WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER CO - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[X] | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
OR
[ ] | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from ________________ to ___________________
Commission File Number | Registrant; State of Incorporation; Address; and Telephone Number | IRS Employer Identification No. | ||
001-01245 | WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY | 39-0476280 | ||
(A Wisconsin Corporation) 231 West Michigan Street P. O. Box 2046 Milwaukee, WI 53201 414-221-2345 | ||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Serial Preferred Stock, 3.60% Series, $100 Par Value | ||
Six Per Cent. Preferred Stock, $100 Par Value | ||
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes [ ] No [X]
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.
Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).
Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
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.
Large accelerated filer [ ] | Accelerated filer [ ] | ||
Non-accelerated filer [X] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | |||
Smaller reporting company [ ] | |||
Emerging growth company [ ] | |||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ ] No [X]
As of June 30, 2017 (and currently), all of the common stock of Wisconsin Electric Power Company is held by WEC Energy Group, Inc.
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant. | ||
None.
Number of shares outstanding of each class of common stock, as of | ||
January 31, 2018 | ||
Common Stock, $10 par value, 33,289,327 shares outstanding
Documents incorporated by reference:
Portions of Wisconsin Electric Power Company's Definitive information statement on Schedule 14C for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be held on April 26, 2018, are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.
WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |||||
2017 Form 10-K | i | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
2017 Form 10-K | ii | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
The abbreviations and terms set forth below are used throughout this report and have the meanings assigned to them below:
Subsidiaries and Affiliates | ||
ATC | American Transmission Company LLC | |
Bluewater | Bluewater Natural Gas Holding, LLC | |
Bostco | Bostco LLC | |
Integrys | Integrys Holding, Inc. (previously known as Integrys Energy Group, Inc.) | |
UMERC | Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation | |
WBS | WEC Business Services LLC | |
WE | Wisconsin Electric Power Company | |
We Power | W.E. Power, LLC | |
WEC Energy Group | WEC Energy Group, Inc. (previously known as Wisconsin Energy Corporation) | |
WG | Wisconsin Gas LLC | |
Wispark | Wispark LLC | |
WPS | Wisconsin Public Service Corporation | |
Federal and State Regulatory Agencies | ||
EPA | United States Environmental Protection Agency | |
FERC | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission | |
IRS | United States Internal Revenue Service | |
MDEQ | Michigan Department of Environmental Quality | |
MPSC | Michigan Public Service Commission | |
PSCW | Public Service Commission of Wisconsin | |
SEC | Securities and Exchange Commission | |
WDNR | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | |
Accounting Terms | ||
AFUDC | Allowance for Funds Used During Construction | |
ARO | Asset Retirement Obligation | |
ASC | Accounting Standards Codification | |
ASU | Accounting Standards Update | |
CWIP | Construction Work in Progress | |
FASB | Financial Accounting Standards Board | |
GAAP | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles | |
OPEB | Other Postretirement Employee Benefits | |
Environmental Terms | ||
Act 141 | 2005 Wisconsin Act 141 | |
CO2 | Carbon Dioxide | |
CPP | Clean Power Plan | |
CSAPR | Cross-State Air Pollution Rule | |
GHG | Greenhouse Gas | |
NAAQS | National Ambient Air Quality Standards | |
NOx | Nitrogen Oxide | |
SO2 | Sulfur Dioxide | |
Measurements | ||
Dth | Dekatherm | |
MW | Megawatt | |
MWh | Megawatt-hour | |
2017 Form 10-K | iii | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Other Terms and Abbreviations | ||
AIA | Affiliated Interest Agreement | |
ARRs | Auction Revenue Rights | |
Compensation Committee | Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of WEC Energy Group, Inc. | |
D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals | United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit | |
ERGS | Elm Road Generating Station | |
ER 1 | Elm Road Generating Station Unit 1 | |
ER 2 | Elm Road Generating Station Unit 2 | |
Exchange Act | Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended | |
FTRs | Financial Transmission Rights | |
GCRM | Gas Cost Recovery Mechanism | |
LMP | Locational Marginal Price | |
MCPP | Milwaukee County Power Plant | |
MISO | Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. | |
MISO Energy Markets | MISO Energy and Operating Reserves Market | |
NYMEX | New York Mercantile Exchange | |
OCPP | Oak Creek Power Plant | |
OC 5 | Oak Creek Power Plant Unit 5 | |
OC 6 | Oak Creek Power Plant Unit 6 | |
OC 7 | Oak Creek Power Plant Unit 7 | |
OC 8 | Oak Creek Power Plant Unit 8 | |
Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan | WEC Energy Group 1993 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated Effective as of January 1, 2016 | |
PIPP | Presque Isle Power Plant | |
Point Beach | Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant | |
PWGS | Port Washington Generating Station | |
PWGS 1 | Port Washington Generating Station Unit 1 | |
PWGS 2 | Port Washington Generating Station Unit 2 | |
ROE | Return on Equity | |
RTO | Regional Transmission Organization | |
SSR | System Support Resource | |
Supreme Court | United States Supreme Court | |
Tax Legislation | Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 | |
Tilden | Tilden Mining Company | |
Treasury Grant | Section 1603 Renewable Energy Treasury Grant | |
VAPP | Valley Power Plant | |
2017 Form 10-K | iv | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
In this report, we make statements concerning our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and future events or performance. These statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of terms such as "anticipates," "believes," "could," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "goals," "guidance," "intends," "may," "objectives," "plans," "possible," "potential," "projects," "seeks," "should," "targets," "will," or variations of these terms.
Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning management's expectations and projections regarding earnings, completion of capital projects, sales and customer growth, rate actions and related filings with regulatory authorities, environmental and other regulations and associated compliance costs, legal proceedings, effective tax rate, pension and OPEB plans, fuel costs, sources of electric energy supply, coal and natural gas deliveries, remediation costs, liquidity and capital resources, and other matters.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include those described in Item 1A. Risk Factors and those identified below:
• | Factors affecting utility operations such as catastrophic weather-related damage, environmental incidents, unplanned facility outages and repairs and maintenance, and electric transmission or natural gas pipeline system constraints; |
• | Factors affecting the demand for electricity and natural gas, including political developments, unusual weather, changes in economic conditions, customer growth and declines, commodity prices, energy conservation efforts, and continued adoption of distributed generation by customers; |
• | The timing, resolution, and impact of rate cases and negotiations, including recovery of deferred and current costs and the ability to earn a reasonable return on investment, and other regulatory decisions impacting our regulated operations; |
• | The ability to obtain and retain customers, including wholesale customers, due to increased competition in our electric and natural gas markets from retail choice and alternative electric suppliers, and continued industry consolidation; |
• | The timely completion of capital projects within budgets, as well as the recovery of the related costs through rates; |
• | The impact of federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory changes, including changes in rate-setting policies or procedures, deregulation and restructuring of the electric and/or natural gas utility industries, transmission or distribution system operation, the approval process for new construction, reliability standards, pipeline integrity and safety standards, allocation of energy assistance, and energy efficiency mandates; |
• | The uncertainty surrounding the recently enacted Tax Legislation, including implementing regulations and IRS interpretations, the amount to be returned to our ratepayers, and its impact, if any, on our credit ratings; |
• | Federal and state legislative and regulatory changes relating to the environment, including climate change and other environmental regulations impacting generation facilities and renewable energy standards, the enforcement of these laws and regulations, changes in the interpretation of permit conditions by regulatory agencies, and the recovery of associated remediation and compliance costs; |
• | Factors affecting the implementation of WEC Energy Group's generation reshaping plan, including related regulatory decisions, the cost of materials, supplies, and labor, and the feasibility of competing projects; |
• | Increased pressure on us by investors and other stakeholder groups to take more aggressive action to reduce future GHG emissions in order to limit future global temperature increases; |
• | The risks associated with changing commodity prices, particularly natural gas and electricity, and the availability of sources of fossil fuel, natural gas, purchased power, materials needed to operate environmental controls at our electric generating facilities, or water supply due to high demand, shortages, transportation problems, nonperformance by electric energy or natural gas suppliers under existing power purchase or natural gas supply contracts, or other developments; |
2017 Form 10-K | 1 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
• | Changes in credit ratings, interest rates, and our ability to access the capital markets, caused by volatility in the global credit markets, our capitalization structure, and market perceptions of the utility industry or us; |
• | Costs and effects of litigation, administrative proceedings, investigations, settlements, claims, and inquiries; |
• | The risk of financial loss, including increases in bad debt expense, associated with the inability of our customers, counterparties, and affiliates to meet their obligations; |
• | Changes in the creditworthiness of the counterparties with whom we have contractual arrangements, including participants in the energy trading markets and fuel suppliers and transporters; |
• | The direct or indirect effect on our business resulting from terrorist attacks and cyber security intrusions, as well as the threat of such incidents, including the failure to maintain the security of personally identifiable information, the associated costs to protect our utility assets, technology systems, and personal information, and the costs to notify affected persons to mitigate their information security concerns; |
• | The investment performance of our employee benefit plan assets, as well as unanticipated changes in related actuarial assumptions, which could impact future funding requirements; |
• | Factors affecting the employee workforce, including loss of key personnel, internal restructuring, work stoppages, and collective bargaining agreements and negotiations with union employees; |
• | Advances in technology that result in competitive disadvantages and create the potential for impairment of existing assets; |
• | The timing, costs, and anticipated benefits associated with the remaining integration efforts relating to WEC Energy Group's acquisition of Integrys; |
• | Potential business strategies to acquire and dispose of assets or businesses, which cannot be assured to be completed timely or within budgets; |
• | The timing and outcome of any audits, disputes, and other proceedings related to taxes; |
• | The ability to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, while both integrating and continuing to consolidate WEC Energy Group's enterprise systems with those of its other utilities; |
• | The effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by standard-setting bodies; and |
• | Other considerations disclosed elsewhere herein and in other reports we file with the SEC or in other publicly disseminated written documents. |
We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
2017 Form 10-K | 2 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
A. INTRODUCTION
In this report, when we refer to "us," "we," "our," or "ours," we are referring to Wisconsin Electric Power Company and our subsidiary, Bostco. References to "Notes" are to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We are a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group and were incorporated in the state of Wisconsin in 1896. We maintain our principal executive offices in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and serve customers in Wisconsin and served customers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan through December 31, 2016. Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred our electric customers and distribution assets located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to UMERC, a stand-alone utility. UMERC became operational effective January 1, 2017. See Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for more information on UMERC.
We conduct our business primarily through our utility reportable segment. Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred our investment in ATC to another subsidiary of WEC Energy Group. See Note 16, Investment in American Transmission Company, for more information. In March 2017, we sold the remaining real estate holdings of Bostco located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which included retail, office, and residential space. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information on the sale of the remaining real estate holdings of Bostco.
For more information about our utility operations, including financial and geographic information, see Note 17, Segment Information, and Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Results of Operations.
Acquisition
On June 29, 2015, Wisconsin Energy Corporation acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Integrys and changed its name to WEC Energy Group, Inc. For additional information on this acquisition, see Note 2, Acquisitions.
Available Information
Our annual and periodic filings with the SEC are available, free of charge, through WEC Energy Group's website, www.wecenergygroup.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC.
You may obtain materials we filed with or furnished to the SEC at the SEC Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. To obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, you may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also view information filed or furnished electronically with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
B. UTILITY SEGMENT
ELECTRIC UTILITY OPERATIONS
We are the largest electric utility in the state of Wisconsin. We generate and distribute electric energy to customers located in southeastern Wisconsin (including the metropolitan Milwaukee area), east central Wisconsin, and northern Wisconsin, and serve an iron ore mine customer, Tilden, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Through December 31, 2016, we served electric customers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred our electric customers (other than Tilden) and electric distribution assets located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to UMERC, a stand-alone utility owned by WEC Energy Group. See Note 4, Related Parties, and Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for more information. UMERC currently meets its market obligations through power purchase agreements with us and WPS. UMERC will begin to generate electricity when its new generation solution in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan begins commercial operation, which is expected to occur in 2019.
2017 Form 10-K | 3 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Operating Revenues
The following table shows electric utility operating revenues, including steam operations, for the past three years:
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Operating revenues | ||||||||||||
Residential | $ | 1,178.4 | $ | 1,243.3 | $ | 1,207.6 | ||||||
Small commercial and industrial | 1,015.9 | 1,046.1 | 1,036.8 | |||||||||
Large commercial and industrial | 657.3 | 699.3 | 727.7 | |||||||||
Other | 21.2 | 21.0 | 22.1 | |||||||||
Total retail revenues | 2,872.8 | 3,009.7 | 2,994.2 | |||||||||
Wholesale | 118.8 | 88.7 | 101.4 | |||||||||
Resale | 238.0 | 224.4 | 228.2 | |||||||||
Steam | 23.3 | 27.2 | 41.0 | |||||||||
Other operating revenues * | 83.3 | 90.6 | 89.6 | |||||||||
Total operating revenues | $ | 3,336.2 | $ | 3,440.6 | $ | 3,454.4 | ||||||
* | Includes SSR revenues, rent income, and ancillary revenues, partially offset by revenues from Tilden that are being deferred until a future rate proceeding. For more information, see the discussion below under the heading "Large Electric Retail Customers." |
Electric Sales
Our electric energy deliveries included supply and distribution sales to retail and wholesale customers and distribution sales to those customers who switched to an alternative electric supplier. In 2017, retail electric revenues accounted for 86.1% of total electric operating revenues, while wholesale and resale electric revenues accounted for 10.7% of total electric operating revenues. See Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Results of Operations – Utility Segment Contribution to Operating Income for information on MWh sales by customer class.
We are authorized to provide retail electric service in designated territories in the state of Wisconsin, as established by indeterminate permits and boundary agreements with other utilities. Although we no longer provide electric service in certain territories in the state of Michigan, we continue, on an interim basis, to provide service to the Tilden mine located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. See the discussion below under the heading "Large Electric Retail Customers."
We buy and sell wholesale electric power by participating in the MISO Energy Markets. The cost of our individual generation offered into the MISO Energy Markets, compared to our competitors, affects how often our generating units are dispatched and whether we buy and sell power. For more information, see D. Regulation.
Steam Sales
We have a steam utility that generates, distributes, and sells steam supplied by VAPP to customers in metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Steam is used by customers for processing, space heating, domestic hot water, and humidification. Annual sales of steam fluctuate from year to year based on system growth and variations in weather conditions. In April 2016, we sold the MCPP steam generation and distribution assets, located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. MCPP primarily provided steam to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center hospitals and other campus buildings. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information.
Electric Sales Forecast
Our service territory experienced slightly lower weather-normalized retail electric sales in 2017, driven by the transfer of customers to UMERC and lower use per residential customer. We currently forecast retail electric sales volumes and the associated peak demand, excluding the Tilden mine located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, to remain flat over the next five years, assuming normal weather. The Tilden mine will no longer be a retail customer of ours once UMERC's new generation solution in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan begins commercial operation, which is expected to occur in 2019.
2017 Form 10-K | 4 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Customers
Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||
(in thousands) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||
Electric customers – end of year | |||||||||
Residential | 1,009.1 | 1,026.0 | 1,020.8 | ||||||
Small commercial and industrial | 114.5 | 116.7 | 116.0 | ||||||
Large commercial and industrial | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | ||||||
Other | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.6 | ||||||
Total electric customers – end of year | 1,126.8 | 1,145.9 | 1,140.1 | ||||||
Steam customers – end of year | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | ||||||
Large Electric Retail Customers
We provide electric utility service to a diversified base of customers in such industries as metals manufacturing, governmental, food products, other manufacturing, health services, mining, retail, and education.
In February 2015, Tilden, along with another affiliated iron ore mine located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, returned as customers after choosing an alternative electric supplier in September 2013. We entered into a contract with each of the mines to provide full requirements electric service through December 31, 2019. Since 2015, we have been deferring, and expect to continue to defer, the revenue less cost of sales from the mine sales and will apply these amounts for the benefit of Wisconsin retail electric customers in a future rate proceeding.
In 2016, one of the iron ore mines closed, and the related contract for full requirements electric service was terminated. In August 2016, WEC Energy Group entered into a new agreement with Tilden under which it will purchase electric power from UMERC for 20 years for the remaining mine, contingent upon UMERC's construction of natural gas-fired generation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Tilden will continue to receive full requirements electric service from us under the existing contract until UMERC's generation solution in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan begins commercial operation, which is expected to occur in 2019. See Note 4, Related Parties, and Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
Wholesale Customers
We provide wholesale electric service to various customers, including electric cooperatives, municipal joint action agencies, other investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, and energy marketers. Wholesale sales accounted for 4.6%, 3.2%, and 3.4% of total electric energy sales volumes during 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Wholesale revenues accounted for 3.6%, 2.6%, and 2.9% of total electric operating revenues during 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
Resale
The majority of our sales for resale are sold into an energy market operated by MISO at market rates based on availability of our generation and market demand. Resale sales accounted for 23.5%, 23.0%, and 23.8% of total electric energy sales volumes during 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Resale revenues accounted for 7.1%, 6.5%, and 6.6% of total electric operating revenues during 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Retail fuel costs are reduced by the amount that revenue exceeds the costs of sales derived from these opportunity sales.
Electric Generation and Supply Mix
Our electric supply strategy is to provide our customers with energy from plants using a diverse fuel mix that is expected to maintain a stable, reliable, and affordable supply of electricity. Through our participation in the MISO Energy Markets, we supply a significant amount of electricity to our customers from power plants that we own or lease from We Power. We supplement our internally generated power supply with long-term power purchase agreements, including the Point Beach power purchase agreement discussed under the heading "Power Purchase Commitments," and through spot purchases in the MISO Energy Markets. We also sell excess capacity into the MISO Energy Markets when it is economical, which reduces net fuel costs by offsetting costs of purchased power.
2017 Form 10-K | 5 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Our rated capacity by fuel type as of December 31, including the units we lease from We Power, is shown below. For more information on our electric generation facilities, see Item 2. Properties.
Rated Capacity in MW (1) | |||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
Coal | 3,599 | 3,582 | 3,589 | ||||||
Natural gas: | |||||||||
Combined cycle | 1,182 | 1,140 | 1,082 | ||||||
Steam turbine (2) | 240 | 240 | 240 | ||||||
Natural gas/oil peaking units (3) | 982 | 962 | 962 | ||||||
Renewables (4) | 191 | 190 | 187 | ||||||
Total rated capacity | 6,194 | 6,114 | 6,060 | ||||||
(1) | Rated capacity is the net power output under average operating conditions with equipment in an average state of repair as of a given month in a given year. We are a summer peaking electric utility, and amounts are based on expected capacity ratings for the following summer. The values were established by tests and may change slightly from year to year. |
(2) | The natural gas steam turbine represents the rated capacity associated with VAPP. |
(3) | The dual-fueled facilities generally burn oil only if natural gas is not available due to constraints on the natural gas pipeline and/or at the local natural gas distribution company that delivers natural gas to the plants. |
(4) | Includes hydroelectric, biomass, and wind generation. |
The table below indicates our sources of electric energy supply as a percentage of sales for the three years ended December 31, as well as estimates for 2018:
Estimate | Actual | |||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Company-owned or leased generation units: | ||||||||||||
Coal | 47.5 | % | 50.8 | % | 49.9 | % | 53.5 | % | ||||
Natural gas: | ||||||||||||
Combined cycle | 16.5 | % | 14.7 | % | 15.9 | % | 13.0 | % | ||||
Steam turbine | 0.7 | % | 1.1 | % | 1.2 | % | 1.4 | % | ||||
Natural gas/oil peaking units | 0.4 | % | 0.5 | % | 0.7 | % | 0.6 | % | ||||
Renewables | 3.6 | % | 3.8 | % | 3.5 | % | 3.5 | % | ||||
Total company-owned or leased generation units | 68.7 | % | 70.9 | % | 71.2 | % | 72.0 | % | ||||
Power purchase contracts: | ||||||||||||
Nuclear | 25.5 | % | 25.2 | % | 24.6 | % | 24.5 | % | ||||
Natural gas | 3.0 | % | 1.8 | % | 2.4 | % | 1.7 | % | ||||
Renewables | 1.7 | % | 1.8 | % | 1.8 | % | 1.1 | % | ||||
Other | — | % | — | % | — | % | 0.7 | % | ||||
Total power purchase contracts | 30.2 | % | 28.8 | % | 28.8 | % | 28.0 | % | ||||
Purchased power from MISO | 1.1 | % | 0.3 | % | — | % | — | % | ||||
Total purchased power | 31.3 | % | 29.1 | % | 28.8 | % | 28.0 | % | ||||
Total electric utility supply | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
Coal-Fired Generation
Our coal-fired generation, including the ERGS units we lease from We Power, consists of four operating plants with a rated capacity of 3,599 MW as of December 31, 2017. For more information about our operating plants, see Item 2. Properties. As a result of WEC Energy Group's generation reshaping plan, we expect to retire 1,547 MW of coal generation by 2020 with a goal of reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. For more information about future retirement of our plants, see Note 6, Property, Plant, and Equipment.
2017 Form 10-K | 6 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Natural Gas-Fired Generation
Our natural gas-fired generation, including the PWGS units we lease from We Power, consists of four operating plants, including peaking units, with a rated capacity of 2,204 MW as of December 31, 2017. For more information about our operating plants, see Item 2. Properties.
Oil-Fired Generation
Fuel oil is used for combustion turbines at certain of our natural gas-fired plants as well as for ignition and flame stabilization at one of our coal-fired plants. Our oil-fired generation had a rated capacity of 200 MW as of December 31, 2017. We also have natural gas-fired peaking units with a rated capacity of 782 MW, which have the ability to burn oil if natural gas is not available due to delivery constraints. For more information about our operating plants, see Item 2. Properties.
Renewable Generation
We meet a portion of our electric generation supply with various renewable energy resources. This helps us maintain compliance with renewable energy legislation in Wisconsin and Michigan. These renewable energy resources also help us maintain diversity in our generation portfolio, which effectively serves as a price hedge against future fuel costs, and will help mitigate the risk of potential unknown costs associated with any future carbon restrictions for electric generators. For more information about our renewable generation, see Item 2. Properties.
Hydroelectric
Our hydroelectric generating system consists of 13 operating plants with both a total installed capacity and a rated capacity of 90 MW as of December 31, 2017. All of our hydroelectric facilities follow FERC guidelines and/or regulations.
Wind
We have four wind sites, consisting of 200 turbines, with an installed capacity of 339 MW and a rated capacity of 51 MW as of December 31, 2017.
Biomass
We have a biomass-fueled power plant at a Rothschild, Wisconsin paper mill site. Wood waste and wood shavings are used to produce a rated capacity of approximately 50 MW of electric power as well as steam to support the paper mill's operations. Fuel for the power plant is supplied by both the paper mill and through contracts with biomass suppliers.
Generation from Leased We Power Units
We also supply electricity to our customers from power plants that we lease from We Power. These plants include the ERGS units and the PWGS units. Lease payments are billed from We Power to us and then recovered in our rates as authorized by the PSCW, the MPSC, and the FERC. We operate the We Power units and are authorized by the PSCW and state law to fully recover prudently incurred operating and maintenance costs in our Wisconsin electric rates. As the operator of the units, we may request We Power to make capital improvements to, or further investments in, the units. Under the lease terms, these capital improvements or further investments will increase lease payments paid by us and should ultimately be recovered in our rates.
Electric System Reliability
The PSCW requires us to maintain a planning reserve margin above our projected annual peak demand forecast to help ensure reliability of electric service to our customers. These planning reserve requirements are consistent with the MISO calculated planning reserve margin. In 2008, the PSCW established a 14.5% reserve margin requirement for long-term planning (planning years two through ten). For short-term planning (planning year one), the PSCW requires Wisconsin utilities to follow the planning reserve margin established by MISO. MISO has a 15.8% installed capacity reserve margin requirement for the planning year from June 1, 2017, through May 31, 2018, and a 17.1% installed capacity reserve margin requirement for the planning year from June 1, 2018, through May 31, 2019. MISO's short-term reserve margin requirements experience year-to-year fluctuations, primarily due to changes in the average forced outage rate of generation within the MISO footprint.
2017 Form 10-K | 7 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Michigan recently passed legislation requiring all electric providers to demonstrate to the MPSC that they have enough resources to serve the anticipated needs of their customers for a minimum of four consecutive planning years beginning in the upcoming planning year June 1, 2018, through May 31, 2019. The MPSC has established future planning reserve margin requirements based on the same study conducted by MISO that determines the short-term reserve margin requirements.
In both of our Wisconsin and Michigan jurisdictions, we had adequate capacity through company-owned generation units, leased generating units, and power purchase contracts to meet the MISO calculated planning reserve margin during the current and first upcoming planning years. We also fully anticipate that we will have adequate capacity to meet the planning reserve margin requirements for future planning years in both jurisdictions. However, extremely hot weather, unexpected equipment failure, or unavailability across the 15-state MISO footprint could require us to call upon load management procedures. Load management procedures allow for the reduction of energy use through agreements with customers to directly shut off their equipment or through interruptible service, where customers agree to reduce their load in the case of an emergency interruption.
Fuel and Purchased Power Costs
Our retail electric rates in Wisconsin are established by the PSCW and include base amounts for fuel and purchased power costs. The electric fuel rules set by the PSCW allow us to defer, for subsequent rate recovery or refund, under- or over-collections of actual fuel and purchased power costs that exceed a 2% price variance from the costs included in the rates charged to customers. For more information about the fuel rules, see D. Regulation.
Our average fuel and purchased power costs per MWh by fuel type were as follows for the years ended December 31:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||
Coal | $ | 22.26 | $ | 22.68 | $ | 25.25 | ||||||
Natural gas combined cycle | 22.85 | 19.13 | 23.44 | |||||||||
Natural gas/oil peaking units | 60.44 | 46.99 | 56.33 | |||||||||
Biomass | 118.76 | 103.24 | 168.84 | |||||||||
Purchased power | 45.50 | 43.51 | 43.87 | |||||||||
We purchase coal under long-term contracts, which helps with price stability. In the past, coal and associated transportation services were exposed to volatility in pricing due to changing domestic and world-wide demand for coal and diesel fuel. To moderate the volatility, we were given PSCW approval for a hedging program, which allows us to hedge up to 75% of our potential risks related to rail transportation fuel surcharge exposure. However, due to decreased volatility over the last two years, we suspended the fuel surcharge hedging program in 2017.
We purchase natural gas for our plants on the spot market from natural gas marketers, utilities, and producers, and we arrange for transportation of the natural gas to our plants. We have firm and interruptible transportation, as well as balancing and storage agreements, intended to support our plants' variable usage. We also have a PSCW-approved program that allows us to hedge up to 75% of our estimated natural gas use for electric generation in order to help manage our natural gas price risk.
Our hedging programs are generally implemented on a 36-month forward-looking basis. The results of these programs are reflected in the average costs of natural gas and purchased power.
Coal Supply
We diversify the coal supply for our electric generating facilities by purchasing coal from several mines in Wyoming, as well as from various other states. For 2018, approximately 84% of our total projected coal requirements of 8.6 million tons are contracted under fixed-price contracts. See Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information on amounts of coal purchases and coal deliveries under contract.
The annual tonnage amounts contracted for the next three years are as follows:
(in thousands) | Annual Tonnage | ||
2018 | 7,261 | ||
2019 | 4,536 | ||
2020 | 2,108 | ||
2017 Form 10-K | 8 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Coal Deliveries
All of our 2018 coal requirements are expected to be shipped by our owned or leased unit trains under existing transportation agreements. The unit trains transport the coal for electric generating facilities from mines in Wyoming, Pennsylvania, and Montana. The coal is transported by train to our rail-served electric-generating facilities and to dock storage in Superior, Wisconsin, until needed by our lake vessel-served facility. Additional small volume agreements may also be used to supplement the normal coal supply for our facilities.
Midcontinent Independent System Operator Costs
In connection with its status as a FERC approved RTO, MISO developed and operates the MISO Energy Markets, which include its bid-based energy markets and ancillary services market. We are a participant in the MISO Energy Markets. For more information on MISO, see D. Regulation.
Power Purchase Commitments
We enter into short and long-term power purchase commitments to meet a portion of our anticipated electric energy supply needs. Our power purchase commitments with unaffiliated parties for the next five years are 1,279 MW per year, which exclude planning capacity purchases. This amount includes 1,033 MW per year related to a long-term power purchase agreement for electricity generated by Point Beach. Due to the planned retirement of generation resources, we have entered into purchase agreements to procure additional planning capacity in order to maintain our compliance with planning reserve requirements as established by the PSCW, MPSC, and MISO.
Other Matters
Seasonality
Our electric utility sales are impacted by seasonal factors and varying weather conditions. We sell more electricity during the summer months because of the residential cooling load. We continue to upgrade our electric distribution system, including substations, transformers, and lines, to meet the demand of our customers. Our generating plants performed as expected during the warmest periods of the summer, and all power purchase commitments under firm contract were received. During this period, we did not require public appeals for conservation, and we did not interrupt or curtail service to non-firm customers who participate in load management programs.
Competition
We face competition from various entities and other forms of energy sources available to customers, including self-generation by large industrial customers and alternative energy sources. We compete with other utilities for sales to municipalities and cooperatives as well as with other utilities and marketers for wholesale electric business.
For more information on competition in our service territories, see Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Industry Restructuring.
Environmental Matters
For information regarding environmental matters, especially as they relate to coal-fired generating facilities, see Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies.
NATURAL GAS UTILITY OPERATIONS
We are authorized to provide retail natural gas distribution service in designated territories in the state of Wisconsin, as established by indeterminate permits and boundary agreements with other utilities. We also transport customer-owned natural gas. We operate in three distinct service areas including west and south of the City of Milwaukee, the Appleton area, and areas within Iron and Vilas Counties, Wisconsin.
2017 Form 10-K | 9 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Natural Gas Utility Operating Statistics
The following table shows certain natural gas utility operating statistics for the past three years:
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||
Operating revenues (in millions) | ||||||||||||
Residential | $ | 249.0 | $ | 238.6 | $ | 256.6 | ||||||
Commercial and industrial | 114.3 | 105.0 | 118.9 | |||||||||
Total retail revenues | 363.3 | 343.6 | 375.5 | |||||||||
Transport | 13.7 | 13.6 | 16.0 | |||||||||
Other operating revenues * | (1.5 | ) | (5.0 | ) | 8.2 | |||||||
Total | $ | 375.5 | $ | 352.2 | $ | 399.7 | ||||||
Customers – end of year (in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Residential | 445.9 | 442.0 | 438.7 | |||||||||
Commercial and industrial | 39.6 | 39.4 | 39.1 | |||||||||
Transport | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 | |||||||||
Total customers | 486.3 | 482.1 | 478.5 | |||||||||
* | Includes amounts (refunded to) collected from customers for purchased gas adjustment costs. |
Natural Gas Deliveries
Our gas therm deliveries include customer-owned transported natural gas. Transported natural gas accounted for approximately 36.9% of the total volumes delivered during 2017, 38.0% during 2016, and 36.4% during 2015. Our peak daily send-out during 2017 was 6.8 million therms on December 27, 2017.
Large Natural Gas Customers
We provide natural gas utility service to a diversified base of industrial customers who are largely within our electric service territory. Major industries served include governmental, education, restaurants, paper mills, and food products.
Natural Gas Sales Forecast
Our service territory experienced growth in weather-normalized natural gas deliveries (excluding natural gas deliveries for electric generation) in 2017 due to positive customer growth, an improving economy, and favorable natural gas prices. We currently forecast retail natural gas delivery volumes to grow at a rate between flat and 0.5% over the next five years, assuming normal weather. The forecast projects declining average usage per customer partially offsetting positive customer growth.
Natural Gas Supply, Pipeline Capacity and Storage
We have been able to meet our contractual obligations with both our suppliers and our customers. For more information on our natural gas utility supply and transportation contracts, see Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies.
Pipeline Capacity and Storage
The interstate pipelines serving Wisconsin originate in major natural gas producing areas of North America: the Oklahoma and Texas basins, western Canada, and the Rocky Mountains. We have contracted for long-term firm capacity from a number of these sources. This strategy reflects management's belief that overall supply security is enhanced by geographic diversification of the supply portfolio.
Due to the daily and seasonal variations in natural gas usage in Wisconsin, we have also contracted for substantial underground storage capacity, primarily in Michigan. We target storage inventory levels at approximately 40% of forecasted winter demand; November through March is considered the winter season. Storage capacity, along with our natural gas purchase contracts, enables us to manage significant changes in daily demand and to optimize our overall natural gas supply and capacity costs. We generally inject natural gas into storage during the spring and summer months when demand is lower and withdraw it in the winter months.
2017 Form 10-K | 10 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
As a result, we can contract for less long-line pipeline capacity during periods of peak usage than would otherwise be necessary and can purchase natural gas on a more uniform daily basis from suppliers year-round. Each of these capabilities enables us to reduce our overall costs.
We hold daily transportation and storage capacity entitlements with interstate pipeline companies as well as other service providers under varied-length long-term contracts.
