UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 20192020

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _____ to _____

 

Commission File Number 001-3375

Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.

Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter

South Carolina

 

57-0248695

State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization

 

I.R.S. Employer

Commission File Number

Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter

Identification No.Number

 

 

 

001-3375

DOMINION ENERGY SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.

57-0248695

south carolina

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

400 Otarre Parkway, Cayce, South CarolinaOTARRE PARKWAY

CAYCE, South Carolina

 

29033

Address of Principal Executive Offices

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip CodeCode)

(803) 217-9000

(Registrants’ telephone number)

 

(803) 217-9000

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code

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

None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes  No

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

 

Large accelerated filer

 

Accelerated filer

Emerging growth company

Non-accelerated filer

 

Smaller reporting company

 

 

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  No 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. At July 31, 2019,17, 2020, Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. had outstanding 40,296,147 shares of common stock, all of which were held by SCANA Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dominion Energy, Inc.

Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and therefore is filing this Form with the reduced disclosure format allowed under General Instruction H(2).

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

Glossary of Terms

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

3130

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

3433

 

 

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

3534

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

3534

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

3635

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following abbreviations or termsacronyms used in the text have the meanings set forth below unless the context requires otherwise:this Form 10-Q are defined below:

 

Abbreviation or Acronym

 

Definition

2015 Task Order

Retail services agreement between DESC and the DOE, which includes a potential FERC jurisdictional charge for operating and maintaining DOE transmission facilities at the Savannah River Site

2017 Tax Reform Act

 

An Act to Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 (previously known as The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) enacted on December 22, 2017

ACE Rule

 

Affordable Clean Energy Rule

AOCI

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

ARO

 

Asset retirement obligation

BACT

Best available control technology

BLRA

 

South Carolina Base Load Review Act

CAA

Clean Air Act

CARES Act

Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act enacted on March 27, 2020

CCR

 

Coal combustion residual

CEO

 

Chief Executive Officer

CERCLA

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, also known as Superfund

CFO

 

Chief Financial Officer

CO2

Carbon dioxide

Consortium

 

A consortium consisting of Westinghouse and WECTEC

CSAPRCUA

 

Cross-State Air Pollution RuleCapacity Use Area

CWA

 

Clean Water Act

DECG

Dominion Energy Carolina Gas Transmission, LLC

DESC

 

The legal entity, Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. (formerly known as South Carolina Electric & Gas Company), one or more of its consolidated affiliatesentities or operating segments,segment, or the entirety of Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. and its consolidated affiliatesentities

DESS

 

Dominion Energy Southeast Services, Inc. (formerly known as SCANA Services, Inc.)

DOE

U.S. Department of Energy

Dominion Energy

 

The legal entity, Dominion Energy, Inc., one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries (other than SCANA and DESC) or operating segments, or the entirety of Dominion Energy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries

Dominion Energy Gas

The legal entity, Dominion Energy Gas Holdings, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dominion Energy, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries or operating segment, or the entirety of Dominion Energy Gas Holdings, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries

Dominion Energy South Carolina

Dominion Energy South Carolina operating segment

DSM

 

Demand-side management

Electric Operations

Electric Operations Group operating segment

ELG Rule

 

Effluent limitations guidelines for the steam electric power generating category

EMANI

 

European Mutual Association for Nuclear Insurance

EPA

 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Exchange Act

 

Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

FERC

 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FILOT

 

Fee in lieu of taxes

Fuel Company

 

South Carolina Fuel Company, Inc.

GAAP

 

U.S. generally accepted accounting principles

Gas Distribution

Gas Distribution Group operating segment

GENCO

 

South Carolina Generating Company, Inc.

GHG

Greenhouse gas

IAA

 

Interim Assessment Agreement dated March 28, 2017, as amended, among DESC, Santee Cooper, Westinghouse and WECTEC

kV

Kilovolt

MATS

 

Utility Mercury and Air Toxics Standard Rule

MD&A

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

MGD

Million gallons a day


Abbreviation or Acronym

Definition

MGP

 

Manufactured gas plant

MW

Megawatt

NEIL

 

Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited

NOX

Nitrogen oxide

NPDES

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

NND Project

 

V. C. Summer Units 2 and 3 nuclear development project under which SCANADESC and Santee Cooper undertook to construct two Westinghouse AP1000 Advanced Passive Safety nuclear units in Jenkinsville, South Carolina

ORSNOx

 

South Carolina Office of Regulatory StaffNitrogen oxide


Abbreviation or AcronymNSPS

 

DefinitionNew Source Performance Standards

Order 1000

Order issued by FERC adopting requirements for electric transmission planning, cost allocation and development

Price-Anderson

 

Price-Anderson Nuclear Industries IndemnityAmendments Act of 1988

PSD

Prevention of significant deterioration

Questar Gas

Questar Gas Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dominion Energy

Reorganization Plan

 

Modified Second Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization, filed by Westinghouse

RICO

 

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act

Santee Cooper

 

South Carolina Public Service Authority

SCANA

 

The legal entity, SCANA Corporation, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries (other than DESC) or the entirety of SCANA Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries

SCANA Combination

 

Dominion Energy's acquisition of SCANA completed on January 1, 2019 pursuant to the terms of the SCANA Merger Agreement

SCANA Merger Agreement

 

Agreement and plan of merger entered on January 2, 2018 between Dominion Energy and SCANA

SCANA Merger Approval Order

 

Final order issued by the South Carolina Commission on December 21, 2018 setting forth its approval of the SCANA Combination

SCDHEC

 

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

SCDOR

 

South Carolina Department of Revenue

SEC

 

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

SEMI

SCANA Energy Marketing, LLC (formerly known as SCANA Energy Marketing, Inc.), a subsidiary of SCANA through December 2019, and effective December 2019, a subsidiary of Wrangler Retail Gas Holdings, LLC, a partnership between Dominion Energy and Interstate Gas Supply Inc.

SO2

 

Sulfur dioxide

South Carolina Commission

 

Public Service Commission of South Carolina

Southern

The legal entity, The Southern Company, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or the entirety of The Southern Company and its consolidated subsidiaries

Summer

 

V. C. Summer nuclear power station

Toshiba

 

Toshiba Corporation, parent company of Westinghouse

Toshiba Settlement

 

Settlement Agreement dated as of July 27, 2017, by and among Toshiba, DESC and Santee Cooper

VIE

 

Variable interest entity

Virginia Power

The legal entity, Virginia Electric and Power Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dominion Energy, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries or operating segment, or the entirety of Virginia Electric and Power Company and its consolidated subsidiaries

VOC

Volatile organic compounds

WECTEC

 

WECTEC Global Project Services, Inc. (formerly known as Stone & Webster, Inc.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westinghouse

Westinghouse

 

Westinghouse Electric Company LLC

Westinghouse Subcontractors

 

Subcontractors and suppliers to the Consortium

 

 

 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

 

(millions)

 

June 30,

2019

 

 

December 31,

2018

 

 

June 30,

2020

 

 

December 31,

2019

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utility plant in service

 

$

12,986

 

 

$

12,803

 

 

$

13,472

 

 

$

13,208

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

(4,750

)

 

 

(4,581

)

 

 

(4,933

)

 

 

(4,851

)

Construction work in progress

 

 

282

 

 

 

350

 

 

 

372

 

 

 

339

 

Nuclear fuel, net of accumulated amortization

 

 

193

 

 

 

211

 

 

 

201

 

 

 

219

 

Utility plant, net ($690 and $711 related to VIEs)

 

 

8,711

 

 

 

8,783

 

Utility plant, net ($706 and $727 related to VIEs)

 

 

9,112

 

 

 

8,915

 

Nonutility Property and Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonutility property, net of accumulated depreciation

 

 

71

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

51

 

 

 

69

 

Assets held in trust, net-nuclear decommissioning

 

 

206

 

 

 

190

 

Other investments

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Assets held in trust, nuclear decommissioning

 

 

223

 

 

 

214

 

Nonutility property and investments, net

 

 

277

 

 

 

263

 

 

 

274

 

 

 

283

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

5

 

 

 

377

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

4

 

Restricted cash and equivalents

 

 

117

 

 

 

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $7 and $4

 

 

327

 

 

 

331

 

Customer, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $9 and $3

 

 

322

 

 

 

320

 

Affiliated and related party

 

 

19

 

 

 

359

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

Other

 

 

55

 

 

 

68

 

 

 

123

 

 

 

119

 

Inventories (at average cost):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel

 

 

107

 

 

 

89

 

 

 

104

 

 

 

104

 

Materials and supplies

 

 

160

 

 

 

158

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

168

 

Prepayments

 

 

111

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

121

 

 

 

91

 

Regulatory assets

 

 

259

 

 

 

223

 

 

 

261

 

 

 

271

 

Other current assets

 

 

19

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

27

 

Total current assets ($133 and $96 related to VIEs)

 

 

1,179

 

 

 

1,688

 

Total current assets ($126 and $143 related to VIEs)

 

 

1,141

 

 

 

1,118

 

Deferred Debits and Other Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

 

3,759

 

 

 

4,046

 

 

 

3,821

 

 

 

3,892

 

Other

 

 

357

 

 

 

183

 

 

 

92

 

 

 

93

 

Total deferred debits and other assets ($34 and $34 related to VIEs)

 

 

4,116

 

 

 

4,229

 

Total deferred debits and other assets ($38 and $32 related to VIEs)

 

 

3,913

 

 

 

3,985

 

Total assets

 

$

14,283

 

 

$

14,963

 

 

$

14,440

 

 

$

14,301

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

(millions)

 

June 30,

2019

 

 

December 31,

2018

 

 

June 30,

2020

 

 

December 31,

2019

 

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock - no par value, 40.3 million shares outstanding

 

$

3,635

 

 

$

2,860

 

 

$

3,695

 

 

$

3,695

 

Retained earnings

 

 

72

 

 

 

1,279

 

 

 

177

 

 

 

20

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(3

)

Total common equity

 

 

3,703

 

 

 

4,136

 

 

 

3,869

 

 

 

3,712

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

173

 

 

 

179

 

 

 

183

 

 

 

180

 

Total equity

 

 

3,876

 

 

 

4,315

 

 

 

4,052

 

 

 

3,892

 

Long-term debt, net

 

 

3,359

 

 

 

3,358

 

Affiliated long-term debt

 

 

230

 

 

 

 

 

 

230

 

 

 

230

 

Long-term debt, net

 

 

3,934

 

 

 

5,132

 

Finance leases

 

 

18

 

 

 

20

 

Total long-term debt

 

 

4,164

 

 

 

5,132

 

 

 

3,607

 

 

 

3,608

 

Total capitalization

 

 

8,040

 

 

 

9,447

 

 

 

7,659

 

 

 

7,500

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings

 

 

 

 

 

73

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

7

 

 

 

14

 

Securities due within one year

 

 

7

 

 

 

7

 

Accounts payable

 

 

150

 

 

 

267

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

245

 

Affiliated and related party payables

 

 

368

 

 

 

347

 

 

 

769

 

 

 

624

 

Customer deposits and customer prepayments

 

 

75

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

71

 

 

 

76

 

Revenue subject to refund

 

 

14

 

 

 

77

 

Taxes accrued

 

 

163

 

 

 

228

 

 

 

121

 

 

 

218

 

Interest accrued

 

 

62

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

92

 

 

 

88

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

269

 

 

 

126

 

 

 

287

 

 

 

256

 

Reserves for litigation and regulatory proceedings

 

 

278

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

473

 

 

 

492

 

Other

 

 

62

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

60

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

1,448

 

 

 

1,330

 

 

 

1,998

 

 

 

2,066

 

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

 

555

 

 

 

989

 

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

 

 

690

 

 

 

629

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

498

 

 

 

542

 

 

 

587

 

 

 

489

 

Pension and other postretirement benefits

 

 

223

 

 

 

232

 

 

 

200

 

 

 

203

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

3,277

 

 

 

2,264

 

 

 

3,098

 

 

 

3,210

 

Affiliated liabilities

 

 

14

 

 

 

15

 

Other

 

 

227

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

194

 

 

 

189

 

Other affiliate

 

 

15

 

 

 

16

 

Total deferred credits and other liabilities

 

 

4,795

 

 

 

4,186

 

 

 

4,783

 

 

 

4,735

 

Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capitalization and liabilities

 

$

14,283

 

 

$

14,963

 

 

$

14,440

 

 

$

14,301

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

(millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Operating Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric(1)

 

$

621

 

 

$

553

 

 

$

141

 

 

$

1,100

 

Gas

 

 

77

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

222

 

 

 

234

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

698

 

 

 

632

 

 

 

363

 

 

 

1,334

 

Operating Revenue(1)

 

$

624

 

 

$

698

 

 

$

1,296

 

 

$

363

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel used in electric generation(1)

 

 

143

 

 

 

155

 

 

 

280

 

 

 

315

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

199

 

 

 

280

 

Purchased power(1)

 

 

12

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

20

 

Gas purchased for resale(1)

 

 

44

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

121

 

 

 

121

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

91

 

 

 

121

 

Other operations and maintenance

 

 

123

 

 

 

113

 

 

 

219

 

 

 

215

 

 

 

93

 

 

 

123

 

 

 

183

 

 

 

219

 

Other operations and maintenance - affiliated suppliers

 

 

72

 

 

 

51

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

120

 

Impairment of assets and other charges

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

371

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

371

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

115

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

217

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

118

 

 

 

115

 

 

 

236

 

 

 

217

 

Other taxes(1)

 

 

72

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

141

 

 

 

129

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

127

 

 

 

141

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

681

 

 

 

525

 

 

 

1,489

 

 

 

1,107

 

 

 

480

 

 

 

681

 

 

 

981

 

 

 

1,489

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

17

 

 

 

107

 

 

 

(1,126

)

 

 

227

 

 

 

144

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

315

 

 

 

(1,126

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

(9

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

(14

)

 

 

125

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

(14

)

Interest charges, net of allowance for borrowed funds used during

construction of $2, $3, $2 and $5(1)

 

 

63

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

152

 

Interest charges, net of allowance for borrowed funds used during

construction of $1, $2, $3 and $2(1)

 

 

58

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

136

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

(55

)

 

 

33

 

 

 

(1,276

)

 

 

200

 

 

 

88

 

 

 

(55

)

 

 

204

 

 

 

(1,276

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

15

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

(103

)

 

 

41

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

(103

)

Net Income (Loss) and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

(70

)

 

 

31

 

 

 

(1,173

)

 

 

159

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

(70

)

 

 

160

 

 

 

(1,173

)

Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

 

 

8

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

9

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling

Interest

 

 

(2

)

 

 

8

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

14

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Available (Attributable) to Common Shareholder

 

$

(78

)

 

$

26

 

 

$

(1,187

)

 

$

150

 

 

$

69

 

 

$

(78

)

 

$

157

 

 

$

(1,187

)

 

(1)

See Note 14 for amounts attributable to affiliates.

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

(millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,173

)

 

$

159

 

 

$

160

 

 

$

(1,173

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets and other charges

 

 

371

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

371

 

Provision for refunds to customers

 

 

950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

950

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

 

(434

)

 

 

58

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

(434

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

223

 

 

 

165

 

 

 

236

 

 

 

223

 

Amortization of nuclear fuel

 

 

27

 

 

 

27

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

27

 

Other adjustments

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

7

 

 

 

(4

)

Changes in certain assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

 

(23

)

 

 

 

Receivables - affiliated and related party

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

(3

)

Income tax receivable

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

Inventories

 

 

(48

)

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(48

)

Prepayments

 

 

(29

)

 

 

(34

)

 

 

(30

)

 

 

(29

)

Pension and other postretirement benefits

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

 

187

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

3

 

 

 

187

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

195

 

 

 

(107

)

 

 

(111

)

 

 

195

 

Accounts payable

 

 

(72

)

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(35

)

 

 

(72

)

Accounts payable - affiliated and related party

 

 

17

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

17

 

Revenue subject to refund

 

 

(63

)

 

 

156

 

 

 

 

 

 

(63

)

Taxes accrued

 

 

(65

)

 

 

(93

)

 

 

(97

)

 

 

(65

)

Other assets

 

 

(138

)

 

 

(131

)

Other liabilities

 

 

59

 

 

 

55

 

Interest accrued

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

Other assets and liabilities

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(79

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

201

 

 

 

188

 

 

 

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property additions and construction expenditures

 

 

(226

)

 

 

(464

)

 

 

(330

)

 

 

(226

)

Proceeds from investments and sales of assets

 

 

12

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

12

 

Purchase of investments

 

 

(23

)

 

 

(17

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(23

)

Purchase of investments - affiliate

 

 

 

 

 

(113

)

Proceeds from interest rate derivative contract settlement

 

 

 

 

 

115

 

Investment in affiliate, net

 

 

343

 

 

 

(75

)

Purchase of investments - affiliated

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

Short-term investments - affiliated

 

 

9

 

 

 

343

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

106

 

 

 

(523

)

 

 

(322

)

 

 

106

 

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of debt

 

 

 

 

 

100

 

Proceeds from issuance of affiliated debt

 

 

230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

230

 

Repayment of long-term debt, including redemption premiums

 

 

(1,247

)

 

 

(170

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,247

)

Dividend to parent

 

 

(30

)

 

 

(156

)

 

 

 

 

 

(30

)

Contribution from parent

 

 

775

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

775

 

Contribution returned to parent

 

 

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

Money pool borrowings, net

 

 

4

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

Short-term borrowings, net

 

 

(73

)

 

 

205

 

 

 

 

 

 

(73

)

Short-term borrowings - affiliated, net

 

 

141

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

(361

)

 

 

149

 

 

 

137

 

 

 

(361

)

Net decrease in cash, restricted cash and equivalents

 

 

(255

)

 

 

(173

)

Cash, restricted cash and equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

377

 

 

 

395

 

Cash, restricted cash and equivalents at end of period

 

$

122

 

 

$

222

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash, restricted cash and equivalents

 

 

3

 

 

 

(255

)

Cash, restricted cash and equivalents at beginning of period(1)

 

 

4

 

 

 

377

 

Cash, restricted cash and equivalents at end of period(1)

 

$

7

 

 

$

122

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncash investing and financing activities:(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Significant noncash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued construction expenditures

 

$

39

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

41

 

 

$

39

 

Leases(2)

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

5

 

(1)

See Note 1At June 30, 2020, June 30, 2019, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 there were 0 restricted cash and equivalent balances.

