Item 1A. Risk Factors
There are various risks associated with the operations of DTE Electric. To provide a framework to understand the operating environment of the Company, we are providing a brief explanation of the more significant risks associated with our business. Although we have tried to identify and discuss key risk factors, others could emerge in the future. Each of the following risks could affect our performance.
We are subject to rate regulation. Our electric rates are set by the MPSC and the FERC and cannot be changed without regulatory authorization. We may be negatively impacted by new regulations or interpretations by the MPSC, the FERC or other regulatory bodies. Our ability to recover costs may be impacted by the time lag between the incurrence of costs and the recovery of the costs in customers' rates. Our regulators also may decide to disallow recovery of certain costs in customers' rates if they determine that those costs do not meet the standards for recovery under our governing laws and regulations. We typically self-implement base rate changes six months after rate case filings in accordance with Michigan law. However, if the final rates authorized by our regulators in the final rate order are lower than the amounts we collected during the self-implementation period, we must refund the difference with interest. Our regulators may also disagree with our rate calculations under the various mechanisms that are intended to mitigate the risk of certain aspects of our business. If we cannot agree with our regulators on an appropriate reconciliation of those mechanisms, it may impact our ability to recover certain costs through our customer rates. Our regulators may also decide to eliminate these mechanisms in future rate cases, which may make it more difficult for us to recover our costs in the rates we charge customers. We cannot predict what rates the MPSC will authorize in future rate cases. New legislation, regulations or interpretations could change how our business operates, impact our ability to recover costs through rates or require us to incur additional expenses.
Changes to Michigan's electric Customer Choice program could negatively impact our financial performance. The State of Michigan currently experiences a hybrid market, where the MPSC continues to regulate electric rates for our customers, while alternative electric suppliers charge market-based rates. MPSC rate orders and energy legislation enacted by the State of Michigan in 2008 have placed a 10% cap on the total potential retail access related migration. However, even with the legislated 10% cap on participation, there continues to be legislative and financial risk associated with the electric Customer Choice program. Electric retail access migration is sensitive to market price and full service electric price changes. We are required under current regulation to provide full service to retail access customers that choose to return, potentially resulting in the need for additional generating capacity.
The MISO regional energy market, including the State of Michigan, is expected to face capacity constraints beginning in 2016 due primarily to the retirement of coal-fired generation caused by increasingly stringent environmental requirements. Significant investment in new natural gas-fired generation and renewables will be required. Under the current regulatory structure, retail access customers do not fund capacity costs potentially impacting electric supply reliability and utility customer affordability.
Environmental laws and liability may be costly. We are subject to and affected by numerous environmental regulations. These regulations govern air emissions, water quality, wastewater discharge and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Compliance with these regulations can significantly increase capital spending, operating expenses and plant down times and can negatively affect the affordability of the rates we charge to our customers.
Uncertainty around future environmental regulations creates difficulty planning long-term capital projects in our generation fleet. These laws and regulations require us to seek a variety of environmental licenses, permits, inspections and other regulatory approvals. We could be required to install expensive pollution control measures or limit or cease activities, including the retirement of certain generating plants, based on these regulations. Additionally, we may become a responsible party for environmental cleanup at sites identified by a regulatory body. We cannot predict with certainty the amount and timing of future expenditures related to environmental matters because of the difficulty of estimating clean-up costs. There is also uncertainty in quantifying liabilities under environmental laws that impose joint and several liability on potentially responsible parties.
We may also incur liabilities as a result of potential future requirements to address climate change issues. Proposals for voluntary initiatives and mandatory controls are being discussed both in the United States and worldwide to reduce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, a by-product of burning fossil fuels. If increased regulation of greenhouse gas emissions are implemented, the operations of our fossil-fuel generation assets may be significantly impacted. Since there can be no assurances that environmental costs may be recovered through the regulatory process, our financial performance may be negatively impacted as a result of environmental matters.
Operation of a nuclear facility subjects us to risk. Ownership of an operating nuclear generating plant subjects us to significant additional risks. These risks include, among others, plant security, environmental regulation and remediation, changes in federal nuclear regulation and operational factors that can significantly impact the performance and cost of operating a nuclear facility. While we maintain insurance for various nuclear-related risks, there can be no assurances that such insurance will be sufficient to cover our costs in the event of an accident or business interruption at our nuclear generating plant, which may affect our financial performance. In addition, while we have a nuclear decommissioning trust fund to finance the decommissioning of our nuclear generating plant, there can be no assurances that such fund will be sufficient to fund the cost of decommissioning.
The supply and/or price of energy commodities and/or related services may impact our financial results. We are dependent on coal for much of our electrical generating capacity. Price fluctuations, fuel supply disruptions and changes in transportation costs could have a negative impact on the amounts we charge our utility customers for electricity. We have hedging strategies and regulatory recovery mechanisms in place to mitigate some of the negative fluctuations in commodity supply prices, but there can be no assurances that our financial performance will not be negatively impacted by price fluctuations.
The supply and/or price of other industrial raw and finished inputs and/or related services may impact our financial results. We are dependent on supplies of certain commodities, such as copper and limestone, among others, and industrial materials and services in order to maintain day-to-day operations and maintenance of our facilities. Price fluctuations or supply interruptions for these commodities and other items could have a negative impact on the amounts we charge our customers for our products.
Adverse changes in our credit ratings may negatively affect us. Regional and national economic conditions, increased scrutiny of the energy industry and regulatory changes, as well as changes in our economic performance, could result in credit agencies reexamining our credit rating. While credit ratings reflect the opinions of the credit agencies issuing such ratings and may not necessarily reflect actual performance, a downgrade in our credit rating below investment grade could restrict or discontinue our ability to access capital markets and could result in an increase in our borrowing costs, a reduced level of capital expenditures and could impact future earnings and cash flows. In addition, a reduction in our credit rating may require us to post collateral related to various physical or financially settled contracts for the purchase of energy-related commodities, products and services, which could impact our liquidity.
Poor investment performance of pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets and other factors impacting benefit plan costs could unfavorably impact our liquidity and results of operations. Our costs of providing non-contributory defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans are dependent upon a number of factors, such as the rates of return on plan assets, the level of interest rates used to measure the required minimum funding levels of the plans, future government regulation, and our required or voluntary contributions made to the plans. The performance of the debt and equity markets affects the value of assets that are held in trust to satisfy future obligations under our plans. We have significant benefit obligations and hold significant assets in trust to satisfy these obligations. These assets are subject to market fluctuations and will yield uncertain returns, which may fall below our projected return rates. A decline in the market value of the pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets will increase the funding requirements under our pension and other postretirement benefit plans if the actual asset returns do not recover these declines in the foreseeable future. Additionally, our pension and other postretirement benefit plan liabilities are sensitive to changes in interest rates. As interest rates decrease, the liabilities increase, resulting in increasing benefit expense and funding requirements. Also, if future increases in pension and other postretirement benefit costs as a result of reduced plan assets are not recoverable from our customers, the results of operations and financial position of our company could be negatively affected. Without sustained growth in the plan investments over time to increase the value of our plan assets, we could be required to fund our plans with significant amounts of cash. Such cash funding obligations could have a material impact on our cash flows, financial position, or results of operations.
Our ability to access capital markets is important. Our ability to access capital markets is important to operate our businesses and to fund capital investments. Turmoil in credit markets may constrain our ability to issue new debt, including commercial paper, and refinance existing debt at reasonable interest rates. In addition, the level of borrowing by other energy companies and the market as a whole could limit our access to capital markets. Our long term revolving credit facility does not expire until 2018, but we regularly access capital markets to refinance existing debt or fund new projects, and we cannot predict the pricing or demand for those future transactions.
Construction and capital improvements to our power facilities subject us to risk. We are managing ongoing and planning future significant construction and capital improvement projects at multiple power generation and distribution facilities. Many factors that could cause delays or increased prices for these complex projects are beyond our control, including the cost of materials and labor, subcontractor performance, timing and issuance of necessary permits, construction disputes and weather conditions. Failure to complete these projects on schedule and on budget for any reason could adversely affect our financial performance and operations at the affected facilities.
Weather significantly affects operations. Deviations from normal hot and cold weather conditions affect our earnings and cash flow. Mild temperatures can result in decreased utilization of our assets, lowering income and cash flow. Ice storms, tornadoes, or high winds can damage the electric distribution system infrastructure and power generation facilities and require us to perform emergency repairs and incur material unplanned expenses. The expenses of storm restoration efforts may not be fully recoverable through the regulatory process.
Unplanned power plant outages may be costly. Unforeseen maintenance may be required to safely produce electricity or comply with environmental regulations. As a result of unforeseen maintenance, we may be required to make spot market purchases of electricity that exceed our costs of generation. Our financial performance may be negatively affected if we are unable to recover such increased costs.
Renewable portfolio standards and energy efficiency programs may affect our business. We are subject to existing Michigan and potential future federal legislation and regulation requiring us to secure sources of renewable energy. We expect to comply with the existing state legislation, but we do not know what requirements may be added by federal legislation. In addition, there could be additional state requirements increasing the percentage of power required to be provided by renewable energy sources. We cannot predict the financial impact or costs associated with complying with potential future legislation and regulations. Compliance with these requirements can significantly increase capital expenditures and operating expenses and can negatively affect the affordability of the rates we charge to our customers.
We are also required by Michigan legislation to implement energy efficiency measures and provide energy efficiency customer awareness and education programs. These requirements necessitate expenditures and implementation of these programs creates the risk of reducing our revenues as customers decrease their energy usage. We cannot predict how these programs will impact our business and future operating results.
Regional and national economic conditions can have an unfavorable impact on us. Our business follows the economic cycles of the customers we serve and the credit risk of counterparties we do business with. Should national or regional economic conditions deteriorate, reduced volumes of electricity, collections of accounts receivable, and reductions in federal and state energy assistance funding, and potentially higher levels of stolen electricity could result in decreased earnings and cash flow.
Threats of terrorism or cyber-attacks could affect our business. We may be threatened by problems such as computer viruses or terrorism that may disrupt our operations and could harm our operating results. Our industry requires the continued operation of sophisticated information technology systems and network infrastructure. Despite our implementation of security measures, all of our technology systems are vulnerable to disability or failures due to hacking, viruses, acts of war or terrorism and other causes. If our information technology systems were to fail and we were unable to recover in a timely way, we might be unable to fulfill critical business functions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.
In addition, our generation plants and electrical distribution facilities in particular may be targets of terrorist activities that could disrupt our ability to produce or distribute some portion of our energy products. We have increased security as a result of past events and we may be required by our regulators or by the future terrorist threat environment to make investments in security that we cannot currently predict.
Failure to maintain the security of personally identifiable information could adversely affect us. In connection with our business we collect and retain personally identifiable information of our customers, shareholders and employees. Our customers, shareholders and employees expect that we will adequately protect their personal information, and the United States regulatory environment surrounding information security and privacy is increasingly demanding. A significant theft, loss or fraudulent use of customer, shareholder, employee or DTE Electric data by cybercrime or otherwise could adversely impact our reputation and could result in significant costs, fines and litigation.