To ensure a reliable supply of natural gas during peak winter conditions, we have liquefied natural gas and propane facilities located within our distribution system. These facilities are typically utilized during extreme demand conditions to ensure reliable supply to our customers.
In June 2017, our parent company completed the acquisition of Bluewater. Bluewater owns natural gas storage facilities in Michigan that will provide a portion of the current storage needs for our natural gas utility operations. We have entered into a long-term service agreement to take the allocated storage. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on this transaction.
Term Natural Gas Supply
We have contracts for firm supplies with terms of 3–5 months with suppliers for natural gas acquired in the Chicago, Illinois market hub and in the producing areas discussed above. The pricing of the term contracts is based upon first of the month indices.
Combined with our storage capability, management believes that the volume of natural gas under contract is sufficient to meet our forecasted firm peak-day and seasonal demand. Our forecasted design peak-day throughput is 10.2 million therms for the 2017 through 2018 heating season.
Secondary Market Transactions
Pipeline and storage capacity and natural gas supplies under contract can be resold in secondary markets. Local distribution companies, like our natural gas operations, must contract for capacity and supply sufficient to meet the firm peak-day demand of their customers. Peak or near-peak demand days generally occur only a few times each year. The secondary markets facilitate higher utilization of contracted capacity and supply during those times when the full contracted capacity and supply are not needed by the utility, helping to mitigate the fixed costs associated with maintaining peak levels of capacity and natural gas supply. Through pre-arranged agreements and day-to-day electronic bulletin board postings, interested parties can purchase this excess capacity and supply. The proceeds from these transactions are passed through to customers, subject to our approved GCRM. During 2017, we continued to participate in the secondary markets. For information on our GCRM, see Note 1(d), Revenues and Customer Receivables.
Spot Market Natural Gas Supply
We expect to continue to make natural gas purchases in the spot market as price and other circumstances dictate. We have supply relationships with a number of sellers from whom we purchase natural gas in the spot market.
Hedging Natural Gas Supply Prices
We have PSCW approval to hedge up to 60% of planned winter demand and up to 15% of planned summer demand using a mix of NYMEX-based natural gas options and futures contracts. This approval allows us to pass 100% of the hedging costs (premiums, brokerage fees and losses) and proceeds (gains) to customers through our GCRM. Hedge targets (volumes) are provided annually to the PSCW as part of our three-year natural gas supply plan and risk management filing.
To the extent that opportunities develop and physical supply operating plans are supportive, we also have PSCW approval to utilize NYMEX-based natural gas derivatives to capture favorable forward market price differentials. That approval provides for 100% of the related proceeds to accrue to our GCRM.
Seasonality
Since the majority of our customers use natural gas for heating, customer use is sensitive to weather and is generally higher during the winter months. Accordingly, we are subject to some variations in earnings and working capital throughout the year as a result of changes in weather.
2017 Form 10-K | 11 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Our working capital needs are met by cash generated from operations and debt (both long-term and short-term). The seasonality of natural gas revenues causes the timing of cash collections to be concentrated from January through June. A portion of our winter natural gas supply needs is typically purchased and stored from April through November. Also, planned capital spending on our natural gas distribution facilities is concentrated in April through November. Because of these timing differences, the cash flow from customers is typically supplemented with temporary increases in short-term borrowings (from external sources) during the late summer and fall. Short-term debt is typically reduced over the January through June period.
Competition
Competition in varying degrees exists between natural gas and other forms of energy available to consumers. A number of our large commercial and industrial customers are dual-fuel customers that are equipped to switch between natural gas and alternative fuels. We are allowed to offer lower-priced natural gas sales and transportation services to dual-fuel customers. Under natural gas transportation agreements, customers purchase natural gas directly from natural gas marketers and arrange with interstate pipelines and us to have the natural gas transported to their facilities. We earn substantially the same operating income whether we sell and transport natural gas to customers or only transport their natural gas.
Our ability to maintain our share of the industrial dual-fuel market depends on our success and the success of third-party natural gas marketers in obtaining long-term and short-term supplies of natural gas at competitive prices compared to other sources and in arranging or facilitating competitively priced transportation service for those customers that desire to buy their own natural gas supplies.
Federal and state regulators continue to implement policies to bring more competition to the natural gas industry. While the natural gas utility distribution function is expected to remain a highly regulated, monopoly function, the sale of the natural gas commodity and related services are expected to remain subject to competition from third parties for large commercial and industrial customers.
C. OTHER SEGMENT
Our other segment includes Bostco, our non-utility subsidiary that was originally formed to develop and invest in real estate. In March 2017, we sold the remaining real estate holdings of Bostco located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which included retail, office, and residential space. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information. Bostco no longer has significant operations.
Prior to January 1, 2017, our other segment also included our approximate 23% ownership interest in ATC, a for-profit, electric transmission company regulated by the FERC and certain state regulatory commissions. Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred our investment in ATC to another subsidiary of WEC Energy Group. See Note 16, Investment in American Transmission Company, for more information.
D. REGULATION
In addition to the specific regulations noted below, we are also subject to regulations, where applicable, of the EPA, the WDNR, the MDEQ, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Rates
Our rates are regulated by the various commissions shown in the table below. These commissions have general supervisory and regulatory powers over public utilities in their respective jurisdictions.
Regulated Rates | Regulatory Commission | |
Retail electric, natural gas, and steam | PSCW | |
Retail electric | MPSC * | |
Wholesale power | FERC | |
* | Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred all of our electric distribution assets and customers located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to UMERC, with the exception of the Tilden. See Note 4, Related Parties, and Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for more information. |
2017 Form 10-K | 12 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Embedded within our electric rates is an amount to recover fuel and purchased power costs. The Wisconsin retail fuel rules require us to defer, for subsequent rate recovery or refund, any under-collection or over-collection of fuel and purchased power costs that are outside of our symmetrical fuel cost tolerance, which the PSCW typically sets at plus or minus 2% of our approved fuel and purchased power cost plan. Our deferred fuel and purchased power costs are subject to an excess revenues test. If our ROE in a given year exceeds the ROE authorized by the PSCW, the recovery of under-collected fuel and purchased power costs would be reduced by the amount by which our return exceeds the authorized amount. Prudently incurred fuel and purchased power costs are recovered dollar-for-dollar from our Michigan retail electric customer and our wholesale electric customers.
Our natural gas utility operates under a GCRM as approved by the PSCW. Generally, the GCRM allows for a dollar-for-dollar recovery of prudently incurred natural gas costs.
In May 2015, the PSCW approved the acquisition of Integrys on the condition that we are subject to an earnings sharing mechanism for three years beginning January 1, 2016. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on this earnings sharing mechanism.
For information on how our rates are set, see Note 21, Regulatory Environment. Orders from our respective regulators can be viewed at the following websites:
Regulatory Commission | Website | |
PSCW | https://psc.wi.gov/ | |
MPSC | http://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/ | |
FERC | http://www.ferc.gov/ | |
The material and information contained on these websites are not intended to be a part of, nor are they incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following table compares our utility operating revenues by regulatory jurisdiction for each of the three years ended December 31:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Amount | Percent | Amount | Percent | Amount | Percent | |||||||||||||||
Electric | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wisconsin | $ | 2,901.2 | 87.0 | % | $ | 2,973.3 | 86.4 | % | $ | 2,961.9 | 85.7 | % | |||||||||
Michigan * | 78.2 | 2.3 | % | 154.2 | 4.5 | % | 163.0 | 4.7 | % | ||||||||||||
FERC – Wholesale * | 356.8 | 10.7 | % | 313.1 | 9.1 | % | 329.5 | 9.6 | % | ||||||||||||
Total | 3,336.2 | 100.0 | % | 3,440.6 | 100.0 | % | 3,454.4 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Natural Gas – Wisconsin | 375.5 | 100.0 | % | 352.2 | 100.0 | % | 399.7 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Total utility operating revenues | $ | 3,711.7 | $ | 3,792.8 | $ | 3,854.1 | |||||||||||||||
* | Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred all of our electric distribution assets and customers located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to UMERC, with the exception of Tilden. UMERC currently purchases a portion of its power from us. The revenues received from UMERC are primarily included in the FERC - Wholesale line above. See Note 4, Related Parties, and Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for additional information on UMERC. |
Electric Transmission, Capacity, and Energy Markets
In connection with its status as a FERC approved RTO, MISO developed bid-based energy markets, which were implemented on April 1, 2005. In January 2009, MISO enhanced the energy market by including an ancillary services market. In the MISO ancillary services market, we buy/sell regulation and contingency reserves from/to the market. The MISO ancillary services market has been able to reduce overall ancillary services costs in the MISO footprint, and has enabled MISO to assume significant balancing area responsibilities such as frequency control and disturbance control.
In MISO, base transmission costs are currently being paid by load-serving entities located in the service territories of each MISO transmission owner. The FERC has previously confirmed the use of the current transmission cost allocation methodology. Certain additional costs for new transmission projects are allocated throughout the MISO footprint.
2017 Form 10-K | 13 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
As part of MISO, a market-based platform was developed for valuing transmission congestion premised upon the LMP system that has been implemented in certain northeastern and mid-Atlantic states. The LMP system includes the ability to hedge transmission congestion costs through ARRs and FTRs. ARRs are allocated to market participants by MISO, and FTRs are purchased through auctions. A new allocation and auction were completed for the period of June 1, 2017, through May 31, 2018. The resulting ARR valuation and the secured FTRs are expected to mitigate our transmission congestion risk for that period.
MISO has instituted an annual zonal resource adequacy requirement to ensure there is sufficient generation capacity to serve the MISO market. To meet this requirement, capacity resources can be acquired through MISO's annual capacity auction, bilateral contracts for capacity, or provided from generating or demand response resources. Our capacity requirements during the 2017 planning year were fulfilled using our own capacity resources.
Other Electric Regulations
We are subject to the Federal Power Act and the corresponding regulations developed by certain federal agencies. The Energy Policy Act amended the Federal Power Act in 2005 to, among other things, make electric utility industry consolidation more feasible, authorize the FERC to review proposed mergers and the acquisition of generation facilities, change the FERC regulatory scheme applicable to qualifying cogeneration facilities, and modify certain other aspects of energy regulations and Federal tax policies applicable to us. Additionally, the Energy Policy Act created an Electric Reliability Organization to be overseen by the FERC, which established mandatory electric reliability standards and which has the authority to levy monetary sanctions for failure to comply with these standards.
We are subject to Act 141 in Wisconsin and Public Acts 295 and 342 in Michigan, which contain certain minimum requirements for renewable energy generation. See Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information.
All of our hydroelectric facilities follow FERC guidelines and/or regulations.
Other Natural Gas Regulations
Almost all of the natural gas we distribute is transported to our distribution systems by interstate pipelines. The pipelines' transportation and storage services are regulated by the FERC under the Natural Gas Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978. In addition, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the PSCW are responsible for monitoring and enforcing requirements governing our natural gas safety compliance programs for our pipelines under United States Department of Transportation regulations. These regulations include 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 191 (Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline; Annual Reports, Incident Reports, and Safety-Related Condition Reports), 49 CFR Part 192 (Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards), and 49 CFR Part 195 (Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline).
We are required to provide natural gas service and grant credit (with applicable deposit requirements) to customers within our service territory. We are generally not allowed to discontinue natural gas service during winter moratorium months to residential heating customers who do not pay their bills. Federal and certain state governments have programs that provide for a limited amount of funding for assistance to our low-income customers.
E. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
Our operations are subject to extensive environmental regulation by state and federal environmental agencies governing air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste management, environmental remediation, and management of natural resources. Costs associated with complying with these requirements are significant. Additional future environmental regulations or revisions to existing laws, including for example, additional regulation of GHG emissions, coal combustion products, air emissions, or wastewater discharges, could significantly increase these environmental compliance costs.
Anticipated expenditures for environmental compliance and remediation issues for the next three years are included in the estimated capital expenditures described in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Capital Requirements. For a discussion of matters related to manufactured gas plant sites and air and water quality, see Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies.
2017 Form 10-K | 14 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
F. EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2017, we had 2,945 employees.
As of December 31, 2017, we had employees represented under labor agreements with the following bargaining units:
Number of Employees | Expiration Date of Current Labor Agreement | ||||
Local 2150 of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, AFL-CIO | 1,627 | August 15, 2020 | |||
Local 420 of International Union of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO | 443 | September 30, 2021 | |||
Local 2006 Unit 1 of United Steel Workers of America, AFL-CIO | 124 | October 31, 2021 | |||
Local 510 of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, AFL-CIO | 89 | October 31, 2020 | |||
Total | 2,283 | ||||
2017 Form 10-K | 15 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
We are subject to a variety of risks, many of which are beyond our control, that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, as well as the other information included in this report and other documents filed by us with the SEC from time to time, when making an investment decision.
Risks Related to Legislation and Regulation
Our business is significantly impacted by governmental regulation.
We are subject to significant state, local, and federal governmental regulation, including regulation by the PSCW, MPSC, and the FERC. These regulations significantly influence our operating environment, may affect our ability to recover costs from utility customers, and cause us to incur substantial compliance costs. Changes in regulations, interpretations of regulations, or the imposition of new regulations could also significantly impact us, including requiring us to change our business operations. Many aspects of our operations are regulated and impacted by government regulation, including, but not limited to: the rates we charge our retail electric, natural gas, and steam customers; our authorized rates of return; construction and operation of electric generating facilities and electric and natural gas distribution systems and the ability to recover such costs; decommissioning generating facilities and the ability to recover the related costs and continuing to recover the return on the carrying value of these facilities; wholesale power service practices; electric reliability requirements and accounting; participation in the interstate natural gas pipeline capacity market; standards of service; issuance of securities; short-term debt obligations; transactions with affiliates; and billing practices. Failure to comply with any applicable rules or regulations may lead to customer refunds, penalties, and other payments, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The rates we are allowed to charge our customers for retail and wholesale services have the most significant impact on our financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity. Rate regulation provides us an opportunity to recover prudently incurred costs and earn a reasonable rate of return on invested capital. However, our ability to obtain rate adjustments in the future is dependent on regulatory action, and there is no assurance that our regulators will consider all of our costs to have been prudently incurred. In addition, our rate proceedings may not always result in rates that fully recover our costs or provide for a reasonable ROE. We defer certain costs and revenues as regulatory assets and liabilities for future recovery or refund to customers, as authorized by our regulators. Future recovery of regulatory assets is not assured, and is subject to review and approval by our regulators. If recovery of regulatory assets is not approved or is no longer deemed probable, these costs would be recognized in current period expense and could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
We believe we have obtained the necessary permits, approvals, authorizations, certificates, and licenses for our existing operations, have complied with all of their associated terms, and that our business is conducted in accordance with applicable laws. These permits, approvals, authorizations, certificates, and licenses may be revoked or modified by the agencies that granted them if facts develop that differ significantly from the facts assumed when they were issued. In addition, discharge permits and other approvals and licenses are often granted for a term that is less than the expected life of the associated facility. Licenses and permits may require periodic renewal, which may result in additional requirements being imposed by the granting agency. In addition, existing regulations may be revised or reinterpreted by federal, state, and local agencies, or these agencies may adopt new laws and regulations that apply to us. We cannot predict the impact on our business and operating results of any such actions by these agencies.
If we are unable to recover costs of complying with regulations or other associated costs in customer rates in a timely manner, or if we are unable to obtain, renew, or comply with these governmental permits, approvals, authorizations, certificates, or licenses, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
We face significant costs to comply with existing and future environmental laws and regulations.
Our operations are subject to numerous federal and state environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations govern, among other things, air emissions (including CO2, methane, mercury, SO2, and NOx), water quality, wastewater discharges, and management of hazardous, toxic, and solid wastes and substances. We incur significant costs to comply with these environmental requirements, including costs associated with the installation of pollution control equipment, environmental monitoring, emissions fees, and permits at our facilities. In addition, if we fail to comply with environmental laws and regulations, even if caused by factors beyond our control, that failure may result in the assessment of civil or criminal penalties and fines.
2017 Form 10-K | 16 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
The EPA adopted and implemented (or is in the process of implementing) regulations governing the emission of NOx, SO2, fine particulate matter, mercury, and other air pollutants under the Clean Air Act through the NAAQS, the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule, the CPP, the CSAPR, and other air quality regulations. In addition, the EPA finalized regulations under the Clean Water Act that govern cooling water intake structures at our power plants and revised the effluent guidelines for steam electric generating plants. The EPA and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) have also adopted a final rule that would expand traditional federal jurisdiction over navigable waters and related wetlands for permitting and other regulatory matters; however, this rule has been stayed, and the EPA and the Army Corps have proposed rescinding it. We continue to assess the potential cost of complying, and to explore different alternatives in order to comply, with these and other environmental regulations. In addition, as a result of the new Federal Executive Administration taking office in January 2017 and the actions it has taken to date, as well as other factors, there is uncertainty as to what capital expenditures or additional costs may ultimately be required to comply with existing and future environmental laws and regulations.
Existing environmental laws and regulations may be revised or new laws or regulations may be adopted at the federal or state level that could result in significant additional expenditures for our generation units or distribution systems, including, without limitation, costs to further limit GHG emissions from our operations; operating restrictions on our facilities; and increased compliance costs. In addition, the operation of emission control equipment and compliance with rules regulating our intake and discharge of water could increase our operating costs and reduce the generating capacity of our power plants. Any such regulation may also create substantial additional costs in the form of taxes or emission allowances and could affect the availability and/or cost of fossil fuels.
As a result, certain of our coal-fired electric generating facilities may become uneconomical to maintain and operate, which could result in some of these units being retired or converted to an alternative type of fuel. For example, we expect to retire 1,547 MW of coal generation by 2020, including Pleasant Prairie power plant and PIPP. If other generation facility owners in the Midwest retire a significant number of older coal-fired generation facilities, a potential reduction in the region's capacity reserve margin below acceptable risk levels may result. This could impair the reliability of the grid in the Midwest, particularly during peak demand periods. A reduction in available future capacity could also adversely affect our ability to serve our customers' needs.
We are also subject to significant liabilities related to the investigation and remediation of environmental impacts at certain of our current and former facilities and at third-party owned sites. We accrue liabilities and defer costs (recorded as regulatory assets) incurred in connection with our former manufactured gas plant sites. These costs include all costs incurred to date that we expect to recover, management's best estimates of future costs for investigation and remediation, related legal expenses, and are net of amounts recovered by or that may be recovered from insurance or other third parties. Due to the potential for imposition of stricter standards and greater regulation in the future, the possibility that other potentially responsible parties may not be financially able to contribute to cleanup costs, a change in conditions or discovery of additional contamination, our remediation costs could increase, and the timing of our capital and/or operating expenditures in the future may accelerate or could vary from the amounts currently accrued.
In the event we are not able to recover all of our environmental expenditures and related costs from our customers in the future, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. Further, increased costs recovered through rates could contribute to reduced demand for electricity, which could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
Litigation over environmental issues and claims of various types, including property damage, personal injury, common law nuisance, and citizen enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, has increased generally throughout the United States. In particular, personal injury, property damage, and other claims for damages alleged to have been caused by environmental impacts and alleged exposure to hazardous materials have become more frequent. In addition to claims relating to our current facilities, we may also be subject to potential liability in connection with the environmental condition of facilities that we previously owned and operated, regardless of whether the liabilities arose before, during, or after the time we owned or operated these facilities. If we fail to comply with environmental laws and regulations or cause (or caused) harm to the environment or persons, that failure or harm may result in the assessment of civil penalties and damages against us. The incurrence of a material environmental liability or a material judgment in any action for personal injury or property damage related to environmental matters could have a significant adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
We may face significant costs to comply with the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.
Federal, state, regional, and international authorities have undertaken efforts to limit GHG emissions. In 2015, the EPA issued a final rule regulating GHG emissions from existing generating units, referred to as the CPP, a proposed federal plan and model trading rules as alternatives or guides to state compliance plans, and final performance standards for modified and reconstructed generating units
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and new fossil-fueled power plants. With the January 2017 change in the Federal Executive Administration, the legal and regulatory future of federal GHG regulations, including the CPP, faces increased uncertainty. We are continuing to analyze the GHG emission profile of our electric generation resources and to work with other stakeholders to determine the potential impacts to our operations of the CPP, any successor rule, and federal GHG regulations in general.
In October 2015, numerous states (including Wisconsin and Michigan) and other parties, filed lawsuits challenging the final rule, including a request to stay the implementation of the final rule pending the outcome of these legal challenges. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the stay request, but in February 2016, the Supreme Court stayed the effectiveness of the CPP until disposition of the litigation in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and to the extent that further appellate review is sought, at the Supreme Court. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals heard one case in September 2016, and the other case is still pending. In April 2017, pursuant to motions made by the EPA, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the cases to be held in abeyance. Supplemental briefs were provided addressing whether the cases should be remanded to the EPA rather than held in abeyance. The EPA argued that the cases should continue to be held in abeyance pending the conclusion of the EPA's review of the CPP and any resulting rulemaking.
In March 2017, President Trump issued an executive order that, among other things, specifically directs the EPA to review, and if appropriate, initiate proceedings to suspend, revise, or rescind the CPP and related GHG regulations for new, reconstructed, or modified fossil-fueled power plants. As a result of this order and related EPA review, as well as the ongoing legal proceedings, the timelines for the GHG emission reduction goals and all other aspects of the CPP are uncertain. In April 2017, the EPA withdrew the proposed rule for a federal plan and model trading rules that were published in October 2015 for use in developing state plans to implement the CPP or for use in states where a plan is not submitted or approved. In October 2017, the EPA issued a proposed rulemaking to repeal the CPP. In December 2017, the EPA issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit input on whether it is appropriate to replace the CPP. In addition, the Governor of Wisconsin issued an executive order in February 2016, which prohibits state agencies, departments, boards, commissions, or other state entities from developing or promoting the development of a state plan to implement the CPP.
There is no guarantee that we will be allowed to fully recover costs incurred to comply with the CPP or other federal regulations, or that cost recovery will not be delayed or otherwise conditioned. The CPP and any other related regulations that may be adopted in the future, at either the federal or state level, may cause our environmental compliance spending to differ materially from the amounts currently estimated. In December 2016, Michigan enacted Act 342, which retains the 10% renewable energy portfolio requirement for years 2016 through 2018, increases the requirement to 12.5% for years 2019 through 2020, and increases the requirement to 15.0% for 2021. These regulations, as well as changes in the fuel markets and advances in technology, could make some of our electric generating units uneconomic to maintain or operate, may impact how we operate our existing fossil-fueled power plants and biomass facility, and could affect unit retirement and replacement decisions in the future. These regulations could also adversely affect our future results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
In addition, our natural gas delivery systems may generate fugitive gas as a result of normal operations and as a result of excavation, construction, and repair. Fugitive gas typically vents to the atmosphere and consists primarily of methane. CO2 is also a byproduct of natural gas consumption. As a result, future regulation of GHG emissions could increase the price of natural gas, restrict the use of natural gas, and adversely affect our ability to operate our natural gas facilities. A significant increase in the price of natural gas may increase rates for our natural gas customers, which could reduce natural gas demand.
We also continue to monitor efforts by investors and other stakeholders to increase pressure on us and others to take more aggressive action to reduce future GHG emissions in order to limit future global temperature increases to less than two degrees Celsius. These efforts could impact how we operate our electric generating units and natural gas facilities and lead to increased competition and regulation, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
Recent changes in federal income tax policy may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows, as well as our credit ratings.
Recently enacted United States federal income tax legislation significantly changed the United States Internal Revenue Code, including taxation of United States corporations, by, among other things, reducing the federal corporate income tax rate, limiting interest deductions, and altering the expensing of capital expenditures. The Tax Legislation is unclear in certain respects and will require interpretations and implementing regulations by the Treasury Department and the IRS, as well as state income tax authorities, and the Tax Legislation could be subject to potential amendments and technical corrections, any of which could lessen or increase certain adverse impacts of the Tax Legislation. In addition, the regulatory treatment of the impacts of the Tax Legislation will be subject to the discretion of the FERC and state public utility commissions. State and local taxing authorities are in the early stages
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of evaluating the impact of federal income tax reform, and any changes on the state or local level could lessen or increase the impacts of the Tax Legislation.
Although it is unclear when or how capital markets, credit rating agencies, the FERC, or state public utility commissions may ultimately respond to the Tax Legislation, we do expect that certain financial metrics used by credit rating agencies, such as our funds from operations-to-debt percentage, could be negatively impacted as a result of certain limitations on tax deductions. It is uncertain how credit rating agencies will treat the impacts of the Tax Legislation on their credit ratings and metrics, and whether additional opportunities will evolve for companies to manage the adverse aspects of the Tax Legislation, including the impacts on certain credit metrics.
In addition, the FERC and state public utility commissions have started to engage with us to determine how any tax savings will be returned to customers. We expect that we will return the tax benefits to our customers through refunds, bill credits, or reductions in regulatory assets. The amount of tax benefits to be returned to customers will ultimately be determined by our regulators. If the amounts our regulators order us to return to customers exceeds the actual amount of tax savings realized, or our regulators require the tax savings to be applied in a manner other than we had expected, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flow.
While our analysis and interpretation of the Tax Legislation is preliminary and ongoing, based on our current evaluation, we do not expect the limitations on interest deductions to materially adversely affect our earnings. Any amendments to the Tax Legislation or interpretations or implementing regulations by the Treasury Department and/or the IRS contrary to our interpretation of the Tax Legislation could limit our ability to deduct the interest on some of our outstanding debt.
There may be other material adverse effects resulting from the Tax Legislation that we have not yet identified. If we are unable to successfully take actions to manage any adverse impacts of the Tax Legislation, or if additional interpretations, regulations, amendments or technical corrections exacerbate the adverse impacts of the Tax Legislation, the Tax Legislation could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and on the value of investments in our debt securities, and could result in credit rating agencies placing our credit ratings on negative outlook or downgrading our credit ratings. Any such actions by credit rating agencies may make it more difficult and costly for us to issue future debt securities and certain other types of financing and could increase borrowing costs under our credit facility.
Failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material effect on our results of operations.
We are subject to reporting, disclosure control, and other obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). SOX contains provisions requiring our management to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. We have undertaken, or will undertake, a variety of initiatives to integrate, standardize, centralize, and streamline our operations with technology, including, but not limited to, an enterprise resource planning system and a customer information and billing system. There is a risk that we will not be able to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective because of the discovery of material weaknesses, with either our current controls and processes or with the implementation of new controls and processes around these new technologies. Any failure to maintain effective internal controls could cause investors to lose confidence in the accuracy or completeness of our financial reports, restrict our access to the capital markets, or subject us to investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
We could be subject to higher costs and penalties as a result of mandatory reliability standards.
We are subject to mandatory reliability and critical infrastructure protection standards established by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and enforced by the FERC. The critical infrastructure protection standards focus on controlling access to critical physical and cyber security assets. Compliance with the mandatory reliability standards could subject us to higher operating costs. If we were ever found to be in noncompliance with the mandatory reliability standards, we could be subject to sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties.
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Risks Related to the Operation of Our Business
Our operations are subject to risks arising from the reliability of our electric generation, transmission, and distribution facilities, natural gas infrastructure facilities, and other facilities, as well as the reliability of third-party transmission providers.
Our financial performance depends on the successful operation of our electric generation and natural gas and electric distribution facilities. The operation of these facilities involves many risks, including operator error and the breakdown or failure of equipment or processes. Potential breakdown or failure may occur due to severe weather; catastrophic events (i.e., fires, earthquakes, explosions, tornadoes, floods, droughts, pandemic health events, etc.); significant changes in water levels in waterways; fuel supply or transportation disruptions; accidents; employee labor disputes; construction delays or cost overruns; shortages of or delays in obtaining equipment, material, and/or labor; performance below expected levels; operating limitations that may be imposed by environmental or other regulatory requirements; terrorist attacks; or cyber security intrusions. Any of these events could lead to substantial financial losses.
Because our electric generation facilities are interconnected with third-party transmission facilities, the operation of our facilities could also be adversely affected by events impacting their systems. Unplanned outages at our power plants may reduce our revenues or cause us to incur significant costs if we are required to operate our higher cost electric generators or purchase replacement power to satisfy our obligations, and could result in additional maintenance expenses.
Insurance, warranties, performance guarantees, or recovery through the regulatory process may not cover any or all of these lost revenues or increased expenses, which could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.
Our operations are subject to various conditions that can result in fluctuations in energy sales to customers, including customer growth and general economic conditions in our service areas, varying weather conditions, and energy conservation efforts.
Our results of operations and cash flows are affected by the demand for electricity and natural gas, which can vary greatly based upon:
• | Fluctuations in customer growth and general economic conditions in our service areas. Customer growth and energy use can be negatively impacted by population declines as well as economic factors in our service territories, including job losses, decreases in income, and business closings. We are impacted by economic cycles and the competitiveness of the commercial and industrial customers we serve. Any economic downturn or disruption of financial markets could adversely affect the financial condition of our customers and demand for their products. These risks could directly influence the demand for electricity and natural gas as well as the need for additional power generation and generating facilities. We could also be exposed to greater risks of accounts receivable write-offs if customers are unable to pay their bills. |
• | Weather conditions. Demand for electricity is greater in the summer and winter months associated with cooling and heating. In addition, demand for natural gas peaks in the winter heating season. As a result, our overall results may fluctuate substantially on a seasonal basis. In addition, milder temperatures during the summer cooling season and during the winter heating season may result in lower revenues and net income. |
• | Our customers' continued focus on energy conservation and ability to meet their own energy needs. Our customers' use of electricity and natural gas has decreased as a result of continued individual conservation efforts, including the use of more energy efficient technologies. Customers could also voluntarily reduce their consumption of energy in response to decreases in their disposable income and increases in energy prices. Conservation of energy can be influenced by certain federal and state programs that are intended to influence how consumers use energy. For example, several states, including Wisconsin and Michigan, have adopted energy efficiency targets to reduce energy consumption by certain dates. |
As part of our planning process, we estimate the impacts of changes in customer growth and general economic conditions, weather, and customer energy conservation efforts, but risks still remain. Any of these matters, as well as any regulatory delay in adjusting rates as a result of reduced sales from effective conservation measures or the adoption of new technologies, could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
We are actively involved with several significant capital projects, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect project costs and completion of construction projects.
Our business requires substantial capital expenditures for investments in, among other things, capital improvements to our electric generating facilities, electric and natural gas distribution infrastructure, and other projects, including projects for environmental compliance. Achieving the intended benefits of any large construction project is subject to many uncertainties, some of which we will
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have limited or no control over, that could adversely affect project costs and completion time. These risks include, but are not limited to, the ability to adhere to established budgets and time frames; the availability of labor or materials at estimated costs; the ability of contractors to perform under their contracts; strikes; adverse weather conditions; potential legal challenges; changes in applicable laws or regulations; other governmental actions; continued public and policymaker support for such projects; and events in the global economy. In addition, certain of these projects require the approval of our regulators. If construction of commission-approved projects should materially and adversely deviate from the schedules, estimates, and projections on which the approval was based, our regulators may deem the additional capital costs as imprudent and disallow recovery of them through rates. To the extent that delays occur, costs become unrecoverable, or we otherwise become unable to effectively manage and complete our capital projects, our results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition may be adversely affected.
Advances in technology could make our electric generating facilities less competitive.
Research and development activities are ongoing for new technologies that produce power or reduce power consumption. These technologies include renewable energy, customer-oriented generation, energy storage, and energy efficiency. We generate power at central station power plants to achieve economies of scale and produce power at a competitive cost. There are distributed generation technologies that produce power, including fuel cells, microturbines, wind turbines, and solar cells, which have become more cost competitive. It is possible that legislation or regulations could be adopted supporting the use of these technologies. There is also a risk that advances in technology will continue to reduce the costs of these alternative methods of producing power to a level that is competitive with that of central station power production. If these technologies become cost competitive and achieve economies of scale, our market share could be eroded, and the value of our generating facilities could be reduced. Advances in technology could also change the channels through which our electric customers purchase or use power, which could reduce our sales and revenues or increase our expenses.
Our operations are subject to risks beyond our control, including but not limited to, cyber security intrusions, terrorist attacks, acts of war, or unauthorized access to personally identifiable information.
We face on-going threats to our assets and technology systems. Despite the implementation of strong security measures, all assets and systems are potentially vulnerable to disability, failures, or unauthorized access due to human error, terrorist attacks, and physical or cyber security intrusions. These threats against our generation facilities, electric and natural gas distribution infrastructure, our information and technology systems, and network infrastructure, including that of third parties on which we rely, could result in a full or partial disruption of our ability to generate, transmit, purchase, or distribute electricity or natural gas or cause environmental repercussions. If our assets or systems were to fail, be physically damaged, or be breached, and were not recovered in a timely manner, we may be unable to perform critical business functions, and sensitive and other data could be compromised.