(2)

Includes $2 million of financing leases for noncash investingthe six months ended June 30, 2020 and $3 million of financing activities related toleases and $2 million of operating leases for the adoption of a new accounting standard for leasing arrangements.six months ended June 30, 2019.

(2)  Includes $3 million of financing leases and $2 million of operating leases.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Common Equity

(Unaudited)

 

Quarter-To-Date

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(millions)

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

AOCI

 

 

Noncontrolling

Interest

 

 

Total

Equity

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

AOCI

 

 

Noncontrolling

Interest

 

 

Total

Equity

 

March 31, 2018

 

 

40

 

 

$

2,860

 

 

$

2,034

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

144

 

 

$

5,034

 

Total comprehensive income available to common

shareholder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

31

 

Capital contribution from parent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

20

 

June 30, 2018

 

 

40

 

 

$

2,860

 

 

$

2,060

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

169

 

 

$

5,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

 

40

 

 

$

3,535

 

 

$

151

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

185

 

 

$

3,867

 

 

 

40

 

 

$

3,535

 

 

$

151

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

185

 

 

$

3,867

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) available (attributable) to common shareholder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(78

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

(70

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(78

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

(70

)

Capital contribution from parent

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

 

Capital contribution returned to parent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(20

)

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

June 30, 2019

 

 

40

 

 

$

3,635

 

 

$

72

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

173

 

 

$

3,876

 

 

 

40

 

 

$

3,635

 

 

$

72

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

173

 

 

$

3,876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2020

 

 

40

 

 

$

3,695

 

 

$

108

 

 

$

(3

)

 

$

185

 

 

$

3,985

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) available

(attributable) to common shareholder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

67

 

June 30, 2020

 

 

40

 

 

$

3,695

 

 

$

177

 

 

$

(3

)

 

$

183

 

 

$

4,052

 

 

 

Year-To-Date

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(millions)

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

AOCI

 

 

Noncontrolling

Interest

 

 

Total

Equity

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

AOCI

 

 

Noncontrolling

Interest

 

 

Total

Equity

 

December 31, 2017

 

 

40

 

 

$

2,860

 

 

$

1,982

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

142

 

 

$

4,980

 

Total comprehensive income available to common

shareholder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

159

 

Capital contribution from parent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

20

 

Dividend to parent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(72

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(74

)

June 30, 2018

 

 

40

 

 

$

2,860

 

 

$

2,060

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

169

 

 

$

5,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

40

 

 

$

2,860

 

 

$

1,279

 

 

$

(3

)

 

$

179

 

 

$

4,315

 

 

 

40

 

 

$

2,860

 

 

$

1,279

 

 

$

(3

)

 

$

179

 

 

$

4,315

 

Cumulative-effect of change in accounting principle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) available (attributable) to common shareholder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,187

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

(1,173

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,187

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

(1,173

)

Capital contribution from parent

 

 

 

 

 

 

775

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

775

 

 

 

 

 

 

775

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

775

 

Capital contribution returned to parent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(20

)

Dividend to parent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

June 30, 2019

 

 

40

 

 

$

3,635

 

 

$

72

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

173

 

 

$

3,876

 

 

 

40

 

 

$

3,635

 

 

$

72

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

173

 

 

$

3,876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

40

 

 

$

3,695

 

 

$

20

 

 

$

(3

)

 

$

180

 

 

$

3,892

 

Total comprehensive income available to common

shareholder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

157

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

160

 

June 30, 2020

 

 

40

 

 

$

3,695

 

 

$

177

 

 

$

(3

)

 

$

183

 

 

$

4,052

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 


Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following notes should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in DESC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. DESC filed such annual report on a combined basis with SCANA. Accordingly, the information presented in such notes is presented on a combined basis and therefore some of the information may apply only to SCANA and not DESC. DESC makes no representation as to any such information.2019.

These are interim financial statements and, due to the seasonality of DESC's business and matters that may occur during the rest of the year, the amounts reported in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) are not necessarily indicative of amounts expected for the full year. In the opinion of management, the information furnished herein reflects all adjustments which are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods reported, and such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. In addition, the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain amounts in DESC's 20182019 Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes have been reclassified to conform to the 20192020 presentation for comparative purposes; however, such reclassifications did not affect DESC's net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), total assets, liabilities, equity or cash flows.

DESC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SCANA, which effective January 2019, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dominion Energy.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Consolidation and Variable Interest Entities

DESC has determined that it has a controlling financial interest in each of GENCO and Fuel Company (which are considered to be VIEs) and, accordingly, DESC's Consolidated Financial Statements include, after eliminating intercompany balances and transactions, the accounts of DESC, GENCO and Fuel Company. The equity interestsSee Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in DESC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for a description of GENCO and Fuel Company are held solely by SCANA, DESC’s parent. As a result, GENCO and Fuel Company’s equity and results of operations are reflected as noncontrolling interest in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

GENCO owns a coal-fired electric generating station with a 605 MW net generating capacity (summer rating). GENCO’s electricity is sold, pursuant to a FERC-approved tariff, solely to DESC under the terms of a power purchase agreement and related operating agreement. The effects of these transactions are eliminated in consolidation. GENCO’s property (carrying value of $497 million) previously served as collateral for its long-term borrowings. In May 2019, GENCO redeemed its 5.49% senior secured notes and was able to release the first mortgage lien in June 2019 that had previously secured these notes. Fuel Company acquires, owns and provides financing for DESC’s nuclear fuel, certain fossil fuels and emission and other environmental allowances. See also Note 5.Company.

Additionally, DESC purchases shared services from DESS, an affiliated VIE that provides accounting, legal, finance and certain administrative and technical services to all SCANA subsidiaries, including DESC. DESC has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of DESS as it does not have either the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact its economic performance or an obligation to absorb losses and benefits which could be significant to it. See Note 14 for amounts attributable to affiliates.

Significant Accounting Policies

There have been no significant changes from Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in DESC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, with the exception of the item described below.

Leases

DESC leases certain assets including vehicles, real estate, office equipment and other assets under both operating and finance leases. For operating leases, rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease agreement, subject to regulatory framework. Rent expense associated with operating leases, short-term leases and variable leases is primarily recorded in other operations and maintenance expense in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Rent expense associated with finance leases results in the separate presentation of interest expense on the lease liability and amortization expense of the related right-of-use asset in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Amortization expense and interest charges associated with finance leases are recorded in depreciation and amortization and interest charges, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) or deferred within regulatory assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


Certain leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease from one to 70 years. The exercise of renewal options is solely at DESC's discretion and is included in the lease term if the option is reasonably certain to be exercised. A right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability for leases with original lease terms of one year or less are not included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, unless such leases contain renewal options that DESC is reasonably certain will be exercised.

The determination of the discount rate utilized has a significant impact on the calculation of the present value of the lease liability included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For DESC’s leased assets, the discount rate implicit in the lease is generally unable to be determined from a lessee perspective.  As such, DESC uses internally-developed incremental borrowing rates as a discount rate in the calculation of the present value of the lease liability. The incremental borrowing rates are determined based on an analysis of DESC's publicly available secured borrowing rates over various lengths of time that most closely corresponds to DESC's lease maturities.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued revised accounting guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leasing arrangements. The update requires that a liability and corresponding right-of-use asset are recorded on the balance sheet for all leases, including those leases classified as operating leases, while also refining the definition of a lease. In addition, lessees will be required to disclose key information about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leasing arrangements. Lessor accounting remains largely unchanged.

The guidance became effective for DESC's interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2019. DESC adopted this revised accounting guidance using a modified retrospective approach, which requires lessees and lessors to recognize and measure leases at the date of adoption. Under this approach, DESC utilized the transition practical expedient to maintain historical presentation for periods before January 1, 2019. DESC also applied the other practical expedients, which required no reassessment of whether existing contracts are or contain leases, no reassessment of lease classification for existing leases and no evaluation of existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases. In connection with the adoption of this revised accounting guidance, DESC recorded $19 million of offsetting right-of-use assets and liabilities for operating leases in effect at the adoption date. See Note 12 for additional information.

2. RATE AND OTHER REGULATORY MATTERS

 

Regulatory Matters Involving Potential Loss Contingencies

As a result of issues generated in the ordinary course of business, DESC is involved in various regulatory matters. Certain regulatory matters may ultimately result in a loss; however, as such matters are in an initial procedural phase, involve uncertainty as to the outcome of pending reviews or orders, and/or involve significant factual issues that need to be resolved, it is not possible for DESC to estimate a range of possible loss. For regulatory matters that DESC cannot estimate, a statement to this effect is made in the description of the matter. Other matters may have progressed sufficiently through the regulatory process such that DESC is able to estimate a range of possible loss. For regulatory matters that DESC is able to reasonably estimate a range of possible losses, an estimated range of possible loss is provided, in excess of the accrued liability (if any) for such matters. Any estimated range is based on currently available information, involves elements of judgment and significant uncertainties and may not represent DESC’s maximum possible loss exposure. The circumstances of such regulatory matters will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. For current matters not specifically reported below, management does not anticipate that the outcome from such matters would have a material effect on DESC’s financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

FERC

In June 2019, DESC submitted the 2015 Task Order as a stand-alone rate schedule, which governs DESC’s provision of retail service to the DOE at the Savannah River Site. The 2015 Task Order also includes provisions that govern the operations and maintenance of certain transmission facilities, which DESC has determined to be services that are likely subject to FERC’s jurisdiction. DESC requested that the FERC accept the 2015 Task Order for filing to become effective in August 2019 and accept the refund analysis included in the filing. At June 30, 2019, DESC’s Consolidated Balance Sheets include reserves of $10 million included within revenue subject to refund for the potential refund of amounts collected under the 2015 Task Order as well as under two prior task orders commencing in 1995 and each covering ten-year periods. During the second quarter of 2019, DESC recorded a $6 million ($4 million after-tax) charge primarily within interest charges in DESC’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). This matter is pending.

Electric - BLRA

In July 2018, the South Carolina Commission issued orders implementing a legislatively-mandated temporary reduction in revenues that could be collected by DESC from customers under the BLRA. These orders reduced the portion of DESC’s retail electric rates associated with the NND Project from approximately 18% of the average residential electric customer's bill to approximately 3%, which equates to a reduction in revenues of approximately $31 million per month, retroactive to April 1, 2018. As a result, in the


second quarter of 20182017 Tax Reform Act

In January 2020, GENCO filed to modify its formula rate to incorporate a mechanism to decrease or increase its income tax allowances by any excess deferred income taxes resulting from the 2017 Tax Reform Act, and future changes in tax laws. These modifications are expected to decrease charges to DESC recorded a charge of $109 million ($82 million after-tax)for the power it purchases from GENCO.  In April 2020, the FERC approved GENCO’s request. There have been no other changes to operating revenuesthe 2017 Tax Reform Act matters discussed in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in DESC’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). The temporary rate reduction remained in effect until February 2019 when rates pursuant toAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the SCANA Merger Approval Order became effective.

year ended December 31, 2019.

Other Regulatory Matters

Other than the following matter,matters, there have been no significant developments regarding the pending regulatory matters disclosed in Note 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in DESC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 or Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in DESC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

 

South Carolina Electric Base Rate Case

Pursuant to the SCANA Merger Approval Order, DESC will not file an application for a general rate case with the South Carolina Commission with a requested effective date for new rates earlier than January 2021.  In April 2020, the South Carolina Commission issued an order vacating the portion of the SCANA Merger Approval Order requiring that new retail electric rates be implemented by January 1, 2021. In July 2020, DESC filed a notice of intent with the South Carolina Commission to file for an increase to base rates for retail electric service no earlier than 30 days following the notice. The net lost revenue recovery portion of the DSM rider would be adjusted lower simultaneously with any approved retail electric base rate increases.

Electric – Cost of Fuel

In February 2020, DESC filed with the South Carolina Commission a proposal to decrease the total fuel cost component of retail electric rates. DESC’s proposed decrease would reduce annual base fuel component recoveries by $44 million and is projected to return to customers the existing over-collected balance while recovering DESC’s current base fuel costs over the 12-month period beginning with the first billing cycle of May 2020. In addition, DESC proposed an increase to its variable environmental and distributed energy resource components. In April 2020, the South Carolina Commission approved the filing.

Electric Transmission Projects

In 2020, DESC began several electric transmission projects in connection with 2 new nuclear plants under development by Southern. These transmission projects are required to be in place prior to these plants beginning operations to maintain reliability. DESC anticipates the projects to go into service in phases, costing approximately $75 million in aggregate. In February 2020, DESC filed an application with the South Carolina Commission requesting approval to construct and operate 28 miles of 230 kV transmission lines in Aiken County, South Carolina estimated to cost approximately $30 million. In June 2020, the South Carolina Commission approved the filing.

Electric – Other

DESC has approval for a DSM rider through which it recovers expenditures related to its DSM programs. In January 2020, DESC submitted its annual DSM programs filing to the South Carolina Commission seeking approval to recover $40 million of costs and net lost revenues associated with DSM programs, along with an incentive to invest in such programs. In April 2020, the South Carolina Commission approved the filing.

DESC utilizes a pension costs rider approved by the South Carolina Commission which is designed to allow recovery of projected pension costs, including under-collected balances or net of over-collected balances, as applicable. The rider is typically reviewed for adjustment every 12 months with any resulting increase or decrease going into effect beginning with the first billing cycle in May. In February 2020, DESC requested that the South Carolina Commission approve an adjustment to this rider to decrease annual revenue by $11 million. In April 2020, the South Carolina Commission approved the filing.

Natural Gas Rates

In June 2019,2020, DESC filed with the South Carolina Commission its monitoring report for the 12-month period ended March 31, 20192020 with a total revenue requirement of $437$409 million. This represents a $7$9 million overall annual increase to its natural gas rates under the terms of the Natural Gas Rate Stabilization Act effective forwith the rate year beginningfirst billing cycle of November 2019.2020. This matter is pending.


Regulatory Assets and Regulatory Liabilities

Rate-regulated utilities recognize in their financial statements certain revenues and expenses in different periods than do other enterprises. As a result, DESC has recorded regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities which are summarized in the following tables.table. Except for NND Project costs and certain other unrecovered plant costs, substantially all regulatory assets are either explicitly excluded from rate base or are effectively excluded from rate base due to their being offset by related liabilities.

