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•2021 Form 10-K | 61 | A WEC Energy Group, Inc.$593.2 millionincrease in cash related to lower long-term debt repayments during 2019, compared with 2018. |
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•A $28.1 million decrease in cash from fewer stock options exercised during 2021, compared with 2020.
$155.0 millionincrease in cash due to higher issuances of long-term debt during 2019, compared with 2018.
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• | A $37.9 million increase in cash from stock options exercised during 2019, compared with 2018.
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These increasesdecreases in net cash provided by financing activities were partially offset by:
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• | •A $506.6 million increase in cash related to lower long-term debt repayments during 2021, compared with 2020.
•A $66.1 million increase in cash due to a decrease in the number and cost of shares of our common stock purchased during 2021, compared with 2020, to satisfy requirements of our stock-based compensation plans.
•The acquisition of an additional 10% ownership interest in Upstream in April 2020 for $31.0 million. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information.
$604.8 milliondecrease in cash related to higher net repayments of commercial paper during 2019, compared with 2018.
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• | A $67.7 million decrease in cash due to an increase in the number and cost of shares of our common stock purchased during 2019, compared with 2018, to satisfy requirements of our stock-based compensation plans.
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• | A $47.2 million decrease in cash due to higher dividends paid on our common stock during 2019, compared with 2018. In January 2019, our Board of Directors increased our quarterly dividend by $0.0375 per share (6.8%) effective with the first quarter of 2019 dividend payment.
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Significant Financing Activities
For more information on our financing activities, see Note 12,13, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, and Note 13,14, Long-Term Debt.
Cash Requirements
We require funds to support and grow our businesses. Our significant cash requirements primarily consist of capital and investment expenditures, payments to retire and pay interest on long-term debt, the payment of common stock dividends to our shareholders, and the funding of our ongoing operations. Our significant cash requirements are discussed in further detail below.
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, changes in tax laws and regulations, acquisition and development opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, supply chain disruptions, the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and interest rates. Our estimated capital expenditures and acquisitions for the next three years are reflected below. These amounts include anticipated expenditures for environmental compliance and certain remediation issues. For a discussion of certain environmental matters affecting us, see Note 24, Commitments and Contingencies.
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(in millions) | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | | | |
Wisconsin | | $ | 2,131.7 | | | $ | 2,148.0 | | | $ | 2,114.1 | | | | | |
Illinois | | 573.1 | | | 586.8 | | | 635.0 | | | | | |
Other states | | 119.1 | | | 103.6 | | | 106.4 | | | | | |
Non-utility energy infrastructure | | 870.8 | | | 325.7 | | | 297.5 | | | | | |
Corporate and other | | 22.0 | | | 17.5 | | | 4.3 | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 3,716.7 | | | $ | 3,181.6 | | | $ | 3,157.3 | | | | | |
WE, WPS, and WG continue to upgrade their electric and natural gas distribution systems to enhance reliability. These upgrades include the 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.
We are committed to investing in solar, wind, battery storage, and clean natural gas-fired generation. Below are examples of projects that are proposed or currently underway.
•We have received approval to invest in 100 MW of utility-scale solar within our Wisconsin segment. WE has partnered with an unaffiliated utility to construct a solar project, Badger Hollow II, that will be located in Iowa County, Wisconsin. Once constructed, WE will own 100 MW of this project. WE's share of the cost of this project is estimated to be $130 million. Commercial operation of Badger Hollow II is targeted for the first quarter of 2023.
•In February 2021, WE and WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire and construct the Paris Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin and once constructed, WE and WPS will collectively own
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2021 Form 10-K | 62 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
180 MW of solar generation and 99 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, WE's and WPS's combined share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $385 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
•WE and WPS have received approval to accelerate capital investments in two wind parks. The investment is expected to be approximately $154 million to repower major components of Blue Sky and Crane Creek, which are expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
•In March 2021, WE and WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire and construct the Darien Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Rock and Walworth counties, Wisconsin and once constructed, WE and WPS will collectively own 225 MW of solar generation and 68 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, WE's and WPS's combined share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $400 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
•WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, received PSCW approval to acquire the Red Barn Wind Park, a utility-scale wind-powered electric generating facility. The project will be located in Grant County, Wisconsin and once constructed, WPS will own 82 MW of this project. WPS's share of the cost of this project is estimated to be $150 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
•In April 2021, WE and WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire the Koshkonong Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Dane County, Wisconsin and once constructed, WE and WPS will collectively own 270 MW of solar generation and 149 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, WE's and WPS's combined share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $585 million, with construction expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2024.
•In April 2021, WE and WPS filed an application with the PSCW for approval to construct 128 MW of natural gas-fired generation at WPS's existing Weston power plant site in northern Wisconsin. The new facility will consist of seven reciprocating internal combustion engines. If approved, we estimate the cost of this project to be approximately $170 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
•In November 2021, WE and WPS signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire Whitewater, a commercially operational 236.5 MW dual fueled (natural gas and low sulfur fuel oil) combined cycle electrical generation facility in Whitewater, Wisconsin. In December 2021, WE and WPS filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire Whitewater. If approved, the cost of this facility will be $72.7 million, with the transaction expected to close in January 2023. See Note 15, Leases, for more information.
•In January 2022, WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire a portion of West Riverside's nameplate capacity. WPS is also requesting approval to assign the option to purchase part of West Riverside to WE. If approved, WPS or WE would acquire 100 MW of capacity, in the first of two potential option exercises. West Riverside is a new, combined-cycle natural gas plant recently completed by an unaffiliated utility in Rock County, Wisconsin. If approved, our share of the cost of this ownership interest is approximately $91 million, with the transaction expected to close in the second quarter of 2023.
WE and WG have received PSCW approval to each construct its own LNG facility. Each facility would provide approximately one Bcf of natural gas supply to meet anticipated peak demand without requiring the construction of additional interstate pipeline capacity. These facilities are expected to reduce the likelihood of constraints on WE's and WG's natural gas systems during the highest demand days of winter. The total cost of both projects is estimated to be approximately $370 million, with approximately half being invested by each utility. Commercial operation of the WE and WG LNG facilities are targeted for the end of 2023 and 2024, respectively.
PGL is continuing work on the SMP, a project under which PGL is replacing approximately 2,000 miles of Chicago's aging natural gas pipeline infrastructure. PGL currently recovers these costs through a surcharge on customer bills pursuant to an ICC approved QIP rider, which is in effect through 2023. PGL's projected average annual investment through 2024 is between $280 million and $300 million. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on the SMP.
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2021 Form 10-K | 63 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
The non-utility energy infrastructure segment line item in the table above includes WECI's planned investment in Thunderhead and Sapphire Sky. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on these wind projects.
We expect to provide total capital contributions to ATC (not included in the above table) of approximately $115 million from 2022 through 2024. We do not expect to make any contributions to ATC Holdco during that period.
See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Regulatory, Legislative, and Legal Matters – Withhold Release Order Related to Silica-Based Products for information on the potential impacts to our solar projects as a result of CBP actions related to solar panels.
Long-Term Debt
A significant amount of cash is required to retire and pay interest on our long-term debt obligations. See Note 14, Long-Term Debt, for more information on our outstanding long-term debt, including a schedule of our long-term debt maturities over the next five years. The following table summarizes our required interest payments on long-term debt (excluding finance lease obligations) as of December 31, 2021:
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| | Interest Payments Due by Period |
(in millions) | | Total | | Less Than 1 Year | | 1-3 Years | | 3-5 Years | | More Than 5 Years |
Interest payments on long-term debt (1) | | $ | 7,563.2 | | | $ | 456.5 | | | $ | 892.6 | | | $ | 810.8 | | | $ | 5,403.3 | |
(1) The interest due on our variable rate debt is based on the interest rates that were in effect on December 31, 2021.
Common Stock Dividends
On January 20, 2022, our Board of Directors increased our quarterly dividend to $0.7275 per share effective with the first quarter of 2022 dividend payment, an increase of 7.4%. This equates to an annual dividend of $2.91 per share. In addition, the Board of Directors affirmed our dividend policy that continues to target a dividend payout ratio of 65-70% of earnings.
We have been paying consecutive quarterly dividends dating back to 1942 and expect to continue paying quarterly cash dividends in the future. Any payment of future dividends is subject to approval by our Board of Directors and is dependent upon future earnings, capital requirements, and financial and other business conditions. In addition, our ability as a holding company to pay common stock dividends primarily depends on the availability of funds received from our subsidiaries. Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements impose certain restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us in the form of cash dividends, loans, or advances. We do not believe that these restrictions will materially affect our operations or limit any dividend payments in the foreseeable future. See Note 11, Common Equity, for more information related to these restrictions and our other common stock matters.
Other Significant Cash Requirements
Our utility and non-utility operations have purchase obligations under various contracts for the procurement of fuel, power, and gas supply, as well as the related storage and transportation. These costs are a significant component of funding our ongoing operations. See Note 24, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information, including our minimum future commitments related to these purchase obligations. Capital Resources
In addition to our energy-related purchase obligations, we have commitments for other costs incurred in the normal course of business, including costs related to information technology services, meter reading services, maintenance and other service agreements for certain generating facilities, and various engineering agreements. Our estimated future cash requirements related to these purchase obligations are reflected below.
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| | Payments Due by Period |
(in millions) | | Total | | Less Than 1 Year | | 1-3 Years | | 3-5 Years | | More Than 5 Years |
Purchase orders | | $ | 465.3 | | | $ | 243.8 | | | $ | 178.0 | | | $ | 39.8 | | | $ | 3.7 | |
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2021 Form 10-K | 64 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
We have various finance and operating lease obligations. Our finance lease obligations primarily relate to power purchase commitments and land leases for our solar projects. Our operating lease obligations are for office space and land. See Note 15, Leases, for more information, including an analysis of our minimum lease payments due in future years.
We make contributions to our pension and OPEB plans based upon various factors affecting us, including our liquidity position and tax law changes. See Note 20, Employee Benefits, for our expected contributions in 2022 and our expected pension and OPEB payments for the next 10 years. We expect the majority of these future pension and OPEB payments to be paid from our outside trusts. See Sources of Cash–Investments in Outside Trusts below for more information.
In addition to the above, our balance sheet at December 31, 2021 included various other liabilities that, due to the nature of the liabilities, the amount and timing of future payments cannot be determined with certainty. These liabilities include AROs, liabilities for the remediation of manufactured gas plant sites, and liabilities related to the accounting treatment for uncertainty in income taxes. For additional information on these liabilities, see Note 9, Asset Retirement Obligations, Note 24, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 16, Income Taxes, respectively.
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 financial guarantees and letters of credit that support construction projects, commodity contracts, and other payment obligations. 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 13, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, Note 19, Guarantees, and Note 23, Variable Interest Entities.
Sources of Cash
Liquidity
We anticipate meeting our capitalshort-term and long-term cash requirements forto operate our existingbusinesses and implement our corporate strategy through internal generation of cash from 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.
We currently have access to the capital markets, which allows us to obtain external short-term borrowings, including commercial paper and have been ableterm loans, and intermediate or long-term debt securities. Cash generated from operations is primarily driven by sales of electricity and natural gas to generate funds both internally and externallyour utility customers, reduced by costs of operations. Our access to meet ourthe capital requirements. Our ability to attract the necessary financial capital at reasonable termsmarkets is critical to our overall strategic plan. We currently believe that we have adequate capacityplan and allows us to fundsupplement cash flows from operations with external borrowings to manage seasonal variations, working capital needs, commodity price fluctuations, unplanned expenses, and unanticipated events.
See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Coronavirus Disease – 2019, for additional information on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations for the foreseeable future through our existing borrowing arrangements, access to capital markets, and internally generated cash.liquidity.
WEC Energy Group, WE, WPS, WG, and PGL maintain bank back-up credit facilities, which provide liquidity support for each company's 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.
The amount, type, and timing of any financings in 2022, as well as in subsequent years, will be contingent on investment opportunities and our cash requirements and will depend upon prevailing market conditions, regulatory approvals for certain subsidiaries, and other factors. Our regulated utilities plan to maintain capital structures consistent with those approved by their respective regulators. For more information on our utilities approved capital structures, see Item 1. Business – E. Regulation.
The issuance of securities by our utility companies is subject to the approval of the applicable state commissions or FERC. Additionally, with respect to the public offering of securities, we, WE, and WPS file registration statements with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act). The amounts of securities authorized by the appropriate regulatory authorities, as well as the securities registered under the 1933 Act, are closely monitored and appropriate filings are made to ensure flexibility in the capital markets.
At December 31, 2021, our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by $1,096.3 million. We do not expect this to have an impact on our liquidity as we currently believe that our cash and cash equivalents, our available capacity of $1,201.6 million under
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2021 Form 10-K | 65 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
existing revolving credit facilities, cash generated from ongoing operations, and access to the capital markets are adequate to meet our short-term and long-term cash requirements.
See Note 12,13, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, and Note 14, Long-Term Debt, for more information about our credit facilities and debt securities.
Investments in Outside Trusts
We maintain investments in outside trusts to fund the obligation to provide pension and certain OPEB benefits to current and future retirees. As of December 31, 2021, these credit facilities.trusts had investments of approximately $4.3 billion, consisting of fixed income and equity securities, that are subject to the volatility of the stock market and interest rates. The performance of existing plan assets, long-term discount rates, changes in assumptions, and other factors could affect our future contributions to the plans, our financial position if our accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of the plan assets, and future results of operations related to changes in pension and OPEB expense and the assumed rate of return. For additional information, see Note 20, Employee Benefits.
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2019 Form 10-K | 54 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Capitalization Structure
The following table shows our capitalization structure as of December 31, 20192021 and 2018,2020, as well as an adjusted capitalization structure that we believe is consistent with how a majority of the rating agencies currently view our 2007 Junior Notes:
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| | 2021 | | 2020 |
(in millions) | | Actual | | Adjusted | | Actual | | Adjusted |
Common shareholders' equity | | $ | 10,913.2 | | | $ | 11,163.2 | | | $ | 10,469.7 | | | $ | 10,719.7 | |
Preferred stock of subsidiary | | 30.4 | | | 30.4 | | | 30.4 | | | 30.4 | |
Long-term debt (including current portion) | | 13,693.1 | | | 13,443.1 | | | 12,513.9 | | | 12,263.9 | |
Short-term debt | | 1,897.0 | | | 1,897.0 | | | 1,776.9 | | | 1,776.9 | |
Total capitalization | | $ | 26,533.7 | | | $ | 26,533.7 | | | $ | 24,790.9 | | | $ | 24,790.9 | |
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Total debt | | $ | 15,590.1 | | | $ | 15,340.1 | | | $ | 14,290.8 | | | $ | 14,040.8 | |
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Ratio of debt to total capitalization | | 58.8 | % | | 57.8 | % | | 57.6 | % | | 56.6 | % |
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| | 2019 | | 2018 |
(in millions) | | Actual | | Adjusted | | Actual | | Adjusted |
Common shareholders' equity | | $ | 10,113.4 |
| | $ | 10,363.4 |
| | $ | 9,788.9 |
| | $ | 10,038.9 |
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Preferred stock of subsidiary | | 30.4 |
| | 30.4 |
| | 30.4 |
| | 30.4 |
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Long-term debt (including current portion) | | 11,904.2 |
| | 11,654.2 |
| | 10,359.0 |
| | 10,109.0 |
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Short-term debt | | 830.8 |
| | 830.8 |
| | 1,440.1 |
| | 1,440.1 |
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Total capitalization | | $ | 22,878.8 |
| | $ | 22,878.8 |
| | $ | 21,618.4 |
| | $ | 21,618.4 |
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Total debt | | $ | 12,735.0 |
| | $ | 12,485.0 |
| | $ | 11,799.1 |
| | $ | 11,549.1 |
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Ratio of debt to total capitalization | | 55.7 | % | | 54.6 | % | | 54.6 | % | | 53.4 | % |
Included in long-term debt on our balance sheets as of December 31, 20192021 and 2018,2020, is $500.0 million principal amount of the 2007 Junior Notes. The adjusted presentation attributes $250.0 million of the 2007 Junior Notes to common shareholders' equity and $250.0 million to long-term debt.
The adjusted presentation of our consolidated capitalization structure is included as a complement to our capitalization structure presented in accordance with GAAP. Management evaluates and manages our capitalization structure, including our total debt to total capitalization ratio, using the GAAP calculation as adjusted to reflect the treatment of the 2007 Junior Notes by the majority of rating agencies. Therefore, we believe the non-GAAP adjusted presentation reflecting this treatment is useful and relevant to investors in understanding how management and the rating agencies evaluate our capitalization structure.
For a summary of the interest rates, maturity, and amounts of long-term debt outstanding on a consolidated basis, see Note 13, Long-Term Debt.
Debt Covenants
As described in Note 10, Common Equity, certain restrictions exist on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us. We do not expect these restrictions to have any material effect on our operations or ability to meet our cash obligations.
At December 31, 2019,2021, 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 12,13, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, Note 14, Long-Term Debt, and Note 13, Long-Term Debt,11, Common Equity, for more information.
Working Capital
As of December 31, 2019, our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by $1,089.1 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 RiskSignificant 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, changes in tax laws and regulations, acquisition and development opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, supply chain disruptions, the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and interest rates. Our estimated capital expenditures and acquisitions for the next three years are reflected below. These amounts include anticipated expenditures for environmental compliance and certain remediation issues. For a discussion of certain environmental matters affecting us, see Note 24, Commitments and Contingencies.
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(in millions) | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | | | |
Wisconsin | | $ | 2,131.7 | | | $ | 2,148.0 | | | $ | 2,114.1 | | | | | |
Illinois | | 573.1 | | | 586.8 | | | 635.0 | | | | | |
Other states | | 119.1 | | | 103.6 | | | 106.4 | | | | | |
Non-utility energy infrastructure | | 870.8 | | | 325.7 | | | 297.5 | | | | | |
Corporate and other | | 22.0 | | | 17.5 | | | 4.3 | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 3,716.7 | | | $ | 3,181.6 | | | $ | 3,157.3 | | | | | |
WE, WPS, and WG continue to upgrade their electric and natural gas distribution systems to enhance reliability. These upgrades include the 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.
We are committed to investing in solar, wind, battery storage, and clean natural gas-fired generation. Below are examples of projects that are proposed or currently underway.
•We have received approval to invest in 100 MW of utility-scale solar within our Wisconsin segment. WE has partnered with an unaffiliated utility to construct a solar project, Badger Hollow II, that will be located in Iowa County, Wisconsin. Once constructed, WE will own 100 MW of this project. WE's share of the cost of this project is estimated to be $130 million. Commercial operation of Badger Hollow II is targeted for the first quarter of 2023.
•In February 2021, WE and WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire and construct the Paris Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin and once constructed, WE and WPS will collectively own
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2021 Form 10-K | 62 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
180 MW of solar generation and 99 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, WE's and WPS's combined share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $385 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
•WE and WPS have received approval to accelerate capital investments in two wind parks. The investment is expected to be approximately $154 million to repower major components of Blue Sky and Crane Creek, which are expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
•In March 2021, WE and WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire and construct the Darien Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Rock and Walworth counties, Wisconsin and once constructed, WE and WPS will collectively own 225 MW of solar generation and 68 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, WE's and WPS's combined share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $400 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
•WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, received PSCW approval to acquire the Red Barn Wind Park, a utility-scale wind-powered electric generating facility. The project will be located in Grant County, Wisconsin and once constructed, WPS will own 82 MW of this project. WPS's share of the cost of this project is estimated to be $150 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
•In April 2021, WE and WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire the Koshkonong Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Dane County, Wisconsin and once constructed, WE and WPS will collectively own 270 MW of solar generation and 149 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, WE's and WPS's combined share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $585 million, with construction expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2024.
•In April 2021, WE and WPS filed an application with the PSCW for approval to construct 128 MW of natural gas-fired generation at WPS's existing Weston power plant site in northern Wisconsin. The new facility will consist of seven reciprocating internal combustion engines. If approved, we estimate the cost of this project to be approximately $170 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
•In November 2021, WE and WPS signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire Whitewater, a commercially operational 236.5 MW dual fueled (natural gas and low sulfur fuel oil) combined cycle electrical generation facility in Whitewater, Wisconsin. In December 2021, WE and WPS filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire Whitewater. If approved, the cost of this facility will be $72.7 million, with the transaction expected to close in January 2023. See Note 15, Leases, for more information.
•In January 2022, WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire a portion of West Riverside's nameplate capacity. WPS is also requesting approval to assign the option to purchase part of West Riverside to WE. If approved, WPS or WE would acquire 100 MW of capacity, in the first of two potential option exercises. West Riverside is a new, combined-cycle natural gas plant recently completed by an unaffiliated utility in Rock County, Wisconsin. If approved, our share of the cost of this ownership interest is approximately $91 million, with the transaction expected to close in the second quarter of 2023.
WE and WG have received PSCW approval to each construct its own LNG facility. Each facility would provide approximately one Bcf of natural gas supply to meet anticipated peak demand without requiring the construction of additional interstate pipeline capacity. These facilities are expected to reduce the likelihood of constraints on WE's and WG's natural gas systems during the highest demand days of winter. The total cost of both projects is estimated to be approximately $370 million, with approximately half being invested by each utility. Commercial operation of the WE and WG LNG facilities are targeted for the end of 2023 and 2024, respectively.
PGL is continuing work on the SMP, a project under which PGL is replacing approximately 2,000 miles of Chicago's aging natural gas pipeline infrastructure. PGL currently recovers these costs through a surcharge on customer bills pursuant to an ICC approved QIP rider, which is in effect through 2023. PGL's projected average annual investment through 2024 is between $280 million and $300 million. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on the SMP.
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2021 Form 10-K | 63 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
The non-utility energy infrastructure segment line item in the table above includes WECI's planned investment in Thunderhead and Sapphire Sky. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on these wind projects.
We expect to provide total capital contributions to ATC (not included in the above table) of approximately $115 million from 2022 through 2024. We do not haveexpect to make any credit agreementscontributions to ATC Holdco during that would require material changes in payment schedules or terminationsperiod.
See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Regulatory, Legislative, and Legal Matters – Withhold Release Order Related to Silica-Based Products for information on the potential impacts to our solar projects as a result of CBP actions related to solar panels.
Long-Term Debt
A significant amount of cash is required to retire and pay interest on our long-term debt obligations. See Note 14, Long-Term Debt, for more information on our outstanding long-term debt, including a credit rating downgrade. However, weschedule of our long-term debt maturities over the next five years. The following table summarizes our required interest payments on long-term debt (excluding finance lease obligations) as of December 31, 2021:
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| | Interest Payments Due by Period |
(in millions) | | Total | | Less Than 1 Year | | 1-3 Years | | 3-5 Years | | More Than 5 Years |
Interest payments on long-term debt (1) | | $ | 7,563.2 | | | $ | 456.5 | | | $ | 892.6 | | | $ | 810.8 | | | $ | 5,403.3 | |
(1) The interest due on our variable rate debt is based on the interest rates that were in effect on December 31, 2021.
Common Stock Dividends
On January 20, 2022, our Board of Directors increased our quarterly dividend to $0.7275 per share effective with the first quarter of 2022 dividend payment, an increase of 7.4%. This equates to an annual dividend of $2.91 per share. In addition, the Board of Directors affirmed our dividend policy that continues to target a dividend payout ratio of 65-70% of earnings.
We have been paying consecutive quarterly dividends dating back to 1942 and expect to continue paying quarterly cash dividends in the future. Any payment of future dividends is subject to approval by our Board of Directors and is dependent upon future earnings, capital requirements, and financial and other business conditions. In addition, our ability as a holding company to pay common stock dividends primarily depends on the availability of funds received from our subsidiaries. Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements impose certain agreementsrestrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us in the form of commodity contracts and employee benefit plans that could require collateralcash dividends, loans, 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.advances. 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 November 2019, Moody's downgraded the ratings of WG senior unsecured debt to A3 from A2 and WG commercial paper to P-2 from P-1. The change in ratings has not had, and we do not believe that itthese restrictions will materially affect our operations or limit any dividend payments in the foreseeable future. See Note 11, Common Equity, for more information related to these restrictions and our other common stock matters.
Other Significant Cash Requirements
Our utility and non-utility operations have purchase obligations under various contracts for the procurement of fuel, power, and gas supply, as well as the related storage and transportation. These costs are a material impact onsignificant component of funding our abilityongoing operations. See Note 24, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information, including our minimum future commitments related to access capital. Moody's changedthese purchase obligations.
In addition to our energy-related purchase obligations, we have commitments for other costs incurred in the rating outlooknormal course of business, including costs related to information technology services, meter reading services, maintenance and other service agreements for WGcertain generating facilities, and various engineering agreements. Our estimated future cash requirements related to stable from negative.these purchase obligations are reflected below.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Payments Due by Period |
(in millions) | | Total | | Less Than 1 Year | | 1-3 Years | | 3-5 Years | | More Than 5 Years |
Purchase orders | | $ | 465.3 | | | $ | 243.8 | | | $ | 178.0 | | | $ | 39.8 | | | $ | 3.7 | |
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20192021 Form 10-K | 5564 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
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 additional 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 or our subsidiaries’ credit ratings on negative outlook or additional downgrading of our or our subsidiaries' credit ratings. Any such actions by credit rating agencies may make it more difficult and costly for us and our subsidiaries to issue future debt securities and certain other types of financing and could increase borrowing costs under our and our subsidiaries’ credit facilities.
Capital Requirements
Contractual Obligations
We have various finance and operating lease obligations. Our finance lease obligations primarily relate to power purchase commitments and land leases for our solar projects. Our operating lease obligations are for office space and land. See Note 15, Leases, for more information, including an analysis of our minimum lease payments due in future years.
We make contributions to our pension and OPEB plans based upon various factors affecting us, including our liquidity position and tax law changes. See Note 20, Employee Benefits, for our expected contributions in 2022 and our expected pension and OPEB payments for the following contractual obligationsnext 10 years. We expect the majority of these future pension and other commercial commitments asOPEB payments to be paid from our outside trusts. See Sources of Cash–Investments in Outside Trusts below for more information.
In addition to the above, our balance sheet at December 31, 2019:
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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) | | $ | 20,753.7 |
| | $ | 1,170.2 |
| | $ | 2,595.1 |
| | $ | 1,426.1 |
| | $ | 15,562.3 |
|
Finance lease obligations (3) | | 102.7 |
| | 9.3 |
| | 15.4 |
| | 1.8 |
| | 76.2 |
|
Operating lease obligations (4) | | 56.2 |
| | 6.8 |
| | 9.6 |
| | 9.7 |
| | 30.1 |
|
Energy and transportation purchase obligations (5) | | 11,570.0 |
| | 1,231.1 |
| | 2,152.9 |
| | 1,667.5 |
| | 6,518.5 |
|
Purchase orders (6) | | 886.0 |
| | 463.3 |
| | 250.2 |
| | 85.1 |
| | 87.4 |
|
Pension and OPEB funding obligations (7) | | 39.6 |
| | 12.5 |
| | 27.1 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Total contractual obligations | | $ | 33,408.2 |
| | $ | 2,893.2 |
| | $ | 5,050.3 |
| | $ | 3,190.2 |
| | $ | 22,274.5 |
|
| |
(1)
| The amounts included in the table are calculated using current market prices, forward curves,2021 included various other liabilities that, due to the nature of the liabilities, the amount and timing of future payments cannot be determined with certainty. These liabilities include AROs, liabilities for the remediation of manufactured gas plant sites, and other estimates. |
| |
(2)
| Principal and interest payments on long-term debt (excluding finance lease obligations). The interest due on our variable rate debt is based on the interest rates that were in effect on December 31, 2019. |
| |
(3)
| Finance lease obligations for power purchase commitments and land leases related to solar projects. This amount does not include We Power leases to WE which are eliminated upon consolidation. See Note 14, Leases, for more information. |
| |
(4)
| Operating lease obligations for office space, land, and rail car leases. See Note 14, Leases, for more information. |
| |
(5)
| Energy and transportation purchase obligations under various contracts for the procurement of fuel, power, gas supply, and associated transportation related to utility and non-utility operations. |
| |
(6)
| Purchase obligations related to normal business operations, information technology, and other services. Also includes construction obligations related to Two Creeks and Badger Hollow I. |
| |
(7)
| Obligations for pension and OPEB plans cannot reasonably be estimated beyond 2022. |
The table above does not include liabilities related to the accounting treatment for uncertainty in income taxes because we are not able to make a reasonably reliable estimate as to the amount and period of related future payments at this time.taxes. For additional information regardingon these liabilities, refersee Note 9, Asset Retirement Obligations, Note 24, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 16, Income Taxes, respectively.
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 financial guarantees and letters of credit that support construction projects, commodity contracts, and other payment obligations. 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 15, Income Taxes.13, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, Note 19, Guarantees, and Note 23, Variable Interest Entities.
Sources of Cash
Liquidity
We anticipate meeting our short-term and long-term cash requirements to operate our businesses and implement our corporate strategy through internal generation of cash from operations and access to the capital markets, which allows us to obtain external short-term borrowings, including commercial paper and term loans, and intermediate or long-term debt securities. Cash generated from operations is primarily driven by sales of electricity and natural gas to our utility customers, reduced by costs of operations. Our access to the capital markets is critical to our overall strategic plan and allows us to supplement cash flows from operations with external borrowings to manage seasonal variations, working capital needs, commodity price fluctuations, unplanned expenses, and unanticipated events.
See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Coronavirus Disease – 2019, for additional information on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our liquidity.
WEC Energy Group, WE, WPS, WG, and PGL maintain bank back-up credit facilities, which provide liquidity support for each company's 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.
The table above also does not reflect estimated future payments related to the manufactured gas plant remediation liability of $589.2 million at December 31, 2019, as the amount, type, and timing of paymentsany financings in 2022, as well as in subsequent years, will be contingent on investment opportunities and our cash requirements and will depend upon prevailing market conditions, regulatory approvals for certain subsidiaries, and other factors. Our regulated utilities plan to maintain capital structures consistent with those approved by their respective regulators. For more information on our utilities approved capital structures, see Item 1. Business – E. Regulation.
The issuance of securities by our utility companies is subject to the approval of the applicable state commissions or FERC. Additionally, with respect to the public offering of securities, we, WE, and WPS file registration statements with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act). The amounts of securities authorized by the appropriate regulatory authorities, as well as the securities registered under the 1933 Act, are uncertain.closely monitored and appropriate filings are made to ensure flexibility in the capital markets.
At December 31, 2021, our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by $1,096.3 million. We do not expect this to incur costs annuallyhave an impact on our liquidity as we currently believe that our cash and cash equivalents, our available capacity of $1,201.6 million under
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2021 Form 10-K | 65 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
existing revolving credit facilities, cash generated from ongoing operations, and access to remediate these sites. the capital markets are adequate to meet our short-term and long-term cash requirements.
See Note 23, Commitments13, Short-Term Debt and Contingencies,Lines of Credit, and Note 14, Long-Term Debt, for more information about environmental liabilities.our credit facilities and debt securities.