We operate in an industry that requires the use of sophisticated information technology systems and network infrastructure, which control an interconnected system of generation, distribution, and transmission systems shared with third parties. A successful physical or cyber security intrusion may occur despite our security measures or those that we require our vendors to take, which include compliance with reliability standards and critical infrastructure protection standards. Successful cyber security intrusions, including those targeting the electronic control systems used at our generating facilities and electric and natural gas transmission and distribution systems, could disrupt our operations and result in loss of service to customers. These intrusions may cause unplanned outages at our power plants, which may reduce our revenues or cause us to incur significant costs if we are required to operate our higher cost electric generators or purchase replacement power to satisfy our obligations, and could result in additional maintenance expenses. The risk of such intrusions may also increase our capital and operating costs as a result of having to implement increased security measures for protection of our information technology and infrastructure.
Our continued efforts to integrate, consolidate, and streamline our operations have also resulted in increased reliance on current and recently completed projects for technology systems, including an enterprise resource planning system, a customer information and billing system, automated meter reading systems, and other similar technological tools and initiatives. We implement procedures to protect our systems, but we cannot guarantee that the procedures we have implemented to protect against unauthorized access to secured data and systems are adequate to safeguard against all security breaches. The failure of any of these or other similarly important technologies, or our inability to support, update, expand, and/or integrate these technologies with those of our affiliates could materially and adversely impact our operations, diminish customer confidence and our reputation, materially increase the costs we incur to protect against these risks, and subject us to possible financial liability or increased regulation or litigation.
Our business requires the collection and retention of personally identifiable information of our customers and employees, who expect that we will adequately protect such information. Security breaches may expose us to a risk of loss or misuse of confidential and proprietary information. A significant theft, loss, or fraudulent use of personally identifiable information may lead to potentially
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large costs to notify and protect the impacted persons, and/or could cause us to become subject to significant litigation, costs, liability, fines, or penalties, any of which could materially and adversely impact our results of operations as well as our reputation with customers and regulators, among others. In addition, we may be required to incur significant costs associated with governmental actions in response to such intrusions or to strengthen our information and electronic control systems. We may also need to obtain additional insurance coverage related to the threat of such intrusions.
Any operational disruption or environmental repercussions caused by these on-going threats to our assets and technology systems could result in a significant decrease in our revenues or significant reconstruction or remediation costs, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. The costs of repairing damage to our facilities, operational disruptions, protecting personally identifiable information, and notifying impacted persons, as well as related legal claims, may also not be recoverable in rates, may exceed the insurance limits on our insurance policies, or, in some cases, may not be covered by insurance.
Transporting and distributing natural gas involves numerous risks that may result in accidents and other operating risks and costs.
Inherent in natural gas distribution activities are a variety of hazards and operational risks, such as leaks, accidental explosions, including third party damages, and mechanical problems, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. In addition, these risks could result in serious injury to employees and non-employees, loss of human life, significant damage to property, environmental pollution, impairment of operations, and substantial losses to us. The location of natural gas pipelines near populated areas, including residential areas, commercial business centers, and industrial sites, could increase the level of damages resulting from these risks. These activities may subject us to litigation or administrative proceedings from time to time, which could result in substantial monetary judgments, fines, or penalties against us, or be resolved on unfavorable terms.
We may fail to attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce.
We operate in an industry that requires many of our employees to possess unique technical skill sets. Events such as an aging workforce without appropriate replacements, the mismatch of skill sets to future needs, or the unavailability of contract resources may lead to operating challenges or increased costs. These operating challenges include lack of resources, loss of knowledge, and a lengthy time period associated with skill development. In addition, current and prospective employees may determine that they do not wish to work for us. Failure to hire and obtain replacement employees, including the ability to transfer significant internal historical knowledge and expertise to the new employees, may adversely affect our ability to manage and operate our business. If we are unable to successfully attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce, our results of operations could be adversely affected.
Failure of our counterparties to meet their obligations, including obligations under power purchase agreements, could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.
We are exposed to the risk that counterparties to various arrangements who owe us money, electricity, natural gas, or other commodities or services will not be able to perform their obligations. Should the counterparties to these arrangements fail to perform, we may be required to replace the underlying commitment at current market prices or we may be unable to meet all of our customers' electric and natural gas requirements unless or until alternative supply arrangements are put in place. In such event, we may incur losses, and our results of operations, financial position, or liquidity could be adversely affected.
We have entered into several power purchase agreements with non-affiliated companies, and continue to look for additional opportunities to enter into these agreements. Revenues are dependent on the continued performance by the purchasers of their obligations under the power purchase agreements. Although we have a comprehensive credit evaluation process and contractual protections, it is possible that one or more purchasers could fail to perform their obligations under the power purchase agreements. If this were to occur, we would expect that any operating and other costs that were initially allocated to a defaulting customer's power purchase agreement would be reallocated among our retail customers. To the extent there is any regulatory delay in adjusting rates, a customer default under a power purchase agreement could have a negative impact on our results of operations and cash flows.
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Risks Related to Economic and Market Volatility
Our business is dependent on our ability to successfully access capital markets.
We rely on access to credit and capital markets to support our capital requirements, including expenditures for our utility infrastructure and to comply with future regulatory requirements, to the extent not satisfied by the cash flow generated by our operations. We have historically secured funds from a variety of sources, including the issuance of short-term and long-term debt securities. Successful implementation of our long-term business strategies, including capital investment, is dependent upon our ability to access the capital markets, including the banking and commercial paper markets, on competitive terms and rates. In addition, we rely on a committed bank credit agreement as back-up liquidity, which allows us to access the low cost commercial paper markets.
Our access to the credit and capital markets could be limited, or our cost of capital significantly increased, due to any of the following risks and uncertainties:
• | A rating downgrade; |
• | An economic downturn or uncertainty; |
• | Prevailing market conditions and rules; |
• | Concerns over foreign economic conditions; |
• | Changes in tax policy; |
• | War or the threat of war; and |
• | The overall health and view of the utility and financial institution industries. |
If any of these risks or uncertainties limit our access to the credit and capital markets or significantly increase our cost of capital, it could limit our ability to implement, or increase the costs of implementing, our business plan, which, in turn, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
A downgrade in our credit ratings could negatively affect our ability to access capital at reasonable costs and/or require the posting of collateral.
There are a number of factors that impact our credit ratings, including, but not limited to, capital structure, regulatory environment, the ability to cover liquidity requirements, and other requirements for capital. We could experience a downgrade in our ratings if the rating agencies determine that the level of business or financial risk of us or the utility industry has deteriorated. Changes in rating methodologies by the rating agencies could also have a negative impact on credit ratings.
Any downgrade by the rating agencies could:
• | Increase borrowing costs under our existing credit facility; |
• | Require the payment of higher interest rates in future financings and possibly reduce the pool of creditors; |
• | Decrease funding sources by limiting our access to the commercial paper market; |
• | Limit the availability of adequate credit support for our operations; and |
• | Trigger collateral requirements in various contracts. |
See the risk factor titled "Recent changes in federal income tax policy may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows, as well as our credit ratings" above for information about how the Tax Legislation could impact our credit ratings.
Fluctuating commodity prices could negatively impact our electric and natural gas utility operations.
Our operating and liquidity requirements are impacted by changes in the forward and current market prices of natural gas, coal, electricity, renewable energy credits, and ancillary services.
We burn natural gas in several of our electric generation plants, and as a supplemental fuel at several coal-fired plants. In many instances the cost of purchased power is tied to the cost of natural gas. The cost of natural gas may increase because of disruptions in the supply of natural gas due to a curtailment in production or distribution, international market conditions, the demand for natural gas, and the availability of shale gas and potential regulations affecting its accessibility.
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For Wisconsin retail electric customers, we bear the risk for the recovery of fuel and purchased power costs within a symmetrical 2% fuel tolerance band compared to the forecast of fuel and purchased power costs established in our rate structure. Prudently incurred fuel and purchased power costs are recovered dollar-for-dollar from our wholesale electric customers. We receive dollar-for-dollar recovery of prudently incurred natural gas costs from our natural gas customers.
Changes in commodity prices could result in:
• | Higher working capital requirements, particularly related to natural gas inventory, accounts receivable, and cash collateral postings; |
• | Reduced profitability to the extent that lower revenues, increased bad debt, and interest expense are not recovered through rates; |
• | Higher rates charged to our customers, which could impact our competitive position; |
• | Reduced demand for energy, which could impact revenues and operating expenses; and |
• | Shutting down of generation facilities if the cost of generation exceeds the market price for electricity. |
We may not be able to obtain an adequate supply of coal, which could limit our ability to operate our coal-fired facilities.
We own and operate several coal-fired electric generating units. Although we generally carry sufficient coal inventory at our generating facilities to protect against an interruption or decline in supply, there can be no assurance that the inventory levels will be adequate. While we have coal supply and transportation contracts in place, we cannot assure that the counterparties to these agreements will be able to fulfill their obligations to supply coal to us or that we will be able to take delivery of all the coal volume contracted for. The suppliers under these agreements may experience financial or operational problems that inhibit their ability to fulfill their obligations to us, or we may experience operational problems or constraints that prevent us from taking delivery. In addition, suppliers under these agreements may not be required to supply coal to us under certain circumstances, such as in the event of a natural disaster. Furthermore, demand for coal can impact its availability and cost. If we are unable to obtain our coal requirements under our coal supply and transportation contracts, we may be required to purchase coal at higher prices or we may be forced to reduce generation at our coal-fired units, which could lead to increased fuel costs. The increase in fuel costs could result from either reduced margins on net sales into the MISO Energy Markets, a reduction in the volume of net sales into the MISO Energy Markets, and/or an increase in net power purchases in the MISO Energy Markets. There is no guarantee that we would be able to fully recover any increased costs in rates or that recovery would not otherwise be delayed, either of which could adversely affect our cash flows.
The use of derivative contracts could result in financial losses.
We use derivative instruments such as swaps, options, futures, and forwards to manage commodity price exposure. We could recognize financial losses as a result of volatility in the market value of these contracts or if a counterparty fails to perform. These risks are managed through risk management policies, which might not work as planned and cannot entirely eliminate the risks associated with these activities. In addition, although our hedging programs must be approved by the PSCW, derivative contracts entered into for hedging purposes might not offset the underlying exposure being hedged as expected, resulting in financial losses. In the absence of actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources, the value of these financial instruments can involve management's judgment or use of estimates. Changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these contracts.
Restructuring in the regulated energy industry and competition in the retail and wholesale markets could have a negative impact on our business and revenues.
The regulated energy industry continues to experience significant structural changes. Increased competition in the retail and wholesale markets, which may result from restructuring efforts, could have a significant adverse financial impact on us.
The FERC continues to support the existing RTOs that affect the structure of the wholesale market within these RTOs. In connection with its status as a FERC approved RTO, MISO implemented bid-based energy markets that are part of the MISO Energy Markets. All market participants, including us, must submit day-ahead and/or real-time bids and offers for energy at locations across the MISO region. MISO then calculates the most efficient solution for all of the bids and offers made into the market that day and establishes an LMP that reflects the market price for energy. We are required to follow MISO's instructions when dispatching generating units to support MISO's responsibility for maintaining the stability of the transmission system. MISO also implemented an ancillary services market for operating reserves that schedules energy and ancillary services at the same time as part of the energy market, allowing for more efficient use of generation assets in the MISO Energy Markets. These market designs continue to have the potential to
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increase the costs of transmission, the costs associated with inefficient generation dispatching, the costs of participation in the MISO Energy Markets, and the costs associated with estimated payment settlements.
The FERC rules related to transmission are designed to facilitate competition in the wholesale electricity markets among regulated utilities, non-utility generators, wholesale power marketers, and brokers by providing greater flexibility and more choices to wholesale customers, including initiatives designed to encourage the integration of renewable sources of supply. In addition, along with transactions contemplating physical delivery of energy, financial laws and regulations impact hedging and trading based on futures contracts and derivatives that are traded on various commodities exchanges, as well as over-the-counter. Technology changes in the power and fuel industries also have significant impacts on wholesale transactions and related costs. We currently cannot predict the impact of these and other developments or the effect of changes in levels of wholesale supply and demand, which are driven by factors beyond our control.
We may experience poor investment performance of benefit plan holdings due to changes in assumptions and market conditions.
We have significant obligations related to pension and OPEB plans. If WEC Energy Group is unable to successfully manage our benefit plan assets and medical costs, our cash flows, financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely impacted. Our cost of providing these plans is dependent upon a number of factors, including actual plan experience, changes made to the plans, and assumptions concerning the future. Types of assumptions include earnings on plan assets, discount rates, the level of interest rates used to measure the required minimum funding levels of the plans, future government regulation, estimated withdrawals by retirees, and our required or voluntary contributions to the plans. Plan assets are subject to market fluctuations and may yield returns that fall below projected return rates. In addition, medical costs for both active and retired employees may increase at a rate that is significantly higher than we currently anticipate. Our funding requirements could be impacted by a decline in the market value of plan assets, changes in interest rates, changes in demographics (including the number of retirements) or changes in life expectancy assumptions.
We may be unable to obtain insurance on acceptable terms or at all, and the insurance coverage we do obtain may not provide protection against all significant losses.
Our ability to obtain insurance, as well as the cost and coverage of such insurance, could be affected by developments affecting our business; international, national, state, or local events; and the financial condition of insurers. Insurance coverage may not continue to be available at all or at rates or terms similar to those presently available to us. In addition, our insurance may not be sufficient or effective under all circumstances and against all hazards or liabilities to which we may be subject. Any losses for which we are not fully insured or that are not covered by insurance at all could materially adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows, and financial position.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We own our principal properties outright, except that the major portion of our electric utility distribution lines, steam utility distribution mains and natural gas utility distribution mains and services are located, for the most part, on or under streets and highways and on land owned by others and are generally subject to granted easements, consents, or permits. In addition, we lease the ERGS and PWGS generating units from We Power.
As of December 31, 2017, we owned, or leased from We Power, the following generating assets:
Name | Location | Fuel | Number of Generating Units | Rated Capacity In MW (1) | |||||||
Coal-fired plants | |||||||||||
ERGS | Oak Creek, WI | Coal | 2 | 1,057 | (2) | ||||||
Pleasant Prairie | Pleasant Prairie, WI | Coal | 2 | 1,188 | (3) | ||||||
PIPP | Marquette, MI | Coal | 5 | 359 | (3) | ||||||
OCPP | Oak Creek, WI | Coal | 4 | 995 | |||||||
Total coal-fired plants | 13 | 3,599 | |||||||||
Natural gas-fired plants | |||||||||||
Concord Combustion Turbines | Watertown, WI | Natural Gas/Oil | 4 | 352 | |||||||
Germantown Combustion Turbines | Germantown, WI | Natural Gas/Oil | 5 | 278 | |||||||
Paris Combustion Turbines | Union Grove, WI | Natural Gas/Oil | 4 | 352 | |||||||
PWGS | Port Washington, WI | Natural Gas | 2 | 1,182 | |||||||
VAPP | Milwaukee, WI | Natural Gas | 2 | 240 | |||||||
Total natural gas-fired plants | 17 | 2,404 | |||||||||
Renewables | |||||||||||
Hydro Plants (13 in number) | WI and MI | Hydro | 30 | 90 | |||||||
Rothschild Biomass Plant | Rothschild, WI | Biomass | 1 | 50 | |||||||
Blue Sky Green Field | Fond du Lac, WI | Wind | 88 | 21 | |||||||
Byron Wind Turbines | Fond du Lac, WI | Wind | 2 | — | |||||||
Glacier Hills | Cambria, WI | Wind | 90 | 28 | |||||||
Montfort Wind Energy Center | Montfort, WI | Wind | 20 | 2 | |||||||
Total renewables | 231 | 191 | |||||||||
Total system | 261 | 6,194 | |||||||||
(1) | Based on expected capacity ratings for summer 2018, which can differ from nameplate capacity, especially on wind projects. The summer period is the most relevant for capacity planning purposes. This is a result of continually reaching demand peaks in the summer months, primarily due to air conditioning demand. |
(2) | This facility is jointly owned by We Power and two other unaffiliated entities. The capacity indicated for the facility is equal to We Power's portion of total plant capacity based on its 83.34% ownership. |
(3) | We have announced plans for retirement of Pleasant Prairie power plant and PIPP. The Pleasant Prairie power plant is scheduled to be shut down in April 2018; therefore, rated capacity on that plant is based on capacity ratings for summer 2017. See Note 6, Property, Plant, and Equipment, for more information on the plant retirements. |
As of December 31, 2017, we operated approximately 19,800 miles of overhead distribution lines and 24,600 miles of underground distribution cable, as well as 310 electric distribution substations and approximately 287,200 line transformers.
As of December 31, 2017, our natural gas distribution system included approximately 11,100 miles of distribution mains connected at 25 gate stations to the pipeline transmission systems of ANR Pipeline Company, Guardian Pipeline L.L.C., Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, Northern Natural Pipeline Company and Great Lakes Transmission Company, and approximately 412,000 natural gas lateral services. We have a liquefied natural gas storage plant that converts and stores, in liquefied form, natural gas received during periods of low consumption. The liquefied natural gas storage plant has a send-out capability of 70,000 Dth per day. Our natural gas distribution system consists almost entirely of plastic and coated steel pipe.
2017 Form 10-K | 26 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
We also own office buildings, natural gas regulating and metering stations, and major service centers, including garage and warehouse facilities, in certain communities we serve. Where distribution lines and services and natural gas distribution mains and services occupy private property, we have in some, but not all instances, obtained consents, permits or easements for these installations from the apparent owners or those in possession of those properties, generally without an examination of ownership records or title.
As of December 31, 2017, the steam system supplied by the VAPP consisted of approximately 40 miles of both high pressure and low pressure steam piping, approximately four miles of walkable tunnels and other pressure regulating equipment.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In addition to those legal proceedings discussed in Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 21, Regulatory Environment, we are currently, and from time to time, subject to claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the results of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes, after consultation with legal counsel, that the ultimate resolution of these proceedings will not have a material effect on our financial statements.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable.
2017 Form 10-K | 27 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The names, ages, and positions of our executive officers at December 31, 2017 are listed below along with their business experience during the past five years. All officers are appointed until they resign, die, or are removed pursuant to our Bylaws. There are no family relationships among these officers, nor is there any agreement or understanding between any officer and any other person pursuant to which the officer was selected.
Allen L. Leverett. (1) Age 51.
• | WEC Energy Group — President since August 2013. Chief Executive Officer from May 2016 to October 2017. Director since January 2016. Executive Vice President from May 2004 to July 2013. Chief Financial Officer from July 2003 to February 2011. |
• | WE — Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from May 2016 to December 31, 2017. Director from June 2015 to January 2018. President from June 2015 to May 2016. Executive Vice President from May 2004 to June 2015. Chief Financial Officer from July 2003 to February 2011. |
J. Kevin Fletcher. Age 59.
• | WE — President since May 2016. Director since June 2015. Executive Vice President - Customer Service and Operations from June 2015 to April 2016. Senior Vice President - Customer Operations from October 2011 to June 2015. |
Robert M. Garvin. Age 51.
• | WEC Energy Group — Executive Vice President - External Affairs since June 2015. Senior Vice President - External Affairs from April 2011 to June 2015. |
• | WE — Executive Vice President - External Affairs since June 2015. Senior Vice President - External Affairs from April 2011 to June 2015. |
William J. Guc. Age 48.
• | WEC Energy Group — Controller since October 2015. Vice President since June 2015. |
• | WE — Vice President and Controller since October 2015. |
• | Integrys Energy Group — Vice President and Treasurer from December 2010 to June 2015. |
Margaret C. Kelsey. (2) Age 53.
• | WEC Energy Group — Executive Vice President since September 2017. |
• | Modine Manufacturing Company — General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Vice President - Legal from April 2008 to August 2017. Vice President - Corporate Communications from April 2014 to August 2017. |
Scott J. Lauber. Age 52.
• | WEC Energy Group — Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since April 2016. Vice President and Treasurer from February 2013 to March 2016. Assistant Treasurer from March 2011 to January 2013. |
• | WE — Director and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since April 2016. Vice President and Treasurer from February 2013 to March 2016. Assistant Treasurer from March 2011 to January 2013. |
Susan H. Martin. (2) Age 65.
• | WEC Energy Group — Executive Vice President and General Counsel since March 2012. Corporate Secretary since December 2007. Vice President and Associate General Counsel from December 2007 to February 2012. |
• | WE — Director since June 2015. Executive Vice President and General Counsel since March 2012. Corporate Secretary since December 2007. Vice President and Associate General Counsel from December 2007 to February 2012. |
Tom Metcalfe. (3) Age 50.
• | WE — Executive Vice President - Generation since April 2016. Senior Vice President - Power Generation from January 2014 to March 2016. Vice President - Oak Creek Campus from February 2011 to December 2013. |
James A. Schubilske. Age 52.
• | WEC Energy Group — Vice President and Treasurer since April 2016. Assistant Treasurer from June 2000 to January 2013. |
• | WE — Vice President and Treasurer since April 2016. Vice President - State Regulatory Affairs from February 2013 to March 2016. Assistant Treasurer from June 2000 to January 2013. |
2017 Form 10-K | 28 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Joan M. Shafer. (4) Age 64.
• | WE — Executive Vice President - Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness since June 2015. Senior Vice President - Customer Services from January 2012 to June 2015. |
Certain executive officers also hold officer and/or director positions at other significant subsidiaries of WEC Energy Group.
(1) | On October 12, 2017, we filed a Form 8-K to disclose that Mr. Leverett had suffered a stroke. The Board of Directors of WEC Energy Group appointed Gale E. Klappa to act as Chief Executive Officer of WEC Energy Group until such time as Mr. Leverett is able to resume those responsibilities. Mr. Klappa then became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of WE effective January 1, 2018. Mr. Klappa was also appointed to the WE Board of Directors effective January 1, 2018. |
(2) | In July 2017, we announced Ms. Martin's intent to retire in early 2018. As part of that transition, effective January 1, 2018, Ms. Kelsey was appointed Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of WEC Energy Group and WE, and Ms. Martin was appointed Executive Vice President of WEC Energy Group and WE. Also effective January 1, 2018, Ms. Kelsey became a Director of WE and Ms. Martin resigned as a Director of WE. |
(3) | Mr. Metcalfe was elected to the WE Board of Directors effective January 15, 2018. |
(4) | Ms. Shafer announced that she will be retiring effective May 1, 2018. |
2017 Form 10-K | 29 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Dividends
Dividends declared on our common stock during the two most recent fiscal years are set forth below. Dividends were paid entirely in cash to our sole common shareholder, WEC Energy Group. There is no established public trading market for our common stock.
Quarter | ||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||
First | $ | 60.0 | $ | 160.0 | ||||
Second | 60.0 | 60.0 | ||||||
Third | 60.0 | 100.0 | ||||||
Fourth | 60.0 | 135.0 | ||||||
Total | $ | 240.0 | $ | 455.0 | ||||
Subject to any regulatory restriction or other limitations on the payment of dividends, future dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other factors, our earnings, financial condition, and other requirements.
Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements impose certain restrictions on our ability to transfer funds to WEC Energy Group in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances. Under Wisconsin law, we are prohibited from loaning funds, either directly or indirectly, to WEC Energy Group. See Note 8, Common Equity, for more information regarding restrictions on our ability to pay dividends.
2017 Form 10-K | 30 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY
COMPARATIVE FINANCIAL DATA AND OTHER STATISTICS
As of or for Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 (1) | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 3,711.7 | $ | 3,792.8 | $ | 3,854.1 | $ | 4,059.4 | $ | 3,800.2 | ||||||||||
Net income attributed to common shareholder | 335.6 | 364.3 | 375.7 | 376.7 | 360.0 | |||||||||||||||
Total assets | 13,121.6 | 13,371.5 | 13,139.6 | 12,597.2 | 12,207.2 | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (excluding current portion) | 5,236.1 | 5,417.6 | 5,351.3 | 4,875.2 | 4,876.7 | |||||||||||||||
(1) | Includes the impact of the transfer of our investment in ATC to another subsidiary of WEC Energy Group and the impact of the transfer of net assets to UMERC. See Note 4, Related Parties, for more information on these transactions. |
2017 Form 10-K | 31 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS
Introduction
We are a wholly owned subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, and derive revenues primarily from the distribution and sale of electricity and natural gas to retail customers in Wisconsin. We have combined common functions with WG and operate under the trade name of "We Energies." We conduct our business primarily through our utility reportable segment. See Note 17, Segment Information, for more information on our reportable business segments.
Effective January 1, 2017, our customers (other than Tilden) and electric distribution assets located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan were transferred to UMERC, a new stand-alone utility. See Note 4, Related Parties, and Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred our investment in ATC to another subsidiary of WEC Energy Group. See Note 16, Investment in American Transmission Company, for more information. In March 2017, we sold the remaining real estate holdings of Bostco located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which included retail, office, and residential space. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information.
Corporate Strategy
Our goal is to continue to build and sustain long-term value for customers and shareholders by focusing on the fundamentals of our business: reliability; operating efficiency; financial discipline; customer care; and safety.
Reshaping Our Generation Fleet
WEC Energy Group has developed and is executing a plan to reshape its generation portfolio. This plan will balance reliability and customer cost with environmental stewardship. Taken as a whole, this plan should reduce costs to customers, preserve fuel diversity, and lower carbon emissions. Generation reshaping includes retiring older fossil fuel generation units, building state-of-the-art natural gas generation, and investing in cost-effective zero-carbon generation with a goal of reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. WEC Energy Group expects to retire approximately 1,800 MW of coal generation by 2020 across its electric utilities, and add additional natural gas-fired generating units and renewable generation, including utility-scale solar projects. See Note 6, Property, Plant, and Equipment, for information related to the planned retirements of our Pleasant Prairie power plant and PIPP as part of WEC Energy Group's plan.
Reliability
We have made significant reliability-related investments in recent years, and plan to continue strengthening and modernizing our generation fleet and distribution networks to further improve reliability. Our investments, coupled with our commitment to operating efficiency and customer care, resulted in We Energies being recognized by PA Consulting Group, an independent consulting firm, as the most reliable utility in the United States in 2017 and, for the seventh year in a row, as the most reliable utility in the Midwest.
Operating Efficiency
We continually look for ways to optimize the operating efficiency of our company. For example, we received approval from the PSCW to make changes at the Elm Road Generating Station to enable the facility to burn coal from the Powder River Basin located in the western United States. The plant was originally designed to burn coal mined from the eastern United States. This project is creating flexibility and has enabled the plant to operate at lower costs, placing it in a better position to be called upon in the MISO Energy Markets, resulting in lower fuel costs for our customers.
2017 Form 10-K | 32 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
We also made progress on our Advanced Metering Infrastructure program, replacing aging meter-reading equipment on both our network and customer property. An integrated system of smart meters, communication networks, and data management programs enables two-way communication between us and our customers. This program reduces the manual effort for disconnects and reconnects and enhances outage management capabilities.
WEC Energy Group continues to focus on integrating and improving business processes and consolidating its IT infrastructure across all of its companies. We expect these efforts to continue to drive operational efficiency and to put us in position to effectively support plans for future growth.
Financial Discipline
A strong adherence to financial discipline is essential to earning our authorized ROE and maintaining a strong balance sheet, stable cash flows, and quality credit ratings.
We follow an asset management strategy that focuses on investing in and acquiring assets consistent with our strategic plans, as well as disposing of assets, including property, plants, and equipment, that are no longer performing as intended, or have an unacceptable risk profile. See Note 3, Dispositions, for information on the sale of the MCPP and Bostco's remaining real estate holdings.
Exceptional Customer Care
Our approach is driven by an intense focus on delivering exceptional customer care every day. We strive to provide the best value for our customers by embracing constructive change, demonstrating personal responsibility for results, leveraging our capabilities and expertise, and using creative solutions to meet or exceed our customers’ expectations.
One example of how we obtain feedback from our customers is through our "We Care" calls, where our employees contact customers after a completed service call. Customer satisfaction is a priority, and making "We Care" calls is one of the main methods we use to gauge our performance to improve customer satisfaction.
Safety
We have a long-standing commitment to both workplace and public safety, and under our "Target Zero" mission, we have an ultimate goal of zero incidents, accidents, and injuries. We also set goals around injury-prevention activities that raise awareness and facilitate conversations about employee safety. WEC Energy Group's corporate safety program provides a forum for addressing employee concerns, training employees and contractors on current safety standards, and recognizing those who demonstrate a safety focus.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated Earnings
Our consolidated earnings for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 were $335.6 million, $364.3 million, and $375.7 million, respectively. See below for information on the year-over year changes in consolidated earnings.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The discussion below addresses the operating income contribution of our utility segment and includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as electric margins and natural gas margins, which are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. Electric margin (electric revenues less fuel and purchased power costs) and natural gas margin (natural gas revenues less cost of natural gas sold) are non-GAAP financial measures because they exclude other operation and maintenance expense, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenue taxes.
We believe that electric and natural gas margins provide a more meaningful basis for evaluating utility operations than operating revenues since the majority of prudently incurred fuel and purchased power costs, as well as prudently incurred natural gas costs, are passed through to customers in current rates. As a result, management uses electric and natural gas margins internally when assessing the operating performance of our utility segment as these measures exclude the majority of revenue fluctuations caused
2017 Form 10-K | 33 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
by changes in these expenses. Similarly, the presentation of electric and natural gas margins herein is intended to provide supplemental information for investors regarding our operating performance.
Our electric margins and natural gas margins may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Furthermore, these measures are not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of our utility segment operating performance. Our utility segment operating income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 was $625.6 million, $629.5 million, and $648.9 million, respectively. The operating income discussion below includes a table that provides the calculation of electric margins and natural gas margins, along with a reconciliation to utility segment operating income.
Utility Segment Contribution to Operating Income
Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred our electric customers (other than Tilden) located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to UMERC. See Note 4, Related Parties, for more information.
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Electric revenues | $ | 3,336.2 | $ | 3,440.6 | $ | 3,454.4 | ||||||
Fuel and purchased power | 1,064.3 | 1,091.8 | 1,154.4 | |||||||||
Total electric margins | 2,271.9 | 2,348.8 | 2,300.0 | |||||||||
Natural gas revenues | 375.5 | 352.2 | 399.7 | |||||||||
Cost of natural gas sold | 222.1 | 200.3 | 244.6 | |||||||||
Total natural gas margins | 153.4 | 151.9 | 155.1 | |||||||||
Total electric and natural gas margins | 2,425.3 | 2,500.7 | 2,455.1 | |||||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 1,358.5 | 1,430.2 | 1,384.9 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 331.6 | 325.4 | 304.0 | |||||||||
Property and revenue taxes | 109.6 | 115.6 | 117.3 | |||||||||
Operating income | $ | 625.6 | $ | 629.5 | $ | 648.9 | ||||||
The following table shows a breakdown of other operation and maintenance:
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Operation and maintenance not included in lines items below | $ | 488.3 | $ | 500.2 | $ | 502.9 | ||||||
We Power (1) | 513.0 | 513.2 | 510.7 | |||||||||
Transmission (2) | 251.9 | 273.8 | 272.3 | |||||||||
Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses (3) | 96.7 | 96.6 | 99.0 | |||||||||
Earnings sharing mechanism | 0.1 | 21.1 | — | |||||||||
Other | 8.5 | 25.3 | — | |||||||||
Total other operation and maintenance | $ | 1,358.5 | $ | 1,430.2 | $ | 1,384.9 | ||||||
(1) | Represents costs associated with the We Power generation units, including operating and maintenance, as well as the lease payments that are billed from We Power to us and then recovered in our rates. During 2017, 2016, and 2015, $535.1 million, $528.4 million, and $483.4 million, respectively, of both lease and operating and maintenance costs were billed to us, with the difference in costs billed or incurred and expenses recognized, either deferred or deducted from the regulatory asset. |
(2) | The PSCW has approved escrow accounting for our ATC and MISO network transmission expenses. As a result, we defer as a regulatory asset or liability the differences between actual transmission costs and those included in rates until recovery or refund is authorized in a future rate proceeding. During 2017, 2016, and 2015, $303.8 million, $335.3 million, and $319.3 million, respectively, of costs were billed to us by transmission providers. |
(3) | Regulatory amortizations and other pass through expenses are substantially offset in margins and therefore do not have a significant impact on operating income. |
2017 Form 10-K | 34 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
The following tables provide information on delivered volumes by customer class and weather statistics:
Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||
MWh (in thousands) | |||||||||
Electric Sales Volumes | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||
Customer class | |||||||||
Residential | 7,648.5 | 8,136.6 | 7,789.3 | ||||||
Small commercial and industrial | 8,768.4 | 9,061.1 | 8,835.9 | ||||||
Large commercial and industrial | 8,340.3 | 9,217.6 | 9,492.0 | ||||||
Other | 144.9 | 143.4 | 147.7 | ||||||
Total retail | 24,902.1 | 26,558.7 | 26,264.9 | ||||||
Wholesale | 1,600.2 | 1,134.2 | 1,234.0 | ||||||
Resale | 8,144.5 | 8,282.1 | 8,577.6 | ||||||
Total sales in MWh | 34,646.8 | 35,975.0 | 36,076.5 | ||||||
Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||
Therms (in millions) | |||||||||
Natural Gas Sales Volumes | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||
Customer class | |||||||||
Residential | 344.3 | 341.7 | 341.2 | ||||||
Commercial and industrial | 193.4 | 186.3 | 194.5 | ||||||
Total retail | 537.7 | 528.0 | 535.7 | ||||||
Transport | 314.2 | 323.8 | 306.9 | ||||||
Total sales in therms | 851.9 | 851.8 | 842.6 | ||||||
Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||
Degree Days | |||||||||
Weather * | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||
Heating (6,574 normal) | 5,908 | 6,068 | 6,468 | ||||||
Cooling (714 normal) | 772 | 991 | 622 | ||||||
* | Normal degree days are based on a 20-year moving average of monthly temperatures from Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. |
2017 Compared with 2016
Electric Utility Margins
Electric utility margins decreased $76.9 million during 2017, compared with 2016. The significant factors impacting the lower electric utility margins were:
• | A $74.1 million decrease related to lower sales volumes during 2017, primarily driven by unfavorable weather, lower overall retail use per customer, and the transfer of customers and their related sales to UMERC. Cooler summer and warmer winter weather in 2017, as well as an additional day of sales during 2016 due to leap year, contributed to the decrease. As measured by cooling degree days, 2017 was 22.1% cooler than 2016. As measured by heating degree days, 2017 was 2.6% warmer than 2016. |
• | A $25.9 million decrease related to SSR payments we refunded to MISO as directed by a FERC order received in October 2017. The FERC order reduced the costs eligible for reimbursement to us for the operation and maintenance of our PIPP units under an SSR agreement we have with MISO. A portion of these payments was returned to us through the MISO allocation process and reduced transmission expense as discussed below. See Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for more information. |
• | A $4.3 million decrease in margins related to the iron ore mines located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In November 2016, one of the iron ore mines closed. With the return of the mines as retail customers in 2015, we continue to defer the majority of the margin from those sales and intend to apply these amounts for the benefit of Wisconsin retail electric customers in a future rate proceeding. |
2017 Form 10-K | 35 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
• | A $3.5 million decrease in steam margins driven by the sale of the MCPP in April 2016. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information. |
These decreases in margins were partially offset by $36.5 million of lower capacity payments to a counterparty during 2017, related to improved contract terms.