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

(millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Regulatory assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NND Project costs

 

$

138

 

 

$

127

 

Deferred employee benefit plan costs

 

 

16

 

 

 

16

 

Other unrecovered plant

 

 

14

 

 

 

14

 

DSM programs

 

 

16

 

 

 

14

 

Other

 

 

75

 

 

 

52

 

Regulatory assets - current

 

 

259

 

 

 

223

 

NND Project costs

 

 

2,572

 

 

 

2,641

 

AROs

 

 

324

 

 

 

380

 

Deferred employee benefit plan costs

 

 

230

 

 

 

256

 

Deferred losses on interest rate derivatives

 

 

308

 

 

 

442

 

Other unrecovered plant

 

 

73

 

 

 

79

 

DSM programs

 

 

53

 

 

 

51

 

Environmental remediation costs

 

 

21

 

 

 

24

 

Deferred storm damage costs

 

 

34

 

 

 

35

 

Deferred transmission operating costs

 

 

27

 

 

 

15

 

Other

 

 

117

 

 

 

123

 

Regulatory assets - noncurrent

 

 

3,759

 

 

 

4,046

 

Total regulatory assets

 

$

4,018

 

 

$

4,269

 

Regulatory liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monetization of guaranty settlement

 

$

67

 

 

$

61

 

Income taxes refundable through future rates

 

 

48

 

 

 

52

 

Reserve for refunds to electric utility customers

 

 

136

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

18

 

 

 

13

 

Regulatory liabilities - current

 

 

269

 

 

 

126

 

Monetization of guaranty settlement

 

 

1,003

 

 

 

1,037

 

Income taxes refundable through future rates

 

 

826

 

 

 

607

 

Asset removal costs

 

 

552

 

 

 

541

 

Deferred gains on interest rate derivatives

 

 

77

 

 

 

75

 

Reserve for refunds to electric utility customers

 

 

813

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

6

 

 

 

4

 

Regulatory liabilities - noncurrent

 

 

3,277

 

 

 

2,264

 

Total regulatory liabilities

 

$

3,546

 

 

$

2,390

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

(millions)

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Regulatory assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NND Project costs(1)

 

$

138

 

 

$

138

 

Deferred employee benefit plan costs(2)

 

 

10

 

 

 

13

 

Other unrecovered plant(3)

 

 

14

 

 

 

14

 

DSM programs(4)

 

 

17

 

 

 

17

 

AROs(5)

 

 

27

 

 

 

28

 

Cost of fuel under-collections(6)

 

 

11

 

 

 

13

 

Other

 

 

44

 

 

 

48

 

Regulatory assets - current

 

 

261

 

 

 

271

 

NND Project costs(1)

 

 

2,434

 

 

 

2,503

 

AROs(5)

 

 

289

 

 

 

293

 

Cost of reacquired debt(7)

 

 

251

 

 

 

259

 

Deferred employee benefit plan costs(2)

 

 

194

 

 

 

196

 

Deferred losses on interest rate derivatives(8)

 

 

315

 

 

 

305

 

Other unrecovered plant(3)

 

 

64

 

 

 

69

 

DSM programs(4)

 

 

57

 

 

 

54

 

Environmental remediation costs(9)

 

 

21

 

 

 

22

 

Deferred storm damage costs(10)

 

 

44

 

 

 

44

 

Deferred transmission operating costs(11)

 

 

49

 

 

 

37

 

Other(12)

 

 

103

 

 

 

110

 

Regulatory assets - noncurrent

 

 

3,821

 

 

 

3,892

 

Total regulatory assets

 

$

4,082

 

 

$

4,163

 

Regulatory liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monetization of guaranty settlement(13)

 

$

67

 

 

$

67

 

Income taxes refundable through future rates(14)

 

 

23

 

 

 

16

 

Reserve for refunds to electric utility customers(15)

 

 

134

 

 

 

143

 

Cost of fuel over-collections(6)

 

 

55

 

 

 

12

 

Other

 

 

8

 

 

 

18

 

Regulatory liabilities - current

 

 

287

 

 

 

256

 

Monetization of guaranty settlement(13)

 

 

936

 

 

 

970

 

Income taxes refundable through future rates(14)

 

 

929

 

 

 

948

 

Asset removal costs(16)

 

 

565

 

 

 

552

 

Deferred gains on interest rate derivatives(8)

 

 

70

 

 

 

71

 

Reserve for refunds to electric utility customers(15)

 

 

588

 

 

 

656

 

Other

 

 

10

 

 

 

13

 

Regulatory liabilities - noncurrent

 

 

3,098

 

 

 

3,210

 

Total regulatory liabilities

 

$

3,385

 

 

$

3,466

 

 

(1)

Reflects expenditures associated with the NND Project, which pursuant to the SCANA Merger Approval Order, will be recovered from electric service customers over a 20-year period ending in 2039. See Note 12 for more information.

(2)

Employee benefit plan costs have historically been recovered as they have been recorded under GAAP. Deferred employee benefit plan costs represent amounts of pension and other postretirement benefit costs which were accrued as liabilities and treated as regulatory assets pursuant to FERC guidance, and costs deferred pursuant to specific South Carolina Commission regulatory orders. DESC expects to recover deferred pension costs through utility rates over periods through 2044. DESC expects to recover other deferred benefit costs through utility rates, primarily over average service periods of participating employees up to 11 years.

(3)

Represents the carrying value of coal-fired generating units, including related materials and supplies inventory, retired from service prior to being fully depreciated. DESC is amortizing these amounts through cost of service rates over the units' previous estimated remaining useful lives through 2025. Unamortized amounts are included in rate base and are earning a current return.

(4)

Represents deferred costs associated with electric demand reduction programs, and such deferred costs are currently being recovered over five years through an approved rate rider.

(5)

Represents deferred depreciation and accretion expense related to legal obligations associated with the future retirement of generation, transmission and distribution properties. The AROs primarily relate to DESC’s electric generating facilities, including Summer, and are expected to be recovered over the related property lives and periods of decommissioning which may range up to approximately 105 years.


(6)

Represents amounts under- or over-collected from customers pursuant to the cost of fuel and purchased gas components approved by the South Carolina Commission.

(7)

Costs of the reacquisition of debt are deferred and amortized as interest expense over the would-be remaining life of the reacquired debt or over the life of the replacement debt if refinanced. The reacquired debt had a weighted-average life of approximately 26 years as of June 30, 2020.

(8)

Represents (i) the changes in fair value and payments made or received upon settlement of certain interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and (ii) the changes in fair value and payments made or received upon settlement of certain other interest rate derivatives not so designated. The amounts recorded with respect to (i) are expected to be amortized to interest expense over the lives of the underlying debt through 2043.The amounts recorded with respect to (ii) are expected to be similarly amortized to interest expense through 2065.

(9)

Reflects amounts associated with the assessment and clean-up of sites currently or formerly owned by DESC. Such remediation costs are expected to be recovered over periods of up to 16 years. See Note 12 for more information.

(10)

Represents storm restoration costs for which DESC expects to receive future recovery through customer rates.

(11)

Includes deferred depreciation and property taxes associated with certain transmission assets for which DESC expects recovery from customers through future rates. See Note 12 for more information.

(12)

Various other regulatory assets are expected to be recovered through rates over varying periods through 2047.

(13)

Represents proceeds related to the monetization of the Toshiba Settlement. In accordance with the SCANA Merger Approval Order, this balance, net of amounts that may be required to satisfy liens, will be refunded to electric customers over a 20-year period ending in 2039. See Note 12 for more information.

(14)

Includes (i) excess deferred income taxes arising from the remeasurement of deferred income taxes in connection with the enactment of the 2017 Tax Reform Act (certain of which are protected under normalization rules and will be amortized over the remaining lives of related property, and certain of which will be amortized to the benefit of customers over prescribed periods as instructed by regulators) and (ii) deferred income taxes arising from investment tax credits, offset by (iii) deferred income taxes that arise from utility operations that have not been included in customer rates (a portion of which relate to depreciation and are expected to be recovered over the remaining lives of the related property which may range up to 85 years). See Note 6 for more information.

(15)

Reflects amounts previously collected from retail electric customers of DESC for the NND Project to be credited to customers over an estimated 11-year period (effective February 2019) in connection with the SCANA Merger Approval Order. See Note 12 for more information.

(16)

Represents estimated net collections through depreciation rates of amounts to be expended for the removal of assets in the future.

Regulatory assets have been recorded based on the probability of their recovery. All regulatory assets represent incurred costs that may be deferred under GAAP for regulated operations. The South Carolina Commission or the FERC has reviewed and approved through specific orders certain of the items shown as regulatory assets. In addition, regulatory assets include, but are not limited to, certain costs which have not been specifically approved for recovery by one of these regulatory agencies, including deferred transmission operating costs that are the subject of regulatory proceedings discussed in Note 11.12. While such costs are not currently being recovered, management believes they would be allowable under existing rate-making concepts embodied in rate orders or applicable state law and expects to recover these costs through rates in future periods. In the future, as a result of deregulation, changes in state law, other changes in the regulatory environment or changes in accounting requirements or other adverse legislative or regulatory developments, DESC could be required to write off all or a portion of its regulatory assets and liabilities. Such an event could have a material effect on DESC's financial statements in the period the write-off would be recorded.

NND Project costs reflects expenditures associated with the NND Project, which pursuant to the SCANA Merger Approval Order, will be recovered from electric service customers over a 20-year period ending in 2039. See Note 11 for more information.

AROs represent deferred depreciation and accretion expense related to legal obligations associated with the future retirement of generation, transmission and distribution properties. The AROs primarily relate to DESC’s electric generating facilities, including Summer, and are expected to be recovered over the related property lives and periods of decommissioning which may range up to approximately 106 years.

Employee benefit plan costs have historically been recovered as they have been recorded under GAAP.  Deferred employee benefit plan costs represent amounts of pension and other postretirement benefit costs which were accrued as liabilities and treated as regulatory assets pursuant to FERC guidance, and costs deferred pursuant to specific South Carolina Commission regulatory orders. DESC expects to recover deferred pension costs through utility rates over periods through 2044. DESC expects to recover other deferred benefit costs through utility rates, primarily over average service periods of participating employees up to 11 years.

Deferred losses or gains on interest rate derivatives represent (i) the changes in fair value and payments made or received upon settlement of certain interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and (ii) the changes in fair value and payments made or received upon settlement of certain other interest rate derivatives not so designated.  The amounts recorded with respect to (i) are expected to be amortized to interest expense over the lives of the underlying debt through 2043. The amounts recorded with respect to (ii) are expected to be similarly amortized to interest expense through 2065.

Other unrecovered plant represents the carrying value of coal-fired generating units, including related materials and supplies inventory, retired from service prior to being fully depreciated. DESC is amortizing these amounts through cost of service rates over the units' previous estimated remaining useful lives through 2025. Unamortized amounts are included in rate base and are earning a current return.

DSM programs represent deferred costs associated with electric demand reduction programs, and such deferred costs are currently being recovered over five years through an approved rate rider.

Environmental remediation costs are associated with the assessment and clean-up of sites currently or formerly owned by DESC. Such remediation costs are expected to be recovered over periods of up to 16 years. See also Note 11.

Deferred storm damage costs represent storm restoration costs for which DESC expects to receive future recovery through customer rates.

Deferred transmission operating costs includes deferred depreciation and property taxes associated with certain transmission assets for which DESC expects recovery from customers through future rates. See also Note 11.

Various other regulatory assets are expected to be recovered through rates over varying periods through 2047.

Monetization of guaranty settlement represents proceeds related to the monetization of the Toshiba Settlement. In accordance with the SCANA Merger Approval Order, this balance, net of amounts that may be required to satisfy certain liens, will be refunded to electric customers over a 20-year period ending in 2039. See Note 11.

Income taxes refundable through future rates includes (i) excess deferred income taxes arising from the remeasurement of deferred income taxes in connection with the enactment of the 2017 Tax Reform Act (certain of which are protected under normalization rules and will be amortized over the remaining lives of related property, and certain of which will be amortized to the benefit of customers over prescribed periods as instructed by regulators) and (ii) deferred income taxes arising from investment tax credits, offset by (iii) deferred income taxes that arise from utility operations that have not been included in customer rates (a portion of which relate to depreciation and are expected to be recovered over the remaining lives of the related property which may range up to 85 years). See also Note 6.


Reserve for refunds to electric utility customers reflects amounts previously collected from retail electric customers of DESC for the NND Project to be credited to customers over an estimated 11-year period in connection with the SCANA Merger Approval Order. See Note 11.

Asset removal costs represent estimated net collections through depreciation rates of amounts to be expended for the removal of assets in the future. 

3. REVENUE RECOGNITION

DESC has disaggregated operating revenues by customer class as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

June 30, 2019

 

 

June 30, 2018

 

 

June 30, 2019

 

 

June 30, 2018

 

 

June 30, 2020

 

 

June 30, 2019

 

 

June 30, 2020

 

 

June 30, 2019

 

(millions)

 

Electric

 

 

Gas

 

 

Electric

 

 

Gas

 

 

Electric

 

 

Gas

 

 

Electric

 

 

Gas

 

 

Electric

 

 

Gas

 

 

Electric

 

 

Gas

 

 

Electric

 

 

Gas

 

 

Electric

 

 

Gas

 

Customer class:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

$

281

 

 

$

31

 

 

$

243

 

 

$

34

 

 

$

10

 

 

$

109

 

 

$

495

 

 

$

120

 

 

$

261

 

 

$

33

 

 

$

281

 

 

$

31

 

 

$

513

 

 

$

112

 

 

$

10

 

 

$

109

 

Commercial

 

 

206

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

340

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

177

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

206

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

352

 

 

 

53

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

61

 

Industrial

 

 

100

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

106

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

191

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

83

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

163

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

45

 

Other

 

 

35

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

68

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

27

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

7

 

Revenues from contracts with

customers

 

 

622

 

 

 

77

 

 

 

550

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

140

 

 

 

222

 

 

 

1,094

 

 

 

233

 

 

 

548

 

 

 

69

 

 

 

622

 

 

 

77

 

 

 

1,085

 

 

 

202

 

 

 

140

 

 

 

222

 

Other revenues

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

Total Operating Revenues

 

$

621

 

 

$

77

 

 

$

553

 

 

$

79

 

 

$

141

 

 

$

222

 

 

$

1,100

 

 

$

234

 

 

$

555

 

 

$

69

 

 

$

621

 

 

$

77

 

 

$

1,094

 

 

$

202

 

 

$

141

 

 

$

222

 

 

Contract liabilities represent the obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which consideration has already been received from the customer. DESC had contract liability balances of $5 million and $4$9 million at June 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, DESC recognized revenue of $5 million and $3 million, respectively, from the beginning contract liability balances as DESC fulfilled its obligations to provide service to its customers. Contract liabilities are recorded in customer deposits and customer prepayments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


4. EQUITY

For all periods presented, DESC's authorized shares of common stock, no par value, were 50 million, of which 40.3 million were issued and outstanding, and DESC's authorized shares of preferred stock, no par value, were 20 million, of which 1,000 shares were issued and outstanding. All outstanding shares of common and preferred stock are held by SCANA.

In FebruaryDuring the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, DESC received an equity contributioncontributions of $675$100 million and $775 million, respectively, from its parent that was funded by Dominion Energy. DESC used these funds to redeem long-term debt. See Note 5.

In June 2019, DESC received an equity contribution of $100 million from its parent that was funded by Dominion Energy. DESC used these fundsdebt and to repay intercompany credit agreement borrowings from Dominion Energy.

See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in DESC’s bond indenture under which it issues first mortgage bonds contains provisions that could limit the payment of cash dividendsAnnual Report on its common stock. DESC's bond indenture permits the payment of dividends on DESC's common stock only either (1) out of its Surplus (as defined in the bond indenture) or (2) in case there is no Surplus, out of its net profitsForm 10-K for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. In addition, the Federal Power Act requires the appropriation of a portion of certain earnings from hydroelectric projects. ended December 31, 2019.

At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, retained earnings of $126 million and $115 million, respectively, were restricted by this requirement as to payment of cash dividends on DESC’s common stock. In addition, pursuant to the SCANA Merger Approval Order, the amount of any DESC dividends paid must be reasonable and consistent with the long-term payout ratio of the electric utility industry and gas distribution industry.

At June 30, 2019,2020, DESC’s retained earnings are belowexceed the balance established by the Federal Power Act as a reserve on earnings attributable to hydroelectric generation plants. As a result, DESC is prohibited from the payment ofpermitted to pay dividends without additional regulatory approval untilprovided that such amounts would not bring the balance of its retained earnings increases.balance below the threshold. There have been no other significant changes to dividend restrictions affecting DESC described in Note 45 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in DESC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019.


5. LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM DEBT AND LIQUIDITY

Long-term Debt

In February 2019, DESC launched tender offers for certain of its first mortgage bonds pursuant to which it purchased first mortgage bonds having an aggregate purchase price equal to $1.2 billion. DESC incurred a loss on reacquired debt of $187 million in connection with these tender offers, which is recorded in other deferred debits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Long-term Debt - Affiliate

In May 2019, GENCO issued a $230 million 3.05% promissory note due to Dominion Energy that matures in May 2024. The issuance by GENCO was approved by the South Carolina Commission. Proceeds from the issuance were used to redeem GENCO’s 5.49% senior secured notes due in 2024 at the remaining principal outstanding of $33 million plus accrued interest, repay money pool borrowings and to return $20 million of contributed equity capital to SCANA.

Liquidity

In March 2019, DESC became a co-borrower under Dominion Energy's $6 billion joint revolving credit facility. DESC's short-term financing is supported through its access as co-borrower to thisDominion Energy’s $6.0 billion joint revolving credit facility, which can be used for working capital, as support for the combined commercial paper programs of DESC, Dominion Energy, Virginia Power, Dominion Energy Gas and certain other of its subsidiaries (co-borrowers),Questar Gas, and for other general corporate purposes.

At June 30, 2020, DESC's share of commercial paper and letters of credit outstanding under its joint credit facility with Dominion Energy, werewas as follows:

 

(millions)

 

Facility Limit

 

 

Outstanding

Commercial Paper

 

 

Outstanding

Letters of Credit

 

At June 30, 2019

 

$

1,000

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

A maximum of $1.0 billion of the facility is available to DESC, less any amounts outstanding to co-borrowers. A sub-limit for DESC is set within the facility limit but can be changed at the option of the co-borrowers multiple times per year. At June 30, 2019, the sub-limit for DESC was $500 million. If DESC has liquidity needs in excess of its sub-limit, the sub-limit may be changed or such needs may be satisfied through short-term borrowings from DESC's parent or from Dominion Energy. This credit facility matures in March 2023 and can be used to support bank borrowings and the issuance of commercial paper, as well as to support up to $1.0 billion (or the sub-limit, whichever is less) of letters of credit.

Also in March 2019, DESC canceled its previous committed long-term facility which was a revolving line of credit under a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks. This previous credit agreement was used for general corporate purposes, including liquidity support for DESC's commercial paper program and working capital needs, and was set to expire in December 2020.

