$	121			$	105

 

Cotter Corporation. The EPA has advised Cotter Corporation (Cotter), a former ComEd subsidiary, that it is potentially liable in connection with radiological contamination at a site known as the West Lake Landfill in Missouri. In 2000, ComEd sold Cotter to an unaffiliated third-party. As part of the sale, ComEd agreed to indemnify Cotter for any liability arising in connection with the West Lake Landfill. In connection with Exelon’s 2001 corporate restructuring, this responsibility to indemnify Cotter was transferred to us. Including Cotter, there are three PRPs participating in the West Lake Landfill remediation proceeding. Our investigation has identified a number of other parties who also may be PRPs and could be liable to contribute to the final remedy. Further investigation is ongoing.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

In September 2018, the EPA issued its Record of Decision (ROD) Amendment for the selection of a final remedy. The ROD Amendment modified the remedy previously selected by EPA in its 2008 ROD. While the 2008 ROD required only that the radiological materials and other wastes at the site be capped, the 2018 ROD Amendment requires partial excavation of the radiological materials in addition to the previously selected capping remedy. The ROD Amendment also allows for variation in depths of excavation depending on radiological concentrations. The EPA and the PRPs have entered into a Consent Agreement to perform the Remedial Design, which is expected to be completed by early 2022. In March 2019 the PRPs received Special Notice Letters from the EPA to perform the Remedial Action work. On October 8, 2019, Cotter (our indemnitee) provided a non-binding good faith offer to conduct, or finance, a portion of the remedy, subject to certain conditions. The total estimated cost of the remedy, taking into account the current EPA technical requirements and the total costs expected to be incurred collectively by the PRPs in fully executing the remedy, is approximately $280 million, including cost escalation on an undiscounted basis, which would be allocated among the final group of PRPs. We have determined that a loss associated with the EPA’s partial excavation and enhanced landfill cover remedy is probable and have recorded a liability, included in the table above, that reflects management’s best estimate of Cotter’s allocable share of the ultimate cost. Given the joint and several nature of this liability, the magnitude of our ultimate liability will depend on the actual costs incurred to implement the required remedy as well as on the nature and terms of any cost-sharing arrangements with the final group of PRPs. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that the ultimate cost and Cotter's associated allocable share could differ significantly once these uncertainties are resolved, which could have a material impact on our future financial statements.

 

One of the other PRPs has indicated it will be making a contribution claim against Cotter for costs that it has incurred to prevent the subsurface fire from spreading to those areas of the West Lake Landfill where radiological materials are believed to have been disposed. At this time, we do not have sufficient information to assess this claim and therefore are unable to estimate a range of loss, if any. As such, no liability has been recorded for the potential contribution claim. It is reasonably possible, however, that resolution of this matter could have a material, unfavorable impact on our financial statements.

 

In January 2018, the PRPs were advised by the EPA that it will begin an additional investigation and evaluation of groundwater conditions at the West Lake Landfill. In September 2018, the PRPs agreed to an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for the performance by the PRPs of the groundwater Remedial Investigation (RI)/Feasibility Study (FS). The purpose of this RI/FS is to define the nature and extent of any groundwater contamination from the West Lake Landfill site and evaluate remedial alternatives. We estimate the undiscounted cost for the groundwater RI/FS to be approximately $30 million. We determined a loss associated with the RI/FS is probable and have recorded a liability, included in the table above, that reflects management’s best estimate of Cotter’s allocable share of the cost among the PRPs. At this time we cannot predict the likelihood that, or the extent to which any, remediation activities may be required and therefore cannot estimate a reasonably possible range of loss for response costs beyond those associated with the RI/FS component. It is reasonably possible, however, that resolution of this matter could have a material, unfavorable impact on our future financial statements.