Natural Gas Utility Margins
Natural gas utility margins increased $1.5 million during 2017, compared with 2016. The most significant factor impacting the higher natural gas utility margins was higher retail sales volumes, primarily driven by higher overall retail use per customer and customer growth. The higher margins were partially offset by an additional day of sales during 2016 due to leap year.
Operating Income
Operating income at the utility segment decreased $3.9 million during 2017, compared with 2016. This decrease was driven by the $75.4 million net decrease in margins discussed above, partially offset by $71.5 million of lower operating expenses (which include other operation and maintenance, depreciation and amortization, and property and revenues taxes).
We experienced lower overall operating expenses related to synergy savings resulting from WEC Energy Group's acquisition of Integrys. The significant factors impacting the decrease in operating expenses during 2017, compared with 2016, were:
• | A $21.9 million decrease in transmission expenses, driven by a FERC order to reduce SSR costs related to PIPP, as discussed under electric utility margins. |
• | A $21.0 million decrease in expenses related to our earnings sharing mechanism in place. See the PSCW conditions of approval related to the Integrys acquisition in Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information. |
• | A $19.1 million decrease in electric and natural gas distribution expenses, primarily related to the transfer of electric customers and their related sales to UMERC, lower metering costs, and other cost savings. |
• | A $16.8 million decrease in expenses related to charitable projects supporting our customers and the communities within our service territories. |
These decreases in operating expenses were partially offset by a $10.9 million gain recorded in April 2016 related to the sale of the MCPP. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information on the sale of the MCPP.
2016 Compared with 2015
Electric Utility Margins
Electric utility margins increased $48.8 million during 2016, compared with 2015. The significant factors impacting the higher electric utility margins were:
• | A $38.9 million increase related to higher retail sales volumes during 2016, primarily driven by warmer summer weather. As measured by cooling degree days, 2016 was 59.3% warmer than 2015. |
• | The expiration of $12.5 million of bill credits refunded to customers in 2015 related to the Treasury Grant we received in connection with our biomass facility. |
Natural Gas Utility Margins
Natural gas utility margins decreased $3.2 million during 2016, compared with 2015. The most significant factor impacting the lower natural gas utility margins was a decrease in sales volumes during 2016, primarily driven by warmer winter weather. As measured by heating degree days, 2016 was 6.2% warmer than 2015.
2017 Form 10-K | 36 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Operating Income
Operating income at the utility segment decreased $19.4 million during 2016, compared with 2015. The decrease was driven by the $65.0 million of higher operating expenses, partially offset by the $45.6 million net increase in margins discussed above.
The significant factors impacting the increase in operating expenses during 2016, compared with 2015, were:
• | A $25.3 million increase in expenses related to charitable projects supporting our customers and the communities within our service territories. |
• | A $21.4 million increase in depreciation and amortization, driven by an overall increase in utility plant in service. In November 2015, we completed the conversion of the fuel source for VAPP from coal to natural gas. |
• | A $21.1 million expense related to our earnings sharing mechanism in place, effective January 1, 2016. |
• | An $11.1 million increase in expenses related to various regulatory matters. |
These increases in operating expenses were partially offset by a $16.4 million positive impact from the sale of the MCPP in April 2016, including a gain on sale and lower operating costs in 2016.
Equity in Earnings of Transmission Affiliate
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Equity in earnings of transmission affiliate | $ | — | $ | 55.5 | $ | 47.8 | ||||||
2017 Compared with 2016
At December 31, 2016, we owned approximately 23% of ATC. Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred our investment in ATC to another subsidiary of WEC Energy Group. See Note 16, Investment in American Transmission Company, for more information.
2016 Compared with 2015
Earnings from our ownership interest in ATC increased $7.7 million during 2016, compared with 2015. This increase was primarily due to the negative impact on our 2015 earnings from a decision issued by an administrative law judge in December 2015 regarding complaints related to ATC's ROE.
Consolidated Other Income, Net
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
AFUDC – Equity | $ | 3.1 | $ | 4.2 | $ | 5.7 | ||||||
Interest income | 2.3 | 2.2 | 2.2 | |||||||||
Other, net | 14.3 | 2.7 | 3.3 | |||||||||
Other income, net | $ | 19.7 | $ | 9.1 | $ | 11.2 | ||||||
2017 Compared with 2016
Other income, net increased $10.6 million during 2017, compared with 2016. The increase was driven by higher gains on property sales during 2017, compared to 2016, and the expenses we incurred in 2016 related to the disposition of certain non-utility real estate assets. These increases were partially offset by lower AFUDC during 2017.
Consolidated Interest Expense
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Interest expense | $ | 117.3 | $ | 117.6 | $ | 119.0 | ||||||
2017 Form 10-K | 37 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Income Tax Expense
Year Ended December 31 | |||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||
Effective tax rate | 36.2 | % | 36.6 | % | 36.0 | % | |||
2017 Compared with 2016
Our effective tax rate was 36.2% in 2017 compared to 36.6% in 2016. This decrease in our effective tax rate was primarily due to increased renewable energy credits related to wind projects and favorable compensation expense. Preliminarily, we expect our 2018 annual effective tax rate to be between -5% and -4%, which includes an estimated 27% effective tax rate benefit due to the flow through of tax repairs in connection with the Wisconsin settlement. See Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for more information on the Wisconsin settlement. Excluding the impact of the tax repairs, the 2018 range would be between 22% and 23%. See Note 12, Income Taxes, for more information.
2016 Compared with 2015
Our effective tax rate was 36.6% in 2016 compared with 36.0% in 2015. This increase in our effective tax rate was primarily due to Treasury Grant activity in 2015.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the years ended December 31:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | Change in 2017 Over 2016 | Change in 2016 Over 2015 | |||||||||||||||
Cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating activities | $ | 698.0 | $ | 848.4 | $ | 674.4 | $ | (150.4 | ) | $ | 174.0 | |||||||||
Investing activities | (568.2 | ) | (436.8 | ) | (520.2 | ) | (131.4 | ) | 83.4 | |||||||||||
Financing activities | (132.9 | ) | (423.3 | ) | (151.1 | ) | 290.4 | (272.2 | ) | |||||||||||
Operating Activities
2017 Compared with 2016
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $150.4 million during 2017, compared with 2016, driven by:
• | A $171.9 million net decrease in cash related to $71.7 million of cash paid for income taxes during 2017, compared with $100.2 million of cash received during 2016. This decrease in cash was primarily due to the extension of bonus depreciation in December 2015, which resulted in the receipt of an income tax refund during 2016. |
• | A $149.8 million decrease in cash related to lower overall collections from customers during 2017, compared with 2016. Collections from customers decreased primarily because of unfavorable weather and the loss of sales from the transfer of customers to UMERC in 2017. |
• | Cash distributions provided by ATC of $38.4 million during 2016. Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred our investment in ATC to another subsidiary of WEC Energy Group. See Note 16, Investment in American Transmission Company, for more information. |
These decreases in net cash provided by operating activities were partially offset by:
• | Cash payments of $116.0 million for transfers of certain benefit-related liabilities to WBS during 2016. |
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• | A $56.9 million increase in cash from lower payments for operating and maintenance costs. During 2017, our payments related to transmission, electric and natural gas distribution, and charitable projects decreased. |
• | A $32.5 million net increase in cash resulting from lower payments for fuel and purchased power due to the transfer of electric customers to UMERC. This increase in cash was partially offset by higher payments for natural gas, primarily due to higher commodity prices. The average per-unit cost of natural gas sold increased 8.9% during 2017, compared with 2016. |
2016 Compared with 2015
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $174.0 million during 2016, driven by:
• | A $158.7 million net increase in cash related to $100.2 million of cash received for income taxes during 2016, compared with $58.5 million of cash paid for income taxes during 2015. The increase in cash received was due to a federal income tax refund received in 2016, primarily the result of the extension of bonus depreciation in December 2015. |
• | A $144.2 million increase in cash resulting from lower payments for natural gas and fuel and purchased power, due to lower commodity prices and warmer weather during the 2016 heating season. The average per-unit cost of natural gas sold decreased 17.4% in 2016. |
• | A $99.6 million decrease in contributions and payments to our pension and OPEB plans during 2016, compared with 2015. |
• | A $29.1 million increase in cash due to lower collateral requirements during 2016, compared with 2015, driven by an increase in the fair value of our derivative instruments. See Note 14, Derivative Instruments, for more information. |
These increases in net cash provided by operating activities were partially offset by:
• | Cash payments of $116.0 million for transfers of certain benefit-related liabilities to WBS during 2016. |
• | A $91.6 million decrease in cash related to lower overall collections from customers. Collections from customers decreased primarily because of lower commodity prices and warmer weather during the 2016 heating season. |
• | A $55.8 million decrease in cash driven by higher payments for operating and maintenance costs during 2016. |
Investing Activities
2017 Compared with 2016
Net cash used in investing activities increased $131.4 million during 2017, compared with 2016, driven by:
• | A $126.6 million increase in cash paid for capital expenditures during 2017, compared with 2016, which is discussed in more detail below. |
• | Cash of $13.1 million received during 2016 related to transfers of certain software to WBS. There were no similar transfers in 2017. |
• | An $8.8 million decrease in the proceeds received from the sale of assets during 2017, compared with 2016. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information. |
These increases in net cash used in investing activities were partially offset by $16.1 million of capital contributions paid to ATC during 2016. Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred our investment in ATC to another subsidiary of WEC Energy Group.
2016 Compared with 2015
Net cash used in investing activities decreased $83.4 million during 2016, compared with 2015, driven by:
• | A $49.7 million decrease in cash paid for capital expenditures during 2016, compared with 2015, which is discussed in more detail below. |
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• | Proceeds of $31.7 million received from the sale of MCPP in April 2016. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information. |
• | Cash received of $13.1 million during 2016 related to transfers of certain software to WBS. |
These decreases in net cash used in investing activities were partially offset by an $11.5 million increase in capital contributions to ATC during 2016, compared with 2015, driven by the continued investment in equipment and facilities by ATC to improve reliability.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | Change in 2017 Over 2016 | Change in 2016 Over 2015 | |||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 596.1 | $ | 469.5 | $ | 519.2 | $ | 126.6 | $ | (49.7 | ) | |||||||||
2017 Compared with 2016
The increase in cash paid for capital expenditures during 2017, compared with 2016, was driven by upgrades to our electric and natural gas distribution systems, including main replacement projects and an advanced metering infrastructure program, as well as various projects at the OCPP.
See Capital Resources and Requirements – Capital Requirements – Capital Expenditures and Significant Capital Projects below for more information.
2016 Compared with 2015
The decrease in cash paid for capital expenditures during 2016 was partially related to the completion in November 2015 of the coal to natural gas conversion project at VAPP. Also contributing to the decrease were lower payments during 2016 for environmental compliance projects and electric distribution upgrades.
Financing Activities
2017 Compared with 2016
Net cash used in financing activities decreased $290.4 million during 2017, compared with 2016, driven by:
• | A $215.0 million decrease in dividends paid to our parent during 2017, compared with 2016. During 2016, we paid special dividends to our parent to balance our capital structure. |
• | A $75.0 million equity contribution received from our parent to balance our capital structure in 2017. |
• | A $36.9 million increase in net borrowings of commercial paper during 2017, compared with 2016. |
These decreases in net cash used in financing activities were partially offset by a $17.4 million increase in repayments provided to our parent during 2017 related to our subsidiary's note payable, compared with 2016.
2016 Compared with 2015
Net cash used in financing activities increased $272.2 million during 2016, compared with 2015, driven by:
• | A $250.0 million net decrease in cash due to the issuance of $500.0 million of long-term debt during 2015, partially offset by the repayment of $250.0 million of long-term debt during 2015. A portion of this issuance was also used to repay short-term debt during 2015. We did not issue or repay any long-term debt in 2016. |
• | A $215.0 million increase in dividends paid to our parent during 2016, compared with 2015. During 2016, we paid special dividends to our parent to balance our capital structure. |
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These increases in net cash used for financing activities were partially offset by a $177.8 million net increase in cash due to $15.0 million of net borrowings of commercial paper during 2016, compared with $162.8 million of net repayments of commercial paper during 2015.
Significant Financing Activities
For more information on our financing activities, see Note 10, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, and Note 11, Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations.
Capital Resources and Requirements
Capital Resources
Liquidity
We anticipate meeting our capital requirements for our existing operations through internally generated funds and short-term borrowings, supplemented by the issuance of intermediate or long-term debt securities, depending on market conditions and other factors, and equity contributions from our parent.
We currently have access to the capital markets and have been able to generate funds internally and externally to meet our capital requirements. Our ability to attract the necessary financial capital at reasonable terms is critical to our overall strategic plan. We currently believe that we have adequate capacity to fund our operations for the foreseeable future through our existing borrowing arrangements, access to capital markets, and internally generated cash.
We maintain a bank back-up credit facility, which provides liquidity support for our obligations with respect to commercial paper and for general corporate purposes. We review our bank back-up credit facility needs on an ongoing basis and expect to be able to maintain adequate credit facilities to support our operations. See Note 10, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, for more information on our credit facility.
At December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with all covenants related to outstanding short-term and long-term debt. We expect to be in compliance with all such debt covenants for the foreseeable future. See Note 11, Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, for more information on our long-term debt.
Working Capital
As of December 31, 2017, our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by $148.0 million. We do not expect this to have any impact on our liquidity since we believe we have adequate back-up lines of credit in place for our ongoing operations. We also believe that we can access the capital markets to finance our construction programs and to refinance current maturities of long-term debt, if necessary.
Credit Rating Risk
We do not have any credit agreements that would require material changes in payment schedules or terminations as a result of a credit rating downgrade. However, we have certain agreements in the form of commodity contracts and employee benefit plans that could require collateral or a termination payment in the event of a credit rating change to below BBB- at S&P Global Ratings and/or Baa3 at Moody's Investors Service. We also have other commodity contracts that, in the event of a credit rating downgrade, could result in a reduction of our unsecured credit granted by counterparties.
In addition, access to capital markets at a reasonable cost is determined in large part by credit quality. Any credit ratings downgrade could impact our ability to access capital markets.
In July 2017, Moody's downgraded our senior unsecured rating to A2 from A1 and affirmed our P-1 commercial paper rating. We do not believe the change in rating will have a material impact on our ability to access capital markets.
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Subject to other factors affecting the credit markets as a whole, we believe our current ratings should provide a significant degree of flexibility in obtaining funds on competitive terms. However, these security ratings reflect the views of the rating agency only. An explanation of the significance of these ratings may be obtained from the rating agency. Such ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities. Any rating can be revised upward or downward or withdrawn at any time by a rating agency.
If we are unable to successfully take actions to manage any adverse impacts of the Tax Legislation, or if additional interpretations, regulations, amendments or technical corrections exacerbate the adverse impacts of the Tax Legislation, the legislation could result in credit rating agencies placing our credit ratings on negative outlook or downgrading our credit ratings. Any such actions by credit rating agencies may make it more difficult and costly for us to issue future debt securities and certain other types of financing and could increase borrowing costs under our credit facility.
Capital Requirements
Contractual Obligations
We have the following contractual obligations and other commercial commitments as of December 31, 2017:
Payments Due by Period (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Total | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt obligations (2) | $ | 4,873.3 | $ | 362.8 | $ | 460.8 | $ | 491.3 | $ | 3,558.4 | ||||||||||
Capital lease obligations (3) | 7,878.1 | 398.7 | 799.9 | 792.7 | 5,886.8 | |||||||||||||||
Operating lease obligations (4) | 34.7 | 3.5 | 5.3 | 2.9 | 23.0 | |||||||||||||||
Energy and transportation purchase obligations (5) | 9,954.9 | 647.0 | 1,132.0 | 1,105.1 | 7,070.8 | |||||||||||||||
Purchase orders (6) | 248.9 | 42.8 | 62.1 | 46.7 | 97.3 | |||||||||||||||
Pension and OPEB funding obligations (7) | 11.9 | 4.0 | 7.9 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Total contractual obligations | $ | 23,001.8 | $ | 1,458.8 | $ | 2,468.0 | $ | 2,438.7 | $ | 16,636.3 | ||||||||||
(1) | The amounts included in the table are calculated using current market prices, forward curves, and other estimates. |
(2) | Principal and interest payments on long-term debt (excluding capital lease obligations). |
(3) | Capital lease obligations for power purchase commitments and the leases with We Power. |
(4) | Operating lease obligations for power purchase commitments and rail car leases. |
(5) | Energy and transportation purchase obligations under various contracts for the procurement of fuel, power, gas supply, and associated transportation related to utility operations. |
(6) | Purchase obligations related to normal business operations, information technology, and other services. |
(7) | Obligations for pension and OPEB plans cannot reasonably be estimated beyond 2020. |
The table above does not reflect estimated future payments related to the manufactured gas plant remediation liability of $18.5 million at December 31, 2017, as the amount and timing of payments are uncertain. We expect to incur costs annually to remediate these sites. See Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information about environmental liabilities.
AROs in the amount of $68.3 million are not included in the above table. Settlement of these liabilities cannot be determined with certainty, but we believe the majority of these liabilities will be settled in more than five years.
Obligations for utility operations have historically been included as part of the rate-making process and therefore are generally recoverable from customers.
Capital Expenditures and Significant Capital Projects
We have several capital projects that will require significant capital expenditures over the next three years and beyond. All projected capital requirements are subject to periodic review and may vary significantly from estimates, depending on a number of factors. These factors include environmental requirements, regulatory restraints and requirements, impacts from the Tax Legislation,
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acquisition and development opportunities, market volatility, and economic trends. Our estimated capital expenditures for the next three years are as follows:
(in millions) | ||||
2018 | $ | 598.5 | ||
2019 | 552.5 | |||
2020 | 807.5 | |||
Total | $ | 1,958.5 | ||
The majority of spending consists of upgrading our electric and natural gas distribution systems to enhance reliability. These upgrades include the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) program. AMI is an integrated system of smart meters, communication networks and data management systems that enable two-way communication between utilities and customers.
Additionally, as part of our commitment to invest in zero-carbon generation, we plan to invest in utility scale solar of up to 150 MW. Solar generation technology has greatly improved, has become more cost-effective, and it complements our summer demand curve.
Common Stock Matters
For information related to our common stock matters, see Note 8, Common Equity.
Investments in Outside Trusts
We use outside trusts to fund our pension and certain OPEB obligations. These trusts had investments of approximately $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2017. These trusts hold investments that are subject to the volatility of the stock market and interest rates. We contributed $8.3 million, $8.0 million, and $107.6 million to our pension and OPEB plans in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Future contributions to the plans will be dependent upon many factors, including the performance of existing plan assets and long-term discount rates. For additional information, see Note 15, Employee Benefits.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk as a part of our normal course of business, including letters of credit that primarily support our commodity contracts. We believe that these agreements do not have, and are not reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources. For additional information, see Note 10, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, and Note 18, Variable Interest Entities.
FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS, LIQUIDITY, AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Market Risks and Other Significant Risks
We are exposed to market and other significant risks as a result of the nature of our businesses and the environments in which those businesses operate. These risks, described in further detail below, include but are not limited to:
Regulatory Recovery
We account for our regulated operations in accordance with accounting guidance under the Regulated Operations Topic of the FASB ASC. Our rates are determined by various regulatory commissions. Our primary regulator is the PSCW. See Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for additional information regarding recent rate proceedings and orders.
Regulated entities are allowed to defer certain costs that would otherwise be charged to expense if the regulated entity believes the recovery of the costs is probable. We record regulatory assets pursuant to specific orders or by a generic order issued by our regulators. Recovery of the deferred costs in future rates is subject to the review and approval by our regulators. We assume the risks and benefits of ultimate recovery of these items in future rates. If the recovery of the deferred costs is not approved by our regulators, the costs would be charged to income in the current period. In general, our regulatory assets are recovered over a period of between one to six years. Regulators can impose liabilities on a prospective basis for amounts previously collected from customers
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and for amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers. We record these items as regulatory liabilities. As of December 31, 2017, our regulatory assets were $1,984.9 million, and our regulatory liabilities were $1,721.1 million.
Due to the Tax Legislation signed into law in December 2017, we remeasured our deferred taxes and recorded an estimated tax benefit of $1,065 million. This tax benefit will be returned to ratepayers through future refunds, bill credits, or reductions to other regulatory assets. See Note 12, Income Taxes, and Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
Commodity Costs
In the normal course of providing energy, we are subject to market fluctuations in the costs of coal, natural gas, purchased power, and fuel oil used in the delivery of coal. We manage our fuel and natural gas supply costs through a portfolio of short and long-term procurement contracts with various suppliers for the purchase of coal, natural gas, and fuel oil. In addition, we manage the risk of price volatility through natural gas and electric hedging programs.
Embedded within our rates are amounts to recover fuel, natural gas, and purchased power costs. We have recovery mechanisms in place that allow us to recover or refund all or a portion of the changes in prudently incurred fuel, natural gas, and purchased power costs from rate case-approved amounts. See Item 1. Business – D. Regulation for more information on these mechanisms.
Higher commodity costs can increase our working capital requirements, result in higher gross receipts taxes, and lead to increased energy efficiency investments by our customers to reduce utility usage and/or fuel substitution. Higher commodity costs combined with slower economic conditions also expose us to greater risks of accounts receivable write-offs as more customers are unable to pay their bills. See Note 1(d), Revenues and Customer Receivables, for more information on our mechanism that allows for cost recovery or refund of uncollectible expense.
Weather
Our utility rates are based upon estimated normal temperatures. Our electric utility margins are unfavorably sensitive to below normal temperatures during the summer cooling season and, to some extent, to above normal temperatures during the winter heating season. Our natural gas utility margins are unfavorably sensitive to above normal temperatures during the winter heating season. A summary of actual weather information in our service territory during 2017, 2016 and 2015, as measured by degree days, may be found in Results of Operations.
Interest Rates
We are exposed to interest rate risk resulting from our short-term borrowings and projected near-term debt financing needs. We manage exposure to interest rate risk by limiting the amount of our variable rate obligations and continually monitoring the effects of market changes on interest rates. When it is advantageous to do so, we enter into long-term fixed rate debt.
Based on our variable rate debt outstanding at December 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016, a hypothetical increase in market interest rates of one percentage point would have increased annual interest expense by $2.1 million and $1.6 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. This sensitivity analysis was performed assuming a constant level of variable rate debt during the period and an immediate increase in interest rates, with no other changes for the remainder of the period.
Marketable Securities Return
We use various trusts to fund our pension and OPEB obligations. These trusts invest in debt and equity securities. Changes in the market prices of these assets can affect future pension and OPEB expenses. Additionally, future contributions can also be affected by the investment returns on trust fund assets. We believe that the financial risks associated with investment returns would be partially mitigated through future rate actions by the PSCW.
The fair value of our trust fund assets and expected long-term returns were approximately:
(in millions) | As of December 31, 2017 | Expected Return on Assets in 2018 | |||||
Pension trust funds | $ | 1,134.1 | 7.00 | % | |||
OPEB trust funds | $ | 220.1 | 7.25 | % | |||
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Fiduciary oversight of the pension and OPEB trust fund investments is the responsibility of an Investment Trust Policy Committee. The Committee works with external actuaries and investment consultants on an ongoing basis to establish and monitor investment strategies and target asset allocations. Forecasted cash flows for plan liabilities are regularly updated based on annual valuation results. Target asset allocations are determined utilizing projected benefit payment cash flows and risk analyses of appropriate investments. The targeted asset allocations are intended to reduce risk, provide long-term financial stability for the plans, and maintain funded levels which meet long-term plan obligations while preserving sufficient liquidity for near-term benefit payments. Investment strategies utilize a wide diversification of asset types and qualified external investment managers.
WEC Energy Group consults with its investment advisors on an annual basis to help it forecast expected long-term returns on plan assets by reviewing actual historical returns and calculating expected total trust returns using the weighted-average of long-term market returns for each of the major target asset categories utilized in the funds.
Economic Conditions
Our service territories are primarily within the state of Wisconsin. As such, we are exposed to market risks in the regional Midwest economy. In addition, any economic downturn or disruption of national or international markets could adversely affect the financial condition of our customers and demand for their products, which could affect their demand for our products.
Inflation
We continue to monitor the impact of inflation, especially with respect to the costs of medical plans, fuel, transmission access, construction costs, and regulatory and environmental compliance in order to minimize its effects in future years through pricing strategies, productivity improvements, and cost reductions. We do not believe the impact of general inflation will have a material impact on our future results of operations.
For additional information concerning risk factors, including market risks, see the Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information at the beginning of this report and Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Industry Restructuring
Electric Utility Industry
The regulated energy industry continues to experience significant changes. The FERC continues to support large RTOs, which affects the structure of the wholesale market. To this end, MISO implemented the MISO Energy Markets, including the use of LMP to value electric transmission congestion and losses. Increased competition in the retail and wholesale markets, which may result from restructuring efforts, could have a significant and adverse financial impact on us.
Electric utility revenues in Wisconsin are regulated by the PSCW. The PSCW continues to maintain the position that the question of whether to implement electric retail competition in Wisconsin should ultimately be decided by the Wisconsin legislature. No such legislation has been introduced in Wisconsin to date, and it is uncertain when, if at all, retail choice might be implemented in Wisconsin.
Natural Gas Utility Industry
The PSCW previously instituted generic proceedings to consider how its regulation of natural gas distribution utilities should change to reflect a competitive environment in the natural gas industry. To date, the PSCW has made a policy decision to provide customer classes with competitive market choices the option to choose an alternative retail natural gas supplier. The PSCW has also adopted standards for transactions between a utility and its natural gas marketing affiliates. All of our Wisconsin customer classes have competitive market choices and, therefore, can purchase natural gas directly from either an alternative retail natural gas supplier or their local natural gas utility.
We offer natural gas transportation services to our customers that elect to purchase natural gas from an alternative retail natural gas supplier. Since these transportation customers continue to use our distribution systems to transport natural gas to their facilities, we earn distribution revenues from them. As such, there is little impact on our net income from customers purchasing natural gas from an alternative retail natural gas supplier as natural gas costs are passed through to customers in rates on a one-for-one basis.
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Currently, we are unable to predict the impact of potential future industry restructuring on our results of operations or financial position.
Environmental Matters
See Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, for a discussion of certain environmental matters affecting us, including rules and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, land quality, and climate change.
Other Matters
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Legislation was signed into law. See Note 12, Income Taxes, and Note 21, Regulatory Environment,
for more information regarding its impact on us.
Bonus Depreciation Provisions
Bonus depreciation is an additional amount of first-year tax deductible depreciation that is awarded above what would normally be available. Based on the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, a 50% bonus depreciation deduction was available for assets placed in service during 2017. The increase in our federal tax depreciation from this deduction significantly reduced our 2017 federal income tax payment.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Legislation was signed into law. This legislation modified the bonus depreciation deduction available for public utility property subject to rate-making by a government entity or public utility commission. See Note 12, Income Taxes, for more information.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in compliance with GAAP requires the application of appropriate technical accounting rules and guidance, as well as the use of estimates. The application of these policies necessarily involves judgments regarding future events, including the likelihood of success of particular projects, legal and regulatory challenges and anticipated recovery of costs. These judgments, in and of themselves, could materially impact the financial statements and disclosures based on varying assumptions. In addition, the financial and operating environment may also have a significant effect, not only on the operation of our business, but on our results reported through the application of accounting measures used in preparing the financial statements and related disclosures, even if the nature of the accounting policies applied have not changed.
The following is a list of accounting policies that are most significant to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and that require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments:
Long-Lived Assets
We periodically assess the recoverability of certain long-lived assets when factors indicate the carrying value of such assets may be impaired or such assets are planned to be sold. These assessments require significant assumptions and judgments by management. The long-lived assets assessed for impairment generally include certain assets within regulated operations that may not be fully recovered from our customers as a result of regulatory decisions that will be made in the future.
We have evaluated future plans for our older fossil fuel generating units and have announced our plans for the retirement of certain older and less-efficient generating units. When it becomes probable that a generating unit will be retired before the end of its useful life, we assess whether the generating unit meets the criteria for abandonment accounting. Generating units that are considered probable of abandonment are expected to cease operations in the near term, significantly before the end of their original estimated useful lives. As a result, the remaining net book value of these assets can be significant. If a generating unit meets applicable criteria to be considered probable of abandonment, we assess the likelihood of recovery of the remaining carrying value of that generating unit at the end of each reporting period. If it becomes probable that regulators will not allow full recovery as well as a return on the remaining net book value of the abandoned generating unit, an impairment charge may be required. An impairment charge would be recorded if the remaining carrying value of the abandoned generating unit is greater than the present value of the amount expected to be recovered from ratepayers.
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We concluded that Pleasant Prairie power plant and PIPP met the criteria to be considered probable of abandonment as of December 31, 2017. We plan to ask for full cost recovery of and a full return on the remaining book value of the generating units and have concluded that no impairment was required related to these assets as of December 31, 2017.
See Note 6, Property, Plant, and Equipment, for more information on the units to be retired.
Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefits
The costs of providing non-contributory defined pension benefits and OPEB, described in Note 15, Employee Benefits, are dependent upon numerous factors resulting from actual plan experience and assumptions of future experience.
Pension and OPEB costs are impacted by actual employee demographics (including age, compensation levels, and employment periods), the level of contributions made to the plans, and earnings on plan assets. Pension and OPEB costs may also be significantly affected by changes in key actuarial assumptions, including anticipated rates of return on plan assets, mortality and discount rates, and expected health care cost trends. Changes made to the plan provisions may also impact current and future pension and OPEB costs.
Pension and OPEB plan assets are primarily made up of equity and fixed income investments. Fluctuations in actual equity and fixed income market returns, as well as changes in general interest rates, may result in increased or decreased benefit costs in future periods. We believe that such changes in costs would be recovered or refunded through the ratemaking process.
The following table shows how a given change in certain actuarial assumptions would impact the projected benefit obligation and the reported net periodic pension cost. Each factor below reflects an evaluation of the change based on a change in that assumption only.
Actuarial Assumption (in millions, except percentages) | Percentage-Point Change in Assumption | Impact on Projected Benefit Obligation | Impact on 2017 Pension Cost | |||||||
Discount rate | (0.5) | $ | 68.9 | $ | 5.0 | |||||
Discount rate | 0.5 | (60.2 | ) | (4.2 | ) | |||||
Rate of return on plan assets | (0.5) | N/A | 5.5 | |||||||
Rate of return on plan assets | 0.5 | N/A | (5.5 | ) | ||||||
The following table shows how a given change in certain actuarial assumptions would impact the accumulated OPEB obligation and the reported net periodic OPEB cost. Each factor below reflects an evaluation of the change based on a change in that assumption only.