Failure to attract and retain key executive officers and other skilled professional and technical employees could have an adverse effect on our operations. Our business is dependent on our ability to attract and retain skilled employees. Competition for skilled employees in some areas is high and the inability to attract and retain these employees could adversely affect our business and future operating results. In addition, we have an aging utility workforce and the failure of a successful transfer of knowledge and expertise could negatively impact our operations.
A work interruption may adversely affect us. There are several bargaining units for the Company's approximately 2,600 represented employees. The majority of represented employees are under contracts that expire in 2016 and 2017. A union choosing to strike would have an impact on our business. We are unable to predict the effect a work stoppage would have on our costs of operation and financial performance.
The Company's businesses have safety risks. The Company's electric distribution system, power plants, wind energy equipment and other facilities could be involved in incidents that result in injury or property loss to employees, customers, or the public. Although we have insurance coverage for many potential incidents, depending upon the nature and severity of any incident, the Company could experience financial loss, damage to its reputation, and negative consequences from regulatory agencies or other public authorities.
We may not be fully covered by insurance. We have a comprehensive insurance program in place to provide coverage for various types of risks, including catastrophic damage as a result of acts of God, terrorism or a combination of other significant unforeseen events that could impact our operations. Economic losses might not be covered in full by insurance or our insurers may be unable to meet contractual obligations.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
For more information on material legal proceedings and matters related to us and our subsidiaries, see Notes 7 and 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, "Regulatory Matters" and "Commitments and Contingencies", in Item 8 of this Report.
Item 4.
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Part II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
All of the 138,632,324 issued and outstanding shares of common stock of DTE Electric, par value $10 per share, are owned by DTE Energy, and constitute 100% of the voting securities of DTE Electric. Therefore, no market exists for our common stock.
We paid cash dividends on our common stock of $370 million in 2014, $342 million in 2013, and $317 million in 2012.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Omitted per General Instruction I (2) (a) of Form 10-K for wholly owned subsidiaries (reduced disclosure format).
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations
The Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations discussion for DTE Electric is presented in accordance with General Instruction I (2) (a) of Form 10-K for wholly-owned subsidiaries (reduced disclosure format).
Gross margin increased by $47 million in 2014 and decreased $4 million in 2013. Revenues associated with certain tracking mechanisms and surcharges are offset by related expenses elsewhere in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The following table details changes in various gross margin components relative to the comparable prior period:
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(a) Represents power that is not distributed by DTE Electric.
(b) Represents deliveries for self generators who have purchased power from alternative energy suppliers to supplement their power requirements.
Operation and maintenance expense decreased $45 million in 2014 and decreased $53 million in 2013. The decrease in 2014 is primarily due to decreased employee benefit expenses of $68 million, decreased distribution operations expenses of $36 million, and decreased power plant generation expenses of $7 million, partially offset by higher restoration and line clearance expenses of $19 million, increased low income energy assistance of $17 million, and increased energy optimization and renewable energy expenses of $13 million. In addition, 2014 included $17 million of expenses related to the transition of PLD customers to DTE Electric's distribution system effective July 1, 2014. In May 2014, the MPSC approved a TRM that provides for recovery of the deferred net incremental revenue requirement associated with the transition that is reflected in the Depreciation and amortization line in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The decrease in 2013 is primarily due to decreased employee benefit expenses of $90 million, decreased power plant generation expenses of $14 million, and decreased low income energy assistance of $12 million, partially offset by increased restoration and line clearance expenses of $19 million, increased corporate administrative expenses of $17 million, increased uncollectible expenses of $11 million, increased energy optimization and renewable energy expenses of $8 million, and increased distribution operations expenses of $8 million.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $31 million in 2014 and increased $74 million in 2013. The 2014 increase was due to $42 million of increased expense due to an increased depreciable base, increased amortization of regulatory assets of $3 million, primarily related to Securitization, partially offset by $14 million associated with the TRM. The 2013 increase was due to increased amortization of regulatory assets of $57 million, primarily related to Securitization, and increased depreciation of $17 million due to an increased depreciable base.
Other (income) and deductions decreased by $37 million in 2014 and decreased by $1 million in 2013. The decrease in 2014 was primarily due to decreased interest expenses of $19 million and the 2013 contribution to the DTE Energy Foundation of $18 million. The decrease in 2013 was primarily due to 2012 one time expenses of $11 million related to Michigan ballot proposals and increased investment earnings of $10 million, offset by a contribution to the DTE Energy Foundation of $18 million.
Outlook - We continue to move forward in our efforts to achieve operational excellence, sustained strong cash flows and earn our authorized return on equity. We expect that our planned significant capital investments will result in earnings growth. Looking forward, additional factors may impact earnings such as weather, the outcome of regulatory proceedings, benefit plan design changes, investment returns and changes in discount rate assumptions in benefit plans and health care costs, and uncertainty of legislative or regulatory actions regarding climate change and electric retail access. We expect to continue our efforts to improve productivity and decrease our costs while improving customer satisfaction with consideration of customer rate affordability.
In May 2014, DTE Electric filed an application with the NRC requesting a renewal of the license for its Fermi 2 nuclear power plant. DTE Electric has requested a 20-year extension of its original license due to expire in 2025.
In December 2014, DTE Electric filed a rate case with the MPSC requesting an increase in base rates of $370 million based on a projected twelve month period ending June 30, 2016.
As directed by a June 2013 Presidential Memorandum, the EPA is implementing regulatory actions under the Clean Air Act to address emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the utility sector and other sectors of the economy. Among these actions, the EPA is proposing performance standards for emissions of carbon dioxide from new and existing electric generating units (EGUs). The new source performance standards for new EGUs were proposed in September 2013 and the standards for existing, reconstructed and modified EGUs were proposed in June 2014. The EPA plans to issue a final standard for both new and existing sources by July 2015 as described in the June 2013 Presidential Memorandum.
DTE Electric is an active participant in working with the EPA and other stakeholders to shape the final performance standards for new and existing power plants. The carbon standards for new sources are not expected to have a material impact on the Company, since the Company has no plans to build new coal-fired generation. It is not possible to determine the potential impact of future regulations on existing sources at this time. Pending or future legislation or other regulatory actions could have a material impact on our operations and financial position and the rates we charge our customers. Impacts include expenditures for environmental equipment beyond what is currently planned, financing costs related to additional capital expenditures, the purchase of emission credits from market sources and the retirement of facilities where control equipment is not economical. We would seek to recover these incremental costs through increased rates charged to our utility customers as authorized by the MPSC.
Increased costs for energy produced from traditional coal-based sources could also increase the economic viability of energy produced from renewable, natural gas-fired generation and/or nuclear sources, from energy efficiency initiatives, and from the potential development of market-based trading of carbon offsets which could provide new business opportunities for DTE Electric. A June 2014 U.S. Supreme Court decision on the EPA’s authority to regulate GHG emissions under permitting programs of the Clean Air Act is expected to have little effect on DTE Electric since the Supreme Court's decision upholds the EPA’s authority to regulate GHGs at sources that are already subject to permitting due to emissions of conventional pollutants. In addition, the Supreme Court's ruling does not affect the EPA’s current proposed carbon performance standards at new or existing power plants. At the present time, it is not possible to quantify the financial impacts of these climate related regulatory initiatives on DTE Electric or its customers.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market Price Risk
We have commodity price risk arising from market price fluctuations. We have risks in conjunction with the anticipated purchases of coal, uranium, electricity, and base metals to meet our service obligations. However, we do not bear significant exposure to earnings risk as such changes are included in the PSCR regulatory rate-recovery mechanism. We are exposed to short-term cash flow or liquidity risk as a result of the time differential between actual cash settlements and regulatory rate recovery.
Credit Risk
Bankruptcies
The Company purchases and sells electricity from and to governmental entities and numerous companies operating in the steel, automotive, energy, retail and other industries. Certain of its customers have filed for bankruptcy protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Company regularly reviews contingent matters relating to these customers and its purchase and sale contracts and records provisions for amounts considered at risk of probable loss. The Company believes its accrued amounts are adequate for probable loss.
Other
We engage in business with customers that are non-investment grade. We closely monitor the credit ratings of these customers and, when deemed necessary, we request collateral or guarantees from such customers to secure their obligations.
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with the issuance of debt. Our exposure to interest rate risk arises primarily from changes in U.S. Treasury rates, commercial paper rates and London Inter-Bank Offered Rates (LIBOR). We estimate that if interest rates were 10% higher or lower, the fair value of long-term debt at December 31, 2014 would decrease $202 million and increase $216 million, respectively.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The following consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are included herein.
Page
Controls and Procedures
Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Equity
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Statement Schedule
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
Management of the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of DTE Electric’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of December 31, 2014, which is the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Due to the inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any disclosure controls and procedures, management cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of its disclosure controls and procedures will be attained.
(b) Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our CEO and CFO, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management of the Company has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
This annual report does not include an audit report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to audit by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
(c) Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of
DTE Electric Company
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of DTE Electric Company and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Detroit, Michigan
February 13, 2015
DTE Electric Company
Consolidated Statements of Operations
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
DTE Electric Company
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
DTE Electric Company
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
DTE Electric Company
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
DTE Electric Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
DTE Electric Company
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Equity
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Corporate Structure
DTE Electric is an electric utility engaged in the generation, purchase, distribution and sale of electricity to approximately 2.1 million customers in southeastern Michigan. DTE Electric is regulated by the MPSC and the FERC. In addition, we are regulated by other federal and state regulatory agencies including the NRC, the EPA and the MDEQ.
References in this Report to “we,” “us,” “our” or “Company” are to DTE Electric and its subsidiaries, collectively.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These accounting principles require management to use estimates and assumptions that impact reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from the Company’s estimates.
Principles of Consolidation
The Company consolidates all majority-owned subsidiaries and investments in entities in which it has controlling influence. Non-majority owned investments are accounted for using the equity method when the Company is able to influence the operating policies of the investee. When the Company does not influence the operating policies of an investee, the cost method is used. These Consolidated Financial Statements also reflect the Company’s proportionate interests in certain jointly owned utility plants. The Company eliminates all intercompany balances and transactions.
The Company evaluates whether an entity is a VIE whenever reconsideration events occur. The Company consolidates VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary. If the Company is not the primary beneficiary and an ownership interest is held, the VIE is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. When assessing the determination of the primary beneficiary, the Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including: the power, through voting or similar rights, to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb the expected losses and/or the right to receive the expected returns of the VIE. The Company performs ongoing reassessments of all VIEs to determine if the primary beneficiary status has changed.
The Company has variable interests in VIEs through certain of its long-term purchase contracts. As of December 31, 2014, the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position that relate to its variable interests under long-term purchase contracts are predominately related to working capital accounts and generally represent the amounts owed by the Company for the deliveries associated with the current billing cycle under the contracts. The Company has not provided any significant form of financial support associated with these long-term contracts. There is no significant potential exposure to loss as a result of its variable interests through these long-term purchase contracts.