AROs
Investments in Outside Trusts
We maintain investments in outside trusts to fund the obligation to provide pension and certain OPEB benefits to current and future retirees. As of December 31, 2021, these trusts had investments of approximately $4.3 billion, consisting of fixed income and equity securities, that are subject to the volatility of the stock market and interest rates. The performance of existing plan assets, long-term discount rates, changes in assumptions, and other factors could affect our future contributions to the plans, our financial position if our accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of the plan assets, and future results of operations related to changes in pension and OPEB expense and the assumed rate of return. For additional information, see Note 20, Employee Benefits.
Capitalization Structure
The following table shows our capitalization structure as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, as well as an adjusted capitalization structure that we believe is consistent with how a majority of the rating agencies currently view our 2007 Junior Notes:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2021 | | 2020 |
(in millions) | | Actual | | Adjusted | | Actual | | Adjusted |
Common shareholders' equity | | $ | 10,913.2 | | | $ | 11,163.2 | | | $ | 10,469.7 | | | $ | 10,719.7 | |
Preferred stock of subsidiary | | 30.4 | | | 30.4 | | | 30.4 | | | 30.4 | |
Long-term debt (including current portion) | | 13,693.1 | | | 13,443.1 | | | 12,513.9 | | | 12,263.9 | |
Short-term debt | | 1,897.0 | | | 1,897.0 | | | 1,776.9 | | | 1,776.9 | |
Total capitalization | | $ | 26,533.7 | | | $ | 26,533.7 | | | $ | 24,790.9 | | | $ | 24,790.9 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total debt | | $ | 15,590.1 | | | $ | 15,340.1 | | | $ | 14,290.8 | | | $ | 14,040.8 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Ratio of debt to total capitalization | | 58.8 | % | | 57.8 | % | | 57.6 | % | | 56.6 | % |
Included in long-term debt on our balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, is $500.0 million principal amount of $483.5the 2007 Junior Notes. The adjusted presentation attributes $250.0 million are notof the 2007 Junior Notes to common shareholders' equity and $250.0 million to long-term debt.
The adjusted presentation of our consolidated capitalization structure is included as a complement to our capitalization structure presented in accordance with GAAP. Management evaluates and manages our capitalization structure, including our total debt to total capitalization ratio, using the above table. SettlementGAAP calculation as adjusted to reflect the treatment of these liabilities cannot be determined with certainty, butthe 2007 Junior Notes by the majority of rating agencies. Therefore, we believe the majority of these liabilities willnon-GAAP adjusted presentation reflecting this treatment is useful and relevant to investors in understanding how management and the rating agencies evaluate our capitalization structure.
Debt Covenants
At December 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all covenants related to outstanding short-term and long-term debt. We expect to be settled in more than five years.compliance with all such debt covenants for the foreseeable future. See Note 8, Asset Retirement Obligations,13, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, Note 14, Long-Term Debt, and Note 11, Common Equity, for more information.
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2019 Form 10-K | 56 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Obligations for utility operations have historically been included as part of the rate-making process and therefore are generally recoverable from customers.
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, additional changes in tax laws and regulations, acquisition and development opportunities, market volatility, economic trends, supply chain disruptions, the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and economic trends.interest rates. Our estimated capital expenditures and acquisitions for the next three years are as follows:reflected below. These amounts include anticipated expenditures for environmental compliance and certain remediation issues. For a discussion of certain environmental matters affecting us, see Note 24, Commitments and Contingencies.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2020 | | 2021 | | 2022 |
Wisconsin | | $ | 1,482.0 |
| | $ | 1,881.1 |
| | $ | 1,630.5 |
|
Illinois | | 779.0 |
| | 619.4 |
| | 586.7 |
|
Other states | | 117.4 |
| | 111.6 |
| | 87.4 |
|
Non-utility energy infrastructure | | 852.5 |
| | 159.7 |
| | 393.0 |
|
Corporate and other | | 24.6 |
| | 22.7 |
| | 2.7 |
|
Total | | $ | 3,255.5 |
| | $ | 2,794.5 |
| | $ | 2,700.3 |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | | | |
Wisconsin | | $ | 2,131.7 | | | $ | 2,148.0 | | | $ | 2,114.1 | | | | | |
Illinois | | 573.1 | | | 586.8 | | | 635.0 | | | | | |
Other states | | 119.1 | | | 103.6 | | | 106.4 | | | | | |
Non-utility energy infrastructure | | 870.8 | | | 325.7 | | | 297.5 | | | | | |
Corporate and other | | 22.0 | | | 17.5 | | | 4.3 | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 3,716.7 | | | $ | 3,181.6 | | | $ | 3,157.3 | | | | | |
WE, WPS, and WG continue to upgrade their electric and natural gas distribution systems to enhance reliability. These upgrades include the 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.
WPS is also continuing work on the System Modernization and Reliability Project. This project includes modernizing parts of its electric distribution system, including burying or upgrading lines. The project focuses on constructing facilities to improve the reliability of electric service WPS provides to its customers. WPS expects to invest approximately $100 million between 2020 and 2022 on this project.
We are committed to investing in solar, wind, battery storage, and clean natural gas-fired generation. Below are examples of projects that are proposed or currently underway.
As part of our commitment to invest in zero-carbon generation, we
•We have either filed for or received approval to invest in 300100 MW of utility-scale solar within our Wisconsin segment. WPSWE has partnered with an unaffiliated utility to construct two solar projects in Wisconsin. Badger Hollow I is located in Iowa County, Wisconsin, and Two Creeks is located in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. Once constructed, WPS will own 100 MW of the output of each project for a total of 200 MW. WPS's share of the cost of both projects is estimated to be $256 million. Construction began at Two Creeks and Badger Hollow I in August 2019 and October 2019, respectively. Commercial operation of both projects is targeted for the end of 2020. WE has partnered with an unaffiliated utility to acquire an ownership interest in a proposed solar project, Badger Hollow II, that will be located in Iowa County, Wisconsin. At its meeting on February 20, 2020, the PSCW approved the acquisition of this project. The approval is still subject to WE's receipt and review of a final written order from the PSCW. Once constructed, WE will own 100 MW of the output of this project. WE's share of the cost of this project is estimated to be $130 million. Commercial operation of Badger Hollow II is targeted for the first quarter of 2023.
•In February 2021, WE and WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire and construct the Paris Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin and once constructed, WE and WPS will collectively own
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2021 Form 10-K | 62 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
180 MW of solar generation and 99 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, WE's and WPS's combined share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $385 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2021. Solar2023.
•WE and WPS have received approval to accelerate capital investments in two wind parks. The investment is expected to be approximately $154 million to repower major components of Blue Sky and Crane Creek, which are expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
•In March 2021, WE and WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire and construct the Darien Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Rock and Walworth counties, Wisconsin and once constructed, WE and WPS will collectively own 225 MW of solar generation technology has greatly improved, has becomeand 68 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, WE's and WPS's combined share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $400 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
•WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, received PSCW approval to acquire the Red Barn Wind Park, a utility-scale wind-powered electric generating facility. The project will be located in Grant County, Wisconsin and once constructed, WPS will own 82 MW of this project. WPS's share of the cost of this project is estimated to be $150 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
•In April 2021, WE and WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire the Koshkonong Solar-Battery Park, a utility-scale solar-powered electric generating facility with a battery energy storage system. The project will be located in Dane County, Wisconsin and once constructed, WE and WPS will collectively own 270 MW of solar generation and 149 MW of battery storage of this project. If approved, WE's and WPS's combined share of the cost of this project is estimated to be approximately $585 million, with construction expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2024.
•In April 2021, WE and WPS filed an application with the PSCW for approval to construct 128 MW of natural gas-fired generation at WPS's existing Weston power plant site in northern Wisconsin. The new facility will consist of seven reciprocating internal combustion engines. If approved, we estimate the cost of this project to be approximately $170 million, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
•In November 2021, WE and WPS signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire Whitewater, a commercially operational 236.5 MW dual fueled (natural gas and low sulfur fuel oil) combined cycle electrical generation facility in Whitewater, Wisconsin. In December 2021, WE and WPS filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire Whitewater. If approved, the cost of this facility will be $72.7 million, with the transaction expected to close in January 2023. See Note 15, Leases, for more cost-effective, and it complementsinformation.
•In January 2022, WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire a portion of West Riverside's nameplate capacity. WPS is also requesting approval to assign the option to purchase part of West Riverside to WE. If approved, WPS or WE would acquire 100 MW of capacity, in the first of two potential option exercises. West Riverside is a new, combined-cycle natural gas plant recently completed by an unaffiliated utility in Rock County, Wisconsin. If approved, our summer demand curve.share of the cost of this ownership interest is approximately $91 million, with the transaction expected to close in the second quarter of 2023.
WE and WG have received PSCW approval to each plan to construct theirits own LNG facility. Subject to PSCW approval, eachEach facility would provide approximately one billion cubic feetBcf of natural gas supply to meet anticipated peak demand without requiring the construction of additional interstate pipeline capacity. These facilities are expected to reduce the likelihood of constraints on WE's and WG's natural gas systems during the highest demand days of winter. The total cost of both projects is estimated to be approximately $370 million, with approximately half being invested by each utility. Commercial operation of the WE and WG LNG facilities isare targeted for the end of 2023.
2023 and 2024, respectively.
PGL is continuing work on the SMP, a project under which PGL is replacing approximately 2,000 miles of Chicago's aging natural gas pipeline infrastructure. PGL currently recovers these costs through a surcharge on customer bills pursuant to an ICC approved QIP rider, which is in effect through 2023. PGL's projected average annual investment through 20222024 is between $280 million and $300 million. See Note 25,26, Regulatory Environment, for more informationon the SMP.
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2021 Form 10-K | 63 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
The non-utility energy infrastructure segment line item in the table above includes WECI's planned investment in Thunderhead and Blooming Grove.Sapphire Sky. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on these wind projects.
We expect to provide total capital contributions to ATC (not included in the above table) of approximately $90$115 million from 20202022 through 2022.2024. We do not expect to make any contributions to ATC Holdco during that period.
See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Regulatory, Legislative, and Legal Matters – Withhold Release Order Related to Silica-Based Products for information on the potential impacts to our solar projects as a result of CBP actions related to solar panels.
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2019 Form 10-K | 57 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Long-Term Debt
A significant amount of Contents
cash is required to retire and pay interest on our long-term debt obligations. See Note 14, Long-Term Debt, for more information on our outstanding long-term debt, including a schedule of our long-term debt maturities over the next five years. The following table summarizes our required interest payments on long-term debt (excluding finance lease obligations) as of December 31, 2021: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Interest Payments Due by Period |
(in millions) | | Total | | Less Than 1 Year | | 1-3 Years | | 3-5 Years | | More Than 5 Years |
Interest payments on long-term debt (1) | | $ | 7,563.2 | | | $ | 456.5 | | | $ | 892.6 | | | $ | 810.8 | | | $ | 5,403.3 | |
(1) The interest due on our variable rate debt is based on the interest rates that were in effect on December 31, 2021.
Common Stock MattersDividends
For information related to our common stock matters, see Note 10, Common Equity.
On January 16, 2020,20, 2022, our Board of Directors increased our quarterly dividend to $0.6325$0.7275 per share effective with the first quarter of 20202022 dividend payment, an increase of 7.2%7.4%. This equates to an annual dividend of $2.53$2.91 per share. In addition, the Board of Directors affirmed our dividend policy that continues to target a dividend payout ratio of 65-70% of earnings.
Investments in Outside Trusts
We use outside trustshave been paying consecutive quarterly dividends dating back to fund our pension1942 and certain OPEB obligations. These trusts had investmentsexpect to continue paying quarterly cash dividends in the future. Any payment of approximately $3.9 billion as of December 31, 2019. These trusts hold investments that arefuture dividends is subject to approval by our Board of Directors and is dependent upon future earnings, capital requirements, and financial and other business conditions. In addition, our ability as a holding company to pay common stock dividends primarily depends on the volatilityavailability of funds received from our subsidiaries. Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements impose certain restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us in the form of cash dividends, loans, or advances. We do not believe that these restrictions will materially affect our operations or limit any dividend payments in the foreseeable future. See Note 11, Common Equity, for more information related to these restrictions and our other common stock marketmatters.
Other Significant Cash Requirements
Our utility and interest rates. non-utility operations have purchase obligations under various contracts for the procurement of fuel, power, and gas supply, as well as the related storage and transportation. These costs are a significant component of funding our ongoing operations. See Note 24, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information, including our minimum future commitments related to these purchase obligations.
In addition to our energy-related purchase obligations, we have commitments for other costs incurred in the normal course of business, including costs related to information technology services, meter reading services, maintenance and other service agreements for certain generating facilities, and various engineering agreements. Our estimated future cash requirements related to these purchase obligations are reflected below.
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| | Payments Due by Period |
(in millions) | | Total | | Less Than 1 Year | | 1-3 Years | | 3-5 Years | | More Than 5 Years |
Purchase orders | | $ | 465.3 | | | $ | 243.8 | | | $ | 178.0 | | | $ | 39.8 | | | $ | 3.7 | |
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2021 Form 10-K | 64 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
We contributed $65.9 millionhave various finance and $77.6 millionoperating lease obligations. Our finance lease obligations primarily relate to power purchase commitments and land leases for our solar projects. Our operating lease obligations are for office space and land. See Note 15, Leases, for more information, including an analysis of our minimum lease payments due in future years.
We make contributions to our pension and OPEB plans based upon various factors affecting us, including our liquidity position and tax law changes. See Note 20, Employee Benefits, for our expected contributions in 20192022 and 2018, respectively. Future contributionsour expected pension and OPEB payments for the next 10 years. We expect the majority of these future pension and OPEB payments to be paid from our outside trusts. See Sources of Cash–Investments in Outside Trusts below for more information.
In addition to the plans willabove, our balance sheet at December 31, 2021 included various other liabilities that, due to the nature of the liabilities, the amount and timing of future payments cannot be dependent upon many factors, includingdetermined with certainty. These liabilities include AROs, liabilities for the performanceremediation of existing plan assetsmanufactured gas plant sites, and long-term discount rates.liabilities related to the accounting treatment for uncertainty in income taxes. For additional information on these liabilities, see Note 19, Employee Benefits.9, Asset Retirement Obligations, Note 24, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 16, Income Taxes, respectively.
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 financial guarantees and letters of credit that support construction projects, commodity contracts, and other payment obligations. 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 12,13, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, Note 18,19, Guarantees, and Note 22,23, Variable Interest Entities.
Sources of Cash
Liquidity
We anticipate meeting our short-term and long-term cash requirements to operate our businesses and implement our corporate strategy through internal generation of cash from operations and access to the capital markets, which allows us to obtain external short-term borrowings, including commercial paper and term loans, and intermediate or long-term debt securities. Cash generated from operations is primarily driven by sales of electricity and natural gas to our utility customers, reduced by costs of operations. Our access to the capital markets is critical to our overall strategic plan and allows us to supplement cash flows from operations with external borrowings to manage seasonal variations, working capital needs, commodity price fluctuations, unplanned expenses, and unanticipated events.
See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity, and Capital Resources – Coronavirus Disease – 2019, for additional information on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our liquidity.
WEC Energy Group, WE, WPS, WG, and PGL maintain bank back-up credit facilities, which provide liquidity support for each company's 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.
The amount, type, and timing of any financings in 2022, as well as in subsequent years, will be contingent on investment opportunities and our cash requirements and will depend upon prevailing market conditions, regulatory approvals for certain subsidiaries, and other factors. Our regulated utilities plan to maintain capital structures consistent with those approved by their respective regulators. For more information on our utilities approved capital structures, see Item 1. Business – E. Regulation.
The issuance of securities by our utility companies is subject to the approval of the applicable state commissions or FERC. Additionally, with respect to the public offering of securities, we, WE, and WPS file registration statements with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act). The amounts of securities authorized by the appropriate regulatory authorities, as well as the securities registered under the 1933 Act, are closely monitored and appropriate filings are made to ensure flexibility in the capital markets.
At December 31, 2021, our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by $1,096.3 million. We do not expect this to have an impact on our liquidity as we currently believe that our cash and cash equivalents, our available capacity of $1,201.6 million under
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2021 Form 10-K | 65 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
existing revolving credit facilities, cash generated from ongoing operations, and access to the capital markets are adequate to meet our short-term and long-term cash requirements.
See Note 13, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, and Note 14, Long-Term Debt, for more information about our credit facilities and debt securities.
Investments in Outside Trusts
We maintain investments in outside trusts to fund the obligation to provide pension and certain OPEB benefits to current and future retirees. As of December 31, 2021, these trusts had investments of approximately $4.3 billion, consisting of fixed income and equity securities, that are subject to the volatility of the stock market and interest rates. The performance of existing plan assets, long-term discount rates, changes in assumptions, and other factors could affect our future contributions to the plans, our financial position if our accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of the plan assets, and future results of operations related to changes in pension and OPEB expense and the assumed rate of return. For additional information, see Note 20, Employee Benefits.
Capitalization Structure
The following table shows our capitalization structure as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, as well as an adjusted capitalization structure that we believe is consistent with how a majority of the rating agencies currently view our 2007 Junior Notes:
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| | 2021 | | 2020 |
(in millions) | | Actual | | Adjusted | | Actual | | Adjusted |
Common shareholders' equity | | $ | 10,913.2 | | | $ | 11,163.2 | | | $ | 10,469.7 | | | $ | 10,719.7 | |
Preferred stock of subsidiary | | 30.4 | | | 30.4 | | | 30.4 | | | 30.4 | |
Long-term debt (including current portion) | | 13,693.1 | | | 13,443.1 | | | 12,513.9 | | | 12,263.9 | |
Short-term debt | | 1,897.0 | | | 1,897.0 | | | 1,776.9 | | | 1,776.9 | |
Total capitalization | | $ | 26,533.7 | | | $ | 26,533.7 | | | $ | 24,790.9 | | | $ | 24,790.9 | |
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Total debt | | $ | 15,590.1 | | | $ | 15,340.1 | | | $ | 14,290.8 | | | $ | 14,040.8 | |
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Ratio of debt to total capitalization | | 58.8 | % | | 57.8 | % | | 57.6 | % | | 56.6 | % |
Included in long-term debt on our balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, is $500.0 million principal amount of the 2007 Junior Notes. The adjusted presentation attributes $250.0 million of the 2007 Junior Notes to common shareholders' equity and $250.0 million to long-term debt.
The adjusted presentation of our consolidated capitalization structure is included as a complement to our capitalization structure presented in accordance with GAAP. Management evaluates and manages our capitalization structure, including our total debt to total capitalization ratio, using the GAAP calculation as adjusted to reflect the treatment of the 2007 Junior Notes by the majority of rating agencies. Therefore, we believe the non-GAAP adjusted presentation reflecting this treatment is useful and relevant to investors in understanding how management and the rating agencies evaluate our capitalization structure.
Debt Covenants
At December 31, 2021, 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 13, Short-Term Debt and Lines of Credit, Note 14, Long-Term Debt, and Note 11, Common Equity, for more information.
Credit Rating Risk
Cash collateral postings and prepayments made with external parties, including postings related to exchange-traded contracts, and cash collateral posted by external parties were immaterial as of December 31, 2021. From time to time, we may enter into commodity contracts that could require collateral or a termination payment in the event of a credit rating change to below BBB- at S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and/or Baa3 at Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. If WE had a sub-investment grade credit rating at December 31, 2021, it could have been required to post $100 million of additional collateral or other assurances
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2021 Form 10-K | 66 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
pursuant to the terms of a PPA. 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 September 2021, Moody's changed the rating outlook for WG to negative from stable as a result of the decision to defer its next base rate case to 2022. The change in rating outlook has not had, and we do not believe that it will have, a material impact on our ability to access capital markets. Moody's affirmed WG's ratings including its A3 senior unsecured rating and its P-2 short term rating for commercial paper. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on the rate case delay.
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.
FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS, LIQUIDITY, AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Coronavirus Disease – 2019
The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted the economy and financial markets, which has adversely affected our business. During 2021, commercial and industrial retail sales volumes began to improve due to the continued economic recovery in our service territories. However, there are still questions regarding the extent and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic itself. Orders limiting the capacity of various businesses could be adopted again in the future depending on how the virus continues to mutate and spread. The resulting effects of any future orders could have a variety of adverse impacts on us and our subsidiaries, including a decrease in revenues, increased bad debt expense, increases in past due accounts receivable balances, and access to the capital markets at unreasonable terms or rates.
Liquidity and Financial Markets
Upon the initial enactment of certain COVID-19 related shelter-in-place orders in early to mid-March 2020, commercial paper markets became more expensive and related terms became less flexible. In response to these signs of market instability, the Federal Reserve implemented certain measures, including a reduction in its benchmark Federal Funds rate and the establishment of various programs to restore liquidity and stability into the short-term funding markets. These measures had an almost immediate mitigating effect on commercial paper rates and availability in 2020. As of December 31, 2021, the disruptions in the commercial paper and long-term debt markets as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have subsided.
Allowance for Credit Losses
Economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including higher unemployment rates and the inability of some businesses to recover from the pandemic, caused a higher percentage of our accounts receivable balances to become uncollectible. Although impacts on our results of operations related to higher uncollectible receivable balances were mitigated by regulatory mechanisms and certain COVID-19 specific regulatory orders we received, the increase in past due receivables we experienced resulted in higher working capital requirements. However, with normal collection practices now underway in all of our service territories, we continue to see an improvement in our past due receivable balances, as evidenced by a decrease in our allowance for credit losses. See Note 5, Credit Losses, for more information.
Our exposure to credit losses for certain regulated utility customers is mitigated by regulatory mechanisms we have in place. Specifically, rates related to all of the customers in our Illinois segment, as well as the residential rates of WE, WPS, and WG in our Wisconsin segment include riders or other mechanisms for cost recovery or refund of uncollectible expense based on the difference between the actual provision for credit losses and the amounts recovered in rates. In addition, we have received specific orders related to the deferral of certain costs (including credit losses) and foregone revenues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional protections provided by these COVID-19 specific regulatory orders are still being assessed and will be subject to prudency reviews. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on these orders.
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2021 Form 10-K | 67 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Loss of Business
Many of the commercial and industrial customers in our service territories have recovered, or are recovering, from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we are still seeing a decrease in the consumption of electricity and natural gas by some of our customers as they continue to experience lower demand for their products and services, or are not operating at full capacity. The extent to which the pandemic related decrease in consumption will continue to impact our results of operations and liquidity is dependent upon the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ability of our customers to continue, or to resume, normal operations.
Employee Safety
The health and safety of our employees during the COVID-19 pandemic is paramount and enables us to continue to provide critical services to our customers.
We are taking into consideration CDC guidelines and have taken precautions with regard to employee hygiene and facility cleanliness, imposed travel limitations on our employees, provided additional employee benefits, and implemented remote-work policies where appropriate. We have an incident management team and updated our pandemic continuity plan, which includes identifying critical work groups and ensuring safe-harbor plans are in place. We have minimized the unnecessary risk of exposure to COVID-19 by implementing self-quarantine measures and have adopted additional precautionary measures for our critical work groups.
Additional protocols have been implemented for our field employees who travel to customer premises in order to protect them, our customers, and the public. We have modified our work protocols to ensure compliance with social distancing and face covering recommendations. We are developing return-to-the workplace strategies for those employees currently working remotely, taking into consideration factors such as any updated CDC guidelines, new variants, any increases in COVID-19 cases in our service territories, and the overall level of risk to our employees and customers.
All of these safety measures have caused us to incur additional costs that, depending upon the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, could have a material impact on our results of operations and liquidity.
We continue to provide our employees with educational information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and are providing incentives and imposing surcharges on our medical plan to encourage employees to obtain the vaccine. Enforcement of these surcharges and precautionary measures may adversely impact our operations, including possible labor disruptions, employee attrition, and a reduced ability to replace departing employees.
Competitive Markets
Electric Utility Industry
The FERC supports large RTOs, which directly impacts the structure of the wholesale electric market. Due to the FERC's support of RTOs, MISO uses the MISO Energy Markets to carry out its operations, 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.
Wisconsin
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. It is uncertain when, if at all, retail choice might be implemented in Wisconsin.
Michigan
Michigan has adopted a limited retail choice program. Under Michigan law, our retail customers may choose an alternative electric supplier to provide power supply service. As a result, some of our small retail customers have switched to an alternative electric supplier. At December 31, 2021, Michigan law limited customer choice to 10% of an electric utility's Michigan retail load. Our iron ore mine customer, Tilden, is exempt from this 10% cap based on current law, but Tilden is required under a long-term agreement to purchase electric power from UMERC through March 2039. In addition, certain load increases by facilities already using an
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2021 Form 10-K | 68 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
alternative electric supplier can still be serviced by their alternative electric supplier, when various conditions exist, even if the cap has already been met. When a customer switches to an alternative electric supplier, we continue to provide distribution and customer service functions for the customer.
Natural Gas Utility Industry
We offer natural gas transportation services to our customers that elect to purchase natural gas directly from a third-party 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, the loss of revenue associated with the cost of natural gas that our transportation customers purchase from third-party suppliers has little impact on our net income, as it is substantially offset by an equal reduction to natural gas costs.
Wisconsin
Our Wisconsin utilities offer both natural gas transportation service and interruptible natural gas sales to enable customers to better manage their energy costs. Customers continue to switch between firm system supply, interruptible system supply, and transportation service each year as the economics and service options change.
Due to the PSCW's previous proceedings on natural gas industry regulation in a competitive environment, the PSCW currently provides all Wisconsin customer classes with competitive markets the option to choose a third-party natural gas supplier. All of our Wisconsin non-residential customer classes have competitive market choices and, therefore, can purchase natural gas directly from either a third-party supplier or their local natural gas utility. Since third-party suppliers can be used in Wisconsin, the PSCW has also adopted standards for transactions between a utility and its natural gas marketing affiliates.
We are currently unable to predict the impact, if any, of potential future industry restructuring on our results of operations or financial position.
Illinois
Absent extraordinary circumstances, potential competitors are not allowed to construct competing natural gas distribution systems in the service territories for PGL and NSG. A charter from the state of Illinois gives PGL the right to provide natural gas distribution service in the city of Chicago as a public utility. Further, the "first in the field" and public interest standards limit the ability of potential competitors to operate in an existing utility service territory. In addition, we believe it would be impractical to construct competing duplicate distribution facilities due to the high cost of installation.
Since 2002, PGL and NSG have, under ICC-approved tariffs, provided their customers with the option to choose a third-party natural gas supplier. There are no state laws requiring PGL and NSG to make this choice option available to customers, but since this option is currently provided to our Illinois customers under tariff, we would need ICC approval to eliminate it.
An interstate pipeline may seek to provide transportation service directly to our Illinois end users, which would bypass our natural gas transportation service. However, PGL and NSG have bypass tariffs approved by the ICC, which allow them to negotiate rates with customers that are potential bypass candidates to help ensure that such customers continue to use their transportation service.
Minnesota
Natural gas utilities in the state of Minnesota do not have exclusive franchise service territories and, as a matter of law and policy, natural gas utilities may compete for new customers. However, natural gas utilities have customarily avoided competing for existing customers of other utilities, as there would be duplicative utility facilities and/or increased costs to customers. If this approach were to change, it could lead to a greater level of competition amongst utilities to obtain customers.
MERC offers both natural gas transportation service and interruptible natural gas sales to enable customers to better manage their energy costs. Customers continue to switch between firm system supply, interruptible system supply, and transportation service each year as the economics and service options change. MERC has provided its commercial and industrial customers with the option to choose a third-party natural gas supplier since 2006. We are not required by the MPUC or state law to make this choice option available to customers, but since this option is currently provided to our Minnesota commercial and industrial customers, we would need MPUC approval to eliminate it.
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2021 Form 10-K | 69 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Michigan
The option to choose a third-party natural gas supplier has been provided to UMERC’s natural gas customers (formerly WPS’s Michigan natural gas customers) since the late 1990s and MGU's customers since 2005. We are not required by the MPSC or state law to make this choice option available to customers, but since this option is currently provided to our Michigan customers, we would need MPSC approval to eliminate it.
Regulatory, Legislative, and Legal Matters
Regulatory Recovery
Our utilities account for their regulated operations in accordance with accounting guidance under the Regulated Operations Topic of the FASB ASC. Our rates are determined by various regulatory commissions. See Item 1. Business – E. Regulation for more information on these commissions.
Regulated entities are allowed to defer certain costs that would otherwise be charged to expense if the regulated entity believes the recovery of those costs is probable. We record regulatory assets pursuant to generic and/or specific orders issued by our regulators. Recovery of the deferred costs in future rates is subject to the review and approval by those regulators. We assume the risks and benefits of ultimate recovery of these items in future rates. If the recovery of the deferred costs, including those referenced below, is not approved by our regulators, the costs would be charged to income in the current period. Regulators can impose liabilities on a prospective basis for amounts previously collected from customers and for amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers. We record these items as regulatory liabilities. As of December 31, 2021, our regulatory assets were $3,367.1 million, and our regulatory liabilities were $3,960.3 million.
We expect to request or have requested recovery of the costs related to the following projects discussed in recent or pending rate proceedings, orders, and investigations involving our utilities:
•Prior to its acquisition by us, Integrys initiated an information technology project with the goal of improving the customer experience at its subsidiaries. Specifically, the project is expected to provide functional and technological benefits to the billing, call center, and credit collection functions. As of December 31, 2021, costs incurred for this project at PGL are still subject to approval by the ICC. WPS, NSG, MGU and MERC received approval to recover these costs in their most recent rate orders.
•In January 2014, the ICC approved PGL's use of the QIP rider as a recovery mechanism for costs incurred related to investments in QIP. This rider is subject to an annual reconciliation whereby costs are reviewed for accuracy and prudency. In March 2021, PGL filed its 2020 reconciliation with the ICC, which, along with the 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016 reconciliations, are still pending. As of December 31, 2021, there can be no assurance that all costs incurred under the QIP rider during the open reconciliation years will be deemed recoverable by the ICC.
See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information regarding recent and pending rate proceedings, orders, and investigations involving our utilities.
Climate and Equitable Jobs Act
On September 15, 2021, the state of Illinois signed into law the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. This new legislation includes, among other things, a path for Illinois to move towards 100% clean energy, expanded commitments to energy efficiency and renewable energy, additional consumer protections, and expanded ethics reform. The provisions in this legislation with the potential to have the most significant financial impact on PGL and NSG relate to the new consumer protection requirements. Effective January 1, 2023, natural gas utilities will no longer be allowed to charge late payment fees to low-income residential customers. In addition, effective September 15, 2021, the new legislation prohibits utilities from charging customers a fee when they elect to pay for service with a credit card. Instead, utilities will be required to seek recovery of costs incurred to process credit card payments through a rate proceeding or by establishing a recovery mechanism. On December 16, 2021, the ICC approved the use of a TPTFA rider for PGL. The TPTFA rider will allow PGL to recover the costs incurred for third-party transaction fees, effective December 27, 2021. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on the rider. NSG recovers costs related to these third-party transaction fees through its recently established base rates.
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2021 Form 10-K | 70 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
We continue to evaluate the impact this legislation may have on our future results of operations.