Actuarial Assumption (in millions, except percentages) | Percentage-Point Change in Assumption | Impact on Postretirement Benefit Obligation | Impact on 2017 Postretirement Benefit Cost | |||||||
Discount rate | (0.5) | $ | 22.6 | $ | 0.6 | |||||
Discount rate | 0.5 | (19.9 | ) | (0.1 | ) | |||||
Health care cost trend rate | (0.5) | (12.4 | ) | (1.2 | ) | |||||
Health care cost trend rate | 0.5 | 14.3 | 1.4 | |||||||
Rate of return on plan assets | (0.5) | N/A | 1.0 | |||||||
Rate of return on plan assets | 0.5 | N/A | (1.0 | ) | ||||||
The discount rates are selected based on hypothetical bond portfolios consisting of noncallable (or callable with make-whole provisions), noncollateralized, high-quality corporate bonds across the full maturity spectrum. The bonds are generally rated "Aa" with a minimum amount outstanding of $50.0 million. From the hypothetical bond portfolios, a single rate is determined that equates the market value of the bonds purchased to the discounted value of the plans' expected future benefit payments.
We establish our expected return on asset assumption based on consideration of historical and projected asset class returns, as well as the target allocations of the benefit trust portfolios. The assumed long-term rate of return on pension plan assets was 7.00% in 2017, 2016, and 2015. The actual rate of return on pension plan assets, net of fees, was 11.48%, 6.91%, and (0.6)%, in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
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In selecting assumed health care cost trend rates, past performance and forecasts of health care costs are considered. For more information on health care cost trend rates and a table showing future payments that we expect to make for our pension and OPEB, see Note 15, Employee Benefits.
Regulatory Accounting
Our utility operations follow the guidance under the Regulated Operations Topic of the FASB ASC. Our financial statements reflect the effects of the ratemaking principles followed by the jurisdictions regulating us. Certain items that would otherwise be immediately recognized as revenues and expenses are deferred as regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities for future recovery or refund to customers, as authorized by our regulators.
Future recovery of regulatory assets is not assured and is generally subject to review by regulators in rate proceedings for matters such as prudence and reasonableness. Once approved, the regulatory assets and liabilities are amortized into earnings over the rate recovery period. If recovery or refund of costs is not approved or is no longer considered probable, these regulatory assets or liabilities are recognized in current period earnings. Management regularly assesses whether these regulatory assets and liabilities are probable of future recovery or refund by considering factors such as changes in the regulatory environment, earnings from our electric and natural gas utility operations, and the status of any pending or potential deregulation legislation.
The application of the Regulated Operations Topic of the FASB ASC would be discontinued if all or a separable portion of our utility operations no longer met the criteria for application. Our regulatory assets and liabilities would be written off to income as an unusual or infrequently occurring item in the period in which discontinuation occurred. As of December 31, 2017, we had $1,984.9 million in regulatory assets and $1,721.1 million in regulatory liabilities. See Note 5, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, for more information.
Unbilled Revenues
We record utility operating revenues when energy is delivered to our customers. However, the determination of energy sales to individual customers is based upon the reading of their meters, which occurs on a systematic basis throughout the month. At the end of each month, amounts of energy delivered to customers since the date of their last meter reading are estimated and corresponding unbilled revenues are calculated. This unbilled revenue is estimated each month based upon actual generation and throughput volumes, recorded sales, estimated customer usage by class, weather factors, estimated line losses, and applicable customer rates. Significant fluctuations in energy demand for the unbilled period or changes in the composition of customer classes could impact the accuracy of the unbilled revenue estimate. Total utility operating revenues during 2017 of approximately $3.7 billion included accrued utility revenues of $217.5 million as of December 31, 2017.
Income Tax Expense
We are required to estimate income taxes for each of the jurisdictions in which we operate as part of the process of preparing consolidated financial statements. This process involves estimating current income tax liabilities together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as depreciation, for income tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred income tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our balance sheets. We also assess the likelihood that our deferred income tax assets will be recovered through future taxable income. To the extent we believe that realization is not likely, we establish a valuation allowance, which is offset by an adjustment to the provision for income taxes in our income statements.
Uncertainty associated with the application of tax statutes and regulations and the outcomes of tax audits and appeals requires that judgments and estimates be made in the accrual process and in the calculation of effective tax rates. Only income tax benefits that meet the "more likely than not" recognition threshold may be recognized or continue to be recognized. Unrecognized tax benefits are re-evaluated quarterly and changes are recorded based on new information, including the issuance of relevant guidance by the courts or tax authorities and developments occurring in the examinations of our tax returns.
Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, and any valuation allowance recorded against deferred income tax assets. The assumptions involved are supported by historical data, reasonable projections, and interpretations of applicable tax laws and regulations across multiple taxing jurisdictions. Significant changes in these assumptions could have a material impact on our
2017 Form 10-K | 48 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
financial condition and results of operations. See Note 1(l), Income Taxes, and Note 12, Income Taxes, for a discussion of accounting for income taxes.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
See Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Market Risks and Other Significant Risks, as well as Note 1(m), Fair Value Measurements, and
Note 1(n), Derivative Instruments, for information concerning potential market risks to which we are exposed.
2017 Form 10-K | 49 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
A. REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Wisconsin Electric Power Company
Opinion on Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and statements of capitalization of Wisconsin Electric Power Company and subsidiary (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits 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 financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 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 financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 28, 2018
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2002.
2017 Form 10-K | 50 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
B. CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 3,711.7 | $ | 3,792.8 | $ | 3,854.1 | ||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 1,286.4 | 1,292.1 | 1,399.0 | |||||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 1,358.5 | 1,430.2 | 1,384.9 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 331.6 | 325.4 | 304.0 | |||||||||
Property and revenue taxes | 109.6 | 115.6 | 117.3 | |||||||||
Total operating expenses | 3,086.1 | 3,163.3 | 3,205.2 | |||||||||
Operating income | 625.6 | 629.5 | 648.9 | |||||||||
Equity in earnings of transmission affiliate | — | 55.5 | 47.8 | |||||||||
Other income, net | 19.7 | 9.1 | 11.2 | |||||||||
Interest expense | 117.3 | 117.6 | 119.0 | |||||||||
Other expense | (97.6 | ) | (53.0 | ) | (60.0 | ) | ||||||
Income before income taxes | 528.0 | 576.5 | 588.9 | |||||||||
Income tax expense | 191.2 | 211.0 | 212.0 | |||||||||
Net income | 336.8 | 365.5 | 376.9 | |||||||||
Preferred stock dividend requirements | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | |||||||||
Net income attributed to common shareholder | $ | 335.6 | $ | 364.3 | $ | 375.7 | ||||||
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
2017 Form 10-K | 51 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
C. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
At December 31 | ||||||||
(in millions, except share and per share amounts) | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 12.3 | $ | 15.4 | ||||
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net of reserves of $39.5 and $40.9, respectively | 513.8 | 503.2 | ||||||
Accounts receivable from related parties | 109.1 | 58.2 | ||||||
Materials, supplies, and inventories | 250.7 | 271.0 | ||||||
Prepayments | 144.3 | 138.0 | ||||||
Other | 9.4 | 24.6 | ||||||
Current assets | 1,039.6 | 1,010.4 | ||||||
Long-term assets | ||||||||
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,741.8 and $3,619.6, respectively | 10,007.7 | 9,832.3 | ||||||
Regulatory assets | 1,984.9 | 2,036.6 | ||||||
Equity investment in transmission affiliate | — | 402.0 | ||||||
Other | 89.4 | 90.2 | ||||||
Long-term assets | 12,082.0 | 12,361.1 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 13,121.6 | $ | 13,371.5 | ||||
Liabilities and Equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Short-term debt | $ | 210.9 | $ | 159.0 | ||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 250.0 | — | ||||||
Current portion of capital lease obligations | 42.5 | 28.5 | ||||||
Subsidiary note payable to WEC Energy Group | — | 18.5 | ||||||
Accounts payable | 329.3 | 297.9 | ||||||
Accounts payable to related parties | 131.5 | 112.9 | ||||||
Accrued payroll and benefits | 53.4 | 51.8 | ||||||
Accrued taxes | 58.2 | 46.0 | ||||||
Other | 111.8 | 100.1 | ||||||
Current liabilities | 1,187.6 | 814.7 | ||||||
Long-term liabilities | ||||||||
Long-term debt | 2,412.3 | 2,661.1 | ||||||
Capital lease obligations | 2,823.8 | 2,756.5 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 1,155.5 | 2,333.3 | ||||||
Regulatory liabilities | 1,708.0 | 853.9 | ||||||
Pension and OPEB obligations | 143.2 | 167.6 | ||||||
Other | 276.9 | 260.2 | ||||||
Long-term liabilities | 8,519.7 | 9,032.6 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 19) | ||||||||
Common shareholder's equity | ||||||||
Common stock - $10 par value; 65,000,000 shares authorized; 33,289,327 shares outstanding | 332.9 | 332.9 | ||||||
Additional paid in capital | 802.7 | 1,020.1 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 2,248.3 | 2,140.8 | ||||||
Common shareholder's equity | 3,383.9 | 3,493.8 | ||||||
Preferred stock | 30.4 | 30.4 | ||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 13,121.6 | $ | 13,371.5 | ||||
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
2017 Form 10-K | 52 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
D. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Operating activities | ||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 336.8 | $ | 365.5 | $ | 376.9 | ||||||
Reconciliation to cash provided by operating activities | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 331.6 | 325.4 | 323.7 | |||||||||
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net | 109.7 | 206.2 | 178.9 | |||||||||
Contributions and payments related to pension and OPEB plans | (8.3 | ) | (8.0 | ) | (107.6 | ) | ||||||
Equity income in transmission affiliate, net of distributions | — | (17.2 | ) | (4.9 | ) | |||||||
Payments for liabilities transferred to WBS | (0.3 | ) | (116.0 | ) | — | |||||||
Change in – | ||||||||||||
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues | (64.9 | ) | (59.0 | ) | (2.9 | ) | ||||||
Materials, supplies, and inventories | 20.3 | 30.6 | 18.8 | |||||||||
Prepaid taxes | 0.5 | 39.4 | (2.8 | ) | ||||||||
Other current assets | (11.8 | ) | 9.3 | 0.3 | ||||||||
Accounts payable | 45.8 | 31.3 | (5.9 | ) | ||||||||
Accrued taxes | 12.8 | 30.4 | (42.1 | ) | ||||||||
Other current liabilities | 12.2 | 10.7 | (1.2 | ) | ||||||||
Other, net | (86.4 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (56.8 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 698.0 | 848.4 | 674.4 | |||||||||
Investing activities | ||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | (596.1 | ) | (469.5 | ) | (519.2 | ) | ||||||
Capital contributions to transmission affiliate | — | (16.1 | ) | (4.6 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from the sale of assets | 22.9 | 31.7 | 0.2 | |||||||||
Proceeds from assets transferred to WBS | — | 13.1 | — | |||||||||
Other, net | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.4 | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (568.2 | ) | (436.8 | ) | (520.2 | ) | ||||||
Financing activities | ||||||||||||
Change in short-term debt | 51.9 | 15.0 | (162.8 | ) | ||||||||
Repayment of subsidiary note to parent | (18.5 | ) | (1.1 | ) | (2.9 | ) | ||||||
Issuance of long-term debt | — | — | 500.0 | |||||||||
Retirement of long-term debt | — | — | (250.0 | ) | ||||||||
Equity contribution from parent | 75.0 | — | — | |||||||||
Payment of dividends to parent | (240.0 | ) | (455.0 | ) | (240.0 | ) | ||||||
Payment of preferred stock dividends | (1.2 | ) | (1.2 | ) | (1.2 | ) | ||||||
Other, net | (0.1 | ) | 19.0 | 5.8 | ||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (132.9 | ) | (423.3 | ) | (151.1 | ) | ||||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | (3.1 | ) | (11.7 | ) | 3.1 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 15.4 | 27.1 | 24.0 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 12.3 | $ | 15.4 | $ | 27.1 | ||||||
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
2017 Form 10-K | 53 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
E. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
Wisconsin Electric Power Company Common Shareholder's Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Additional Paid-In Capital | Retained Earnings | Total Common Shareholder's Equity | Preferred Stock | Total Equity | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2014 | $ | 332.9 | $ | 984.4 | $ | 2,095.5 | $ | 3,412.8 | $ | 30.4 | $ | 3,443.2 | ||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | 376.9 | 376.9 | — | 376.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock | — | — | (240.0 | ) | (240.0 | ) | — | (240.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Preferred stock | — | — | (1.2 | ) | (1.2 | ) | — | (1.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Tax benefit of exercised stock options allocated from parent | — | 12.1 | — | 12.1 | — | 12.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation and other | — | 3.2 | 0.2 | 3.4 | — | 3.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2015 | $ | 332.9 | $ | 999.7 | $ | 2,231.4 | $ | 3,564.0 | $ | 30.4 | $ | 3,594.4 | ||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | 365.5 | 365.5 | — | 365.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock | — | — | (455.0 | ) | (455.0 | ) | — | (455.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Preferred stock | — | — | (1.2 | ) | (1.2 | ) | — | (1.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Tax benefit of exercised stock options allocated from parent | — | 19.3 | — | 19.3 | — | 19.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation and other | — | 1.1 | 0.1 | 1.2 | — | 1.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2016 | $ | 332.9 | $ | 1,020.1 | $ | 2,140.8 | $ | 3,493.8 | $ | 30.4 | $ | 3,524.2 | ||||||||||||
Net income | — | — | 336.8 | 336.8 | — | 336.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock | — | — | (240.0 | ) | (240.0 | ) | — | (240.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Preferred stock | — | — | (1.2 | ) | (1.2 | ) | — | (1.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2016-09 | — | — | 11.9 | 11.9 | — | 11.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity contribution from parent | — | 75.0 | — | 75.0 | — | 75.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Transfer of net assets to UMERC | — | (61.1 | ) | — | (61.1 | ) | — | (61.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Transfer of ATC ownership interest and related taxes | — | (228.6 | ) | — | (228.6 | ) | — | (228.6 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Settlement of a short-term note receivable between Bostco and our parent company | — | (4.8 | ) | — | (4.8 | ) | — | (4.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation and other | — | 2.1 | — | 2.1 | — | 2.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2017 | $ | 332.9 | $ | 802.7 | $ | 2,248.3 | $ | 3,383.9 | $ | 30.4 | $ | 3,414.3 | ||||||||||||
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
2017 Form 10-K | 54 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
F. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION
At December 31 (in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||
Common shareholder's equity (see accompanying statement) | 3,383.9 | 3,493.8 | ||||||||||
Preferred stock (Note 9) | 30.4 | 30.4 | ||||||||||
Long-term debt | Interest Rate | Year Due | ||||||||||
Debentures (unsecured) | 1.70% | 2018 | 250.0 | 250.0 | ||||||||
4.25% | 2019 | 250.0 | 250.0 | |||||||||
2.95% | 2021 | 300.0 | 300.0 | |||||||||
3.10% | 2025 | 250.0 | 250.0 | |||||||||
6.50% | 2028 | 150.0 | 150.0 | |||||||||
5.625% | 2033 | 335.0 | 335.0 | |||||||||
5.70% | 2036 | 300.0 | 300.0 | |||||||||
3.65% | 2042 | 250.0 | 250.0 | |||||||||
4.25% | 2044 | 250.0 | 250.0 | |||||||||
4.30% | 2045 | 250.0 | 250.0 | |||||||||
6.875% | 2095 | 100.0 | 100.0 | |||||||||
Note (secured, nonrecourse) | 4.81% | 2030 | — | 2.0 | ||||||||
Obligations under capital leases | 2,866.3 | 2,785.0 | ||||||||||
Total | 5,551.3 | 5,472.0 | ||||||||||
Unamortized debt issuance costs | (3.2 | ) | (3.6 | ) | ||||||||
Unamortized discount, net | (19.5 | ) | (22.3 | ) | ||||||||
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations, including current portion | 5,528.6 | 5,446.1 | ||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations | (292.5 | ) | (28.5 | ) | ||||||||
Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations | 5,236.1 | 5,417.6 | ||||||||||
Total long-term capitalization | $ | 8,650.4 | $ | 8,941.8 | ||||||||
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
2017 Form 10-K | 55 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
G. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Nature of Operations—On June 29, 2015, our parent company, Wisconsin Energy Corporation, acquired Integrys and changed its name to WEC Energy Group, Inc. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on this acquisition.
We are an electric, natural gas, and steam utility company that serves electric customers in Wisconsin and an iron ore mine owned by Tilden in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, natural gas customers in Wisconsin, and steam customers in metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In December 2016, both the MPSC and the PSCW approved the operation of UMERC as a stand-alone utility in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and it became operational effective January 1, 2017. This utility holds the electric assets previously held by us and the electric and natural gas distribution assets previously held by WPS, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The existing contract between us and Tilden will remain in place until a new power generation solution for the region is commercially operational, which is expected to occur in 2019.
As used in these notes, the term "financial statements" refers to the consolidated financial statements. This includes the income statements, balance sheets, statements of cash flows, statements of equity, and statements of capitalization, unless otherwise noted.
Through December 31, 2017, we had one wholly owned subsidiary, Bostco. At December 31, 2016, Bostco had total assets of $24.4 million. In March 2017, we sold substantially all of the remaining assets of Bostco. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information. The financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiary. The cost method of accounting is used for investments when we do not have significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. Investments in companies not controlled by us, but over which we have significant influence regarding the operating and financial policies of the investee, are accounted for using the equity method.
(b) Basis of Presentation—We prepare our financial statements in conformity with GAAP. We make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include marketable debt securities with an original maturity of three months or less.
(d) Revenues and Customer Receivables—We recognize revenues related to the sale of energy on the accrual basis and include estimated amounts for services provided but not yet billed to customers.
We present revenues net of pass-through taxes on the income statements.
Below is a summary of the significant mechanisms we had in place that allowed us to recover or refund changes in prudently incurred costs from rate case-approved amounts:
• | Fuel and purchased power costs were recovered from customers on a one-for-one basis by our Wisconsin wholesale electric operations and our Michigan retail electric operations. |
• | Our retail electric rates in Wisconsin are established by the PSCW and include base amounts for fuel and purchased power costs. The electric fuel rules set by the PSCW allow us to defer, for subsequent rate recovery or refund, under- or over-collections of actual fuel and purchased power costs that exceed a 2% price variance from the costs included in the rates charged to customers. We monitor the deferral of under-collected costs to ensure that it does not cause us to earn a greater ROE than authorized by the PSCW. |
• | We received payments from MISO under an SSR agreement for our PIPP units through February 1, 2015. We recorded revenue for these payments to recover costs for operating and maintaining these units. See Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for more information. |
2017 Form 10-K | 56 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
• | Our natural gas utility rates included a one-for-one recovery mechanism for natural gas commodity costs. We defer any difference between actual natural gas costs incurred and costs recovered through rates as a current asset or liability. The deferred balance is returned to or recovered from customers at intervals throughout the year. |
• | Our residential rates included a mechanism for cost recovery or refund of uncollectible expense based on the difference between actual uncollectible write-offs and the amounts recovered in rates. |
Revenues are also impacted by other accounting policies related to our participation in the MISO Energy Markets. We sell and purchase power in the MISO Energy Markets, which operate under both day-ahead and real-time markets. We record energy transactions in the MISO Energy Markets on a net basis for each hour. If we were a net seller in a particular hour, the net amount was reported as operating revenues. If we were a net purchaser in a particular hour, the net amount was recorded as cost of sales on our income statements.
We provide regulated electric, natural gas, and steam service to customers in Wisconsin and to Tilden located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and provided electric service to other customers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan through December 31, 2016. See Note 4, Related Parties, and Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for information regarding the transfer of our customers located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to UMERC as of January 1, 2017. The geographic concentration of our customers did not contribute significantly to our overall exposure to credit risk. We periodically review customers' credit ratings, financial statements, and historical payment performance and require them to provide collateral or other security as needed. Our credit risk exposure is mitigated by our recovery mechanism for uncollectible expense discussed above. As a result, we did not have any significant concentrations of credit risk at December 31, 2017. In addition, there were no customers that accounted for more than 10% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017.
(e) Materials, Supplies, and Inventories—Our inventory as of December 31 consisted of:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Materials and supplies | $ | 140.7 | $ | 148.1 | ||||
Fossil fuel | 74.8 | 91.1 | ||||||
Natural gas in storage | 35.2 | 31.8 | ||||||
Total | $ | 250.7 | $ | 271.0 | ||||
Substantially all materials and supplies, fossil fuel, and natural gas in storage inventories are recorded using the weighted-average cost method of accounting.
(f) Regulatory Assets and Liabilities—The economic effects of regulation can result in regulated companies recording costs and revenues that have been or are expected to be allowed in the rate-making process in a period different from the period in which the costs or revenues would be recognized by a nonregulated company. When this occurs, regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities are recorded on the balance sheet. Regulatory assets represent probable future revenues associated with certain costs or liabilities that have been deferred and are expected to be recovered through rates charged to customers. Regulatory liabilities represent amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers in future rates or amounts that are collected in rates for future costs.
Recovery or refund of regulatory assets and liabilities is based on specific periods determined by the regulators or occurs over the normal operating period of the assets and liabilities to which they relate. If at any reporting date a previously recorded regulatory asset is no longer probable of recovery, the regulatory asset is reduced to the amount considered probable of recovery with the reduction charged to expense in the reporting period the determination is made. See Note 5, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, for more information.
(g) Property, Plant, and Equipment—We record property, plant, and equipment at cost. Cost includes material, labor, overhead, and both debt and equity components of AFUDC. Additions to and significant replacements of property are charged to property, plant, and equipment at cost; minor items are charged to other operation and maintenance expense. The cost of depreciable utility property less salvage value is charged to accumulated depreciation when property is retired.
We record straight-line depreciation expense over the estimated useful life of utility property using depreciation rates approved by the PSCW and MPSC that include estimates for salvage value and removal costs. Depreciation as a percent of average depreciable utility plant was 2.95%, 3.00%, and 3.01% in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
2017 Form 10-K | 57 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
We capitalize certain costs related to software developed or obtained for internal use and record these costs to amortization expense over the estimated useful life of the related software, which ranges from 5 to 15 years. If software is retired prior to being fully amortized, the difference is recorded as a loss on the income statement.
For assets other than our regulated assets and leased equipment, we accrue depreciation expense at straight-line rates over the estimated useful lives of the assets, or over the non-cancellable lease term for leased equipment.
Third parties reimburse us for all or a portion of expenditures for certain capital projects. Such contributions in aid of construction costs are recorded as a reduction to property, plant, and equipment.
See Note 6, Property, Plant, and Equipment, for more information.
(h) Allowance for Funds Used During Construction—AFUDC is included in utility plant accounts and represents the cost of borrowed funds (AFUDC – Debt) used during plant construction, and a return on shareholders' capital (AFUDC – Equity) used for construction purposes. AFUDC – Debt is recorded as a reduction of interest expense, and AFUDC – Equity is recorded in other income, net.
Approximately 50% of our retail jurisdictional CWIP expenditures are subject to the AFUDC calculation. Our average AFUDC retail rates were 8.45% for 2017, 2016, and 2015. Our average AFUDC wholesale rates were 5.94%, 2.73%, and 1.72% for 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
We recorded the following AFUDC for the years ended December 31:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
AFUDC – Debt | $ | 1.2 | $ | 1.7 | $ | 2.2 | ||||||
AFUDC – Equity | $ | 3.1 | $ | 4.2 | $ | 5.7 | ||||||
(i) Asset Retirement Obligations—We recognize, at fair value, legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development, and normal operation of the assets. An ARO liability is recorded, when incurred, for these obligations as long as the fair value can be reasonably estimated, even if the timing or method of settling the obligation is unknown. The associated retirement costs are capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset and are depreciated over the useful life of the asset. The ARO liabilities are accreted each period using the credit-adjusted risk-free interest rates associated with the expected settlement dates of the AROs. These rates are determined when the obligations are incurred. Subsequent changes resulting from revisions to the timing or the amount of the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows are recognized as an increase or a decrease to the carrying amount of the liability and the associated retirement costs. We recognize regulatory assets or liabilities for the timing differences between when we recover an ARO in rates and when we recognize the associated retirement costs. See Note 7, Asset Retirement Obligations, for more information.
(j) Asset Impairment—We periodically assess the recoverability of certain long-lived assets when factors indicate the carrying value of such assets may be impaired or such assets are planned to be sold. These assessments require significant assumptions and judgments by management. The long-lived assets assessed for impairment generally include certain assets within regulated operations that may not be fully recovered from our customers as a result of regulatory decisions that will be made in the future.
When it becomes probable that a generating unit will be retired before the end of its useful life, we assess whether the generating unit meets the criteria for abandonment accounting. Generating units that are considered probable of abandonment are expected to cease operations in the near term, significantly before the end of their original estimated useful lives. If a generating unit meets applicable criteria to be considered probable of abandonment, we assess the likelihood of recovery of the remaining carrying value of that generating unit at the end of each reporting period. If it becomes probable that regulators will not allow full recovery as well as a return on the remaining net book value of the abandoned generating unit, an impairment charge may be required. An impairment charge would be recorded if the remaining carrying value of the abandoned generating unit is greater than the present value of the amount expected to be recovered from ratepayers. See Note 6, Property, Plant, and Equipment, for more information.
(k) Stock-Based Compensation—Our employees participate in the WEC Energy Group stock-based compensation plans. In accordance with the WEC Energy Group shareholder approved Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, WEC Energy Group provides long-term incentives through its equity interests to its non-employee directors, selected officers, and other key employees. The plan provides for the granting of stock options, restricted stock, performance shares, and other stock-based awards. Awards may be paid in WEC Energy Group common stock, cash, or a combination thereof. The number of shares of WEC Energy Group common stock authorized for issuance under the plan is 34.3 million.
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Stock-based compensation expense is allocated to us based on the outstanding awards held by our employees and our allocation of labor costs. Awards classified as equity awards are measured based on their grant-date fair value. Awards classified as liability awards are recorded at fair value each reporting period.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which modifies certain aspects of the accounting for stock-based compensation awards. This ASU became effective for us on January 1, 2017. Under the new guidance, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement on a prospective basis. Prior to January 1, 2017, these amounts were recorded in additional paid in capital on the balance sheet, and excess tax benefits could only be recognized to the extent they reduced taxes payable. In the first quarter of 2017, we recorded an $11.9 million cumulative-effect adjustment to increase retained earnings for excess tax benefits that had not been recognized in prior years as they did not reduce taxes payable.
ASU 2016-09 also requires excess tax benefits to be classified as an operating activity on the statement of cash flows. As we have elected to apply this provision on a prospective basis, the prior year amounts will continue to be reflected as a financing activity. As allowed under this ASU, we have also elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimating potential future forfeitures and recording them over the vesting period.
As we did not record any excess tax benefits in 2017, adoption of ASU 2016-09 had no impact on our financial statements other than the cumulative-effect adjustment discussed above.
Stock Options
Our employees are granted WEC Energy Group non-qualified stock options that generally vest on a cliff-basis after a three-year period. The exercise price of a stock option under the plan cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of WEC Energy Group common stock on the grant date. Historically, all stock options have been granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of WEC Energy Group common stock on the date of the grant. Options may not be exercised within six months of the grant date except in the event of a change in control. Options expire no later than 10 years from the date of grant.
WEC Energy Group stock options are classified as equity awards. The fair value of each stock option was calculated using a binomial option-pricing model. The following table shows the estimated weighted-average fair value per stock option granted to our employees along with the weighted-average assumptions used in the valuation models:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||
Stock options granted * | 80,770 | 92,880 | 495,550 | |||||||||
Estimated weighted-average fair value per stock option | $ | 7.12 | $ | 4.92 | $ | 5.29 | ||||||
Assumptions used to value the options: | ||||||||||||
Risk-free interest rate | 0.7% – 2.5% | 0.5% – 2.2% | 0.1% – 2.1% | |||||||||
Dividend yield | 3.5 | % | 4.0 | % | 3.7 | % | ||||||
Expected volatility | 19.0 | % | 18.0 | % | 18.0 | % | ||||||
Expected life (years) | 6.2 | 5.8 | 5.8 | |||||||||
* | Effective January 1, 2016, certain employees were transferred into WBS. See Note 4, Related Parties, for more information. |
The risk-free interest rate was based on the United States Treasury interest rate with a term consistent with the expected life of the stock options. The dividend yield was based on WEC Energy Group's dividend rate at the time of the grant and historical stock prices. Expected volatility and expected life assumptions were based on WEC Energy Group's historical experience.
Restricted Shares
WEC Energy Group restricted shares granted to our employees have a three-year vesting period with one-third of the award vesting on each anniversary of the grant date. The restricted shares are classified as equity awards.
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Performance Units
Officers and other key employees are granted performance units under the WEC Energy Group Performance Unit Plan. Under the plan, the ultimate number of units that will be awarded is dependent on WEC Energy Group's total shareholder return (stock price appreciation plus dividends) as compared to the total shareholder return of a peer group of companies over a three-year period, and beginning in 2017, other performance metrics as determined by the Compensation Committee. Participants may earn between 0% and 175% of the base performance unit award, as adjusted pursuant to the terms of the plan. Performance units granted on or after January 1, 2016 also accrue forfeitable dividend equivalents in the form of additional performance units.
All grants of performance units are settled in cash and are accounted for as liability awards accordingly. The fair value of the performance units reflects our estimate of the final expected value of the awards, which is based on WEC Energy Group's stock price and performance achievement under the terms of the award. Stock-based compensation costs are recorded over the three-year performance period.
See Note 8, Common Equity, for more information on WEC Energy Group's stock-based compensation plans.
(l) Income Taxes—We follow the liability method in accounting for income taxes. Accounting guidance for income taxes requires the recording of deferred assets and liabilities to recognize the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in our financial statements or tax returns and the adjustment of deferred tax balances to reflect tax rate changes. We are required to assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets would expire before being realized. If we conclude that certain deferred tax assets are likely to expire before being realized, a valuation allowance would be established against those assets. GAAP requires that, if we conclude in a future period that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets would be realized before expiration, we reverse the related valuation allowance in that period. Any change to the allowance, as a result of a change in judgment about the realization of deferred tax assets, is reported in income tax expense.
Investment tax credits associated with regulated operations are deferred and amortized over the life of the assets. We are included in WEC Energy Group's consolidated Federal and state income tax returns. In accordance with our tax allocation agreement with WEC Energy Group, we are allocated income tax payments and refunds based upon our separate tax computation. See Note 12, Income Taxes, for more information.
We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense in our income statements.
(m) Fair Value Measurements—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 at the measurement date (exit price).
Fair value accounting rules provide a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2 – Pricing inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, but are not quoted prices included within Level 1. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using external inputs within models or other valuation methods.
Level 3 – Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methods that result in management's best estimate of fair value. Level 3 instruments include those that may be more structured or otherwise tailored to customers' needs.
Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. We use a mid-market pricing convention (the mid-point price between bid and ask prices) as a practical measure for valuing certain derivative assets and liabilities. We primarily use a market approach for recurring fair value measurements and attempt to use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
When possible, we base the valuations of our derivative assets and liabilities on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. These valuations are classified in Level 1. The valuations of certain contracts not classified as Level 1 may be based on
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quoted market prices received from counterparties and/or observable inputs for similar instruments. Transactions valued using these inputs are classified in Level 2. Certain derivatives are categorized in Level 3 due to the significance of unobservable or internally-developed inputs.
We recognize transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy at their value as of the end of the reporting period.
Due to the short-term nature of cash and cash equivalents, net accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, accounts payable, and short-term debt, the carrying amount of each such item approximates fair value. The fair value of our preferred stock is estimated based on the quoted market value for the same issue, or by using a dividend discount model. The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated based upon the quoted market value for the same or similar issues. The fair values of long-term debt and preferred stock are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
See Note 13, Fair Value Measurements, for more information.
(n) Derivative Instruments—We use derivatives as part of our risk management program to manage the risks associated with the price volatility of purchased power, generation, and natural gas costs for the benefit of our customers. Our approach is non-speculative and designed to mitigate risk. Our regulated hedging programs are approved by the PSCW.
We record derivative instruments on our balance sheets as assets or liabilities measured at fair value, unless they qualify for the normal purchases and sales exception, and are so designated. We continually assess our contracts designated as normal and will discontinue the treatment of these contracts as normal if the required criteria are no longer met. Changes in the derivative's fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met or we receive regulatory treatment for the derivative. For most energy related physical and financial contracts in our regulated operations that qualify as derivatives, the PSCW allows the effects of fair value accounting to be offset to regulatory assets and liabilities.
We classify derivative assets and liabilities as current or long-term on our balance sheets based on the maturities of the underlying contracts. Realized gains and losses on derivative instruments are primarily recorded in cost of sales on our income statements. Cash flows from derivative activities are presented in the same category as the item being hedged within operating activities on our statements of cash flows.
Derivative accounting rules provide the option to present certain asset and liability derivative positions net on the balance sheets and to net the related cash collateral against these net derivative positions. We elected not to net these items. On our balance sheets, cash collateral provided to others is reflected in other current assets, and cash collateral received is reflected in other current liabilities. See Note 14, Derivative Instruments, for more information.