In 2001, DTE Electric financed a regulatory asset related to Fermi 2 and certain other regulatory assets through the sale of rate reduction bonds by a wholly-owned special purpose entity, Securitization. DTE Electric performs servicing activities including billing and collecting surcharge revenue for Securitization. This entity is a VIE and is consolidated by the Company. The maximum risk exposure related to Securitization is reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
The following table summarizes the major balance sheet items at December 31, 2014 and 2013 restricted for Securitization that are either (1) assets that can be used only to settle their obligations related to Securitization or (2) liabilities for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary.
NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Revenues
Revenues from the sale and delivery of electricity are recognized as services are provided. The Company records revenues for electricity provided but unbilled at the end of each month. Rates for DTE Electric include provisions to adjust billings for fluctuations in fuel and purchased power costs, and certain other costs. Revenues are adjusted for differences between actual costs subject to reconciliation and the amounts billed in current rates. Under or over recovered revenues related to these cost recovery mechanisms are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and are recovered or returned to customers through adjustments to the billing factors.
See Note 7, "Regulatory Matters", for further discussion of recovery mechanisms authorized by the MPSC.
Accounting for ISO Transactions
DTE Electric participates in the energy market through MISO. MISO requires that we submit hourly day-ahead, real- time and FTR bids and offers for energy at locations across the MISO region. DTE Electric accounts for MISO transactions on a net hourly basis in each of the day-ahead, real-time and FTR markets and net transactions across all MISO energy market locations. In any single hour DTE Electric records net purchases in Fuel and purchased power and net sales in Operating revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. DTE Electric records accruals for future net purchases adjustments based on historical experience, and reconciles accruals to actual costs when invoices are received from MISO.
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive income (loss) is the change in common shareholder’s equity during a period from transactions and events from non-owner sources, including net income. The amounts recorded to accumulated other comprehensive loss include unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities and changes in benefit obligations, consisting of deferred actuarial losses, and prior service costs.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
The following table summarizes the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
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(a)
All amounts are net of tax.
(b)
The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are included in the computation of the net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs (see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements "Retirement Benefits and Trusteed Assets").
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash in banks and temporary investments purchased with remaining maturities of three months or less. Restricted cash consists of funds held to satisfy requirements of certain debt agreements, related to Securitization bonds. Restricted cash designated for interest and principal payments within one year is classified as a current asset.
Receivables
Accounts receivable are primarily composed of trade receivables and unbilled revenue. Our accounts receivable are stated at net realizable value.
The allowance for doubtful accounts is generally calculated using the aging approach that utilizes rates developed in reserve studies. DTE Electric establishes an allowance for uncollectible accounts based on historical losses and management’s assessment of existing economic conditions, customer trends, and other factors. Customer accounts are generally considered delinquent if the amount billed is not received by the due date, which is typically in 21 days, however, factors such as assistance programs may delay aggressive action. We assess late payment fees on trade receivables based on past-due terms with customers. Customer accounts are written off when collection efforts have been exhausted. The time period for write-off is 150 days after service has been terminated.
Unbilled revenues of $250 million and $280 million are included in customer accounts receivable at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Notes Receivable
Notes receivable, or financing receivables, are primarily comprised of loans and are typically considered delinquent when payment is not received for periods ranging from 60 to 120 days. The Company ceases accruing interest (nonaccrual status), considers a note receivable impaired, and establishes an allowance for credit loss when it is probable that all principal and interest amounts due will not be collected in accordance with the contractual terms of the note receivable. Cash payments received on nonaccrual status notes receivable, that do not bring the account contractually current, are first applied to contractually owed past due interest, with any remainder applied to principal. Accrual of interest is generally resumed when the note receivable becomes contractually current.
In determining the allowance for credit losses for notes receivable, we consider the historical payment experience and other factors that are expected to have a specific impact on the counterparty’s ability to pay. In addition, the Company monitors the credit ratings of the counterparties from which we have notes receivable.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Inventories
The Company generally values inventory at average cost.
Property, Retirement and Maintenance, and Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Property is stated at cost and includes construction-related labor, materials, overheads and AFUDC. The cost of properties retired is charged to accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense when incurred, except for Fermi 2.
Utility property is depreciated over its estimated useful life using straight-line rates approved by the MPSC.
Depreciation and amortization expense also includes the amortization of certain regulatory assets.
Approximately $16 million and $26 million of expenses related to Fermi 2 refueling outages were accrued at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amounts are accrued on a pro-rata basis, generally over an 18-month period, that coincides with scheduled refueling outages at Fermi 2. This accrual of outage costs matches the regulatory recovery of these costs in rates set by the MPSC. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Regulatory Matters".
The cost of nuclear fuel is capitalized. The amortization of nuclear fuel is included within Fuel and purchased power in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and is recorded using the units-of-production method.
Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the expected discounted future cash flows generated by the asset, an impairment loss is recognized resulting in the asset being written down to its estimated fair value. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell.
Intangible Assets
The Company has certain intangible assets relating to emission allowances and renewable energy credits as shown below:
Emission allowances and renewable energy credits are charged to expense, using average cost, as the allowances and credits are consumed in the operation of the business.
Excise and Sales Taxes
The Company records the billing of excise and sales taxes as a receivable with an offsetting payable to the applicable taxing authority, with no net impact on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Deferred Debt Costs
The costs related to the issuance of long-term debt are deferred and amortized over the life of each debt issue. In accordance with MPSC regulations, the unamortized discount, premium and expense related to debt redeemed with a refinancing are amortized over the life of the replacement issue.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities
The Company generally classifies investments in debt and equity securities as either trading or available-for-sale and has recorded such investments at market value with unrealized gains or losses included in earnings or in other comprehensive income or loss, respectively. Changes in the fair value of Fermi 2 nuclear decommissioning investments are recorded as adjustments to regulatory assets or liabilities, due to a recovery mechanism from customers. The Company’s equity investments are reviewed for impairment each reporting period. If the assessment indicates that the impairment is other than temporary, a loss is recognized resulting in the equity investment being written down to its estimated fair value. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Fair Value".
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company received an allocation of costs from DTE Energy associated with stock-based compensation. Our allocation for 2014, 2013 and 2012 for stock-based compensation expense was approximately $62 million, $58 million and $42 million, respectively.
Government Grants
Grants are recognized when there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and that any conditions associated with the grant will be met. When grants are received related to Property, plant and equipment, the Company reduces the cost of the assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, resulting in lower depreciation expense over the life of the associated asset. Grants received related to expenses are reflected as a reduction of the associated expense in the period in which the expense is incurred.
Other Accounting Policies
See the following notes for other accounting policies impacting the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements:
NOTE 3 - NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The objectives of this ASU are to improve upon revenue recognition requirements by providing a single comprehensive model to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of recognition. The core principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires expanded qualitative and quantitative disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The revenue standard is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and is to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this ASU on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
NOTE 4 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Summary of property by classification as of December 31:
AFUDC capitalized was approximately $32 million and $21 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The composite depreciation rate for DTE Electric was approximately 3.4% in 2014 and 2013 and 3.3% in 2012.
The average estimated useful life for our generation and distribution property was 40 years and 41 years, respectively, at December 31, 2014.
Capitalized software costs are classified as Property, plant and equipment and the related amortization is included in Accumulated depreciation and amortization on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The Company capitalizes the costs associated with computer software it develops or obtains for use in its business. The Company amortizes capitalized software costs on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit, ranging from 5 to 15 years.
Capitalized software costs amortization expense was $71 million in 2014, $64 million in 2013 and $62 million in 2012. The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of capitalized software costs at December 31, 2014 were $590 million and $293 million, respectively. The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of capitalized software costs at December 31, 2013 were $521 million and $269 million, respectively.
Gross property under capital leases was $9 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Accumulated amortization of property under capital leases was $5 million and $1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
NOTE 5 - JOINTLY OWNED UTILITY PLANT
DTE Electric has joint ownership interest in two power plants, Belle River and Ludington Hydroelectric Pumped Storage. DTE Electric’s share of direct expenses of the jointly owned plants are included in Fuel and purchased power and Operation and maintenance expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Ownership information of the two utility plants as of December 31, 2014 was as follows:
_________________________________
(a)
DTE Electric’s ownership interest is 63% in Unit No. 1, 81% of the facilities applicable to Belle River used jointly by the Belle River and St. Clair Power Plants and 75% in common facilities used at Unit No. 2.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Belle River
The Michigan Public Power Agency (MPPA) has an ownership interest in Belle River Unit No. 1 and other related facilities. The MPPA is entitled to 19% of the total capacity and energy of the plant and is responsible for the same percentage of the plant’s operation, maintenance and capital improvement costs.
Ludington Hydroelectric Pumped Storage
Consumers Energy Company has an ownership interest in the Ludington Hydroelectric Pumped Storage Plant. Consumers Energy is entitled to 51% of the total capacity and energy of the plant and is responsible for the same percentage of the plant’s operation, maintenance and capital improvement costs.
NOTE 6 - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The Company has a legal retirement obligation for the decommissioning costs for its Fermi 1 and Fermi 2 nuclear plants, dismantlement of facilities located on leased property and various other operations. The Company has conditional retirement obligations for asbestos and PCB removal at certain of its power plants and various distribution equipment. The Company recognizes such obligations as liabilities at fair market value when they are incurred, which generally is at the time the associated assets are placed in service. Fair value is measured using expected future cash outflows discounted at our credit-adjusted risk-free rate. The Company recognizes regulatory assets or liabilities for timing differences in expense recognition for legal asset retirement costs that are currently recovered in rates.
If a reasonable estimate of fair value cannot be made in the period in which the retirement obligation is incurred, such as for assets with indeterminate lives, the liability is recognized when a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. Substations, manholes and certain other distribution assets have an indeterminate life. Therefore, no liability has been recorded for these assets.
A reconciliation of the asset retirement obligations for 2014 follows:
Approximately $1.7 billion of the asset retirement obligations represent nuclear decommissioning liabilities that are funded through a surcharge to electric customers over the life of the Fermi 2 nuclear plant. The NRC has jurisdiction over the decommissioning of nuclear power plants and requires minimum decommissioning funding based upon a formula. The MPSC and FERC regulate the recovery of costs of decommissioning nuclear power plants and both require the use of external trust funds to finance the decommissioning of Fermi 2. Rates approved by the MPSC provide for the recovery of decommissioning costs of Fermi 2 and the disposal of low-level radioactive waste. DTE Electric is continuing to fund FERC jurisdictional amounts for decommissioning even though explicit provisions are not included in FERC rates. The Company believes the MPSC and FERC collections will be adequate to fund the estimated cost of decommissioning. The decommissioning assets, anticipated earnings thereon and future revenues from decommissioning collections will be used to decommission Fermi 2. The Company expects the liabilities to be reduced to zero at the conclusion of the decommissioning activities. If amounts remain in the trust funds for Fermi 2 following the completion of the decommissioning activities, those amounts will be disbursed based on rulings by the MPSC and FERC.
