Ameren 10-Q 2024-03-31

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

OR

(Missouri Corporation)

1901 Chouteau Avenue

St. Louis, Missouri 63103

(314) 621-3222

(Missouri Corporation)

1901 Chouteau Avenue

St. Louis, Missouri 63103

(314) 621-3222

(Illinois Corporation)

10 Richard Mark Way

Collinsville, Illinois 62234

(618) 343-8150

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether each 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.

Indicate by check mark whether each 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).

Indicate by check mark whether each 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,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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 each registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

The number of shares outstanding of each registrant’s classes of common stock as of April 30, 2024, was as follows:

This combined Form 10-Q is separately filed by Ameren Corporation, Union Electric Company, and Ameren Illinois Company. Each registrant hereto is filing on its own behalf all of the information contained in this quarterly report that relates to such registrant. Each registrant hereto is not filing any information that does not relate to such registrant, and therefore makes no representation as to any such information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

We use the words “our,” “we” or “us” with respect to certain information that relates to Ameren, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois, collectively. When appropriate, subsidiaries of Ameren Corporation are named specifically as their various business activities are discussed. Refer to the Form 10-K for a complete listing of glossary terms and abbreviations. Only new or significantly changed terms and abbreviations are included below.

Form 10-K – The combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed by the Ameren Companies with the SEC.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this report not based on historical facts are considered “forward-looking” and, accordingly, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. Although such forward-looking statements have been made in good faith and are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that the expected results will be achieved. These statements include (without limitation) statements as to future expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, strategies, targets, estimates, objectives, events, conditions, and financial performance. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we are providing this cautionary statement to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The following factors, in addition to those discussed within Risk Factors in the Form 10-K, and elsewhere in this report and in our other filings with the SEC, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations suggested in such forward-looking statements:

• regulatory, judicial, or legislative actions, and any changes in regulatory policies and ratemaking determinations, that may change regulatory recovery mechanisms, such as those that may result from Ameren Missouri’s petition to the MoPSC for a financing order to authorize the issuance of securitized utility tariff bonds to finance the cost of the planned accelerated retirement of the Rush Island Energy Center, any additional mitigation relief related to the operation of the Rush Island Energy Center that may be ordered by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Ameren Missouri’s proposed customer energy-efficiency plan under the MEEIA filed with the MoPSC in January 2024, Ameren Illinois’ December 2023 ICC order for the MYRP electric distribution service regulatory rate review that directed Ameren Illinois to file a revised Grid Plan and a request to update the associated MYRP revenue requirements for 2024 through 2027, both subsequently filed in March 2024, along with Ameren Illinois’ January 2024 rehearing request of the order and appeal of the order to the Illinois Appellate Court for the Fifth Judicial District, Ameren Illinois’ electric distribution service revenue requirement reconciliation adjustment request filed with the ICC in April 2024, Ameren Illinois’ appeal of the November 2023 ICC natural gas delivery service rate order to the Illinois Appellate Court for the Fifth Judicial District, and the August 2022 United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruling that vacated the FERC’s MISO ROE-determining orders and remanded the proceedings to the FERC;

• our ability to control costs and make substantial investments in our businesses, including our ability to recover costs and investments, and to earn our allowed ROEs, within frameworks established by our regulators, while maintaining affordability of services for our customers;

• the effect and duration of Ameren Illinois’ election to utilize MYRPs for electric distribution service ratemaking effective for rates beginning in 2024, including the effect of the reconciliation cap on the electric distribution revenue requirement;

• the effect of Ameren Illinois’ use of the performance-based formula ratemaking framework for its participation in electric energy-efficiency programs, and the related impact of the direct relationship between Ameren Illinois’ ROE and the 30-year United States Treasury bond yields;

• the effect on Ameren Missouri of any customer rate caps or limitations on increasing the electric service revenue requirement pursuant to Ameren Missouri’s election to use the PISA;