 

In August 2011, Cotter was notified by the DOJ that Cotter is considered a PRP with respect to the government’s clean-up costs for contamination attributable to low level radioactive residues at a former storage and reprocessing facility named Latty Avenue near St. Louis, Missouri. The Latty Avenue site is included in ComEd’s (now our) indemnification responsibilities discussed above as part of the sale of Cotter. The radioactive residues had been generated initially in connection with the processing of uranium ores as part of the U.S. Government’s Manhattan Project. Cotter purchased the residues in 1969 for initial processing at the Latty Avenue facility for the subsequent extraction of uranium and metals. In 1976, the NRC found that the Latty Avenue site had radiation levels exceeding NRC criteria for decontamination of land areas. Latty Avenue was investigated and remediated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to funding under FUSRAP. Pursuant to a series of annual agreements since 2011, the DOJ and the PRPs have tolled the statute of limitations until August 31, 2021 so that settlement discussions can proceed. On August 3, 2020, the DOJ advised Cotter and the other PRPs that it is seeking approximately $90 million from all the PRPs and has directed that the PRPs must submit a good faith joint proposed settlement offer. We have determined that a loss associated with this matter is probable under our indemnification agreement with Cotter and have recorded an estimated liability, which is included in the table above.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

Benning Road Site. In September 2010, PHI received a letter from EPA identifying the Benning Road site as one of six land-based sites potentially contributing to contamination of the lower Anacostia River. A portion of the site was formerly the location of a Pepco Energy Services electric generating facility, which was deactivated in June 2012. The remaining portion of the site consists of a Pepco transmission and distribution service center that remains in operation. In December 2011, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia approved a Consent Decree entered into by Pepco and Pepco Energy Services with the DOEE, which requires Pepco and Pepco Energy Services to conduct a RI/FS for the Benning Road site and an approximately 10 to 15-acre portion of the adjacent Anacostia River.

 

Since 2013, Pepco and Pepco Energy Services (now us, pursuant to Exelon's 2016 acquisition of PHI) have been performing RI work and have submitted multiple draft RI reports to the DOEE. In September 2019, we and Pepco issued a draft “final” RI report which DOEE approved on February 3, 2020. We and Pepco are developing a FS to evaluate possible remedial alternatives for submission to DOEE. The Court has established a schedule for completion of the FS, and approval by the DOEE, by September 16, 2021. After completion and approval of the FS, DOEE will prepare a Proposed Plan for public comment and then issue a ROD identifying any further response actions determined to be necessary. We have determined that a loss associated with this matter is probable and have accrued an estimated liability, which is included in the table above.

 

Litigation and Regulatory Matters

 

Asbestos Personal Injury Claims. We maintain a reserve for claims associated with asbestos-related personal injury actions in certain facilities that are currently owned by us or were previously owned by ComEd and PECO. The estimated liabilities are recorded on an undiscounted basis and exclude the estimated legal costs associated with handling these matters, which could be material.

 

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recorded estimated liabilities of approximately $89 million and $83 million, respectively, in total for asbestos-related bodily injury claims. As of December 31, 2020, approximately $25 million of this amount related to 261 open claims presented to us, while the remaining $64 million is for estimated future asbestos-related bodily injury claims anticipated to arise through 2055, based on actuarial assumptions and analyses, which are updated on an annual basis. On a quarterly basis, we monitor actual experience against the number of forecasted claims to be received and expected claim payments and evaluate whether adjustments to the estimated liabilities are necessary.

 

It is reasonably possible that additional exposure to estimated future asbestos-related bodily injury claims in excess of the amount accrued could have a material, unfavorable impact on our financial statements. However, management cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss beyond the amounts recorded.

 

Fund Transfer Restrictions. Under applicable law, we can pay dividends only from retained, undistributed or current earnings. A significant loss recorded by us, may limit the dividends that we can distribute to Exelon.

