Document/ExhibitDescriptionPagesSize 1: 10-K Annual Report HTML 5.18M
2: EX-10.46 Material Contract HTML 99K
3: EX-10.47 Material Contract HTML 465K
4: EX-10.48 Material Contract HTML 79K
5: EX-10.49 Material Contract HTML 55K
6: EX-10.50 Material Contract HTML 105K
7: EX-21.1 Subsidiaries List HTML 54K
8: EX-23.1 Consent of Expert or Counsel HTML 47K
12: EX-97.1 Clawback Policy re: Recovery of Erroneously HTML 56K
Awarded Compensation
9: EX-31.1 Certification -- §302 - SOA'02 HTML 52K
10: EX-31.2 Certification -- §302 - SOA'02 HTML 52K
11: EX-32 Certification -- §906 - SOA'02 HTML 50K
18: R1 Cover Page HTML 114K
19: R2 Audit Information HTML 53K
20: R3 Consolidated Statements of Income HTML 139K
21: R4 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income HTML 93K
22: R5 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income HTML 59K
(Parenthetical)
23: R6 Consolidated Balance Sheets HTML 242K
24: R7 Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) HTML 61K
25: R8 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows HTML 156K
26: R9 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity HTML 136K
27: R10 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity HTML 57K
(Parenthetical)
28: R11 Background and Nature of Operations HTML 54K
29: R12 Basis of Presentation HTML 50K
30: R13 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, New HTML 120K
Accounting Pronouncements and Use of Estimates
31: R14 Revenue HTML 176K
32: R15 Industry Regulation HTML 99K
33: R16 Regulatory Assets and Liabilities HTML 136K
34: R17 Goodwill and Intangible Assets HTML 84K
35: R18 Property, Plant and Equipment HTML 87K
36: R19 Asset Retirement Obligations HTML 61K
37: R20 Debt HTML 126K
38: R21 Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value HTML 186K
Measurements
39: R22 Derivative Instruments and Hedging HTML 356K
40: R23 Leases HTML 180K
41: R24 Commitments and Contingent Liabilities HTML 81K
42: R25 Environmental Liabilities HTML 65K
43: R26 Income Taxes HTML 132K
44: R27 Post-Retirement and Similar Obligations HTML 389K
45: R28 Equity HTML 92K
46: R29 Earnings Per Share HTML 65K
47: R30 Variable Interest Entities HTML 57K
48: R31 Grants, Government Incentives and Deferred Income HTML 77K
49: R32 Equity Method Investments HTML 61K
50: R33 Other Financial Statements Items HTML 101K
51: R34 Segment Information HTML 153K
52: R35 Related Party Transactions HTML 103K
53: R36 Stock-Based Compensation HTML 71K
54: R37 Subsequent Events HTML 50K
55: R38 Condensed Financial Information of Parent HTML 180K
56: R39 Pay vs Performance Disclosure HTML 60K
57: R40 Insider Trading Arrangements HTML 54K
58: R41 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, New HTML 201K
Accounting Pronouncements and Use of Estimates
(Policies)
59: R42 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, New HTML 95K
Accounting Pronouncements and Use of Estimates
(Tables)
60: R43 Revenue (Tables) HTML 161K
61: R44 Regulatory Assets and Liabilities (Tables) HTML 115K
62: R45 Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables) HTML 88K
63: R46 Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables) HTML 95K
64: R47 Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables) HTML 59K
65: R48 Debt (Tables) HTML 119K
66: R49 Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value HTML 179K
Measurements (Tables)
67: R50 Derivative Instruments and Hedging (Tables) HTML 354K
68: R51 Leases (Tables) HTML 130K
69: R52 Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Tables) HTML 64K
70: R53 Income Taxes (Tables) HTML 131K
71: R54 Post-Retirement and Similar Obligations (Tables) HTML 387K
72: R55 Equity (Tables) HTML 86K
73: R56 Earnings Per Share (Tables) HTML 63K
74: R57 Grants, Government Incentives and Deferred Income HTML 75K
(Tables)
75: R58 Other Financial Statement Items (Tables) HTML 105K
76: R59 Segment Information (Tables) HTML 149K
77: R60 Related Party Transactions (Tables) HTML 96K
78: R61 Stock-Based Compensation (Tables) HTML 58K
79: R62 Background and Nature of Operations (Details) HTML 55K
80: R63 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, New HTML 68K
Accounting Pronouncements and Use of Estimates -
Additional Information (Details)
81: R64 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, New HTML 83K
Accounting Pronouncements and Use of Estimates -
Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)
82: R65 Revenue - Additional Information (Details) HTML 75K
83: R66 Revenue - Schedule of Revenues Disaggregated by HTML 119K
Major Source for Reportable Segments (Details)
84: R67 Revenue - Schedule of Aggregate Transaction Price HTML 103K
Allocated to Unsatisfied Performance Obligations
and Expected Time to Recognize Revenue (Details)
85: R68 Industry Regulation - Electricity and Natural Gas HTML 51K
Distribution - Maine, New York, Connecticut and
Massachusetts (Details)
86: R69 Industry Regulation - CMP Distribution Rate Case HTML 74K
(Details)
87: R70 Industry Regulation - NYSEG and RG&E Rate Plans HTML 87K
(Details)
88: R71 Industry Regulation - UI, CNG, SCG and BGC Rate HTML 111K
Plans (Details)
89: R72 Industry Regulation - REV (Details) HTML 55K
90: R73 Industry Regulation - Power Tax Audits (Details) HTML 57K
91: R74 Industry Regulation - Minimum Equity Requirements HTML 53K
for Regulated Subsidiaries (Details)
92: R75 Industry Regulation - New Renewable Source HTML 141K
Generation (Details)
93: R76 Industry Regulation - Connecticut Energy HTML 62K
Legislation (Details)
94: R77 Industry Regulation - PURA Investigation of the HTML 54K
Preparation for and Response to the Tropical Storm
Isaias and Connecticut Storm Reimbursement
Legislation (Details)
95: R78 Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Regulatory HTML 61K
Assets Narrative (Details)
96: R79 Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Schedule of HTML 108K
Regulatory Assets (Details)
97: R80 Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Schedule of HTML 99K
Regulatory Liabilities (Details)
98: R81 Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Regulatory HTML 51K
Liabilities Narrative (Details)
99: R82 Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of HTML 59K
Goodwill by Reportable Segment (Details)
100: R83 Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional HTML 71K
Information (Details)
101: R84 Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of HTML 61K
Intangible Assets (Details)
102: R85 Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of HTML 59K
Amortization Expense (Details)
103: R86 Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of HTML 80K
Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)
104: R87 Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional HTML 56K
Information (Details)
105: R88 Asset Retirement Obligations - Reconciliation of HTML 60K
ARO (Details)
106: R89 Asset Retirement Obligations - Additional HTML 50K
Information (Details)
107: R90 Debt - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Details) HTML 87K
108: R91 Debt - 2023 Long-Term Debt Issuance (Details) HTML 123K
109: R92 Debt - Schedule of Long-term Debt Maturities HTML 65K
(Details)
110: R93 Debt - Additional Information (Details) HTML 120K
111: R94 Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value HTML 62K
Measurements - Additional Information (Details)
112: R95 Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value HTML 123K
Measurements - Fair Value of Assets and
Liabilities (Details)
113: R96 Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value HTML 88K
Measurements - Reconciliation of Changes in Fair
Value of Financial Instruments (Details)
114: R97 Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value HTML 91K
Measurements - Valuation of Instruments (Details)
115: R98 Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value HTML 63K
Measurements - Schedule of Fair Value Measurement
(Details)
116: R99 Derivative Instruments and Hedging - Offsetting of HTML 140K
Derivatives, Locations in Consolidated Balance
Sheet and Amounts of Derivatives (Details)
117: R100 Derivative Instruments and Hedging - Net Notional HTML 73K
Volume (Details)
118: R101 Derivative Instruments and Hedging - Summary of HTML 70K
Unrealized Gains and Losses from Fair Value
Adjustments (Details)
119: R102 Derivative Instruments and Hedging - Additional HTML 146K
Information (Details)
120: R103 Derivative Instruments and Hedging - Effect of HTML 88K
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging relationships on
OCI and Income (Details)
121: R104 Derivative Instruments and Hedging - Fair Value of HTML 61K
Derivative Contract (Details)
122: R105 Derivative Instruments and Hedging - Effect of HTML 100K
Trading and Non Trading Derivatives (Details)
123: R106 Derivative Instruments and Hedging - Schedule of HTML 68K
Fair Value Hedge (Details)
124: R107 Leases - Narrative (Details) HTML 67K
125: R108 Leases - Lease Cost (Details) HTML 64K
126: R109 Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet (Details) HTML 85K
127: R110 Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow (Details) HTML 61K
128: R111 Leases - Lease Maturities (Details) HTML 88K
129: R112 Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - HTML 103K
Additional Information (Details)
130: R113 Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Schedule HTML 75K
of Forward Purchases and Sales Commitments Under
Power, Gas, and Other Arrangements (Details)
131: R114 Environmental Liabilities (Details) HTML 128K
132: R115 Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) HTML 78K
133: R116 Income Taxes - Schedule of Current and Deferred HTML 73K
Taxes Charged to (Benefit) Expense (Details)
134: R117 Income Taxes - Schedule of Differences between Tax HTML 74K
Expense Per Statements of Income and Tax Expense
at Statutory Federal Tax Rate (Details)
135: R118 Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and HTML 76K
Liabilities (Details)
136: R119 Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of HTML 58K
Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits (Details)
137: R120 Post-Retirement and Similar Obligations - HTML 94K
Obligations and Funded Status (Details)
138: R121 Post-Retirement and Similar Obligations - HTML 100K
Additional Information (Details)
139: R122 Post-Retirement and Similar Obligations - Summary HTML 63K
of Liabilities Amount Recognized (Details)
140: R123 Post-Retirement and Similar Obligations - Summary HTML 57K
of Recognized as Regulatory Assets or Regulatory
Liabilities (Details)
141: R124 Post-Retirement and Similar Obligations - Summary HTML 55K
of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive
Income (Details)
142: R125 Post-Retirement and Similar Obligations - Schedule HTML 59K
of Aggregate PBO and ABO and Fair Value of Plan
Assets for Underfunded Plans (Details)
143: R126 Post-Retirement and Similar Obligations - Schedule HTML 126K
of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Changes in
Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized
(Details)
144: R127 Post-Retirement and Similar Obligations - Schedule HTML 68K
of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine
Benefit Obligations and Net Periodic Benefit Cost
(Details)
145: R128 Post-Retirement and Similar Obligations - Schedule HTML 56K
of Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates Used to
Determine Benefit Obligations (Details)
146: R129 Post-Retirement and Similar Obligations - HTML 69K
Estimated Future Benefit Payments (Details)
147: R130 Post-Retirement and Similar Obligations - Fair HTML 156K
Values of Pension Plan Assets by Asset Category
(Details)
148: R131 Equity - Additional Information (Details) HTML 81K
149: R132 Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income HTML 105K
(Loss) (Details)
150: R133 Earnings Per Share (Details) HTML 79K
151: R134 Variable Interest Entities (Details) HTML 91K
152: R135 Grants, Government Incentives and Deferred Income HTML 69K
(Details)
153: R136 Equity Method Investments (Details) HTML 136K
154: R137 Other Financial Statement Items - Schedule of HTML 61K
Other Income and (Expense) (Details)
155: R138 Other Financial Statement Items - Schedule of HTML 58K
Accounts Receivable (Details)
156: R139 Other Financial Statement Items - Schedule of HTML 55K
Change in Allowance For Bad Debts (Details)
157: R140 Other Financial Statement Items - Additional HTML 70K
Information (Details)
158: R141 Other Financial Statement Items - Schedule of HTML 61K
Prepayments and Other Current Assets (Details)
159: R142 Other Financial Statement Items - Schedule of HTML 65K
Other Current Liabilities (Details)
160: R143 Segment Information - Additional Information HTML 54K
(Details)
161: R144 Segment Information - By Segment (Details) HTML 118K
162: R145 Segment Information - Reconciliation of HTML 75K
Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Net Income
(Details)
163: R146 Related Party Transactions - Schedule of Related HTML 73K
Party Transactions (Details)
164: R147 Related Party Transactions - Schedule of Related HTML 69K
Party Balances (Details)
165: R148 Related Party Transactions - Additional HTML 71K
Information (Details)
166: R149 Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information HTML 126K
(Details)
167: R150 Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Nonvested HTML 71K
PSUs and RSUs (Details)
168: R151 Subsequent Events (Details) HTML 53K
169: R152 CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT - HTML 104K
Statement of Income (Details)
170: R153 CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT - HTML 69K
Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details)
171: R154 CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT - HTML 189K
Balance Sheets (Details)
172: R155 CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT - HTML 100K
Statement of Cash Flows (Details)
173: R156 CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT - Common HTML 109K
Stock (Details)
174: R157 CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT - HTML 82K
Long-Term Debt (Details)
175: R158 CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT - Cash HTML 54K
Dividends Paid by Subsidiaries - Summary (Details)
176: R159 CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT - Cash HTML 55K
Dividends Paid by Subsidiaries - Additional
Information (Details)
178: XML IDEA XML File -- Filing Summary XML 342K
181: XML XBRL Instance -- agr-20231231_htm XML 7.69M
177: EXCEL IDEA Workbook of Financial Report Info XLSX 436K
14: EX-101.CAL XBRL Calculations -- agr-20231231_cal XML 470K
15: EX-101.DEF XBRL Definitions -- agr-20231231_def XML 2.09M
16: EX-101.LAB XBRL Labels -- agr-20231231_lab XML 4.50M
17: EX-101.PRE XBRL Presentations -- agr-20231231_pre XML 2.88M
13: EX-101.SCH XBRL Schema -- agr-20231231 XSD 531K
179: JSON XBRL Instance as JSON Data -- MetaLinks 1,068± 1.65M
180: ZIP XBRL Zipped Folder -- 0001634997-24-000031-xbrl Zip 1.40M
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
iNew
York
i14-1798693
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
i180 Marsh Hill Road
iOrange,
iConnecticut
i06477
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (i207) i629-1190
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of exchange on which registered
iCommon Stock, par value $0.01 per share
iAGR
iNew
York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. iYes☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not
required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐iNo☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
iYesý No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). iYes☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”“accelerated filer,”“smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
iLarge
Accelerated Filer
☒
Accelerated Filer
☐
Non-accelerated Filer
☐
Smaller Reporting Company
i☐
Emerging Growth Company
i☐
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. i☒
If
securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. i☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers
during the relevant period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No i☒
The aggregate market value of the Avangrid, Inc.’s voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates, computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of the last business day of Avangrid, Inc.’s
most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2023) was $i2,665 million based on a closing sales price of $37.68 per share.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: i386,779,949
shares of common stock, par value $0.01, were outstanding as of February 21, 2024.
Portions of the documents listed below have been incorporated by reference into the indicated parts of this report, as specified in the responses to the item numbers involved.
Designated portions of the Proxy Statement relating to the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders are incorporated
by reference into Part III to the extent described therein.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “Avangrid,” the “Company,”“we,”“our,” and “us” refer to Avangrid, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
2020 Joint Proposal
Joint proposal of NYSEG and RG&E and certain other signatory parties approved by the NYPSC on November 19, 2020, for a three-year rate plan for electric and gas service commencing December
1, 2020.
2023 Joint Proposal
Joint proposal of NYSEG and RG&E and certain other signatory parties approved by the NYPSC on October 12, 2023, for a three-year rate plan for electric and gas service with effective date November 1, 2023.
Adjusted Daily Compounded SOFR
The rate per annum equal to (a) the Daily Compounded SOFR for such U.S. Government Securities Business Day and (b) the SOFR adjustment; provided that if Adjusted Daily Compounded SOFR as so determined shall ever be less than the Floor, then Adjusted Daily Compounded SOFR shall be deemed the Floor.
Adjusted
Term SOFR
The rate per annum equal to (a) Term SOFR for such calculation plus (b) the SOFR adjustment; provided that if Adjusted Term SOFR as so determined shall ever be less than the Floor, then Adjusted Term SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor.
Committee on Foreign
Investment in the United States
CL&P
The Connecticut Light and Power Company
CLCPA
Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
CMP
Central Maine Power Company
CNG
Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation
CPCN
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
CSC
Connecticut
Siting Council
DCF
Discounted cash flow
DEEP
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
DE&I
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
DEQ
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
DER
Distributed energy resources
DIMP
Distribution
Integrity Management Program
Dodd-Frank Act
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
DOC
Department of Commerce
1
DOE
Department of Energy
DOER
Massachusetts
Department of Energy Resources
DOJ
Department of Justice
DPA
Deferred Payment Arrangements
DPU
Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
DSIP
Distributed System Implementation Plan
DTh
Dekatherm
EAM
Earnings
adjustment mechanism
EDC
Massachusetts electric distribution companies
English Station
Former generation site on the Mill River in New Haven, Connecticut
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
EPAct 2005
Energy Policy Act of 2005
ERCOT
Electric Reliability Council of Texas
ESA
Endangered
Species Act
ESC
Energy Smart Community
ESM
Earnings sharing mechanism
Evergreen Power
Evergreen Power, LLC
Exchange Act
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
FCC
Federal
Communications Commission
FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FirstEnergy
FirstEnergy Corp.
FPA
Federal Power Act
GE
General Electric
GenConn
GenConn Energy LLC
GenConn Devon
GenConn’s
peaking generating plant in Devon, Connecticut
GenConn Middletown
GenConn’s peaking generating plant in Middletown, Connecticut
HLBV
Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value
HQUS
H.Q. Energy Services (U.S) Inc.
HSR
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976
Iberdrola
Iberdrola,
S.A.
Iberdrola Group
The group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A.
Installed capacity
The production capacity of a power plant or wind farm based either on its rated (nameplate) capacity or actual capacity
IRA
Inflation Reduction Act
IRS
Internal Revenue Service
ISO
Independent
system operator
ISO-NE
ISO New England, Inc.
ITC
Investment Tax Credit
Klamath Plant
The Klamath gas-fired cogeneration facility located in the city of Klamath, Oregon
kV
Kilovolts
kWh
Kilowatt-hour
LDC
Local
distribution company
LIBOR
London Interbank Offer Rate
LNG
Liquefied natural gas
LUPC
Maine Land Use Planning Commission
MBTA
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
2
MBEP
Maine
Board of Environmental Protection
MDEP
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
MEPCO
Maine Electric Power Corporation
Merger
The merger of PNMR with and into Merger Sub on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, with PNMR continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avangrid.
NM Green Holdings, Inc., a New Mexico corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Avangrid.
MGP
Manufactured gas plants
MHI
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
MISO
Midcontinent
Independent System Operator
MNG
Maine Natural Gas Corporation
MPUC
Maine Public Utility Commission
MtM
Mark-to-market
MW
Megawatts
MWh
Megawatt-hours
NAV
Net
asset value
NECEC
New England Clean Energy Connect
NEPA
National Environmental Policy Act
NERC
North American Electric Reliability Corporation
NETOs
New England Transmission Owners
Networks
Avangrid Networks, Inc.
New
York TransCo
New York TransCo, LLC.
NGA
Natural Gas Act of 1938
NMPRC
New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
NOL
Net operating loss
Non-GAAP
Financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA with tax credits.
NRC
Nuclear
Regulatory Commission
NYISO
New York Independent System Operator, Inc.
NYPA
New York Power Authority
NYPSC
New York State Public Service Commission
NYSE
New York Stock Exchange
NYSEG
New York State Electric & Gas Corporation
NYSERDA
New
York State Energy Research and Development Authority
OATT
Open Access Transmission Tariff
OCI
Other comprehensive income
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended
PA
Connecticut Public Act
PBR
Performance-Based Regulation
PCB
Polychlorinated
Biphenyls
PJM
PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.
PNMR
PNM Resources, Inc.
PPA
Power purchase agreement
PTC
Production tax credit
PUCT
Public Utility Commission of Texas
PUHCA 2005
Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 2005
PURA
Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
3
RAM
Rate Adjustment Mechanism
RCRA
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RDM
Revenue
decoupling mechanism
REC
Renewable Energy Certificate
Renewables
Avangrid Renewables, LLC
REV
Reforming the Energy Vision
RFP
Request for Proposals
RG&E
Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation
ROE
Return
on equity
ROU
Right-of-use
RPS
Renewable Portfolio Standards
RSG
Reverse South Georgia
RTO
Regional transmission organization
SCG
The Southern Connecticut Gas Company
SEC
United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Side Letter
A side letter agreement dated as of April 15, 2021 and as amended and modified as of July 19, 2023 between Avangrid and Iberdrola concerning items
SOFR
Secured Overnight Financing Rate
SOX
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Tax Act
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 enacted by the U.S. federal
government on December 22, 2017
TEF
Tax equity financing arrangements
TSA
Transmission Service Agreement
UFLPA
Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
UI
The United Illuminating Company
UIL
UIL Holdings Corporation
U.S.
GAAP
Generally accepted accounting principles for financial reporting in the United States.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains a number of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “may,”“will,”“should,”“would,”“could,”“can,”“expect(s),”“believe(s),”“anticipate(s),”“intend(s),”“plan(s),”“estimate(s),”“project(s),”“assume(s),”“guide(s),”“target(s),”“forecast(s),”“are (is) confident that” and “seek(s)” or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives and intentions, outlooks or expectations for earnings, revenues, expenses or other
future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations, or the impact of legal or regulatory matters including regulatory approvals on business, results of operations or financial condition of the business and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current reasonable beliefs, expectations and assumptions of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the following, which is also a summary of the principal risks set forth under Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
•actions or inactions of local, state or federal regulatory agencies;
•the
ability of our regulated utility operations to recover costs in a timely manner or at all or obtain a return on certain assets or invested capital through base rates, cost recovery clauses, other regulatory mechanism;
•potentially material adverse effect on our business, and financial condition due to the purchase and sales of energy commodities and related transportation and services by our operating subsidiaries;
•adverse developments in general market, business, economic, labor, regulatory and political conditions including, without limitation, the impacts of inflation, deflation, supply-chain interruptions and changing prices and labor costs;
•the impact of any change
to applicable laws and regulations, including those subject to referendums affecting the ownership and operations of electric and gas utilities and renewable energy generation facilities, respectively, including, without limitation, those relating to the environment and climate change, taxes, price controls, regulatory approval and permitting;
•efforts to maintain a responsive sustainability program;
•new tariffs imposed on imported goods;
•the impact of extraordinary external events, such as any cyber breaches or other incidents, grid disturbances, acts of war or terrorism, civil or social unrest, natural disasters, pandemic health events or other similar occurrences;
•potential restrictions by
interconnecting utility and/or RTO rules, policies, procedures and FERC tariffs and market conditions on renewable project operations and ability to generate revenue;
•our rights, and the rights of our subsidiaries to sites that projects are located may be subordinate to the rights of lienholders and leaseholders;
•strikes, work stoppages or an inability to negotiate future collective bargaining agreements on commercially reasonable terms;
•technological developments;
•geopolitical instability could exacerbate existing risk factors;
•the
future financial performance, anticipated liquidity and capital expenditures;
•weather conditions are unfavorable or below production forecasts;
•customary business and market related risks including warranty limitation and expiration as well as PPA expiration or early termination;
•impact of Iberdrola’s influence over stock as well as the future sale of issuance of common stock by Iberdrola;
•the “controlled company” exemption to the corporate governance rules for NYSE-listed companies could make shares of our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price;
•our dividend policy is subject
to the discretion of our board of directors and may be limited by our debt agreements and limitations under New York law;
•ability to meet our financial obligations and to pay dividends on our common stock if our subsidiaries are unable to pay dividends or repay loans from us;
•the ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting;
•our investments and cash balances are subject to the risk of loss;
•the cost and availability of capital to finance our business is inherently uncertain;
•litigation or administrative proceedings;
•inability
to insure against all potential risks;
•the ability to recruit and retain a highly qualified and diverse workforce in the competitive labor market;
•changes in amount, timing or ability to complete capital projects;
5
•adverse developments in general market, business, economic, labor, regulatory and political conditions including, without limitation, the impacts of inflation, deflation, supply-chain interruptions and changing prices and labor costs, including the Department of Commerce's anti-circumvention petition that could adversely impact renewable solar energy projects;
•the
impacts of climate change, fluctuations in weather patterns and extreme weather events;
•the impact of extraordinary external events, such as any cyber breaches or other incidents, grid disturbances, acts of war or terrorism, civil or social unrest, natural disasters, pandemic health events or other similar occurrences, including the ongoing geopolitical conflict with Russia and Ukraine;
•the impact of a catastrophic or geopolitical event on business and economic conditions;
•the implementation of changes in accounting standards;
•adverse publicity or other reputational harm; and
•other presently unknown unforeseen factors.
Additional
risks and uncertainties are set forth under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and we encourage you to consult such disclosures.
6
PART
I
Item 1. Business
Overview
Avangrid aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. A commitment to sustainability is firmly entrenched in the values and principles that guide Avangrid, with environmental, social, governance and financial sustainability key priorities driving our business strategy.
Avangrid has approximately $44 billion in assets and operations in 24 states concentrated in our two primary lines of business
- Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving approximately 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates 9.3 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind and solar power, with a presence in 22 states across the United States. Avangrid supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals approved by the member states of the United Nations, was named among the World’s Most Ethical companies in 2023 for the fifth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute, included as a member of the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, and recognized by Just Capital as one of the 2024 Just 100, an annual ranking of the most just U.S. public companies for the fourth time. Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people. Iberdrola S.A., or Iberdrola, a corporation (sociedad anónima) organized under the laws of the Kingdom of Spain, a worldwide leader in
the energy industry, directly owns 81.6% of the outstanding shares of Avangrid common stock. Avangrid's primary businesses are described below.
Our direct, wholly-owned subsidiaries include Avangrid Networks, Inc., or Networks, and Avangrid Renewables Holdings, Inc., or ARHI. ARHI in turn holds subsidiaries including Avangrid Renewables, LLC, or Renewables. Networks owns and operates our regulated utility businesses through its subsidiaries, including electric transmission and distribution and natural gas distribution, transportation and sales. Renewables operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities primarily using onshore wind power
and also solar, biomass and thermal power. The following chart depicts our current organizational structure.
Through Networks, we own electric distribution, transmission and generation companies and natural gas distribution, transportation and sales companies in New York, Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts, delivering electricity to approximately 2.3 million electric utility customers and delivering natural gas to approximately 1.0 million natural gas utility customers as of December 31, 2023. The interstate transmission and wholesale sale of electricity by these regulated utilities is
7
regulated
by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, under the Federal Power Act, or FPA, including with respect to transmission rates. Further, Networks’ electric and gas distribution utilities in New York, Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts are subject to regulation by the New York State Public Service Commission, or NYPSC; the Maine Public Utilities Commission, or MPUC; the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, or PURA; and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, or DPU, respectively. Networks strives to be a leader in safety, reliability and quality of service to its utility customers.
Through Renewables, we have a combined wind, solar and thermal installed capacity of 9,338 megawatts, or MW, as of December 31, 2023, including Renewables’ share of joint projects, of which 8,045 MW was installed onshore wind capacity and 39 MW of offshore wind capacity.
Renewables targets to contract or hedge above 80% of its capacity under long-term power purchase agreements, or PPAs, and hedges to limit market volatility. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 78% of the capacity was contracted with PPAs, for an average period of approximately 9 years, and an additional 11% of production was hedged. Avangrid is one of the three largest wind operators in the United States based on installed capacity as of December 31, 2023 and strives to lead the transformation of the U.S. energy industry to a sustainable, competitive, clean energy future. As of December 31, 2023, Renewables installed capacity includes 68 onshore wind farms and six solar facilities operational in 21 states across the United States.
Terminated
Merger with PNMR
On October 20, 2020, Avangrid, PNM Resources, Inc., a New Mexico corporation, or PNMR, and NM Green Holdings, Inc., a New Mexico corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Avangrid, or Merger Sub, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended by the Amendment to Merger Agreement dated January 3, 2022, Amendment No. 2 to the Merger Agreement dated April 12, 2023 and Amendment No. 3 to the Merger Agreement dated June 19, 2023), or Merger Agreement, pursuant to which Merger Sub was expected to merge with and into PNMR, with PNMR surviving the Merger as a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Avangrid, or the Merger for
approximately $4.3 billion in aggregate consideration.
On December 31, 2023, Avangrid sent a notice to PNMR terminating the Merger Agreement. The Merger had been conditioned, among other things, upon the receipt of certain required regulatory approvals, including the approval of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission or NMPRC, and provided that the Merger Agreement may be terminated by either Avangrid or PNMR if the closing of the Merger shall not have occurred by 5:00 PM New York City Time on December 31, 2023, or the End Date. Because the required approval of the NMPRC was not received by the End Date and the conditions to the closing of the Merger were not satisfied by the End Date, Avangrid exercised its right to terminate the Merger Agreement. No termination penalties were incurred by either party in connection with
the termination of the Merger Agreement.
In light of the termination of the Merger Agreement, on January 8, 2024, Avangrid filed a motion to withdraw from the appeal it and PNMR’s subsidiary, Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), had filed with the New Mexico Supreme Court relating to the NMPRC order. For additional information, see Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Further information regarding the amount of revenues from external customers, including revenues disaggregated by products and services, and a measure of profit or loss and total assets for each segment for each of the last three fiscal years is provided in Note 4 and 24 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
See
“Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report for further details.
History
We were incorporated in 1997 as a New York corporation named Energy East Corporation. In 2008, Iberdrola acquired Energy East Corporation and we changed our name to Iberdrola USA, Inc. In 2013, we completed an internal corporate reorganization to create a unified corporate presence for Iberdrola in the United States, bringing all of its U.S. energy companies under Iberdrola USA, Inc. The internal reorganization resulted in the concentration of our principal businesses in two major subsidiaries:
Networks, which holds all of our regulated utilities; and Renewables, which holds our renewable and thermal generation businesses.
On December 16, 2015, we completed the acquisition of UIL Holdings Corporation, or UIL, and changed our name to Avangrid, Inc. Immediately following the completion of the acquisition, former UIL shareowners owned 18.5% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Avangrid, and Iberdrola owned the remaining shares.
8
Networks
Overview
Networks, a
Maine corporation, holds our regulated utility businesses, including electric distribution, transmission and generation and natural gas distribution, transportation and sales. Networks serves as a super-regional energy services and delivery company through the eight regulated utilities it owns indirectly:
•New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, or NYSEG, which serves electric and natural gas customers across more than 40% of the upstate New York geographic area;
•Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation, or RG&E, which serves electric and natural gas customers within a nine-county region in western New York, centered around Rochester;
•The United Illuminating Company, or UI, which serves electric customers in southwestern Connecticut;
•Central
Maine Power Company, or CMP, which serves electric customers in central and southern Maine;
•The Southern Connecticut Gas Company, or SCG, which serves natural gas customers in Connecticut;
•Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation, or CNG, which serves natural gas customers in Connecticut;
•The Berkshire Gas Company, or BGC, which serves natural gas customers in western Massachusetts; and
•Maine Natural Gas Corporation, or MNG, which serves natural gas customers in several communities in central and southern Maine.
The demand for electric power and natural gas is affected by seasonal differences in the weather. Demand for electricity in each of the states
in which Networks operates tends to increase during the summer months to meet cooling load or in winter months for heating load while demand for natural gas tends to increase during the winter to meet heating load.
The following table sets forth certain information relating to the rate base, number of customers and the amount of electricity or natural gas provided by each of Networks’ regulated utilities as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023:
Utility
Rate
Base(1) (in billions)
Electricity Customers
Electricity Delivered (in MWh)
Natural Gas Customers
Natural Gas Delivered (in DTh)
NYSEG
$
4.5
919,650
15,328,774
271,976
52,445,058
RG&E
$
3.0
391,634
6,875,800
324,793
54,434,921
CMP
$
2.8
664,260
8,716,845
—
—
MNG
$
0.1
—
—
6,136
2,096,184
UI
$
2.0
344,976
4,748,336
—
—
SCG
$
0.7
—
—
208,601
34,292,687
CNG
$
0.6
—
—
187,790
32,677,005
BGC
$
0.2
—
—
40,644
9,893,159
Total
$
13.9
2,320,520
35,669,755
1,039,940
185,839,014
(1)“Rate
base” means the net assets upon which a utility can receive a specified return, based on the carrying value of such assets. The rate base is set by the relevant regulatory authority and typically represents the value of specified property, such as plants, facilities and other investments of the utility. These rate base values have been calculated using the best estimates as of December 31, 2023.
During the last five years, Networks has invested $9.9 billion enhancing its delivery network with greater capacity and improved reliability, environmental security and sustainability, efficiency and automation. Networks continuously improves its grid to accommodate new requirements for advanced metering, demand response and enhanced outage management, while improving its flexibility for the integration and management of distributed energy resources, or DER.
New
York
In 2023, the nine hydroelectric plants owned and operated by NYSEG and RG&E generated approximately 233,300 megawatt-hours, or MWh of clean hydropower, which is enough energy to power approximately 32,400 homes across New York State, assuming an average electricity consumption of 600 kilowatt-hours, or kWh, per month per customer. See “—Properties—Networks” for more information regarding Networks’ electric generation plants.
Networks also holds an approximate 20% ownership interest in the regulated New York TransCo, LLC, or New York TransCo. Through New York TransCo, Networks has formed a partnership with affiliates of Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation, Consolidated Edison, Inc., National Grid, plc, and Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. to develop a portfolio of interconnected transmission lines and substations to fulfill the objectives of the New York
energy highway initiative, a proposal to install up to 3,200 MW of new electric generation and transmission capacity in order to deliver more power generated from upstate New York power plants to downstate New York.
9
Maine
CMP owns 78% of the Maine Electric Power Corporation, or MEPCO, a single-asset 182-mile 345kV electric transmission line from the Maine/New Brunswick border to Wiscasset, Maine.
In 2018, the New England Clean Energy Connect, or NECEC, transmission project, proposed in a joint bid by CMP and Hydro-Québec, was selected by the Massachusetts electric distribution utilities (EDCs) and the DOER in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’s 83D clean energy Request for Proposal.
The NECEC transmission project includes a 145-mile transmission line linking the electrical grids in Québec, Canada and New England and will add 1,200 MW of transmission capacity to supply Maine and the rest of New England with power from reliable hydroelectric generation. As of December 31, 2023, we have capitalized approximately $807 million on the NECEC project, which includes capitalized interest costs and other additional payments related to the project along with construction costs. The project has total estimated construction costs of approximately $1.5 billion. For further discussion of the NECEC project, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report.
Connecticut
UI is a party to a joint venture with Clearway Energy, Inc., which is an affiliate
of Global Infrastructure Partners, pursuant to which UI holds 50% of the membership interests in GCE Holding LLC, whose wholly-owned subsidiary, GenConn Energy LLC, or GenConn, operates peaking generation plants in Devon, Connecticut, or GenConn Devon, and Middletown, Connecticut, or GenConn Middletown.
Rate Base
The below rate base values were calculated using the best estimates as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. The rate base of Networks’ regulated utilities, excluding utilities accounted for under the equity method, for the years indicated below were as follows:
Rate
base
2023
2022
2021
(in millions)
NYSEG Electric
$
3,715
$
3,181
$
2,776
NYSEG Gas
789
726
715
RG&E
Electric
2,319
2,082
1,911
RG&E Gas
682
597
553
Subtotal New York
7,505
6,586
5,955
CMP
Dist
1,274
1,120
1,014
CMP Trans
1,539
1,520
1,493
MNG
83
82
87
Subtotal
Maine
2,896
2,722
2,594
UI Dist
1,256
1,253
1,240
UI Trans
776
730
699
SCG
738
673
602
CNG
592
559
515
Subtotal
Connecticut
3,362
3,215
3,056
BGC
161
135
128
Total
$
13,924
$
12,658
$
11,733
Renewables
The
Renewables business, based in Portland, Oregon and Boston, Massachusetts, is engaged primarily in the design, development, construction, management and operation of generation plants that produce electricity using renewable resources and, with more than 70 renewable energy projects, is one of the leaders in renewable energy production in the United States based on installed capacity. Renewables’ primary business is onshore wind energy generation, which represented approximately 95% of Renewables’ combined installed capacity as of December 31, 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2023, Renewables produced 19,020,041 MWh of energy through wind power generation. Renewables had a pipeline of 25,704 MW (19,625 MW - onshore and 6,079 MW - offshore) of future renewable energy projects in various stages of development as of December 31,
2023. In addition to its wind assets, Renewables had eight solar photovoltaic facilities with an installed capacity of 618 MW as of December 31, 2023, out of which six facilities were operational with an installed capacity of 529 MW. The
10
solar photovoltaic facilities produced over 833,186 MWh of renewable energy for the year ended December 31, 2023. Solar accounted for 4.0% of the total renewable energy generation from Renewables in 2023.
A significant part of Renewables' strategic business is offshore wind. Renewables has rights to two federal offshore wind lease areas. One is located 20 miles off the coast of Massachusetts
including 101,590 acres, which has the potential to generate up to 2,600 MW of renewable energy for one or more New England states and the other is located 27 miles off the coast of North Carolina including 122,405 acres, which has the potential to generate up to 3,500 MW of renewable energy for Virginia and North Carolina. In addition, Renewables holds a 50% indirect ownership interest in Vineyard Wind 1 LLC (Vineyard Wind 1), a joint venture with affiliates of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, or CIP, a fund management company based in Denmark, which has rights to a federal offshore wind lease area located 15 miles off the coast of Massachusetts including 65,296 acres.
Prior to a restructuring transaction that closed on January 10, 2022 (Restructuring Transaction), Vineyard Wind, LLC (Vineyard Wind) held acquired easements from the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
(BOEM) containing the rights to develop offshore wind generation. Vineyard Wind acquired two lease areas, Lease Area 501 which contained 166,886 acres and Lease Area 522 which contained 132,370 acres, both located southeast of Martha’s Vineyard. Lease Area 501 was subdivided in 2021, creating Lease Area 534. On September 15, 2021, Vineyard Wind closed on construction financing for the Vineyard Wind 1 project. Among other items, the Vineyard Wind 1 project was transferred into a separate joint venture, Vineyard Wind 1. Following the Restructuring Transaction, Vineyard Wind 1 remained a 50-50 joint venture and kept the rights to develop Lease Area 501, and Vineyard Wind was effectively dissolved where Renewables received rights to the Lease Area 534 and CIP received rights to Lease Area 522 as liquidating distributions. In contemplation of the liquidating distributions, Renewables also made an incremental payment of approximately
$168 million to CIP. Refer to Note 22 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Vineyard Wind 1 is currently constructing the Vineyard Wind 1 project, an 806 MW utility-scale offshore wind project in Lease Area 501. The Vineyard Wind 1 project is expected to generate an amount of clean energy equivalent to that used by over 400,000 households and businesses in Massachusetts and reduce carbon emissions by over 1.6 million tons per year. The project has 20-year PPAs with the electric distribution companies, or EDCs, in Massachusetts with an average price of $88.77/MWh, which represents a price for 50% of the project that starts at $65/MWh and escalates 2.5% annually, and a price for the other 50% of the project that starts at $74/MWh and escalates 2.5% annually. On January 2, 2024, Vineyard Wind 1 delivered first power to the electric
grid in Massachusetts.
In December 2021, the Commonwealth Wind project, which was to be located on Lease Area 534 was selected as part of Massachusetts’ third offshore wind competitive procurement process. In April 2022, Commonwealth Wind signed 1200 MW of PPAs with the Massachusetts EDCs, which were filed with, and approved by the DPU. Following motions filed with the DPU with respect to the suspension of the proceeding to review the PPAs and termination of the PPAs and appeal to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts of the DPU's approval, on July 13, 2023, each of the EDCs filed with the DPU a first amendment, termination agreement and release agreed with Commonwealth Wind, providing for an orderly termination of the PPAs, withdrawal or dismissal of Commonwealth Wind’s appeal, and payment by Commonwealth Wind of a $48 million termination payment to the EDCs, an amount
equal to the development period security provided for in the PPAs. The DPU approved the termination agreements on August 2, 2023 and Commonwealth Wind filed for a dismissal of its appeal of the DPU’s approval order.
Renewables had been developing the Park City Wind project, an 804 MW project located on Lease Area 534, that was intended to deliver clean, reliable energy to the residents of Connecticut through contracts with the EDCs in Connecticut. The project had 20-year PPAs with the EDCs in Connecticut, including UI. On October 2, 2023, following discussions with the Connecticut EDCs, Park City Wind entered into a first amendment, termination agreement and release with each of the Connecticut EDCs, providing for an orderly termination
of the Park City Wind PPAs and payment by Park City Wind of an approximately $16 million termination payment to the EDCs, an amount equal to the development period security provided for in the PPAs. On October 13, 2023, PURA approved the termination agreements.
Typically, Renewables enters into long-term lease agreements with property owners who lease their property and other sites for onshore renewable energy projects, and with federal agencies for offshore renewables energy projects. Electricity generated at a solar or wind project is then transmitted to customers through long-term agreements with purchasers. There are a limited number of wind turbine suppliers in the market. Renewables’ largest turbine suppliers, Siemens-Gamesa and GE Wind, in the aggregate supplied turbines that accounted for 69% of Renewables’ installed wind capacity as of December 31,
2023. Iberdrola had an 8.1% ownership interest in Siemens-Gamesa until it was sold in February 2020.
To monetize the tax benefits resulting from tax credits, or PTCs and ITCs, and accelerated tax depreciation available to qualifying wind and solar energy projects, Renewables has entered into “tax equity” financing structures with third party
11
investors for a portion of its wind and solar farms. Renewables holds operating wind and solar farms under these structures through limited liability companies jointly owned by one or more third party investors. These investors generally provide an up-front investment and, in some cases, payments over time for their membership interests in the financing structures. In return,
the investors receive specified cash distribution allocations and substantially all of the tax benefits generated by the wind and solar farms, until such benefits achieve a negotiated return on their investment. Upon attainment of this target return, the sharing of the cash flows and tax benefits flip, with Renewables receiving substantially all of these amounts thereafter. We also have an option to repurchase the investor’s interest within a certain timeframe after the target return is met. Renewables maintains operational and management control over the wind and solar farm businesses, subject to investor approval of certain major decisions. See “—Properties—Renewables” for more information regarding Renewables’ power generation properties.
Renewables owns two thermal generation facilities located in Klamath Falls, Oregon with 636MW of nameplate capacity as of December 31,
2023. The 536MW Combined Cycle Cogeneration Plant creates energy from both natural gas and steam (waste heat) produced from its gas turbines. The 100MW plant is a simple cycle, peaking plant that provides flexibility in terms of quick ramp time. Both facilities are utilized to support Renewable’s Balancing Authority in addition to providing customers with capacity in peak demand periods.
Renewables is pursuing the continued development of a large pipeline of wind and solar energy projects in various regions across the United States. Each site features a range of different atmospheric characteristics that ultimately drive the selection of technology for the proposed project. As part of Renewables’ resource assessment investigation, critical atmospheric parameters such as mean wind speed, extreme wind speed, turbulence intensity, mean air density, and solar energy availability are characterized to represent long-term conditions.
The summary wind and solar characteristics are then combined with a terrain analysis, or orography, and weather pattern analysis to assess siting and placement risks in order to mitigate any future operations and maintenance concerns that may arise due to improper siting or placement.
Renewables maintains close relationships with key turbine suppliers, including Siemens-Gamesa, GE, Vestas and others in order to identify the turbine technology that safely delivers the lowest cost of energy for each candidate project in its portfolio. See “—Properties—Renewables” for more information regarding Renewables’ turbine technology.
Renewables focuses on ensuring solar projects deliver the lowest cost of energy safely. This requires detailed information on cost, long term performance and reliability of project components including solar panels, trackers and inverters – particularly
as technology continues to advance. Renewables relies upon a wide network of experienced solar industry consultants to provide expert advice on project development, performance specifications, manufacturing quality assurance and equipment selection. These consultants range from Tetra Tech Inc. for environmental permitting support, to companies such as DNV GL, Clean Energy Associates, and PI Berlin to advise on energy estimation, equipment performance expectations, and equipment quality audits.
The Renewables meteorology team supports the commercial development of wind and solar energy projects in Renewables’ pipeline by performing a wide variety of detailed investigations and analyses to characterize the expected wind and solar energy production from a proposed wind farm or solar plant in its pre-construction phase of development. These investigations include measuring the wind or solar resource with several well-equipped
meteorological masts and using energy modeling software packages that characterize the gross energy and relevant losses. For wind projects, state of the art laser-based and acoustic-based remote sensing equipment and computational fluid dynamics modeling software are used. The Renewables fleet of measurement masts consists of approximately 40 wind meteorological towers and 15 solar meteorological stations that are currently in operation. Additionally, a total of three light detecting and ranging and six sonic detecting and ranging remote sensing devices are deployed or available for deployment at sites across the United States to support wind project development. These remote sensing devices allow hub-height wind speed measurement from a ground-based sensor that can be rapidly deployed and moved as the project matures or changes in nature. The resulting pre-construction energy production estimates that utilize these measurements have been shown to be accurate in a multi-year
internal study that compares results to actual, operational data at wind plants in a benchmarking analysis. This study provides a critical feedback loop that is used to define methodology requirements for future pre-construction energy production estimates to ensure confidence in project investment. Renewables’ commitment to obtaining robust atmospheric measurement is driven by a company culture that values business case confidence and understands the role that accurate meteorological data plays in the pursuit of this goal.
Regulatory Environment and Principal Markets
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Among other things, the FERC regulates the transmission and wholesale sales of electricity in interstate commerce and
the transmission and sale of natural gas for resale in interstate commerce. Certain aspects of Networks’ businesses and Renewables’ competitive generation businesses are subject to regulation by the FERC.
12
Pursuant to the FPA, electric utilities must maintain tariffs and rate schedules on file with the FERC, which govern the rates, terms and conditions for the provision of the FERC-jurisdictional wholesale power and transmission services. Unless otherwise exempt, any person that owns or operates facilities used for the wholesale sale or transmission of power in interstate commerce is a public utility subject to the FERC’s jurisdiction. The FERC regulates, among other things, the disposition of certain utility property, the issuance of securities by public utilities, the
rates, the terms and conditions for the transmission or wholesale sale of power in interstate commerce, interlocking officer and director positions, and the uniform system of accounts and reporting requirements for public utilities.
With respect to Networks’ regulated electric utilities in Maine, New York and Connecticut, the FERC governs the return on equity, or ROE, on all transmission assets in Maine and Connecticut and certain New York TransCo assets in New York. The FERC also oversees the rates, terms and conditions of the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce, interconnection service in interstate commerce (which applies to independent power generators, for example) and the rates, terms and conditions of wholesale sales of electric energy in interstate commerce. This includes cost-based rates, market-based rates and the operations of regional capacity and electric energy markets in New England administered
by an independent entity, ISO New England, Inc., or ISO-NE, and in New York, administered by the New York Independent System Operator, Inc., or NYISO. The FERC approves CMP's, UI's, MEPCO's and New York TransCo's regulated electric utilities transmission revenue requirements. Wholesale electric transmission revenues are recovered through stated or formula rates that are approved by the FERC. CMP’s, MEPCO’s and UI’s electric transmission revenues are recovered from New England customers through charges that recover costs of transmission and other transmission-related services provided by all regional transmission owners. NYSEG’s and RG&E’s electric transmission revenues are recovered from New York customers through charges that recover the costs of transmission and other transmission-related services provided by all transmission owners in New York. Several of our affiliates have been granted authority to engage in sales at market-based rates and blanket authority
to issue securities and have also been granted certain waivers of the FERC reporting and accounting regulations available to non-traditional public utilities; however, we cannot be assured that such authorizations or waivers will not be revoked for these affiliates or will be granted in the future to other affiliates.
Pursuant to a series of orders involving the ROE for regionally planned New England electric transmission projects, the FERC established a base-level transmission ROE of 11.14%, and provided a 50-basis point ROE adder on Pool Transmission Facilities for participation in the regional transmission organization, or RTO, for New England and a 100-basis point ROE incentive for projects included in the ISO-NE Regional System Plan that were completed and on line as of December 31, 2008. Certain other transmission projects received authorization for incentives up to 125
basis points.
Since 2011, several parties have filed four separate complaints with the FERC against ISO-NE and several New England transmission owners, or NETOs, including UI, CMP and MEPCO, claiming that the current approved base ROE of 11.14% was not just and reasonable, seeking a reduction of the base ROE and a refund to customers for the 15-month refund periods beginning October 1, 2011 (Complaint I), December 27, 2012 (Complaint II), July 31, 2014 (Complaint III) and April 29, 2016 (Complaint IV). For more information on this matter see Note 14 of our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which information is
incorporated herein by reference.
The FERC has the right to review books and records of “holding companies,” as defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, or PUHCA 2005, that are determined by the FERC to be relevant to the companies’ respective FERC-jurisdictional rates. We are a holding company, as defined in PUHCA 2005.
The FERC has civil penalty authority over violations of any provision of Part II of the FPA, as well as any rule or order issued thereunder. The FERC is authorized to assess a maximum civil penalty of $1.39 million per violation for each day that the violation continues. The FPA also provides for the assessment of criminal fines and imprisonment for violations under Part II of the FPA. Pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, or EPAct 2005, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation,
or NERC, has been certified by the FERC as the Electric Reliability Organization for North America responsible for developing and overseeing the enforcement of electric system reliability standards applicable throughout the United States. FERC-approved reliability standards may be enforced by the FERC independently, or, alternatively, by NERC and the regional reliability organizations with frontline responsibility for auditing, investigating and otherwise ensuring compliance with reliability standards, subject to the FERC oversight.
The gas distribution operations of NYSEG, RG&E, SCG, CNG and BGC are subject to the FERC regulation under the Natural Gas Act of 1938, or NGA, with respect to their gas purchases/sales and contracted transportation/storage capacity. FERC has civil penalty authority under the NGA to impose penalties for certain violations of up to $1.39 million per day for violations. FERC also has the authority
to order the disgorgement of profits from transactions deemed to violate the NGA and EPAct 2005.
13
Market Anti-Manipulation Regulation
The FERC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, monitor certain segments of the physical and futures energy commodities market pursuant to the FPA, the Commodity Exchange Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, including our businesses’ energy transactions and operations in the United States. With regard to the physical purchases and sales of electricity and natural gas, the gathering storage, transmission and delivery of these energy commodities and any related trading or hedging transactions that some of our operating subsidiaries
undertake, our operating subsidiaries are required to observe these anti-market manipulation laws and related regulations enforced by the FERC and CFTC. The FERC holds substantial enforcement authority, including the ability to assess civil penalties of up to $1.9 million per day per violation, to order disgorgement of profits and to recommend criminal penalties. The CFTC is authorized to issue monetary penalties for violations of the Commodity Exchange Act up to a maximum penalty per violation. Generally, penalties may be determined on a per violation basis or up to triple the monetary gain to the respondent, whichever is greater.
State Regulation
Networks’ regulated utilities are subject to regulation by the applicable state public utility commissions, including with regard to their rates,
terms and conditions of service, issuance of securities, purchase or sale of utility assets and other accounting and operational matters. NYSEG and RG&E are subject to regulation by the NYPSC; CMP and MNG are subject to regulation by the MPUC; UI, SCG and CNG are subject to regulation by the PURA; and BGC is subject to regulation by the DPU. The NYPSC, MPUC and the Connecticut Siting Council, or CSC, exercise jurisdiction over the siting of electric transmission lines in their respective states, and each of the NYPSC, MPUC, PURA and DPU exercise jurisdiction over the approval of certain mergers or other business combinations involving Networks’ regulated utilities. In addition, each of the utility commissions has the authority to impose penalties on these regulated utilities, which could be substantial, for violating state utility laws and regulations and their orders.
Networks’ regulated distribution utilities deliver
electricity and/or natural gas to all customers in their service territory at rates established under cost of service regulation. Under this regulatory structure, Networks’ regulated distribution utilities file rate cases to recover the cost of providing distribution service to their customers based on their costs and earn a return on their capital investment in utility assets. For more information on our regulated utilities’ most recent rate cases and other regulatory matters see Note 5 of our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
In New York, Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts, most of Networks’ distribution utilities’ customers have the opportunity to purchase their electricity or natural gas from third-party
energy supply vendors. Most customers in New York, however, continue to purchase such supplies through the distribution utilities under regulated energy rates and tariffs. In Maine, CMP customers can also purchase electric supply from competitive providers, but the majority receive baseline standard offer service that is subject to and the result of a MPUC procurement process. Networks’ regulated utilities in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts and MNG purchase electricity or natural gas from unaffiliated wholesale suppliers and recover the actual approved costs of these supplies on a pass-through basis, as well as certain costs associated with industry restructuring, through reconciling rate mechanisms that are periodically adjusted.
State public utility commissions may also have jurisdiction over certain aspects of Renewables’ competitive generation businesses. For example, in New York, certain Renewables’ generation
subsidiaries are electric corporations subject to “lightened” regulation by the NYPSC. As such, the NYPSC exercises its jurisdictional authority over certain non-rate aspects of the facilities, including safety, retirements and the issuance of debt secured by recourse to those generation assets located in New York. In Texas, Renewables’ operations within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, footprint are not subject to regulation by FERC, as they are deemed to operate solely within the ERCOT market and not in interstate commerce. These operations are subject to regulation by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, or PUCT. In California, Renewables’ generation subsidiaries are subject to regulation by the California Public Utilities Commission with regard to certain non-rate aspects
of the facilities, including health and safety, outage reporting and other aspects of the facilities’ operations.
RTOs and ISOs
Networks’ regulated electric utilities in New York, Connecticut and Maine, as well as some of Renewables’ generation fleet, operate in or have access to organized energy markets, known as RTOs or independent system operators, or ISOs, particularly NYISO and ISO-NE. Each organized market administers centralized bid-based energy, capacity and ancillary services markets pursuant to tariffs approved by the FERC, or in the case of ERCOT, market rules approved by the PUCT. These tariffs and rules dictate how the energy, capacity and ancillary service markets operate, how market participants bid, clear, are dispatched, make bilateral sales with one another, and how entities with market-based rates are compensated. Certain of these markets set prices, referred
to as Locational Marginal Prices that reflect the value of energy, capacity or certain
14
ancillary services, based upon geographic locations, transmission constraints and other factors. Each market is subject to market mitigation measures designed to limit the exercise of market power. Some markets limit the prices of the bidder based upon some level of cost justification. These market structures impact the bidding, operation, dispatch and sale of energy, capacity and ancillary services.