(millions)

 

Facility Limit(1)

 

 

Outstanding

Commercial Paper

 

 

Outstanding

Letters of Credit

 

 

Facility Limit

 

 

Outstanding

Commercial Paper

 

 

Outstanding

Letters of Credit

 

At December 31, 2018

 

$

1,200

 

 

$

73

 

 

$

 

Joint revolving credit facility(1)

 

$

1,000

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

(1)

IncludedA maximum of $1.0 billion of the facility is available to DESC, assuming adequate capacity is available after giving effect to uses by co-borrowers Dominion Energy, Virginia Power, Dominion Energy Gas and Questar Gas. The sub-limit for DESC is set within the facility limit but can be changed at the option of the co-borrowers multiple times per year. At June 30, 2020, the sub-limit for DESC was $500 million relatedmillion. If DESC has liquidity needs in excess of its sub-limit, the sub-limit may be changed or such needs may be satisfied through short-term borrowings from DESC's parent or from Dominion Energy. This credit facility matures in March 2023 and can be used to Fuel Company. In February 2019, Fuel Company'ssupport bank borrowings and the issuance of commercial paper, program and its credit facility were terminated.as well as to support up to $1.0 billion (or the sub-limit, whichever is less) of letters of credit.

The weighted-average interest rate of the outstanding commercial paper supported by this credit facility was 3.82% at December 31, 2018.

In April 2019,January 2020, DESC renewed itsand GENCO applied to FERC for a two-year short-term borrowing authorization. In March 2020, FERC granted DESC authority through March 2021 to issue short-term indebtedness (pursuant to Section 204 of the Federal Power Act). DESC may issue unsecured promissory notes, commercial paper and direct loans in amounts not to exceed $2.2 billion outstanding with maturity dates of one year or less. In addition, in April 2019,March 2020, FERC granted GENCO renewed its FERC authority through March 2021 to issue short-term indebtedness not to exceed $200 million outstanding with maturity dates of one year or less. The authorities described herein will expire in April 2020, which reflects a one-year authorization period rather than the two-year period DESC and GENCO had requested. In granting the authorization for a shorter period, FERC cited certain regulatory and legislative proceedings at the state level, as well as certain legal proceedings, arising from the NND Project that could affect DESC's and GENCO's circumstances. Were adverse developments to occur with respect to these uncertainties, the ability of DESC or GENCO to secure renewal of this short-term borrowing authority may be adversely impacted.


DESC is obligated with respect to an aggregate of $68 million of industrial revenue bonds which are secured by letters of credit issued by TD Bank N.A.credit. These letters of credit expire, subject to renewal, in the fourth quarter of 2019.2020.

DESC received FERC approval to enter into an inter-company credit agreement in April 2019 with Dominion Energy under which DESC may have short-term borrowings outstanding up to $900 million. At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, DESC had borrowings outstanding under this credit agreement totaling $61$480 million and $355 million, respectively, which are recorded in affiliated and related party payables in DESC’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, DESC recorded interest charges of $3 million and $5 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, DESC recorded interest charges of less than $1 million.

DESC participated in a utility money pool with SCANA and another regulated subsidiary of SCANA through April 2019. Fuel Company and GENCO remainedremain in the utility money pool. Money pool borrowings and investments bear interest at short-term market rates. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, DESC recorded interest income from money pool transactions of $1 million and $2 million, respectively, and for the same period DESC recorded interest expense from money pool transactions of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, DESC recorded interest income from money pool transactions of $3 million and $6 million, respectively, and for the same periodsperiod DESC recorded interest expense from money pool transactions of $3 million and $6 million, respectively. Interest income and interest expense for the corresponding periods in 2018 were not significant. DESCFuel Company had outstanding money pool borrowings due to an affiliate of $224$233 million and GENCO had investments due from an affiliate of $9$2 million at June 30, 2019.2020. At December 31, 2018, DESC2019, Fuel Company had outstanding money pool borrowings due to an affiliate of $282$219 million and GENCO had investments due from an affiliate of $353$9 million. On its Consolidated Balance Sheets, DESC includes money pool borrowings within affiliated and related party payables and money pool investments within affiliated and related party receivables.


6. INCOME TAXES

DESC has recorded an estimate of excess deferred income tax amortization in 2020. The reversal of these excess deferred income taxes will impact the effective tax rate and rates charged to customers. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in DESC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for more information.

DESC’s effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 20192020 is 8.1%21.5% compared to 20.5%8.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2018.2019. Variances in the effective tax rate are primarily driven by the absence of charges resulting from the SCANA Combination. In connection with the SCANA Merger Approval Order, Dominion Energy committed to forgo, or limit, the recovery of certain income tax-related regulatory assets associated with the NND Project. DESC's 2019 effective tax rate reflects income tax expense of $198 million in satisfaction of this commitment.

In Also in the first quarter,six months of 2019, DESC’s unrecognized tax benefits increased by $51$75 million and income tax expense increased by $40$63 million related to afederal and state income tax position taken in prior years. In the second quarter, DESC’s unrecognized tax benefits increased by $24 million and income tax expense increased by $23 million primarily related to a federal income tax positionpositions taken in prior years.

In March 2020, the CARES Act was enacted which includes several significant business tax provisions that modify or temporarily suspend certain provisions of the 2017 Tax Reform Act. The CARES Act provisions are intended to improve cash flow and liquidity by, among other things, providing a temporary five-year carryback for certain net operating losses, accelerating the refund of previously generated corporate alternative minimum tax credits, and temporarily loosening the business interest limitation to 50% of adjusted taxable income for certain businesses. While DESC intends to utilize the income tax provisions of the CARES Act to accelerate the recognition of certain tax attributes, where applicable, they are not expected to provide a material benefit.

In July 2020, the U.S. Department of Treasury issued final regulations providing guidance about the limitation on the deduction for business interest expenses and issued proposed regulations on the application of these rules to certain pass-through entities and partners in those entities under the 2017 Tax Reform Act as modified by the CARES Act.  DESC is currently assessing the impact of these regulations but expects interest expense to be deductible in 2020.

As of June 30, 2019,2020, there have been no other material changes in DESC’s unrecognized tax benefits. See Note 67 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in DESC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20182019 for a discussion of these unrecognized tax benefits and potential changes due to the SCANA Combination.benefits.

DESC has significant federal and state net operating loss carryforward-related deferred tax assets where the utilization of these tax benefits may be limited in future periods due to the SCANA Combination. For the period ended June 30, 2019, DESC has concluded a valuation allowance is not required on these deferred tax assets. If DESC concludes a valuation allowance is required in future periods, the impact could be material.

The 2017 Tax Reform Act limits the deductibility of interest expense to 30% of adjusted taxable income for certain businesses, with any disallowed interest carried forward indefinitely. Subject to additional guidance in yet to be finalized regulations, DESC expects its interest expense to be deductible in 2019.


7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

DESC’s accounting policies, objectives, and strategies for using derivative instruments are discussed in Note 72 in the Consolidated Financial Statements in DESC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are measured at fair value.2019. See Note 8 for further information about fair value measurements and associated valuation methods for derivatives.

Derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. DESC’s derivative contracts include over-the-counter transactions, whichtransactions. Over-the-counter contracts are bilateral contracts that are transacted directly with a third party. Certain over-the-counter contracts contain contractual rights of setoff through master netting arrangements and contract default provisions. In addition, the contracts are subject to conditional rights of setoff through counterparty nonperformance, insolvency, or other conditions.

In general, most over-the-counter transactions are subject to collateral requirements. Types of collateral for over-the-counter contracts include cash, letters of credit, and, in some cases, other forms of security, none of which are subject to restrictions. Cash collateral is used in the table below to offset derivative assets and liabilities.

PursuantAll of DESC’s derivative instruments contain credit-related contingent provisions. These provisions require DESC to regulatory orders, interest rateprovide collateral upon the occurrence of specific events, primarily a credit rating downgrade. If the credit-related contingent features underlying the instruments that are in a liability position and not fully collateralized with cash were fully triggered as of June 30, 2020, DESC would have been required to post $10 million of additional collateral to its counterparties. The collateral that would be required to be posted includes the impacts of any amounts already posted for derivatives entered into byper contractual terms. DESC after October 2013 havehad posted $3 million of collateral at June 30, 2020 related to derivatives with credit-related contingent provisions that are in a liability position and not been designated for accounting purposes as cash flow hedges, andfully collateralized with cash. The aggregate fair value changesof all derivative instruments with credit-related contingent provisions that are in a liability position and settlement amountsnot fully collateralized with cash was $13 million at June 30, 2020. DESC’s derivatives with credit related to them have been recorded as regulatory assets and liabilities. Settlement losses on swaps generally have been amortized over the lives of subsequent debt issuances, and gains have been amortized to interest expense or have been applied as otherwise directed by the South Carolina Commission. See Note 15 regarding the settlement gains realizedcontingent provisions that were in the first quarter of 2018.a liability position were fully collateralized with cash at December 31,2019.


The table below presents derivative balances by type of financial instrument, if the gross amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were netted with derivative instruments and cash collateral received or paid:

 

 

June 30, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

June 30, 2020

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated

Balance Sheet

 

 

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated

Balance Sheet

 

 

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated

Balance Sheet

 

 

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated

Balance Sheet

 

(millions)

 

Gross

Liabilities

Presented in the

Consolidated

Balance Sheet

 

 

Financial

Instruments

 

 

Cash

Collateral

Paid

 

 

Net

Amounts

 

 

Gross

Liabilities

Presented in the

Consolidated

Balance Sheet

 

 

Financial

Instruments

 

 

Cash

Collateral

Paid

 

 

Net

Amounts

 

 

Gross

Liabilities

Presented in the

Consolidated

Balance Sheet

 

 

Financial

Instruments

 

 

Cash

Collateral

Paid

 

 

Net

Amounts

 

 

Gross

Liabilities

Presented in the

Consolidated

Balance Sheet

 

 

Financial

Instruments

 

 

Cash

Collateral

Paid

 

 

Net

Amounts

 

Interest rate contracts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over-the-counter

 

$

19

 

 

$

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

 

 

$

31

 

 

$

 

 

$

21

 

 

$

10

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

 

Total derivatives

 

$

19

 

 

$

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

 

 

$

31

 

 

$

 

 

$

21

 

 

$

10

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

 

 

Volumes

The following table presents the volume of derivative activity at June 30, 2019.2020. These volumes are based on open derivative positions and represent the combined absolute value of their long and short positions.

 

 

 

Current

 

 

Noncurrent

 

Interest rate(1)

 

$

 

 

$

71,400,000

 

 

(1)

Maturity is determined based on final settlement period.


Fair Value and Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments

The following tables present the fair values of derivatives and where they are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

(millions)

 

Fair Value -

Derivatives

under Hedge

Accounting

 

 

Fair Value -

Derivatives not

under Hedge

Accounting

 

 

Total Fair Value

 

 

Fair Value -

Derivatives

under Hedge

Accounting

 

 

Fair Value -

Derivatives not

under Hedge

Accounting

 

 

Total Fair Value

 

At June 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

2

 

Total current derivative liabilities(1)

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

Noncurrent Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate

 

 

11

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

29

 

Total noncurrent derivative liabilities(2)

 

 

11

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

29

 

Total derivative liabilities

 

$

12

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

18

 

 

$

13

 

 

$

31

 

At December 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate

 

$

1

 

 

$

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

2

 

Total current derivative liabilities(1)

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

Noncurrent Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate

 

 

7

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

17

 

Total noncurrent derivative liabilities(2)

 

 

7

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

17

 

Total derivative liabilities

 

$

8

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

12

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

19

 

 

(1)

Current derivative liabilities are presented in other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2)

Noncurrent derivative liabilities are presented in other deferred credits and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following tables present the gains and losses on derivatives, as well as where the associated activity is presented in itsthe Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss):


Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

 

(millions)

 

Gain (loss) Reclassified from Deferred Accounts into Income

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

in Derivatives

Subject to

Regulatory

Treatment(1)

 

 

Gain (loss)

Reclassified from

Deferred Accounts

into Income

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

in Derivatives

Subject to

Regulatory

Treatment(1)

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative type and location of gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate(2)

 

$

 

 

$

2

 

Total

 

$

 

 

$

2

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative type and location of gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate(2)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Total

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative type and location of gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate(2)

 

$

(1

)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(4

)

Total

 

$

(1

)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(4

)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative type and location of gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate(2)

 

$

 

 

$

(2

)

 

$

 

 

$

(2

)

Total

 

$

 

 

$

(2

)

 

$

 

 

$

(2

)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative type and location of gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate(2)

 

$

(1

)

 

$

2

 

Total

 

$

(1

)

 

$

2

 

 

(1)

Represents net derivative activity deferred into and amortized out of regulatory assets/liabilities. Amounts deferred into regulatory assets/ liabilities have no associated effect in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

(2)

Amounts recorded in DESC’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) are classified in interest charges.

Derivatives Not designated as Hedging Instruments

(millions)

 

Increase (Decrease) in

Derivatives Subject to

Regulatory Treatment(1)

 

 

 

 

Amount of Gain (Loss)

Recognized in Income on

Derivatives(2)

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Location

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Derivative type and location of gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest charges

 

$

 

 

$

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total interest rate contracts

 

$

(2

)

 

$

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

(1

)

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative type and location of gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest charges

 

$

 

 

$

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

115

 

Total interest rate contracts

 

$

(3

)

 

$

65

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

114

 

(1)

Represents net derivative activity deferred into and amortized out of regulatory assets/liabilities. Amounts deferred into regulatory assets/liabilities have no associated effect in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

(2)

Includes derivative activity amortized out of regulatory assets/liabilities. Amounts deferred into regulatory assets/liabilities have no associated effect in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).


Credit Risk Considerations

Certain derivative contracts contain contingent credit features. These features may include (i) material adverse change clauses or payment acceleration clauses that could result in immediate payments or (ii) the posting of letters of credit or termination of the derivative contract before maturity if specific events occur, such as a credit rating downgrade below investment grade or failure to post collateral.

Derivative Contracts with Credit Contingent Features

(millions)

 

June 30,

2019

 

 

December 31,

2018

 

in Net Liability Position

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate fair value of derivatives in net liability position

 

$

19

 

 

$

11

 

Fair value of collateral already posted

 

 

19

 

 

 

11

 

Additional cash collateral or letters of credit in the event credit-risk-related

   contingent features were triggered

 

$

 

 

$

 

8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, INCLUDING DERIVATIVES

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair values are based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in valuation techniques and the inputs to valuations. This includes not only the credit standing of counterparties involved and the impact of credit enhancements but also the impact of DESC’s own nonperformance risk on their liabilities. Fair value measurements assume that the transaction occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability (the market with the most volume and activity for the asset or liability from the perspective of the reporting entity), or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability (the market in which the reporting entity would be able to maximize the amount received or minimize the amount paid). DESC applies fair value measurements to interest rate assets and liabilities. DESC’s interest rate swap agreements are valued using discounted cash flow models with independently sourced data. DESC applies credit adjustments to its derivative fair valuesmade in accordance with the requirements described above.

Inputs and Assumptions

Fair value is based on actively-quoted market prices, if available. In the absence of actively-quoted market prices, price information is sought from external sources, including industry publications, and to a lesser extent, broker quotes. When evaluating pricing information, DESC considers the ability to transact at the quoted price. Periodically, inputs to valuation models are reviewed and revised as needed, based on historical information, updated market data, market liquidity and relationships, and changespolicies discussed in third-party sources.

The inputs and assumptions used in measuring fair value for interest rate derivative contracts include the following:

Interest rate curves

Credit quality of counterparties and DESC

Notional value

Credit enhancements

Time value


Levels

DESC utilizes the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:

Level 1-Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that they have the ability to access at the measurement date.  

Level 2-Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means. Instruments categorized in Level 2 include interest rate swaps.

Level 3-Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, including situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable data (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In these cases, the lowest level input that is significant to a fair value measurement in its entirety determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy. Assessing the significance of a particular inputNote 9 to the fair value measurementConsolidated Financial Statements in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific toDESC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the asset or liability.year ended December 31, 2019. See Note 7 in this report for further information about DESC’s derivatives and hedge accounting activities.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Fair value measurementsThe following table presents DESC’s liabilities that are separately disclosed by level within themeasured at fair value hierarchy.on a recurring basis for each hierarchy level, including both current and noncurrent portions:

All of DESC's interest rate swap agreements were in a liability position for all periods presented. Such agreements are valued using discounted cash flow models with independently sourced data, and are considered to be Level 2 fair value measurements. The fair value of these derivatives at June 30, 2019 was $19 million, and at December 31, 2018 was $11 million.

(millions)

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

At June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate

 

$

 

 

$

31

 

 

$

 

 

$

31

 

Total liabilities

 

$

 

 

$

31

 

 

$

 

 

$

31

 

At December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate

 

$

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

 

 

$

19

 

Total liabilities

 

$

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

 

 

$

19

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Substantially all of DESC’s financial instruments are recorded at fair value, with the exception of the instruments described below, which are reported at historical cost. Estimated fair values have been determined using available market information and valuation methodologies considered appropriate by management. The carrying amount of financial instruments classified within current assets and current liabilities are representative of fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. For financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value, the carrying amounts and estimated fair values are as follows:

 

 

June 30, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

June 30, 2020

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

(millions)

 

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Estimated

Fair Value(1)

 

 

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Estimated

Fair Value(2)

 

 

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Estimated

Fair Value(1)

 

 

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Estimated

Fair Value(1)

 

Long-term debt(3)(2)

 

$

4,171

 

 

$

4,982

 

 

$

5,146

 

 

$

5,470

 

 

$

3,359

 

 

$

4,586

 

 

$

3,358

 

 

$

4,262

 

Affiliated long-term debt

 

 

230

 

 

 

230

 

 

 

230

 

 

 

230

 

 

(1)

Fair value is estimated using market prices, where available, and interest rates currently available for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. All fair value measurements are classified as Level 2. The carrying amount of debt issuances with short-term maturities and variable rates refinanced at current market rates is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.