 

City of Everett Tax Increment Financing Agreement. On April 10, 2017, the City of Everett petitioned the Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) to revoke the 1999 tax increment financing agreement (TIF Agreement) relating to Mystic Units 8 and 9 on the grounds that the total investment in Mystic Units 8 and 9 materially deviates from the investment set forth in the TIF Agreement. On October 31, 2017, a three-member panel of the EACC conducted an administrative hearing on the City’s petition. On November 30, 2017, the hearing panel issued a tentative decision denying the City’s petition, finding that there was no material misrepresentation that would justify revocation of the TIF Agreement. On December 13, 2017, the tentative decision was adopted by the full EACC. On January 12, 2018, the City filed a complaint in Massachusetts Superior Court requesting, among other things, that the court set aside the EACC’s decision, grant the City’s request to decertify the Project and the TIF Agreement, and award the City damages for alleged underpaid taxes over the period of the TIF Agreement. On January 8, 2020, the Massachusetts Superior Court affirmed the decision of the EACC denying the City's petition. The City had until March 9, 2020 to appeal the decision and did not. As a result, the decision is final and the case is resolved. It is reasonably possible that property taxes assessed in future periods, including those following the expiration of the TIF Agreement on June 30, 2020, could be material to our financial statements.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

General. We are involved in various other litigation matters that are being defended and handled in the ordinary course of business. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. We maintain accruals for such losses that are probable of being incurred and subject to reasonable estimation. Management is sometimes unable to estimate an amount or range of reasonably possible loss, particularly where (1) the damages sought are indeterminate, (2) the proceedings are in the early stages, or (3) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories. In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution of such matters, including a possible eventual loss.

 

20.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

 

Exelon grants stock-based awards to our employees through its LTIP, which primarily includes performance share awards, restricted stock units, and stock options. We also grant cash awards. The following table does not include expense related to these plans as they are not considered stock-based compensation plans under the applicable authoritative guidance.

 

The following table presents the stock-based compensation expense included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Total stock-based compensation expense included in operating and maintenance expense		$	27			$	37			$	77
Income tax benefit			(7	)			(10	)			(20	)
Total after-tax stock-based compensation expense		$	20			$	27			$	57

 

21.

Variable Interest Entities

 

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, we consolidated several VIEs or VIE groups for which we are the primary beneficiary (see Consolidated VIEs below) and had significant interests in several other VIEs for which we do not have the power to direct the entities’ activities and, accordingly, was not the primary beneficiary (see Unconsolidated VIEs below). Consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs are aggregated to the extent that the entities have similar risk profiles.

 

Consolidated VIEs

 

The table below shows the carrying amounts and classification of the consolidated VIEs’ assets and liabilities included in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. The assets, except as noted in the footnotes to the table below, can only be used to settle obligations of the VIEs. The liabilities, except as noted in the footnotes to the table below, are such that creditors, or beneficiaries, do not have recourse to our general credit.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 21 — Variable Interest Entities

 

		December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents		$	98			$	163
Restricted cash and cash equivalents			44				85
Accounts receivable
Customer			148				151
Other			36				39
Unamortized energy contract assets			22				23
Inventories, net
Materials and supplies			244				227
Assets held for sale(a)			101				—
Other current assets			669				31
Total current assets			1,362				719
Property, plant and equipment, net			5,803				6,022
Nuclear decommissioning trust funds			3,007				2,741
Unamortized energy contract assets			249				250
Other noncurrent assets			42				73
Total noncurrent assets			9,101				9,086
Total assets(b)		$	10,463			$	9,805
Long-term debt due within one year		$	68			$	523
Accounts payable			81				106
Accrued expenses			70				70
Unamortized energy contract liabilities			4				8
Liabilities held for sale(a)			16				—
Other current liabilities			5				3
Total current liabilities			244				710
Long-term debt			889				504
Asset retirement obligations			2,318				2,128
Unamortized energy contract liabilities			—				1
Other noncurrent liabilities			129				89
Total noncurrent liabilities			3,336				2,722
Total liabilities(c)		$	3,580			$	3,432

 

(a)

We entered into an agreement for the sale of a significant portion of our solar business. As a result of this transaction, in the fourth quarter of 2020, we reclassified the consolidated VIEs' solar assets and liabilities as held for sale. Refer to Note 2 — Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions for additional information on the sale of the solar business.