A portion of the funds recovered through the Fermi 2 decommissioning surcharge and deposited in external trust accounts is designated for the removal of non-radioactive assets and returning the site to greenfield. This removal and greenfielding is not considered a legal liability. Therefore, it is not included in the asset retirement obligation, but is reflected as the Nuclear decommissioning liability. The decommissioning of Fermi 1 is funded by DTE Electric. Contributions to the Fermi 1 trust are discretionary. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Fair Value", for additional discussion of Nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
NOTE 7 - REGULATORY MATTERS
Regulation
DTE Electric is subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the MPSC, which issues orders pertaining to rates, recovery of certain costs, including the costs of generating facilities and regulatory assets, conditions of service, accounting and operating-related matters. DTE Electric is also regulated by the FERC with respect to financing authorization and wholesale electric activities. Regulation results in differences in the application of generally accepted accounting principles between regulated and non-regulated businesses.
The Company is unable to predict the outcome of the unresolved regulatory matters discussed herein. Resolution of these matters is dependent upon future MPSC orders and appeals, which may materially impact the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company.
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
DTE Electric is required to record regulatory assets and liabilities for certain transactions that would have been treated as revenue or expense in non-regulated businesses. Continued applicability of regulatory accounting treatment requires that rates be designed to recover specific costs of providing regulated services and be charged to and collected from customers. Future regulatory changes or changes in the competitive environment could result in the discontinuance of this accounting treatment for regulatory assets and liabilities for some or all of our businesses and may require the write-off of the portion of any regulatory asset or liability that was no longer probable of recovery through regulated rates. Management believes that currently available facts support the continued use of regulatory assets and liabilities and that all regulatory assets and liabilities are recoverable or refundable in the current regulatory environment.
The following are balances and a brief description of the regulatory assets and liabilities at December 31:
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
As noted below, regulatory assets for which costs have been incurred have been included (or are expected to be included, for costs incurred subsequent to the most recently approved rate case) in DTE Electric's rate base, thereby providing a return on invested costs (except as noted). Certain other regulatory assets are not included in rate base but accrue recoverable carrying charges until surcharges to collect the assets are billed. Certain regulatory assets do not result from cash expenditures and therefore do not represent investments included in rate base or have offsetting liabilities that reduce rate base.
ASSETS
•
Recoverable pension and other postretirement costs - Accounting rules for pension and other postretirement benefit costs require, among other things, the recognition in other comprehensive income of the actuarial gains or losses and the prior service costs that arise during the period but that are not immediately recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs. The Company records the impact of actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs as a regulatory asset since the traditional rate setting process allows for the recovery of pension and other postretirement costs. The asset will reverse as the deferred items are amortized and recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs. (a)
•
Asset retirement obligation - This obligation is primarily for Fermi 2 decommissioning costs. The asset captures the timing differences between expense recognition and current recovery in rates and will reverse over the remaining life of the related plant. (a)
•
Recoverable Michigan income taxes - In July 2007, the MBT was enacted by the State of Michigan. A State deferred tax liability was established, and an offsetting regulatory asset was recorded as the impact of the deferred tax liability will be reflected in rates as the related taxable temporary difference reverses and flows through current income tax expense. In May 2011, the MBT was repealed and the MCIT was enacted. The regulatory asset was remeasured to reflect the impact of the MCIT tax rate. (a)
•
Other recoverable income taxes - Income taxes receivable from DTE Electric customers representing the difference in property-related deferred income taxes and amounts previously reflected in DTE Electric's rates. This asset will reverse over the remaining life of the related plant. (a)
•
Cost to achieve Performance Excellence Process (PEP) - The MPSC authorized the deferral of costs to implement the PEP. These costs consist of employee severance, project management and consultant support. These costs are amortized over a ten-year period beginning with the year subsequent to the year the costs were deferred.
•
Unamortized loss on reacquired debt - The unamortized discount, premium and expense related to debt redeemed with a refinancing are deferred, amortized and recovered over the life of the replacement issue.
•
Accrued PSCR revenue - Receivable for the temporary under-recovery of and carrying costs on fuel and purchased power costs incurred by DTE Electric which are recoverable through the PSCR mechanism.
•
Recoverable income taxes related to securitized regulatory assets - Receivable for the recovery of income taxes to be paid on the non-bypassable securitization bond surcharge. A non-bypassable securitization tax surcharge, which ended in December 2014, was in place to recover the income tax over a fourteen-year period. (a)
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
•
Removal costs asset - Receivable for the recovery of asset removal expenditures in excess of amounts collected from customers.
•
Transitional Reconciliation Mechanism (TRM) - The MPSC approved the recovery of the deferred net incremental revenue requirement associated with the transition of PLD customers to DTE Electric's distribution system, effective July 1, 2014. Annual reconciliations will be filed and surcharges will be implemented to recover approved amounts. (a)
•
Securitized regulatory assets - The net book balance of the Fermi 2 nuclear plant was written off in 1998 and an equivalent regulatory asset was established. In 2001, the Fermi 2 regulatory asset and certain other regulatory assets were securitized pursuant to PA 142 and an MPSC order. A non-bypassable securitization bond surcharge, which ended in December 2014, was in place to recover the securitized regulatory asset over a fourteen-year period.
_________________________________
(a)
Regulatory assets not earning a return or accruing carrying charges.
LIABILITIES
•
Renewable energy - Amounts collected in rates in excess of renewable energy expenditures.
•
Over recovery of Securitization - Over recovery of securitization bond expenses.
•
Refundable revenue decoupling / deferred gain - Amounts were originally accrued as refundable to DTE Electric customers for the change in revenue resulting from the difference between actual average sales per customer compared to the base level of average sales per customer established by the MPSC. In 2012, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued a decision reversing the MPSC's decision to authorize a RDM for DTE Electric. The revenue decoupling liability was reversed and, after receiving an order from the MPSC to defer the resulting gain for future amortization, DTE Electric created a regulatory liability representing its obligation to refund the gain. The deferred gain is being amortized into earnings in 2014 and 2015.
•
Fermi 2 refueling outage - Accrued liability for refueling outage at Fermi 2 pursuant to MPSC authorization.
•
Energy optimization (EO) - Amounts collected in rates in excess of energy optimization expenditures.
•
Accrued PSCR refund - Liability for the temporary over-recovery of and a return on power supply costs and transmission costs incurred by DTE Electric which are recoverable through the PSCR mechanism.
•
Refundable other postretirement costs - Accounting rules for other postretirement benefit costs require, among other things, the recognition in other comprehensive income of the actuarial gains or losses and the prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but that are not immediately recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs. DTE Electric records the favorable impact of actuarial gains or losses and prior service credits as a regulatory liability since the impact will reduce expense in a future rate setting process as the deferred items are recognized as a component of net periodic benefit costs.
•
Removal costs liability - The amount collected from customers for the funding of future asset removal activities.
2014 Electric Rate Case Filing
DTE Electric filed a rate case with the MPSC on December 19, 2014 requesting an increase in base rates of $370 million based on a projected twelve-month period ending June 30, 2016. The requested in base rates is due primarily to an increase in net plant resulting from infrastructure investments, plant acquisitions, environmental compliance and reliability improvement projects. The rate filing also included projected changes in sales, working capital, operation and maintenance expenses, return on equity and capital structure. New rates could be self-implemented in July 2015, with a final order expected in December 2015.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
2010 Electric Rate Case Filing - Court of Appeals Decision
In July 2013, the MCOA issued a decision relating to an appeal of the October 2011 MPSC order in DTE Electric's October 2010 rate case filing. The MCOA found that the record of evidence in the 2010 rate case order was insufficient to support the MPSC's authorization to recover costs for the AMI program and remanded this matter to the MPSC. The MPSC had approved an approximately $11 million rate increase related to the AMI program in the October 2011 order. DTE Electric is currently operating its AMI program pursuant to the MPSC's approval set forth in the October 2011 order. In August 2013, the MPSC reopened the 2010 electric rate case for the limited purpose of addressing the MCOA's opinion on AMI. On November 6, 2014, the MPSC issued an order affirming the recovery of costs associated with the AMI program.
Customer360 Accounting Authority
In July 2014, DTE Electric filed an application for accounting authority to defer certain costs associated with implementing Customer360, which is an integrated software application that enables improved interface among customer service, billing, meter reading, credit and collections, device management, account management, and retail access. The estimated implementation cost of Customer360 is approximately $215 million and DTE Electric proposed an amortization period of 15 years. On September 26, 2014, the MPSC approved the accounting request.
Refundable Revenue Decoupling / Deferred Gain Amortization
In September 2012, the MPSC approved DTE Electric's accounting application to defer for future amortization the gain resulting from the reversal of the Company's $127 million regulatory liability associated with the operation of the RDM. The approved application provided for the amortization of the regulatory liability to income, at a monthly rate of approximately $10.6 million, beginning January 2014. On April 1, 2014, the MPSC approved DTE Electric's accounting application to suspend the amortization of the RDM regulatory liability as of June 30, 2014 and to complete the amortization over the period January 2015 to June 2015. If DTE Electric's base rates are increased prior to July 1, 2015, the Company will cease amortization and refund to customers the remaining unamortized balance of the regulatory liability.
Transition of PLD Customers to DTE Electric's Distribution System
On July 19, 2013, DTE Electric filed its TRM application proposing a transitional tariff option for certain former PLD customers and a modified line extension provision. The application also proposed a recovery mechanism for the deferred net incremental revenue requirement associated with the transition. The net incremental revenue requirement includes costs to install meters and attach customers; system and customer facility upgrades and repairs; and the difference between DTE Electric's tariff rates and any transitional rates approved in the future. On May 13, 2014, the MPSC approved the TRM as requested and also ordered DTE Electric to include in the TRM the PLD transmission delivery service costs incurred while DTE Electric is temporarily relying upon PLD to operate and maintain PLD's system during the system conversion period. The meter installation phase of the transition was completed in June 2014. On July 1, 2014, former PLD customers became customers of DTE Electric.
PSCR Proceedings
The PSCR process is designed to allow DTE Electric to recover all of its power supply costs if incurred under reasonable and prudent policies and practices. DTE Electric's power supply costs include fuel and related transportation costs, purchased and net interchange power costs, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emission allowances costs, urea costs, transmission costs and MISO costs. The MPSC reviews these costs, policies and practices for prudence in annual plan and reconciliation filings.