(o) Employee Benefits—The costs of pension and OPEB plans are expensed over the periods during which employees render service. These costs are distributed among WEC Energy Group's subsidiaries based on current employment status and actuarial calculations, as applicable. Our regulators allow recovery in rates for our net periodic benefit cost calculated under GAAP. See Note 15, Employee Benefits, for more information.
(p) Customer Deposits and Credit Balances—When utility customers apply for new service, they may be required to provide a deposit for the service. Customer deposits are recorded within other current liabilities on our balance sheets.
Utility customers can elect to be on a budget plan. Under this type of plan, a monthly installment amount is calculated based on estimated annual usage. During the year, the monthly installment amount is reviewed by comparing it to actual usage. If necessary, an adjustment is made to the monthly amount. Annually, the budget plan is reconciled to actual annual usage. Payments in excess of actual customer usage are recorded within other current liabilities on our balance sheets.
(q) Environmental Remediation Costs—We are subject to federal and state environmental laws and regulations that in the future may require us to pay for environmental remediation at sites where we have been, or may be, identified as a potentially responsible party. Loss contingencies may exist for the remediation of hazardous substances at various potential sites, including coal combustion product landfill sites and manufactured gas plant sites. See Note 7, Asset Retirement Obligations, for more information regarding coal combustion product landfill sites and Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information regarding manufactured gas plant sites.
We record environmental remediation liabilities when site assessments indicate remediation is probable and we can reasonably estimate the loss or a range of losses. The estimate includes both our share of the liability and any additional amounts that will not
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be paid by other potentially responsible parties or the government. When possible, we estimate costs using site-specific information but also consider historical experience for costs incurred at similar sites. Remediation efforts for a particular site generally extend over a period of several years. During this period, the laws governing the remediation process may change, as well as site conditions, potentially affecting the cost of remediation.
We have received approval to defer certain environmental remediation costs, as well as estimated future costs, through a regulatory asset. The recovery of deferred costs is subject to the PSCW's approval.
We review our estimated costs of remediation annually for our manufactured gas plant sites and coal combustion product landfill sites. We adjust the liabilities and related regulatory assets, as appropriate, to reflect the new cost estimates. Any material changes in cost estimates are adjusted throughout the year.
NOTE 2—ACQUISITIONS
Parent Company's Acquisition of Natural Gas Storage Facilities in Michigan
On June 30, 2017, our parent company completed the acquisition of Bluewater for $226.0 million. Bluewater owns natural gas storage facilities in Michigan that will provide a portion of the current storage needs for our natural gas utility operations. In September 2017, we entered into a long-term service agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Bluewater to take the allocated storage, which was then approved by the PSCW in November 2017. See Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
Parent Company's Acquisition of Integrys
On June 29, 2015, our parent company acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Integrys and changed its name to WEC Energy Group, Inc. Integrys is a provider of regulated natural gas and electricity, as well as nonregulated renewable energy.
The acquisition was subject to the approvals of various government agencies, including the PSCW. Approvals were obtained from all agencies subject to several conditions. The PSCW order includes the following conditions:
• | We are subject to an earnings sharing mechanism for three years beginning January 1, 2016. Under the earnings sharing mechanism, if we earn over our authorized rate of return, 50% of the first 50 basis points of additional utility earnings will be shared with customers and will reduce our transmission escrow. All utility earnings above the first 50 basis points will be solely used to reduce the transmission escrow. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recorded $0.1 million and $21.1 million of expense related to this earnings sharing mechanism, respectively. |
• | Any future electric generation projects affecting Wisconsin ratepayers submitted by WEC Energy Group or its subsidiaries will first consider the extent to which existing intercompany resources can meet energy and capacity needs. In September 2015, we and WPS filed a joint integrated resource plan with the PSCW for our combined loads, which indicated that no new generation was needed at the time. |
In 2015, we recorded $6.6 million of severance expense that resulted from employee reductions related to the post-acquisition integration. The severance expense was recorded in our utility segment and is included in the other operation and maintenance line item on the income statements. Severance expense incurred after 2015 was not significant. Severance payments made during 2017 were not significant. Severance payments of $4.6 million and $1.2 million were made during 2016 and 2015, respectively. The severance accrual on our balance sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 related to the acquisition of Integrys was not significant.
NOTE 3—DISPOSITIONS
Utility Segment
Sale of Milwaukee County Power Plant
In April 2016, we sold the MCPP steam generation and distribution assets, located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. MCPP primarily provided steam to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center hospitals and other campus buildings. During the second quarter of 2016, we recorded a pre-tax gain on the sale of $10.9 million ($6.5 million after tax), which was included in other operation and maintenance on our income statements. The assets included in the sale were not material and, therefore, were not presented as
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held for sale. The results of operations of this plant remained in continuing operations through the sale date as the sale did not represent a shift in our corporate strategy and did not have a major effect on our operations and financial results.
Other Segment
Sale of Bostco Real Estate Holdings
In March 2017, we sold the remaining real estate holdings of Bostco located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which included retail, office, and residential space. During the first quarter of 2017, we recorded an insignificant gain on the sale, which was included in other income, net on our income statements. The assets included in the sale were not material and, therefore, were not presented as held for sale. The results of operations associated with these assets remained in continuing operations through the sale date as the sale did not represent a shift in our corporate strategy and did not have a major effect on our operations and financial results.
NOTE 4—RELATED PARTIES
We routinely enter into transactions with related parties, including WEC Energy Group, its other subsidiaries, ATC, and other affiliated entities.
We provide and receive services, property, and other items of value to and from our parent, WEC Energy Group, and other subsidiaries of WEC Energy Group.
Following the acquisition of Integrys by Wisconsin Energy Corporation on June 29, 2015, an AIA (Non-WBS AIA) went into effect. The Non-WBS AIA governed the provision and receipt of services by WEC Energy Group's subsidiaries, except that WBS continued to provide services to Integrys and its subsidiaries only under the existing WBS AIAs. WBS provided services to WEC Energy Group and the former Wisconsin Energy Corporation subsidiaries, including us, under interim WBS AIAs. The PSCW and all other relevant state commissions approved the Non-WBS AIA or granted appropriate waivers related to the Non-WBS AIA.
Services under the Non-WBS AIA were subject to various pricing methodologies. All services provided by any regulated subsidiary to another regulated subsidiary were priced at cost. All services provided by any regulated subsidiary to any nonregulated subsidiary were priced at the greater of cost or fair market value. All services provided by any nonregulated subsidiary to any regulated subsidiary were priced at the lesser of cost or fair market value. All services provided by any regulated or nonregulated subsidiary to WBS were priced at cost.
WBS provided several categories of services (including financial, human resource, and administrative services) to us pursuant to the interim WBS AIAs, which were approved, or from which we were granted appropriate waivers, by the appropriate regulators, including the PSCW. As required by FERC regulations for centralized service companies, WBS renders services at cost. The PSCW must be notified prior to making changes to the services offered under and the allocation methods specified in the interim WBS AIAs. Other modifications or amendments to the interim WBS AIAs would require PSCW approval. Recovery of allocated costs is addressed in our rate cases.
A new AIA took effect January 1, 2017. The new agreement replaced the previous agreements. The pricing methodology and services under this new agreement are substantially identical to those under the agreements that were replaced. All of the applicable state commissions approved modifications to the new AIA to incorporate WEC Energy Group's acquisition of Bluewater. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on the acquisition.
Effective January 1, 2016, 485 of our employees were transferred into WBS. In connection with this transfer of employees, certain benefit-related liabilities were also transferred to WBS. In addition, we transferred certain software assets to WBS in 2016.
Bostco, our consolidated subsidiary, had a note payable to our parent company, WEC Energy Group. The balance of this note payable was $18.5 million at December 31, 2016, which was paid off in the first half of 2017.
In connection with the sale of Bostco’s remaining real estate holdings, Wispark, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, provided $7.0 million of financing to the buyer and established a corresponding note receivable. Bostco had a $7.0 million related party receivable from Wispark that was paid in April 2017. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information on the real estate sale.
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Effective January 1, 2017, based upon input we received from the PSCW, we transferred our $415.4 million investment in ATC, and the related receivable for distributions approved and recorded in December 2016, to another subsidiary of WEC Energy Group. In addition, we transferred $186.8 million of related deferred income tax liabilities. These transactions were non-cash equity transfers recorded to additional paid in capital between entities under common control, and therefore, did not result in the recognition of a gain or loss.
We pay ATC for transmission and other related services it provides. In addition, we provide a variety of operational, maintenance, and project management work for ATC, which is reimbursed by ATC. Services are billed to and from ATC under agreements approved by the PSCW, at each of our fully allocated costs.
Our balance sheets included the following receivables and payables related to transactions entered into with ATC:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Accounts receivable | ||||||||
Services provided to ATC | $ | 0.8 | $ | 1.1 | ||||
Accounts payable | ||||||||
Services received from ATC | 22.2 | 20.0 | ||||||
The following table shows activity associated with our related party transactions for the years ended December 31:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Lease agreements | ||||||||||||
Lease payments to We Power (1) | $ | 420.5 | $ | 412.2 | $ | 410.5 | ||||||
CWIP billed to We Power | 57.3 | 37.9 | 58.8 | |||||||||
Transactions with WBS (2) | ||||||||||||
Billings to WBS (3) | 255.7 | 213.8 | 11.1 | |||||||||
Billings from WBS (4) | 215.4 | 310.6 | 1.3 | |||||||||
Transactions with WPS (2) | ||||||||||||
Natural gas purchases from WPS | 1.6 | 1.9 | 0.4 | |||||||||
Billings to WPS | 28.2 | 9.0 | 13.4 | |||||||||
Billings from WPS | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.9 | |||||||||
Transactions with WG | ||||||||||||
Natural gas purchases from WG | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | |||||||||
Billings to WG | 64.0 | 60.6 | 79.4 | |||||||||
Billings from WG | 23.1 | 21.5 | 23.5 | |||||||||
Transactions with UMERC (5) | ||||||||||||
Electric sales to UMERC | 30.8 | — | — | |||||||||
Billings to UMERC (2) | 125.5 | — | — | |||||||||
Transactions with Bluewater (6) | ||||||||||||
Storage service fees | 2.7 | — | — | |||||||||
Transactions with ATC | ||||||||||||
Charges to ATC for services and construction | 10.9 | 10.0 | 9.7 | |||||||||
Charges from ATC for network transmission services | 241.4 | 247.8 | 238.5 | |||||||||
Refund from ATC per FERC ROE order | (19.4 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
(1) | We make lease payments to We Power, another subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, for PWGS Units 1 and 2 and ERGS Units 1 and 2. |
(2) | Includes amounts billed for services, pass through costs, and other items in accordance with the approved AIAs. |
(3) | Includes $1.2 million, for the transfer of certain benefit-related liabilities from WBS for the year ended December 31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2016, includes $13.1 million for the transfer of certain software assets to WBS. There were no transfers of assets to WBS during the year ended December 31, 2017, and there were no transfers of liabilities from WBS for the year ended December 31, 2016. |
(4) | For the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, includes $1.5 million and $116.0 million, respectively, for the transfer of certain benefit-related liabilities to WBS. |
(5) | UMERC became operational effective January 1, 2017. See below for more information. |
(6) | The acquisition of Bluewater was completed on June 30, 2017. See below for more information. |
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Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation
In December 2016, both the MPSC and the PSCW approved the operation of UMERC as a stand-alone utility in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. UMERC, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, became operational effective January 1, 2017, and we transferred customers and property, plant, and equipment as of that date. See Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for more information. We transferred approximately 27,500 retail electric customers and 50 electric distribution-only customers to UMERC, along with approximately 2,500 miles of electric distribution lines. We also transferred related electric distribution substations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and all property rights for the distribution assets to UMERC. The book value of net assets, including the related deferred income tax liabilities, transferred to UMERC from us as of January 1, 2017, was $61.1 million. This transaction was a non-cash equity transfer recorded to additional paid in capital between entities under common control, and therefore, did not result in the recognition of a gain or loss. UMERC currently meets its market obligations through power purchase agreements with us and WPS.
NOTE 5—REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
We recorded a $1,065 million change in our deferred taxes due to the enactment of the Tax Legislation, which resulted in both an increase to income tax related regulatory liabilities as well as a decrease to certain existing income tax related regulatory assets represented in Income tax related items in the table below. The $1,065 million change in our deferred taxes represents our estimate of the tax benefit that will be returned to ratepayers through future refunds, bill credits, or reductions in other regulatory assets. See Note 12, Income Taxes, for more information on the Tax Legislation.
The following regulatory assets were reflected on our balance sheets as of December 31:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | See Note | |||||||
Regulatory assets (1) (2) | ||||||||||
Plant related – capital leases | $ | 801.3 | $ | 724.8 | 11 | |||||
Unrecognized pension and OPEB costs (3) | 484.4 | 520.3 | 15 | |||||||
SSR | 298.9 | 188.1 | 21 | |||||||
Electric transmission costs | 220.7 | 231.9 | 21 | |||||||
We Power generation (4) | 71.3 | 54.1 | ||||||||
AROs | 41.4 | 39.7 | 7 | |||||||
Environmental remediation costs (5) | 30.4 | 29.9 | 19 | |||||||
Energy efficiency programs (6) | 28.2 | 38.5 | ||||||||
Income tax related items | — | 200.8 | 12 | |||||||
Other, net | 8.3 | 8.5 | ||||||||
Total regulatory assets | $ | 1,984.9 | $ | 2,036.6 | ||||||
(1) | Based on prior and current rate treatment, we believe it is probable that we will continue to recover from customers the regulatory assets in the table. |
(2) | As of December 31, 2017, we had $11.4 million of regulatory assets not earning a return and $254.0 million of regulatory assets earning a return based on short-term interest rates. The regulatory assets not earning a return relate to certain environmental remediation costs, the recovery of which depends on the timing of the actual expenditures. The other regulatory assets in the table either earn a return or the cash has not yet been expended, in which case the regulatory assets are offset by liabilities. |
(3) | Represents the unrecognized future pension and OPEB costs resulting from actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit and OPEB plans. We are authorized recovery of this regulatory asset over the average remaining service life of each plan. |
(4) | Represents amounts recoverable from customers related to our costs of the generating units leased from We Power, including subsequent capital additions. See Note 11, Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, for more information on the Tax Legislation impacts on the lease payments. |
(5) | As of December 31, 2017, we had not yet made cash expenditures for $18.5 million of these environmental remediation costs. |
(6) | Represents amounts recoverable from customers related to programs designed to meet energy efficiency standards. |
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The following regulatory liabilities were reflected on our balance sheets as of December 31:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | See Note | |||||||
Regulatory liabilities | ||||||||||
2017 Tax Legislation impact and income tax related | $ | 849.1 | $ | — | 12 | |||||
Removal costs (1) | 730.0 | 722.9 | ||||||||
Mines deferral (2) | 95.1 | 70.2 | ||||||||
Other, net | 46.9 | 71.0 | ||||||||
Total regulatory liabilities | $ | 1,721.1 | $ | 864.1 | ||||||
Balance Sheet Presentation | ||||||||||
Current liabilities | $ | 13.1 | $ | 10.2 | ||||||
Regulatory liabilities | 1,708.0 | 853.9 | ||||||||
Total regulatory liabilities | $ | 1,721.1 | $ | 864.1 | ||||||
(1) | Represents amounts collected from customers to cover the cost of future removal of property, plant, and equipment. |
(2) | Represents the deferral of revenues less the associated cost of sales related to the mines, which were not included in the 2015 rate order. We intend to request that this deferral be applied for the benefit of Wisconsin retail electric customers in a future rate proceeding. |
NOTE 6—PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following utility and non-utility and other assets at December 31:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Utility property, plant, and equipment (1) | $ | 9,870.7 | $ | 11,232.9 | ||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation | 2,970.3 | 3,606.9 | ||||||
Net | 6,900.4 | 7,626.0 | ||||||
CWIP | 159.5 | 111.5 | ||||||
Plant to be retired, net | 872.7 | — | ||||||
Net utility property, plant, and equipment | 7,932.6 | 7,737.5 | ||||||
Property under capital leases | 3,009.1 | 2,898.0 | ||||||
Less: Accumulated amortization | 945.9 | 837.8 | ||||||
Net leased facilities | 2,063.2 | 2,060.2 | ||||||
Non-utility and other property, plant, and equipment | 11.9 | 46.4 | ||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation | — | 12.7 | ||||||
Net (2) | 11.9 | 33.7 | ||||||
CWIP | — | 0.9 | ||||||
Net non-utility and other property, plant, and equipment | 11.9 | 34.6 | ||||||
Total property, plant, and equipment | $ | 10,007.7 | $ | 9,832.3 | ||||
(1) | Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred 2,500 miles of electric distribution lines and related electric distribution substations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to UMERC. The net book value of the property, plant, and equipment we transferred to UMERC was $61.1 million. See Note 4, Related Parties, for more information. |
(2) | In March 2017, we sold the remaining real estate holdings of Bostco located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which included retail, office, and residential space. |
Utility Segment Plant to be Retired
We have evaluated future plans for our older and less efficient fossil fuel generating units and have announced our plans for the retirement of the plants identified below. The net book value of these plants was classified as plant to be retired within property, plant, and equipment on our balance sheet at December 31, 2017. In addition, severance expense in the amount of $25.8 million was recorded within the utility segment in 2017 related to these announced plant retirements.
2017 Form 10-K | 66 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Pleasant Prairie Power Plant
As a result of a MISO ruling in December 2017, Pleasant Prairie must be shut down no later than April 10, 2018. Because we had an obligation at December 31, 2017 to shut down the Pleasant Prairie plant in April 2018, retirement of the plant was probable at December 31, 2017. The net book value of this generating unit was $681.3 million at December 31, 2017. This amount was classified as plant to be retired within property, plant, and equipment on our balance sheet. This unit is included in rate base, and we continue to depreciate it on a straight-line basis using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW. The physical dismantlement of the plant will not occur immediately. It may take several years to finalize long-term plans for the site. See Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information.
Presque Isle Power Plant
In October 2017, the MPSC approved UMERC’s application to construct and operate approximately 180 MW of natural gas-fired generation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Upon receiving this approval, retirement of the PIPP generating units became probable. The new units are expected to begin commercial operation in 2019 and should allow for the retirement of PIPP no later than 2020. The net book value of these units was $191.4 million at December 31, 2017. These units are included in rate base, and we continue to depreciate them on a straight-line basis using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW. The net book value of these assets was transferred from plant in service to plant to be retired. See Note 19, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information.
NOTE 7—ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
We have recorded AROs primarily for asbestos abatement at certain generation and substation facilities, the removal and dismantlement of generation facilities, and the closure of fly-ash landfills at our generation facilities. We establish regulatory assets and liabilities to record the differences between ongoing expense recognition under the ARO accounting rules and the rate-making practices for retirement costs authorized by the applicable regulators. On our balance sheets, AROs are recorded within other long-term liabilities.
The following table shows changes to our AROs during the years ended December 31:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||
Balance as of January 1 | $ | 61.5 | $ | 58.7 | $ | 40.5 | |||||||
Accretion | 3.2 | 3.0 | 2.3 | ||||||||||
Additions | 5.5 | (1) | — | 15.9 | (2) | ||||||||
Liabilities settled | (1.9 | ) | (0.2 | ) | — | ||||||||
Balance as of December 31 | $ | 68.3 | $ | 61.5 | $ | 58.7 | |||||||
(1) | During 2017, an ARO was recorded related to the removal and dismantlement of the Rothschild Biomass Plant. |
(2) | During 2015, an ARO was recorded for the fly-ash landfills located at our generation facilities. |
NOTE 8—COMMON EQUITY
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
The following table summarizes our pre-tax stock-based compensation expense and the related tax benefit recognized in income for the years ended December 31:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Stock options | $ | 1.3 | $ | 1.8 | $ | 3.2 | ||||||
Restricted stock | 0.8 | 1.8 | 2.1 | |||||||||
Performance units | 9.9 | 3.9 | 7.5 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | $ | 12.0 | $ | 7.5 | $ | 12.8 | ||||||
Related tax benefit | $ | 4.8 | $ | 3.0 | $ | 5.1 | ||||||
2017 Form 10-K | 67 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Stock-based compensation costs capitalized during 2017, 2016, and 2015 were not significant.
Stock Options
The following is a summary of our employees' WEC Energy Group stock option activity during 2017:
Stock Options | Number of Options | Weighted-Average Exercise Price | Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) | |||||||||
Outstanding as of January 1, 2017 | 1,285,806 | $ | 33.41 | ||||||||||
Granted | 80,770 | $ | 58.31 | ||||||||||
Exercised | (300,064 | ) | $ | 25.54 | |||||||||
Transferred | 129,635 | $ | 35.48 | ||||||||||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2017 | 1,196,147 | $ | 37.29 | 4.6 | $ | 34.9 | |||||||
Exercisable as of December 31, 2017 | 971,547 | $ | 33.43 | 3.8 | $ | 32.1 | |||||||
The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding and exercisable options in the above table represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value that would have been received by the option holders had they exercised all of their options on December 31, 2017. This is calculated as the difference between WEC Energy Group's closing stock price on December 31, 2017, and the option exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options. The intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 was $11.2 million, $14.1 million, and $34.6 million, respectively. Cash received by WEC Energy Group from exercises of its options by our employees was $7.7 million, $12.1 million, and $29.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The actual tax benefit from option exercises for the same periods was approximately $4.5 million, $5.6 million, and $14.0 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2017, we expected to recognize approximately $0.9 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested and outstanding WEC Energy Group stock options over the next 1.7 years on a weighted-average basis.
During the first quarter of 2018, the Compensation Committee awarded 81,730 non-qualified WEC Energy Group stock options with an exercise price of $66.02 and a weighted-average grant date fair value of $7.26 per option to certain of our officers and other key employees under its normal schedule of awarding long-term incentive compensation.
Restricted Shares
The following is a summary of our employees' WEC Energy Group restricted stock activity during 2017:
Restricted Shares | Number of Shares | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | |||||
Outstanding as of January 1, 2017 | 16,261 | $ | 50.39 | ||||
Granted | 8,001 | $ | 58.10 | ||||
Released | (8,018 | ) | $ | 48.78 | |||
Transferred | (379 | ) | $ | 57.77 | |||
Forfeited | (582 | ) | $ | 53.83 | |||
Outstanding as of December 31, 2017 | 15,283 | $ | 54.96 | ||||
The intrinsic value of WEC Energy Group restricted stock held by our employees that was released was $0.5 million, $0.4 million, and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The actual tax benefit from released restricted shares for the same years was $0.2 million, $0.2 million, and $1.1 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2017, we expected to recognize approximately $1.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to WEC Energy Group restricted stock over the next 1.7 years on a weighted-average basis.
During the first quarter of 2018, the Compensation Committee awarded 7,518 WEC Energy Group restricted shares to our officers and other key employees under its normal schedule of awarding long-term incentive compensation. The grant date fair value of these awards was $64.99 per share.
2017 Form 10-K | 68 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Performance Units
During 2017, 2016, and 2015, the Compensation Committee awarded 34,765; 35,700; and 187,450 WEC Energy Group performance units, respectively, to our officers and other key employees under the WEC Energy Group Performance Unit Plan.
In 2016, we transferred 573,499 performance units to WBS in connection with the transfer of certain employees. See Note 4, Related Parties, for more information.
Performance units with an intrinsic value of $1.4 million, $3.4 million, and $11.6 million were settled during 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The actual tax benefit from the distribution of performance units for the same years was approximately $0.4 million, $0.5 million, and $4.2 million, respectively.
At December 31, 2017, we had 96,577 performance units outstanding, including dividend equivalents. A liability of $4.9 million was recorded on our balance sheet at December 31, 2017 related to these outstanding units. As of December 31, 2017, we expected to recognize approximately $3.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested and outstanding WEC Energy Group performance units over the next 1.4 years on a weighted-average basis.
During the first quarter of 2018, performance units held by our employees with an intrinsic value of $1.8 million were settled. The actual tax benefit from the distribution of these awards was $0.4 million. In January 2018, the Compensation Committee also awarded 32,650 WEC Energy Group performance units to our officers and other key employees under its normal schedule of awarding long-term incentive compensation.
Restrictions
Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements impose certain restrictions on our ability to transfer funds to WEC Energy Group in the form of cash dividends, loans, or advances. In addition, Wisconsin law prohibits us from making loans to or guaranteeing obligations of WEC Energy Group or its subsidiaries.
In accordance with our most recent rate order, we may not pay common dividends above the test year forecasted amount reflected in our rate case, if it would cause our average common equity ratio, on a financial basis, to fall below our authorized level of 51%. A return of capital in excess of the test year amount can be paid by us at the end of the year provided that our average common equity ratio does not fall below the authorized level.
We may not pay common dividends to WEC Energy Group under our Restated Articles of Incorporation if any dividends on our outstanding preferred stock have not been paid. In addition, pursuant to the terms of our 3.60% Serial Preferred Stock, our ability to declare common dividends would be limited to 75% or 50% of net income during a twelve month period if our common stock equity to total capitalization, as defined in the preferred stock designation, is less than 25% and 20%, respectively.
See Note 10, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, for discussion of certain financial covenants related to short-term debt obligations.
As of December 31, 2017, our restricted retained earnings totaled $2.2 billion.
Except for the restrictions described above and subject to applicable law, we do not have any other significant dividend restrictions.
NOTE 9—PREFERRED STOCK
The following table shows preferred stock authorized and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016:
(in millions, except share and per share amounts) | Shares Authorized | Shares Outstanding | Redemption Price Per Share | Total | ||||||||||
$100 par value, Six Per Cent. Preferred Stock | 45,000 | 44,498 | — | $ | 4.4 | |||||||||
$100 par value, Serial Preferred Stock | 2,286,500 | |||||||||||||
3.60% Series | 260,000 | $ | 101 | 26.0 | ||||||||||
$25 par value, Serial Preferred Stock | 5,000,000 | — | — | — | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 30.4 | ||||||||||||
2017 Form 10-K | 69 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
NOTE 10—SHORT-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT
The following table shows our short-term borrowings and their corresponding weighted-average interest rates as of December 31:
(in millions, except percentages) | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Commercial paper | ||||||||
Amount outstanding at December 31 | $ | 210.9 | $ | 159.0 | ||||
Average interest rate on amounts outstanding at December 31 | 1.81 | % | 0.87 | % | ||||
Our average amount of commercial paper borrowings based on daily outstanding balances during 2017 was $53.3 million, with a weighted-average interest rate during the period of 1.38%.
We have entered into a bank back-up credit facility to maintain short-term credit liquidity which, among other terms, requires us to maintain, subject to certain exclusions, a minimum total funded debt to capitalization ratio of less than 65%.
As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $287.9 million of available capacity under our bank back-up credit facility and $210.9 million of commercial paper outstanding that was supported by the credit facility.
In April 2017, our consolidated subsidiary, Bostco, paid off a note payable to our parent, WEC Energy Group.
The information in the table below relates to our revolving credit facility used to support our commercial paper borrowing program, including remaining available capacity under this facility as of December 31:
(in millions) | Maturity | 2017 | ||||
Revolving credit facility | October 2022 | $ | 500.0 | |||
Less: | ||||||
Letters of credit issued inside credit facility | $ | 1.2 | ||||
Commercial paper outstanding | 210.9 | |||||
Available capacity under existing agreement | $ | 287.9 | ||||
This facility has a renewal provision for two one-year extensions, subject to lender approval.
Our bank back-up credit facility contains customary covenants, including certain limitations on our ability to sell assets. The credit facility also contains customary events of default, including payment defaults, material inaccuracy of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, bankruptcy proceedings, certain judgments, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 defaults and change of control.
NOTE 11—LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
See our statements of capitalization for details on our long-term debt.
Debentures and Notes
The following table shows the future maturities of our long-term debt outstanding (excluding obligations under capital leases) as of December 31, 2017:
(in millions) | ||||
2018 | $ | 250.0 | ||
2019 | 250.0 | |||
2020 | — | |||
2021 | 300.0 | |||
2022 | — | |||
Thereafter | 1,885.0 | |||
Total | $ | 2,685.0 | ||
2017 Form 10-K | 70 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
We amortize debt premiums, discounts, and debt issuance costs over the life of the debt and we include the costs in interest expense.
We are the obligor under a series of tax-exempt pollution control refunding bonds with an outstanding principal amount of
$80.0 million. In August 2009, we terminated a letter of credit that provided credit and liquidity support for the bonds, which resulted in a mandatory tender of the bonds. We purchased the bonds at par plus accrued interest to the date of purchase. As of December 31, 2017, the repurchased bonds were still outstanding, but are not reported in our long-term debt or included in our capitalization statements since they are held by us. Depending on market conditions and other factors, we may change the method used to determine the interest rate on this bond series and have it remarketed to third parties. A related bond series that had an outstanding principal amount of $67.0 million matured on August 1, 2016.
Obligations Under Capital Leases
We are the obligor under a power purchase contract with an unaffiliated third party and we lease power plants from We Power. Under capital lease accounting, we have recorded the leased plants and corresponding obligations under the capital leases on our balance sheets. We treat these agreements as operating leases for rate-making purposes. We record our minimum lease payments under the power purchase contract as purchased power expense on our income statements. We record the lease payments under our leases with We Power as rent expense in other operation and maintenance in our income statements. We record the difference between the minimum lease payments and the sum of imputed interest and amortization costs calculated under capital lease accounting as a deferred regulatory asset on our balance sheets. See Note 5, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, for more information on our plant related capital leases.
Power Purchase Commitment
In 1997, we entered into a 25-year power purchase contract with an unaffiliated independent power producer. The contract, for 236 MW of firm capacity from a natural gas-fired cogeneration facility, includes zero minimum energy requirements. When the contract expires in 2022, we may, at our option and with proper notice, renew for another ten years or purchase the generating facility at fair value or allow the contract to expire. We account for this contract as a capital lease and recorded the leased facility and corresponding obligation under the capital lease at the estimated fair value of the plant's electric generating facilities. We are amortizing the leased facility on a straight-line basis over the original 25-year term of the contract.
We treat the long-term power purchase contract as an operating lease for rate-making purposes and we record our minimum lease payments as cost of sales on our income statements. We record the difference between the minimum lease payments and the sum of imputed interest and amortization costs calculated under capital lease accounting as a deferred regulatory asset on our balance sheets. Due to the timing and the amounts of the minimum lease payments, the regulatory asset increased to approximately
$78.5 million during 2009, at which time the regulatory asset began to be reduced to zero over the remaining life of the contract. The total obligation under the capital lease was $27.0 million as of December 31, 2017, and will decrease to zero over the remaining life of the contract.
Port Washington Generating Station
We are leasing PWGS 1 and PWGS 2, two 545 MW natural gas-fired generation units which were placed in service in July 2005 and May 2008, respectively, from We Power under PSCW approved leases. The leased units and corresponding obligations for the units have been recorded at the estimated fair value of $727.4 million. We are amortizing the leased units on a straight-line basis over the original 25-year term of the leases. The lease payments are expected to be recovered through our rates, as supported by the 2001 leased generation law. Due to the timing and the amounts of the minimum lease payments, we expect the regulatory asset to increase to approximately $129.1 million in the year 2021 for PWGS 1 and to approximately $124.4 million in the year 2023 for PWGS 2, at which time the regulatory assets will be reduced to zero over the remaining lives of the contracts. The total obligation under the capital leases for the units was $644.7 million as of December 31, 2017, and will decrease to zero over the remaining lives of the contracts.
Elm Road Generating Station
We are leasing ER 1, ER 2, and the common facilities, which are also utilized by our OC 5 through OC 8, from We Power under PSCW approved leases. We are amortizing the leased units on a straight-line basis over the 30-year term of the leases. ER 1 and ER 2 were placed in service in February 2010 and January 2011, respectively. The leased units and corresponding capital lease obligations have
2017 Form 10-K | 71 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
been recorded at the estimated fair value of $2,141.4 million. The lease payments are expected to be recovered through our rates, as supported by the 2001 leased generation law. Due to the timing and the amounts of the minimum lease payments, we expect the regulatory asset to increase to approximately $517.9 million in the year 2028 for ER 1 and to approximately $425.0 million in the year 2029 for ER 2, at which time the regulatory assets will be reduced to zero over the remaining lives of the contracts. The total obligation under the capital leases was $2,194.6 million as of December 31, 2017, and will decrease to zero over the remaining lives of the contracts.
We paid the following lease payments during 2017, 2016, and 2015:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Long-term power purchase commitment | $ | 7.2 | $ | 37.6 | $ | 36.2 | ||||||
PWGS | 85.0 | 82.4 | 103.8 | |||||||||
ERGS | 335.5 | 329.8 | 306.7 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 427.7 | $ | 449.8 | $ | 446.7 | ||||||
As a result of the Tax Legislation, future PWGS and ERGS lease payments were recalculated and are expected to decrease by approximately $50.0 million annually beginning in 2018. The reduction in lease payments is not expected to impact earnings as it will be recorded as a reduction to regulatory assets until our next rate case. See Note 5, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, and Note 12, Income Taxes, for more information on the Tax Legislation.