(b)

Our balances include unrestricted assets for current unamortized energy contract assets of $22 million and $23 million, Property, plant, and equipment of $1 million and $20 million, non-current unamortized energy contract assets of $249 million and $250 million, and Assets held for sale of $9 million and $0 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

(c)

Our balances include liabilities with recourse of $8 million and $3 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 21 — Variable Interest Entities

 

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, our consolidated VIEs consist of:

 

Consolidated VIE or VIE groups:		Reason entity is a VIE:		Reason we are the primary beneficiary:
CENG - A joint venture between us and EDF.  We have  a 50.01% equity ownership in CENG. See additional discussion below.		Disproportionate relationship between equity interest and operational control as a result of the NOSA described further below.		We conduct the operational activities.
EGRP - A collection of wind and solar project entities.  We have a 51% equity ownership in EGRP. See additional discussion below.		Similar structure to a limited partnership and the limited partners do not have kick out rights with respect to the general partner.		We conduct the operational activities.
Bluestem Wind Energy Holdings, LLC - A Tax Equity structure which is consolidated by EGRP.  We are a minority interest holder.		Similar structure to a limited partnership and the limited partners do not have kick out rights with respect to the general partner.		We conduct the operational activities.
Antelope Valley - A solar generating facility, which is 100% owned by us.  Antelope Valley sells all of its output to PG&E through a PPA.		The PPA contract absorbs variability through a performance guarantee.		We conduct all activities.
Equity investment in distributed energy company - we have a 31% equity ownership. This distributed energy company has an interest in an unconsolidated VIE. (See Unconsolidated VIEs disclosure below).   We fully impaired this investment in the third quarter of 2019. Refer to Note 12 — Asset Impairments for additional information.		Similar structure to a limited partnership and the limited partners do not have kick out rights with respect to the general partner.		We conduct the operational activities.
NER - A bankruptcy remote, special purpose entity which is 100% owned by us, which purchases certain of our customer accounts receivable arising from the sale of retail electricity.   NER’s assets will be available first and foremost to satisfy the claims of the creditors of NER. Refer to Note 6 —Accounts Receivable for additional information on the sale of receivables.		Equity capitalization is insufficient to support its operations.		We conduct all activities.

 

CENG - On April 1, 2014, we, CENG, and subsidiaries of CENG executed the NOSA pursuant to which we conduct all activities associated with the operations of the CENG fleet and provides corporate and administrative services to CENG and the CENG fleet for the remaining life of the CENG nuclear plants as if they were a part of our nuclear fleet, subject to the CENG member rights of EDF.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 21 — Variable Interest Entities

 

EDF has the option to sell its 49.99% equity interest in CENG to us. On November 20, 2019, we received notice of EDF's intention to exercise the put option to sell its interest in CENG to us and the put automatically exercised on January 19, 2020. Refer to Note 2 — Mergers, Acquisitions, and Dispositions for additional information.

 

We provide the following support to CENG:

 

•

We executed an Indemnity Agreement pursuant to which we agreed to indemnify EDF against third-party claims that may arise from any future nuclear incident (as defined in the Price-Anderson Act) in connection with the CENG nuclear plants or their operations. Exelon guarantees our obligations under this Indemnity Agreement. See Note 19 — Commitments and Contingencies for more details.

 

•

We and EDF share in the $688 million of contingent payment obligations for the payment of contingent retrospective premium adjustments for the nuclear liability insurance.

 

•

Exelon has executed an agreement to provide up to $245 million to support the operations of CENG as well as a $165 million guarantee of CENG’s cash pooling agreement with its subsidiaries.

 

EGRP - EGRP is a collection of wind and solar project entities and some of these project entities are VIEs that are consolidated by EGRP. We own a number of limited liability companies that build, own, and operate solar and wind power facilities some of which are owned by EGRP. While we or EGRP own 100% of the solar entities and 100% of the majority of the wind entities, it has been determined that certain of the solar and wind entities are VIEs because the entities require additional subordinated financial support in the form of a parental guarantee of debt, loans from the customers in order to obtain the necessary funds for construction of the solar facilities, or the customers absorb price variability from the entities through the fixed price power and/or REC purchase agreements. We are the primary beneficiary of these solar and wind entities that qualify as VIEs because we control the design, construction, and operation of the facilities. There is limited recourse to us related to certain solar and wind entities.