(2)

Fair value is estimated based on net present value calculations using independently sourced market data that incorporate a developed discount rate using similarly rated long-term debt, along with benchmark interest rates. All fair value measurements are classified as Level 2. The carrying amount of debt issuances with short-term maturities and variable rates refinanced at current market rates is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.

(3)

Carrying amount includes current portions included in securities due within one year and amounts which represent the unamortized debt issuance costs and discount or premium.

9. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

A liability for the present value of an ARO is recognized when incurred if the liability can be reasonably estimated. Uncertainty about the timing or method of settlement of a conditional ARO is factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists, but such uncertainty is not a basis upon which to avoid liability recognition.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending aggregate carrying amount of AROs is as follows:

(millions)

 

Amount

 

AROs at December 31, 2019

 

$

489

 

Liabilities settled

 

 

(2

)

Accretion expense

 

 

11

 

Revisions in estimated cash flows (1)

 

 

89

 

AROs at June 30, 2020

 

$

587

 

(1)

The increase in 2020 reflects revisions from the nuclear decommissioning cost study.


9.10. UTILITY PLANT AND NONUTILITY PROPERTY

Sale of Warranty Service Contract Assets

In May 2019, DESC entered into an agreement to sell certain warranty service contract assets for total consideration of $7 million. DESC expects the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2019 and estimates the transaction to result in a $7 million ($5 million after-tax) gain. Pursuant to the agreement, upon closing DESC expects to enter into a commission agreement with the buyer under which the buyer will compensate DESC in connection with the right to use DESC’s brand in marketing materials and other services over a ten-year term.


Jointly Owned Utility Plant

DESC jointly owns and is the operator of Summer. Each joint owner provides its own financing and shares the direct expenses and generation output in proportion to its ownership. DESC’s share of the direct expenses in Summer is 66.7%. In May 2019, DESC and Santee Cooper entered into an agreement in which DESC agreed to purchase 11.7% of Santee Cooper’s ownership interest in the NND Project nuclear fuel, which will be used at Summer, for $8 million to true up the ownership percentage from the 55% ownership percentage that was applicable for the NND Project to the 66.7% ownership percentage applicable for Summer.

10.11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Components of net periodic benefit cost recorded by DESC were as follows:

 

(millions)

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Other Postretirement Benefits

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Other Postretirement Benefits

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Service cost

 

$

3

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

 

Interest cost

 

 

7

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Expected return on assets

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of actuarial losses

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curtailment(1)

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

9

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

 

 

$

9

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

5

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

7

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

1

 

Interest cost

 

 

15

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

Expected return on assets

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(24

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(20

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of actuarial losses

 

 

7

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curtailment(1)

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

15

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

 

 

$

15

 

 

$

6

 

 

$

8

 

(1) Related to a voluntary retirement program.

Related to a voluntary retirement program.

No significant contribution to the pension trust is expected for the remainder of 20192020 based on current market conditions and assumptions, nor is a limitation on benefit payments expected to apply. DESC recovers current pension costs through either a rate rider that may be adjusted annually for retail electric operations or through cost of service rates for gas operations.

 

Voluntary Retirement Program

In March 2019, Dominion Energy announced a voluntary retirement program to employees, including employees of DESC, that meet certain age and service requirements. The voluntary retirement program will not compromise safety or DESC’s ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations. In the second quarter of 2019, upon the determinations made concerning the number of employees that elected to participate in the program, DESC recorded a charge of $62 million ($47 million after-tax), of which $50 million was included within other operations and maintenance expense, $3 million within other taxes and $9 million within other income (expense), net.

In the second quarter of 2019, DESC remeasured its pension and other postretirement benefit plans as a result of the voluntary retirement program.  The remeasurement resulted in an increase in the pension benefit obligation of $16 million and an increase in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation of $10 million. In addition, the remeasurement resulted in an increase in the fair value of pension plan assets of $27 million. The impact of the remeasurement on net periodic benefit cost was recognized prospectively from the remeasurement date. The remeasurement is expected to increase the net periodic benefit cost for 2019 by approximately $1 million, excluding the impacts of curtailments. The discount rate used for the remeasurement was 4.07% for the pension plan and 4.08% for the other postretirement benefit plan. All other assumptions used for the remeasurement were consistent with the measurement as of December 31, 2018.  


11.12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

As a result of issues generated in the ordinary course of business, DESC is involved in legal proceedings before various courts and is periodically subject to governmental examinations (including by regulatory authorities), inquiries and investigations. Certain legal proceedings and governmental examinations involve demands for unspecified amounts of damages, are in an initial procedural phase, involve uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions, or involve significant factual issues that need to be resolved, such that it is not possible for DESC to estimate a range of possible loss. For such matters that DESC cannot estimate, a statement to this effect is made in the description of the matter. Other matters may have progressed sufficiently through the litigation or investigative processes such that DESC is able to estimate a range of possible loss. For legal proceedings and governmental examinations that DESC is able to reasonably estimate a range of possible losses, an estimated range of possible loss is provided, in excess of the accrued liability (if any) for such matters. Any accrued liability is recorded on a gross basis with a receivable also recorded for any probable insurance recoveries. Estimated ranges of loss are inclusive of legal fees and net of any anticipated insurance recoveries. Any estimated range is based on currently available information and involves elements of judgment and significant uncertainties. Any estimated range of possible loss may not represent DESC’s maximum possible loss exposure. The circumstances of such legal proceedings and governmental examinations will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from the current estimate. For current proceedings not specifically reported below, management does not anticipate that the liabilities, if any, arising from such proceedings would have a material effect on DESC’s financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

Environmental Matters

DESC is subject to costs resulting from a number of federal, state and local laws and regulations designed to protect human health and the environment. These laws and regulations affect future planning and existing operations. They can result in increased capital, operating and other costs as a result of compliance, remediation, containment and monitoring obligations.

From a regulatory perspective, DESC and GENCO continually monitor and evaluate their current and projected emission levels and strive to comply with all state and federal regulations regarding those emissions. DESC and GENCO participate in the SO2 and NOX emission allowance programs with respect to coal plant emissions and also have constructed additional pollution control equipment at their coal-fired electric generating plants. These actions are expected to address many of the rules and regulations discussed herein.

Air

CAA

The CAA, as amended, is a comprehensive program utilizing a broad range of regulatory tools to protect and preserve the nation's air quality. At a minimum, states are required to establish regulatory programs to address all requirements of the CAA. However, states may choose to develop regulatory programs that are more restrictive. Many of DESC’s facilities are subject to the CAA’s permitting and other requirements.

MATS

In February 2019, the EPA published a proposed rule to reverse its previous finding that it is appropriate and necessary to regulate hazardous air pollutant emissions from coal- and oil-fired electric generating units. In May 2020, the EPA’s final rule became effective. The final rule is consistent with the EPA’s February 2019 proposal, and determines that it is not appropriate and necessary to regulate mercury and hazardous air pollutant emissions from coal- and oil-fired electric generating units. The final rule also states that the MATS rule remains in place and the emissions standards for affected coal- and oil-fired electric generating units will not change. DESC is complying with the applicable requirements of the rule and does not expect any impacts to its operations.

Ozone Standards

The EPA published final non-attainment designations for the October 2015 ozone standard in June 2018. States have until August 2021 to develop plans to address the new standard. Until the states have developed implementation plans for the standard, DESC is unable to predict whether or to what extent the new rules will ultimately require additional controls. The expenditures required to implement additional controls could have a material impact on DESC’s results of operations and cash flows.


ACE Rule

In July 2019, the EPA published the final rule informally referred to as the ACE Rule, which repeals and replacesas a replacement for the Clean Power Plan. The ACE Rule only applies to existing coal-fired steam electric generating units greater than or equal to 25 MW.power plants. The final rule includes unit-specific performance standards based on the degree of emission reduction levels achievable from unit efficiency improvements to be determined by the permitting agency. The ACE Rule requires states to develop plans by July 2022 to implement these performance standards, whichstandards. These state plans must be approved by the EPA. DESC is currently evaluating the ACE Rule for potential impact at its coal fired units and expects any costs incurred to comply with such rule to be recoverable through rates.EPA by January 2024. While the impacts of this rule could be material to DESC’s results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows, the existing regulatory framework in South Carolina provides rate recovery mechanisms that could substantially mitigate any such impacts.impacts for DESC.

Carbon Regulations

In July 2011,August 2016, the EPA issued a draft rule proposing to reaffirm that a source’s obligation to obtain a PSD or Title V permit for GHGs is triggered only if such permitting requirements are first triggered by non-GHG, or conventional, pollutants that are regulated by the CSAPRNew Source Review program, and to reduceset a significant emissions rate at 75,000 tons per year of SOCO2 equivalent emissions under which a source would not be required to apply BACT for its GHG emissions. Until the EPA ultimately takes final action on this rulemaking, DESC cannot predict the impact to its results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows.

In December 2018, the EPA proposed revised Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and NOX from power plantsReconstructed Stationary Sources. The proposed rule would amend the previous determination that the best system of emission reduction for newly constructed coal-fired steam generating units is no longer partial carbon capture and storage. Instead, the proposed revised best system of emission reduction for this source category is the most efficient demonstrated steam cycle (e.g., supercritical steam conditions for large units and subcritical steam conditions for small units) in combination with the best operating practices.

Oil and Gas NSPS

In August 2012, the EPA issued an NSPS impacting new and modified facilities in the eastern halfnatural gas production and gathering sectors and made revisions to the NSPS for natural gas processing and transmission facilities. These rules establish equipment performance specifications and emissions standards for control of the U.S. The CSAPR replaces the Clean Air Interstate RuleVOC emissions for natural gas production wells, tanks, pneumatic controllers and requires a total of 28 states to reduce annual SO2 emissions and annual ozone season NOX emissions to assist in attaining the ozone and fine particle National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The rule establishes an emissions cap for SO2 and NOX and limits the trading for emission allowances by separating affected states into two groups with no trading between the groups. The State of South Carolina has chosen to remaincompressors in the CSAPR program, even though recent court rulings exemptedupstream sector. In June 2016, the state. This allowsEPA issued another NSPS regulation, for the stateoil and natural gas sector, to remain compliant with regional haze standards. Air quality control installations that DESC has already completed have positioned themregulate methane and VOC emissions from new and modified facilities in transmission and storage, gathering and boosting, production and processing facilities. All projects which commenced construction after September 2015 are required to comply with the existing allowances set by the CSAPR. Any costs incurred to comply with CSAPR are expected to be recoverable through rates.

this regulation. In February 2019,October 2018, the EPA published a proposed rule to reverse its previous finding that it is appropriatereconsidering and necessary to regulate toxic emissions from power plants. However, the emissions standards and other requirementsamending portions of the MATS2016 rule, would remain in place asincluding but not limited to, the EPA is not proposing to remove coalfugitive emissions requirements at well sites and oil fired power plants from the list of sources that are regulated under MATS. Although litigationcompressor stations. The amended portions of the MATS2016 rule andwere effective immediately upon publication. Until the outcome of the EPA’s rulemaking are still pending, the regulation remains in effect andproposed rule regarding reconsideration is final, DESC is complying withimplementing the applicable requirements2016 regulation. DESC is still evaluating whether potential impacts on results of the rule and does not expect any adverse impactsoperations, financial condition and/or cash flows related to its operations at this time due to plant retirements, conversions and enhancements.matter will be material.

Water

The CWA, provides for the impositionas amended, is a comprehensive program requiring a broad range of effluent limitations that require treatment for wastewater discharges. Underregulatory tools including a permit program to authorize and regulate discharges to surface waters with strong enforcement mechanisms. DESC must comply with applicable aspects of the CWA compliance with applicable limitations is achievedprograms at its operating facilities.

Regulation 316(b)

In October 2014, the final regulations under state-issued NPDES permits such that, as a facility’s NPDES permit is renewed, any new effluent limitations would be incorporated. The ELG Rule was final in September 2015, after which state regulators are required to modify facility NPDES permits to match more restrictive standards, which would require facilities to retrofit with new wastewater treatment technologies. Compliance dates varied by type of wastewater, and some were based on a facility's five-year permit cycle and thus could range from 2018 to 2023. However, the ELG Rule is under reconsideration by the EPA and has been stayed administratively. The EPA has decided to conduct a new rulemaking that could result in revisions to certain flue gas desulfurization wastewater and bottom ash transport water requirements in the ELG Rule. Accordingly, in September 2017 the EPA finalized a rule that postpones compliance dates under the ELG Rule to a range from November 2020 to December 2023. The EPA indicates that the new rulemaking process may take up to three years to complete, such that any revisions to the ELG Rule likely would not be final until the summer of 2020. While DESC expects that wastewater treatment technology retrofits will be required at Williams and Wateree generating stations, any costs incurred to comply with the ELG Rule are expected to be recoverable through rates.

The CWA Section 316(b) Existing Facilities Rule became effective in October 2014. This rule establishes national requirements forof the location, design, constructionCWA that govern existing facilities and capacity of cooling water intake structuresnew units at existing facilities that reflectemploy a cooling water intake structure and that have flow levels exceeding a minimum threshold became effective. The rule establishes a national standard for impingement based on seven compliance options, but forgoes the bestcreation of a single technology


available standard for minimizingentrainment. Instead, the adverse environmental impactsEPA has delegated entrainment technology decisions to state regulators. State regulators are to make case-by-case entrainment technology determinations after an examination of five mandatory facility-specific factors, including a social cost-benefit test, and six optional facility-specific factors. The rule governs all electric generating stations with water withdrawals above 2 MGD, with a heightened entrainment analysis for those facilities over 125 MGD. DESC has 5 facilities that are subject to the final regulations. DESC is also working with the EPA and state regulatory agencies to assess the applicability of Section 316(b) to 5 hydroelectric facilities. DESC anticipates that it may have to install impingement control technologies at certain of these stations that have once-through cooling systems. DESC is currently evaluating the need or potential for entrainment controls under the final rule as these decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis after a thorough review of detailed biological, technology, cost and entrainment. benefit studies. DESC is conducting studies and implementing plans as required by the rule to determine appropriate intake structure modifications at certain facilities to ensure compliance with this rule. Any While the impacts of this rule could be material to DESC’s results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows, the existing regulatory framework in South Carolina provides rate recovery mechanisms that could substantially mitigate any such impacts for DESC.


Effluent Limitations Guidelines

In September 2015, the EPA released a final rule to revise the ELG Rule. The final rule establishes updated standards for wastewater discharges that apply primarily at coal and oil steam generating stations. Affected facilities are required to convert from wet to dry or closed cycle coal ash management, improve existing wastewater treatment systems and/or install new wastewater treatment technologies in order to meet the new discharge limits. In April 2017, the EPA granted two separate petitions for reconsideration of the final ELG Rule and stayed future compliance dates in the rule. Also in April 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted the EPA’s request for a stay of the pending consolidated litigation challenging the rule while the EPA addresses the petitions for reconsideration. In September 2017, the EPA signed a rule to postpone the earliest compliance dates for certain waste streams regulations in the final ELG Rule from November 2018 to November 2020; however, the latest date for compliance for these regulations remains December 2023. While the impacts of this rule could be material to DESC’s results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows, as DESC expects that wastewater treatment technology retrofits will be required at Williams and Wateree generating stations, the existing regulatory framework in South Carolina provides rate recovery mechanisms that could substantially mitigate any such impacts for DESC.

In December 2019, the EPA released proposed revisions to the ELG Rule that, if adopted, could extend the deadlines for compliance with certain standards at several facilities. While the impacts of this rule could be material to DESC’s results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows, the existing regulatory frameworks in South Carolina provide rate recovery mechanisms that could substantially mitigate any such impacts for the regulated electric utilities.

Capacity Use Area

In November 2019, a new CUA was established in the counties surrounding the Cope Generating Station (Western Capacity Use Area) under the South Carolina Groundwater Use and Reporting Regulation. Under the regulation any groundwater well in a CUA that withdraws above three million gallons per month must be permitted. The Cope Generating Station is located within this new Western Capacity Use Area. Cope has been using four deep groundwater wells for cooling water and other house loads since 1996. Prior to designation of the new Western Capacity Use Area, the wells at Cope Station were only required to be registered not permitted. As a result of this designation, Cope will need to restore the surface water equipment to operable status to reduce reliance on groundwater wells. This includes completion of 316(b) requirements, (including SCDHEC BACT determination and modification of the station national pollutant discharge elimination system permit) and extensive inspection, repair and/or replacement of the associated surface water withdrawal equipment which has been idle since 1996. While the impacts of this rule change are material to DESC’s results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows, the existing regulatory framework in South Carolina provides rate recovery mechanisms that could substantially mitigate any such impacts for DESC.

Waste Management and Remediation

The operations of DESC are subject to a variety of state and federal laws and regulations governing the management and disposal of solid and hazardous waste, and release of hazardous substances associated with current and/or historical operations. The CERCLA, as amended, and similar state laws, may impose joint, several and strict liability for cleanup on potentially responsible parties who owned, operated or arranged for disposal at facilities affected by a release of hazardous substances. In addition, many states have created programs to incentivize voluntary remediation of sites where historical releases of hazardous substances are identified and property owners or responsible parties decide to initiate cleanups.