Withhold Release Order Related to Silica-Based Products
The CBP issued a WRO in June 2021, applicable to certain silica-based products originating from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, such as polysilicon, included in the manufacturing of solar panels. The WRO was issued over allegations of widespread, state-backed forced labor in the region. A significant percentage of the world’s polysilicon supply comes from China, and as a result of the WRO, many solar panels imported into the United States are being held by the CBP on suspicion that they originated from, or contain components that originated from, this region in China. Solar panels will only be released after the importer provides satisfactory evidence to the contrary, which can be an arduous process. We have been notified that one of our solar panel suppliers has experienced delays associated with this WRO. We are evaluating options to mitigate these delays and maintain original project schedules, although we could experience project delays as a result of this WRO. The project delays could impact Badger Hollow II, which is currently under construction. Also, we cannot currently predict what, if any, impact this supply disruption will have on future solar projects included in our capital plan.
United States Department of Commerce Complaint
In August 2021, a group of anonymous domestic solar manufacturers filed a petition (AD/CVD) with the DOC seeking to impose new tariffs on solar panels and cells imported from several countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The petitioners claim that Chinese solar manufacturers are shifting products to these countries to avoid the tariffs required on products imported from China. In September 2021, the DOC asked that the anonymous group amend its petition to provide more detail and asked the group to identify its members. In its response to the DOC, the anonymous group refused and argued that identifying its members could expose them to retribution from the Chinese solar industry, which dominates the global solar supply chain for critical solar panel components. In November 2021, the DOC rejected the petition filed by the anonymous group and cited the group's anonymity as a driving factor in the denial.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
In November 2021, President Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides for approximately $1.2 trillion of federal spending over the next five years, including approximately $85 billion for investments in power, utilities, and renewables infrastructure across the United States. We expect funding from this Act will support the work we are doing to reduce GHG emissions, increase EV charging, and strengthen and protect the energy grid. Funding in the Act should also help to expand emerging technologies, like hydrogen and carbon management, as we continue the transition to a clean energy future. We believe the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will accelerate investment in projects that will help us meet our net zero emission goals to the benefit of our customers, the communities we serve, and our company.
Return on Equity Incentive for Membership in a Transmission Organization
The FERC currently allows transmission utilities, including ATC, to increase their ROE by 50 basis points as an incentive for membership in a transmission organization, such as MISO. This incentive was established to stimulate infrastructure development and to support the evolving electric grid. However, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was issued by the FERC on April 15, 2021 proposing to limit the 50 basis point increase in ROE to only be available to transmission utilities initially joining a transmission organization for the first three years of membership. If this proposal becomes a final rule, ATC would be required to submit, within 30 days of the final rule's effective date, a compliance filing eliminating the 50 basis point incentive from its tariff. As a result, this proposal, if adopted, would reduce our after-tax equity earnings from ATC by approximately $7 million annually. The transmission costs WE and WPS are required to pay ATC after the effective date would also be reduced by this proposal.
American Transmission Company Allowed Return on Equity Complaints
On November 21, 2019, the FERC issued an order (November 2019 Order) related to the methodology used to calculate the base ROE for all MISO transmission owners, including ATC. Based on this order, the FERC expanded its base ROE methodology to include the capital-asset pricing model in addition to the discounted cash flow model to better reflect how investors make their investment decisions. The FERC's modified methodology reduced the base ROE that ATC is allowed to collect on a going-forward basis, as discussed below. In response to the FERC's decision, requests for the FERC to rehear the November 2019 Order in its entirety were filed by various parties.
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2021 Form 10-K | 71 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
On May 21, 2020, the FERC issued an order (May 2020 Order) that granted in part and denied in part the requests to rehear the November 2019 Order. In the May 2020 Order, the FERC made additional revisions to its base ROE methodology, including adding the use of the risk premium model. As discussed below, the additional revisions made by the FERC increased ATC's base ROE authorized in the November 2019 Order on a going-forward basis. Various parties filed requests to rehear certain parts of the May 2020 Order with the FERC, but the FERC issued an order in response to the rehearing requests during November 2020 (November 2020 Order) that confirmed the ROE authorized in the May 2020 Order. Petitions for review of the November 2019 Order, relevant parts of the May 2020 Order, and the November 2020 Order have also been filed with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
First Return on Equity Complaint
In November 2013, a group of MISO industrial customer organizations filed a complaint with the FERC requesting to reduce the base ROE used by MISO transmission owners, including ATC, from 12.2% to 9.15%. In September 2016, the FERC issued an order requiring MISO transmission owners to collect a reduced base ROE of 10.32%. This order also allowed the continued collection of any previously authorized ROE incentive adders. For MISO transmission owners, a 0.5% incentive adder was approved by the FERC in January 2015. The FERC then issued the November 2019 Order after directing MISO transmission owners and other stakeholders to provide briefs and comments on a proposed change to the methodology for calculating base ROE. The November 2019 Order further reduced the base ROE for all MISO transmission owners, including ATC, to 9.88%, effective as of September 28, 2016 and prospectively. The November 2019 Order also continued to allow the collection of previously authorized ROE incentive adders, but ATC's ROE incentive adder of 0.5% only applies to revenues collected after January 6, 2015. In response to the rehearing requests filed related to the November 2019 Order, the FERC issued another order in May 2020. This May 2020 Order increased the base ROE for all MISO transmission owners, including ATC, from the 9.88% authorized in the November 2019 Order to 10.02%, effective as of September 28, 2016 and prospectively. The May 2020 Order also allowed the continued collection of previously authorized ROE incentive adders. However, ATC's 0.5% ROE incentive adder may be eliminated going forward, as discussed above.
ATC is required to provide refunds, with interest, for the 15-month refund period from November 12, 2013 through February 11, 2015 and for the period from September 28, 2016 through November 19, 2020. As a result, ATC is expected to continue providing WE and WPS with net refunds related to the transmission costs they paid during the two refund periods through the end of February 2022. These refunds are being applied to WE's and WPS's PSCW-approved escrow accounting for transmission expense.
Second Return on Equity Complaint
In February 2015, a second complaint was filed with the FERC requesting a reduction in the base ROE used by MISO transmission owners, including ATC, to 8.67%, with a refund effective date retroactive to February 12, 2015. The FERC also addressed this second complaint in the November 2019 Order. Similar to the first complaint, the November 2019 Order stated that the base ROE of 9.88% and the collection of previously authorized ROE incentive adders, such as ATC's 0.5% adder, were reasonable for the period covered by the second complaint, February 12, 2015 through May 10, 2016. However, in the November 2019 Order, the FERC relied on certain provisions of the Federal Power Act to dismiss the second complaint and to determine that refunds were not allowed for this period. In its May 2020 Order, the FERC stated the new base ROE of 10.02% and the collection of previously authorized ROE incentive adders were reasonable for the period covered by the second complaint. However, the FERC relied on the same provisions of the Federal Power Act to again dismiss the complaint and determine that refunds were not allowed for this period. The FERC also denied the requests to rehear both the dismissal of the second complaint and the determination that no refunds are allowed for the second complaint period.
Due to the various outstanding petitions related to the November 2019 Order, May 2020 Order, and November 2020 Order, refunds could still be required for the second complaint period. Therefore, our financials continue to reflect a liability of $39.1 million, reducing our equity earnings from ATC. This liability is based on a 10.52% ROE for the second complaint period. If it is ultimately determined that a refund is required for the second complaint period, we would not expect any such refund to have a material impact on our financial statements or results of operations in the future. In addition, WE and WPS would be entitled to receive a portion of the refund from ATC for the benefit of their customers.
Environmental Matters
See Note 24, 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.
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2021 Form 10-K | 72 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
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
Our utilities account for their regulated operations in accordance with accounting guidance under the Regulated Operations Topic of the FASB ASC. Our rates are determined by various regulatory commissions. See Item 1. Business – E. Regulation for more information on these commissions.
Regulated entities are allowed to defer certain costs that would otherwise be charged to expense if the regulated entity believes the recovery of those 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 those regulators. We assume the risks and benefits of ultimate recovery of these items in future rates. If the recovery of the deferred costs, including those referenced below, 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 twenty years. Regulators can impose liabilities on a prospective basis for amounts previously collected from customers and for amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers. We record these items as regulatory liabilities. As of December 31, 2019, our regulatory assets were $3,527.6 million, and our regulatory liabilities were $4,080.4 million.
Due to the Tax Legislation, our regulated utilities remeasured their deferred taxes and recorded a tax benefit of $2,529 million. Our utilities have been returning this tax benefit to ratepayers through refunds, bill credits, riders, and reductions to other regulatory assets, which we expect to continue. See Note 15, Income Taxes, and Note 25, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
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2019 Form 10-K | 58 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
We expect to request or have requested recovery of the costs related to the following projects discussed in recent or pending rate proceedings, orders, and investigations involving our utilities:
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• | Prior to its acquisition by us, Integrys initiated an information technology project with the goal of improving the customer experience at its subsidiaries. Specifically, the project is expected to provide functional and technological benefits to the billing, call center, and credit collection functions. As of December 31, 2019, we had not received any significant disallowances of the costs incurred for this project. WPS received approval to recover these costs in the rate order it received from the PSCW in December 2019. See Note 25, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
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In January 2014, the ICC approved PGL's use of the QIP rider as a recovery mechanism for costs incurred related to investments in QIP. This rider is subject to an annual reconciliation whereby costs are reviewed for accuracy and prudency. In March 2019, PGL filed its 2018 reconciliation with the ICC, which, along with the 2017 and 2016 reconciliations, are still pending. In July 2019, the ICC approved a settlement of the 2015 reconciliation, which includes a rate base reduction of $7.0 million and a $7.3 million refund to ratepayers. As of December 31, 2019, all amounts had been refunded to customers. As of December 31, 2019, there can be no assurance that all costs incurred under the QIP rider during the open reconciliation years will be deemed recoverable by the ICC.
See Note 25, Regulatory Environment, for more information regarding recent and pending rate proceedings, orders, and investigations involving our utilities.
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 utilities' rates are amounts to recover fuel, natural gas, and purchased power costs. Our utilities have recovery mechanisms in place that allow them 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 – E. 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), Operating Revenues,5, Credit Losses, for more information on riders and other mechanisms that allow for cost recovery or refund of uncollectible expense.
Due to the cold temperatures, wind, snow and ice throughout the central part of the country during February 2021, the cost of gas purchased for our natural gas utility customers was temporarily driven higher than our normal winter weather expectations. As a result of this extreme weather event, we requested approval for the recovery of an additional $322 million of natural gas costs across our service territories, above what was either set as a benchmark in our respective GCRMs or included in rates. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on our recovery efforts associated with these costs.
Weather
Our utilities' 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. PGL, NSG, and MERC have decoupling mechanisms in place that help reduce the impacts of weather. Decoupling mechanisms differ by state and allow utilities to recover or refund certain differences between actual and authorized margins. A summary of actual weather information in our utilities' service territories during 20192021 and 2018,2020, as measured by degree days, maycan be found in Results of Operations.
Interest Rates
We are exposed to interest rate risk resulting from our short-term and long-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. We may also enter into derivative financial instruments, such as swaps, to mitigate interest rate exposure.
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2019 Form 10-K | 59 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Based on the variable rate debt outstanding at December 31, 2019,2021 and December 31, 2018,2020, a hypothetical increase in market interest rates of one percentage point would have increased annual interest expense by $10.8$24.0 million and $16.9$20.3 million in 20192021 and 2018,2020, 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.
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2021 Form 10-K | 73 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
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 our various utility regulators.
The fair value of our trust fund assets and expected long-term returns were approximately:
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(in millions) | | As of December 31, 2021 | | Expected Return on Assets in 2022 |
Pension trust funds | | $ | 3,328.9 | | | 6.88 | % |
OPEB trust funds | | $ | 1,000.2 | | | 7.00 | % |
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(in millions) | | As of December 31, 2019 | | Expected Return on Assets in 2020 |
Pension trust funds | | $ | 3,007.0 |
| | 6.87 | % |
OPEB trust funds | | $ | 879.6 |
| | 7.00 | % |
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.
We consult with our investment advisors on an annual basis to help us 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 ConditionsFirst Return on Equity Complaint
We have electricIn November 2013, a group of MISO industrial customer organizations filed a complaint with the FERC requesting to reduce the base ROE used by MISO transmission owners, including ATC, from 12.2% to 9.15%. In September 2016, the FERC issued an order requiring MISO transmission owners to collect a reduced base ROE of 10.32%. This order also allowed the continued collection of any previously authorized ROE incentive adders. For MISO transmission owners, a 0.5% incentive adder was approved by the FERC in January 2015. The FERC then issued the November 2019 Order after directing MISO transmission owners and natural gas utility operations that serve customersother stakeholders to provide briefs and comments on a proposed change to the methodology for calculating base ROE. The November 2019 Order further reduced the base ROE for all MISO transmission owners, including ATC, to 9.88%, effective as of September 28, 2016 and prospectively. The November 2019 Order also continued to allow the collection of previously authorized ROE incentive adders, but ATC's ROE incentive adder of 0.5% only applies to revenues collected after January 6, 2015. In response to the rehearing requests filed related to the November 2019 Order, the FERC issued another order in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan. As such, we are exposed to market risksMay 2020. This May 2020 Order increased the base ROE for all MISO transmission owners, including ATC, from the 9.88% authorized in the regional Midwest economy. November 2019 Order to 10.02%, effective as of September 28, 2016 and prospectively. The May 2020 Order also allowed the continued collection of previously authorized ROE incentive adders. However, ATC's 0.5% ROE incentive adder may be eliminated going forward, as discussed above.
ATC is required to provide refunds, with interest, for the 15-month refund period from November 12, 2013 through February 11, 2015 and for the period from September 28, 2016 through November 19, 2020. As a result, ATC is expected to continue providing WE and WPS with net refunds related to the transmission costs they paid during the two refund periods through the end of February 2022. These refunds are being applied to WE's and WPS's PSCW-approved escrow accounting for transmission expense.
Second Return on Equity Complaint
In addition, any economic downturn or disruptionFebruary 2015, a second complaint was filed with the FERC requesting a reduction in the base ROE used by MISO transmission owners, including ATC, to 8.67%, with a refund effective date retroactive to February 12, 2015. The FERC also addressed this second complaint in the November 2019 Order. Similar to the first complaint, the November 2019 Order stated that the base ROE of national or international markets9.88% and the collection of previously authorized ROE incentive adders, such as ATC's 0.5% adder, were reasonable for the period covered by the second complaint, February 12, 2015 through May 10, 2016. However, in the November 2019 Order, the FERC relied on certain provisions of the Federal Power Act to dismiss the second complaint and to determine that refunds were not allowed for this period. In its May 2020 Order, the FERC stated the new base ROE of 10.02% and the collection of previously authorized ROE incentive adders were reasonable for the period covered by the second complaint. However, the FERC relied on the same provisions of the Federal Power Act to again dismiss the complaint and determine that refunds were not allowed for this period. The FERC also denied the requests to rehear both the dismissal of the second complaint and the determination that no refunds are allowed for the second complaint period.
Due to the various outstanding petitions related to the November 2019 Order, May 2020 Order, and November 2020 Order, refunds could adversely affectstill be required for the financial condition ofsecond complaint period. Therefore, our customers and demand for their products, which could affect their demand for our products.
Inflation
Wefinancials continue to monitorreflect a liability of $39.1 million, reducing our equity earnings from ATC. This liability is based on a 10.52% ROE for the impact of inflation, especially with respectsecond complaint period. If it is ultimately determined that a refund is required for the second complaint period, we would not expect any such refund 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.
Competitive Markets
Electric Utility Industry
The FERC supports large RTOs, which directly impacts the structure of the wholesale electric market. Due to the FERC's support of RTOs, MISO uses the MISO Energy Markets to carry out its operations, 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
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2019 Form 10-K | 60 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
have a significant and adverse financial impact on us. It is uncertain when, if at all, retail choice might be implemented in Wisconsin. However, Michigan has adopted a limited retail choice program.
Wisconsin
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.
Michigan
Under Michigan law, our retail customers may choose an alternative electric supplier to provide power supply service. As a result, some of our small retail customers have switched to an alternative electric supplier. At December 31, 2019, Michigan law limited customer choice to 10% of an electric utility's Michigan retail load, but this cap could potentially be reduced in future years due to the December 2016 passage of Michigan Act 341. Based on current law, our iron ore mine customer, Tilden, is exempt from the 10% cap. In addition, certain load increases by facilities already using an alternative electric supplier can still be serviced by their alternative electric supplier, when various conditions exist, even if the cap has already been met. When a customer switches to an alternative electric supplier, we continue to provide distribution and customer service functions for the customer.
Natural Gas Utility Industry
We offer natural gas transportation services to our customers that elect to purchase natural gas directly from a third-party 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, the loss of revenue associated with the cost of natural gas that our transportation customers purchase from third-party suppliers has little impact on our net income, as it is offset by an equal reduction to natural gas costs.
Wisconsin
Our Wisconsin utilities offer both natural gas transportation service and interruptible natural gas sales to enable customers to better manage their energy costs. Customers continue to switch between firm system supply, interruptible system supply, and transportation service each year as the economics and service options change. Due to the PSCW's previous proceedings on natural gas industry regulation in a competitive environment, the PSCW currently provides all Wisconsin customer classes with competitive markets the option to choose a third-party natural gas supplier. All of our Wisconsin customer classes have competitive market choices and, therefore, can purchase natural gas directly from either a third-party supplierstatements or their local natural gas utility. Since third-party suppliers can be used in Wisconsin, the PSCW has also adopted standards for transactions between a utility and its natural gas marketing affiliates. We are currently unable to predict the impact, if any, of potential future industry restructuring on our results of operations or financial position.
Illinois
Absent extraordinary circumstances, potential competitors are not allowed to construct competing natural gas distribution systems in the service territories for PGL and NSG. A charter from the state of Illinois gives PGL the right to provide natural gas distribution service in the city of Chicago as a public utility. Further, the "first in the field" and public interest standards limit the ability of potential competitors to operate in an existing utility service territory.future. In addition, we believe itWE and WPS would be impracticalentitled to construct competing duplicate distribution facilities due toreceive a portion of the high costrefund from ATC for the benefit of installation.
Since 2002, PGL and NSG have, under ICC-approved tariffs, provided their customers with the option to choose a third-party natural gas supplier. There are no state laws requiring PGL and NSG to make this choice option available to customers, but since this option is currently provided to our Illinois customers under tariff, we would need ICC approval to eliminate it.
An interstate pipeline may seek to provide transportation service directly to our Illinois end users, which would bypass our natural gas transportation service. However, PGL and NSG have bypass rates approved by the ICC, which allow them to negotiate rates with customers that are potential bypass candidates to help ensure that such customers continue to use their transportation service.
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2019 Form 10-K | 61 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Minnesota
Natural gas utilities in the state of Minnesota do not have exclusive franchise service territories and, as a matter of law and policy, natural gas utilities may compete for new customers. However, natural gas utilities have customarily avoided competing for existing customers of other utilities, as there would be duplicative utility facilities and/or increased costs to customers. If this approach were to change, it could lead to a greater level of competition amongst utilities to obtain customers.
MERC offers both natural gas transportation service and interruptible natural gas sales to enable customers to better manage their energy costs. Customers continue to switch between firm system supply, interruptible system supply, and transportation service each year as the economics and service options change. MERC has provided its commercial and industrial customers with the option to choose a third-party natural gas supplier since 2006. We are not required by the MPUC or state law to make this choice option available to customers, but since this option is currently provided to our Minnesota commercial and industrial customers, we would need MPUC approval to eliminate it.
Michigan
The option to choose a third-party natural gas supplier has been provided to UMERC’s customers (formerly WPS’s Michigan customers) since the late 1990s and MGU's customers since 2005. We are not required by the MPSC or state law to make this choice option available to customers, but since this option is currently provided to our Michigan customers, we would need MPSC approval to eliminate it.
Environmental Matters
See Note 23,24, 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.
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2021 Form 10-K | 72 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Market Risks and Other MattersSignificant Risks
Tax CutsWe are exposed to market and Jobs Actother significant risks as a result of 2017the 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:
Commodity Costs
In December 2017, the Tax Legislation was signed into law.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 2018addition, we manage the risk of price volatility through natural gas and 2019, the PSCWelectric hedging programs.
Embedded within our utilities' rates are amounts to recover fuel, natural gas, and the MPSC issued written orders regarding howpurchased power costs. Our utilities have recovery mechanisms in place that allow them to recover or refund certain tax savings from the Tax Legislation to our ratepayers in Wisconsin and Michigan, respectively. The various remaining impactsall or a portion of the Tax Legislationchanges in prudently incurred fuel, natural gas, and purchased power costs from rate case-approved amounts. See Item 1. Business – E. Regulation for more information on these mechanisms.
Higher commodity costs can increase our Wisconsin operations were addressedworking 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 5, Credit Losses, for more information on riders and other mechanisms that allow for cost recovery or refund of uncollectible expense.
Due to the cold temperatures, wind, snow and ice throughout the central part of the country during February 2021, the cost of gas purchased for our natural gas utility customers was temporarily driven higher than our normal winter weather expectations. As a result of this extreme weather event, we requested approval for the recovery of an additional $322 million of natural gas costs across our service territories, above what was either set as a benchmark in our recent rate orders issued by the PSCWrespective GCRMs or included in December 2019. In addition, the ICC approved the VITA in Illinois during April 2018, and, in Minnesota, the MPUC included the various impacts of the Tax Legislation in MERC's final 2018 rate order.
In July 2019, the FERC approved WPS's revised formula rate tariff, which incorporated the impacts of the Tax Legislation. We are also working with the FERC to modify WE's formula rate tariff for the impacts of the Tax Legislation, and we expect to receive FERC approval for WE's modified tariff in 2020.rates. See Note 25,26, Regulatory Environment, for more information.information on our recovery efforts associated with these costs.
American Transmission Company Allowed Return
Weather
Our utilities' 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. PGL, NSG, and MERC have decoupling mechanisms in place that help reduce the impacts of weather. Decoupling mechanisms differ by state and allow utilities to recover or refund certain differences between actual and authorized margins. A summary of actual weather information in our utilities' service territories during 2021 and 2020, as measured by degree days, can be found in Results of Operations.
Interest Rates
We are exposed to interest rate risk resulting from our short-term and long-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 Equity Complaintsinterest rates. When it is advantageous to do so, we enter into long-term fixed rate debt. We may also enter into derivative financial instruments, such as swaps, to mitigate interest rate exposure.
On November 21, 2019, the FERC issued an order (November 2019 Order) related to the methodology used to calculate the base ROE for all MISO transmission owners, including ATC. Based on this order, the FERC has expanded its base ROE methodologyvariable rate debt outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020, a hypothetical increase in market interest rates of one percentage point would have increased annual interest expense by $24.0 million and $20.3 million in 2021 and 2020, 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.
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2021 Form 10-K | 73 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Marketable Securities Return
We use various trusts to includefund our pension and OPEB obligations. These trusts invest in debt and equity securities. Changes in the capital-asset pricing model in addition to the discounted cash flow model to better reflect how investors make their investment decisions. The FERC's modified methodology will reduce the base ROE that ATC is allowed to collect on a going-forward basis, as discussed below. Various parties have requested a rehearingmarket prices of these assets can affect future pension and OPEB expenses. Additionally, future contributions can also be affected by the FERCinvestment returns on trust fund assets. We believe that the financial risks associated with investment returns would be partially mitigated through future rate actions by our various utility regulators.
The fair value of our trust fund assets and expected long-term returns were approximately:
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(in millions) | | As of December 31, 2021 | | Expected Return on Assets in 2022 |
Pension trust funds | | $ | 3,328.9 | | | 6.88 | % |
OPEB trust funds | | $ | 1,000.2 | | | 7.00 | % |
Fiduciary oversight of the November 2019 Orderpension 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.
We consult with our investment advisors on an annual basis to help us 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 its entirety.the funds.
First Return on Equity Complaint
In November 2013, a group of MISO industrial customer organizations filed a complaint with the FERC requesting to reduce the base ROE used by MISO transmission owners, including ATC, from 12.2% to 9.15%. In September 2016, the FERC issued an order requiring MISO transmission owners to collect a reduced base ROE of 10.32%, as well as. This order also allowed the continued collection of any previously authorized ROE incentive adders. For MISO transmission owners, a 0.5% incentive adder was approved by the FERC in January 2015 for MISO transmission owners.2015. The FERC then issued the November 2019 Order after directing MISO transmission owners and other stakeholders to provide briefs and comments on a proposed change to the methodology for calculating base ROE. The November 2019 Order further reduced the base ROE for all MISO transmission owners, including ATC, to 9.88%, effective as of
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2019 Form 10-K | 62 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
September 28, 2016 and prospectively. The November 2019 Order also continued to allow the collection of the 0.5%previously authorized ROE incentive adders, but ATC's ROE incentive adder whichof 0.5% only applies to revenues collected after January 6, 2015. In addition, response to the rehearing requests filed related to the November 2019 Order, the FERC issued another order in May 2020. This May 2020 Order increased the base ROE for all MISO transmission owners, including ATC, from the 9.88% authorized in the November 2019 Order to 10.02%, effective as of September 28, 2016 and prospectively. The May 2020 Order also allowed the continued collection of previously authorized ROE incentive adders. However, ATC's 0.5% ROE incentive adder may be eliminated going forward, as discussed above.
ATC is required to provide refunds, with interest, for the 15-month refund period from November 12, 2013 through February 11, 2015 and for the period from September 28, 2016 through November 21, 2019.19, 2020. As a result, ATC will provideis expected to continue providing WE and WPS with net refunds related to the transmission costs they paid during the two refund periods and thesethrough the end of February 2022. These refunds will beare being applied to WE's and WPS's PSCW-approved escrow accounting for transmission expense.
Second Return on Equity Complaint
In February 2015, a second complaint was filed with the FERC requesting a reduction in the base ROE used by MISO transmission owners, including ATC, to 8.67%, with a refund effective date retroactive to February 12, 2015. The FERC also addressed this second complaint in the November 2019 Order. Similar to the first complaint, the November 2019 Order stated that the base ROE of 9.88% and the collection of previously authorized ROE incentive adders, such as ATC's 0.5% incentive adder, were reasonable for the period covered by the second complaint, February 12, 2015 through May 10, 2016. However, in its order,the November 2019 Order, the FERC relied on certain provisions of the Federal Power Act to dismiss the second complaint and to determine that refunds were not allowed for this period. RefundsIn its May 2020 Order, the FERC stated the new base ROE of 10.02% and the collection of previously authorized ROE incentive adders were reasonable for the period covered by the second complaint. However, the FERC relied on the same provisions of the Federal Power Act to again dismiss the complaint and determine that refunds were not allowed for this period. The FERC also denied the requests to rehear both the dismissal of the second complaint and the determination that no refunds are allowed for the second complaint period.
Due to the various outstanding petitions related to the November 2019 Order, May 2020 Order, and November 2020 Order, refunds could still be required however, for the second complaint period depending on the outcome of numerous rehearing requests filed with the FERC.period. Therefore, our financials continue to reflect a liability of $41.9$39.1 million, resulting in reducedreducing our equity earnings from ATC. This liability reflectsis based on a 10.38%10.52% ROE for the second complaint period. If it is ultimately determined that a refund is required for the second complaint period, we would not expect any such refund to have a material impact on our financial statements or results of operations in the future. In addition, WE and WPS would be entitled to receive a portion of the refund from ATC for the benefit of their customers.
Bonus Depreciation Provisions
Environmental Matters
Bonus depreciation is
See Note 24, 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.
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2021 Form 10-K | 72 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
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:
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 utilities' rates are amounts to recover fuel, natural gas, and purchased power costs. Our utilities have recovery mechanisms in place that allow them 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 – E. 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 5, Credit Losses, for more information on riders and other mechanisms that allow for cost recovery or refund of uncollectible expense.
Due to the cold temperatures, wind, snow and ice throughout the central part of the country during February 2021, the cost of gas purchased for our natural gas utility customers was temporarily driven higher than our normal winter weather expectations. As a result of this extreme weather event, we requested approval for the recovery of an additional $322 million of natural gas costs across our service territories, above what was either set as a benchmark in our respective GCRMs or included in rates. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on our recovery efforts associated with these costs.
Weather
Our utilities' 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. PGL, NSG, and MERC have decoupling mechanisms in place that help reduce the impacts of weather. Decoupling mechanisms differ by state and allow utilities to recover or refund certain differences between actual and authorized margins. A summary of actual weather information in our utilities' service territories during 2021 and 2020, as measured by degree days, can be found in Results of Operations.
Interest Rates
We are exposed to interest rate risk resulting from our short-term and long-term borrowings and projected near-term debt financing needs. We manage exposure to interest rate risk by limiting the amount of first-year tax deductible depreciation thatour variable rate obligations and continually monitoring the effects of market changes on interest rates. When it is awarded above what would normally be available. The bonus depreciation deduction available for public utility property subjectadvantageous to rate-making by a government entity or public utility commission was modified by the Tax Legislation. do so, we enter into long-term fixed rate debt. We may also enter into derivative financial instruments, such as swaps, to mitigate interest rate exposure.
Based on the provisionsvariable rate debt outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020, a hypothetical increase in market interest rates of one percentage point would have increased annual interest expense by $24.0 million and $20.3 million in 2021 and 2020, 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 Tax Legislation, bonus depreciationperiod.
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2021 Form 10-K | 73 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
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 no longeraffect future pension and OPEB expenses. Additionally, future contributions can also be deducted for publicaffected 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 our various utility property acquiredregulators.
The fair value of our trust fund assets and placed in service after December 31, 2017. The provisionsexpected long-term returns were approximately:
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(in millions) | | As of December 31, 2021 | | Expected Return on Assets in 2022 |
Pension trust funds | | $ | 3,328.9 | | | 6.88 | % |
OPEB trust funds | | $ | 1,000.2 | | | 7.00 | % |
Fiduciary oversight of the Tax Legislation regardingpension and OPEB trust fund investments is the repealresponsibility of bonus depreciation do not applyan Investment Trust Policy Committee. The Committee works with external actuaries and investment consultants on an ongoing basis to someestablish 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.
We consult with our investment advisors on an annual basis to help us 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
We have electric and natural gas utility operations that serve customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan. 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 non-utility investments.customers and demand for their products, which could affect their demand for our products.
Inflation and Supply Chain Disruptions
We continue to monitor the impact of inflation and supply chain disruptions. We monitor the costs of medical plans, fuel, transmission access, construction costs, regulatory and environmental compliance costs, and other costs in order to minimize inflationary effects in future years, to the extent possible, through pricing strategies, productivity improvements, and cost reductions. We monitor the global supply chain, and related disruptions, in order to ensure we are able to procure the necessary materials and other resources necessary to both maintain our energy services in a safe and reliable manner and to grow our infrastructure in accordance with our capital plan. For additional information concerning risks related to inflation and supply chain disruptions, see Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to the Operation of Our Business – Our operations and corporate strategy may be adversely affected by supply chain disruptions and inflation.
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.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
PreparationThe preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in compliance with GAAP requires the application of appropriate technical accounting rules and guidancepolicies, as well as the use of estimates. The application of these policies necessarily involves judgmentsestimates, assumptions, and judgements that could have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures. Judgments regarding future events includingmay include 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 disclosuresActual results may differ significantly from estimated amounts based on varying assumptions. In addition, the financial and operating environment may also have a
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2021 Form 10-K | 74 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Our 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.
are described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The following is a list of accounting policies that are most significant to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations andestimates that require management's most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments.judgments and may change in subsequent periods.