 

In 2017, our interests in EGRP were contributed to and are pledged for the EGR IV non-recourse debt project financing structure. Refer to Note 17 — Debt and Credit Agreements for additional information.

 

Unconsolidated VIEs

 

Our variable interests in unconsolidated VIEs generally include equity investments and energy purchase and sale contracts. For the equity investments, the carrying amount of the investments is reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in Investments. For the energy purchase and sale contracts (commercial agreements), the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets that relate to our involvement with the VIEs are predominately related to working capital accounts and generally represent the amounts owed by, or owed to, us for the deliveries associated with the current billing cycles under the commercial agreements.

 

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had significant unconsolidated variable interests in several VIEs for which we were not the primary beneficiary. These interests include certain equity method investments and certain commercial agreements.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 21 — Variable Interest Entities

 

The following table presents summary information about our significant unconsolidated VIE entities:

 

		December 31, 2020												December 31, 2019
		Commercial Agreement VIEs				Equity Investment VIEs				Total				Commercial Agreement VIEs				Equity Investment VIEs				Total
Total assets(a)		$	777			$	401			$	1,178			$	636			$	443			$	1,079
Total liabilities(a)			61				223				284				33				227				260
Our ownership interest in VIE(a)			—				157				157				—				191				191
Other ownership interests in VIE(a)			716				21				737				604				25				629

 

(a)

These items represent amounts on the unconsolidated VIE balance sheets, not in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These items are included to provide information regarding the relative size of the unconsolidated VIEs. We do not have any exposure to loss as they do not have a carrying amount in the equity investment VIEs as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the unconsolidated VIEs consist of:

 

Unconsolidated VIE groups:		Reason entity is a VIE:		Reason we are not the primary beneficiary:
Equity investments in distributed energy companies -   1) We have a 90% equity ownership in a distributed energy company.   2) We, via a consolidated VIE, have a 90% equity ownership in another distributed energy company (See Consolidated VIEs disclosure above).   We fully impaired this investment in the third quarter of 2019. Refer to Note 12 — Asset Impairments for additional information.		Similar structures to a limited partnership and the limited partners do not have kick out rights with respect to the general partner.		We do not conduct the operational activities.
Energy Purchase and Sale agreements - We have several energy purchase and sale agreements with generating facilities.		PPA contracts that absorb variability through fixed pricing.		We do not conduct the operational activities.

 

22.

Supplemental Financial Information

 

Supplemental Statement of Operations Information

 

The following table provides additional information about material items recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

		Taxes other than income taxes
		For the years ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Gross receipts(a)		$	99			$	112			$	114
Property			265				274				273
Payroll			113				115				130

 

(a)

Represent gross receipts taxes related to our retail operations. The offsetting collection of gross receipts taxes from customers is recorded in revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 22 — Supplemental Financial Information

 

		Other, Net
		For the years ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Decommissioning-related activities:
Net realized income on NDT funds(a)
Regulatory Agreement Units		$	185			$	297			$	506
Non-regulatory Agreement Units			160				363				302
Net unrealized gains on NDT funds
Regulatory Agreement Units			724				795				(715	)
Non-regulatory Agreement Units			391				411				(483	)
Regulatory offset to NDT fund-related activities(b)			(729	)			(876	)			171
Decommissioning-related activities			731				990				(219	)
Unrealized gains from equity investments(c)			186				—				—

 

(a)

Realized income includes interest, dividends and realized gains and losses on sales of NDT fund investments.

(b)

Includes the elimination of decommissioning-related activities for the Regulatory Agreement Units, including the elimination of income taxes related to all NDT fund activity for those units. See Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information regarding the accounting for nuclear decommissioning.