From time to time, DESC may be identified as a potentially responsible party in connection with the alleged release of hazardous substances or wastes at a site. Under applicable federal and state laws, DESC could be responsible for costs associated with the investigation or remediation of impacted sites, or subject to contribution claims by other responsible parties for their costs incurred at such sites. DESC also may identify, evaluate and remediate other potentially impacted sites under voluntary state programs. Remediation costs may be subject to comply with this rule are expected to be recoverable through rates.

The EPA's final rule for CCR became effective in the fourth quarter of 2015. This rule regulates CCRreimbursement under DESC’s insurance policies, rate recovery mechanisms, or both. Except as a non-hazardous waste under Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and imposes certain requirements on ash storage ponds and other CCR management facilities at certain of DESC's coal-fired generating facilities. DESC has already closed or has begun the process of closure of all of its ash storage ponds and has previously recognized AROs for such ash storage ponds under existing requirements.described below, DESC does not expect the incremental compliance costs associated with this rule to be significant and expect to recover such costs in future rates.believe these matters will have a material effect on results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows.

DESC is responsible for fourhas 4 decommissioned MGP sites in South Carolina which contain residues of by-product chemicals. These sitesthat are in various stagesstates of investigation, remediation and monitoring under work plans approved by, or under review by, the SCDHEC andor the EPA. DESC anticipates that major remediation activities at all of these sites will continue through 2025 at least through 2022 and willan estimated cost an additionalof $10 million. In February 2019, SCDHEC directedSeptember 2018, DESC to pursue a stakeholder-developed modified removal actionsubmitted an updated remediation work plan for one site (Congaree River). DESC is developing an engineering design for this plan,to SCDHEC, which would require permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and others and further approvals before it could be implemented. If DESC receives the necessary permits and approvals for this plan, remediation cost for the Congaree River siteif approved, would increase costs by $8approximately $11 million. DESC cannot predict if or when such permits or approvals will be received. Major remediation activities are accrued in other within deferred credits and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. DESC expects to recover any costcosts arising from the remediation of MGPwork at all four sites through rates. Atrate recovery mechanisms and as of June 30, 2019,2020, deferred amounts, net of amounts previously recovered through rates and insurance settlements, totaled $23$22 million and are included in regulatory assets.

Ash Pond and Landfill Closure Costs

In April 2015, the EPA enacted a final rule regulating CCR landfills, existing ash ponds that still receive and manage CCRs, and inactive ash ponds that do not receive, but still store, CCRs. DESC currently has inactive and existing CCR ponds and CCR landfills subject to the final rule at 3 different facilities. This rule created a legal obligation for DESC to retrofit or close all of its inactive and existing ash ponds over a certain period of time, as well as perform required monitoring, corrective action, and post-closure care activities as necessary.


In December 2016, legislation was enacted that creates a framework for EPA- approved state CCR permit programs. In August 2017, the EPA issued interim guidance outlining the framework for state CCR program approval. The EPA has enforcement authority until state programs are approved. The EPA and states with approved programs both will have authority to enforce CCR requirements under their respective rules and programs. In September 2017, the EPA agreed to reconsider portions of the CCR rule in response to two petitions for reconsideration. In March 2018, the EPA proposed certain changes to the CCR rule related to issues remanded as part of the pending litigation and other issues the EPA is reconsidering. Several of the proposed changes would allow states with approved CCR permit programs additional flexibility in implementing their programs. In July 2018, the EPA promulgated the first phase of changes to the CCR rule. Until all phases of the CCR rule are promulgated, DESC cannot forecast potential incremental impacts or costs related to existing coal ash sites in connection with future implementation of the 2016 CCR legislation and reconsideration of the CCR rule. In August 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued its decision in the pending challenges of the CCR rule, vacating and remanding to the EPA three provisions of the rule. Until regulatory action is taken to incorporate the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit’s decision, DESC is unable to make an estimate of the potential financial statement impacts associated with any future changes to the CCR rule in connection with the court’s remand. 

 

Abandoned NND Project

A description of events and circumstances leading up to DESC's abandonment of the NND Project and subsequent regulatory, legislative, legal and investigative proceedings, as well as related impairments of NND Project and other costs are described in Note 1112 in DESC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019.

SCANA Merger Approval Order

In accordance with the terms of the South Carolina Commission's SCANA Merger Approval Order, DESC adopted the Plan-B Levelized Customer Benefits Plan, effective February 2019, whereby the average bill for a DESC residential electric customer approximates that which resulted from the legislatively-mandated temporary reduction that had been put into effect by the South Carolina Commission in August 2018. DESC also recorded a significant impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2018, which charge resulted from its conclusion that NND Project capital costs exceeding the amount established in the SCANA Merger Approval Order were probable of loss, regardless of whether the SCANA Combination was completed. In addition, in the first quarter of 2019, DESC recorded the following charges and liabilities which arose from or are related to provisions in the SCANA Merger Approval Order.

A charge of $105 million ($79 million net of tax)after-tax) related to certain assets that had been constructed in connection with the NND Project for which DESC committed to forgo recovery.

A regulatory liability for refunds and restitution of amounts previously collected from retail electric customers of $1.0 billion pre-tax ($756 million net of tax)after-tax), recorded as a reduction in operating revenue, which will be credited to customers over an estimated 11 years. In addition, a previously existing regulatory liability of $1.0 billion will be credited to customers over 20 years. These refunds includeyears, which reflects amounts to be refunded to customers related to the monetization of guaranty settlement described in Note 2.

A regulatory liability for refunds to natural gas customers totaling $2 million pre-tax ($2 million net of tax)after-tax).

A tax charge of $198 million related to $264 million of regulatory assets for which DESC committed to forgo recovery.

Further, except for rate adjustments for fuel and environmental costs, DSM costs, and other rates routinely adjusted on an annual or biannual basis, DESC will freeze retail electric base rates at current levels until January 1, 2021. As discussed in Note 2, in April 2020, the South Carolina Commission issued an order vacating the portion of the SCANA Merger Approval Order requiring that new retail electric rates be implemented by January 1, 2021.

The South Carolina Commission order also approved the removal of DESC's investment in certain transmission assets that have not been abandoned from BLRA capital costs. As of June 30, 2019,2020, such investment in these assets included $323$345 million within utility plant, net and $27$49 million within regulatory assets, which amount represents certain deferred operating costs. The South Carolina Commission approved deferral of these operating costs related to the investment until recovery of the transmission capital costs and associated deferred operating costs is addressed in a future rate proceeding. DESC believes these transmission capital and deferred operating costs are probable of recovery; however, if the South Carolina Commission were to disallow recovery of or a reasonable return on all or a portion of them, an impairment charge equal to the disallowed costs may be required.


Various parties filed petitions for rehearing or reconsideration of the SCANA Merger Approval Order. In January 2019, the South Carolina Commission issued an order (1) granting the request of various parties and finding that DESC was imprudent in its actions by not disclosing material information to the ORS and the South Carolina Commission with regard to costs incurred subsequent to March 2015 and (2) denying the petitions for rehearing or consideration as to other issues raised in the various petitions. The deadline to appeal the SCANA Merger Approval Order and the order on rehearing expired in April 2019, and no party has sought appeal.

 

Claims and Litigation

The following describes certain legal proceedings involving DESC relating to events occurring before closing of the SCANA Combination. Dominion Energy intends to vigorously contest the lawsuits, claims and assessments which have been filed or initiated against DESC. No reference to, or disclosure of, any proceeding, item or matter described below shall be construed as an admission or indication that such proceeding, item or matter is material. For certain of these matters, and unless otherwise noted therein, DESC is unable to estimate a reasonable range of possible loss and the related financial statement impacts, but for any such matter there could be a material impact to its results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows. For the matters for which DESC is able to reasonably estimate a probable loss, the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 include reserves of $278$473 million and $492 million, respectively, and insurance receivables of $8 million and $6 million, respectively, included within reserves for litigation and regulatory proceedings at June 30, 2019.


other receivables. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) includes charges of $100 million ($75 million after-tax) and $266$266 million ($200 million after-tax), respectively, included within impairment of assets and other charges.

Ratepayer Class Actions

In May 2018, a consolidated complaint against DESC, SCANA and the State of South Carolina was filed in the State Court of Common Pleas in Hampton County, South Carolina (the DESC Ratepayer Case). In September 2018, the court certified this case as a class action. The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that DESC was negligent and unjustly enriched, breached alleged fiduciary and contractual duties and committed fraud and misrepresentation in failing to properly manage the NND Project, and that DESC committed unfair trade practices and violated state anti-trust laws. The plaintiffs sought a declaratory judgment that DESC may not charge its customers for any past or continuing costs of the NND Project, sought to have SCANA and DESC’s assets frozen and all monies recovered from Toshiba and other sources be placed in a constructive trust for the benefit of ratepayers and sought specific performance of the alleged implied contract to construct the NND Project.

In December 2018, the State Court of Common Pleas in Hampton County entered an order granting preliminary approval of a class action settlement and a stay of pre-trial proceedings in the DESC Ratepayer Case. The settlement agreement, contingent upon the closing of the SCANA Combination, provided that SCANA and DESC would establish an escrow account and proceeds from the escrow account would be distributed to the class members, after payment of certain taxes, attorneys' fees and other expenses and administrative costs. The escrow account would include (1) up to $2.0 billion, net of a credit of up to $2.0 billion in future electric bill relief, which would inure to the benefit of the escrow account in favor of class members over a period of time established by the South Carolina Commission in its order related to matters before the South Carolina Commission related to the NND Project, (2) a cash payment of $115 million and (3) the transfer of certain DESC-owned real estate or sales proceeds from the sale of such properties, which counsel for the DESC Ratepayer Class estimate to have an aggregate value between $60 million and $85 million. At the closing of the SCANA Combination, SCANA and DESC funded the cash payment portion of the escrow account. The court held a fairness hearing on the settlement in May 2019. In June 2019, the court entered an order granting final approval of the settlement, which order became effective July 2019. In July 2019, DESC transferred $117 million representing the cash payment, plus accrued interest, to the plaintiffs. In addition, property with a net recorded value of $42 million will beis in the process of being transferred to the plaintiffs as soon as practicablein coordination with the court-appointed real estate trustee to satisfy the settlement agreement.agreement, of which $21 million had been transferred as of June 30, 2020.

In September 2017, a purported class action was filed by Santee Cooper ratepayers against Santee Cooper, DESC, Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. in the State Court of Common Pleas in Hampton County, South Carolina (the Santee Cooper Ratepayer Case). The allegations are substantially similar to those in the DESC Ratepayer Case. The plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment that the defendants may not charge the purported class for reimbursement for past or future costs of the NND Project. In March 2018, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint including as additional named defendants certain then current and former directors of Santee Cooper and SCANA. In June 2018, Santee Cooper filed a Notice of Petition for Original Jurisdiction with the Supreme Court of South Carolina which was denied. In December 2018, Santee Cooper filed its answer to the plaintiffs' fourth amended complaint and filed cross claims against DESC. In October 2019, Santee Cooper voluntarily consented to stay its cross claims against DESC pending the outcome of the trial of the underlying case. In November 2019, DESC removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. In December 2019, the plaintiffs and Santee Cooper filed a motion to remand the case to state court. In January 2020, the case was remanded to state court. In March 2020, the parties executed a settlement agreement relating to this matter as well as the Luquire Case and the Glibowski Case described below. The settlement agreement provides that Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper will establish a fund for the benefit of class members in the amount of $520 million, of which DESC’s portion is $320 million of shares of Dominion Energy common stock. Also in March 2020, the court granted preliminary approval for the settlement agreement. In July 2020, the court issued a final approval of the settlement agreement. The settlement will become effective upon the expiration of a 30-day appellate period. This case is pending.

In July 2019, a similar purported class action was filed by certain Santee Cooper ratepayers against DESC, SCANA, Dominion Energy and former directors and officers of SCANA in the State Court of Common Pleas in Orangeburg, South Carolina.Carolina (the Luquire Case). In August 2019, DESC, SCANA and Dominion Energy were voluntarily dismissed from the case. The claims are similar to the Santee Cooper Ratepayer Case. In March 2020, the parties executed a settlement agreement as described above relating to this matter as well as the Santee Cooper Ratepayer Case and the Glibowski Case. This case will be dismissed upon the effective date of the Santee Cooper Ratepayer Case settlement. This case is pending.

RICO Class Action

In January 2018, a purported class action was filed, and subsequently amended, against SCANA, DESC and certain former executive officers in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.Carolina (the Glibowski Case). The plaintiff alleges, among other things, that SCANA, DESC and


the individual defendants participated in an unlawful racketeering enterprise in violation of RICO and conspired to violate RICO by fraudulently inflating utility bills to generate unlawful proceeds. The DESC Ratepayer Class Action settlement described previously contemplates dismissal of claims by DESC ratepayers in this case against DESC, SCANA and their


officers. In August 2019, the individual defendants filed motions to dismiss. In March 2020, the parties executed a settlement agreement as described above relating to this matter as well as the Santee Cooper Ratepayer Case and the Luquire Case. This case will be dismissed upon the effective date of the Santee Cooper Ratepayer Case settlement. This case is pending.

SCANA Shareholder Litigation

In February 2018, a purported class action was filed against Dominion Energy and certain former directors of SCANA and DESC in the State Court of Common Pleas in Richland County, South Carolina (the Metzler Lawsuit). The plaintiff alleges, among other things, that defendants violated their fiduciary duties to shareholders by executing a merger agreement that would unfairly deprive plaintiffs of the true value of their SCANA stock, and that Dominion Energy aided and abetted these actions. Among other remedies, the plaintiff seeks to enjoin and/or rescind the merger. In February 2018, Dominion Energy removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina and filed a Motion to Dismiss in March 2018. In August 2018, the case was remanded back to the State Court of Common Pleas in Richland County. Dominion Energy appealed the decision to remand to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, where the appeal was consolidated with another lawsuit regarding the SCANA Merger Agreement to which DESC is not a party. In June 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reversed the order remanding the case to state court. The case is pending inIn September 2019, the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.Carolina granted the plaintiffs’ motion to consolidate the Metzler Lawsuit with another lawsuit regarding the SCANA Merger Agreement to which DESC is not a party. In October 2019, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint against certain former directors and executive officers of SCANA and DESC, which stated substantially similar allegations to those in the initial lawsuits as well as an inseparable fraud claim. In November 2019, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss. In April 2020, the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina denied the motion to dismiss. In May 2020, SCANA filed a motion to intervene. This case is pending.

Employment Class Actions and Indemnification

In August 2017, a case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina on behalf of persons who were formerly employed at the NND Project. In July 2018, the court certified this case as a class action. In February 2019, certain plantiffs who were not certified as part of these plaintiffs filed an additional case, which case has been dismissed and the class actionplaintiffs have joined the case filed a separate case. In those cases, thein August 2017. The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that SCANA, DESC, Fluor Corporation and Fluor Enterprises, Inc. violated the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act in connection with the decision to stop construction at the NND Project. The plaintiffs allege that the defendants failed to provide adequate advance written notice of their terminations of employment and are seeking damages, which are estimated to be as much as $75$100 million for 100% of the NND Project.

In September 2018, a case was filed in the State Court of Common Pleas in Fairfield County, South Carolina by Fluor Enterprises, Inc. and Fluor Daniel Maintenance Services, Inc. against DESC and Santee Cooper. The plaintiffs make claims for indemnification, breach of contract and promissory estoppel arising from, among other things, the defendants' alleged failure and refusal to defend and indemnify the Fluor defendants in the aforementioned case. These cases are pending.

FILOT Litigation and Related Matters

In November 2017, Fairfield County filed a complaint and a motion for temporary injunction against DESC in the State Court of Common Pleas in Fairfield County, South Carolina, making allegations of breach of contract, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of implied duty of good faith and fair dealing and unfair trade practices related to DESC’s termination of the FILOT agreement between DESC and Fairfield County related to the NND Project. The plaintiff sought a temporary and permanent injunction to prevent DESC from terminating the FILOT agreement. The plaintiff withdrew the motion for temporary injunction in December 2017. This case is pending.

Governmental Proceedings and Investigations

In June 2018, DESC received a notice of proposed assessment of approximately $410 million, excluding interest, from the SCDOR following its audit of DESC’s sales and use tax returns for the periods September 1, 2008 through December 31, 2017. The proposed assessment, which includes 100% of the NND Project, is based on the SCDOR’s position that DESC’s sales and use tax exemption for the NND Project does not apply because the facility will not become operational. DESC has protested the proposed assessment, which remains pending.

In September and October 2017, SCANA was served with subpoenas issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina and the Staff of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement seeking documents related to the NND Project. In February 2020, the SEC filed a complaint against SCANA, two of its former executive officers and DESC in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina alleging that the defendants violated federal securities laws by making false and misleading statements about the NND Project. In April 2020, SCANA and DESC reached an agreement in principle with the Staff of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement to settle, without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint. The Staff of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement has not yet presented the proposed settlement to the SEC. The agreement in principle would, among other things, require SCANA to pay a civil monetary penalty totaling $25 million, and SCANA and DESC to pay disgorgement and prejudgment interest totaling $112.5 million,


which disgorgement and prejudgment interest amount will be deemed satisfied by the settlements in the SCANA Securities Class Action and the DESC Ratepayer Case. The proposed settlement is contingent on the review and approval of final documentation by SCANA, DESC and the Staff of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement and is subject to approval by the SEC and the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. In June 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina filed a motion to intervene and stay the SEC civil action, which the court granted. The stay is currently in effect but does not preclude the SEC’s Division of Enforcement from presenting the proposed settlement with SCANA and DESC to the SEC. This matter is pending.