Regulatory Accounting
Our utility operations follow the guidance under the Regulated Operations Topic of the FASB ASC (Topic 980). Our financial statements reflect the effects of the rate-making principles followed by the various 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, including the timeliness of recovery and our ability to earn a reasonable return, 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 or refund 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, rate orders issued by our regulators, historical decisions by our regulators regarding regulatory assets and liabilities, and the status of any pending or potential deregulation legislation.
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2019 Form 10-K | 63 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
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 ofDecember 31, 20192021, we had $3,527.6$3,367.1 million in regulatory assets and $4,080.4$3,960.3 million in regulatory liabilities. See Note 5,6, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, for more information.
Goodwill
We completed our annual goodwill impairment tests for all of our reporting units that carried a goodwill balance as of July 1, 2019.2021. No impairments were recorded as a result of these tests. For all of our reporting units, the fair values calculated in step one of the test were greater than their carrying values. The fair values for the reporting units were calculated using a combination of the income approach and the market approach.
For the income approach, we used internal forecasts to project cash flows. Any forecast contains a degree of uncertainty, and changes in these cash flows could significantly increase or decrease the calculated fair value of a reporting unit. Since all of our reporting units are regulated, a fair recovery of and return on costs prudently incurred to serve customers is assumed. An unfavorable outcome in a rate case could cause the fair values of our reporting units to decrease.
Key assumptions used in the income approach include ROEs, the long-term growth rates used to determine terminal values at the end of the discrete forecast period, and the discount rates. The discount rate is applied to estimated future cash flows and is one of the most significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the income approach. As interest rates rise, the calculated fair values will decrease. The discount rate is based on the weighted-average cost of capital for each reporting unit, taking into account both the after-tax cost of debt and cost of equity. The terminal year ROE for each utility is driven by its current allowed ROE. The terminal growth rate is based primarily on a combination of historical and forecasted statistics for real gross domestic product and personal income for each utility service area.
For the market approach, we used an equal weighting of the guideline public company method and the guideline merged and acquired company method. The guideline public company method uses financial metrics from similar publicly traded companies to determine fair value. The guideline merged and acquired company method calculates fair value by analyzing the actual prices paid for recent mergers and acquisitions in the industry. We applied multiples derived from these two methods to the appropriate operating metrics for our reporting units to determine fair value.
The underlying assumptions and estimates used in the impairment tests were made as of a point in time. Subsequent changes in these assumptions and estimates could change the results of the tests.
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2021 Form 10-K | 75 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
For eachall of our reporting units, the fair value exceeded its carrying value by over 50%. Based on these results, our reporting units are not at risk of failing step one of the goodwill impairment test.
Our reporting units had the following goodwill balances at July 1, 2019:
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(in millions, except percentages) | | Goodwill | | Percentage of Total Goodwill |
Wisconsin | | $ | 2,104.3 |
| | 68.9 | % |
Illinois | | 758.7 |
| | 24.9 | % |
Other states | | 183.2 |
| | 6.0 | % |
Bluewater | | 6.6 |
| | 0.2 | % |
Total goodwill | | $ | 3,052.8 |
| | 100.0 | % |
See Note 9,10, Goodwill and Intangibles, for more information.
Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with ASC 980-360, Regulated Operations – Property, Plant, and Equipment, we periodically assess the recoverability of certain long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of those long-lived assets may not be recoverable. Examples of events or changes in circumstances include, but are not limited to, a significant decrease in the market price, a significant change in use, a regulatory decision related to recovery of assets from customers, adverse legal factors or a change in business climate, operating or cash flow losses, or an
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2019 Form 10-K | 64 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
expectation that the asset might be sold. These assessments require significant assumptions and judgments by management. Long-lived assets that would be subject tosold or abandoned. See Note 1(k), Asset Impairment, for our policy on accounting for abandonments.
Performing an impairment assessment would generally include any assets within regulated operationsevaluation involves a significant degree of estimation and judgement by management in areas such as identifying circumstances that may not be fully recovered from our customers as a result of regulatory decisions that will be made in the future, and assets within nonregulated operations that are proposed to be sold or are currently generating operating losses.
In accordance with ASC 980-360, 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, and the unit has been abandoned, we assess the likelihood of recovery of the remaining net book value of that generating unit at the end of each reporting period. If it becomes probable that regulators will disallow full recovery or a return on the remaining net book value of a generating unit that is either abandoned or probable of being abandoned,indicate an impairment loss may be required.exist, identifying and grouping affected assets, and developing the undiscounted future cash flows. An impairment loss would be recorded ifis measured as the remaining net bookexcess of the carrying amount of the asset in comparison to the fair value of the generating unit is greater than the presentasset. The fair value of the amountasset is assessed using various methods, including recent comparable third-party sales for our nonregulated operations, internally developed discounted cash flow analysis, expected to be recoveredrecovery of regulated assets, and analysis from ratepayers.outside advisors.
Pleasant Prairie power plant, Pulliam Units 7 and 8, and the jointly-owned Edgewater 4 generating unit were retired during 2018. PIPP was retired during 2019. Effective with the rate orders issued by the PSCW in December 2019, WE and WPS received approval to collect a return of and on the entire net book value of the retired generating units, excluding Pleasant Prairie power plant. WE will collect a full return of and on all but $100 million of the net book value of the Pleasant Prairie power plant. In accordance with its PSCW rate order received in December 2019, WE will seek a financing order from the PSCW to securitize the remaining $100 million. See Note 6,7, Property, Plant, and Equipment, for more information on our generating units probable of being retired. See Note 6, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, and Note 25,26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on our retired generating units, including various approvals we received from the FERC and the PSCW.
Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefits
The costs of providing non-contributory defined pension benefits and OPEB, described in Note 19,20, 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 at our utilities through the rate-making 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.
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Actuarial Assumption (in millions, except percentages) | | Percentage-Point Change in Assumption | | Impact on Projected Benefit Obligation | | Impact on 2021 Pension Cost |
Discount rate | | (0.5) | | $ | 203.0 | | | $ | 23.6 | |
Discount rate | | 0.5 | | (176.3) | | | (20.7) | |
Rate of return on plan assets | | (0.5) | | N/A | | 14.5 | |
Rate of return on plan assets | | 0.5 | | N/A | | (14.5) | |
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Actuarial Assumption (in millions, except percentages) | | Percentage-Point Change in Assumption | | Impact on Projected Benefit Obligation | | Impact on 2019 Pension Cost |
Discount rate | | (0.5) | | $ | 206.6 |
| | $ | 17.4 |
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Discount rate | | 0.5 | | (178.2 | ) | | (10.6 | ) |
Rate of return on plan assets | | (0.5) | | N/A |
| | 13.3 |
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Rate of return on plan assets | | 0.5 | | N/A |
| | (13.3 | ) |
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20192021 Form 10-K | 6576 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
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 2019 Postretirement Benefit Cost | Actuarial Assumption (in millions, except percentages) | | Percentage-Point Change in Assumption | | Impact on Postretirement Benefit Obligation | | Impact on 2021 Postretirement Benefit Cost |
Discount rate | | (0.5) | | $ | 35.3 |
| | $ | 3.8 |
| Discount rate | | (0.5) | | $ | 32.3 | | | $ | 3.5 | |
Discount rate | | 0.5 | | (30.6 | ) | | (3.8 | ) | Discount rate | | 0.5 | | (28.3) | | | (3.1) | |
Health care cost trend rate | | (0.5) | | (18.6 | ) | | (4.5 | ) | Health care cost trend rate | | (0.5) | | (17.2) | | | (3.5) | |
Health care cost trend rate | | 0.5 | | 21.3 |
| | 5.1 |
| Health care cost trend rate | | 0.5 | | 19.6 | | | 4.0 | |
Rate of return on plan assets | | (0.5) | | N/A |
| | 3.8 |
| Rate of return on plan assets | | (0.5) | | N/A | | 4.7 | |
Rate of return on plan assets | | 0.5 | | N/A |
| | (3.8 | ) | Rate of return on plan assets | | 0.5 | | N/A | | (4.7) | |
The discount rates are selected based on hypothetical bond portfolios consisting of noncallable, high-quality corporate bonds across the full maturity spectrum. 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 assets 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 6.88%, 6.87%, and 7.12% in 2021, 2020, and 2019, and 2018, and 7.11% in 2017.respectively. The actual rate of return on pension plan assets, net of fees, was 18.89%9.5%, (4.30)%12.65%, and 13.74%18.89%, in 2019, 2018,2021, 2020, and 2017,2019, respectively.
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 19,20, Employee Benefits.
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
Unbilled revenues are 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 energyEnergy demand for the unbilled period or changes in the compositionrate mix due to fluctuations in usage patterns of customer classes could impact the accuracy of the unbilled revenue estimate. Total utility operating revenues during 2019 of approximately $7.4 billion included accruedunbilled utility revenues of $478.8were $531.7 million and $499.5 million as of December 31, 2019.2021 and 2020, respectively. The changes in unbilled revenues are primarily due to changes in the cost of natural gas, weather, and customer rates.
Income Tax Expense
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 financial condition and results of operations. See Note 1(q), Income Taxes, and Note 16, Income Taxes, for a discussion of accounting for income taxes.
We are required to estimate income taxes for each of theour applicable tax 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 income tax expense in our income statements.
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2021 Form 10-K | 77 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Uncertainty associated with the application of tax statutes and regulations, and the outcomes of tax audits and appeals, changes in income tax law, enacted tax rates or amounts subject to income tax, and changes in the regulatory treatment of any tax reform benefits 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 requiredWe expect our 2022 annual effective tax rate to be between 18.5% and 19.5%. Our effective tax rate calculations are revised every quarter based on the best available year-end tax assumptions, adjusted in determining our provision for income taxes, deferred incomethe following year after returns are filed. Tax accrual estimates are trued-up to the actual amounts claimed on the tax assetsreturns and liabilities, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, and any valuation allowance recorded against deferred income tax assets. The assumptions involved are supportedfurther adjusted after examinations by historical data, reasonable projections, and interpretations of applicable tax laws andtaxing authorities, as needed.
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2019 Form 10-K | 66 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
regulations across multiple taxing jurisdictions. Significant changes in these assumptions could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. See Note 1(o), Income Taxes, and Note 15, 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(p)1(r), Fair Value Measurements, Note 1(q)1(s), Derivative Instruments, and Note 18,19, Guarantees, for information concerning potential market risks to which we are exposed.
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20192021 Form 10-K | 6778 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
A. REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of WEC Energy Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 20192021 and 2018,2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019,2021, and the related notes and the schedules 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, 20192021 and 2018,2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019,2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019,2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control -— Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 27, 2020,24, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
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 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 auditsaudit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 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 presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities – Impact of rate regulation on financial statements – Refer to Notes 56 and 2526 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s regulated utilities are subject to regulation by various state and federal regulatory bodies (collectively the “Commissions”) which have jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric and gas distribution companies in each respective state. Management has determined the Company meets the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to prepare its financial statements applying the Regulated Operations Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standard Codification.
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20192021 Form 10-K | 6879 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Rates are determined and approved in regulatory proceedings based on an analysis of the Company’s costs to provide utility service and a return on, and recovery of, the Company’s investment in the utility business. Regulatory decisions can have an impact on the recovery of costs, the rate of return earned on investment, and the timing and amount of assets to be recovered by rates. The Commissions’ regulation of rates is premised on the full recovery of prudently incurred costs and a reasonable rate of return on invested capital. 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 the Company’s regulators. Future decisions of the Commissions will impact the accounting for regulated operations, including decisions about the amount of allowable costs and return on invested capital included in rates, and any refunds that may be required.
While the Company has indicated it expects to recover costs from customers through regulated rates, there is a risk that the Commissions will not approve: (1) full recovery of the costs of providing utility service, (2) full recovery of all amounts invested in the utility business and a reasonable return on that investment or (3) timely recovery of costs incurred. The Company had $3,528$3,367.1 million and $4,080$3,960.3 million of regulatory assets and liabilities, respectively, as of December 31, 2019.2021.
We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements. Given that management’s accounting judgments can be based on assumptions about the outcome of future decisions by the Commissions, auditing these judgments required specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the Commissions included the following procedures, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over regulatory assets and liabilities, including management’s controls over the identification of costs recorded as regulatory assets and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates.
•We inquired of Company management and independently obtained and read: (1) relevant regulatory orders issued by the Commissions for the Company and other public utilities in each respective state, (2) company filings, (3) filings made by intervenors and (4) other publicly available information to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates based on precedenceprecedents of the Commissions’ treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances. To assess completeness, we evaluated the information obtained and compared it to management’s recorded regulatory asset and liability balances.
•For regulatory matters in process, we inspected the Company’s filings with the Commissions and the filings with the Commissions by intervenors that may impact the Company’s future rates, for any evidence that might contradict management’s assertions.
•We obtained management’s analysis regarding probability of recovery for regulatory assets or refund or future reduction in rates for regulatory liabilities not yet addressed in a regulatory order to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery or a future reduction in rates.
•We evaluated the Company’s disclosures related to the impacts of rate regulation, including the balances recorded and regulatory developments.
/s/DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 27, 2020 24, 2022
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2002.
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20192021 Form 10-K | 6980 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
A. REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of WEC Energy Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019,2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control -— Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019,2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control -— Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019,2021, of the Company and our report dated February 27, 2020,24, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 27, 2020 24, 2022
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20192021 Form 10-K | 7081 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
B. CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
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Year Ended December 31 | | | | | | |
(in millions, except per share amounts) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Operating revenues | | $ | 8,316.0 | | | $ | 7,241.7 | | | $ | 7,523.1 | |
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Operating expenses | | | | | | |
Cost of sales | | 3,311.0 | | | 2,319.5 | | | 2,678.8 | |
Other operation and maintenance | | 2,005.5 | | | 2,032.2 | | | 2,184.8 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 1,074.3 | | | 975.9 | | | 926.3 | |
Property and revenue taxes | | 210.3 | | | 208.0 | | | 201.8 | |
Total operating expenses | | 6,601.1 | | | 5,535.6 | | | 5,991.7 | |
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Operating income | | 1,714.9 | | | 1,706.1 | | | 1,531.4 | |
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Equity in earnings of transmission affiliates | | 158.1 | | | 175.8 | | | 127.6 | |
Other income, net | | 133.2 | | | 79.5 | | | 102.2 | |
Interest expense | | 471.1 | | | 493.7 | | | 501.5 | |
Loss on debt extinguishment | | 36.3 | | | 38.4 | | | — | |
Other expense | | (216.1) | | | (276.8) | | | (271.7) | |
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Income before income taxes | | 1,498.8 | | | 1,429.3 | | | 1,259.7 | |
Income tax expense | | 200.3 | | | 227.9 | | | 125.0 | |
Net income | | 1,298.5 | | | 1,201.4 | | | 1,134.7 | |
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Preferred stock dividends of subsidiary | | 1.2 | | | 1.2 | | | 1.2 | |
Net (income) loss attributed to noncontrolling interests | | 3.0 | | | (0.3) | | | 0.5 | |
Net income attributed to common shareholders | | $ | 1,300.3 | | | $ | 1,199.9 | | | $ | 1,134.0 | |
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Earnings per share | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 4.12 | | | $ | 3.80 | | | $ | 3.60 | |
Diluted | | $ | 4.11 | | | $ | 3.79 | | | $ | 3.58 | |
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Weighted average common shares outstanding | | | | | | |
Basic | | 315.4 | | | 315.4 | | | 315.4 | |
Diluted | | 316.3 | | | 316.5 | | | 316.7 | |
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Year Ended December 31 | | | | | | |
(in millions, except per share amounts) | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
Operating revenues | | $ | 7,523.1 |
| | $ | 7,679.5 |
| | $ | 7,648.5 |
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Operating expenses | | | | | | |
Cost of sales | | 2,678.8 |
| | 2,897.9 |
| | 2,822.8 |
|
Other operation and maintenance | | 2,184.8 |
| | 2,270.5 |
| | 2,056.1 |
|
Depreciation and amortization | | 926.3 |
| | 845.8 |
| | 798.6 |
|
Property and revenue taxes | | 201.8 |
| | 196.9 |
| | 194.9 |
|
Total operating expenses | | 5,991.7 |
| | 6,211.1 |
| | 5,872.4 |
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Operating income | | 1,531.4 |
| | 1,468.4 |
| | 1,776.1 |
|
| | | | | | |
Equity in earnings of transmission affiliates | | 127.6 |
| | 136.7 |
| | 154.3 |
|
Other income, net | | 102.2 |
| | 70.3 |
| | 73.7 |
|
Interest expense | | 501.5 |
| | 445.1 |
| | 415.7 |
|
Other expense | | (271.7 | ) | | (238.1 | ) | | (187.7 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Income before income taxes | | 1,259.7 |
| | 1,230.3 |
| | 1,588.4 |
|
Income tax expense | | 125.0 |
| | 169.8 |
| | 383.5 |
|
Net income | | 1,134.7 |
| | 1,060.5 |
| | 1,204.9 |
|
| | | | | | |
Preferred stock dividends of subsidiary | | 1.2 |
| | 1.2 |
| | 1.2 |
|
Net loss attributed to noncontrolling interests | | 0.5 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Net income attributed to common shareholders | | $ | 1,134.0 |
| | $ | 1,059.3 |
| | $ | 1,203.7 |
|
| |
| | | | |
Earnings per share | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 3.60 |
| | $ | 3.36 |
| | $ | 3.81 |
|
Diluted | | $ | 3.58 |
| | $ | 3.34 |
| | $ | 3.79 |
|
| | | | | | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding | | | | | | |
Basic | | 315.4 |
| | 315.5 |
| | 315.6 |
|
Diluted | | 316.7 |
| | 316.9 |
| | 317.2 |
|
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
|
| | | | | | | |
20192021 Form 10-K | 7182 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
C. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended December 31 | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Net income | | $ | 1,298.5 | | | $ | 1,201.4 | | | $ | 1,134.7 | |
| | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | | | | | |
Derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges | | | | | | |
Net derivative gain (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $0.2, $(1.6), and $(1.3), respectively | | 0.6 | | | (4.3) | | | (3.5) | |
Reclassification of realized net derivative (gain) loss to net income, net of tax | | 0.9 | | | 1.5 | | | (0.8) | |
Cash flow hedges, net | | 1.5 | | | (2.8) | | | (4.3) | |
| | | | | | |
Defined benefit plans | | | | | | |
Pension and OPEB adjustments arising during the period, net of tax expense (benefit) of $0.7, $(0.2), and $1.0, respectively | | 1.7 | | | (0.5) | | | 2.6 | |
Amortization of pension and OPEB costs included in net periodic benefit cost, net of tax | | 0.4 | | | 0.6 | | | 0.2 | |
Defined benefit plans, net | | 2.1 | | | 0.1 | | | 2.8 | |
| | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | 3.6 | | | (2.7) | | | (1.5) | |
| | | | | | |
Comprehensive income | | 1,302.1 | | | 1,198.7 | | | 1,133.2 | |
| | | | | | |
Preferred stock dividends of subsidiary | | 1.2 | | | 1.2 | | | 1.2 | |
Comprehensive (income) loss attributed to noncontrolling interests | | 3.0 | | | (0.3) | | | 0.5 | |
Comprehensive income attributed to common shareholders | | $ | 1,303.9 | | | $ | 1,197.2 | | | $ | 1,132.5 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended December 31 | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
Net income | | $ | 1,134.7 |
| | $ | 1,060.5 |
| | $ | 1,204.9 |
|
| | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | | | | | |
Derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges | | | | | | |
Net derivative losses, net of tax benefits of $1.3, $0.8, and $0.0, respectively | | (3.5 | ) | | (2.1 | ) | | — |
|
Reclassification of net gains to net income, net of tax | | (0.8 | ) | | (1.2 | ) | | (1.3 | ) |
Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2018-02 | | — |
| | 1.6 |
| | — |
|
Cash flow hedges, net | | (4.3 | ) | | (1.7 | ) | | (1.3 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Defined benefit plans | | | | | | |
Pension and OPEB adjustments arising during the period, net of tax expense (benefit) of $1.0, $(1.2), and $0.6, respectively | | 2.6 |
| | (3.1 | ) | | 0.9 |
|
Amortization of pension and OPEB costs included in net periodic benefit cost, net of tax | | 0.2 |
| | 0.3 |
| | 0.4 |
|
Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of ASU 2018-02 | | — |
| | (1.0 | ) | | — |
|
Defined benefit plans, net | | 2.8 |
| | (3.8 | ) | | 1.3 |
|
| | | | | | |
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | | (1.5 | ) | | (5.5 | ) | | — |
|
| | | | | | |
Comprehensive income | | 1,133.2 |
| | 1,055.0 |
| | 1,204.9 |
|
| | | | | | |
Preferred stock dividends of subsidiary | | 1.2 |
| | 1.2 |
| | 1.2 |
|
Comprehensive loss attributed to noncontrolling interests | | 0.5 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Comprehensive income attributed to common shareholders | | $ | 1,132.5 |
| | $ | 1,053.8 |
| | $ | 1,203.7 |
|
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
|
| | | | | | | |
20192021 Form 10-K | 7283 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
D. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
At December 31 | | | | |
(in millions, except share and per share amounts) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Assets | | | | |
Current assets | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 16.3 | | | $ | 24.8 | |
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net of reserves of $198.3 and $220.1, respectively | | 1,505.7 | | | 1,202.8 | |
Materials, supplies, and inventories | | 635.8 | | | 528.6 | |
Prepayments | | 245.5 | | | 263.4 | |
Other | | 253.4 | | | 63.4 | |
Current assets | | 2,656.7 | | | 2,083.0 | |
| | | | |
Long-term assets | | | | |
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $9,889.3 and $9,364.7, respectively | | 26,982.4 | | | 25,707.4 | |
Regulatory assets (December 31, 2021 includes $100.7 related to WEPCo Environmental Trust) | | 3,264.8 | | | 3,524.1 | |
Equity investment in transmission affiliates | | 1,789.4 | | | 1,764.3 | |
Goodwill | | 3,052.8 | | | 3,052.8 | |
Pension and OPEB assets | | 881.3 | | | 600.9 | |
Other | | 361.1 | | | 295.6 | |
Long-term assets | | 36,331.8 | | | 34,945.1 | |
Total assets | | $ | 38,988.5 | | | $ | 37,028.1 | |
| | | | |
Liabilities and Equity | | | | |
Current liabilities | | | | |
Short-term debt | | $ | 1,897.0 | | | $ | 1,776.9 | |
Current portion of long-term debt (December 31, 2021 includes $8.8 related to WEPCo Environmental Trust) | | 169.4 | | | 785.8 | |
Accounts payable | | 1,005.7 | | | 880.7 | |
Other | | 680.9 | | | 704.7 | |
Current liabilities | | 3,753.0 | | | 4,148.1 | |
| | | | |
Long-term liabilities | | | | |
Long-term debt (December 31, 2021 includes $102.7 related to WEPCo Environmental Trust) | | 13,523.7 | | | 11,728.1 | |
Deferred income taxes | | 4,308.5 | | | 4,059.8 | |
Deferred revenue, net | | 389.2 | | | 412.2 | |
Regulatory liabilities | | 3,946.0 | | | 3,928.1 | |
Environmental remediation liabilities | | 532.6 | | | 532.9 | |
Pension and OPEB obligations | | 219.0 | | | 327.0 | |
Other | | 1,203.2 | | | 1,229.4 | |
Long-term liabilities | | 24,122.2 | | | 22,217.5 | |
| | | | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 24) | | 0 | | 0 |
| | | | |
Common shareholders' equity | | | | |
Common stock – $0.01 par value; 325,000,000 shares authorized; 315,434,531 shares outstanding | | 3.2 | | | 3.2 | |
Additional paid in capital | | 4,138.1 | | | 4,143.7 | |
Retained earnings | | 6,775.1 | | | 6,329.6 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | (3.2) | | | (6.8) | |
Common shareholders' equity | | 10,913.2 | | | 10,469.7 | |
| | | | |
Preferred stock of subsidiary | | 30.4 | | | 30.4 | |
Noncontrolling interests | | 169.7 | | | 162.4 | |
Total liabilities and equity | | $ | 38,988.5 | | | $ | 37,028.1 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
At December 31 | | | | |
(in millions, except share and per share amounts) | | 2019 | | 2018 |
Assets | | | | |
Current assets | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 37.5 |
| | $ | 84.5 |
|
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net of reserves of $140.0 and $149.2, respectively | | 1,176.5 |
| | 1,280.9 |
|
Materials, supplies, and inventories | | 549.8 |
| | 548.2 |
|
Prepayments | | 261.8 |
| | 256.8 |
|
Other | | 68.0 |
| | 77.2 |
|
Current assets | | 2,093.6 |
| | 2,247.6 |
|
| | | | |
Long-term assets | | | | |
Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $8,878.7 and $8,636.6, respectively | | 23,620.1 |
| | 22,000.9 |
|
Regulatory assets | | 3,506.7 |
| | 3,805.1 |
|
Equity investment in transmission affiliates | | 1,720.8 |
| | 1,665.3 |
|
Goodwill | | 3,052.8 |
| | 3,052.8 |
|
Other | | 957.8 |
| | 704.1 |
|
Long-term assets | | 32,858.2 |
| | 31,228.2 |
|
Total assets | | $ | 34,951.8 |
| | $ | 33,475.8 |
|
| | | | |
Liabilities and Equity | | | | |
Current liabilities | | | | |
Short-term debt | | $ | 830.8 |
| | $ | 1,440.1 |
|
Current portion of long-term debt | | 693.2 |
| | 365.0 |
|
Accounts payable | | 908.1 |
| | 876.4 |
|
Accrued payroll and benefits | | 199.8 |
| | 185.4 |
|
Other | | 550.8 |
| | 464.8 |
|
Current liabilities | | 3,182.7 |
| | 3,331.7 |
|
| | | | |
Long-term liabilities | | | | |
Long-term debt | | 11,211.0 |
| | 9,994.0 |
|
Deferred income taxes | | 3,769.3 |
| | 3,388.1 |
|
Deferred revenue, net | | 497.1 |
| | 520.4 |
|
Regulatory liabilities | | 3,992.8 |
| | 4,251.6 |
|
Environmental remediation liabilities | | 589.2 |
| | 616.4 |
|
Pension and OPEB obligations | | 326.2 |
| | 422.8 |
|
Other | | 1,128.9 |
| | 1,108.1 |
|
Long-term liabilities | | 21,514.5 |
| | 20,301.4 |
|
| | | | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 23) | |
|
| |
|
|
| | | | |
Common shareholders' equity | | | | |
Common stock – $0.01 par value; 325,000,000 shares authorized; 315,434,531 and 315,523,192 shares outstanding, respectively | | 3.2 |
| | 3.2 |
|
Additional paid in capital | | 4,186.6 |
| | 4,250.1 |
|
Retained earnings | | 5,927.7 |
| | 5,538.2 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | (4.1 | ) | | (2.6 | ) |
Common shareholders' equity | | 10,113.4 |
| | 9,788.9 |
|
| | | | |
Preferred stock of subsidiary | | 30.4 |
| | 30.4 |
|
Noncontrolling interests | | 110.8 |
| | 23.4 |
|
Total liabilities and equity | | $ | 34,951.8 |
| | $ | 33,475.8 |
|
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
|
| | | | | | | |
20192021 Form 10-K | 7384 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
E. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended December 31 | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Operating activities | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 1,298.5 | | | $ | 1,201.4 | | | $ | 1,134.7 | |
Reconciliation to cash provided by operating activities | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 1,074.3 | | | 975.9 | | | 926.3 | |
Deferred income taxes and ITCs, net | | 151.1 | | | 209.4 | | | 162.9 | |
Contributions and payments related to pension and OPEB plans | | (66.3) | | | (113.2) | | | (65.9) | |
Equity income in transmission affiliates, net of distributions | | (25.1) | | | (29.1) | | | (2.9) | |
Change in – | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net | | (249.2) | | | 16.1 | | | 98.2 | |
Materials, supplies, and inventories | | (107.2) | | | 21.2 | | | (1.5) | |
Amounts recoverable from customers | | (82.3) | | | 0.9 | | | 29.8 | |
Other current assets | | 22.2 | | | 12.5 | | | (36.9) | |
Accounts payable | | 126.9 | | | (61.3) | | | 1.5 | |
Other current liabilities | | (17.2) | | | (41.2) | | | 78.7 | |
Other, net | | (93.0) | | | 3.4 | | | 20.6 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | 2,032.7 | | | 2,196.0 | | | 2,345.5 | |
| | | | | | |
Investing activities | | | | | | |
Capital expenditures | | (2,252.8) | | | (2,238.8) | | | (2,260.8) | |
Acquisition of Jayhawk | | (119.9) | | | — | | | — | |
Acquisition of Blooming Grove, net of restricted cash acquired of $24.1 | | — | | | (364.6) | | | — | |
Acquisition of Tatanka Ridge | | — | | | (239.9) | | | — | |
Acquisition of Upstream, net of cash and restricted cash acquired of $9.2 | | — | | | — | | | (268.2) | |
Capital contributions to transmission affiliates | | — | | | (21.2) | | | (52.6) | |
Proceeds from the sale of assets and businesses | | 21.9 | | | 20.3 | | | 37.6 | |
Proceeds from the sale of investments held in rabbi trust | | 18.7 | | | 56.2 | | | 0.2 | |
Purchase of investments held in rabbi trust | | — | | | (37.8) | | | — | |
Reimbursement for ATC's construction costs | | — | | | 1.1 | | | 32.4 | |
Insurance proceeds received for property damage | | — | | | 23.2 | | | — | |
Other, net | | 20.3 | | | (5.3) | | | 16.5 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | (2,311.8) | | | (2,806.8) | | | (2,494.9) | |
| | | | | | |
Financing activities | | | | | | |
Exercise of stock options | | 15.7 | | | 43.8 | | | 67.0 | |
Purchase of common stock | | (33.1) | | | (99.2) | | | (140.1) | |
Dividends paid on common stock | | (854.8) | | | (798.0) | | | (744.5) | |
Issuance of long-term debt | | 2,383.8 | | | 2,373.6 | | | 1,895.0 | |
Retirement of long-term debt | | (1,260.4) | | | (1,767.0) | | | (360.1) | |
Issuance of short-term loan | | 0.9 | | | 340.0 | | | — | |
Repayment of short-term loan | | (340.0) | | | — | | | — | |
Change in other short-term debt | | 459.2 | | | 606.1 | | | (609.3) | |
Payments for debt extinguishment and issuance costs | | (67.2) | | | (55.8) | | | (12.5) | |
Purchase of additional ownership interest in Upstream from noncontrolling interest | | — | | | (31.0) | | | — | |
Other, net | | (10.1) | | | (11.4) | | | (9.9) | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | 294.0 | | | 601.1 | | | 85.6 | |
| | | | | | |
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | | 14.9 | | | (9.7) | | | (63.8) | |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year | | 72.6 | | | 82.3 | | | 146.1 | |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year | | $ | 87.5 | | | $ | 72.6 | | | $ | 82.3 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended December 31 | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
Operating activities | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 1,134.7 |
| | $ | 1,060.5 |
| | $ | 1,204.9 |
|
Reconciliation to cash provided by operating activities | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 926.3 |
| | 845.8 |
| | 798.6 |
|
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net | | 162.9 |
| | 297.3 |
| | 271.7 |
|
Contributions and payments related to pension and OPEB plans | | (65.9 | ) | | (77.6 | ) | | (120.5 | ) |
Equity income in transmission affiliates, net of distributions | | (2.9 | ) | | (18.6 | ) | | (4.8 | ) |
Change in – | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues | | 98.2 |
| | 23.5 |
| | (86.4 | ) |
Materials, supplies, and inventories | | (1.5 | ) | | (8.8 | ) | | 49.3 |
|
Other current assets | | (7.1 | ) | | (10.0 | ) | | (7.1 | ) |
Accounts payable | | 1.5 |
| | 110.6 |
| | 8.5 |
|
Other current liabilities | | 78.7 |
| | (67.6 | ) | | 161.8 |
|
Other, net | | 20.6 |
| | 290.4 |
| | (197.4 | ) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | 2,345.5 |
| | 2,445.5 |
| | 2,078.6 |
|
| | | | | | |
Investing activities | | | | | | |
Capital expenditures | | (2,260.8 | ) | | (2,115.7 | ) | | (1,959.5 | ) |
Acquisition of Upstream, net of cash and restricted cash acquired of $9.2 | | (268.2 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
Acquisition of Bishop Hill III, net of restricted cash acquired of $4.5 | | — |
| | (162.9 | ) | | — |
|
Acquisition of Forward Wind Energy Center | | — |
| | (77.1 | ) | | — |
|
Acquisition of Coyote Ridge | | — |
| | (61.4 | ) | | — |
|
Acquisition of Bluewater | | — |
| | — |
| | (226.0 | ) |
Capital contributions to transmission affiliates | | (52.6 | ) | | (53.5 | ) | | (109.6 | ) |
Proceeds from the sale of assets and businesses | | 37.6 |
| | 12.1 |
| | 24.0 |
|
Proceeds from the sale of investments held in rabbi trust | | 0.2 |
| | 118.6 |
| | 8.7 |
|
Purchase of investments held in rabbi trust | | — |
| | (65.0 | ) | | (3.7 | ) |
Reimbursement for ATC's construction costs | | 32.4 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Other, net | | 16.5 |
| | 20.5 |
| | 12.0 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities | | (2,494.9 | ) | | (2,384.4 | ) | | (2,254.1 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Financing activities | | | | | | |
Exercise of stock options | | 67.0 |
| | 29.1 |
| | 30.8 |
|
Purchase of common stock | | (140.1 | ) | | (72.4 | ) | | (71.3 | ) |
