Regulatory Matters | Regulatory Matters Deferred Energy Nevada statutes permit regulated utilities to adopt deferred energy accounting procedures. The intent of these procedures is to ease the effect on customers of fluctuations in the cost of purchased natural gas, fuel and electricity and are subject to annual prudency review by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (" PUCN "). Under deferred energy accounting, to the extent actual fuel and purchased power costs exceed fuel and purchased power costs recoverable through current rates that excess is not recorded as a current expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations but rather is deferred and recorded as a regulatory asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Conversely, a regulatory liability is recorded to the extent fuel and purchased power costs recoverable through current rates exceed actual fuel and purchased power costs. These excess amounts are reflected in quarterly adjustments to rates and recorded as cost of fuel, energy and capacity in future time periods. Energy Efficiency Implementation Rates and Energy Efficiency Program Rates In July 2010, regulations were adopted by the PUCN that authorizes an electric utility to recover lost revenue that is attributable to the measurable and verifiable effects associated with the implementation of efficiency and conservation programs approved by the PUCN through energy efficiency implementation rates (" EEIR "). As a result, the Company files annually in March to adjust energy efficiency program rates and EEIR for over- or under-collected balances, which are effective in October of the same year. The PUCN 's final order approving the BHE Merger stipulated that the Company would not seek recovery of any lost revenue for calendar year 2014 in an amount that exceeded 50% of the lost revenue that the Company could otherwise request. In February 2014, the Company filed an application with the PUCN to reset the EEIR and energy efficiency program rates. In June 2014, the PUCN accepted a stipulation to adjust the EEIR , as of July 1, 2014, to collect 50% of the estimated lost revenue that the Company would otherwise be allowed to recover for the 2014 calendar year. The EEIR was effective from July through December 2014, reset on January 1, 2015 and remains in effect through September 2015. To the extent the Company's earned rate of return exceeds the rate of return used to set base general rates, the Company is required to refund to customers EEIR revenue collected. As a result, the Company has deferred recognition of EEIR revenue collected and has recorded a liability of $4 million , which is included in current regulatory liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2015 . General Rate Case In connection with Nevada Power's general rate case filing in May 2014, as required by the PUCN , the Company made a "companion filing" for the purpose of documenting the costs and benefits of the Company's investment in the advanced service delivery program. In October 2014, the PUCN issued an order in the companion filing issued with the general rate case order that, among other things, provided for the implementation of new rates effective January 1, 2015 to begin recovery of costs associated with advance service delivery. The recovery of advanced service delivery costs will increase annual revenue approximately $10 million . As a result of the PUCN order in the companion filing issued with the Nevada Power general rate case order, the Company recorded $7 million in asset impairments related to property, plant and equipment and $1 million of regulatory asset impairments, which are included in operating and maintenance on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. 2013 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (" FERC ") Transmission Rate Case In May 2013, the Company, along with Nevada Power, filed an application with the FERC to establish single system transmission and ancillary service rates. The combined filing requested incremental rate relief of $17 million annually to be effective January 1, 2014. In August 2013, the FERC granted the companies' request for a rate effective date of January 1, 2014 subject to refund, and set the case for hearing or settlement discussions. On January 1, 2014, the Company implemented the filed rates in this case subject to refund as set forth in the FERC 's order. In September 2014, the Company, along with Nevada Power, filed an unopposed settlement offer with the FERC on behalf of NV Energy and the intervening parties providing rate relief of $4 million . The settlement offer would resolve all outstanding issues related to this case. In addition, a preliminary order from the administrative law judge granting the motion for interim rate relief was issued, which authorizes the Company to institute the interim rates effective September 1, 2014, and begin billing transmission customers under the settlement rates for service provided on and after that date. In January 2015, the FERC approved the settlement and refunds were issued . |