In addition, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is conducting a criminal investigation into the handling of the NND Project by SCANA and DESC. These matters are pending. SCANA and DESC areDominion Energy is cooperating fully with the investigations by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, including responding to additional subpoenas and document requests. Dominion Energy has also entered into a cooperation agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. The cooperation agreement provides that in consideration of its full cooperation with these investigations to the satisfaction of both agencies, neither such agency will criminally prosecute or bring any civil action against Dominion Energy or any of its current, previous, or future direct or indirect subsidiaries related to the NND Project. A former executive officer of SCANA entered a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office in June 2020 and entered a guilty plea with the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina in July 2020. These matters are pending.

Other Litigation

In December 2018, arbitration proceedings commenced between DESC and Cameco Corporation related to a supply agreement signed in May 2008. This agreement provides the terms and conditions under which DESC agreed to purchase uranium hexafluoride from Cameco Corporation over a period from 2010 to 2020. Cameco Corporation alleges that DESC violated this agreement by failing to


purchase the stated quantities of uranium hexafluoride for the 2017 and 2018 delivery years. DESC denies that it is in breach of the agreement and believes that it has reduced its purchase quantity within the terms of the agreement. This matter is pending.

In September 2019, a South Carolina state court jury awarded a judgment to the estate of Jose Larios in a wrongful death suit filed in June 2017 against DESC, of which DESC was apportioned $19 million.  DESC holds general liability insurance coverage which is expected to provide payment for substantially all DESC’s liability in this matter. In October 2019, DESC filed a motion requesting a reduction in the judgment or, in the alternative, a new trial. In November 2019,DESC’s motion for a new trial was granted, setting aside the entire verdict amount. This matter is pending.  

Contractor Bankruptcy Proceedings

Westinghouse’s reorganization planReorganization Plan became effective August 1, 2018. Initially, Westinghouse had projected that its reorganization planReorganization Plan would pay in full or nearly in full its pre-petition trade creditors, including several of the Westinghouse Subcontractors which have alleged non-payment by the Consortium for amounts owed for work performed on the NND Project and have filed liens on related property in Fairfield County, South Carolina. DESC is contesting approximately $285 million of such filed liens. Most of these asserted liens are “pre-petition” claims that relate to work performed by Westinghouse Subcontractors before the Westinghouse bankruptcy, although some of them are “post-petition” claims arising from work performed after the Westinghouse bankruptcy. It is possible that the reorganization planReorganization Plan will not provide for payment in full or nearly in full to its pre-petition trade creditors. The shortfall could be significant. In addition, payments under the Toshiba Settlement are subject to reduction if Westinghouse pays Westinghouse Subcontractors holding pre-petition liens directly. Under these circumstances, DESC and Santee Cooper, each in its pro rata share, would be required to make Citibank, N.A., which purchased the scheduled payments under the Toshiba Settlement, whole for reductions related to valid subcontractor and vendor pre-petition liens up to $60 million ($33 million for DESC's 55% share).


DESC and Santee Cooper arewere responsible for amounts owed to Westinghouse for valid work performed by Westinghouse Subcontractors on the NND Project after the Westinghouse bankruptcy filing (i.e., post-petition) until termination of the IAA (the IAA Period). In the Westinghouse bankruptcy proceeding, deadlines were established for creditors of Westinghouse to assert the amounts owed to such creditors prior to the Westinghouse bankruptcy filing and during the IAA Period. Many of the Westinghouse Subcontractors have filed such claims. In December 2019, DESC does not believe that theand Santee Cooper entered into a confidential settlement agreement with W Wind Down Co LLC resolving claims asserted relatedrelating to the IAA Period will exceed the amounts previously funded for the currently asserted IAA-related claims, whether relating to claims already paid or those remaining to be paid. DESC intends to oppose any previously unasserted claim that is asserted against it, whether directly or indirectly by a claim through the IAA.

Further, some Westinghouse Subcontractors who have made claims against Westinghouse in the bankruptcy proceeding also filed against DESC and Santee Cooper in South Carolina state court for damages. The Westinghouse Subcontractor claims in South Carolina state court include common law claims for pre-petition work, IAA Period work, and work after the termination of the IAA. Many of these claimants have also asserted construction liens against the NND Project site. While DESC cannot be assured that it will not have any exposure on account of unpaid Westinghouse Subcontractor claims, which claims DESC is presently disputing, DESC believes it is unlikely that it will be required to make payments on account of such claims.

 

Nuclear Insurance

Under Price-Anderson, DESC (for itself and on behalf of Santee-Cooper) maintains agreements of indemnity with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission that, together with private insurance, cover third-party liability arising from any nuclear incident occurring at Summer. Price-Anderson provides funds up to $14.0$13.8 billion for public liability claims that could arise from a single nuclear incident. Each nuclear plant is insured against this liability to a maximum of $450 million by American Nuclear Insurers with the remaining coverage provided by a mandatory program of deferred premiums that could be assessed, after a nuclear incident, against all owners of commercial nuclear reactors. Each reactor licensee is liable for up to $138 million per reactor owned for each nuclear incident occurring at any reactor in the U.S., provided that not more than $21 million of the liability per reactor would be assessed per year. DESC’s maximum assessment, based on its two-thirds ownership of Summer, would be $92 million per incident, but not more than $14 million per year. Both the maximum assessment per reactor and the maximum yearly assessment are adjusted for inflation at least every five years.


DESC currently maintains insurance policies (for itself and on behalf of Santee Cooper) with NEIL. The policies provide coverage to Summer for property damage and outage costs up to $2.75 billion resulting from an event of nuclear origin and up to $2.33 billion resulting from an event of a non-nuclear origin. The NEIL policies in aggregate, are subject to a maximum loss of $2.75 billion for any single loss occurrence. The NEIL policies permit retrospective assessments under certain conditions to cover insurer’s losses. Based on the current annual premium, DESC’s portion of the retrospective premium assessment would not exceed $24 million. DESC currently maintains an excess property insurance policy (for itself and on behalf of Santee Cooper) with EMANI. The policy provides coverage to Summer for property damage and outage costs up to $415 million resulting from an event of a non-nuclear origin. The EMANI policy permits retrospective assessments under certain conditions to cover insurer's losses. Based on the current annual premium, DESC's portion of the retrospective premium assessment would not exceed $2 million.

To the extent that insurable claims for property damage, decontamination, repair and replacement and other costs and expenses arising from an incident at Summer exceed the policy limits of insurance, or to the extent such insurance becomes unavailable in the future, and to the extent that DESC's rates would not recover the cost of any purchased replacement power, DESC will retain the risk of loss as a self-insurer. DESC has no reason to anticipate a serious nuclear or other incident. However, if such an incident were to occur, it likely would have a material impact on DESC's results of operations, cash flows and financial position.  

12. LEASES

At June 30, 2019, DESC had the following lease assets and liabilities recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

(millions)

 

June 30, 2019

 

Lease assets:

 

 

 

 

Operating lease assets(1)

 

$

20

 

Finance lease assets(2)

 

 

28

 

Total lease assets

 

$

48

 

Lease liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Operating lease - current(3)

 

$

2

 

Operating lease - noncurrent(4)

 

 

16

 

Finance lease - current(5)

 

 

7

 

Finance lease - noncurrent(6)

 

 

22

 

Total lease liabilities

 

$

47

 

(1)

Included in other deferred debits and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(2)

Included in utility plant, net, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of $20 million of accumulated amortization at June 30, 2019.

(3)

Included in other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(4)

Included in other deferred credits and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(5)

Included in current portion of long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(6)

Included in long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, total lease cost consisted of the following:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

(millions)

 

June 30, 2019

 

 

June 30, 2019

 

Finance lease cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization

 

$

2

 

 

$

4

 

Interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease cost

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Short-term lease cost

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Variable lease cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total lease cost

 

$

3

 

 

$

6

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2019, cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities consisted of the following amounts, included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

Six Months Ended

(millions)

June 30, 2019

Operating cash flows from finance leases

$

Operating cash flows from operating leases

2

Financing cash flows from finance leases

4


At June 30, 2019, the weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate for finance and operating leases were as follows:

June 30, 2019

Weighted average remaining lease term - finance leases

5 years

Weighted average remaining lease term - operating leases

21 years

Weighted average discount rate - finance leases

2.97

%

Weighted average discount rate - operating leases

4.53

%

Lease liabilities have the following scheduled maturities:

(millions)

 

Operating

 

 

Finance

 

2019

 

$

2

 

 

$

4

 

2020

 

 

2

 

 

 

8

 

2021

 

 

2

 

 

 

6

 

2022

 

 

1

 

 

 

5

 

2023

 

 

1

 

 

 

3

 

After 2023

 

 

22

 

 

 

5

 

Total undiscounted lease payments

 

 

30

 

 

 

31

 

Present value adjustment

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(2

)

Present value of lease liabilities

 

$

18

 

 

$

29

 

13. OPERATING SEGMENTS

OperatingIn December 2019, DESC realigned its segments include Electric Operations and Gas Distribution and are organized primarily onwhich resulted in the basisformation of products and services sold.a single primary operating segment. The historical information presented herein has been recast to reflect the current segment presentation.

In connection with the SCANA Combination, effective January 2019, reportable segments were changed to include a Corporate and Other segment and to utilize comprehensive income (loss) as the measure of segment profitability. The Corporate and Other segment includes specific items attributable to DESC'sits operating segmentssegment that are not included in profit measures evaluated by executive management in assessing the segments'segment’s performance or in allocating resources. Corresponding amounts

In the six months ended June 30, 2020, DESC reported after-tax net expense of $7 million for specific items in prior periods have been recastthe Corporate and Other segment, all of which was attributable to conform to the current presentation.

its operating segment. In the six months ended June 30, 2019, DESC reported after-tax net expenses of $1.3 billion for specific items in the Corporate and Other segment, with $1.4 billion attributable to its operating segments.segment.

The net expense for specific items attributable to DESC’s operating segmentssegment in 2019 primarily related to the impact of the following items:

A $1.0 billion ($756 million after-tax) charge for refunds of amounts previously collected from retail electric customers for the NND Project, attributable to Electric Operations;Project;


$266A $266 million ($200 million after-tax) of charges associated with litigation, attributable to Electric Operations;litigation;

A $198 million tax charge for $264 million of income tax-related regulatory assets for which DESC committed to forgo recovery, attributable to Electric Operations;recovery;

A $114 million ($86 million after-tax) charge for utility plant primarily for which DESC committed to forgo recovery, attributable to Electric Operations;recovery;

$72 million ($60 million after-tax) of merger and integration-related costs associated with the SCANA Combination, including a $62 million ($47 million after-tax) charge related to a voluntary retirement program, attributable to:program; and

Electric Operations ($55 million after-tax); and

Gas Distribution ($5 million after-tax); and

$63 million of tax charges for changes in unrecognized tax benefits, attributable to Electric Operations.benefits.


 

(millions)

 

External

Revenue

 

 

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

Available

(Attributable) to

Common

Shareholder

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Operations

 

$

620

 

 

$

104

 

Gas Distribution

 

 

78

 

 

 

(8

)

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

(166

)

Adjustments/Eliminations

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

Consolidated Total

 

$

698

 

 

$

(78

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Operations

 

$

553

 

 

$

30

 

Gas Distribution

 

 

79

 

 

 

(3

)

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

Adjustments/Eliminations

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

Consolidated Total

 

$

632

 

 

$

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Operations

 

$

1,147

 

 

$

152

 

Gas Distribution

 

 

225

 

 

 

14

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

(1,009

)

 

 

(1,339

)

Adjustments/Eliminations

 

 

 

 

 

(14

)

Consolidated Total

 

$

363

 

 

$

(1,187

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric Operations

 

$

1,100

 

 

$

130

 

Gas Distribution

 

 

234

 

 

 

29

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments/Eliminations

 

 

 

 

 

(9

)

Consolidated Total

 

$

1,334

 

 

$

150

 

(millions)

 

External

Revenue

 

 

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

Available

(Attributable) to

Common

Shareholder

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dominion Energy South Carolina

 

$

624

 

 

$

77

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

Consolidated Total

 

$

624

 

 

$

69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dominion Energy South Carolina

 

$

698

 

 

$

88

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

(166

)

Consolidated Total

 

$

698

 

 

$

(78

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dominion Energy South Carolina

 

$

1,296

 

 

$

166

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

 

 

 

(9

)

Consolidated Total

 

$

1,296

 

 

$

157

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dominion Energy South Carolina

 

$

1,372

 

 

$

152

 

Corporate and Other

 

 

(1,009

)

 

 

(1,339

)

Consolidated Total

 

$

363

 

 

$

(1,187

)

 

14. AFFILIATED AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

DESC owns 40% of Canadys Refined Coal, LLC, which is involved in the manufacturing and sale of refined coal to reduce emissions at certain of DESC's generating facilities. DESC accounts for this investment using the equity method. Purchases and sales of the related coal are recorded as other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

DESC purchases natural gas and related pipeline capacity from SCANA Energy Marketing, Inc.SEMI to serve its retail gas customers and to satisfy certain electric generation requirements. These purchases are included within gas purchased for resale or fuel used in electric generation, as applicable in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).


DESS, on behalf of itself and its parent company, provides the following services to DESC, which are rendered at direct or allocated cost: information systems, telecommunications, customer support, marketing and sales, human resources, corporate compliance, purchasing, financial, risk management, public affairs, legal, investor relations, gas supply and capacity management, strategic planning, general administrative and retirement benefits. In addition, DESS processes and pays invoices for DESC and is reimbursed. Costs for these services include amounts capitalized. Amounts expensed are primarily recorded in other operations and maintenance - affiliated suppliers and other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

(millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Purchases of coal from affiliate

 

$

34

 

 

$

45

 

 

$

62

 

 

$

77

 

 

$

 

 

$

34

 

 

$

 

 

$

62

 

Sales of coal to affiliate

 

 

34

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

62

 

 

 

77

 

 

 

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

62

 

Purchases of fuel used in electric generation from affiliate

 

 

10

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

43

 

Direct and allocated costs from services company affiliate(1)

 

 

82

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

140

 

 

 

135

 

Direct and allocated costs from DESS(1)

 

 

63

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

130

 

 

 

140

 

Operating Revenues - Electric from sales to affiliate

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Operating Expenses - Other taxes from affiliate

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

Purchases of electricity from solar affiliates

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

4

 

Demand and transportation charges from DECG - Fuel used in

electric generation

 

 

5

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

9

 

Demand and transportation charges from DECG - Gas purchased

for resale

 

 

11

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

23

 

 

(1)

Includes capitalized expenditures of $13 million and $11 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and 2018,$25 million and $20 million and $19 million for the six months ended June 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively.

 

(millions)

 

June 30, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

June 30, 2020

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

Receivable from Canadys Refined Coal, LLC

 

$

10

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

 

 

$

2

 

Payable to Canadys Refined Coal, LLC

 

 

10

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Payable to SCANA Energy Marketing, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

Payable to DESS

 

 

63

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

59

 

 

 

76

 

Payable to Public Service Company of North Carolina, Incorporated

 

 

3

 

 

 

8

 

Payable to solar affiliates

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

Receivable from DECG

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Payable to DECG

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

 

In connection with the SCANA Combination, purchases from certain entities owned by Dominion Energy became affiliated transactions. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, DESC purchased electricity generated by two such affiliates, Ridgeland Solar Farm I, LLC and Moffett Solar 1, LLC, totaling $3 million and $4 million, respectively, which is recorded as purchased power in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). At June 30, 2019, DESC had accounts payable balances to these affiliates totaling $1 million. In addition, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, DESC incurred demand and transportation charges from Dominion Energy Carolina Gas Transmission, LLC totaling $17 million and $32 million, respectively, of which $6 million and $9 million, respectively, is recorded as fuel used in electric generation and $11 million and $23 million, respectively, is recorded as gas purchased for resale in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). At June 30, 2019, DESC had an accounts payable balance due to this affiliate totaling $5 million.

Borrowings from an affiliate are described in Note 5.

15. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

Components of other income (expense), net are as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

(millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Revenues from contracts with customers

 

$

2

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

3

 

Other income

 

 

2

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

130

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

6

 

Other expense

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(25

)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(25

)

Allowance for equity funds used during construction

 

 

2

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Other income (expense), net

 

$

(9

)

 

$

2

 

 

$

(14

)

 

$

125

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

(9

)

 

$

5

 

 

$

(14

)

 

Other income in 2018 includes gains from the settlement of interest rate derivatives of $115 million (see Note 7). Non-service cost components of pension and other postretirement benefits are included in other expense.income (expense).

 


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

MD&A provides management’s narrative analysis of its consolidated results of operation.operations. MD&A should be read in conjunction with DESC's Consolidated Financial Statements. DESC meets the conditions to file under the reduced disclosure format, and therefore has omitted certain sections of MD&A.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains statements concerning DESC’s expectations, plans, objectives, future financial performance and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In most cases, the reader can identify these forward-looking statements by such words as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “expect,” “believe,” “should,” “could,” “plan,” “may,” “continue,” “target” or other similar words.