Dividends paid on common stock | | (744.5 | ) | | (697.3 | ) | | (656.5 | ) |
Issuance of long-term debt | | 1,895.0 |
| | 1,740.0 |
| | 435.0 |
|
Retirement of long-term debt | | (360.1 | ) | | (953.3 | ) | | (154.5 | ) |
Change in short-term debt | | (609.3 | ) | | (4.5 | ) | | 584.4 |
|
Other, net | | (22.4 | ) | | (15.2 | ) | | (6.5 | ) |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | 85.6 |
| | 26.4 |
| | 161.4 |
|
| | | | | | |
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | | (63.8 | ) | | 87.5 |
| | (14.1 | ) |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year | | 146.1 |
| | 58.6 |
| | 72.7 |
|
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year | | $ | 82.3 |
| | $ | 146.1 |
| | $ | 58.6 |
|
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
|
| | | | | | | |
20192021 Form 10-K | 7485 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
F. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | WEC Energy Group Common Shareholders' Equity | | | | | | |
| | Common Stock | | Additional Paid In Capital | | Retained Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Total Common Shareholders' Equity | | Preferred Stock of Subsidiary | | Non-controlling Interests | | Total Equity |
(in millions, except per share amounts) | | | | | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2016 | | $ | 3.2 |
| | $ | 4,309.8 |
| | $ | 4,613.9 |
| | $ | 2.9 |
| | $ | 8,929.8 |
| | $ | 30.4 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 8,960.2 |
|
Net income attributed to common shareholders | | — |
| | — |
| | 1,203.7 |
| | — |
| | 1,203.7 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,203.7 |
|
Common stock dividends of $2.08 per share | | — |
| | — |
| | (656.5 | ) | | — |
| | (656.5 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (656.5 | ) |
Exercise of stock options | | — |
| | 30.8 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 30.8 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 30.8 |
|
Purchase of common stock | | — |
| | (71.3 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (71.3 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (71.3 | ) |
Cumulative effect adjustment from ASU 2016-09 adoption | | — |
| | — |
| | 15.7 |
| | — |
| | 15.7 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 15.7 |
|
Stock-based compensation and other | | — |
| | 9.2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 9.2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 9.2 |
|
Balance at December 31, 2017 | | $ | 3.2 |
| | $ | 4,278.5 |
| | $ | 5,176.8 |
| | $ | 2.9 |
| | $ | 9,461.4 |
| | $ | 30.4 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 9,491.8 |
|
Net income attributed to common shareholders | | — |
| | — |
| | 1,059.3 |
| | — |
| | 1,059.3 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,059.3 |
|
Other comprehensive loss | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (6.1 | ) | | (6.1 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (6.1 | ) |
Common stock dividends of $2.21 per share | | — |
| | — |
| | (697.3 | ) | | — |
| | (697.3 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (697.3 | ) |
Exercise of stock options | | — |
| | 29.1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 29.1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 29.1 |
|
Purchase of common stock | | — |
| | (72.4 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (72.4 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (72.4 | ) |
Cumulative effect adjustment from ASU 2018-02 adoption | | — |
| | — |
| | (0.6 | ) | | 0.6 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 23.8 |
| | 23.8 |
|
Stock-based compensation and other | | — |
| | 14.9 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 14.9 |
| | — |
| | (0.4 | ) | | 14.5 |
|
Balance at December 31, 2018 | | $ | 3.2 |
| | $ | 4,250.1 |
| | $ | 5,538.2 |
| | $ | (2.6 | ) | | $ | 9,788.9 |
| | $ | 30.4 |
| | $ | 23.4 |
| | $ | 9,842.7 |
|
Net income attributed to common shareholders | | — |
| | — |
| | 1,134.0 |
| | — |
| | 1,134.0 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,134.0 |
|
Net loss attributed to noncontrolling interests | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (0.5 | ) | | (0.5 | ) |
Other comprehensive loss | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1.5 | ) | | (1.5 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (1.5 | ) |
Common stock dividends of $2.36 per share | | — |
| | — |
| | (744.5 | ) | | — |
| | (744.5 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (744.5 | ) |
Exercise of stock options | | — |
| | 67.0 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 67.0 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 67.0 |
|
Purchase of common stock | | — |
| | (140.1 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (140.1 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (140.1 | ) |
Acquisition of a noncontrolling interest | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 69.0 |
| | 69.0 |
|
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 21.0 |
| | 21.0 |
|
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (2.1 | ) | | (2.1 | ) |
Stock-based compensation and other | | — |
| | 9.6 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 9.6 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 9.6 |
|
Balance at December 31, 2019 | | $ | 3.2 |
| | $ | 4,186.6 |
| | $ | 5,927.7 |
| | $ | (4.1 | ) | | $ | 10,113.4 |
| | $ | 30.4 |
| | $ | 110.8 |
| | $ | 10,254.6 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | WEC Energy Group Common Shareholders' Equity | | | | | | |
| | Common Stock | | Additional Paid In Capital | | Retained Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Total Common Shareholders' Equity | | Preferred Stock of Subsidiary | | Non-controlling Interests | | Total Equity |
(in millions, except per share amounts) | | | | | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2018 | | $ | 3.2 | | | $ | 4,250.1 | | | $ | 5,538.2 | | | $ | (2.6) | | | $ | 9,788.9 | | | $ | 30.4 | | | $ | 23.4 | | | $ | 9,842.7 | |
Net income attributed to common shareholders | | — | | | — | | | 1,134.0 | | | — | | | 1,134.0 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,134.0 | |
Net loss attributed to noncontrolling interests | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (0.5) | | | (0.5) | |
Other comprehensive loss | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1.5) | | | (1.5) | | | — | | | — | | | (1.5) | |
Common stock dividends of $2.36 per share | | — | | | — | | | (744.5) | | | — | | | (744.5) | | | — | | | — | | | (744.5) | |
Exercise of stock options | | — | | | 67.0 | | | — | | | — | | | 67.0 | | | — | | | — | | | 67.0 | |
Purchase of common stock | | — | | | (140.1) | | | — | | | — | | | (140.1) | | | — | | | — | | | (140.1) | |
Acquisition of a noncontrolling interest | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 69.0 | | | 69.0 | |
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 21.0 | | | 21.0 | |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2.1) | | | (2.1) | |
Stock-based compensation and other | | — | | | 9.6 | | | — | | | — | | | 9.6 | | | — | | | — | | | 9.6 | |
Balance at December 31, 2019 | | $ | 3.2 | | | $ | 4,186.6 | | | $ | 5,927.7 | | | $ | (4.1) | | | $ | 10,113.4 | | | $ | 30.4 | | | $ | 110.8 | | | $ | 10,254.6 | |
Net income attributed to common shareholders | | — | | | — | | | 1,199.9 | | | — | | | 1,199.9 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,199.9 | |
Net income attributed to noncontrolling interests | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 0.3 | | | 0.3 | |
Other comprehensive loss | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2.7) | | | (2.7) | | | — | | | — | | | (2.7) | |
Common stock dividends of $2.53 per share | | — | | | — | | | (798.0) | | | — | | | (798.0) | | | — | | | — | | | (798.0) | |
Exercise of stock options | | — | | | 43.8 | | | — | | | — | | | 43.8 | | | — | | | — | | | 43.8 | |
Purchase of common stock | | — | | | (99.2) | | | — | | | — | | | (99.2) | | | — | | | — | | | (99.2) | |
Purchase of additional ownership interest in Upstream from noncontrolling interest | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (31.0) | | | (31.0) | |
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 85.0 | | | 85.0 | |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2.7) | | | (2.7) | |
Stock-based compensation and other | | — | | | 12.5 | | | — | | | — | | | 12.5 | | | — | | | — | | | 12.5 | |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | | $ | 3.2 | | | $ | 4,143.7 | | | $ | 6,329.6 | | | $ | (6.8) | | | $ | 10,469.7 | | | $ | 30.4 | | | $ | 162.4 | | | $ | 10,662.5 | |
Net income attributed to common shareholders | | — | | | — | | | 1,300.3 | | | — | | | 1,300.3 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,300.3 | |
Net loss attributed to noncontrolling interests | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (3.0) | | | (3.0) | |
Other comprehensive income | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3.6 | | | 3.6 | | | — | | | — | | | 3.6 | |
Common stock dividends of $2.71 per share | | — | | | — | | | (854.8) | | | — | | | (854.8) | | | — | | | — | | | (854.8) | |
Exercise of stock options | | — | | | 15.7 | | | — | | | — | | | 15.7 | | | — | | | — | | | 15.7 | |
Purchase of common stock | | — | | | (33.1) | | | — | | | — | | | (33.1) | | | — | | | — | | | (33.1) | |
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6.3 | | | 6.3 | |
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 7.6 | | | 7.6 | |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (4.1) | | | (4.1) | |
Stock-based compensation and other | | — | | | 11.8 | | | — | | | — | | | 11.8 | | | — | | | 0.5 | | | 12.3 | |
Balance at December 31, 2021 | | $ | 3.2 | | | $ | 4,138.1 | | | $ | 6,775.1 | | | $ | (3.2) | | | $ | 10,913.2 | | | $ | 30.4 | | | $ | 169.7 | | | $ | 11,113.3 | |
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.
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| | | | | | | |
20192021 Form 10-K | 7586 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
G. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Nature of Operations—WEC Energy Group serves approximately 1.6 million electric customers and 2.93.0 million natural gas customers, and owns approximately 60% of ATC.
As used in these notes, the term "financial statements" refers to the consolidated financial statements. This includes the income statements, statements of comprehensive income, balance sheets, statements of cash flows, and statements of equity, unless otherwise noted. On our financial statements, we consolidate our majority-owned subsidiaries which we control, and VIEs of which we are the primary beneficiary. We reflect noncontrolling interests for the portion of entities that we do not own as a component of consolidated equity separate from the equity attributable to our shareholders. The noncontrolling interests that we reported as equity on our balance sheet as of December 31, 20192021 related to the minority interests at Bishop Hill III, Coyote Ridge, Upstream, Blooming Grove, Tatanka Ridge, and UpstreamJayhawk held by third parties.
Our financial statements include the accounts of WEC Energy Group, a diversified energy holding company, and the accounts of our subsidiaries in the following reportable segments:
•Wisconsin segment – Consists of WE, WPS, and WG, which are engaged primarily in the generation of electricity and the distribution of electricity and natural gas in Wisconsin; and UMERC, which generates electricity and distributes electricity and natural gas to customers located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
•Illinois segment – Consists of PGL and NSG, which are engaged primarily in the distribution of natural gas in Illinois.
•Other states segment – Consists of MERC and MGU, which are engaged primarily in the distribution of natural gas in Minnesota and Michigan, respectively.
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• | •Electric transmission segment – Consists of our approximate 60% ownership interest in ATC, a for-profit, electric transmission company regulated by the FERC and certain state regulatory commissions, and our approximate 75% ownership interest in ATC Holdco, which invests in transmission-related projects outside of ATC's traditional footprint.
•Non-utility energy infrastructure segment – Consists of We Power, which is principally engaged in the ownership of electric power generating facilities for long-term lease to WE, and Bluewater, which owns underground natural gas storage facilities in Michigan. WECI, which holds our ownership interests in several wind generating facilities, is also included in this segment. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on the WECI wind generating facilities.
•Corporate and other segment – Consists of the WEC Energy Group holding company, the Integrys holding company, the PELLC holding company, Wispark, Wisvest, WECC, WBS, and also included the operations of PDL prior to the sale of its remaining solar facilities in the fourth quarter of 2020. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information on the sale of these solar facilities.
60% ownership interest in ATC, a for-profit, electric transmission company regulated by the FERC and certain state regulatory commissions, and our approximate 75% ownership interest in ATC Holdco, which invests in transmission-related projects outside of ATC's traditional footprint.
|
| |
• | Non-utility energy infrastructure segment – Consists of We Power, which is principally engaged in the ownership of electric power generating facilities for long-term lease to WE, and Bluewater, which owns underground natural gas storage facilities in Michigan. WECI, which holds our ownership interests in several wind generating facilities, is also included in this segment. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on Bluewater and the WECI wind generating facilities.
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• | Corporate and other segment – Consists of the WEC Energy Group holding company, the Integrys holding company, the PELLC holding company, Wispark, Bostco, Wisvest, WECC, WBS, and PDL. In the first quarter of 2017, we sold substantially all of the remaining assets of Bostco, and, in October 2018, Bostco was dissolved. In 2019, we sold certain PDL solar power generating facilities. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information on these sales.
|
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. We use the cumulative earnings approach for classifying distributions received in the statements of cash flows. Under the cumulative earnings approach, we compare the distributions received to cumulative equity method earnings since inception. Any distributions received up to the amount of cumulative equity earnings are considered a return on investment and classified in operating activities. Any excess distributions are considered a return of investment and classified in investing activities.
Our financial statements also reflect our proportionate interests in certain jointly owned utility facilities. See Note 7,8, Jointly Owned Utility Facilities, for more information.
(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.
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| | | | | | | |
20192021 Form 10-K | 7687 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include marketable debt securities with an original maturity of three months or less.
(d) Operating Revenues—The following discussion includes our significant accounting policies related to operating revenues. For additional required disclosures on disaggregation of operating revenues, see Note 4, Operating Revenues.
Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Electric Utility Operating Revenues
Electricity sales to residential and commercial and industrial customers are generally accomplished through requirements contracts, which provide for the delivery of as much electricity as the customer needs. These contracts represent discrete deliveries of electricity and consist of 1 distinct performance obligation satisfied over time, as the electricity is delivered and consumed by the customer simultaneously. For our Wisconsin residential and commercial and industrial customers and the majority of our Michigan residential and commercial and industrial customers, our performance obligation is bundled to consist of both the sale and the delivery of the electric commodity. In our Michigan service territory, a limited number of residential and commercial and industrial customers can purchase the commodity from a third party. In this case, the delivery of the electricity represents our sole performance obligation.
The transaction price of the performance obligations for residential and commercial and industrial customers is valued using the rates, charges, terms, and conditions of service included in the tariffs of our regulated electric utilities, which have been approved by state regulators. These rates often have a fixed component customer charge and a usage-based variable component charge. We recognize revenue for the fixed component customer charge monthly using a time-based output method. We recognize revenue for the usage-based variable component charge using an output method based on the quantity of electricity delivered each month. Our retail electric rates in Wisconsin include base amounts for fuel and purchased power costs, which also impact our revenues. 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 exceedbeyond a 2% price variance from the costs included in the rates charged to customers. Our electric utilities monitor the deferral of under-collected costs to ensure that it does not cause them to earn a greater ROE than authorized by the PSCW. In contrast, the rates of our Michigan retail electric customers include recovery of fuel and purchased power costs on a one-for-one basis. In addition, the Wisconsin residential tariffs of WE and WPS include 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. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on how COVID-19 has affected the cost recovery mechanisms for our utility companies.
Wholesale customers who resell power can choose to either bundle capacity and electricity services together under 1 contract with a supplier or purchase capacity and electricity separately from multiple suppliers. Furthermore, wholesale customers can choose to have our utilities provide generation to match the customer's load, similar to requirements contracts, or they can purchase specified quantities of electricity and capacity. Contracts with wholesale customers that include capacity bundled with the delivery of electricity contain 2 performance obligations, as capacity and electricity are often transacted separately in the marketplace at the wholesale level. When recognizing revenue associated with these contracts, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. Revenue is recognized as control of each individual component is transferred to the customer. Electricity is the primary product sold by our electric utilities and represents a single performance obligation satisfied over time through discrete deliveries to a customer. Revenue from electricity sales is generally recognized as units are produced and delivered to the customer within the production month. Capacity represents the reservation of an electric generating facility and conveys the ability to call on a plant to produce electricity when needed by the customer. The nature of our performance obligation as it relates to capacity is to stand ready to deliver power. This represents a single performance obligation transferred over time, which generally represents a monthly obligation. Accordingly, capacity revenue is recognized on a monthly basis.
The transaction price of the performance obligations for wholesale customers is valued using the rates, charges, terms, and conditions of service, which have been approved by the FERC. These wholesale rates include recovery of fuel and purchased power costs from customers on a one-for-one basis. For the majority of our wholesale customers, the price billed for energy and capacity is a formula-based rate. Formula-based rates initially set a customer's current year rates based on the previous year’s expenses. This is a predetermined formula derived from the utility's costs and a reasonable rate of return. Because these rates are eventually trued up to reflect actual, current-year costs, they represent a form of variable consideration in certain circumstances. The variable
| | | | | | | | |
2021 Form 10-K | 88 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
consideration is estimated and recognized over time as wholesale customers receive and consume the capacity and electricity services.
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2019 Form 10-K | 77 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
We are an active participant in the MISO Energy Markets, where we bid our generation into the Day Ahead and Real Time markets and procure electricity for our retail and wholesale customers at prices determined by the MISO Energy Markets. Purchase and sale transactions are recorded using settlement information provided by MISO. These purchase and sale transactions are accounted for on a net hourly position. Net purchases in a single hour are recorded as purchased power in cost of sales, and net sales in a single hour are recorded as resale revenues on our income statements. For resale revenues, our performance obligation is created only when electricity is sold into the MISO Energy Markets.
For all of our customers, consistent with the timing of when we recognize revenue, customer billings generally occur on a monthly basis, with payments typically due in full within 30 days.
Natural Gas Utility Operating Revenues
We recognize natural gas utility operating revenues under requirements contracts with residential, commercial and industrial, and transportation customers served under the tariffs of our regulated utilities. Tariffs provide our customers with the standard terms and conditions, including rates, related to the services offered. Requirements contracts provide for the delivery of as much natural gas as the customer needs. These requirements contracts represent discrete deliveries of natural gas and constitute a single performance obligation satisfied over time. Our performance obligation is both created and satisfied with the transfer of control of natural gas upon delivery to the customer. For most of our customers, natural gas is delivered and consumed by the customer simultaneously. A performance obligation can be bundled to consist of both the sale and the delivery of the natural gas commodity. In certain of our service territories, customers can purchase the commodity from a third party. In this case, the performance obligation only includes the delivery of the natural gas to the customer.
The transaction price of the performance obligations for our natural gas customers is valued using the rates, charges, terms, and conditions of service included in the tariffs of our regulated utilities, which have been approved by state regulators. These rates often have a fixed component customer charge and a usage-based variable component charge. We recognize revenue for the fixed component customer charge monthly using a time-based output method. We recognize revenue for the usage-based variable component charge using an output method based on natural gas delivered each month.
The tariffs of our natural gas utilities include various rate mechanisms that allow them to recover or refund changes in prudently incurred costs from rate case-approved amounts. The rates for all of our natural gas utilities include one-for-one recovery mechanisms for natural gas commodity costs. WeUnder normal circumstances, 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. However, as a result of the extreme weather in the Midwest in February 2021, the cost of gas purchased for our natural gas customers was temporarily driven significantly higher than our normal winter weather expectations. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on the recovery of these high natural gas costs.
In addition, the rates of PGL and NSG, and the residential tariffs of WE, WPS, and WG, include riders or other mechanisms for cost recovery or refund of uncollectible expense based on the difference between actual uncollectible write-offs and the amounts recovered in rates. The rates of PGL and NSG include riders for cost recovery of both environmental cleanup costs and energy conservation and management program costs, andcosts. Finally, PGL's rates include a rider for income tax expense changes resulting from the Tax Legislation. Finally, PGL's rates includeLegislation and a cost recovery mechanism for SMP costs and, and similarly, MERC's rates include a riderriders to recover costs incurred to replace or modify natural gas facilities. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on how COVID-19 has affected the cost recovery mechanisms for our company.
Consistent with the timing of when we recognize revenue, customer billings generally occur on a monthly basis, with payments typically due in full within 30 days.
Other Natural Gas Operating Revenues
We have other natural gas operating revenues from Bluewater, which is in our non-utility energy infrastructure segment. Bluewater has entered into long-term service agreements for natural gas storage services with WE, WPS, and WG, and also provides limited service to several unaffiliated customers. All amounts associated with services from affiliatesthe service agreements with WE, WPS, and WG have been eliminated at the consolidated level.
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2021 Form 10-K | 89 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Other Non-Utility Operating Revenues
Wind generation revenues from WECI's ownership interests in wind generation facilities continued to grow with new acquisitions in 2021. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on recent acquisitions. Most of these wind generation facilities have offtake agreements with unaffiliated third parties for all of the energy to be produced by the facility, some of which are bundled with capacity and RECs. We consider bundled energy, capacity and RECs within these offtake agreements to be distinct performance obligations as each are often transacted separately in the marketplace.
When recognizing revenue associated with these contracts, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. Revenue is recognized as control of each individual component is transferred to the customer. Revenue from the sale of this renewable energy is generally recognized as units are produced and delivered to the customer within the production month. Capacity represents the reservation of the renewable generation facility and conveys the ability to call on the wind facility to produce electricity when needed by the customer. The nature of our performance obligation as it relates to capacity is to stand ready to deliver power. This represents a single performance obligation transferred over time, which generally represents a monthly obligation. Accordingly, capacity revenue is recognized on a monthly basis. The performance obligation for RECs is recognized at a point-in-time; however, the timing of revenue recognition is the same, as the generation of renewable energy and the recognition of REC revenues occur concurrently.
Non-utility operating revenues are also derived from servicing appliances for customers at MERC. These contracts customarily have a duration of one year or less and consist of a single performance obligation satisfied over time. We use a time-based output method to recognize revenues monthly for the service fee.
Consistent with the timing of when we recognize revenue, customer billings for the wind generation and servicing revenues generally occur on a monthly basis, with payments typically due in full within 30 days.
As part of the construction of the We Power electric generating units, we capitalized interest during construction, which is included in property, plant, and equipment. As allowed by the PSCW, we collected these carrying costs from WE's utility customers during construction. The equity portion of these carrying costs was recorded as a contract liability, which is presented as deferred revenue, and wenet on our balance sheets. We continually amortize the deferred carrying costs to revenues over the life of the related lease term that We Power has with WE. During 20192021, 2020, and 2018,2019, we recorded $25.4$23.3 million, $22.9 million, and $25.3$25.4 million, respectively, of revenuerevenues related to these deferred carrying costs, which were included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period. This contract liability is presented as deferred revenue, net on our balance sheets.costs.
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2019 Form 10-K | 78 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Non-utility operating revenues are also derived from servicing appliances for customers at MERC. These contracts customarily have a duration of one year or less and consist of a single performance obligation satisfied over time. We use a time-based output method to recognize revenues monthly for the service fee.
Revenues from distributed renewable solar projects consist primarily of sales of renewable energy and SRECs generated by PDL. The sale of SRECs is a distinct performance obligation as they are often sold separately from the renewable energy generated. Although the performance obligation for the sale of renewable energy is recognized over time and the performance obligation for SRECs is recognized at a point-in-time, the timing of revenue recognition is the same, as the generation of renewable energy and sales of SREC's occur concurrently. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information on the sale of certain of these solar facilities.
Wind generation revenues from WECI's ownership interests in wind generation facilities continued to grow with the acquisition of Upstream in January 2019. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on Upstream, the December 2018 acquisition of Coyote Ridge, and other planned future acquisitions. Most of these wind generation facilities have offtake agreements with unaffiliated third parties for all of the energy to be produced by the facility. The contracts consist of 1 distinct performance obligation satisfied over time, as the electricity is delivered and consumed by the customer simultaneously. We recognize revenue as energy is produced and delivered to the customer within the production month. Upstream's revenue is substantially fixed over 10 years through an agreement with an unaffiliated third party.
Other Operating Revenues
Alternative Revenues
Alternative revenues are created from programs authorized by regulators that allow our utilities to record additional revenues by adjusting rates in the future, usually as a surcharge applied to future billings, in response to past activities or completed events. Alternative revenue programs allow compensation for the effects of weather abnormalities, other external factors, or demand side management initiatives. Alternative revenue programs can also provide incentive awards if the utility achieves certain objectives and in other limited circumstances. We record alternative revenues when the regulator-specified conditions for recognition have been met. We reverse these alternative revenues as the customer is billed, at which time this revenue is presented as revenues from contracts with customers.
Below is a summary of the alternative revenue programs at our utilities:
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• | •The rates of PGL, NSG, and MERC include decoupling mechanisms. These mechanisms differ by state and allow the utilities to recover or refund the differences between actual and authorized margins for certain customer classes. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information. •PGL and NSG were authorized to implement a SPC rider for the recovery of incremental direct costs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, foregone late fees and reconnection charges, and the costs associated with their bill payment assistance programs. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information. •See Note 25, Regulatory Environment, for more information. |
MERC’s rates include a conservation improvement program rider, which includes a financial incentive for meeting energy savings goals.
•WE and WPS provide wholesale electric service to customers under market-based rates and FERC formula rates. The customer is charged a base rate each year based upon a formula using prior year actual costs and customer demand. A true-up is calculated
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2021 Form 10-K | 90 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
based on the difference between the amount billed to customers for the demand component of their rates and what the actual cost of service was for the year. The true-up can result in an amount that we will recover from or refund to the customer. We consider the true-up portion of the wholesale electric revenues to be alternative revenues.
(e) Credit Losses—The following discussion includes our significant accounting policies related to credit losses. For additional required disclosures on credit losses, see Note 5, Credit Losses.
Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted FASB ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, using the modified retrospective transition method. This ASU amends the impairment model to utilize an expected loss methodology in place of the incurred loss methodology for financial instruments, including trade receivables. The amendment requires entities to consider a broader range of information to estimate expected credit losses, which may result in earlier recognition of loss. The cumulative effect of adopting this standard was not significant to our financial statements.
Our exposure to credit losses is related to our accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances, which are primarily generated from the sale of electricity and natural gas by our regulated utility operations. Credit losses associated with our utility operations are analyzed at the reportable segment level as we believe contract terms, political and economic risks, and the regulatory environment are similar at this level as our reportable segments are generally based on the geographic location of the underlying utility operations.
We have an accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balance associated with our non-utility energy infrastructure segment, related to the sale of electricity from our majority-owned wind generating facilities through agreements with several large high credit quality counterparties. At the corporate and other segment, we had an accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balance at the beginning of 2020 related to the PDL residential solar facilities, which were sold in November 2020. See Note 3, Dispositions, for more information.
We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances considering a combination of factors. For some of our larger customers and also in circumstances where we become aware of a specific customer's inability to meet its financial obligations to us, we record a specific allowance for credit losses against amounts due in order to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. For all other customers, we use the accounts receivable aging method to calculate an allowance for credit losses. Using this method, we classify accounts receivable into different aging buckets and calculate a reserve percentage for each aging bucket based upon historical loss rates. The calculated reserve percentages are updated on at least an annual basis, in order to ensure recent macroeconomic, political, and regulatory trends are captured in the calculation, to the extent possible. Risks identified that we do not believe are reflected in the calculated reserve percentages, are assessed on a quarterly basis to determine whether further adjustments are required.
We monitor our ongoing credit exposure through active review of counterparty accounts receivable balances against contract terms and due dates. Our activities include timely account reconciliation, dispute resolution and payment confirmation. To the extent possible, we work with customers with past due balances to negotiate payment plans, but will disconnect customers for non-payment as allowed by our regulators, if necessary, and employ collection agencies and legal counsel to pursue recovery of defaulted receivables. For our larger customers, detailed credit review procedures may be performed in advance of any sales being made. We sometimes require letters of credit, parental guarantees, prepayments or other forms of credit assurance from our larger customers to mitigate credit risk. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for information on certain regulatory actions that were and/or are being taken for the purpose of ensuring that essential utility services are available to our customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(f) Materials, Supplies, and Inventories—Our inventory as of December 31 consisted of:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Natural gas in storage | | $ | 326.0 | | | $ | 224.9 | |
Materials and supplies | | 225.3 | | | 218.1 | |
Fossil fuel | | 84.5 | | | 85.6 | |
Total | | $ | 635.8 | | | $ | 528.6 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2019 | | 2018 |
Materials and supplies | | $ | 234.2 |
| | $ | 226.6 |
|
Natural gas in storage | | 227.7 |
| | 232.9 |
|
Fossil fuel | | 87.9 |
| | 88.7 |
|
Total | | $ | 549.8 |
| | $ | 548.2 |
|
PGL and NSG price natural gas storage injections at the calendar year average of the costs of natural gas supply purchased. Withdrawals from storage are priced on the LIFO cost method. Inventories stated on a LIFO basis represented approximately 19% and 16%22% of total inventories at December 31, 20192021 and 2018,2020, respectively. The estimated replacement cost of natural gas in inventory at December 31, 20192021 and 2018,2020, exceeded the LIFO cost by $9.8$114.2 million and $72.4$31.5 million, respectively. In calculating
| | | | | | | | |
2021 Form 10-K | 91 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
these replacement amounts, PGL and NSG used a Chicago city-gate natural gas price per Dth of $1.95$3.67 at December 31, 2019,2021, and $3.08$2.31 at December 31, 2018.2020.