The following table summarizes our capitalized leased facilities as of December 31:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Long-term power purchase commitment | ||||||||
Under capital lease | $ | 140.3 | $ | 140.3 | ||||
Accumulated amortization | (115.2 | ) | (109.5 | ) | ||||
Total long-term power purchase commitment | $ | 25.1 | $ | 30.8 | ||||
PWGS | ||||||||
Under capital lease | $ | 727.4 | $ | 704.2 | ||||
Accumulated amortization | (305.1 | ) | (274.7 | ) | ||||
Total PWGS | $ | 422.3 | $ | 429.5 | ||||
ERGS | ||||||||
Under capital lease | $ | 2,141.4 | $ | 2,053.5 | ||||
Accumulated amortization | (525.6 | ) | (453.6 | ) | ||||
Total ERGS | $ | 1,615.8 | $ | 1,599.9 | ||||
Total leased facilities | $ | 2,063.2 | $ | 2,060.2 | ||||
2017 Form 10-K | 72 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Future minimum lease payments under our capital leases and the present value of our net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2017 are as follows:
(in millions) | Power Purchase Commitment | PWGS | ERGS | Total | ||||||||||||
2018 | $ | 14.7 | $ | 96.3 | $ | 287.7 | $ | 398.7 | ||||||||
2019 | 15.5 | 96.3 | 287.7 | 399.5 | ||||||||||||
2020 | 16.4 | 96.3 | 287.7 | 400.4 | ||||||||||||
2021 | 17.2 | 96.3 | 287.7 | 401.2 | ||||||||||||
2022 | 7.6 | 96.3 | 287.6 | 391.5 | ||||||||||||
Thereafter | — | 857.3 | 5,029.5 | 5,886.8 | ||||||||||||
Total minimum lease payments | 71.4 | 1,338.8 | 6,467.9 | 7,878.1 | ||||||||||||
Less: Estimated executory costs | (33.1 | ) | — | — | (33.1 | ) | ||||||||||
Net minimum lease payments | 38.3 | 1,338.8 | 6,467.9 | 7,845.0 | ||||||||||||
Less: Interest | (11.3 | ) | (694.1 | ) | (4,273.3 | ) | (4,978.7 | ) | ||||||||
Present value of minimum lease payments | 27.0 | 644.7 | 2,194.6 | 2,866.3 | ||||||||||||
Less: Due currently | (3.7 | ) | (19.4 | ) | (19.4 | ) | (42.5 | ) | ||||||||
Long-term obligations under capital lease | $ | 23.3 | $ | 625.3 | $ | 2,175.2 | $ | 2,823.8 | ||||||||
NOTE 12—INCOME TAXES
Income Tax Expense
The following table is a summary of income tax expense for each of the years ended December 31:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Current tax expense | $ | 81.5 | $ | 4.8 | $ | 33.1 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes, net | 110.6 | 207.3 | 180.0 | |||||||||
Investment tax credit, net | (0.9 | ) | (1.1 | ) | (1.1 | ) | ||||||
Total income tax expense | $ | 191.2 | $ | 211.0 | $ | 212.0 | ||||||
Statutory Rate Reconciliation
The provision for income taxes for each of the years ended December 31 differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable United States statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes and preferred dividend as a result of the following:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Amount | Effective Tax Rate | Amount | Effective Tax Rate | Amount | Effective Tax Rate | |||||||||||||||
Expected tax at statutory federal tax rates | $ | 184.4 | 35.0 | % | $ | 201.4 | 35.0 | % | $ | 205.7 | 35.0 | % | |||||||||
State income taxes net of federal tax benefit | 27.9 | 5.3 | % | 31.8 | 5.5 | % | 31.0 | 5.3 | % | ||||||||||||
Production tax credits | (17.6 | ) | (3.3 | )% | (16.5 | ) | (2.8 | )% | (17.8 | ) | (3.0 | )% | |||||||||
Domestic production activities deduction | (7.8 | ) | (1.5 | )% | (7.8 | ) | (1.4 | )% | (7.8 | ) | (1.3 | )% | |||||||||
AFUDC – Equity | (1.1 | ) | (0.2 | )% | (1.5 | ) | (0.3 | )% | (2.0 | ) | (0.3 | )% | |||||||||
Investment tax credit restored | (0.9 | ) | (0.2 | )% | (1.1 | ) | (0.2 | )% | (1.1 | ) | (0.2 | )% | |||||||||
Other, net | 6.3 | 1.1 | % | 4.7 | 0.8 | % | 4.0 | 0.5 | % | ||||||||||||
Total income tax expense | $ | 191.2 | 36.2 | % | $ | 211.0 | 36.6 | % | $ | 212.0 | 36.0 | % | |||||||||
Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Legislation was signed into law. For businesses, the Tax Legislation reduces the corporate federal tax rate from a maximum of 35% to a 21% rate effective January 1, 2018. We estimated a preliminary tax benefit related to the re-measurement of our deferred taxes in the amount of approximately $1,065 million. Accordingly, this amount has been recorded as both an increase to regulatory liabilities as well as a decrease to certain existing regulatory assets as of December 31, 2017. Our revaluation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities is subject to further clarification of the new law that cannot be estimated at this
2017 Form 10-K | 73 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
time. The impact of the Tax Legislation could materially differ from this estimate due to, among other things, changes in interpretations and assumptions we have made.
On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued guidance in Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (SAB 118), Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which provides for a measurement period of up to one year from the enactment date to complete accounting under GAAP for the tax effects of the legislation. Due to the complex and comprehensive nature of the enacted tax law changes, and their application under GAAP, certain amounts related to bonus depreciation and future tax benefit utilization recorded in the financial statements as a result of the Tax Legislation are to be considered "provisional" as discussed in SAB 118 and subject to revision. We are awaiting additional guidance from industry and income tax authorities in order to finalize our accounting.
The components of deferred income taxes as of December 31 were as follows:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Deferred tax assets | ||||||||
Tax gross up – regulatory items | $ | 240.1 | $ | — | ||||
Future tax benefits | 133.1 | 143.7 | ||||||
Deferred revenues | 128.8 | 207.2 | ||||||
Employee benefits and compensation | 50.2 | 77.6 | ||||||
Construction advances | 15.0 | 20.0 | ||||||
Uncollectible account expense | 12.5 | 16.1 | ||||||
Emission allowances | 0.1 | 0.2 | ||||||
Other | 54.8 | 70.9 | ||||||
Total deferred tax assets | 634.6 | 535.7 | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities | ||||||||
Property-related | 1,487.0 | 2,257.3 | ||||||
Employee benefits and compensation | 117.4 | 179.3 | ||||||
Deferred transmission costs | 60.1 | 93.1 | ||||||
Prepaid tax, insurance, and other | 33.8 | 50.2 | ||||||
Investment in transmission affiliate | — | 195.1 | ||||||
Other | 91.8 | 94.0 | ||||||
Total deferred tax liabilities | 1,790.1 | 2,869.0 | ||||||
Deferred tax liability, net | $ | 1,155.5 | $ | 2,333.3 | ||||
Consistent with rate-making treatment, deferred taxes in the table above are offset for temporary differences that have related regulatory assets and liabilities.
As of December 31, 2017, we had $4.0 million and $125.6 million of federal charitable contribution and tax credit carryforwards resulting in deferred tax assets of $0.8 million and $125.6 million, respectively. These federal charitable contribution carryforwards begin to expire in 2020 and tax credit carryforwards begin to expire in 2031. We expect to have future taxable income sufficient to utilize these deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2016, we had approximately $82.8 million and $107.2 million of federal net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards resulting in deferred tax assets of $29.0 million and $107.2 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 we had $74.7 million and $31.9 million of state net operating loss and state charitable contribution carryforwards resulting in deferred tax assets of $4.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively. These state net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2035 and state charitable contribution carryforwards begin to expire in 2017. We expect to have future taxable income sufficient to utilize these deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2016 we had $149.9 million state net operating loss carryforwards resulting in deferred tax assets of $7.5 million.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
We previously adopted accounting guidance related to uncertainty in income taxes. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Balance as of January 1 | $ | 5.1 | $ | 6.1 | ||||
Reductions for tax positions of prior years | (5.1 | ) | (1.0 | ) | ||||
Balance as of December 31 | $ | — | $ | 5.1 | ||||
2017 Form 10-K | 74 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
The amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 excludes deferred tax assets related to uncertainty in income taxes of zero and $5.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate for continuing operations.
We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, we recognized $0.7 million of interest income, $0.2 million of interest expense, and $0.1 million of interest income, respectively, in our income statements. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, we recognized no penalties in our income statements. As of December 31, 2017, we had no interest accrued and no penalties accrued on our balance sheets. As of December 31, 2016, we had $0.7 million of accrued interest and no penalties accrued on our balance sheets.
We do not anticipate any significant increases or decreases in the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.
Our primary tax jurisdictions include Federal and the state of Wisconsin. With a few exceptions, we are no longer subject to federal income tax examination by the IRS for years prior to 2014. As of December 31, 2017, we were subject to examination by the Wisconsin taxing authority for tax years 2013 through 2017.
NOTE 13—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The following tables summarize our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by level within the fair value hierarchy:
December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Derivative assets | ||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | $ | 0.5 | $ | 0.1 | $ | — | $ | 0.6 | ||||||||
Petroleum products contracts | 0.9 | — | — | 0.9 | ||||||||||||
FTRs | — | — | 2.4 | 2.4 | ||||||||||||
Coal contracts | — | 0.7 | — | 0.7 | ||||||||||||
Total derivative assets | $ | 1.4 | $ | 0.8 | $ | 2.4 | $ | 4.6 | ||||||||
Derivative liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | $ | 2.0 | $ | 0.1 | $ | — | $ | 2.1 | ||||||||
Coal contracts | — | 0.3 | — | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
Total derivative liabilities | $ | 2.0 | $ | 0.4 | $ | — | $ | 2.4 | ||||||||
December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Derivative assets | ||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | $ | 6.0 | $ | 0.8 | $ | — | $ | 6.8 | ||||||||
Petroleum products contracts | 0.2 | — | — | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
FTRs | — | — | 3.1 | 3.1 | ||||||||||||
Coal contracts | — | 1.9 | — | 1.9 | ||||||||||||
Total derivative assets | $ | 6.2 | $ | 2.7 | $ | 3.1 | $ | 12.0 | ||||||||
Derivative liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | $ | 0.1 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 0.1 | ||||||||
Petroleum products contracts | 0.1 | — | — | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Coal contracts | — | 0.5 | — | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Total derivative liabilities | $ | 0.2 | $ | 0.5 | $ | — | $ | 0.7 | ||||||||
The derivative assets and liabilities listed in the tables above include options, futures, physical commodity contracts, and other instruments used to manage market risks related to changes in commodity prices. They also include FTRs, which are used to manage electric transmission congestion costs in the MISO Energy Markets. See Note 14, Derivative Instruments, for more information.
2017 Form 10-K | 75 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
The following table summarizes the changes to derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Balance at the beginning of the period | $ | 3.1 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 7.0 | ||||||
Purchases | 6.9 | 8.1 | 3.9 | |||||||||
Settlements | (7.6 | ) | (6.6 | ) | (9.3 | ) | ||||||
Balance at the end of the period | $ | 2.4 | $ | 3.1 | $ | 1.6 | ||||||
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following table shows the financial instruments included on our balance sheets that are not recorded at fair value:
December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
Preferred stock | $ | 30.4 | $ | 30.5 | $ | 30.4 | $ | 28.8 | ||||||||
Long-term debt, including current portion | 2,662.3 | 2,976.3 | 2,661.1 | 2,923.4 | ||||||||||||
NOTE 14—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The following table shows our derivative assets and derivative liabilities:
December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | ||||||||||||
Other current | ||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | $ | 0.6 | $ | 1.9 | $ | 6.3 | $ | 0.1 | ||||||||
Petroleum products contracts | 0.9 | — | 0.2 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
FTRs | 2.4 | — | 3.1 | — | ||||||||||||
Coal contracts | 0.6 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Total other current | $ | 4.5 | $ | 2.0 | $ | 11.1 | $ | 0.7 | ||||||||
Other long-term | ||||||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | $ | — | $ | 0.2 | $ | 0.5 | $ | — | ||||||||
Coal contracts | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.4 | — | ||||||||||||
Total other long-term | $ | 0.1 | $ | 0.4 | $ | 0.9 | $ | — | ||||||||
Total | $ | 4.6 | $ | 2.4 | $ | 12.0 | $ | 0.7 | ||||||||
Our estimated notional sales volumes and realized gains (losses) were as follows:
December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Volume | Gains (Losses) | Volume | Gains (Losses) | Volume | Gains (Losses) | ||||||||||||
Natural gas contracts | 26.9 Dth | $ | (1.0 | ) | 35.3 Dth | $ | (12.3 | ) | 24.0 Dth | $ | (12.6 | ) | ||||||
Petroleum products contracts | 16.7 gallons | (1.4 | ) | 10.3 gallons | (2.6 | ) | 4.0 gallons | (0.2 | ) | |||||||||
FTRs | 27.1 MWh | 7.6 | 25.3 MWh | 7.3 | 22.8 MWh | 3.2 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 5.2 | $ | (7.6 | ) | $ | (9.6 | ) | ||||||||||
At December 31, 2017, we had posted cash collateral of $4.9 million in our margin accounts, and at December 31, 2016, we had received cash collateral of $3.4 million in our margin accounts.
2017 Form 10-K | 76 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
The following table shows derivative assets and derivative liabilities if derivative instruments by counterparty were presented net on our balance sheets:
December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | ||||||||||||
Gross amount recognized on the balance sheet | $ | 4.6 | $ | 2.4 | $ | 12.0 | $ | 0.7 | ||||||||
Gross amount not offset on the balance sheet | (1.3 | ) | (2.0 | ) | (1) | (3.6 | ) | (2) | (0.2 | ) | ||||||
Net amount | $ | 3.3 | $ | 0.4 | $ | 8.4 | $ | 0.5 | ||||||||
(1) | Includes cash collateral posted of $0.7 million at December 31, 2017. |
(2) | Includes cash collateral received of $3.4 million at December 31, 2016. |
NOTE 15—EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefits
We participate in WEC Energy Group's defined benefit pension plans and OPEB plans that cover substantially all of our employees. We are responsible for our share of the plan assets and obligations. The benefits for a portion of these plans are funded through irrevocable trusts, as allowed for income tax purposes. Our balance sheets reflect only the liabilities associated with our past and current employees and our share of the plan assets and obligations. We also offer medical, dental, and life insurance benefits to active employees and their dependents. We expense the costs of these benefits as incurred.
Generally, employees who started with us after 1995 receive a benefit based on a percentage of their annual salary plus an interest credit, while employees who started before 1996 receive a benefit based upon years of service and final average salary. New management employees hired after December 31, 2014 receive a 6% annual company contribution to their 401(k) savings plan instead of being enrolled in the defined benefit plans.
We use a year-end measurement date to measure the funded status of all of the pension and OPEB plans. Due to the regulated nature of our business, we have concluded that substantially all of the unrecognized costs resulting from the recognition of the funded status of the pension and OPEB plans qualify as a regulatory asset.
2017 Form 10-K | 77 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in our plans' benefit obligations and fair value of assets:
Pension Costs | OPEB Costs | ||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||
Change in benefit obligation | |||||||||||||||||
Obligation at January 1 | $ | 1,177.0 | $ | 1,290.6 | $ | 298.5 | $ | 313.8 | |||||||||
Service cost | 12.2 | 10.5 | 7.0 | 7.3 | |||||||||||||
Interest cost | 47.0 | 49.7 | 12.1 | 13.2 | |||||||||||||
Participant contributions | — | — | 5.7 | 8.8 | |||||||||||||
Plan amendments | — | (2.6 | ) | (6.8 | ) | — | |||||||||||
Net transfer to/from affiliates | (13.4 | ) | (1) | (121.1 | ) | (2) | (3.3 | ) | (1) | (17.0 | ) | (2) | |||||
Actuarial loss (gain) | 53.1 | 25.3 | 5.1 | (9.7 | ) | ||||||||||||
Benefit payments | (82.0 | ) | (75.4 | ) | (16.5 | ) | (19.0 | ) | |||||||||
Federal subsidy on benefits paid | N/A | N/A | 1.7 | 1.1 | |||||||||||||
Obligation at December 31 | $ | 1,193.9 | $ | 1,177.0 | $ | 303.5 | $ | 298.5 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of plan assets | |||||||||||||||||
Fair value at January 1 | $ | 1,102.8 | $ | 1,179.3 | $ | 205.1 | $ | 216.1 | |||||||||
Actual return on plan assets | 121.9 | 73.0 | 25.9 | 13.5 | |||||||||||||
Employer contributions | 5.1 | 5.3 | 3.2 | 2.7 | |||||||||||||
Participant contributions | — | — | 5.7 | 8.8 | |||||||||||||
Net transfer to/from affiliates | (13.7 | ) | (1) | (79.4 | ) | (2) | (3.3 | ) | (1) | (17.0 | ) | (2) | |||||
Benefit payments | (82.0 | ) | (75.4 | ) | (16.5 | ) | (19.0 | ) | |||||||||
Fair value at December 31 | $ | 1,134.1 | $ | 1,102.8 | $ | 220.1 | $ | 205.1 | |||||||||
Funded status at December 31 | $ | (59.8 | ) | $ | (74.2 | ) | $ | (83.4 | ) | $ | (93.4 | ) | |||||
(1) | Benefit obligations and plan assets were moved along with our employees who were transferred to/from affiliated entities, primarily a result of our customer service employees being transferred to WBS. |
(2) | Benefit obligations and plan assets were moved along with our employees who were transferred to/from affiliated entities. See Note 4, Related Parties, for more information. |
The amounts recognized on our balance sheets at December 31 related to the funded status of the benefit plans were as follows:
Pension Costs | OPEB Costs | |||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||
Pension and OPEB obligations | $ | (59.8 | ) | $ | (74.2 | ) | $ | (83.4 | ) | $ | (93.4 | ) | ||||
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $1,192.4 million and $1,175.8 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The following table shows information for the pension plans for which we have an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets. Amounts presented are as of December 31:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Projected benefit obligation | $ | 1,193.9 | $ | 1,177.0 | ||||
Accumulated benefit obligation | 1,192.4 | 1,175.8 | ||||||
Fair value of plan assets | 1,134.1 | 1,102.8 | ||||||
The following table shows the amounts that have not yet been recognized in our net periodic benefit cost as of December 31:
Pension Costs | OPEB Costs | |||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||
Net regulatory assets | ||||||||||||||||
Net actuarial loss (gain) | $ | 485.4 | $ | 518.5 | $ | (1.6 | ) | $ | 4.6 | |||||||
Prior service costs (credits) | (1.0 | ) | 0.2 | (8.4 | ) | (3.0 | ) | |||||||||
Total | $ | 484.4 | $ | 518.7 | $ | (10.0 | ) | $ | 1.6 | |||||||
2017 Form 10-K | 78 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
The following table shows the estimated amounts that will be amortized into net periodic benefit cost during 2018:
(in millions) | Pension Costs | OPEB Costs | ||||||
Net actuarial loss | $ | 37.5 | $ | — | ||||
Prior service costs (credits) | 0.9 | (2.3 | ) | |||||
Total 2018 – estimated amortization | $ | 38.4 | $ | (2.3 | ) | |||
The components of net periodic benefit cost (including amounts capitalized to our balance sheets) for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
Pension Costs | OPEB Costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 12.2 | $ | 10.5 | $ | 14.7 | $ | 7.0 | $ | 7.3 | $ | 9.0 | ||||||||||||
Interest cost | 47.0 | 49.7 | 52.9 | 12.1 | 13.2 | 13.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (76.6 | ) | (77.7 | ) | (83.6 | ) | (14.7 | ) | (14.0 | ) | (16.0 | ) | ||||||||||||
Plan settlement | 4.1 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) | 1.1 | 1.6 | 2.0 | (1.4 | ) | (1.1 | ) | (1.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial loss | 35.4 | 32.4 | 35.6 | — | 1.0 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | 23.2 | $ | 16.5 | $ | 21.6 | $ | 3.0 | $ | 6.4 | $ | 6.3 | ||||||||||||
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations for the plans were as follows for the years ended December 31:
Pension | OPEB | |||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||
Discount rate | 3.65% | 4.15% | 3.65% | 4.20% | ||||
Rate of compensation increase | 3.20% | 3.20% | N/A | N/A | ||||
Assumed medical cost trend rate (pre 65) | N/A | N/A | 6.50% | 7.00% | ||||
Ultimate trend rate | N/A | N/A | 5.00% | 5.00% | ||||
Year ultimate trend rate is reached | N/A | N/A | 2024 | 2021 | ||||
Assumed medical cost trend rate (post 65) | N/A | N/A | 6.18% | 7.00% | ||||
Ultimate trend rate | N/A | N/A | 5.00% | 5.00% | ||||
Year ultimate trend rate is reached | N/A | N/A | 2028 | 2021 | ||||
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for the plans were as follows for the years ended December 31:
Pension Costs | ||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||
Discount rate | 4.12% | 4.45% | 4.15% | |||
Expected return on plan assets | 7.00% | 7.00% | 7.00% | |||
Rate of compensation increase | 3.20% | 3.50% | 4.00% | |||
OPEB Costs | ||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||
Discount rate | 4.10% | 4.45% | 4.20% | |||
Expected return on plan assets | 7.25% | 7.25% | 7.25% | |||
Assumed medical cost trend rate (Pre 65/Post 65) | 7.00% | 7.50% | 7.50% | |||
Ultimate trend rate | 5.00% | 5.00% | 5.00% | |||
Year ultimate trend rate is reached | 2021 | 2021 | 2021 | |||
WEC Energy Group consults with its investment advisors on an annual basis to help forecast expected long-term returns on plan assets by reviewing historical returns as well as calculating expected total trust returns using the weighted-average of long-term market returns for each of the major target asset categories utilized in the fund. For 2018, the expected return on assets assumption is 7.00% for the pension plan and 7.25% for the OPEB plan.
2017 Form 10-K | 79 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported by us for the health care plans. For the year ended December 31, 2017, a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have had the following effects:
(in millions) | 1% Increase | 1% Decrease | ||||||
Effect on total of service and interest cost components of net periodic postretirement health care benefit cost | $ | 2.9 | $ | (2.3 | ) | |||
Effect on the health care component of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation | 29.3 | (24.2 | ) | |||||
Plan Assets
Current pension trust assets and amounts which are expected to be contributed to the trusts in the future are expected to be adequate to meet pension payment obligations to current and future retirees.
The Investment Trust Policy Committee oversees investment matters related to all of our funded benefit plans. The Committee works with external actuaries and investment consultants on an on-going basis to establish and monitor investment strategies and target asset allocations. Forecasted cash flows for plan liabilities are regularly updated based on annual valuation results. Target allocations are determined utilizing projected benefit payment cash flows and risk analyses of appropriate investments. They are intended to reduce risk, provide long-term financial stability for the plans and maintain funded levels which meet long-term plan obligations while preserving sufficient liquidity for near-term benefit payments.
Our pension trust target asset allocation is 35% equity investments, 55% fixed income investments, and 10% private equity and real estate investments. The OPEB trusts' target asset allocations are 60% equity investments and 40% fixed income investments. Equity securities include investments in large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap companies primarily located in the United States. Fixed income securities include corporate bonds of companies from diversified industries, mortgage and other asset backed securities, commercial paper, and United States Treasuries.
Pension and OPEB plan investments are recorded at fair value. See Note 1(m), Fair Value Measurements, for more information regarding the fair value hierarchy and the classification of fair value measurements based on the types of inputs used.
The following tables summarize the fair values of our investments by asset class:
December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pension Plan Assets | OPEB Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset Class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | — | $ | 6.6 | $ | — | $ | 6.6 | $ | 2.1 | $ | 0.5 | $ | — | $ | 2.6 | ||||||||||||||||
Equity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unites States Equity | 109.4 | 0.1 | — | 109.5 | 29.0 | — | — | 29.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
International Equity | 114.4 | — | — | 114.4 | 32.2 | — | — | 32.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed income securities: * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United States Bonds | 75.9 | 467.8 | — | 543.7 | 24.4 | 46.3 | — | 70.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
International Bonds | 9.7 | 32.8 | — | 42.5 | 1.7 | 2.9 | — | 4.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Private Equity and Real Estate | — | 20.6 | 55.3 | 75.9 | — | 1.4 | 3.8 | 5.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 309.4 | $ | 527.9 | $ | 55.3 | $ | 892.6 | $ | 89.4 | $ | 51.1 | $ | 3.8 | $ | 144.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Investments measured at net asset value | $ | 241.5 | $ | 75.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 309.4 | $ | 527.9 | $ | 55.3 | $ | 1,134.1 | $ | 89.4 | $ | 51.1 | $ | 3.8 | $ | 220.1 | ||||||||||||||||
* | This category represents investment grade bonds of United States and foreign issuers denominated in United States dollars from diverse industries. |
2017 Form 10-K | 80 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pension Plan Assets | OPEB Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset Class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1.1 | $ | 19.2 | $ | — | $ | 20.3 | $ | 6.5 | $ | 1.3 | $ | — | $ | 7.8 | ||||||||||||||||
Equity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United States equity | 85.5 | 0.1 | — | 85.6 | 10.5 | — | — | 10.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
International equity | 17.7 | — | — | 17.7 | 1.3 | — | — | 1.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed income securities: * | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United States bonds | — | 455.3 | — | 455.3 | — | 44.0 | — | 44.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
International bonds | — | 31.6 | — | 31.6 | — | 2.8 | — | 2.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Private Equity and Real Estate | — | — | 11.0 | 11.0 | — | — | 0.7 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 104.3 | $ | 506.2 | $ | 11.0 | $ | 621.5 | $ | 18.3 | $ | 48.1 | $ | 0.7 | $ | 67.1 | |||||||||||||||||
Investments measured at net asset value | $ | 481.3 | $ | 138.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 104.3 | $ | 506.2 | $ | 11.0 | $ | 1,102.8 | $ | 18.3 | $ | 48.1 | $ | 0.7 | $ | 205.1 | ||||||||||||||||
* | This category represents investment grade bonds of United States and foreign issuers denominated in United States dollars from diverse industries. |
The following tables set forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of pension and OPEB plan assets categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:
Private Equity and Real Estate | ||||||||
(in millions) | Pension | OPEB | ||||||
Beginning balance at January 1, 2017 | $ | 11.0 | $ | 0.7 | ||||
Realized and unrealized gains | 1.9 | 0.2 | ||||||
Purchases | 22.3 | 1.5 | ||||||
Transfers into level 3 | 20.1 | 1.4 | ||||||
Ending balance at December 31, 2017 | $ | 55.3 | $ | 3.8 | ||||
Private Equity and Real Estate | ||||||||
(in millions) | Pension | OPEB | ||||||
Beginning balance at January 1, 2016 | $ | 4.5 | $ | 0.3 | ||||
Purchases | 6.5 | 0.4 | ||||||
Ending balance at December 31, 2016 | $ | 11.0 | $ | 0.7 | ||||
Cash Flows
We expect to contribute $3.9 million to the pension plans and $0.1 million to the OPEB plans in 2018, dependent upon various factors affecting us, including our liquidity position and the effects of the new Tax Legislation.
The following table shows the payments, reflecting expected future service, that we expect to make for pension and OPEB:
(in millions) | Pension Costs | OPEB Costs | ||||||
2018 | $ | 92.4 | $ | 13.5 | ||||
2019 | 90.1 | 14.2 | ||||||
2020 | 89.2 | 14.9 | ||||||
2021 | 86.0 | 15.7 | ||||||
2022 | 82.3 | 16.2 | ||||||
2023-2027 | 368.2 | 85.5 | ||||||
2017 Form 10-K | 81 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Savings Plans
We sponsor 401(k) savings plans which allow employees to contribute a portion of their pre-tax and/or after-tax income in accordance with plan-specified guidelines. A percentage of employee contributions are matched by us through a contribution into the employee's savings plan account, up to certain limits. Total costs incurred under all of these plans were $11.7 million in 2017, $10.4 million in 2016, and $13.0 million in 2015.
NOTE 16—INVESTMENT IN AMERICAN TRANSMISSION COMPANY
At December 31, 2016, we owned approximately 23% of ATC, a for-profit, transmission-only company regulated by the FERC for cost of service and certain state regulatory commissions for routing and siting of transmission projects. Effective January 1, 2017, based upon input we received from the PSCW, we transferred our investment in ATC to another subsidiary of WEC Energy Group. This transaction was a non-cash equity transfer between entities under common control, and therefore, did not result in the recognition of a gain or loss. The following table provides a reconciliation of our investment in ATC during the years ended December 31:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Balance at January 1 | $ | 402.0 | $ | 382.2 | $ | 372.9 | ||||||
Less: Transfer of ownership interest | 402.0 | — | — | |||||||||
Add: Earnings from equity method investment | — | 55.5 | 47.8 | |||||||||
Add: Capital contributions | — | 16.1 | 4.6 | |||||||||
Less: Distributions | — | 51.7 | * | 42.9 | ||||||||
Less: Other | — | 0.1 | 0.2 | |||||||||
Balance at December 31 | $ | — | $ | 402.0 | $ | 382.2 | ||||||
* | Of this amount, $13.4 million was recorded as a receivable from ATC at December 31, 2016. |
See Note 4, Related Parties, for more information on transactions with ATC.
NOTE 17—SEGMENT INFORMATION
We use operating income to measure segment profitability and to allocate resources to our businesses. At December 31, 2017, we reported two segments, which are described below.
Our utility segment includes our electric and natural gas utility operations. Our electric utility operations are engaged in the generation, distribution, and sale of electricity in southeastern Wisconsin (including metropolitan Milwaukee), east central Wisconsin, northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred all of our electric distribution assets and customers located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to UMERC, with the exception of Tilden. See Note 4, Related Parties, and Note 21, Regulatory Environment, for additional information. Our electric utility operations also include our steam operations, which produce, distribute, and sell steam to customers in metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our natural gas utility operations are engaged in the purchase, distribution, and sale of natural gas to retail customers and the transportation of customer-owned natural gas in our three service areas within southeastern, east central, and northern Wisconsin.
Our other segment includes Bostco, our non-utility subsidiary that was originally formed to develop and invest in real estate. In March 2017, we sold substantially all of the remaining assets of Bostco. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information. Prior to January 1, 2017, our other segment also included our approximate 23% ownership interest in ATC, a for-profit, electric transmission company regulated by the FERC and certain state regulatory commissions. Effective January 1, 2017, we transferred our investment in ATC to another subsidiary of WEC Energy Group. See Note 16, Investment in American Transmission Company, for more information.
2017 Form 10-K | 82 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
All of our operations and assets are located within the United States. The following tables show summarized financial information related to our reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015.
2017 (in millions) | Utility | Other | Wisconsin Electric Power Company Consolidated | |||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 3,711.7 | $ | — | $ | 3,711.7 | ||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 1,358.5 | — | 1,358.5 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 331.6 | — | 331.6 | |||||||||
Operating income | 625.6 | — | 625.6 | |||||||||
Interest expense | 117.0 | 0.3 | 117.3 | |||||||||
Capital expenditures | 596.1 | — | 596.1 | |||||||||
Total assets | 13,121.6 | — | 13,121.6 | |||||||||
2016 (in millions) | Utility | Other | Wisconsin Electric Power Company Consolidated | |||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 3,792.8 | $ | — | $ | 3,792.8 | ||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 1,430.2 | — | 1,430.2 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 325.4 | — | 325.4 | |||||||||
Operating income | 629.5 | — | 629.5 | |||||||||
Equity in earnings of transmission affiliate | — | 55.5 | 55.5 | |||||||||
Interest expense | 116.6 | 1.0 | 117.6 | |||||||||
Capital expenditures | 468.9 | 0.6 | 469.5 | |||||||||
Total assets | 12,945.1 | 426.4 | 13,371.5 | |||||||||
2015 (in millions) | Utility | Other | Wisconsin Electric Power Company Consolidated | |||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 3,854.1 | $ | — | $ | 3,854.1 | ||||||
Other operation and maintenance | 1,384.9 | — | 1,384.9 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 304.0 | — | 304.0 | |||||||||
Operating income | 648.9 | — | 648.9 | |||||||||
Equity in earnings of transmission affiliate | — | 47.8 | 47.8 | |||||||||
Interest expense | 117.7 | 1.3 | 119.0 | |||||||||
Capital expenditures | 518.8 | 0.4 | 519.2 | |||||||||
Total assets | 12,727.6 | 412.0 | 13,139.6 | |||||||||
NOTE 18—VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity must consolidate the entity's assets and liabilities. In addition, certain disclosures are required for significant interest holders in variable interest entities.