2012 PSCR Year - In March 2013, DTE Electric filed the 2012 PSCR reconciliation calculating a net under-recovery of approximately $87 million that includes an under-recovery of approximately $148 million for the 2011 PSCR year. The reconciliation includes purchased power costs related to the manual shutdown of our Fermi 2 nuclear power plant in June 2012 caused by the failure of one of the plant's two non-safety related feed-water pumps. The plant was restarted on July 30, 2012, which restored production to approximately 68% of full capacity. In September 2013, the repair to the plant was completed and production was returned to full capacity. DTE Electric was able to purchase sufficient power from MISO to continue to provide uninterrupted service to our customers. Certain intervenors in the reconciliation case have challenged the recovery of up to $32 million of the Fermi 2 related purchased power costs. Resolution of this matter is expected in 2015.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES
Income Tax Summary
We are part of the consolidated federal income tax return of DTE Energy. The federal income tax expense for DTE Electric is determined on an individual company basis with no allocation of tax expenses or benefits from other affiliates of DTE Energy. We had an income tax receivable from DTE Energy of $29 million and $23 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Total income tax expense varied from the statutory federal income tax rate for the following reasons:
Components of income tax expense were as follows:
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax effect of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets or liabilities and the reported amounts in the financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as current or noncurrent according to the classification of the related assets or liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities not related to assets or liabilities are classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary differences. Consistent with rate making treatment, deferred taxes are offset in the table below for temporary differences which have related regulatory assets and liabilities.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Deferred tax assets (liabilities) were comprised of the following at December 31:
The above table excludes unamortized investment tax credits that are shown separately on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Investment tax credits are deferred and amortized to income over the average life of the related property.
Uncertain Tax Positions
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
The Company had $2 million of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014 and 2013 that, if recognized, would favorably impact our effective tax rate. The Company does not anticipate any material decrease in unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties pertaining to income taxes in Interest expense and Other expenses, respectively, on its Consolidated Statements of Operations. Accrued interest pertaining to income taxes totaled $1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company had no accrued penalties pertaining to income taxes. The Company recognized a nominal amount of interest expense (income) related to income taxes in 2014 and 2013 and $(3) million in 2012.
In 2014, DTE Energy and its subsidiaries settled a federal tax audit for the 2012 tax year. DTE Energy's federal income tax returns for years 2013 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by the IRS. DTE Energy's MBT and MCIT returns for the year 2008 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by the State of Michigan. DTE Energy also files tax returns in numerous state and local jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitation.
NOTE 9 - FAIR VALUE
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in a principal or most advantageous market. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on inputs, which refer broadly to assumptions that market participants use in pricing assets or liabilities. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable inputs. The Company makes certain assumptions it believes that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities, including assumptions about risk, and the risks inherent in the inputs to valuation techniques. Credit risk of the Company and its counterparties is incorporated in the valuation of assets and liabilities through the use of credit reserves, the impact of which was immaterial at December 31, 2014 and 2013. The Company believes it uses valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable market-based inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
A fair value hierarchy has been established, that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value in three broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy. All assets and liabilities are required to be classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Assessing the significance of a particular input may require judgment considering factors specific to the asset or liability, and may affect the valuation of the asset or liability and its placement within the fair value hierarchy. The Company classifies fair value balances based on the fair value hierarchy defined as follows:
•Level 1 - Consists of unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the reporting date.
•Level 2 - Consists of 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 - Consists of unobservable inputs for assets or liabilities whose fair value is estimated based on internally developed models or methodologies using inputs that are generally less readily observable and supported by little, if any, market activity at the measurement date. Unobservable inputs are developed based on the best available information and subject to cost-benefit constraints.
The following table presents assets measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
_______________________________________
(a)
At December 31, 2014, available-for-sale securities of $104 million, included $96 million and $8 million of cash equivalents included in Restricted cash and Other investments, respectively, on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. At December 31, 2013, available-for-sale securities of $116 million, included $100 million and $16 million of cash equivalents included in Restricted cash and Other investments, respectively, on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
(b)
Available-for-sale equity securities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 of $8 million and $7 million, respectively, are included in Other investments on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased. The cash equivalents shown in the fair value table are comprised of short-term investments and money market funds.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts and Other Investments
The nuclear decommissioning trusts and other investments hold debt and equity securities directly and indirectly through institutional mutual funds. Exchange-traded debt and equity securities held directly are valued using quoted market prices in actively traded markets. The institutional mutual funds hold exchange-traded equity or debt securities and are valued based on stated NAVs. Non-exchange-traded fixed income securities are valued based upon quotations available from brokers or pricing services. A primary price source is identified by asset type, class or issue for each security. The trustee monitors prices supplied by pricing services and may use a supplemental price source or change the primary price source of a given security if the trustee determines that another price source is considered to be preferable. The Company has obtained an understanding of how these prices are derived, including the nature and observability of the inputs used in deriving such prices. Additionally, the Company selectively corroborates the fair value of securities by comparison of market-based price sources. Investment policies and procedures are determined by the Company's Trust Investments Department which reports to the Company's Vice President and Treasurer.
Derivative Assets and Liabilities
Derivative assets and liabilities are comprised of physical and financial derivative contracts, including futures, forwards, options and swaps that are both exchange-traded and over-the-counter traded contracts. Various inputs are used to value derivatives depending on the type of contract and availability of market data. Exchange-traded derivative contracts are valued using quoted prices in active markets. The Company considers the following criteria in determining whether a market is considered active: frequency in which pricing information is updated, variability in pricing between sources or over time and the availability of public information. Other derivative contracts are valued based upon a variety of inputs including commodity market prices, broker quotes, interest rates, credit ratings, default rates, market-based seasonality and basis differential factors. The Company monitors the prices that are supplied by brokers and pricing services and may use a supplemental price source or change the primary price source of an index if prices become unavailable or another price source is determined to be more representative of fair value. The Company has obtained an understanding of how these prices are derived. Additionally, the Company selectively corroborates the fair value of its transactions by comparison of market-based price sources. Mathematical valuation models are used for derivatives for which external market data is not readily observable, such as contracts which extend beyond the actively traded reporting period. The Company has established a Risk Management Committee whose responsibilities include directly or indirectly ensuring all valuation methods are applied in accordance with predefined policies. The development and maintenance of our forward price curves has been assigned to our Risk Management Department, which is separate and distinct from the trading functions within the Company.
The following table presents the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
No transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 occurred in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of financial instruments included in the table below is determined by using quoted market prices when available. When quoted prices are not available, pricing services may be used to determine the fair value with reference to observable interest rate indexes. The Company has obtained an understanding of how the fair values are derived. The Company also selectively corroborates the fair value of its transactions by comparison of market-based price sources. Discounted cash flow analyses based upon estimated current borrowing rates are also used to determine fair value when quoted market prices are not available. The fair values of notes receivable, excluding capital leases, are estimated using discounted cash flow techniques that incorporate market interest rates as well as assumptions about the remaining life of the loans and credit risk. Depending on the information available, other valuation techniques may be used that rely on internal assumptions and models. Valuation policies and procedures are determined by the Company's Treasury Department which reports to the Company's Vice President and Treasurer.
The following table presents the carrying amount and fair value of financial instruments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Funds
DTE Electric has a legal obligation to decommission its nuclear power plants following the expiration of their operating licenses. This obligation is reflected as an asset retirement obligation on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Rates approved by the MPSC provide for the recovery of decommissioning costs of Fermi 2 and the disposal of low-level radioactive waste. DTE Electric is continuing to fund FERC jurisdictional amounts for decommissioning even though explicit provisions are not included in FERC rates. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Asset Retirement Obligations".
The following table summarizes the fair value of the nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets:
The costs of securities sold are determined on the basis of specific identification. The following table sets forth the gains and losses and proceeds from the sale of securities by the nuclear decommissioning trust funds:
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Realized gains and losses from the sale of securities for the Fermi 2 and the low level radioactive waste funds are recorded to the Regulatory asset and Nuclear decommissioning liability. The following table sets forth the fair value and unrealized gains for the nuclear decommissioning trust funds:
At December 31, 2014, investments in the nuclear decommissioning trust funds consisted of approximately 61% in publicly traded equity securities, 38% in fixed debt instruments and 1% in cash equivalents. At December 31, 2013, investments in the nuclear decommissioning trust funds consisted of approximately 61% in publicly traded equity securities, 37% in fixed debt instruments and 2% in cash equivalents.
The debt securities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 had an average maturity of approximately 7 years. Securities held in the nuclear decommissioning trust funds are classified as available-for-sale. As DTE Electric does not have the ability to hold impaired investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for the anticipated recovery of market value, all unrealized losses are considered to be other-than-temporary impairments.
Unrealized losses incurred by the Fermi 2 trust are recognized as a Regulatory asset.
Other Securities
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, these securities are comprised primarily of money-market and equity securities. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, no amounts of unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities were reclassified out of other comprehensive income and realized into net income for the periods. Gains related to trading securities held at December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $12 million, $19 million and $9 million, respectively.
NOTE 10 - FINANCIAL AND OTHER DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company recognizes all derivatives at their fair value as Derivative assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position unless they qualify for certain scope exceptions, including the normal purchases and normal sales exception. Further, derivatives that qualify and are designated for hedge accounting are classified as either hedges of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge), or as hedges of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (fair value hedge). For cash flow hedges, the portion of the derivative gain or loss that is effective in offsetting the change in the value of the underlying exposure is deferred in Accumulated other comprehensive income and later reclassified into earnings when the underlying transaction occurs. Gains or losses from the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings immediately. For fair value hedges, changes in fair values for the derivative and hedged item are recognized in earnings each period. For derivatives that do not qualify or are not designated for hedge accounting, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings each period.
The Company's primary market risk exposure is associated with commodity prices, credit and interest rates. The Company has risk management policies to monitor and manage market risks. The Company uses derivative instruments to manage some of the exposure. DTE Electric generates, purchases, distributes and sells electricity. DTE Electric uses forward energy contracts to manage changes in the price of electricity and fuel. Substantially all of these contracts meet the normal purchases and sales exemption and are therefore accounted for under the accrual method. Other derivative contracts are MTM and recoverable through the PSCR mechanism when settled. This results in the deferral of unrealized gains and losses as Regulatory assets or liabilities until realized.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
NOTE 11 - LONG-TERM DEBT
The Company's long-term debt outstanding and weighted average interest rates (a) of debt outstanding at December 31 were:
_________________________________
(a)
Weighted average interest rates as of December 31, 2014 are shown below the description of each category of debt.
(b)
Tax-Exempt Revenue Bonds are issued by a public body that loans the proceeds to DTE Electric on terms substantially mirroring the Revenue Bonds.
Debt Issuances
In 2014, the following debt was issued:
_____________________________
(a)
Proceeds were used for the redemption of long-term debt, repayment of short-term borrowings and general corporate purposes.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Debt Redemptions
In 2014, the following debt was redeemed:
_____________________________
(a)
Tax Exempt Revenue Bonds are issued by a public body that loans the proceeds to DTE Electric on terms substantially mirroring the Revenue Bonds.
The following table shows the scheduled debt maturities, excluding any unamortized discount or premium on debt:
Cross Default Provisions
Substantially all of the net properties of DTE Electric are subject to the lien of its mortgage. Should DTE Electric fail to timely pay its indebtedness under this mortgage, such failure may create cross defaults in the indebtedness of DTE Energy.