The RTOs and ISOs are also responsible for transmission planning and operations within their respective regions. Each of Networks’ transmission-owning subsidiaries
in New York, Connecticut and Maine has transferred operational control over certain of its electric transmission facilities to its respective ISOs, such as ISO-NE and NYISO.
Environmental, Health and Safety
Permitting and Other Regulatory Requirements
Networks. Networks’ distribution utilities in New York, Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations in connection with the environmental, health and safety effects of their operations. The distribution utilities of Networks are subject to regulation by the applicable state public utility commission with respect to the siting and approval of electric transmission lines, with the exception
of UI, the siting of whose transmission lines is subject to the jurisdiction of the CSC and with respect to pipeline safety regulations for intrastate gas pipeline operators.
The National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, requires that detailed statements of the environmental effect of Networks’ facilities be prepared in connection with the issuance of various federal permits and licenses. Federal agencies are required by NEPA to make an independent environmental evaluation of the facilities as part of their actions during proceedings with respect to these permits and licenses.
Under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act, the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, has issued regulations that control the use and disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs. PCBs were widely used as insulating fluids in many electric utility transformers and capacitors manufactured before
the federal Toxic Substances Control Act prohibited any further manufacture of such PCB equipment. Fluids with a concentration of PCBs higher than 500 parts per million and materials (such as electrical capacitors) that contain such fluids must be disposed of through burning in high temperature incinerators approved by the EPA. For our gas distribution companies, PCBs are sometimes found in the distribution system. Networks tests any distribution piping being removed or repaired for the presence of PCBs and complies with relevant disposal procedures, as needed.
Under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, the generation, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes are subject to regulations adopted by the EPA. All of Networks’ subsidiaries have complied with the notification and application
requirements of present regulations, and the procedures by which the subsidiaries handle, store, treat and dispose of hazardous waste products comply with these regulations.
Before the environmental best practices laws and regulations were implemented in the last quarter of the 20th century, utility companies, including Networks’ subsidiaries, often disposed of residues from operations by depositing or burying them on-site or at off-site landfills or other facilities. Typical materials disposed of included coal gasification byproducts, fuel oils, ash and other materials that might contain PCBs or otherwise be hazardous. In recent years it was determined that such disposal practices, under certain
circumstances, can cause groundwater contamination.
Renewables. Renewables’ projects are subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental review and permitting requirements. Whether a project is sited onshore or offshore dictates the complexity of the permitting framework.
Many states where Renewables’ projects are located have laws that require state agencies to evaluate the environmental impacts of a proposed project prior to granting state permits or approvals. Generally, state agencies evaluate similar issues as federal agencies, including the project’s impact on wildlife, historic or cultural sites, aesthetics, wetlands and water resources, agricultural operations and scenic areas. States may impose different or additional monitoring or mitigation requirements than federal agencies. Additional approvals may be required for specific aspects
of a project, such as stream or wetland crossings, impacts to designated significant wildlife habitats, storm water management and highway department authorizations for oversize loads and state road closings during construction. Permitting approvals related to transmission lines may be required in certain cases.
Renewables’ projects also are subject to local environmental and regulatory requirements, including county and municipal land use, zoning, building and transportation requirements. Permitting at the local municipal or county level often consists of obtaining a special use or conditional use permit under a land use ordinance or code, or, in some cases, rezoning is required for a project. Obtaining a permit usually requires that Renewables demonstrate that the project will conform to certain development standards specified under the ordinance so that the project is compatible with existing land uses and protects natural
and human environments. Local or state regulatory agencies may require modeling and measurement of permissible
15
sound levels in connection with the permitting and approval of Renewables’ projects. Local or state agencies also may require Renewables to develop decommissioning plans for dismantling the project at the end of its functional life and establish financial assurances for carrying out the decommissioning plan.
In addition to permits required under state and local laws, Renewables’ projects may be subject to permitting and other regulatory requirements under federal law. For example, if an offshore wind project is sited in federal waters (beyond the three nautical mile state jurisdictional line), the project will require
approval from the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or BOEM as well as other federal cooperating agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or Army Corps, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard. If an onshore project is located near wetlands, a permit may be required from the Army Corps, with respect to the discharge of dredged or fill material into the waters of the United States. The Army Corps may also require the mitigation of any loss of wetland functions and values that accompanies the project’s activities. Renewables may be required to obtain permits under the federal Clean Water Act for water discharges, such as storm water runoff associated with construction activities, and to follow a variety of best management practices to ensure that water quality
is protected and impacts are minimized. Renewables’ projects also may be located, or partially located, on lands administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, or BLM. Therefore, Renewables may be required to obtain and maintain BLM right-of-way grants for access to, or operations on, such lands. To obtain and maintain a grant, there must be environmental reviews conducted, a plan of development implemented and a demonstration that there has been compliance with the plan to protect the environment, including measures to protect biological, archeological and cultural resources encountered on the grant.
Renewables’ projects may be subject to requirements pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, or ESA, and analogous state laws. For example, federal agencies granting permits for Renewables’ projects consider the impact on endangered and threatened species and their habitat under the ESA, which prohibits and imposes stringent
penalties for harming endangered or threatened species and their habitats. Renewables’ projects also need to consider the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, or MBTA, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, or BGEPA, which protect migratory birds and bald and golden eagles and are administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Criminal liability can result from violations of the MBTA and the BGEPA. For example, the U.S. Department of Justice, or DOJ, has previously enforced substantial penalties and mitigation measures against two large wind farm operators, pursuant to which those operators pled guilty to criminal violations of the MBTA.
In addition to regulations, voluntary wind turbine siting guidelines for onshore wind projects established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or USFWS, set forth siting, monitoring and coordination protocols that are designed to support wind development in the United States while also
protecting both birds and bats and their habitats. These guidelines include provisions for specific monitoring and study conditions which need to be met in order for projects to be in adherence with these voluntary guidelines. Most states also have similar laws. Because the operation of wind turbines may result in injury or fatalities to birds and bats, federal and state agencies often recommend or require that Renewables conduct avian and bat risk assessments prior to issuing permits for its projects. They may also require ongoing monitoring or mitigation activities as a condition to approving a project.
Similarly, BOEM has established survey guidelines for renewable energy development, including avian surveys in coordination with the USFWS. BOEM will use the data from the offshore marine surveys to evaluate the impacts of construction, installation and operation of meteorological towers, buoys, export and inter-array cables,
wind turbine generators and supporting structures on physical, biological, and socioeconomic resources, as well as the seafloor and sub-seafloor conditions. The information will be used by BOEM, other federal agencies and potentially affected states in the preparation of National Environmental Policy Act documents, for consultations and other regulatory requirements.
Global Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emission Issues
Global climate change and greenhouse gas emission, or GHG, issues continue to receive an increased focus from state governments and the federal government. In November 2010, the EPA published final rules for monitoring and reporting requirements for petroleum and natural gas systems that emit greenhouse gases under the authority of the Clean Air Act beginning in 2011. These regulations apply to facilities that emit greenhouse gases above the threshold level of
25,000 metric tons equivalent per year. SCG and CNG both exceed this threshold and are subject to reporting requirements. The liquefied natural gas, or LNG, facilities owned and/or contracted by SCG and CNG are also subject to the monitoring and reporting requirements under the regulations. Similarly, Networks is subject to reporting requirements under provisions of the greenhouse gases regulations, which regulate electric transmission and distribution equipment that emit sulfur hexafluoride. In October 2023, California enacted landmark climate disclosure and financial reporting legislation, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, which will require certain public and private companies doing business in California to disclose their scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions on an annual basis beginning in 2026, with respect to Scope 3, in 2027.
16
In
June 2019, the New York State legislature passed a new law titled the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, or CLCPA, which could have significant impacts on the operations of electric and gas utilities in New York. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report for additional information about CLCPA.
We are continuously evaluating the regulatory risks and regulatory uncertainty presented by climate change and greenhouse gas emission. Such concerns could potentially lead to additional rules and regulations as well as requirements imposed through the ratemaking process that impact how we operate our business. We generally expect that any of Networks' costs for these rules, regulations and requirements would be recovered from customers.
OSHA and Certain Other Federal Safety Laws
We
are subject to the requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended, or OSHA, and comparable state laws that regulate the protection of the health and safety of employees. In addition, OSHA’s hazard communication standard and standards administered by other federal as well as state agencies, including the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act and the related implementing regulations require that information be maintained about hazardous materials used or produced in operations of our subsidiaries and that this information be provided to employees, state and local government authorities and citizens.
Management, Disposal and Remediation of Hazardous Substances
We own or lease real property and may be subject to federal, state and local requirements regarding
the storage, use, transportation and disposal of petroleum products and toxic or hazardous substances, including spill prevention, control and counter-measure requirements. Project properties and materials stored or disposed thereon may be subject to the federal RCRA, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and analogous state laws. If any of our owned or leased properties are contaminated, whether during or prior to our ownership or operation, we could be responsible for the costs of investigation and cleanup and for any related liabilities, including claims for damage to property, persons or natural resources. Such responsibility may arise even if we were not at fault and did not cause the contamination. In addition, waste generated by our operating subsidiaries is at times sent to third party disposal facilities.
If such facilities become contaminated, the operating subsidiary and any other persons who arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances at those sites may be jointly and severally responsible for the costs of investigation and remediation, as well as for any claims of damages to third parties, their property or natural resources.
In August 2016, a partial consent order was issued by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, or DEEP, related to the investigation and remediation of the English Station site. The consent order requires UI to investigate and remediate certain environmental conditions within the perimeter of the English Station site. Under the consent order, to the extent that the cost of this investigation and remediation is less than $30 million, UI is required to remit to the State of Connecticut the difference between such cost and $30 million to be applied to a public
purpose as determined in the discretion of the Governor of the State of Connecticut, the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut and the Commissioner of DEEP. However, UI is obligated to comply with the consent order even if the cost of such compliance exceeds $30 million. UI continues its activities to investigate and remediate the environmental conditions at the site. In 2023 and 2024, DEEP sent UI a series of letters requesting details on remediation plans and security, which UI has responded to. On January 25, 2024, DEEP issued a notice of declaratory ruling to determine the “high occupancy standard” necessary “to abate on-site pollution and impacts for industrial/commercial use of the Site…inside the buildings” as referenced in section (B)(1)(e)(4) of the Partial Consent Order. On January 29, 2024, DEEP served UI with a Summons and Complaint seeking
injunctive relief and enforcement of the consent order from the Connecticut Superior Court. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter. For additional information, see Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Environmental Management and Goals
In connection with our environmental, social, governance and financial stewardship strategy, we have established several environmental goals including a target to be carbon neutral for Scopes 1 and 2, as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, by 2030. The Avangrid Board has adopted a governance and sustainability system reflecting our environmental, social, governance and financial stewardship strategy including, without limitation, a Climate Action Policy that explicitly sets forth our Scope 1 and Scope 2 targets. Further, we have defined a set of goals to reduce the environmental
impact of our facilities including that 100% of our corporate facilities will have renewable electricity by 2030, 100% of our light duty fleet will be clean energy vehicles by 2030 and an increase in our emission free generation capacity by 190% by 2030.
Customers
Networks delivers natural gas and electricity to residential, commercial and institutional customers through its regulated utilities in New York, Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Networks’ customer payment terms are regulated by the state of
17
New York, with respect to NYSEG and RG&E; Maine, with
respect to CMP and MNG; Connecticut, with respect to UI, SCG and CNG; and Massachusetts, with respect to BGC, and each of the regulated utilities must provide payment arrangements to customers for past due balances. See “—Networks” for more information relating to the customers of Networks.
Renewables sells the majority of its energy output to large investor-owned utilities, public utilities and other credit-worthy entities. Additionally, Renewables generates and provides power, among other services, to federal and state agencies, institutional retail and joint action agencies. Offtakers typically purchase renewable energy from Renewables through long-term PPAs, allowing Renewables to limit its exposure to market volatility. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 78% of the capacity was contracted with PPAs, for an average period of approximately 9 years, and an additional
11% of production was hedged. Renewables also delivers thermal output to wholesale customers in the Western United States.
Competition
Networks’ regulated utilities do not generally face competition from other companies that transmit and distribute electricity and natural gas. However, supply for electricity and natural gas may be negatively impacted by federal and state legislation mandating that certain percentages of power delivered to end users be produced from renewable resources, such as wind, thermal and solar energy, and demand for electricity and natural gas may be negatively impacted by federal and state legislation mandating energy efficiency programs and policy.
Networks faces competition from self-contained
micro-grids that integrate renewable energy sources in the areas served by Networks. However, there has been limited development of these micro-grids in Networks’ service areas to date, and Networks expects that growth in distributed generation of renewable energy will continue due to financial incentives being provided by federal and state legislation. In addition, Networks may face competition from government-controlled power initiatives in states where Networks operates in which states, municipalities or other local authorities attempt to use eminent domain to acquire privately-owned utility companies.
Renewables has competitive advantages, including a robust development pipeline, a management team with extensive experience, strong relationships with suppliers and clients, expert regulatory knowledge and brand awareness. However, Renewables faces competition throughout the life cycles of its renewable energy facilities,
including during the development phase, in the identification and procurement of suitable sites with high wind resource availability, grid connection capacity and land or offshore lease availability. Renewables also competes with other suppliers in securing long-term renewable energy PPAs with power purchasers and participates in competitive bilateral and organized energy markets with other energy sources for power that is not sold under PPAs. Competitive conditions may be substantially affected by various forms of energy legislation and regulation considered from time to time by federal, state and local legislatures and administrative agencies.
Properties
Networks
The following table sets forth certain information relating
to Networks’ electricity generation facilities and their respective locations, type and installed capacity as of December 31, 2023. Unless noted otherwise, Networks owns each of these facilities and all our generating properties are regulated under cost of service regulation.
Operating Company
Facility Location
Facility Type
Installed Capacity
(in MW)
Year(s) Commissioned
NYSEG
Newcomb, NY
Diesel Turbine
4.3
1967, 2017
NYSEG
Blue Mountain, NY
Diesel Turbine
2.0
2019
NYSEG
Long
Lake, NY
Diesel Turbine
2.0
2019
NYSEG
Eastern New York (6 locations)
Hydroelectric
61.4
1921—1986
RG&E
Rochester, NY (3 locations)
Hydroelectric
57.1
1917—1960
UI
is also party to a 50-50 joint venture with certain affiliates of Clearway Energy, Inc. in GCE Holding LLC, whose wholly-owned subsidiary, GenConn, operates two 188 MW peaking generation plants, GenConn Devon and GenConn Middletown, in Connecticut.
18
The following table sets forth certain operating data relating to the electricity transmission and distribution activities of each of Networks’ regulated utilities as of December 31, 2023:
Utility
State
Substations
Transmission
Lines (in miles)
Overhead Distribution Lines (in pole miles)
Underground Lines (in miles)
Total Distribution (in miles)
NYSEG
New York
430
4,548
39,725
3,589
43,314
RG&E
New
York
156
1,117
8,797
3,324
12,120
CMP
Maine
205
2,912
29,507
3,526
33,033
UI
Connecticut
28
138
8,323
1,314
9,637
Total
819
8,715
86,352
11,753
98,105
The
following table sets forth certain operating data relating to the natural gas transmission and distribution activities of each of Networks’ regulated utilities, as of December 31, 2023:
Utility
State
Transmission Pipeline (in miles)
Distribution Pipeline
(in miles)
NYSEG
New York
20
8,527
RG&E
New York
99
8,449
MNG
Maine
2
324
SCG
Connecticut
—
4,242
CNG
Connecticut
—
3,871
BGC
Massachusetts
—
1,139
Total
121
26,552
CNG
owns and operates a LNG plant which can store up to 1.2 Bcf of natural gas and can vaporize up to 90,000 Dth per day of LNG to meet peak demand. SCG has contract rights to and operates a similar plant, which is owned by an affiliate that can also store up to 1.2 Bcf of natural gas. SCG’s LNG facilities can vaporize up to 82,000 Dth per day of LNG to meet peak demand. SCG and CNG have also contracted for 20.6 Bcf of storage with a maximum peak day delivery capability of 216,000 Dth per day.
Renewables
The following table sets forth Renewables’ portfolio of wind projects as of December 31, 2023. Unless noted otherwise, Renewables wholly owns each of these facilities.
Location
Wind
Project
Turbines
Total Installed Capacity (MW)
Commercial Operation Date
North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Region
Arizona
Dry Lake I
30 (Suzlon S88, 2.1 MW)
63
2009
WECC
Poseidon
Wind (1)
15.5 (Suzlon, 2.1 MW)
33
2010
WECC
California
Dillon
45 (Mitsubishi, 1 MW)
45
2008
WECC
Manzana
126
(GE, 1.5 MW)
189
2011
WECC
Mountain View III
34 (Vestas V47, 0.66 MW)
22
2020
WECC
Phoenix Wind Power
3 (Vestas,
0.66 MW)
2
1999
WECC
Shiloh
100 (GE, 1.5 MW)
150
2006
WECC
Tule
57 (GE, 2.3 MW)
131
2018
WECC
Colorado
Colorado Green
100 (GE, 1.5 SLE RP1.62 MW)
162
2003
WECC
Twin Buttes
50 (GE, 1.5 MW)
75
2007
WECC
Twin
Buttes II
36 (Gamesa G114, 2.10 MW)
75
2017
WECC
Illinois
Providence Heights
36 (Gamesa G87, 2.0 MW)
72
2008
MRO
Streator
Cayuga Ridge South
150 (Gamesa, 2.0MW)
300
2010
MRO
Otter Creek
38 (Vestas, 3.8 MW); 4 (Vestas, 3.5 MW)
158
2020
MRO
Midland
Wind
21 (Vestas, 4.3 MW); 4 (Vestas, 3.8 MW)
104
2023
MRO
Iowa
Barton
79 (Gamesa, 2.0 MW)
158
2009
MRO
19
Location
Wind
Project
Turbines
Total Installed Capacity (MW)
Commercial Operation Date
North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Region
North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Region
Karankawa
93 (GE, 2.52 MW); 22 (GE, 2.3 MW); 9 (GE, 2.5 MW)
307
2019
TRE
Patriot
58
(Vestas, 3.6 MW); 5 (Vestas, 3.45 MW)
226
2019
TRE
Peñascal I
79 (Mitsubishi, 2.4 MW)
190
2009
TRE
Peñascal II
81
(Mitsubishi, 2.4 MW)
194
2010
TRE
Vermont
Deerfield
7 (Gamesa G87, 2.0 MW); 8 (Gamesa G97, 2.0 MW)
30
2017
NPCC
Washington
Big Horn
I
133 (GE, 1.5 MW)
200
2006
WECC
Big Horn II
25 (Gamesa, 2.0 MW)
50
2010
WECC
Juniper Canyon
62
(Mitsubishi, 2.4 MW)
149
2011
WECC
(1)Jointly owned with Axium; capacity amounts represent only Renewables’ share of the wind farm.
(2)Jointly owned with Horizon Wind Energy; capacity amounts represent only Renewables’ share of the wind farm.
(3)Jointly owned with WEC Infrastructure; capacity amounts represent only Renewables’ share of the wind farm.
Additionally, set forth below are the solar and thermal facilities with installed capacity in Renewables as of December 31,
2023. Unless otherwise noted, Renewables owns each facility.
Facility
Location
Type of Facility
Installed Capacity (MW)
Commercial
Operation Date
Poseidon Solar (1)
Pinal County, Arizona
Solar
12
2011
San Luis Valley Solar Ranch (2)
Alamosa County, Colorado
Solar
35
2012
Gala
Solar
Deschutes County, Oregon
Solar
70
2017
Wy’East Solar
Sherman County, Oregon
Solar
13
2018
Lund Hill Solar
Klickitat
County, Washington
Solar
194
2022
Montague Solar
Gilliam County, Oregon
Solar
205
2023
Bakeoven Solar (3)
Wasco County, Oregon
Solar
53
Note
3
True North (3)
Falls County, Texas
Solar
36
Note 3
Klamath Cogeneration
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Thermal
536
2001
Klamath Peakers
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Thermal
100
2009
(1)Jointly
owned with Axium; capacity amounts represent only Renewables' share of the solar project.
(2)Operated pursuant to a sale-and-leaseback agreement.
(3)Commercial Operation Date is expected in 2024.
Climate Change
We play a critical role in the fight against climate change as we work to create a more sustainable and equitable clean energy future. We are taking both mitigative and adaptive measures to address the threat of climate change. This means implementing strategies and systems to monitor and address the chronic and extreme risks that climate change can cause. These efforts include assessing climate risks as part of our
investment analysis, building in resiliencies in the design of our projects and implementing solutions such as smarter grids and a more resilient infrastructure. Our efforts to assess and mitigate against climate risk help us support our customers and protect our communities from increasingly severe weather events while providing reliable and safe energy. To combat the risks associated with climate change and to raise awareness of the benefits of contributing to a carbon neutral and sustainable future, our climate strategy is aligned with the framework established by the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures, or TCFD. We believe that alignment with the TCFD supports the establishment of the appropriate governance and assessment and management of, our climate risks and opportunities with the appropriate oversight and transparency.
To further our commitments to address climate change, decisions to move forward
with new investments must incorporate an analysis of risks related to climate change along with plans (and a budget) to mitigate these risks. To help inform how and where we invest to address climate change, we monitor for emerging risks, including those that may impact our supply chain and our network and renewables operations.
21
Our comprehensive risk management strategy recognizes the acute and chronic impacts that may result from climate change. These can present physical risks to our communities and energy systems and financial risk across our operations. Because of this, we prioritize our efforts to plan for – and protect against – the increasingly severe impacts of climate change. Our risk management function coordinates with the business areas to identify, assess
and report the risks, including those due to climate change such as extreme weather events, flooding and other natural disasters. The board, through its governance and sustainability committee, receives regular reports on our climate action strategy and the risk to the company due to climate change. For each of these threats, we identify the principal physical impacts they can cause, such as infrastructure damage, reduced power or limited availability of water. We also work to identify the approach we will take to manage the impacts of these threats, such as the use of new materials that can better withstand extreme conditions, burying of power lines and the installation of detection and warning systems.
In addition, we seek out opportunities to adapt to and mitigate climate change risks, including investments in energy storage technologies
to maximize the availability of our renewable resources, and upgrades across our networks to improve the security and reliability of our energy supply. We are also working to accelerate decarbonization across our own operations and our industry. In connection with our environmental, social, governance and financial stewardship strategy, we have established several environmental goals including a target to be carbon neutral for Scopes 1 and 2, as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, by 2030 and goals for 100% of our corporate facilities will have renewable electricity by 2030, 100% of our light duty fleet to be clean energy vehicles by 2030, and an increase in our emission free generation capacity by 190% by 2030. By addressing our company’s carbon emissions and the carbon footprint of our industry, we can help to reduce the chronic and extreme threats and impacts associated
with climate change.
Our actions, investments and goals to address climate change demonstrate our commitment, and we continue to see the positive impacts of these actions across our operations. In 2023, these impacts included decreasing our CO2 emissions intensity by 28% compared to a 2015 base year, maintaining our place as the third-largest renewable energy operator in the U.S. with 8.7 GW of emissions-free installed capacity, reaching the commercial operation date (COD) for nearly 395 MW of new wind and solar projects, and achieving a 91% emissions-free generating capacity.
We also continue to link a portion of our executive and employee compensation to our corporate sustainability metrics. In 2023, our short-term incentive plan and our long-term incentive plan included sustainability-related performance metrics such as metrics related to the reduction of CO2 emissions intensity,
increasing purchases from sustainable suppliers, implementing gender parity plans to increase gender diversity, and reducing employee and contractor injuries.
We are committed to transparency around our carbon footprint and climate risk and use the framework developed by the TCFD to inform our disclosure on climate governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets. For governance and strategy, we follow an integrated approach to address climate change, with multiple teams responsible for managing climate-related activities, initiatives, and policies. Strategies and progress toward goals are reviewed with senior executives and the board’s governance and sustainability committee.
Human Capital Resources
At
Avangrid, we’re focused on creating a workplace where talented and committed employees build meaningful, long-term careers. We accomplish this by fostering a workplace culture that seeks out diverse perspectives, values continuous improvement, and recognizes and rewards behaviors and ideas that prepare our employees to meet the challenges of the future.
We also prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of our employees – from their physical safety and financial security to our diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments, to mental health and wellness, all within a respectful work environment. We bring these commitments to life by investing in programs and tools that empower our employees’ personal and professional growth while helping them connect with and support each other, and while addressing their individual needs and the needs of their families.
In 2023, we made progress
towards several aspirational goals we set the year before. These include commitments to increase diversity across our workforce, to expand opportunities for our employees while prioritizing their safety and well-being, to address gender equity, and to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.
In light of our commitment to our employees, we continued our efforts to increase the gender diversity of our executive leadership team (vice president and above), with a goal to have women represent 35% of our executive positions by 2030, and 50% of our senior leadership positions by 2030.
As of December 31, 2023, we employed 7,999 employees, all of whom are full-time. 91.3% of employees were based in five states – Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, and Oregon. During fiscal year 2023, we hired and onboarded 1,083
employees.
22
Approximately 45.8% of our employees are represented by a collective bargaining agreement and we generally enjoy strong working relationships with all our labor unions. Agreements expiring in the coming year apply to approximately 24.1% of our employees. There is mutual respect and collaboration when discussing the variety of issues we face on an ongoing basis, and the respective parties share the goal of supporting the business while helping to ensure a positive customer experience.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the information on turnover rates is as follows:
Employee
Turnover
% of Total
Voluntary Turnover as a percent of workforce
6.0
%
Involuntary Turnover as a percent of workforce
1.0
%
Retirement as a percent of workforce
1.6
%
Total Turnover as a percent of workforce
8.5
%
Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion
We are committed to creating inclusive workplaces where every employee across every team is valued and has access to equitable opportunities for professional growth and development. We recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are critical to our future success, and to build, sustain and empower a diverse workforce with a rich mix of differences we have prioritized DE&I initiatives in three areas:
•Increasing diverse representation, especially in leadership positions
•Promoting equitable opportunities to grow and develop
•Establishing pathways for community and connection with others.
In 2023, we made significant progress to our DEI commitments,
beginning with the formation of a new DEI Executive Council, which we launched in March. The mission of this council is to inspire a more diverse and inclusive organizational culture, advocate for DEI across the entire company, and promote more connections between employees and their senior leaders. The council, which is comprised of members from across Avangrid’s senior leadership and our Business Resource Groups, work together to embed our DEI goals across different parts of the company.
We also launched our new Inclusion at Work training, which was designed to empower all Avangrid employees with the knowledge and skills needed to foster an inclusive workplace. Through this training, which is provided to our entire staff, employees learn to recognize and reduce unconscious biases while gaining an understanding of cultural differences,
all with a focus on enhancing empathy and respect among one another.
Our growing network of BRGs provide communities where our employees can discuss relevant issues and celebrate different cultures, ethnicities, identities, and backgrounds. Over 15% of our employees participate in one of our seven BRGs. The Avangrid African-American Council for Excellence (AAACE), the Avangrid Coalition for Asian Pacific Americans (ACAPA), AVAN-Veterans, The Avangrid Community for All Abilities and Resource for Excellence (CARE), The Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Awareness (HOLA), Pride@AVANGRID and WomENergy. Our BRGs hosted over 97 events in 2023, promoting inclusive conversations and diverse thinking throughout the organization.
As of December 31, 2023, the approximate demographic breakdowns of our workforce are as follows:
23
Ethnicity
%
of Total
All Employees
All
CT
MA
ME
NY
OR
% of Employees in State
24.4
%
3.9
%
16.4
%
42.0
%
4.7
%
American
Indian or Alaska Native
0.5
%
0.2
%
—
%
0.5
%
0.5
%
1.1
%
Asian
3.4
%
5.4
%
3.9
%
1.5
%
2.2
%
9.1
%
Black
or African American
5.8
%
13.1
%
2.3
%
1.0
%
4.8
%
3.2
%
Hispanic or Latino
8.5
%
16.3
%
7.4
%
1.8
%
5.4
%
8.8
%
Hawaiian
Native or other Pacific Islander
0.1
%
0.1
%
0.0
%
0.0
%
0.1
%
0.8
%
Two or more races
2.0
%
1.8
%
2.3
%
1.8
%
2.0
%
2.7
%
White
78.1
%
61.4
%
81.0
%
91.6
%
83.9
%
72.4
%
Did
not provide
1.6
%
1.7
%
3.2
%
1.8
%
1.1
%
1.9
%
Senior
Leadership
All
CT
MA
ME
NY
OR
% of Employees in State
31.3
%
7.7
%
16.2
%
17.3
%
14.5
%
American
Indian or Alaska Native
—
%
—
%
—
%
—
%
—
%
—
%
Asian
3.1
%
3.6
%
—
%
1.8
%
—
%
3.9
%
Black
or African American
2.3
%
3.6
%
—
%
—
%
4.9
%
2.0
%
Hispanic or Latino
11.6
%
20.9
%
11.1
%
7.0
%
9.8
%
5.9
%
Hawaiian
Native or other Pacific Islander
0.6
%
0.9
%
—
%
—
%
—
%
2.0
%
Two or more races
2.6
%
0.9
%
3.7
%
5.3
%
1.6
%
2.0
%
White
77.0
%
68.2
%
77.8
%
82.5
%
78.7
%
82.4
%
Did
not provide
2.8
%
1.8
%
7.4
%
3.5
%
4.9
%
2.0
%
All
Employees
All
CT
MA
ME
NY
OR
Female
27.8
%
30.1
%
30.5
%
29.3
%
27.8
%
28.7
%
Male
72.1
%
69.8
%
69.1
%
70.6
%
72.1
%
71.0
%
Undeclared
0.1
%
0.1
%
0.3
%
0.1
%
0.1
%
0.3
%
Senior
Leadership
All
CT
MA
ME
NY
OR
Female
27.3
%
30.0
%
7.4
%
35.1
%
24.6
%
33.3
%
Male
72.4
%
70.0
%
88.9
%
64.9
%
75.4
%
66.7
%
Undeclared
0.3
%
—
%
3.7
%
—
%
—
%
—
%
Growing
our Talent
Varied learning opportunities enable the personal and professional development of our employees – such as on-demand skill building platforms, leadership programs, mentoring programs, technical and on-the-job training, community outreach options, and tuition assistance.
In 2023, Avangrid took action to enhance its leadership development programs, with the launch of several leadership development journeys based on role in company. These learning journeys were curated leveraging a partnership with an external vendor to create meaningful, thoughtful programs with high interactivity for knowledge and skill retention. Learning journeys were created for the Vice President level (Leading Organizations), Senior Director and Director level (Leading Leaders), Manager/Supervisor (Leading People) and Individual Contributor (Leading Self), each with distinct learning objectives and
curriculum around building an inclusive work environment. The following programs were also continued in 2023, with enhancements made based on business needs: the mentoring program to all non-union employees; continuation of the Leadership Essentials program for new people leaders; continuation of How to Have Difficult Conversations as related to known bias and expansion of resources to help people leaders manage teams effectively in a remote/hybrid environment.
We also enhanced our succession and talent management processes to target the identification and development of key talent within all business areas to enhance the sustainability of the business from a people perspective, with a focus on diverse representation and launch of a new People Review Process. We expanded our early career pipeline to include the graduate
24
program
composed of local and global graduates as well as our ongoing Internship Program to continue building in-demand and emerging skills.
Total Rewards & Benefits
Our compensation, health, and retirement programs are designed to attract, retain, and empower employees to meet business and customer needs across a variety of markets and locations, and within the increasingly competitive market in which we operate.
The following principles guide our compensation philosophy:
1.Pay for Performance. We believe that our compensation programs should motivate higher performance among our employees, and compensation levels should broadly reflect the achievement of short-term performance objectives, and for key leaders, long-term performance objectives as well.
2.Competitive
Pay. To support our need to recruit, retain and motivate our workforce, we aim to ensure that our compensation, in terms of structure and total amount, is competitive with that of comparable entities. We regularly review market data to obtain a general understanding of current compensation practices to ensure that compensation offered is reasonably market competitive, including for the applicable geographic location.
3.Executives. The compensation program for our executive officers is designed to mitigate excessive short-term decision making and risk taking, while encouraging the attainment of strategic goals through the inclusion of long-term incentives. Annually, we evaluate the effectiveness and competitiveness of our executive compensation and benchmark ourselves against comparable peers within our industry.
We take a “Total Health” approach to
benefits and wellbeing with inclusive programs designed to support employees’ physical, financial, emotional, and social health, as well as their families’, throughout various stages of life. Many of our programs are available to all union and non-union employees both full- and part-time.
Some 2023 examples of Company programs include:
•Comprehensive, high-quality health, dental, vision, life, and disability plans
•401(k) match and Paid Time Off programs
•Paid Parental Leave for those welcoming a new child through birth, surrogacy, adoption, or foster care placement
•Fertility and family-forming care and coverage
•Diabetes,
Pre-Diabetes. Hypertension, and Musculoskeletal focused programs
•Education and tuition reimbursement assistance programs, including student loan debt repayment program for non-union employees
•Emergency Savings program
•Subsidized back-up care for children, elder family members, and those with special needs including tutoring, test prep and camp options. Programs that support local non-profits by offering a cash match for employee donations, as well as direct donations recognizing employee volunteer hours.
•A variety of value-added options that allow employees to make choices that meet their individual needs, including telemedicine, claims navigation, mental health resources, financial wellness
and education programs, legal assistance, identity theft protection, and auto/home/pet insurance.
In 2023 we continued with our Emotional Health programs, providing resources that look to eliminate the Stigma that is associated with Mental Health disease. We provided webinars as well as digital, telephonic and face to face programs that touched on all mental health issues including depression and anxiety. We continue to train our Managers with a Mental Health Matters training to give managers tools and resources help them have productive conversations with an employee who may be having an issue. Our Mental Health Advocate program now has over 100 employees participating. Mental health advocates are employees who undergo certain training and volunteer their time to listen and provide guidance to others regarding available mental health resources. In 2023 they provided guidance to over 370 employees and over 250 non-Avangrid
employees in the community. The number of employees taking our Health Assessment, participating in our activity challenges and sleep/fatigue management programs continues to grow. In 2023 Avangrid saw a need for a musculoskeletal program and launched Hinge Health program in September for employees and their families for non-work-related injuries. In addition, we continued with onsite services including “Benefits & Wellbeing Fairs” and onsite influenza vaccination clinics. We will continue to evaluate the programs we have and look for additional programs that will add value to our employee’s wellbeing.
Safety
Safety is a core value at Avangrid. We are committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for our employees, communities, customers, and investors. Daily emphasis on the importance of a safe workplace – and everyone’s role in
25
supporting
it – builds employee confidence, motivation, and productivity. A safe workplace encourages an environment where innovation can flourish. All Avangrid leaders have a portion of their variable compensation tied directly to health and safety goals.
We continuously work to embed a safety-first culture across the company. In addition to ongoing safety training and awareness programs, we present Environmental, Health & Safety Excellence awards and Good Catch awards to spotlight exemplary and proactive safety behavior. A Good Catch is the result of an employee recognizing a condition that had the potential to cause an incident but did not cause one, due to timely identification and mitigation by the employee. As musculoskeletal/soft tissue problems account for Avangrid’s most frequent injuries, we escalated our ergonomics program in 2023 to
reduce injuries and educate employees on ergonomic best practices. From re-launching the Ergo-Power training program to further expanding our Early Intervention Program, which promotes on-site occupational health and injury prevention, we have already impacted our ergonomic injury rates in a positive and significant way.
This past year, we streamlined a Leadership Field Safety Observation Program, designed to improve employee engagement, and increase field condition awareness throughout the organization. In 2023, employees and leaders completed more than 35,000 safety observations. These programs, in addition to monthly safety meetings, are dedicated to sharing critical safety updates, promoting a learning/improving safety culture, while also building critical skills for managers and supervisors to boost engagement for all employees. Avangrid also continued "The Daily 5," which includes safety best practices videos
and content posted on the company’s internal social media channel. These posts are shared with field supervisors and managers, who cascade the messages to all field employees. For our Networks employees, we continued an intensive “Alertdriving” training program with nearly 3,000 employees to promote safety and reduce company-related motor vehicle incidents.
For information on the risks related to our human capital resources, see Item 1A - Risk Factors.
Available Information
Copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to these reports filed with the
SEC may be requested, viewed or downloaded on-line, free of charge, on our websitewww.avangrid.com. Printed copies of these reports may be obtained free of charge by writing to our Investor Relations Department at 180 Marsh Hill Road, Orange, Connecticut, 06477.
Information about Avangrid’s environmental, social and governance performance and sustainability reporting is also available on our websitewww.avangrid.com. under the heading “Sustainability.”
Information contained on our website is not incorporated herein.
You should carefully consider the following risks and all of the other information set forth in this report, including without limitation our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and "Item 7—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates." The following risk factors have been organized by category for ease of use; however, many of the risks may have impacts in more than one category.
Strategic
Risk Factors
The success of Avangrid depends on achieving our strategic objectives, which may be through mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, dispositions and restructurings and failure to achieve these objectives could adversely affect our business, financial condition and prospects.
We are continuously reviewing the alternatives available to ensure that we meet our strategic objectives, which include, among other things, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, dispositions and restructuring. With respect to potential mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and restructuring activities, we may not achieve expected returns, cost savings and other benefits as a result of various factors including integration and collaboration challenges such as personnel and technology. Additionally, we may face potential financial and reputational impacts due to termination of mergers, acquisitions,
joint ventures, dispositions and restructuring activities. We also may participate in joint ventures with other companies or enterprises in various markets,
26
including joint ventures where we may have a lesser degree of control over the business operations, which may expose us to additional operational, financial, legal or compliance risks. We also continue to evaluate the potential disposition of assets and businesses that may no longer help us meet our objectives or sell a stake of these assets as a way of maximizing the value of Avangrid. When we decide to sell assets or a business, we may encounter difficulty in finding buyers or executing alternative exit strategies on acceptable terms in a timely manner, which could delay the accomplishment of our strategic objectives
or be on terms less favorable than we anticipated.
We expect to invest in development opportunities in all segments of Avangrid, but such opportunities may not be successful, projects may not commence operation as scheduled and/or within budget or at all, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and prospects.
We are pursuing additional development investment opportunities related to all segments of Avangrid with a particular focus on additional opportunities in electric transmission, renewable energy generation, interconnections to generating resources and other innovative technologies pertaining to our sector. The development, construction and expansion of such projects involve numerous risks. Various factors could result in increased costs or result in delays or cancellation of these projects. Risks include regulatory approval processes, permitting
or other required approvals, new legislation, citizen referendums or ballot initiatives, economic events, foreign currency risk, negative publicity, design and siting issues, difficulties in obtaining required leases, easements or other rights of way, difficulties in securing equipment orders, difficulty securing key vendor alternatives, construction delays and cost overruns, including delays in third party performance, delays in equipment deliveries, increase in the price of raw materials or availability of responsibly sourced materials, severe weather and mitigation or adaptation activities, increase in financing cost, competition from incumbent facilities and other entities, and actions of strategic partners. Projects have also endured, and may continue to endure, environmental and community concerns including but not limited to environmental justice, disposal of waste, emissions impacts, sustainable water and soil usage, protection of ecosystems and energy efficiency.
There may be delays or unexpected developments in completing current and future construction projects. For example, the outcome of ongoing legal proceedings, cost overruns and construction delays could have an adverse effect on the success of development projects and our financial condition and prospects. Additionally, changes in economic conditions including the impacts of inflation, increased interest rates and supply chain disruptions on the projects could result in the termination of certain development projects resulting in financial impacts such as the payment of termination payments or reputational impacts. While most of Renewables’ construction projects are constructed under fixed-price and fixed-schedule contracts with construction and equipment suppliers, these contracts provide
for limitations on the liability of these contractors to pay liquidated damages for cost overruns and construction delays. These circumstances could prevent Renewables’ construction projects from commencing operations or from meeting original expectations about how much electricity it will generate or the returns it will achieve. Project delays may also lead to an inability to utilize and monetize safe harbor equipment, negatively impacting project returns. Additionally, for Renewables’ projects that are subject to PPAs, contractual non-performance prior to construction could lead to payment of damages and potential project cancellation. During construction, substantial delays could cause defaults under the PPAs, which generally require the completion of project construction by a certain date at specified performance levels. A delay resulting in a project failing to qualify for PTCs or ITCs could result in losses that would be substantially greater than the amount of
liquidated damages paid to Renewables. Finally, there is a risk that a project fails to qualify at the expected level for PTC or ITC impacting returns.
Avangrid may be materially adversely affected by negative publicity related to or in connection with development projects, government-controlled power initiatives and in connection with other matters.
From time to time, political and public sentiment in connection with Avangrid projects, government-controlled power initiatives and in connection with other matters have resulted and may result in the future in a significant amount of adverse press coverage and other adverse public statements affecting Avangrid. Adverse press coverage and other adverse statements, whether or not driven by political or public sentiment, may also result in investigations by regulators, legislators and law enforcement officials or in legal claims. Responding
to these investigations and lawsuits, regardless of the ultimate outcome of the proceeding, can divert the time and effort of senior management from the management of Avangrid’s businesses. Addressing any adverse publicity, legislative initiatives, governmental scrutiny or enforcement or other legal proceedings is time consuming and expensive and, regardless of the factual basis for the assertions being made, can have a negative impact on the reputation of Avangrid, on the morale and performance of our employees and on our relationship with regulators. It may also have a negative impact on Avangrid’s ability to take timely advantage of various business and market opportunities. The direct and indirect effects of negative publicity, and the demands of responding to and addressing it, may have a material adverse effect on Avangrid’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and the market value of Avangrid common stock and debt securities.
27
Regulatory
and Legislative Risk Factors
Avangrid is subject to substantial regulation by federal, state and local regulatory agencies and our business, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected by legislative or regulatory changes, as well as liability under, or any future inability to comply with, existing or future regulations or requirements.
The operations of Avangrid are subject to, and influenced by, complex and comprehensive federal, state and local regulation and legislation, including regulations promulgated by state utility commissions and the FERC. This extensive regulatory and legislative framework regulates our ability to own and operate utilities, the industries in which our subsidiaries operate, our business segments, rates for our products and services, financings,
capital structures, cost structures, construction, environmental obligations, development and operation of our facilities, acquisition, disposal, depreciation and amortization of facilities and other assets, service reliability, customer service requirements, hedging, derivatives transactions and commodities trading.
The federal, state and local political and economic environment has had, and may in the future have, an adverse effect on regulatory decisions with negative consequences for Avangrid. These decisions may require Avangrid to cancel, reduce, or delay planned development activities or other planned capital expenditures or investments or otherwise incur costs that we may not be able to recover through rates. We are unable to predict future legislative or regulatory changes, initiatives or interpretations, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to respond adequately or sufficiently quickly to such actions.
Avangrid
is subject to the jurisdiction of various regulatory agencies including, but not limited to, the FERC, the NERC, the CFTC, the DOE and the EPA. Further, Networks’ regulated utilities are subject to the jurisdiction of the NYPSC, the MPUC, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the PURA, the CSC, the DEEP and the DPU. These regulatory agencies cover a wide range of business activities, including, among other items the retail and wholesale rates for electric energy, the transmission and distribution of energy, the setting of tariffs and rates including cost recovery clauses, procurement of electricity for Networks’ customers, and certain aspects of the siting, construction and transmission and distribution systems. These regulatory agencies have the authority to initiate associated investigations or enforcement actions or impose penalties or disallowances, which could be substantial. Certain regulatory
agencies have the authority to review and disallow recovery of costs that they consider excessive or imprudently incurred and to determine the level of return that Avangrid is permitted to earn on invested capital.
The regulatory process, which may be adversely affected by the political, regulatory, and economic environment in the states we operate in may limit our earnings and does not provide any assurance with respect to the achievement of authorized or other earnings levels. The disallowance of the recovery of costs incurred by us or a decrease in the rate of return that we are permitted to earn on our invested capital could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. In addition, certain of these regulatory agencies also have the authority to audit the management and operations of Avangrid and its subsidiaries, which
could result in operational changes or adversely impact our financial condition. Such audits and post-audit work require the attention of our management and employees and may divert their attention from other regulatory, operational or financial matters.
Avangrid’s operations are subject to, and influenced by, complex and comprehensive federal, state and local regulation and legislation. This is impactful for all areas of the business but particularly in the emerging development of offshore and solar generation. It is anticipated that members of Congress will continue working to pass legislation that would prohibit offshore wind construction by foreign flagged vessels in which the crew nationality does not match the nation in which the vessel is flagged. If passed, this legislation could affect expected timelines and returns on approved projects. Additionally, implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act has led
U.S. Customs and Border Control and Protection to detain and reject the import of products made with forced labor in certain areas of China, to date this has included solar panels, which is causing significant delay in panel delivery. Under this authority, aluminum products have been detained and there is the potential that additional products could face detentions as well. This legislation could have an impact on project development, construction activities and project returns.
Avangrid’s regulated utility operations may not be able to recover costs in a timely manner or at all or obtain a return on certain assets or invested capital through base rates, cost recovery clauses, other regulatory mechanisms or otherwise.
Our regulated utilities are subject to periodic review of their rates and the retail rates charged to their customers through base rates and cost recovery clauses
which are subject to the jurisdiction of the NYPSC, MPUC, PURA and DPU, as applicable. New rate proceedings can be initiated by the utilities or the regulators and are subject to review, modification and final authorization by the regulators. Networks’ regulated utilities’ business rate plans approved by state utility regulators limit the rates Networks’ regulated utilities can charge their customers. The rates are generally designed for, but do not guarantee, the recovery of Networks’ regulated utilities’ respective cost of service and the opportunity to earn a reasonable rate of Return on Equity, or ROE. Actual costs may increase due to inflation, supply chain constraints, or other factors and exceed levels
28
provided for such costs in the rate plans for Networks’ regulated
utilities. Utility regulators can initiate proceedings to prohibit Networks’ regulated utilities from recovering from their customers the cost of service that the regulators determine to have been imprudently incurred, including service and management company charges. Networks’ regulated utilities defer for future recovery certain costs as permitted by the regulators. Networks’ regulated subsidiaries could be denied recovery of certain costs, or deferred recovery pending the next general rate case, including denials or deferrals related to major storm costs and construction expenditures. In some instances, denial of recovery may cause the regulated subsidiaries to record an impairment of assets. If Networks’ regulated utilities’ costs are not fully and timely recovered through the rates
ultimately approved by regulators, our financial condition could be adversely affected.
Current electric and gas rate plans of Networks’ regulated utilities include revenue decoupling mechanisms, or RDMs, and the provisions for the recovery of energy costs, including reconciliation of the actual amount paid by such regulated utilities. There is no guarantee that such decoupling mechanisms or recovery and reconciliation mechanism will apply in future rate proceedings.
Changes in regulatory and/or legislative policy could negatively impact Networks’ transmission planning and cost allocation.
The existing FERC-approved ISO-NE transmission tariff allocates the costs of transmission facilities that provide regional benefits to all customers of participating transmission-owning utilities in New England. FERC is currently reviewing its policies
regarding transmission planning and cost allocation, and could require substantial changes in RTO and transmission owner tariffs. Changes in RTO tariffs, transmission owners’ agreements or legislative policy, or implementation of these new FERC planning rules, could adversely affect our transmission planning and financial condition.
For example, there are pending challenges at the FERC against New England transmission owners (including UI and CMP) seeking to lower the ROE that these transmission owners are allowed to receive for wholesale transmission service pursuant to the ISO-NE Open Access Transmission Tariff. Reductions to the ROE adversely impact the revenues that Networks’ regulated utilities receive from wholesale transmission customers and could have a material effect on our financial condition.
Avangrid’s operating subsidiaries’
purchases and sales of energy commodities and related transportation and services expose us to potential regulatory risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business, and financial condition.
Under the EPAct 2005 and the Dodd-Frank Act, Avangrid is subject to enhanced FERC and CFTC statutory authority to monitor certain segments of the physical and financial energy commodities markets. Under these laws, the FERC and CFTC have promulgated regulations that have increased compliance costs and imposed reporting requirements on Avangrid. U.S. and European laws and regulations may require us to post collateral with respect to swap transactions, that could potentially have an adverse effect on our liquidity or our ability to hedge commodity or interest rate risks.
With regard to the physical purchase and sale of energy commodities and other attributes, as well as related
transportation, transmission and/or hedging activities that some of our operating subsidiaries undertake, our operating subsidiaries are required to follow market-related regulations and certain reporting and other requirements enforced by the FERC, the CFTC and the SEC. Additionally, to the extent that operating subsidiaries enter into transportation contracts with natural gas pipelines or transmission contracts with electricity transmission providers that are subject to FERC regulation, the operating subsidiaries
are subject to FERC requirements related to the use of such transportation or transmission capacity. Any failure on the part of our operating subsidiaries to comply with the regulations and policies of the FERC, the CFTC or the SEC relating to the physical or financial trading and sales of natural gas or other energy commodities, transportation or transmission of these energy commodities or trading or hedging of these commodities could result in the imposition of significant civil and criminal penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Additionally, Avangrid faces fluctuations in the fair value of its derivative contracts over time due to the impact of mark-to-market accounting.
The
increased cost of purchasing natural gas and electricity during periods in which prices have increased significantly could adversely impact our earnings and cash flow.
Our regulated utilities are permitted to recover the costs of natural gas and electricity purchased for customers. Under the regulatory body-approved cost recovery pricing mechanisms, the commodity charge portion of rates charged to customers may be adjusted upward on a periodic basis. If the cost of purchasing natural gas or electricity increases and Networks’ regulated utilities are unable to recover these costs from its customers immediately, or at all, Networks may incur increased costs associated with higher working capital requirements and/or realize increased costs. In addition, any increases in the cost of purchasing natural gas or electricity may result in higher customer bad debt expense for uncollectible accounts and reduced sales volume and related
margins due to lower customer consumption.
29
Climate related proceedings and legislation may result in the alteration of the public utility model in the states we operate in and could materially and adversely impact our business and operations.
Clean energy and emission reduction legislation, proceedings, or executive orders have been issued within New York, Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts that, among other things, set renewable energy and carbon emission goals and create incentive programs for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. Climate vulnerability assessment regulation have also been issued in New York, Maine, and Connecticut. Additionally, new legislation can require significant change to the natural gas
portion of Avangrid including reduction in usage and restriction of the expansion of natural gas within our territories. We are unable to predict the impact these laws and actions may have on the operations of our subsidiaries in New York, Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts which could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Renewables relies in part on governmental policies that support utility-scale renewable energy. Any reductions to, or the elimination of, these governmental mandates and incentives or the imposition of additional taxes or other assessments on renewable energy, could adversely impact our growth prospects, our business and financial condition.
Renewables relies, in part, upon government policies that support the development and operation of utility-scale
renewable energy projects and enhance the economic feasibility of these projects. The federal government and many state and local jurisdictions have policies or other mechanisms in place, such as tax incentives or Renewable Portfolio Standards, or RPS, that support the sale of energy from utility-scale renewable energy facilities. Federal, state and local governments may review their policies and mechanisms that support renewable energy and take actions that would make them less conducive to the development or operation of renewable energy facilities. Any changes to governmental policies or other mechanisms that support renewable energy or the imposition of additional taxes or other assessments on renewable energy, could result in, among other items, the lack of a satisfactory market for new development, Renewables abandoning the development of new projects, a loss of invested capital and reduced project returns.
New
tariffs imposed on imported goods may increase capital expense in projects and negatively impact expected returns.
Changes in tariffs may affect the final cost of a significant portion of capital expenses in projects, with renewable projects being more exposed. Tariffs have been imposed in recent years to imports of solar panels, aluminum and steel, among other goods or raw materials. Depending on the timing and contractual terms, tariff changes may have adverse impacts to the buyer of these goods which could affect expected returns on approved projects.
Operational, Environmental, Social and Legal Risk Factors
Avangrid is subject to numerous environmental laws, regulations and other standards, including rules and regulations
with respect to climate change, which could result in increased capital expenditures, operating costs and various liabilities, and could require us to cancel or delay planned projects or limit or eliminate certain operations, all of which could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Avangrid is subject to environmental laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, extensive federal, state and local environmental statutes, rules and regulations relating to air quality, water quality and usage, climate change, emissions of greenhouse gases, waste management, hazardous wastes, wildlife mortality and habitat protection, historical artifact preservation, natural resources and health and safety that could, among other things, prevent or delay the development of power generation, power or natural gas transmission, or other infrastructure projects, restrict the output of some existing facilities, limit
the availability and use of some fuels required for the production of electricity, require additional pollution control equipment, and otherwise increase costs, increase capital expenditures and limit or eliminate certain operations. There are significant costs associated with compliance with these environmental statutes, rules and regulations, and those costs could be even more significant in the future as a result of new legislation. Violations of current or future laws, rules, regulations or other standards have exposed and in the future may expose our subsidiaries to regulatory and legal proceedings, disputes with, and legal challenges by, third parties, and potentially significant civil fines, criminal penalties and other sanctions.
For example, climate-related and greenhouse gas emission disclosure legislation or rules that have
been issued or are pending federally, within California or other states (e.g. New York) that, among other things, may require our management and other personnel to devote a substantial amount of time and company resources to these compliance activities. If we are not able to comply with these requirements in a timely manner we may be subject to regulatory investigations, fines, penalties or other sanctions. Additional financial and management resources could be required.
Security breaches, acts of war or terrorism, grid disturbances or unauthorized access could negatively impact our business, financial condition and reputation.
Our business depends on critical assets, with Networks serving as a super-regional energy services and delivery company, and Renewables operating generation plants that produce electricity using renewable resources. In the ordinary course of our business,
we also maintain sensitive customer, vendor and employee data, critical infrastructure information,
30
financial and system operating information, and other confidential data. Threat sources, including sophisticated nation-state actors, continue to seek to exploit potential vulnerabilities of critical assets in the utility industry, grid infrastructure, and other energy infrastructures, and these attacks and disruptions, both physical and cyber, are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dynamic. Continued implementation of advanced digital technologies increases the potentially unfavorable impacts of such attacks.