(c)

Unrealized gains resulting from equity investments without readily determinable fair values that became publicly traded entities in the fourth quarter of 2020 and were fair valued based on quoted market prices of the stocks as of December 31, 2020.

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

The following tables provide additional information about material items recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

		Depreciation, amortization and accretion
		For the years ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Property, plant and equipment(a)		$	2,070			$	1,485			$	1,748
Amortization of intangible assets, net(a)			53				50				49
Amortization of energy contract assets and liabilities(b)			30				21				14
Nuclear fuel(c)			983				1,016				1,115
ARO accretion(d)			500				491				489
Total depreciation, amortization and accretion		$	3,636			$	3,063			$	3,415

 

(a)

Included in Depreciation and amortization in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

(b)

Included in Operating revenues or Purchased power and fuel expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

(c)

Included in Purchased power and fuel expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

(d)

Included in Operating and maintenance expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 22 — Supplemental Financial Information

 

		Cash paid (refunded) during the year:
		For the years ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Interest (net of amount capitalized)		$	331			$	373			$	369
Income taxes (net of refunds)			70				(44	)			746

 

		Other non-cash operating activities:
		For the years ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Pension and non-pension postretirement benefit costs		$	115			$	135			$	204
Allowance for credit losses			17				31				48
Other decommissioning-related activity(a)			(659	)			(506	)			(2	)
Energy-related options(b)			104				22				10
Severance costs			90				—				—
Provision for excess and obsolete inventory			128				—				—
Amortization of operating ROU asset			155				172				—

 

(a)

Includes the elimination of decommissioning-related activities for the Regulatory Agreement Units, including the elimination of operating revenues, ARO updates and accretion, ARC amortization, investment income and income taxes related to all NDT fund activity for these units. See Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information regarding the accounting for nuclear decommissioning.

(b)

Includes option premiums reclassified to realized at the settlement of the underlying contracts and recorded to results of operations.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

		December 31,2020				December 31,2019				December 31,2018				December 31,2017
Cash and cash equivalents		$	226			$	303			$	750			$	416
Restricted cash and cash equivalents			89				146				153				138
Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents - Held for Sale			12				—				—				—
Total cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents		$	327			$	449			$	903			$	554

 

Supplemental Balance Sheet Information

 

The following tables provide additional information about material items recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

		Investments
		December 31,2020				December 31,2019
Equity method investments:
Other equity method investments		$	65			$	71
Other investments:
Employee benefit trusts and investments(a)			61				54
Equity investments without readily determinable fair values			55				69
Other available for sale debt security investments			3				41
Total investments		$	184			$	235

 

(a)

Debt and equity security investments are recorded at fair market value.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 22 — Supplemental Financial Information

 

		Accrued expenses
		December 31,2020				December 31,2019
Compensation-related accruals(a)		$	426			$	422
Taxes accrued			229				222
Interest accrued			44				65

 

(a)

Primarily includes accrued payroll, bonuses and other incentives, vacation, and benefits.

 

23.

Related Party Transactions

 

Operating revenues from affiliates

 

The following table presents our Operating revenues from affiliates:

 

		For the Years Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
ComEd(a)		$	330			$	369			$	523
PECO(b)			190				158				128
BGE(c)			315				289				260
PHI			367				353				355
Pepco(d)			279				264				206
DPL(e)			75				70				120
ACE(f)			13				19				29
Other			9				3				2
Total operating revenues from affiliates		$	1,211			$	1,172			$	1,268

 

(a)

We have an ICC-approved RFP contract with ComEd to provide a portion of ComEd’s electricity supply requirements. We also sell RECs and ZECs to ComEd.

(b)

We provide electric supply to PECO under contracts executed through PECO’s competitive procurement process. In addition, we have a ten-year agreement with PECO to sell solar AECs.

(c)

We provide a portion of BGE’s energy requirements under its MDPSC-approved market-based SOS commodity programs.

(d)

We provide electric supply to Pepco under contracts executed through Pepco's competitive procurement process approved by the MDPSC and DCPSC.