DESC makes forward-looking statements with full knowledge that risks and uncertainties exist that may cause actual results to differ materially from predicted results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ are often presented with the forward-looking statements themselves. Additionally, other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement. These factors include but are not limited to:

the ability of DESCUnusual weather conditions and their effect on energy sales to recover through rates certain costs expended on the NND Project,customers and a reasonable return on those costs, under the SCANA Merger Approval Order and the abandonment provisions of the BLRA or through other means;energy commodity prices;

uncertainties relatingExtreme weather events and other natural disasters, including, but not limited to, the bankruptcy filing by Westinghousehurricanes, high winds, severe storms, earthquakes, flooding, climate changes and WECTEC;changes in water temperatures and availability that can cause outages and property damage to facilities;

furtherThe impact of extraordinary external events, such as the current pandemic health event resulting from COVID-19, and their collateral consequences, including extended disruption of economic activity in our markets;

Federal, state and local legislative and regulatory developments, including changes in federal and state tax laws and realizationregulations;

Risks of tax benefitsoperating businesses in regulated industries that are subject to changing regulatory structures;

Changes to regulated rates collected;

Changes in future levels of domestic and credits,international natural gas production, supply or consumption;

Timing and receipt of regulatory approvals necessary for planned construction or growth projects and compliance with conditions associated with such regulatory approvals;

The inability to complete planned construction, conversion or growth projects at all, or with the outcomes or within the terms and time frames initially anticipated, including as a result of increased public involvement, intervention or litigation in such projects;

Changes to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those related to climate change, the tightening of emission or discharge limits for GHGs and other substances, more extensive permitting requirements and the abilityregulation of additional substances;

Cost of environmental compliance, including those costs related to realizeclimate change;

Changes in implementation and enforcement practices of regulators relating to environmental standards and litigation exposure for remedial activities;

Difficulty in anticipating mitigation requirements associated with environmental and other regulatory approvals or maintain tax creditsrelated appeals;

The impact of operational hazards, including adverse developments with respect to pipeline and deductions,plant safety or integrity, equipment loss, malfunction or failure, operator error and other catastrophic events;

Risks associated with the operation of nuclear facilities, including costs associated with the disposal of spent nuclear fuel, decommissioning, plant maintenance and changes in existing regulations governing such facilities;

Changes in operating, maintenance and construction costs;

Domestic terrorism and other threats to DESC’s physical and intangible assets, as well as threats to cybersecurity;

Additional competition from the development and deployment of alternative energy sources, such as self-generation and distributed generation technologies;


Competition in the development, construction and ownership of certain electric transmission facilities in connection with Order 1000;

Changes in technology, particularly with respect to new, developing or alternative sources of generation and smart grid technologies;

Changes in lightdemand for services, including industrial, commercial and residential growth or decline in service areas, changes in supplies of natural gas delivered, changes in customer growth or usage patterns, including as a result of energy conservation programs, the abandonmentavailability of energy efficient devices and the use of distributed generation methods;

Adverse outcomes in litigation matters or regulatory proceedings, including matters related to the NND Project;

legislativeCounterparty credit and regulatory actions, particularly changes related to electric and gas services, rate regulation, regulations governing electric grid reliability and pipeline integrity, environmental regulations including any imposition of fees or taxes on carbon emitting generating facilities, and any actions involving or arising from the abandonment of the NND Project;performance risk;

currentFluctuations in the value of investments held in nuclear decommissioning and future litigation, including particularly litigation or government investigations or any actions involving or arising from the construction or abandonment of the NND Project, including the possible impacts on liquidity and other financial impacts therefrom;benefit plan trusts;

the results of short- and long-term financing efforts, including prospects for obtaining access to capital markets and other sources of liquidityFluctuations in energy-related commodity prices and the effect these could have on DESC’s financial position and the underlying value of rating agency actions on the cost of and access to capital and sources of liquidity of DESC and Dominion Energy;assets;

the ability of suppliers, both domestic and international, to timely provide the labor, secure processes, components, parts, tools, equipment and other supplies needed which may be highly specialized or in short supply, at agreed upon quality and prices, for our construction program, operations and maintenance;

the results of efforts to ensure the physical and cyber security of key assets and processes;

changes in the economy, especially in areas served by DESC;

the impact of competition from other energy suppliers, including competition from alternate fuels in industrial markets;

the impact of conservation and demand side management efforts and/or technological advances on customer usage;

the loss of electricity sales to distributed generation, such as solar photovoltaic systems or energy storage systems;

growth opportunities;

the effects of weather, especially in areas where the generation and transmission facilities of DESC are located and in areas served by DESC;

changes in accounting rules and accounting policies;

payment and performance by counterparties and customers as contracted and when due;

the results of efforts to license, site, construct and finance facilities, and to receive related rate recovery, for generation and transmission;

the results of efforts to operate DESC's electric and gas systems and assets in accordance with acceptable performance standards, including the impact of additional distributed generation;


the availability of fuels such as coal, natural gas and enriched uranium used to produce electricity; the availability of purchased power and natural gas for distribution; the level and volatility of future market prices for such fuels and purchased power; and the ability to recover the costs for such fuels and purchased power;

the availability and retention of skilled, licensed and experienced human resources to properly manage, operate, and grow DESC's businesses, particularly in light of uncertainties with respect to integration within the combined companies of Dominion Energy;

labor disputes;

performance of DESC’s pension plan assets and the effect(s) of associated discount rates;

inflation or deflation;

changesFluctuations in interest rates;

complianceChanges in rating agency requirements or credit ratings and their effect on availability and cost of capital;

Global capital market conditions, including the availability of credit and the ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms;

Political and economic conditions, including inflation and deflation;

Employee workforce factors including collective bargaining agreements and labor negotiations with regulations;union employees; and

natural disasters, man-made mishaps and acts of terrorism that directly affect our operationsChanges in financial or the regulationsregulatory accounting principles or policies imposed by governing them.bodies.

Additionally, other risks that could cause actual results to differ from predicted results are set forth in Part II,I. Item 1A. Risk Factors in this report.DESC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as updated in Part II. Item 1A. Risk Factors in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

DESC’s forward-looking statements are based on beliefs and assumptions using information available at the time the statements are made. DESC cautions the reader not to place undue reliance on its forward-looking statements because the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and projections about future events may, and often do, differ materially from actual results. DESC undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect developments occurring after the statement is made.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2019

AS COMPARED TO THE CORRESPONDING PERIODS IN 2018

Results of Operations

Presented below is a summary of DESC’s consolidated results:

 

 

Second Quarter

 

 

Year-To-Date

 

 

Second Quarter

 

 

Year-To-Date

 

(millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(70

)

 

$

31

 

 

$

(101

)

 

$

(1,173

)

 

$

159

 

 

$

(1,332

)

 

$

67

 

 

$

(70

)

 

$

137

 

 

$

160

 

 

$

(1,173

)

 

$

1,333

 

 

Overview

Second Quarter 20192020 vs. 20182019

Net income decreased $101increased $137 million, primarily due to the absence of charges related to litigation and a voluntary retirement program. These decreases were partially offset by the absence of a charge associated with South Carolina legislation enacted in the second quarter of 2018.

Year-To-Date 20192020 vs. 20182019

Net income decreasedincreased $1.3 billion, primarily due to the absence of charges for refunds of amounts previously collected from retail electric customers for the NND Project, certain regulatory assets and utility plant for which DESC committed to forgo recovery, litigation and a voluntary retirement program. These decreases were partially offset by the absence of a charge associated with South Carolina legislation enacted in the second quarter of 2018.


Analysis of Consolidated Operations

Presented below are selected amounts related to DESC’s results of operations:

 

Second Quarter

 

 

Year-To-Date

 

 

Second Quarter

 

 

Year-To-Date

 

(millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

Operating revenues

 

$

698

 

 

$

632

 

 

$

66

 

 

$

363

 

 

$

1,334

 

 

$

(971

)

 

$

624

 

 

$

698

 

 

$

(74

)

 

$

1,296

 

 

$

363

 

 

$

933

 

Fuel used in electric generation

 

 

143

 

 

 

155

 

 

 

(12

)

 

 

280

 

 

 

315

 

 

 

(35

)

 

 

95

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

(48

)

 

 

199

 

 

 

280

 

 

 

(81

)

Purchased power

 

 

12

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

20

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

(47

)

 

 

25

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

18

 

Gas purchased for resale

 

 

44

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

121

 

 

 

121

 

 

 

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

91

 

 

 

121

 

 

 

(30

)

Net revenue

 

 

499

 

 

 

417

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

(58

)

 

 

831

 

 

 

(889

)

 

 

470

 

 

 

499

 

 

 

(29

)

 

 

968

 

 

 

(58

)

 

 

1,026

 

Other operations and maintenance

 

 

195

 

 

 

164

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

339

 

 

 

310

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

195

 

 

 

(52

)

 

 

288

 

 

 

339

 

 

 

(51

)

Impairment of assets and other charges

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

371

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

367

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

(100

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

371

 

 

 

(369

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

115

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

217

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

118

 

 

 

115

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

236

 

 

 

217

 

 

 

19

 

Other taxes

 

 

72

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

141

 

 

 

129

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

(7

)

 

 

127

 

 

 

141

 

 

 

(14

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

(9

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

125

 

 

 

(139

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

11

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

(14

)

 

 

19

 

Interest charges

 

 

63

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

(13

)

 

 

136

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

(16

)

 

 

58

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

116

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

(20

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

15

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

(103

)

 

 

41

 

 

 

(144

)

 

 

21

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

(103

)

 

 

147

 

 

An analysis of DESC’s results of operations follows:

Second Quarter 20192020 vs. 20182019

Net revenue increased 20%decreased 6%, primarily due to:

The absence ofA $30 million decrease in sales to electric utility retail customers from a $109decrease in cooling degree days; and

A $20 million chargedecrease in sales to electric utility retail customers associated with South Carolina legislation enacted in the second quarter of 2018 that required DESC to temporarily reduce the amount collected from customers under the BLRA;usage factors impacted by COVID-19; partially offset by

A $28An $18 million decrease dueincrease in sales to lower South Carolina Commission approved electric rates in 2019 as a result of the SCANA Merger Approval Order.utility retail customers associated with economic and other usage factors.

Other operations and maintenance increased 19%decreased 27%, primarily due to the absence of a charge related to a voluntary retirement program ($50 million) and a decrease in salaries, wages and benefits and administrative expenses ($4 million), partially offset by lower legal costs ($9 million) and lower non-labor electric generation expensesan increase in allowance for credit risk on customer accounts related to COVID-19 ($5 million).

Impairment of assets and other charges increaseddecreased $100 million, due to the absence of a charge related to litigation.

Depreciation and amortization increased 42%, primarily reflecting the amortization of NND Project costs.

Other taxes increased 11%decreased 10%, primarily due to highera decrease in property taxes associated with net plant additions ($4 million) and the absence of a charge related to a voluntary retirement program ($3 million).

Other income (expense), net decreasedincreased $11 million, primarily due to the absence of a charge related to a voluntary retirement program.

Interest chargesIncome tax expense decreased 17%increased 40%, primarily due to lower long-term debt principal balances as a resulthigher pre-tax income ($30 million) partially offset by the absence of the debt tender offers completed in the first quarter of 2019.


Income tax expense increased $13 million, primarily due to changes in unrecognized tax benefits ($26 million), partially offset by lower pre-tax income ($1323 million).

Year-To-Date 20192020 vs. 20182019

Net revenue decreased by $889 million,increased $1.0 billion, primarily due to:

AThe absence of a $1.0 billion charge to electric revenue for refunds of amounts previously collected from retail electric customers for the NND Project;

An $86A $26 million decrease dueincrease in sales to lower South Carolina Commission approved electric rates in 2019 as a result of the SCANA Merger Approval Order;utility retail customers associated with economic and other usage factors; and

A $12$23 million decreaseincrease as a result of the amortization of regulatory liabilities associated with the Toshiba Settlement and refunds of amounts previously collected from retail electric customers for the NND Project for the entire period in gas revenues due to lower South Carolina Commission approved rates;2020; partially offset by

A $114$22 million increasedecrease in sales to electric revenue primarily pursuant to a South Carolina Commission order whereby fuel cost recovery was offsetutility retail customers associated with gains realized upon the settlement of certain interest rate derivative contracts in 2018, as further described in other income (expense) below;usage factors impacted by COVID-19; and

The absence ofAn $18 million decrease in sales to electric utility retail customers from a $109 million charge associated with South Carolina legislation enacteddecrease in cooling degree days during the second quarter of 2018 that required DESC to temporarily reducecooling season ($30 million) partially offset by an increase in heating degree days during the amount collected from customers under the BLRA.heating season ($12 million).

Other operations and maintenance increased 9%decreased 15%, primarily due to the absence of a charge related to a voluntary retirement program ($50 million), lower legal and NND Project wind down costs ($8 million) and a decrease in salaries, wages and benefits and


administrative expenses ($5 million) partially offset by lower non-labor electric generation expensesan increase in allowance for credit risk on customer accounts related to COVID-19 ($9 million) and lower legal costs ($85 million).

Impairment of assets and other charges increased $367 million,decreased 99%, primarily due to a$ reduction in charges associated with litigation ($266 million charge related to litigationmillion) and a $105 million chargedecrease in charges for utility plant for which DESC committed to forgo recovery.recovery ($103 million).

Depreciation and amortizationOther taxes increased 35%decreased 10%, primarily reflectingdue to a decrease in property taxes ($10 million) and the amortizationabsence of NND Project costs.a charge related to a voluntary retirement program ($3 million).

Other income (expense), net decreased $139increased $19 million, primarily due to the absence of gains realized upon the settlement of interest rate derivative contracts in 2018 ($115 million) that were fully offset by downward adjustments to electric revenues pursuant to a previously received South Carolina Commission order related to fuel cost recovery and therefore had no effect on net income and a charge related to a voluntary retirement program ($9 million) and a decrease in donations ($4 million).

Interest charges decreased 11%15%, primarily due to lower long-term debt principal balances primarily as a result of the debt tender offers completed in 2019 ($15 million) and lower money pool interest ($5 million) partially offset by higher interest related to the first quarter of 2019.intercompany credit agreement ($6 million).

Income tax expense decreased $144increased $147 million, primarily due to lower pre-taxthe absence of a charge for certain income ($410 million), partially offset by a tax charge related totax-related regulatory assets for which DESC committed to forgo recovery ($198 million) and changethe absence of changes in unrecognized tax benefits ($6663 million), partially offset by higher pretax income ($409 million).

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As

Senior management of June 30, 2019, management has evaluated, with the participation of theDESC, including DESC’s CEO and CFO, (a)evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation ofDESC’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)as of the Exchange Act) and (b) any change in internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)end of the Exchange Act).period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation theprocess, DESC’s CEO and CFO have concluded that as of June 30, 2019, theseDESC’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

There were effective. There has been no change in internal control over financial reportingchanges that occurred during the last fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2019 that hashave materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to materially affect, DESC’s internal control over financial reporting.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

From time to time, DESC is alleged to be in violation or in default under orders, statutes, rules or regulations relating to the environment, compliance plans imposed upon or agreed to by DESC, or permits issued by various local, state and/or federal agencies for the construction or operation of facilities. Administrative proceedings may also be pending on these matters. In addition, DESC is involved in various legal proceedings from time to time, whether in the ordinary course of business or particularly following the abandonment of the NND Project.

See the following for discussions on various legal, environmental and other regulatory proceedings to which DESC is a party, which information is incorporated herein by reference:

Notes 23 and 1112 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in DESC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019.

NoteNotes 2 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in DESC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.2020.

Note 11Notes 2 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

DESC’s business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict, involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual results and are often beyond its control. A number of these risk factors have been identified in DESC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018,2019 and updated in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, which should be taken into consideration when reviewing the information contained in this report. DESC filed such annual report on a combined basis with SCANA. Accordingly, the information presented in such risk factors is presented on a combined basis and therefore some of the information may apply only to SCANA and not DESC. DESC makes no representation as to any such information. There have been no material changes with regard to the risk factors previously disclosed in DESC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. For other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement or projection contained in this report, see Forward-Looking Statements in Part I, Item 2. MD&A.&A in this report.


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibits filed or furnished with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are listed in the following Exhibit Index.

As permitted under Item 601(b) (4) (iii) of Regulation S-K, instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of less than 10% of the total consolidated assets of DESC, for itself and its consolidated affiliates, have been omitted and DESC agrees to furnish a copy of such instruments to the SEC upon request.

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

    3.1

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, effective April 29, 2019 (Exhibit 3.1, Form 8-K filed April 29, 2019, File No. 1-3375).

    3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws, effective April 29, 2019 (Exhibit 3.2, Form 8-K filed April 29, 2019, File No. 1-3375).

    31.14.1

Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. agrees to furnish to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission upon request any instrument with respect to long-term debt as to which the total amount of securities authorized does not exceed 10% of its total consolidated assets.

  31.a

 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer of Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

  31.231.b

 

Certification by Chief Financial Officer of Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

  32.132.a

 

Certification to the Securities and Exchange Commission by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).

101

 

The following financial statements from Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019,2020, filed on August 2, 2019,5, 2020, formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Common Equity, and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

  104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Reporting Language) and contained in Exhibit 101).

 

 


SIGNATURE

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

 

 

DOMINION ENERGY SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michele L. Cardiff

Date: August 2, 20195, 2020

 

Michele L. Cardiff

 

 

Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

 

3736