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2019 Form 10-K | 79 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Substantially all other materials and supplies, natural gas in storage, materials and supplies, and fossil fuel inventories are recorded using the weighted-average cost method of accounting.
(f)(g) Regulatory Assets and Liabilities—The economic effects of regulation can result in regulated companies recording costs and revenues that are allowed in the rate-making process in a period different from the period they would have been recognized by a nonregulated company. When this occurs, regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities are recorded on the balance sheet. Regulatory assets represent deferred costs probable of recovery from customers that would have otherwise been charged to expense. Regulatory liabilities represent amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers in future rates or future costs already collected from customers in rates.
The recovery or refund of regulatory assets and liabilities is based on specific periods determined by our regulators or occurs over the normal operating period of the related assets and liabilities. If a previously recorded regulatory asset is no longer probable of recovery, the regulatory asset is reduced to the amount considered probable of recovery, and the reduction is charged to expense in the current period. See Note 5,6, Regulatory Assets and Liabilities, for more information.
(g)(h) 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 applicable regulators. Annual utility composite depreciation rates are shown below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Annual Utility Composite Depreciation Rates | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
WE | | 3.09% | | 3.19% | | 3.11% |
WPS | | 2.66% | | 2.63% | | 2.44% |
WG | | 2.44% | | 2.33% | | 2.29% |
PGL | | 3.12% | | 3.16% | | 3.20% |
NSG | | 2.52% | | 2.48% | | 2.48% |
MERC | | 2.58% | | 2.47% | | 2.33% |
MGU | | 2.70% | | 2.67% | | 2.54% |
UMERC | | 2.94% | | 2.97% | | 2.87% |
|
| | | | | | |
Annual Utility Composite Depreciation Rates | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
WE | | 3.11% | | 3.18% | | 2.95% |
WPS | | 2.44% | | 2.50% | | 2.55% |
WG | | 2.29% | | 2.30% | | 2.30% |
PGL | | 3.20% | | 3.25% | | 3.29% |
NSG | | 2.48% | | 2.45% | | 2.43% |
MERC * | | 2.33% | | 1.95% | | 2.51% |
MGU | | 2.54% | | 2.61% | | 2.61% |
UMERC | | 2.87% | | 2.50% | | 2.46% |
| |
* | The 2018 rate reflects the impact of a new depreciation study approved by the MPUC in May 2018. The rates approved were effective retroactive to January 2017. An approximate $1.4 million reduction in depreciation expense was recorded in 2018 related to this depreciation study. |
We depreciate our We Power assets over the estimated useful life of the various property components. The components have useful lives of between 10 to 45 years for PWGS 1 and PWGS 2 and 10 to 55 years for ER 1 and ER 2.
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 3 to 15 years. If software is retired prior to being fully amortized, the difference is recorded as a loss on the income statement.
Third parties reimburse the utilities 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 6,7, Property, Plant, and Equipment, for more information.
(h)(i) 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.
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20192021 Form 10-K | 8092 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
The majority of AFUDC is recorded at WE, WPS, WBS, WG, and UMERC. Approximately 50% of WE's, WPS's, WG's, UMERC's, and WBS's retail jurisdictional CWIP expenditures are subject to the AFUDC calculation. The AFUDC calculation for WBS uses the WPS AFUDC retail rate, while our other utilities' AFUDC rates are determined by their respective state commissions, each with specific requirements. Based on these requirements, the other utilities did not record significant AFUDC for 2019, 2018, or 2017. Average AFUDC rates are shown below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2021 |
| | Average AFUDC Retail Rate | | Average AFUDC Wholesale Rate |
WE | | 8.68% | | 1.79% |
WPS | | 7.55% | | 1.04% |
WG | | 8.32% | | N/A |
UMERC | | 6.28% | | N/A |
WBS | | 7.55% | | N/A |
|
| | | | |
| | 2019 |
| | Average AFUDC Retail Rate | | Average AFUDC Wholesale Rate |
WE | | 8.45% | | 5.11% |
WPS | | 7.72% | | 2.58% |
WG | | 8.33% | | N/A |
UMERC | | 6.28% | | N/A |
WBS | | 7.72% | | N/A |
Our regulated utilities and WBS recorded the following AFUDC for the years ended December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
AFUDC – Debt | | | | | | |
WE | | $ | 2.9 | | | $ | 2.6 | | | $ | 1.5 | |
WPS | | 3.5 | | | 4.6 | | | 2.4 | |
WG | | 0.2 | | | 0.6 | | | 0.5 | |
UMERC | | 0.1 | | | — | | | 1.3 | |
WBS | | 0.1 | | | 0.1 | | | 0.1 | |
Other | | — | | | 0.1 | | | 0.1 | |
Total AFUDC – Debt | | $ | 6.8 | | | $ | 8.0 | | | $ | 5.9 | |
| | | | | | |
AFUDC – Equity | | | | | | |
WE | | $ | 7.9 | | | $ | 7.0 | | | $ | 3.7 | |
WPS | | 9.0 | | | 11.8 | | | 5.7 | |
WG | | 0.6 | | | 1.6 | | | 1.3 | |
UMERC | | 0.1 | | | 0.1 | | | 3.3 | |
WBS | | 0.2 | | | 0.2 | | | 0.2 | |
Other | | 0.2 | | | 0.2 | | | 0.2 | |
Total AFUDC – Equity | | $ | 18.0 | | | $ | 20.9 | | | $ | 14.4 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
AFUDC – Debt | |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
WE | | $ | 1.5 |
| | $ | 1.5 |
| | $ | 1.2 |
|
WPS | | 2.4 |
| | 1.9 |
| | 1.6 |
|
WG | | 0.5 |
| | 0.2 |
| | 0.3 |
|
UMERC | | 1.3 |
| | 2.4 |
| | 0.1 |
|
WBS | | 0.1 |
| | 0.2 |
| | 1.1 |
|
Other | | 0.1 |
| | 0.7 |
| | 0.6 |
|
Total AFUDC – Debt | | $ | 5.9 |
| | $ | 6.9 |
| | $ | 4.9 |
|
| | | | | | |
AFUDC – Equity | |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
WE | | $ | 3.7 |
| | $ | 3.9 |
| | $ | 3.1 |
|
WPS | | 5.7 |
| | 4.6 |
| | 4.1 |
|
WG | | 1.3 |
| | 0.6 |
| | 0.9 |
|
UMERC | | 3.3 |
| | 5.4 |
| | 0.2 |
|
WBS | | 0.2 |
| | 0.6 |
| | 3.0 |
|
Other | | 0.2 |
| | 0.1 |
| | 0.1 |
|
Total AFUDC – Equity | | $ | 14.4 |
| | $ | 15.2 |
| | $ | 11.4 |
|
(i)(j) Cloud Computing Hosting Arrangements that are Service Contracts—We have entered into several cloud computing arrangements that are hosted service contracts as part of projects related to the continuous transformation of technology. These projects include, among other things, developing a centralized repository for data to improve analytics and reporting, targeted ERPenterprise resource planning systems, a project management tool, and a power generation employee scheduling system. We present prepaid hosting fees that are service contracts in either prepayments or other long-term assets on our balance sheets and amortize them as the hosting services are received. Amortization expense, as well as the fees associated with the hosting arrangements, is recorded in other operation and maintenance expense on our income statements.
As of January 1,At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we started capitalizinghad $3.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively, of capitalized implementation costs related to cloud computing arrangements that are hosted service contracts. We will amortize the implementation costs on a straight-line basis over the cloud computing service arrangement term once the component of the hosted service is ready for its intended use. Amortization and accumulated amortization for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were not significant. The presentation of thesethe implementation costs, along with the related accumulated amortization, will followfollows the prepaid hosting fees.
(j)(k) Asset Impairment—Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are subject to an annual impairment test. Interim impairment tests are performed when impairment indicators are present. Our reporting units containing goodwill perform annual goodwill impairment tests duringDuring the third quarter of each year.year, we perform an annual impairment test at all of our reporting units that carry a goodwill balance. The carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill is considered not recoverable if the carrying amount of the reporting unitunit's net assets exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. An impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the carrying amount of the goodwill over its implied fair value. See Note 9,10, Goodwill and Intangibles, for more information. Intangible assets with definite lives are reviewed for impairment on a quarterly basis.
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20192021 Form 10-K | 8193 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
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-livedLong-lived assets assessed forthat would be subject to an impairment assessment generally include certainany 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, as well as assets within nonregulated operations that are proposed to be sold or are currently generating operating losses. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable and exceeds the fair value of the asset. The carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. An impairment loss is measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the asset in comparison to the fair value of the asset.
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 the applicable criteria to be considered probable of abandonment, and the unit has been abandoned, we assess the likelihood of recovery of the remaining net book value of that generating unit at the end of each reporting period. If it becomes probable that regulators will disallow full recovery as well as a return on the remaining net book value of a generating unit that is either abandoned or probable of being abandoned, an impairment loss may be required. An impairment loss would be recorded if the remaining net book value of the generating unit is greater than the present value of the amount expected to be recovered from ratepayers.ratepayers, using an incremental borrowing rate. See Note 6, Property, Plant,Regulatory Assets and Equipment,Liabilities, for more information.
The carrying amountsWe periodically assess the recoverability of equity method investments when factors indicate the carrying amount of such assets may be impaired. Equity method investments are assessed for impairment by comparing the fair values of these investments to their carrying amounts if a fair value assessment was completed or by reviewing for the presence of impairment indicators. If an impairment exists, and it is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the investment's fair value.
(k)(l) 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 capitalized retirement costs. For our regulated entities, 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 8,9, Asset Retirement Obligations, for more information.
(m) Intangible Liabilities(l)—Our finite-lived intangible liabilities include revenue contracts, consisting of PPAs and a proxy revenue swap, in addition to interconnection agreements, which were all obtained through the acquisitions of wind generation facilities by WECI in our non-utility energy infrastructure segment. Intangible liabilities are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life. Amortization of revenue contracts is recorded within operating revenues in the income statements. Amortization related to the interconnection agreements is recorded within other operation and maintenance in the income statements. The straight-line method of amortization is used because it best reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangibles are consumed or otherwise used. The amounts and useful lives assigned to intangible liabilities assumed impact the amount and timing of future amortization.
(n) Stock-Based Compensation—In accordance with the shareholder approved Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, we provide long-term incentives through our equity interests to our non-employee directors, 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 common stock, cash, or a combination thereof. The number ofIn addition to those shares of common stock authorizedthat are subject to awards outstanding as of May 6, 2021, 9.0 million shares are reserved for issuance under the plan is 34.3 million.plan.
We recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. 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 modified 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 a $15.7 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. As allowed under this ASU, we have elected to We account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimating potential future forfeitures and recording them over the vesting period.
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20192021 Form 10-K | 8294 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Stock Options
We grant non-qualified stock options that generally vest on a cliff-basis after three years. The exercise price of a stock option under the plan cannot be less than 100% of our common stock's fair market value on the grant date. Historically, all stock options have been granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the grant. Options vest immediately upon retirement, death, or disability; however, they may not be exercised within six months of the grant date except in the eventconnection with certain termination of employment events following a change in control. Options expire no later than 10 years from the date of the grant.
Our stock options are classified as equity awards. The fair value of our stock options was calculated using a binomial option-pricing model. The following table shows the estimated weighted-average fair value per stock option granted along with the weighted-average assumptions used in the valuation models:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Stock options granted | | 530,612 | | | 554,594 | | | 476,418 | |
| | | | | | |
Estimated weighted-average fair value per stock option | | $ | 13.20 | | | $ | 10.94 | | | $ | 8.60 | |
| | | | | | |
Assumptions used to value the options: | | | | | | |
Risk-free interest rate | | 0.1% – 0.9% | | 0.2% – 1.9% | | 2.5% – 2.7% |
Dividend yield | | 2.9 | % | | 3.0 | % | | 3.6 | % |
Expected volatility | | 21.0 | % | | 16.3 | % | | 17.0 | % |
Expected life (years) | | 8.7 | | 8.6 | | 8.5 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
Stock options granted | | 476,418 |
| | 710,710 |
| | 552,215 |
|
| | | | | | |
Estimated weighted-average fair value per stock option | | $ | 8.60 |
| | $ | 7.71 |
| | $ | 7.45 |
|
| | | | | | |
Assumptions used to value the options: | | | | | | |
Risk-free interest rate | | 2.5% – 2.7% |
| | 1.6% – 2.8% |
| | 0.7% – 2.5% |
|
Dividend yield | | 3.6 | % | | 3.5 | % | | 3.5 | % |
Expected volatility | | 17.0 | % | | 18.0 | % | | 19.0 | % |
Expected life (years) | | 8.5 |
| | 5.9 |
| | 6.8 |
|
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 our dividend rate at the time of the grant and historical stock prices. Expected volatility and expected life assumptions were based on our historical experience.
Restricted Shares
Restricted shares granted to employees generally have a vesting period of three years with one-third of the award vesting on each anniversary of the grant date. This same vesting schedule is followed for restricted shares that were granted to non-employee directors prior to 2017. Restricted shares granted to certain officers and all non-employee directors after January 1, 2017, fully vest after one year.
Our restricted shares are classified as equity awards.
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 our total shareholder return (stock price appreciation plus dividends) as compared to the total shareholder return of a peer group of companies over three years, as well as other performance metrics as may be determined by the Compensation Committee. Under the terms of the award, participants may earn between 0% and 175% of the performance unit award based on our total shareholder return. Pursuant to the terms of the plan, these percentages can be adjusted upwards or downwards by up to 10% based on our performance against additional performance measures, if any, adopted by the Compensation Committee. Performance units 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 our stock price and performance achievement under the terms of the award. Stock-based compensation costs are generally recorded over the performance period, which is three years.
See Note 10,11, Common Equity, for more information on our stock-based compensation plans.
(m)(o) Earnings Per Share—We compute basic earnings per share by dividing our net income attributed to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed in a similar
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2019 Form 10-K | 83 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
manner, but includes the exercise and/or conversion of all potentially dilutive securities. Such dilutive securities include in-the-moneyin-the-
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2021 Form 10-K | 95 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
money stock options. The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 excluded 769,030 and 207,445 stock options, respectively, that had an anti-dilutive effect. There were 0no securities that had an anti-dilutive effect for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.
(n)
(p) Leases—In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which revised the previous guidance (Topic 840) regarding accounting for leases. Revisions include requiring a lessee toWe recognize a leaseright of use asset and a lease liability on its balance sheet for each lease, including operating and finance leases with an initiala term of greater than 12 months. In addition, required quantitative and qualitative disclosures related to lease agreements were expanded.
one year. As required,a policy election, we adopted Topic 842 effective January 1, 2019. We utilized the following practical expedients, which were available under ASU 2016-02, in our adoption of the new lease guidance.
We did not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts were leases or contained leases.
We did not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases (that is, all leases that were classified as operating leases in accordance with Topic 840 continue to be classified as operating leases, and all leases that were classified as capital leases in accordance with Topic 840 are classified as finance leases).
We did not reassess the accounting for initial direct costs for any existing leases.
We did not elect the practical expedient allowing entities to account for the nonlease components in lease contracts as part of the single lease component to which they were related. Instead, in accordance with ASC 842-10-15-31, our policy is to account for each lease component separately from the nonlease components of thea contract.
We did not elect the practical expedient to use hindsight in determining the lease term and in assessing impairment of our right of use assets. NaN impairment losses were included in the measurement of our right of use assets upon our adoption of Topic 842.
In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842, which is an amendment to ASU 2016-02. Land easements (also commonly referred to as rights of way) represent the right to use, access or cross another entity's land for a specified purpose. This new guidance permits an entity to elect a transitional practical expedient, to be applied consistently, to not evaluate under Topic 842 land easements that were already in existence or had expired at the time of the entity's adoption of Topic 842. Once Topic 842 is adopted, an entity is required to apply Topic 842 prospectively to all new (or modified) land easements to determine whether the arrangement should be accounted for as a lease. We elected this practical expedient, resulting in NaN of our land easements being treated as leases upon our adoption of Topic 842.
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which amends ASU 2016-02 and allows entities the option to initially apply Topic 842 at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption, if required. We used the optional transition method to apply the new guidance as of January 1, 2019, rather than as of the earliest period presented. We did not require a cumulative-effect adjustment upon adoption of Topic 842.
Right of use assets and related lease liabilities related to our operating leases that were recorded upon adoption of Topic 842 were $49.0 million and $48.8 million, respectively. Regarding our power purchase agreement that meets the criteria of a finance lease, while the adoption of Topic 842 changed the classification of expense related to this lease on a prospective basis, it had 0 impact on the total amount of lease expense recorded, and did not impact the lease asset and related liability amounts recorded on our balance sheets.
Significant Judgments and Other Information
We are currently party to several easement agreements that allow us access to land we do not own for the purpose of constructing and maintaining certain electric power and natural gas equipment. The majority of payments we make related to easements relate to our wind generating facilities. We have not classified our easements as leases because we view the entire parcel of land specified in our easement agreements to be the identified asset, not just that portion of the parcel that contains our easement. As such, we have concluded that we do not control the use of an identified asset related to our easement agreements, nor do we obtain substantially all of the economic benefits associated with these shared-use assets.
As of February 27, 2020, we have not entered into any material leases that have not yet commenced.
See Note 14,15, Leases, for more information.
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2019 Form 10-K | 84 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
(o)(q) 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 creditsITCs associated with regulated operations are deferred and amortized over the life of the assets. Production tax creditsPTCs are recognized in the period in which such credits are generated. The amount of the credit is based upon power production from our qualifying generation facilities. We file a consolidated federal income tax return. Accordingly, we allocate federal current tax expense, benefits, and credits to our subsidiaries based on their separate tax computations and our ability to monetize all credits on our consolidated federal return. See Note 15,16, Income Taxes, for more information.
We recognize interest and penalties accrued, related to unrecognized tax benefits, in income tax expense in our income statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income. The amendments in this update allowed entities to reclassify the income tax effects that are stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a result of the Tax Legislation to retained earnings. These amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted the amendments in the fourth quarter of 2018 and reclassified the stranded tax effects associated with the Tax Legislation from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. As of December 31, 2018, our accumulated other comprehensive income decreased $0.6 million as a result of adopting ASU 2018-02. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on our results of operations or cash flows.
(p)(r) 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
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2021 Form 10-K | 96 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
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 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.
See Note 16,17, Fair Value Measurements, for more information.
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2019 Form 10-K | 85 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
(q)(s) Derivative Instruments—We use derivatives as part of our risk management program to manage the risks associated with the price volatility of interest rates, purchased power, generation, and natural gas costs for the benefit of our customers and shareholders. Our approach is non-speculative and designed to mitigate risk. Regulated hedging programs are approved by our state regulators.
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, our regulators allow 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. 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 17,18, Derivative Instruments, for more information.
(r)(t) Guarantees—We follow the guidance of the Guarantees Topic of the FASB ASC, which requires, under certain circumstances, that the guarantor recognize a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee at its inception. See Note 18,19, Guarantees, for more information.
(s)(u) Employee Benefits—The costs of pension and OPEB plans are expensed over the periods during which employees render service. These costs are distributed among our subsidiaries based on current employment status and actuarial calculations, as applicable. Our regulators allow recovery in rates for the utilities' net periodic benefit cost calculated under GAAP. See Note 19,20, Employee Benefits, for more information.
(t)(v) 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.
(u)(w) 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 sitesresidual landfills and manufactured gas plant sites. See Note 8,9, Asset Retirement Obligations, for more information regarding coal combustion product landfill sitesresidual landfills and Note 23,24, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information regarding manufactured gas plant sites.
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2021 Form 10-K | 97 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
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 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.
Our utilities 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 applicable state Commission'sregulatory commission's approval.
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2019 Form 10-K | 86 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
We review our estimated costs of remediation annually for our manufactured gas plant sites and coal combustion product landfill sites.residual landfills. 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.
(v)(x) Customer Concentrations of Credit Risk—We provide regulated electric service to customers in Wisconsin and Michigan and regulated natural gas service to customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan. 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. Credit risk exposure at WE, WPS, WG, PGL, and NSG is mitigated by their recovery mechanisms for uncollectible expense discussed in Note 1(d), Operating Revenues. As a result, we did not have any significant concentrations of credit risk at December 31, 2019.2021. In addition, there were 0no customers that accounted for more than 10% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019.2021.
NOTE 2—ACQUISITIONS
On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805):In accordance with Topic 805: Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01). The amendments in this update clarify the definition of a business, transactions are evaluated and provide guidance on evaluating whether transactions should beare accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 also clarifies thatbusinesses, and transaction costs are capitalized in asset acquisitions. The purchase price of certain acquisitions described below includes intangibles recorded as long-term liabilities related to PPAs, an interconnection agreement, and a proxy revenue swap. See Note 10, Goodwill and Intangibles, for more information.
Acquisition of Electric Generation Facility in Wisconsin
In November 2021, WE and WPS signed an asset purchase agreement to acquire Whitewater, a commercially operational 236.5 MW dual fueled (natural gas and low sulfur fuel oil) combined cycle electrical generation facility in Whitewater, Wisconsin, for $72.7 million. The transaction is expected to close in January 2023. In December 2021, WE and WPS filed an application with the PSCW for approval to acquire Whitewater. See Note 15, Leases, for more information.
Acquisition of Wind Generation Facilities in Illinois
In June 2021, WECI signed an agreement to acquire a 90% ownership interest in Sapphire Sky, a 250 MW wind generating facility under construction in McLean County, Illinois, for approximately $412 million. The project has an offtake agreement with an unaffiliated third party for all of the energy to be produced by the facility for a period of 12 years. WECI's investment in Sapphire Sky is expected to qualify for PTCs. The transaction is subject to FERC approval and commercial operation is expected to begin by the end of 2022, at which time the transaction is expected to close. Sapphire Sky will be included in the non-utility energy infrastructure segment.
In December 2020, WECI completed the acquisition but expensedof a 90% ownership interest in Blooming Grove, a business combination.commercially operational 250 MW wind generating facility in McLean County, Illinois, for a total investment of $364.6 million, which includes transaction costs and is net of restricted cash acquired of $24.1 million. Blooming Grove has offtake agreements for all the energy produced with affiliates of two investment grade multinational companies for 12 years. WECI's investment in Blooming Grove qualifies for PTCs. Blooming Grove is included in the non-utility energy infrastructure segment.
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2021 Form 10-K | 98 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition.
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(in millions) | | |
Net property, plant, and equipment | | $ | 488.3 | |
Accounts receivable | | 0.3 | |
| | |
Other long-term assets | | 2.9 | |
| | |
Accounts payable | | (13.7) | |
Other current liabilities | | (1.5) | |
Long-term liabilities | | (68.7) | |
Noncontrolling interest | | (43.0) | |
Total purchase price | | $ | 364.6 | |
Acquisition of a Wind Generation Facility in Kansas
In February 2021, WECI completed the acquisition of a 90% ownership interest in Jayhawk, a 190 MW wind generating facility in Bourbon and Crawford counties, Kansas, for $119.9 million, which included transaction costs. This project became commercially operational in December 2021. Subsequent to the acquisition, WECI incurred an additional $147.4 million of capital expenditures for the project for a total investment of $267.3 million. The project has an offtake agreement with an unaffiliated third party for all of the energy to be produced by the facility for a period of 10 years. WECI's investment in Jayhawk qualifies for PTCs. WECI is entitled to 99% of the tax benefits related to this facility for the first 10 years of commercial operation, after which we will be entitled to tax benefits equal to our ownership interest. Jayhawk is included in the non-utility energy infrastructure segment.
The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition.
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(in millions) | | |
Net property, plant, and equipment | | $ | 145.3 | |
Long-term liabilities | | (11.8) | |
Long-term debt | | (7.3) | |
Noncontrolling interest | | (6.3) | |
Total purchase price | | $ | 119.9 | |
Acquisition of a Wind Generation Facility in South Dakota
In December 2020, WECI completed the acquisition of an 85% ownership interest in Tatanka Ridge, a 155 MW wind generating facility in Deuel County, South Dakota, that became commercially operational in January 2021. WECI's total investment was $239.9 million, which included transaction costs. Tatanka Ridge has offtake agreements for all the energy produced with an affiliate of an investment grade multinational company for 12 years and a well-established electric cooperative that serves utilities in multiple states for 10 years. WECI's investment in Tatanka Ridge qualifies for PTCs. WECI is entitled to 99% of the tax benefits related to this facility for the first 11 years of commercial operation, after which we will be entitled to tax benefits equal to our ownership interest. Tatanka Ridge is included in the non-utility energy infrastructure segment.
The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition.
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(in millions) | | |
Current assets | | $ | 37.3 | |
Net property, plant, and equipment | | 301.2 | |
Current liabilities | | (37.3) | |
Long-term liabilities | | (19.3) | |
Noncontrolling interest | | (42.0) | |
Total purchase price | | $ | 239.9 | |
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2021 Form 10-K | 99 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Acquisition of Wind Generation Facilities in Nebraska
In August 2019, WECI signed an agreement to acquire an 80% ownership interest in Thunderhead, a 300 MW wind generating facility under construction in Antelope and Wheeler counties in Nebraska, for a total investment of approximately $338 million. In February 2020, WECI agreed to acquire an additional 10% ownership interest in Thunderhead for $43 million. The project has an offtake agreement with an unaffiliated third party for all of the energy to be produced by the facility for 12 years. Under the Tax Legislation, WECI's investment in Thunderhead is expected to qualify for production tax credits and 100% bonus depreciation.PTCs. The transaction is subject towas approved by FERC approvalin April 2020, and commercial operation iswas initially expected to begin atby the end of 2020, at which time2020. However, due to a delay in construction of the required substation, Thunderhead is now expected to begin commercial operation during the first half of 2022. The transaction is expected to close.close upon commercial operation. Thunderhead will be included in the non-utility energy infrastructure segment.
In January 2019, WECI completed the acquisition of an 80% ownership interest in Upstream, a commercially operational 202.5 MW wind generating facility, for $268.2 million, which included transaction costs and is net of cash and restricted cash acquired of $9.2 million. In February 2020, WECI signed an agreement to acquire an additional 10% ownership interest in Upstream for $31$31.0 million. Upstream is located in Antelope County, Nebraska and supplies energy to the Southwest Power Pool. Upstream's revenue will be substantially fixed over 10 years through an agreement with an unaffiliated third party. Under the Tax Legislation, WECI's investment in Upstream qualifies for production tax credits and 100% bonus depreciation.PTCs. Upstream is included in the non-utility energy infrastructure segment.
The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition.
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(in millions) | | |
Current assets | | $ | 1.5 |
|
Net property, plant, and equipment | | 341.6 |
|
Other long-term assets * | | 22.9 |
|
Current liabilities | | (4.6 | ) |
Long-term liabilities | | (15.0 | ) |
Noncontrolling interest | | (69.0 | ) |
Total purchase price | | $ | 277.4 |
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* | Includes $8.1 million of restricted cash. |
Acquisitionacquisition of a Wind Generation Facility in South Dakota
In December 2018, WECI acquired anthe initial 80% ownership interest in Coyote Ridge, a 96.7 MW wind generating facility located in Brookings County, South Dakota, for $61.4 million, which included transaction costs. In December 2019, Coyote Ridge achieved commercial operation and WECI made an additional investment of $84.0 million related to capital expenditures for the project for aUpstream.
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2019 Form 10-K | 87 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
total investment of $145.4 million. The project has an offtake agreement with an unaffiliated third party for all of the energy produced for 12 years. Under the Tax Legislation, WECI's investment in Coyote Ridge qualifies for production tax credits and 100% bonus depreciation. WECI is entitled to 99% of the tax benefits related to this facility for the first 11 years of commercial operation, after which we will be entitled to tax benefits equal to our ownership interest. Coyote Ridge is included in the non-utility energy infrastructure segment.
The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired at the date of the acquisition.
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(in millions) | | |
Net property, plant, and equipment | | $ | 66.4 |
|
Noncontrolling interest | | (5.0 | ) |
Total purchase price | | $ | 61.4 |
|
Acquisition of Wind Generation Facilities in Illinois
In January 2020, WECI signed an agreement to acquire an 80% ownership interest in Blooming Grove, a 250 MW wind generating facility under construction in McLean County, Illinois, for a total investment of approximately $345 million. In February 2020, WECI agreed to acquire an additional 10% ownership interest in Blooming Grove for $44 million. Blooming Grove has long-term offtake agreements for all the energy produced with affiliates of two investment grade multinational companies. Under the Tax Legislation, WECI's investment in Blooming Grove is expected to qualify for production tax credits and 100% bonus depreciation. The transaction is subject to FERC approval and commercial operation is expected to begin by the end of 2020, at which time the transaction is expected to close. In addition to the customary covenants and closing conditions contained in the agreement, if Blooming Grove does not achieve commercial operation by the end of 2020 and any related potential adverse consequences are not otherwise mitigated, we may terminate the agreement in our sole discretion. Blooming Grove will be included in the non-utility energy infrastructure segment.
In August 2018, WECI completed the acquisition of an 80% ownership interest in Bishop Hill III, a 132.1 MW wind generating facility located in Henry County, Illinois, known as Bishop Hill III, for $144.7 million, which includes transaction costs and is net of restricted cash acquired of $4.5 million. In December 2018, WECI completed the acquisition of an additional 10% ownership interest in Bishop Hill III for $18.2 million. Bishop Hill III has an offtake agreement with an unaffiliated company for the sale of all of the energy produced by the facility for 22 years. Under the Tax Legislation, WECI's investment in Bishop Hill III qualifies for production tax credits and 100% bonus depreciation. Bishop Hill III is included in the non-utility energy infrastructure segment.
The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition.
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(in millions) | | |
Current assets | | $ | 1.4 |
|
Net property, plant, and equipment | | 190.2 |
|
Other long-term assets * | | 4.5 |
|
Current liabilities | | (1.6 | ) |
Long-term liabilities | | (8.3 | ) |
Noncontrolling interest | | (18.8 | ) |
Total purchase price | | $ | 167.4 |
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* | Represents restricted cash. |
Acquisition of a Wind Generation Facility in Wisconsin
In April 2018, WPS, along with 2 unaffiliated utilities, completed the purchase of Forward Wind Energy Center, which consists of 86 wind turbines located in Wisconsin with a total capacity of 138 MW. The aggregate purchase price was $172.9 million of which WPS’s proportionate share was 44.6%, or $77.1 million. In addition, WPS incurred $1.9 million of transaction costs that were recorded as a regulatory asset. Since 2008 and up until the acquisition, WPS purchased 44.6% of the facility’s energy output under a power purchase agreement.
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2019 Form 10-KCurrent assets | 88 | WEC Energy Group, Inc.$ | 0.4 | |
Net property, plant, and equipment | | 341.6 | |
Other long-term assets | | 14.8 | |
Current liabilities | | (4.6) | |
Long-term liabilities | | (15.0) | |
Noncontrolling interest | | (69.0) | |
Total purchase price | | $ | 268.2 | |
The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired at the date of the acquisition, which are included in rate base.