NOTE 12 - PREFERRED AND PREFERENCE SECURITIES
At December 31, 2014, DTE Electric had approximately 6.75 million shares of preferred stock with a par value of $100 per share and 30 million shares of preference stock with a par value of $1 per share authorized, with no shares issued.
NOTE 13 - SHORT-TERM CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS AND BORROWINGS
DTE Electric has a $300 million unsecured revolving credit agreement that can be used for general corporate borrowings, but is intended to provide liquidity support for the Company's commercial paper program. Borrowings under the facility are available at prevailing short-term interest rates. The facility will expire in April 2018. At December 31, 2014, there was $50 million outstanding against the facility, while there were no amounts outstanding against the facility at December 31, 2013.
The agreement requires the Company to maintain a total funded debt to capitalization ratio of no more than 0.65 to 1. At December 31, 2014, the total funded debt to total capitalization ratio for DTE Electric was 0.51 to 1 and is in compliance with this financial covenant.
The weighted average interest rates for short-term borrowings was 0.5% and zero at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
NOTE 14 - OPERATING LEASES
Lessee - The Company leases various assets under operating leases, including coal railcars, computers, vehicles and other equipment. The lease arrangements expire at various dates through 2046.
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable leases at December 31, 2014 were:
Rental expense for operating leases was $26 million in 2014, $28 million in 2013, and $29 million in 2012.
NOTE 15 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Environmental
Air - DTE Electric is subject to the EPA ozone and fine particulate transport and acid rain regulations that limit power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The EPA and the State of Michigan have issued emission reduction regulations relating to ozone, fine particulate, regional haze, mercury, and other air pollution. These rules have led to controls on fossil-fueled power plants to reduce nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, mercury and other emissions. To comply with these requirements, DTE Electric spent approximately $2.2 billion through 2014. The Company estimates DTE Electric will make capital expenditures of approximately $100 million in 2015 and up to approximately $30 million of additional capital expenditures through 2019 based on current regulations.
Additional rulemakings are expected over the next few years which could require additional controls for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and other hazardous air pollutants. The Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), requires further reductions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions effective in January 2015. DTE Electric expects to meet its obligations under CSAPR beginning in 2015.
The Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS) rule, formerly known as the Electric Generating Unit Maximum Achievable Control Technology (EGU MACT) Rule was finalized in December 2011. The MATS rule requires reductions of mercury and other hazardous air pollutants beginning in April 2015, with a potential extension to April 2016. DTE Electric has requested and been granted compliance date extensions for all relevant units to April 2016. DTE Electric has tested technologies to determine technological and economic feasibility as MATS compliance alternatives to Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) systems. Implementation of Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI) and Activated Carbon Injection (ACI) technologies will allow several units that would not have been economical for FGD installations to continue operation in compliance with MATS. In November 2014, the Supreme Court agreed to review a challenge to the MATS rule based on a narrowly focused question of how the EPA considered costs in regulating air pollutants emitted by electric utilities. DTE Electric cannot predict the financial impact or outcome of this Supreme Court case, or the timing of its resolution.
The EPA proposed revised air quality standards for ground level ozone in November 2014 and the standards are expected to be finalized by October 2015. DTE Electric will engage with the EPA and other stakeholders in commenting on this rule. DTE Electric cannot predict the financial impact of the proposed ozone standards at this time.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
In July 2009, DTE Energy received a NOV/FOV from the EPA alleging, among other things, that five DTE Electric power plants violated New Source Performance standards, Prevention of Significant Deterioration requirements, and operating permit requirements under the Clean Air Act. In June 2010, the EPA issued a NOV/FOV making similar allegations related to a project and outage at Unit 2 of the Monroe Power Plant. In March 2013, DTE Energy received a supplemental NOV from the EPA relating to the July 2009 NOV/FOV. The supplemental NOV alleged additional violations relating to the New Source Review provisions under the Clean Air Act, among other things.
In August 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice, at the request of the EPA, brought a civil suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against DTE Energy and DTE Electric, related to the June 2010 NOV/FOV and the outage work performed at Unit 2 of the Monroe Power Plant, but not relating to the July 2009 NOV/FOV. Among other relief, the EPA requested the court to require DTE Electric to install and operate the best available control technology at Unit 2 of the Monroe Power Plant. Further, the EPA requested the court to issue a preliminary injunction to require DTE Electric to (i) begin the process of obtaining the necessary permits for the Monroe Unit 2 modification and (ii) offset the pollution from Monroe Unit 2 through emissions reductions from DTE Electric's fleet of coal-fired power plants until the new control equipment is operating. On August 23, 2011, the U.S. District Court judge granted DTE Energy's motion for summary judgment in the civil case, dismissing the case and entering judgment in favor of DTE Energy and DTE Electric. In October 2011, the EPA caused to be filed a Notice of Appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. In March 2013, the Court of Appeals remanded the case to the U.S. District Court for review of the procedural component of the New Source Review notification requirements. In September 2013, the EPA caused to be filed a motion seeking leave to amend their complaint regarding the June 2010 NOV/FOV adding additional claims related to outage work performed at the Trenton Channel and Belle River power plants as well as additional claims related to work performed at the Monroe Power Plant. In addition, the Sierra Club caused to be filed a motion to add a claim regarding the River Rouge Power Plant. In March 2014, the U.S. District Court judge granted again DTE Energy's motion for summary judgment dismissing the civil case related to Monroe Unit 2. In April 2014, the U.S. District Court judge granted motions filed by the EPA and the Sierra Club to amend their New Source Review complaint adding additional claims for Monroe Units 1, 2 and 3, Belle River Units 1 and 2, Trenton Channel Unit 9 and denied the claims related to River Rouge that were brought by the Sierra Club. In June 2014, the EPA filed a motion requesting certification for appeal of the March 2014 summary judgment decision. In October 2014, the EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice filed the anticipated notice of appeal of the U.S. District Court judge's dismissal of the Monroe Unit 2 case. This will officially start the appellate process. The amended New Source Review claims are all stayed until the appeal is resolved by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
DTE Energy and Electric believes that the plants and generating units identified by the EPA and the Sierra Club have complied with all applicable federal environmental regulations. Depending upon the outcome of discussions with the EPA regarding the two NOVs/FOVs, DTE Electric could be required to install additional pollution control equipment at some or all of the power plants in question, implement early retirement of facilities where control equipment is not economical, engage in supplemental environmental programs, and/or pay fines. The Company cannot predict the financial impact or outcome of this matter, or the timing of its resolution.
In 2010, the EPA finalized a new 1-hour sulfur dioxide ambient air quality standard that requires states to submit plans for non-attainment areas to be in compliance by 2017. Michigan's non-attainment area includes DTE Electric facilities in southwest Detroit and areas of Wayne County. Preliminary modeling runs by the MDEQ suggest that emission reductions may be required by significant sources of sulfur dioxide emissions in these areas, including DTE Electric power plants. The state implementation plan process is in the information gathering stage, and DTE Electric is unable to estimate any required emissions reductions at this time.
Water - In response to an EPA regulation, DTE Electric would be required to examine alternatives for reducing the environmental impacts of the cooling water intake structures at several of its facilities. Based on the results of completed studies and expected future studies, DTE Electric may be required to install technologies to reduce the impacts of the water intake structures. A final rule was issued in May 2014. The final rule specifies a time period exceeding three years to complete studies to determine the type of technology needed to reduce impacts to fish. Final compliance for the installation of the required technology will be determined by each state on a case by case basis. We are currently evaluating the compliance options and working with the State of Michigan on evaluating whether any controls are needed. These evaluations/studies may require modifications to some existing intake structures. It is not possible to quantify the impact of this rulemaking at this time.
In April 2013, the EPA proposed revised steam electric effluent guidelines regulating wastewater streams from coal-fired power plants including multiple possible options for compliance. The rules are expected to be finalized by September 2015. It is not possible at this time to quantify the impacts of these developing requirements.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Contaminated and Other Sites - Prior to the construction of major interstate natural gas pipelines, gas for heating and other uses was manufactured locally from processes involving coal, coke or oil. The facilities, which produced gas, have been designated as MGP sites. DTE Electric conducted remedial investigations at contaminated sites, including three former MGP sites. The investigations have revealed contamination related to the by-products of gas manufacturing at each MGP site. In addition to the MGP sites, the Company is also in the process of cleaning up other contaminated sites, including the area surrounding an ash landfill, electrical distribution substations, electric generating power plants, and underground and aboveground storage tank locations. The findings of these investigations indicated that the estimated cost to remediate these sites is expected to be incurred over the next several years. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had $10 million and $8 million accrued for remediation, respectively. Any change in assumptions, such as remediation techniques, nature and extent of contamination and regulatory requirements, could impact the estimate of remedial action costs for the sites and affect the Company’s financial position and cash flows. The Company believes the likelihood of a material change to the accrued amount is remote based on current knowledge of the conditions at each site.
In December 2014, the EPA released a pre-publication version of a rule to regulate coal ash. This rule is based on the continued listing of ash as a non-hazardous waste, and relies on various self-implementation design and performance standards. The rule is still being evaluated and it is not possible to quantify its impact at this time. DTE Electric owns and operates three permitted engineered ash storage facilities to dispose of fly ash from coal fired power plants and operates a number of smaller impoundments at its power plants.
Nuclear Operations
Property Insurance
DTE Electric maintains property insurance policies specifically for the Fermi 2 plant. These policies cover such items as replacement power and property damage. The NEIL is the primary supplier of the insurance policies.
DTE Electric maintains a policy for extra expenses, including replacement power costs necessitated by Fermi 2's unavailability due to an insured event. This policy has a 12-week waiting period and provides an aggregate $490 million of coverage over a three-year period.
DTE Electric has $1.5 billion in primary coverage and $1.25 billion of excess coverage for stabilization, decontamination, debris removal, repair and/or replacement of property and decommissioning. The combined coverage limit for total property damage is $2.75 billion, subject to a $1 million deductible. The total limit for property damage for non-nuclear events is $2 billion and an aggregate of $328 million of coverage for extra expenses over a two-year period.
On January 13, 2015, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2015 was signed, extending TRIA through December 31, 2020. For multiple terrorism losses caused by acts of terrorism not covered under the TRIA occurring within one year after the first loss from terrorism, the NEIL policies would make available to all insured entities up to $3.2 billion, plus any amounts recovered from reinsurance, government indemnity, or other sources to cover losses.
Under NEIL policies, DTE Electric could be liable for maximum assessments of up to approximately $35 million per event if the loss associated with any one event at any nuclear plant should exceed the accumulated funds available to NEIL.