(e)

We provide a portion of DPL's energy requirements under its MDPSC and DPSC approved market based SOS and gas commodity programs.

(f)

We provide electric supply to ACE under contracts executed through ACE's competitive procurement process.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 23 — Related Party Transactions

 

Operating and maintenance expense from affiliates

 

We receive a variety of corporate support services from BSC. See Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies for additional information regarding BSC.

 

The following table presents the service company costs allocated to us:

 

Operating and maintenance from affiliates												Capitalized costs
For the years ended December 31,												For the years ended December 31,
2020				2019				2018				2020				2019				2018
$	552			$	570			$	652			$	54			$	66			$	67

 

Current Receivables from/Payables to affiliates

 

The following tables present current receivables from affiliates and current payables to affiliates:

 

December 31, 2020

 

		Receivables from affiliates:				Payables to affiliates:
ComEd		$	78			$	13
PECO			17				—
BGE			11				—
Pepco			13				—
DPL			3				—
ACE			6				—
BSC			—				72
Other			25				22
Total		$	153			$	107

 

December 31, 2019

 

		Receivables from affiliates:				Payables to affiliates:
ComEd		$	78			$	27
PECO			27				—
BGE			28				—
Pepco			34				—
DPL			7				—
ACE			7				—
BSC			—				67
Other			9				23
Total		$	190			$	117

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 23 — Related Party Transactions

 

Borrowings from Exelon intercompany money pool

 

To provide an additional short-term borrowing option that will generally be more favorable to the borrowing participants than the cost of external financing, Exelon operates an intercompany money pool. We participate in the Exelon money pool.

 

Noncurrent Receivables from/Payables to affiliates

 

We have long-term payables to ComEd and PECO as a result of the nuclear decommissioning contractual construct whereby, to the extent NDT funds are greater than the underlying ARO at the end of decommissioning, such amounts are due back to ComEd and PECO, as applicable, for payment to their respective customers. See Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations for additional information.

 

The following table presents noncurrent receivables from affiliates at ComEd and PECO which are recorded as noncurrent payables to affiliates on our Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

		December 31,
		2020				2019
ComEd		$	2,541			$	2,622
PECO			475				480

 

Long-term debt to affiliates

 

In connection with the debt obligations assumed by Exelon as part of the Constellation merger, Exelon and our subsidiaries (former Constellation subsidiaries) assumed intercompany loan agreements that mirror the terms and amounts of the third-party debt obligations of Exelon, resulting in intercompany notes payable included in Long-term debt to affiliates in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data unless otherwise noted)

 

Note 23 — Related Party Transactions

 

24.

Subsequent Events

 

Impacts of February 2021 Weather Events and Texas-based Generating Assets Outages

 

Beginning on February 15, 2021, our Texas-based generating assets within the ERCOT market, specifically Colorado Bend II, Wolf Hollow II, and Handley, experienced periodic outages as a result of historically severe cold weather conditions. In addition, those weather conditions drove increased demand for service, limited the availability of natural gas to fuel power plants, dramatically increased wholesale power prices and also increased gas prices in certain regions. In response to the high demand and significantly reduced total generation on the system, ERCOT implemented load reductions to maintain the reliability of the grid and required the use of an administrative price cap of $9,000 per megawatt hour during load shedding events.

 

We estimate the impact to Net income for the first quarter of 2021 arising from these market and weather conditions to be approximately $560 million to $710 million. The estimated impact includes favorable results in certain regions within our wholesale gas business. The ultimate impact to our consolidated financial statements may be affected by a number of factors, including final settlement data, the impacts of customer and counterparty credit losses, any state sponsored solutions to address the financial challenges caused by the event, and litigation and contract disputes which may result.

 

We used a combination of commercial paper and letters of credit to manage collateral needs and have posted approximately $1.4 billion of collateral with ERCOT as of February 22, 2021. We continue to believe we have sufficient cash on hand and available capacity on our revolver, which was $2.4 billion as of February 22, 2021, to meet our liquidity requirements.