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(in millions) | | |
Current assets | | $ | 0.2 |
|
Net property, plant, and equipment | | 76.9 |
|
Total purchase price | | $ | 77.1 |
|
Under a joint ownership agreement with the 2 other utilities, WPS is entitled to its share of generating capability and output of the facility equal to its ownership interest. WPS is also paying its ownership share of additional capital expenditures and operating expenses. Forward Wind Energy Center is included in the Wisconsin segment.
Acquisition of Natural Gas Storage Facilities in Michigan
In June 2017, we completed the acquisition of Bluewater for $226.0 million. Bluewater owns natural gas storage facilities in Michigan that provide approximately one-third of the current storage needs for our Wisconsin natural gas utilities.
The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recognized as goodwill. Bluewater is included in the non-utility energy infrastructure segment.
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(in millions) | | |
Current assets | | $ | 2.0 |
|
Net property, plant, and equipment | | 217.6 |
|
Goodwill | | 7.3 |
|
Current liabilities | | (0.9 | ) |
Total purchase price | | $ | 226.0 |
|
NOTE 3—DISPOSITIONS
Corporate and Other Segment
Sale of Certain WPS Power Development, LLC Solar Power Generation Facilities
In November 2020, we sold a portfolio of residential solar facilities owned by PDL for $10.5 million. These solar facilities were located in California and Hawaii. During the fourth quarter of 2020, we recorded an after-tax gain on the sale of $3.0 million primarily related to the recognition of deferred ITCs, which were included as a reduction of income tax expense 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 of these facilities 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.
In 2019, we sold 4 solar power generation facilities owned by PDL for $26.3 million. These solar facilities were located in Massachusetts. In 2019, we recorded an after-tax gain on the sales of $6.5 million primarily related to the recognition of deferred investment tax credits,ITCs, which were included as a reduction of income tax expense on our income statements. The assets included in the sales were not material and, therefore, were not presented as held for sale. The results of operations of these facilities remained in continuing operations through the sale dates as the sales did not represent a shift in our corporate strategy and did not have a major effect on our operations and financial results.
Sale of Bostco LLC 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, and in October 2018, Bostco was dissolved. 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.
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20192021 Form 10-K | 89100 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
NOTE 4—OPERATING REVENUES
For more information about our significant accounting policies related to operating revenues, see Note 1(d), Operating Revenues.
Disaggregation of Operating Revenues
The following tables present our operating revenues disaggregated by revenue source. We do not have any revenues associated with our electric transmission segment, which includes investments accounted for using the equity method. We disaggregate revenues into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows are affected by economic factors. For our segments, revenues are further disaggregated by electric and natural gas operations and then by customer class. Each customer class within our electric and natural gas operations have different expectations of service, energy and demand requirements, and arecan be impacted differently by regulatory activities within their jurisdictions.
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(in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Utility Operations | | Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure | | Corporate and Other | | Reconciling Eliminations | | WEC Energy Group Consolidated |
Year ended December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electric | | $ | 4,516.6 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,516.6 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,516.6 | |
Natural gas | | 1,490.3 | | | 1,630.3 | | | 494.0 | | | 3,614.6 | | | 46.8 | | | — | | | (43.8) | | | 3,617.6 | |
Total regulated revenues | | 6,006.9 | | | 1,630.3 | | | 494.0 | | | 8,131.2 | | | 46.8 | | | — | | | (43.8) | | | 8,134.2 | |
Other non-utility revenues | | — | | | — | | | 17.8 | | | 17.8 | | | 92.8 | | | — | | | (9.1) | | | 101.5 | |
Total revenues from contracts with customers | | 6,006.9 | | | 1,630.3 | | | 511.8 | | | 8,149.0 | | | 139.6 | | | — | | | (52.9) | | | 8,235.7 | |
Other operating revenues | | 30.1 | | | 42.5 | | | 7.2 | | | 79.8 | | | 399.9 | | | 0.5 | | | (399.9) | | (1) | 80.3 | |
Total operating revenues | | $ | 6,037.0 | | | $ | 1,672.8 | | | $ | 519.0 | | | $ | 8,228.8 | | | $ | 539.5 | | | $ | 0.5 | | | $ | (452.8) | | | $ | 8,316.0 | |
Comparable amounts have not been presented for the year ended December 31, 2017, due to our adoption of ASU 2014-09, Revenues from Contracts with Customers, under the modified retrospective method.
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(in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Utility Operations | | Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure | | Corporate and Other | | Reconciling Eliminations | | WEC Energy Group Consolidated |
Year ended December 31, 2019 | | |
| | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | |
| | |
|
Electric | | $ | 4,307.7 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 4,307.7 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 4,307.7 |
|
Natural gas | | 1,324.1 |
| | 1,332.4 |
| | 411.6 |
| | 3,068.1 |
| | 47.4 |
| | — |
| | (44.1 | ) | | 3,071.4 |
|
Total regulated revenues | | 5,631.8 |
| | 1,332.4 |
| | 411.6 |
| | 7,375.8 |
| | 47.4 |
| | — |
| | (44.1 | ) | | 7,379.1 |
|
Other non-utility revenues | | — |
| | 0.1 |
| | 16.6 |
| | 16.7 |
| | 55.2 |
| | 4.0 |
| | (5.7 | ) | | 70.2 |
|
Total revenues from contracts with customers | | 5,631.8 |
| | 1,332.5 |
| | 428.2 |
| | 7,392.5 |
| | 102.6 |
| | 4.0 |
| | (49.8 | ) | | 7,449.3 |
|
Other operating revenues | | 15.3 |
| | 24.6 |
| | (2.2 | ) | | 37.7 |
| | 393.3 |
| | 0.4 |
| | (357.6 | ) | | 73.8 |
|
Total operating revenues | | $ | 5,647.1 |
| | $ | 1,357.1 |
| | $ | 426.0 |
| | $ | 7,430.2 |
| | $ | 495.9 |
| | $ | 4.4 |
| | $ | (407.4 | ) | | $ | 7,523.1 |
|
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(in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Utility Operations | | Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure | | Corporate and Other | | Reconciling Eliminations | | WEC Energy Group Consolidated |
Year ended December 31, 2018 | | |
| | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | |
| | |
|
Electric | | $ | 4,432.4 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 4,432.4 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 4,432.4 |
|
Natural gas | | 1,350.6 |
| | 1,406.9 |
| | 428.4 |
| | 3,185.9 |
| | 45.4 |
| | — |
| | (36.4 | ) | | 3,194.9 |
|
Total regulated revenues | | 5,783.0 |
| | 1,406.9 |
| | 428.4 |
| | 7,618.3 |
| | 45.4 |
| | — |
| | (36.4 | ) | | 7,627.3 |
|
Other non-utility revenues | | — |
| | 0.2 |
| | 16.1 |
| | 16.3 |
| | 34.6 |
| | 7.9 |
| | (5.8 | ) | | 53.0 |
|
Total revenues from contracts with customers | | 5,783.0 |
| | 1,407.1 |
| | 444.5 |
| | 7,634.6 |
| | 80.0 |
| | 7.9 |
| | (42.2 | ) | | 7,680.3 |
|
Other operating revenues | | 11.7 |
| | (7.1 | ) | | (6.3 | ) | | (1.7 | ) | | 388.4 |
| | 0.8 |
| | (388.3 | ) | | (0.8 | ) |
Total operating revenues | | $ | 5,794.7 |
| | $ | 1,400.0 |
| | $ | 438.2 |
| | $ | 7,632.9 |
| | $ | 468.4 |
| | $ | 8.7 |
| | $ | (430.5 | ) | | $ | 7,679.5 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Utility Operations | | Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure | | Corporate and Other | | Reconciling Eliminations | | WEC Energy Group Consolidated |
Year ended December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electric | | $ | 4,266.1 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,266.1 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,266.1 | |
Natural gas | | 1,195.6 | | | 1,267.9 | | | 361.0 | | | 2,824.5 | | | 44.4 | | | — | | | (42.0) | | | 2,826.9 | |
Total regulated revenues | | 5,461.7 | | | 1,267.9 | | | 361.0 | | | 7,090.6 | | | 44.4 | | | — | | | (42.0) | | | 7,093.0 | |
Other non-utility revenues | | — | | | — | | | 17.1 | | | 17.1 | | | 66.6 | | | 1.7 | | | (9.1) | | | 76.3 | |
Total revenues from contracts with customers | | 5,461.7 | | | 1,267.9 | | | 378.1 | | | 7,107.7 | | | 111.0 | | | 1.7 | | | (51.1) | | | 7,169.3 | |
Other operating revenues | | 11.8 | | | 54.0 | | | 6.0 | | | 71.8 | | | 397.5 | | | 0.5 | | | (397.4) | | (1) | 72.4 | |
Total operating revenues | | $ | 5,473.5 | | | $ | 1,321.9 | | | $ | 384.1 | | | $ | 7,179.5 | | | $ | 508.5 | | | $ | 2.2 | | | $ | (448.5) | | | $ | 7,241.7 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Utility Operations | | Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure | | Corporate and Other | | Reconciling Eliminations | | WEC Energy Group Consolidated |
Year ended December 31, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Electric | | $ | 4,307.7 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,307.7 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,307.7 | |
Natural gas | | 1,324.1 | | | 1,332.4 | | | 411.6 | | | 3,068.1 | | | 47.4 | | | — | | | (44.1) | | | 3,071.4 | |
Total regulated revenues | | 5,631.8 | | | 1,332.4 | | | 411.6 | | | 7,375.8 | | | 47.4 | | | — | | | (44.1) | | | 7,379.1 | |
Other non-utility revenues | | — | | | 0.1 | | | 16.6 | | | 16.7 | | | 55.2 | | | 4.0 | | | (5.7) | | | 70.2 | |
Total revenues from contracts with customers | | 5,631.8 | | | 1,332.5 | | | 428.2 | | | 7,392.5 | | | 102.6 | | | 4.0 | | | (49.8) | | | 7,449.3 | |
Other operating revenues | | 15.3 | | | 24.6 | | | (2.2) | | | 37.7 | | | 393.3 | | | 0.4 | | | (357.6) | | (1) | 73.8 | |
Total operating revenues | | $ | 5,647.1 | | | $ | 1,357.1 | | | $ | 426.0 | | | $ | 7,430.2 | | | $ | 495.9 | | | $ | 4.4 | | | $ | (407.4) | | | $ | 7,523.1 | |
(1) Amounts eliminated represent lease revenues related to certain plants that We Power leases to WE to supply electricity to its customers. Lease payments are billed from We Power to WE and then recovered in WE's rates as authorized by the PSCW and the FERC. WE operates the plants and is authorized by the PSCW and Wisconsin state law to fully recover prudently incurred operating and maintenance costs in electric rates.
|
| | | | | | | |
20192021 Form 10-K | 90101 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
Revenues from Contracts with Customers
Electric Utility Operating Revenues
The following table disaggregates electric utility operating revenues into customer class:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31 |
(in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Residential | | $ | 1,768.0 | | | $ | 1,743.9 | | | $ | 1,608.6 | |
Small commercial and industrial | | 1,415.7 | | | 1,325.9 | | | 1,384.6 | |
Large commercial and industrial | | 931.9 | | | 821.5 | | | 871.9 | |
Other | | 29.3 | | | 29.0 | | | 29.6 | |
Total retail revenues | | 4,144.9 | | | 3,920.3 | | | 3,894.7 | |
Wholesale | | 157.7 | | | 174.0 | | | 189.5 | |
Resale | | 161.9 | | | 130.4 | | | 163.1 | |
Steam | | 28.7 | | | 21.3 | | | 23.3 | |
Other utility revenues | | 23.4 | | | 20.1 | | | 37.1 | |
Total electric utility operating revenues | | $ | 4,516.6 | | | $ | 4,266.1 | | | $ | 4,307.7 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | Electric Utility Operating Revenues |
| | Year Ended December 31 |
(in millions) | | 2019 | | 2018 |
Residential | | $ | 1,608.6 |
| | $ | 1,636.3 |
|
Small commercial and industrial | | 1,384.6 |
| | 1,408.6 |
|
Large commercial and industrial | | 871.9 |
| | 912.2 |
|
Other | | 29.6 |
| | 29.9 |
|
Total retail revenues | | 3,894.7 |
| | 3,987.0 |
|
Wholesale | | 189.5 |
| | 210.1 |
|
Resale | | 163.1 |
| | 192.2 |
|
Steam | | 23.3 |
| | 24.1 |
|
Other utility revenues | | 37.1 |
| | 19.0 |
|
Total electric utility operating revenues | | $ | 4,307.7 |
| | $ | 4,432.4 |
|
Natural Gas Utility Operating Revenues
The following tables disaggregate natural gas utility operating revenues into customer class:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Natural Gas Utility Operating Revenues |
Year ended December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | |
Residential | | $ | 928.9 | | | $ | 1,017.9 | | | $ | 241.2 | | | $ | 2,188.0 | |
Commercial and industrial | | 472.1 | | | 302.1 | | | 129.9 | | | 904.1 | |
Total retail revenues | | 1,401.0 | | | 1,320.0 | | | 371.1 | | | 3,092.1 | |
Transportation | | 80.0 | | | 231.2 | | | 31.8 | | | 343.0 | |
Other utility revenues (1) | | 9.3 | | | 79.1 | | | 91.1 | | | 179.5 | |
Total natural gas utility operating revenues | | $ | 1,490.3 | | | $ | 1,630.3 | | | $ | 494.0 | | | $ | 3,614.6 | |
| | | | | | | | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Natural Gas Utility Operating Revenues |
Year Ended December 31, 2019 | | |
| | |
| | | | |
|
Residential | | $ | 837.9 |
| | $ | 857.8 |
| | $ | 258.2 |
| | $ | 1,953.9 |
|
Commercial and industrial | | 419.9 |
| | 261.7 |
| | 148.7 |
| | 830.3 |
|
Total retail revenues | | 1,257.8 |
| | 1,119.5 |
| | 406.9 |
| | 2,784.2 |
|
Transport | | 72.6 |
| | 245.3 |
| | 31.6 |
| | 349.5 |
|
Other utility revenues * | | (6.3 | ) | | (32.4 | ) | | (26.9 | ) | | (65.6 | ) |
Total natural gas utility operating revenues | | $ | 1,324.1 |
| | $ | 1,332.4 |
| | $ | 411.6 |
| | $ | 3,068.1 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Natural Gas Utility Operating Revenues |
Year Ended December 31, 2018 | | |
| | |
| | | | |
|
Residential | | $ | 834.5 |
| | $ | 877.5 |
| | $ | 263.3 |
| | $ | 1,975.3 |
|
Commercial and industrial | | 436.7 |
| | 266.9 |
| | 140.0 |
| | 843.6 |
|
Total retail revenues | | 1,271.2 |
| | 1,144.4 |
| | 403.3 |
| | 2,818.9 |
|
Transport | | 70.8 |
| | 244.1 |
| | 31.8 |
| | 346.7 |
|
Other utility revenues * | | 8.6 |
| | 18.4 |
| | (6.7 | ) | | 20.3 |
|
Total natural gas utility operating revenues | | $ | 1,350.6 |
| | $ | 1,406.9 |
| | $ | 428.4 |
| | $ | 3,185.9 |
|
| |
* | Includes amounts collected from (refunded to) customers for purchased gas adjustment costs. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Natural Gas Utility Operating Revenues |
Year ended December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | |
Residential | | $ | 752.6 | | | $ | 802.2 | | | $ | 220.8 | | | $ | 1,775.6 | |
Commercial and industrial | | 338.1 | | | 221.0 | | | 115.8 | | | 674.9 | |
Total retail revenues | | 1,090.7 | | | 1,023.2 | | | 336.6 | | | 2,450.5 | |
Transportation | | 79.1 | | | 215.6 | | | 31.5 | | | 326.2 | |
Other utility revenues (1) | | 25.8 | | | 29.1 | | | (7.1) | | | 47.8 | |
Total natural gas utility operating revenues | | $ | 1,195.6 | | | $ | 1,267.9 | | | $ | 361.0 | | | $ | 2,824.5 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Natural Gas Utility Operating Revenues |
Year ended December 31, 2019 | | | | | | | | |
Residential | | $ | 837.9 | | | $ | 857.8 | | | $ | 258.2 | | | $ | 1,953.9 | |
Commercial and industrial | | 419.9 | | | 261.7 | | | 148.7 | | | 830.3 | |
Total retail revenues | | 1,257.8 | | | 1,119.5 | | | 406.9 | | | 2,784.2 | |
Transportation | | 72.6 | | | 245.3 | | | 31.6 | | | 349.5 | |
Other utility revenues (1) | | (6.3) | | | (32.4) | | | (26.9) | | | (65.6) | |
Total natural gas utility operating revenues | | $ | 1,324.1 | | | $ | 1,332.4 | | | $ | 411.6 | | | $ | 3,068.1 | |
|
| | | | | | | |
20192021 Form 10-K | 91102 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
(1) Includes the revenues subject to the purchased gas recovery mechanisms of our utilities. The amounts for 2021 reflect the higher natural gas costs that were incurred as a result of the extreme winter weather conditions in February 2021. As these amounts are billed to customers, they are reflected in retail revenues with an offsetting decrease in other utility revenues. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information. In addition to costs related to the extreme weather event, we incurred higher natural gas costs throughout 2021, compared with 2020, as a result of an increase in the price of natural gas.
Other Natural Gas Operating Revenues
We have other natural gas operating revenues from Bluewater, which is in our non-utility energy infrastructure segment. Bluewater
has entered into long-term service agreements for natural gas storage services with WE, WPS, and WG, and also provides limited service to unaffiliated customers. All amounts associated with the service agreements with WE, WPS, and WG have been eliminated at the consolidated level.
Other Non-Utility Operating Revenues
Other non-utility operating revenues consist primarily of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31 |
(in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Wind generation revenues | | $ | 60.3 | | | $ | 34.6 | | | $ | 24.0 | |
We Power revenues | | 23.3 | | | 22.9 | | | 25.4 | |
Appliance service revenues | | 17.8 | | | 17.1 | | | 16.6 | |
| | | | | | |
Other | | 0.1 | | | 1.7 | | | 4.2 | |
Total other non-utility operating revenues | | $ | 101.5 | | | $ | 76.3 | | | $ | 70.2 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31 |
(in millions) | | 2019 | | 2018 |
We Power revenues | | $ | 25.4 |
| | $ | 25.3 |
|
Wind generation revenues | | 24.0 |
| | 3.6 |
|
Appliance service revenues | | 16.6 |
| | 15.9 |
|
Distributed renewable solar project revenues | | 4.0 |
| | 8.0 |
|
Other | | 0.2 |
| | 0.2 |
|
Total other non-utility operating revenues | | $ | 70.2 |
| | $ | 53.0 |
|
Other Operating Revenues
Other operating revenues consist primarily of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31 |
(in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Late payment charges (1) | | $ | 54.9 | | | $ | 29.4 | | | $ | 43.7 | |
Alternative revenues (2) | | 21.2 | | | 38.8 | | | (9.6) | |
Other | | 4.2 | | | 4.2 | | | 39.7 | |
Total other operating revenues | | $ | 80.3 | | | $ | 72.4 | | | $ | 73.8 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31 |
(in millions) | | 2019 | | 2018 |
Late payment charges | | $ | 43.7 |
| | $ | 40.3 |
|
Alternative revenues * | | (9.6 | ) | | (45.6 | ) |
Other | | 39.7 |
| | 4.5 |
|
Total other operating revenues | | $ | 73.8 |
| | $ | (0.8 | ) |
(1) The increase in late payment charges during 2021, compared with 2020, was a result of the expiration of various regulatory orders from our utility commissions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included the suspension of late payment charges during a designated time period. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
The reduction in late payment charges in 2020, compared with 2019, was a result of various regulatory orders from our utility commissions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included the suspension of late payment charges during a designated time period. PGL and NSG were authorized to implement a SPC rider for the recovery of these late payment charges related to COVID-19, thereby allowing them to record these late payment charges as alternative revenues. The total amount of late payment charges recorded as alternative revenues during the year ended December 31, 2020 was $8.5 million. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
(2) Negative amounts can result from alternative revenues being reversed to revenues from contracts with customers as the customer is billed for these alternative revenues. Negative amounts can also result from revenues to be refunded to customers subject to decoupling mechanisms, wholesale true-ups, conservation improvement rider true-ups, and certain late payment charges, as discussed in Note 1(d), Operating Revenues.
| | | | | | | | |
*2021 Form 10-K | Negative amounts can result from alternative revenues being reversed to revenues from contracts with customers as the customer is billed for these alternative revenues. Negative amounts can also result from revenues to be refunded to customers subject to decoupling mechanisms and wholesale true-ups, as discussed in Note 1(d), Operating Revenues.103 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
NOTE 5—CREDIT LOSSES
We have included tables below that show our gross third-party receivable balances and the related allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2021 and 2020, by reportable segment.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Utility Operations | | Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure | | Corporate and Other | | WEC Energy Group Consolidated |
December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues | | $ | 1,053.1 | | | $ | 523.1 | | | $ | 105.7 | | | $ | 1,681.9 | | | $ | 17.0 | | | $ | 5.1 | | | $ | 1,704.0 | |
Allowance for credit losses | | 84.0 | | | 105.5 | | | 8.8 | | | 198.3 | | | — | | | — | | | 198.3 | |
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net (1) | | $ | 969.1 | | | $ | 417.6 | | | $ | 96.9 | | | $ | 1,483.6 | | | $ | 17.0 | | | $ | 5.1 | | | $ | 1,505.7 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total accounts receivable, net – past due greater than 90 days (1) | | $ | 46.5 | | | $ | 36.6 | | | $ | 3.4 | | | $ | 86.5 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 86.5 | |
Past due greater than 90 days – collection risk mitigated by regulatory mechanisms (1) | | 97.6 | % | | 100.0 | % | | — | % | | 94.8 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | 94.8 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Utility Operations | | Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure | | Corporate and Other | | WEC Energy Group Consolidated |
December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues | | $ | 899.8 | | | $ | 393.9 | | | $ | 79.8 | | | $ | 1,373.5 | | | $ | 45.0 | | | $ | 4.4 | | | $ | 1,422.9 | |
Allowance for credit losses | | 102.1 | | | 111.6 | | | 6.4 | | | 220.1 | | | — | | | — | | | 220.1 | |
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net (1) | | $ | 797.7 | | | $ | 282.3 | | | $ | 73.4 | | | $ | 1,153.4 | | | $ | 45.0 | | | $ | 4.4 | | | $ | 1,202.8 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total accounts receivable, net – past due greater than 90 days (1) | | $ | 84.8 | | | $ | 34.5 | | | $ | 3.5 | | | $ | 122.8 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 122.8 | |
Past due greater than 90 days – collection risk mitigated by regulatory mechanisms (1) | | 97.6 | % | | 100.0 | % | | — | % | | 95.5 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | 95.5 | % |
(1)Our exposure to credit losses for certain regulated utility customers is mitigated by regulatory mechanisms we have in place. Specifically, rates related to all of the customers in our Illinois segment, as well as the residential rates of WE, WPS, and WG in our Wisconsin segment, include riders or other mechanisms for cost recovery or refund of uncollectible expense based on the difference between the actual provision for credit losses and the amounts recovered in rates. As a result, at December 31, 2021, $839.1 million, or 55.7%, of our net accounts receivable and unbilled revenues balance had regulatory protections in place to mitigate the exposure to credit losses. In addition, we have received specific orders related to the deferral of certain costs (including credit losses) incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional protections related to our accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances provided by these orders are subject to prudency reviews and are still being assessed. They are not reflected in the percentages in the above tables or this note. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on these orders.
A rollforward of the allowance for credit losses by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, is included below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended December 31, 2021 (in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Utility Operations | | Corporate and Other | | WEC Energy Group Consolidated |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | | $ | 102.1 | | | $ | 111.6 | | | $ | 6.4 | | | $ | 220.1 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 220.1 | |
Provision for credit losses | | 46.4 | | | 25.6 | | | 3.7 | | | 75.7 | | | — | | | 75.7 | |
Provision for credit losses deferred for future recovery or refund | | (16.6) | | | 3.5 | | | — | | | (13.1) | | | — | | | (13.1) | |
Write-offs charged against the allowance | | (74.8) | | | (52.5) | | | (2.5) | | | (129.8) | | | — | | | (129.8) | |
Recoveries of amounts previously written off | | 26.9 | | | 17.3 | | | 1.2 | | | 45.4 | | | — | | | 45.4 | |
Balance at December 31, 2021 | | $ | 84.0 | | | $ | 105.5 | | | $ | 8.8 | | | $ | 198.3 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 198.3 | |
The decrease in the allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2021, compared to December 31, 2020, primarily related to normal collection practices resuming in April 2021 for our Wisconsin utilities and in June 2021 for our Illinois utilities. Across all of our reportable segments, higher year-over-year natural gas prices drove an increase in gross accounts receivable balances, partially
| | | | | | | | |
2021 Form 10-K | 104 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
offsetting the decrease in the allowance for credit losses attributed to collection efforts. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended December 31, 2020 (in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Total Utility Operations | | Corporate and Other | | WEC Energy Group Consolidated |
Balance at December 31, 2019 | | $ | 59.9 | | | $ | 75.9 | | | $ | 4.1 | | | $ | 139.9 | | | $ | 0.1 | | | $ | 140.0 | |
Provision for credit losses | | 47.5 | | | 51.1 | | | 4.3 | | | 102.9 | | | — | | | 102.9 | |
Provision for credit losses deferred for future recovery or refund | | 24.6 | | | 30.6 | | | — | | | 55.2 | | | — | | | 55.2 | |
Write-offs charged against the allowance | | (65.9) | | | (63.0) | | | (3.4) | | | (132.3) | | | — | | | (132.3) | |
Recoveries of amounts previously written off | | 36.0 | | | 17.0 | | | 1.4 | | | 54.4 | | | — | | | 54.4 | |
Sale of PDL residential solar facilities | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (0.1) | | | (0.1) | |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | | $ | 102.1 | | | $ | 111.6 | | | $ | 6.4 | | | $ | 220.1 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 220.1 | |
The increase in the allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2020, compared to December 31, 2019, was driven by higher past due accounts receivable balances at our utility segments, primarily related to residential customers. This increase in accounts receivable balances in arrears was driven by economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including higher unemployment rates. Also, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related regulatory orders we received, we were unable to disconnect any of our Wisconsin and Illinois customers during the year ended December 31, 2020.
NOTE 6—REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
The following regulatory assets were reflected on our balance sheets as of December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | See Note |
Regulatory assets (1) (2) | | | | | | |
Pension and OPEB costs (3) | | $ | 802.3 | | | $ | 1,101.6 | | | 20 |
Plant retirement related items | | 722.3 | | | 740.8 | | | |
Environmental remediation costs (4) | | 630.9 | | | 638.2 | | | 24 |
Income tax related items | | 458.8 | | | 454.6 | | | 16 |
AROs | | 194.2 | | | 181.3 | | | 9 |
SSR (5) | | 129.5 | | | 135.6 | | | 26 |
Securitization | | 100.7 | | | 105.2 | | | 23 |
Energy costs recoverable through rate adjustments (6) | | 85.4 | | | 1.1 | | | 1(d) |
MERC extraordinary natural gas costs (7) | | 59.7 | | | — | | | 26 |
Uncollectible expense | | 42.6 | | | 82.0 | | | 5 |
Derivatives | | 33.1 | | | 26.5 | | | 1(s) |
Energy efficiency programs (8) | | 22.0 | | | 7.3 | | | |
Other, net | | 85.6 | | | 69.9 | | | |
Total regulatory assets | | $ | 3,367.1 | | | $ | 3,544.1 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Balance sheet presentation | | | | | | |
Other current assets (6) | | $ | 102.3 | | | $ | 20.0 | | | |
Regulatory assets | | 3,264.8 | | | 3,524.1 | | | |
Total regulatory assets | | $ | 3,367.1 | | | $ | 3,544.1 | | | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2019 | | 2018 | | See Note |
Regulatory assets (1) (2) | | | | | | |
Pension and OPEB costs (3) | | $ | 1,066.6 |
| | $ | 1,193.5 |
| | 19 |
Plant retirements (4) | | 856.4 |
| | 832.3 |
| | 6 |
Environmental remediation costs (5) | | 685.5 |
| | 687.1 |
| | 23 |
Income tax related items (6) | | 457.8 |
| | 369.1 |
| | 15 |
SSR (7) | | 151.5 |
| | 316.7 |
| | 25 |
AROs | | 137.5 |
| | 185.4 |
| | 8 |
Uncollectible expense (8) | | 52.2 |
| | 38.7 |
| | 1(d) |
Derivatives | | 33.8 |
| | 17.8 |
| | 1(q) |
We Power generation (9) | | 25.8 |
| | 43.0 |
| | |
Electric transmission costs | | 0.3 |
| | 58.1 |
| | 25 |
Other, net | | 60.2 |
| | 114.1 |
| | |
Total regulatory assets | | $ | 3,527.6 |
| | $ | 3,855.8 |
| | |
| | | | | | |
Balance sheet presentation | | | | | | |
Other current assets | | $ | 20.9 |
| | $ | 50.7 |
| | |
Regulatory assets | | 3,506.7 |
| | 3,805.1 |
| | |
Total regulatory assets | | $ | 3,527.6 |
| | $ | 3,855.8 |
| | |
| |
(1) (1) | Based on prior and current rate treatment, we believe it is probable that our utilities will continue to recover from customers the regulatory assets in this table. In accordance with GAAP, our regulatory assets do not include the allowance for ROE that is capitalized for regulatory purposes. This allowance was $30.9 million and $34.2 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(2) As of December 31, 2021, we had $337.7 million of regulatory assets not earning a return, $14.3 million of regulatory assets earning a return based on short-term interest rates, and $129.5 million of regulatory assets earning a return based on long-term interest rates. The regulatory assets in this table. In accordance with GAAP, our regulatory assets do not include the allowance for ROE that is capitalized for regulatory purposes. This allowance was $24.3 million and $18.2 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. |
| |
(2)
| As of December 31, 2019, we had $175.1 million of regulatory assets not earning a return, $29.1 million of regulatory assets earning a return based on short-term interest rates, and $151.5 million of regulatory assets earning a return based on long-term interest rates. The regulatory |
|
| | |
2019 Form 10-K | 92 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
assets not earning a return primarily relate to certain environmental remediation costs, the recovery of which depends on the timing of the actual expenditures, as well asenergy costs recoverable through rate adjustments, MERC's extraordinary natural gas costs, uncollectible expense, our electric real-time market pricing program,invested capital tax rider, COVID-19 deferred costs, and unamortized loss on reacquired debt. The other regulatory assets in the table either earn a return at the applicable utility's weighted average cost of capital or the cash has not yet been expended, in which case the regulatory assets are offset by liabilities.
| | | | | | | | |
(3)2021 Form 10-K
| Primarily represents the unrecognized future pension and OPEB costs related to our defined benefit pension and OPEB plans. We are authorized recovery of these regulatory assets over the average remaining service life of each plan.105 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
| |
(4)
(3) Primarily represents the unrecognized future pension and OPEB costs related to our defined benefit pension and OPEB plans. We are authorized recovery of these regulatory assets over the average remaining service life of each plan.
(4) As of December 31, 2021, we had made cash expenditures of $98.3 million related to these environmental remediation costs. The remaining $532.6 million represents our estimated future cash expenditures.