Public Liability Insurance
As required by federal law, DTE Electric maintains $375 million of public liability insurance for a nuclear incident. For liabilities arising from a terrorist act outside the scope of TRIA, the policy is subject to one industry aggregate limit of $300 million. Further, under the Price-Anderson Amendments Act of 2005, deferred premium charges up to $127 million could be levied against each licensed nuclear facility, but not more than $19 million per year per facility. Thus, deferred premium charges could be levied against all owners of licensed nuclear facilities in the event of a nuclear incident at any of these facilities.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Nuclear Fuel Disposal Costs
In accordance with the Federal Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, DTE Electric has a contract with the DOE for the future storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel from Fermi 2 that required DTE Electric to pay the DOE a fee of 1 mill per kWh of Fermi 2 electricity generated and sold. The fee was a component of nuclear fuel expense. The DOE's Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository program for the acceptance and disposal of spent nuclear fuel was terminated in 2011. DTE Electric is a party in the litigation against the DOE for both past and future costs associated with the DOE's failure to accept spent nuclear fuel under the timetable set forth in the Federal Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. In July 2012, DTE Electric executed a settlement agreement with the federal government for costs associated with the DOE's delay in acceptance of spent nuclear fuel from Fermi 2 for permanent storage. The settlement agreement, including extensions, provides for a claims process and payment of delay-related costs experienced by DTE Electric through 2016. DTE Electric's claims are being settled and paid on a timely basis. The settlement proceeds reduce the cost of the dry cask storage facility assets and provide reimbursement for related operating expenses. The 1 mill per kWh fee was reduced to zero effective May 16, 2014.
DTE Electric currently employs a spent nuclear fuel storage strategy utilizing a fuel pool and a newly completed dry cask storage facility. The initial dry cask loading campaign planned for 2014 has been completed. The dry cask storage facility is expected to provide sufficient spent fuel storage capability for the life of the plant as defined by the original operating license.
The federal government continues to maintain its legal obligation to accept spent nuclear fuel from Fermi 2 for permanent storage. Issues relating to long-term waste disposal policy and to the disposition of funds contributed by DTE Electric ratepayers to the federal waste fund await future governmental action.
Guarantees
In certain limited circumstances, the Company enters into contractual guarantees. The Company may guarantee another entity’s obligation in the event it fails to perform. The Company may provide guarantees in certain indemnification agreements. Finally, the Company may provide indirect guarantees for the indebtedness of others.
Labor Contracts
There are several bargaining units for the Company's approximately 2,600 represented employees. The majority of the represented employees are under contracts that expire in 2016 and 2017.
Purchase Commitments
As of December 31, 2014, the Company was party to numerous long-term purchase commitments relating to a variety of goods and services required for the Company’s business. These agreements primarily consist of fuel supply commitments and renewable energy contracts. The Company estimates that these commitments will be approximately $2.4 billion from 2015 through 2033 as detailed in the following table:
The Company also estimates that 2015 capital expenditures will be approximately $1.9 billion. The Company has made certain commitments in connection with expected capital expenditures.
Bankruptcies
The Company purchases and sells electricity from and to governmental entities and numerous companies operating in the steel, automotive, energy, retail and other industries. Certain of its customers have filed for bankruptcy protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Company regularly reviews contingent matters relating to these customers and its purchase and sale contracts and records provisions for amounts considered at risk of probable loss. The Company believes its accrued amounts are adequate for probable loss.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Other Contingencies
The Company is involved in certain other legal, regulatory, administrative and environmental proceedings before various courts, arbitration panels and governmental agencies concerning claims arising in the ordinary course of business. These proceedings include certain contract disputes, additional environmental reviews and investigations, audits, inquiries from various regulators, and pending judicial matters. The Company cannot predict the final disposition of such proceedings. The Company regularly reviews legal matters and records provisions for claims that it can estimate and are considered probable of loss. The resolution of these pending proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s operations or financial statements in the periods they are resolved.
For a discussion of contingencies related to regulatory matters see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Regulatory Matters".
NOTE 16 - RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND TRUSTEED ASSETS
Pension Plan Benefits
DTE Electric participates in various plans that provide pension and other postretirement benefits for DTE Energy and its affiliates. The plans are sponsored by DTE Energy Corporate Services, LLC (LLC), a subsidiary of DTE Energy. DTE Electric is allocated net periodic benefit costs for its share of the amounts of the combined plans.
Effective January 1, 2012 for non-represented employees and in March 2013 for the majority of represented employees, the Company discontinued offering a defined benefit retirement plan to newly hired employees. In its place, the Company will annually contribute an amount equivalent to 4% of an employee's eligible pay to the employee's defined contribution retirement savings plan.
The Company’s policy is to fund pension costs by contributing amounts consistent with the provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and additional amounts when it deems appropriate. The Company contributed $145 million to its qualified pension plans in 2014. At the discretion of management, and depending upon financial market conditions, the Company anticipates making up to $145 million in contributions to the pension plans in 2015.
Net pension cost includes the following components:
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
The following table reconciles the obligations, assets and funded status of the plan as well as the amount recognized as prepaid pension cost or pension liability in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at December 31:
At December 31, 2014, the benefits related to the Company’s qualified and nonqualified pension plans expected to be paid in each of the next five years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter are as follows:
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Assumptions used in determining the projected benefit obligation and net pension costs are listed below:
The Company employs a formal process in determining the long-term rate of return for various asset classes. Management reviews historic financial market risks and returns and long-term historic relationships between the asset classes of equities, fixed income and other assets, consistent with the widely accepted capital market principle that asset classes with higher volatility generate a greater return over the long-term. Current market factors such as inflation, interest rates, asset class risks and asset class returns are evaluated and considered before long-term capital market assumptions are determined. The long-term portfolio return is also established employing a consistent formal process, with due consideration of diversification, active investment management and rebalancing. Peer data is reviewed to check for reasonableness. As a result of this process, the Company has long-term rate of return assumptions for its pension plans of 7.75% and other postretirement benefit plans of 8.00%, for 2015. The Company believes these rates are a reasonable assumption for the long-term rate of return on its plan assets for 2015 given its investment strategy.
The Company employs a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equities, fixed income and other investments are used to maximize the long-term return on plan assets consistent with prudent levels of risk, with consideration given to the liquidity needs of the plan. Risk tolerance is established through consideration of future plan cash flows, plan funded status and corporate financial considerations. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity, fixed income and other investments. Furthermore, equity investments are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks, growth and value stocks and large and small market capitalizations. Fixed income securities generally include market and long duration bonds of companies from diversified industries, mortgage-backed securities, non-US securities, bank loans and U.S. Treasuries. Other assets such as private markets and hedge funds are used to enhance long-term returns while improving portfolio diversification. Derivatives may be utilized in a risk controlled manner, to potentially increase the portfolio beyond the market value of invested assets and/or reduce portfolio investment risk. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through annual liability measurements, periodic asset/liability studies, and quarterly investment portfolio reviews.
Target allocations for pension plan assets as of December 31, 2014 are listed below:
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Fair Value Measurements for pension plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 (a):
_______________________________________
(a)
For a description of levels within the fair value hierarchy see Note 9 to the Consolidated financial Statements, "Fair Value".
(b)
This category predominantly represents certain short-term fixed income securities and money market investments that are managed in separate accounts or commingled funds. Pricing for investments in this category are obtained from quoted prices in actively traded markets or valuations from brokers or pricing services.
(c)
This category comprises both actively and not actively managed portfolios that track the S&P 500 low cost equity index funds. Investments in this category are exchange-traded securities whereby unadjusted quote prices can be obtained. Exchange-traded securities held in a commingled fund are classified as Level 2 assets.
(d)
This category represents portfolios of small and medium capitalization domestic equities. Investments in this category are exchange-traded securities whereby unadjusted quote prices can be obtained. Exchange-traded securities held in a commingled fund are classified as Level 2 assets.
(e)
This category primarily consists of portfolios of non-U.S. developed and emerging market equities. Investments in this category are exchange-traded securities whereby unadjusted quote prices can be obtained. Exchange-traded securities held in a commingled fund are classified as Level 2 assets.
(f)
This category includes corporate bonds from diversified industries, U.S. Treasuries, and mortgage-backed securities. Pricing for investments in this category is obtained from quoted prices in actively traded markets and quotations from broker or pricing services. Non-exchange traded securities and exchange-traded securities held in commingled funds are classified as Level 2 assets.
(g)
This category utilizes a diversified group of strategies that attempt to capture financial market inefficiencies and includes publicly traded debt and equity, publicly traded mutual funds, commingled and limited partnership funds and non-exchange traded securities. Pricing for Level 1 and Level 2 assets in this category is obtained from quoted prices in actively traded markets and quoted prices from broker or pricing services. Non-exchange traded securities held in commingled funds are classified as Level 2 assets. Valuations for some Level 3 assets in this category may be based on limited observable inputs as there may be little, if any, publicly available pricing.
(h)
This category includes a diversified group of funds and strategies that primarily invests in private equity partnerships. This category also includes investments in timber and private mezzanine debt. Pricing for investments in this category is based on limited observable inputs as there is little, if any, publicly available pricing. Valuations for assets in this category may be based on discounted cash flow analyses, relevant publicly-traded comparables and comparable transactions.
(i)
In 2014, DTE Electric began a securities lending program with a third party agent. The program allows the agent to lend certain securities from the Company's pension trusts to selected entities against receipt of collateral (in the form of cash) as provided for and determined in accordance with its securities lending agency agreement.
The pension trust holds debt and equity securities directly and indirectly through commingled funds and institutional mutual funds. Exchange-traded debt and equity securities held directly are valued using quoted market prices in actively traded markets. The commingled funds and institutional mutual funds hold exchange-traded equity or debt securities and are valued based on NAV. Non-exchange traded fixed income securities are valued by the trustee based upon quotations available from brokers or pricing services. A primary price source is identified by asset type, class or issue for each security. The trustee monitors prices supplied by pricing services and may use a supplemental price source or change the primary price source of a given security if the trustee challenges an assigned price and determines that another price source is considered to be preferable. DTE Electric has obtained an understanding of how these prices are derived, including the nature and observability of the inputs used in deriving such prices. Additionally, DTE Electric selectively corroborates the fair values of securities by comparison of market-based price sources.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3):
There were no transfers between Level 3 and Level 2 and there were no significant transfers between Level 2 and Level 1 in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Other Postretirement Benefits
The Company participates in defined benefit plans sponsored by the LLC that provide certain other postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for employees who are eligible for these benefits. The Company’s policy is to fund certain trusts to meet its other postretirement benefit obligations. Separate qualified VEBA and other benefit trusts exist. The Company made no contributions to these trusts for its defined benefit other postretirement medical and life insurance benefit plans during 2014. At the discretion of management, the Company anticipates making up to $175 million of contributions to the trusts in 2015.
Starting in 2012, in lieu of offering future employees defined benefit post-employment health care and life insurance benefits, the Company allocates a fixed amount per year to an account in a defined contribution VEBA for each employee. These accounts are managed either by the Company (for non-represented and certain represented groups), or by the Utility Workers of America (UWUA) for Local 223 employees. The contributions to the VEBA for these accounts were $2 million in 2014, $1 million in 2013, and less than $1 million in 2012.