We assess our relationships with potential variable interest entities, such as our coal suppliers, natural gas suppliers, coal transporters, natural gas transporters, and other counterparties related to power purchase agreements, investments, and joint ventures. In making this assessment, we consider, along with other factors, the potential that our contracts or other arrangements provide subordinated financial support, the obligation to absorb the entity's losses, the right to receive residual returns of the entity, and the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance.
American Transmission Company
As of December 31, 2016, we owned approximately 23% of ATC, a for-profit, electric transmission company regulated by the FERC and certain state regulatory commissions. However, effective January 1, 2017, we transferred our investment in ATC to another subsidiary of WEC Energy Group. ATC was a variable interest entity, but consolidation was not required since we were not ATC's primary beneficiary. We did not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impacted ATC's economic performance. At December 31, 2016, we accounted for ATC as an equity method investment. See Note 16, Investment in American Transmission Company, for more information.
2017 Form 10-K | 83 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Purchased Power Agreement
We have a purchased power agreement that represents a variable interest. This agreement is for 236 MW of firm capacity from a natural gas-fired cogeneration facility, and we account for it as a capital lease. The agreement includes no minimum energy requirements over the remaining term of approximately four years. We have examined the risks of the entity, including operations, maintenance, dispatch, financing, fuel costs, and other factors, and have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of the entity. We do not hold an equity or debt interest in the entity, and there is no residual guarantee associated with the purchased power agreement.
We have approximately $71.4 million of required payments over the remaining term of this agreement. We believe that the required lease payments under this contract will continue to be recoverable in rates. Total capacity and lease payments under this contract for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 were $18.0 million, $54.2 million, and $53.6 million, respectively. Our maximum exposure to loss is limited to the capacity payments under the contract.
NOTE 19—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We have significant commitments and contingencies arising from our operations, including those related to unconditional purchase obligations, operating leases, environmental matters, and enforcement and litigation matters.
Unconditional Purchase Obligations
We have obligations to distribute and sell electricity and natural gas to our customers and expect to recover costs related to these obligations in future customer rates. In order to meet these obligations, we routinely enter into long-term purchase and sale commitments for various quantities and lengths of time.
The following table shows our minimum future commitments related to these purchase obligations as of December 31, 2017.
Payments Due By Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Date Contracts Extend Through | Total Amounts Committed | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Later Years | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Electric utility: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nuclear | 2033 | $ | 9,184.5 | $ | 420.1 | $ | 445.4 | $ | 475.1 | $ | 501.1 | $ | 531.2 | $ | 6,811.6 | |||||||||||||||
Coal supply and transportation | 2020 | 215.0 | 132.2 | 53.9 | 28.9 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchased power | 2031 | 93.1 | 29.1 | 16.6 | 13.7 | 10.9 | 9.0 | 13.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas utility supply and transportation | 2048 | 462.3 | 65.6 | 54.8 | 43.6 | 30.3 | 22.6 | 245.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 9,954.9 | $ | 647.0 | $ | 570.7 | $ | 561.3 | $ | 542.3 | $ | 562.8 | $ | 7,070.8 | ||||||||||||||||
Operating Leases
We lease property, plant, and equipment under various terms. The operating leases generally require us to pay property taxes, insurance premiums, and maintenance costs associated with the leased property. Many of our leases contain one of the following options upon the end of the lease term: (a) purchase the property at the current fair market value, or (b) exercise a renewal option, as set forth in the lease agreement.
Rental expense attributable to operating leases was $4.0 million, $5.0 million, and $6.7 million in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
2017 Form 10-K | 84 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Future minimum payments under noncancelable operating leases are payable as follows:
Year Ending December 31 | Payments (in millions) | |||
2018 | $ | 3.5 | ||
2019 | 3.4 | |||
2020 | 1.9 | |||
2021 | 1.4 | |||
2022 | 1.5 | |||
Later years | 23.0 | |||
Total | $ | 34.7 | ||
Environmental Matters
Consistent with other companies in the energy industry, we face significant ongoing environmental compliance and remediation obligations related to current and past operations. Specific environmental issues affecting us include, but are not limited to, current and future regulation of air emissions such as SO2, NOx, fine particulates, mercury, and GHGs; water intake and discharges; disposal of coal combustion products such as fly ash; and remediation of impacted properties, including former manufactured gas plant sites.
We have continued to pursue a proactive strategy to manage our environmental compliance obligations, including:
• | the development of additional sources of renewable electric energy supply; |
• | the addition of improvements for water quality matters such as treatment technologies to meet regulatory discharge limits and improvements to our cooling water intake systems; |
• | the addition of emission control equipment to existing facilities to comply with ambient air quality standards and federal clean air rules; |
• | the protection of wetlands and waterways, threatened and endangered species, and cultural resources associated with utility construction projects; |
• | the retirement of old coal-fired power plants and conversion to modern, efficient, natural gas generation, super-critical pulverized coal generation, and/or replacement with renewable generation; |
• | the beneficial use of ash and other products from coal-fired and biomass generating units; and |
• | the remediation of former manufactured gas plant sites. |
Air Quality
8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards
After completing its review of the 2008 ozone standard, the EPA released a final rule in October 2015, which lowered the limit for ground-level ozone, creating a more stringent standard than the 2008 NAAQS. In December 2017, the EPA designated all the counties along Wisconsin's Lake Michigan shoreline, except Brown, Kewaunee, Marinette, and Oconto Counties, as either partial or full nonattainment. Waukesha and Washington counties were also included due to the counties being in the Milwaukee combined statistical area. For nonattainment areas, the state of Wisconsin will have to develop a state implementation plan to bring the areas back into attainment. We will be required to comply with this state implementation plan no earlier than 2020. Although we will not know the potential impacts for complying with the 2015 ozone NAAQS until the designations are final, which is expected from the EPA in April 2018, and until the state prepares a draft attainment plan, we believe we are well positioned to meet the requirements associated with the ozone standard and do not expect to incur significant costs to comply.
Climate Change
In 2015, the EPA issued a final rule regulating GHG emissions from existing generating units, referred to as the CPP, a proposed federal plan and model trading rules as alternatives or guides to state compliance plans, and final performance standards for modified and reconstructed generating units and new fossil-fueled power plants. In October 2015, following publication of the CPP, numerous states (including Wisconsin and Michigan) and other parties, filed lawsuits challenging the final rule, including a request to stay the implementation of the final rule pending the outcome of these legal challenges. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the stay request, but in February 2016, the Supreme Court stayed the effectiveness of the CPP until disposition of the litigation in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and to the extent that further appellate review is sought, at the Supreme Court. The D.C. Circuit Court of
2017 Form 10-K | 85 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Appeals heard one case in September 2016, and the other case is still pending. In April 2017, pursuant to motions made by the EPA, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the cases to be held in abeyance. Supplemental briefs were provided addressing whether the cases should be remanded to the EPA rather than held in abeyance. The EPA argued that the cases should continue to be held in abeyance pending the conclusion of the EPA's review of the CPP and any resulting rulemaking.
The CPP seeks to achieve state-specific GHG emission reduction goals by 2030, and would have required states to submit plans by September 2016. The goal of the final rule is to reduce nationwide GHG emissions by 32% from 2005 levels. The rule is seeking GHG emission reductions in Wisconsin and Michigan of 41% and 39%, respectively, below 2012 levels by 2030. Interim goals starting in 2022 would require states to achieve about two-thirds of the 2030 required reduction.
In March 2017, President Trump issued an executive order that, among other things, specifically directs the EPA to review, and if appropriate, initiate proceedings to suspend, revise, or rescind the CPP and related GHG regulations for new, reconstructed, or modified fossil-fueled power plants. As a result of this order and related EPA review, as well as the ongoing legal proceedings, the timelines for the GHG emission reduction goals and all other aspects of the CPP are uncertain. In April 2017, the EPA withdrew the proposed rule for a federal plan and model trading rules that were published in October 2015 for use in developing state plans to implement the CPP or for use in states where a plan is not submitted or approved. In October 2017, the EPA issued a proposed rulemaking to repeal the CPP. In December 2017, the EPA issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit input on whether it is appropriate to replace the CPP. In addition, the Governor of Wisconsin issued an executive order in February 2016, which prohibits state agencies, departments, boards, commissions, or other state entities from developing or promoting the development of a state plan to implement the CPP.
Notwithstanding the uncertain future of the CPP, and given current fuel and technology markets, we continue to evaluate opportunities and actions that preserve fuel diversity, lower costs for our customers, and contribute towards long-term GHG reductions. Our plan is to work with our industry partners, environmental groups, and the State of Wisconsin, with a goal of reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. We have implemented and continue to evaluate numerous options in order to meet our CO2 reduction goal, such as increased use of existing natural gas combined cycle units, co-firing or switching to natural gas in existing coal-fired units, reduced operation or retirement of existing coal-fired units, addition of new renewable energy resources (wind, solar), and consideration of supply and demand-side energy efficiency and distributed generation. As a result of WEC Energy Group's generation reshaping plan, we expect to retire approximately 1,547 MW of coal generation by 2020, including Pleasant Prairie power plant and PIPP. See Note 6, Property, Plant, and Equipment, for more information. In addition, we are evaluating our goal, and possible subsequent actions, with respect to national and international efforts to reduce future GHG emissions in order to limit future global temperature increases to less than two degrees Celsius.
We are required to report our CO2 equivalent emissions from our electric generating facilities under the EPA Greenhouse Gases Reporting Program. For 2016, we reported aggregated CO2 equivalent emissions of approximately 23.9 million metric tonnes to the EPA. Based upon our preliminary analysis of the data, we estimate that we will report CO2 equivalent emissions of approximately 23.5 million metric tonnes to the EPA for 2017. The level of CO2 and other GHG emissions varies from year to year and is dependent on the level of electric generation and mix of fuel sources, which is determined primarily by demand, the availability of the generating units, the unit cost of fuel consumed, and how our units are dispatched by MISO.
We are also required to report CO2 equivalent amounts related to the natural gas that our natural gas operations distribute and sell. For 2016, we reported aggregated CO2 equivalent emissions of approximately 3.7 million metric tonnes to the EPA. Based upon our preliminary analysis of the data, we estimate that we will report CO2 equivalent emissions of approximately 3.8 million metric tonnes to the EPA for 2017.
Water Quality
Clean Water Act Cooling Water Intake Structure Rule
In August 2014, the EPA issued a final regulation under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act, which requires that the location, design, construction, and capacity of cooling water intake structures at existing power plants reflect the Best Technology Available (BTA) for minimizing adverse environmental impacts from both impingement (entrapping organisms on water intake screens) and entrainment (drawing organisms into water intake). The rule became effective in October 2014, and applies to all of our existing generating facilities with cooling water intake structures, except for the ERGS units, which were permitted under the rules governing new facilities.
2017 Form 10-K | 86 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Facility owners must select from seven compliance options available to meet the impingement mortality (IM) reduction standard. The rule requires state permitting agencies to make BTA determinations, subject to EPA oversight, for IM reduction over the next several years as facility permits are reissued. Based on our assessment, we believe that existing technologies at our generating facilities satisfy the IM BTA requirements.
BTA determinations must also be made by the WDNR and MDEQ to address entrainment mortality (EM) reduction on a site-specific basis taking into consideration several factors. We have received an EM BTA determination by the WDNR, with EPA concurrence, for our intake modification at VAPP. Due to our plans to retire PIPP and Pleasant Prairie power plant, we do not believe that BTA determinations for EM will be necessary for these facilities. Although we currently believe that existing technologies at PWGS and OC 5 through OC 8 satisfy the EM BTA requirements, BTA determinations to address EM reduction requirements will not be made until discharge permits are renewed for these facilities. Until that time, we cannot yet determine what, if any, intake structure or operational modifications will be required to meet the new EM BTA requirements at these other facilities. During 2018, we will continue to evaluate options to address the EM BTA requirements at these plants.
We have also provided information to the WDNR and the MDEQ about planned unit retirements. Based on discussions with the MDEQ, if we submit a signed certification stating that PIPP will be retired no later than the end of the next permit cycle (assumed to be October 1, 2023), the EM BTA requirements will be waived. We expect to submit the letter identifying the last operating date for PIPP to the MDEQ during 2018, ahead of when the agency begins processing our pending application for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit reissuance.
We believe our fleet overall is well positioned to meet the new regulation and do not expect to incur significant costs to comply with this regulation.
Steam Electric Effluent Limitation Guidelines
The EPA's final steam electric effluent limitation guidelines (ELG) rule took effect in January 2016. Various petitions challenging the rule were consolidated and are pending in the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. In April 2017, the EPA issued an administrative stay of certain compliance deadlines while further reviewing the rule. In September 2017, the EPA issued a final rule to postpone the earliest compliance dates for the bottom ash transport water and wet flue gas desulfurization wastewater requirements. This rule applies to wastewater discharges from our power plant processes in Wisconsin and Michigan. While the ELG compliance deadlines are postponed, the WDNR and the MDEQ have indicated that they will refrain from incorporating certain new requirements into any reissued discharge permits between 2018 and 2023.
After a final rule is back in effect, the WDNR and MDEQ have indicated that they will modify the state rules as necessary and incorporate the new requirements into our facility permits, which are renewed every five years. Our power plant facilities already have advanced wastewater treatment technologies installed that meet many of the discharge limits established by this rule. However, as currently constructed, the ELG rule will require additional wastewater treatment retrofits as well as installation of other equipment to minimize process water use.
The final rule would phase in new or more stringent requirements related to limits of arsenic, mercury, selenium, and nitrogen in wastewater discharged from wet scrubber systems. New requirements for wet scrubber wastewater treatment would require additional zero liquid discharge or other advanced treatment capital improvements for the OCPP and ERGS. The rule also would require dry fly ash handling, which is already in place at all of our power plants. Dry bottom ash transport systems are required by the new rule, and modifications would be required at OC 7 and OC 8. We are beginning preliminary engineering for compliance with the rule and estimate approximately $50 million will be required to design and install these advanced treatment and bottom ash transport systems. This estimate reflects the planned retirements of certain of our generation plants as a result of WEC Energy Group's generation reshaping plan discussed in Climate Change above.
Land Quality
Manufactured Gas Plant Remediation
We have identified sites at which we or a predecessor company owned or operated a manufactured gas plant or stored manufactured gas. We have also identified other sites that may have been impacted by historical manufactured gas plant activities. We are responsible for the environmental remediation of these sites. We are also working with various state jurisdictions in our investigation and remediation planning. These sites are at various stages of investigation, monitoring, remediation, and closure.
2017 Form 10-K | 87 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
The future costs for detailed site investigation, future remediation, and monitoring are dependent upon several variables including, among other things, the extent of remediation, changes in technology, and changes in regulation. Historically, our regulators have allowed us to recover incurred costs, net of insurance recoveries and recoveries from potentially responsible parties, associated with the remediation of manufactured gas plant sites. Accordingly, we have established regulatory assets for costs associated with these sites.
We have established the following regulatory assets and reserves related to manufactured gas plant sites as of December 31:
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Regulatory assets | $ | 30.4 | $ | 29.9 | ||||
Reserves for future remediation | 18.5 | 19.0 | ||||||
Renewables, Efficiency, and Conservation
Wisconsin Legislation
In 2005, Wisconsin enacted Act 141, which established a goal that 10% of all electricity consumed in Wisconsin be generated by renewable resources by December 31, 2015. We have achieved a renewable energy percentage of 8.27% and met our compliance requirements by constructing various wind parks, a biomass facility, and by also relying on renewable energy purchases. We continue to review our renewable energy portfolio and acquire cost-effective renewables as needed to meet our requirements on an ongoing basis. The PSCW administers the renewable program related to Act 141, and we fund the program, along with other utilities, based on 1.2% of our annual operating revenues.
Michigan Legislation
In 2008, Michigan enacted Act 295, which required 10% of the state's electric energy to come from renewables by 2015 and energy optimization (efficiency) targets up to 1% annually by 2015. In December 2016, Michigan revised this legislation with Act 342, which requires additional renewable energy requirements beyond 2015. The new legislation retains the 10% renewable energy portfolio requirement for years 2017 through 2018, increases the requirement to 12.5% for years 2019 through 2020, and increases the requirement to 15.0% for 2021. We were in compliance with these requirements as of December 31, 2017. The revised legislation continues to allow recovery of costs incurred to meet the standards and provides for ongoing review and revision to assure the measures taken are cost-effective.
Enforcement and Litigation Matters
We are involved in legal and administrative proceedings before various courts and agencies with respect to matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although we are unable to predict the outcome of these matters, management believes that appropriate reserves have been established and that final settlement of these actions will not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
NOTE 20—SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
(in millions) | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Cash (paid) for interest, net of amount capitalized | $ | (115.1 | ) | $ | (116.2 | ) | $ | (116.2 | ) | |||
Cash (paid) received for income taxes, net | (71.7 | ) | 100.2 | (58.5 | ) | |||||||
Significant non-cash transactions: | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable related to construction costs | 13.2 | 9.1 | 11.7 | |||||||||
Transfer of investment in ATC to another subsidiary of WEC Energy Group (1) (2) | 415.4 | — | — | |||||||||
Transfer of net assets to UMERC (1) | 61.1 | — | — | |||||||||
Equity settlement of a short-term note receivable between Bostco and our parent company | 4.8 | — | — | |||||||||
(1) | See Note 4, Related Parties, for more information on these transactions. |
(2) | The amount transferred includes a $13.4 million receivable for distributions approved and recorded in December 2016. |
2017 Form 10-K | 88 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
NOTE 21—REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
As ordered by the PSCW, we deferred for return to ratepayers, through future refunds, bill credits, or reductions in other regulatory assets, the estimated tax benefit of $1,065 million related to the Tax Legislation that was signed into law in December 2017. This tax benefit resulted from the revaluation of deferred taxes. See Note 12, Income Taxes, for more information.
2018 and 2019 Rates
During April 2017, we, along with WG and WPS, filed an application with the PSCW for approval of a settlement agreement we made with several of our commercial and industrial customers regarding 2018 and 2019 base rates. In September 2017, the PSCW issued an order that approved the settlement agreement, which freezes base rates through 2019 for our electric and natural gas customers. Based on the PSCW order, our authorized ROE remains at 10.2%, and our current capital cost structure will remain unchanged through 2019. Various intervenors had filed requests for rehearing, all of which have been denied.
In addition to freezing base rates, the settlement agreement extends and expands the electric real-time market pricing program options for large commercial and industrial customers and mitigates the continued growth of certain escrowed costs during the base rate freeze period by accelerating the recognition of certain tax benefits.
Pursuant to the settlement agreement, we also agreed to keep our earnings sharing mechanism in place through 2019. Under this earnings sharing mechanism, if we earn above our authorized ROE, 50% of the first 50 basis points of additional utility earnings must be shared with customers. All utility earnings above the first 50 basis points must also be shared with customers.
Natural Gas Storage Facilities in Michigan
In January 2017, WEC Energy Group signed an agreement for the acquisition of Bluewater. Bluewater owns natural gas storage facilities in Michigan that would provide a portion of the current storage needs for our natural gas utility operations. As a result of this agreement, we, along with WG and WPS, filed a request with the PSCW in February 2017 for a declaratory ruling on various items associated with the storage facilities. In the filing, we requested that the PSCW review and confirm the reasonableness and prudency of our potential long-term storage service agreement and interstate natural gas transportation contracts related to the storage facilities. We also requested approval to amend WEC Energy Group's AIA to ensure WBS and WEC Energy Group's other subsidiaries could provide services to the storage facilities. During June 2017, the PSCW granted, subject to various conditions, these declarations and approvals, and WEC Energy Group acquired Bluewater on June 30, 2017. In September 2017, we entered into the long-term service agreement for the natural gas storage, which was then approved by the PSCW in November 2017.
Formation of Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation
In December 2016, both the MPSC and the PSCW approved the operation of UMERC, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, as a stand-alone utility in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and UMERC became operational effective January 1, 2017. This utility holds the electric and natural gas distribution assets, previously held by WPS and us, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
In August 2016, WEC Energy Group entered into an agreement with Tilden, under which Tilden will purchase electric power from UMERC for its iron ore mine for 20 years, contingent upon UMERC's construction of approximately 180 MW of natural gas-fired generation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
In October 2017, the MPSC approved both the agreement with Tilden and UMERC's application for a certificate of necessity to begin construction of the proposed generation. The new units are expected to begin commercial operation in 2019 and should allow for the retirement of PIPP no later than 2020. Tilden will remain our customer until this new generation begins commercial operation.
2017 Form 10-K | 89 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
2015 Wisconsin Rate Order
In May 2014, we applied to the PSCW for a biennial review of costs and rates. In December 2014, the PSCW approved the following rate adjustments, effective January 1, 2015:
• | A net bill increase related to non-fuel costs for our retail electric customers of approximately $2.7 million (0.1%) in 2015. This amount reflected the receipt of SSR payments from MISO that were higher than we anticipated when we filed our rate request in May 2014, as well as an offset of $26.6 million related to a refund of prior fuel costs and the remainder of the proceeds from a Treasury Grant that we received in connection with our biomass facility. The majority of this $26.6 million was returned to customers in the form of bill credits in 2015. |
• | A rate increase for our retail electric customers of $26.6 million (0.9%) in 2016, related to the expiration of the bill credits provided to customers in 2015. |
• | A rate decrease of $13.9 million (-0.5%) in 2015 related to a forecasted decrease in fuel costs. |
• | A rate decrease of $10.7 million (-2.4%) for our natural gas customers in 2015, with no rate adjustment in 2016. |
• | A rate increase of approximately $0.5 million (2.0%) for our Downtown Milwaukee (Valley) steam utility customers in 2015, with no rate adjustment in 2016. |
• | A rate increase of approximately $1.2 million (7.3%) for our Milwaukee County steam utility customers in 2015, with no rate adjustment in 2016. As a result of the sale of the MCPP, we no longer have any Milwaukee County steam utility customers. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information about the sale of the MCPP. |
Our authorized ROE was set at 10.2%, and our common equity component remained at an average of 51%. The PSCW order reaffirmed the deferral of our transmission costs, and it verified that 2015 and 2016 fuel costs should continue to be monitored using a 2% tolerance window. The PSCW order also authorized escrow accounting for SSR revenues because of the uncertainty of the actual revenues we will receive under the PIPP SSR agreements. Under escrow accounting, we record SSR revenues of $90.7 million a year. If actual SSR payments from MISO exceed $90.7 million a year, the difference is deferred and returned to customers, with interest, in a future rate case. If actual SSR payments from MISO are less than $90.7 million a year, the difference is deferred and is expected to be recovered from customers with interest, in a future rate case.
Earnings Sharing Agreement
In May 2015, the PSCW approved the acquisition of Integrys subject to the condition of an earnings sharing mechanism for us. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on this earnings sharing mechanism.
NOTE 22—QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
(in millions) | First Quarter | Second Quarter | Third Quarter | Fourth Quarter | Total | |||||||||||||||
2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 972.0 | $ | 855.4 | $ | 943.8 | $ | 940.5 | $ | 3,711.7 | ||||||||||
Operating income | 185.1 | 142.8 | 163.4 | 134.3 | 625.6 | |||||||||||||||
Net income attributed to common shareholder | 101.8 | 75.3 | 89.4 | 69.1 | 335.6 | |||||||||||||||
2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 975.5 | $ | 877.2 | $ | 1,023.8 | $ | 916.3 | $ | 3,792.8 | ||||||||||
Operating income | 181.5 | 146.9 | 196.4 | 104.7 | 629.5 | |||||||||||||||
Net income attributed to common shareholder | 107.3 | 82.6 | 115.2 | 59.2 | 364.3 | |||||||||||||||
Due to various factors, the quarterly results of operations are not necessarily comparable.
2017 Form 10-K | 90 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
NOTE 23—NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board issued their joint revenue recognition standard, ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Several amendments were issued subsequent to the standard to clarify the guidance. The core principle of the guidance is to recognize revenue in an amount that an entity is entitled to receive in exchange for goods and services. The guidance also requires additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and the related cash flows arising from contracts with customers.
We have completed the review of our contracts with customers and are finalizing the related financial disclosures to evaluate the impact of the amended guidance on our existing revenue recognition policies and procedures. We have evaluated the nature of our operating revenues and do not expect that there will be a significant shift in the timing or pattern of revenue recognition. Most of our revenues are from regulated tariff sales, which are in the scope of the new standard, excluding the revenue component related to alternative revenue programs. The revenues from these contracts are recorded at the amount of the electricity or natural gas delivered to the customer during the period.
We adopted this standard for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2018, as required, and used the modified retrospective method of adoption. The most significant impact to the financial statements is expected to be in the form of additional disclosures. However, we do not expect to have a cumulative-effect adjustment to record on the balance sheet as of the beginning of 2018; and therefore, do not expect to include a reconciliation of results under the new revenue recognition guidance compared with what would have been reported in 2018 under the old revenue recognition guidance. We will include disaggregated revenue disclosures by segment, major products (electric and natural gas), and customer class in the combined notes to the financial statements, starting in the first quarter of 2018.
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Instruments
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities. This guidance requires equity investments, including other ownership interests such as partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures, and limited liability companies, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. It also simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values and amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. This ASU does not apply to investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting. As required, we adopted this ASU for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2018. We do not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a significant impact on our financial statements.
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, and will be applied using a modified retrospective approach. The main provision of this ASU is that lessees will be required to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for most leases, including those classified as operating leases under GAAP. We are currently assessing the effects this guidance may have on our financial statements.
Financial Instruments Credit Losses
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. This ASU introduces a new impairment model known as the current expected credit loss model. The ASU requires a financial asset measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. Previously, recognition of the full amount of credit losses was generally delayed until the loss was probable of occurring. We are currently assessing the effects this guidance may have on our financial statements.
2017 Form 10-K | 91 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. There are eight main provisions of this ASU for which current GAAP either is unclear or does not include specific guidance. As required, we adopted this ASU for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2018 and used a retrospective transition method. We do not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a significant impact on our financial statements.
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. Under this ASU, an employer is required to disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of the net benefit cost. The amendments provide explicit guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of the net benefit cost in the income statement and allow only the service cost component of the net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. As required, we adopted this ASU for interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2018. The amendments will be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of the net benefit cost in the income statement, and prospectively for the capitalization of the service cost component in assets. As a result of the application of accounting principles for rate regulated entities, a similar amount of net benefit cost (including non-service components) will be recognized in our financial statements consistent with the current rate-making treatment. The impacts of adoption will be limited to changes in classification of non-service costs in the income statements.
2017 Form 10-K | 92 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective (i) in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act and (ii) to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on its evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.
Because of its 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 the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management's report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2017 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
2017 Form 10-K | 93 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF THE REGISTRANT
The information under "Election of Directors," "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance," "Corporate Governance – Frequently Asked Questions: What is the process used to identify director nominees and how do I recommend a nominee to WEC Energy Group's Corporate Governance Committee?," "Corporate Governance – Frequently Asked Questions: Are the WEC Energy Group Audit and Oversight and Compensation Committees comprised solely of independent directors?," "Corporate Governance – Frequently Asked Questions: Are all the members of the WEC Energy Group Audit Committee financially literate and does the committee have an 'audit committee financial expert'?," "Corporate Governance – Frequently Asked Questions: Does the Board have a nominating committee?," and "Committees of the WEC Energy Group Board of Directors – Audit and Oversight" in our Definitive Information Statement on Schedule 14C to be filed with the SEC for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 26, 2018 (the "2018 Annual Meeting Information Statement") is incorporated herein by reference. Also see "Executive Officers of the Registrant" in Part I of this report.
WEC Energy Group has adopted a written code of ethics, referred to as its Code of Business Conduct. We are a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, and as such, all of our directors, executive officers, and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, have a responsibility to comply with WEC Energy Group's Code of Business Conduct. WEC Energy Group has posted its Code of Business Conduct in the "Governance" section on its website, www.wecenergygroup.com. WEC Energy Group has not provided any waiver to the Code for any director, executive officer, or other employee. Any amendments to, or waivers for directors and executive officers from, the Code of Business Conduct will be disclosed on WEC Energy Group's website or in a current report on Form 8-K.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," "Executive Compensation," "Director Compensation," "Committees of the WEC Energy Group Board of Directors – Compensation," "Compensation Committee Report," "Pay Ratio Disclosure," "Risk Analysis of Compensation Policies and Practices," and "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions – Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" in the 2018 Annual Meeting Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
All of our Common Stock is owned by our parent company, WEC Energy Group, 231 West Michigan Street, P.O. Box 1331, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201. Our directors and director nominees, who are all executive officers of WE, as well as our other executive officers, do not own any of our voting securities. The information concerning their beneficial ownership in WEC Energy Group common stock set forth under "Stock Ownership of Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers" in the 2018 Annual Meeting Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
We do not have any equity compensation plans under which our equity securities may be issued. Our directors, officers and certain employees participate in the compensation plans of WEC Energy Group.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information under "Corporate Governance – Frequently Asked Questions: Who are the independent directors?," "Corporate Governance – Frequently Asked Questions: What are the WEC Energy Group Board's standards of independence?," "Corporate Governance – Frequently Asked Questions: Are the WEC Energy Group Audit and Oversight and Compensation Committees comprised solely of independent directors?," "Corporate Governance – Frequently Asked Questions: Does the Company have policies and procedures in place to review and approve related party transactions?," and "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" in the 2018 Annual Meeting Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference. A full description of the guidelines the WEC Energy Group Board uses to determine director independence is located in Appendix A of WEC Energy Group's Corporate Governance Guidelines, which can be found on its website, www.wecenergygroup.com.
2017 Form 10-K | 94 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information regarding the fees paid to, and services performed by, our independent auditors and the pre-approval policy of our audit and oversight committee under "Independent Auditors' Fees and Services" in the 2018 Annual Meeting Information Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
2017 Form 10-K | 95 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
1. | Financial Statements and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Included in Part II of This Report | ||
Description | Page in 10-K | ||
2. | Financial Statement Schedules Included in Part IV of This Report | ||
Other schedules are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is given in the financial statements or notes thereto. | |||
3. | Exhibits and Exhibit Index | ||
The following exhibits are filed or furnished with or incorporated by reference in the report with respect to Wisconsin Electric Power Company (File No. 001-01245). An asterisk (*) indicates incorporation by reference pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 12b-32. Each management contract and compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this report pursuant to Item 15(b) of Form 10-K is identified below by two asterisks (**) following the description of the exhibit. | |||
Number | Exhibit | ||||
3 | Articles of Incorporation and By-laws | ||||
4 | Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures | ||||
Indentures and Securities Resolutions: | |||||
2017 Form 10-K | 96 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Number | Exhibit | ||||
Certain agreements and instruments with respect to unregistered long-term debt not exceeding 10 percent of the total assets of the Registrant and its subsidiary on a consolidated basis have been omitted as permitted by related instructions. The Registrant agrees pursuant to Item 601(b)(4) of Regulation S-K to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, a copy of all such agreements and instruments. | |||||
10 | Material Contracts | ||||
2017 Form 10-K | 97 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Number | Exhibit | ||||
2017 Form 10-K | 98 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
Number | Exhibit | ||||
21 | Subsidiaries of the registrant | ||||
23 | Consents of experts and counsel | ||||
31 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications | ||||
32 | Section 1350 Certifications | ||||
101 | Interactive Data File | ||||
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
2017 Form 10-K | 99 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
SCHEDULE II
WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (in millions) | Balance at Beginning of Period | Transfer of Net Assets to UMERC (1) | Expense (2) | Deferral | Net Write-offs (3) | Balance at End of Period | ||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2017 | $ | 40.9 | $ | (0.3 | ) | $ | 31.2 | $ | (6.4 | ) | $ | (25.9 | ) | $ | 39.5 | |||||||||
December 31, 2016 | 43.0 | — | 31.1 | (5.7 | ) | (27.5 | ) | 40.9 | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2015 | 46.8 | — | 30.6 | 0.3 | (34.7 | ) | 43.0 | |||||||||||||||||
(1) | See Note 4, Related Parties, for more information. |
(2) | Net of recoveries |
(3) | Represents amounts written off to the reserve, net of adjustments to regulatory assets. |
2017 Form 10-K | 100 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |
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.
WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY | ||
By | /s/ GALE E. KLAPPA | |
Date: | February 28, 2018 | Gale E. Klappa, Chairman of the Board and |
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ GALE E. KLAPPA | February 28, 2018 | |
Gale E. Klappa, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive | ||
Officer and Director -- Principal Executive Officer | ||
/s/ SCOTT J. LAUBER | February 28, 2018 | |
Scott J. Lauber, Executive Vice President and Chief | ||
Financial Officer and Director -- Principal Financial Officer | ||
/s/ WILLIAM J. GUC | February 28, 2018 | |
William J. Guc, Vice President and | ||
Controller -- Principal Accounting Officer | ||
/s/ J. KEVIN FLETCHER | February 28, 2018 | |
J. Kevin Fletcher, Director | ||
/s/ MARGARET C. KELSEY | February 28, 2018 | |
Margaret C. Kelsey, Director | ||
/s/ TOM METCALFE | February 28, 2018 | |
Tom Metcalfe, Director | ||
2017 Form 10-K | 101 | Wisconsin Electric Power Company |