Cyber breaches, acts of war or terrorism or grid disturbances resulting from internal or external sources could
therefore target our critical assets, including our facilities or information technology systems, or those of our vendors, business partners and interconnected entities. Cyber and physical security attacks on our infrastructure could lead to disabling damage to our facilities and equipment or to theft, vandalism and the release of critical operating information or confidential customer, vendor and employee information, which could adversely affect our operations, including causing an operations shutdown or affecting our ability to control our transmission and distribution assets, and could result in monetary and reputational damages and significant costs, fines and litigation. Additionally, because our generation and transmission facilities are part of an interconnected regional grid, we face the risk of blackout due to a disruption on a neighboring interconnected system. A cyber or physical security incident could also result in competitive disadvantages and significant
increases in compliance costs and costs to improve the security and resiliency of our systems, and the compromise of personal, confidential or proprietary information could subject us to significant legal liability or regulatory action under evolving cyber-security, data protection and privacy laws and regulations. As a result, our ability to conduct our business and our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Like other companies, our computer systems are also regularly subject to and will continue to be the target of computer viruses, malware or other malicious codes (including ransomware), unauthorized access, cybersecurity incidents or other computer-related penetrations. The risk of these incidents could be caused or exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, including hostile actions taken by nation-states or terrorist organizations. In the event of a computer virus or natural or other disaster,
our computer systems could be inaccessible for an extended period of time, and because our systems increasingly interface with and depend on third-party systems, including cloud-based systems, we could experience service denials or failures of controls if a third-party system fails or experiences an interruption.
We have also outsourced certain technology and business process functions to third parties and may increasingly do so in the future. If we do not effectively develop, implement and monitor our vendor relationships, if third party providers do not perform as anticipated or adhere to our data security measures, if we experience technological or other problems with a transition, or if vendor relationships relevant to our business process functions are terminated, our business may become more vulnerable and could experience a significant cybersecurity or physical attack.
While
we have experienced security breaches in the past, to date, we are not aware that we have experienced a material cybersecurity or physical breach. As threats evolve and grow increasingly more sophisticated, we may incur significant costs to upgrade or enhance our security measures to protect against such risks and we may face difficulties in fully anticipating or implementing adequate preventive measures or mitigating against potential harms. While we have implemented, and continuously refine our cyber and physical security measures to protect our business, these measures may not be effective or sufficient in preventing a significant breach, and our controls, measures and incident response plan may not be effective or sufficient in assessing, identifying and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats or mitigating and remediating against cybersecurity incidents.
Catastrophic or geopolitical events may disrupt operations
and negatively impact the financial condition of the business, cash flows, and the trading value of its securities.
The impact of a catastrophic or geopolitical event, on the economy, labor, financial markets and the environment could adversely affect our business.The extent to which events may impact our business going forward will depend on factors such as public response, governmental actions, the duration, and its impact to economic activity and financial stability. Increased frequency or duration of events such as these may alter the fundamental demand for electricity particularly from businesses, commercial and industrial customers; cause us to experience an increase in costs as a result of our emergency measures, delayed payments from our customers and uncollectible accounts due to affordability; cause delays and disruptions in the availability and timely delivery of
materials and components used in our operations; cause delays and disruptions in the supply chain resulting in disruptions in the commercial operation dates of certain projects and impacting qualification criteria for certain tax credits and potential delay damages in our power purchase agreements; cause deterioration in credit quality of our counterparties, contractors or retail customers that could result in credit losses; cause impairment of goodwill or long-lived assets and impact our ability to develop, construct and operate facilities; result in our inability to meet the requirements of the covenants in our existing credit facilities, including covenants regarding the ratio of indebtedness to total capitalization; cause a deterioration in our financial metrics or the business environment that impacts our credit ratings; cause a delay in the permitting process of certain development projects, affecting the timing of final investment decisions and start of construction
dates; cause
31
employee turnover, labor shortages, and extended remote work, which could harm productivity, increase cybersecurity risk, strain our business continuity plans, give rise to claims by employees and otherwise negatively impact our business.
If Networks’ electricity and natural gas transmission, transportation and distribution systems do not operate as expected or are not available for operation, they could require unplanned expenditures, including the maintenance, replacement, and refurbishment of Networks’ facilities, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Networks’ ability to operate and have available its electricity and natural gas transmission,
transportation and distribution systems is critical to the financial performance of Avangrid. The ongoing operation of Networks’ facilities involves risks customary to the electric and natural gas industry that include the breakdown, failure, loss of use or destruction of Networks’ facilities, equipment or processes or the facilities, equipment or processes of third parties due to natural disasters, war or acts of terrorism, operational and safety performance below expected levels, errors in the operation or maintenance of these facilities and the inability to transport electricity or natural gas to customers in an efficient manner. Any unexpected failure, including failure associated with breakdowns, forced outages or any unanticipated capital expenditures, accident, failure of major equipment, shortage of or inability to acquire critical equipment, replacement or spare parts could result in reduced profitability, impacted cash flows, harm to our reputation or result
in regulatory penalties.
Storing, transporting and distributing natural gas involves inherent risks that could cause us to incur significant costs that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and reputation.
There are inherent hazards and operational risks in gas distribution activities, such as leaks, explosions and mechanical problems that could cause the loss of human life, significant damage to property, environmental pollution and impairment of operations. The location of pipelines and storage facilities near populated areas could increase the level of damages resulting from these risks. These incidents may subject us to litigation and administrative proceedings that could result in substantial monetary judgments, fines or penalties and damage to our reputation.
If Renewables’ equipment is not available for operation,
Renewables projects’ electricity generation and the revenue generated from its projects may fall below expectations and adversely affect our financial condition and reputation.
The revenues generated by Renewables’ facilities depend upon the ability to maintain the working order of its projects. A natural disaster, severe weather, accident, failure of major equipment, failure of equipment supplier or shortage of or inability to acquire critical replacement of spare parts not held in inventory or maintenance services, including the failure of interconnection to available electricity transmission or distribution networks, could damage or require Renewables to shut down its turbines, panels or related equipment and facilities, leading to decreases in electricity generation levels and revenues.
Renewables’ ability to generate revenue from renewable energy facilities depends on interconnecting
utility and/or RTO rules, policies, procedures and FERC tariffs and market conditions that do not present restrictions to renewable project operations which could adversely impact our operations and financial condition.
If a transmission network connected to one or more generating facilities experiences outages or curtailments caused by an interconnecting utility and/or RTO, the affected projects may lose revenue. In addition, certain Renewables’ generation facilities have agreements that may allow for economic curtailment by the off-taker, which could negatively impact revenues. Furthermore, economic congestion on the transmission grid (for instance, a negative price difference between the location where power is put on the grid by a project and the location where power is taken off the grid by the project’s customer) in certain of the bulk power markets in which Renewables operates may occur and its businesses may be responsible
for those congestion costs. Similarly, negative congestion costs may require that the projects either not participate in the energy markets or bid and clear at negative prices which may require the projects to pay money to operate each hour in which prices are negative. If such businesses were liable for such congestion costs or if the projects are required to pay money to operate in any given hour when prices are negative, then our financial results could be adversely affected. Additionally, we are obligated to pay the FERC Tariff price, which can be adjusted from time to time, for Renewables’ facilities interconnection agreements even if the project has been curtailed.
Avangrid’s subsidiaries do not own all the property and other sites on which their projects are located and our rights may be subordinate to the rights of lienholders
and leaseholders, which could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Existing and future projects may be located on property on other sites occupied under long-term easements, leases and rights of way. The ownership interests in the property on other sites subject to these easements, leases and rights of way may be subject to mortgages securing loans or other liens and other easements, lease rights and rights of way of third parties that were created previously. As a result, some of these real property rights may be subordinate to the rights of these third parties, and the rights of our operating subsidiaries to use the property on other sites on which their projects are, or will be, located and their projects’ rights to such easements, leases and rights of way could be lost or curtailed.
32
Avangrid
and our subsidiaries face risks of strikes, work stoppages or an inability to negotiate future collective bargaining agreements on commercially reasonable terms which could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
A part of Avangrid employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements with various unions. Unionization activities, including votes for union certification, could occur among non-union employees across Avangrid’s subsidiaries. While we generally enjoy strong working relationships with all our labor unions, if union employees strike, participate in a work stoppage or slowdown or engage in other forms of labor strike or disruption, our subsidiaries
could experience reduced power generation, outages and operation disruptions if replacement labor is not procured. This risk may also lead to an increase in personnel costs.
Advances in technology and rate design initiatives could impair or eliminate Avangrid’s competitive advantage or could result in customer defection, which could have an adverse effect on our growth prospects, business and financial condition.
Legislative and regulatory initiatives designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or limit the effects of global warming and overall climate change have increased the development of new technologies for renewable energy, energy efficiency and investment in an attempt to make those technologies more efficient and cost effective. However, there is a risk that new and/or unproven technologies, including battery storage and hydrogen technology, may fall short of their expected
benefits and may not be cost effective. There is a potential that new technology or rate design incentives could adversely affect the demand for services of our regulated subsidiaries thus impacting our revenues, such as distributed generation. Similarly, future investments in Networks could be impacted if adequate rate making does not fully contemplate the characteristics of an integrated reliable grid from a unified perspective, regardless of customer disconnection. The interoperability, integration and standard connection of these distributed energy devices and systems could place a burden on the system of Networks’ operating subsidiaries, without adequately compensating them. The technology and techniques used in the production of electricity from renewable sources are constantly evolving
and becoming more complex. In order to maintain its competitiveness and expand its business, Renewables must adjust to changes in technology effectively and in a timely manner, which could impact our cash flow and/or reduce our profitability.
Avangrid’s efforts to maintain a responsive sustainability program may impact business operations and investor sentiment.
Avangrid's operations and reputation concerning sustainability are reliant on the company's actions around employee engagement, community relations including with overburdened or indigenous communities, human rights, value chain management including upstream and downstream effects, waste management and recycling, and areas that may impact perceptions on the
company's sustainability effectiveness and could subject Avangrid to increased legal or political scrutiny of Avangrid’s activities. Avangrid’s efforts to comply with increasing sustainability reporting requirements to regulators, customers and third parties, and to track and provide accurate data may impact internal resources. Additionally, Avangrid has several goals that include, but are not limited to, emissions reduction, sustainable use of nature resources such as land and water, biodiversity, increased use of renewable generation, responsibly sourced materials, operational health and safety, and social impacts. The efforts involved in meeting these goals may be costly and may require our management and other personnel to devote a substantial amount of time and company resources to these activities. Furthermore, Avangrid’s actual or perceived progress towards achieving these goals may adversely impact our financial condition and reputation.
Geopolitical
instability could exacerbate existing risk factors.
The recent geopolitical developments caused by the conflict in Ukraine, increased instability in the Middle East and the strained relationship between China and the United States may further intensify risk factors highlighted in this Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 including, but not limited to, risks around inflation, interest rates, energy supply and price, supply chain delays and heightened cybersecurity and physical security threats.
Business and Market Risk Factors
Avangrid’s operations and power production may fall below expectations due to the impact of natural events, which could adversely
affect our financial condition and reputation.
Weather conditions influence the supply and demand for electricity, natural gas and other fuels and affect the price of energy and energy-related commodities. Severe weather can result in power outages, bodily injury and property damage or affect the availability of fuel and water. Many of our facilities could be at greater risk of damage should climate change produce unusual variations in temperature and weather patterns, resulting in more intense, frequent and extreme weather events and conditions. These include but are not limited to acute risks such as floods, hail, tornados, hurricanes, wildfire and wind gusts as well as chronic risks such as drought, heat stress and seal level rise.
Recoverability of additional costs associated with restoration and/or repair of regulated utilities facilities is defined within their respective
rate decision. Regulatory agencies have the authority to review and disallow recovery of costs that they consider excessive or imprudently incurred. Reliability metrics may be negatively affected resulting in a potential negative rate
33
adjustment or other imposed penalty. Our regulated utilities are subject to adverse publicity focused on the reliability of their distribution services and the speed with which they are able to respond to electric outages, natural gas leaks and similar interruptions caused by storm damage or other unanticipated events. Adverse publicity of this nature could harm our reputations and the reputations of our subsidiaries. Renewables can incur damage
to wind or solar equipment, either through natural events such as lightning strikes that damage blades or in-ground electrical systems used to collect electricity from turbines or panels; or may experience production shut-downs or delayed restoration of production during extreme weather conditions resulting from, among other things, icing on the blades or restricted access to sites.
If weather conditions are unfavorable or below production forecasts, Renewables projects’ electricity generation and the revenue generated from its projects may fall below expectations and have an adverse effect on financial condition.
Changing weather patterns or lower than expected wind or solar resource have caused and in the future could cause reductions in electricity generation at Renewables’ projects, which could negatively affect revenues. These events could vary production levels significantly
from period to period, depending on the level of available resources. To the extent that resources are not available at planned levels, the financial results from these facilities may be less than expected. Changing weather patterns have in the past and could in the future also degrade equipment, components, and/or shorten interconnection and transmission facilities’ useful lives or increase maintenance costs.
Lower prices for other fuel sources may reduce the demand for wind and solar energy development, which could adversely affect Renewables’ growth prospects and financial condition.
Wind and solar energy demand is affected by the price and availability of other fuels, including nuclear, coal, natural gas and oil, as well as other sources of renewable energy. To the extent renewable energy, particularly wind and solar, becomes less cost-competitive due to reduced government
targets, increases in the costs, new regulations, incentives that favor other forms of energy, cheaper alternatives or otherwise, demand for renewable energy could decrease.
There are a limited number of purchasers of utility-scale quantities of electricity, which exposes Renewables’ utility-scale projects to additional risk that could have an adverse effect on its business.
Since the transmission and distribution of electricity is highly concentrated in most jurisdictions, there are a limited number of possible purchasers for utility-scale quantities of electricity in a given geographic location, including transmission grid operators, state and investor-owned power companies, public utility districts and cooperatives. As a result, there is a concentrated pool of potential buyers for electricity generated by Renewables’ businesses, which may restrict our ability to negotiate favorable
terms under new PPAs and could impact our ability to find new customers for the electricity generated by our generation facilities should this become necessary. Renewables’ PPA portfolio is mostly contracted with low risk regulated utility companies. In the past few years, there has been increased participation from commercial and industrial customers. The higher long-term business risk profile of these companies results in increased credit risk. Furthermore, if the financial condition of these utilities and/or power purchasers deteriorated or the RPS programs, climate change programs or other regulations to which they are currently subject and that compel them to source renewable energy supplies change, demand for electricity produced by Renewables’ businesses could be negatively impacted.
The benefits of any warranties provided by the suppliers of equipment for Networks and Renewables’ projects may be limited by the ability
of a supplier to satisfy its warranty obligations, or if the term of the warranty has expired or has liability limits which could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Networks and Renewables expect to benefit from various warranties, including product quality and performance warranties, provided by suppliers in connection with the purchase of equipment by our operating subsidiaries. The suppliers may fail to fulfill their warranty obligations, or the warranty may not be sufficient to compensate for all losses or cover a particular defect. In addition, these warranties generally expire within two to five years after the date of equipment delivery or commissioning and are subject to liability limits. If installation is delayed, the operating subsidiaries
may lose all or a portion of the benefit of warranty.
Renewables’ revenue may be reduced upon expiration or early termination of PPAs if the market price of electricity decreases and Renewables is otherwise unable to negotiate favorable pricing terms which could have a negative effect on our business and financial condition.
Renewables’ PPA portfolio primarily has fixed or otherwise predetermined electricity prices for the life of each PPA. A decrease in the market price of electricity could result in a decrease in revenues upon expiry or extension of a PPA. The majority of Renewables’ energy generation projects become merchant upon the expiration of a PPA and are subject to market risks unless Renewables can negotiate an extension or replacement contract. If Renewables is not able to secure
a replacement contract with equivalent terms and conditions or otherwise obtain prices that permit operation of the related facility on a profitable basis, the affected project may temporarily or permanently cease operations and trigger an asset value impairment.
34
Our risk management policies cannot fully eliminate the risk associated with some of our operating subsidiaries’ commodity trading and hedging activities, which may result in significant losses and adversely impact our financial condition.
Our subsidiaries’
commodity trading and hedging activities are inherently uncertain and involve projections and estimates of factors that can be difficult to predict such as future prices and demand for power and other energy-related commodities. In addition, Renewables has exposure to commodity price movements through their “natural” long positions in electricity and other energy-related commodities in addition to proprietary trading and hedging activities. We manage the exposure to risks of such activities through internal risk management policies, enforcement of established risk limits and risk management procedures but they may not be effective and, even if effective, cannot fully eliminate the risks associated with such activities.
Risk Factors Relating to Ownership of Our Common Stock
Iberdrola
exercises significant influence over Avangrid, and its interests may be different from yours. Additionally, future sales or issuances of our common stock by Iberdrola could have a negative impact on the price of our common stock.
Iberdrola owns approximately 81.6% of outstanding shares of our common stock and has the ability to exercise significant influence over Avangrid’s policies and affairs, including the composition of our board of directors and any action requiring the approval of our shareholders, including the adoption of amendments to the certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the approval of a merger or sale of substantially all of our assets, subject to applicable law and the limitations set forth in the shareholder agreement to which
we and Iberdrola are parties. The directors designated by Iberdrola may have significant authority to effect decisions affecting our capital structure, including the issuance of additional capital stock, incurrence of additional indebtedness, the implementation of stock repurchase programs and the decision of whether or not to declare dividends.
The interests of Iberdrola may conflict with the interests of our other shareholders. For example, Iberdrola may support certain long-term strategies or objectives for us that may not be accretive to shareholders in the short term. The concentration of ownership may also delay, defer or even prevent a change in control, even if such a change in control would benefit our other shareholders, and may make some transactions more difficult or impossible without the support of Iberdrola. This significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price for shares of
our common stock because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning stock in companies with shareholders who own significant percentages of a company’s outstanding stock.
Further, sales of our common stock by Iberdrola or the perception that sales may be made by it could significantly reduce the market price of shares of our common stock. Even if Iberdrola does not sell a large number of shares of our common stock into the market, its right to transfer such shares may depress the price of our common stock. Furthermore, pursuant to the shareholder agreement dated December 15, 2016, between Avangrid and Iberdrola, Iberdrola is entitled to customary registration rights of our common stock, including the right to choose the method by which the common stock is distributed, a choice as to the underwriter and fees and expenses to be borne by us. Iberdrola also retains preemptive
rights to protect against dilution in connection with issuances of equity by us. If Iberdrola exercises its registration rights and/or its preemptive rights, the market price of shares of our common stock may be adversely affected. Additionally, being a controlled company, relevant risks materializing at the ultimate parent level could have a negative impact on our share price, financial condition, credit ratings or reputation.
We have elected to take advantage of the “controlled company” exemption to the corporate governance rules for NYSE-listed companies, which could make shares of our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.
Under the rules of the NYSE, a company in which over 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, a group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect to take advantage of certain
exemptions to the corporate governance rules for NYSE-listed companies. Avangrid has elected to take advantage of these exemptions and, as a controlled company, is not required to have a majority of its board of directors be independent directors, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee, or to have such committee composed entirely of independent directors. Because we are a “controlled company,” you will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE without regard to the exemptions available for “controlled companies.” Our status as a "controlled company" could make our shares of common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.
35
Our
dividend policy is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and may be limited by our debt agreements and limitations under New York law.
Although we currently anticipate paying a regular quarterly dividend, any such determination to pay dividends is at the discretion of our board of directors and dependent on conditions such as our financial condition, earnings, legal requirements, including limitations under New York law and other factors the board of directors deem relevant. Our board of directors may, in its sole discretion, change the amount or frequency of dividends or discontinue the payment of dividends entirely. For these reasons, investors may not be able to rely on dividends to receive a return on their investments.
Avangrid may be unable to meet our financial obligations and to pay dividends on our common stock if our subsidiaries
are unable to pay dividends or repay loans from us.
We are a holding company and, as such, have no revenue-generating operations of our own. We are dependent on dividends and the repayment of loans from our subsidiaries and on external financings to provide the cash necessary to make future investments, service debt we have incurred, pay administrative costs and pay dividends. Our subsidiaries are separate legal entities and have no independent obligation to pay dividends. Our regulated utilities are restricted by regulatory decision from paying us dividends unless a minimum equity-to-total capital ratio is maintained. The future enactment of laws or regulations may prohibit or further restrict the ability of our subsidiaries
to pay upstream dividends or to repay funds. In addition, in the event of a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization, our right to participate in a distribution of assets is subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors. As a result, our ability to pay dividends on our common stock and meet our financial obligations is reliant on the ability of our subsidiaries to generate sustained earnings and cash flows and pay dividends to and repay loans from us.
General Risk Factors
If we are unable to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the
trading price of our common stock may be negatively affected.
As a public company, we are subject to reporting, disclosure control and other obligations in accordance with applicable laws and rules adopted, and to be adopted, by the SEC and the NYSE such as the requirement that our management report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and our independent registered public accounting firm to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls. Our management and other personnel devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance activities, and if we are not able to comply with these requirements in a timely manner or if we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our ability to accurately report our cash flows, results of operations or financial condition could be inhibited and additional financial and management resources could be required.
Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines that we have a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting, could cause investors to lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, a decline in the market price of our common stock, or subject us to sanctions or investigations by the NYSE, the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets and reduce or eliminate the trading market for our common stock.
Changes in tax laws, as well as judgments and estimates used in the determination of tax-related asset and liability
amounts, could adversely affect our financial condition.
Our provision for income taxes and reporting of tax-related assets and liabilities requires significant judgments and the use of estimates. Amounts of tax-related assets and liabilities involve judgments and estimates of the timing and probability of recognition of income, deductions and tax credits, including, but not limited to, estimates for potential adverse outcomes regarding tax positions that have been taken and the ability to utilize tax benefit carryforwards, such as net operating loss, or NOL, and tax credit carryforwards. Actual income taxes could vary significantly from estimated amounts due to the future impacts of, among other things, changes in tax laws, regulations and interpretations, our financial performance and results of operations.
Our investments and cash balances are subject to the risk of loss.
Our
cash balances and the cash balances at our subsidiaries may be deposited in banks, may be invested in liquid securities such as commercial paper or money market funds or may be deposited in a liquidity agreement in which we are a participant along with other affiliates of the Iberdrola Group. Bank deposits in excess of federal deposit insurance limits would be subject to risks in the counterparty bank. Liquid securities and money market funds are subject to loss of principal, more likely in an adverse market situation, and to the risk of illiquidity.
36
The cost and availability of capital to finance our business is inherently uncertain and may adversely affect our financial condition.
Avangrid and its subsidiaries are exposed to an increase in the general level of interest rates and to geopolitical and other macroeconomics factors and events affecting the capital markets that may increase the cost of capital or restrict its availability. In addition, Avangrid’s performance directly affects its financial strength and credit ratings and therefore its cost of, and ability to attract, capital. Significant increases in the cost of capital, whether caused by economic or capital market conditions or adverse company performance, would adversely impact our financial performance and may make certain potential business opportunities uneconomic. Prolonged inability to access capital would impair our ability to execute our business plan and could impair Avangrid’s ability to meet its financial obligations.
Avangrid
and our subsidiaries are subject to litigation or administrative proceedings, the outcome or settlement of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and reputation.
Avangrid and our operating subsidiaries have been and continue to be involved in legal proceedings, administrative proceedings, claims and other litigation that arise in the ordinary course of business. Avangrid could experience unfavorable outcomes, developments or settlement of claims relating to these proceedings or future proceedings such as judgments for monetary damages, injunctions, unfavorable settlement terms, or denial or revocation of permits or approvals that could adversely impact our business, financial condition and reputation.
Avangrid
is not able to insure against all potential risks which could adversely affect our financial condition.
Avangrid is exposed to certain risks inherent in our business such as equipment failure, manufacturing defects, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, cyber-attacks and sabotage, as well as affected by international, national, state or local events. Our insurance coverage may not continue to be offered or offered on an economically feasible basis and may not cover all events that could give rise to a loss or claim involving the assets or operations of our subsidiaries.
Pension and post-retirement benefit plans could require significant future contributions to such plans that could adversely impact our business and financial condition.
We provide
defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefits administered by our subsidiaries for a significant number of employees, former employees and retirees. Financial market disruptions and significant declines in the market values of the investments held to meet those obligations, discount rate assumptions, participant demographics and increasing longevity, and changes in laws and regulations may require us to make significant contributions to the plans.
Avangrid and our subsidiaries may suffer the loss of key personnel or the inability to hire and retain qualified employees in a competitive labor market, which could have an adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
The
operations of Avangrid depend on the continued efforts of our employees. Retaining key employees and attracting new employees are both important to our financial performance and our operations. It is increasingly important for Avangrid to effectively promote best labor practices in terms of equity, opportunity, diversity and inclusion, as well as to provide skills related to operations and technology for energy transition. We cannot guarantee that any member of our management will continue to serve in any capacity for any length of time. We operate in an increasingly competitive labor market and an increasing percentage of our employees are retirement eligible. If employee turnover increases or our workforce continues to age without appropriate replacements, our efficiency and effectiveness, productivity, and ability to pursue growth opportunities may be impaired. In addition, a significant portion of our skilled workforce will be eligible to retire in the next five
to ten years. Such highly skilled individuals cannot be quickly replaced due to the technically complex work they perform, the competitive labor market and changing workplace. This could lead to a loss in productivity and increased recruiting and training costs.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 1C. Infrastructure Protection and Cyber Security Measures
Avangrid possesses a multi-layered security management approach, consisting of controls, measures, and designs aimed at reducing the risks of unauthorized
access or unsanctioned use of our facilities, assets and cyber-infrastructure, such as our transmission and distribution system. These measures are key to assessing, identifying, and managing material cybersecurity related risks and have been integrated across our respective business units, and throughout the Company’s overall risk management framework.
Avangrid possesses a multi-layered security management approach, consisting of controls, measures, and designs aimed at reducing the risks of unauthorized access or unsanctioned use of our facilities, critical assets and infrastructure, such as our transmission and distribution system. These measures have been put in place to help assess, identify, and manage material
37
cybersecurity
related risks and have been integrated across our respective business units and throughout the Company’s overall risk management framework.
To manage our cybersecurity and operational risks, pursuant to the cybersecurity risk policy and corporate security policy approved by the board, we have implemented, and continuously refine, cyber and physical security measures that aim to strengthen our technical capabilities to protect our critical assets. In addition, the Company possesses a security governance structure focused on sharing critical and relevant information and optimizing business-wide practices that work to identify, assess and manage wide-ranging risks to the Company
including those that are cyber-related.
The board’s audit committee oversees physical and cyber security matters, incident response management, and risks related to physical security, information security, cybersecurity, and technology, as well as the steps taken by management to mitigate such risks. The chief security officer regularly reports to the audit committee on such matters. As part of the Company’s efforts to implement measures to protect against such risks, the Company continuously monitors and, where applicable, adjusts internal policies, rules, and procedures. The Company evaluates its security framework by assessing its controls, with internal as well
as external assessors, and works to continuously improve its cybersecurity systems, tools, and measures. This includes contracting with independent assessors that conduct penetration testing.
Fostering Company-wide cyber-related resiliency is also core to the Company’s security management. Avangrid annually tests its incident response plan and implements a training and awareness program that educates employees. In respect to third party services, we have processes embedded into our procurement process that evaluate contracts for risks and require vendors to adhere to our data security rider and other security measures. Our corporate security department also maintains relationships with federal and state agencies to exchange threat information as
appropriate.
Upon the recommendation of the board’s audit committee, the board has appointed a senior officer responsible for security, the chief security officer, or CSO, who is a corporate and U.S. national security veteran. The CSO oversees a dedicated corporate security department responsible for managing security risks across the company. Our CSO has over 25 years of experience working in cybersecurity and gained subject matter expertise in cybersecurity, intelligence, privacy, and risk reduction while working at, among other employers, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. The Company’s corporate security department is responsible
for the physical and cyber security program, which is supported by a governance program that manages and assists the Company in seeking to protect our cyber, physical and information assets. Together, these members of management are informed about and monitor the threats through their implementation of the controls, measures, and designs described above.
As further described in in our risk factor “Security breaches, acts of war or terrorism, grid disturbances or unauthorized access could negatively impact our business, financial condition and reputation” under Item 1A - Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, a physical or cyber breach could result in, among other things, in theft, damage, interruption of service and the release of critical operating information or confidential customer information. While we have experienced
insignificant security breaches in the past, to date, we are not aware that we have experienced a material cybersecurity or physical breach, the Company aims to takes proactive steps to manage evolving threats including, without limitation, the threat of a material cybersecurity incident. We continue to invest in technology, processes, security measures and services in our ongoing efforts to predict, detect, mitigate and protect our assets, both physical and cyber. These investments include assessments and implementation of appropriate upgrades to our cyber-infrastructure assets, network architecture and physical security measures.
Item 2. Properties.
We
have included descriptions of the location and general character of our principal physical operating properties by segment in “Item 1. Business”, which is incorporated herein by reference. The principal offices of Avangrid and Networks are located in Orange, Connecticut; Portland, Maine; and Rochester, New York, while Renewables’ headquarters are located in Portland, Oregon and Boston, Massachusetts. In addition, Avangrid and its subsidiaries have various administrative offices located throughout the United States. Avangrid leases part of its administrative and local offices.
38
The following
table sets forth the principal properties of Avangrid, by location, type, lease or ownership and size as of December 31, 2023:
Location
Type of Facility
Leased/Owned
Size (square feet)
Orange,
Connecticut
Office
Owned
123,159
Augusta, Maine
Office
Owned
215,832
Portland, Maine
Office
Leased
90,325
Rochester,
New York
Office
Owned
149,249
Rochester, New York
Office
Leased
126,716
Portland, Oregon
Office
Leased
43,633
Boston,
Massachusetts
Office
Leased
39,215
We believe that our office facilities are adequate for our current needs and that additional office space can be obtained if necessary.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
For information with respect to this item see Notes 14 and 15 of our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which information
is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Information about our Executive Officers
Set forth below is the names of our executive officers as of February 21, 2024 and a brief account of the business experience during the past five years of each such executive officer:
Pedro Azagra Blázquez.
Mr. Azagra Blázquez has served as Chief Executive Officer of Avangrid since May 29, 2022, and previously served as the Chief Development Officer of Iberdrola from 2008 until his appointment as Avangrid Chief Executive Officer. Prior to his appointment as Chief Development Officer, Mr. Azagra Blázquez served as Iberdrola’s Director of Strategy. He has also served as Professor of Corporate Finance and Mergers and Acquisitions at Universidad Pontificia de Comillas, in Madrid, Spain, since 1998. Mr. Azagra Blázquez formerly served on the board of directors of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, S.A. He earned a business degree and a law degree from Universidad Pontificia de Comillas and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. Mr. Azagra Blázquez served as a member of Avangrid's Board since 2019 and previously served as a member of the Board from 2014 until 2018. In addition, Mr. Azagra Blázquez serves as a member of the board
of directors of Neoenergia, S.A., a member of the Iberdrola group of companies listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange.
Justin B. Lagasse. Mr. Lagasse was appointed Senior Vice President – Controller in July 2023, and was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer in November 2023. Mr. Lagasse was appointed Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer and Controller on February 15, 2024. Mr. Lagasse had previously served as Senior Vice President – Controller from July 2023 and Interim Chief Financial Officer from November 2023. He is responsible for all aspects of accounting, financial reporting, business performance, long-term planning, and administration for Avangrid and its two lines of business, Networks and Renewables. Prior to this role, Mr. Lagasse most recently
served as Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and was responsible for corporate accounting, consolidations and reporting, technical accounting, and internal controls. Before joining Avangrid, Mr. Lagasse served as Assurance Director at BDO, LLP in Southern California and Assurance Senior at a regional accounting firm in Maine. Mr. Lagasse holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s degree of business administration from Thomas College and holds an active Certified Public Accountant license in Maine.
39
Jose Antonio Miranda Soto. Mr. Miranda Soto was appointed as Co-Chief Executive Officer and President-Onshore of Renewables on October 12, 2021, responsible for leading the growth and development
of the company’s onshore wind and solar pipeline in the United States. On October 12, 2022, Mr. Miranda Soto became the sole President and Chief Executive Officer of Renewables. Prior to joining Avangrid, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Onshore in the Americas region for Siemens Gamesa and Chairman of its boards in US, Mexico and Brazil. He also served as Secretary of the Board and Executive Committee member of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). Prior to his fourteen-year tenure at Siemens Gamesa, where he held roles in Europe, Asia and the Americas, he held a variety of roles over a ten-year period at the multinational engineering firm, ABB. Mr. Miranda Soto holds a Master of Business Administration ICADE (Universidad Pontificia de Comillas, Madrid, Spain) and a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering from the Superior
Technical Institute of Industrial Engineers of Gijón (Oviedo University, Spain).
R. Scott Mahoney. Mr. Mahoney was appointed Senior Vice President – General Counsel of Avangrid on December 17, 2015. He was appointed Secretary of Avangrid on January 27, 2016, and previously served as vice president-general counsel and secretary of Networks. From January 2007 to June 2012, Mr. Mahoney served as Deputy General Counsel and Chief FERC Compliance Officer for Avangrid, and served in legal and senior executive positions at Avangrid subsidiaries from October 1996 until January 2007. Mr. Mahoney also serves on the board of directors of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Mr. Mahoney earned a B.A. from St. Lawrence University,
a J.D. from the University of Maine, a master’s degree in environmental law from the Vermont Law School, and a postgraduate diploma in business administration from the University of Warwick. He has received bar admission to the State of Maine, the State of New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals, the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Court of Military Appeals and is a State of Connecticut Authorized House Counsel.
Catherine Stempien. Ms. Stempien was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Networks on March 15, 2021. Prior to joining Avangrid, Ms. Stempien served in various roles for Duke Energy Corporation, a publicly-traded energy company, including as the President of Duke Energy Florida, as senior vice president of corporate development with responsibility for Duke Energy's corporate development activities, and as vice president legal for Duke
Energy. Ms. Stempien has more than 25 years of legal and financial experience, predominantly in the energy and telecommunications fields. Ms. Stempien previously served as associate general counsel for Cinergy Corp., senior attorney for AT&T Corporation and AT&T Broadband, and associate with Covington & Burling LLP. Ms. Stempien earned a Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, from Boston University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Dartmouth College. She also completed a joint Dartmouth/London School of Economics program in comparative political studies and participated in the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. She is a member of the Bar in the District of Columbia, Colorado, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
40
PART
II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information and Holders
Our shares of common stock began trading on the NYSE on December 17, 2015, under the symbol “AGR.” Prior to that time, there was no public market for shares of our common stock.
Avangrid
expects to continue paying quarterly cash dividends, although there is no assurance as to the amount of future dividends, which depends on future earnings, capital requirements and financial condition.
Further information regarding payment of dividends is provided in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Performance Graph
The line graph appearing below compares the change in Avangrid’s total shareowner return on its shares of common stock with the return on the S&P Composite-500 Stock Index, the S&P Electric Utilities Index and the S&P Utilities Index for the period December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2023.
The above information assumes that the value of the investment
in shares of Avangrid’s common stock and each index was $100 on December 31, 2018, including dividend reinvestment during this time period. The changes displayed are not necessarily indicative of future returns.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities
There were no repurchases of common stock of Avangrid during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2023.
41
Equity Compensation Plan Information
For
information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, see Part III, Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 6. [Reserved]
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical consolidated financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements
that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”
Overview
Avangrid aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Our purpose is to work every day to deliver a more accessible clean energy model that promotes healthier, more sustainable communities. A commitment to sustainability is firmly entrenched in the values and principles that guide Avangrid, with environmental, social, governance and financial sustainability key priorities driving our business
strategy.
Avangrid has approximately $44 billion in assets and operations in 24 states concentrated in our two primary lines of business - Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving approximately 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates 9.3 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind and solar power, with a presence in 22 states across the United States. Avangrid supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals approved by the member states of the United Nations, was named among the World’s Most Ethical companies in 2023 for the fifth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute, included as a member of the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, and recognized by Just Capital as one of the 2024 Just 100, an annual ranking of the most just U.S. public companies for the fourth time.
Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people. Iberdrola S.A., or Iberdrola, a corporation (sociedad anónima) organized under the laws of the Kingdom of Spain, a worldwide leader in the energy industry, directly owns 81.6% of the outstanding shares of Avangrid common stock. The remaining outstanding shares are owned by various shareholders with approximately 14.7% of Avangrid's outstanding shares publicly-traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Avangrid's primary businesses are described below.
Our direct, wholly-owned subsidiaries include Avangrid Networks, Inc., or Networks, and Avangrid Renewables Holdings, Inc., or ARHI. ARHI in turn holds subsidiaries including Avangrid Renewables, LLC, or Renewables. Networks owns and operates our regulated
utility businesses through its subsidiaries, including electric transmission and distribution and natural gas distribution, transportation and sales. Renewables operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities primarily using onshore wind power and also solar, biomass and thermal power.
Through Networks, we own electric distribution, transmission and generation companies and natural gas distribution, transportation and sales companies in New York, Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts, delivering electricity to approximately 2.3 million electric utility customers and delivering natural gas to approximately 1.0 million natural gas utility customers as of December 31, 2023.
Networks, a Maine corporation, holds regulated utility
businesses, including electric transmission and distribution and natural gas distribution, transportation and sales. Networks serves as a super-regional energy services and delivery company through the eight regulated utilities it owns directly:
•New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, or NYSEG, which serves electric and natural gas customers across more than 40% of the upstate New York geographic area;
•Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation, or RG&E, which serves electric and natural gas customers within a nine-county region in western New York, centered around Rochester;
•The United Illuminating Company, or UI, which serves electric customers in southwestern Connecticut;
•Central Maine
Power Company, or CMP, which serves electric customers in central and southern Maine;
•The Southern Connecticut Gas Company, or SCG, which serves natural gas customers in Connecticut;
•Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation, or CNG, which serves natural gas customers in Connecticut;
•The Berkshire Gas Company, or BGC, which serves natural gas customers in western Massachusetts; and
•Maine Natural Gas Corporation, or MNG, which serves natural gas customers in several communities in central and southern Maine.
42
Renewables
has a combined wind, solar and thermal installed capacity of 9,338 megawatts, or MW, as of December 31, 2023, including Renewables’ share of joint projects, of which 8,045 MW was installed onshore wind capacity and 39 MW of offshore wind capacity. Renewables targets to contract or hedge above 80% of its capacity under long-term PPAs and hedges to limit market volatility. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 78% of the capacity was contracted with PPAs for an average period of approximately 9 years and an additional 11% of production was hedged. Avangrid is one of the three largest wind operators in the United States based on installed capacity as of December 31, 2023, and strives to lead the transformation of the U.S. energy industry
to a sustainable, competitive, clean energy future. As of December 31, 2023, Renewables installed capacity includes 68 onshore wind farms and six solar facilities operational in 21 states across the United States.
Terminated Merger with PNMR
On October 20, 2020, Avangrid, PNM Resources, Inc., a New Mexico corporation, or PNMR, and NM Green Holdings, Inc., a New Mexico corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Avangrid, or Merger Sub, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended by the Amendment to Merger Agreement dated January
3, 2022, Amendment No. 2 to the Merger Agreement dated April 12, 2023 and Amendment No. 3 to the Merger Agreement dated June 19, 2023), or Merger Agreement, pursuant to which Merger Sub was expected to merge with and into PNMR, with PNMR surviving the Merger as a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Avangrid, or the Merger for approximately $4.3 billion in aggregate consideration.
On December 31, 2023, Avangrid sent a notice to PNMR terminating the Merger Agreement. The Merger was conditioned, among other things, upon the receipt of certain required regulatory approvals, including the approval of the NMPRC, and provided that the Merger Agreement may be terminated by either Avangrid or PNMR if the closing of the Merger shall not have occurred by 5:00 PM New York City Time on
December 31, 2023, or the End Date. Because the required approval of the NMPRC was not received by the End Date and the conditions to the closing of the Merger were not satisfied by the End Date, Avangrid exercised its right to terminate the Merger Agreement. No termination penalties were incurred by either party in connection with the termination of the Merger Agreement. The Funding Commitment Letter and related side letter agreement with Iberdrola terminated automatically upon termination of the Merger Agreement.
In light of the termination of the Merger Agreement, on January 8, 2024, Avangrid filed a motion to withdraw from the appeal it and PNMR’s subsidiary, Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), had filed with the New Mexico Supreme Court with respect to the NMPRC’s December
8, 2021, order which had rejected the amended stipulated agreement entered into by PNM, Avangrid and a number of interveners in the NMPRC proceeding with respect to consideration of the joint Merger application.
For additional information on the Merger, see Note 1 - Background and Nature of Operations.
Business Environment
The impact of extraordinary external events such as global pandemics and geopolitical instability continue to cause global economic and supply chain disruption and volatility in financial markets and the United States economy. We continue to experience changes in inflation levels resulting from various supply chain disruptions, increased business and labor costs, increased financing costs from
changes in the Federal Reserve's monetary policy and other disruptions caused by global economic conditions. We continue to monitor the further developments, which may include further sanctions imposed by the United States, Canada, and the European Union on Russia, supply chain instability, and potential retaliatory action by the Russian government and/or other countries. We are taking steps intended to mitigate the potential risks from continued conflict, including without limitation, communication with suppliers to ensure that the supply chains are free from sanctioned materials and efforts to diversify sourcing and capacity planning to help avoid supply chain disruptions. To date, there has been no material impact on our operations or financial performance as a result of ongoing extraordinary events including, without limitation, the conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East; however, we cannot predict the extent of these effects, given the evolving nature of
the geopolitical situation, on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
We are monitoring the Department of Commerce's, or DOC, anti-circumvention petition alleging that solar panels and cells shipped from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia have circumvented tariffs imposed on Chinese solar panels and cells. The petition calls for anti-dumping and countervailing duties to be applied to solar panels. In June 2022, President Biden's Administration announced a 24-month tariff exemption on any potential tariff resulting from the anti-circumvention investigation. On August 18, 2023, DOC issued final rulings, concluding some manufacturers operating in the named countries circumvented the AD/CVD duties on a country-wide basis. Renewables is taking steps intended to mitigate potential risks to their solar project development portfolio. To date, there has been
no material impact on Renewables' operations or financial performance as a result of this investigation. Despite the 24-month tariff exemption, there is uncertainty around related long-term effects to the solar panel supply chain and we currently cannot predict if there will be materially adverse impacts to our business, results of operations or financial condition.
43
In April 2023, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee included maritime crewing provisions within the Coast Guard Authorization bill which passed the committee. The bill was not included in the House National Defense Authorization Act - there is no clear path for passage at this point. If enacted, the Coast Guard authorization may only allow foreign vessels to operate on the Outer Continental
Shelf if they have a U.S. crew or the crew of the nation of which the vessel is from. If passed, the legislation could affect expected timelines and returns on approved projects. To date, there has been no material impact on Renewables' operations or financial performance as a result of these bills; however, given the uncertainty of resolution of the final legislation and the related effects to our offshore projects, we currently cannot predict if there will be materially adverse impacts to our business, results of operations or financial condition.
There are a limited number of wind turbine suppliers in the market. Renewables’ largest turbine suppliers, Siemens-Gamesa and GE Wind, were engaged in an intellectual property dispute with respect to certain offshore wind turbines including the wind turbines to be used in the Vineyard Wind 1 project. In July 2022, the federal district court granted Siemens-Gamesa’s request for
a permanent injunction barring GE Wind from importing and selling the infringing wind turbines, which carved out the wind turbines for the Vineyard Wind 1 project from such injunction. On April 1, 2023, Siemens-Gamesa and GE Wind announced a global settlement resolving the dispute. Following the settlement, the judge in the patent case vacated the permanent injunction by an order dated April 3, 2023. While there was no material impact on Renewables' operations or turbine procurement arising out of this dispute, we continue to monitor developments with the limited number of turbine suppliers that may have an impact on Renewables' operations or turbine procurement.
In April 2023, Avangrid Renewables received a letter from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding certain bald and gold eagle fatalities that allegedly occurred
at certain Avangrid Renewables facilities that are not covered by an eagle take permit. Avangrid Renewables has responded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service providing information about the relevant eagle taking permit applications and relevant mitigation activity at each facility. We cannot predict the outcome of this preliminary inquiry.
On June 30, 2023 Avangrid received an exclusion notice from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, in the Port of Fresno, California, denying entry to approximately 220 MWs of solar modules for use in the company’s Bakeoven and Daybreak solar projects. The notice stated that the modules were rejected due to insufficient documentation demonstrating the merchandise was not produced in whole or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region or
by an entity on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, or UFLPA, Entity List within 30 days from which the cargo was detained. In September 2023 Avangrid entered into a bill of sale and assumption and assignment agreement with Iberdrola Renovables Energia SAU, or IRE, a subsidiary of Iberdrola, and the solar panel supplier to assign all of its rights, title and interest in the 220 MWs of solar modules to IRE. Pursuant to such agreement, Avangrid will receive reimbursement of the amounts previously paid to the solar supplier for such modules, when the title to such modules are transferred to IRE upon delivery to IRE's delivery location, expected in Q1 2024.
For more information, see the risk factor in Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Form 10-K.
Summary of Results
of Operations
Our operating revenues increased by $386 million from $7,923 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $8,309 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Networks business revenues increased mainly due to rate increases in New York effective October 12, 2023. Renewables revenues increased mainly due to favorable thermal and power trading due to higher average prices in the period primarily driven by weather.
Net income attributable to Avangrid decreased by $95 million from $881 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $786 million for the year ended December 31,
2023. The decrease is primarily driven by a gain recognized in 2022 from the offshore joint venture restructuring transaction in Renewables.
Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP financial measure) decreased by $93 million, from $901 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $808 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease is primarily due to a $240 million decrease in Renewables driven by a gain recognized in 2022 from the offshore joint venture restructuring transaction, offset by a $99 million increase in Networks driven primarily by rate increases in New York effective October 12, 2023 and a $48 million increase in Corporate mainly driven by a tax benefit from unitary state tax changes in the period.
For additional
information and reconciliation of the non-GAAP adjusted net income to net income attributable to Avangrid, see “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
See “—Results of Operations” for further analysis of our operating results for the year.
44
Our financial condition and financing capability will be dependent on many factors, including the level of income and cash flow of our subsidiaries, conditions in the bank and capital markets, economic conditions, interest rates and legislative and regulatory developments.
Networks
Electric
Transmission and Distribution and Natural Gas Distribution
The operating subsidiaries of Networks are regulated electric distribution and transmission and natural gas transportation and distribution utilities whose structure and operations are significantly affected by legislation and regulation. The FERC regulates, under the FPA, the interstate transmission and wholesale sale of electricity by these regulated utilities, including transmission rates and allowed ROE on transmission assets. Further, the distribution rates and allowed ROEs for Networks’ regulated utilities in New York, Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts are subject to regulation by the NYPSC, the MPUC, PURA and DPU, respectively. Legislation and regulatory decisions implementing legislation establish a framework for Networks’ operations. Other factors affecting Networks’
financial results are operational matters, such as the ability to manage expenses, uncollectibles and capital expenditures, in addition to weather disturbances, equipment failures and environmental regulation. Networks expects to continue to make significant capital investments in its distribution and transmission infrastructure.
Pursuant to Maine law, CMP earns revenue for the delivery of energy to its retail customers, but is prohibited from selling power to them. CMP generally does not enter into purchase or sales arrangements for power with ISO-NE, the New England power pool, or any other ISO or similar entity. CMP generally sells all of its power entitlements under its nonutility generator and other PPAs to unrelated third parties under bilateral contracts. If the MPUC does not approve the terms of bilateral contracts,
it can direct CMP to sell power entitlements that it receives from those contracts on the spot market through ISO-NE. NYSEG and RG&E enter into power purchase and sales transactions with the NYISO to have adequate supplies for their customers who choose to purchase energy directly from them. Customers may also choose to purchase energy from other energy supply companies.
Under Connecticut law, UI’s retail electricity customers are able to choose their electricity supplier while UI remains their electric distribution company. UI purchases power for those of its customers under standard service rates who do not choose a retail electric supplier and have a maximum demand of less than 500 kilowatts and its customers under supplier of last resort service for those who are not eligible for standard service and who do not choose to purchase
electric generation service from a retail electric supplier. The cost of the power is a “pass-through” to those customers through the generation services charge on their bills.
UI has wholesale power supply agreements in place for its entire standard service load for the first half of 2024 and 50% of the second half of 2024. Supplier of last resort service is procured on a quarterly basis and UI has a wholesale power supply agreement in place for the first quarter of 2024.
For additional information regarding Networks, including a comprehensive overview of our regulated businesses, please see the section entitled, “Business—Networks” in Part I, Item 1 in this report.
Revenues
Networks
obtains its operating revenues primarily from the sale of electricity and natural gas at rates established by the state utilities commissions and the FERC in its jurisdictions through base rates and cost recovery deferral mechanisms, including reconciling differences between actual revenue received or cost incurred with the rate allowances provided under the approved tariffs. Cost recovery deferral mechanisms create regulatory assets and liabilities under the FERC, consistent with generally accepted accounting principles for financial reporting in the United States, or U.S. GAAP.
Regulatory deferrals in New York include electric and gas supply costs, PPAs, net plant reconciliations (downward only), revenue decoupling, system benefit charges, RPS, energy efficiency programs, including heat pumps, economic development programs, earnings sharing mechanism, electric vehicle program costs, labor FTE's, low income programs, pension
costs, other post-employment benefits costs, environmental remediation costs, major storm costs, distribution vegetation management costs (downward only), gas research and development, incremental maintenance initiatives (downward only), management audit consultant and implementation costs, property taxes, Reforming the Energy Vision, or REV, initiatives, Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited credits, credit and debit card fees, debt costs, power tax, 2017 Tax Act, exogenous costs and certain legislative, accounting, regulatory and tax related actions.
Regulatory deferrals in Maine include stranded costs, distribution revenue decoupling, power tax regulatory asset, 2017 Tax Act, environmental remediation, storm reserve accounting, electric thermal storage pilot costs, standard offer retainage costs, AMI opt-out program costs, AMI deferral costs, AMI legal/health proceeding costs, conservation program costs, demand
45
side
management costs, low income program costs, electric lifeline program costs, make-ready line extension costs, electric vehicle pilot program costs and transmission planning and related cost allocation.
Regulatory deferrals in Connecticut include electric and gas supply costs, PPAs, revenue decoupling, earnings sharing mechanism, system benefit charges, certain hardship bad debt expense, transmission revenue requirements, gas distribution integrity management program costs, gas system expansion costs, certain public policy costs, certain environmental remediation costs, major storm costs and certain legislative, accounting, regulatory and tax related actions.
Regulatory deferrals in Massachusetts include gas supply costs, gas supply-related bad debt costs, environmental remediation costs, arrearage management program costs, gas system enhancement program costs, energy efficiency
program costs, 2017 Tax Act and certain other public policy costs.
Each of Networks' regulated utilities' rate plans, other than MNG, contain an RDM under which their actual energy delivery revenues are compared on a periodic basis with the authorized delivery revenues and the difference accrued, with interest, for refund to or recovery from customers, as applicable.
NYSEG, RG&E and UI are energy delivery companies and also provide energy supply as providers of last resort. Energy costs that are set on the wholesale markets are passed on to consumers. The difference between actual energy costs that are incurred and those that are initially billed are reconciled in a process that results in either immediate or deferred tariff adjustments. These procedures apply to other costs, which are in most cases exceptional, such as the effects of extreme weather conditions, environmental
factors, regulatory and accounting changes and treatment of vulnerable customers, that are offset in the tariff process.
Pursuant to agreements with, or decisions of the NYPSC and the MPUC, Networks’ Maine and New York regulated utilities are each subject to a minimum equity ratio requirement that is tied to the capital structure assumed in establishing revenue requirements. Pursuant to these requirements, each of NYSEG, RG&E, CMP and MNG must maintain a minimum equity ratio equal to the ratio in its currently effective rate plan or decision measured using a trailing 13-month average. On a monthly basis, each utility must maintain a minimum equity ratio of no less than 300 basis points below the equity ratio used to set rates. The minimum equity ratio requirement has the effect of limiting the amount of dividends that can be paid if the minimum equity ratio is not maintained and can, under certain circumstances, require
that Avangrid contribute equity capital. For CMP and MNG, equity distributions that would result in equity falling below the minimum level are prohibited. For NYSEG and RG&E, equity distributions that would result in a 13-month average common equity less than the maximum equity ratio utilized for the earnings sharing mechanism, or ESM, are prohibited if the credit rating of NYSEG, RG&E, Avangrid or Iberdrola are downgraded by a nationally recognized rating agency to the lowest investment grade with a negative watch or downgraded to noninvestment grade. UI, SCG, CNG and BGC may not pay dividends if paying such dividend would result in a common equity ratio lower than 300 basis points below the equity percentage used to set rates in the most recent distribution rate proceeding as measured using a trailing 13-month average calculated as of the most recent quarter end. In addition, UI, SCG, CNG and BGC are prohibited from paying dividends to their parent if the utility’s
credit rating, as rated by any of the three major credit rating agencies, falls below investment grade, or if the utility’s credit rating, as determined by two of the three major credit rating agencies, falls to the lowest investment grade and there is a negative watch or review downgrade notice. We believe that these minimum equity ratio requirements do not present any material risk with respect to our performance, cash flow or ability to pay quarterly dividends. In the ordinary course, Networks utilities manage their capital structures to allow the maximum level of returns consistent with the levels of equity authorized to set rates, and accordingly, compliance with these requirements does not alter ordinary equity level management. The regulated utility subsidiaries are also prohibited by regulation from lending to unregulated affiliates.
Rates
On
September 9, 2022, UI filed a distribution revenue requirement case proposing a three-year rate plan commencing September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2026. The filing was based on a test year ending December 31, 2021, for the rate years beginning September 1, 2023 (UI Rate Year 1), September 1, 2024 (UI Rate Year 2), and September 1, 2025 (UI Rate Year 3). UI requested that PURA approve new distribution rates to recover an increase in revenue requirements of approximately $91 million in UI Rate Year 1, an incremental increase of approximately $20 million in UI Rate Year 2, and an incremental increase of approximately $19 million
in UI Rate Year 3, compared to total revenues that would otherwise be recovered under UI’s current rate schedules. UI’s Rate Plan also included several measures to moderate the impact of the proposed rate update for all customers, including, without limitation, a rate levelization proposal to spread the proposed total rate increase over the three rate years, which would result in a change in revenue in UI Rate Year 1 of approximately $54 million. On August 25, 2023, PURA issued its Final Decision on UI's one-year rate plan commencing on September 1, 2023, providing for a rate increase of $23 million based on an allowed ROE of 9.1% that was reduced to 8.63% by certain adjustments. The Final Decision established a capital structure consisting of 50% common equity and 50% debt. The Final Decision results in an
46
average
increase in base distribution rates of about 6.6% and an average increase in customer bills of about 2% compared to current levels. On September 18, 2023, UI filed an appeal of the PURA's Final Decision in Connecticut Superior Court, because of factual and legal errors related to the treatment of deferred assets, plant in service, and operating expenses. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
On April 24, 2023, the Connecticut Attorney General, Office of Consumer Counsel, Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Office of Education, Outreach, and Enforcement and the Connecticut Industrial Energy Consumer filed a Petition requesting that PURA conduct a general rate hearing for CNG. On May 5, 2023, CNG and SCG responded indicating a willingness to file general rate
cases for each company. PURA assented to the companies’ proposal on May 21, 2023. On September 29, 2023, SCG and CNG filed a notice of intent to file general rate cases on or about November 3, 2023.