• Ameren Missouri’s ability to construct and/or acquire wind, solar, and other renewable energy generation facilities and battery storage, as well as natural gas-fired energy centers, extend the operating license for the Callaway Energy Center, retire fossil fuel-fired energy centers, and implement new or existing customer energy-efficiency programs, including any such construction, acquisition, retirement, or implementation in connection with its Smart Energy Plan, integrated resource plan, or emissions reduction goals, and to recover its cost of investment, a related return, and, in the case of customer energy-efficiency programs, any lost electric revenues in a timely manner, each of which is affected by the ability to obtain all necessary regulatory and project approvals, including CCNs from the MoPSC or any other required approvals for the addition of renewable resources and natural gas-fired energy centers;

• Ameren Missouri’s ability to use or transfer federal production and investment tax credits related to renewable energy projects; the cost of wind, solar, and other renewable generation and storage technologies; and our ability to obtain timely interconnection agreements with the MISO or other RTOs at an acceptable cost for each facility;

• the outcome of competitive bids related to requests for proposals associated with the MISO’s long-range transmission planning;

• the inability of our counterparties to meet their obligations with respect to contracts, credit agreements, and financial instruments, including as they relate to the construction and acquisition of electric and natural gas utility infrastructure and the ability of counterparties to complete projects, which is dependent upon the availability of necessary materials and equipment, including those obligations that are affected by supply chain disruptions;

• advancements in energy technologies, including carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration, hydrogen fuel for electric production and energy storage, next generation nuclear, and large-scale long-cycle battery energy storage, and the impact of federal and state energy and economic policies with respect to those technologies;

• the effects of changes in federal, state, or local laws and other governmental actions, including monetary, fiscal, foreign trade, and energy policies;

• the effects of changes in federal, state, or local tax laws or rates, including the effects of the IRA and the 15% minimum tax on adjusted financial statement income, as well as additional regulations, interpretations, amendments, or technical corrections to or in connection with the IRA, and challenges to the tax positions taken by the Ameren Companies, if any, as well as resulting effects on customer rates and the recoverability of the minimum tax imposed under the IRA;

• the effects on energy prices and demand for our services resulting from technological advances, including advances in customer energy efficiency, electric vehicles, electrification of various industries, energy storage, and private generation sources, which generate electricity at the site of consumption and are becoming more cost-competitive;

• the cost and availability of fuel, such as low-sulfur coal, natural gas, and enriched uranium used to produce electricity; the cost and availability of natural gas for distribution and the cost and availability of purchased power, including capacity, zero emission credits, renewable energy credits, and emission allowances; and the level and volatility of future market prices for such commodities and credits;

• disruptions in the delivery of fuel, failure of our fuel suppliers to provide adequate quantities or quality of fuel, or lack of adequate inventories of fuel, including nuclear fuel assemblies primarily from the one NRC-licensed supplier of assemblies for Ameren Missouri’s Callaway Energy Center;

• the cost and availability of transmission capacity for the energy generated by Ameren Missouri’s energy centers or required to satisfy our energy sales;

• the effectiveness of our risk management strategies and our use of financial and derivative instruments;

• the ability to obtain sufficient insurance, or, in the absence of insurance, the ability to timely recover uninsured losses from our customers;

*•*the impact of cyberattacks and data security risks on us, our suppliers, or other entities on the grid, which could, among other things, result in the loss of operational control of energy centers and electric and natural gas transmission and distribution systems and/or the loss of data, such as customer, employee, financial, and operating system information;

• acts of sabotage, which have increased in frequency and severity within the utility industry, war, terrorism, or other intentionally disruptive acts;

• business, economic, and capital market conditions, including the impact of such conditions on interest rates, inflation, and investments;

*•*the impact of inflation or a recession on our customers and the related impact on our results of operations, financial position, and liquidity;