Beginning in 2013, the Company replaced the defined benefit employer-sponsored retiree medical, prescription drug and dental coverage with a notional allocation to a Retiree Reimbursement Account. This change applies to both current and future Medicare eligible non-represented and future represented retirees, spouses, surviving spouses or same sex domestic partners when the youngest of the retiree's covered household turns age 65. The amount of the annual allocation to each participant is determined by the employee's retirement date: for employees who retired on or before January 1, 2013, the base allocation is $3,500, which increased to $3,570 in 2014 and for employees who retire after January 1, 2013, the base allocation is $3,250 which increased to $3,315 in 2014. The amount of the allocation will increase each year at the lower of the rate of medical inflation or 2%.
Net other postretirement cost includes the following components:
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
The following table reconciles the obligations, assets and funded status of the plans including amounts recorded as Accrued postretirement liability - affiliates in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at December 31:
At December 31, 2014, the benefits expected to be paid, including prescription drug benefits, in each of the next five years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter are as follows:
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Assumptions used in determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and net other postretirement benefit costs are listed below:
A one percentage-point increase in health care cost trend rates would have increased the total service cost and interest cost components of benefit costs by $5 million in 2014 and increased the accumulated benefit obligation by $89 million at December 31, 2014. A one percentage-point decrease in the health care cost trend rates would have decreased the total service and interest cost components of benefit costs by $4 million in 2014 and would have decreased the accumulated benefit obligation by $77 million at December 31, 2014.
The process used in determining the long-term rate of return for assets and the investment approach for the other postretirement benefits plans is similar to those previously described for its pension plans.
Target allocations for other postretirement benefit plan assets as of December 31, 2014 are listed below:
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Fair Value Measurements for other postretirement benefit plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 (a):
_______________________________________
(a)
For a description of levels within the fair value hierarchy see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Fair Value".
(b)
This category predominantly represents certain short-term fixed income securities and money market investments that are managed in separate accounts or commingled funds. Pricing for investments in this category are obtained from quoted prices in actively traded markets or valuations from brokers or pricing services.
(c)
This category comprises both actively and not actively managed portfolios that track the S&P 500 low cost equity index funds. Investments in this category are exchange-traded securities whereby unadjusted quote prices can be obtained. Exchange-traded securities held in a commingled fund are classified as Level 2 assets.
(d)
This category represents portfolios of small and medium capitalization domestic equities. Investments in this category are exchange-traded securities whereby unadjusted quote prices can be obtained. Exchange-traded securities held in a commingled fund are classified as Level 2 assets.
(e)
This category primarily consists of portfolios of non-U.S. developed and emerging market equities. Investments in this category are exchange-traded securities whereby unadjusted quote prices can be obtained. Exchange-traded securities held in a commingled fund are classified as Level 2 assets.
(f)
This category includes corporate bonds from diversified industries, U.S. Treasuries, bank loans and mortgage backed securities. Pricing for investments in this category is obtained from quoted prices in actively traded markets and quotations from broker or pricing services. Non-exchange traded securities and exchange-traded securities held in commingled funds are classified as Level 2 assets.
(g)
This category utilizes a diversified group of strategies that attempt to capture financial market inefficiencies and includes publicly traded debt and equity, publicly traded mutual funds, commingled and limited partnership funds and non-exchange traded securities. Pricing for Level 1 and Level 2 assets in this category is obtained from quoted prices in actively traded markets and quoted prices from broker or pricing services. Non-exchange traded securities held in commingled funds are classified as Level 2 assets. Valuations for some Level 3 assets in this category may be based on limited observable inputs as there may be little, if any, publicly available pricing.
(h)
This category includes a diversified group of funds and strategies that primarily invests in private equity partnerships. This category also includes investments in timber and private mezzanine debt. Pricing for investments in this category is based on limited observable inputs as there is little, if any, publicly available pricing. Valuations for assets in this category may be based on discounted cash flow analyses, relevant publicly-traded comparables and comparable transactions.
(i)
In 2014, DTE Electric began a securities lending program with a third party agent. The program allows the agent to lend certain securities from the Company's VEBA trust to selected entities against receipt of collateral (in the form of cash) as provided for and determined in accordance with its securities lending agency agreement.
The VEBA trust holds debt and equity securities directly and indirectly through commingled funds and institutional mutual funds. Exchange-traded debt and equity securities held directly are valued using quoted market prices in actively traded markets. The commingled funds and institutional mutual funds hold exchange-traded equity or debt securities and are valued based on NAV. Non-exchange traded fixed income securities are valued by the trustee based upon quotations available from brokers or pricing services. A primary price source is identified by asset type, class or issue for each security. 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 trustee challenges an assigned price and determines that another price source is considered to be preferable. DTE Electric has obtained an understanding of how these prices are derived, including the nature and observability of the inputs used in deriving such prices. Additionally, DTE Electric selectively corroborates the fair values of securities by comparison of market-based price sources.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3):
There were no transfers between Level 3 and Level 2 and there were no significant transfers between Level 2 and Level 1 in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Interim Re-Measurement of Other Postretirement Benefit Obligation
In March 2013, the Company reached an agreement on a new four-year labor contract with certain represented employees. As a term of the agreement, the Company replaced the defined benefit employer-sponsored retiree medical, prescription drug and dental coverage for future Medicare eligible retirees and their covered dependents with an allocation to a Retiree Reimbursement Account, when the youngest of the retiree's covered household turns age 65. The amount of the allocation is $3,250 per year for each eligible participant, which increased to $3,315 in 2014. The amount of the allocation will increase each year at the lower of the rate of medical inflation or 2%. The modification in retiree health coverage will reduce future other postretirement benefit costs.
Based on the impact of such benefit cost savings on the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company re-measured its retiree health plan as of March 31, 2013. In performing the re-measurement, the Company updated its significant actuarial assumptions, including an adjustment to the discount rate from 4.15% at December 31, 2012 to 4.30% at March 31, 2013. Plan assets were also updated to reflect fair value as of the re-measurement date. Beginning April 2013, net other postretirement benefit costs were recorded based on the updated actuarial assumptions and benefit changes resulting from the new labor contract.
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company also sponsors defined contribution retirement savings plans. Participation in one of these plans is available to substantially all represented and non-represented employees. The Company matches employee contributions up to certain predefined limits based upon eligible compensation, the employee’s contribution rate and, in some cases, years of credit service. The cost of these plans was $24 million, $21 million and $19 million in each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
NOTE 17 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company has agreements with affiliated companies to sell energy for resale, purchase power, provide fuel supply services, and provide power plant operation and maintenance services. The Company has agreements with certain DTE Energy affiliates where we charge them for their use of the shared capital assets of the Company. A shared services company accumulates various corporate support services expenses and charges various subsidiaries of DTE Energy, including DTE Electric. DTE Electric records federal, state and local income taxes payable to or receivable from DTE Energy based on its federal, state and local tax provisions.
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
The following is a summary of transactions with affiliated companies:
DTE Electric's Accounts receivable and Accounts payable related to Affiliates are payable upon demand and are generally settled in cash within a monthly business cycle. Notes receivable and Short-term borrowings related to Affiliates are subject to a credit agreement with DTE Energy whereby short-term excess cash or cash shortfalls are remitted to or funded by DTE Energy. This credit arrangement involves the charge and payment of interest at market-based rates. Refer to the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position for affiliate balances at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
There were no charitable contributions to the DTE Energy Foundation for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2012, while there were $18 million in contributions for the year ended December 31, 2013. The DTE Energy Foundation is a non-consolidated not-for-profit private foundation, the purpose of which is to contribute and assist charitable organizations.
NOTE 18 - SUPPLEMENTARY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
DTE Electric Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
NOTE 19 - SUBSEQUENT EVENT
In October 2014, DTE Electric executed an agreement to purchase a 732 MW simple-cycle natural gas facility in Carson City, Michigan from The LS Power Group for a total purchase price of approximately $240 million paid in cash. This facility will serve to meet the needs of approximately 260,000 additional households during peak demand. DTE Electric closed on the acquisition on January 21, 2015.
Effective upon closing, DTE Electric obtained control over and applied acquisition accounting to the acquired business. Due to the limited time since the acquisition date, the initial accounting for the business combination is incomplete. As a result, DTE Electric is unable to provide amounts recognized as of the acquisition date for major classes of assets and liabilities acquired. DTE Electric will include required information in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2015.
Item 9.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for management’s evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, its report on internal control over financial reporting, and its conclusion on changes in internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Part III
Item 10.
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11.
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
Item 12.
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13.
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
All omitted per General Instruction I (2) (c) of Form 10-K for wholly owned subsidiaries (reduced disclosure format).
Item 14.
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 professional services were performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC). The following table presents fees for professional services rendered by PwC for the audit of DTE Electric’s annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and fees billed for other services rendered by PwC during those periods.
_______________________________________
(a)
Represents the aggregate fees for the audits of DTE Electric’s annual financial statements included in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K and for the reviews of the financial statements included in the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
(b)
Represents the aggregate fees billed for audit-related services for various attest services.
(c)
Represents consulting services for the purpose of providing advice and recommendations.
The above listed fees were pre-approved by the DTE Energy Audit Committee. Prior to engagement, the DTE Energy Audit Committee pre-approves these services by category of service. The DTE Energy Audit Committee may delegate to the chair of the Audit Committee, or to one or more other designated members of the Audit Committee, the authority to grant pre-approvals of all permitted services or classes of these permitted services to be provided by the independent auditor up to but not exceeding a pre-defined limit. The decision of the designated member to pre-approve a permitted service will be reported to the DTE Energy Audit Committee at the next scheduled meeting.
Part IV
Item 15.
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(1) Consolidated financial statements. See “Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
(2) Financial statement schedule. See “Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
(3) Exhibits.
(i)Exhibits filed herewith.
(ii) Exhibits incorporated herein by reference.
(iii) Exhibits furnished herewith.
DTE Electric Company
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
_______________________________________
(a)
Collection of accounts previously written off.
(b)
Uncollectible accounts written off.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
DTE ELECTRIC COMPANY
(Registrant)
Date:
February 13, 2015
By
/s/ GERARD M. ANDERSON
Gerard M. Anderson
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
By
/s/ GERARD M. ANDERSON
By
/s/ PETER B. OLEKSIAK
Gerard M. Anderson
Peter B. Oleksiak
Chairman of the Board and
Senior Vice President and
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
(Principal Financial Officer)
By
/s/ DONNA M. ENGLAND
By
/s/ LISA A. MUSCHONG
Donna M. England
Lisa A. Muschong
Chief Accounting Officer
Director
(Principal Accounting Officer)
By
/s/ DAVID E. MEADOR
By
/s/ BRUCE D. PETERSON
David E. Meador
Bruce D. Peterson
Director
Director
Date: February 13, 2015
Supplemental Information to be Furnished With Reports Filed Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by Registrants Which Have Not Registered Securities Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
No annual report, proxy statement, form of proxy or other proxy soliciting material has been sent to security holders of DTE Electric Company during the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.