On November 3, 2023, CNG and SCG filed a distribution revenue requirement case proposing a one-year rate plan commencing November 1, 2024 through October 31, 2025, for each company respectively. The filing was based on a test year ending December 31, 2022.CNG requested that PURA approve new distribution rates to recover an increase in revenue
requirements of approximately $19.8 million, and SCG requested approval of new distribution rates to recover an increase in revenue requirements of approximately $40.6 million. CNG’s and SCG’s Rate Plan also included several measures to moderate the impact of the proposed rate update for all customers, including the adoption of a low-income discount rate and seeking to maintain their current revenue decoupling and earning sharing mechanisms.
On June 24, 2022, BGC filed a Settlement Agreement with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) for DPU approval. The Settlement Agreement followed BGC’s December 14, 2021 filing of a Notice of Intent to File Rate Schedules. Following that filing, BGC and the AGO negotiated the Settlement Agreement in lieu of a fully litigated rate case before the DPU. The Settlement Agreement
allows for agreed-upon adjustments to BGC’s revenue requirement as well as various step increases BGC shall be entitled to on January 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024. It provides for the opportunity to increase BGC’s revenue requirement by as much as $5.6 million over current rates (reflective of a 9.70% ROE and a 54.00% equity ratio as well as other stepped adjustments) through January 1, 2024. The Settlement Agreement was approved in its entirety by the DPU on October 27, 2022, and new rates went into effect January 1, 2023.
On May 26, 2022, NYSEG and RG&E filed for a new rate plan with the NYPSC. The rate filings were based
on test year 2021 financial results adjusted to the rate year May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024. NYSEG and RG&E filed for a one-year rate plan but expressed interest in exploring a multi-year plan during the pendency of the case (as is the custom in New York).
On September 16, 2022, the NYPSC suspended new tariffs and rates through April 21, 2023, and NYSEG and RG&E voluntarily agreed to subsequent suspensions through October 18, 2023, subject to a make-whole provision.
Following discovery and settlement negotiations, on June 14, 2023, NYSEG and RG&E filed a Joint Proposal (2023
JP) settlement for a three-year rate plan with the NYPSC. Hearings on the settlement followed in July 2023. The 2023 JP provides for a three-year rate plan for electric and gas service at NYSEG and RG&E commencing May 1, 2023 and continuing through April 30, 2026. For purposes of the 2023 JP, the three rate years are defined as the 12 months ending April 30, 2024 (New York Rate Year 1); April 30, 2025 (New York Rate Year 2); and April 30, 2026 (New York Rate Year 3); respectively. On October 12, 2023, the NYPSC approved the JP 2023, commencing May 1, 2023 and continuing through April
30, 2026. The effective date of new tariffs was November 1, 2023 with a make-whole provision back to May 1, 2023.
The 2023 JP, as approved, includes levelization across the three years of the rate plan for delivery rates for NYSEG's and RG&E’s Electric and Gas businesses. Actual bill impacts vary by customer class based on the agreed‑upon revenue allocation and rate design. The allowed rate of return on common equity for NYSEG Electric, NYSEG Gas, RG&E Electric and RG&E Gas is 9.20%. The common equity ratio for each business is 48.00%.
The 2023 JP also includes an Earnings Sharing Mechanism (ESM) applicable to each business which varies based on the earned ROE with 100% of the customers’ portion of earnings above the sharing threshold that would otherwise be
deferred for the benefit of customers to be used to reduce NYSEG's and RG&E’s respective outstanding regulatory asset deferral balances. In addition, 50% of NYSEG's and RG&E’s portion will be used to reduce their respective outstanding storm-related regulatory asset deferral balances to the extent such balances exist.
The 2023 JP further enhances distribution vegetation management, maintains gas safety performance measures, establishes threshold performance levels for designated aspects of customer service quality, and includes three Electric Reliability Performance Measures (SAIFI, CAIDI, and Distribution Line Inspection Program Metric for Level II Deficiencies) with a negative revenue adjustment (NRA) beginning with calendar year 2023, if NYSEG fails to meet its annual SAIFI performance metric.
NYSEG and RG&E will continue a RAM to return or collect the remaining
Customer Bill Credits established in the prior rate plan and will continue an Electric Revenue Decoupling Mechanism on a total revenue per class basis.
47
The 2023 JP reflects the recovery of deferred NYSEG Electric and RG&E Electric Major Storm costs of approximately $371 million and $54.6 million, respectively. NYSEG’s remaining super storm regulatory asset of $52.3 million and the non-super storm regulatory asset of $96.6 million from the 2020 Joint Proposal are being amortized over seven years. RG&E’s remaining non-super storm regulatory asset of $19.6 million established prior to the 2020 Joint Proposal is being amortized over two years. All other deferred storm costs at both NYSEG and RG&E are being amortized over 10 years. The 2023 JP gradually increases
NYSEG’s and RG&E’s Major Storm rate allowances over the term of the 2023 JP to better align NYSEG’s and RG&E’s actual Major Storm costs with such rate allowances and to support NYSEG’s and RG&E’s credit metrics.
The 2023 JP contains provisions consistent with, supportive of, and in furtherance of the objectives of the CLCPA including provisions that will, among other things, increase funding for energy efficiency programs, enhance the electric system in anticipation of increased electrification and increase funding for electric heat pump programs, provide funding for improved electric and gas reliability and resiliency, encourage non-pipe and non-wire alternatives, and replace leak prone pipe. The 2023 JP also includes support for $634 million of capital investment for CLCPA Phase 1 investments projected to be placed in-service beyond the three-year rate plan.
In an
order issued on February 19, 2020, the MPUC authorized an increase in CMP's distribution revenue requirement of $17 million, or approximately 7.00%, based on an allowed ROE of 9.25% and a 50.00% equity ratio. The rate increase was effective March 1, 2020. Commencing on March 1, 2020, the MPUC also imposed a 1.00% ROE reduction (to 8.25%) for management efficiency associated with CMP’s customer service performance following the implementation of its new billing system in 2017 which would be removed after demonstrating satisfactory customer service performance. In September 2021, CMP met the 18-month required rolling average satisfactory customer service benchmarks and filed with the MPUC a request for removal of the management efficiency adjustment, which was approved by the MPUC effective as of its February
18, 2022 order.
On August 11, 2022, CMP filed a three-year rate plan, with adjustments to the distribution revenue requirement in each year. On May 31, 2023, CMP filed a Stipulation resolving all issues in the case providing for a 9.35% ROE, 50% equity ratio, and 50% earnings sharing for annual earnings in excess of 0.01 basis points of CMP’s allowed ROE. The Stipulation also provided for a two-year forward looking rate plan with increases to occur in four equal levelized amounts every six months beginning on July 1, 2023. The next three increases will occur on January 1, 2024, July 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025. The amount of
each increase is $16.75 million. These revenue increases include amounts for operations and maintenance but are primarily driven by increases in capital investment forecast by CMP to occur during the period covered by the Stipulation. The Stipulation also imposes a service quality indicator incentive mechanism on CMP. The incentive is provided by a penalty mechanism that would impose a maximum of $8.8 million per year for a failure to meet specified service quality indicator targets. The Stipulation was approved by the MPUC on June 6, 2023.
On May 17, 2016, the MPUC approved MNG's ten-year rate plan through April 30, 2026. The settlement structure for non-Augusta customers includes a 34.60% delivery revenue increase over five years with an allowed 9.55% ROE and 50.00% common
equity ratio. The settlement structure for Augusta customers includes a ten-year rate plan with existing Augusta customers being charged rates equal to non-Augusta customers plus a surcharge which increases annually for five years. New Augusta customers will have rates set based on an alternate fuel market model. In year seven of the rate plan MNG will submit a cost of service filing for the Augusta area to determine if the rate plan should continue. This cost of service filing will exclude $15 million of initial 2012/2013 gross plant investment, however the stipulation allows for accelerated depreciation of these assets. If the Augusta area’s cost of service filing illustrates results above a 14.55% ROE then the rate plan may cease, otherwise the rate plan would continue.
CMP’s and UI’s electric transmission rates are determined by a tariff regulated by the FERC and administered by ISO-NE. Transmission rates are set annually
pursuant to a FERC authorized formula that allows for recovery of direct and allocated transmission operating and maintenance expenses, including return of and on investment in assets. The FERC currently provides an initial base ROE of 10.57% and additional incentive adders applicable to assets based upon vintage, voltage and other factors.
On September 30, 2011, the Massachusetts Attorney General, DPU, PURA, New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, Vermont Department of Public Service, numerous New England consumer advocate agencies and transmission tariff customers collectively filed a joint complaint with the FERC, pursuant to sections 206 and 306 of the Federal Power Act against several NETOs claiming that the approved base ROE of 11.14% used by NETOs in calculating formula rates for transmission service under the
ISO-New England Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) was not just and reasonable and seeking a reduction of the base ROE of 9.2%. CMP and UI are NETOs with assets and service rates that are governed by the OATT and will thereby be affected by any FERC order resulting from the filed complaint.
48
On December 26, 2012, a second related complaint for a subsequent rate period was filed requesting the ROE be reduced to 8.7%. On July 31, 2014, a third related complaint was filed for a subsequent rate period requesting the ROE be reduced to 8.84%. On April 29, 2016, a fourth complaint was filed for a rate period subsequent to prior
complaints requesting the base ROE be 8.61% and ROE Cap be 11.24%.
On October 16, 2018, the FERC issued an order directing briefs and proposing a new methodology to calculate the NETOs ROE that is contained in NETOs’ transmission formula rate on file at FERC. We cannot predict the final outcome of the proceedings.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
New England Clean Energy Connect
In 2018, the New England Clean Energy Connect, or NECEC, transmission project, proposed in a joint bid by CMP and Hydro-Québec, was selected by the Massachusetts electric distribution utilities (EDCs) and the DOER in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’s
83D clean energy Request for Proposal. The NECEC transmission project includes a 145-mile transmission line linking the electrical grids in Québec, Canada and New England. The project, which has estimated construction costs of approximately $1.5 billion in total, would add 1,200 MW of transmission capacity to supply Maine and the rest of New England with power from reliable hydroelectric generation.
On June 13, 2018, CMP entered into transmission service agreements, or TSAs, with the Massachusetts EDCs, and H.Q. Energy Services (U.S.) Inc., or HQUS, an affiliate of Hydro-Québec, which govern the terms of service and revenue recovery for the NECEC transmission project. Simultaneous with the execution of the TSAs with CMP, the EDCs executed certain PPAs with HQUS for sales of electricity and environmental attributes to the EDCs. On October
19, 2018, FERC issued an order accepting the TSAs for filing as CMP rate schedules effective as of October 20, 2018. On June 25, 2019, the Massachusetts DPU issued an Order approving the NECEC project long term PPAs and the cost recovery by the EDCs of the TSA charges. This Order was subsequently appealed by NextEra Energy Resources. On September 3, 2020, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court denied NextEra Energy Resources’ appeal of the DPU Order.
The NECEC project requires a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, or CPCN, from the MPUC. On May 3, 2019, the MPUC issued an Order granting the CPCN for the NECEC project. This Order was subsequently appealed by NextEra Energy Resources. On March
17, 2020, the Maine Law Court denied NextEra Energy Resources’ appeal of the CPCN.
On January 4, 2021, CMP transferred the NECEC project to NECEC Transmission LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Networks, pursuant to the terms of a transfer agreement dated November 3, 2020.
The NECEC project requires certain permits, including environmental, from multiple state and federal agencies and a presidential permit from the U.S. Department of Energy, or DOE, authorizing the construction, operation, maintenance and connection of facilities for the transmission of electric energy at the international border between the United States and Canada. On January 8, 2020, the Maine Land Use Planning Commission, or LUPC, granted the LUPC Certification
for the NECEC. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection, or MDEP, granted Site Location of Development Act, Natural Resources Protection Act, and Water Quality Certification permits for the NECEC by an Order dated May 11, 2020. The MDEP Order was appealed by certain intervenors. Through an Order dated July 21, 2022, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection, or MBEP, denied the appeals of the MDEP Order, as well as the appeal of MDEP’s December 4, 2020 Order approving the partial transfer of the permits for the project to NECEC Transmission LLC. In August 2022, the intervenors that had appealed the MDEP Order appealed the MBEP Order. Certain of those intervenors dismissed their challenge in June 2023, though one group has continued to maintain their challenge. That appeal is pending before the Maine Superior Court.
In addition, certain intervenors appealed MDEP's May 7, 2021 Order approving certain minor revisions. On February 16, 2023 the MBEP denied the appeal and affirmed the referred MDEP Order. In March 2023, the intervenors appealed the MBEP order to the Maine Superior Court, though subsequently dismissed that challenge in June 2023.
On November 6, 2020, the project received the required approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or Army Corps, pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbor Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. A complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief asking the court to, among other things, vacate or remand the Section 404 Clean Water Act permit for the NECEC project filed by three environmental groups is currently pending before the
District Court in Maine. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding.
ISO-NE issued the final System Impact Study (SIS) for NECEC on May 13, 2020, determining the upgrades required to permit the interconnection of NECEC to the ISO-NE system. On July 9, 2020, the project received the formal I.3.9 approval associated with this interconnection request. CMP, NECEC Transmission LLC and ISO-NE executed an interconnection agreement. With respect to the upgrade required at the Seabrook Nuclear Generation Station, or Seabrook Station, on February
49
1, 2023, FERC issued an order granting in part Avangrid and NECEC Transmission LLC’s
complaint against NextEra Energy Resources, LLC and NextEra Energy Seabrook, LLC, or Seabrook, denying in part Avangrid and NECEC Transmission LLC’s complaint, and dismissing Seabrook’s petition for declaratory order. Among other things, FERC directed Seabrook to replace the breaker at Seabrook Station pursuant to its obligations under Seabrook Station’s large generator interconnection agreement and good utility practice. Furthermore, FERC determined that Seabrook should not recover opportunity or legal costs in connection with the breaker replacement. NextEra sought reconsideration of FERC’s decision, which was denied in April 2023 and by further FERC order in June 2023. NextEra has appealed that decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where it remains pending. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding.
On January 14, 2021, the DOE issued a Presidential
Permit granting permission to NECEC Transmission LLC to construct, operate, maintain and connect electric transmission facilities at the international border of the United States and Canada. On March 26, 2021, the plaintiffs challenging the Army Corps permit filed a motion for leave before the District Court in Maine to supplement their complaint to add claims against DOE in connection with the Presidential Permit. On April 20, 2021, the District Court granted the plaintiffs motion to amend the complaint. On April 22, 2021, the plaintiffs filed their amended complaint asking the Court, among other things, to vacate, set aside, remand or stay the Presidential Permit. This challenge to the Presidential Permit is currently pending before the District Court in Maine. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding.
On
November 2, 2021, Maine voters approved, by virtue of a referendum, L.D. 1295 (I.B. 1) (130th Legis. 2021), “An Act To Require Legislative Approval of Certain Transmission Lines, Require Legislative Approval of Certain Transmission Lines and Facilities and Other Projects on Public Reserved Lands and Prohibit the Construction of Certain Transmission Lines in the Upper Kennebec Region” (the “Initiative”), which per its terms would retroactively apply to the NECEC project. In particular, the Initiative (i) required, retroactive to 2020, legislative approval for the construction of any high-impact transmission line in Maine, with approval by a 2/3 vote of all members elected to each House of the Maine Legislature required for such lines crossing or utilizing public lands; (ii) prohibited, retroactive to 2020, construction of a high-impact electric transmission line in the Upper Kennebec Region, and (iii) required,
retroactive to 2014, the vote of 2/3 of all members elected to each House of the Maine Legislature for a lease by the Bureau of Parks and Lands (“BPL”) of public reserved lands for transmission lines and similar linear projects.
On November 3, 2021, Networks and NECEC Transmission LLC filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Initiative and requesting injunctive relief preventing retroactive enforcement of the Initiative to the NECEC transmission project. Networks and NECEC Transmission LLC also requested a preliminary injunction preventing such retroactive enforcement during the pendency of the lawsuit, which was ultimately denied. The Initiative took effect on December 19, 2021.
On December 22, 2021, Networks
and NECEC Transmission LLC moved that the Business & Consumer Court report its decision to the Maine Law Court for an interlocutory appeal under the applicable rule of appellate procedure. The Business & Consumer Court granted this motion, thereby sending its decision to the Law Court for review. On August 30, 2022, the Law Court ruled that certain Initiative provisions would infringe on NECEC’s constitutionally protected vested rights if NECEC Transmission LLC can demonstrate that it engaged in substantial construction of the NECEC project in good-faith reliance of the authority under the CPCN granted by the MPUC before Maine voters approved the Initiative. The Maine Law Court remanded the matter to the Business & Consumer Court for a trial to determine that question. The trial began on April 10, 2023 and concluded on April
20, 2023, when the jury reached a unanimous decision finding that NECEC had constructed substantial construction in good faith. The Court subsequently entered an Order that NECEC had obtained vested rights to continue work on the project, and that retroactively applying the Initiative to the NECEC project would violate the Maine Constitution. No party appealed that decision.
On November 23, 2021, the MDEP issued an Order finding that the Initiative constituted a changed circumstance justifying the suspension of the MDEP permits for the NECEC project. In its order, the MDEP ruled that, so long as such MDEP permits are suspended, all construction must stop, subject to the performance and completion of certain activities required by the Order. The MDEP lifted the Order in May 2023.
On August
3, 2023, NECEC resumed limited construction and is continuing to evaluate the construction schedule for the NECEC project, related commercial operation date, and total project cost, including potential impacts from increased construction costs, disputes with third party vendors regarding contracts and certain change orders, and a decrease in expected returns. As of December 31, 2023, we have capitalized approximately $807 million for the NECEC project, which includes capitalized interest costs and other additional payments related to the project along with construction costs.
In connection with the lease granted by BPL over a small area of Maine public lands to house a 0.9-mile section of the NECEC, on November 29, 2022, the Law
Court vacated the trial court’s prior decision to reverse BPL’s decision to grant the lease. The Law Court confirmed that BPL acted within its constitutional and statutory authority when granting the lease.
50
Furthermore, the Law Court held that the section of the Initiative that requires the vote of 2/3 of all members elected to each House of the Maine Legislature for a lease by BPL of public reserved lands for transmission lines and similar linear projects, as retroactively applied to the lease for the NECEC, violates the Contracts Clauses of the U.S. and Maine Constitutions and, accordingly, that the lease was not voided by the Initiative.
At
the municipal level, the project has obtained multiple municipal approvals and will pursue any remaining municipal approvals in accordance with the project schedule.
Maine Government-Run Power Referendum
In November 2023, Maine voters rejected a government-run power referendum and approved a “No Blank Checks” referendum that requires citizens to approve the debt issued by the State of Maine greater than $1 billion, including debt necessary for a government-controlled entity to seize the assets of an investor-owned utility.
CMP System Upgrades Due to Distributed Generation Demand
CMP has entered into certain interconnection agreements with distributed generation operators and/or developers. Due to the increased demand for solar distribution-side connections, certain reconfigurations of
the grid and substation and systems upgrades may be necessary to prevent potential safety issues. CMP is analyzing the anticipated costs of the necessary upgrades and the distributed generation operations and/or developers responsibility for such costs under the interconnection agreements. While no proceedings have been brought before the MPUC, we cannot predict the outcome of this matter or any potential proceedings before the MPUC.
New England Clean Energy Request for Proposals
On May 25, 2017, UI entered into six 20-year PPAs, totaling approximately 32 MW with developers of wind and solar generation. These PPAs originated from a three-state Clean Energy RFP, and were entered into pursuant to PA 13-303, which provides that the net costs of the PPAs are recoverable through electric rates. The PPAs were approved by PURA on September
13, 2017.
On June 20, 2017, UI entered into twenty-two 20-year PPAs totaling approximately 72 MW with developers of wind and solar generation. These PPAs originated from an RFP issued by the DEEP under PA 15-107 1(b) which provides that the net costs of the PPAs are recoverable through electric rates. The PPAs were approved by PURA on September 7, 2017. One contract was terminated on October 24, 2017, resulting in UI having twenty-one remaining contracts from this solicitation totaling approximately 70 MW.
In October of 2018, UI entered into five
PPAs totaling approximately 50 MW from developers of offshore wind and fuel cell generation. These PPAs originated from an RFP issued by DEEP, under PA 17-144 which provides that the net costs of the PPAs are recoverable through electric rates. The PPAs were filed for PURA approval on October 25, 2018. On December 19, 2018, PURA issued its final decision approving the five PPAs and approved UI’s use of the non-bypassable federally mandated congestion charges for all customers to recover the net costs of the PPAs.
On December 28, 2018, DEEP issued a directive to UI to negotiate and enter into PPAs with twelve projects, totaling approximately 12 million MWh, selected as a result of the Zero Carbon RFP issued by DEEP pursuant to PA 17-3, which provides that the net costs of the
PPAs are recoverable through electric rates. One of the selected projects is the Millstone nuclear facility located in Waterford, Connecticut which is owned by Dominion Energy, Inc. The PPA with Dominion was executed and approved by PURA in September 2019. Of the eleven other projects, one dropped out and PPAs with nine other projects were executed and approved by PURA in November 2019. The PPA for the final project was approved in August 2020.
Pursuant to Connecticut Act Concerning the Procurement of Energy Derived from Offshore Wind, DEEP solicited proposals from providers of energy derived from offshore wind facilities that are Class I renewable energy sources for up to 2,000 MW in the aggregate and selected Vineyard Wind, an affiliate of UI, to provide 804 MW of offshore wind through the development of its Park City Wind Project. In 2020, UI entered into a PPA with Vineyard Wind for the offshore wind energy. Similar to
the case with the zero carbon PPAs discussed above, the net costs of the PPAs were recoverable through electric rates. On October 13, 2023, PURA approved the termination of this agreement between UI and its affiliate for the development of Park City Wind Project.
Reforming the Energy Vision
In April 2014, the NYPSC commenced a proceeding entitled REV, which is a wide-ranging initiative to reform New York State’s energy industry and regulatory practices. REV was divided into two tracks, Track 1 for Market Design and Technology, and Track 2 for Regulatory Reform. REV and its related proceedings have and will continue to propose regulatory
51
changes
that are intended to promote more efficient use of energy, deeper penetration of renewable energy resources such as wind and solar and wider deployment of distributed energy resources, or DER, such as micro grids, on-site power supplies and storage.
The NYPSC issued a 2015 order in Track 1, which acknowledged the utilities’ role as a Distribution System Platform provider, and required the utilities to file an initial Distribution System Implementation Plan, or DSIP, followed by bi-annual updates. The next scheduled DSIP update is June 30, 2025.
A Track 2 order was issued in May 2016, and included guidance related to the potential for Earnings Adjustment Mechanisms, or EAMs, Platform Service Revenues, innovative rate designs and data utilization and security. EAMs were approved by the NYPSC on November
19, 2020 in its Order approving the companies' 2020 Rate Plan. Modifications to EAMs were approved by the NYPSC on October 12, 2023 in its Order approving the companies' 2023 Rate Plan.
In 2017, the NYPSC approved a transition from traditional Net Energy Metering, or NEM, towards a more values-based approach (Value Stack) for compensating DER. Since that time, the NYPSC has issued a number of orders on additional Value of Distributed Energy Resources matters. Most recently, NYPSC Staff issued a proposal on Community Distributed Generation Billing, or CDG billing, and Crediting Performance Metrics and Negative Revenue Adjustments, or NRAs. The NYPSC Staff recommends six CDG performance metrics with associated NRAs that would incent improvements to the CDG billing processes. At this time, the outcome of this proceeding is unknown.
Other
REV-related orders pertaining to electric vehicles, or EV, an Integrated Energy Data Resource, or IEDR, platform and energy storage are summarized below.
•The NYPSC issued an Order on April 20, 2023 instituting a proceeding to advance infrastructure for medium and heavy-duty vehicles. The Joint Utilities filed an implementation plan with the NYPSC for the medium and heavy-duty pilot program. The Joint Utilities are awaiting NYPSC approval of the implementation plan.
•On February 11, 2021, the NYPSC issued an Order to implement an Integrated Energy Data Resource platform, where NYSERDA was designated as the Program Sponsor of the platform. The Order established a combined cost cap of $12 Million for NYSEG and RG&E for Phase 1, to
be deferred and recovered in the next rate case filing after Phase 1 is complete. On January 19, 2024, the NYPSC issued an Order approving the Phase 2 budget, with costs up to the combined cost cap deferred for future recovery in the same manner as Phase 1.
•An order was issued on July 16, 2020 approving a $700 million statewide program (NYSEG and RG&E combined share is approximately $118 million) funded by customers to accelerate the deployment of EV charging stations.
•On December 13, 2018, the NYPSC issued an Order for utilities to file implementation plans detailing a competitive procurement process and cost recovery for deploying qualified storage systems. NYSEG and RG&E
have tariffs in effect to collect costs for the procurement of qualified energy storage assets.
Tax Act Proceedings
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act significantly changed the federal taxation of business entities including, among other things, implementing a federal corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. Reductions in accumulated deferred income tax balances due to the reduction in the corporate income tax rates result in amounts previously and currently collected from utility customers for these deferred taxes to be refundable to such customers, generally through reductions in future rates. The NYPSC, MPUC, PURA, DPU and the FERC held separate proceedings in New York, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts and the FERC, respectively, and for the majority of our regulated utilities, authorized
the amortization periods for the return of regulatory liabilities and the recovery of regulatory assets, including the authorization of sur-credits to return the related benefits to rate payers in certain jurisdictions. With regard to SCG, we expect Tax Act savings to be deferred until they are reflected in tariffs in a future rate case, unless PURA determines otherwise.
Power Tax Audits
Previously, CMP, NYSEG and RG&E implemented Power Tax software to track and measure their respective deferred tax amounts. In connection with this change, we identified historical updates needed with deferred taxes recognized by CMP, NYSEG and RG&E and increased our deferred tax liabilities, with a corresponding increase to regulatory assets, to reflect the updated amounts calculated by the Power Tax software. Since 2015, the NYPSC and MPUC accepted certain adjustments to deferred taxes
and associated regulatory assets for this item in recent distribution rate cases, resulting in regulatory asset balances of approximately $130 million and $137 million, respectively, at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
52
CMP began recovering its regulatory asset in 2020. In 2017, the NYPSC commenced an audit of the power tax regulatory assets. On January 11, 2018, the NYPSC issued an order opening an operations audit of NYSEG and RG&E and certain other New York utilities regarding tax accounting. In September 2023, NYSEG and RG&E received the NYPSC final audit report and in October 2023 we responded with comments
and a request for certain clarifications. The report includes recommendations that are primarily intended to enhance existing practices. The NYPSC audit process was completed and the final audit report issued by the Commission on November 21, 2023 with no impacts to the recorded regulatory assets.
Weather Impact
The demand for electric power and natural gas is affected by seasonal differences in the weather. Statewide demand for electricity in New York, Connecticut and Maine tends to increase during the summer months to meet cooling load or in winter months for heating load while statewide demand for natural gas tends to increase during the winter to meet heating load. Market prices for both electricity and natural gas reflect the demand for these products and their availability at that time. Overall operating results of Networks
do not fluctuate due to commodity costs as the regulated utilities generally recover those costs coincident with their expense or defer any differences for future recovery. Networks has historically sold less power when weather conditions are milder and may also be affected by severe weather, such as ice and snow storms, hurricanes and other natural disasters which may result in additional cost or loss of revenues that may not be recoverable from customers. However, Networks’ regulated utilities, other than MNG, have approved RDMs as part of the NYPSC, PURA and MPUC rate plans in place for the period ended December 31, 2023. The RDM allows the regulated utilities to defer for future recovery and shortfall from projected revenues whether due to weather, economic conditions, conservation or other factors.
New Renewable Source Generation
Under
Connecticut Public Act 11-80, or PA, Connecticut electric utilities are required to enter into long-term contracts to purchase Connecticut Class I Renewable Energy Certificates, or RECs, from renewable generators located on customer premises. Under this program, UI is required to enter into contracts totaling approximately $200 million in commitments over approximately 21 years. The obligations were initially expected to phase in over a six-year solicitation period and to peak at an annual commitment level of about $13.6 million per year after all selected projects are online. PA 17-144, PA 18-50 and PA 19-35 extended the original six-year solicitation period of the program by adding seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth years, and increased the original funding level of this program by adding
up to $64 million in additional commitments by UI. UI expects to partially mitigate the cost of these contracts through the resale of the RECs. PA 11-80 provides that the remaining costs (and any benefits) of these contracts, including any gain or loss resulting from the resale of the RECs, are fully recoverable from (or credited to) customers through electric rates.
Pursuant to Connecticut statute, in January 2017, UI entered into a master agreement with the Connecticut Green Bank to procure Connecticut Class I RECs produced by residential solar installations in 15-year tranches, with the final tranche confirmation executed in 2022. UI’s contractual obligation is to procure 20% of RECs produced by about 255 MW of residential solar installations.
Connecticut statutes provide that the net costs (and any benefits) of these contracts, including any gain or loss resulting from the resale of the RECs, are fully recoverable from (or credited to) customers through electric rates.
In 2020, pursuant to the Connecticut Act Concerning the Procurement of Energy Derived From Offshore Wind, UI entered into a PPA with Vineyard Wind, an affiliate of UI, to provide 804 MW of offshore wind through the development of its Park City Wind Project. Similar to the case with the zero carbon PPAs discussed above, the net costs of the PPAs were recoverable through electric rates. On October 2, 2023, Park City Wind entered into a first amendment, termination agreement and release with each of the Connecticut EDCs, providing for an orderly termination of
the Park City Wind PPAs. On October 13, 2023, PURA approved the termination agreements.
Pursuant to Maine law, the MPUC is authorized to conduct periodic requests for proposals seeking long-term supplies of energy, capacity or RECs, from qualifying resources. The MPUC is further authorized to order Maine transmission and distribution utilities to enter into contracts with sellers selected from the MPUC’s competitive solicitation process. Pursuant to a MPUC Order dated October 8, 2009, CMP entered into a 20-year agreement with Evergreen Wind Power III, LLC, on March 31, 2010, to purchase capacity and energy from Evergreen’s 60 Megawatt (MW) Rollins wind farm. CMP’s purchase obligations
under the Rollins contract are approximately $7 million per year. Pursuant to a MPUC Order dated August 17, 2013, CMP entered into a 20-year fixed rate agreement with Maine Wood Pellets, a 7.1 MW wood-fired biomass cogeneration facility. Pursuant to a MPUC Order dated September 22, 2016, CMP entered into a 20-year fixed rate agreement with Georges River Energy, a 7.5 MW wood-fired biomass cogeneration facility. Pursuant to a MPUC Order dated August 3, 2017, CMP entered into a 20-year fixed rate agreement with Pittsfield Solar 9.9 MW photovoltaic facility. Pursuant to a MPUC Order dated December 18, 2017, CMP entered into a 20-year agreement with Dirigo Solar, LLC on September 10,
2018, to purchase capacity and energy from multiple Dirigo solar facilities throughout CMP’s service territory. CMP’s purchase obligations under the Dirigo contract will increase as additional solar facilities are brought on line, eventually reaching a level of approximately $4 million per year. Pursuant to a MPUC Order dated November 6, 2019, CMP entered into a 20-year agreement with Maine
53
Aqua Ventus I GP LLC on December 9, 2019, to purchase capacity and energy from an off-shore wind farm under development near Monhegan Island, Maine. CMP’s purchase obligations under the Maine
Aqua Ventus contract will be approximately $12 million per year once the facility begins commercial operation. Pursuant to Maine law, the MPUC conducted two competitive solicitation processes to procure, in the aggregate, an amount of energy or RECs from Class 1A resources that is equal to 14% of retail electricity sales in the State during calendar year 2018, or 1.715 million MWh. Of that 14% total, the MPUC must acquire at least 7%, but not more than 10%. Through contracts approved in December 2020 (Tranche 1), CMP was ordered to execute 13 contracts of which six have since terminated. In October 2021 CMP executed contracts
with six additional facilities (Tranche 2) of which one has since terminated. Each of the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 contracts are for 20-year terms. In accordance with MPUC orders, CMP either sells the purchased energy, or in one case the RECs, from these facilities in the ISO New England markets, through periodic auctions of the purchased output to wholesale buyers in the New England regional market, or through a sale to a third party for the RECs. Under Maine law, CMP is assured recovery of any differences between power purchase costs and achieved market revenues through a reconcilable component of its retail distribution rates. Although the MPUC has conducted multiple requests for proposals under Maine law, and has tentatively accepted long-term proposals from other sellers, these selections have not yet resulted in additional currently effective contracts
with CMP.
UI RAM Proceedings
On September 17, 2022, a final decision was issued by PURA in connection with PURA’s annual review of UI’s rate adjustment mechanisms, or RAM. In the final decision, PURA included certain line-items in the revenue decoupling mechanism, or RDM, resulting in the disallowance of approximately $5.1 million. On September 1, 2022, UI filed a motion for reconsideration with PURA, which was denied. UI’s appeal to the Connecticut Superior Court was filed on October 31, 2022. Oral argument took place on January 3, 2024.
On August 16, 2023, PURA issued a final decision in
UI’s annual RAM, similar to the decision in 2022 resulting in disallowances related to the RDM and incentive compensation of approximately $6.8 million. UI requested Reconsideration of the Final Decision to correct the prior year transmission revenue requirement number used in the decision to update it to the current year. PURA granted the request for Reconsideration on September 25, 2023 and issued decision on the motion on October 25, 2023. UI filed an administrative appeal of this matter on December 8, 2023 with the Connecticut Superior Court. A motion to stay the proceeding pending the outcome of the 2022 RAM appeal was granted on February 1, 2024. We cannot predict the outcome of these matters.
UI Interim Rates
UI
filed an application to request interim rates to increase incremental base revenues pending the earlier of: (a) resolution of the administrative appeal of the UI rate case; or (b) the issuance of a final rate decision in a subsequent rate proceeding. PURA denied this motion on December 29, 2023. UI appealed the decision on February 9, 2024. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Citizen’s initiative in Maine
On November 7, 2023, Maine voters approved a citizen’s initiative, or the Initiative, that, among other things, prohibits “foreign government-influenced entities” from any political spending on candidate or referendum campaigns in the state of Maine. The Initiative defines a “foreign government-influenced entity”
as an entity in which a foreign government directly or indirectly owns at least a 5% interest. On December 12, 2023, CMP filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Maine challenging the constitutionality of the Initiative and seeking to enjoin its enforcement. Several other challengers filed similar constitutional challenges. These cases have been consolidated and oral argument will be held on February 23, 2024. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
PURA Investigation of the Preparation for and Response to the Tropical Storm Isaias and Connecticut Storm Reimbursement Legislation
On August 6, 2020, PURA opened a docket to investigate the preparation for and response to Tropical Storm Isaias by the electric
distribution companies in Connecticut including UI. PURA issued a final decision on April 15, 2021, finding that UI “generally met standards of acceptable performance in its preparation and response to Tropical Storm Isaias," subject to certain exceptions noted in the decision, but ordered a 15-basis point reduction to UI's ROE in its next rate case to incentivize better performance and indicated that penalties could be forthcoming in the penalty phase of the proceedings. On June 11, 2021, UI filed an appeal of PURA’s decision with the Connecticut Superior Court.
On May 6, 2021, in connection with its findings in the Tropical Storm Isaias docket, PURA issued a Notice of Violation to UI for allegedly failing to comply with standards of acceptable performance in emergency
preparation or restoration of service in an emergency and with orders of the Authority, and for violations of accident reporting requirements. PURA assessed a civil penalty in the total amount of approximately $2 million. PURA held a hearing on this matter and, in an order dated July 14, 2021, reduced the civil penalty to approximately $1 million. UI filed an appeal of PURA’s decision with the Connecticut
54
Superior Court. This appeal and the appeal of PURA’s decision on the Tropical Storm Isaias docket have been consolidated. Following oral arguments in October 2022, the court denied UI’s appeal and affirmed PURA’s decisions in their entirety. UI filed a notice of appeal to Connecticut's Appellate court on November
7, 2022. The matter has been briefed and oral argument was held on December 11, 2023.We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding.
Proposed Connecticut Performance-Based Regulation
On March 17, 2023, PURA issued a draft decision proposing a regulatory framework for Performance-Based Regulation, or PBR, for electric distribution companies. The Draft Decision establishes the regulatory goals, foundational considerations, and priority outcomes to guide PBR development among other things. The intent of the PBR framework is to drive improvement in utility performance to better serve the public interest. Additional areas of focus include establishing an equitable modern grid framework, and providing a toolkit for regulatory reform. We cannot predict the outcome of this proposed
regulation.
Proposed New York Legislation in Response to the Tropical Storm Isaias
Proposed legislation has been introduced that would amend the public service law to, among other things, increase potential penalties and give greater discretion to the NYPSC to assess penalties for violations of the Public Service Law, Regulations, or Orders of the NYPSC. We cannot predict the outcome of this proposed legislation.
Summary Investigation of Management Issues Identified in Management Audit of CMP
As noted above, on February 19, 2020, the MPUC issued its final order in CMP’s distribution revenue case. As part of that order, the MPUC initiated a management audit of CMP and its affiliates to evaluate whether CMP's current management structure, and
the management and other services from its affiliates, are appropriate and in the interest of Maine customers. The management audit was commenced in July 2020 by the MPUC’s consultants and on July 12, 2021, the independent auditor released its final report. On September 28, 2021, the MPUC opened a summary investigation to follow up on the management audit report. The MPUC directed CMP to file a plan to incorporate feedback from the management audit. CMP filed a Performance Improvement Plan and parties commented on the plan. CMP provided responsive comments on January 6, 2022. On February 18, 2022, the MPUC opened a narrowly tailored follow-on investigation examining how CMP and its customers are affected by decisions made at the CMP corporate parent level about earnings,
capital budgeting, and planning. The investigation was closed by the MPUC with no findings.
CMP Storm Cost Disallowance
On September 6, 2023, the Maine Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) initiated a regulatory proceeding before the MPUC challenging CMP’s 2022 incremental storm costs.The OPA claims that CMP was imprudent in its storm restoration activities in 2022 by retaining an “excessive” number of external storm restoration crews to restore electric service, and seeks a disallowance of approximately $53.6 million of storm related costs from recovery from customers. A hearing is set for May 30, 2024, with MPUC deliberations scheduled for the third quarter of 2024. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding.
Late
Payment Charge Order
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of New York previously issued an executive order on March 20, 2020 which, among other items, resulted in the suspension of recovery of unbilled fees, including late payment fees and other fees associated with customer non-payment including, but not limited to, connection fees and reconnection fees. On June 17, 2022, the NYPSC issued an order authorizing NYSEG and RG&E to establish a surcharge to recover unbilled fees for Rate Year One and a surcharge/surcredit for Rate Years Two and Three, subject to the offsetting cost reductions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, starting on July 1, 2022.
New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
In
June 2019, the New York State legislature passed a new law titled the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, or CLCPA, which could have significant impacts on the operations of electric and gas utilities in New York. A Climate Action Council has been formed consistent with the CLCPA, and that Council will be providing guidance to New York State in reaching aggressive renewable and emission reduction goals delineated in the CLCPA. On December 30, 2021, the Climate Action Council issued a Draft Scoping Plan, which includes numerous draft recommendations designed to ensure a fair transition to achieving New York’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and renewable energy goals. The Draft Scoping Plan is subject to a 120-day public comment period, and the Climate Action Council published the final Scoping Plan on December 16, 2022, which was approved by the Climate
Action Council on December 19, 2022.
On February 16, 2023, the NYPSC issued an order to authorize transmission upgrades solely to support new renewable generation sources (Phase 2) pursuant to the implementation of the Accelerated Renewable Growth and Community Benefit
55
Act. The order approves an estimated $4.4 billion in transmission upgrades proposed by upstate utilities to help integrate 3,500 MW of clean energy capacity into the grid, of which NYSEG and RG&E are approved for estimated upgrade costs of $2.2 billion, including participation with other upstate utilities on certain projects.
The
Joint Proposal (2023 JP) for a three-year rate plan filed by NYSEG and RG&E and approved by the NYPSC on October 12, 2023, contains provisions consistent with, supportive of, and in furtherance of the objectives of the CLCPA including provisions that will, among other things, increase funding for energy efficiency programs, enhance the electric system in anticipation of increased electrification and increase funding for electric heat pump programs, provide funding for improved electric and gas reliability and resiliency, encourage non-pipe and non-wire alternatives, and replace leak prone pipe.
Propel NY Energy Project
On June 20, 2023, a proposal by New York TransCo, in partnership with the New York Power Authority, or NYPA, was selected as the most cost-efficient project by
the NYISO in response to a solicitation for the Long Island Offshore Wind Export Public Policy Transmission Need to provide transfer capability of at least 3,000 MW, from the Long Island transmission district to another utility's transmission infrastructure. This project, titled Propel NY Energy Project, has an estimated cost of approximately $2.2 billion, excluding certain interconnection costs that are not yet finalized. Networks holds an approximate 20% ownership interest in New York TransCo.
Customer Arrearages Reduction Order
On June 16, 2022, the NYPSC issued an order authorizing an arrears reduction program targeting low-income customers to provide COVID-19-related relief through a one-time bill credit to eliminate accrued arrears through May 1, 2022. A portion of the targeted
arrearages will be funded via direct contributions from the State of New York, and the remainder is to be received via a surcharge to all customers. The surcharge recovery is over five years for RG&E and three years for NYSEG beginning on August 1, 2022.
On January 19, 2023, the NYPSC issued a subsequent order providing bill relief for customers who did not receive a credit as part of the Phase 1 Program approved in 2022 (Low Income Program participants). Qualifying residential and small business customers are eligible to have any past-due balance from bills for service through May 1, 2022, reduced through a one-time bill credit, up to a maximum credit below:
Residential
Total
Forecast Residential Credits
Small Business
Total Forecast Small Business Credits
Company
(Millions)
(Millions)
NYSEG
Up to $1,000
$
16.9
Up to $1,250
$
1.4
RG&E
Up
to $1,500
$
15.2
Up to $1,500
$
0.6
Inflation Reduction Act
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, or IRA, was signed into United States law. The IRA created a new corporate alternative minimum tax, or CAMT, of 15% on adjusted financial statement income and an excise tax of 1% on the value of certain stock repurchases. The IRA also contains a number of additional provisions related to tax incentives for investments in renewable energy production, carbon capture, and other climate actions. The CAMT and other various applicable provisions
of the IRA are effective for the Company for periods beginning after December 31, 2022. The impact of CAMT will depend on our facts in each year, as well as on anticipated guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury. The Company paid $32 million of CAMT in 2023, comprised of an estimated $129 million of gross initial obligation; partially offset by $97 million of tax credit utilization. The Company also established an equivalent $129 million, unlimited lived gross CAMT carryforward asset, which will be available in future periods to offset regular income tax that exceeds CAMT.
Pillar Two
The
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has issued Pillar Two model rules that subjects adoptees to a new global minimum tax of 15% intended to be effective on January 1, 2024. In Spain, the Ministry of Finance published draft legislation on Pillar Two in December 2023, but the final rules remain uncertain. The US has not adopted the Pillar Two model rules. Therefore, applicability to Avangrid is currently limited to the indirect impact Spain’s adoption of these rules could have on Iberdrola and its subsidiaries. As part of its financial reporting, Iberdrola Group has assessed Pillar Two implications and concluded that it does not expect a significant equity impact derived from the application of the model rules. Consistent with this assessment, Avangrid does not currently believe Pillar Two will have a significant
impact on its earnings or cash flows.
56
Renewables
Renewable Energy Incentives
Renewables relies, in part, upon government policies that support utility-scale renewable energy and enhance the economic feasibility of development and operating wind energy projects in regions in which Renewables operates or plans to develop and operate renewable energy facilities.
The IRA extended and enhanced solar and wind tax incentives. The IRA also added certain prevailing wage and apprenticeship rules for projects to claim the full
credit value unless construction started prior to January 29, 2023. The IRA provides other credit enhancements for qualifying projects that meet domestic content and/or energy community siting requirements.
The 2020 Consolidated Appropriations Act provided favorable extensions to renewable income tax incentives. Onshore and offshore wind projects could claim a 60% PTC for projects commencing construction in 2020 and 2021 and placed in service prior to 2022. Previously, the Setting Every Community up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 extended the PTC and ITC options for wind facilities to 60% of the full credit for facilities commencing construction in 2020 and placed in service prior to 2022.
Solar projects commencing construction before 2020 and placed in service before 2022 could claim a 30% ITC. Solar projects commencing
construction in 2020 and 2021 and placed in service before 2022, could claim a 26% ITC.
The Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, provided continuity safe harbor guidance that requires renewable projects to be completed within four years of the year construction commences. Any projects that do not meet this requirement will fall outside of the safe harbor and be subject to IRS scrutiny with regard to the date construction commenced. In 2020, the IRS allowed projects beginning construction in 2016 or 2017 an additional year (five years total) to complete construction. In late December 2020, the IRS issued a notice giving onshore wind projects on federal lands with transmission permit requirements, and offshore wind projects 10 years to complete construction.
Vineyard Wind 1 Federal Approval
On May
11, 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or BOEM, issued its Record of Decision, or ROD, approving Vineyard Wind 1, an 806 MW offshore wind project that is a joint venture with CIP.
Lawsuits were filed in July 2021, August 2021, September 2021 and January 2022 against the federal permitting agencies and related officials, including BOEM, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries Directorate, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of the Interior challenging the approval of the proposed Vineyard Wind 1 Project. Vineyard Wind 1 has intervened in these lawsuits to support the federal defense and protect its rights. Motions to dismiss filed in each of these lawsuits were granted in favor of the federal defendants and Vineyard Wind 1. Each of these lawsuits has been appealed. We cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings.
Texas Weather Event
During
February 2021, Texas and the surrounding region experienced unprecedented extreme cold weather, resulting in outages impacting millions in the state. Renewables safely operated our Texas wind generation facilities during this event meeting all of our delivery obligations in Texas and producing excess energy that was sold based on the rules established at the time by the Energy Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT. If the received payments are adjusted by ERCOT, it could adversely affect our results of operations.
In connection with the Texas Weather Event, a number of plaintiffs have filed multiple cases against generators and natural gas suppliers, including certain Renewables entities in Texas, alleging liability for injuries and damages arising from the event under a variety of legal theories. The plaintiffs have amended many of their petitions within the multidistrict litigation, and more than 100 of the cases now name
Renewables entities among the defendants. Four of the consolidated cases have been designated as “bellwether” cases and are proceeding to resolve certain common issues of fact and law. In May 2022, the Renewables entities were part of a broader motion to dismiss by all generators in the bellwether cases in which they were named. These motions were argued on October 11, 2022. On January 27, 2023 the Court issued orders granting in part and denying in part the generators’ motion to dismiss. The Court’s order dismissed plaintiffs’ tortious interference and conspiracy claims, but allowed all other claims to proceed. The generators subsequently filed mandamus petitions with the Texas Courts of Appeal, seeking review of the lower court’s decision on the motions. On December 14, 2023, the Houston Court of Appeals dismissed
all claims against generators in Texas arising out of the Texas Winter Event holding that the generator defendants (including the Renewables entities) have no legal duty to retail customers, and therefore the retail customers have no negligence causes of action against them. The plaintiffs have appealed the decision.
57
Partnership with Navajo Tribal Utility Authority
In March 2023, Renewables and Navajo Tribal Utility Authority Generation, Inc., or NTUAG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, or NTUA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, or MoU, to jointly explore opportunities for developing up to 1 GW of renewable energy generation, including solar, wind, hydrogen and back-up battery storage, on the
reservation of Navajo Nation located in portions of states of New Mexico, Utah and Arizona. Once built, that would constitute enough generation to supply clean energy to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses, both on the reservation, and in regional markets through export to surrounding states. All projects built through the partnership would be joint ventures, with NTUA maintaining at least 51% majority ownership to retain tribal sovereignty and control.
Commonwealth Wind and Park City PPAs
In October 2022 Commonwealth Wind and Park City Wind announced that they would seek to re-negotiate the price of the certain Power Purchase Agreements, or PPAs, to help mitigate the impacts of inflation, increased interest rates and supply chain disruptions on the projects. Following DPU's approval of the Commonwealth Wind PPAs, motions filed with the DPU with respect to the suspension
of the proceeding to review the PPAs and termination of the PPAs and appeal to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts of the DPU's approval order, each of the EDCs filed with the DPU a first amendment, termination agreement and release agreed with Commonwealth Wind, providing for an orderly termination of the PPAs, withdrawal or dismissal of Commonwealth Wind’s appeal, and payment by Commonwealth Wind of a $48 million termination payment to the EDCs an amount equal to the development period security provided for in the PPAs on July 13, 2023. The DPU approved the termination agreements on August 2, 2023 and Commonwealth Wind filed for a dismissal of its appeal of the DPU’s approval order.
On October 2, 2023, Park City Wind entered into a first amendment, termination agreement
and release with each of the Connecticut EDCs, providing for an orderly termination of the Park City Wind PPAs and payment by Park City Wind of an approximately $16 million termination payment to the EDCs, an amount equal to the development period security provided for in the PPAs. On October 13, 2023, PURA approved the termination agreements.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth financial information by segment for each of the periods indicated.
Net
loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
64
(3)
67
—
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Avangrid, Inc.
$
707
$
636
$
131
$
(60)
(1)Other
amounts represent Corporate and intersegment eliminations.
Comparison of Period to Period Results of Operations
Operating revenues increased by $386 million from $7,923 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $8,309 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Purchased power, natural gas and fuel used decreased by $27 million from $2,456 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $2,429 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
59
Operations
and maintenance increased by $237 million from $2,872 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $3,109 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Details of the period to period comparison are described below at the segment level.
Operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by $73 million from $6,782 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $6,855 million. Electricity and gas
revenues increased by $311 million, primarily due to rate increases in New York effective October 12, 2023, offset by a $4 million unfavorable impact from deferrals mainly driven by unfavorable changes in net plant reconciliation due to delays in the meters' installation schedules in New York in the current period. Electricity and gas revenues changed due to the following items that have offsets within the income statement: a decrease of $308 million in purchased power and purchased gas (offset in purchased power) driven by lower average pricing in commodities in the period, offset by an increase of $74 million in flow through amortizations (offset in operating expenses).
Purchased power, natural gas and fuel used for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased by $308 million from $2,295 million for the year ended December 31,
2022, to $1,987 million. The decrease is primarily driven by a $308 million decrease in average commodity prices and an overall decrease in electricity and gas units procured due to lower degree days in the period.
Operations and maintenance during the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by $244 million from $2,338 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $2,582 million. The increase is driven by increased business and corporate costs of $74 million, a $46 million increase in personnel expenses primarily driven by higher headcount and a $50 million increase in uncollectible expenses due to higher bad debt provision in the current period. In addition, there were increases of $74 million in flow-through amortizations (which is offset in revenue)
Renewables
Operating
revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by $315 million from $1,141 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $1,456 million. The increase in operating revenues was primarily due to an increase of $123 million in favorable thermal and power trading due to wider spark spreads in the period primarily driven by weather, favorable MtM changes of $274 million on energy derivative transactions entered for economic hedging purposes, $6 million from the sale of assets, offset by a $83 million decrease in merchant prices driven by lower average prices in the current period and a $5 million decrease from production, including new assets in service and curtailment payments in the current period.
Purchased power, natural gas and fuel used for the year ended December 31,
2023 increased by $281 million from $161 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $442 million. The increase is primarily due to unfavorable MtM changes on derivatives of $253 million driven by market price changes in the period and an increase of $28 million in power and gas purchases due to higher average prices in the current period driven by weather.
Operations and maintenance for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by $3 million from $526 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $529 million. The increase is primarily due to a $16 million increase in connection with an offshore contract provision compared to the same period of 2022, a $6 million increase
driven by the write-off of certain development projects and $5 million higher corporate charges in the current period, offset by a $24 million decrease in the bad debt provision in the current period driven by lower uncollectibles billed arising from the weather event in the PJM market in 2022.
Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment
Depreciation, amortization and impairment expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by $73 million from $1,085 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $1,158 million. The increase is primarily driven by $66 million from plant additions in Networks and Renewables and $7 million in Other in the current period.
Other Income and (Expense) and Equity Earnings
Other
income and (expense) and equity earnings for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased by $157 million from $292 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $135 million. The decrease is primarily due to $256 million of unfavorable equity earnings, driven by a $246 million gain recognized in 2022 from the offshore joint venture restructuring transaction in Renewables, offset by a $80 million favorable change in non-service component of pension expense driven by
60
revised actuarial studies (which is partially offset within revenue) and a $19 million increase in allowance for funds used during construction in Networks primarily driven by the NECEC project construction
resumed in 2023.
Interest Expense, Net of Capitalization
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by $106 million from $303 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, to $409 million. The change is primarily due to an increase of $27 million in carrying charges on regulatory deferrals and $32 million due to increased debt in the period at Networks and a $110 million increase in Other mainly driven by increased outstanding balances on commercial paper and the intragroup loan and unfavorable changes in the fair value hedges in the current period, offset by $63 million of capitalized interest driven by higher interest rates in the period.
Income Tax Expense
The effective
tax rate, inclusive of federal and state income tax, for the year ended December 31, 2023 was (1.4)%, which is below the federal statutory tax rate of 21%, primarily due to the recognition of production tax credits, Tax Act excess deferred tax amortization, state tax benefit, the equity component of allowance for funds used during construction and other property related flow through items, partially offset by tax equity financing impacts. The effective tax rate, inclusive of federal and state income tax, for the year ended December 31, 2022, was 2.4%, primarily due to the recognition of production tax credits, Tax Act excess deferred tax amortization, the equity component of allowance for funds used during construction, and the release of our federal valuation allowance in 2022 as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act enacted in August 2022 that will permit us to utilize
tax attributes that were previously expected to expire.
Operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $1,028 million from $5,754 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, to $6,782 million. Electricity and gas revenues increased by $116 million, primarily due to rate increases in New York effective December 1, 2020, $10 million increase in late payment fees, and a favorable $16 million of other various deferrals primarily driven by sales use tax payments in the period. Electricity
and gas revenues changed due to the following items that have offsets within the income statement: an increase of $806 million in purchased power and purchased gas (offset in purchased power) driven by higher average pricing in commodities in the period, a $25 million increase from deferral of pension settlement charges (offset in other income) as a result of freezing of pension benefit accruals and contribution credits for non-union employees in 2022 and an increase of $55 million in flow through amortizations (offset in operating expenses).
Purchased power, natural gas and fuel used for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $806 million, from $1,489 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, to $2,295 million. The increase is primarily driven by a $806 million increase in average commodity prices and an overall
increase in electricity and gas units procured due to higher degree days in the period.
Operations and maintenance during the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $140 million from $2,198 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, to $2,338 million. The increase is driven by increased business costs of $41 million, an increase of $27 million in uncollectible expenses driven primarily by higher bad debt provisions in New York, and a $17 million increase in personnel expenses primarily driven by higher headcount in the period. In addition, there were increases of $55 million in flow-through amortizations (which is offset in revenue).
Renewables
Operating revenues for the year ended December 31,
2022 decreased by $79 million from $1,220 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, to $1,141 million. The decrease in operating revenues was primarily due to a $128 million decrease in merchant prices driven mainly by lower demand as compared to the same period of 2021 when demand was higher during the Texas storm, $15 million from the sale of assets in 2021 and unfavorable MtM changes of $5 million on energy derivative transactions entered for economic hedging purposes, offset by $42 million in favorable thermal and power trading driven by higher average prices in the period, a $24 million increase driven by higher demand during the weather event in the PJM market and $3 million from production, including new assets in service and curtailment payments in the current period.
Purchased power, natural gas and fuel used for the year ended December 31,
2022 decreased by $69 million from $230 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, to $161 million. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease of $11 million in power and gas purchases due to lower average prices in 2022 compared to 2021 and favorable MtM changes on derivatives of $58 million driven by market price changes in the period.
61
Operations and maintenance for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $31 million from $495 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, to $526 million. The increase is primarily due to a $13 million increase in the bad debt provision driven mainly by provisions during the
weather event in the PJM market in 2022, a $24 million increase in connection with an offshore contract provision, a $13 million increase in personnel costs driven primarily by increase in headcount in the period, $9 million increase in other operating costs primarily driven by an increase in corporate charges in the period, and $5 million driven by settlement of liquidated damage claims recorded in 2021, offset by a decrease of $33 million primarily driven by the write-off of certain development projects in the same period of 2021.
Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment
Depreciation, amortization and impairment expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $71 million from $1,014 million for the year ended December 31,
2021, to $1,085 million. The increase is driven by $65 million from plant additions in Networks and Renewables in the period and $6 million increase driven by amortization of a deferred gain recorded in 2021.
Other Income and (Expense) and Equity Earnings
Other income and (expense) and equity earnings for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by $225 million from $67 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, to $292 million. The increase is primarily due to a $246 million gain recognized in 2022 from the offshore joint venture restructuring transaction in Renewables, offset by a $21 million unfavorable change in the non-service component of pension expense driven by revised actuarial studies in Networks (which is partially offset within revenue).
Interest
Expense, Net of Capitalization
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased by $5 million from $298 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, to $303 million. The change is primarily due to an increase of $2 million of interest expense at Networks (unfavorable $11 million interest expense from increased debt, offset by $5 million of favorable carrying charges and $4 million favorable regulatory amortizations primarily driven by lower regulatory deferrals from the rate case in New York that was approved November 19, 2020) and a $4 million increase in Other mainly driven by increased outstanding balances on commercial papers.
Income Tax Expense
The effective tax rate,
inclusive of federal and state income tax, for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 2.4%, which is below the federal statutory tax rate of 21%, primarily due to the recognition of production tax credits, Tax Act excess deferred tax amortization, the equity component of allowance for funds used during construction, and the release of our federal valuation allowance in 2022 as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act enacted in August 2022 that will permit us to utilize tax attributes that were previously expected to expire. The effective tax rate, inclusive of federal and state income tax, for the year ended December 31, 2021, was 3.2%, which is below the federal statutory tax rate of 21%, primarily due to the recognition of production tax credits, Tax Act excess deferred tax amortization and the equity component of allowance for funds used during construction.
Non-GAAP
Financial Measures
To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we consider adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA with Tax Credits as financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures we use are specific to Avangrid and the non-GAAP financial measures of other companies may not be calculated in the same manner. We use these non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to U.S. GAAP measures, to establish operating budgets and operational goals to manage and monitor our business, evaluate our operating and financial performance and to compare such performance to prior periods and to the performance of our competitors. We believe that presenting such non-GAAP financial measures is useful because such measures can be used to analyze and compare profitability between companies and industries
by eliminating the impact of certain non-cash charges. In addition, we present non-GAAP financial measures because we believe that they and other similar measures are widely used by certain investors, securities analysts and other interested parties as supplemental measures of performance.
We define adjusted net income as net income adjusted to exclude mark-to-market earnings from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments, costs incurred in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, costs incurred related to the PNMR Merger and other transactions, accelerated depreciation from the repowering of wind farms, and costs incurred in connection with an offshore contract provision. We believe adjusted net income is more useful in understanding and evaluating actual and
62
projected
financial performance and contribution of Avangrid core lines of business and to more fully compare and explain our results. The most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure to adjusted net income is net income. We also define adjusted earnings per share, or adjusted EPS, as adjusted net income converted to an earnings per share amount.
We define adjusted EBITDA as adjusted net income adjusted to fully exclude the effects of net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net of capitalization, other (income) expense and (earnings) losses from equity method investments. We further define adjusted EBITDA with tax credits as adjusted EBITDA adding back the pre-tax effect of retained Production Tax Credits (PTCs) and Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) and PTCs allocated to tax equity investors. The most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure to
adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA with tax credits is net income.
The use of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to Avangrid’s U.S. GAAP financial information, and investors are cautioned that the non-GAAP financial measures are limited in their usefulness, may be unique to Avangrid and should be considered only as a supplement to Avangrid’s U.S. GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies and have limitations as analytical tools.
Non-GAAP financial measures are not primary measurements of our performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to operating income, net income or any other performance measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The
following tables provide a reconciliation between Net Income attributable to Avangrid and non-GAAP measures Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA with Tax Credits by segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively:
Net (loss) income attributable
to noncontrolling interests
(64)
3
(67)
—
Income tax (benefit) expense
47
107
(34)
(26)
Depreciation
and amortization
1,014
616
397
1
Interest expense, net of capitalization
298
217
1
80
Other
(income) expense
(60)
(66)
4
2
Losses (earnings) from equity method investments
(7)
(12)
5
—
Adjusted
EBITDA (3)
$
2,008
$
1,526
$
476
$
7
Retained
PTCs and ITCs
175
—
175
—
PTCs allocated to tax equity investors
80
—
80
—
Adjusted
EBITDA with Tax Credits (3)
$
2,263
$
1,526
$
731
$
7
(1)Income tax impact of adjustments: For the year ended December 31, 2023, $6 million from MtM adjustment, $(3) million from merger and other transaction costs and $(11)
million from an offshore contract provision. For the year ended December 31, 2022, $(6) million from an offshore contract provision and $(1) million from merger and other transaction costs. For the year ended December 31, 2021, $14 million from MtM adjustment, $9 million from COVID-19 impacts and $3 million from merger and other transaction costs.
(2)Adjusted Net Income is a non-GAAP financial measure and is presented after excluding MtM activities in Renewables, costs incurred related to the PNMR Merger and other transactions, accelerated depreciation from the repowering of wind farms, an offshore contract
provision and costs incurred in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
(3)Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as adjusted net income adjusted to fully exclude the effects of net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net of capitalization, other (income) expense and (earnings) losses from equity method investments. We further define adjusted EBITDA with tax credits as adjusted EBITDA adding back the pre-tax effect of retained PTCs and ITCs and PTCs allocated to tax equity investors.
* Includes Corporate and other non-regulated entities as well as intersegment eliminations.
Comparison of Period to Period Results of Operations
Adjusted net income decreased by $93 million from $901 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $808 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease is primarily due to a $240 million decrease in Renewables driven by a gain recognized in 2022 from the offshore joint venture restructuring transaction, offset by a $99 million increase in Networks driven primarily by rate increases in New York effective October 12, 2023 and a $48 million increase in Corporate mainly driven by a tax benefit from unitary state tax changes in the period.
Adjusted net income increased by $121 million from $780 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $901 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase is primarily due to a $233 million increase in Renewables driven by a gain recognized in 2022 from the offshore joint venture restructuring transaction and favorable tax expense from valuation allowances and state tax rate changes which are primarily offset in Corporate, offset by a $33 million decrease in Networks
65
driven
primarily by higher business costs and uncollectible expenses in the period, $79 million decrease in Corporate mainly driven by unfavorable tax expense from unitary rate changes in the period which are primarily offset in Renewables.
The following tables reconcile Net Income attributable to Avangrid to Adjusted Net Income (non-GAAP), and EPS attributable to Avangrid to adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively:
(1)Includes corporate and other non-regulated entities as well as intersegment eliminations.
(2)Mark-to-market earnings relates to earnings impacts from changes in the fair value of Renewables' derivative instruments associated with electricity and natural gas.
(3)Represents
costs incurred in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly related to bad debt provisions.
(4)Pre-merger and other transaction costs incurred.
(5)Costs incurred in connection with an offshore contract provision.
(6)Represents the amount of accelerated depreciation derived from the repowering of wind farms in Renewables.
(7)Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share are non-GAAP financial measures and are presented after excluding MtM activities in Renewables, costs incurred related to the PNMR Merger and other transactions, accelerated depreciation from the repowering of wind farms, an offshore
contract provision and costs incurred in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our operations, capital investment and business development require significant short-term liquidity and long-term capital resources. Historically, we have used cash from operations, and borrowings under our credit facilities and commercial paper program as our primary sources of liquidity. Our long-term capital requirements have been met primarily through retention of earnings, equity issuances and borrowings in the investment grade debt capital markets. Continued access to these sources of liquidity and capital are critical to us. Risks may increase due to circumstances
beyond our control, such as a general disruption of the financial markets and adverse economic conditions.
66
Liquidity
We optimize our liquidity within the United States through a series of arms-length intercompany lending arrangements with our subsidiaries and among our regulated utilities to provide for lending of surplus cash to subsidiaries with liquidity needs, subject to the limitation that the regulated utilities may not
lend to unregulated affiliates. These arrangements minimize overall short-term funding costs and maximize returns on the temporary cash investments of the subsidiaries. At December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $91 million, as compared to $69 million at December 31, 2022. We have the capacity to borrow up to $3,575 million from the lenders committed to the Avangrid Credit Facility described below.
Avangrid Commercial Paper Program
Avangrid has a commercial paper program with a limit of $2 billion that is backstopped by the Avangrid Credit Facility (described below). As of December 31, 2023 and February 21,
2024, there was $1,332 million and $1,906 million, respectively, of commercial paper outstanding, presented net of discounts on the balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding commercial paper was 5.65%.
Avangrid Credit Facility
Avangrid and its subsidiaries, NYSEG, RG&E, CMP, UI, CNG, SCG and BGC, each of which are joint borrowers, have a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks, or the Avangrid Credit Facility, that provides for maximum borrowings of up to $3,575 million in the aggregate, which was executed on November 23, 2021.
Under
the terms of the Avangrid Credit Facility, each joint borrower has a maximum borrowing entitlement, or sublimit, which can be periodically adjusted to address specific short-term capital funding needs, subject to the maximum limit contained in the agreement. On November 23, 2021, the executed Avangrid Credit Facility increased Avangrid's maximum sublimit from $1,500 million to $2,500 million. The Avangrid Credit Facility contains pricing that is sensitive to Avangrid's consolidated greenhouse gas emissions intensity. The Credit Facility also contains negative covenants, including one that sets the ratio of maximum allowed consolidated debt to consolidated total capitalization at 0.65 to 1.00, for each borrower. Under the Avangrid Credit Facility, each of the borrowers will pay an annual facility fee that is dependent on their credit rating. The initial facility fees will range from 10 to 22.5 basis points. The maturity
date for the Avangrid Credit Facility is November 22, 2026. On July 17, 2023, the Avangrid Credit Facility was amended and restated to, among other things, provide for the replacement of LIBOR-based rates with SOFR-based rates and remove provisions related to the extension of credit to the Public Service Company of New Mexico and Texas-New Mexico Power Company. As of both December 31, 2023 and February 21, 2024, we had no borrowings outstanding under this credit facility.
Since the Avangrid credit facility is also a backstop to the Avangrid commercial paper program, the total amount available under the facility as of December 31, 2023 and February 21,
2024, was $2,233 million and $1,656 million, respectively.
Iberdrola Group Credit Facility
On June 18, 2023, Avangrid's credit facility with Iberdrola Financiación, S.A.U., a subsidiary of Iberdrola, matured. The facility had a limit of $500 million. On July 19, 2023, we replaced this credit facility with an increased limit of $750 million and maturity date of June 18, 2028. Avangrid pays a quarterly facility fee of 22.5 basis points (rate per annum) on the facility based on Avangrid’s current Moody’s and S&P ratings for senior unsecured long-term debt. As of December 31, 2023 and February 21, 2024, there was $0 and $100 million
outstanding amount under this credit facility, respectively.
Supplier Financing Arrangements
To manage cash flow and related liquidity, we operate a supplier financing arrangement under which certain suppliers can obtain accelerated settlement on invoices from the banking provider. This is a form of reverse factoring which has the objective of serving the group's suppliers by giving them early access to funding. This supplier financing program allows participating suppliers the ability to voluntarily elect to sell our payment obligations to a designated third-party financial institution. We have no economic interest in a supplier’s decision to enter into the arrangements. Our obligations to our suppliers, including amounts due and scheduled payment terms, are not impacted by our suppliers’ decisions to sell amounts under these arrangements. As ofDecember 31,
2023 and 2022, the amount of notes payable under supplier financing arrangements was $0 and $171 million, respectively. For the period ended December 31, 2023, $175 million of confirmed invoices were paid under the program. As of December 31, 2022, the weighted average interest rate on the balance was 5.48%.
Group Cash Pool
We are a party to a liquidity agreement with Bank of America, N.A. along with certain members of the Iberdrola Group. The liquidity agreement aids the Iberdrola Group in efficient cash management and reduces the need for external borrowing by
67
the
pool participants. Parties to the agreement, including us, may deposit funds with or borrow from the financial institution, provided that the net balance of funds deposited or borrowed by all pool participants in the aggregate is not less than zero. As of both December 31, 2023 and 2022, the balance was $0. Any deposit amounts would be reflected in our consolidated balance sheets under cash and cash equivalents because our deposited surplus funds under the cash pooling agreement are highly-liquid short-term investments.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At December 31, 2023, we had approximately $2,188 million of standby
letters of credit, surety bonds, guarantees and indemnifications outstanding, which includes guarantees of our own performance. These instruments provide financial assurance to the business and trading partners of Avangrid and its subsidiaries in their normal course of business. The instruments only represent liabilities if Avangrid or its subsidiaries fail to deliver on contractual obligations. We therefore believe it is unlikely that any material liabilities associated with these instruments will be incurred and, accordingly, as of December 31, 2023, neither we nor our subsidiaries have any liabilities recorded for these instruments.
Long-Term
Capital Resources
We expect to meet our long-term capital requirements through the use of our cash balances, credit facilities, cash from operations, long-term borrowings and new equity capital. We have investment grade ratings from Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch and we believe that we can raise capital on competitive terms in the investment grade debt capital and/or bank markets.
Our long-term debt issuances during 2023 were as follows:
Company
Issue
Date
Type
Amount (Millions)
Interest rate
Maturity
NYSEG
7/3/2023
Tax Exempt Bond
$
100
4.00%
2034
UI
10/2/2023
Tax
Exempt Bond
$
64
4.50%
2033
NYSEG
8/8/2023
Green 144A Bond
$
350
5.65%
2028
NYSEG
8/8/2023
Green
144A Bond
$
400
5.85%
2033
RG&E
12/13/2023
Green Private Bond
$
100
5.62%
2028
RG&E
12/13/2023
Green
Private Bond
$
25
5.89%
2034
RG&E
12/13/2023
Green Private Bond
$
50
5.99%
2036
RG&E
12/13/2023
Green
Private Bond
$
75
6.22%
2053
CMP
12/13/2023
Green Private Bond
$
55
5.65%
2029
CMP
12/13/2023
Green
Private Bond
$
70
6.04%
2038
UI
12/13/2023
Green Private Bond
$
156
6.09%
2034
UI
12/13/2023
Green
Private Bond
$
34
6.29%
2038
CNG
12/13/2023
Private Bond
$
36
6.20%
2032
CNG
12/13/2023
Private
Bond
$
19
6.49%
2038
SCG
12/13/2023
Private Bond
$
30
6.04%
2034
SCG
12/13/2023
Private
Bond
$
30
6.24%
2038
Corporate
7/19/2023
Intragroup Green Loan
$
800
5.45%
2033
At
December 31, 2023, Networks had $7,791 million of debt, including the current portion thereof, consisting of first mortgage bonds, senior unsecured notes, tax-exempt bonds and various other forms of debt. Networks' regulated utilities are required by regulatory order to maintain a minimum ratio of common equity to total capital that is tied to the capital structure used in the establishment of their revenue requirements. Pursuant to these requirements, each of NYSEG, RG&E, CMP and MNG must maintain a minimum equity ratio equal to the ratio in its currently effective rate plan or decision measured using a trailing 13-month average. On a monthly basis, each utility must maintain a minimum equity ratio of no less than 300 basis points below the equity ratio used to set rates. UI, SCG, CNG and BGC are restricted from paying dividends if paying such dividend would result in their respective common equity ratio being lower
than 300 basis points below the equity percentage used to set rates in the most recent distribution rate proceeding as measured using a trailing 13-month average calculated as of the most recent quarter end. The regulated utilities periodically pay dividends to, or receive capital contributions from, Avangrid in order to maintain the minimum equity ratio requirement. They each independently incur indebtedness by issuing
68
investment grade debt securities. Networks’ regulated utilities were in compliance with these regulatory orders as of December 31, 2023.
At December 31, 2023, we had a $39 million finance lease liability outstanding
in the Renewables segment relating to a sale-leaseback arrangement on a solar generation facility. Renewables has also sourced capital through tax equity financing arrangements associated with certain wind farm projects. The arrangements allocate substantially all of the projects' taxable income and PTCs to the tax equity investor, along with a percentage of cash generated by the projects, in exchange for investor contributions. On April 29, 2022, we closed on a TEF agreement, receiving $14 million from a tax equity investor related to the Lund Hill solar farm that reached partial mechanical completion on the same date. In March 2023 we received additional investment from our investor in the amount of $61 million. Lund Hill is owned by Solis Solar Power I, LLC (Solis I). In November 2023, we received additional funding of $124 million from tax equity investor related to Aeolus VIII.
At
December 31, 2023, Corporate had $2,805 million of long-term debt, including the current portion thereof, outstanding. Long-term debt in Corporate consists mainly of $600 million of 3.15% notes due in 2024, $750 million of 3.20% notes due in 2025, 750 million of 3.80% notes due in 2029 and $800 million of 5.45% intragroup loan due in 2033.
In our credit facilities, long-term borrowings, financing leases and tax-equity partnerships, we and our affiliates that are parties to the agreements are subject to covenants that are standard for such agreements. Affirmative covenants impose certain obligations on the borrower and negative covenants limit certain activities by the borrower. The agreements also define certain events of default, including but not limited to non-compliance with the covenants that may automatically in some circumstances, or at the option of the lenders in other
circumstances, trigger acceleration of the obligations. We and our affiliates were in compliance with all such covenants at December 31, 2023 and throughout 2023.
Intragroup Green Loan
On July 19, 2023, we entered into a green term loan agreement with Iberdrola Financiación, S.A.U., an affiliate of Iberdrola, with an aggregate principal amount of $800 million maturing on July 13, 2033 at an interest rate of 5.45% (the Intragroup Green Loan).
Capital Requirements
Funding Future Common Dividend Payments
Funding
of our dividend payments is considered in the context of our overall operating and investment cash flows and our long-term funding. We have revolving credit facilities, as described above, to fund short-term liquidity needs and we believe that we will continue to have access to the capital markets as long-term growth capital is needed. While taking into consideration the current economic environment, management expects that we will continue to have sufficient liquidity and financial flexibility to meet our business requirements.
Capital Expenditures
The regulated utilities’ capital expenditures over the last three years have been as follows:
2023
2022
2021
(in
millions)
NYSEG
$
852
$
759
$
743
RG&E
410
374
394
CMP*
554
338
682
UI
264
226
186
SCG
111
101
86
CNG
74
66
63
BGC
32
22
17
MNG
2
3
4
Corporate
8
23
55
Total
$
2,307
$
1,912
$
2,230
*Includes
NECEC Transmission LLC’s capital expenditures in the NECEC project.
Networks continued its capital expenditures during 2023 to upgrade and expand electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution infrastructure. In 2023, we continued capital investments in a number of programs in Maine, New York and Connecticut, including substation modernization, storm resiliency program grid automation, new transmission investments, pole
69
replacement programs, projects related to improvement of system operations, reliability and resiliency, replacement of aging infrastructure, and new customer connections.
Renewables’ capital expenditures for the years set forth below were as follows:
2023
2022
2021
(in
millions)
Wind & solar
$
477
$
662
$
928
Thermal
13
28
18
Corporate (1)
17
13
12
Other
capitalized costs (2)
256
83
106
Total capital expenditures
$
763
$
786
$
1,064
(1)Includes
information technology and facilities and safety (security).
(2)Includes capitalized interest, labor and other costs.
In 2023, Renewables made capital expenditures of $477 million on construction of True North Solar, Powell Creek Solar, Lund Hill Solar, Bakeoven Solar, Montague Solar, Midland, and other wind and solar assets and $13 million in capital expenditures on the Klamath gas-fired cogeneration facility, or the Klamath Plant, along with other capitalized costs incurred on wind and solar assets.
Capital Projects
An important part of our business strategy involves capital projects. Networks plans to invest a total of approximately $13 billion from 2024 to 2028 to upgrade and expand electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution infrastructure. In the
next 12 months, Networks plans to invest $413 million in Maine, including Distribution Line Inspection Repairs Program, Transmission Line Asset Condition Replacements Program, Substation Modernization Program, Storm Resiliency Program and Grid Automation. NECEC plans to invest $644 million in the next 12 months. NYSEG plans to invest $1 billion in the next 12 months, including Advanced Meter Infrastructure Project, BES Program, Distribution Line Inspection Repairs Program, Grid Automation Program, Transmission Line Asset Condition Replacements Program, CLCPA Transmission Projects, Storm Resiliency Program, Make Ready, Pole Replacement Program and Gas Distribution Mains and Leak Prone Main replacements. RG&E plans to invest $422 million in the next 12 months, including Advanced Meter Infrastructure Project, BES Program, Webster Area Reliability Program, Pole Replacement Program, Grid Automation Program, Storm Resiliency Program, Gas Distribution Mains and Leak Prone
Main Replacement programs. UIL plans to invest $472 million in the next 12 months, including a number of programs and projects related to improvement of system operations, reliability and resiliency, replacement of aging infrastructure, and new customer connections. For gas operations, the most notable investments include distribution main replacements, leak prone replacements, the connection of new customers, and infrastructure improvements.
We expect to fund these capital projects through a combination of cash provided by operations and access to the capital markets, including debt borrowings at either the subsidiary or holding company level and equity issuances as needed. Additionally, we have revolving credit facilities, as described above, to fund short-term liquidity needs.
Cash
Flows
Our cash flows depend on many factors, including general economic conditions, regulatory decisions, weather, commodity price movements and operating expense and capital spending control.
70
The following is a summary of the cash flows by activity for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively:
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
22
$
(1,405)
$
10
Operating
Activities
Our primary sources of operating cash inflows are proceeds from transmission and distribution of electricity and natural gas and sales of wholesale energy and energy related products and services. Our primary operating cash outflows are power and natural gas purchases and transmission operating and maintenance expenses, as well as personnel costs and other employee-related expenditures. As our business has expanded, our working capital requirements have grown. We expect our working capital to grow as we continue to grow our business.
The cash from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased by $116 million, primarily attributable to a net decrease in current assets and liabilities driven by timing of cash
collections and cash disbursements, and higher interest payments during the period.
The cash from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased by $526 million, primarily attributable to a net decrease in current assets and liabilities driven by timing of cash collections and cash disbursements during the period.
The cash from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by $273 million, primarily attributable to higher operating revenues in the period.
Investing Activities
Our
investing activities have primarily focused on enhancing, automating and reinforcing our asset base to support safety, reliability and customer growth in accordance with the regulatory markets within which we operate, as well as constructing solar and wind assets.
In 2023, net cash used in investing activities was $3,099 million, which primarily was comprised of $2,972 million of capital expenditures and $287 million of capital contributions to the offshore joint venture, partially offset by $112 million of contributions in aid of construction.
In 2022, net cash used in investing activities was $2,548 million, which primarily was comprised of $2,519 million of capital expenditures and $168 million of payment for the offshore joint venture restructuring transaction, partially offset by $123 million of contributions in aid of construction.
In
2021, net cash used in investing activities was $2,440 million, which was comprised of $2,976 million of capital expenditures, partially offset by $222 million of other investments and equity method investments, $155 million of distributions received from equity method investments, $130 million of contributions in aid of construction and $24 million of proceeds from the sale of assets.
Financing Activities
Our financing activities have consisted of raising equity, using our credit facilities and long-term debt issued or redeemed by Avangrid and our regulated Networks subsidiaries.
In 2023, financing activities provided $2,202 million in cash reflecting primarily a net increase in non-current debt and current notes payable of $2,705 million and
contribution from non-controlling interests of $203 million in the period, offset by distributions to non-controlling interests of $16 million and dividends of $681 million.
In 2022, financing activities provided $108 million in cash reflecting primarily a net increase in non-current debt and current notes payable of $662 million and contribution from non-controlling interests of $147 million in the period, offset by distributions to non-controlling interests of $10 million and dividends of $681 million.
71
In 2021, financing activities provided $889 million in cash reflecting primarily $4 billion in proceeds from private placements of equity in connection with share issuance, an issuance of non-current debt at our regulated subsidiaries
with the net proceeds of $833 million and contribution from non-controlling interests, principally related to TEFs, of $330 million in the period, offset by a net decrease in non-current debt, including with affiliate, and current notes payable of $3.6 billion, dividends of $613 million and distributions to non-controlling interests of $10 million.
Contractual Obligations
As of December 31, 2023, our contractual obligations (excluding any tax reserves) were as follows:
Total
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Thereafter
(in
millions)
Leases (1)
$
436
$
51
$
25
$
26
$
29
$
35
$
271
Easements
(2)
1,105
29
32
32
31
33
948
Projected future pension benefit plan contributions (3)
239
36
19
46
33
29
76
Long-term
debt (including current maturities) (4)
10,596
612
1,107
660
484
716
7,017
Interest payments (5)
4,684
436
414
415
373
350
2,696
Material
purchase commitments (6)
1,909
1,484
214
84
52
18
57
Total Contractual Obligations
$
18,969
$
2,648
$
1,811
$
1,263
$
1,001
$
1,181
$
11,065
(1)Represents
lease contracts relating to operational facilities, office building leases and vehicle and equipment leases. These amounts represent our expected unadjusted portion of the costs to pay as amounts related to contingent payments are predominantly linked to electricity generation at the respective facilities.
(2)Represents easement contracts which are not classified as leases.
(3)The qualified pension plans’ contributions are generally based on the estimated minimum pension contributions required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as well as contributions necessary to avoid benefit
restrictions and at-risk status and agreements with state regulatory agencies. These amounts represent estimates that are based on assumptions that are subject to change.
(4)See debt payment discussion in “Long-term Capital Resources.”
(5)Interest payments are estimated based on final maturity dates of debt securities outstanding at December 31, 2023, and do not reflect anticipated future refinancing, early redemptions or debt issuances. Variable rate interest obligations are estimated based on rates as of December 31, 2023.
(6)Represents forward purchase commitments under power, gas and other arrangements and contractual obligations for material and services
on order but not yet delivered at December 31, 2023.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We have prepared the financial statements provided herein in accordance with U.S. GAAP and they include the accounts of Avangrid and its consolidated subsidiaries. We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
In preparing the accompanying financial statements, our management has made certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, shareholder’s equity, revenues and expenses and the disclosures
thereof. The following accounting policies represent those that management believes are particularly important to the consolidated financial statements and that require the use of estimates, assumptions and judgments to determine matters that are inherently uncertain.
Accounting for Regulated Public Utilities
U.S. GAAP allows regulated entities to give accounting recognition to the actions of regulatory authorities. We must meet certain criteria in order to apply such regulatory accounting treatment and record regulatory assets and liabilities. In determining whether we meet the criteria for our operations, our management makes significant judgments, which involve (i) determining whether rates for services provided to customers are subject to approval by an independent, third-party regulator, (ii) determining whether the regulated rates are designed to recover specific costs of
providing the regulated service, (iii) considering relevant historical precedents and recent decisions of the regulatory authorities and (iv) considering the fact that decisions made by regulatory commissions or legislative changes at a later date could vary from earlier interpretations made by management and that the impact of such variations could be material. Our regulated subsidiaries have deferred recognition of costs (a regulatory asset) or have recognized obligations (a regulatory liability) if it is probable that such costs will be recovered or obligations relieved in the future through the ratemaking process. Management regularly reviews our regulatory assets and liabilities to determine whether we need to make adjustments to our previous conclusions based on the current regulatory environment as well as recent rate orders. If our regulated subsidiaries,
or a portion of their assets or operations, were to cease meeting the criteria for application of these accounting rules, accounting standards for unregulated
72
businesses in general would become applicable and immediate recognition of any previously deferred costs would be required in the year in which such criteria are no longer met.
Accounting for Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits
We provide pensions and other post-retirement benefits for a significant number of employees, former employees and retirees. We account for those benefits in accordance with the accounting rules for retirement benefits. In accounting for our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, or
the Avangrid plans, we make assumptions regarding the valuation of benefit obligations and the performance of plan assets. The primary assumptions include the discount rate, the expected long-term return on plan assets, health care cost trend rates, mortality assumptions, demographic assumptions and other factors. We apply consistent estimation techniques regarding our actuarial assumptions, where appropriate, across the Avangrid plans of our operating subsidiaries. The estimation technique we use to develop the discount rate for the Avangrid plans is based upon the settlement of such liabilities as of December 31, 2023, using a hypothetical portfolio of actual, high quality bonds, that would generate cash flows required to settle the liabilities. We believe such an estimate of the discount rate accurately reflects the settlement
value for plan obligations and results in cash flows that closely match the expected payments to participants. The estimation technique we use to develop the long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on a projection of the long-term rates of return on plan assets that will be earned over the life of the plan, including considerations of investment strategy, historical experience and expectations for long-term rates of return.
The weighted-average discount rate used in accounting for qualified pension obligations in 2023 was 5.18%, representing an increase of 233 basis points from 2022. The expected rate of return on plan assets for qualified pension benefits in 2023 was 6.35%, representing an increase of 2 basis points from 2022. The following table reflects the estimated sensitivity associated with a change in certain significant actuarial assumptions (each assumption change is presented mutually exclusive of the other
assumption changes):
Impact on 2023 Pension Expense Increase (Decrease)
Change in Assumption
Pension Benefits
Post Retirement Benefits
(in
millions)
Increase in discount rate
50 basis points
$
(12)
$
(1)
Decrease in discount rate
50 basis points
$
12
$
1
Increase
in return on plan assets
50 basis points
$
(11)
$
—
Decrease in return on plan assets
50 basis points
$
11
$
—
We reflect unrecognized prior service costs and credits and unrecognized
actuarial gains and losses for the regulated utilities of Networks as regulatory assets or liabilities if it is probable that such items will be recovered through the ratemaking process in future periods. Certain nonqualified plan expenses are not recoverable through the ratemaking process and we present the unrecognized prior service costs and credits and unrecognized actuarial gains and losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.
Business Combinations and Assets Acquisitions
We apply the acquisition method of accounting to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for an acquisition is the fair value of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred, including contingent consideration, and the equity interests issued by the acquirer. We measure identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination
initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. For material transactions where valuations require significant assumptions and judgments, we utilize independent third-party valuation specialists and review their work prior to recording the transaction.
In contrast to a business combination (disposal), we classify a transaction as an asset acquisition (disposal) when substantially all the fair value of the gross assets acquired (disposed) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets or otherwise does not meet the definition of a business. Similar to business combinations, we may utilize third-party valuation specialists for material asset transactions that require significant judgment in the valuation process.
Goodwill
Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an assessment for impairment
performed in the fourth quarter or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit to which goodwill is assigned below its carrying amount. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment and is the level at which we test goodwill for impairment.
73
In assessing goodwill for impairment, we have the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative assessment is necessary. If we determine, based on qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not greater than the carrying amount, no further testing is required. If we bypass the qualitative assessment, or perform the qualitative assessment
but determine it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount, we perform a quantitative test to compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we record an impairment loss as a reduction to goodwill and a charge to operating expenses, but the loss recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. For 2023, we utilized a qualitative assessment for the Networks reporting units and a quantitative assessment for the Renewables reporting unit.
Our qualitative assessment involves evaluating key events and circumstances that could affect the fair value of our reporting units, as well as other factors. Events and circumstances evaluated include macroeconomic conditions, industry, regulatory and market considerations, cost factors and their effect on
earnings and cash flows, overall financial performance as compared with projected results and actual results of relevant prior periods, other relevant entity specific events, and events affecting a reporting unit.
Our quantitative assessment utilizes a discounted cash flow model under the income approach and includes critical assumptions, primarily the discount rate and internal estimates of forecasted cash flows. We use a discount rate that is developed using market participant assumptions, which consider the risk and nature of the respective reporting unit’s cash flows and the rates of return market participants would require in order to invest their capital in our reporting units. We test the reasonableness of the conclusions of our quantitative impairment testing using a range of discount rates and a range of assumptions for long-term cash flows.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We
evaluate property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If indicators of impairment are present, a recoverability test is performed based on undiscounted cash flow analysis at the lowest level to which cash flows of the long-lived assets or asset groups are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. An impairment loss is required to be recognized if the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the undiscounted future net cash flows associated with that asset. The impairment loss to be recognized is the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds the asset’s fair value.
We determine the fair value of a long-lived asset by applying the income approach prescribed under the fair value measurement accounting framework. We develop the underlying assumptions consistent
with a market participant’s view of the exit price of our assets. We use an internal discounted cash flow, or DCF, valuation model based on the principles of present value techniques to estimate the fair value of our long-lived assets under the income approach. The DCF model estimates fair value by discounting Avangrid’s cash flow forecasts at an appropriate market discount rate. Management applies a considerable amount of judgment in the estimation of the discount rate used in the DCF model and in selecting several input assumptions during the development of our cash flow forecasts. Examples of the input assumptions that our forecasts are sensitive to include macroeconomic factors such as growth rates, industry demand, inflation, power prices and commodity prices. Many of these input assumptions are dependent on other economic assumptions, which are often derived from statistical economic models with inherent limitations such as estimation differences. Further, several
input assumptions are based on historical trends which often do not recur. The input assumptions that include significant unobservable inputs most significant to our cash flows are based on expectations of macroeconomic factors, which may be volatile. The use of a different set of input assumptions could produce significantly different cash flow forecasts.
The fair value of a long-lived asset is sensitive to both input assumptions related to our cash flow forecasts and the market discount rate. Further, estimates of long-term growth and terminal value are often critical to the fair value determination. As part of the impairment evaluation process, management analyzes the sensitivity of fair value to various underlying assumptions. The level of scrutiny increases as the gap between fair value and carrying amount decreases. Changes in any of these assumptions could result in management reaching a different conclusion regarding
the potential impairment, which could be material. Our impairment evaluations inherently involve uncertainties from uncontrollable events that could positively or negatively impact the anticipated future economic and operating conditions.
Income Taxes
Avangrid files a consolidated federal income tax return and various state income tax returns, some of which are unitary as required or permitted.
74
Our income tax expense and related balance sheet amounts involve management judgment and use of estimates. Amounts of deferred income tax assets and liabilities, current and noncurrent accruals, and determination of uncertain tax positions involve judgments and estimates of the timing and
probability of recognition of income and deductions by taxing authorities. In making these judgments, we consider the status of any income tax examinations that are in progress, historical resolutions of tax issues, positions taken by the taxing authorities on similar issues with other taxpayers, among other criteria. Our actual income taxes could vary from estimated amounts because of the actual resolution of tax issues, forecasts of financial condition and changes in tax laws and regulations.
Our tax positions are evaluated under a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold before they are recognized for financial reporting purposes. The term more-likely-than-not means a likelihood of more than 50%. We use judgment to determine when a tax position reaches this threshold.
Our assessment regarding the realizability of deferred tax assets involves judgments and estimates including
the impact of forecasted taxable income and tax planning strategies to utilize tax attributes before they expire.
New Accounting Standards
For discussion of new accounting pronouncements that affect Avangrid, refer to Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are exposed to risks associated with adverse changes in commodity prices, interest rates and equity prices. Financial instruments and positions affecting
our financial statements described below are held primarily for purposes other than trading. Market risk is measured as the potential loss in fair value resulting from hypothetical reasonably possible changes in commodity prices, interest rates or equity prices over the next year. Management has established risk management policies to monitor and manage such market risks, as well as credit risks.
Commodity Price Risk
Renewables faces a number of energy market risk exposures, including fixed price, basis (both location and time) and heat rate risk.
Long-term supply contracts reduce our exposure to market fluctuations. We have electricity commodity purchases and sales contracts
for energy (physical contracts) that have been designated and qualify for the normal purchase normal sale exemption in accordance with the accounting requirements concerning derivative instruments and hedging activities. Further information regarding derivative financial instruments and hedging activities is provided in Notes 11 and 12 of our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Renewables merchant wind facilities are subject to price risk, which is hedged with fixed price power trades and gas trades. Our combined cycle power plant is subject to heat rate risk, which is hedged with fixed price power and fixed price gas and basis positions. Those measures mitigate our commodity price exposure, but do not completely eliminate it. Some long-term hedges do not qualify for hedge accounting. This
introduces some MtM volatility into yearly profit and loss accounts.
Renewables uses a Monte Carlo simulation value-at-risk, or VaR, technique to measure and control the level of risk it undertakes. VaR is a statistical technique used to measure and quantify the level of risk within a portfolio over a given timeframe and within a specified level of confidence. VaR is primarily composed of three variables: the measured amount of potential loss, the probability of not exceeding the amount of potential loss and the portfolio holding period.
Renewables uses a 95% probability level over a one-day holding period, indicating that it can be 95% confident that losses over one day would not exceed that value. The average VaR for 2023 was $11.4 million compared to a 2022 average of $13.6 million.
As noted above, VaR is a statistical technique and
is not intended to be a guarantee of the maximum loss Renewables may incur.
Networks also experiences commodity price risk, due to volatility in the wholesale energy markets. Networks manages that risk through a combination of regulatory mechanisms, such as the pass-through of the market price of electricity and natural gas to customers, and through comprehensive risk management processes. Those measures mitigate our commodity price exposure, but do not completely eliminate it. Networks also uses electricity contracts as deemed appropriate, both physical and financial, to manage fluctuations in electricity commodity prices in order to provide price stability to customers. It also uses natural gas futures and forwards to manage fluctuations in natural gas commodity prices in order to provide price stability to
75
customers.
It includes the cost or benefit of those contracts in the amount expensed for electricity or natural gas purchased when the related electricity is sold.
Because all gains or losses on Networks’ commodity contracts will ultimately be passed on to retail customers, no sensitivity analysis is performed for Networks. Further information regarding the derivative financial instruments and sensitivity analysis is provided in Notes 11 and 12 of our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Interest Rate Risk
Total debt outstanding was $11,928 million at December 31, 2023, of
which $2,082 million had a floating interest rate. A change of 25 basis points in this interest rate would result in an interest expense or income fluctuation of approximately $3 million annually. The estimated fair value of our long-term debt at December 31, 2023 was $10,266 million, in comparison to a book value of $10,596 million.
Avangrid uses financial derivative instruments from time to time to alter its fixed and floating rate debt balances or to hedge fixed rates in anticipation of future fixed rate issuances. Further information regarding our interest rate derivative financial instruments is provided in Note 12 of our consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Credit Risk
This risk is defined as the risk that a third party will not fulfill
its contractual obligations and, therefore, generate losses for Avangrid. Networks is exposed to nonpayment of customer bills. Standard debt recovery procedures are in place, in accordance with best practices and in compliance with applicable state regulations and embedded tariff mechanisms, to manage uncollectible expense. Our credit department, based on guidelines approved by our board, establishes and manages its counterparty credit limits. We have developed a matrix of unsecured credit thresholds that are dependent on a counterparty’s or the counterparty guarantor’s applicable credit rating. Credit risk is mitigated by contracting with multiple counterparties and limiting exposure to individual counterparties or counterparty families to clearly defined limits based upon the risk of counterparty default. At the counterparty level, we employ specific eligibility criteria in determining appropriate limits for each prospective counterparty and supplement this with netting
and collateral agreements, including margining, guarantees, letters of credit and cash deposits, where appropriate.
Renewables is also exposed to credit risk through its energy management operations. Counterparty credit risk is managed through established credit policies by a credit department that is independent of the energy management function. Prospective and existing customers are reviewed for creditworthiness based upon established criteria.Credit limits are set in accordance with board approved guidelines, with counterparties not meeting minimum standards providing various credit enhancements such as cash prepayments, letters of credit, cash and other collateral and guarantees.Master netting agreements are used, where appropriate, to offset cash and non-cash gains and losses arising from derivative instruments with the
same counterparty.Trade receivables and other financial instruments are predominately with energy, utility and financial services-related companies, as well as municipalities, cooperatives and other trading companies in the U.S., although there is a growing segment of long-term power sales (PPAs) signed with commercial and industrial customers of high credit quality.
Based on our policies and risk exposures related to credit risk from its management in Renewables, we do not anticipate a material adverse effect on our financial statements as a result of counterparty nonperformance. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 97% of our energy management counterparty credit risk exposure is associated with companies that have investment grade credit ratings.
Treasury Management (including
Liquidity Risk)
We optimize our liquidity through a series of arms-length intercompany lending arrangements with our subsidiaries and among the regulated utilities to provide for lending of surplus cash to subsidiaries with liquidity needs, subject to the limitation that the regulated utilities may not lend to unregulated affiliates. These arrangements minimize overall short-term funding costs and maximize returns on the temporary cash investments of the subsidiaries. We have the capacity to borrow from third parties through a $2 billion commercial paper program, the $3,575 million Avangrid Credit Facility, which backstops the commercial paper program,
and $750 million from an Iberdrola Group Credit Facility. For more information, see the section entitled “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Liquidity Resources” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
76
Networks
Networks’ regulated utilities fund their operations independently, except to the extent that they borrow on a short-term basis from Avangrid and from each other when circumstances warrant in order to minimize short-term funding costs and maximize returns on temporary cash investments. The regulated utilities are prohibited by regulatory order from lending to unregulated affiliates. Networks’ regulated utilities each independently accesses the investment grade debt capital markets for long-term funding and each are borrowers
under the Avangrid Credit Facility described in “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Liquidity Resources” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Networks’ regulated utilities are subjected by regulatory order to certain credit quality maintenance measures, including minimum equity ratios, that are linked to the level of equity assumed in the establishment of revenue requirements. The companies maintain their equity ratios at or above the minimum through dividend declarations or, when necessary, capital contributions from Avangrid.
Renewables
Renewables historically has been financed through equity contributions, intercompany loans during construction, tax equity partnerships and, to a lesser extent, sale-leaseback arrangements. The outstanding balance of its financing lease was $39 million at December 31,
2023.
Renewables is a party to a cash pooling arrangement with Avangrid, Inc. All Renewables revenues are concentrated in and all Renewables disbursements are made from Avangrid, Inc. Net cash surpluses or deficits at Renewables are recorded as intercompany receivables or payables and these balances are periodically reduced to zero through dividends or capital contributions. In March 2023, Renewables recorded a net non-cash dividend of $453 million to Avangrid, Inc. to zero out account balances that had principally accumulated prior to January 2023.
77
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
78
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Avangrid, Inc.:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Avangrid, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the
related notes and financial statement schedule I (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 22, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm
registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated
financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating
the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Evaluation of the impairment of the carrying value of goodwill in the Renewables reporting unit
As discussed in Notes 3(g) and 7 to the consolidated financial statements, the goodwill balance as of December 31, 2023 was $3,119 million, of which $372 million related to the Renewables reporting unit. The Company performs goodwill impairment testing on an annual basis or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.
We identified the evaluation of the
impairment of the carrying value of goodwill in the Renewables reporting unit as a critical audit matter due to certain estimates and assumptions the Company made to determine the fair value of the Renewables reporting unit. As a result, a higher degree of auditor judgment was required to evaluate certain assumptions used in the Company’s estimate of the fair value of the Renewables reporting unit. Specifically, the Company’s determination of the forecasted power production and forecasted market prices, which are used to develop the revenue forecast, and the determination of the discount rates, required subjective and challenging auditor judgment.
The following are the
primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s goodwill impairment assessment process, including controls related to the determination of the forecasted power production, forecasted market prices and discount rates used to
79
estimate the fair value of the Renewables reporting unit. To assess the Company’s ability to forecast revenues, we compared the Renewables reporting unit’s historical revenue forecasts to actual revenues. We compared the Renewables reporting unit’s
forecasted power production to historical power production. We also evaluated the forecasted power production and forecasted market prices by comparing them to third-party published reports published by industry analysts. In addition, we involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in testing the selected discount rates by independently developing discount rates using publicly available market data for comparable entities and comparing them to the Company’s discount rates.
Evaluation of regulatory assets and liabilities
As discussed in Notes 3(c) and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company accounts for their regulated operations in accordance with Financial
Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standard Codification Topic 980, Regulated Operations (ASC Topic 980). Pursuant to the requirements of ASC Topic 980, the financial statements of a rate-regulated enterprise reflect the actions of regulators. The Company capitalizes, as regulatory assets, incurred and accrued costs that are probable of recovery in future electric and natural gas rates. In addition, obligations to refund previously collected revenue or to spend revenue collected from customers on future costs are recorded as regulatory liabilities. The Company’s regulated utilities are subject to complex and comprehensive federal, state and local regulation and legislation, including regulations promulgated by state utility commissions and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
We
have identified the evaluation of regulatory assets and liabilities as a critical audit matter. This was due to the extent of audit effort required in the evaluation of regulatory assets and liabilities in each of the relevant jurisdictions.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s regulatory accounting process, including controls related to the Company’s application of ASC Topic 980 in each jurisdiction and the Company’s calculation and review of regulatory assets and liabilities. We selected regulatory assets
and liabilities and assessed the Company’s application of ASC Topic 980 in the relevant jurisdiction by evaluating the underlying orders, statutes, rulings, memorandums, filings or publications issued by the respective regulators. We selected a sample of the regulatory assets and liabilities activity and using the methodologies approved by the relevant regulatory commissions, recalculated the activity and agreed the data used in the calculations to the Company’s underlying books and records. We compared the amounts calculated by the Company to the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Avangrid, Inc.:
Opinion on Internal
Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Avangrid, Inc. and subsidiaries' (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and financial statement schedule I (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 22, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial
statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the
company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
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.
Common stock, $ii.01/
par value, ii500,000,000/ shares authorized, i387,872,787
and i387,734,757 shares issued; i386,770,915 and i386,628,586
shares outstanding, respectively
i4
i3
Additional paid-in capital
i17,701
i17,694
Treasury
stock
(i47)
(i47)
Retained earnings
i2,015
i1,910
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
(i25)
(i180)
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
i19,648
i19,380
Noncontrolling
interests
i1,028
i962
Total Equity
i20,676
i20,342
Total
Liabilities and Equity
$
i43,989
$
i41,123
85
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of our consolidated financial statements.
Avangrid, Inc. (Avangrid, we or the Company) is an energy services holding company engaged in the regulated energy transmission and distribution business through its principal subsidiary Avangrid Networks, Inc. (Networks), and in the renewable energy generation business through its principal subsidiary, Avangrid Renewables Holding, Inc. (ARHI). ARHI in turn holds subsidiaries including Avangrid Renewables, LLC (Renewables). Iberdrola, S.A. (Iberdrola), a corporation organized under the laws of the Kingdom of Spain, owns i81.6%
of the outstanding common stock of Avangrid. The remaining outstanding shares are owned by various shareholders, with approximately i14.7% of Avangrid's outstanding shares publicly-traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement
On December 31, 2023, Avangrid sent a notice to PNM Resources, Inc., a New Mexico corporation (PNMR), terminating the previously announced Agreement and Plan
of Merger (as amended by the Amendment to Merger Agreement dated January 3, 2022, Amendment No. 2 to the Merger Agreement dated April 12, 2023 and Amendment No. 3 to the Merger Agreement dated June 19, 2023 (Merger Agreement)), pursuant to which NM Green Holdings, Inc. a New Mexico corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the corporation (Merger Sub), agreed to merge with and into PNMR (Merger), with PNMR surviving the Merger as a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Avangrid. A description of the Merger Agreement was included in the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by Avangrid on October 21, 2020, January 3, 2022, April 12, 2023 and June
20, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Merger was conditioned, among other things, upon the receipt of certain required regulatory approvals, including the approval of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC), and provided that the Merger Agreement may be terminated by either Avangrid or PNMR if the closing of the Merger shall not have occurred by 5:00 PM New York City Time on December 31, 2023 (End Date). Because the required approval of the NMPRC was not received by the End Date and the conditions to the closing of the Merger were thus not satisfied by the End Date, Avangrid exercised its right to terminate the Merger Agreement. No termination penalties were incurred by either party in connection with the termination of the Merger Agreement. The Funding Commitment Letter and related side letter
agreement terminated automatically upon termination of the Merger Agreement.
In light of the termination of the Merger Agreement, on January 8, 2024, Avangrid filed a motion to withdraw from the appeal it and PNMR’s subsidiary, Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), had filed with the New Mexico Supreme Court with respect to the NMPRC’s December 8, 2021, order which had rejected the amended stipulated agreement entered into by PNM, Avangrid and a number of interveners in the NMPRC proceeding with respect to consideration of the joint Merger application.
Note 2. iBasis
of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are presented on a consolidated basis, and therefore include the accounts of Avangrid and its consolidated subsidiaries, Networks and ARHI. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation in all periods presented.
Note 3. iSummary
of Significant Accounting Policies, New Accounting Pronouncements and Use of Estimates
Significant Accounting Policies
We consider the following policies to be the most significant in understanding the judgments that are involved in preparing our consolidated financial statements:
(a) iPrinciples of consolidation
We consolidate the entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, after the elimination of intercompany transactions. We account
for investments in common stock where we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, using the equity method of accounting.
(b) iRevenue recognition
We recognize revenues when we transfer control of promised goods or services to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Refer to Note 4 for further details.
89
(c)
iRegulatory accounting
We account for our regulated utilities' operations in accordance with the authoritative guidance applicable to entities with regulated operations that meet the following criteria: (i) rates are established or approved by an independent, third-party regulator; (ii) rates are designed to recover the entity’s specific costs of providing the regulated services or products and; (iii) there is a reasonable expectation that rates are set at levels that will recover the entity’s costs and can be collected from customers. Regulatory assets primarily represent incurred costs that have been deferred
because of their probable future recovery from customers through regulated rates. Regulatory liabilities represent: (i) the excess recovery of costs or accrued credits that have been deferred because it is probable such amounts will be returned to customers through future regulated rates; or (ii) billings in advance of expenditures for approved regulatory programs.
We amortize regulatory assets and liabilities and recognize the related expense or revenue in our consolidated statements of income consistent with the recovery or refund included in customer rates. We believe it is probable that our currently recorded regulatory assets and liabilities will be recovered or settled in future rates.
(d) iBusiness
combinations and assets acquisitions (disposals)
We apply the acquisition method of accounting to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for an acquisition is the fair value of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred, including contingent consideration, and the equity interests issued by the acquirer. We measure identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. We record as goodwill the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. We recognize adjustments to provisional amounts relating to a business combination that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. For business combinations, we expense acquisition-related costs as incurred.
In
contrast to a business combination (disposal), we classify a transaction as an asset acquisition (disposal) when substantially all the fair value of the gross assets acquired (disposed) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets or otherwise does not meet the definition of a business. For asset acquisitions, we capitalize acquisition-related costs as a component of the cost of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
(e) iNoncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling
interests represent the portion of our net income (loss), comprehensive income (loss) and net assets that is not allocable to us and is calculated based on our ownership percentage. For holdings where the economic allocations are not based pro rata on ownership percentages, we use the balance sheet-oriented hypothetical liquidation at book value (HLBV) method, to reflect the substantive profit sharing arrangement.
Under the HLBV method, the amounts we report as "Noncontrolling interests" and "Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests" in our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of income represent the amounts the noncontrolling interest would hypothetically receive at each balance sheet reporting date under the liquidation provisions of each holding’s ownership agreement assuming we were to liquidate the net assets of the projects at recorded amounts determined in accordance
with U.S. GAAP and distribute those amounts to the investors. We determine the noncontrolling interest in our statements of income and comprehensive income as the difference in noncontrolling interests on our consolidated balance sheets at the start, or at inception of the noncontrolling interest if applicable, and end of each reporting period, after taking into account any capital transactions between the holdings and the third party. We report the noncontrolling interest balances in the holdings as a component of equity on our consolidated balance sheets.
(f) iEquity method investments
We
account for joint ventures and other equity investments that do not meet consolidation criteria using the equity method. We reflect earnings (losses) recognized under the equity method in the consolidated statements of income as "Earnings (losses) from equity method investments." We recognize dividends received from equity method investments as a reduction in the carrying amount of the investment and not as dividend income. When an equity method investee executes derivative transactions that have cash flow hedge accounting treatment, we recognize our share of the OCI in our consolidated balance sheet. We assess and record an impairment of our equity method investments in earnings for a decline in value that we determine to be other than temporary.
(g) iGoodwill
and other intangible assets
Goodwill represents future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill is initially measured at cost, being the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred, the fair value of any noncontrolling interest and the acquisition date fair value of any previously held equity interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
90
Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an assessment for impairment performed in the fourth quarter or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce
the fair value of a reporting unit to which goodwill is assigned below its carrying amount. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment and is the level at which we test goodwill for impairment. In assessing goodwill for impairment, we have the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative assessment is necessary. If we determine, based on qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not greater than the carrying amount, no further testing is required. If we bypass the qualitative assessment, or perform the qualitative assessment but determine it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount, we perform a quantitative test to compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we record an impairment loss as a reduction
to goodwill and a charge to operating expenses, but the loss recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
Intangible assets acquired separately are measured on initial recognition at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a business combination is their fair value at the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortization and impairment losses. The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed as either finite or indefinite.
Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful economic life, which ranges from four to iforty
years, and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset may be impaired. The amortization expense on intangible assets with finite lives is recognized in our consolidated statements of income within the expense category that is consistent with the function of the intangible assets.
(h) iProperty, plant and equipment
We account for property, plant and equipment at historical cost. In cases where we are required to dismantle installations or to recondition the site on which they are located, we record the
estimated cost of removal or reconditioning as an asset retirement obligation (ARO) and add an equal amount to the carrying amount of the asset.
Development and construction of our various facilities are carried out in stages. We expense project costs during early stage development activities. Once we achieve certain development milestones and it is probable that we can obtain future economic benefits from a project, we capitalize salaries and wages for persons directly involved in the project, and engineering, permits, licenses, wind measurement and insurance costs. We periodically review development projects in construction for any indications of impairment.
We transfer assets from “Construction work in progress” to “Property, plant and equipment” when they are available for service.
We capitalize wind turbine and related
equipment costs, other project construction costs and interest costs related to the project during the construction period through substantial completion. We record AROs at the date projects achieve commercial operation.
91
We depreciate the cost of plant and equipment in use on a straight-line basis, less any estimated residual value. iThe main asset categories are depreciated over the following estimated useful lives:
Major
class
Asset Category
Estimated Useful Life (years)
Plant
Combined cycle plants
i35-i75
Hydroelectric
power stations
i45-i90
Wind power stations
Structural
components
i25-i40
Rotary components
i25-i30
Solar
power stations
i30
Transmission and transport facilities
i10-i80
Distribution
facilities
i4-i80
Equipment
Conventional meters and measuring devices
i10-i85
Computer
software
i1-i25
Other
Buildings
i10-i75
Operations
offices
i4-i70
Networks determines depreciation expense using the straight-line method, based on the average service lives of groups of depreciable property, which include estimated cost of removal, in service
at each operating company. Networks charges the original cost of utility plant retired or otherwise disposed to accumulated depreciation. Networks' composite rate of depreciation was ii2.8/%
of average depreciable property for both 2023 and 2022.
We charge repairs and minor replacements to operating expenses, and capitalize renewals and betterments, including certain indirect costs.
Allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC), applicable to Networks' entities that apply regulatory accounting, is a noncash item that represents the allowed cost of capital, including a return on equity (ROE), used to finance construction projects. We record the portion of AFUDC attributable to borrowed funds as a reduction of interest expense and record the remainder as other income.
(i) iLeases
We
determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. We classify a lease as a finance lease if it meets any one of specified criteria that in essence transfers ownership of the underlying asset to us by the end of the lease term. If a lease does not meet any of those criteria, we classify it as an operating lease. On our consolidated balance sheets, we include, for operating leases: "Operating lease right-of-use (ROU) assets" and "Operating lease liabilities (current and non-current)"; and for finance leases: finance lease ROU assets in "Other assets" and liabilities in "Other current liabilities" and "Other liabilities."
ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. We recognize lease ROU assets and liabilities at commencement of an arrangement based on the present
value of lease payments over the lease term. Most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, so we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date to determine the present value of future payments. A lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made at or before commencement date, minus any lease incentives received, and includes initial direct costs incurred. We do not record leases with an initial term of 12 months or less on the balance sheet for all classes of underlying assets, and we recognize lease expense for those leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We include variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate in the ROU asset and lease liability measurement based on the index or rate at the commencement date, or upon a modification. We do not include variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate in the ROU asset and lease liability measurement. A lease term
includes an option to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. We recognize lease (rent) expense for operating lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term, or for our regulated companies we recognize the amount eligible for recovery under their rate plans, such as actual amounts paid. We amortize finance lease ROU assets on a straight-line basis over the lease term and recognize interest expense based on the outstanding lease liability.
We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, and account for lease components and associated non-lease components together as a single lease component, for all classes of underlying assets.
92
(j) iImpairment
of long-lived assets
We evaluate property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment evaluation is based on undiscounted cash flow analysis at the lowest level to which cash flows of the long-lived assets or asset groups are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. We are required to recognize an impairment loss if the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the undiscounted future net cash flows associated with that asset. For the Renewables segment, the property, plant and equipment are grouped on a market hub-basis where we have interdependent revenues. Renewables development projects (e.g., prior to reaching the commercial operation date) are analyzed for impairment at a project level.
The impairment loss to be
recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds the asset’s fair value. Depending on the asset, fair value may be determined by use of a discounted cash flow (DCF) model, with assumptions consistent with a market participant’s view of the exit price of the asset.
(k) iFair value measurement
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on
the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place in either the principal market for the asset or liability, or, in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.
The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest. A fair value measurement of a non-financial asset takes into account a market participant’s ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset according to its highest and best use, or by selling it to another market participant that would use the asset according to its highest and best use.
We use valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data is available to measure
fair value, maximizing the use of relevant observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs. All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the consolidated financial statements are categorized within the fair value hierarchy based on the transparency of input to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date.
The three input levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
•Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
•Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, for substantially
the full term of the contract.
•Level 3 - one or more inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable or cannot be corroborated with market data.
Categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Certain investments are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy. These investments are measured based on the fair value of the underlying investments but may not be readily redeemable at that fair value.
(l) iEquity
investments with readily determinable fair values
We measure equity investments with readily determinable fair values at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in net income.
(m) iDerivatives and hedge accounting
Derivatives are recognized on our consolidated balance sheets at their fair value, except for certain electricity commodity purchases and sales contracts for both capacity and energy (physical contracts)
that qualify for, and are elected under, the normal purchases and normal sales exception. To be a derivative under the accounting standards for derivatives and hedging, an agreement would need to have a notional and an underlying, require little or no initial net investment and could be net settled. We recognize changes in the fair value of a derivative contract in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.
Certain derivatives that hedge specific cash flows that qualify and are designated for hedge accounting are classified as cash flow hedges. We report the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as a component of Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) and later reclassify amounts into earnings when the underlying transaction occurs, which we present in the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the
hedged item. Certain interest rate derivatives that hedge a liability (i.e. debt)
93
that qualify and are designated for hedge accounting are classified as fair value hedges. Changes in the fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as a fair value hedge and the offsetting changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged exposure (i.e. debt) are recorded in Interest expense. For all designated and qualifying hedges, we maintain formal documentation of the hedge and effectiveness testing in accordance with the accounting standards for derivatives and hedging. If we determine that the derivative is no longer highly effective as a hedge, we will discontinue hedge accounting prospectively. For cash flow hedges of forecasted transactions, we estimate the future cash
flows of the forecasted transactions and evaluate the probability of the occurrence and timing of such transactions. If we determine it is probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur, we immediately recognize in earnings hedge gains and losses previously recorded in OCI.
Renewables classifies certain contracts for the purchase and sale of both gas and electricity as derivatives, in accordance with the applicable accounting standards. Renewables may also have gains or losses from certain contracts, that are not designated as cash flow hedges, including those entered into for proprietary trading purposes, which it generally classifies as derivative revenue.
Changes in conditions or the occurrence
of unforeseen events could require discontinuance of the hedge accounting or could affect the timing of the reclassification of gains or losses on cash flow hedges from OCI into earnings. For our regulated operations, we record changes in the fair value of electric and natural gas hedge contracts derivative assets or liabilities with an offset to regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities.
We offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral arising from derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement.
(n) iCash
and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash, bank accounts and other highly-liquid short-term investments. We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity date of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents and include those investments in “Cash and cash equivalents.” Restricted cash represents cash legally set aside for a specified purpose or as part of an agreement with a third party. Restricted cash is included in “Other non-current assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. We classify book overdrafts representing outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit as “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets. We report changes in book overdrafts in the operating activities section of our consolidated statements of cash flows.
(o) iTrade
receivables and unbilled revenues, net of allowance for credit losses
We record trade receivables at amounts billed to customers and we record unbilled revenues based on an estimate of energy delivered or services provided to customers. Certain trade receivables and payables related to our wholesale activities associated with generation and delivery of electric energy and associated environmental attributes, origination and marketing, natural gas storage, hub services and energy management are subject to master netting agreements with counterparties, whereby we have the legal right to offset the balances and they are settled on a net basis. We present receivables and payables subject to such agreements on a net basis on our consolidated balance sheets.
Trade receivables include amounts due under Deferred Payment Arrangements (DPA). A DPA allows the account balance to be paid
in installments over an extended period without interest, which generally exceeds one year, by negotiating mutually acceptable payment terms. As required by their state regulatory commissions, the affected utility companies generally must continue to serve a customer who cannot pay an account balance in full if the customer (i) pays a reasonable portion of the balance; (ii) agrees to pay the balance in installments; and (iii) agrees to pay future bills within 30 days until the DPA is paid in full. Failure to make payments on a DPA results in the full amount of a receivable under a DPA being due. These accounts are part of the regular operating cycle and we classify them as short term.
We establish our allowance for credit losses, including for unbilled revenue (also referred to as contract assets), by using both historical average
loss percentages to project future losses, and by establishing a specific allowance for known credit issues or for specific items not considered in the historical average calculation. We consider whether we need to adjust historical loss rates to reflect the effects of current conditions and forecasted changes considering various economic indicators (e.g., Gross Domestic Product, Personal Income, Consumer Price Index, Unemployment Rate) over the contractual life of the trade receivables. We write off amounts when we have exhausted reasonable collection efforts.
(p) iVariable interest entities
An
entity is considered to be a variable interest entity (VIE) when its total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, or its equity investors, as a group, lack the characteristics of having a controlling financial interest. A reporting company is required to consolidate a VIE as its primary
94
beneficiary when it has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, and the obligation to absorb losses of or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. We evaluate whether an entity is a VIE whenever reconsideration events occur as defined by the accounting guidance
(See Note 20).
We have undertaken several structured institutional partnership investment transactions that bring in external investors in certain of our wind farms in exchange for cash. Following an analysis of the economic substance of these transactions, we classify the consideration received at the inception of the arrangement as noncontrolling interests on our consolidated balance sheets. Subsequently, we use the HLBV method to allocate earnings to the noncontrolling interest, taking into consideration the cash and tax benefits provided to the tax equity investors.
(q) iDebentures, bonds and
bank borrowings
We record bonds, debentures and bank borrowings as a liability equal to the proceeds of the borrowings. We treat the difference between the proceeds and the face amount of the issued liability as discount or premium and accrete the amounts as interest expense or income over the life of the instrument. We defer incremental costs associated with the issuance of debt instruments and amortize them over the same period as debt discount or premium. We present bonds, debentures and bank borrowings net of unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs on our consolidated balance sheets.
(r) iInventory
Inventory
comprises fuel and gas in storage and materials and supplies. Through our gas operations, we own natural gas that is stored in third-party owned underground storage facilities, which we record as inventory. We price injections of inventory into storage at the market purchase cost at the time of injection, and price withdrawals of working gas from storage at the weighted-average cost in storage. We continuously monitor the weighted-average cost of gas value to ensure it remains at the lower of cost and net realizable value. We report inventories to support gas operations on our consolidated balance sheets within “Fuel and gas in storage.”
We also have materials and supplies inventories that we use for construction of new facilities and repairs of existing facilities. These inventories are carried and withdrawn at the lower of cost and net realizable value and reported on our consolidated balance sheets within “Materials
and supplies.”
In addition, stand-alone renewable energy credits that are generated or purchased and held for sale are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value and are reported on our consolidated balance sheets within “Materials and supplies.”
(s) iGovernment grants
Our unregulated subsidiaries record government grants related to depreciable assets within deferred income and subsequently amortize them
to earnings as an offset to depreciation and amortization expense over the useful life of the related asset. Our regulated subsidiaries record government grants as a reduction to the related utility plant to be recovered through rate base, in accordance with the prescribed FERC accounting.
In accounting for government grants related to operating and maintenance costs, we recognize amounts receivable as an offset to expenses in our consolidated statements of income in the period in which we incur the expenses.
(t) Deferred income
Apart from government grants, we occasionally receive payments from transactions in advance of the resulting performance obligations arising from the transaction. It is our policy to defer such payments
on our consolidated balance sheets and amortize them into earnings when revenue recognition criteria are met.
(u) iAsset retirement obligations
We record the fair value of the liability for an ARO and a conditional ARO in the period in which it is incurred, capitalizing the cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The ARO is associated with our long-lived assets and primarily consists of obligations related to removal or retirement of asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated equipment, gas pipeline, cast iron gas mains and electricity
generation facilities. We adjust the liability periodically to reflect revisions to either the timing or amount of the original estimated undiscounted cash flows over time. The liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement, we will either settle the obligation at its recorded amount or incur a gain or a loss. Our regulated utilities defer any timing differences between rate recovery and depreciation expense and accretion as either a regulatory asset or a regulatory liability.
95
The term conditional ARO refers to an entity’s legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may
or may not be within the entity’s control. If an entity has sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of the liability for a conditional ARO, it must recognize that liability at the time the liability is incurred.
We record AROs for the decommissioning of the wind and solar farms and thermal facilities. Projected removal costs are based on engineering estimates which are updated on an annual basis based on the relevant inflation and discount rate factors.
Our regulated utilities meet the requirements concerning accounting for regulated operations and we recognize a regulatory liability for the difference between removal costs collected in rates and actual costs incurred. We classify these as accrued removal obligations.
(v) iEnvironmental
remediation liability
In recording our liabilities for environmental remediation costs the amount of liability for a site is the best estimate, when determinable; otherwise it is based on the minimum liability or the lower end of the range when there is a range of estimated losses. We record our environmental liabilities on an undiscounted basis.
(w) iPost-employment and other employee benefits
We sponsor defined benefit pension plans that cover eligible employees. We also provide health care and life
insurance benefits through various postretirement plans for eligible retirees.
We evaluate our actuarial assumptions on an annual basis and consider changes based on market conditions and other factors. All of our qualified defined benefit plans are funded in amounts calculated by independent actuaries, based on actuarial assumptions proposed by management.
We account for defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans, recognizing an asset or liability for the overfunded or underfunded plan status. For a pension plan, the asset or liability is the difference between the fair value of the plan’s assets and the projected benefit obligation. For any other postretirement benefit plan, the asset or liability is the difference between the fair value of the plan’s assets and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. Our utility operations generally reflect all unrecognized
prior service costs and credits and unrecognized actuarial gains and losses as regulatory assets rather than in other comprehensive income, as management believes it is probable that such items will be recoverable through the ratemaking process. If a plan meets settlement or curtailment criteria, we recognize a regulatory asset or liability if these costs are probable of recovery from ratepayers. Certain nonqualified plan expenses are not recoverable through the ratemaking process and we present the unrecognized prior service costs and credits and unrecognized actuarial gains and losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. We use a December 31st measurement date for our benefits plans.
We amortize prior service costs for both the pension and other postretirement benefits plans on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of participants expected to receive benefits. Unrecognized actuarial gains and
losses related to the pension and other postretirement benefits plans are amortized over the average remaining service period or i10 years, considering any requirement by the regulators for our Networks subsidiaries. Our policy is to calculate the expected return on plan assets using the market related value of assets. That value is determined by recognizing the difference between actual returns and expected returns over a ifive-year
period.
(x) iIncome taxes
We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the expected future tax consequences, based on enacted tax laws, of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. In accordance with U.S. GAAP for regulated industries, certain of our regulated subsidiaries have established regulatory assets and liabilities for the net revenue requirements
to be recovered from or refunded to customers for the related future tax expense or benefit associated with certain of these temporary differences. We defer the investment tax credits (ITCs) when earned and amortize them over the estimated lives of the related assets. We also recognize the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the expected tax rate for the period in which the asset or liability will be realized or settled, based on legislation enacted as of the balance sheet date. Changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities that are associated with components of OCI are charged or credited directly to OCI. Significant judgment is required in determining income tax provisions and evaluating tax positions. Our tax positions are evaluated under a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold before they
are recognized for financial reporting purposes. We record valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that we will not realize all or a portion of a tax benefit. We consider the effect
96
of the corporate alternative minimum tax system in determining the need for a valuation allowance for deferred taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are netted and classified as non-current on our consolidated balance sheets.
We record the excess of state franchise tax computed as the higher of a tax based on income or a tax based on capital in “Taxes other than income taxes” and “Taxes accrued” in our consolidated financial statements.
Positions
taken or expected to be taken on tax returns, including the decision to exclude certain income or transactions from a return, are recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the tax position can be sustained based solely on the technical merits of the position. The amount of a tax return position that is not recognized in the financial statements is disclosed as an unrecognized tax benefit. Changes in assumptions on tax benefits may also impact interest expense or interest income and may result in the recognition of tax penalties. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within “Interest expense, net of capitalization” in our consolidated statements of income. Uncertain tax positions have been classified as non-current unless expected to be paid within one year.
Federal production tax credits (PTCs) applicable to our renewable energy facilities,
that are not part of a tax equity financing arrangement, are recognized as a reduction in deferred income tax expense with a corresponding reduction in deferred income tax liabilities. Subsequent sales of PTCs under transferability rules are currently recognized with an offset to deferred taxes, with any difference between the sale price and the carrying value of the PTC adjusted to deferred income tax expense.
Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining the consolidated income tax components of the financial statements.
(y) iStock-based
compensation
Stock-based compensation represents costs related to stock-based awards granted to employees. We account for stock-based payment transactions based on the estimated fair value of awards reflecting forfeitures when they occur. The recognition period for these costs begins at either the applicable service inception date or grant date and continues throughout the requisite service period, or until the employee becomes retirement eligible, if earlier.
i
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
(a)
Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures
In November 2023, the FASB issued guidance requiring incremental disclosures for reportable segments. These incremental requirements include disclosing significant expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM) and other segment items, including a description of its composition. The other segment items category is the difference between segment revenue less the significant segment expenses, and each reported measure of segment profit or loss. The guidance clarifies that if the CODM reviews multiple measures of a segments total profit or loss, that the entity may under certain conditions report multiple measures in the segment footnote; however, if only one measure is reported, it should be the one that best conforms with U.S. GAAP. The guidance requires disclosure of the title and position of the individual or the name of the group identified
as the CODM. Finally, all annual disclosures are required in interim reporting. We adopted the new disclosure requirements pursuant to this guidance on January 1, 2024.
Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted
The following are new accounting pronouncements not yet adopted that we have evaluated or are evaluating to determine their effect on our consolidated financial statements.
(a) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures
In December 2023, the FASB issued guidance to enhance income tax disclosures. The standard is required to be adopted by public business entities for annual periods beginning after December
15, 2024.Early adoption is permitted. The two primary enhancements relate to disaggregation of the annual effective tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disclosures. For the rate reconciliation, it requires additional disaggregation of information in a tabular format using both percentages and amounts broken out into specific categories (e.g., state and local income tax net of federal income tax effect, foreign tax effects, effect of changes in tax laws, tax credits, changes in valuation allowances, nontaxable or nondeductible items, and changes in unrecognized tax benefits). For income taxes paid, it requires disaggregation by jurisdiction (e.g., federal, state and foreign). We do not expect the new guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
97
i
Use
of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but not limited to: (1) allowance for credit losses and unbilled revenues; (2) asset impairments, including goodwill and projects under development; (3) investments in equity instruments; (4) depreciable lives of assets; (5) income tax valuation allowances; (6) uncertain tax positions; (7) reserves for professional, workers’ compensation and comprehensive general insurance liability risks; (8) contingency and litigation reserves; (9) fair value measurements; (10) earnings
sharing mechanisms; (11) environmental remediation liabilities; (12) AROs; (13) pension and other postretirement employee benefits and (14) noncontrolling interest balances derived from HLBV (hypothetical liquidation at book value) accounting. Future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty; accordingly, our accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. The accounting estimates we use in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements will change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. We evaluate and update our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and may employ outside specialists to assist in our evaluations, as necessary. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
i
Union
collective bargaining agreements
We have approximately i45.8% of our employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Agreements which will expire within the coming year apply to approximately i24.1% of our employees.
Note
4. iRevenue
We recognize revenue when we have satisfied our obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer, which generally occurs when the control of promised goods or services transfers to the customer. We measure revenue as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for providing those goods or services. Contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For
such contracts, we allocate revenue to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. We generally determine standalone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers. Certain revenues are not within the scope of the FASB issued ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606), such as revenues from leasing, derivatives, other revenues that are not from contracts with customers and other contractual rights or obligations, and we account for such revenues in accordance with the applicable accounting standards. We exclude from revenue amounts collected on behalf of third parties, including any such taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental
authorities. We do not have any significant payment terms that are material because we receive payment at or shortly after the point of sale.
The following describes the principal activities, by reportable segment, from which we generate revenue. For more detailed information about our reportable segments, refer to Note 24.
Networks Segment
Networks derives its revenue primarily from tariff-based sales of electricity and natural gas service to customers in New York, Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts with no defined contractual term. For such revenues, we recognize revenues in an amount derived from the commodities delivered to customers. Other major sources of revenue are electricity transmission and wholesale sales of electricity and natural gas.
Tariff-based sales are subject to the corresponding
state regulatory authorities, which determine prices and other terms of service through the ratemaking process. The applicable tariffs are based on the cost of providing service. The utilities’ approved base rates are designed to recover their allowable operating costs, including energy costs, finance costs, and the costs of equity, the last of which reflect our capital ratio and a reasonable return on equity. We traditionally invoice our customers by applying approved base rates to usage. Maine state law prohibits the utility from providing the electricity commodity to customers. In New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts, customers have the option to obtain the electricity or natural gas commodity directly from the utility or from another supplier. For customers that receive their commodity from another supplier, the utility acts as an agent and delivers the electricity or natural gas provided by that supplier. Revenue in those cases is only for providing the service
of delivery of the commodity. Networks entities calculate revenue earned but not yet billed based on the number of days not billed in the month, the estimated amount of energy delivered during those days and the estimated average price per customer class for that month. Differences between actual and estimated unbilled revenue are immaterial.
Transmission revenue results from others’ use of the utility’s transmission system to transmit electricity and is subject to FERC regulation, which establishes the prices and other terms of service. Long-term wholesale sales of electricity are based on individual bilateral contracts. Short-term wholesale sales of electricity are generally on a daily basis based on market prices and are administered by the Independent System Operator-New England (ISO-NE) and the New York Independent System
98
Operator
(NYISO) or PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM), as applicable. Wholesale sales of natural gas are generally short-term based on market prices through contracts with the specific customer.
The performance obligation in all arrangements is satisfied over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as Networks delivers or sells the electricity or natural gas or provides the delivery or transmission service. We record revenue for all of such sales based upon the regulatory-approved tariff and the volume delivered or transmitted, which corresponds to the amount that we have a right to invoice. There are no material initial incremental costs of obtaining a contract in any of the arrangements. Networks does not adjust the
promised consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if it expects, at contract inception, that the time between the delivery of promised goods or service and customer payment will be ione year or less. For its New York and Connecticut utilities, Networks assesses its DPAs at each balance sheet date for the existence of significant financing components, but has had no material adjustments as a result.
Certain Networks entities record revenue from Alternative Revenue Programs
(ARPs), which is not ASC 606 revenue. Such programs represent contracts between the utilities and their regulators. The Networks ARPs include revenue decoupling mechanisms (RDMs), other ratemaking mechanisms, annual revenue requirement reconciliations and other demand side management programs. The Networks entities recognize and record only the initial recognition of “originating” ARP revenues (when the regulatory-specified conditions for recognition have been met). When they subsequently include those amounts in the price of utility service billed to customers, they record such amounts as a recovery of the associated regulatory asset or liability. When they owe amounts to customers in connection with ARPs, they evaluate those amounts on a quarterly basis and include them in the price of utility service billed to customers and do not reduce ARP revenues.
Networks
also has various other sources of revenue including billing, collection, other administrative charges, sundry billings, rent of utility property and miscellaneous revenue. It classifies such revenues as other ASC 606 revenues to the extent they are not related to revenue generating activities from leasing, derivatives or ARPs.
Renewables Segment
Renewables derives its revenue primarily from the sale of energy, transmission, capacity and other related charges from its renewable wind, solar and thermal energy generating sources. For such revenues, we will recognize revenues in an amount derived from the commodities delivered and from services as they are made available. Renewables has bundled power purchase agreements consisting of electric energy, transmission, capacity and/or renewable energy credits (RECs). The related contracts
are generally long-term with no stated contract amount, that is, the customer is entitled to all or a percentage of the unit’s output. Renewables also has unbundled sales of electric energy and capacity, RECs and natural gas, which are generally for periods of less than a year. The performance obligations in substantially all of both bundled and unbundled arrangements for electricity and natural gas are satisfied over time, for which we record revenue based on the amount invoiced to the customer for the actual energy delivered. The performance obligation for stand-alone RECs is satisfied at a point in time, for which we record revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied upon delivery of the REC. There are no significant financing elements in any of the arrangements. We recognize an asset for incremental costs of obtaining a contract
with a customer when we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year.
Renewables classifies certain contracts for the sale of electricity as derivatives, in accordance with the applicable accounting standards. Renewables also has revenue from its energy trading operations, which it generally classifies as derivative revenue. However, trading contracts not classified as derivatives are within the scope of ASC 606, with the performance obligation of the delivery of energy (electricity, natural gas) and settlement of the contracts satisfied at a point in time at which time we recognize the revenue. Renewables also has other ASC 606 revenue,
which we recognize based on the amount invoiced to the customer.
Certain customers may receive cash credits, which we account for as variable consideration. Renewables estimates those amounts based on the expected amount to be provided to customers and reduces revenues recognized. We believe that there will not be significant changes to our estimates of variable consideration.
Other
Other, which does not represent a segment, includes miscellaneous Corporate revenues and intersegment eliminations.
We have contract
assets for costs from development success fees, which we paid during a solar farm asset development period in 2018, and will amortize ratably into expense over the i15-year life of the power purchase agreement (PPA), expected to commence in April 2024 upon commercial operation. Contract assets totaled $ii9/
million as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022, and are presented in "Other non-current assets" on our consolidated balance sheets.
99
We have contract liabilities for revenue from transmission congestion contract (TCC) auctions, for which we receive payment at the beginning of an auction period and amortize ratably each month into revenue over the applicable auction period. The auction periods range from isix
months to itwo years. TCC contract liabilities totaled $i18 million and $i33
million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and are presented in "Other current liabilities" on our consolidated balance sheets. We recognized $i45 million, $i33
million and $i22 million as revenue related to contract liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
We apply a practical expedient to expense as incurred costs to obtain a contract
when the amortization period is one year or less. We record costs incurred to obtain a contract within operating expenses, including amortization of capitalized costs.
i
Revenues disaggregated by major source for our reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
(a)Primarily
includes certain intra-month trading activities, billing, collection and administrative charges, sundry billings and other miscellaneous revenue.
(b)Does not represent a segment. Includes Corporate and intersegment eliminations.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, accounts receivable balances related to contracts with customers were approximately $i1,441 million
and $i1,622 million, respectively, including unbilled revenues of $i426 million and $i541 million,
which are included in “Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net” on our consolidated balance sheets.
i
As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) were as follows:
Revenue
expected to be recognized on multiyear retail energy sales contracts in place
$
i1
$
i—
$
i—
$
i—
$
i—
$
i—
$
i1
Revenue
expected to be recognized on multiyear renewable energy credit sale contracts
i69
i67
i34
i13
i1
i2
i186
Revenue
expected to be recognized on multiyear capacity and carbon-free energy sale contracts
i89
i28
i10
i7
i5
i54
i193
Total
operating revenues
$
i159
$
i95
$
i44
$
i20
$
i6
$
i56
$
i380
/
We
do not disclose information about remaining performance obligations for contracts for which we recognize revenue in the amount to which we have the right to invoice (e.g., usage-based pricing terms).
Note 5. iIndustry Regulation
Electricity and Natural Gas Distribution – Maine, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts
Each
of Networks’ ieight regulated utility companies must comply with regulatory procedures that differ in form but in all cases conform to the basic framework outlined below. Generally, tariff reviews cover various years and provide for a reasonable ROE, protection from, and automatic adjustments for, exceptional costs incurred and efficiency incentives. The distribution rates and allowed ROEs for Networks’ regulated utilities in New York are subject to regulation by the New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC), in Maine by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC), in Connecticut by the Connecticut Public
Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and in Massachusetts by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU).
The revenues of Networks companies are essentially regulated, being based on tariffs established in accordance with administrative procedures set by the various regulatory bodies. The tariffs applied to the Networks companies are approved by the regulatory commissions of the different states and are based on the cost of providing service. The revenues of each of the Networks companies are set to be sufficient to cover their operating costs, including energy costs, finance costs and the costs of equity, the last of which reflects our capital ratio and a reasonable ROE.
101
Energy costs that are incurred in the New York and New
England wholesale markets are passed on to consumers. The difference between energy costs that are budgeted and those that are actually incurred by the utilities is offset by applying compensation procedures that result in either immediate or deferred tariff adjustments. These procedures apply to other costs, which are in most cases exceptional, such as the effects of extreme weather conditions, environmental factors, regulatory and accounting changes, and treatment of vulnerable customers, that are offset in the tariff process. Any New York and Connecticut revenues that allow a utility to exceed target returns, usually the result of better than expected cost efficiency, are generally shared between the utility and its customers, resulting in future tariff reductions.
The NYSEG and RG&E rate plans, the Maine distribution rate plan and associated proceedings, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Transmission
Return on Equity (ROE) case, the Connecticut rate plans, proceedings on Transmission Planning Pursuant to the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act, Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), Gas Planning Order, Reforming Energy Vision (REV), the storm proceedings in New York and the Tax Act are some of the most important specific regulatory processes that currently affect Networks.
CMP Distribution Rate Case
In an order issued on February 19, 2020, the MPUC authorized an increase in CMP's distribution revenue requirement of $i17 million,
or approximately i7.00%, based on an allowed ROE of i9.25% and a i50.00%
equity ratio. The rate increase was effective March 1, 2020. Commencing on March 1, 2020, the MPUC also imposed a i1.00% ROE reduction (to i8.25%)
for management efficiency associated with CMP’s customer service performance following the implementation of its new billing system in 2017 which would be removed after demonstrating satisfactory customer service performance. In September 2021, CMP met the i18-month required rolling average satisfactory customer service benchmarks and filed with the MPUC a request for removal of the management efficiency adjustment, which was approved by the MPUC effective as of its February 18, 2022 order.
On August 11, 2022,
CMP filed a three-year rate plan, with adjustments to the distribution revenue requirement in each year. On May 31, 2023, CMP filed a Stipulation resolving all issues in the case providing for a i9.35% ROE, i50%
equity ratio, and i50% earnings sharing for annual earnings in excess of i100 basis points of CMP’s allowed ROE. The Stipulation also provides for a two-year forward looking rate plan with increases to occur in four equal levelized amounts every six
months beginning on July 1, 2023. The next three increases will occur on January 1, 2024, July 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025. The amount of each increase is $i16.75 million. These revenue increases include amounts for operations and maintenance but are primarily driven by increases in capital investment forecast by CMP to occur during the period covered by the Stipulation.
The Stipulation also imposes a service quality indicator incentive mechanism on CMP. The incentive is provided by a penalty mechanism that would impose a maximum of $i8.8 million per year for a failure to meet specified service quality indicator targets.
No party opposed the Stipulation and it was approved in its entirety by the MPUC on June 6, 2023.
NYSEG
and RG&E Rate Plans
2020 Joint Proposal
On November 19, 2020, the NYPSC approved a new three-year rate plan for NYSEG and RG&E (2020 Joint Proposal), with modifications to the rate increases at the two electric businesses. The effective date of new tariffs was December 1, 2020 with a make-whole provision back to April 17, 2020. The proposed rates facilitate the companies’ transition to a cleaner energy future while allowing for important initiatives such as COVID-19 relief for customers and additional funding for vegetation management, hardening/resiliency and emergency preparedness. The rate plans continue the RAM designed to return or collect certain defined reconciled revenues and costs, have new depreciation rates and continue
existing RDMs for each business. The 2020 Joint Proposal bases delivery revenues on an i8.80% ROE and i48.00% equity ratio; however, for the proposed ESM, the equity ratio is the lower of the actual equity ratio or i50.00%.
2023
Joint Proposal
On May 26, 2022, NYSEG and RG&E filed for a new rate plan with the NYPSC. The rate filings were based on test year 2021 financial results adjusted to the rate year May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024. NYSEG and RG&E filed for a one-year rate plan but expressed interest in exploring a multi-year plan during the pendency of the case (as is the custom in New York).
On September 16, 2022, the NYPSC suspended new tariffs and rates through April 21, 2023, and NYSEG and RG&E voluntarily agreed to subsequent suspensions through October 18, 2023, subject to a make-whole provision.
Following discovery and settlement negotiations, on June 14, 2023, NYSEG and RG&E filed a Joint Proposal (2023 JP) settlement for a three-year rate plan with the NYPSC. Hearings on the settlement followed in July 2023. The 2023 JP provides for a three-year rate plan for electric and gas service at NYSEG and RG&E commencing May 1, 2023 and continuing through
The 2023 JP, as approved, includes levelization across the three years of the rate plan for delivery rates for NYSEG's and RG&E’s Electric and Gas businesses. Actual bill impacts vary by customer class based on the agreed‑upon revenue allocation and rate design. The allowed rate of return on common equity for NYSEG
Electric, NYSEG Gas, RG&E Electric and RG&E Gas is iiii9.20///%.
The common equity ratio for each business is iiii48.00///%.
The
2023 JP also includes Earnings Sharing Mechanism (ESM) applicable to each business varies based on the earned ROE with i100% of the customers’ portion of earnings above the sharing threshold that would otherwise be deferred for the benefit of customers will be used to reduce NYSEG's and RG&E’s respective outstanding regulatory asset deferral balances. In addition, i50%
of NYSEG's and RG&E’s portion will be used to reduce their respective outstanding storm-related regulatory asset deferral balances to the extent such balances exist.
The 2023 JP further enhances distribution vegetation management, maintains gas safety performance measures, establishes threshold performance levels for designated aspects of customer service quality, and includes three Electric Reliability Performance Measures (SAIFI, CAIDI, and Distribution Line Inspection Program Metric for Level II Deficiencies) with a negative revenue adjustment (NRA) beginning with calendar year 2023, if NYSEG fails to meet its annual SAIFI performance metric.
NYSEG and RG&E will continue a RAM to return or collect the remaining Customer Bill Credits established in the prior rate plan and will continue an Electric Revenue Decoupling Mechanism on a total revenue per class basis.
The
2023 JP reflects the recovery of deferred NYSEG Electric and RG&E Electric Major Storm costs of approximately $i371 million and $i54.6 million, respectively. NYSEG’s remaining super storm regulatory asset
of $i52.3 million and the non-super storm regulatory asset of $i96.6 million from the 2020 Joint Proposal are being amortized over iseven
years. RG&E’s remaining non-super storm regulatory asset of $i19.6 million established prior to the 2020 Joint Proposal is being amortized over itwo years. All other deferred storm costs at both NYSEG and RG&E are being amortized over i10
years. The 2023 JP gradually increases NYSEG’s and RG&E’s Major Storm rate allowances over the term of the 2023 JP to better align NYSEG’s and RG&E’s actual Major Storm costs with such rate allowances and to support NYSEG’s and RG&E’s credit metrics.
The 2023 JP contains provisions consistent with, supportive of, and in furtherance of the objectives of the CLCPA including provisions that will, among other things, increase funding for energy efficiency programs, enhance the electric system in anticipation of increased electrification and increase funding for electric heat pump programs, provide funding for improved electric and gas reliability and resiliency, encourage non-pipe and non-wire alternatives, and replace leak prone pipe. The 2023 JP also includes support for $i634 million
of capital investment for CLCPA Phase 1 investments projected to be placed in-service beyond the three-year rate plan.
UI, CNG, SCG and BGC Rate Plans
Under Connecticut law, The United Illuminating Company’s (UI) retail electricity customers are able to choose their electricity supplier while UI remains their electric distribution company. UI purchases power for those of its customers under standard service rates who do not choose a retail electric supplier and have a maximum demand of less than 500 kilowatts and its customers under supplier of last resort service for those who are not eligible for standard service and who do not choose to purchase electric generation service from a retail electric supplier. The cost of the power is a “pass-through” to those customers through the Generation Service Charge on their bills.
UI has
wholesale power supply agreements in place for its entire standard service load for the first half of 2024 and i50% of the second half of 2024. Supplier of last resort service is procured on a quarterly basis and UI has a wholesale power supply agreement in place for the first quarter of 2024.
In 2016, PURA approved new distribution rate schedules for UI for ithree
years, which became effective January 1, 2017 and, among other things, provide for annual tariff increases and an ROE of i9.10% based on a i50.00% equity ratio,
continued UI’s existing ESM pursuant to which UI and its customers share on a i50/50 basis all distribution earnings above the allowed ROE in a calendar year, continued the existing decoupling mechanism and approved the continuation of the requested storm reserve. Any dollars due to customers from the ESM continue to be first applied against any storm regulatory asset balance (if one exists at that time) or refunded to customers through a bill credit if such storm regulatory asset balance does not exist.
UI requested that PURA approve new distribution rates to recover an increase in revenue requirements of approximately $i91 million
in UI Rate Year 1, an incremental increase of approximately $i20 million in UI Rate Year 2, and an incremental increase of approximately $i19 million
in UI Rate Year 3, compared to total revenues that would otherwise be recovered under UI’s current rate schedules. UI’s Rate Plan also included several measures to moderate the impact of the proposed rate update for all customers, including, without limitation, a rate levelization proposal to spread the proposed total rate increase over the three rate years, which would result in a change in revenue in UI Rate Year 1 of approximately $i54 million. On July 21, 2023, PURA issued a proposed Final Decision (draft decision),
providing for an i8.8% ROE, i50% equity ratio, and for a one-year rate plan. UI filed exceptions to the draft decision on August 7, 2023. On August
25, 2023 PURA issued its Final Decision on UI's one-year rate plan commencing on September 1, 2023, providing for a rate increase of $i23 million based on an allowed ROE of i9.1%
that was reduced to i8.63% by certain adjustments. The Final Decision established a capital structure consisting of i50% common equity and i50%
debt. The Final Decision results in an average increase in base distribution rates of about i6.6% and an average increase in customer bills of about i2% compared to current levels. On September
18, 2023, UI filed an appeal of the PURA's Final Decision in Connecticut Superior Court, because of factual and legal errors related to the treatment of deferred assets, plant in service, and operating expenses. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
In 2017, PURA approved new tariffs for SCG effective January 1, 2018 for a three-year rate plan with annual rate increases. The new tariffs also include an RDM and Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP) mechanism, ESM, the amortization of certain regulatory liabilities (most notably accumulated hardship deferral balances and certain accumulated deferred income taxes) and tariff increases based on an ROE of i9.25%
and an approximately i52.00% equity ratio. Any dollars due to customers from the ESM are be first applied against any environmental regulatory asset balance as defined in the settlement agreement (if one exists at that time) or refunded to customers through a bill credit if such environmental regulatory asset balance does not exist.
In 2018, PURA approved new tariffs for CNG effective January 1, 2019 for a three-year rate plan with annual rate increases. The new tariffs continued the RDM and
DIMP mechanism. ESM and tariff increases are based on an ROE of i9.30% and an equity ratio of i54.00% in 2019, i54.50%
in 2020 and i55.00% in 2021.
On April 24, 2023 the Connecticut Attorney General, Office of Consumer Counsel, Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Office of Education, Outreach, and Enforcement and the Connecticut Industrial Energy Consumer filed a Petition requesting that PURA conduct a general rate hearing for CNG. On May 5, 2023, CNG and SCG responded indicating a willingness to file general rate cases for each company by November
1, 2023. PURA assented to the companies’ proposal on May 21, 2023. On September 29, 2023, SCG and CNG filed a notice of intent to file general rate cases on or about November 3, 2023.
On November 3, 2023, CNG and SCG filed a distribution revenue requirement case proposing a one-year rate plan commencing November 1, 2024 through October 31, 2025, for each company respectively. The filing was based on a test year ending December 31, 2022.CNG requested that PURA approve new distribution rates to recover an increase in revenue requirements
of approximately $i19.8 million, and SCG requested approval of new distribution rates to recover an increase in revenue requirements of approximately $i40.6 million.
CNG’s and SCG’s Rate Plan also included several measures to moderate the impact of the proposed rate update for all customers, including, the adoption of a low-income discount rate and seeks to maintain its current revenue decoupling and earning sharing mechanisms.
On June 24, 2022, BGC filed a Settlement Agreement with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) for DPU approval. The Settlement Agreement followed BGC’s December 14, 2021 filing of a Notice of Intent to File Rate Schedules. Following that filing, BGC and the AGO negotiated the Settlement Agreement in lieu of a fully litigated rate case before the DPU. The Settlement Agreement allows for agreed-upon adjustments to BGC’s revenue requirement as well as various step increases BGC shall be entitled to on January
1, 2023 and January 1, 2024. The Settlement Agreement provides that it shall be void unless approved in its entirety by the DPU by November 1, 2022. It provides for the opportunity to increase BGC’s revenue requirement by as much as $i5.6 million over current rates (reflective of a i9.70%
ROE and a i54.00% equity ratio as well as other stepped adjustments) through January 1, 2024. The Settlement Agreement was approved in its entirety by the DPU on October 27, 2022, and new rates went into effect January 1, 2023.
REV
In April 2014, the NYPSC commenced a proceeding entitled REV, which is a wide-ranging initiative to reform New York
State’s energy industry and regulatory practices. REV was divided into two tracks, Track 1 for Market Design and Technology, and Track 2 for Regulatory Reform. REV and its related proceedings have and will continue to propose regulatory changes that are intended to promote more efficient use of energy, deeper penetration of renewable energy resources such as wind and solar and wider deployment of distributed energy resources (DER), such as micro grids, on-site power supplies and storage.
104
The NYPSC issued a 2015 order in Track 1, which acknowledged the utilities’ role as a Distribution System Platform provider, and required the utilities to file an initial Distribution System Implementation Plan (DSIP) followed by bi-annual updates. The next scheduled DSIP update is June
30, 2025.
A Track 2 order was issued in May 2016, and included guidance related to the potential for Earnings Adjustment Mechanisms (EAMs), Platform Service Revenues, innovative rate designs and data utilization and security. EAMs were approved by the Commission on November 19, 2020 in its Order approving the companies' 2020 Rate Plan. Modifications to EAMs were approved by the Commission on October 12, 2023 in its Order approving the companies' 2023 Rate Plan.
In 2017, the NYPSC approved a transition from traditional Net Energy Metering (NEM) towards a more values-based approach (Value Stack) for compensating DER. Since that time, the Commission has issued a number of orders on additional Value of Distributed Energy Resources matters. Most recently, the NYPSC Staff issued a
proposal on Community Distributed Generation (CDG) Billing and Crediting Performance Metrics and Negative Revenue Adjustments (NRA). The NYPSC Staff recommends isix CDG performance metrics with associated NRAs that would incent improvements to the CDG billing processes. At this time, the outcome of this proceeding is unknown.
Other REV-related orders pertaining to electric vehicles (EV), an Integrated Energy Data Resource (IEDR) platform and energy storage are summarized below.
•The NYPSC
issued an Order on April 20, 2023 instituting a proceeding to advance infrastructure for medium and heavy-duty vehicles. The Joint Utilities filed an implementation plan with the NYPSC for the medium and heavy-duty pilot program. The Joint Utilities are awaiting the NYPSC's approval of the implementation plan.
•On February 11, 2021, the NYPSC issued an Order to implement an Integrated Energy Data Resource platform, where NYSERDA was designated as the Program Sponsor of the platform. The Order established a combined cost cap of $i12
Million for NYSEG and RG&E for Phase 1, to be deferred and recovered in the next rate case filing after Phase 1 is complete. On January 19, 2024, the NYPSC issued an Order approving Phase 2 budget, with costs up to the combined cost cap deferred for future recovery in the same manner as Phase 1.
•An order was issued on July 16, 2020 approving a $i700 million statewide program (NYSEG and
RG&E combined share is approximately $i118 million) funded by customers to accelerate the deployment of EV charging stations.
•On December 13, 2018, the NYPSC issued an Order for utilities to file implementation plans detailing a competitive procurement process and cost recovery for deploying qualified storage systems. NYSEG and RG&E have tariffs in effect to collect costs for the procurement of qualified energy storage assets.
Tax
Cuts and Jobs Act
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the Tax Act) was signed into law. The Tax Act significantly changed the federal taxation of business entities including, among other things, implementing a federal corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. Reductions in accumulated deferred income tax balances due to the reduction in the corporate income tax rates result in amounts previously and currently collected from utility customers for these deferred taxes to be refundable to such customers, generally through reductions in future rates. The NYPSC, MPUC, PURA, DPU and the FERC held separate proceedings in New York, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts and the FERC, respectively, and for the majority of our regulated utilities, authorized the amortization
periods for the return of regulatory liabilities and the recovery regulatory assets, including the authorization of sur-credits to return the related benefits to rate payers in certain jurisdictions. With regard to SCG, we expect Tax Act savings to be deferred until they are reflected in tariffs in a future rate case, unless PURA determines otherwise.
Power Tax Audits
Previously, CMP, NYSEG and RG&E implemented Power Tax software to track and measure their respective deferred tax amounts. In connection with this change, we identified historical updates needed with deferred taxes recognized by CMP, NYSEG and RG&E and increased our deferred tax liabilities, with a corresponding increase to regulatory assets, to reflect the updated amounts calculated by the Power Tax software. Since 2015, the NYPSC and MPUC accepted certain adjustments to deferred taxes and associated regulatory
assets for this item in recent distribution rate cases, resulting in regulatory asset balances of approximately $i130 million and $i137 million, respectively for this item at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
In
2017, audits of the power tax regulatory assets were commenced by the NYPSC and MPUC. On January 11, 2018, the NYPSC issued an order opening an operations audit on NYSEG and RG&E and certain other New York utilities regarding tax accounting. The NYPSC audit process was completed and the final audit report issued by the NYPSC on November 21, 2023 with no impacts to the recorded regulatory assets. In January 2018, the MPUC published the Power Tax audit report with
105
respect to CMP, which required CMP to provide support for the beginning balance of the regulatory assets. On December 17, 2019, CMP filed a stipulation with
the MPUC providing for recovery of the power tax regulatory asset and adjusting the carrying costs values for the period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019. The MPUC approved the stipulation on January 21, 2020, which allowed CMP to start collecting the Power Tax Regulatory asset over the next i32.5 years beginning in July 2020.
Minimum Equity Requirements for Regulated Subsidiaries
Our
regulated utility subsidiaries of Maine and New York (NYSEG, RG&E, CMP and MNG) are each subject to a minimum equity ratio requirement that is tied to the capital structure assumed in establishing revenue requirements. Pursuant to these requirements, each of NYSEG, RG&E, CMP and MNG must maintain a minimum equity ratio equal to the ratio in its currently effective rate plan or decision measured using a trailing i13-month average. On a monthly basis, each utility must maintain a minimum equity ratio of no less than i300
basis points below the equity ratio used to set rates. The minimum equity ratio requirement has the effect of limiting the amount of dividends that may be paid and may, under certain circumstances, require that the parent contribute equity capital. In addition, NYSEG and RG&E equity distributions that would result in a 13-month average common equity less than the maximum equity ratio utilized for the earnings sharing mechanism, or ESM, are prohibited if the credit ratings of NYSEG, RG&E, Avangrid or Iberdrola are downgraded by a nationally recognized rating agency to the lowest investment grade with a negative watch or downgraded to non-investment grade. These regulated utility subsidiaries are prohibited by regulation from lending to unregulated affiliates. These regulated utility subsidiaries
have also agreed to minimum equity ratio requirements in certain borrowing agreements. These requirements are lower than the regulatory requirements.
Pursuant to agreements with the relevant utility commission, UI, SCG, CNG and BGC are restricted from paying dividends if paying such dividend would result in a common equity ratio lower than i300 basis points below the equity percentage used to set rates in the most recent distribution rate proceeding as measured using a trailing i13-month
average calculated as of the most recent quarter end. In addition, UI, SCG, CNG and BGC are prohibited from paying dividends to their parent if the utility’s credit rating, as rated by any of the three major credit rating agencies, falls below investment grade, or if the utility’s credit rating, as determined by two of the three major credit rating agencies, falls to the lowest investment grade and there is a negative watch or review downgrade notice.
We had restricted net assets of approximately $i6,860
million associated with the minimum equity requirements as of December 31, 2023.
Movement of capital from our wholly owned unregulated subsidiaries is unrestricted.
New Renewable Source Generation
Under Connecticut Public Act (PA) 11-80, Connecticut electric utilities are required to enter into long-term contracts to purchase Connecticut Class I RECs from renewable generators located on customer premises. Under this program, UI was initially required to enter into contracts totaling approximately $i200
million in commitments over an approximate i21-year period. The obligations were initially expected to phase in over a isix-year solicitation period and peak at an annual commitment level of about $i14
million per year after all selected projects are online. PA 17-144, PA 18-50 and PA 19-35 extended the original six-year solicitation period of the program by adding seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth years, and increased the original funding level of this program by adding up to $i64 million in additional commitments by UI. Upon purchase, UI accounts for the RECs as inventory. UI expects to partially mitigate the cost of these contracts through the resale of the RECs. PA 11-80 provides that the remaining costs (and
any benefits) of these contracts, including any gain or loss resulting from the resale of the RECs, are fully recoverable from (or credited to) customers through electric rates.
In October of 2018, UI entered into ifive PPAs totaling approximately i50
MW from developers of offshore wind and fuel cell generation pursuant to state law that provides the net costs of the PPAs are recoverable through electric rates. On December 19, 2018, PURA approved the PPAs, and approved UI’s use of the non-bypassable federally mandated congestion charges for all customers to recover the net costs of the PPAs.
In 2019, UI entered into PPAs with i11 projects, totaling approximately i12
million MWh, pursuant to state law that provides that the net costs of the PPAs are recoverable through electric rates. UI terminated ieight of these contracts in 2022 and 2023, and the remaining ithree
projects with existing contracts from these 2019 procurements are with Millstone Nuclear, Seabrook Nuclear and Revolution Wind.
In 2020, pursuant to the Connecticut Act Concerning the Procurement of Energy Derived From Offshore Wind, UI entered into a PPA with Vineyard Wind, an affiliate of UI, to provide i804 MW of offshore wind through the development of its Park City Wind Project. Similar to the case with the zero carbon PPAs discussed above, the net costs of the PPAs were recoverable
through electric rates. On October 13, 2023, PURA approved the termination of this agreement between UI and its affiliate for the development of Park City Wind Project.
106
Pursuant to Maine law, the MPUC is authorized to conduct periodic requests for proposals seeking long-term supplies of energy, capacity or RECs, from qualifying resources. The MPUC is further authorized to order Maine transmission and distribution utilities to enter into contracts with sellers selected from the MPUC’s competitive solicitation process. Pursuant to a MPUC Order dated October 8, 2009, CMP entered into
a i20-year agreement with Evergreen Wind Power III, LLC, on March 31, 2010, to purchase capacity and energy from Evergreen’s i60 Megawatt (MW) Rollins wind farm. CMP’s purchase obligations under the Rollins contract are approximately
$i7 million per year. Pursuant to a MPUC Order dated August 17, 2013, CMP entered into a i20-year fixed rate agreement with Maine Wood Pellets, a i7.1
MW wood-fired biomass cogeneration facility. Pursuant to a MPUC Order dated September 22, 2016, CMP entered into a i20-year fixed rate agreement with Georges River Energy, a i7.5 MW wood-fired biomass cogeneration facility. Pursuant to a MPUC Order dated August 3, 2017,
CMP entered into a i20-year fixed rate agreement with Pittsfield Solar i9.9 MW photovoltaic facility. Pursuant to a MPUC Order dated December 18, 2017, CMP entered into a i20-year
agreement with Dirigo Solar, LLC on September 10, 2018, to purchase capacity and energy from multiple Dirigo solar facilities throughout CMP’s service territory. CMP’s purchase obligations under the Dirigo contract will increase as additional solar facilities are brought on line, eventually reaching a level of approximately $i4 million per year. Pursuant to a MPUC Order dated November 6, 2019, CMP entered into a i20-year
agreement with Maine Aqua Ventus I GP LLC on December 9, 2019, to purchase capacity and energy from an off-shore wind farm under development near Monhegan Island, Maine. CMP’s purchase obligations under the Maine Aqua Ventus contract will be approximately $i12 million per year once the facility begins commercial operation. Pursuant to Maine law, the MPUC conducted itwo
competitive solicitation processes to procure, in the aggregate, an amount of energy or RECs from Class 1A resources that is equal to i14% of retail electricity sales in the State during calendar year 2018, or i1.715 million
MWh. Of that i14% total, the MPUC must acquire at least i7%,
but not more than i10%. Through contracts approved in December 2020 (Tranche 1), CMP was ordered to execute i13contracts of which isix have been terminated. In October 2021 CMP executed contracts with isix
additional facilities (Tranche 2), of which one has since terminated. Each of the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 contracts are for i20-year terms. In accordance with MPUC orders, CMP either sells the purchased energy, or in one case the RECs, from these facilities in the ISO New England markets, through periodic auctions of the purchased output to wholesale buyers in the New England regional market, or through a sale to a third party for the RECs. Under Maine law, CMP is assured recovery of any differences between power purchase costs and achieved market revenues through a reconcilable component
of its retail distribution rates. Although the MPUC has conducted multiple requests for proposals under Maine law, and has tentatively accepted long-term proposals from other sellers, these selections have not yet resulted in additional currently effective contracts with CMP.
Connecticut Energy Legislation
On October 7, 2020, the Governor of Connecticut signed into law an energy bill that, among other things, instructs PURA to revise the rate-making structure in Connecticut to adopt performance-based rates for each electric distribution company, increases the maximum civil penalties assessable for failures in emergency preparedness, and provides for certain penalties and reimbursements to customers after storm outages greater than 96 hours
and extends rate case timelines.
Pursuant to the legislation, on October 30, 2020, PURA re-opened a docket related to new rate designs and review, expanding the scope to consider (a) the implementation of an interim rate decrease; (b) low-income rates; and (c) economic development rates. Separately, UI was due to make its annual RAM filing on March 8, 2021 for the approval of its RAM Rate Components reconciliations: Generation Services Charges, By-passable Federally Mandated Congestion Costs, System Benefits Charge, Transmission Adjustment Charge and RDM.
On March 9, 2021, UI, jointly with the Office of the CT Attorney General, the Office of CT Consumer Counsel, DEEP and PURA’s Office of Education, Outreach, and Enforcement entered
into a settlement agreement and filed a motion to approve the settlement agreement, which addressed issues in both dockets.
In an order dated June 23, 2021, PURA approved the as amended settlement agreement in its entirety and it was executed by the parties. The settlement agreement includes a contribution by UI of $i5 million and provides customers rate credits of $i50 million
while allowing UI to collect $i52 million in RAM, all over a i22-month period ending April 2023 and also
includes a distribution base rate freeze through April 2023.
Pursuant to the legislation, PURA opened a docket to consider the implementation of the associated customer compensation and reimbursement provisions in emergency events where customers were without power for more than i96 consecutive hours. On June 30, 2021, PURA issued a final decision implementing the legislative mandate to create a program pursuant to which residential
customers will receive $i25 for each day without power after i96 hours and also receive
reimbursement of $i250 for spoiled food and medicine. The decision emphasizes that no costs incurred in connection with this program are recoverable from customers. On June 29, 2023 the Governor of Connecticut signed SB7 into law, which included language that Level 1 storm events were exempt from the waiver. We will continue to review the requirements of the program for the next legislative session.
107
PURA
Investigation of the Preparation for and Response to the Tropical Storm Isaias and Connecticut Storm Reimbursement Legislation
On August 6, 2020, PURA opened a docket to investigate the preparation for and response to Tropical Storm Isaias by the electric distribution companies in Connecticut including UI. Following hearings and the submission of testimony, PURA issued a final decision on April 15, 2021, finding that UI “generally met standards of acceptable performance in its preparation and response to Tropical Storm Isaias," subject to certain exceptions noted in the decision, but ordered a i15-basis
point reduction to UI's ROE in its next rate case to incentivize better performance and indicated that penalties could be forthcoming in the penalty phase of the proceedings. On June 11, 2021, UI filed an appeal of PURA’s decision with the Connecticut Superior Court.
On May 6, 2021, in connection with its findings in the Tropical Storm Isaias docket, PURA issued a Notice of Violation to UI for allegedly failing to comply with standards of acceptable performance in emergency preparation or restoration of service in an emergency and with orders of the Authority, and for violations of accident reporting requirements. PURA assessed a civil penalty in the total amount of approximately $i2 million.
PURA held a hearing on this matter and, in an order dated July 14, 2021, reduced the civil penalty to approximately $i1 million. UI filed an appeal of PURA’s decision with the Connecticut Superior Court. This appeal and the appeal of PURA’s decision on the Tropical Storm Isaias docket have been consolidated. Following oral arguments in October 2022, the court denied UI’s appeal and affirmed PURA’s decisions in their entirety. UI filed a notice of appeal to Connecticut's Appellate court on November
7, 2022. This matter has been briefed and oral argument was held December 11, 2023. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding.
Note 6. iRegulatory Assets and Liabilities
Pursuant to the requirements concerning accounting for regulated operations, our utilities capitalize as regulatory assets incurred and accrued costs that are probable of recovery in
future electric and natural gas rates. We base our assessment of whether recovery is probable on the existence of regulatory orders that allow for recovery of certain costs over a specific period, or allow for reconciliation or deferral of certain costs. When costs are not treated in a specific regulatory order, we use regulatory precedent to determine if recovery is probable. Our operating utilities also record, as regulatory liabilities, obligations to refund previously collected revenue or to spend revenue collected from customers on future costs. The primary items that are not included in rate base or accruing carrying costs are regulatory assets for qualified pension and other postretirement benefits, which reflect unrecognized actuarial gains and losses; debt premium; environmental remediation costs, which are primarily the offset of accrued liabilities for future spending; unfunded future income taxes, which are the offset to the unfunded future deferred income
tax liability recorded; asset retirement obligations; hedge losses; and contracts for differences. The total net amount of these items is approximately $i1,249 million.
The regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities shown in the tables below result from various regulatory orders that allow for the deferral and/or reconciliation
of specific costs. Regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities are classified as current when recovery or refund in the coming year is allowed or required through a specific order or when the rates related to a specific regulatory asset or regulatory liability are subject to automatic annual adjustment.
“Pension
and other post-retirement benefits” represent the actuarial losses on the pension and other post-retirement plans that will be reflected in customer rates when they are amortized and recognized in future pension expenses.
“Pension and other post-retirement benefits cost deferrals” include the difference between actual expense for pension and other post-retirement benefits and the amount provided for in rates for certain of our regulated utilities. A portion of this balance is amortized through current rates, the remaining portion will be refunded in future periods through future rate cases.
“Storm costs” for CMP, NYSEG, RG&E and UI are allowed in rates based on an estimate of the routine costs of service restoration. The companies are also allowed to defer unusually high levels of service restoration costs resulting from major storms when they meet certain
criteria for severity and duration. A portion of this balance is amortized through current rates, and the remaining portion will be determined through future rate cases.
“Rate adjustment mechanism” represents an interim rate change to return or collect certain defined reconciled revenues and costs for NYSEG and RG&E following the approval of the Joint Proposal by the NYPSC. The RAM, when triggered, is implemented in rates on July 1 of each year for return or collection over a twelve-month period.
"Revenue decoupling mechanism" represents the mechanism established to disassociate the utility's profits from its delivery/commodity sales.
“Contracts for Differences” represent the deferral of unrealized gains and losses on contracts
for differences derivative
109
contracts. The balance fluctuates based upon quarterly market analysis performed on the related derivatives. The amounts, which do not earn a return, are fully offset by a corresponding derivative asset/liability.
“Hardship Programs” represent hardship customer accounts deferred for future recovery to the extent they exceed the amount in rates.
“Deferred Purchased Gas” represents the difference between actual gas costs and gas costs collected in rates.
“Environmental remediation costs” includes spending
that has occurred and is eligible for future recovery in customer rates. Environmental costs are currently recovered through a reserve mechanism whereby projected spending is included in rates with any variance recorded as a regulatory asset or a regulatory liability. The amortization period will be established in future proceedings and will depend upon the timing of spending for the remediation costs. It also includes the anticipated future rate recovery of costs that are recorded as environmental liabilities since these will be recovered when incurred. Because no funds have yet been expended for the regulatory asset related to future spending, it does not accrue carrying costs and is not included within rate base.
“Debt premium” represents the regulatory asset recorded to offset the fair value adjustment to the regulatory component of the non-current debt of UIL at the acquisition date. This amount is being amortized
to interest expense over the remaining term of the related outstanding debt instruments.
“Unamortized losses on reacquired debt” represent deferred losses on debt reacquisitions that will be recovered over the remaining original amortization period of the reacquired debt.
“Unfunded future income taxes” represent unrecovered federal and state income taxes primarily resulting from regulatory flow through accounting treatment and are the offset to the unfunded future deferred income tax liability recorded. The income tax benefits or charges for certain plant related timing differences, such as removal costs, are immediately flowed through to, or collected from, customers. This amount is being amortized as the amounts related to temporary differences that give rise to the deferrals are recovered in rates. These amounts are being collected over a period of i46
years, and the NYPSC staff has initiated an audit, as required, of the unfunded future income taxes and other tax assets to verify the balances.
“Federal tax depreciation normalization adjustment” represents the revenue requirement impact of the difference in the deferred income tax expense required to be recorded under the IRS normalization rules and the amount of deferred income tax expense that was included in cost of service for rate years covering 2011 forward. The recovery period in New York is from 25 to 35 years and for CMP i32.5 years beginning in 2020.
“Asset retirement obligations”
represents the differences in timing of the recognition of costs associated with our AROs and the collection of such amounts through rates. This amount is being amortized at the related depreciation and accretion amounts of the underlying liability.
“Deferred meter replacement costs” represent the deferral of the book value of retired meters which were replaced or are planned to be replaced by AMI meters. This amount is being amortized over the initial depreciation period of related retired meters.
"COVID-19 cost recovery and late payment surcharge" represents: a) deferred COVID-19-related costs in the state of Connecticut based on the order issued by PURA on April 29, 2020, requiring utilities to track COVID-19-related expenses and lost revenue and create a regulatory asset, and b) deferred lost late payment revenue
in the state of New York based on the order issued by the NYPSC on June 17, 2022, approving deferral and surcharge/sur-credit mechanism to recover/return deferred balances starting July 1, 2022.
“Low-income arrears forgiveness” represents deferred bill credits in the state of New York based on the order issued by the NYPSC on June 16, 2022, approving deferral of bill credits for low-income customers and recovery of regulatory asset from all customers over five years for RG&E and three years for NYSEG. Surcharge started August 1, 2022.
“Excess generation service charge” represents deferred generation-related costs or revenues for future recovery from or return to customers.
The amount fluctuates based upon timing differences between revenues collected from rates and actual costs incurred.
“System expansion” represents expenses not covered by system expansion rates related to expanding the natural gas system and converting customers to natural gas.
110
“Non-bypassable charges” represent non-bypassable federally mandated congestion costs or revenues for future recovery from or return to customers. The amount fluctuates based upon timing differences between revenues collected from rates and actual costs incurred.
“Hedge losses” represents the deferred fair value losses on electric and gas hedge contracts.
“Rate
change levelization" adjusts the New York delivery rate increases across the three-year plan to avoid unnecessary spikes and offsetting dips in customer rates. A portion of this balance is amortized through current rates, the remaining portion will be refunded in future periods through future rate cases.
“Value of distributed energy resources” represents the mechanism to compensate for energy created by distributed energy resources, such as solar.
“Uncollectible reserve” includes the anticipated future rate recovery of costs that are recorded as uncollectible since those will be recovered when incurred. Because no funds have yet been expended for the regulatory asset related to future uncollectible expense, it does not accrue carrying costs and is not included within rate base. It also includes the variance between actual uncollectible expense and uncollectible
expense included in rates that is eligible for future recovery in customer rates. The amortization period will be established in future proceedings.
“New York make-whole provision” represents the regulatory asset to recover revenues that would have been received by NYSEG/RGE had Rate Year 1 rates approved in the 22-E-0317 et al. joint proposal gone into effect on the effective date of May 1, 2023. The balance is being recovered through a separately stated make-whole rate, effective November 1, 2022, over i6-i30
months.
“Other” includes various items subject to reconciliation including vegetation management and systems benefit charge.
Middletown/Norwalk local transmission network service collections
i16
i17
Non-firm
margin sharing credits
i34
i27
Non by-passable charges
i9
i76
Transmission
revenue reconciliation mechanism
i57
i75
Other
i209
i297
Total
regulatory liabilities
i2,955
i3,269
Less:
current portion
i261
i354
Total non-current regulatory liabilities
$
i2,694
$
i2,915
/
“Energy
efficiency portfolio standard” represents the costs of energy efficiency programs deferred for future recovery to the extent they exceed the amount in rates.A portion of this balance is amortized through current rates, the remaining portion will be refunded in future periods through future rate cases.
"Gas supply charge and deferred natural gas cost" reflects the actual costs of purchasing, transporting and storing of natural gas. Gas supply reconciliation is determined by comparing actual gas supply expenses to the monthly gas cost recoveries in rates. Prior rate year balances are collected/ returned to customers beginning the next calendar year.
“Pension and other postretirement benefits cost deferrals” include the difference between actual expense for pension and other post-retirement benefits and the amount
provided for in rates for certain of our regulated utilities. A portion of this balance is amortized through current rates, the remaining portion will be refunded in future periods through future rate cases.
“Carrying costs on deferred income tax bonus depreciation” represent the carrying costs benefit of increased accumulated deferred income taxes created by the change in tax law allowing bonus depreciation. A portion of this balance is amortized through current rates, the remaining portion will be refunded in future periods through future rate cases.
“Carrying costs on deferred income tax - Mixed Services 263(a)” represent the carrying costs benefit of increased accumulated deferred income taxes created by Section 263 (a) IRC. A portion of this balance is amortized through current rates, the remaining portion will be refunded in future periods through future rate
cases.
“2017 Tax Act” represents the impact from remeasurement of deferred income tax balances as a result of the Tax Act enacted by the U.S. federal government on December 22, 2017. Reductions in accumulated deferred income tax balances due to the reduction in the corporate income tax rates from 35% to 21% under the provisions of the Tax Act will result in amounts previously and currently collected from utility customers for these deferred taxes to be refundable to such customers, generally through reductions in future rates. The NYPSC, MPUC, PURA, DPU and the FERC held separate proceedings in New York,
112
Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts and the FERC, respectively,
and for the majority of our regulated utilities, authorized the amortization periods for the return of regulatory liabilities and the recovery of regulatory assets, including the authorization of sur-credits to return the related benefits to rate payers in certain jurisdictions.
“Accrued removal obligations” represent the differences between asset removal costs recorded and amounts collected in rates for those costs. The amortization period is dependent upon the asset removal costs of underlying assets and the life of the utility plant.
“Positive benefit adjustment” resulted from Iberdrola’s 2008 acquisition of Avangrid (formerly Energy East Corporation). This is being used to moderate increases in rates. A portion of this balance is amortized through current rates, the remaining portion will be refunded in future periods through future rate cases.
"Deferred
property tax" represents the difference between actual expense for property taxes recoverable from customers and the amount provided for in rates. A portion of this balance is amortized through current rates, the remaining portion will be refunded in future periods through future rate cases.
"Net plant reconciliation" represents the reconciliation of the actual electric and gas net plant and book depreciation to the targets set forth in the 2020 Joint Proposal. A portion of this balance is amortized through current rates, the remaining portion will be refunded in future periods through future rate cases.
"Debt rate reconciliation" represents the over/under collection of costs related to debt instruments identified in the rate case. Costs would include interest, commissions and fees versus amounts included in rates.
"Rate
refund - FERC ROE proceeding" represents the reserve associated with the FERC proceeding around the base return on equity (ROE) reflected in ISO New England, Inc.’s (ISO-NE) open access transmission tariff (OATT). See Note 14 for more details.
"Transmission congestion contracts" represents deferral of the Nine Mile 2 Nuclear Plant transmission congestion contract at RG&E. A portion of this balance is amortized through current rates, the remaining portion will be refunded in future periods through future rate cases.
“Merger-related rate credits” resulted from the acquisition of UIL. This is being used to moderate increases in rates. In both of the years ended December 31,
2023 and 2022, $ii2/
million of rate credits were applied against customer bills.
"Asset retirement obligation" represents the differences in timing of the recognition of costs associated with our AROs and the collection of such amounts through rates. This amount is being amortized at the related depreciation and accretion amounts of the underlying liability.
"Middletown/Norwalk local transmission network service collections" represents allowance for funds used during construction of the Middletown/Norwalk transmission line, which is being amortized over the useful life of the project.
“Non-firm margin sharing credits” represents the portion of interruptible and off-system sales revenue set aside to fund gas expansion projects.
“Other” includes various items subject
to reconciliation or being returned through rates, such as service quality metrics.
During
2023, there were no changes in gross amounts and accumulated losses of goodwill for the Networks and Renewables reportable segments.
Goodwill Impairment Assessment
For impairment testing purposes, our reporting units are the same as operating segments, except for Networks, which contains ithree reporting units, Maine, New York and UIL. Goodwill for the Maine reporting unit is $i325
million from the purchase of
113
CMP by Energy East Corporation in 2000. Goodwill for the New York reporting unit is $i654 million primarily from the purchase of RG&E by Energy East in 2002. Goodwill for the UIL reporting unit is $i1,768
million from the 2015 acquisition of UIL.
We perform our annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter, as of October 1. Our qualitative assessment involves evaluating key events and circumstances that could affect the fair value of our reporting units, as well as other factors. Events and circumstances evaluated include macroeconomic conditions, industry, regulatory and market considerations, cost factors and their effect on earnings and cash flows, overall financial performance as compared with projected results and actual results of relevant prior periods, other relevant entity specific events and events affecting a reporting unit.
Our quantitative assessment utilizes a discounted cash flow model under the income approach and includes critical assumptions, primarily the discount rate and internal estimates of forecasted cash flows. We use a discount rate that is developed using
market participant assumptions, which consider the risk and nature of the respective reporting unit’s cash flows and the rates of return market participants would require in order to invest their capital in our reporting units. We test the reasonableness of the conclusions of our quantitative impairment testing using a range of discount rates and a range of assumptions for long-term cash flows.
For 2023, we utilized a qualitative assessment for the Networks reporting units and a quantitative assessment for the Renewables reporting unit. We had iino/
impairment of goodwill in 2023 and 2022 as a result of our impairment testing.
Intangible Assets
i
Intangible assets include those assets acquired in business acquisitions and intangible assets acquired and developed from external third parties and from affiliated companies. Following is a summary of intangible assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Wind
development costs, with the exception of future ‘pipeline’ development costs, are amortized on a straight-line basis in accordance with the life of the related assets once placed in service. Amortization expense was $i15 million, $i14 million and
$i13 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We believe our future cash flows will support the recoverability of our intangible assets.
i
We
expect amortization expense for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2023, to be as follows:
Year ending December 31,
Amount
(Millions)
2024
$
i15
2025
$
i14
2026
$
i14
2027
$
i13
2028
$
i12
/
114
Note
8. iProperty, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 2023, consisted of:
Electric
generation, distribution, transmission and other
$
i18,634
$
i14,096
$
i32,730
Natural
gas transportation, distribution and other
i5,392
i14
i5,406
Other
common operating property
i—
i317
i317
Total
Property, Plant and Equipment in Service
i24,026
i14,427
i38,453
Total
accumulated depreciation
(i6,277)
(i5,265)
(i11,542)
Total
Net Property, Plant and Equipment in Service
i17,749
i9,162
i26,911
Construction
work in progress
i2,225
i1,858
i4,083
Total
Property, Plant and Equipment
$
i19,974
$
i11,020
$
i30,994
Capitalized
interest costs were $i115 million, $i53 million and $i33 million
for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Accrued liabilities for property, plant and equipment additions were $i653 million, $i481 million
and $i297 million as of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
We impaired or wrote off amounts of $i6 million,
$i11 million and $i20 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively,
resulting from reassessment of the economic feasibility of our various Renewables development projects under construction.
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, amounted to $i1,143 million, $i1,071 million
and $i1,001 million, respectively.
Note 9. iAsset Retirement Obligations
AROs are intended to meet
the costs for dismantling and restoration work that we have committed to carry out at our operational facilities.
115
i
The reconciliation of ARO carrying amounts for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of:
(a)Represents an increase (decrease) in our estimate of expected cash flows required for retirement activities related to our renewable energy facilities.
/
Several
of the wind generation facilities have restricted cash for purposes of settling AROs. As of both December 31, 2023 and 2022, restricted cash related to AROs was $ii3/
million. These amounts have been included in “Other Assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Accretion expenses are included in “Operations and maintenance” in our consolidated statements of income.
We have AROs for which a liability has not been recognized because the fair value cannot be reasonably estimated due to indeterminate settlement dates, including for the removal of hydroelectric dams due to structural inadequacy or for decommissioning; the removal of property upon termination of an easement, right-of-way or franchise; and costs for abandonment of certain types of gas mains.
Less:
debt due within one year, included in current liabilities
i612
i412
Total
Non-current Debt including with affiliate
$
i9,984
$
i8,215
(a)The
first mortgage bonds have pledged collateral of substantially all the respective utility’s in service properties of approximately $i8,906 million.
/
116
2023 Long-Term Debt Issuances
Company
Issue
Date
Type
Amount (Millions)
Interest rate
Maturity
NYSEG
7/3/2023
Tax Exempt Bond
$
i100
i4.00%
2034
UI
10/2/2023
Tax
Exempt Bond
$
i64
i4.50%
2033
NYSEG
8/8/2023
Green
144A Bond
$
i350
i5.65%
2028
NYSEG
8/8/2023
Green
144A Bond
$
i400
i5.85%
2033
RG&E
12/13/2023
Green
Private Bond
$
i100
i5.62%
2028
RG&E
12/13/2023
Green
Private Bond
$
i25
i5.89%
2034
RG&E
12/13/2023
Green
Private Bond
$
i50
i5.99%
2036
RG&E
12/13/2023
Green
Private Bond
$
i75
i6.22%
2053
CMP
12/13/2023
Green
Private Bond
$
i55
i5.65%
2029
CMP
12/13/2023
Green
Private Bond
$
i70
i6.04%
2038
UI
12/13/2023
Green
Private Bond
$
i156
i6.09%
2034
UI
12/13/2023
Green
Private Bond
$
i34
i6.29%
2038
CNG
12/13/2023
Private
Bond
$
i36
i6.20%
2032
CNG
12/13/2023
Private
Bond
$
i19
i6.49%
2038
SCG
12/13/2023
Private
Bond
$
i30
i6.04%
2034
SCG
12/13/2023
Private
Bond
$
i30
i6.24%
2038
Corporate
7/19/2023
Intragroup
Green Loan
$
i800
i5.45%
2033
i
Long-term
debt maturities, including sinking fund obligations, due over the next five years consist of:
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Total
(Millions)
$
i612
$
i1,107
$
i660
$
i484
$
i716
$
i3,579
/
We
make certain standard covenants to lenders in our third-party debt agreements, including, in certain agreements, covenants regarding the ratio of indebtedness to total capitalization. A breach of any covenant in the existing credit facilities or the agreements governing our other indebtedness would result in an event of default. Certain events of default may trigger automatic acceleration. Other events of default may be remedied by the borrower within a specified period or waived by the lenders and, if not remedied or waived, give the lenders the right to accelerate. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries were in breach of covenants or of any obligation that could trigger the early redemption of our debt as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022 and throughout 2023 and 2022.
Fair
Value of Debt
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the estimated fair value of long-term debt, including the Intragroup Green Loan, was $i10,266 million and $i7,991
million, respectively. The estimated fair value was determined, in most cases, by discounting the future cash flows at market interest rates. The interest rate curve used to make these calculations takes into account the risks associated with the electricity industry and the credit ratings of the borrowers in each case. The fair value of debt is considered Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
Intragroup Green Loan
On July 19, 2023, we entered into a green term loan agreement with Iberdrola Financiación, S.A.U., a subsidiary of Iberdrola, with an aggregate principal amount of $i800 million
maturing on July 13, 2033 at an interest rate of i5.45% (the Intragroup Green Loan).
Short-term Debt
Avangrid had $i1,347 million and $i566
million of notes payable as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Avangrid has a commercial paper program with a limit of $i2 billion which is backstopped by the Avangrid credit facilities described below. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the amount of notes payable under the commercial paper program was $i1,332
million and $i397 million, respectively, presented net of discounts on the balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding commercial paper was i5.65%.
117
Avangrid
Credit Facility
Avangrid and its subsidiaries, NYSEG, RG&E, CMP, UI, CNG, SCG and BGC, each of which are joint borrowers, have a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks, or the Avangrid Credit Facility, that provides for maximum borrowings of up to $i3,575 million in the aggregate, which was executed on November 23, 2021.
Under
the terms of the Avangrid Credit Facility, each joint borrower has a maximum borrowing entitlement, or sublimit, which can be periodically adjusted to address specific short-term capital funding needs, subject to the maximum limit contained in the agreement. On November 23, 2021, the executed Avangrid Credit Facility increased Avangrid's maximum sublimit from $i1,500 million to $i2,500 million.
The Avangrid Credit Facility contains pricing that is sensitive to Avangrid’s consolidated greenhouse gas emissions intensity. The Credit Facility also contains negative covenants, including one that sets the ratio of maximum allowed consolidated debt to consolidated total capitalization at i0.65 to 1.00, for each borrower. Under the Avangrid Credit Facility, each of the borrowers will pay an annual facility fee that is dependent on their credit rating. The initial facility fees will range from i10
to i22.5 basis points. The maturity date for the Avangrid Credit Facility is November 22, 2026. On July 17, 2023, the Avangrid Credit Facility was amended and restated to, among other things, provide for the replacement of LIBOR-based rates with SOFR-based rates and remove provisions related to the extension of credit to the Public Service Company of New Mexico and Texas-New Mexico Power Company. As of both December 31, 2023 and 2022,
we had iino/ borrowings outstanding under this credit facility.
Since the Avangrid credit facility is also a backstop to the
Avangrid commercial paper program, the total amount available under the facility as of December 31, 2023 was $i2,233 million.
Iberdrola Group Credit Facility
On June 18, 2023, Avangrid's credit facility with Iberdrola Financiación, S.A.U., a subsidiary of Iberdrola, matured. The facility had a limit of $i500 million.
On July 19, 2023, we replaced this credit facility with an increased limit of $i750 million and maturity date of June 18, 2028. Avangrid pays a quarterly facility fee of i22.5
basis points (rate per annum) on the facility based on Avangrid’s current Moody’s and S&P ratings for senior unsecured long-term debt. As of both December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was iino/
outstanding amount under this credit facility.
Supplier Financing Arrangements
We operate a supplier financing arrangement. During 2021, we arranged for the extension of payment terms with some suppliers, which could elect to be paid by a financial institution earlier than maturity under supplier financing arrangements. Due to the interest cost associated with these arrangements, the balances are classified as "Notes payable" on our consolidated balance sheets. The balance relates to capital expenditures and, therefore, is treated as non-cash activity. As ofDecember 31, 2023 and 2022, the amount of notes payable under supplier financing arrangements was $i0
and $i171 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2023, $i4 million of invoices were confirmed and $i175 million
of confirmed invoices were paid under the program. As of December 31, 2022, the weighted average interest rate on the balance was i5.48%.
Note 11. iFair
Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements
We determine the fair value of our derivative assets and liabilities and non-current equity investments associated with Networks’ activities utilizing market approach valuation techniques:
•Our equity and other investments consist of Rabbi Trusts. Our Rabbi Trusts, which cover certain deferred compensation plans and non-qualified pension plan obligations, consist of equity and other investments. The Rabbi Trusts primarily invest in equity securities, fixed income and money market funds. Certain Rabbi Trusts also invest in trust or company owned life insurance policies. We measure the fair value of our Rabbi Trust portfolio using observable, unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and include the measurements in Level 1. We measure the fair value of the supplemental
retirement benefit life insurance trust based on quoted prices in the active markets for the various funds within which the assets are held and include the measurement in Level 2.
•NYSEG and RG&E enter into electric energy derivative contracts to hedge the forecasted purchases required to serve their electric load obligations. They hedge their electric load obligations using derivative contracts that are settled based upon Locational Based Marginal Pricing published by the NYISO. NYSEG and RG&E hedge approximately i70%
of their electric load obligations using contracts for a NYISO location where an active market exists. The forward market prices used to value the companies’ open electric energy derivative contracts are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities with no adjustment required and therefore we include the fair value measurements in Level 1.
•NYSEG and RG&E enter into natural gas derivative contracts to hedge their forecasted purchases required to serve their natural gas load obligations. NYSEG and RG&E hedge up to approximately i55%
of their forecasted winter
118
demand through the use of financial transactions and storage withdrawals. The forward market prices used to value open natural gas derivative contracts are exchange-based prices for the identical derivative contracts traded actively on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). We include the fair value measurements in Level 1 because we use prices quoted in an active market.
•UI enters into CfDs, which are marked-to-market based on a probability-based expected cash flow analysis that is discounted
at risk-free interest rates and an adjustment for non-performance risk using credit default swap rates. We include the fair value measurement for these contracts in Level 3 (See Note 12 for further discussion of CfDs).
We determine the fair value of our derivative assets and liabilities associated with Renewables activities utilizing market approach valuation techniques. Exchange-traded transactions, such as New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) futures contracts, that are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical products with no adjustment are included in fair value Level 1. Contracts with delivery periods of itwo
years or less which are traded in active markets and are valued with or derived from observable market data for identical or similar products such as over-the-counter NYMEX foreign exchange swaps, and fixed price physical and basis and index trades are included in fair value Level 2. Contracts with delivery periods exceeding itwo years or that have unobservable inputs or inputs that cannot be corroborated with market data for identical or similar products are included in fair value Level 3. The unobservable inputs include modeled volumes on unit-contingent contracts,
extrapolated power curves through May 2032 and scheduling assumptions on California power exports to cover Nevada physical power sales. The valuation for this category is based on our judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability since limited market data exists.
We determine the fair value of our interest rate derivative instruments based on a model whose inputs are observable, such as SOFR, forward interest rate curves or other relevant benchmark. We include the fair value measurement for these contracts in Level 2 (See Note 12 for further discussion of interest rate contracts).
We determine the fair value of our foreign currency exchange derivative
instruments based on current exchange rates compared to the rates at inception of the hedge. We include the fair value measurement for these contracts in Level 2.
The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable, lease obligations and interest accrued approximate fair value.
Restricted cash was $ii3/
million as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively and is included in “Other Assets” on our consolidated balance sheets.
119
i
The financial instruments measured at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022
consisted of:
The
reconciliation of changes in the fair value of financial instruments based on Level 3 inputs for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 consisted of:
(Millions)
2023
2022
2021
Fair
value as of January 1,
$
i16
$
(i69)
$
i13
Gains
for the year recognized in operating revenues
i10
i108
i21
Losses
for the year recognized in operating revenues
(i22)
(i30)
(i34)
Total
gains or losses for the period recognized in operating revenues
(i12)
i78
(i13)
Gains
recognized in OCI
i7
i2
i2
Losses
recognized in OCI
(i8)
(i57)
(i52)
Total
gains or losses recognized in OCI
(i1)
(i55)
(i50)
Net
change recognized in regulatory assets and liabilities
i18
i17
i13
Purchases
i90
i10
(i17)
Settlements
(i87)
i8
(i13)
Transfers
out of Level 3 (a)
i12
i27
(i2)
Fair
value as of December 31,
$
i36
$
i16
$
(i69)
(Losses)
Gains for the year included in operating revenues attributable to the change in unrealized gains relating to financial instruments still held at the reporting date
$
(i12)
$
i78
$
(i13)
(a)Transfers
out of Level 3 were the result of increased observability of market data.
/
Level 3 Fair Value Measurement
i
The table below illustrates the significant sources of unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of our Level 3 derivatives and the variability in prices for those transactions
classified as Level 3 derivatives as of December 31, 2023.
Index
Avg.
Max.
Min.
NYMEX ($/MMBtu)
$
i4.44
$
i9.86
$
i1.99
AECO
($/MMBtu)
$
i3.11
$
i10.80
$
i1.00
Ameren
($/MWh)
$
i53.73
$
i225.62
$
i20.92
COB
($/MWh)
$
i81.30
$
i400.10
$
i10.85
ComEd
($/MWh)
$
i48.92
$
i222.49
$
i16.77
ERCOT
S hub ($/MWh)
$
i50.77
$
i320.63
$
i16.85
Mid C ($/MWh)
$
i78.47
$
i400.10
$
i7.85
AEP-DAYTON
hub ($/MWh)
$
i54.53
$
i229.75
$
i22.50
PJM
W hub ($/MWh)
$
i57.22
$
i227.60
$
i21.61
/
Our
Level 3 valuations primarily consist of a Hydro PPA utilized for balancing services for the Northwest wind fleet, power swaps with delivery periods extending through May 2032 hedging Midwest and Texas wind farms and physical power sales agreements in Nevada.
We considered the measurement uncertainty regarding the Level 3 gas and power positions to changes in the valuation inputs. Given the nature of the transactions in Level 3, the primary input to the valuation is the market price of gas or power for transactions with delivery periods exceeding itwo years. The fixed price power swaps are economic hedges of future power generation, with decreases in power
prices resulting in unrealized gains and increases in power prices resulting in unrealized losses. The hydro PPA is a long capacity/energy position in the Northwest that provides balancing services with increases in power prices resulting in unrealized gains and decreases in power prices resulting in unrealized losses. The gas swaps are economic hedges of fuel purchases for a combined cycle gas plant, with increases in gas prices resulting in unrealized gains and decreases in gas prices resulting in unrealized losses. As all transactions are economic hedges of the underlying position, any changes in the fair value of these transactions will be offset by changes in the anticipated purchase/sales price of the underlying commodity.
Two elements of the analytical infrastructure employed in valuing transactions are the price curves used in the calculation of market value and the modeled volumes on unit-contingent agreements. We
maintain and document authorized trading points and associated forward price curves, and we develop and document models used in valuation of the various products.
121
Transactions are valued in part on the basis of forward prices and estimated volumes. We maintain and document descriptions of these curves and their derivations. Forward price curves used in valuing the transactions are applied to the full duration of the transaction.
The determination of fair value of the CfDs (see Note 12 for further details on CfDs) was based on a probability-based expected cash flow analysis that was discounted at risk-free interest rates, as applicable, and an adjustment for non-performance risk using credit default swap rates. Certain management
assumptions were required, including development of pricing that extends over the term of the contracts. We believe this methodology provides the most reasonable estimates of the amount of future discounted cash flows associated with the CfDs. Additionally, on a quarterly basis, we perform analytics to ensure that the fair value of the derivatives is consistent with changes, if any, in the various fair value model inputs. Significant isolated changes in the risk of non-performance, the discount rate or the contract term pricing would result in an inverse change in the fair value of the CfDs. Additional quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements of the CfDs is as follows:
Our operating and financing activities are exposed to certain risks, which are managed by using derivative instruments. All derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets in accordance with the accounting requirements concerning derivative instruments and hedging activities.
122
(a) Networks activities
i
The
tables below present Networks' derivative positions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, including those subject to master netting agreements and the location of the net derivative positions on our consolidated balance sheets:
Total
derivatives before offset of cash collateral
i—
i1
(i28)
(i43)
Cash
collateral receivable
i—
i—
i11
i2
Total
derivatives as presented in the balance sheet
$
i—
$
i1
$
(i17)
$
(i41)
/i
The
net notional volumes of the outstanding derivative instruments associated with Networks' activities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, consisted of:
NYSEG and RG&E have an electric commodity charge that passes costs for the market price of electricity through rates. We use electricity contracts, both physical and financial, to manage fluctuations in electricity commodity prices in order to provide price stability to customers. We include the cost or benefit of those contracts in the amount expensed for electricity purchased when the related electricity is sold. We record changes in the fair value of electric hedge contracts to derivative assets and/or liabilities with an offset to regulatory assets and/or regulatory liabilities, in accordance with the accounting
requirements concerning regulated operations.
NYSEG and RG&E have purchased gas adjustment clauses that allow us to recover through rates any changes in the market price of purchased natural gas, substantially eliminating our exposure to natural gas price risk. NYSEG and RG&E use natural gas futures and forwards to manage fluctuations in natural gas commodity prices to provide price stability to customers. We include the cost or benefit of natural gas futures and forwards in the commodity cost that is passed on to customers when the related sales commitments are fulfilled. We record changes in the fair value of natural gas hedge contracts to derivative assets
123
and/or
liabilities with an offset to regulatory assets and/or regulatory liabilities in accordance with the accounting requirements for regulated operations.
i
The amounts for electricity hedge contracts and natural gas hedge contracts recognized in regulatory liabilities and assets as of December 31, 2023
and 2022 and amounts reclassified from regulatory assets and liabilities into income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
(Millions)
Loss
or Gain Recognized in Regulatory Assets/Liabilities
Location of Loss (Gain) Reclassified from Regulatory Assets/Liabilities into Income
Loss (Gain) Reclassified from Regulatory Assets/Liabilities into Income
Pursuant
to a PURA order, UI and Connecticut’s other electric utility, CL&P, each executed itwo long-term CfDs with certain incremental capacity resources, each of which specifies a capacity quantity and a monthly settlement that reflects the difference between a forward market price and the contract price. The costs or benefits of each contract will be paid by or allocated to customers and will be subject to a cost-sharing
agreement between UI and CL&P pursuant to which approximately i20% of the cost or benefit is borne by or allocated to UI customers and approximately i80% is borne by or allocated to CL&P customers.
PURA
has determined that costs associated with these CfDs will be fully recoverable by UI and CL&P through electric rates, and UI has deferred recognition of costs (a regulatory asset) or obligations (a regulatory liability), including carrying costs. For those CfDs signed by CL&P, UI records its approximate i20% portion pursuant to the cost-sharing agreement noted above. As of December 31, 2023, UI has recorded a gross derivative asset of $i1
million ($i0 of which is related to UI’s portion of the CfD signed by CL&P), a regulatory asset of $i38 million, a gross derivative liability of $i39
million ($i38 million of which is related to UI’s portion of the CfD signed by CL&P) and a regulatory liability of $i0. As of December 31, 2022, UI has recorded a gross derivative asset of $i1
million ($i0 of which is related to UI’s portion of the CfD signed by CL&P), a regulatory asset of $i56 million, a gross derivative liability of $i57
million ($i55 million of which is related to UI’s portion of the CfD signed by CL&P) and a regulatory liability of $i0.
The unrealized gains and losses from fair value adjustments to these derivatives, which are recorded in regulatory
assets, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, were as follows:
The effect of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on OCI and income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, consisted of:
Year
Ended December 31,
(Loss) Gain Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (a)
Location of Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
Loss (Gain) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
(a)Changes
in accumulated OCI are reported on a pre-tax basis.
/
On June 20, 2019, Networks entered into a forward contract to hedge the foreign currency exchange risk of approximately $i100
million in forecasted capital expenditures through June 2023. The forward foreign currency contracts, which were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges, were settled in December 2021. The net loss of $i5 million in accumulated OCI on the foreign exchange derivative will be reclassified into earnings over the useful life of the underlying capital expenditures.
The net loss in accumulated
OCI related to previously settled forward starting swaps and accumulated amortization is $i39 million and $i43 million as of December 31,
2023 and 2022, respectively. We recorded $iii4//
million in net derivative losses related to discontinued cash flow hedges during each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We will amortize approximately $i4 million of discontinued cash flow hedges in 2024.
(b) Renewables activities
Renewables sells fixed-price gas and power
forwards to hedge our merchant wind assets from declining commodity prices for our Renewables business. Renewables also purchases fixed-price gas and basis swaps and sells fixed-price power in the forward market to hedge the spark spread or heat rate of our merchant thermal assets and enters into tolling arrangements to sell the output of its thermal generation facilities.
Renewables has proprietary trading operations that enter into fixed-price power and gas forwards in addition to basis swaps. The intent is to speculate on fixed-price commodity and basis volatility in the U.S. commodity markets.
Renewables will periodically designate derivative contracts as cash flow hedges for both its thermal and wind portfolios. The fair value changes are recorded in OCI. For thermal operations, Renewables
will periodically designate both fixed price NYMEX gas contracts and natural gas basis swaps that hedge the fuel requirements of its Klamath Plant in Klamath, Oregon. Renewables will also designate fixed price power swaps at various locations in the U.S. market to hedge future power sales from its Klamath facility and various wind farms.
125
The net notional volumes of outstanding derivative instruments associated with Renewables' activities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, consisted of:
On
May 27, 2021, Renewables entered into a forward interest rate swap, with a total notional amount of $i935 million, to hedge the issuance of forecasted variable rate debt. The forward interest rate swap is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge. As part of the financial close of Vineyard Wind 1 described in Note 22, this hedge was novated to the lending institutions and the notional value changed to $i956
million. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the fair value of the interest rate swap was $i122 million and $i116 million, respectively, as non-current assets. The
gain or loss on the interest rate swap is reported as a component of accumulated OCI and will be reclassified into earnings in the period or periods during which the related interest expense on the debt is incurred.
126
The tables below present Renewables' derivative positions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, including those subject to master netting agreements and the location of the net derivative position on our consolidated balance sheets:
Total
derivatives before offset of cash collateral
i60
i139
(i192)
(i91)
Cash
collateral receivable
i—
i—
i105
i54
Total
derivatives as presented in the balance sheet
$
i60
$
i139
$
(i87)
$
(i37)
127
Derivatives
not designated as hedging instruments
i
The effects of trading and non-trading derivatives associated with Renewables' activities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 consisted of:
Total
gain included in purchased power, natural gas and fuel used
$
i—
$
i44
$
i1,719
Total
Gain (Loss)
$
i2
$
(i57)
Derivatives
designated as hedging instruments
The effect of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on accumulated OCI and income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 consisted of:
Years Ended December 31,
Gain
(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (a)
Location of Loss (Gain) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
Loss (Gain) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
(a)Changes
in OCI are reported on a pre-tax basis.
Amounts are reclassified from accumulated OCI into income in the period during which the transaction being hedged affects earnings or when it becomes probable that a forecasted transaction being hedged would not occur. Notwithstanding future changes in prices, approximately $i41 million of loss included in accumulated OCI at December 31, 2023 is expected to be reclassified into earnings within
the next twelve months. We recorded immaterial amounts of net derivative losses related to discontinued cash flow hedges for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
(c) Corporate activities
Avangrid uses financial derivative instruments from time to time to alter its fixed and floating rate debt balances or to hedge fixed rates in anticipation of future fixed rate issuances.
The net loss in accumulated OCI related to previously settled interest rate contracts is $i29
million and $i38 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We amortized into income $iii9//
million of the loss related to the settled interest rate
129
contracts for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. We will amortize approximately $i9
million of the net loss on the interest rate contracts during 2024.
The effect of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on accumulated OCI for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 consisted of:
Years
Ended December 31,
(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (a)
Location of Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
(a)Changes
in OCI are reported on a pre-tax basis. The amounts in accumulated OCI are being reclassified into earnings over the underlying debt maturity periods which end in 2025 and 2029.
On July 15, 2021, Corporate entered into an interest rate swap to hedge the fair value of $i750 million of existing debt included in "Non-current debt" on our consolidated balance sheets. The interest rate swap is designated and qualifies as a fair value hedge. The change in the fair value of the interest rate swap and the offsetting change in the fair
value of the underlying debt are reported as components of "Interest expense."
i
The effects on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
NYSEG and RG&E face risks related to counterparty performance on hedging contracts due to counterparty credit default. We have developed a matrix of unsecured credit thresholds that are applicable based on the respective counterparty’s or the counterparty guarantor’s credit rating, as provided by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s. When our exposure to risk for a counterparty exceeds the unsecured credit threshold, the counterparty is required to post additional collateral or we will no longer transact with the counterparty until the exposure drops below the unsecured credit threshold.
130
The wholesale
power supply agreements of UI contain default provisions that include required performance assurance, including certain collateral obligations, in the event that UI’s credit ratings on senior debt were to fall below investment grade. If such an event had occurred as of December 31, 2023, UI would have had to post an aggregate of approximately $i46 million in collateral.
We have various master netting arrangements in the form of multiple contracts
with various single counterparties that are subject to contractual agreements that provide for the net settlement of all contracts through a single payment. Those arrangements reduce our exposure to a counterparty in the event of a default on or termination of any single contract. For financial statement presentation purposes, we offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim or the obligation to return cash collateral arising from derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement. The amount of cash collateral under master netting arrangements that has not been offset against net derivative positions was $i63
million and $i97 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Derivative instruments settlements and collateral payments are included throughout the "Changes in operating assets and liabilities" section of operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Certain of our derivative instruments contain provisions that require us to maintain an investment grade credit rating on our debt from each of the major
credit rating agencies. If our debt were to fall below investment grade, we would be in violation of those provisions and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing full overnight collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit risk related contingent features that are in a liability position as of December 31, 2023 is $i34 million, for which we have posted collateral.
Note
13. iiLeases/
We have operating leases for office buildings, facilities, vehicles and certain equipment. Our finance leases are primarily related to electric generation and certain
buildings, vehicles and equipment. Certain of our lease agreements include rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation or are based on other periodic input measures. Our leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Our leases have remaining lease terms of i1 year to i50 years, some of which may include options to extend the leases for up to i40
years, and some of which may include options to terminate. We consider extension or termination options in the lease term if it is reasonably certain we will exercise the option.
Renewables
has a sale-leaseback arrangement (as a seller-lessee) on a solar generation facility. The finance lease liability outstanding (including the current portion thereof) was $i39 million and $i41 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31,
2022, respectively. In 2013, Renewables sold the generation facility to a consortium of buyers (referred to as “Trusts”) and simultaneously entered into an agreement with the Trusts for the right to use the facility for up to i15 years with an early buyout option in year i10. During 2022, Renewables elected not to exercise the early buyout option
and prospectively adjusted the accounting for the lease, which contains a buyout option at fair value at the end of the lease term. The gain on the sale of the generation facility was deferred and is being amortized to depreciation expense over the i25-year life of the facility.
Most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate in the lease; thus we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.
Note
14. iCommitments and Contingent Liabilities
We are party to various legal disputes arising as part of our normal business activities. We assess our exposure to these matters and record estimated loss contingencies when a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. We do not provide for accrual of legal costs expected to be incurred in connection with a loss contingency.
Transmission - ROE Complaint – CMP and UI
On September 30, 2011, the
Massachusetts Attorney General, DPU, PURA, New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, Vermont Department of Public Service, numerous New England consumer advocate agencies and transmission tariff customers collectively filed a joint complaint with the FERC, pursuant to sections 206 and 306 of the Federal Power Act against several NETOs claiming that the approved base ROE of i11.14% used by NETOs in calculating formula rates for transmission service under the ISO-New England Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) was not just and reasonable and
seeking a reduction of the base ROE of i9.2%. CMP and UI are NETOs with assets and service rates that are governed by the OATT and will thereby be affected by any FERC order resulting from the filed complaint.
On December 26, 2012, a second related complaint for a subsequent rate period was filed requesting the ROE be reduced to i8.7%.
On July 31, 2014, a third related complaint was filed for a subsequent rate period requesting the ROE be reduced to i8.84%. On April 29, 2016, a fourth complaint was filed for a rate period subsequent to prior complaints requesting the base ROE be i8.61%
and ROE Cap be i11.24%.
On October 16, 2018, the FERC issued an order directing briefs and proposing a new methodology to calculate the NETOs ROE that is contained in NETOs’ transmission formula rate on file at FERC. We cannot predict the final outcome of the proceedings.
Customer Service Invoice Dispute
On May 4, 2021, Nike USA, Inc. (Nike), the buyer under a virtual
PPA with a subsidiary of Renewables, provided notice that it disagrees with the settlement amounts included in certain invoices. The PPA provides for a monthly settlement between the parties based on the metered output of the project based on a stated hub price. The disagreement relates as to the appropriate hub price to use for settlement calculations, most notably during Winter Storm Uri in February of 2021. Nike has requested an adjustment to the invoices that would increase the amount payable by approximately $i31 million. Renewables has responded that the invoices have been properly calculated
in accordance with the provisions of the PPA, and that Nike is not entitled to any further payments. On June 16, 2023, Nike filed suit against the Company and certain subsidiaries of Renewables alleging
133
breach of contract, and seeking more than $i31 million
in invoice adjustments, fees, and interest. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, which the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for the County of Multnomah denied on October 25, 2023 following oral arguments. The case is currently proceeding with an expected trial beginning on October 14, 2024. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Commonwealth Wind and Park City PPAs
In October 2022, Commonwealth Wind and Park City Wind announced that they would seek to re-negotiate the price of the certain Power Purchase Agreements, or PPAs, to help mitigate the impacts of inflation, increased interest rates and supply chain disruptions on the projects.
On
October 21, 2022, Commonwealth Wind filed a motion with the DPU seeking a one-month suspension in the DPU’s proceeding to review the power purchase agreements between Commonwealth Wind and the Massachusetts electric distribution companies, or EDCs, in order to provide an opportunity for Commonwealth Wind, the EDCs, state and regulatory officials, and other stakeholders to evaluate the current economic challenges facing Commonwealth Wind and assess measures that would return the project to economic viability including, but not limited to, certain amendments to the Power Purchase Agreements, or PPAs. In December 2022, Commonwealth Wind filed a motion opposing approval of the PPAs by the DPU and requesting that the proceeding be dismissed. On December 30, 2022, the DPU entered an order denying Commonwealth Wind’s motion and approving the PPAs. On January
30, 2023, Commonwealth Wind appealed the DPU’s December 30th order to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. On July 13, 2023, each of the EDCs filed with the DPU a first amendment, termination agreement and release agreed with Commonwealth Wind, providing for an orderly termination of the PPAs, withdrawal of Commonwealth Wind’s appeal, and payment by Commonwealth Wind of a $i48 million termination payment to the EDCs, an amount equal to the development period security provided for in the PPAs in connection with the regulatory approval that is under
appeal. The DPU approved the termination agreements on August 2, 2023 and Commonwealth Wind dismissed its appeal of the DPU’s December 30th order.
On October 2, 2023, Park City Wind entered into a first amendment, termination agreement and release with each of the Connecticut EDCs, providing for an orderly termination of the Park City Wind PPAs and payment by Park City Wind of an approximately $i16 million termination payment to the EDCs, an amount equal to the development
period security provided for in the PPAs. On October 13, 2023, PURA approved the termination agreements.
Power, Gas and Other Arrangements
Power and Gas Supply Arrangements – Networks
NYSEG and RG&E are the providers of last resort for customers. As a result, the companies buy physical energy and capacity from the NYISO. In accordance with the NYPSC's February 26, 2008 Order, NYSEG and RG&E are required to hedge on behalf of non-demand billed customers. The physical electric capacity purchases we make from parties other than the NYISO are to comply with the hedge requirement for electric capacity. The companies enter into financial swaps to comply with the hedge requirement for physical electric energy purchases. Other purchases,
from some Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and the New York Power Authority, are from contracts entered into many years ago when the companies made purchases under contract as part of their supply portfolio to meet their load requirement. More recent IPP purchases are required to comply with the companies’ Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) purchase obligation.
NYSEG, RG&E, SCG, CNG, BGC and MNG (collectively, the Regulated Gas Companies) satisfy their natural gas supply requirements through purchases from various producers and suppliers, withdrawals from natural gas storage, capacity contracts and winter peaking supplies and resources.
The Regulated Gas Companies operate diverse portfolios of gas supply, firm transportation capacity, gas storage and peaking resources. Actual gas costs incurred by each of the Regulated Gas Companies are passed through to customers through state regulated purchased gas adjustment mechanisms, subject to regulatory review.
The Regulated Gas Companies purchase the majority of their natural gas supply at market prices under seasonal, monthly or mid-term supply contracts and the remainder is acquired on the spot market. The Regulated Gas Companies diversify their sources of supply by amount purchased and location and primarily acquire gas at various locations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico region, in the Appalachia region and in Canada.
The Regulated Gas Companies acquire firm transportation capacity
on interstate pipelines under long-term contracts and utilize that capacity to transport both natural gas supply purchased and natural gas withdrawn from storage to the local distribution system.
The Regulated Gas Companies acquire firm underground natural gas storage capacity using long-term contracts and fill the storage facilities with gas in the summer months for subsequent withdrawal in the winter months.
134
Winter peaking resources are primarily attached to the local distribution systems and are either owned or are contracted for by the Regulated
Gas Companies, each of which is a Local Distribution Company. Each Regulated Gas Company owns or has rights to the natural gas stored in an LNG facility directly attached to its distribution system.
Other arrangements include contractual obligations for property, plant and equipment, material and services on order but not yet delivered at December 31, 2023.
Power, Gas and Other Arrangements – Renewables
Gas purchase commitments consist of firm transport capacity to fuel the Klamath Cogen and Peaking gas generators. Power purchase commitments include the following: (i) long-term firm transmission agreements with fixed monthly capacity payments that allow the delivery of electricity from wind and thermal generation sources to various customers, (ii) a i95.6
MW (average) ithree-year purchase of hydro capacity and energy to provide balancing services to the NW wind assets that has monthly fixed payments (beginning in 2022 and expiring in 2024), (iii) fixed priced energy purchases to cover firming & shaping commitments and (iv) fixed price REC purchases to supply merchant REC sales. Power sales commitments include: (i) winter capacity sale of i150
MW through 2042, (ii) fixed price, fixed volume hydro energy sales through 2024, (iii) fixed price, fixed volume power sales off the Klamath Cogen facility, (iv) a seasonal tolling arrangement off the Klamath peaking facility with fixed capacity charges through 2024, (v) fixed price, fixed volume renewable energy credit sales off merchant wind facilities, (vi) sales of merchant wind farm capacity to various ISOs and (vii) sales of ancillary services (e.g., regulation and frequency response, generator imbalance, etc.) to third parties from Renewables’ Balancing Authority.
In June 2020, Renewables entered into a Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement related to itwo
of its projects with Torrance County, New Mexico. The agreement requires PILOT payments to Torrance County through 2049. The total amount of PILOT payments related to the itwo projects in 2023 was $i1 million.
Renewables
also has easement contracts which are included in the table below under purchases.
i
Forward purchases and sales commitments under power, gas and other arrangements as of December 31, 2023 consisted of:
Year
Purchases
Sales
(Millions)
2024
$
i1,513
$
i285
2025
i246
i161
2026
i116
i58
2027
i83
i34
2028
i51
i6
Thereafter
i1,005
i56
Totals
$
i3,014
$
i600
/
Guarantee
Commitments to Third Parties
As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $i911 million of standby letters of credit, surety bonds, guarantees and indemnifications outstanding. We also provided a guaranty related to Renewables' commitment to contribute equity to Vineyard Wind and an indemnification of Vineyard Wind tax equity investors as described in Note 22, which are in addition to the amounts above. These instruments provide
financial assurance to the business and trading partners of Avangrid, its subsidiaries and equity method investees in their normal course of business. The instruments only represent liabilities if Avangrid or its subsidiaries fail to deliver on contractual obligations. We therefore believe it is unlikely that any material liabilities associated with these instruments will be incurred and, accordingly, as of December 31, 2023, neither we nor our subsidiaries have any liabilities recorded for these instruments.
NECEC Commitments
On January
4, 2021, CMP transferred the NECEC project to NECEC Transmission LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Networks. Among other things, NECEC Transmission LLC and/or CMP committed to approximately $i90 million of future payments to support various programs in the state of Maine, of which approximately $i10 million
was paid through the end of 2023.
Note 15. iEnvironmental Liabilities
Environmental laws, regulations and compliance programs may occasionally require changes in our operations and facilities and may increase the cost of electric and natural gas service. We do not provide for accruals of legal costs expected to be incurred in connection with loss contingencies.
135
Waste
sites
The Environmental Protection Agency and various state environmental agencies, as appropriate, have notified us that we are among the potentially responsible parties that may be liable for costs incurred to remediate certain hazardous substances at itwenty-four waste sites, which do not include sites where gas was manufactured in the past. iSixteen
of the itwenty-four sites are included in the New York State Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites; itwo sites are included in Maine’s Uncontrolled Sites Program; and ione
site is included on the Massachusetts Non-Priority Confirmed Disposal Site list. The remaining sites are not included in any registry list. Finally, ifive of the itwenty-four sites are also included
on the National Priorities list. Any liability may be joint and several for certain sites.
We have recorded an estimated liability of $i6 million related to isix
of the itwenty-four sites. We have paid remediation costs related to the remaining ieighteen sites and
do not expect to incur additional liabilities. Additionally, we have recorded an estimated liability of $i10 million related to another iten
sites where we believe it is probable that we will incur remediation and/or monitoring costs, although we have not been notified that we are among the potentially responsible parties or that we are regulated under State Resource Conservation and Recovery Act programs. It is possible the ultimate cost to remediate these sites may be significantly more than the accrued amount. As of December 31, 2023, our estimate for costs to remediate these sites ranges from $i15 million to $i22
million. Factors affecting the estimated remediation amount include the remedial action plan selected, the extent of site contamination and the allocation of the clean-up costs.
Manufactured Gas Plants
We have a program to investigate and perform necessary remediation at our ififty-three sites where gas was manufactured in the past (Manufactured Gas Plants, or MGPs). iSix
sites are included in the New York State Registry, ithirty-nine sites are included in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Multi-Site Order of Consent; itwo
sites with individual NYSDEC Orders of Consent; itwo sites under a Brownfield Cleanup Program and itwo sites are included in Maine Department of Environmental Protection programs
(inone in the Voluntary Response Action Program, Brownfield Cleanup Program and Uncontrolled Sites Program). The remaining sites are not included in a formal program. We have entered into consent orders with various environmental agencies to investigate and, where necessary, remediate iforty-one
of the ififty-three sites.
As of December 31, 2023, our estimate for all costs related to investigation and remediation of the ififty-three
sites ranges from $i122 million to $i218 million. Our estimate could change materially based on facts and circumstances derived from site investigations, changes in required remedial actions, changes
in technology relating to remedial alternatives and changes to current laws and regulations.
Certain of our Connecticut and Massachusetts regulated gas companies own or have previously owned properties where MGPs had historically operated. MGP operations have led to contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum hydrocarbons, benzene and metals, among other things, at these properties, the regulation and cleanup of which is regulated by the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as well as other federal and state statutes and regulations. Each of the companies has or had an ownership interest in one or more of such properties contaminated as a result of MGP-related activities. Under the existing regulations, the cleanup of such sites requires state and at times, federal, regulators’ involvement and approval before cleanup can commence. In certain cases, such contamination has been evaluated, characterized and
remediated. In other cases, the sites have been evaluated and characterized, but not yet remediated. Finally, at some of these sites, the scope of the contamination has not yet been fully characterized; as of December 31, 2023, ino liability was recorded related to these sites and no amount of loss, if any, can be reasonably estimated at this time. In the past, the companies have received approval for the recovery of MGP-related remediation expenses from customers through rates and will seek recovery in rates for ongoing MGP-related remediation
expenses for all of their MGP sites.
As of both December 31, 2023 and 2022, the liability associated with our MGP sites in Connecticut was $ii112/
million, the remediation costs of which could be significant and will be subject to a review by PURA as to whether these costs are recoverable in rates.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our total recorded liability to investigate and perform remediation at all known inactive MGP sites discussed above and other sites was $i250 million and $i289
million, respectively. We recorded a corresponding regulatory asset, net of insurance recoveries and the amount collected from FirstEnergy, as described below, because we expect to recover the net costs in rates. Our environmental liability accruals are recorded on an undiscounted basis and are expected to be paid through the year 2058.
FirstEnergy
NYSEG and RG&E each sued FirstEnergy under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act to recover environmental cleanup costs at certain former MGP sites, which are included in the discussion above. In 2011,
136
the District Court issued a decision and order in NYSEG’s favor, which was upheld on appeal,
requiring FirstEnergy to pay NYSEG for past and future clean-up costs at the isixteen sites in dispute. In 2008, the District Court issued a decision and order in RG&E's favor requiring FirstEnergy to pay RG&E for past and future clean-up costs at the itwo
MGP sites in dispute. FirstEnergy remains liable for a substantial share of clean up expenses at the MGP sites. Based on projections as of December 31, 2023, FirstEnergy’s share of clean-up costs owed to NYSEG & RG&E is estimated at approximately $i8 million and $i6 million,
respectively. These amounts are being treated as contingent assets and have not been recorded as either a receivable or a decrease to the environmental provision. Any recovery will be flowed through to NYSEG and RG&E customers, as applicable.
English Station
On August 4, 2016, DEEP issued a partial consent order (the consent order), that requires UI to investigate and remediate certain environmental conditions within the perimeter of a former generation site on the Mill River in New Haven (English Station) that UI sold to Quinnipiac Energy in 2000. Under the consent order, to the extent that the cost of this investigation and remediation is less than $i30 million,
UI will remit to the State of Connecticut the difference between such cost and $i30 million. UI must comply with the terms of the consent order, but may seek to recover costs above $i30 million
in consultation with the state. UI continues its activities to investigate and remediate the environmental conditions at the site. In 2023 and 2024, DEEP sent UI a series of letters requesting details on remediation plans and security, which UI has responded to.
On January 25, 2024, DEEP issued a notice of declaratory ruling to determine the “high occupancy standard” necessary “to abate on-site pollution and impacts for industrial/commercial use of the Site…inside the buildings” as referenced in section (B)(1)(e)(4) of the Partial Consent Order. On January 29, 2024, DEEP served UI with a Summons and Complaint seeking injunctive relief and enforcement of the consent order from the Connecticut Superior Court.
As of both December 31,
2023 and 2022, the amount reserved related to English Station was $ii19/ million.
Since its inception, we have recorded $i35 million to the reserve which has been offset with cash payments over time. We cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings.
Eagle Takings Inquiry
In April 2023, Avangrid Renewables received a letter from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding certain bald and gold eagle fatalities that allegedly occurred at certain Avangrid Renewables facilities that are not covered by an eagle take permit. Avangrid
Renewables has responded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service providing information about the relevant eagle taking permit applications and relevant mitigation activity at each facility. We cannot predict the outcome of this preliminary inquiry.
Note 16. iIncome Taxes
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) was signed into United States law. The IRA created a new corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) of 15% on adjusted financial
statement income and an excise tax of 1% on the value of certain stock repurchases. The IRA also contains several additional provisions related to tax incentives for investments in renewable energy production, carbon capture, and other climate actions. The CAMT and other various provisions of the IRA are effective for periods beginning after December 31, 2022. The Company paid $i32 million of CAMT in 2023, comprised of an estimated $i129 million
of gross initial obligation; partially offset by $i97 million of tax credit utilization. The Company also established an equivalent $i129 million,
unlimited lived gross CAMT carryforward asset which will be available in future periods to offset regular income tax that exceeds CAMT.
Since early 2020, and in response to regulatory orders received in most but not all of our operating jurisdictions, we began returning to customers both protected and unprotected excess accumulated deferred income tax (ADIT) from the 2017 Tax Act. Such amounts are subject to the terms of those orders while meeting the requirements of normalization for both Average Rate Assumption Method (ARAM) and Reverse South Georgia (RSG) methodologies.
i
Current
and deferred taxes charged to expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 consisted of:
The
differences between tax expense per the statements of income and tax expense at the 21% statutory federal tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 consisted of:
As
of December 31, 2023, we had gross federal tax net operating losses of $i4.7 billion, federal PTCs and ITCs, R&D and other federal credits of $i948 million, state tax effected net operating losses of $i401
million in several jurisdictions and miscellaneous state tax credits of $i145 million available to carry forward and reduce future income tax liabilities. The federal net operating losses begin to expire in 2028, while the federal tax credits begin to expire in 2024. The more significant state net operating losses begin to expire in 2024.
Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a tax benefit will not be realized. The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of December 31,
2023 and 2022 was $i82 million and $i87 million, respectively. The $i5 million
decrease is related to state net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. The $i82 million balance as of December 31, 2023 includes federal net operating loss and tax credit carryforward valuation allowance of $i3 million
and state net operating loss and state tax credit carryforward valuation allowance of $i79 million.
i
The reconciliation of unrecognized income tax
benefits for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 consisted of:
Increases
for tax positions related to prior years
i7
i2
i3
Increases
for tax positions related to current year
i—
i2
i—
Decreases
for tax positions related to prior years
(i4)
(i4)
(i3)
Ending
Balance
$
i130
$
i127
$
i127
/
Unrecognized
income tax benefits represent income tax positions taken on income tax returns but not yet recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The accounting guidance for uncertainty in income taxes provides that the financial effects of a tax position shall initially be recognized when it is more likely than not based on the technical merits the position will be sustained upon examination, assuming the position will be audited and the taxing authority has full knowledge of all relevant information.
Accruals for interest and penalties on tax reserves were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. If recognized, $i109
million of the total gross unrecognized tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate. Within the next twelve months, Avangrid could resolve $i83 million of various state uncertainties under appeal, of which, the entire amount if recognized, would reduce the effective tax rate. An estimated range of impact to Avangrid’s earnings related to uncertain tax benefit changes in the next twelve
months cannot be made.
Avangrid and its subsidiaries, without ARHI, have been audited for the federal tax years 1998 through 2009. The results of these audits, net of reserves already provided, were immaterial. Tax years 2010 and forward are open for potential federal adjustments. All New York state returns, which were filed without ARHI, are closed through 2011 and Maine state returns are closed through 2015.
All federal tax returns filed by ARHI from the periods ended March 31, 2004, to December 31, 2009, are closed for adjustment. All New York combined state returns are closed for adjustment through 2011. Generally, the adjustment period for the individual states we filed in is at least
as long as the federal period.
As of December 31, 2023, UIL is subject to audit of its federal tax return for years 2014 through its short period 2015. UIL's short period ending in 2015 is open and subject to Connecticut audit.
In 2023, Avangrid executed an agreement to transfer the production tax credits generated in 2023 pursuant to the transferability provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Avangrid received cash of $i81 million
for the transfer of tax credits for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Note 17. iPost-Retirement and Similar Obligations
Avangrid and its subsidiaries sponsor a number of retirement benefit plans.The plans include
qualified defined benefit pension plans, supplemental non-qualified pension plans, defined contribution plans and other postretirement benefit plans for eligible employees and retirees.Eligibility and benefits vary depending on each plan's design. For example, certain benefits are based on years of service and final average compensation while others may use a cash balance formula that calculates benefits using a percentage of annual compensation.
During
2023, the pension and postretirement benefit obligations had actuarial losses of, respectively, $i131 million and $i36 million, primarily due to losses from discount rate decreases
of $i112 million and $i12 million,
respectively.
During 2022, the pension and postretirement benefit obligations had actuarial gains of, respectively, $i716 million and $i103 million, primarily due to gains
from discount rate increases of $i644 million and $i70 million,
respectively. The pension benefit obligation had a reduction of $i274 million from settlements ($i182 million)
and curtailments ($i92 million). The settlements were lump-sum payments made within the pension plan guidelines at the discretion of the plan participants who opted to retire. The curtailments were driven by a Company decision to freeze pension benefit accruals and contribution credits for Networks non-union employees and transition their retirement benefits to a 401(k) plan.
i
As
of December 31, 2023 and 2022, funded status amounts recognized on our consolidated balance sheets consisted of:
We
have determined that Networks’ regulated operating companies are allowed to defer as regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities items that would have otherwise been recorded in accumulated OCI pursuant to the accounting requirements concerning defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans.
140
i
Amounts recognized as a component of regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities for Networks for the years ended December 31,
2023 and 2022 consisted of:
As
of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the projected benefit obligation (PBO) and accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) exceeded the fair value of pension plan assets for all qualified plans. iThe aggregate PBO and ABO and the fair value of plan assets for our underfunded qualified plans consisted of:
As
of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the accumulated postretirement benefits obligation for all qualified plans exceeded the fair value of plan assets.
141
Components of Networks’ net periodic benefit cost and other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in income and regulatory assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 consisted of:
Other
changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities:
Curtailments
i—
(i59)
i—
i—
i—
i—
Settlement
charge
i—
(i17)
(i6)
i—
i—
i—
Net
loss (gain)
i73
i33
(i218)
i26
(i75)
(i31)
Amortization
of net loss
(i3)
(i49)
(i115)
i12
i4
(i2)
Current
year prior service cost (credit)
i—
i1
i2
i—
i—
i1
Amortization
of prior service (cost) benefit
(i1)
(i1)
(i2)
i—
i1
i5
Total
Other Changes
i69
(i92)
(i339)
i38
(i70)
(i27)
Total
Recognized
$
i54
$
(i84)
$
(i290)
$
i36
$
(i69)
$
(i24)
Components
of ARHI’s net periodic benefit cost and other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in income and OCI for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 consisted of:
Other
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in OCI:
Settlement charge
(i1)
(i1)
(i1)
(i1)
(i1)
(i1)
Net
loss (gain)
i—
(i1)
(i3)
i1
(i1)
i1
Amortization
of net (loss) gain
i—
(i1)
(i2)
i1
i1
i1
Amortization
of prior service cost
i—
i—
i—
i—
i—
i—
Total
Other Changes
(i1)
(i3)
(i6)
i1
(i1)
i1
Total
Recognized
$
i1
$
i—
$
(i3)
$
i—
$
(i2)
$
i—
The
net periodic benefit cost for postretirement benefits represents the amount expensed for providing health care benefits to retirees and their eligible dependents. We include the service cost component in other operating expenses net of capitalized portion and include the components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component in other expense.
142
i
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine our benefit obligations
as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of:
The
discount rate is the rate at which the benefit obligations could presently be effectively settled. We determined the discount rates by developing yield curves derived from a portfolio of high grade noncallable bonds with yields that closely match the duration of the expected cash flows of our benefit obligations.
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine our net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 consisted of:
We
developed our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption based on a review of long-term historical returns for the major asset classes, the target asset allocations, and the effect of rebalancing of plan assets discussed below. Our analysis considered current capital market conditions and projected conditions. NYSEG, RG&E and UIL amortize unrecognized actuarial gains and losses over iten years from the time they are incurred as required by the NYPSC, PURA and DPU. Our other companies use the standard amortization methodology under which amounts in excess of ten-percent of the greater of the projected
benefit obligation or market related value are amortized over the plan participants’ average remaining service to retirement.
i
Assumed health care cost trend rates used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of:
Rate
to which cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)
i4.50%
i4.50%
Year
that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate
2032 / 2028
2029 / 2025
/
Contributions
We make annual contributions in accordance with our funding policy of not less than the minimum amounts as required by applicable regulations. We expect to contribute $i28 million
and $i8 million, respectively, to our pension and other postretirement benefit plans during 2024.
We also sponsor various unfunded pension plans for certain current employees, former employees and former directors. The total liability for these plans, which is included in Other current and Other non-current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets, was $i41 million and $i44
million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
143
Plan Assets
Our pension plan assets are consolidated in ione master trust. A consolidated master trust provides for a uniform investment manager lineup and an efficient, cost effective
means of allocating income and expenses to each plan. Our primary investment objective is to have a diversified asset allocation policy that mitigates risk and volatility while meeting or exceeding our projected expected return to ensure that current and future benefit obligations are adequately funded. Further diversification and risk mitigation is achieved within each asset class by avoiding significant concentrations in certain markets, utilizing a combination or passive and active investment managers with unique skill and expertise, a systematic allocation to various asset classes and providing broad exposure to different segments of the equity, fixed income and alternative investment markets.
Networks and ARHI have established target asset allocation policies with allowable ranges for their pension plan assets within broad categories of asset classes made up of Return-Seeking investments and Liability-Hedging/Fixed Income
investments. In 2020, a streamlined investment policy was implemented, which aligned target allocations to the estimated funded status of each specific plan. Return-Seeking assets range from i15%-i70%
and Liability-Hedging assets range from i30%-i85%. Return-Seeking assets include investments in domestic, international and emerging equity, real estate, global asset allocation strategies and hedge funds.
Liability-Hedging investments generally consist of long-term corporate bonds, annuity contracts, long-term treasury STRIPS and opportunistic fixed income investments. Systematic rebalancing within the target ranges increases the probability that the annualized return on the investments will be enhanced, while realizing lower overall risk, should any asset categories drift outside their specified ranges.
144
i
The
fair values of pension plan assets, by asset category, as of December 31, 2023, consisted of:
•Cash and cash equivalents – Level 1: at cost, plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Level 2: proprietary cash associated with other investments, based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings.
•U.S. government securities – at the closing price reported in the active market in which the security is traded.
•Common stocks – at the closing price reported in the active market in which the individual investment is traded.
•Corporate bonds – based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings.
•Preferred
stocks – at the closing price reported in the active market in which the individual investment is traded.
•Common collective trusts/Registered investment companies – Level 1: at the closing price reported in the active market in which the individual investment is traded. Level 2: the fair value is primarily derived from the quoted prices in active markets of the underlying securities. Because the fund shares are offered to a limited group of investors, they are not considered to be traded in an active market.
•Other investments, principally annuity and fixed income – based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings.
145
•Other
investments measured at net asset value (NAV) – fund shares offered to a limited group of investors and alternative investments, such as private equity and real estate oriented investments, partnership/joint ventures and hedge funds are valued using the NAV as a practical expedient.
Our postretirement plan assets are consolidated with ione trustee in multiple voluntary employees’ beneficiary association (VEBA) and 401(h) arrangements. The assets are invested in various asset classes to achieve sufficient diversification and mitigate risk.
This is achieved for our VEBA assets by utilizing multiple institutional mutual and money market funds, which provide exposure to different segments of the securities markets. The 401(h) assets are invested alongside the Pension assets they are tied to and share the same asset allocation policy. Approximately i62% of the postretirement benefits plan assets are invested in VEBA and 401(h) arrangements that are not subject to income taxes with the remainder being invested in arrangements subject to income taxes.
In 2020, a streamlined investment
policy was implemented for Networks and ARHI that aligned target allocations. Equities range from i49%-i69% and Fixed Income assets range from i31-i51%.
Equity investments are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks, investment styles, and market capitalization ranges. Fixed Income investments are primarily invested in U.S. bonds and may also include some non-U.S. bonds. We primarily minimize the risk of large losses through diversification, but also through monitoring and managing other aspects of risk through quarterly investment portfolio reviews. Systematic rebalancing within target ranges increases the probability of increasing the projected expected return, while mitigating risk, should any asset categories drift outside their specified ranges.
146
i
The
fair values of other postretirement plan assets, by asset category, as of December 31, 2023 consisted of:
We value our postretirement plan assets as follows:
•Cash and cash equivalents – Level 1: at cost, plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Level 2: proprietary cash associated with other investments, based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings.
•U.S. government securities – at the closing price reported in the active market in which the security is traded.
•Common stocks and registered investment companies – at the closing price reported in the active market in which the individual investment is traded.
•Corporate bonds – based on yields currently available on comparable securities
of issuers with similar credit ratings.
•Common collective trusts – the fair value is primarily derived from the quoted prices in active markets of the underlying securities. Because the fund shares are offered to a limited group of investors, they are not considered to be traded in an active market.
•Other investments, principally annuity and fixed income – based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings.
•Other investments measured at net asset value (NAV) – fund shares offered to a limited group of investors and alternative investments, such as private equity and real estate oriented investments, partnership/joint ventures and hedge funds are valued using the NAV as a practical expedient.
Pension
and postretirement benefit plan equity securities did not include any Iberdrola common stock as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022.
147
Defined contribution plans
We also have defined contribution plans, defined as 401(k)s, for all eligible Avangrid employees. There are various match formulas depending on years of service, age and pension plan closure/freeze date. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the annual contributions we made to these plans was $i84
million, $i68 million and $i58 million, respectively.
Note
18. iEquity
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had i103,889 and i108,188
shares of common stock held in trust, respectively, and iino/ convertible preferred shares outstanding. During
the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we issued i138,030 and i56,127 shares of common
stock, respectively, and released i4,299 and i4,355 shares of common stock held in trust, respectively, each having a par value of $ii0.01/.
We maintain a repurchase agreement with J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC. (JPM), pursuant to which JPM will, from time to time, acquire, on behalf of Avangrid, shares of common stock of Avangrid. The purpose of the stock repurchase program is to allow Avangrid to maintain Iberdrola's relative ownership percentage of approximately i81.5%. The stock repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time upon notice. In 2023, there were ino
repurchases pursuant to the stock repurchase program. As of December 31, 2023, a total of i997,983 shares have been repurchased in the open market, all of which are included as Avangrid treasury shares. As of December 31, 2023, the total cost of all repurchases, including commissions, was $i47
million.
Loss
(gain) for defined benefit plans, net of income tax expense of $i0 for 2021, $i3
for 2022 and $i0 for 2023
i
$
i2
i
$
i14
i
$
i—
i
Amortization
of pension cost, net of income tax (benefit) expense of $(i1) for 2021, $i1
for 2022 and $i0 for 2023
i
(i8)
i
i4
i
(i1)
i
Net
gain (loss) on pension plans
$
(i32)
$
(i6)
$
(i38)
$
i18
$
(i20)
$
(i1)
$
(i21)
Unrealized
(loss) gain from equity method investment, net of income tax (benefit) expense of $(i3) for 2021, $i6 for 2022 and $i1
for 2023 (a)
$
i—
$
(i9)
$
(i9)
$
i22
$
i13
$
i5
$
i18
Unrealized
loss during period on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of income tax (benefit) expense of $(i44) for 2021, $i0
for 2022 and $i6 for 2023
(i35)
(i159)
(i194)
(i1)
(i195)
i17
(i178)
Reclassification
to net income of losses (gains) on cash flow hedges, net of income tax (benefit) expense of $(i3) for 2021, $i19 for 2022
and $i48 for 2023 (b)
(i44)
i12
(i32)
i54
i22
i134
i156
Loss
on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges
(b)Reclassification is reflected in the operating expenses and interest expense, net of capitalization line items in our consolidated statements of income.
/
Note 19. iEarnings
Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Avangrid by the weighted-average number of shares of our common stock outstanding. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2021, while we did have securities
148
that were dilutive, these securities did not result in a change in our earnings per share calculations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2021. The dilutive securities, which consist of performance and restricted units, did result in a change in our earnings per share
calculation for the year ended December 31, 2022.
i
The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Avangrid for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, consisted of:
(Millions, except for number of shares and per share data)
Numerator:
Net
income attributable to Avangrid
$
ii786/
$
ii881/
$
ii707/
Denominator:
Weighted
average number of shares outstanding - basic
i386,810,088
i386,727,246
i358,086,621
Weighted
average number of shares outstanding - diluted
i387,164,874
i387,215,785
i358,578,608
Earnings
per share attributable to Avangrid
Earnings Per Common Share, Basic
$
i2.03
$
i2.28
$
i1.97
Earnings
Per Common Share, Diluted
$
i2.03
$
i2.27
$
i1.97
/
Note
20. iVariable Interest Entities
We participate in certain partnership arrangements that qualify as VIEs. These arrangements consist of tax equity financing arrangements (TEFs) and partnerships in which an investor holds a noncontrolling interest and does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights.
The sale of a membership interest in the TEFs represents the sale of an equity interest in a structure that is considered a sale of non-financial assets. Under the sale of non-financial assets, the membership interests in the TEFs we sell
to third-party investors are reflected as noncontrolling interest on our condensed consolidated balance sheets valued based on an HLBV model. Earnings from the TEFs are recognized in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in our condensed consolidated statements of income. We consolidate the entities that have TEFs based on being the primary beneficiary for these VIEs.
On September 9, 2021, we sold an additional TEF interest in Aeolus Wind Power VII, LLC (Aeolus VII) for $i131 million.
The $i8 million difference between the amount received and the $i139 million
noncontrolling interest recognized was recorded as an adjustment to equity because there was no change in control as a result of the transaction.
On November 4, 2021, we sold a TEF interest in Aeolus Wind Power VIII, LLC (Aeolus VIII) for $i199 million, of which $i8 million
was held in escrow until certain conditions were met on August 10, 2022. The two wind farms are the first in a portfolio of companies called Aeolus Wind Power VIII, LLC (Aeolus VIII).
On April 29, 2022, we closed on one TEF agreement, receiving $i14 million from a tax equity investor related to one solar facility. The solar facility is the first in a portfolio of companies called Solis Solar Power I, LLC (Solis).
On June 15, 2022, we closed on one TEF agreement related with Aeolus VIII, receiving the initial funding of $i109 million from one tax equity investor. Two newly constructed facilities, one wind farm and one solar facility, became part of Aeolus VIII.
On March 31, 2023, we received the second funding of $i61 million
related to Solis I from one tax equity investor.
On November 21, 2023, we received the second funding of $i124 million related to Aeolus VIII from one tax equity investor.
As of December 31, 2023, the assets and liabilities of the VIEs totaled approximately $i2,741
million and $i174 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2022, the assets and liabilities of VIEs totaled approximately $i2,853 million and $i424
million, respectively. At both December 31, 2023 and 2022, the assets and liabilities of the VIEs consisted primarily of property, plant and equipment.
Wind and solar power generation are subject to certain favorable tax treatments in the U.S. In order to monetize the tax benefits, we have entered into these structured institutional partnership investment transactions related to certain wind and solar farms. Under these structures, we contribute certain wind / solar assets, relating both to existing wind farms and wind farms / solar facilities that are being placed into operation at the time of the relevant transaction, and other parties invest in the share equity of the limited liability holding company. As consideration for their investment, the third parties make either an upfront cash payment or a combination of upfront
cash and payments over time. We retain a class of membership interest and day-to-day operational and management control, subject to investor approval of certain major decisions. The third-party investors do not receive a lien on any assets and have no recourse against us for their upfront cash payments.
149
The partnerships generally involve disproportionate allocations of profit or loss, cash distributions and tax benefits resulting from the wind farm energy generation between the investor and sponsor until the investor recovers its investment and achieves a targeted cumulative annual after-tax return. Once this target return is met, the relative sharing of profit or loss, cash distributions and taxable income or loss between the
Company and the third party investor flips, with the sponsor generally receiving higher percentages thereafter. We also have a call option to acquire the third party investors’ membership interest within a defined time period after this target return is met.
Our El Cabo, Patriot, Aeolus VII, Aeolus VIII, and Solis I interests are not subject to any rights of investors that may restrict our ability to access or use the assets or to settle any existing liabilities associated with the interests.
See Note 22 - Equity Method Investments for information on our VIEs we do not consolidate.
Note 21. iGrants,
Government Incentives and Deferred Income
i
The changes in government grants recorded in deferred income as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of:
Within
deferred income, we classify grants we received under Section 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, where the United States Department of Treasury (DOT) provided eligible parties the option of claiming grants for specified energy property in lieu of tax credits, which we claimed for the majority of our qualifying properties. Deferred income has been recorded for the grant amounts and is amortized as an offset against depreciation expense using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the associated property to which the grants apply. We recognize a net deferred tax asset for the book to tax basis differences related to the property for income tax purposes within the nontaxable grant revenue deferred income tax liabilities (see Note 16 – Income Taxes).
The changes in government grants recorded as a reduction to the related utility plant as of December 31,
2023 and 2022 consisted of:
We
are required to comply with certain terms and conditions applicable to each grant and, if a disqualifying event should occur as specified in the grant’s terms and conditions, we are required to repay the grant funds to the government. We believe we are in compliance with each grant’s terms and conditions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Note 22. iEquity Method Investments
Renewables
holds i15% ownership interest in a wind farm located in South Dakota (Tatanka). The investment in Tatanka is accounted for as an equity investment. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the carrying value of our Tatanka investment was $i22
million and $i23 million, respectively.
150
Renewables holds i50%
ownership interest in a wind farm and a solar project located in Arizona (Poseidon). The investment in Poseidon is accounted for as an equity investment. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying value of our Poseidon investment was $i77 million and $i87
million, respectively.
Renewables holds i20% interest in Coyote Ridge Wind, LLC (Coyote Ridge). The investment in Coyote Ridge is accounted for as an equity investment. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying amount of our Coyote Ridge investment was $i16
million and $i15 million, respectively.
Renewables has itwoi50-50
joint ventures with Horizon Wind Energy, LLC, which own and operate the Flat Rock Windpower LLC (Flat Rock I) and the Flat Rock Wind Power II LLC (Flat Rock II) wind farms located in upstate New York. Flat Rock I has a i231 MW capacity and Flat Rock II has a i91 MW capacity. We account for the Flat Rock joint ventures under the equity
method of accounting. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying amount of Flat Rock I was $i81 million and $i90 million, respectively, and Flat Rock II was $i38
million and $i42 million, respectively.
Renewables holds a i50% indirect ownership interest in Vineyard Wind 1, LLC (Vineyard Wind 1), a joint venture with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP). Prior to a restructuring
transaction that took place on January 10, 2022 (Restructuring Transaction), Renewables held a i50% ownership interest in Vineyard Wind, LLC (Vineyard Wind) which held rights to itwo easements from the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
(BOEM) for the development of offshore wind generation, Lease Area 501 which contained i166,886 acres and Lease Area 522 which contained i132,370 acres, both located southeast of Martha’s Vineyard. Lease Area 501 was subdivided in 2021, creating Lease Area 534. On September 15,
2021, Vineyard Wind closed on construction financing for the Vineyard Wind 1 project. Among other items, the Vineyard Wind 1 project was transferred into a separate joint venture, Vineyard Wind 1. Following the Restructuring Transaction, Vineyard Wind 1 remained a i50-50 joint venture and kept the rights to develop Lease Area 501, and Vineyard Wind was effectively dissolved where Renewables received rights to the Lease Area 534 and CIP received rights to Lease Area 522 as liquidating distributions. In contemplation of the liquidating distributions, Renewables also made an incremental payment of approximately $i168 million
to CIP. Consequently, Renewables recognized a pretax gain of $i246 million and an after tax gain of $i181 million,
driven by the increase in the fair value of its acquired interest in the leases and related development activities over its carrying value. The gain is classified in Earnings from equity method investments in the condensed consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Concurrently with the closing on the construction financing for the Vineyard Wind 1 project, Renewables entered into a credit agreement with certain banks to provide future term loans and letters of credit up to a maximum of approximately $i1.2 billion
to finance a portion of its share of the cost of Vineyard Wind 1 at the maturity of the Vineyard Wind 1 project construction loan. Any term loans mature by October 15, 2031, subject to certain extension provisions. Renewables also entered into an Equity Contribution Agreement in which Renewables agreed to, among other things, make certain equity contributions to fund certain costs of developing and constructing the Vineyard Wind 1 project in accordance with the credit agreement. In addition, we issued a guaranty up to $i827 million for Renewables' equity contributions under the
Equity Contribution Agreement. As part of the Vineyard Wind 1 financial close, $i152 million of Renewables prior contributions for the Vineyard Wind 1 project were returned in 2021.
On October 24, 2023, Vineyard Wind 1 closed on a TEF agreement, pursuant to which Vineyard Wind 1 is expected to receive approximately $i1.2 billion
from tax equity investors in installments based on the number of turbines reaching or about to reach mechanical completion each month until the entire project reaches commercial operation date. As of December 31, 2023, Vineyard Wind 1 received the initial funding of $i85 million from tax equity investors. The remaining $i1.1 billion
is expected to be received in 2024. In conjunction with the equity installments received since the closing of the TEF agreement, we have issued an indemnification of our joint share of the investor contributions. As of December 31, 2023, our total indemnified amount was $i43 million.
Vineyard Wind 1 is considered a VIE because it cannot finance its activities without additional support from its owners or third parties. Renewables is not the primary beneficiary of the entity since it does not have a controlling
financial interest, and therefore we do not consolidate this entity. During 2023, Renewables made a capital contribution of $i287 million to Vineyard Wind 1. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying amount of Renewables' investments in Vineyard Wind, which was dissolved in 2022, and Vineyard Wind 1 was $i297
million and $i9 million, respectively.
Networks is a party to a i50-50 joint venture with Clearway Energy, Inc. in GenConn, which operates itwo
peaking generation plants in Connecticut. The investment in GenConn is accounted for as an equity investment. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying value of our GenConn investment was $i90 million and $i94
million, respectively.
Networks holds an approximate i20% ownership interest in New York TransCo. Through New York TransCo, Networks has formed a partnership with Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation, Consolidated Edison, Inc., National Grid, plc and Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. to develop a portfolio of interconnected transmission lines and substations to fulfill the
151
objectives
of the New York energy highway initiative, which is a proposal to install up to i3,200 MW of new electric generation and transmission capacity in order to deliver more power generated from upstate New York power plants to downstate New York. On April 8, 2019, New York Transco was selected as the developer for Segment B of the AC Transmission Public Policy Project by the NYISO. The selected project, New York Energy Solution (NYES), replaces nearly 80-year old transmission assets located in the upper to mid-Hudson Valley with streamlined, modernized technology, to
enable surplus clean energy resources in upstate New York and help achieve the State’s energy goals. The total project cost is $i600 million plus interconnection costs. New York Transco is subject to regulatory approval of its rates, terms and conditions with the FERC. The investment in New York TransCo is accounted for as an equity investment. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying value of our New York TransCo investment was $i97
million and $i77 million, respectively.
None of our joint ventures have any contingent liabilities or capital commitments, except for those disclosed above. Distributions received from equity method investments, excluding the return of capital as part of the Vineyard Wind 1 financial close disclosed above, amounted to $i37
million, $i41 million and $i21 million for the years ended December 31,
2023, 2022 and 2021 respectively, which are reflected as either distributions of earnings or as returns of capital in the operating and investing sections of the consolidated statements of cash flows, respectively. In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we received $i11
million, $i12 million and $i11 million of distributions in RECs from our equity method investments.
As of December 31, 2023, there was $i9 million of undistributed earnings from our equity method investments. Capitalized interest costs related to equity method investments were $i2
million, $i0 and $i6 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021,
respectively.
DPA receivable balances were $i110
million and $i102 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our allowance for credit losses for DPAs was $i44
million and $i42 million, respectively.
On
May 13, 2021, Renewables sold i100% of its ownership interest in itwo solar projects located in Nevada
to Primergy Hot Pot Holdings LLC for total consideration of $i35 million and recognized a gain of $i11 million,
net of tax. The pre-tax gain of $i15 million is recorded in "Operating revenues" in our consolidated statements of income. The total consideration includes variable consideration that Renewables could receive based on the achievement of certain regulatory and project development milestones. The transaction was accounted for as an asset sale.
Note 24. iSegment
Information
Our segment reporting structure uses our management reporting structure as its foundation to reflect how Avangrid manages the business internally and is organized by type of business. We report our financial performance based on the following itwo reportable segments:
•Networks: includes all of the energy transmission and distribution activities, any other regulated activity originating in New York and Maine and regulated electric distribution, electric transmission and gas distribution
activities originating in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Networks reportable segment includes inine rate regulated operating segments. These operating segments generally offer the same services distributed in similar fashions, have the same types of customers, have similar long-term economic characteristics and are subject to similar regulatory requirements, allowing these operations to be aggregated into ione
reportable segment.
•Renewables: activities relating to renewable energy, mainly wind energy generation and trading related with such activities.
The chief operating decision maker evaluates segment performance based on segment adjusted net income defined as net income adjusted to exclude mark-to-market earnings from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments, costs incurred in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, costs incurred related to the PNMR Merger and other transactions, accelerated depreciation from the repowering of wind farms, and costs incurred in connection with an offshore contract provision.
Products and services are sold between reportable segments and affiliate companies at cost. Segment income,
expense and assets presented in the accompanying tables include all intercompany transactions that are eliminated in our consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 4 - Revenue for more detailed information on revenue by segment.
i
Segment information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of:
(1)Mark-to-market
earnings relates to earnings impacts from changes in the fair value of Renewables' derivative instruments associated with electricity and natural gas.
(2)Represents costs incurred in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly related to bad debt provisions.
/
155
(3)Pre-merger and other transaction costs incurred.
(4)Costs incurred in connection with an offshore contract
provision.
(5)Represents the amount of accelerated depreciation derived from the repowering of wind farms in Renewables.
Note 25. iRelated Party Transactions
We engage in related party transactions that are generally billed at cost and in accordance with applicable state and federal commission regulations.
i
Related
party transactions for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, consisted of:
Transactions
with Iberdrola, our majority shareholder, relate predominantly to the provision and allocation of corporate services and management fees. All costs that can be specifically allocated, to the extent possible, are charged directly to the company receiving such services. In situations when Iberdrola corporate services are provided to two or more companies of Avangrid, any costs remaining after direct charges are allocated using agreed upon cost allocation methods designed to allocate such costs. We believe that the allocation method used is reasonable. See Note 10 for a discussion of the Iberdrola Intragroup Green Loan.
Avangrid optimizes its liquidity position as part of the Iberdrola Group and is a party to a liquidity agreement with a financial institution, along with certain members of the Iberdrola Group. Cash surpluses remaining after
meeting the liquidity requirements of Avangrid and its subsidiaries may be deposited at the financial institution. Deposits, or credit balances, serve as collateral against the debit balances of other parties to the liquidity agreement. The balance at both December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $ii0/.
On
June 18, 2023, Avangrid's credit facility with Iberdrola Financiación, S.A.U., a subsidiary of Iberdrola, matured. The facility had a limit of $i500 million. On July 19, 2023, we replaced this credit facility with an increased limit of $i750 million
and a maturity date of June 18, 2028. Avangrid pays a quarterly facility fee of i22.5 basis points (rate per annum) on the facility based on Avangrid’s current Moody’s and S&P ratings for senior unsecured long-term debt. As of both December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was iino/
outstanding amount under this credit facility.
We have a bi-lateral demand note agreement with Iberdrola Solutions, LLC, which had notes payable balances of $i6 million and $i2 million as of December 31,
2023 and 2022, respectively.
See Note 22 - Equity Method Investments for more information on transactions with our equity method investees.
There have been no guarantees provided or received for any related party receivables or payables. These balances are unsecured and are typically settled in cash. Interest is not charged on regular business transactions but is charged on outstanding loan balances. There have been ino impairments or provisions made against any affiliated balances.
156
Note
26. iStock-Based Compensation
The Avangrid, Inc. Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan) provides for, among other things, the issuance of performance stock units (PSUs), restricted stock units (RSUs) and phantom share units (Phantom Shares). As of December 31, 2023, the total number of shares authorized for stock-based compensation plans was i2,500,000.
Performance
Stock Units
In February 2020, a total number of i208,268 PSUs, before applicable taxes, were approved to be earned by participants based on achievement of certain performance metrics related to the 2016 through 2019 plan and are payable in ithree
equal installments, net of applicable taxes. In March 2022, i46,737 shares of common stock were issued to settle the third and final installment payment under this plan.
During 2021 and 2022, i1,336,787
PSUs and i215,235 PSUs, were granted to certain officers and employees of Avangrid with achievement measured based on certain performance and market-based metrics for the 2022 performance period. The PSUs are payable in ithree
equal installments, net of applicable taxes, in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
The fair value of the PSUs on the grant date was $i36.22 per share. The fair value of the PSUs was determined using valuation techniques to forecast possible future stock prices, applying a weighted average historical stock price volatility of Avangrid and industry companies, a risk-free
rate of interest that is equal, as of the grant date, to the yield of the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bill and a reduction for the respective dividend yield calculated based on the most recently quarterly dividend payment and the stock price as of the grant date. The expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of approximately ifour years based on expected achievement.
In March 2023, a total number of i677,752
PSUs, before applicable taxes, were approved to be earned by participants based on achievement of certain performance and market-based metrics for the 2021 to 2022 performance period and are payable in ithree equal installments, net of applicable taxes, in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The remaining unvested PSUs were forfeited. The first installment was paid in June 2023, and i125,657
shares of common stock were issued in July 2023 to settle this installment payment.
During 2023, i1,067,500 PSUs were granted to certain executives of Avangrid with achievement measured based on certain performance and market-based metrics for the 2023 to 2025 performance period. The PSUs will be payable in ithree
equal installments, net of applicable taxes, in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
The fair value of the PSUs on the grant date was $i25.69 per share. The fair value of the PSUs was determined using valuation techniques to forecast possible future stock prices, applying a weighted average historical stock price volatility of Avangrid and industry companies, a risk-free
rate of interest that is equal, as of the grant date, to the yield of the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bill and a reduction for the respective dividend yield calculated based on the most recently quarterly dividend payment and the stock price as of the grant date. The expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of approximately ifive years based on expected achievement.
Restricted Stock Units
In October 2018, pursuant to the
Avangrid, Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan i8,000 restricted stock units (RSUs) were granted to an officer of Avangrid. The RSUs vested in full in ione
installment in December 2020. The fair value on the grant date was determined based on a price of $i47.59 per share. In March 2021, this RSU grant was settled, net of applicable taxes, by issuing i5,953
shares of common stock.
In August 2020, i5,000 RSUs were granted to an officer of Avangrid. The RSUs vest in ithree
equal installments in 2021, 2022 and 2023, provided that the grantee remains continuously employed with Avangrid through the applicable vesting dates. The fair value on the grant date was determined based on a price of $i48.99 per share. In February 2021, the first installment of the RSU grant was settled by issuing i1,697
shares of common stock. In October 2021, this RSU grant was cancelled and the remaining unvested RSUs were forfeited.
In March 2021, i5,000 RSUs were granted to an officer of Avangrid. The RSUs vest in full in ione
installment in March 2023, provided that the grantee remains continuously employed with Avangrid through the applicable vesting date. The fair value on the grant date was determined based on a price of $i48.83 per share. The RSU grant was settled in March 2023, net of applicable taxes, by issuing i3,642
shares of common stock.
In June 2021, i17,500 RSUs were granted to an officer of Avangrid with immediate vesting. The fair value on the grant date was determined based on a price of $i53.59
per share. The RSU grant was settled, net of applicable taxes, by issuing i9,390 shares of common stock.
157
In January 2022, i17,500
RSUs were granted to an officer of Avangrid with immediate vesting. The fair value on the grant date was determined based on a price of $i48.16 per share. The RSU grant was settled, net of applicable taxes, by issuing i9,390
shares of common stock.
In June 2022, i25,000 RSUs were granted to an officer of Avangrid. The RSUs vest in itwo
equal installments in 2023 and 2024, provided that the grantee remains continuously employed with Avangrid through the applicable vesting dates. The fair value on the grant date was determined based on a price of $i47.64 per share. The first installment of this RSU grant was settled in January 2023, net of applicable taxes, by issuing i8,690
shares of common stock. The second installment of this RSU grant was settled in January 2024, net of applicable taxes, by issuing i9,034 shares of common stock.
Phantom Share Units
In March 2020, i167,060
Phantom Shares were granted to certain Avangrid executives and employees. These awards will vest in ithree equal installments in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and will be settled in a cash amount equal to the number of Phantom Shares multiplied by the closing share price of Avangrid’s common stock on the respective vesting dates, subject to continued employment. The liability of these awards is measured based on the closing share price of Avangrid’s common stock at each reporting date until
the date of settlement. In March 2022, $i2 million was paid to settle the third and final installment under this plan.
In February 2022, i9,000
Phantom Shares were granted to certain Avangrid executives and employees. These awards vest in ifour equal installments in 2022 - 2024 and will be settled in a cash amount equal to the number of Phantom Shares multiplied by the closing share price of Avangrid’s common stock on the respective vesting dates, subject to continued employment. The liability of these awards is measured based on the closing share price of Avangrid’s common stock at each reporting date until the date of
settlement. In August 2022, $i0.1 million was paid to settle the first installment, and in February and August 2023, in total $i0.2 million
was paid to settle the second and third installments under this plan.
In February 2023, i81,000 Phantom Shares were granted to certain Avangrid executives and employees. These awards vest in ithree
equal installments in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and will be settled in a cash amount equal to the number of Phantom Shares multiplied by the closing share price of Avangrid’s common stock on the respective vesting dates, subject to continued employment. The liability of these awards is measured based on the closing share price of Avangrid’s common stock at each reporting date until the date of settlement.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the total liability for phantom share units was $i2
million and $i0, respectively, which is included in other current and non-current liabilities.
The total stock-based compensation expense, which is included in "Operations and maintenance" of our consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $i14
million, $i15 million and $i18 million, respectively. The total income tax benefits recognized for stock-based compensation arrangements for each of the years ended December 31,
2023, 2022 and 2021, were $i4 million, $i4
million and $i5 million, respectively.
i
A summary of the status of the Avangrid's nonvested PSUs and RSUs as of December 31,
2023, and changes during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, is presented below:
As
of December 31, 2023, total unrecognized costs for non-vested PSUs, RSUs and Phantom Shares was $i27 million. The weighted-average period over which the PSU, RSU and Phantom Shares costs will be recognized is approximately i5.2
years.
The weighted-average grant date fair value of PSUs and RSUs granted during the year was $i29.30 per share for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Note
27. iSubsequent Events
On February 15, 2024, the board of directors of Avangrid declared a quarterly dividend of $i0.44 per share on its common stock. This dividend is payable on April
1, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2024.
Return
of capital from investments in subsidiaries
i595
i664
i1,122
Other
investments
i—
i—
i300
Net
Cash (used in) provided by Investing Activities
(i784)
(i370)
i526
Cash
Flow from Financing Activities
Receipts (repayments) of short-term notes payable from subsidiaries, net
i14
i1
(i186)
Receipts
(repayments) of short-term notes payable
i935
i397
(i309)
Proceeds
(repayments) from non-current debt with affiliate
i800
i—
(i3,000)
Repurchase
of common stock
i—
i—
(i33)
Issuance
of common stock
(i3)
(i1)
i3,998
Dividends
paid
(i681)
(i681)
(i613)
Net
Cash provided by (used in) Financing Activities
i1,065
(i284)
(i143)
Net
Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(i17)
(i1,396)
(i14)
Cash
and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year
i28
i1,424
i1,438
Cash
and Cash Equivalents, End of Year
$
i11
$
i28
$
i1,424
Supplemental
Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for interest
$
i181
$
i86
$
i74
Cash
paid (refunded) payment for income taxes
$
i21
$
(i33)
$
(i15)
See
accompanying notes to Schedule I.
Note 1. Basis of Presentation
Avangrid, Inc. (Avangrid) is a holding company and we conduct substantially all of our business through our subsidiaries. Substantially all of our consolidated assets are held by our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our cash flow and ability to meet our obligations are largely dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and the distribution or other payment of their earnings to us in the form of dividends, loans or advances or repayment
of loans and advances from us. Our condensed financial statements and related footnotes have been prepared in accordance with regulatory statute 210.12-04 of Regulation S-X. Our condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Avangrid and subsidiaries (Avangrid Group).
Avangrid indirectly or directly owns all of the ownership interests of our significant subsidiaries. Avangrid relies on dividends or loans from our subsidiaries to fund dividends to our primary shareholder.
Avangrid’s significant accounting policies are consistent with
those of the Avangrid Group. For the purposes of these condensed financial statements, Avangrid’s wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries are recorded based upon our proportionate share of the subsidiaries net assets.
Avangrid files a consolidated federal income tax return that includes the taxable income or loss of all our subsidiaries. Each subsidiary company is treated as a member of the consolidated group and determines its current and deferred taxes separately and settles its current tax liability or benefit each year directly with Avangrid pursuant to a tax sharing agreement between Avangrid and our members.
162
Termination
of a Material Definitive Agreement
On December 31, 2023, Avangrid sent a notice to PNM Resources, Inc., a New Mexico corporation (PNMR), terminating the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended by the Amendment to Merger Agreement dated January 3, 2022, Amendment No. 2 to the Merger Agreement dated April 12, 2023 and Amendment No. 3 to the Merger Agreement dated June 19, 2023 (Merger Agreement)), pursuant to which NM Green Holdings, Inc. a New Mexico corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the corporation (Merger Sub), agreed to merge with and into PNMR (Merger), with PNMR surviving the Merger as a direct wholly-owned
subsidiary of Avangrid. A description of the Merger Agreement was included in the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by Avangrid on October 21, 2020, January 3, 2022, April 12, 2023 and June 20, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Merger was conditioned, among other things, upon the receipt of certain required regulatory approvals, including the approval of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC), and provided that the Merger Agreement may be terminated by either Avangrid or PNMR if the closing of the Merger shall not have occurred by 5:00 PM New York City Time on December 31, 2023 (End Date). Because the
required approval of the NMPRC was not received by the End Date and the conditions to the closing of the Merger were thus not satisfied by the End Date, Avangrid exercised its right to terminate the Merger Agreement. No termination penalties were incurred by either party in connection with the termination of the Merger Agreement. The Funding Commitment Letter and related side letter agreement terminated automatically upon termination of the Merger Agreement.
In light of the termination of the Merger Agreement, on January 8, 2024, Avangrid filed a motion to withdraw from the appeal it and PNMR’s subsidiary, Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), had filed with the New Mexico Supreme Court with respect to the NMPRC’s December 8, 2021, order which had rejected the amended stipulated agreement entered into by PNM, Avangrid
and a number of interveners in the NMPRC proceeding with respect to consideration of the joint Merger application.
Note 2. Common Stock
As of December 31, 2023, Avangrid share capital consisted of i500,000,000 shares of common stock authorized, i387,872,787
shares issued and i386,770,915 shares outstanding, i81.6% of which are owned by Iberdrola, each having a par value of $i0.01,
for a total value of common stock of $i4 million and additional paid in capital of $i17,701 million. As of December 31, 2022, Avangrid share capital consisted of i500,000,000
shares of common stock authorized, i387,734,757 shares issued and i386,628,586 shares outstanding, i81.6%
of which were owned by Iberdrola, each having a par value of $ $i0.01, for a total value of common stock capital of $i3 million and additional paid in of $i17,694
million. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had i103,889 and i108,188
shares of common stock held in trust, respectively, and iino/ convertible preferred shares outstanding. During
the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we issued i138,030 and i56,127 shares of common
stock, respectively, and released i4,299 and i4,355 shares of common stock held in trust, respectively, each having a par value of $ii0.01/.
We
maintain a repurchase agreement with J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC. (JPM), pursuant to which JPM will, from time to time, acquire, on behalf of Avangrid, shares of common stock of Avangrid. The purpose of the stock repurchase program is to allow Avangrid to maintain Iberdrola's target relative ownership percentage at i81.5%. The stock repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time upon notice. In 2023, there were ino
repurchases pursuant to the stock repurchase program. As of December 31, 2023, a total of i997,983 shares have been repurchased in the open market, all of which are included as Avangrid treasury shares. As of December 31, 2023, the total cost of all repurchases, including commissions, was $i47
million.
On February 15, 2024, the board of directors of Avangrid declared a quarterly dividend of $i0.44 per share on its common stock. This dividend is payable on April 1, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2024.
Note 3. Long-Term
Debt
In 2017, Avangrid issued $i600 million aggregate principal amount of its i3.15% notes maturing in 2024.
On May 16,
2019, Avangrid issued $i750 million aggregate principal amount of its i3.80% notes maturing in 2029. Proceeds of the offering were used to finance and/or refinance, in whole or in part, one or more eligible renewable energy generation facilities. Net proceeds
of the offering after the price discount and issuance-related expenses were $i743 million.
On April 9, 2020, Avangrid issued $i750 million aggregate
principal amount of unsecured notes maturing in 2025 at a fixed interest rate of i3.20%. Net proceeds of the offering after the price discount and issuance-related expenses were $i744 million.
163
On
December 14, 2020, Avangrid and Iberdrola entered into an intra-group loan agreement which provided Avangrid with an unsecured subordinated loan in an aggregate principal amount of $i3,000 million (the Iberdrola Loan). The Iberdrola Loan was repaid in 2021 with the proceeds of the common share issuance in itwo
private placements.
On July 19, 2023, we entered into a green term loan agreement with Iberdrola Financiación, S.A.U., with an aggregate principal amount of $i800 million maturing on July 13, 2033 at an interest rate of i5.45%
(the Intragroup Green Loan).
For
the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Avangrid made capital contributions to Networks of $i931 million, $i986
million and $i1,011 million, respectively.
During 2023 and 2022, Avangrid recorded a net non-cash contribution and dividend of $i122
million and $i473 million, respectively, to and from its subsidiaries to zero out their account balances of notes receivable and payable.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item
9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and our Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on such evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized
and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of Avangrid is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Avangrid’s internal control system over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Avangrid’s internal
control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
1.pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
2.provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and
3.provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in condition, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
164
Avangrid's
management assessed the effectiveness of Avangrid's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) ("COSO") in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management determined that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.
Our independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this Form 10-K, KPMG LLP, has issued its report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting, which appears in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act during the quarter ended December 31, 2023 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information.
Insider Trading Arrangements
During the quarter ended December
31, 2023, no director or executive officer of the Companyiiadopted/, modified or iiterminated/
a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Not applicable.
165
PART III
Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
For information regarding our executive officers, see Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additional information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Avangrid has a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all employees, officers and directors, including Avangrid’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, directors, and other senior financial officers. The code is intended to provide guidance to employees, management, and the board to regarding compliance with law and to
promote ethical behavior. Any amendment to the code, or any waivers of its requirements, will be disclosed if required on the company’s website at www.avangrid.com.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days
of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Our independent registered public accounting firm is iKPMG
LLP, iNew York, NY, Auditor Firm ID: i185
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
166
Part
IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
a) The following documents are made a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
1. Financial Statements—Our consolidated financial statements are set forth under Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
2. Financial Statement Schedules— Our financial statement schedules are set forth under Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
3. Exhibits—The following instruments and documents are included as exhibits
to this report.
Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
The cover page from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.
The foregoing list of exhibits does not include instruments defining the rights of the holders of certain long-term debt of Avangrid, Inc. and its subsidiaries where the total amount of securities authorized to be issued under the instrument does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total assets of Avangrid, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; and Avangrid, Inc. hereby agrees to furnish a copy of each such instrument
to the SEC on request.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
None.
173
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.
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 dates indicated.