• disruptions of the capital and credit markets, deterioration in credit metrics of the Ameren Companies, or other events that may have an adverse effect on the cost or availability of capital, including short-term credit and liquidity, and our ability to access the capital and credit markets on reasonable terms when needed;

• the actions of credit rating agencies and the effects of such actions;

• the impact of weather conditions and other natural conditions on us and our customers, including the impact of system outages and the level of wind and solar resources;

• the construction, installation, performance, and cost recovery of generation, transmission, and distribution assets;

• the ability to maintain system reliability during the transition to clean energy generation by Ameren Missouri and the electric utility industry, as well as Ameren Missouri’s ability to meet generation capacity obligations;

• the effects of failures of electric generation, electric and natural gas transmission or distribution, or natural gas storage facilities systems and equipment, which could result in unanticipated liabilities or unplanned outages;

• the operation of Ameren Missouri’s Callaway Energy Center, including planned and unplanned outages, as well as the ability to recover costs associated with such outages and the impact of such outages on off-system sales and purchased power, among other things;

• Ameren Missouri’s ability to recover the remaining investment and decommissioning costs associated with the retirement of an energy center, as well as the ability to earn a return on that remaining investment and those decommissioning costs;

• the impact of current environmental laws and new, more stringent, or changing requirements, including those related to NSR, CO2, NOx, and other emissions and discharges, Illinois emission standards, cooling water intake structures, CCR, energy efficiency, and wildlife protection, that could limit or terminate the operation of certain of Ameren Missouri’s energy centers, increase our operating costs or investment requirements, result in an impairment of our assets, cause us to sell our assets, reduce our customers’ demand for electricity or natural gas, or otherwise have a negative financial effect;

• the impact of complying with renewable energy standards in Missouri and Illinois and with the zero emission standard in Illinois;

• the effectiveness of Ameren Missouri’s customer energy-efficiency programs and the related revenues and performance incentives earned under its MEEIA programs;

• Ameren Illinois’ ability to achieve the performance standards applicable to its electric distribution business and electric customer energy-efficiency goals and the resulting impact on its allowed ROE;

• labor disputes, work force reductions, changes in future wage and employee benefits costs, including those resulting from changes in discount rates, mortality tables, returns on benefit plan assets, and other assumptions;

• the impact of negative opinions of us or our utility services that our customers, investors, legislators, regulators, creditors, or other stakeholders may have or develop, which could result from a variety of factors, including failures in system reliability, failure to implement our investment plans or to protect sensitive customer information, increases in rates, negative media coverage, or concerns about ESG practices;

• the impact of adopting new accounting and reporting guidance;

• the effects of strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures;

• legal and administrative proceedings;

• pandemics or other significant global health events, and their impacts on our results of operations, financial position, and liquidity; and

• the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, related sanctions imposed by the United States and other governments, and any broadening of these or other global conflicts, including potential impacts on the cost and availability of fuel, natural gas, enriched uranium, and other commodities, materials, and services, the inability of our counterparties to perform their obligations, disruptions in the capital and credit markets, acts of sabotage or terrorism, including cyberattacks, and other impacts on business, economic, and geopolitical conditions, including inflation.

New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in any forward-looking statement. Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

AMEREN CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited) (In millions, except per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

AMEREN CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(Unaudited) (In millions, except per share amounts)

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The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements contained in this Form 10-Q, as well as Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Risk Factors contained in the Form 10-K. We intend for this discussion to provide the reader with information that will assist in understanding our financial statements, the changes in certain key items in those financial statements, and the primary factors that accounted for those changes, as well as how certain accounting principles affect our financial statements. The discussion also provides information about the financial results of our business segments to provide a better understanding of how those segments and their results affect the financial condition and results of operations of Ameren as a whole. Also see the Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations at the front of this report and in the Form 10-K.

Ameren, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a public utility holding company whose primary assets are its equity interests in its subsidiaries. Ameren’s subsidiaries are separate, independent legal entities with separate businesses, assets, and liabilities. Dividends on Ameren’s common stock and the payment of expenses by Ameren depend on distributions made to it by its subsidiaries. Ameren’s principal subsidiaries are listed below. Ameren also has other subsidiaries that conduct other activities, such as providing shared services.

• Ameren Missouri operates a rate-regulated electric generation, transmission, and distribution business and a rate-regulated natural gas distribution business in Missouri.

• Ameren Illinois operates rate-regulated electric transmission, electric distribution, and natural gas distribution businesses in Illinois.

• ATXI operates a FERC rate-regulated electric transmission business in the MISO.

Ameren’s and Ameren Missouri’s financial statements are prepared on a consolidated basis and therefore include the accounts of their majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Ameren Missouri’s subsidiaries were created for the ownership of renewable generation projects. Ameren Illinois has no subsidiaries. All tabular dollar amounts are in millions, unless otherwise indicated.

In addition to presenting results of operations and earnings amounts in total, we present certain information in cents per share. These amounts reflect factors that directly affect Ameren’s earnings. We believe this per share information helps readers to understand the impact of these factors on Ameren’s earnings per share.

OVERVIEW

Net income attributable to Ameren common shareholders in the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $261 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, compared with $264 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, in the year-ago period. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was unfavorably affected by increased other operations and maintenance expenses not subject to formula rates, riders, or trackers, including a charge recorded by Ameren Missouri related to a change in the estimated minimum cost of additional mitigation relief associated with NSR and Clean Air Act litigation applicable to the Rush Island Energy Center. Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2024, were also unfavorably affected by increased income tax expense, primarily due to a decrease in income tax benefits at Ameren (parent) related to stock-based compensation; an increase in the weighted-average basic common shares outstanding; and a lower recognized ROE at Ameren Illinois Electric Distribution. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was favorably affected by increased base rate revenues pursuant to the ICC's November 2023 natural gas rate order and increased base rate revenues pursuant to the MoPSC's June 2023 electric rate order, which increased earnings at Ameren Illinois Natural Gas and Ameren Missouri, respectively. Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2024, were also favorably affected by increased rate base investments at Ameren Transmission.

Ameren’s strategic plan includes investing in rate-regulated energy infrastructure, enhancing regulatory frameworks and advocating for responsible policies, and optimizing operating performance to capitalize on opportunities to benefit our customers, communities, shareholders, and the environment. Ameren remains focused on disciplined cost management and strategic capital allocation. Ameren invested $0.9 billion in its rate-regulated businesses in the three months ended March 31, 2024.

In March 2024, the MoPSC issued an order approving a nonunanimous stipulation and agreement related to requested CCNs for the Split Rail, Vandalia, and Bowling Green solar projects. The stipulation and agreement also requested approval of a CCN for the Cass County Solar Project, conditioned upon full subscription of the project capacity under the Renewable Solutions Program, a commercial, industrial, and governmental customer program. Ameren Missouri expects a decision by the MoPSC on the Cass County Solar Project CCN once this project’s capacity under the Renewable Solutions Program is fully subscribed. In February and April 2023, the MoPSC issued orders approving requested CCNs for the Huck Finn and Boomtown solar projects, respectively.

In February 2024, Ameren Missouri filed an update to its Smart Energy Plan with the MoPSC, which includes a five-year capital investment overview with a detailed one-year plan for 2024. The plan is designed to upgrade Ameren Missouri’s electric infrastructure and includes investments that will upgrade the grid and accommodate more renewable energy. Investments under the plan are expected to total approximately $12.4 billion over the five-year period from 2024 through 2028, with expenditures largely recoverable under the PISA. Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan excludes investments in its natural gas distribution business, as well as removal costs, net of salvage.

In January 2024, Ameren Missouri filed a proposed customer energy-efficiency plan with the MoPSC under the MEEIA. This filing proposed a three-year plan, which includes a portfolio of customer energy-efficiency programs, along with the continued use of the MEEIA rider, which allows Ameren Missouri to collect from, or refund to, customers any difference in actual MEEIA program costs and related lost electric revenues and the amounts collected from customers. If the plan is approved, Ameren Missouri intends to invest $123 million annually in the proposed customer energy-efficiency programs from 2025 to 2027. In addition, Ameren Missouri requested performance incentives applicable to each plan year to earn revenues by achieving certain customer energy-efficiency savings and target spending goals. If 100% of the goals are achieved, Ameren Missouri would earn performance incentive revenues totaling $56 million over the three-year plan. Ameren Missouri also requested additional performance incentives applicable to each plan year totaling up to $14 million over the three-year plan, if Ameren Missouri exceeds 100% of the goals. Ameren Missouri expects a decision by the MoPSC by October 2024, but cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this regulatory proceeding.

In November 2023, Ameren Missouri petitioned the MoPSC for a financing order to authorize the issuance of securitized utility tariff bonds to finance $519 million of costs related to the planned accelerated retirement of the Rush Island Energy Center, which includes the expected remaining unrecovered net plant balance associated with the facility, among other costs. Ameren Missouri requested to collect the amounts necessary to repay the bonds over approximately 15 years from the date of bond issuance. In March 2024, the MoPSC staff filed an updated response to Ameren Missouri’s petition that stated Ameren Missouri’s decision to accelerate the retirement of the Rush Island Energy Cente

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There have been no material changes to the quantitative and qualitative disclosures about interest rate risk, credit risk, commodity price risk, investment price risk, and commodity supplier risk included in the Form 10-K, except as discussed below. See Item 7A under Part II of the Form 10-K for a more detailed discussion of our market risk.

(a)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of March 31, 2024, evaluations were performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of each of the Ameren Companies, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of such registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based on those evaluations, as of March 31, 2024, the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of each of the Ameren Companies concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide assurance that information required to be disclosed in such registrant’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its principal executive officer and its principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b)Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in any of the Ameren Companies’ internal control over financial reporting during their most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, each of their internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

We are involved in legal and administrative proceedings before various courts and agencies with respect to matters that arise in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve substantial amounts of money. We believe that the final disposition of these proceedings, except as otherwise disclosed in this report, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, or liquidity. Risk of loss is mitigated, in some cases, by insurance or contractual or statutory indemnification. We believe that we have established appropriate reserves for potential losses. For additional information on material legal and administrative proceedings, see Note 2 – Rate and Regulatory Matters, Note 9 – Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 10 – Callaway Energy Center, under Part I, Item 1, of this report. Pursuant to Item 103(c)(3)(iii) of Regulation S-K, our policy is to disclose environmental proceedings to which a governmental entity is a party if we reasonably believe such proceedings will result in monetary sanctions of $1 million or more.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in the Form 10-K.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

Ameren Corporation, Ameren Missouri, and Ameren Illinois did not purchase equity securities reportable under Item 703 of Regulation S-K during the period from January 1, 2024, to March 31, 2024.

Insider Adoption or Termination of Trading Arrangements

During the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, none of our directors or officers informed us of the adoption or termination of a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as those terms are defined in Regulation S-K, Item 408.

The documents listed below are being filed or have previously been filed on behalf of the Ameren Companies and are incorporated herein by reference from the documents indicated and made a part hereof. Exhibits not identified as previously filed are filed herewith.

The file number references for the Ameren Companies’ filings with the SEC are: Ameren, 1-14756; Ameren Missouri, 1-2967; and Ameren Illinois, 1-3672.

Each registrant hereby undertakes to furnish to the SEC upon request a copy of any long-term debt instrument not listed above that such registrant has not filed as an exhibit pursuant to the exemption provided by Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. The signature for each undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to such company or its subsidiaries.

Date: May 6, 2024