(5) The rate order WE received from the PSCW in December 2019 authorized recovery of the SSR regulatory asset over a 15-year period that began on January 1, 2020.
(6) The increase in these regulatory assets primarily relates to the high natural gas costs that were incurred as a result of the extreme winter weather conditions in February 2021. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on our recovery efforts associated with these costs.
(7) Represents the extraordinary natural gas costs MERC incurred during February 2021 that are being recovered over 27 months, beginning in September 2021. See Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information on our recovery efforts associated with these costs.
(8) Represents amounts recoverable from customers related to programs at the utilities designed to meet energy efficiency standards.
| In accordance with the rate orders issued by the PSCW in December 2019, amounts previously collected from customers for the future removal of our recently retired plants were used to reduce our unrecovered plant balances during December 2019. Any additional removal costs that we incur will increase our plant retirement regulatory assets. |
| |
(5)
| As of December 31, 2019, we had made cash expenditures of $96.3 million related to these environmental remediation costs. The remaining $589.2 million represents our estimated future cash expenditures. |
| |
(6)
| For information on the flow through of tax repairs and the regulatory treatment of the impacts of the Tax Legislation in our various jurisdictions, see Note 25, Regulatory Environment. |
| |
(7)
| As a result of the rate order WE received from the PSCW in December 2019, the regulatory liability related to its mines deferral was offset against its SSR regulatory asset during December 2019. The rate order also authorized recovery of WE's SSR regulatory asset over a 15-year period that began on January 1, 2020. |
| |
(8)
| Represents amounts recoverable from customers related to our uncollectible expense tracking mechanisms and riders. These mechanisms allow us to recover or refund the difference between actual uncollectible write-offs and the amounts recovered in rates. |
| |
(9)
| Represents amounts recoverable from customers related to WE's costs of the generating units leased from We Power, including subsequent capital additions. |
The following regulatory liabilities were reflected on our balance sheets as of December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | See Note |
Regulatory liabilities | | | | | | |
Income tax related items | | $ | 1,998.5 | | | $ | 2,137.7 | | | 16 |
Removal costs (1) | | 1,248.0 | | | 1,221.1 | | | |
Pension and OPEB benefits (2) | | 397.3 | | | 378.1 | | | 20 |
Derivatives | | 124.1 | | | 16.4 | | | 1(s) |
Electric transmission costs (3) | | 84.2 | | | 78.5 | | | |
Uncollectible expense | | 37.1 | | | 25.5 | | | 5 |
Earnings sharing mechanisms | | 28.4 | | | 36.9 | | | 26 |
Energy costs refundable through rate adjustments | | 13.7 | | | 59.9 | | | 1(d) |
Other, net | | 29.0 | | | 25.0 | | | |
Total regulatory liabilities | | $ | 3,960.3 | | | $ | 3,979.1 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Balance sheet presentation | | | | | | |
Other current liabilities | | $ | 14.3 | | | $ | 51.0 | | | |
Regulatory liabilities | | 3,946.0 | | | 3,928.1 | | | |
Total regulatory liabilities | | $ | 3,960.3 | | | $ | 3,979.1 | | | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2019 | | 2018 | | See Note |
Regulatory liabilities | | | | | | |
Income tax related items (1) | | $ | 2,248.8 |
| | $ | 2,406.6 |
| | 15 |
Removal costs (2) | | 1,181.5 |
| | 1,329.6 |
| | |
Pension and OPEB benefits (3) | | 354.9 |
| | 238.3 |
| | 19 |
Energy costs refundable through rate adjustments (4) | | 89.8 |
| | 39.6 |
| | 1(d) |
Earnings sharing mechanisms (5) | | 43.5 |
| | 30.0 |
| | 25 |
Electric transmission costs (5) | | 42.2 |
| | 9.7 |
| | 25 |
Uncollectible expense (6) | | 39.1 |
| | 30.5 |
| | 1(d) |
Decoupling | | 36.8 |
| | 30.5 |
| | 1(d) |
Energy efficiency programs (7) | | 30.7 |
| | 31.7 |
| | |
Derivatives | | 6.7 |
| | 16.4 |
| | 1(q) |
Mines deferral (8) | | — |
| | 120.8 |
| | |
Other, net | | 6.4 |
| | 4.7 |
| | |
Total regulatory liabilities | | $ | 4,080.4 |
| | $ | 4,288.4 |
| | |
| | | | | | |
Balance sheet presentation | | | | | | |
Other current liabilities | | $ | 87.6 |
| | $ | 36.8 |
| | |
Regulatory liabilities | | 3,992.8 |
| | 4,251.6 |
| | |
Total regulatory liabilities | | $ | 4,080.4 |
| | $ | 4,288.4 |
| | |
| |
(1) (1) | For information on the regulatory treatment of the impacts of the Tax Legislation in our various jurisdictions, see Note 25, Regulatory Environment. |
| |
(2)
| Represents amounts collected from customers to cover the future cost of property, plant, and equipment removals that are not legally required. Legal obligations related to the removal of property, plant, and equipment are recorded as AROs. See Note 8, Asset Retirement Obligations, for more information on our legal obligations. |
| |
(3)
| Primarily represents the unrecognized future pension and OPEB benefits related to our defined benefit pension and OPEB plans. We will amortize these regulatory liabilities into net periodic benefit cost over the average remaining service life of each plan. |
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2019 Form 10-K | 93 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
| |
(4)
| Represents an over-collection of energy costs that will be refunded to customers in the future. When the rates we charge to customers include energy costs that are higher than our actual energy costs, any over-collection outside of the allowable energy cost price variance is refunded to customers. |
| |
(5)
| Based on orders received from the PSCW, WE was required to apply the refunds due to customers from its earnings sharing mechanism to its electric transmission escrow through 2019. As a result, $38.6 million of WE's earnings sharing refunds were reflected in its electric transmission regulatory liability at December 31, 2019, and $37.2 million of WE's earnings sharing refunds were netted against its electric transmission regulatory asset at December 31, 2018. |
| |
(6)
| Represents amounts refundable to customers related to our uncollectible expense tracking mechanisms and riders. These mechanisms allow us to recover or refund the difference between actual uncollectible write-offs and the amounts recovered in rates. |
| |
(7)
| Represents amounts refundable to customers related to programs at the utilities designed to meet energy efficiency standards. |
| |
(8)
| Represents the deferral of revenues less the associated cost of sales related to Tilden, which were not included in the PSCW's 2015 rate order. As a result of the rate order WE received from the PSCW in December 2019, this regulatory liability was offset against WE's SSR regulatory asset during December 2019. |
NOTE 6—PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant, and equipment consistedremovals that are not legally required. Legal obligations related to the removal of the following at December 31:property, plant, and equipment are recorded as AROs. See Note 9, Asset Retirement Obligations, for more information on our legal obligations.
|
| | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2019 | | 2018 |
Electric – generation | | $ | 6,858.8 |
| | $ | 6,410.6 |
|
Electric – distribution | | 7,018.1 |
| | 6,534.6 |
|
Natural gas – distribution, storage, and transmission | | 11,602.7 |
| | 10,766.3 |
|
Property, plant, and equipment to be retired, net | | — |
| | 174.8 |
|
Other | | 1,696.7 |
| | 1,649.1 |
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation | | 8,073.7 |
| | 7,573.6 |
|
Net | | 19,102.6 |
| | 17,961.8 |
|
CWIP | | 820.4 |
| | 707.5 |
|
Net utility property, plant, and equipment | | 19,923.0 |
| | 18,669.3 |
|
| | | | |
We Power generation | | 3,245.7 |
| | 3,244.4 |
|
Renewable generation | | 716.5 |
| | 193.3 |
|
Natural gas storage | | 245.9 |
| | 244.8 |
|
Net non-utility energy infrastructure | | 4,208.1 |
| | 3,682.5 |
|
Corporate services | | 180.4 |
| | 171.0 |
|
Other | | 88.8 |
| | 127.1 |
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation | | 805.0 |
| | 731.5 |
|
Net | | 3,672.3 |
| | 3,249.1 |
|
CWIP | | 24.8 |
| | 82.5 |
|
Net non-utility and other property, plant, and equipment | | 3,697.1 |
| | 3,331.6 |
|
| | | | |
Total property, plant, and equipment | | $ | 23,620.1 |
| | $ | 22,000.9 |
|
(2) Primarily represents the unrecognized future pension and OPEB benefits related to our defined benefit pension and OPEB plans. We will amortize these regulatory liabilities into net periodic benefit cost over the average remaining service life of each plan.
(3) In accordance with the PSCW's approval of escrow accounting for ATC and MISO network transmission expenses for our Wisconsin electric utilities, WE and WPS defer as a regulatory asset or liability the difference between actual transmission costs and those included in rates until recovery or refund is authorized in a future rate proceeding.
Pleasant Prairie Power Plant
The Pleasant Prairie power plant was retired on April 10, 2018. The net book value of this plant was $615.1$585.7 million at December 31, 2019,2021, representing book value less cost of removal and accumulated depreciation. In addition, previously deferred unprotected tax benefits from the Tax Legislation related to the unrecovered balance of this plant were $20.6$18.5 million. The net amount of $594.5$567.2 million was classified as a regulatory asset on our balance sheetssheet at December 31, 2021 as a result of the retirement of the plant. This regulatory asset does not include certain other previously recorded deferred tax liabilities of $172.1$164.1 million related to the retired Pleasant Prairie power plant. Effective withPursuant to its rate order issued by the PSCW in December 2019, WE will continue to amortize this regulatory asset on a straight-line basis through 2039, using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW before this plant was retired. Amortization is included in depreciation and amortization in the income statement. WE has FERC approval to
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2021 Form 10-K | 106 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
continue to collect the net book value of the Pleasant Prairie power plant using the approved composite depreciation rates, in addition to a return on the remaining net book value. Collection of the return of and on the net book value is no longer subject to refund as the
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2019 Form 10-K | 94 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
FERC completed its prudency review and concluded that the retirement of this plant was prudent. WE received approval from the PSCW in December 2019 to collect a full return of the net book value of the Pleasant Prairie power plant, and a return on all but $100 million of the net book value of the Pleasant Prairie power plant.value. In accordance with its PSCW rate order received in December 2019, WE will seekfiled an application with the PSCW on July 20, 2020 requesting a financing order from the PSCW to securitize the remaining $100 million.million of the Pleasant Prairie power plant's book value, plus the carrying costs accrued on the $100 million during the securitization process and related fees. On November 17, 2020, the PSCW issued a written order approving this application and in May 2021 the securitization was completed. See Note 25,23, Variable Interest Entities, and Note 26, Regulatory Environment, for more information.
Presque Isle Power Plant
Pursuant to MISO's April 2018 approval of the retirement of the PIPP, these units were retired on March 31, 2019. The net book value of the PIPP was $162.7$163.3 million at December 31, 2019,2021, representing book value less cost of removal and accumulated depreciation. In addition, previously deferred unprotected tax benefits from the Tax Legislation related to the unrecovered balance of these units were $6.4$5.6 million. The net amount of $156.3$157.7 million was classified as a regulatory asset on our balance sheetssheet at December 31, 2021 as a result of the retirement of the plant. This regulatory asset does not include certain other previously recorded deferred tax liabilities of $46.5$46.7 million related to the retired PIPP. After the retirement of the PIPP, a portion of the regulatory asset and related cost of removal reserve was transferred to UMERC for recovery from its retail customers. Effective with its rate order issued by the PSCW in December 2019, WE received approval to collect a return of and on its share of the net book value of the PIPP, and as a result, will continue to amortize the regulatory assets on a straight-line basis through 2037, using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW before the units were retired. UMERC will also continue to amortize the regulatory assets on a straight-line basis using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW before the units were retired. Amortization is included in depreciation and amortization in the income statement. UMERC will address the accounting and regulatory treatment related to the retirement of the PIPP with the MPSC in conjunction with a future rate case. WE has FERC approval to continue to collect the net book value of the PIPP using the approved composite depreciation rates, in addition to a return on the net book value. However, this approvalBased on a settlement agreement approved by the FERC, collection of the return of and on the net book value through WE's FERC-jurisdictional rates is no longer subject to refund pending the outcome of settlement proceedings. See Note 25, Regulatory Environment, for more information.refund.
Pulliam Power Plant
In connection with a MISO ruling, WPS retired Pulliam Units 7 and 8 on October 21, 2018. The net book value of the Pulliam units was $36.3$38.0 million at December 31, 2019,2021, representing book value less cost of removal and accumulated depreciation. This amount was classified as a regulatory asset on our balance sheetssheet at December 31, 2021 as a result of the retirement of the plant. Effective with its rate order issued by the PSCW in December 2019, WPS received approval to collect a return of and on the entire net book value of the Pulliam units, and as a result, will continue to amortize this regulatory asset on a straight-line basis through 2031, using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW before these generating units were retired. Amortization is included in depreciation and amortization in the income statement. WPS has FERC approval to continue to collect the net book value of the Pulliam power plant using the approved composite depreciation rates, in addition to a return on the remaining net book value. FERC has completed its prudency review of Pulliam, concluding that the retirement of this plant was prudent.
Edgewater Unit 4
The Edgewater 4 generating unit was retired on September 28, 2018. The net book value of the generating unit was $5.3$3.6 million at December 31, 2019,2021, representing book value less cost of removal and accumulated depreciation. This amount was classified as a regulatory asset on our balance sheetssheet at December 31, 2021 as a result of the retirement of the plant. Effective with its rate order issued by the PSCW in December 2019, WPS received approval to collect a return of and on the entire net book value of the Edgewater 4 generating unit, and as a result, will continue to amortize this regulatory asset on a straight-line basis through 2026, using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW before this generating unit was retired. Amortization is included in depreciation and amortization in the income statement. WPS has FERC approval to continue to collect the net book value of the Edgewater 4 generating unit using the approved composite depreciation rates, in addition to a return on the remaining net book value. FERC has completed its prudency review of Edgewater 4, concluding that the retirement of this plant was prudent.
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| | | | | | | |
20192021 Form 10-K | 95107 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
NOTE 7—PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Electric – generation | | $ | 6,981.4 | | | $ | 7,015.3 | |
Electric – distribution | | 7,854.7 | | | 7,455.5 | |
Natural gas – distribution, storage, and transmission | | 13,526.6 | | | 12,730.0 | |
Property, plant, and equipment to be retired, net | | 277.0 | | | — | |
Other | | 2,212.6 | | | 1,896.1 | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation | | 8,894.9 | | | 8,465.0 | |
Net | | 21,957.4 | | | 20,631.9 | |
CWIP | | 406.0 | | | 683.9 | |
Net utility and non-utility property, plant, and equipment | | 22,363.4 | | | 21,315.8 | |
| | | | |
We Power generation | | 3,240.5 | | | 3,238.8 | |
Renewable generation | | 1,837.5 | | | 1,213.3 | |
Natural gas storage | | 289.9 | | | 250.0 | |
Net non-utility energy infrastructure | | 5,367.9 | | | 4,702.1 | |
Corporate services | | 188.7 | | | 212.3 | |
Other | | 27.0 | | | 41.8 | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation | | 994.4 | | | 899.7 | |
Net | | 4,589.2 | | | 4,056.5 | |
CWIP | | 29.8 | | | 335.1 | |
Net other property, plant, and equipment | | 4,619.0 | | | 4,391.6 | |
| | | | |
Total property, plant, and equipment | | $ | 26,982.4 | | | $ | 25,707.4 | |
Severance Liability for Plant Retirements
In December 2017, aWe have severance liability of $29.4 million wasliabilities related to past and future plant retirements recorded in other current liabilities on our balance sheetssheets. Activity related to these plant retirements. Activity related to this severance liabilityliabilities for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Severance liability at January 1 | | $ | 0.7 | | | $ | 2.1 | | | $ | 15.7 | |
Severance expense | | 4.6 | | | — | | | — | |
Severance payments | | (0.4) | | | (0.1) | | | (7.2) | |
Other | | — | | | (1.3) | | | (6.4) | |
Total severance liability at December 31 | | $ | 4.9 | | | $ | 0.7 | | | $ | 2.1 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2019 | | 2018 |
Severance liability at January 1 | | $ | 15.7 |
| | $ | 29.4 |
|
Severance payments | | (7.2 | ) | | (10.7 | ) |
Other | | (6.4 | ) | | (3.0 | ) |
Total severance liability at December 31 | | $ | 2.1 |
| | $ | 15.7 |
|
Wisconsin Segment Plant to be Retired
Columbia Units 1 and 2
As a result of a MISO ruling received in June 2021, retirement of the jointly-owned Columbia generating units 1 and 2 became probable. Columbia generating units 1 and 2 are expected to be retired by the end of 2023 and 2024, respectively. The net book value of WPS's ownership share of unit 1 and unit 2 was $89.1 million and $187.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2021. These amounts were classified as plant to be retired within property, plant, and equipment on our balance sheet. These units are included in rate base, and WPS continues to depreciate them on a straight-line basis using the composite depreciation rates approved by the PSCW.
Public Service Building
During a significant rain event in May 2020, an underground steam tunnel in downtown Milwaukee flooded and steam vented into WE’s PSB. The damage to the building from the flooding and steam was extensive and required significant repairs and restorations. As of December 31, 2021, WE had incurred $92.4 million of costs related to these repairs and restorations. In 2020, WE received
| | | | | | | | |
2021 Form 10-K | 108 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
$20.0 million of insurance proceeds to cover a portion of these costs and wrote off $12.5 million of costs that we do not intend to seek recovery for through other operation and maintenance expense. Of the remaining $59.9 million of costs to be recovered, we will recover $41.0 million through insurance proceeds as a result of a settlement that was reached in February 2022, with the difference expected to be recovered through rates.
In June 2021, we received approval from the PSCW to restore the PSB and to defer the project costs, net of insurance proceeds, as a component of rate base. As such, and in light of the agreement with insurers noted above, we do not currently expect a significant impact to our future results of operations.
NOTE 7—8—JOINTLY OWNED UTILITY FACILITIES
We Power and WPS hold joint ownership interests in certain electric generating facilities. They are entitled to their share of generating capability and output of each facility equal to their respective ownership interest. They pay their ownership share of additional construction costs and have supplied their own financing for all jointly owned projects. We record We Power's and WPS's proportionate share of significant jointly owned electric generating facilities as property, plant, and equipment on the balance sheets.
We Power leases its ownership interest in ER 1 and ER 2 to WE, and WE operates these units. WE and WPS record their respective share of fuel inventory purchases and operating expenses, unless specific agreements have been executed to limit their maximum exposure to additional costs. WE's and WPS's proportionate share of direct expenses for the joint operation of these plants is recorded inwithin operating expenses in the income statements.
Information related to jointly owned utility facilities at December 31, 20192021 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | We Power | | WPS |
(in millions, except for percentages and MW) | | | | Elm Road Generating Station Units 1 and 2 | | Weston Unit 4 | | Columbia Energy Center Units 1 and 2 | | Forward Wind | | Two Creeks (2) | | Badger Hollow I (3) |
Ownership | | | | 83.34 | % | | 70.0 | % | | 27.5 | % | | 44.6 | % | | 66.7 | % | | 66.7 | % |
Share of capacity (MW) (1) | | | | 1,060.8 | | | 387.3 | | | 311.1 | | | 61.5 | | | 100.0 | | | 100.0 | |
In-service date | | | | 2010 and 2011 | | 2008 | | 1975 and 1978 | | 2008 | | 2020 | | 2021 |
Property, plant, and equipment | | | | $ | 2,433.8 | | | $ | 598.4 | | | $ | 425.4 | | | $ | 122.5 | | | $ | 136.7 | | | $ | 134.5 | |
Accumulated depreciation | | | | $ | (487.7) | | | $ | (224.3) | | | $ | (161.9) | | | $ | (53.3) | | | $ | (5.3) | | | $ | (0.4) | |
CWIP | | | | $ | 11.1 | | | $ | 3.8 | | | $ | 3.9 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 0.1 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | We Power | | WPS |
(in millions, except for percentages and MW) | | Elm Road Generating Station Units 1 and 2 | | Weston Unit 4 | | Columbia Energy Center Units 1 and 2 (2) | | Forward Wind Energy Center |
Ownership | | 83.34 | % | | 70.0 | % | | 27.6 | % | | 44.6 | % |
Share of rated capacity (MW) (1) | | 1,054.3 |
| | 386.0 |
| | 313.9 |
| | 8.4 |
|
In-service date | | 2010 and 2011 |
| | 2008 |
| | 1975 and 1978 |
| | 2008 |
|
Property, plant, and equipment | | $ | 2,447.9 |
| | $ | 663.2 |
| | $ | 422.3 |
| | $ | 118.7 |
|
Accumulated depreciation | | $ | (416.1 | ) | | $ | (232.4 | ) | | $ | (129.5 | ) | | $ | (46.4 | ) |
CWIP | | $ | 0.8 |
| | $ | 5.3 |
| | $ | 1.8 |
| | $ | 0.1 |
|
| |
(1) (1) | Capacity for our electric generation facilities is based on rated capacity, which 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. Values are primarily based on the net dependable expected capacity ratings for summer 2020 established by tests and may change slightly from year to year. 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)
| Columbia Energy Center is jointly owned by Wisconsin Power and Light, Madison Gas and Electric, and WPS. In October 2016, Wisconsin Power and Light received an order from the PSCW approving amendments to the Columbia Energy Center joint operating agreement between the parties allowing WPS and Madison Gas and Electric to forgo certain capital expenditures at the Columbia Energy Center. As a result, Wisconsin Power and Light will incur these capital expenditures in exchange for a proportional increase in its ownership share of the Columbia Energy Center. Based upon the additional capital expenditures Wisconsin Power and Light expects to incur through June 1, 2020, WPS's ownership interest would decrease to 27.5%. |
WPS has partnered with an unaffiliated utility to construct 2 solar projects in Wisconsin. Badger Hollow I is located in Iowa County, Wisconsin, and Two Creeks is located in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. Once constructed, WPS will own 100 MW of the output of each project for a total of 200 MW. The PSCW approved the acquisition of these 2 projects in April 2019. Construction began atour jointly-owned electric generation facilities, other than Forward Wind, Two Creeks, and Badger Hollow I is based on rated capacity, which is the net power output under average operating conditions with equipment in August 2019an average state of repair as of a given month in a given year. Values are primarily based on the net dependable expected capacity ratings for summer 2022 established by tests and October 2019, respectively. may change slightly from year to year. 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. Capacity for Forward Wind is based on nameplate capacity, which is the amount of energy a turbine should produce at optimal wind speeds. Capacity for Two Creeks and Badger Hollow I is based on nameplate capacity, which is the maximum output that a generator should produce at continuous full power.
(2) Commercial operation of both projects is targetedwas achieved in November 2020 for the end of 2020. The CWIP balancesTwo Creeks.
(3) Commercial operation was achieved in November 2021 for Badger Hollow I and Two Creeks as of December 31, 2019 were $32.5 million and $87.3 million, respectively.I.
In August 2019, WE, along with an unaffiliated utility, filed an application with thereceived PSCW for approval to acquire an ownership interest in a proposed solar project,construct Badger Hollow II, a solar project that will be located in Iowa County, Wisconsin. At its meeting on February 20, 2020, the PSCW approved the acquisition of this project. The approval is still subject to WE's receipt and review of a final written
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2019 Form 10-K | 96 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
order from the PSCW. Once constructed, WE will own 66.7%, or 100 MW, of the output of this project.Badger Hollow II. Commercial operation of Badger Hollow II is targeted for the first quarter of 2023. The CWIP balance for Badger Hollow II was $39.8 million as of December 31, 2021.
WPS, along with an unaffiliated utility, received PSCW approval to acquire the Red Barn Wind Park, a utility-scale wind-powered electric generating facility. The project will be located in Grant County, Wisconsin and once constructed, WPS will own 90.0%, or 82 MW of this project. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.2022.
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2021 Form 10-K | 109 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
NOTE 8—9—ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
Our utilities have recorded AROs primarily for the removal of natural gas distribution mains and service pipes (including asbestos and PCBs); asbestos abatement at certain generation and substation facilities, office buildings, and service centers; the removal and dismantlement of biomass and hydro generation facilities; the dismantling of wind generation projects; the dismantling of solar generation projects; the disposal of PCB-contaminated transformers; the closure of fly-ashcoal combustion residual landfills at certain generation facilities; and the removal of above ground storage tanks. Regulatory assets and liabilities are established by our utilities 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.
AROs haveWECI has also been recorded at Bishop Hill III, Coyote Ridge, and UpstreamAROs for the dismantling of our non-utility wind generation projects.
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) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Balance as of January 1 | | $ | 513.5 | | | $ | 483.5 | | | $ | 461.4 | | |
Accretion | | 21.2 | | | 20.7 | | | 22.1 | | |
Additions and revisions to estimated cash flows | | (53.9) | | (1) | 39.7 | | (2) | 39.1 | | (3) |
Liabilities settled | | (18.8) | | | (30.4) | | | (39.1) | | |
Balance as of December 31 | | $ | 462.0 | | | $ | 513.5 | | | $ | 483.5 | | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
Balance as of January 1 | | $ | 461.4 |
| | $ | 573.7 |
| | $ | 557.7 |
|
Accretion | | 22.1 |
| | 28.0 |
| | 27.5 |
|
Additions and revisions to estimated cash flows | | 39.1 |
| (1) | (104.5 | ) | (2) | 26.5 |
|
Liabilities settled | | (39.1 | ) | | (35.8 | ) | | (38.0 | ) |
Balance as of December 31 | | $ | 483.5 |
| | $ | 461.4 |
| | $ | 573.7 |
|
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(1)(1) AROs decreased $152.0 million in 2021, due to revisions made to estimated cash flows primarily for changes in the cost to retire natural gas distribution pipe at PGL and NSG. Also in 2021, AROs increased $50.7 million due to new natural gas distribution lines being placed into service at PGL and NSG. AROs increased by $26.3 million as a result of AROs being recorded for the legal requirement to dismantle, at retirement, the Badger Hollow I solar generation project and the Tatanka Ridge and Jayhawk non-utility wind generation projects. AROs increased $7.8 million due to revisions made to removal estimates for wind generation projects at WE and WPS. AROs increased $6.8 million due to revisions made to the removal estimates for fly ash landfills and ash ponds at WPS.
| AROs increased $40.1 million in 2019, primarily due to new natural gas distribution lines being placed into service at PGL. Also in 2019, AROs increased $10.7 million as a result of AROs being recorded for the legal requirement to dismantle, at retirement, the wind generation projects known as Upstream and Coyote Ridge. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on Upstream and Coyote Ridge. AROs decreased $7.3 million due to revisions made to estimated cash flows for the abatement of asbestos at WE. |
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(2)
| AROs decreased $127.3 million in 2018 due to revisions made to estimated cash flows primarily for changes in the cost to retire natural gas distribution pipe at PGL. Also in 2018, AROs increased $10.7 million as a result of revisions made to estimated cash flows for the abatement of asbestos at WPS's Pulliam power plant, and a $10.9 million ARO was recorded for the legal requirement to dismantle, at retirement, the wind generation projects known as Forward Wind Energy Center and Bishop Hill III. See Note 2, Acquisitions, for more information on Forward Wind Energy Center and Bishop Hill III. |
NOTE 9—GOODWILL
(2) AROs increased $39.3 million in 2020, primarily due to new natural gas distribution lines being placed into service at PGL. Also in 2020, AROs increased by $8.5 million as a result of AROs being recorded for the legal requirement to dismantle, at retirement, the Two Creeks solar generation project. AROs decreased $9.2 million due to revisions made to estimated cash flows for the abatement of asbestos at WE.
(3) AROs increased $40.1 million in 2019, primarily due to new natural gas distribution lines being placed into service at PGL. Also in 2019, AROs increased $10.7 million as a result of AROs being recorded for the legal requirement to dismantle, at retirement, certain non-utility wind generation projects. AROs decreased $7.3 million due to revisions made to estimated cash flows for the abatement of asbestos at WE.
NOTE 10—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. The table below shows changes to our goodwill balances by segment at December 31, 2021. We had no changes to the carrying amount of goodwill during the years ended December 31, 20192021 and 2018:2020.
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(in millions) | | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure | | Total |
Goodwill balance (1) | | $ | 2,104.3 | | | $ | 758.7 | | | $ | 183.2 | | | $ | 6.6 | | | $ | 3,052.8 | |
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| | Wisconsin | | Illinois | | Other States | | Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure | | Total |
(in millions) | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
Goodwill balance as of January 1 | | $ | 2,104.3 |
| | $ | 2,104.3 |
| | $ | 758.7 |
| | $ | 758.7 |
| | $ | 183.2 |
| | $ | 183.2 |
| | $ | 6.6 |
| | $ | 7.3 |
| | $ | 3,052.8 |
| | $ | 3,053.5 |
|
Adjustment to Bluewater purchase price allocation (1) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (0.7 | ) | | — |
| | (0.7 | ) |
Goodwill balance as of December 31 (2) | | $ | 2,104.3 |
| | $ | 2,104.3 |
| | $ | 758.7 |
| | $ | 758.7 |
| | $ | 183.2 |
| | $ | 183.2 |
| | $ | 6.6 |
| | $ | 6.6 |
| | $ | 3,052.8 |
| | $ | 3,052.8 |
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Our ability as a holding company to pay common stock dividends primarily depends on the availability of funds received from our utility subsidiaries, We Power, Bluewater, ATC Holding, and WECI. Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements impose certain restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us in the form of cash dividends, loans, or advances. All of our utility subsidiaries, with the exception of UMERC and MGU, are prohibited from loaning funds to us, either directly or indirectly.
In accordance with their most recent rate orders, WE, WPS, and WG may not pay common dividends above the test year forecasted amounts reflected in their respective rate cases, if it would cause their average common equity ratio, on a financial basis, to fall below their authorized level of 52.5%. A return of capital in excess of the test year amount can be paid by each company at the end of the year provided that their respective average common equity ratios do not fall below the authorized level.
WE may not pay common dividends to us under WE's Restated Articles of Incorporation if any dividends on its outstanding preferred stock have not been paid. In addition, pursuant to the terms of WE's 3.60% Serial Preferred Stock, WE's ability to declare common dividends would be limited to 75% or 50% of net income during a twelve month12-month period if its common stock equity to total capitalization, as defined in the preferred stock designation, is less than 25% and 20%, respectively.
NSG's long-term debt obligations contain provisions and covenants restricting the payment of cash dividends and the purchase or redemption of its capital stock.
The long-term debt obligations of UMERC, Bluewater Gas Storage, and ATC Holding contain a provision requiring them to maintain a total funded debt to capitalization ratio of 65% or less.
WEC Energy Group and Integrys have the option to defer interest payments on their junior subordinated notes, from time to time, for 1 or more periods of up to 10 consecutive years per period. During any period in which they defer interest payments, they may not declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, repurchase or acquire, their respective common stock.
We do not believe that these restrictions will materially affect our operations or limit any dividend payments in the foreseeable future.
We have instructed our independent agents to purchase shares on the open market to fulfill obligations under various stock-based employee benefit and compensations plans and to provide shares to participants in our dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan. As a result, 0no new shares of common stock were issued in 2019, 2018,2021, 2020, or 2017.2019.
The following is a summary of shares purchased to fulfill exercised stock options and restricted stock awards during the years ended December 31: