Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
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Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Vistra Energy Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Vistra Energy Corp. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related statements of consolidated income (loss), consolidated comprehensive income (loss), consolidated cash flows, and consolidated equity, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, for the period October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 (Successor Company operations) and the period January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 (Predecessor Company operations), and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the Successor Company financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for the period October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Further, in our opinion, the Predecessor Company financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of the Predecessor Company for the period January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Fresh-Start Reporting
As discussed in Note 6 to the financial statements, on August 29, 2016 the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the plan of reorganization which became effective on October 3, 2016. Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 852, Reorganizations, for the Successor Company as a new entity with assets, liabilities, and a capital structure having carrying values not comparable with prior periods as described in Note 1 to the financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Dallas, TX
February 28, 2019
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2002.
VISTRA ENERGY CORP.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME (LOSS)
(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | $ | 9,144 | $ | 5,430 | $ | 1,191 | $ | 3,973 | ||||||||
| Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees | (5,036 | ) | (2,935 | ) | (720 | ) | (2,082 | ) | ||||||||
| Net gain from commodity hedging and trading activities | — | — | — | 282 | ||||||||||||
| Operating costs | (1,297 | ) | (973 | ) | (208 | ) | (664 | ) | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | (1,394 | ) | (699 | ) | (216 | ) | (459 | ) | ||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (926 | ) | (600 | ) | (208 | ) | (482 | ) | ||||||||
| Impairment of long-lived assets | — | (25 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 491 | 198 | (161 | ) | 568 | |||||||||||
| Other income (Note 23) | 47 | 37 | 10 | 19 | ||||||||||||
| Other deductions (Note 23) | (5 | ) | (5 | ) | — | (75 | ) | |||||||||
| Interest expense and related charges (Note 11) | (572 | ) | (193 | ) | (60 | ) | (1,049 | ) | ||||||||
| Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement (Note 10) | (79 | ) | 213 | (22 | ) | — | ||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investment (Note 23) | 17 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Reorganization items (Note 5) | — | — | — | 22,121 | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | (101 | ) | 250 | (233 | ) | 21,584 | ||||||||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit (Note 9) | 45 | (504 | ) | 70 | 1,267 | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | (56 | ) | (254 | ) | (163 | ) | 22,851 | |||||||||
| Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | 2 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to Vistra Energy | $ | (54 | ) | $ | (254 | ) | $ | (163 | ) | |||||||
| Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 504,954,371 | 427,761,460 | 427,560,620 | |||||||||||||
| Diluted | 504,954,371 | 427,761,460 | 427,560,620 | |||||||||||||
| Net loss per weighted average share of common stock outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.59 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) | |||||||
| Diluted | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.59 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) | |||||||
| Dividend declared per share of common stock | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2.32 |
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
VISTRA ENERGY CORP.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Millions of Dollars)
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (56 | ) | $ | (254 | ) | $ | (163 | ) | $ | 22,851 | |||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax effects: | ||||||||||||||||
| Effects related to pension and other retirement benefit obligations (net of tax (benefit) expense of $(2), $(6), $3 and $—) | (6 | ) | (23 | ) | 6 | — | ||||||||||
| Adoption of new accounting standard (Note 1) | 1 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax effects — cash flow hedges (net of tax benefit of $— in all periods) | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income (loss) | (5 | ) | (23 | ) | 6 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | (61 | ) | (277 | ) | (157 | ) | 22,852 | |||||||||
| Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | 2 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss attributable to Vistra Energy | $ | (59 | ) | $ | (277 | ) | $ | (157 | ) |
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
| VISTRA ENERGY CORP. STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (Millions of Dollars) | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Cash flows — operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (56 | ) | $ | (254 | ) | $ | (163 | ) | $ | 22,851 | |||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,533 | 835 | 285 | 532 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit), net | (62 | ) | 418 | (76 | ) | (1,270 | ) | |||||||||
| Unrealized net (gain) loss from mark-to-market valuations of commodities | 380 | 145 | 165 | 36 | ||||||||||||
| Unrealized net (gain) loss from mark-to-market valuations of interest rate swaps | 5 | (29 | ) | 11 | — | |||||||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of liabilities subject to compromise (Note 6) | — | — | — | (24,344 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net loss from adopting fresh start reporting (Note 5) | — | — | — | 2,013 | ||||||||||||
| Contract claims adjustments of Predecessor (Note 5) | — | — | — | 13 | ||||||||||||
| Impairment of long-lived assets (Note 4) | — | 25 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Write-off of intangible and other assets (Note 23) | — | — | — | 45 | ||||||||||||
| Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement (Note 10) | 79 | (213 | ) | 22 | — | |||||||||||
| Change in asset retirement obligation liability | (27 | ) | 112 | — | — | |||||||||||
| Asset retirement obligation accretion expense | 50 | 60 | 6 | — | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 73 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Other, net | 92 | 69 | 1 | 63 | ||||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Affiliate accounts receivable/payable — net | — | — | — | 31 | ||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable — trade | (207 | ) | 7 | 135 | (216 | ) | ||||||||||
| Inventories | 61 | 22 | 3 | 71 | ||||||||||||
| Accounts payable — trade | 90 | (30 | ) | (79 | ) | 26 | ||||||||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual assets and liabilities | (80 | ) | (1 | ) | (48 | ) | 29 | |||||||||
| Margin deposits, net | (221 | ) | 146 | (193 | ) | (124 | ) | |||||||||
| Accrued interest | (105 | ) | (10 | ) | 32 | (10 | ) | |||||||||
| Accrued taxes | (64 | ) | 33 | 12 | (13 | ) | ||||||||||
| Accrued employee incentive | 40 | (24 | ) | 24 | (30 | ) | ||||||||||
| Alcoa contract settlement (Note 4) | — | 238 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Tax Receivable Agreement payment (Note 10) | (16 | ) | (26 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
| Major plant outage deferral | (22 | ) | (66 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
| Other — net assets | 73 | 4 | (2 | ) | (3 | ) | ||||||||||
| Other — net liabilities | (145 | ) | (75 | ) | (54 | ) | 62 | |||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 1,471 | 1,386 | 81 | (238 | ) | |||||||||||
| Cash flows — financing activities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Issuances of long-term debt (Note 14) | 1,000 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Repayments/repurchases of debt (Note 14) | (3,075 | ) | (191 | ) | — | (2,655 | ) | |||||||||
| Net borrowings under accounts receivable securitization program (Note 13) | 339 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Debt tender offer and other debt financing fee | (236 | ) | (8 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
| Stock repurchase (Note 16) | (763 | ) | — | — | — |
| VISTRA ENERGY CORP. STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (Millions of Dollars) | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Incremental Term Loan B Facility (Note 14) | — | — | 1,000 | — | ||||||||||||
| Special Dividend (Note 16) | — | — | (992 | ) | — | |||||||||||
| Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock (Note 5) | — | — | — | 69 | ||||||||||||
| Payments to extinguish claims of TCEH first lien creditors (Note 5) | — | — | — | (486 | ) | |||||||||||
| Payment to extinguish claims of TCEH unsecured creditors (Note 5) | — | — | — | (429 | ) | |||||||||||
| Borrowings under TCEH DIP Roll Facilities and DIP Facility (Note 14) | — | — | — | 4,680 | ||||||||||||
| TCEH DIP Roll Facilities and DIP Facility financing fees | — | — | — | (112 | ) | |||||||||||
| Other, net | 12 | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | (8 | ) | |||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (2,723 | ) | (201 | ) | 6 | 1,059 | ||||||||||
| Cash flows — investing activities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures, including LTSA prepayments | (378 | ) | (114 | ) | (48 | ) | (230 | ) | ||||||||
| Nuclear fuel purchases | (118 | ) | (62 | ) | (41 | ) | (33 | ) | ||||||||
| Development and growth expenditures (Note 3) | (34 | ) | (190 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||
| Cash acquired in the Merger | 445 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Odessa acquisition (Note 3) | — | (355 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
| Lamar and Forney acquisition — net of cash acquired (Note 3) | — | — | — | (1,343 | ) | |||||||||||
| Changes in restricted cash (Predecessor) | — | — | — | 233 | ||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities (Note 23) | 252 | 252 | 25 | 201 | ||||||||||||
| Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities (Note 23) | (274 | ) | (272 | ) | (30 | ) | (215 | ) | ||||||||
| Notes/advances due from affiliates | — | — | — | (41 | ) | |||||||||||
| Other, net | 6 | 14 | 1 | 8 | ||||||||||||
| Cash used in investing activities | (101 | ) | (727 | ) | (93 | ) | (1,420 | ) | ||||||||
| Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (Successor); Net change in cash and cash equivalents (Predecessor) | (1,353 | ) | 458 | (6 | ) | (599 | ) | |||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — beginning balance (Successor); Cash and cash equivalents — beginning balance (Predecessor) | 2,046 | 1,588 | 1,594 | 1,400 | ||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — ending balance (Successor); Cash and cash equivalents — ending balance (Predecessor) | $ | 693 | $ | 2,046 | $ | 1,588 | $ | 801 |
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
| VISTRA ENERGY CORP. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Millions of Dollars) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 636 | $ | 1,487 | |||
| Restricted cash (Note 23) | 57 | 59 | |||||
| Trade accounts receivable — net (Note 23) | 1,087 | 582 | |||||
| Inventories (Note 23) | 412 | 253 | |||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual assets (Note 18) | 730 | 190 | |||||
| Margin deposits related to commodity contracts | 361 | 30 | |||||
| Prepaid expense and other current assets | 152 | 72 | |||||
| Total current assets | 3,435 | 2,673 | |||||
| Restricted cash (Note 23) | — | 500 | |||||
| Investments (Note 23) | 1,250 | 1,240 | |||||
| Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary (Note 23) | 131 | — | |||||
| Property, plant and equipment — net (Note 23) | 14,612 | 4,820 | |||||
| Goodwill (Note 8) | 2,068 | 1,907 | |||||
| Identifiable intangible assets — net (Note 8) | 2,493 | 2,530 | |||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual assets (Note 18) | 109 | 58 | |||||
| Accumulated deferred income taxes (Note 9) | 1,336 | 710 | |||||
| Other noncurrent assets | 590 | 162 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 26,024 | $ | 14,600 | |||
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts receivable securitization program (Note 13) | $ | 339 | $ | — | |||
| Long-term debt due currently (Note 14) | 191 | 44 | |||||
| Trade accounts payable | 945 | 473 | |||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities (Note 18) | 1,376 | 224 | |||||
| Margin deposits related to commodity contracts | 4 | 4 | |||||
| Accrued taxes | 10 | 58 | |||||
| Accrued taxes other than income | 182 | 136 | |||||
| Accrued interest | 77 | 16 | |||||
| Asset retirement obligations (Note 23) | 156 | 99 | |||||
| Other current liabilities | 345 | 297 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 3,625 | 1,351 | |||||
| Long-term debt, less amounts due currently (Note 14) | 10,874 | 4,379 | |||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities (Note 18) | 270 | 102 | |||||
| Accumulated deferred income taxes (Note 9) | 10 | — | |||||
| Tax Receivable Agreement obligation (Note 10) | 420 | 333 | |||||
| Asset retirement obligations (Note 23) | 2,217 | 1,837 | |||||
| Identifiable intangible liabilities — net (Note 8) | 401 | 36 | |||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits (Note 23) | 340 | 220 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 18,157 | 8,258 |
| VISTRA ENERGY CORP. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Millions of Dollars) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15) | |||||||
| Total equity (Note 16): | |||||||
| Common stock (par value — $0.01; number of shares authorized — 1,800,000,000) (shares outstanding: December 31, 2018 — 493,215,309; December 31, 2017 — 428,398,802) | 5 | 4 | |||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | 9,329 | 7,765 | |||||
| Retained deficit | (1,449 | ) | (1,410 | ) | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (22 | ) | (17 | ) | |||
| Stockholders' equity | 7,863 | 6,342 | |||||
| Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary | 4 | — | |||||
| Total equity | 7,867 | 6,342 | |||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 26,024 | $ | 14,600 |
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
| VISTRA ENERGY CORP. STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED EQUITY (Millions of Dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Stock (Successor) / Capital Account (Predecessor) | Additional Paid-In Capital (Successor) | Retained Deficit (Successor) | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Total Stockholders' Equity | Noncontrolling Interests (Successor) | Total Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in Successor: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at October 3, 2016 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||
| Shares issued upon Emergence | 4 | 7,737 | — | — | 7,741 | — | 7,741 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effects of stock-based compensation | — | 4 | — | — | 4 | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other issuances of common stock | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | (163 | ) | — | (163 | ) | — | (163 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared on common stock | — | — | (992 | ) | — | (992 | ) | — | (992 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Pension and OPEB liability — change in funded status | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | — | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at December 31, 2016 | $ | 4 | $ | 7,742 | $ | (1,155 | ) | $ | 6 | $ | 6,597 | $ | — | $ | 6,597 | ||||||||||||
| Effects of stock-based compensation | — | 23 | — | — | 23 | — | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | (254 | ) | — | (254 | ) | — | (254 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Pension and OPEB liability — change in funded status | — | — | — | (23 | ) | (23 | ) | — | (23 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | (1 | ) | — | (1 | ) | — | (1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Balances at December 31, 2017 | $ | 4 | $ | 7,765 | $ | (1,410 | ) | $ | (17 | ) | $ | 6,342 | $ | — | $ | 6,342 | |||||||||||
| Stock and stock compensation awards issued in connection with the Merger | 1 | 1,901 | — | — | 1,902 | — | 1,902 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock | — | (778 | ) | — | — | (778 | ) | — | (778 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Effects of stock-based compensation | — | 72 | — | — | 72 | — | 72 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tangible equity units acquired | — | 369 | — | — | 369 | — | 369 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrants acquired | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | (54 | ) | — | (54 | ) | (2 | ) | (56 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Adoption of new accounting standards (Note 1) | — | — | 16 | 1 | 17 | — | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension and OPEB liability — change in funded status | — | — | — | (6 | ) | (6 | ) | — | (6 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Investment by noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | (2 | ) | (1 | ) | — | (3 | ) | — | (3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balances at December 31, 2018 | $ | 5 | $ | 9,329 | $ | (1,449 | ) | $ | (22 | ) | $ | 7,863 | $ | 4 | $ | 7,867 | |||||||||||
| Membership interests in Predecessor: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at December 31, 2015 | $ | (22,851 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (33 | ) | $ | (22,884 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net income | 22,851 | — | — | — | 22,851 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flow hedges — change during period | — | — | — | 33 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at October 2, 2016 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
VISTRA ENERGY CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 1. | BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Description of Business
References in this report to "we," "our," "us" and "the Company" are to Vistra Energy and/or its subsidiaries in the Successor period, and to TCEH and/or its subsidiaries in the Predecessor periods, as apparent in the context. See Glossary for defined terms.
Vistra Energy is a holding company operating an integrated retail and generation business in markets throughout the U.S. Through our subsidiaries, we are engaged in competitive electricity market activities including power generation, wholesale energy sales and purchases, commodity risk management and retail sales of electricity to end users.
Vistra Energy has six reportable segments: (i) Retail, (ii) ERCOT, (iii) PJM, (iv) NY/NE (comprising NYISO and ISO-NE), (v) MISO and (vi) Asset Closure. The PJM, NY/NE and MISO segments were established on the Merger Date to reflect markets served by businesses acquired in the Merger. See Note 22 for further information concerning reportable business segments.
On the Petition Date, EFH Corp. and the substantial majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including the Debtors, filed voluntary petitions for relief under the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
On the Effective Date, subsidiaries of TCEH that were Debtors in the Chapter 11 Cases (the TCEH Debtors) and certain EFH Corp. subsidiaries (the Contributed EFH Debtors) completed their reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code and emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases as subsidiaries of a newly formed company, Vistra Energy (our Successor). On the Effective Date, Vistra Energy was spun-off from EFH Corp. in a tax-free transaction to the former first lien creditors of TCEH (Spin-Off). As a result, as of the Effective Date, Vistra Energy is a holding company for subsidiaries principally engaged in competitive electricity market activities including power generation, wholesale energy sales and purchases, commodity risk management and retail sales of electricity to end users. TCEH is the Predecessor to Vistra Energy. See Note 5 for further discussion regarding the Chapter 11 Cases.
Merger Transaction
On the Merger Date, Vistra Energy and Dynegy completed the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Dynegy merged with and into Vistra Energy, with Vistra Energy continuing as the surviving corporation. Because the Merger closed on April 9, 2018, Vistra Energy's consolidated financial statements and the notes related thereto do not include the financial condition or the operating results of Dynegy prior to April 9, 2018. See Note 2 for a summary of the Merger transaction and business combination accounting.
Basis of Presentation
As of the Effective Date, Vistra Energy applied fresh start reporting under the applicable provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 852, Reorganizations (ASC 852). Fresh start reporting included (1) distinguishing the consolidated financial statements of the entity that was previously in restructuring (TCEH, or the Predecessor) from the financial statements of the entity that emerges from restructuring (Vistra Energy, or the Successor), (2) accounting for the effects of the Plan of Reorganization, (3) assigning the reorganization value of the Successor entity by measuring all assets and liabilities of the Successor entity at fair value, and (4) selecting accounting policies for the Successor entity. The financial statements of Vistra Energy for periods subsequent to the Effective Date are not comparable to the financial statements of TCEH for periods prior to the Effective Date, as those previous periods do not give effect to any adjustments to the carrying values of assets or amounts of liabilities that resulted from the Plan of Reorganization and the related application of fresh start reporting. The reorganization value of Vistra Energy was assigned to its assets and liabilities in conformity with the procedures specified by FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations, and the portion of the reorganization value that was not attributable to identifiable tangible or intangible assets was recognized as goodwill. See Note 6 for further discussion of fresh start reporting.
The consolidated financial statements of the Predecessor reflect the application of ASC 852 as it applies to entities that have filed a petition for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. As a result, the consolidated financial statements of the Predecessor have been prepared as if TCEH was a going concern and contemplated the realization of assets and liabilities in the normal course of business. During the Chapter 11 Cases, the Debtors operated their businesses as debtors-in-possession under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. The guidance requires that transactions and events directly associated with the reorganization be distinguished from the ongoing operations of the business. In addition, the guidance provides for changes in the accounting and presentation of liabilities. Prior to the Effective Date, the Predecessor recorded the effects of the Plan of Reorganization in accordance with ASC 852. See Predecessor Reorganization Items in Note 5 for further discussion of these accounting and reporting changes.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and on the same basis as the audited financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, with the exception of the changes in reportable segments as detailed above. Adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations and financial position have been included therein. All intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. All dollar amounts in the financial statements and tables in the notes are stated in millions of U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of financial statements requires estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the reporting of assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and the reported amounts of revenue and expense, including fair value measurements, estimates of expected obligations, judgment related to the potential timing of events and other estimates. In the event estimates and/or assumptions prove to be different from actual amounts, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information.
Derivative Instruments and Mark-to-Market Accounting
We enter into contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity, natural gas, coal, uranium and other commodities utilizing instruments such as options, swaps, futures and forwards primarily to manage commodity price and interest rate risks. If the instrument meets the definition of a derivative under accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in net income as unrealized gains and losses. This recognition is referred to as mark-to-market accounting. The fair values of our unsettled derivative instruments under mark-to-market accounting are reported in the consolidated balance sheets as commodity and other derivative contractual assets or liabilities. We report derivative assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets without taking into consideration netting arrangements we have with counterparties. Margin deposits that contractually offset these assets and liabilities are reported separately in the consolidated balance sheets, except for certain margin amounts related to changes in fair value on CME transactions that, beginning in January 2017, are legally characterized as settlement of derivative contracts rather than collateral. When derivative instruments are settled and realized gains and losses are recorded, the previously recorded unrealized gains and losses and derivative assets and liabilities are reversed. See Notes 17 and 18 for additional information regarding fair value measurement and commodity and other derivative contractual assets and liabilities. A commodity-related derivative contract may be designated as a normal purchase or sale if the commodity is to be physically received or delivered for use or sale in the normal course of business. If designated as normal, the derivative contract is accounted for under the accrual method of accounting (not marked-to-market) with no balance sheet or income statement recognition of the contract until settlement.
Because derivative instruments are frequently used as economic hedges, accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities allow for hedge accounting, which provides for the designation of such instruments as cash flow or fair value hedges if certain conditions are met. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no derivative positions accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges.
For the Successor period, we report commodity hedging and trading results as revenue, fuel expense or purchased power in the statements of consolidated income (loss) depending on the type of activity. Electricity hedges, financial natural gas hedges and trading activities are primarily reported as revenue. Physical or financial hedges for coal, diesel or uranium, along with physical natural gas trades, are primarily reported as fuel expense. For the Predecessor periods, all activity was reported as a net gain (loss) from commodity hedging and trading activities. Realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with interest rate swap transactions are reported in the statements of consolidated income (loss) in interest expense for both the Predecessor and Successor.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when electricity is delivered to our customers in an amount that we expect to invoice for volumes delivered or services provided. Sales tax is excluded from revenue. Energy sales and services that have been delivered but not billed by period end are estimated. Accrued unbilled revenues are based on estimates of customer usage since the date of the last meter reading provided by the independent system operators or electric distribution companies. Estimated amounts are adjusted when actual usage is known and billed. See Note 7 for detailed descriptions of revenue from contracts with customers.
We record wholesale generation revenue when volumes are delivered or services are performed for transactions that are not accounted for on a mark-to-market basis. These revenues primarily consist of physical electricity sales to the ISO or RTO, ancillary service revenue for reliability services, capacity revenue for making installed generation and demand response available for system reliability requirements, and certain other electricity sales contracts. See Note 7 for detailed descriptions of revenue from contracts with customers. See Derivative Instruments and Mark-to-Market Accounting for revenue recognition related to derivative contracts.
Advertising Expense
We expense advertising costs as incurred and include them within selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses totaled $46 million, $44 million, $9 million and $35 million for the Successor period for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, respectively.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate long-lived assets (including intangible assets with finite lives) for impairment whenever indications of impairment exist. The carrying value of such assets is deemed to be impaired if the projected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value. If there is such impairment, a loss would be recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined primarily by discounted cash flows, supported by available market valuations, if applicable.
Finite-lived intangibles identified as a result of fresh start reporting or purchase accounting are amortized over their estimated useful lives based on the expected realization of economic effects. See Note 8 for details of intangible assets with indefinite lives, including discussion of fair value determinations.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives
As part of fresh start reporting and purchase accounting, reorganization value or the purchase consideration is generally allocated, first, to identifiable tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, then any remaining excess reorganization value is allocated to goodwill (see Note 6). We evaluate goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment at least annually, or when indications of impairment exist. We have established October 1 as the date we evaluate goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment. The Predecessor's annual evaluation date was December 1. See Note 8 for details of goodwill, including discussion of fair value determinations.
Nuclear Fuel
Nuclear fuel is capitalized and reported as a component of our property, plant and equipment in our consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of nuclear fuel is calculated on the units-of-production method and is reported as a component of fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees in our statements of consolidated income (loss).
Major Maintenance Costs
Major maintenance costs incurred by the Successor during generation plant outages are deferred and amortized into operating costs over the period between the major maintenance outages for the respective asset. Other routine costs of maintenance activities are charged to expense as incurred and reported as operating costs in our statements of consolidated income (loss). The Predecessor charged all maintenance activities to expense as incurred.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and OPEB Plans
On the Merger Date, Vistra Energy assumed the pension and OPEB plans that Dynegy had provided to certain of its eligible employees and retirees. The excess of the benefit obligations over the fair value of plan assets was recognized as a liability. See Note 2 for additional information regarding the Merger.
On the Effective Date, EFH Corp. transferred sponsorship of certain employee benefit plans (including related assets), programs and policies to a subsidiary of Vistra Energy. Certain health care and life insurance benefits are offered to eligible employees and their dependents upon the retirement of such employee from the company. Pension benefits are offered to eligible employees under collective bargaining agreements based on either a traditional defined benefit formula or a cash balance formula. Effective January 1, 2017, the OPEB plan was amended to discontinue the life insurance benefits for active employees. Costs of pension and OPEB plans are dependent upon numerous factors, assumptions and estimates.
Prior to the Effective Date, our Predecessor bore a portion of the costs of the EFH Corp. sponsored pension and OPEB plans and accounted for the arrangement under multiple employer plan accounting.
See Note 19 for additional information regarding pension and OPEB plans.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. The fair value of our non-qualified stock options is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. We recognize compensation expense for graded vesting awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. See Note 20 for additional information regarding stock-based compensation.
Sales and Excise Taxes
Sales and excise taxes are accounted for as "pass through" items on the consolidated balance sheets with no effect on the statements of consolidated income (loss) (i.e., the tax is billed to customers and recorded as trade accounts receivable with an offsetting amount recorded as a liability to the taxing jurisdiction).
Franchise and Revenue-Based Taxes
Unlike sales and excise taxes, franchise and gross receipt taxes are not a "pass through" item. These taxes are imposed on us by state and local taxing authorities, based on revenues or kWh delivered, as a cost of doing business and are recorded as an expense. Rates we charge to customers are intended to recover our costs, including the franchise and gross receipt taxes, but we are not acting as an agent to collect the taxes from customers. We report franchise and revenue-based taxes in SG&A expense in our statements of consolidated income (loss).
Income Taxes
On the Merger Date, Vistra Energy and Dynegy effected a merger transaction that for tax purposes was treated as a tax-free reorganization in which Vistra Energy survived as the parent entity. In general, all of Dynegy's tax basis and attributes were transferred to Vistra Energy, including approximately $4.2 billion of utilizable NOLs and refundable AMT tax credits.
Prior to the Effective Date, EFH Corp. filed a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return that included the results of our Predecessor; however, our Predecessor's income tax expense and related balance sheet amounts were recorded as if it filed separate corporate income tax returns.
Investment tax credits are accounted for under the deferral method, which resulted in a reduction to the basis of the Upton 2 solar facility of $78 million and a corresponding increase in the deferred tax assets in 2018.
Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities as required under accounting rules. See Note 9.
We report interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as current income tax expense. See Note 9.
Tax Receivable Agreement
The Company accounts for its obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement (TRA) as a liability in our consolidated balance sheets (see Note 10). The carrying value of the TRA obligation represents the discounted amount of projected payments under the TRA. The projected payments are based on certain assumptions, including but not limited to (a) the federal corporate income tax rate and (b) estimates of our taxable income in the current and future years. Our taxable income takes into consideration the current federal tax code and reflects our current estimates of future results of the business.
The carrying value of the obligation is being accreted to the amount of the gross expected obligation using the effective interest method and the interest rate estimated at the Emergence Date. Changes in the estimated amount of this obligation resulting from changes to either the timing or amount of TRA payments are recognized in the period of change and are included on our statement of consolidated income (loss) under the heading of Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement.
Accounting for Contingencies
Our financial results may be affected by judgments and estimates related to loss contingencies. Accruals for loss contingencies are recorded when management determines that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and that such economic loss can be reasonably estimated. Such determinations are subject to interpretations of current facts and circumstances, forecasts of future events and estimates of the financial impacts of such events. See Note 15 for a discussion of contingencies.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of reporting cash and cash equivalents, temporary cash investments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less are considered cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
The terms of certain agreements require the restriction of cash for specific purposes. See Notes 14 and 23 for more details regarding restricted cash.
Property, Plant and Equipment
In connection with fresh start reporting, carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment were adjusted to estimated fair values as of the Effective Date (see Note 6). Property, plant and equipment added subsequent to the Effective Date has been recorded at estimated fair values at the time of acquisition for assets acquired or at cost for capital improvements and individual facilities developed (see Notes 2 and 3). Significant improvements or additions to our property, plant and equipment that extend the life of the respective asset are capitalized at cost, while other costs are expensed when incurred. The cost of self-constructed property additions includes materials and both direct and indirect labor, including payroll-related costs. Interest related to qualifying construction projects and qualifying software projects is capitalized in accordance with accounting guidance related to capitalization of interest cost. See Note 11.
Depreciation of our property, plant and equipment (except for nuclear fuel) is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated service lives of the properties. Depreciation expense is calculated on an asset-by-asset basis. Estimated depreciable lives are based on management's estimates of the assets' economic useful lives. See Note 23.
Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO)
A liability is initially recorded at fair value for an asset retirement obligation associated with the legal obligation associated with law, regulatory, contractual or constructive retirement requirements of tangible long-lived assets in the period in which it is incurred if a fair value is reasonably estimable. At initial recognition of an ARO obligation, an offsetting asset is also recorded for the long-lived asset that the liability corresponds with, which is subsequently depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. These liabilities primarily relate to our nuclear generation plant decommissioning, land reclamation related to lignite mining and removal of lignite/coal-fueled plant ash treatment facilities. Over time, the liability is accreted for the change in present value and the initial capitalized costs are depreciated over the remaining useful lives of the assets. Generally, changes in estimates related to ARO obligations are recorded as increases or decreases to the liability and related asset as information becomes available. Changes in estimates related to assets that have been retired or for which capitalized costs are not recoverable are reflected in the statements of consolidated income (loss). See Note 23.
Inventories
Inventories consist of materials and supplies, fuel stock and natural gas in storage. Materials and supplies inventory is valued at weighted average cost and is expensed or capitalized when used for repairs/maintenance or capital projects, respectively. Fuel stock and natural gas in storage are reported at the lower of cost (on a weighted average basis) or market. We expect to recover the value of inventory costs in the normal course of business. See Note 23.
Investments
Investments in a nuclear decommissioning trust fund are carried at current market value in the consolidated balance sheets. Assets related to employee benefit plans represent investments held to satisfy deferred compensation liabilities and are recorded at current market value. See Note 23 for discussion of these and other investments.
Unconsolidated Investments
We use the equity method of accounting for investments in affiliates over which we exercise significant influence. Our share of net income (loss) from these affiliates is recorded to equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated investment in the statements of consolidated net income (loss). See Note 23.
Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling interest is comprised of the 20% of Electric Energy, Inc. (EEI) that we do not own. EEI is our consolidated subsidiary that owns a coal facility in Joppa, Illinois. This noncontrolling interest is classified as a component of equity separate from stockholders' equity in the consolidated balance sheets.
Treasury Stock
Treasury stock purchases are accounted for under the cost method whereby the entire cost of the acquired stock is recorded as treasury stock, which is presented in our consolidated balance sheets as a reduction to additional paid-in capital. See Note 16.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Revenue from Contracts with Customers — On January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and all related amendments (new revenue standard) using the modified retrospective method for all contracts outstanding at the time of adoption. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The impact of the adoption of the new revenue standard was immaterial and we expect the adoption to continue to be immaterial to our net income on an ongoing basis. Our retail energy charges and wholesale generation, capacity and contract revenues will continue to be recognized when electricity and other services are delivered to our customers. The impact of adopting the new revenue standard primarily relates to the deferral of acquisition costs associated with retail contracts with customers that were previously expensed as incurred. Under the new revenue standard, these amounts are capitalized and amortized over the expected life of the customer.
As of January 1, 2018, the cumulative effect of the changes made to our consolidated balance sheet for the adoption of the new revenue standard was as follows:
| December 31, 2017 | Adoption of New Revenue Standard | January 1, 2018 | |||||||||
| Impact on consolidated balance sheet: | |||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expense and other current assets | $ | 72 | $ | 5 | $ | 77 | |||||
| Accumulated deferred income taxes | $ | 710 | $ | (4 | ) | $ | 706 | ||||
| Other noncurrent assets | $ | 162 | $ | 16 | $ | 178 | |||||
| Equity | |||||||||||
| Retained deficit | $ | (1,410 | ) | $ | 17 | $ | (1,393 | ) |
The disclosure of the impact of adoption on our statement of consolidated income (loss) and consolidated balance sheet was as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |||||||||||
| As Reported | Amount Without Adoption of New Revenue Standard | Effect of Change Higher (Lower) | |||||||||
| Impact on statement of consolidated income (loss): | |||||||||||
| Operating revenues | $ | 9,144 | $ | 9,141 | $ | 3 | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (926 | ) | (939 | ) | 13 | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | (56 | ) | (68 | ) | 12 |
| December 31, 2018 | |||||||||||
| As Reported | Balances Without Adoption of New Revenue Standard | Effect of Change Higher (Lower) | |||||||||
| Impact on consolidated balance sheet: | |||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expense and other current assets | $ | 152 | $ | 145 | $ | 7 | |||||
| Accumulated deferred income taxes | 1,336 | 1,349 | (13 | ) | |||||||
| Other noncurrent assets | 590 | 559 | 31 | ||||||||
| Equity | |||||||||||
| Retained deficit | $ | (1,449 | ) | $ | (1,478 | ) | $ | 29 |
See Note 7 for the disclosures required by the new revenue standard.
Statement of Cash Flows — In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The ASU requires restricted cash to be included in the cash and cash equivalents and a reconciliation between the change in cash and cash equivalents and the amounts presented on the balance sheet. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2018. The ASU modified our presentation of our statements of consolidated cash flows, and retrospective application to comparative periods presented was required. For the Successor period for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, our statements of consolidated cash flows previously reflected a source of cash of $186 million and $48 million, respectively, reported as changes in restricted cash that is now reported in net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. See the statements of consolidated cash flows and Note 23 for disclosures related to the adoption of this accounting standard.
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income — In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The ASU permits the reclassification of income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on items within accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to retained earnings. We adopted this ASU in the fourth quarter of 2018, and the impact was additional tax expense to AOCI of $1 million with the offset to retained earnings.
Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans — In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. The ASU removes disclosure requirements for (a) the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year, (b) related party disclosures about the amount of future annual benefits covered by insurance and annuity contracts and significant transactions between the employer or related parties and the plan and (c) the effects of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates on the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit costs and benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits. The ASU requires new disclosures for (a) the weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and other plans with promised interest crediting rates and (b) an explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. We adopted this ASU in the fourth quarter of 2018, and the updated disclosures are included in Note 19.
Leases — In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASU 2016-02), which was further amended through several updates issued by the FASB in 2018. The ASU amends previous GAAP to require lessees to recognize leases on-balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The ASU requires the lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases. Leases will be classified as finance and operating with classifications affecting the pattern and expense recognition in the income statement.
We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. We have elected the practical expedient which permits us to not reassess our prior conclusion about lease classification and initial direct costs under the new standard. We have also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all applicable asset classes. We have also elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. On adoption, we currently expect to recognize additional liabilities within the range of approximately $230 million to $280 million, with corresponding right-of-use assets of the same amount based on the present value of the remaining rental payments for existing leases. The adoption of this standard will have an immaterial impact to beginning retained earnings and the statements of consolidated income (loss).
Changes in Accounting Standards
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The ASU removes disclosure requirements for (a) the reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, (b) the policy for timing of transfers between levels and (c) the valuation processes for Level 3. The ASU will require new disclosures around (a) the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and (b) the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our disclosures.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The ASU requires a customer in a cloud hosting arrangement that is a service contract to determine which implementation costs to capitalize and which costs to expense based on the project stage of the implementation. The ASU also requires the customer to expense the capitalized implementation costs over the term of the hosting arrangement. The customer is required to apply the existing impairment and abandonment guidance on the capitalized implementation costs. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our financial statements.
| 2. | MERGER TRANSACTION AND BUSINESS COMBINATION ACCOUNTING |
On the Merger Date, Vistra Energy and Dynegy, completed the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Dynegy merged with and into Vistra Energy, with Vistra Energy continuing as the surviving corporation. The Merger is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, so that none of Vistra Energy, Dynegy or any of the Dynegy stockholders will recognize any gain or loss in the transaction, except that Dynegy stockholders could recognize a gain or loss with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares of Vistra Energy's common stock. Vistra Energy is the acquirer for both federal tax and accounting purposes.
At the closing of the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of Dynegy common stock, par value $0.01 per share, other than shares owned by Vistra Energy or its subsidiaries, held in treasury by Dynegy or held by a subsidiary of Dynegy, was automatically converted into 0.652 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Vistra Energy (the Exchange Ratio), except that cash was paid in lieu of fractional shares, which resulted in Vistra Energy issuing 94,409,573 shares of Vistra Energy common stock to the former Dynegy stockholders, as well as converting stock options, equity-based awards, tangible equity units and warrants. The total number of Vistra Energy shares outstanding at the close of the Merger was 522,932,453 shares. Dynegy stock options and equity-based awards outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Date were generally automatically converted upon completion of the Merger into stock options and equity-based awards, respectively, with respect to Vistra Energy's common stock, after giving effect to the Exchange Ratio.
Business Combination Accounting
We believe the Merger provides significant potential strategic benefits and opportunities to Vistra Energy, including increased scale and market diversification, rebalanced asset portfolio and improved earnings and cash flow. The Merger is being accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations (ASC 805), with identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed recorded at their estimated fair values on the Merger Date. The combined results of operations are reported in our consolidated financial statements beginning as of the Merger Date. A summary of the techniques used to estimate the preliminary fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities, as well as their classification within the fair value hierarchy (see Note 17), is listed below:
| • | Working capital was valued using available market information (Level 2). |
| • | Acquired property, plant and equipment was valued using a combination of an income approach and a market approach. The income approach utilized a discounted cash flow analysis based upon a debt-free, free cash flow model (Level 3). |
| • | Acquired derivatives were valued using the methods described in Note 17 (Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3). |
| • | Contracts with terms that were not at current market prices were also valued using a discounted cash flow analysis (Level 3). The cash flows generated by the contracts were compared with their cash flows based on current market prices with the resulting difference discounted to present value and recorded as either an intangible asset or liability. |
| • | Long-term debt was valued using a market approach (Level 2). |
| • | AROs were recorded in accordance with ASC 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations (Level 3). |
The following table summarizes the consideration paid and the preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the fair value amounts recognized for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to the Merger as of the Merger Date. Based on the opening price of Vistra Energy common stock on the Merger Date, the purchase price was approximately $2.3 billion. The preliminary values included below represent our current best estimates for property plant and equipment, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, goodwill, inventories, asset retirement obligations, contingent liabilities and deferred taxes. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we updated the initial purchase price allocation reported as of June 30, 2018 with revised valuation estimates by increasing property, plant and equipment by $158 million, decreasing intangible assets by $36 million, increasing goodwill by $161 million, decreasing accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses and other current assets by $7 million, increasing accumulated deferred tax asset by $101 million, decreasing other noncurrent assets by $109 million, increasing trade accounts payable and other current liabilities by $43 million, increasing other noncurrent liabilities by $172 million, increasing asset retirement obligations, including amounts due currently by $58 million as well as other minor adjustments. The valuation revisions were a result of updated inputs used in determining the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities. The purchase price allocation is substantially complete, but is dependent upon final valuation determinations, which may materially change from our current estimates. Goodwill is currently recorded at the corporate and other non-segment operations pending the final valuation determinations. We currently expect the final purchase price allocation will be completed no later than the first quarter of 2019 and goodwill will be allocated to the related reporting units at that time.
| Dynegy shares outstanding as of April 9, 2018 (in millions) | 144.8 | ||
| Exchange Ratio | 0.652 | ||
| Vistra Energy shares issued for Dynegy shares outstanding (in millions) | 94.4 | ||
| Opening price of Vistra Energy common stock on April 9, 2018 | $ | 19.87 | |
| Purchase price for common stock | $ | 1,876 | |
| Fair value of equity component of tangible equity units | $ | 369 | |
| Fair value of outstanding stock compensation awards attributable to pre-combination service | $ | 26 | |
| Fair value of outstanding warrants | $ | 2 | |
| Total purchase price | $ | 2,273 |
| Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 445 | |
| Trade accounts receivables, inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets | 856 | ||
| Property, plant and equipment | 10,520 | ||
| Accumulated deferred income taxes | 492 | ||
| Identifiable intangible assets | 351 | ||
| Goodwill | 161 | ||
| Other noncurrent assets | 423 | ||
| Total assets acquired | 13,248 | ||
| Trade accounts payable and other current liabilities | 687 | ||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual assets and liabilities, net | 422 | ||
| Asset retirement obligations, including amounts due currently | 477 | ||
| Long-term debt, including amounts due currently | 8,920 | ||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | 464 | ||
| Total liabilities assumed | 10,970 | ||
| Identifiable net assets acquired | 2,278 | ||
| Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary | 5 | ||
| Total purchase price | $ | 2,273 |
Acquisition costs incurred in the Merger totaled $25 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. For the period from the Merger Date through December 31, 2018, our statements of consolidated income (loss) include revenues and net income (loss) acquired in the Merger totaling $3.902 billion and $224 million respectively.
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information — The following unaudited pro forma financial information for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 assumes that the Merger occurred on January 1, 2017. The unaudited pro forma financial information is provided for information purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred had the Merger been completed on January 1, 2017, nor is the unaudited pro forma financial information indicative of future results of operations, which may differ materially from the pro forma financial information presented here.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Revenues | $ | 10,595 | $ | 10,509 | |||
| Net loss | $ | (268 | ) | $ | (969 | ) | |
| Net loss attributable to Vistra Energy | $ | (265 | ) | $ | (983 | ) | |
| Net loss attributable to Vistra Energy per weighted average share of common stock outstanding — basic | $ | (0.52 | ) | $ | (1.83 | ) | |
| Net loss attributable to Vistra Energy per weighted average share of common stock outstanding — diluted | $ | (0.52 | ) | $ | (1.83 | ) |
The unaudited pro forma financial information presented above includes adjustments for incremental depreciation and amortization as a result of the fair value determination of the net assets acquired, interest expense on debt assumed in the Merger, effects of the Merger on tax expense (benefit), changes in the expected impacts of the tax receivable agreement due to the Merger, and other related adjustments.
| 3. | ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF GENERATION FACILITIES |
Battery Energy Storage Projects (Successor)
We have completed the construction of our first battery energy storage system. In October 2018, we were awarded a $1 million grant from the TCEQ for our battery energy storage system at Upton 2 solar facility. The grant is part of the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan. The 10 MW lithium-ion energy storage system will capture excess solar energy produced during the day and releases the energy in late afternoon and early evening, when demand is highest. The project became operational on December 31, 2018.
In June 2018, we announced that we will enter into a 20-year resource adequacy contract with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to develop a 300 MW battery energy storage project at our Moss Landing Power Plant site in California. PG&E filed its application with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in June 2018 and the CPUC approved the contract in November 2018. We anticipate the battery storage project will enter commercial operations by the fourth quarter of 2020.
Odessa Acquisition (Successor)
In August 2017, La Frontera Holdings, LLC (La Frontera), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra Energy, purchased a 1,054 MW CCGT natural gas-fueled generation plant (and other related assets and liabilities) located in Odessa, Texas (Odessa Facility) from Odessa-Ector Power Partners, L.P., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Ag & Energy Solutions, LLC (Koch) (altogether, the Odessa Acquisition). La Frontera paid an aggregate purchase price of approximately $355 million, plus a five-year earn-out provision, to acquire the Odessa Facility. The purchase price was funded by cash on hand.
The Odessa Acquisition was accounted for as an asset acquisition. Substantially all of the approximately $355 million purchase price was assigned to property, plant and equipment in our consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, the initial fair value associated with an earn-out provision of approximately $16 million was included as consideration in the overall purchase price. The earn-out provision requires cash payments to be made to Koch if spark-spreads related to the pricing point of the Odessa Facility exceed certain thresholds. Subsequent to the acquisition, the earn-out provision has been accounted for as a derivative in our consolidated financial statements. Partial buybacks of the earn-out provision were settled in February and May 2018.
Upton 2 Solar Development (Successor)
In May 2017, we acquired the rights to develop, construct and operate a utility scale solar photovoltaic power generation facility in Upton County, Texas (Upton 2). As part of this project, we entered a turnkey engineering, procurement and construction agreement to construct the approximately 180 MW facility. During 2017 and 2018, we spent approximately $231 million related to this project primarily for progress payments under the engineering, procurement and construction agreement and the acquisition of the development rights. The facility began test operations in March 2018 and commercial operations began in June 2018.
Lamar and Forney Acquisition (Predecessor)
In April 2016, Luminant purchased all of the membership interests in La Frontera, the indirect owner of two combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) natural gas-fueled generation facilities representing nearly 3,000 MW of capacity located in ERCOT, from a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc. (the Lamar and Forney Acquisition). The aggregate purchase price was approximately $1.313 billion, which included the repayment of approximately $950 million of existing project financing indebtedness of La Frontera at closing, plus approximately $236 million for cash and net working capital. The purchase price was funded by cash-on-hand and additional borrowings under our Predecessor's DIP Facility totaling $1.1 billion. After completing the acquisition, we repaid approximately $230 million of borrowings under our Predecessor's DIP Revolving Credit Facility primarily utilizing cash acquired in the transaction. La Frontera and its subsidiaries were subsidiary guarantors under our Predecessor's DIP Roll Facilities and, on the Effective Date, became subsidiary guarantors under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities (see Note 14).
Predecessor Purchase Accounting — The Lamar and Forney Acquisition was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations (ASC 805), with identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date.
To fair value the acquired property, plant and equipment, we used a discounted cash flow analysis, classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy levels (see Note 17). This discounted cash flow model was created for each generation facility based on its remaining useful life. The discounted cash flow model included gross margin forecasts for each power generation facility determined using forward commodity market prices obtained from long-term forecasts. We also used management's forecasts of generation output, operations and maintenance expense, SG&A and capital expenditures. The resulting cash flows, estimated based upon the age of the assets, efficiency, location and useful life, were then discounted using plant specific discount rates of approximately 9%.
The following table summarizes the consideration paid and the allocation of the purchase price to the fair value amounts recognized for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to the Lamar and Forney Acquisition as of the acquisition date. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, the working capital adjustment included in the purchase price was finalized between the parties, and the purchase price allocation was completed.
| Cash paid to seller at close | $ | 603 | ||
| Net working capital adjustments | (4 | ) | ||
| Consideration paid to seller | 599 | |||
| Cash paid to repay project financing at close | 950 | |||
| Total cash paid related to acquisition | $ | 1,549 | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 210 | ||
| Property, plant and equipment — net | 1,316 | |||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual assets | 47 | |||
| Other assets | 44 | |||
| Total assets acquired | 1,617 | |||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities | 53 | |||
| Trade accounts payable and other liabilities | 15 | |||
| Total liabilities assumed | 68 | |||
| Identifiable net assets acquired | $ | 1,549 |
The Lamar and Forney Acquisition did not result in the recording of goodwill since the purchase price did not exceed the fair value of the net assets acquired.
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information — The following unaudited pro forma financial information for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 assumes that the Lamar and Forney Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2016. The unaudited pro forma financial information is provided for information purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred had the Lamar and Forney Acquisition been completed on January 1, 2016, nor is the unaudited pro forma financial information indicative of future results of operations.
| Predecessor | |||
| Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | |||
| Revenues | $ | 4,116 | |
| Net income (loss) | $ | 22,835 |
The unaudited pro forma financial information includes adjustments for incremental depreciation as a result of the fair value determination of the net assets acquired and interest expense on borrowings under our Predecessor's DIP Roll Facilities.
| 4. | RETIREMENT OF GENERATION FACILITIES |
In August 2018, we filed a notice of suspension of operation with PJM and other mandatory regulatory notifications related to the retirement of our 51 MW Northeastern waste coal facility in McAddo, Pennsylvania. We decided to retire this facility due to its uneconomic operations and financial outlook. Following the receipt of regulatory approvals, the facility was retired in October 2018. The decision to retire this facility did not result in a material impact to the financial statements, and the operational results of this facility are included in our Asset Closure segment.
Two of our non-operated, jointly held power plants acquired in the Merger, for which our proportional generation capacity was 883 MW, were retired in May 2018. These units were retired as previously scheduled. No gain or loss was recorded in conjunction with the retirement of these units, and the operational results of these facilities are included in our Asset Closure segment. The following table details the units retired.
| Name | Location | Fuel Type | Net Generation Capacity (MW) | Ownership Interest | Date Units Taken Offline | ||||||
| Killen | Manchester, Ohio | Coal | 204 | 33% | May 31, 2018 | ||||||
| Stuart | Aberdeen, Ohio | Coal | 679 | 39% | May 24, 2018 | ||||||
| Total | 883 |
In January and February 2018, we retired three power plants with a total installed nameplate generation capacity of 4,167 MW. We decided to retire these units because they were projected to be uneconomic based on then current market conditions and would have faced significant environmental costs associated with operating such units. In the case of the Sandow units, the decision also reflected the execution of a contract termination agreement pursuant to which the Company and Alcoa agreed to an early settlement of a long-standing power and mining agreement. Expected retirement expenses were accrued in the third and fourth quarter 2017 and, as a result, no retirement expenses were recorded related to these facilities in the year ended December 31, 2018. The operational results of these facilities are included in our Asset Closure segment. The following table details the units retired.
| Name | Location (all in the state of Texas) | Fuel Type | Installed Nameplate Generation Capacity (MW) | Number of Units | Date Units Taken Offline | ||||||
| Monticello | Titus County | Lignite/Coal | 1,880 | 3 | January 4, 2018 | ||||||
| Sandow | Milam County | Lignite | 1,137 | 2 | January 11, 2018 | ||||||
| Big Brown | Freestone County | Lignite/Coal | 1,150 | 2 | February 12, 2018 | ||||||
| Total | 4,167 | 7 |
In September and October 2017, we decided to retire our Monticello, Sandow and Big Brown plants and a related mine which supplies the Sandow plants. Management had previously announced its decisions to retire mines which supply the Monticello and Big Brown plants. The Monticello and Sandow plants were retired in January and the Big Brown plant in February 2018. We recorded a charge of approximately $206 million in 2017 related to the retirements, including employee-related severance costs, non-cash charges for writing off materials inventory and capitalized improvements and changes to the timing and amounts of asset retirement obligations for mining and plant-related reclamation at these facilities. The charge, all of which related to our Asset Closure segment, was recorded to operating costs and impairment of long-lived assets in our statements of consolidated income (loss). In addition, we will continue the ongoing reclamation work at the plants' mines.
In October 2017, the Company and Alcoa entered into a contract termination agreement pursuant to which the parties agreed to an early settlement of a long-standing power and mining agreement. In consideration for the early termination, Alcoa made a payment to Luminant of approximately $238 million in October 2017. The contract termination and related payment did not result in a material gain or loss. The contract had been important to the overall economic viability of the Sandow plant.
Regulatory Review — As part of the retirement process, Luminant filed notices with ERCOT, which triggered a reliability review regarding such proposed retirements. In October and November 2017, ERCOT determined the units were not needed for reliability, and the units were taken offline in January and February 2018.
- EMERGENCE FROM CHAPTER 11 CASES
On the Petition Date, EFH Corp. and the substantial majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including EFIH, EFCH and TCEH, but excluding the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities, filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. On the Effective Date, the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors completed their reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code and emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases as subsidiaries of Vistra Energy.
Separation of Vistra Energy from EFH Corp. and its Subsidiaries
Upon the Effective Date, Vistra Energy separated from EFH Corp. pursuant to a tax-free spin-off transaction that was part of a series of transactions that included a taxable component. The taxable portion of the transaction generated a taxable gain that resulted in no regular tax liability due to available net operating loss carryforwards of EFH Corp. The transaction did result in an alternative minimum tax liability estimated to be approximately $14 million payable by EFH Corp. to the IRS. Pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, Vistra Energy had an obligation to reimburse EFH Corp. 50% of the estimated alternative minimum tax, and approximately $7 million was reimbursed during the three months ended June 30, 2017. In October 2017, the 2016 federal tax return that included the results of EFCH, EFIH, Oncor Holdings and TCEH was filed with the IRS and resulted in a $3 million payment from EFH Corp. to Vistra Energy. The spin-off transaction resulted in Vistra Energy, including the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors, no longer being an affiliate of EFH Corp. and its subsidiaries.
Separation Agreement
On the Effective Date, EFH Corp., Vistra Energy and a subsidiary of Vistra Energy entered into a separation agreement that provided for, among other things, the transfer of certain assets and liabilities by EFH Corp., EFCH and TCEH to Vistra Energy. Among other things, EFH Corp., EFCH and/or TCEH, as applicable, (a) transferred the TCEH Debtors and certain contracts and assets (and related liabilities) primarily related to the business of the TCEH Debtors to Vistra Energy, (b) transferred sponsorship of certain employee benefit plans (including related assets), programs and policies to a subsidiary of Vistra Energy and (c) assigned certain employment agreements from EFH Corp. and certain of the Contributed EFH Debtors to a subsidiary of Vistra Energy.
Tax Matters Agreement
On the Effective Date, Vistra Energy and EFH Corp. entered into the Tax Matters Agreement, which provides for the allocation of certain taxes among the parties and for certain rights and obligations related to, among other things, the filing of tax returns, resolutions of tax audits and preserving the tax-free nature of the spin-off.
Settlement Agreement
The Debtors, the Sponsor Group, certain settling TCEH first lien creditors, certain settling TCEH second lien creditors, certain settling TCEH unsecured creditors and the official committee of unsecured creditors of the TCEH Debtors entered into a settlement agreement (the Settlement Agreement) in August 2015 (as amended in September 2015 and approved by the Bankruptcy Court in December 2015) to settle, among other things, (a) intercompany claims among the Debtors, (b) claims and causes of actions against holders of first lien claims against TCEH and the agents under the TCEH Senior Secured Facilities, (c) claims and causes of action against holders of interests in EFH Corp. and certain related entities and (d) claims and causes of action against each of the Debtors' current and former directors, the Sponsor Group, managers and officers and other related entities.
Tax Matters
In July 2016, EFH Corp. received a private letter ruling from the IRS in connection with our emergence from bankruptcy, which provides, among other things, for certain rulings regarding the qualification of (a) the transfer of certain assets and ordinary course operating liabilities to Vistra Energy and (b) the distribution of the equity of Vistra Energy, the cash proceeds from Vistra Energy debt, the cash proceeds from the sale of preferred stock in a newly formed subsidiary of Vistra Energy, and the right to receive payments under a tax receivables agreement, to holders of TCEH first lien claims, as a reorganization qualifying for tax-free treatment.
Pre-Petition Claims
On the Effective Date, the TCEH Debtors (together with the Contributed EFH Debtors) emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases and discharged approximately $33.8 billion in LSTC. Initial distributions related to the allowed claims asserted against the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors commenced subsequent to the Effective Date. As of December 31, 2018, the TCEH Debtors have approximately $52 million in escrow to (1) distribute to holders of currently contingent and/or disputed unsecured claims that become allowed and/or (2) make further distributions to holders of previously allowed unsecured claims, if applicable. Additionally, the TCEH Debtors have approximately $5 million in escrow to pay remaining professional fees incurred in the Chapter 11 Cases. The remaining contingent and/or disputed claims against the TCEH Debtors consist primarily of unsecured legal claims, including asbestos claims. These remaining claims and the related escrow balance for the claims are recorded in Vistra Energy's consolidated balance sheet as other current liabilities and current restricted cash, respectively. A small number of other disputed, de minimis claims that are asserted as being entitled to priority and/or against the Contributed EFH Debtors, if allowed, will be paid by Vistra Energy, but all non-priority unsecured claims, including asbestos claims arising before the Petition Date, will be satisfied solely from the approximately $52 million in escrow.
Predecessor Reorganization Items
Expenses and income directly associated with the Chapter 11 Cases are reported separately in the statements of consolidated income (loss) as reorganization items as required by ASC 852, Reorganizations. Reorganization items also included adjustments to reflect the carrying value of LSTC at their estimated allowed claim amounts, as such adjustments were determined. The following table presents reorganization items incurred in the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 as reported in the statements of consolidated income (loss):
| Predecessor | |||
| Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | |||
| Gain on reorganization adjustments (Note 6) | $ | (24,252 | ) |
| Loss from the adoption of fresh start reporting | 2,013 | ||
| Expenses related to legal advisory and representation services | 55 | ||
| Expenses related to other professional consulting and advisory services | 39 | ||
| Contract claims adjustments | 13 | ||
| Other | 11 | ||
| Total reorganization items | $ | (22,121 | ) |
| 6. | FRESH START REPORTING |
As of the Effective Date, Vistra Energy applied fresh start reporting under the applicable provisions of ASC 852. In order to apply fresh-start reporting, ASC 852 requires two criteria to be satisfied: (1) that total post petition liabilities and allowed claims immediately before the date of confirmation of the Plan of Reorganization be in excess of reorganization value and (2) that holders of our Predecessor's voting shares immediately before confirmation of the Plan receive less than 50% of the voting shares of the emerging entity. Vistra Energy met both criteria. Under ASC 852, application of fresh start reporting is required on the date on which a plan of reorganization is confirmed by a bankruptcy court and all material conditions to the plan of reorganization are satisfied. All material conditions to the Plan of Reorganization were satisfied on the Effective Date, including the execution of the Spin-Off.
Reorganization Value
A third-party valuation specialist submitted a report to the Bankruptcy Court in July 2016 assuming an emergence from bankruptcy as of December 31, 2016. This report provided an estimated value range for the total Vistra Energy enterprise. Management selected an enterprise value within that range of $10.5 billion. The enterprise value submitted by the valuation specialist was based upon:
| • | historical financial information of our Predecessor for recent years and interim periods; |
| • | certain internal financial and operating data of our Predecessor; |
| • | certain financial, tax and operational forecasts of Vistra Energy; |
| • | certain publicly available financial data for comparable companies to the operating business of Vistra Energy; |
| • | the Plan of Reorganization and related documents; |
| • | certain economic and industry information relevant to the operating business, and |
| • | other studies, analyses and inquiries. |
The valuation analysis for Vistra Energy included (i) a discounted cash flow calculation and (ii) peer group company analysis. Equal weighting was assigned to the two methodologies, before adding the value of the tax basis step-up resulting from certain transactions pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, which was valued separately. The estimated future cash flows included annual forecasts through 2021. A terminal value was included in the discounted cash flow calculation using an exit multiple approach based on the cash flows of the final year of the forecast period.
The valuation analysis used a discount rate of approximately 7%. The determination of the discount rate takes into consideration the capital structure, credit ratings and current debt yields of comparable publicly traded companies as well as an estimate of return on equity that reflects historical market returns and current market volatility for the industry.
Although the Company believes the assumptions and estimates used by the valuation specialist to develop the enterprise value are reasonable and appropriate, different assumption and estimates could materially impact the analysis and resulting conclusions.
Under ASC 852, reorganization value is generally allocated, first, to identifiable tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, then any remaining excess reorganization value is allocated to goodwill. Vistra Energy estimates its reorganization value of assets at approximately $15.161 billion as of October 3, 2016, which consists of the following:
| Business enterprise value | $ | 10,500 | |
| Cash excluded from business enterprise value | 1,594 | ||
| Deferred asset related to prepaid capital lease obligation | 38 | ||
| Current liabilities, excluding short-term portion of debt and capital leases | 1,123 | ||
| Noncurrent, non-interest bearing liabilities | 1,906 | ||
| Vistra Energy reorganization value of assets | $ | 15,161 |
Consolidated Balance Sheet
The adjustments to TCEH's October 3, 2016 consolidated balance sheet below include the impacts of the Plan of Reorganization and the adoption of fresh start reporting.
| October 3, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||
| TCEH (Predecessor) (1) | Reorganization Adjustments (2) | Fresh Start Adjustments | Vistra Energy (Successor) | ||||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,829 | $ | (1,028 | ) | (3) | $ | — | $ | 801 | |||||||||
| Restricted cash | 12 | 131 | (4) | — | 143 | ||||||||||||||
| Trade accounts receivable — net | 750 | 4 | — | 754 | |||||||||||||||
| Advances to parents and affiliates of Predecessor | 78 | (78 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Inventories | 374 | — | (86 | ) | (17) | 288 | |||||||||||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual assets | 255 | — | — | 255 | |||||||||||||||
| Margin deposits related to commodity contracts | 42 | — | — | 42 | |||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | 47 | 17 | 3 | 67 | |||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | 3,387 | (954 | ) | (83 | ) | 2,350 | |||||||||||||
| Restricted cash | 650 | — | — | 650 | |||||||||||||||
| Advance to parent and affiliates of Predecessor | 17 | (21 | ) | 4 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Investments | 1,038 | 1 | 9 | (18) | 1,048 | ||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment — net | 10,359 | 53 | (5,970 | ) | (19) | 4,442 | |||||||||||||
| Goodwill | 152 | — | 1,755 | (27) | 1,907 | ||||||||||||||
| Identifiable intangible assets — net | 1,148 | 4 | 2,256 | (20) | 3,408 | ||||||||||||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual assets | 73 | — | (14 | ) | 59 | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | — | 320 | (5) | 730 | (21) | 1,050 | |||||||||||||
| Other noncurrent assets | 51 | 38 | 158 | (22) | 247 | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 16,875 | $ | (559 | ) | $ | (1,155 | ) | $ | 15,161 | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt due currently | $ | 4 | $ | 5 | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 8 | ||||||||||
| Trade accounts payable | 402 | 145 | (6) | 3 | 550 | ||||||||||||||
| Trade accounts and other payables to affiliates of Predecessor | 152 | (152 | ) | (6) | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities | 125 | — | — | 125 | |||||||||||||||
| Margin deposits related to commodity contracts | 64 | — | — | 64 | |||||||||||||||
| Accrued income taxes | 12 | 12 | — | 24 | |||||||||||||||
| Accrued taxes other than income | 119 | 4 | — | 123 | |||||||||||||||
| Accrued interest | 110 | (109 | ) | (7) | — | 1 | |||||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 243 | 170 | (8) | 5 | 418 | ||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 1,231 | 75 | 7 | 1,313 |
| October 3, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||
| TCEH (Predecessor) (1) | Reorganization Adjustments (2) | Fresh Start Adjustments | Vistra Energy (Successor) | ||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, less amounts due currently | — | 3,476 | (9) | 151 | (23) | 3,627 | |||||||||||||
| Borrowings under debtor-in-possession credit facilities | 3,387 | (3,387 | ) | (9) | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Liabilities subject to compromise | 33,749 | (33,749 | ) | (10) | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities | 5 | — | 3 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 256 | (256 | ) | (11) | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Tax Receivable Agreement obligation | — | 574 | (12) | — | 574 | ||||||||||||||
| Asset retirement obligations | 809 | — | 854 | (24) | 1,663 | ||||||||||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits | 1,018 | 117 | (13) | (900 | ) | (25) | 235 | ||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 40,455 | (33,150 | ) | 115 | 7,420 | ||||||||||||||
| Equity: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | — | 4 | (14) | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in-capital | — | 7,737 | (15) | — | 7,737 | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (32 | ) | 22 | 10 | (26) | — | |||||||||||||
| Predecessor membership interests | (23,548 | ) | 24,828 | (16) | (1,280 | ) | (26) | — | |||||||||||
| Total equity | (23,580 | ) | 32,591 | (1,270 | ) | 7,741 | |||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 16,875 | $ | (559 | ) | $ | (1,155 | ) | $ | 15,161 |
| (1) | Represents the consolidated balance sheet of TCEH as of October 3, 2016. |
Reorganization adjustments
| (2) | Includes the addition of certain assets and liabilities associated with the Contributed EFH Entities. Also includes EFH Corp.'s contribution of liabilities associated with certain employee benefit plans to Vistra Energy. |
| (3) | Net adjustments to cash, which represent distributions made or funding provided to an escrow account, classified as restricted cash, under the Plan of Reorganization, as follows: |
| Sources (uses): | |||
| Net proceeds from PrefCo preferred stock sale | $ | 69 | |
| Addition of cash balances from the Contributed EFH Debtors | 22 | ||
| Payments to TCEH first lien creditors, including adequate protection | (486 | ) | |
| Payment to TCEH unsecured creditors (including $73 million to escrow) | (502 | ) | |
| Payment of administrative claims to TCEH creditors | (53 | ) | |
| Payment of legal fees, professional fees and other costs (including $52 million to escrow) | (78 | ) | |
| Net use of cash | $ | (1,028 | ) |
| (4) | Increase in restricted cash primarily reflects amounts placed in escrow to satisfy certain secured claims, unsecured claims and professional fee obligations associated with the bankruptcy. |
| (5) | Reflects the deferred income tax impact of the Plan of Reorganization implementation, including cancellation of debts and adjustment of tax-basis for certain assets of PrefCo that issued mandatorily redeemable preferred stock as part of the Spin-Off. |
| (6) | Primarily reflects the reclassification of transmission and distribution service payables to Oncor from payables with affiliates to trade payables with third parties pursuant to the separation of Vistra Energy from EFH Corp. and payment of accrued professional fees and unsecured claimant obligations incurred in conjunction with Emergence. |
| (7) | Primarily reflects the payment of accrued interest and adequate protection to the TCEH first lien creditors on the Effective Date. |
| (8) | Primarily reflects the following: |
| • | Reclassification of $82 million from LSTC related to secured and unsecured claims and $16 million in accrued professional fees from accounts payable to other current liabilities. |
| • | Additional accruals for $23 million of change-in-control obligations and $26 million in success fees triggered by Emergence, $7 million in professional fees, and $28 million of accrued liabilities related to the Contributed EFH Entities. |
| • | Payment of $12 million in professional fees. |
| (9) | Reflects the conversion of the TCEH DIP Roll Facilities of $3.387 billion to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities at Emergence, the issuance and sale of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock of PrefCo for $70 million, and the obligation related to a corporate office space lease contributed to Vistra Energy pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization. See Note 14 for additional details. |
| (10) | Reflects the elimination of TCEH's liabilities subject to compromise pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization (see Note 5). Liabilities subject to compromise were settled as follows in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization: |
| Notes, loans and other debt | $ | 31,668 | |
| Accrued interest on notes, loans and other debt | 646 | ||
| Net liability under terminated TCEH interest rate swap and natural gas hedging agreements | 1,243 | ||
| Trade accounts payable and other expected allowed claims | 192 | ||
| Third-party liabilities subject to compromise | 33,749 | ||
| LSTC from the Contributed EFH Entities | 8 | ||
| Total liabilities subject to compromise | 33,757 | ||
| Fair value of equity issued to TCEH first lien creditors | (7,741 | ) | |
| TRA Rights issued to TCEH first lien creditors | (574 | ) | |
| Cash distributed and accruals for TCEH first lien creditors | (377 | ) | |
| Cash distributed for TCEH unsecured claims | (502 | ) | |
| Cash distributed and accruals for TCEH administrative claims | (60 | ) | |
| Settlement of affiliate balances | (99 | ) | |
| Net liabilities of contributed entities and other items | (60 | ) | |
| Gain on extinguishment of LSTC | $ | 24,344 |
| (11) | Reflects the deferred income tax impact of the Plan of Reorganization implementation, including cancellation of debts and adjustment of tax basis of certain assets of PrefCo. |
| (12) | Reflects the estimated present value of the TRA obligation. See Note 10 for further discussion of the TRA obligation valuation assumptions. |
| (13) | Primarily reflects the following: |
| • | Addition of $122 million in liabilities primarily related to benefit plan obligations associated with a pension plan and a health and welfare plan assumed by Vistra Energy pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization. See Note 19 for further discussion of the benefit plan obligations. |
| • | Payment of $7 million in settlements related to split life insurance costs with a prior affiliate entity. |
| (14) | Reflects the issuance of approximately 427,500,000 shares of Vistra Energy common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, to the TCEH first lien creditors. See Note 16. |
| (15) | Reflects adjustments to present Vistra Energy equity value at approximately $7.741 billion based on a reconciliation from the $10.5 billion enterprise value described above under Reorganization Value as depicted below: |
| Enterprise value | $ | 10,500 | |
| Vistra Operations Credit Facility – Initial Term Loan B Facility | (2,871 | ) | |
| Vistra Operations Credit Facility – Term Loan C Facility | (655 | ) | |
| Accrual for post-Emergence claims satisfaction | (181 | ) | |
| Tax Receivable Agreement obligation | (574 | ) | |
| Preferred stock of PrefCo | (70 | ) | |
| Other items | (2 | ) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 801 | ||
| Restricted cash | 793 | ||
| Equity value at Emergence | $ | 7,741 | |
| Common stock at par value | $ | 4 | |
| Additional paid-in capital | 7,737 | ||
| Equity value | $ | 7,741 | |
| Shares outstanding at October 3, 2016 (in millions) | 427.5 | ||
| Per share value | $ | 18.11 |
| (16) | Membership Interest impact of Plan of Reorganization are shown below: |
| Gain on extinguishment of LSTC | $ | 24,344 | |
| Elimination of accumulated other comprehensive income | (22 | ) | |
| Change in control payments | (23 | ) | |
| Professional fees | (33 | ) | |
| Other items | (14 | ) | |
| Pretax gain on reorganization adjustments (Note 5) | 24,252 | ||
| Deferred tax impact of the Plan of Reorganization and Spin-off | 576 | ||
| Total impact to membership interests | $ | 24,828 |
Fresh start adjustments
| (17) | Reflects the reduction of inventory to fair value, including (1) adjustment of fuel inventory to current market prices, and (2) an adjustment to the fair value of materials and supplies inventory primarily used in our lignite/coal-fueled generation assets and related mining operations. |
| (18) | Reflects the $12 million increase in the fair value of certain real property assets and $3 million reduction of the fair value for other investments. |
| (19) | Reflects the change in fair value of property, plant and equipment related primarily to generation and mining assets as detailed below: |
| Property, Plant and Equipment | Adjustment | Fair Value | ||||
| Generation plants and mining assets | $ | (6,057 | ) | $ | 3,698 | |
| Land | 140 | 490 | ||||
| Nuclear Fuel | (23 | ) | 157 | |||
| Other equipment | (30 | ) | 97 | |||
| Total | $ | (5,970 | ) | $ | 4,442 |
We engaged a third-party valuation specialist to assist in preparing the values for our property, plant and equipment. For our generation plants and related mining assets, an income approach was utilized in valuing those assets based on discounted cash flow models that forecast the cash flows of the related assets over their respective useful lives. Significant estimates and assumptions utilized in those models include (1) long-term wholesale power price forecasts, (2) fuel cost forecasts, (3) expected generation volumes based on prevailing forecasts and expected maintenance outages, (4) operations and maintenance costs, (5) capital expenditure forecasts and (6) risk adjusted discount rates based on the cash flows produced by the specific generation asset. The fair value of the generation plants and mining assets is based upon Level 3 inputs utilized in the income approach.
The fair value estimates for land and nuclear fuel utilized the market approach, which included utilizing recent comparable sales information and current market conditions for similarly situated land. Nuclear fuel values were determined by utilizing market pricing information for uranium. The fair value of land and nuclear fuel are based upon Level 3 inputs.
| (20) | Reflects the adjustment in fair value of $2.256 billion to identifiable intangible assets, including $1.636 billion increase related to retail customer relationships, $270 million increase related to the retail trade name, $190 million increase related to an electricity supply contract, $164 million increase related to retail and wholesale contracts and $4 million decrease related to other intangible assets (see Note 8). |
Also reflects the reduction of fair value of $476 million to identifiable intangible liabilities, including a reduction of $525 million related to an electricity supply contract and an increase of $49 million to wholesale contracts.
| (21) | Reflects the deferred income tax impact of fresh-start adjustments to property, plant, and equipment, inventory, intangibles and debt issuance costs. |
| (22) | Primarily reflects the following: |
| • | Addition of $197 million regulatory asset related to the deficiency of the nuclear decommissioning trust investment as compared to the nuclear generation plant retirement obligation. Pursuant to Texas regulatory provisions, the trust fund for decommissioning our nuclear generation facility is funded by a fee surcharge billed to REPs by Oncor, as a collection agent, and remitted monthly to Vistra Energy. |
| • | Adjustment to remove $26 million of unamortized debt issuance costs to reflect the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities at fair market value. |
| (23) | Reflects the increase in fair value of the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities in the amount of $151 million based on the quoted market prices of the facilities. |
| (24) | Increase in fair value of asset retirement obligation related to the plant retirement, mining and reclamation retirement, and coal combustion residuals. See Note 23 for further discussion of our asset retirement obligations. |
| (25) | Reflects the following: |
| • | Reduction in fair value of unfavorable contracts related to wholesale contracts and a portion of an electricity supply contract in the amount of $476 million. See footnote (20) above for further detail. |
| • | Reduction of $465 million related to reduction in liability that represented excess amounts in the nuclear decommissioning trust above the carrying value of the asset retirement obligation related to our nuclear generation plant decommissioning. |
| • | Increase in fair value of obligations related to leased property in the amount of $29 million. |
| • | Increase in fair value of Pension and OPEB obligations in the amount of $12 million. |
| (26) | Reflects the extinguishment of Predecessor membership interest and accumulated other comprehensive loss per the Plan of Reorganization. |
| (27) | Reflects increase in goodwill balance to present final goodwill as the reorganization value in excess of the identifiable tangible assets, intangible assets, and liabilities at Emergence. |
| Business enterprise value | $ | 10,500 | |
| Add: Fair value of liabilities excluded from enterprise value | 3,030 | ||
| Less: Fair value of tangible assets | (8,215 | ) | |
| Less: Fair value of identified intangible assets | (3,408 | ) | |
| Vistra Energy goodwill | $ | 1,907 |
| 7. | REVENUE |
The following tables disaggregate our revenue by major source:
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retail | ERCOT | PJM | NY/NE | MISO | Asset Closure | CAISO/Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue from contracts with customers: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retail energy charge in ERCOT | $ | 4,426 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4,426 | |||||||||||||||
| Retail energy charge in Northeast/Midwest | 1,123 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1,123 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wholesale generation revenue from ISO/RTO | — | 1,151 | 792 | 544 | 420 | 52 | 167 | 3,126 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capacity revenue | — | — | 369 | 240 | 53 | 6 | 30 | 698 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue from other wholesale contracts | — | 214 | 29 | 42 | 133 | — | 6 | 424 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue from contracts with customers | 5,549 | 1,365 | 1,190 | 826 | 606 | 58 | 203 | 9,797 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible amortization | (26 | ) | (1 | ) | 2 | (9 | ) | (9 | ) | — | — | (43 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hedging and other revenues (a) | 74 | (362 | ) | (62 | ) | (41 | ) | (195 | ) | (31 | ) | 7 | (610 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Affiliate sales | — | 1,632 | 595 | 41 | 318 | 23 | (2,609 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other revenues | 48 | 1,269 | 535 | (9 | ) | 114 | (8 | ) | (2,602 | ) | (653 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 5,597 | $ | 2,634 | $ | 1,725 | $ | 817 | $ | 720 | $ | 50 | $ | (2,399 | ) | $ | 9,144 |
| (a) | Includes $380 million of unrealized net losses from mark-to-market valuations of commodity positions. See Note 22 for unrealized net gains (losses) by segment. |
Retail Energy Charges
Revenue is recognized when electricity is delivered to our customers in an amount that we expect to invoice for volumes delivered or services provided. Sales tax is excluded from revenue. Payment terms vary from 15 to 45 days from invoice date. Revenue is recognized over-time using the output method based on kilowatt hours delivered. Energy charges are delivered as a series of distinct services and are accounted for as a single performance obligation.
Energy sales and services that have been delivered but not billed by period end are estimated. Accrued unbilled revenues are based on estimates of customer usage since the date of the last meter reading provided by the independent system operators or electric distribution companies. Estimated amounts are adjusted when actual usage is known and billed.
As contracts for retail electricity can be for multi-year periods, the Company has performance obligations under these contracts that have not yet been satisfied. These performance obligations have transaction prices that are both fixed and variable, and that vary based on the contract duration and customer type. For the fixed price contracts, the amount of any unsatisfied performance obligations will vary based on customer usage, which will depend on factors such as weather and customer activity and therefore it is not practicable to estimate such amounts.
Wholesale Generation Revenue from ISOs/RTOs
Revenue is recognized when volumes are delivered to the ISO or RTO. Revenue is recognized over time using the output method based on kilowatt hours delivered and cash is settled within 10 days of invoicing. Vistra Energy operates as a market participant within ERCOT, PJM, NYISO, ISO-NE, MISO and CAISO and expects to continue to remain under contract with each ISO or RTO indefinitely. Wholesale generation revenues are delivered as a series of distinct services and are accounted for as a single performance obligation.
Capacity Revenue
We provide capacity to customers through participation in capacity auctions held by the ISO or RTO or through bilateral sales. Generation facilities are awarded auction volumes through the ISO or RTO auction and bilateral sales are based on executed contracts with customers. Capacity revenues consist of revenues billed to a third party at either the market or a negotiated contract price for making installed generation and demand response capacity available in order to satisfy system integrity and reliability requirements. Capacity revenues are recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied ratably over time in accordance with the contracts as our power generation facilities stand ready to deliver power to the customer. Penalties are assessed by the ISO or RTO against generation facilities if the facility is not available during the capacity period. The penalties are recorded as a reduction to revenue.
Revenue from Other Wholesale Contracts
Other wholesale contracts include other revenue activity with the ISOs or RTOs, such as ancillary services, auction revenue, neutrality revenue and revenue from nonaffiliated retail electric providers, municipalities or other wholesale counterparties. Revenue is recognized when the service is performed. Revenue is recognized over time using the output method based on kilowatt hours delivered or other applicable measurements, and cash settles shortly after invoicing. Vistra Energy operates as a market participant within ERCOT, PJM, NYISO, ISO-NE, MISO and CAISO and expects to continue to remain under contract with each ISO or RTO indefinitely. Other wholesale contracts are delivered as a series of distinct services and are accounted for as a single performance obligation.
Other Revenues
Some of our contracts for the sale of electricity meet the definition of a derivative under the accounting standards related to derivative instruments. Revenue from derivative contracts is not considered revenue from contracts with customers under the accounting standards related to revenue. Our revenue from the sale of electricity under derivative contracts, including the impact of unrealized gains or losses on those contracts, are reported in the table above as hedging and other revenues. We have classified all sales to affiliates that are eliminated in consolidation as other revenues in the table above.
Contract and Other Customer Acquisition Costs
We defer costs to acquire retail contracts and amortize these costs over the expected life of the contract. The expected life of a retail contract is calculated using historical attrition rates, which we believe to be an accurate indicator of future attrition rates. The deferred acquisition and contract cost balance as of December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018 was $38 million and $22 million, respectively. The amortization related to these costs during the year ended December 31, 2018 totaled $10 million, recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses, and $7 million, recorded as a reduction to operating revenues in the statement of consolidated income (loss).
Practical Expedients
The vast majority of revenues are recognized under the right to invoice practical expedient, which allows us to recognize revenue in the same amount that we have a right to invoice our customers. Unbilled revenues are recorded based on the volumes delivered and services provided to the customers at the end of the period, using the right to invoice practical expedient. We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with variable consideration for which we recognize revenue using the right to invoice practical expedient. We use the portfolio approach in evaluating similar customer contracts with similar performance obligations. Sales taxes are not included in revenue.
Performance Obligations
As of December 31, 2018, we have future performance obligations that are unsatisfied, or partially unsatisfied, relating to capacity auction volumes awarded through capacity auctions held by the ISO or RTO or through bilateral sales. Therefore, an obligation exists as of the date of the results of the respective ISO or RTO capacity auction or the contract execution date for bilateral customers. The transaction price is also set by the results of the capacity auction and/or executed contract. These obligations total $968 million, $718 million, $720 million, $342 million and $38 million that will be recognized in the years ending December 31, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively, and $65 million thereafter. Capacity revenues are recognized as capacity services are provided to the related ISOs or RTOs or bilateral counterparties.
Accounts Receivable
The following table presents trade accounts receivable (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts) relating to both contracts with customers and other activities:
| December 31, 2018 | |||
| Trade accounts receivable from contracts with customers — net | $ | 951 | |
| Other trade accounts receivable — net | 136 | ||
| Total trade accounts receivable — net | $ | 1,087 |
| 8. | GOODWILL AND IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
Goodwill
The carrying value of goodwill totaled $2.068 billion and $1.907 billion at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Of the total goodwill, $161 million arose in connection with the Merger and is recorded at the corporate and other level non-segment operations pending completion of the purchase price allocation in the first quarter of 2019, at which time goodwill will be allocated to reporting units. The remaining $1.907 billion arose in connection with our application of fresh start reporting at Emergence and was allocated entirely to our ERCOT Retail reporting unit. There have been no impairments of Goodwill since Emergence. Of the goodwill recorded at Emergence, $1.686 billion is deductible for tax purposes over 15 years on a straight-line basis.
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are required to be evaluated for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. As of the Effective Date, we have selected October 1 as our annual goodwill test date. On the most recent goodwill testing date, we applied qualitative factors and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of our ERCOT Retail reporting unit exceeded its carrying value at October 1, 2018. Significant qualitative factors evaluated included reporting unit financial performance and market multiples, cost factors, customer attrition, interest rates and changes in reporting unit book value.
Identifiable Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Identifiable intangible assets are comprised of the following:
| December 31, 2018 | December 31, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Identifiable Intangible Asset | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net | ||||||||||||||||||
| Retail customer relationship | $ | 1,680 | $ | 876 | $ | 804 | $ | 1,648 | $ | 572 | $ | 1,076 | ||||||||||||
| Software and other technology-related assets | 270 | 105 | 165 | 183 | 47 | 136 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Retail and wholesale contracts | 316 | 138 | 178 | 154 | 87 | 67 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Contractual service agreements | 70 | — | 70 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other identifiable intangible assets (a) | 42 | 15 | 27 | 33 | 11 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization | $ | 2,378 | $ | 1,134 | 1,244 | $ | 2,018 | $ | 717 | 1,301 | ||||||||||||||
| Retail trade names (not subject to amortization) | 1,245 | 1,225 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mineral interests (not currently subject to amortization) | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total identifiable intangible assets | $ | 2,493 | $ | 2,530 |
| (a) | Includes mining development costs and environmental allowances and credits. |
Identifiable intangible liabilities are comprised of the following:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||
| Identifiable Intangible Liability | ||||||||
| Contractual service agreements | $ | 136 | $ | — | ||||
| Purchase and sale contracts | 195 | 36 | ||||||
| Environmental allowances | $ | 70 | $ | — | ||||
| Total identifiable intangible liabilities | $ | 401 | $ | 36 |
Amortization expense related to finite-lived identifiable intangible assets and liabilities (including the classification in the statements of consolidated income (loss)) consisted of:
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Identifiable Intangible Assets and Liabilities | Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) Line | Remaining useful lives of identifiable intangible assets at December 31, 2018 (weighted average in years) | Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Retail customer relationship | Depreciation and amortization | 4 | $ | 304 | $ | 420 | $ | 152 | $ | 9 | |||||||||||
| Software and other technology-related assets | Depreciation and amortization | 3 | 62 | 38 | 9 | 44 | |||||||||||||||
| Retail and wholesale contracts/purchase and sale contracts | Operating revenues/fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees | 4 | 43 | 59 | 38 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Other identifiable intangible assets | Operating revenues/fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees/depreciation and amortization | 4 | 58 | 15 | 4 | 6 | |||||||||||||||
| Total amortization expense (a) | $ | 467 | $ | 532 | $ | 203 | $ | 59 |
| (a) | Amounts recorded in depreciation and amortization totaled $370 million, $463 million, $162 million and $58 million for the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, respectively. Excludes contractual services agreements. |
Following is a description of the separately identifiable intangible assets. In connection with fresh start reporting or the Merger (see Notes 2 and 6), the intangible assets were adjusted based on their estimated fair value as of the Effective Date or the Merger Date, based on observable prices or estimates of fair value using valuation models. The purchase price allocation is substantially complete, but is dependent upon final valuation determinations, which may materially change from our current estimates. We currently expect the final purchase price allocation will be completed no later than the first quarter of 2019.
| • | Retail customer relationship – Retail customer relationship intangible asset represents the fair value of our non-contracted retail customer base, including residential and business customers, and is being amortized using an accelerated method based on historical customer attrition rates and reflecting the expected pattern in which economic benefits are realized over their estimated useful life. |
| • | Retail trade names – Our retail trade name intangible asset represents the fair value of the TXU EnergyTM, 4Change EnergyTM, Homefield and Dynegy Energy Services trade names, and was determined to be an indefinite-lived asset not subject to amortization. This intangible asset is evaluated for impairment at least annually in accordance with accounting guidance related to goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. Significant assumptions included within the development of the fair value estimate include estimated gross margins for future periods and implied royalty rates. On the most recent testing date, we determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of our retail trade name intangible asset exceeded its carrying value at October 1, 2018. |
| • | Retail and wholesale contracts/purchase and sale contracts – These intangible assets represent the value of various retail and wholesale contracts and purchase and sale contracts. The contracts were identified as either assets or liabilities based on the respective fair values as of the Effective Date or the Merger Date utilizing prevailing market prices for commodities or services compared to the fixed prices contained in these agreements. The intangible assets or liabilities are being amortized in relation to the economic terms of the related contracts. |
| • | Contractual service agreements – Our acquired contractual service agreements represent the estimated fair value of favorable or unfavorable contract obligations with respect to long-term plant maintenance agreements, rail transportation agreements and rail car leases, and are being amortized based on the expected usage of the service agreements over the contract terms. The majority of the plant maintenance services relate to capital improvements and the related amortization of the plant maintenance agreements is recorded to property, plant and equipment. Amortization of rail transportation and rail car lease agreements is recorded to fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees. |
Estimated Amortization of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Liabilities
As of December 31, 2018, the estimated aggregate amortization expense of identifiable intangible assets and liabilities for each of the next five fiscal years is as shown below.
| Year | Estimated Amortization Expense | |||
| 2019 | $ | 299 | ||
| 2020 | $ | 201 | ||
| 2021 | $ | 154 | ||
| 2022 | $ | 91 | ||
| 2023 | $ | 67 |
| 9. | INCOME TAXES |
Successor
Vistra Energy files a United States federal income tax return that includes the results of its consolidated subsidiaries. Vistra Energy is the corporate parent of the Vistra Energy consolidated group. Pursuant to applicable United States Treasury regulations and published guidance of the IRS, corporations that are members of a consolidated group have joint and several liability for the taxes of such group.
Predecessor
Prior to the Effective Date, EFH Corp. was the corporate parent of the EFH Corp. consolidated group, while TCEH and the Contributed EFH Debtors were classified as disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For the 2016 tax year (through the period until the Effective Date) EFH Corp. filed a U.S. federal income tax return in October 2017 that included the results of TCEH and the EFH Contributed Debtors. Pursuant to applicable U.S. Treasury regulations and published guidance of the IRS, corporations that are members of a consolidated group have joint and several liability for the taxes of such group.
Prior to the Effective Date, EFH Corp. and certain of its subsidiaries (including TCEH and the Contributed EFH Debtors) were parties to a Federal and State Income Tax Allocation Agreement, which provided, among other things, that any corporate member or disregarded entity in the EFH Corp. group was required to make payments to EFH Corp. in an amount calculated to approximate the amount of tax liability such entity would have owed if it filed a separate corporate tax return. Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors rejected this agreement on the Effective Date. See Note 5 for a discussion of the Tax Matters Agreement that was entered into on the Effective Date between EFH Corp. and Vistra Energy. Additionally, since the date of the Settlement Agreement, no further cash payments among the Debtors were made in respect of federal income taxes. The Settlement Agreement did not alter the allocation and payment for state income taxes, which continued to be settled prior to the Effective Date.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
The components of our income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Current: | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Federal | $ | (13 | ) | $ | 72 | $ | — | $ | (6 | ) | ||||||
| State | 30 | 14 | 6 | 9 | ||||||||||||
| Total current | 17 | 86 | 6 | 3 | ||||||||||||
| Deferred: | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Federal | (8 | ) | 417 | (75 | ) | (1,234 | ) | |||||||||
| State | (54 | ) | 1 | (1 | ) | (36 | ) | |||||||||
| Total deferred | (62 | ) | 418 | (76 | ) | (1,270 | ) | |||||||||
| Total | $ | (45 | ) | $ | 504 | $ | (70 | ) | $ | (1,267 | ) |
Reconciliation of income taxes computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate to income tax expense (benefit) recorded:
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | (101 | ) | $ | 250 | $ | (233 | ) | $ | 21,584 | ||||||
| US federal statutory rate | 21 | % | 35 | % | 35 | % | 35 | % | ||||||||
| Income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate | (20 | ) | 88 | (82 | ) | 7,554 | ||||||||||
| Nondeductible TRA accretion | 8 | (80 | ) | 5 | — | |||||||||||
| State tax, net of federal benefit | 22 | 13 | 3 | (21 | ) | |||||||||||
| Impacts of tax reform legislation on deferred taxes | — | 451 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Return to provision adjustment | (12 | ) | 19 | — | — | |||||||||||
| Remeasurement of historical Vistra Energy deferred taxes for expanded state footprint | (54 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| Effect of refundable minimum tax credits no longer subject to sequestration | (15 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| Nondeductible compensation | 8 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Nondeductible transaction costs | 3 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Equity awards | (3 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| Nondeductible debt restructuring costs | — | — | 2 | 38 | ||||||||||||
| Nondeductible interest expense | — | — | — | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Nontaxable gain on extinguishment of LSTC | — | — | — | (8,593 | ) | |||||||||||
| Valuation allowance on state NOLs | 20 | — | — | (210 | ) | |||||||||||
| Other | (2 | ) | 13 | 2 | (47 | ) | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | $ | (45 | ) | $ | 504 | $ | (70 | ) | $ | (1,267 | ) | |||||
| Effective tax rate | 44.6 | % | 201.6 | % | 30.0 | % | (5.9 | )% |
Deferred Income Tax Balances
Deferred income taxes provided for temporary differences based on tax laws in effect at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Assets | |||||||
| Tax credit carryforwards | $ | 76 | $ | — | |||
| Loss carryforwards | 958 | — | |||||
| Property, plant and equipment | — | 520 | |||||
| Identifiable intangible assets | 184 | 81 | |||||
| Long-term debt | 188 | 20 | |||||
| Employee benefit obligations | 109 | 56 | |||||
| Commodity contracts and interest rate swaps | 212 | 25 | |||||
| Other | 40 | 8 | |||||
| Total deferred tax assets | $ | 1,767 | $ | 710 | |||
| Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Liabilities | |||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 406 | — | |||||
| Total deferred tax liabilities | 406 | — | |||||
| Valuation allowance | 35 | — | |||||
| Net Deferred Income Tax Asset | $ | 1,326 | $ | 710 |
At December 31, 2018, we had total deferred tax assets of approximately $1.326 billion that were substantially comprised of book and tax basis differences related to our generation and mining property, plant and equipment, as well as federal and state net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards. Our deferred tax assets were significantly impacted by the Merger. As of December 31, 2018, we assessed the need for a valuation allowance related to our deferred tax asset and considered both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets. In connection with our analysis, we concluded that it is more likely than not that the federal deferred tax assets will be fully utilized by future taxable income, and thus no valuation allowance was required. We recognized a partial valuation allowance of $20 million on the net operating loss carryforwards related to Illinois due to forecasted expiration. In addition, in our purchase price allocation we recognized a valuation allowance of $15 million for separate state jurisdictions.
At December 31, 2018, we had $3.560 billion pre-tax net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards for federal income tax purposes that will begin to expire in 2032. At December 31, 2018, we had $255 million alternative minimum tax (AMT) credits refundable through the TCJA available.
The income tax effects of the components included in accumulated other comprehensive income totaled a net deferred tax asset of $2 million at December 31, 2018 and a net deferred tax liability of $6 million at December 31, 2017.
Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions
Accounting guidance related to uncertain tax positions requires that all tax positions subject to uncertainty be reviewed and assessed with recognition and measurement of the tax benefit based on a "more-likely-than-not" standard with respect to the ultimate outcome, regardless of whether this assessment is favorable or unfavorable.
We classify interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as current income tax expense. The amounts were immaterial in the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016. The following table summarizes the changes to the uncertain tax positions, reported in accumulated deferred income taxes and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, during the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016:
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period, excluding interest and penalties | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 36 | ||||||||
| Additions allocated in the Merger | 39 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years | — | — | — | (1 | ) | |||||||||||
| Settlements with taxing authorities | — | — | — | (35 | ) | |||||||||||
| Balance at end of period, excluding interest and penalties | $ | 39 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
Successor — Vistra Energy and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in U.S. federal and state jurisdictions and are expected to be subject to examinations by the IRS and other taxing authorities. Vistra Energy is not currently under audit by the IRS for any period. Uncertain tax positions totaling $39 million at December 31, 2018 arose in connection with the Merger and our assessment of the assumed liabilities is not complete as discussed in Note 2. We had no uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2017.
Predecessor — EFH Corp. and its subsidiaries file or have filed income tax returns in U.S. Federal, state and foreign jurisdictions and are subject to examinations by the IRS and other taxing authorities. EFH Corp. filed a request for prompt determination of its 2016 tax return with the IRS in October 2017, and such return was accepted for expedited review in December 2017. As a result, the IRS audit of EFH Corp.'s 2016 tax return concluded in April 2018. Texas franchise and margin tax return examinations have been completed.
In September 2016, EFH Corp. entered into a settlement agreement with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) whereby the Comptroller agreed to release all claims and liabilities related to the EFH Corp. consolidated group's state taxes, including sales tax, gross receipts utility tax, franchise tax and direct pay tax, through the agreement date, in exchange for a release of all refund claims and a one-time payment of $12 million. This settlement was entered and approved by the Bankruptcy Court in September 2016. As a result of the settlement, our Predecessor reduced the liability for uncertain tax positions by $27 million.
In July 2016, EFH Corp. executed a Revenue Agent Report (RAR) with the IRS for the 2010 through 2013 tax years. As a result of the RAR, our Predecessor reduced the liability for uncertain tax positions by $1 million, resulting in a reclassification to the accumulated deferred income tax liability. Total cash payment to be assessed by the IRS for tax years 2010 through 2013, but not expected to be paid during the pendency of the Chapter 11 Cases of the EFH Debtors, is approximately $15 million, plus any interest that may be assessed.
In March 2016, EFH Corp. signed a RAR with the IRS for the 2014 tax year. No financial statement impacts resulted from the signing of the 2014 RAR.
Tax Matters Agreement
On the Effective Date, we entered into the Tax Matters Agreement with EFH Corp. whereby the parties have agreed to take certain actions and refrain from taking certain actions in order to preserve the intended tax treatment of the Spin-Off and to indemnify the other parties to the extent a breach of such agreement results in additional taxes to the other parties.
Among other things, the Tax Matters Agreement allocates the responsibility for taxes for periods prior to the Spin-Off between EFH Corp. and us. For periods prior to the Spin-Off: (a) Vistra Energy is generally required to reimburse EFH Corp. with respect to any taxes paid by EFH Corp. that are attributable to us and (b) EFH Corp. is generally required to reimburse us with respect to any taxes paid by us that are attributable to EFH Corp.
We are also required to indemnify EFH Corp. against taxes, under certain circumstance, if the IRS or another taxing authority successfully challenges the amount of gain relating to the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale or the amount or allowance of EFH Corp.'s net operating loss deductions.
Subject to certain exceptions, the Tax Matters Agreement prohibits us from taking certain actions that could reasonably be expected to undermine the intended tax treatment of the Spin-Off or to jeopardize the conclusions of the private letter ruling we obtained from the IRS or opinions of counsel received by us or EFH Corp., in each case, in connection with the Spin-Off. Certain of these restrictions apply for two years after the Spin-Off.
Under the Tax Matters Agreement, we may engage in an otherwise restricted action if (a) we obtain written consent from EFH Corp., (b) such action or transaction is described in or otherwise consistent with the facts in the private letter ruling we obtained from the IRS in connection with the Spin-Off, (c) we obtain a supplemental private letter ruling from the IRS, or (d) we obtain an unqualified opinion of a nationally recognized law or accounting firm that is reasonably acceptable to EFH Corp. that the action will not affect the intended tax treatment of the Spin-Off.
| 10. | TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT OBLIGATION |
On the Effective Date, Vistra Energy entered into a tax receivable agreement (the TRA) with a transfer agent on behalf of certain former first lien creditors of our Predecessor. The TRA generally provides for the payment by us to holders of TRA Rights of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal and state income tax that we realize in periods after Emergence as a result of (a) certain transactions consummated pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization (including the step-up in tax basis in our assets resulting from the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale), (b) the tax basis of all assets acquired in connection with the acquisition of two CCGT natural gas-fueled generation facilities in April 2016 and (c) tax benefits related to imputed interest deemed to be paid by us as a result of payments under the TRA, plus interest accruing from the due date of the applicable tax return.
Pursuant to the TRA, we issued the TRA Rights for the benefit of the first lien secured creditors of our Predecessor entitled to receive such TRA Rights under the Plan of Reorganization. Such TRA Rights are entitled to certain registration rights more fully described in the Registration Rights Agreement (see Note 21).
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded an increase to the carrying value of the TRA obligation totaling approximately $14 million as a result of changes in the timing of estimated payments and new multistate tax impacts resulting from the Merger. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we recorded a decrease to the carrying value of the TRA obligation totaling $295 million related to changes in the timing of estimated payments resulting from changes in certain tax assumptions including (a) the impacts of Luminant's plan to retire its Monticello, Sandow 4, Sandow 5 and Big Brown generation plants and the impacts of the Alcoa settlement (see Note 4), (b) investment tax credits we expect to receive related to the Upton 2 solar development project (see Note 3), (c) assets acquired in the Odessa Acquisition (see Note 3) and (d) the impacts of other forecasted tax amounts.
The following table summarizes the changes to the TRA obligation, reported as other current liabilities and Tax Receivable Agreement obligation in our consolidated balance sheets, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016:
| Successor | |||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||
| TRA obligation at the beginning of the period | $ | 357 | $ | 596 | $ | 574 | |||||
| Accretion expense | 65 | 82 | 22 | ||||||||
| Payments | (16 | ) | (26 | ) | — | ||||||
| Changes in tax assumptions impacting timing of payments | 14 | (62 | ) | — | |||||||
| Revaluation due to tax reform legislation | — | (233 | ) | — | |||||||
| TRA obligation at the end of the period | 420 | 357 | 596 | ||||||||
| Less amounts due currently | — | (24 | ) | — | |||||||
| Noncurrent TRA obligation at the end of the period | $ | 420 | $ | 333 | $ | 596 |
As of December 31, 2018, the estimated carrying value of the TRA obligation totaled $420 million, which represents the discounted amount of projected payments under the TRA. The projected payments are based on certain assumptions, including but not limited to (a) the federal corporate income tax rate of 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017 and 2016, (b) estimates of our taxable income in the current and future years and (c) additional states that Vistra Energy now operates in, including the relevant tax rate and apportionment factor for each state. Our taxable income takes into consideration the current federal tax code, various relevant state tax laws and reflects our current estimates of future results of the business. These assumptions are subject to change, and those changes could have a material impact on the carrying value of the TRA obligation. As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate amount of undiscounted federal and state payments under the TRA is estimated to be approximately $1.4 billion, with more than half of such amount expected to be attributable to the first 15 tax years following Emergence, and the final payment expected to be made approximately 40 years following Emergence (if the TRA is not terminated earlier pursuant to its terms).
The carrying value of the obligation is being accreted to the amount of the gross expected obligation using the effective interest method. Changes in the amount of this obligation resulting from changes to either the timing or amount of TRA payments are recognized in the period of change and measured using the discount rate inherent in the initial fair value of the obligation. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement on the consolidated income (loss) totaled $79 million, which represents the changes to the carrying value of the TRA obligation discussed above and accretion expense totaling $65 million. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement on the statement of consolidated income (loss) totaled $213 million, which represents the reduction to the carrying value of the TRA obligation discussed above partially offset by accretion expense totaling $82 million. During the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, the Impacts of the Tax Receivable Agreement represents accretion expense totaling $22 million.
| 11. | INTEREST EXPENSE AND RELATED CHARGES |
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest paid/accrued post-Emergence | $ | 537 | $ | 213 | $ | 51 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Interest paid/accrued on debtor-in-possession financing | — | — | — | 76 | ||||||||||||
| Adequate protection amounts paid/accrued | — | — | — | 977 | ||||||||||||
| Unrealized mark-to-market net (gains) losses on interest rate swaps | 5 | (29 | ) | 11 | — | |||||||||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, discounts and premiums | — | 4 | (1 | ) | 4 | |||||||||||
| Debt extinguishment loss | 27 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Capitalized interest | (12 | ) | (7 | ) | (3 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||||||
| Other | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Total interest expense and related charges | $ | 572 | $ | 193 | $ | 60 | $ | 1,049 |
Successor
The weighted average interest rate applicable to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities, considering the interest rate swaps discussed in Note 14, was 4.24% and 4.38% at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Predecessor
Interest expense for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 reflects interest paid and accrued on debtor-in-possession financing (see Note 14) and adequate protection amounts paid and accrued, as approved by the Bankruptcy Court in June 2014 for the benefit of secured creditors in exchange for their consent to the senior secured, super-priority liens contained in the DIP Facility. The interest rate applicable to the adequate protection amounts paid/accrued for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 was 4.95%.
The Bankruptcy Code generally restricts payment of interest on pre-petition debt, subject to certain exceptions. Other than amounts ordered or approved by the Bankruptcy Court, effective on the Petition Date, our Predecessor discontinued recording interest expense on outstanding pre-petition debt classified as LSTC. The table below shows contractual interest amounts, which are amounts due under the contractual terms of the outstanding debt, including debt subject to compromise during the Chapter 11 Cases. Interest expense reported in our statements of consolidated income (loss) does not include contractual interest on pre-petition debt classified as LSTC totaling $640 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, which had been stayed by the Bankruptcy Court effective on the Petition Date. Adequate protection amounts paid/accrued presented below excludes interest paid/accrued on TCEH first-lien interest rate and commodity hedge claims totaling $47 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, as such amounts are not included in contractual interest amounts below.
| Predecessor | |||
| Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | |||
| Contractual interest on debt classified as LSTC | $ | 1,570 | |
| Adequate protection amounts paid/accrued | 930 | ||
| Contractual interest on debt classified as LSTC not paid/accrued | $ | 640 |
| 12. | EARNINGS PER SHARE |
Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the treasury stock method and includes the effect of all potential issuances of common shares under stock-based incentive compensation arrangements.
| Successor | |||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 | Year Ended December 31, 2017 | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | |||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stock — basic (a) | $ | (54 | ) | $ | (254 | ) | $ | (163 | ) | ||
| Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding — basic | 504,954,371 | 427,761,460 | 427,560,620 | ||||||||
| Net loss per weighted average share of common stock outstanding — basic | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.59 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) | ||
| Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding — diluted | 504,954,371 | 427,761,460 | 427,560,620 | ||||||||
| Net loss per weighted average share of common stock outstanding — diluted | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.59 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) |
| (a) | The minimum settlement amount of tangible equity units, or 15,056,260 shares, are considered to be outstanding and are |
included in the computation of basic net income per share (see Note 16).
Stock-based incentive compensation plan awards excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive totaled 14,165,813, 3,642,844 and 7,332,789 shares for the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, respectively.
| 13. | ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION PROGRAM |
TXU Energy Receivables Company LLC (RecCo), an indirect subsidiary of Vistra Energy, has an accounts receivable financing facility (Receivables Facility) provided by issuers of asset-backed commercial paper and commercial banks (Purchasers). The Receivables Facility is currently scheduled to terminate in August 2019, unless termination occurs earlier in accordance with the terms of the Receivables Facility. The Receivables Facility provides RecCo with the ability to borrow up to $350 million.
Under the Receivables Facility, TXU Energy may sell or contribute, on an ongoing basis and without recourse, its accounts receivable to its special purpose subsidiary, RecCo, a consolidated, wholly owned, bankruptcy-remote, direct subsidiary of TXU Energy. RecCo, in turn, is subject to certain conditions, and may, from time to time, sell an undivided interest in all the receivables to the Purchasers, and its assets and credit are not available to satisfy the debts and obligations of any person, including affiliates of RecCo. Amounts funded by the Purchasers to RecCo are reflected as short-term borrowings on the consolidated balance sheets. Proceeds and repayments under the Receivables Facility are reflected as cash flows from financing activities in our statements of consolidated cash flows. Receivables transferred to the Purchasers remain on Vistra Energy's balance sheet and Vistra Energy reflects a liability equal to the amount advanced by the Purchasers. The Company records interest expense on amounts advanced. TXU Energy continues to service, administer and collect the trade receivables on behalf of RecCo and the Purchasers, as applicable.
As of December 31, 2018, the receivables facility totaled $339 million and is supported by $477 million of RecCo gross receivables.
| 14. | LONG-TERM DEBT |
Successor
Amounts in the table below represent the categories of long-term debt obligations incurred by the Successor.
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Vistra Operations Credit Facilities | $ | 5,813 | $ | 4,311 | |||
| Vistra Operations 5.500% Senior Notes, due September 1, 2026 | 1,000 | — | |||||
| Vistra Energy Senior Notes: | |||||||
| 7.375% Senior Notes, due November 1, 2022 | 1,707 | — | |||||
| 5.875% Senior Notes, due June 1, 2023 | 500 | — | |||||
| 7.625% Senior Notes, due November 1, 2024 | 1,147 | — | |||||
| 8.034% Senior Notes, due February 2, 2024 | 25 | — | |||||
| 8.000% Senior Notes, due January 15, 2025 | 81 | — | |||||
| 8.125% Senior Notes, due January 30, 2026 | 166 | — | |||||
| Total Vistra Energy Senior Notes | 3,626 | — | |||||
| Other: | |||||||
| 7.000% Amortizing Notes, due July 1, 2019 | 24 | — | |||||
| Forward Capacity Agreements | 236 | — | |||||
| Equipment Financing Agreements | 120 | — | |||||
| Mandatorily redeemable subsidiary preferred stock (a) | 70 | 70 | |||||
| 8.82% Building Financing due semiannually through February 11, 2022 (b) | 21 | 27 | |||||
| Total other long-term debt | 471 | 97 | |||||
| Unamortized debt premiums, discounts and issuance costs (c) | 155 | 15 | |||||
| Total long-term debt including amounts due currently | 11,065 | 4,423 | |||||
| Less amounts due currently | (191 | ) | (44 | ) | |||
| Total long-term debt less amounts due currently | $ | 10,874 | $ | 4,379 |
| (a) | Shares of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock in PrefCo issued as part of the spin-off of Vistra Energy from EFH Corp. (see Note 5). This subsidiary preferred stock is accounted for as a debt instrument under relevant accounting guidance. |
| (b) | Obligation related to a corporate office space capital lease transferred to Vistra Energy pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization. This obligation will be funded by amounts held in an escrow account that is reflected in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. |
| (c) | Includes impact of recording debt assumed in the Merger at fair value. |
Vistra Operations Credit Facilities
At December 31, 2018, the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities consisted of up to $8.313 billion in senior secured, first lien revolving credit commitments and outstanding term loans, consisting of revolving credit commitments of up to $2.5 billion, including a $2.3 billion letter of credit sub-facility (Revolving Credit Facility) and term loans of $2.793 billion (Term Loan B-1 Facility), $980 million (Term Loan B-2 Facility) and $2.040 billion (Term Loan B-3 Facility, and together with the Term Loan B-1 Facility and the Term Loan B-2 Facility, the Term Loan B Facility).
These amounts reflect an amendment to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities in June 2018 whereby we incurred $2.050 billion of borrowings under the new Term Loan B-3 Facility and obtained $1.640 billion of incremental Revolving Credit Facility commitments. The letter of credit sub-facility was also increased by $1.585 billion. The maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility was extended from August 4, 2021 to June 14, 2023. As discussed below, the proceeds from the Term Loan B-3 Facility were used to repay borrowings under the credit agreement that Vistra Energy assumed from Dynegy in connection with the Merger. Additionally, letter of credit term loans totaling $500 million (Term Loan C Facility) were repaid using $500 million of cash from collateral accounts used to backstop letters of credit. Fees and expenses related to the amendment to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities totaled $42 million in the year ended December 31, 2018, of which $23 million was recorded as interest expense and other charges on the statements of consolidated income (loss), $9 million was capitalized as a reduction in the carrying amount of the debt and $10 million was capitalized as a noncurrent asset.
The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and related available capacity at December 31, 2018 are presented below.
| December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||
| Vistra Operations Credit Facilities | Maturity Date | Facility Limit | Cash Borrowings | Available Capacity | ||||||||||
| Revolving Credit Facility (a) | June 14, 2023 | $ | 2,500 | $ | — | $ | 1,135 | |||||||
| Term Loan B-1 Facility | August 4, 2023 | 2,793 | 2,793 | — | ||||||||||
| Term Loan B-2 Facility | December 14, 2023 | 980 | 980 | — | ||||||||||
| Term Loan B-3 Facility | December 31, 2025 | 2,040 | 2,040 | — | ||||||||||
| Total Vistra Operations Credit Facilities | $ | 8,313 | $ | 5,813 | $ | 1,135 |
| (a) | Facility to be used for general corporate purposes. Facility includes a $2.3 billion letter of credit sub-facility, of which $1.365 billion of letters of credit were outstanding at December 31, 2018 and which reduce our available capacity. |
In February and June 2018, certain pricing terms for the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities were amended. We accounted for these transactions as modifications of debt. At December 31, 2018, cash borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility would bear interest based on applicable LIBOR rates, plus a fixed spread of 1.75%, and there were no outstanding borrowings. Letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest of 1.75%. Amounts borrowed under the Term Loan B-1, B-2 and B-3 Facilities bear interest based on applicable LIBOR rates plus fixed spreads of 2.00%, 2.25% and 2.00%, respectively. At December 31, 2018, the weighted average interest rates before taking into consideration interest rate swaps on outstanding borrowings was 4.52%, 4.77% and 4.47% under the Term Loan B-1, B-2 and B-3 Facilities, respectively. The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities also provide for certain additional fees payable to the agents and lenders, including fronting fees with respect to outstanding letters of credit and availability fees payable with respect to any unused portion of the available Revolving Credit Facility.
Obligations under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities are secured by a lien covering substantially all of Vistra Operations' (and its subsidiaries') consolidated assets, rights and properties, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities, provided that the amount of loans outstanding under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities that may be secured by a lien covering certain principal properties of the Company is expressly limited by the terms of the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.
The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities also permit certain hedging agreements to be secured on a pari-passu basis with the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities in the event those hedging agreements met certain criteria set forth in the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.
The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities provide for affirmative and negative covenants applicable to Vistra Operations (and its restricted subsidiaries), including affirmative covenants requiring it to provide financial and other information to the agents under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and to not change its lines of business, and negative covenants restricting Vistra Operations' (and its restricted subsidiaries') ability to incur additional indebtedness, make investments, dispose of assets, pay dividends, grant liens or take certain other actions, in each case, except as permitted in the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities. Vistra Operations' ability to borrow under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities is subject to the satisfaction of certain customary conditions precedent set forth therein.
The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities provide for certain customary events of default, including events of default resulting from non-payment of principal, interest or fees when due, material breaches of representations and warranties, material breaches of covenants in the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities or ancillary loan documents, cross-defaults under other agreements or instruments and the entry of material judgments against Vistra Operations. Solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, and solely during a compliance period (which, in general, is applicable when the aggregate revolving borrowings and issued revolving letters of credit (in excess of $300 million) exceed 30% of the revolving commitments), the agreement includes a covenant that requires the consolidated first lien net leverage ratio, which is based on the ratio of net first lien debt compared to an EBITDA calculation defined under the terms of the facilities, not to exceed 4.25 to 1.00. As of December 31, 2018, we were in compliance with this financial covenant. Upon the existence of an event of default, the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities provide that all principal, interest and other amounts due thereunder will become immediately due and payable, either automatically or at the election of specified lenders.
Interest Rate Swaps — Effective January 2017, we entered into $3.0 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps to hedge a portion of our exposure to our variable rate debt. The interest rate swaps expire in July 2023. In May and June 2018, we entered into $3.0 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps that become effective in July 2023 and expire in July 2026.
In June 2018, we completed the novation of $1.959 billion of Vistra Energy (legacy Dynegy) interest rate swaps to Vistra Operations. In June 2018, $238 million of these interest rate swaps expired. The remaining interest rate swaps expire between March 2019 and February 2024.
The interest rate swaps effectively fix the interest rates between 4.13% and 4.38% on $4.717 billion of our variable rate debt. The interest rate swaps that become effective in July 2023 and expire in July 2026 effectively fix the interest rates between 4.97% and 5.04% on $3.0 billion of our variable rate debt during the period. The interest rate swaps are secured by a first lien secured interest on a pari passu basis with the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.
Alternative Letter of Credit Facility
In December 2018, we entered into an alternative letter of credit facility with a facility limit of approximately $193 million at February 25, 2019. The facility became effective in January 2019.
Vistra Energy (legacy Dynegy) Credit Agreement
On the Merger Date, Vistra Energy assumed the obligations under Dynegy's $3.563 billion credit agreement consisting of a $2.018 billion senior secured term loan facility due 2024 and a $1.545 billion senior secured revolving credit facility. As of the Merger Date, there were no cash borrowings and $656 million of letters of credit outstanding under the senior secured revolving credit facility. On April 23, 2018, $70 million of the senior secured revolving credit facility matured. In June 2018, the $2.018 billion senior secured term loan facility due 2024 was repaid using proceeds from the Term Loan B-3 Facility. In addition, all letters of credit outstanding under the senior secured revolving credit facility were replaced with letters of credit under the amended Vistra Operations Credit Facilities discussed above, and the revolving credit facility assumed from Dynegy in connection with the Merger was paid off in full and terminated.
Vistra Operations Senior Notes
In February 2019, Vistra Operations issued and sold $1.3 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.625% senior notes due 2027 in an offering to eligible purchasers under Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 2019 Notes Offering). The senior notes were sold pursuant to a purchase agreement by and among Vistra Operations, certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of Vistra Operations and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers. Net proceeds from the 2019 Notes Offering totaling approximately $1.287 billion, together with cash on hand, were used to pay the purchase price and accrued interest (together with fees and expenses) required in connection with (i) the 2019 Tender Offer described below, (ii) the redemption of approximately $35 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.375% senior notes due 2022 and (iii) the redemption of approximately $25 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 8.034% senior notes due 2024. The 5.625% senior notes mature in February 2027, with interest payable in cash semiannually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 beginning August 15, 2019.
In August 2018, Vistra Operations issued $1.0 billion principal amount of 5.50% senior notes due 2026 in an offering to eligible purchasers. The senior notes were sold pursuant to a purchase agreement by and among Vistra Operations, certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of Vistra Operations and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representative of the several initial purchasers. Fees and expenses related to the offering totaled $12 million in the three months ended September 30, 2018, which was capitalized as a reduction in the carrying amount of the debt. Net proceeds from the sale of the senior notes totaling approximately $990 million, together with cash on hand and cash received from the funding of the Receivables Facility (see Note 13), were used to pay the purchase price and accrued interest (together with fees and expenses) required in connection with the August 2018 cash tender offers described below. The 5.500% senior notes mature in September 2026, with interest payable in cash semiannually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 beginning March 1, 2019.
The indenture governing the 5.500% senior notes provides for the full and unconditional guarantee by certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of Vistra Operations of the punctual payment of the principal and interest on the notes. The Indenture contains certain covenants and restrictions, including, among others, restrictions on the ability of the Issuer and its subsidiaries, as applicable, to create certain liens, merge or consolidate with another entity, and sell all or substantially all of their assets.
Vistra Energy Senior Notes
Bond Repurchase Program — In November 2018, our board of directors (the Board) authorized a bond repurchase program under which up to $200 million principal amount of outstanding Vistra Energy senior notes could be repurchased. Through December 31, 2018, $119 million principal amount of senior notes had been repurchased. Fees and expenses related to the repurchases totaled $7 million in the three months ended December 31, 2018 and were recorded as interest expense and other charges on the statements of consolidated income (loss).
2019 Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation — In February 2019, Vistra Energy used the net proceeds from the issuance of the Vistra Operations 5.625% senior notes due 2027 to fund a cash tender offer (the 2019 Tender Offer) to purchase for cash $1.193 billion aggregate principal amount of 7.375% senior notes due 2022 assumed in the Merger.
In connection with the 2019 Tender Offer, Vistra Energy also commenced solicitation of consents from holders of the 7.375% senior notes due 2022. Vistra Energy received the requisite consents from the holders of the 7.375% senior notes due 2022 and amended the indenture governing these senior notes to, among other things, eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants and certain events of default.
August 2018 Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations — In August 2018, Vistra Energy used the net proceeds from the issuance of the Vistra Operations 5.500% senior notes due 2026, proceeds from the Receivables Facility (see Note 13) and cash on hand to fund cash tender offers (the 2018 Tender Offers) to purchase for cash $1.542 billion of senior notes assumed in the Merger. We recorded an extinguishment loss of $27 million on the transactions in the year ended December 31, 2018. Notes purchased consisted of the following:
| • | $26 million of 7.625% senior notes due 2024; |
| • | $163 million of 8.034% senior notes due 2024; |
| • | $669 million of 8.000% senior notes due 2025, and |
| • | $684 million of 8.125% senior notes due 2026. |
In connection with the 2018 Tender Offers, Vistra Energy also commenced solicitations of consents from holders of the 7.375% senior notes due 2022, the 7.625% senior notes due 2024, the 8.034% senior notes due 2024, the 8.000% senior notes due 2025 and the 8.125% senior notes due 2026 to amend certain provisions of the applicable indentures governing each series of senior notes and the registration rights agreement with respect to the 8.125% senior notes due 2026. Vistra Energy received the requisite consents from the holders of the 8.034% senior notes due 2024, the 8.000% senior notes due 2025 and the 8.125% senior notes due 2026 (collectively, the Consent Senior Notes) and amended (a) the indentures governing each series of the applicable senior notes to, among other things, eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants and certain events of default and (b) the registration rights agreement with respect to the 8.125% senior notes due 2026 to remove, among other things, the requirement that Vistra Energy commence an exchange offer to issue registered securities in exchange for the existing, nonregistered notes.
Assumption of Senior Notes in Merger — On the Merger Date, Vistra Energy assumed $6.138 billion principal amount of Dynegy's senior notes. In May 2018, $850 million of outstanding 6.75% senior notes due 2019 were redeemed at a redemption price of 101.688% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to but not including the date of redemption. Fees and expenses related to the redemption totaled $14 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 and were recorded as interest expense and other charges on the statements of consolidated income (loss). In June 2018, each of the Company's subsidiaries that guaranteed the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities (and did not already guarantee the senior notes) provided a guarantee on the senior notes that remained outstanding.
The senior notes that remain outstanding after the closing of the Tender Offers are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of Vistra Energy and are guaranteed by substantially all of its current and future wholly owned domestic subsidiaries that from time to time are a borrower or guarantor under the agreement governing the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities (Credit Facilities Agreement) (see Note 24). The respective indentures of the senior notes (except with respect to the Consent Senior Notes) limit, among other things, the ability of the Company or any of the guarantors to create liens upon any principal property to secure debt for borrowed money in excess of, among other limitations, 30% of total assets. The respective indentures of the senior notes also contain customary events of default which would permit the holders of the applicable series of senior notes to declare such notes to be immediately due and payable if not cured within applicable grace periods, including the failure to make timely principal or interest payments on such notes or (except with respect to the Consent Senior Notes) other indebtedness aggregating $100 million or more, and, except with respect to the Consent Senior Notes, the failure to satisfy covenants, and specified events of bankruptcy and insolvency.
Amortizing Notes
On the Merger Date, Vistra Energy assumed the obligations of Dynegy's senior amortizing note (Amortizing Notes) maturing on July 1, 2019. The Amortizing Notes were issued in connection with the issuance of the tangible equity units (TEUs) by Dynegy (see Note 16). Each installment payment per Amortizing Note will be paid in cash and will constitute a partial repayment of principal and a payment of interest, computed at an annual rate of 7.00%. Interest will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Payments will be applied first to the interest due and payable and then to the reduction of the unpaid principal amount, allocated as set forth in the indenture.
The indenture for the Amortizing Notes limits, among other things, the ability of the Company to consolidate, merge, sell, or dispose all or substantially all of its assets. If a fundamental change occurs, or if the Company elects to settle the prepaid stock purchase contracts early, then the holders of the Amortizing Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase the Amortizing Notes at a repurchase price equal to the principal amount of the Amortizing Notes as of the repurchase date (as described in the supplemental indenture) plus accrued and unpaid interest. The indenture also contains customary events of default which would permit the holders of the Amortizing Notes to declare those Amortizing Notes to be immediately due and payable if not cured within applicable grace periods, including the failure to make timely installment payments on the Amortizing Notes or other material indebtedness aggregating $100 million or more, the failure to satisfy covenants, and specified events of bankruptcy and insolvency.
Forward Capacity Agreements
On the Merger Date, the Company assumed the obligation of Dynegy's agreements under which a portion of the PJM capacity that cleared for Planning Years 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 was sold to a financial institution (Forward Capacity Agreements). The buyer in this transaction will receive capacity payments from PJM during the Planning Years 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 in the amounts of $5 million, $121 million and $110 million, respectively. We will continue to be subject to the performance obligations as well as any associated performance penalties and bonus payments for those planning years. As a result, this transaction is accounted for as long-term debt of $236 million with an implied interest rate of 4.00%.
Equipment Financing Agreements
On the Merger Date, the Company assumed Dynegy's Equipment Financing Agreements. Under certain of our contractual service agreements in which we receive maintenance and capital improvements for our gas-fueled generation fleet, we have obtained parts and equipment intended to increase the output, efficiency and availability of our generation units. We have financed these parts and equipment under agreements with maturities ranging from 2019 to 2026. The portion of future payments attributable to principal will be classified as cash outflows from financing activities, and the portion of future payments attributable to interest will be classified as cash outflows from operating activities in our statements of consolidated cash flows.
Maturities — Long-term debt maturities at December 31, 2018 are as follows:
| December 31, 2018 | |||
| 2019 | $ | 191 | |
| 2020 | 205 | ||
| 2021 | 129 | ||
| 2022 | 1,782 | ||
| 2023 | 4,150 | ||
| Thereafter | 4,453 | ||
| Unamortized premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs | 155 | ||
| Total long-term debt, including amounts due currently | $ | 11,065 |
Predecessor
DIP Roll Facilities — In August 2016, the Predecessor entered into the DIP Roll Facilities. The facilities provided for up to $4.250 billion in senior secured, super-priority financing. The DIP Roll Facilities were senior, secured, super-priority debtor-in-possession credit agreements by and among the TCEH Debtors, the lenders that were party thereto from time to time and an administrative and collateral agent. On the Effective Date, the DIP Roll Facilities converted to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities discussed above. Net proceeds from the DIP Roll Facilities totaled $3.465 billion and were used to repay $2.65 billion outstanding borrowings under the former DIP Facility, fund a $650 million collateral account used to backstop issuances of letters of credit and pay $107 million of issuance costs. The remaining balance was used for general corporate purposes. Additionally, $800 million of cash from collateral accounts under the former DIP Facility that was used to backstop letters of credit was released to the Predecessor to be used for general corporate purposes.
DIP Facility — The DIP Facility provided for up to $3.375 billion in senior secured, super-priority financing. The DIP Facility was a senior, secured, super-priority credit agreement by and among the TCEH Debtors, the lenders that were party thereto from time to time and an administrative and collateral agent. As discussed above, in August 2016, all outstanding amounts under the DIP Facility were repaid using proceeds from the DIP Roll Facilities.
| 15. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Contractual Commitments
At December 31, 2018, we had contractual commitments under long-term service and maintenance contracts, energy-related contracts, leases and other agreements as follows.
| Long-Term Service and Maintenance Contracts | Coal purchase and transportation agreements | Pipeline transportation and storage reservation fees | Nuclear Fuel Contracts | Other Contracts | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | $ | 175 | $ | 765 | $ | 101 | $ | 69 | $ | 101 | |||||||||
| 2020 | 181 | 227 | 95 | 71 | 74 | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 135 | 118 | 72 | 58 | 20 | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 183 | 103 | 48 | 38 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 133 | 64 | 35 | 46 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Thereafter | 2,619 | 186 | 145 | 155 | 68 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,426 | $ | 1,463 | $ | 496 | $ | 437 | $ | 285 |
The table above excludes TRA and pension and OPEB plan obligations due to the uncertainty in the timing of those payments.
Expenditures under our coal purchase and coal transportation agreements totaled $955 million, $416 million, $109 million and $139 million for the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, respectively.
At December 31, 2018, future minimum lease payments under operating leases are as follows:
| Operating Leases (a) | |||
| 2019 | $ | 35 | |
| 2020 | 29 | ||
| 2021 | 25 | ||
| 2022 | 20 | ||
| 2023 | 19 | ||
| Thereafter | 168 | ||
| Total future minimum lease payments | $ | 296 |
| (a) | Includes operating leases with initial or remaining noncancellable lease terms in excess of one year. |
Rent reported as operating costs, fuel costs and SG&A expenses totaled $74 million, $69 million, $20 million and $39 million for the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, respectively.
Guarantees
We have entered into contracts, including the assumed Dynegy senior notes described above, that contain guarantees to unaffiliated parties that could require performance or payment under certain conditions. As of December 31, 2018, there are no material outstanding claims related to our guarantee obligations, and we do not anticipate we will be required to make any material payments under these guarantees.
Letters of Credit
At December 31, 2018, we had outstanding letters of credit under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities totaling $1.365 billion as follows:
| • | $1.185 billion to support commodity risk management collateral requirements in the normal course of business, including over-the-counter and exchange-traded transactions and collateral postings with ISOs or RTOs; |
| • | $53 million to support executory contracts and insurance agreements; |
| • | $55 million to support our REP financial requirements with the PUCT, and |
| • | $72 million for other credit support requirements. |
Surety Bonds
At December 31, 2018, we had outstanding surety bonds totaling $31 million to support performance under various contracts and legal obligations in the normal course of business.
Litigation
Gas Index Pricing Litigation — We, through our subsidiaries, and other energy companies are named as defendants in several lawsuits claiming damages resulting from alleged price manipulation through false reporting of natural gas prices to various index publications, wash trading and churn trading from 2000-2002. The cases allege that the defendants engaged in an antitrust conspiracy to inflate natural gas prices in three states (Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin) during the relevant time period and seek damages under the respective state antitrust statutes. Four of the cases are putative class actions and one case, Reorganized FLI (nka J.P. Morgan Trust Co., National Assn.) v. Oneok Inc., et al., is an individual action on behalf of Farmland Industries, Inc. (Farmland), with Farmland seeking full consideration damages (i.e., the full amount it paid for natural gas purchases during the relevant timeframe). The cases are consolidated in a multi-district litigation proceeding pending in the U. S. District Court for Nevada. In March 2017, the court denied the class plaintiffs' motions to certify class actions in each of the states, which decision was taken on an interlocutory appeal to U.S Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit Court). In August 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court vacated the district court orders denying class certification and remanded the cases to the district court for further consideration of the class certification issue. In September 2018, the defendants filed a joint motion for entry of an order denying class certification, and the plaintiffs filed a motion for remand of the cases to the transferor courts to decide class certification issues. In January 2019, the judge issued an order remanding the consolidated cases in the multi-district proceedings back to their respective courts of origin. Along with the other defendants, we had previously reached settlement terms in the Kansas and Missouri cases, and plaintiffs in those cases filed a Notice of Settlement with the judge in the multi-district court proceeding. As for the Farmland matter, in March 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court reversed a summary judgment in favor of the defendants and it shortly will be remanded for further discovery and other pretrial proceedings. While we cannot predict the outcome of these legal proceedings, or estimate a range of costs, they could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
Advatech Dispute — In September 2016, Illinois Power Generating Company (Genco), terminated its Second Amended and Restated Newton Flue Gas Desulfurization System Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning Services Contract dated as of December 15, 2014 with Advatech, LLC (Advatech). Advatech issued Genco its final invoice in September 2016 totaling $81 million. Genco contested the invoice in October 2016 and believes the proper amount is less than $1 million. In October 2016, Advatech initiated the dispute resolution process under the contract and filed for arbitration in March 2017. Settlement discussions required under the dispute resolution process were unsuccessful. The arbitration hearing occurred in October 2018, and the arbitration panel has not yet issued an award. We dispute the allegations. While we cannot predict the outcome of this legal proceeding, or estimate a range of costs, it could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
Wood River Rail Dispute — In November 2017, Dynegy Midwest Generation, LLC (DMG) received notification that BNSF Railway Company and Norfolk Southern Railway Company were initiating dispute resolution related to DMG's suspension of its Wood River Rail Transportation Agreement with the railroads. Settlement discussions required under the dispute resolution process have been unsuccessful. In March 2018, BNSF Railway Company and Norfolk Southern Railway Company filed a demand for arbitration. The arbitration hearing on the merits is schedule for February 2020. We dispute the railroads' allegations and will defend our position vigorously. While we cannot predict the outcome of this legal proceeding, or estimate a range of costs, it could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In August 2015, the EPA finalized rules to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new, modified and reconstructed and existing electricity generation units, referred to as the Clean Power Plan, including rules for existing facilities that would establish state-specific emissions rate goals to reduce nationwide CO2 emissions. Various parties (including Luminant) filed petitions for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit Court) and subsequently, in January 2016, a coalition of states, industry (including Luminant) and other parties filed applications with the U.S. Supreme Court (Supreme Court) asking that the Supreme Court stay the rule while the D.C. Circuit Court reviews the legality of the rule for existing plants. In February 2016, the Supreme Court stayed the rule pending the conclusion of legal challenges on the rule before the D.C. Circuit Court and until the Supreme Court disposes of any subsequent petition for review. Oral argument on the merits of the legal challenges to the rule was heard in September 2016 before the entire D.C. Circuit Court, but the D.C. Circuit Court has not issued a decision and the case remains in abeyance due to the EPA's decision to review the Clean Power Plan.
In October 2017, the EPA issued a proposed rule that would repeal the Clean Power Plan, with the proposed repeal focusing on what the EPA believes to be the unlawful nature of the Clean Power Plan and asking for public comment on the EPA's interpretations of its authority under the Clean Air Act. In December 2017, the EPA published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) soliciting information from the public as the EPA considers proposing a future rule. Vistra Energy submitted comments on the ANPR in February 2018. Vistra Energy submitted comments on the proposed repeal in April 2018. In August 2018, the EPA published a proposed replacement rule called the Affordable Clean Energy rule. We submitted comments on the proposed Affordable Clean Energy rule in October 2018. In December 2018, the EPA issued proposed revisions to the emission standards for new, modified and reconstructed units with comments due in March 2019. While we cannot predict the outcome of these rulemakings and related legal proceedings, or estimate a range of reasonably probable costs, if the rules are ultimately implemented or upheld as they were issued, they could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
Regional Haze — Reasonable Progress and Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) for Texas
In January 2016, the EPA issued a final rule approving in part and disapproving in part Texas's 2009 State Implementation Plan (SIP) as it relates to the reasonable progress component of the Regional Haze Program and issuing a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP). The EPA's emission limits in the FIP assume additional control equipment for specific lignite/coal-fueled generation units across Texas, including new flue gas desulfurization systems (scrubbers) at seven electricity generation units (including Big Brown Units 1 and 2, Monticello Units 1 and 2 and Coleto Creek) and upgrades to existing scrubbers at seven generation units (including Martin Lake Units 1, 2 and 3, Monticello Unit 3 and Sandow Unit 4).
In March 2016, Luminant and a number of other parties, including the State of Texas, filed petitions for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (Fifth Circuit Court) challenging the FIP's Texas requirements. In July 2016, the Fifth Circuit Court granted motions to stay the rule filed by Luminant and the other parties pending final review of the petitions for review. In December 2016, the EPA filed a motion seeking a voluntary remand of the rule back to the EPA for further consideration of Luminant's pending request for administrative reconsideration. In March 2017, the Fifth Circuit Court remanded the rule back to the EPA for reconsideration. The stay of the rule (and the emission control requirements) remains in effect, and the EPA is required to file status reports of its reconsideration every 60 days. The retirements of our Monticello, Big Brown and Sandow 4 plants should have a favorable impact on this rulemaking and litigation. While we cannot predict the outcome of the rulemaking and legal proceedings, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, the result could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
In September 2017, the EPA signed a final rule addressing BART for Texas electricity generation units, with the rule serving as a partial approval of Texas's 2009 SIP and a partial FIP. For SO2, the rule creates an intrastate Texas emission allowance trading program as a "BART alternative" that operates in a similar fashion to a CSAPR trading program. The program includes 39 generating units (including our Martin Lake, Big Brown, Monticello, Sandow 4, Coleto Creek, Stryker 2 and Graham 2 plants). The compliance obligations in the program started on January 1, 2019, and the identified units receive an annual allowance allocation that is equal to their most recent annual CSAPR SO2 allocation. Cumulatively, our units covered by the program are allocated 100,279 allowances annually. Under the rule, a unit that is listed that does not operate for two consecutive years starting after 2018 would no longer receive allowances after the fifth year of non-operation. We believe the retirements of our Monticello, Big Brown and Sandow 4 plants will enhance our ability to comply with this BART rule for SO2. For NOX, the rule adopts the CSAPR's ozone program as BART and for particulate matter, the rule approves Texas's SIP that determines that no electricity generation units are subject to BART for particulate matter. The National Parks Conservation Association, the Sierra Club and the Environmental Defense Fund filed a petition challenging the rule in the Fifth Circuit Court as well as a petition for reconsideration filed with the EPA. Luminant intervened on behalf of the EPA in the Fifth Circuit Court action. In March 2018, the Fifth Circuit Court granted a joint motion filed by the EPA and the environmental groups involved to abate the Fifth Circuit Court proceedings until the EPA has taken action on the reconsideration petition and concludes the reconsideration process. In August 2018, the EPA issued a proposed rule affirming the prior BART final rule and seeking comments on that proposal, which were due in October 2018. While we cannot predict the outcome of the rulemaking and legal proceedings, we believe the rule, if ultimately implemented or upheld as issued, will not have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
Affirmative Defenses During Malfunctions
In February 2013, the EPA proposed a rule requiring certain states to remove SIP exemptions for excess emissions during malfunctions or replace them with an affirmative defense. In May 2015, the EPA finalized its 2013 proposal to extend the EPA's proposed findings of inadequacy to states that have affirmative defense provisions, including Texas. The final rule impacted 36 states, including Texas, Illinois and Ohio, in which we operate. The EPA's final rule would require covered states to remove or replace either EPA-approved exemptions or affirmative defense provisions for excess emissions during startup, shutdown and maintenance events. Several states (including the State of Texas and the State of Ohio) and various industry parties (including Luminant) filed petitions for review of the EPA's final rule, and all of those petitions were consolidated in the D.C. Circuit Court. Before the oral argument was held, in April 2017, the D.C. Circuit Court granted the EPA's motion to continue oral argument and ordered that the case be held in abeyance with the EPA to provide status reports to the D.C. Circuit Court on the EPA's review of the action at 90-day intervals. In October 2018, the EPA partially granted Texas' petition for reconsideration of the Texas SIP call. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of this proceeding, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, but implementation of the rule as finalized could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
SO2 Designations for Texas
In November 2016, the EPA finalized its nonattainment designations for counties surrounding our Big Brown, Monticello and Martin Lake generation plants. The final designations require Texas to develop nonattainment plans for these areas. In February 2017, the State of Texas and Luminant filed challenges to the nonattainment designations in the Fifth Circuit Court. Subsequently, in October 2017, the Fifth Circuit Court granted the EPA's motion to hold the case in abeyance considering the EPA's representation that it intended to revisit the nonattainment rule. In December 2017, the TCEQ submitted a petition for reconsideration to the EPA. In addition, with respect to Monticello and Big Brown, the retirement of those plants should favorably impact our legal challenge to the nonattainment designations in that the nonattainment designations for Freestone County and Titus County are based solely on the Sierra Club modeling, which we dispute, of SO2 emissions from Monticello and Big Brown. Regardless, considering these retirements, the nonattainment designations for those counties are no longer supported. While we cannot predict the outcome of this matter, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, the result could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs)
In November 2015, the EPA revised the ELGs for steam electricity generation facilities, which will impose more stringent standards (as individual permits are renewed) for wastewater streams, flue desulfurization, fly ash, bottom ash and flue gas mercury control. Various parties filed petitions for review of the ELG rule, and the petitions were consolidated in the Fifth Circuit Court. In April 2017, the EPA granted petitions requesting reconsideration of the ELG final rule issued in 2015 and administratively stayed the ELG rule's compliance date deadlines pending ongoing judicial review of the rule. The legal challenges pertaining to bottom ash transport water, flue gas desulfurization wastewater and gasification wastewater have been suspended while the EPA reconsiders the rules.
The EPA issued a final rule in September 2017 postponing the earliest compliance dates in the ELG rule for bottom ash transport water and flue-gas desulfurization wastewater by two years, from November 1, 2018 to November 1, 2020.
Given the EPA's decision to reconsider the bottom ash transport water and flue gas desulfurization wastewater provisions of the ELG rule, the rule postponing the ELG rule's earliest compliance dates for those provisions, and the intertwined relationship of the ELG rule with the Coal Combustion Residuals rule discussed below, which is also being reconsidered by the EPA, as well as pending legal challenges concerning both rules, substantial uncertainty exists regarding our projected capital expenditures for ELG compliance, including the timing of such expenditures. While we cannot predict the outcome of this matter, or estimate a range of costs, it could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
New Source Review and CAA Matters
New Source Review — Since 1999, the EPA has engaged in a nationwide enforcement initiative to determine whether coal-fueled power plants failed to comply with the requirements of the New Source Review (NSR) and New Source Performance Standard provisions under the CAA when the plants implemented changes. The EPA's NSR initiative focuses on whether projects performed at power plants triggered various permitting requirements, including the need to install pollution control equipment.
In August 2013, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), acting as the attorneys for the EPA, filed a civil enforcement lawsuit against Luminant in federal district court in Dallas, alleging violations of the CAA, including its NSR standards, at our Big Brown and Martin Lake generation facilities. The lawsuit requests (i) the maximum civil penalties available under the CAA to the government of up to $32,500 to $37,500 per day for each alleged violation, depending on the date of the alleged violation, and (ii) injunctive relief, including an order to apply for pre-construction permits which may require the installation of best available control technology at the affected units. In August 2015, the district court granted Luminant's motion to dismiss seven of the nine claims asserted by the EPA in the lawsuit.
In January 2017, the EPA dismissed its two remaining claims with prejudice and the district court entered final judgment in Luminant's favor. In March 2017, the EPA and the Sierra Club appealed the final judgment to the Fifth Circuit Court. After the parties filed their respective briefs in the Fifth Circuit Court, the appeal was argued before the Fifth Circuit Court in March 2018. In October 2018, the Fifth Circuit Court affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded to the district court. The Fifth Circuit Court's decision held that the district court properly dismissed all of the civil penalties as time-barred. The Fifth Circuit Court further held that the grounds cited by the district court did not support dismissal of the injunctive relief claims at this early stage of the case and remanded the case back to the district court for further consideration. In November 2018, we filed a petition for rehearing en banc on two issues and the EPA's response to that petition is due in February 2019. We believe that we have complied with all requirements of the CAA and intend to continue to vigorously defend against the remaining allegations. An adverse outcome could require substantial capital expenditures that cannot be determined at this time or retirement of the remaining plant at issue, Martin Lake. The retirement of the Big Brown plant should have a favorable impact on this litigation. We cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings, including the financial effects, if any.
Zimmer NOVs — In December 2014, the EPA issued a notice of violation (NOV) alleging violation of opacity standards at the Zimmer facility. The EPA previously had issued NOVs to Zimmer in 2008 and 2010 alleging violations of the CAA, the Ohio State Implementation Plan and the station's air permits including standards applicable to opacity, sulfur dioxide, sulfuric acid mist and heat input. The NOVs remain unresolved. We are unable to predict the outcome of these matters.
Edwards CAA Citizen Suit — In April 2013, environmental groups filed a CAA citizen suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois alleging violations of opacity and particulate matter limits at our MISO segment's Edwards facility. In August 2016, the district court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment on certain liability issues. We filed a motion seeking interlocutory appeal of the court's summary judgment ruling. In February 2017, the appellate court denied our motion for interlocutory appeal. The parties completed briefing on motions for summary judgment on remedy issues in October 2018. In January 2019, the court canceled the bench trial scheduled for March 2019 and denied the parties' motions for summary judgment on remedy issues. In February 2019, the court issued an order that anticipates a trial date at the end of September 2019. We dispute the allegations and will defend the case vigorously. We are unable to predict the outcome of these matters.
Ultimate resolution of any of these CAA matters could have a material adverse impact on our future financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. A resolution could result in increased capital expenditures for the installation of pollution control equipment, increased operations and maintenance expenses, and penalties, or could result in an order or a decision to retire these plants. While we cannot predict the outcome of these legal proceedings, or estimate a range of costs, they could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
Coal Combustion Residuals/Groundwater
In July 2018, the EPA published a final rule that amends certain provisions of the Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) rule that the agency issued in 2015. The 2018 revisions extend closure deadlines to October 31, 2020, related to the aquifer location restriction and groundwater monitoring requirements. The 2018 revisions also (1) establish groundwater protection standards for cobalt, lithium, molybdenum and lead (2) allow authorized state programs to waive groundwater monitoring requirements when there is a demonstration of no potential for contaminant migration, and (3) allow the permitting authority to issue certifications in lieu of a qualified professional engineer. The 2018 revisions became effective in August 2018, and we are continuing to evaluate the impact on our CCR facilities. Also, on August 21, 2018, the D.C. Circuit Court issued a decision that vacates and remands certain provisions of the 2015 CCR rule. The EPA is expected to undertake further revisions to its CCR regulations in response to the D.C. Circuit Court's ruling. In October 2018, the rule that extends certain closure deadlines to 2020 was challenged in the D.C. Circuit Court. In December 2018, the EPA and petitioners filed cross-motions, with the EPA seeking remand without vacatur and petitioners seeking a partial stay or vacatur of the rule. We have intervened in the litigation and filed a motion in support of the EPA. Briefing on the cross-motions is ongoing. While we cannot predict the impacts of these rule revisions (including whether and if so how the states in which we operate will utilize the authority delegated to the states through the revisions), or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs related to these revisions, the changes that result from these revisions could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
MISO Segment — In 2012, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) issued violation notices alleging violations of groundwater standards onsite at our Baldwin and Vermilion facilities' CCR surface impoundments. In 2016, the IEPA approved our closure and post-closure care plans for the Baldwin old east, east, and west fly ash CCR surface impoundments. We are working towards implementation of those closure plans.
At our retired Vermilion facility, which was not subject to the EPA's 2015 CCR rule until the August 2018 court decision, we submitted proposed corrective action plans involving closure of two CCR surface impoundments (i.e., the old east and the north impoundments) to the IEPA in 2012, with revised plans submitted in 2014. In May 2017, in response to a request from the IEPA for additional information regarding the closure of these Vermilion surface impoundments, we agreed to perform additional groundwater sampling and closure options and riverbank stabilizing options. By letter dated January 31, 2018, Prairie Rivers Network provided 60-day notice of its intent to sue our subsidiary Dynegy Midwest Generation, LLC under the federal Clean Water Act for alleged unauthorized discharges from the surface impoundments at our Vermilion facility and alleged related violations of the facility's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. Prairie Rivers Network filed a citizen suit in May 2018, alleging violations of the Clean Water Act for alleged unauthorized discharges. In August 2018, we filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. In November 2018, the district court granted our motion to dismiss and judgment was entered in our favor. Plaintiffs have appealed the judgment to the U.S Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. We dispute the allegations and will vigorously defend our position.
In 2012, the IEPA issued violation notices alleging violations of groundwater standards at the Newton and Coffeen facilities' CCR surface impoundments. We are addressing these CCR surface impoundments in accordance with the federal CCR rule. In June 2018, the IEPA issued a violation notice for alleged seep discharges claimed to be coming from the surface impoundments at our retired Vermilion facility.
In December 2018, the Sierra Club filed a complaint with the IPCB alleging the disposal and storage of coal ash at the Coffeen, Edwards and Joppa generation facilities are causing exceedances of the applicable groundwater standards. We dispute the allegations and will vigorously defend our position.
If remediation measures concerning groundwater are necessary at any of our coal-fueled facilities, we may incur significant costs that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. At this time, in part because of the revisions to the CCR rule that the EPA published in July 2018 and the D.C. Circuit Court's vacatur and remand of certain provisions of the EPA's 2015 CCR rule, we cannot reasonably estimate the costs, or range of costs, of groundwater remediation, if any, that ultimately may be required. CCR surface impoundment and landfill closure costs, as determined by our operations and environmental services teams, are reflected in our AROs.
MISO 2015-2016 Planning Resource Auction
In May 2015, three complaints were filed at FERC regarding the Zone 4 results for the 2015-2016 Planning Resource Auction (PRA) conducted by MISO. Dynegy is a named party in one of the complaints. The complainants, Public Citizen, Inc., the Illinois Attorney General and Southwestern Electric Cooperative, Inc., have challenged the results of the PRA as unjust and unreasonable, requested rate relief/refunds, and requested changes to the MISO PRA structure going forward. Complainants have also alleged that Dynegy could have engaged in economic or physical withholding in Zone 4 constituting market manipulation in the 2015-2016 PRA. The Independent Market Monitor for MISO (MISO IMM), which was responsible for monitoring the MISO 2015-2016 PRA, determined that all offers were competitive and that no physical or economic withholding occurred. The MISO IMM also stated, in a filing responding to the complaints, that there is no basis for the proposed remedies. We filed our Answer to these complaints and believe that we complied fully with the terms of the MISO tariff in connection with the 2015-2016 PRA, disputed the allegations, and will defend our actions vigorously. In addition, the Illinois Industrial Energy Consumers filed a complaint at FERC against MISO on June 30, 2015 requesting prospective changes to the MISO tariff. Dynegy also responded to this complaint.
On October 1, 2015, FERC issued an order of non-public, formal investigation, stating that shortly after the conclusion of the 2015-2016 PRA, FERC's Office of Enforcement began a non-public informal investigation into whether market manipulation or other potential violations of FERC orders, rules, and regulations occurred before or during the PRA (the Order). The Order noted that the investigation is ongoing, and that the conversion of the informal, non-public investigation to a formal, non-public investigation does not indicate that FERC has determined that any entity has engaged in market manipulation or otherwise violated any FERC order, rule, or regulation. Vistra Energy is participating in the investigation on behalf of Dynegy following the closing of the Merger. We believe that our conduct was proper and will defend our position vigorously, but we cannot predict the outcome of the investigation or the amount, if any, of loss that may result. While we cannot predict the outcome of this matter, or estimate a range of costs, it could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
On December 31, 2015, FERC issued an order on the complaints requiring a number of prospective changes to the MISO tariff provisions associated with calculating Initial Reference Levels and Local Clearing Requirements, effective as of the 2016-2017 PRA. The order did not address the arguments of the complainants regarding the 2015-2016 PRA and stated that those issues remain under consideration and will be addressed in a future order.
Other Matters
We are involved in various legal and administrative proceedings in the normal course of business, the ultimate resolutions of which, in the opinion of management, are not anticipated to have a material effect on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
Labor Contracts
We employ certain personnel who are represented by labor unions, the terms of whose employment are governed by collective bargaining agreements. The terms of all collective bargaining agreements covering represented personnel engaged in lignite mining operations, lignite-, coal- and nuclear-fueled generation operations and some of our natural gas-fueled generation operations expire on various dates between March 2019 and March 2022, but remain effective from year-to-year thereafter unless and until terminated by either party. While we cannot predict the outcome of labor contract negotiations, we do not expect any changes in collective bargaining agreements to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
Nuclear Insurance
Nuclear insurance includes nuclear liability coverage, property damage, decontamination and accidental premature decommissioning coverage and accidental outage and/or extra expense coverage. We maintain nuclear insurance that meets or exceeds requirements promulgated by Section 170 (Price-Anderson) of the Atomic Energy Act (the Act) and Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations. We intend to maintain insurance against nuclear risks as long as such insurance is available. We are self-insured to the extent that losses (i) are within the policy deductibles, (ii) are not covered per policy exclusions, terms and limitations, (iii) exceed the amount of insurance maintained, or (iv) are not covered due to lack of insurance availability. Any such self-insured losses could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.
With regard to liability coverage, the Act provides for financial protection for the public in the event of a significant nuclear generation plant incident. The Act sets the statutory limit of public liability for a single nuclear incident at $14.1 billion and requires nuclear generation plant operators to provide financial protection for this amount. However, the United States Congress could impose revenue-raising measures on the nuclear industry to pay claims that exceed the $14.1 billion limit for a single incident. As required, we insure against a possible nuclear incident at our Comanche Peak facility resulting in public nuclear-related bodily injury and property damage through a combination of private insurance and an industry-wide retrospective payment plan known as Secondary Financial Protection (SFP).
Under the SFP, in the event of any single nuclear liability loss in excess of $450 million at any nuclear generation facility in the United States, each operating licensed reactor in the United States is subject to an annual assessment of up to $137.6 million. This approximately $137.6 million maximum assessment is subject to increases for inflation every five years, with the next expected adjustment scheduled to occur in September 2023. Assessments are currently limited to $20.5 million per operating licensed reactor per year per incident. As of December 31, 2018, our maximum potential assessment under the industry retrospective plan would be approximately $275 million per incident but no more than $41 million in any one year for each incident. The potential assessment is triggered by a nuclear liability loss in excess of $450 million per accident at any nuclear facility.
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requires that nuclear generation plant license holders maintain at least $1.06 billion of nuclear decontamination and property damage insurance, and requires that the proceeds thereof be used to place a plant in a safe and stable condition, to decontaminate a plant pursuant to a plan submitted to, and approved by, the NRC prior to using the proceeds for plant repair or restoration, or to provide for premature decommissioning. We maintain nuclear decontamination and property damage insurance for our Comanche Peak facility in the amount of $2.25 billion and non-nuclear related property damage in the amount of $1.5 billion (subject to a $5 million deductible per accident except for natural hazards which are subject to a $9.5 million deductible per accident), above which we are self-insured.
We also maintain Accidental Outage insurance to cover the additional costs of obtaining replacement electricity from another source if one or both of the units at our Comanche Peak facility are out of service for more than twelve weeks as a result of covered direct physical damage. Such coverage provides for weekly payments per unit up to $4.5 million for the first 52 weeks and up to $3.6 million for the remaining 71 weeks. The total maximum coverage is $328 million for non-nuclear property damage and $490 million for nuclear property damage. The coverage amounts applicable to each unit will be reduced to 80% if both units are out of service at the same time as a result of the same accident.
| 16. | EQUITY |
Successor Shareholders' Equity
Equity Issuances and Repurchases — Changes in the number of shares of common stock outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 are reflected in the table below.
| Successor | ||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 | Year Ended December 31, 2017 | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | ||||||
| Shares outstanding at beginning of period | 428,398,802 | 427,580,232 | — | |||||
| Shares issued (a) | 97,639,105 | 818,570 | 427,580,232 | |||||
| Shares retired | (6,815 | ) | — | — | ||||
| Shares repurchased (b) | (32,815,783 | ) | — | — | ||||
| Shares outstanding at end of period | 493,215,309 | 428,398,802 | 427,580,232 |
| (a) | Includes share awards granted to nonemployee directors. The year ended December 31, 2018 includes 94,409,573 shares issued in connection with the Merger (see Note 2). |
| (b) | Treasury shares totaled 32,815,783 shares at December 31, 2018, all of which were acquired during the year ended December 31, 2018 in connection with the share repurchase program described below. |
Share Repurchase Program — In June 2018, we announced that the Board had authorized a share repurchase program under which up to $500 million of our outstanding common stock could be repurchased. Repurchases under this program were completed on October 19, 2018. On a cumulative basis, 21,421,925 shares of our common stock were repurchased for $500 million (including related fees and expenses) at an average price per share of common stock of $23.36.
In November 2018, we announced that the Board had authorized an incremental share repurchase program (Program) under which up to $1.250 billion of our outstanding stock may be purchased. Through December 31, 2018, 12,073,091 shares of our common stock had been repurchased for $278 million (including related fees and expenses) at an average price per share of common stock of $22.99. At December 31, 2018, $972 million was available for additional repurchases under the Program, and we intend to implement the Program opportunistically from time to time through the end of 2019.
Shares of the Company's common stock may be repurchased in open market transactions at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to plans complying with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws. The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the Program will be determined at our discretion and will depend on a number of factors, including the market price of our stock, general market and economic conditions, applicable legal requirements and compliance with the terms of our debt agreements and the Tax Matters Agreement.
Dividends — Vistra Energy did not declare or pay any dividends during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. In December 2016, the Board approved the payment of a special cash dividend (Special Dividend) in the aggregate amount of approximately $1 billion ($2.32 per share of common stock) to holders of record of our common stock on December 19, 2016. The dividend was funded using borrowings under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.
Dividend Restrictions — The agreement governing the Credit Facilities Agreement generally restricts the ability of Vistra Operations to make distributions to any direct or indirect parent unless such distributions are expressly permitted thereunder. As of December 31, 2018, Vistra Operations can distribute approximately $9.3 billion to Vistra Energy Corp. (the Parent) under the Credit Facilities Agreement without the consent of any party. The amount that can be distributed by Vistra Operations to the Parent was partially reduced by distributions made by Vistra Operations to Parent during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 of approximately $4.7 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively. In February 2019, Vistra Operations made an additional distribution to the Parent of approximately $1.45 billion. Additionally, Vistra Operations may make distributions to the Parent in amounts sufficient for the Parent to make any payments required under the TRA or the Tax Matters Agreement or, to the extent arising out of the Parent's ownership or operation of Vistra Operations, to pay any taxes or general operating or corporate overhead expenses. As of December 31, 2018, the maximum amount of restricted net assets of Vistra Operations that may not be distributed to Parent totaled approximately $6.5 billion.
Under applicable Delaware General Corporate Law, we are prohibited from paying any distribution to the extent that such distribution exceeds the value of our "surplus," which is defined as the excess of our net assets above our capital (the aggregate par value of all outstanding shares of our stock).
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income — During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, we recorded changes in the funded status of our pension and other postretirement employee benefit liability totaling $9 million, $(23) million and $6 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2018, $(3) million was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income and reported in other deductions. During the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, no amounts were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income.
Warrants — At the Merger Date, the Company entered into an agreement whereby holders of each outstanding warrant previously issued by Dynegy will be entitled to receive, upon exercise, the equity securities to which the holder would have been entitled to receive of Dynegy common stock converted into shares of Vistra Energy common stock at the Exchange Ratio. As of December 31, 2018, nine million warrants expiring in 2024 with an exercise price of $35.00 were outstanding, each of which can be redeemed for 0.652 share of Vistra Energy common stock. The warrants are recorded as equity in our consolidated balance sheet.
Tangible Equity Units — At the Merger Date, the Company assumed the obligations of Dynegy's 4,600,000 7.00% tangible equity units, each with a stated amount of $100.00 and each comprised of (i) a prepaid stock purchase contract that will deliver to the holder, not later than July 1, 2019, unless earlier redeemed or settled, not more than 4.0421 shares of Vistra Energy common stock and not less than 3.2731 shares of Vistra Energy common stock per contract based upon the applicable fixed settlement rate in the contract and (ii) a senior amortizing note with an outstanding principal amount of $38 million at the Merger Date that pays an equal quarterly cash installment of $1.75 per amortizing note (see Note 14). In the aggregate, the annual quarterly cash installments will be equivalent to a 7.00% cash payment per year with respect to each $100.00 stated amount of tangible equity units. The amortizing notes are accounted for as debt while the stock purchase contract is included in equity based on the fair value of the contract at the Merger Date (See Statements of Consolidated Equity and Note 14).
Predecessor Membership Interests
TCEH paid no dividends in the period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016.
| 17. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS |
We utilize several different valuation techniques to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities, relying primarily on the market approach of using prices and other market information for identical and/or comparable assets and liabilities for those items that are measured on a recurring basis. We use a mid-market valuation convention (the mid-point price between bid and ask prices) as a practical expedient to measure fair value for the majority of our assets and liabilities and use valuation techniques to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Our valuation policies and procedures were developed, maintained and validated by a centralized risk management group that reports to the Vistra Energy Chief Financial Officer.
Fair value measurements of derivative assets and liabilities incorporate an adjustment for credit-related nonperformance risk. These nonperformance risk adjustments take into consideration master netting arrangements, credit enhancements and the credit risks associated with our credit standing and the credit standing of our counterparties (see Note 18 for additional information regarding credit risk associated with our derivatives). We utilize credit ratings and default rate factors in calculating these fair value measurement adjustments.
We categorize our assets and liabilities recorded at fair value based upon the following fair value hierarchy:
| • | Level 1 valuations use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date. Our Level 1 assets and liabilities include CME or ICE (electronic commodity derivative exchanges) futures and options transacted through clearing brokers for which prices are actively quoted. We report the fair value of CME and ICE transactions without taking into consideration margin deposits, with the exception of certain margin amounts related to changes in fair value on certain CME transactions that, beginning in January 2017, are legally characterized as settlement of derivative contracts rather than collateral. |
| • | Level 2 valuations utilize over-the-counter broker quotes, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities that are corroborated by correlations or other mathematical means, and other valuation inputs such as interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals. We attempt to obtain multiple quotes from brokers that are active in the markets in which we participate and require at least one quote from two brokers to determine a pricing input as observable. The number of broker quotes received for certain pricing inputs varies depending on the depth of the trading market, each individual broker's publication policy, recent trading volume trends and various other factors. |
| • | Level 3 valuations use unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are used to the extent observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. We use the most meaningful information available from the market combined with internally developed valuation methodologies to develop our best estimate of fair value. Significant unobservable inputs used to develop the valuation models include volatility curves, correlation curves, illiquid pricing delivery periods and locations and credit-related nonperformance risk assumptions. These inputs and valuation models are developed and maintained by employees trained and experienced in market operations and fair value measurements and validated by the Company's risk management group. |
With respect to amounts presented in the following fair value hierarchy tables, the fair value measurement of an asset or liability (e.g., a contract) is required to fall in its entirety in one level, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following at the respective balance sheet dates shown below:
| December 31, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 (a) | Reclassification (b) | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | $ | 456 | $ | 152 | $ | 153 | $ | 1 | $ | 762 | |||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | — | 77 | — | — | 77 | ||||||||||||||
| Nuclear decommissioning trust – equity securities (c) | 449 | — | — | — | 449 | ||||||||||||||
| Nuclear decommissioning trust – debt securities (c) | — | 443 | — | — | 443 | ||||||||||||||
| Sub-total | $ | 905 | $ | 672 | $ | 153 | $ | 1 | 1,731 | ||||||||||
| Assets measured at net asset value (d): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nuclear decommissioning trust – equity securities (c) | 278 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 2,009 | |||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | $ | 557 | $ | 766 | $ | 288 | $ | 1 | $ | 1,612 | |||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | — | 34 | — | — | 34 | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | 557 | $ | 800 | $ | 288 | $ | 1 | $ | 1,646 |
| December 31, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 (a) | Reclassification (b) | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | $ | 47 | $ | 98 | $ | 75 | $ | 2 | $ | 222 | |||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | — | 18 | — | 8 | 26 | ||||||||||||||
| Nuclear decommissioning trust – equity securities (c) | 468 | — | — | — | 468 | ||||||||||||||
| Nuclear decommissioning trust – debt securities (c) | — | 430 | — | — | 430 | ||||||||||||||
| Sub-total | $ | 515 | $ | 546 | $ | 75 | $ | 10 | 1,146 | ||||||||||
| Assets measured at net asset value (d): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nuclear decommissioning trust – equity securities (c) | 290 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 1,436 | |||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | $ | 45 | $ | 143 | $ | 128 | $ | 2 | $ | 318 | |||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | — | — | — | 8 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | 45 | $ | 143 | $ | 128 | $ | 10 | $ | 326 |
| (a) | See table below for description of Level 3 assets and liabilities. |
| (b) | Fair values are determined on a contract basis, but certain contracts result in a current asset and a noncurrent liability, or vice versa, as presented in our consolidated balance sheets. |
| (c) | The nuclear decommissioning trust investment is included in the other investments line in our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 23. |
| (d) | The fair value amounts presented in this line are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in our consolidated balance sheets. Certain investments measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. |
Commodity contracts consist primarily of natural gas, electricity, fuel oil, uranium, coal and emissions agreements and include financial instruments entered into for economic hedging purposes as well as physical contracts that have not been designated as normal purchases or sales. Interest rate swaps are used to reduce exposure to interest rate changes by converting floating-rate interest to fixed rates. See Note 18 for further discussion regarding derivative instruments.
Nuclear decommissioning trust assets represent securities held for the purpose of funding the future retirement and decommissioning of our nuclear generation facility. These investments include equity, debt and other fixed-income securities consistent with investment rules established by the NRC and the PUCT.
The following tables present the fair value of the Level 3 assets and liabilities by major contract type and the significant unobservable inputs used in the valuations at December 31, 2018 and 2017:
| December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||
| Contract Type (a) | Assets | Liabilities | Total | Valuation Technique | Significant Unobservable Input | Range (b) | ||||||||||||
| Electricity purchases and sales | $ | 22 | $ | (48 | ) | $ | (26 | ) | Valuation Model | Hourly price curve shape (c) | $0 to $110/ MWh | |||||||
| Illiquid delivery periods for ERCOT hub power prices and heat rates (d) | $20 to $120/ MWh | |||||||||||||||||
| Electricity and weather options | 31 | (192 | ) | (161 | ) | Option Pricing Model | Gas to power correlation (e) | 15% to 95% | ||||||||||
| Power volatility (e) | 5% to 435% | |||||||||||||||||
| Financial transmission rights | 85 | (20 | ) | 65 | Market Approach (f) | Illiquid price differences between settlement points (g) | $(10) to $50/ MWh | |||||||||||
| Other (h) | 15 | (28 | ) | (13 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 153 | $ | (288 | ) | $ | (135 | ) |
| December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||
| Contract Type (a) | Assets | Liabilities | Total | Valuation Technique | Significant Unobservable Input | Range (b) | ||||||||||||
| Electricity purchases and sales | $ | 12 | $ | (33 | ) | $ | (21 | ) | Valuation Model | Hourly price curve shape (c) | $0 to $40/ MWh | |||||||
| Illiquid delivery periods for ERCOT hub power prices and heat rates (d) | $20 to $70/ MWh | |||||||||||||||||
| Electricity and weather options | — | (91 | ) | (91 | ) | Option Pricing Model | Gas to power correlation (e) | 30% to 100% | ||||||||||
| Power volatility (e) | 5% to 180% | |||||||||||||||||
| Financial transmission rights | 45 | (4 | ) | 41 | Market Approach (f) | Illiquid price differences between settlement points (g) | $0 to $15/ MWh | |||||||||||
| Other (h) | 18 | — | 18 | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 75 | $ | (128 | ) | $ | (53 | ) |
| (a) | Electricity purchase and sales contracts include power and heat rate positions in ERCOT, PJM, NYISO, ISO-NE and MISO regions. The forward purchase contracts (swaps and options) used to hedge electricity price differences between settlement points within are referred to as congestion revenue rights in ERCOT and financial transmission rights in PJM, NYISO, ISO-NE and MISO regions. Electricity options consist of physical electricity options and spread options. |
| (b) | The range of the inputs may be influenced by factors such as time of day, delivery period, season and location. |
| (c) | Primarily based on the historical range of forward average hourly ERCOT North Hub prices. |
| (d) | Primarily based on historical forward ERCOT power price and heat rate variability. |
| (e) | Based on historical forward correlation and volatility within ERCOT. |
| (f) | While we use the market approach, there is insufficient market data to consider the valuation liquid. |
| (g) | Primarily based on the historical price differences between settlement points within ERCOT hubs and load zones. |
| (h) | Other includes contracts for natural gas, coal options and emissions. |
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy for the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016. See the table below for discussion of transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 for the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016.
The following table presents the changes in fair value of the Level 3 assets and liabilities for the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016.
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Net asset (liability) balance at beginning of period (a) | $ | (53 | ) | $ | 83 | $ | 81 | $ | 37 | |||||||
| Total unrealized valuation gains (losses) | (363 | ) | (136 | ) | 31 | 122 | ||||||||||
| Purchases, issuances and settlements (b): | ||||||||||||||||
| Purchases | 146 | 69 | 15 | 37 | ||||||||||||
| Issuances | (41 | ) | (22 | ) | (7 | ) | (20 | ) | ||||||||
| Settlements | 76 | (106 | ) | (30 | ) | (51 | ) | |||||||||
| Transfers into Level 3 (c) | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Transfers out of Level 3 (c) | 133 | 71 | (10 | ) | 1 | |||||||||||
| Net liabilities assumed in connections with the Merger | (37 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| Earn-out provision (d) | — | (16 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||
| Net liabilities assumed in the Lamar and Forney Acquisition (Note 3) (e) | — | — | — | (30 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net change (f) | (82 | ) | (136 | ) | 2 | 60 | ||||||||||
| Net asset (liability) balance at end of period | $ | (135 | ) | $ | (53 | ) | $ | 83 | $ | 97 | ||||||
| Unrealized valuation gains (losses) relating to instruments held at end of period | $ | (174 | ) | $ | (98 | ) | $ | 28 | $ | 98 |
| (a) | The beginning balance for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 reflects a $16 million adjustment to the fair value of certain Level 3 assets driven by power prices utilized by the Successor for unobservable delivery periods. |
| (b) | Settlements reflect reversals of unrealized mark-to-market valuations previously recognized in net income. Purchases and issuances reflect option premiums paid or received. |
| (c) | Includes transfers due to changes in the observability of significant inputs. All Level 3 transfers during the periods presented are in and out of Level 2. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, transfers out of Level 3 primarily consists of electricity derivatives where forward pricing inputs have become observable. |
| (d) | Represents initial fair value of the earn-out provision agreed to as part of the Odessa Acquisition. See Note 3. |
| (e) | Includes fair value of Level 3 assets and liabilities as of the purchase date and any related rolloff between the purchase date and the period ended October 2, 2016. |
| (f) | Activity excludes change in fair value in the month positions settle. For the Successor period, substantially all changes in values of commodity contracts (excluding the net liabilities assumed in connection with the Merger and the initial fair value of the earn-out provision related to the Odessa Acquisition in 2017) are reported as operating revenues in our statements of consolidated income (loss). For the Predecessor period, substantially all changes in values of commodity contracts (excluding net liabilities assumed in the Lamar and Forney Acquisition in 2016) are reported as net gain from commodity hedging and trading activities in the statements of consolidated income (loss). |
| 18. | COMMODITY AND OTHER DERIVATIVE CONTRACTUAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
Strategic Use of Derivatives
We transact in derivative instruments, such as options, swaps, futures and forward contracts, to manage commodity price and interest rate risk. See Note 17 for a discussion of the fair value of derivatives.
Commodity Hedging and Trading Activity — We utilize natural gas and electricity derivatives to reduce exposure to changes in electricity prices primarily to hedge future revenues from electricity sales from our generation assets. We also utilize short-term electricity, natural gas, coal, fuel oil, uranium and emissions derivative instruments for fuel hedging and other purposes. Counterparties to these transactions include energy companies, financial institutions, electric utilities, independent power producers, oil and gas producers, local distribution companies and energy marketing companies. Unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments as well as realized gains and losses upon settlement of the instruments are reported in our statements of consolidated income (loss) in operating revenues and fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees in the Successor period and net gain from commodity hedging and trading activities in the Predecessor period.
Interest Rate Swaps — Interest rate swap agreements are used to reduce exposure to interest rate changes by converting floating-rate interest rates to fixed rates, thereby hedging future interest costs and related cash flows. Unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of the swaps are reported in our statements of consolidated income (loss) in interest expense and related charges.
Financial Statement Effects of Derivatives
Substantially all derivative contractual assets and liabilities are accounted for under mark-to-market accounting consistent with accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities. The following tables provide detail of derivative contractual assets and liabilities as reported in our consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2018 and 2017. Derivative asset and liability totals represent the net value of the contract, while the balance sheet totals represent the gross value of the contract.
| December 31, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity Contracts | Interest Rate Swaps | Commodity Contracts | Interest Rate Swaps | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Current assets | $ | 707 | $ | 22 | $ | 1 | $ | — | $ | 730 | |||||||||
| Noncurrent assets | 54 | 55 | — | — | 109 | ||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | — | — | (1,374 | ) | (2 | ) | (1,376 | ) | |||||||||||
| Noncurrent liabilities | — | — | (238 | ) | (32 | ) | (270 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net assets (liabilities) | $ | 761 | $ | 77 | $ | (1,611 | ) | $ | (34 | ) | $ | (807 | ) |
| December 31, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative Assets | Derivative Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity Contracts | Interest Rate Swaps | Commodity Contracts | Interest Rate Swaps | Total | |||||||||||||||
| Current assets | $ | 190 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 190 | |||||||||
| Noncurrent assets | 30 | 22 | 2 | 4 | 58 | ||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | — | (4 | ) | (216 | ) | (4 | ) | (224 | ) | ||||||||||
| Noncurrent liabilities | — | — | (102 | ) | — | (102 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net assets (liabilities) | $ | 220 | $ | 18 | $ | (316 | ) | $ | — | $ | (78 | ) |
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no derivative positions accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges.
The following table presents the pretax effect of derivative gains (losses) on net income, including realized and unrealized effects. Amount represents changes in fair value of positions in the derivative portfolio during the period, as realized amounts related to positions settled are assumed to equal reversals of previously recorded unrealized amounts.
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| Derivative (statements of consolidated income (loss) presentation) | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts (Operating revenues) | $ | (855 | ) | $ | 56 | $ | (92 | ) | $ | — | ||||||
| Commodity contracts (Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees) | 18 | 6 | 21 | — | ||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts (Net gain from commodity hedging and trading activities) | — | — | — | 194 | ||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps (Interest expense and related charges) | (11 | ) | 2 | (11 | ) | — | ||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) | $ | (848 | ) | $ | 64 | $ | (82 | ) | $ | 194 |
In conjunction with fresh start reporting, the balances in accumulated other comprehensive income were eliminated from our consolidated balance sheet on the Effective Date. The pretax effect (all losses) on net income and other comprehensive income (OCI) of derivative instruments previously accounted for as cash flow hedges by the Predecessor was immaterial for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016. There were no amounts recognized in OCI for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016.
Balance Sheet Presentation of Derivatives
We elect to report derivative assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis without taking into consideration netting arrangements we have with counterparties to those derivatives. We maintain standardized master netting agreements with certain counterparties that allow for the right to offset assets and liabilities and collateral in order to reduce credit exposure between us and the counterparty. These agreements contain specific language related to margin requirements, monthly settlement netting, cross-commodity netting and early termination netting, which is negotiated with the contract counterparty.
Generally, margin deposits that contractually offset these derivative instruments are reported separately in our consolidated balance sheets, with the exception of certain margin amounts related to changes in fair value on CME transactions that, beginning in January 2017, are legally characterized as settlement of forward exposure rather than collateral. Margin deposits received from counterparties are primarily used for working capital or other general corporate purposes.
The following tables reconcile our derivative assets and liabilities on a contract basis to net amounts after taking into consideration netting arrangements with counterparties and financial collateral:
| December 31, 2018 | December 31, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative Assets and Liabilities | Offsetting Instruments (a) | Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged (b) | Net Amounts | Derivative Assets and Liabilities | Offsetting Instruments (a) | Cash Collateral (Received) Pledged (b) | Net Amounts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | $ | 761 | $ | (593 | ) | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 167 | $ | 220 | $ | (113 | ) | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 106 | ||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | 77 | (26 | ) | — | 51 | 18 | — | — | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total derivative assets | 838 | (619 | ) | (1 | ) | 218 | 238 | (113 | ) | (1 | ) | 124 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | (1,611 | ) | 593 | 109 | (909 | ) | (316 | ) | 113 | 1 | (202 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | (34 | ) | 26 | — | (8 | ) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total derivative liabilities | (1,645 | ) | 619 | 109 | (917 | ) | (316 | ) | 113 | 1 | (202 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net amounts | $ | (807 | ) | $ | — | $ | 108 | $ | (699 | ) | $ | (78 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (78 | ) |
| (a) | Amounts presented exclude trade accounts receivable and payable related to settled financial instruments. |
| (b) | Represents cash amounts received or pledged pursuant to a master netting arrangement, including fair value-based margin requirements. |
Derivative Volumes
The following table presents the gross notional amounts of derivative volumes at December 31, 2018 and 2017:
| December 31, 2018 | December 31, 2017 | |||||||||
| Derivative type | Notional Volume | Unit of Measure | ||||||||
| Natural gas (a) | 7,011 | 1,259 | Million MMBtu | |||||||
| Electricity | 317,572 | 114,129 | GWh | |||||||
| Financial Transmission Rights (b) | 172,611 | 110,913 | GWh | |||||||
| Coal | 45 | 2 | Million U.S. tons | |||||||
| Fuel oil | 60 | 5 | Million gallons | |||||||
| Uranium | 50 | 325 | Thousand pounds | |||||||
| Emissions | 10 | — | Million tons | |||||||
| Interest rate swaps – floating/fixed (c) | $ | 7,717 | $ | 3,000 | Million U.S. dollars |
| (a) | Represents gross notional forward sales, purchases and options transactions, locational basis swaps and other natural gas transactions. |
| (b) | Represents gross forward purchases associated with instruments used to hedge electricity price differences between settlement points within ISOs or RTOs. |
| (c) | Includes notional amounts of interest rate swaps with maturity dates through July 2026. |
Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features of Derivatives
Our derivative contracts may contain certain credit risk-related contingent features that could trigger liquidity requirements in the form of cash collateral, letters of credit or some other form of credit enhancement. Certain of these agreements require the posting of collateral if our credit rating is downgraded by one or more credit rating agencies or include cross-default contractual provisions that could result in the settlement of such contracts if there was a failure under other financing arrangements related to payment terms or other covenants.
The following table presents the commodity derivative liabilities subject to credit risk-related contingent features that are not fully collateralized:
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Fair value of derivative contract liabilities (a) | $ | (856 | ) | $ | (204 | ) | |
| Offsetting fair value under netting arrangements (b) | 218 | 103 | |||||
| Cash collateral and letters of credit | 190 | 41 | |||||
| Liquidity exposure | $ | (448 | ) | $ | (60 | ) |
| (a) | Excludes fair value of contracts that contain contingent features that do not provide specific amounts to be posted if features are triggered, including provisions that generally provide the right to request additional collateral (material adverse change, performance assurance and other clauses). |
| (b) | Amounts include the offsetting fair value of in-the-money derivative contracts and net accounts receivable under master netting arrangements. |
Concentrations of Credit Risk Related to Derivatives
We have concentrations of credit risk with the counterparties to our derivative contracts. At December 31, 2018, total credit risk exposure to all counterparties related to derivative contracts totaled $1.095 billion (including associated accounts receivable). The net exposure to those counterparties totaled $344 million at December 31, 2018 after taking into effect netting arrangements, setoff provisions and collateral, with the largest net exposure to a single counterparty totaling $78 million. At December 31, 2018, the credit risk exposure to the banking and financial sector represented 62% of the total credit risk exposure and 22% of the net exposure.
Exposure to banking and financial sector counterparties is considered to be within an acceptable level of risk tolerance because all of this exposure is with counterparties with investment grade credit ratings. However, this concentration increases the risk that a default by any of these counterparties would have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. The transactions with these counterparties contain certain provisions that would require the counterparties to post collateral in the event of a material downgrade in their credit rating.
We maintain credit risk policies with regard to our counterparties to minimize overall credit risk. These policies authorize specific risk mitigation tools including, but not limited to, use of standardized master agreements that allow for netting of positive and negative exposures associated with a single counterparty. Credit enhancements such as parent guarantees, letters of credit, surety bonds, liens on assets and margin deposits are also utilized. Prospective material changes in the payment history or financial condition of a counterparty or downgrade of its credit quality result in the reassessment of the credit limit with that counterparty. The process can result in the subsequent reduction of the credit limit or a request for additional financial assurances. An event of default by one or more counterparties could subsequently result in termination-related settlement payments that reduce available liquidity if amounts are owed to the counterparties related to the derivative contracts or delays in receipts of expected settlements if the counterparties owe amounts to us.
- PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (OPEB) PLANS
On the Effective Date, the EFH Retirement Plan was transferred to Vistra Energy pursuant to a separation agreement between Vistra Energy and EFH Corp. As of the Effective Date, Vistra Energy is the plan sponsor of the Vistra Energy Retirement Plan (the Retirement Plan), which provides benefits to eligible employees of its subsidiaries. Oncor is a participant in the Retirement Plan. As Vistra Energy accounts for its interests in the Retirement Plan as a multiple employer plan, only Vistra Energy's share of the plan assets and obligations are reported in the pension benefit information presented below. After amendments in 2012, employees in the Retirement Plan now consist entirely of active and retired collective bargaining unit employees. The Retirement Plan is a qualified defined benefit pension plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code), and is subject to the provisions of ERISA. The Retirement Plan provides benefits to participants under one of two formulas: (i) a Cash Balance Formula under which participants earn monthly contribution credits based on their compensation and a combination of their age and years of service, plus monthly interest credits or (ii) a Traditional Retirement Plan Formula based on years of service and the average earnings of the three years of highest earnings. Under the Cash Balance Formula, future increases in earnings will not apply to prior service costs. It is our policy to fund the Retirement Plan assets only to the extent required under existing federal regulations.
Vistra Energy and our participating subsidiaries offer other postretirement employee benefits (OPEB) in the form of certain health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees and their eligible dependents. The retiree contributions required for such coverage vary based on a formula depending on the retiree's age and years of service.
Prior to the Merger, Dynegy provided pension and OPEB benefits to certain of its employees and retirees. At the Merger Date, Vistra Energy assumed these plans and the excess of the benefit obligations over the fair value of plan assets was recognized as a liability (see Note 2). Benefit obligations assumed totaled $539 million and the fair value of plan assets assumed totaled $459 million, and the net unfunded liability was recorded as $15 million to other noncurrent assets, $2 million to other current liabilities and $93 million to other noncurrent liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Effective January 1, 2018, Vistra Energy entered into a contractual arrangement with Oncor whereby the costs associated with providing OPEB coverage for certain retirees (Split Participants) whose employment included service with both the regulated businesses of Oncor (or its predecessors) and the non-regulated businesses of Vistra Energy (or its predecessors) are split between Oncor and Vistra Energy. Prior to January 1, 2018, coverage for Split Participants was provided by the Oncor OPEB plan, with Vistra Energy retaining its portion of the liability for coverage for Split Participants. In addition, Vistra Energy is the sponsor of an OPEB plan that certain EFH Corp. retirees participate in. As Vistra Energy accounts for its interest in these OPEB plans as multiple employer plans, only Vistra Energy's share of the plan assets and obligations are reported in the OPEB information presented below.
Pension and OPEB Costs
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 | Year Ended December 31, 2017 | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | |||||||||||||
| Pension costs | $ | 14 | $ | 6 | $ | 2 | $ | 4 | ||||||||
| OPEB costs | 9 | 6 | 2 | — | ||||||||||||
| Total benefit costs recognized as expense | $ | 23 | $ | 12 | $ | 4 | $ | 4 |
Market-Related Value of Assets Held in Postretirement Benefit Trusts
We use the calculated value method to determine the market-related value of the assets held in the trust for purposes of calculating pension costs. We include all gains or losses in the market-related value of assets over a rolling four-year period. Each year, 25% of such gains and losses for the current year and for each of the preceding three years is included in the market-related value. Each year, the market-related value of assets is increased for contributions to the plan and investment income and is decreased for benefit payments and expenses for that year.
Detailed Information Regarding Pension Benefits
The following information is based on a December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 measurement dates:
| Successor | |||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 | Year Ended December 31, 2017 | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | |||||||||
| Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Pension Cost: | |||||||||||
| Discount rate (Vistra Energy Plan) | 3.74 | % | 4.31 | % | 3.79 | % | |||||
| Discount rate (Dynegy Plan & EEI Plan) | 4.05 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| Expected return on plan assets (Vistra Energy Plan) | 4.56 | % | 4.86 | % | 4.89 | % | |||||
| Expected return on plan assets (Dynegy Plan) | 5.94 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| Expected return on plan assets (EEI Plan) | 4.74 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| Expected rate of compensation increase (Vistra Energy Plan) | 3.62 | % | 3.50 | % | 3.50 | % | |||||
| Expected rate of compensation increase (Dynegy Plan & EEI Plan) | 3.50 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| Interest crediting rate for cash balance plans (Vistra Energy Plan) | 3.50 | % | 4.00 | % | 4.00 | % | |||||
| Interest crediting rate for cash balance plans (Dynegy Plan & EEI Plan) | 4.25 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| Components of Net Pension Cost: | |||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | 15 | $ | 5 | $ | 2 | |||||
| Interest cost | 21 | 6 | 1 | ||||||||
| Expected return on assets | (23 | ) | (5 | ) | (1 | ) | |||||
| Immediate pension cost | $ | 1 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||
| Net periodic pension cost | $ | 14 | $ | 6 | $ | 2 | |||||
| Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income: | |||||||||||
| Net (gain) loss | $ | 14 | $ | 3 | $ | (4 | ) | ||||
| Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income | $ | 28 | $ | 9 | $ | (2 | ) | ||||
| Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations: | |||||||||||
| Discount rate (Vistra Plan) | 4.37 | % | 3.74 | % | 4.31 | % | |||||
| Expected rate of compensation increase (Vistra Plan) | 3.35 | % | 3.62 | % | 3.50 | % | |||||
| Discount rate (Dynegy Plan) | 4.37 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| Expected rate of compensation increase (Dynegy Plan) | 3.35 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| Interest crediting rate for cash balance plans (Vistra Energy Plan) | 3.50 | % | 3.50 | % | 4.00 | % | |||||
| Interest crediting rate for cash balance plans (Dynegy Plan & EEI) | 3.50 | % | — | % | — | % |
For the year ended December 31, 2018, the net actuarial loss of $14 million was driven by losses attributable to actual asset performance falling short of expectations and plan experience different than expected, partially offset by gains attributable to increasing discount rates due to changes in the corporate bond markets, economic assumption updates to reflect current market conditions and life expectancy projection updates.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the net actuarial loss of $3 million was driven by losses attributable to decreasing discount rates due to changes in the corporate bond markets and demographic assumption updates to reflect current expectations, partially offset by gains attributable to actual asset performance exceeding expectations, economic assumption updates to reflect current market conditions, life expectancy projection updates and plan experience different than expected.
For the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, the net actuarial gain of $4 million was driven by gains attributable to increasing discount rates due to changes in the corporate bond markets and plan experience different than expected, partially offset by losses attributable to actual asset performance falling short of expectations.
| Successor | |||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Change in Pension Obligation: | |||||||
| Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period | $ | 163 | $ | 144 | |||
| Acquisitions | 502 | — | |||||
| Service cost | 15 | 5 | |||||
| Interest cost | 21 | 6 | |||||
| Settlement | (28 | ) | — | ||||
| Actuarial (gain) loss | (34 | ) | 13 | ||||
| Benefits paid | (24 | ) | (5 | ) | |||
| Projected benefit obligation at end of year | $ | 615 | $ | 163 | |||
| Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year | $ | 611 | $ | 157 | |||
| Change in Plan Assets: | |||||||
| Fair value of assets at beginning of period | $ | 128 | $ | 117 | |||
| Acquisitions | 428 | — | |||||
| Employer contributions | 12 | — | |||||
| Settlement | (28 | ) | — | ||||
| Actual gain (loss) on assets | (26 | ) | 16 | ||||
| Benefits paid | (24 | ) | (5 | ) | |||
| Fair value of assets at end of year | $ | 490 | $ | 128 | |||
| Funded Status: | |||||||
| Projected pension benefit obligation | $ | (615 | ) | $ | (163 | ) | |
| Fair value of assets | 490 | 128 | |||||
| Funded status at end of year | $ | (125 | ) | $ | (35 | ) | |
| Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet Consist of: | |||||||
| Other current liabilities | $ | — | $ | — | |||
| Other noncurrent liabilities | (125 | ) | (35 | ) | |||
| Net liability recognized | $ | (125 | ) | $ | (35 | ) | |
| Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Consist of: | |||||||
| Net gain (loss) | $ | (13 | ) | $ | 1 |
The following table provides information regarding pension plans with projected benefit obligation (PBO) and accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) in excess of the fair value of plan assets.
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Pension Plans with PBO and ABO in Excess Of Plan Assets: | |||||||
| Projected benefit obligations | $ | 615 | $ | 163 | |||
| Accumulated benefit obligation | $ | 611 | $ | 157 | |||
| Plan assets | $ | 490 | $ | 128 |
Pension Plan Investment Strategy and Asset Allocations
Our investment objective for the Retirement Plan is to invest in a suitable mix of assets to meet the future benefit obligations at an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the volatility of contributions. Fixed income securities held primarily consist of corporate bonds from a diversified range of companies, U.S. Treasuries and agency securities and money market instruments. Equity securities are held to enhance returns by participating in a wide range of investment opportunities. International equity securities are used to further diversify the equity portfolio and may include investments in both developed and emerging markets.
The target asset allocation ranges of pension plan investments by asset category are as follows:
| Target Allocation Ranges | ||||||||||||||
| Asset Category: | Vistra Energy Plan | Dynegy Plan | EEI Plan | |||||||||||
| Fixed income | 65 | % | - | 75% | 45 | % | - | 55% | 43 | % | - | 53% | ||
| Global equity securities | 16 | % | - | 24% | 29 | % | - | 37% | 30 | % | - | 38% | ||
| Real estate | 4 | % | - | 8% | 8 | % | - | 12% | 9 | % | - | 13% | ||
| Credit strategies | 3 | % | - | 7% | 6 | % | - | 10% | 6 | % | - | 10% |
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Assets Assumption
The Retirement Plan strategic asset allocation is determined in conjunction with the plan's advisors and utilizes a comprehensive Asset-Liability modeling approach to evaluate potential long-term outcomes of various investment strategies. The study incorporates long-term rate of return assumptions for each asset class based on historical and future expected asset class returns, current market conditions, rate of inflation, current prospects for economic growth, and taking into account the diversification benefits of investing in multiple asset classes and potential benefits of employing active investment management.
| Retirement Plan | ||||||||
| Expected Long-Term Rate of Return | ||||||||
| Asset Class: | Vistra Energy Plan | Dynegy Plan | EEI Plan | |||||
| Fixed income securities | 4.0 | % | 3.9 | % | 3.9 | % | ||
| Global equity securities | 7.5 | % | 7.5 | % | 7.5 | % | ||
| Real estate | 5.4 | % | 5.4 | % | 5.4 | % | ||
| Credit strategies | 6.8 | % | 6.8 | % | 6.8 | % | ||
| Weighted average | 4.8 | % | 5.3 | % | 5.6 | % |
Fair Value Measurement of Pension Plan Assets
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Retirement Plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following:
| December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | Level 2 | ||||||||||||
| Asset Category: | |||||||||||||||
| Interest-bearing cash | $ | — | $ | (6 | ) | $ | (6 | ) | $ | (7 | ) | ||||
| Fixed income securities: | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds (a) | 57 | 61 | 118 | 65 | |||||||||||
| U.S. Treasuries | — | 25 | 25 | 29 | |||||||||||
| Other (b) | — | 6 | 6 | 7 | |||||||||||
| Total assets categorized as Level 1 or 2 | 57 | 86 | 143 | 94 | |||||||||||
| Assets measured at net asset value (c): | |||||||||||||||
| Commingled trusts | 18 | 2 | |||||||||||||
| Equity securities: | |||||||||||||||
| U.S. | 119 | 14 | |||||||||||||
| International | 73 | 13 | |||||||||||||
| Fixed income securities: | |||||||||||||||
| Corporate bonds (a) | 137 | 5 | |||||||||||||
| Total assets measured at net asset value | 347 | 34 | |||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 490 | $ | 128 |
| (a) | Substantially all corporate bonds are rated investment grade by a major ratings agency such as Moody's. |
| (b) | Other consists primarily of taxable municipal bonds. |
| (c) | Certain investments measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this line are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to total Vistra Retirement Plan assets. |
Detailed Information Regarding Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
The following OPEB information is based on a December 31, 2018 measurement date:
| Successor | |||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 | Year Ended December 31, 2017 | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | |||||||||
| Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost: | |||||||||||
| Discount rate (Vistra Energy Plan) | 3.67 | % | 4.11 | % | 4.00 | % | |||||
| Discount rate (Oncor Plan) | — | % | 4.18 | % | 3.69 | % | |||||
| Discount rate (Dynegy Plan) | 4.04 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| Expected return on plan assets (EEI Union) | 5.10 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| Expected return on plan assets (EEI Salaried) | 4.47 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| Components of Net Postretirement Benefit Cost: | |||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | 2 | $ | 2 | $ | 1 | |||||
| Interest cost | 5 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | (1 | ) | — | — | |||||||
| Amortization of unrecognized amounts | 3 | — | — | ||||||||
| Plan amendments (a) | — | — | (4 | ) | |||||||
| Net periodic OPEB cost (income) | $ | 9 | $ | 6 | $ | (2 | ) | ||||
| Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income: | |||||||||||
| Net (gain) loss and prior service (credit) cost | $ | (6 | ) | $ | 26 | $ | (5 | ) | |||
| Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income | $ | 3 | $ | 32 | $ | (7 | ) | ||||
| Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations at Period End: | |||||||||||
| Discount rate (Vistra Energy Plan) | 4.35 | % | 3.67 | % | 4.11 | % | |||||
| Discount rate (Split-Participant Plan) | 4.35 | % | 3.67 | % | — | % | |||||
| Discount rate (Oncor Plan) | — | % | — | % | 4.18 | % | |||||
| Discount rate (Dynegy Plan) | 4.35 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| Expected return on plan assets (EEI Union) | 5.36 | % | — | % | — | % | |||||
| Expected return on plan assets (EEI Salaried) | 4.70 | % | — | % | — | % |
| (a) | Curtailment gain recognized as other income in the statements of consolidated income (loss) as a result of discontinued life insurance benefits for active employees. |
For the year ended December 31, 2018, the net actuarial gain of $7 million was driven by gains attributable to increasing discount rates due to changes in the corporate bond markets, life expectancy projection updates and updates to health care related assumptions, partially offset by losses attributable to actual asset performance falling short of expectations and plan experience different than expected.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the net actuarial loss of $15 million was driven by losses attributable to decreasing discount rates due to changes in the corporate bond markets, demographic assumption updates to reflect current expectations and updates to health care related assumptions, partially offset by gains attributable to life expectancy projection updates and plan experience different than expected.
For the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, the net actuarial gain of $5 million was driven by gains attributable to increasing discount rates due to changes in the corporate bond markets and plan experience different than expected.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Change in Postretirement Benefit Obligation: | |||||||
| Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | 115 | $ | 88 | |||
| Acquisition | 37 | — | |||||
| Service cost | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Interest cost | 5 | 4 | |||||
| Participant contributions | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Plan amendments (a) | 4 | 11 | |||||
| Actuarial (gain) loss | (9 | ) | 15 | ||||
| Benefits paid | (12 | ) | (7 | ) | |||
| Benefit obligation at end of year | $ | 144 | $ | 115 | |||
| Change in Plan Assets: | |||||||
| Fair value of assets at beginning of year | $ | — | $ | — | |||
| Acquisition | 32 | — | |||||
| Employer contributions | 8 | 5 | |||||
| Participant contributions | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Benefits paid | (12 | ) | (7 | ) | |||
| Actual loss on assets | (1 | ) | — | ||||
| Fair value of assets at end of year | $ | 29 | $ | — | |||
| Funded Status: | |||||||
| Benefit obligation | $ | (144 | ) | $ | (115 | ) | |
| Fair value of assets | 29 | — | |||||
| Funded status at end of year | $ | (115 | ) | $ | (115 | ) | |
| Amounts Recognized on the Balance Sheet Consist of: | |||||||
| Other noncurrent assets | $ | 14 | $ | — | |||
| Other current liabilities | $ | (8 | ) | $ | (6 | ) | |
| Other noncurrent liabilities | (121 | ) | (109 | ) | |||
| Net liability recognized | $ | (115 | ) | $ | (115 | ) | |
| Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Consist of: | |||||||
| Net loss and prior service cost | $ | 15 | $ | 20 |
| (a) | For the year ended December 31, 2018, plan amendments relate to changes in Dynegy plans and retiree medical cost structure. For the year ended December 31, 2017, plan amendments relate to the contractual arrangement with Oncor covering Split Participants. |
The following tables provide information regarding the assumed health care cost trend rates.
| Successor | |||||
| December 31, 2018 | December 31, 2017 | ||||
| Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates-Not Medicare Eligible: | |||||
| Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year | 6.70 | % | 7.00 | % | |
| Rate to which the cost trend is expected to decline (the ultimate trend rate) | 4.50 | % | 4.50 | % | |
| Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate | 2026 | 2026 | |||
| Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates-Medicare Eligible: | |||||
| Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year | 9.90 | % | 10.66 | % | |
| Rate to which the cost trend is expected to decline (the ultimate trend rate) | 4.50 | % | 4.50 | % | |
| Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate | 2027 | 2026 |
Fair Value Measurement of OPEB Plan Assets
At December 31, 2018, the Vistra Energy OPEB plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis totaled $29 million and consisted of $21 million of U.S equities classified as Level 1 and $8 million of U.S. Treasuries classified as Level 2.
Significant Concentrations of Risk
The plans' investments are exposed to risks such as interest rate, capital market and credit risks. We seek to optimize return on investment consistent with levels of liquidity and investment risk which are prudent and reasonable, given prevailing capital market conditions and other factors specific to us. While we recognize the importance of return, investments will be diversified in order to minimize the risk of large losses unless, under the circumstances, it is clearly prudent not to do so. There are also various restrictions and guidelines in place including limitations on types of investments allowed and portfolio weightings for certain investment securities to assist in the mitigation of the risk of large losses.
Assumed Discount Rate
We selected the assumed discount rate using the Aon AA Above Median yield curve, which is based on corporate bond yields and at December 31, 2018 consisted of 377 corporate bonds with an average rating of AA using Moody's, Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Fitch Ratings, Ltd. ratings.
Contributions
Successor — For the Successor period for the year ended December 31, 2018, a contribution totaling $12 million was made to the Retirement Plan. No contributions were made to the Retirement Plan for the Successor period for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016. No contributions to the Retirement Plan are expected to be made in 2019. OPEB plan funding for the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 totaled $8 million, $5 million and $1 million, respectively, and funding in 2019 is expected to total $8 million.
Predecessor — In September 2016, a cash contribution totaling $2 million was made to the EFH Retirement Plan, all of which was contributed by our Predecessor. OPEB plan funding for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 totaled $3 million.
Future Benefit Payments
Estimated future benefit payments to beneficiaries are as follows:
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024-28 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Pension benefits | $ | 46 | $ | 45 | $ | 46 | $ | 46 | $ | 46 | $ | 216 | |||||||||||
| OPEB | $ | 10 | $ | 11 | $ | 11 | $ | 11 | $ | 11 | $ | 49 |
Qualified Savings Plans
Our employees may participate in a qualified savings plan (the Thrift Plan). This plan is a participant-directed defined contribution plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code and is subject to the provisions of ERISA. Under the terms of the Thrift Plan, employees who do not earn more than the IRS threshold compensation limit used to determine highly compensated employees may contribute, through pre-tax salary deferrals and/or after-tax payroll deductions, the lesser of 75% of their regular salary or wages or the maximum amount permitted under applicable law. Employees who earn more than such threshold may contribute from 1% to 20% of their regular salary or wages. Employer matching contributions are also made in an amount equal to 100% (75% for employees covered under the Traditional Retirement Plan Formula) of the first 6% of employee contributions. Employer matching contributions are made in cash and may be allocated by participants to any of the plan's investment options.
At the Merger Date, Vistra Energy assumed Dynegy's participant-directed defined contribution plan. In January 2019, this plan was merged into the Thrift Plan.
Aggregate employer contributions to the qualified savings plans totaled $24 million, $19 million, $5 million and $16 million for the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, respectively.
- STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Vistra Energy 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan
On the Effective Date, the Vistra Energy board of directors (Board) adopted the 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (2016 Incentive Plan), under which an aggregate of 22,500,000 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance as equity-based awards to our non-employee directors, employees, and certain other persons. The Board or any committee duly authorized by the Board will administer the 2016 Incentive Plan and has broad authority under the 2016 Incentive Plan to, among other things: (a) select participants, (b) determine the types of awards that participants are to receive and the number of shares that are to be subject to such awards and (c) establish the terms and conditions of awards, including the price (if any) to be paid for the shares of the award. The types of awards that may be granted under the 2016 Incentive Plan include stock options, RSUs, restricted stock, performance awards and other forms of awards granted or denominated in shares of Vistra Energy common stock, as well as certain cash-based awards.
If any stock option or other stock-based award granted under the 2016 Incentive Plan expires, terminates or is canceled for any reason without having been exercised in full, the number of shares of Vistra Energy common stock underlying any unexercised award shall again be available for awards under the 2016 Incentive Plan. If any shares of restricted stock, performance awards or other stock-based awards denominated in shares of Vistra Energy common stock awarded under the 2016 Incentive Plan are forfeited for any reason, the number of forfeited shares shall again be available for purposes of awards under the 2016 Incentive Plan. Any award under the 2016 Incentive Plan settled in cash shall not be counted against the maximum share limitation.
As is customary in incentive plans of this nature, each share limit and the number and kind of shares available under the 2016 Incentive Plan and any outstanding awards, as well as the exercise or purchase price of awards, and performance targets under certain types of performance-based awards, are required to be adjusted in the event of certain reorganizations, mergers, combinations, recapitalizations, stock splits, stock dividends or other similar events that change the number or kind of shares outstanding, and extraordinary dividends or distributions of property to the Vistra Energy stockholders.
Assumption of Dynegy Stock Compensation Plans
At the Merger Date, Dynegy stock options and equity-based awards outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Date were generally automatically converted upon completion of the Merger into stock options and equity-based awards, respectively, with respect to Vistra Energy's common stock, after giving effect to the Exchange Ratio.
| Instrument Type | Dynegy Awards Prior to the Merger Date | Vistra Awards Converted at the Merger Date | Fair Value of Awards (a) | ||||
| Stock Options | 4,096,027 | 2,670,610 | $ | 10 | |||
| Restricted Stock Units | 5,718,148 | 3,056,689 | 61 | ||||
| Performance Units | 1,538,133 | 938,721 | 18 | ||||
| Total | $ | 89 |
| (a) | $26 million was attributable to pre-combination service and considered part of the purchase price (see Note 2). $33 million was recognized immediately as compensation expense due to accelerated vesting as a result of the Merger. $30 million will be amortized as compensation expense over the remaining service period and is recorded in additional paid in capital in the consolidated balance sheet. |
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Stock-based compensation expense is reported as SG&A in the statement of consolidated net income (loss) as follows:
| Successor | |||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||
| Total stock-based compensation expense | $ | 73 | $ | 19 | $ | 3 | |||||
| Income tax benefit | (15 | ) | (7 | ) | (1 | ) | |||||
| Stock based-compensation expense, net of tax | $ | 58 | $ | 12 | $ | 2 |
Stock Options
The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk-free interest rate used in the option valuation model was based on yields available on the grant dates for U.S. Treasury Strips with maturity consistent with the expected life assumption. The expected term of the option represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding and is based on the SEC Simplified Method (midpoint of average vesting time and contractual term). Expected volatility is based on an average of the historical, daily volatility of a peer group selected by Vistra Energy over a period consistent with the expected life assumption ending on the grant date. We assumed no dividend yield in the valuation of the options. These options may be exercised over either three- or four-year graded vesting periods and will expire 10 years from the grant date.
The 2016 Incentive Plan includes an anti-dilutive provision that requires any outstanding option awards to be adjusted for the effect of equity restructurings. In March 2017, the Board declared that the exercise price of each outstanding option be reduced by $2.32, the amount per share of common stock related to the Special Dividend (see Note 16).
Issuance of Merger-related Stock Options — At the Merger Date, we issued 5.2 million stock options to certain members of management, which are subject to performance and service conditions for vesting. The performance condition is based on the Company's achievement of certain merger related targets measured as of December 31, 2019. Compensation cost has been recognized in 2018 based on graded vesting over 4 and 5 years since the date of issuance because we estimate achievement of the target is likely to occur.
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2018 are all held by current employees. The following table summarizes our stock option activity:
| Successor | ||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||
| Stock Options (in thousands) | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) | |||||||||
| Total outstanding at beginning of period | 8,136 | $ | 14.44 | 9.0 | $ | 32.4 | ||||||
| Awards converted at Merger Date | 2,671 | $ | 23.19 | |||||||||
| Granted | 5,268 | $ | 19.67 | |||||||||
| Exercised | (1,082 | ) | $ | 13.91 | ||||||||
| Forfeited or expired | (494 | ) | $ | 15.14 | ||||||||
| Total outstanding at end of period | 14,499 | $ | 17.97 | 7.3 | $ | 85.1 | ||||||
| Exercisable at December 31, 2018 | 4,696 | $ | 18.88 | 5.2 | $ | 32.6 |
At December 31, 2018, $48 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options granted under the 2016 Incentive Plan are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3 years.
Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes our restricted stock unit activity:
| Successor | ||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 | ||||||||||||
| Restricted Stock Units (in thousands) | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) | |||||||||
| Total outstanding at beginning of period | 2,375 | $ | 16.91 | 1.9 | $ | 43.5 | ||||||
| Awards converted at Merger Date | 3,057 | $ | 15.52 | |||||||||
| Granted | 133 | $ | 22.41 | |||||||||
| Exercised | (2,114 | ) | $ | 15.48 | ||||||||
| Forfeited or expired | (225 | ) | $ | 16.69 | ||||||||
| Total outstanding at end of period | 3,226 | $ | 16.77 | 1.1 | $ | 73.8 | ||||||
| Expected to vest | 3,222 | $ | 16.85 | 1.0 | $ | 73.7 |
At December 31, 2018, $40 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock units granted under the 2016 Incentive Plan are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3 years.
Performance Stock Units
In October 2017, we issued Performance Stock Units (PSUs) to certain members of management. As of December 31, 2018, we had not yet established the significant terms of the PSUs relevant to vesting (scorecard, thresholds, and targets) for the entire measurement period; therefore, a grant date for financial accounting purposes has not occurred.
| 21. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
Successor
In connection with Emergence, we entered into agreements with certain of our affiliates and with parties who received shares of common stock and TRA Rights in exchange for their claims.
Registration Rights Agreement
Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, on the Effective Date, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the Registration Rights Agreement) with certain selling stockholders providing for registration of the resale of the Vistra Energy common stock held by such selling stockholders.
In December 2016, we filed a Form S-1 registration statement with the SEC to register for resale the shares of Vistra Energy common stock held by certain significant stockholders pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, which was declared effective by the SEC in May 2017. The registration statement was amended in March 2018. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, in June 2018, we filed a post-effective amendment to the Form S-1 registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the SEC in July 2018. Among other things, under the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement:
| • | if we propose to file certain types of registration statements under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, we will be required to use our reasonable best efforts to offer the other parties to the Registration Rights Agreement the opportunity to register all or part of their shares on the terms and conditions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement; and |
| • | the selling stockholders received the right, subject to certain conditions and exceptions, to request that we file registration statements or amend or supplement registration statements, with the SEC for an underwritten offering of all or part of their respective shares of Vistra Energy common stock (a Demand Registration), and the Company is required to cause any such registration statement or amendment or supplement (a) to be filed with the SEC promptly and, in any event, on or before the date that is 45 days, in the case of a registration statement on Form S-1, or 30 days, in the case of a registration statement on Form S-3, after we receive the written request from the relevant selling stockholders to effectuate the Demand Registration and (b) to become effective as promptly as reasonably practicable and in any event no later than 120 days after it is initially filed. |
All expenses of registration under the Registration Rights Agreement, including the legal fees of one counsel retained by or on behalf of the selling stockholders, will be paid by us. Legal fee expenses paid or accrued by Vistra Energy on behalf of the selling stockholders totaled less than $1 million during each of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Tax Receivable Agreement
On the Effective Date, Vistra Energy entered into the TRA with a transfer agent on behalf of certain former first lien creditors of TCEH. See Note 10 for discussion of the TRA.
Share Repurchase Transaction
In November 2018, the disinterested members of the Board considered and approved (in accordance with the Company's corporate governance guidelines) a share repurchase transaction, whereby Apollo Management Holdings L.P. (Apollo) and the Company, in a privately negotiated transaction, agreed for the Company to directly repurchase 5 million shares from Apollo. This purchase was part of Apollo's larger, 17 million share block trade, with the remaining 12 million shares being sold in a separate unregistered Rule 144 secondary block trade to a broker-dealer, who placed all 12 million shares with institutional investors. The Company repurchased the 5 million shares at the same discounted price (discounted from the November 19, 2018 closing price) that the participating broker paid for the 12 million shares it purchased, and the Company did not pay any additional fees to the participating broker for the 5 million shares it repurchased.
Predecessor
See Note 5 for a discussion of certain agreements entered into on the Effective Date between EFH Corp. and Vistra Energy with respect to the separation of the entities, including a separation agreement, a transition services agreement and a tax matters agreement.
The following represent our Predecessor's significant related-party transactions. As of the Effective Date, pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the Sponsor Group, EFH Corp., EFIH, Oncor Holdings and Oncor ceased being affiliates of Vistra Energy and its subsidiaries, including the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors.
| • | Our retail operations (and prior to the Effective Date, our Predecessor) pay Oncor for services it provides, principally the delivery of electricity. Expenses recorded for these services, reported in fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees, totaled $700 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016. |
| • | A former subsidiary of EFH Corp. billed our Predecessor's subsidiaries for information technology, financial, accounting and other administrative services at cost. These charges, which are largely settled in cash and primarily reported in SG&A expenses, totaled $157 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016. |
| • | Under Texas regulatory provisions, the trust fund for decommissioning the Comanche Peak nuclear generation facility is funded by a delivery fee surcharge billed to REPs by Oncor, as collection agent, and remitted monthly to Vistra Energy (and prior to the Effective Date, our Predecessor) for contribution to the trust fund with the intent that the trust fund assets, reported in other investments in our consolidated balance sheets, will ultimately be sufficient to fund the future decommissioning liability, reported in asset retirement obligations in our consolidated balance sheets. The delivery fee surcharges remitted to our Predecessor totaled $15 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016. Income and expenses associated with the trust fund and the decommissioning liability incurred by Vistra Energy (and prior to the Effective Date, our Predecessor) are offset by a net change in a receivable/payable that ultimately will be settled through changes in Oncor's delivery fee rates. |
| • | EFH Corp. files consolidated federal income tax and Texas state margin tax returns that included our results prior to the Effective Date; however, under a Federal and State Income Tax Allocation Agreement, our federal income tax and Texas margin tax expense and related balance sheet amounts, including income taxes payable to or receivable from EFH Corp., were recorded as if our Predecessor filed its own corporate income tax return. For the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, our Predecessor made income tax payments to EFH Corp. totaling $22 million. |
| • | Contributions to the EFH Corp. retirement plan by both Oncor and TCEH in 2014, 2015 and 2016 resulted in the EFH Corp. retirement plan being fully funded as calculated under the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). In September 2016, a cash contribution totaling $2 million was made to the EFH Corp. retirement plan, all of which was contributed by TCEH, which resulted in the EFH Retirement Plan continuing to be fully funded as calculated under the provisions of ERISA. On the Effective Date, the EFH Retirement Plan was transferred to Vistra Energy pursuant to a separation agreement between Vistra Energy and EFH Corp. |
| • | In 2007, TCEH entered into the TCEH Senior Secured Facilities with syndicates of financial institutions and other lenders. These syndicates included affiliates of GS Capital Partners, which is a member of the Sponsor Group. Affiliates of each member of the Sponsor Group have from time to time engaged in commercial banking transactions with TCEH and/or provided financial advisory services to TCEH, in each case in the normal course of business. |
| • | Affiliates of GS Capital Partners were parties to certain commodity and interest rate hedging transactions with our Predecessor in the normal course of business. |
| • | Affiliates of the Sponsor Group have sold or acquired debt or debt securities issued by our Predecessor in open market transactions or through loan syndications. |
| 22. | SEGMENT INFORMATION |
The operations of Vistra Energy are aligned into six reportable business segments: (i) Retail, (ii) ERCOT, (iii) PJM, (iv) NY/NE, (v) MISO and (vi) Asset Closure. Our chief operating decision maker reviews the results of these segments separately and allocates resources to the respective segments as part of our strategic operations.
The Retail segment is engaged in retail sales of electricity and related services to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Substantially all of these activities are conducted by TXU Energy and Value Based Brands in Texas, Dynegy Energy Services in Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois and Pennsylvania and Homefield Energy in Illinois. Prior to the Merger, the Retail segment was referred to as the Retail Electricity segment.
The ERCOT, PJM, NY/NE (comprising NYISO and ISO-NE) and MISO segments are engaged in electricity generation, wholesale energy sales and purchases, commodity risk management activities, fuel production and fuel logistics management, all largely within their respective ISO market. The PJM, NY/NE and MISO segments were established on the Merger Date to reflect markets served by businesses acquired in the Merger. Prior to the Merger, the ERCOT segment was referred to as the Wholesale Generation segment.
As discussed in Note 1, the Asset Closure segment was established effective January 1, 2018. The Asset Closure segment is engaged in the decommissioning and reclamation of retired plants and mines. Separately reporting the Asset Closure segment provides management with better information related to the performance and earnings power of Vistra Energy's ongoing operations and facilitates management's focus on minimizing the cost associated with decommissioning and reclamation of retired plants and mines. We have not allocated any unrealized gains or losses on commodity risk management activities to the Asset Closure segment for the generation plants that were retired in January, February and May 2018.
Corporate and Other represents the remaining non-segment operations consisting primarily of (i) general corporate expenses, interest, taxes and other expenses related to our support functions that provide shared services to our operating segments and (ii) CAISO operations.
Except as noted in Note 1, the accounting policies of the business segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1. Our chief operating decision maker uses more than one measure to assess segment performance, including segment net income (loss), which is the measure most comparable to consolidated net income (loss) prepared based on US GAAP. We account for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at market prices. Certain shared services costs are allocated to the segments.
| Successor | |||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 | Year Ended December 31, 2017 | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | |||||||||
| Operating revenues (a) | |||||||||||
| Retail | $ | 5,597 | $ | 4,058 | $ | 912 | |||||
| ERCOT | 2,634 | 1,794 | 212 | ||||||||
| PJM | 1,725 | — | — | ||||||||
| NY/NE | 817 | — | — | ||||||||
| MISO | 720 | — | — | ||||||||
| Asset Closure | 50 | 964 | 238 | ||||||||
| Corporate and Other (b) | 208 | — | — | ||||||||
| Eliminations | (2,607 | ) | (1,386 | ) | (171 | ) | |||||
| Consolidated operating revenues | $ | 9,144 | $ | 5,430 | $ | 1,191 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Retail | $ | (318 | ) | $ | (430 | ) | $ | (153 | ) | ||
| ERCOT | (416 | ) | (229 | ) | (53 | ) | |||||
| PJM | (413 | ) | — | — | |||||||
| NY/NE | (152 | ) | — | — | |||||||
| MISO | (9 | ) | — | — | |||||||
| Asset Closure | — | (1 | ) | — | |||||||
| Corporate and Other (b) | (86 | ) | (40 | ) | (11 | ) | |||||
| Eliminations | 1 | $ | 1 | ||||||||
| Consolidated depreciation and amortization | $ | (1,394 | ) | $ | (699 | ) | $ | (216 | ) | ||
| Operating income (loss) | |||||||||||
| Retail | $ | 690 | $ | 461 | $ | 111 | |||||
| ERCOT | (70 | ) | (118 | ) | (271 | ) | |||||
| PJM | 100 | — | — | ||||||||
| NY/NE | 70 | — | — | ||||||||
| MISO | 36 | — | — | ||||||||
| Asset Closure | (50 | ) | (68 | ) | 16 | ||||||
| Corporate and Other (b) | (281 | ) | (78 | ) | (17 | ) | |||||
| Eliminations | (4 | ) | 1 | — | |||||||
| Consolidated operating income (loss) | $ | 491 | $ | 198 | $ | (161 | ) | ||||
| Interest expense and related charges | |||||||||||
| Retail | $ | (7 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
| ERCOT | (12 | ) | (21 | ) | 1 | ||||||
| PJM | (8 | ) | — | — | |||||||
| NY/NE | (2 | ) | — | — | |||||||
| MISO | (1 | ) | — | — | |||||||
| Corporate and Other (b) | (613 | ) | (252 | ) | (66 | ) | |||||
| Eliminations | 71 | 80 | 5 | ||||||||
| Consolidated interest expense and related charges | $ | (572 | ) | $ | (193 | ) | $ | (60 | ) |
| Successor | |||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 | Year Ended December 31, 2017 | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | |||||||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit (all Corporate and Other) | $ | 45 | $ | (504 | ) | $ | 70 | ||||
| Net income (loss) | |||||||||||
| Retail | $ | 712 | $ | 495 | $ | 114 | |||||
| ERCOT | (55 | ) | (114 | ) | (268 | ) | |||||
| PJM | 100 | — | — | ||||||||
| NY/NE | 79 | — | — | ||||||||
| MISO | 35 | — | — | ||||||||
| Asset Closure | (49 | ) | (63 | ) | 17 | ||||||
| Corporate and Other (b) | (876 | ) | (573 | ) | (26 | ) | |||||
| Eliminations | (2 | ) | 1 | — | |||||||
| Consolidated net income (loss) | $ | (56 | ) | $ | (254 | ) | $ | (163 | ) | ||
| Capital expenditures, excluding LTSA | |||||||||||
| Retail | $ | 1 | $ | — | $ | 5 | |||||
| ERCOT | 283 | 150 | 84 | ||||||||
| PJM | 41 | — | — | ||||||||
| NY/NE | 10 | — | — | ||||||||
| MISO | 3 | — | — | ||||||||
| Corporate and Other (b) | 58 | 26 | — | ||||||||
| Consolidated capital expenditures | $ | 396 | $ | 176 | $ | 89 |
| (a) | The following unrealized net gains (losses) from mark-to-market valuations of commodity positions are included in operating revenues: |
| Successor | |||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2018 | Year Ended December 31, 2017 | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | |||||||||
| Retail | $ | (12 | ) | $ | 18 | $ | (6 | ) | |||
| ERCOT | (483 | ) | (305 | ) | (295 | ) | |||||
| PJM | (50 | ) | — | — | |||||||
| NY/NE | (40 | ) | — | — | |||||||
| MISO | 3 | — | — | ||||||||
| Corporate and Other (b) | (15 | ) | — | — | |||||||
| Eliminations (1) | 217 | 154 | 113 | ||||||||
| Consolidated unrealized net losses from mark-to-market valuations of commodity positions included in operating revenues | $ | (380 | ) | $ | (133 | ) | $ | (188 | ) |
| (1) | Amounts offset in fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees in the Retail segment, with no impact to consolidated results. |
| (b) | Other includes CAISO operations. Income tax expense is not reflected in net income of the segments but is reflected entirely in Corporate net income. |
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Total assets | |||||||
| Retail | $ | 7,699 | $ | 6,156 | |||
| ERCOT | 9,347 | 6,821 | |||||
| PJM | 7,188 | — | |||||
| NY/NE | 2,722 | — | |||||
| MISO | 836 | — | |||||
| Asset Closure | 254 | 248 | |||||
| Corporate and Other and Eliminations | (2,022 | ) | 1,375 | ||||
| Consolidated total assets | $ | 26,024 | $ | 14,600 |
Prior to the Effective Date, our Predecessor's chief operating decision maker reviewed the retail electricity, wholesale generation and commodity risk management activities together. Consequently, there were no reportable business segments for TCEH.
| 23. | SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
Other Income and Deductions
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Other income: | ||||||||||||||||
| Office space sublease rental income (a) | $ | 8 | $ | 11 | $ | 2 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Mineral rights royalty income (b) | — | 3 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||
| Sale of land (b) | 3 | 4 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Curtailment gain on employee benefit plans (a) | — | — | 4 | — | ||||||||||||
| Insurance settlement | 16 | — | — | 9 | ||||||||||||
| Interest income | 18 | 15 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||
| All other | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Total other income | $ | 47 | $ | 37 | $ | 10 | $ | 19 | ||||||||
| Other deductions: | ||||||||||||||||
| Write-off of generation equipment (b) | — | 2 | — | 45 | ||||||||||||
| Adjustment to asbestos liability | — | — | — | 11 | ||||||||||||
| All other | 5 | 3 | — | 19 | ||||||||||||
| Total other deductions | $ | 5 | $ | 5 | $ | — | $ | 75 |
| (a) | Reported in Corporate and Other non-segment (Successor period only). |
| (b) | Reported in ERCOT segment (Successor period only). |
Restricted Cash
| December 31, 2018 | December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||
| Current Assets | Noncurrent Assets | Current Assets | Noncurrent Assets | ||||||||||||
| Amounts related to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities (Note 14) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 500 | |||||||
| Amounts related to restructuring escrow accounts | 57 | — | 59 | — | |||||||||||
| Total restricted cash | $ | 57 | $ | — | $ | 59 | $ | 500 |
Trade Accounts Receivable
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Wholesale and retail trade accounts receivable | $ | 1,106 | $ | 596 | |||
| Allowance for uncollectible accounts | (19 | ) | (14 | ) | |||
| Trade accounts receivable — net | $ | 1,087 | $ | 582 |
Gross trade accounts receivable at December 31, 2018 and 2017 included unbilled retail revenues of $350 million and $251 million, respectively.
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Receivable
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable at beginning of period | $ | 14 | $ | 10 | $ | — | $ | 9 | ||||||||
| Increase for bad debt expense | 56 | 43 | 10 | 20 | ||||||||||||
| Decrease for account write-offs | (51 | ) | (39 | ) | — | (16 | ) | |||||||||
| Allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable at end of period | $ | 19 | $ | 14 | $ | 10 | $ | 13 |
Inventories by Major Category
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Materials and supplies | $ | 286 | $ | 149 | |||
| Fuel stock | 115 | 83 | |||||
| Natural gas in storage | 11 | 21 | |||||
| Total inventories | $ | 412 | $ | 253 |
Other Investments
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Nuclear plant decommissioning trust | $ | 1,170 | $ | 1,188 | |||
| Assets related to employee benefit plans (Note 19) | 31 | — | |||||
| Land | 49 | 49 | |||||
| Miscellaneous other | — | 3 | |||||
| Total other investments | $ | 1,250 | $ | 1,240 |
Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
On the Merger Date, we assumed Dynegy's 50% interest in Northeast Energy, LP (NELP), a joint venture with NextEra Energy, Inc., which indirectly owns the Bellingham NEA facility and the Sayreville facility. At December 31, 2018, our estimated investment in NELP totaled $129 million based on our preliminary purchase price allocation and subsequent 2018 activity. Our risk of loss related to our equity method investment is limited to our investment balance (see Note 2).
For the year ended December 31, 2018, equity earnings related to our investment in NELP totaled $17 million, recorded in equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated investment in our statements of consolidated net income (loss). For the year ended December 31, 2018, we received distributions totaling $17 million.
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust
Investments in a trust that will be used to fund the costs to decommission the Comanche Peak nuclear generation plant are carried at fair value. Decommissioning costs are being recovered from Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC's (Oncor) customers as a delivery fee surcharge over the life of the plant and deposited by Vistra Energy (and prior to the Effective Date, a subsidiary of TCEH) in the trust fund. Income and expense associated with the trust fund and the decommissioning liability are offset by a corresponding change in a regulatory asset/liability (currently a regulatory asset reported in other noncurrent assets) that will ultimately be settled through changes in Oncor's delivery fees rates. If funds recovered from Oncor's customers held in the trust fund are determined to be inadequate to decommission the Comanche Peak nuclear generation plant, Oncor would be required to collect all additional amounts from its customers, with no obligation from Vistra Energy, provided that Vistra Energy complied with PUCT rules and regulations regarding decommissioning trusts. A summary of investments in the fund follows:
| December 31, 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost (a) | Unrealized gain | Unrealized loss | Fair market value | ||||||||||||
| Debt securities (b) | $ | 444 | $ | 7 | $ | (8 | ) | $ | 443 | ||||||
| Equity securities (c) | 280 | 448 | (1 | ) | 727 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 724 | $ | 455 | $ | (9 | ) | $ | 1,170 |
| December 31, 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost (a) | Unrealized gain | Unrealized loss | Fair market value | ||||||||||||
| Debt securities (b) | $ | 418 | $ | 14 | $ | (2 | ) | $ | 430 | ||||||
| Equity securities (c) | 265 | 495 | (2 | ) | 758 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 683 | $ | 509 | $ | (4 | ) | $ | 1,188 |
| (a) | Includes realized gains and losses on securities sold. |
| (b) | The investment objective for debt securities is to invest in a diversified tax efficient portfolio with an overall portfolio rating of AA or above as graded by S&P or Aa2 by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. The debt securities are heavily weighted with government and municipal bonds and investment grade corporate bonds. The debt securities had an average coupon rate of 3.69% and 3.55% at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and an average maturity of 8 years and 9 years at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. |
| (c) | The investment objective for equity securities is to invest tax efficiently and to match the performance of the S&P 500 Index for U.S. equity investments and the MSCI Inc. EAFE Index for non-U.S. equity investments. |
Debt securities held at December 31, 2018 mature as follows: $153 million in one to 5 years, $100 million in five to 10 years and $190 million after 10 years.
The following table summarizes proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities and the related realized gains and losses from such sales.
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Realized gains | $ | 2 | $ | 9 | $ | 1 | $ | 3 | ||||||||
| Realized losses | $ | (9 | ) | $ | (11 | ) | $ | — | $ | (2 | ) | |||||
| Proceeds from sales of securities | $ | 252 | $ | 252 | $ | 25 | $ | 201 | ||||||||
| Investments in securities | $ | (274 | ) | $ | (272 | ) | $ | (30 | ) | $ | (215 | ) |
Property, Plant and Equipment
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Power generation and structures | $ | 14,604 | $ | 3,966 | |||
| Land | 642 | 540 | |||||
| Office and other equipment | 182 | 120 | |||||
| Total | 15,428 | 4,626 | |||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | (1,284 | ) | (282 | ) | |||
| Net of accumulated depreciation | 14,144 | 4,344 | |||||
| Nuclear fuel (net of accumulated amortization of $189 million and $111 million) | 191 | 158 | |||||
| Construction work in progress | 277 | 318 | |||||
| Property, plant and equipment — net | $ | 14,612 | $ | 4,820 |
Depreciation expense totaled $1.024 billion, $236 million, $54 million and $401 million for the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, respectively.
Our property, plant and equipment consist of our power generation assets, related mining assets, information system hardware, capitalized corporate office lease space and other leasehold improvements. At December 31, 2018, buildings and improvements includes a capital lease for an office building that totaled $62 million with accumulated depreciation of $11 million. The estimated remaining useful lives range from 1 to 35 years for our property, plant and equipment.
Asset Retirement and Mining Reclamation Obligations (ARO)
These liabilities primarily relate to nuclear generation plant decommissioning, land reclamation related to lignite mining, removal of coal/lignite-fueled plant ash treatment facilities and generation plant asbestos removal and disposal costs. There is no earnings impact with respect to changes in the nuclear plant decommissioning liability, as all costs are recoverable through the regulatory process as part of delivery fees charged by Oncor.
At December 31, 2018, the carrying value of our ARO related to our nuclear generation plant decommissioning totaled $1.276 billion, which exceeds the fair value of the assets contained in the nuclear decommissioning trust. Since the costs to ultimately decommission that plant are recoverable through the regulatory rate making process as part of Oncor's delivery fees, a corresponding regulatory asset has been recorded to our consolidated balance sheet of $106 million in other noncurrent assets.
The following table summarizes the changes to these obligations, reported as asset retirement obligations (current and noncurrent liabilities) in our consolidated balance sheets, for the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
| Nuclear Plant Decommissioning | Mining Land Reclamation | Coal Ash and Other | Total | ||||||||||||
| Successor: | |||||||||||||||
| Liability at December 31, 2016 | 1,200 | 375 | 151 | 1,726 | |||||||||||
| Additions: | |||||||||||||||
| Accretion | 33 | 18 | 8 | 59 | |||||||||||
| Adjustment for change in estimates (a) | — | 81 | 44 | 125 | |||||||||||
| Incremental reclamation costs (b) | — | — | 62 | 62 | |||||||||||
| Reductions: | |||||||||||||||
| Payments | — | (36 | ) | — | (36 | ) | |||||||||
| Liability at December 31, 2017 | 1,233 | 438 | 265 | 1,936 | |||||||||||
| Additions: | |||||||||||||||
| Accretion | 43 | 22 | 28 | 93 | |||||||||||
| Adjustment for change in estimates | — | 56 | (89 | ) | (33 | ) | |||||||||
| Obligations assumed in the Merger | — | 2 | 475 | 477 | |||||||||||
| Reductions: | |||||||||||||||
| Payments | — | (76 | ) | (24 | ) | (100 | ) | ||||||||
| Liability at December 31, 2018 | 1,276 | 442 | 655 | 2,373 | |||||||||||
| Less amounts due currently | — | (106 | ) | (50 | ) | (156 | ) | ||||||||
| Noncurrent liability at December 31, 2018 | $ | 1,276 | $ | 336 | $ | 605 | $ | 2,217 |
| (a) | Amounts primarily relate to the impacts of accelerating the ARO associated with the retirements of the Sandow 4, Sandow 5, Big Brown and Monticello plants (see Note 4). |
| (b) | Amounts primarily relate to liabilities incurred as part of acquiring certain real property through the Alcoa contract settlement (see Note 4). |
Other Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred Credits
The balance of other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits consists of the following:
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Retirement and other employee benefits | $ | 270 | $ | 166 | |||
| Uncertain tax positions, including accrued interest | 4 | — | |||||
| Other | 66 | 54 | |||||
| Total other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits | $ | 340 | $ | 220 |
Fair Value of Debt
| December 31, 2018 | December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||
| Long-Term Debt (see Note 14): | Fair Value Hierarchy | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
| Long-term debt under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities | Level 2 | $ | 5,820 | $ | 5,599 | $ | 4,323 | $ | 4,334 | ||||||||
| Vistra Operations Senior Notes | Level 2 | 987 | 963 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Vistra Energy Senior Notes | Level 2 | 3,819 | 3,765 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| 7.000% Amortizing Notes | Level 2 | 23 | 24 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Forward Capacity Agreements | Level 3 | 221 | 221 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Equipment Financing Agreements | Level 3 | 102 | 102 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Mandatorily redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | Level 2 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | ||||||||||||
| Building Financing | Level 2 | 23 | 21 | 30 | 27 |
We determine fair value in accordance with accounting standards as discussed in Note 17. We obtain security pricing from an independent party who uses broker quotes and third-party pricing services to determine fair values. Where relevant, these prices are validated through subscription services, such as Bloomberg.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table reconciles cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in our statements of consolidated cash flows to the amounts reported in our balance sheets at December 31, 2018 and 2017:
| December 31, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 636 | $ | 1,487 | |||
| Restricted cash included in current assets | 57 | 59 | |||||
| Restricted cash included in noncurrent assets | — | 500 | |||||
| Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 693 | $ | 2,046 |
The following table summarizes our supplemental cash flow information for the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, respectively.
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 | Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| Cash payments related to: | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid (a) | $ | 651 | $ | 245 | $ | 19 | $ | 1,064 | ||||||||
| Capitalized interest | (12 | ) | (7 | ) | (3 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest paid (net of capitalized interest) (a) | $ | 639 | $ | 238 | $ | 16 | $ | 1,055 | ||||||||
| Income taxes | $ | 67 | $ | 63 | $ | (2 | ) | $ | 22 | |||||||
| Reorganization items (b) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 104 | ||||||||
| Noncash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Construction expenditures (c) | $ | 79 | $ | 12 | $ | 1 | $ | 53 | ||||||||
| Vistra Energy common stock issued in the Merger (Notes 2 and 16) | $ | 2,245 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
| (a) | Predecessor period includes amounts paid for adequate protection. |
| (b) | Represents cash payments made by our Predecessor for legal and other consulting services, including amounts paid on behalf of third parties pursuant to contractual obligations approved by the Bankruptcy Court. |
| (c) | Represents end-of-period accruals for ongoing construction projects. |
Quarterly Information (Unaudited)
Unaudited results of operations by quarter are summarized below. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair statement of such amounts have been made. Quarterly results are not necessarily indicative of a full year's operations because of seasonal and other factors. Quarterly amounts may not add to full year amounts due to rounding.
| Successor | |||||||||||||||
| Quarter Ended | |||||||||||||||
| March 31 | June 30 | September 30 | December 31 (b) | ||||||||||||
| 2018(a): | |||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | $ | 765 | $ | 2,574 | $ | 3,243 | $ | 2,562 | |||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | (394 | ) | $ | 231 | $ | 650 | $ | 4 | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (306 | ) | $ | 105 | $ | 331 | $ | (186 | ) | |||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Vistra Energy | $ | (306 | ) | $ | 108 | $ | 330 | $ | (186 | ) | |||||
| Net income (loss) per weighted average share of common stock outstanding — basic | $ | (0.71 | ) | $ | 0.21 | $ | 0.62 | $ | (0.35 | ) | |||||
| Net income (loss) per weighted average share of common stock outstanding — diluted | $ | (0.71 | ) | $ | 0.20 | $ | 0.61 | $ | (0.35 | ) | |||||
| 2017: | |||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | $ | 1,357 | $ | 1,296 | $ | 1,833 | $ | 944 | |||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 155 | $ | 53 | $ | 452 | $ | (462 | ) | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 78 | $ | (26 | ) | $ | 273 | $ | (579 | ) | |||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Vistra Energy | $ | 78 | $ | (26 | ) | $ | 273 | $ | (579 | ) | |||||
| Net income (loss) per weighted average share of common stock outstanding — basic | $ | 0.18 | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | 0.64 | $ | (1.35 | ) | |||||
| Net income (loss) per weighted average share of common stock outstanding — diluted | $ | 0.18 | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | 0.64 | $ | (1.35 | ) |
| (a) | For the year ended December 31, 2018, reflects the results of operations acquired in the Merger. |
| (b) | For the Successor quarter ended December 31, 2017, operating loss includes noncash charges of $183 million related to the generation facilities retirement announcements. Net loss reflects the retirements mentioned above as well as a $451 million reduction of deferred tax assets related to the decrease in the corporate tax rate due to the TCJA (see Note 9), partially offset by $117 million of impacts of the TRA. |
| 24. | SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
Our senior notes are guaranteed by substantially all of our wholly owned subsidiaries. The following condensed consolidating financial statements present the financial information of (i) Vistra Energy Corp. (Parent), which is the ultimate parent company and issuer of the senior notes with effect as of the Merger Date, on a stand-alone, unconsolidated basis, (ii) the guarantor subsidiaries of Vistra Energy (Guarantor Subsidiaries), (iii) the non-guarantor subsidiaries of Vistra Energy (Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries) and (iv) the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for Vistra Energy on a consolidated basis. The Guarantor Subsidiaries consist of the wholly owned subsidiaries, which jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally, guarantee the payment obligations under the senior notes. See Note 14 for discussion of the senior notes.
These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Vistra Energy. The supplemental condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for condensed financial information and does not include all disclosures included in annual financial statements. The inclusion of Vistra Energy's subsidiaries as either Guarantor Subsidiaries or Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries in the condensed consolidating financial information is determined as of the most recent balance sheet date presented.
The Parent files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. All consolidated income tax expense or benefits and deferred tax assets and liabilities have been allocated to the respective subsidiary columns in accordance with the accounting rules that apply to separate financial statements of subsidiaries. In prior years, the Company had presented condensed financial information of the Parent in Schedule I under Item 15; for purposes of that schedule, consolidated income tax expense or benefits was reflected at the Parent.
Vistra Energy Corp. (Parent) received $4.668 billion, $1.505 billion and $1.0 billion in dividends from its consolidated subsidiaries in the Successor period for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, respectively.
Condensed Statements of Consolidating Income (Loss)
for the Year Ended December 31, 2018
(Millions of Dollars)
| Parent (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | $ | — | $ | 9,043 | $ | 174 | $ | (73 | ) | $ | 9,144 | ||||||||
| Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees | — | (4,968 | ) | (92 | ) | 24 | (5,036 | ) | |||||||||||
| Operating costs | — | (1,255 | ) | (42 | ) | — | (1,297 | ) | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | — | (1,337 | ) | (57 | ) | — | (1,394 | ) | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (266 | ) | (660 | ) | (49 | ) | 49 | (926 | ) | ||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | (266 | ) | 823 | (66 | ) | — | 491 | ||||||||||||
| Other income | 9 | 41 | — | (3 | ) | 47 | |||||||||||||
| Other deductions | — | (6 | ) | 1 | — | (5 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense and related charges | (257 | ) | (309 | ) | (9 | ) | 3 | (572 | ) | ||||||||||
| Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement | (79 | ) | — | — | — | (79 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investment | — | 17 | — | — | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | (593 | ) | 566 | (74 | ) | — | (101 | ) | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 282 | (284 | ) | 47 | — | 45 | |||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries, net of tax | 257 | (25 | ) | — | (232 | ) | — | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | (54 | ) | 257 | (27 | ) | (232 | ) | (56 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Vistra Energy | $ | (54 | ) | $ | 257 | $ | (25 | ) | $ | (232 | ) | $ | (54 | ) |
Condensed Statements of Consolidating Income (Loss)
for the Year Ended December 31, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
| Parent (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | $ | — | $ | 5,430 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5,430 | |||||||||
| Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees | — | (2,935 | ) | — | — | (2,935 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Operating costs | — | (973 | ) | — | — | (973 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | — | (699 | ) | — | — | (699 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (47 | ) | (553 | ) | — | — | (600 | ) | |||||||||||
| Impairment of long-lived assets | — | (25 | ) | — | — | (25 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | (47 | ) | 245 | — | — | 198 | |||||||||||||
| Other income | — | 37 | — | — | 37 | ||||||||||||||
| Other deductions | — | (5 | ) | — | — | (5 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Interest Income | 4 | (4 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Interest expense and related charges | — | (193 | ) | — | — | (193 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement | 213 | — | — | — | 213 | ||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 170 | 80 | — | — | 250 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) | 80 | (584 | ) | — | — | (504 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax | (504 | ) | — | — | 504 | — | |||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (254 | ) | $ | (504 | ) | $ | — | $ | 504 | $ | (254 | ) |
Condensed Statements of Consolidating Income (Loss)
for the Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016
(Millions of Dollars)
| Parent (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues | $ | — | $ | 1,191 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,191 | |||||||||
| Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees | — | (720 | ) | — | — | (720 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Operating costs | — | (208 | ) | — | — | (208 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | — | (216 | ) | — | — | (216 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (7 | ) | (201 | ) | — | — | (208 | ) | |||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | (7 | ) | (154 | ) | — | — | (161 | ) | |||||||||||
| Other income | — | 10 | — | — | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense and related charges | — | (60 | ) | — | — | (60 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement | (22 | ) | — | — | — | (22 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | (29 | ) | (204 | ) | — | — | (233 | ) | |||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (204 | ) | 274 | — | — | 70 | |||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries, net of tax | 70 | — | — | (70 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | (163 | ) | 70 | — | (70 | ) | (163 | ) |
Condensed Statements of Consolidating Comprehensive Income (Loss)
for the Year Ended December 31, 2018
(Millions of Dollars)
| Parent (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (54 | ) | $ | 257 | $ | (27 | ) | $ | (232 | ) | $ | (56 | ) | |||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax effects: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Effect related to pension and other retirement benefit obligations | — | (6 | ) | — | — | (6 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Adoption of accounting standard | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income | 1 | (6 | ) | — | — | (5 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | (53 | ) | 251 | (27 | ) | (232 | ) | (61 | ) | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Vistra Energy | $ | (53 | ) | $ | 251 | $ | (25 | ) | $ | (232 | ) | $ | (59 | ) |
Condensed Statements of Consolidating Comprehensive Income (Loss)
for the Year Ended December 31, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
| Parent (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (254 | ) | $ | (504 | ) | $ | — | $ | 504 | $ | (254 | ) | ||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax effects: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Effect related to pension and other retirement benefit obligations | (23 | ) | (29 | ) | — | 29 | (23 | ) | |||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income | (23 | ) | (29 | ) | — | 29 | (23 | ) | |||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (277 | ) | $ | (533 | ) | $ | — | $ | 533 | $ | (277 | ) |
Condensed Statements of Consolidating Comprehensive Income (Loss)
for the Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016
(Millions of Dollars)
| Parent (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (163 | ) | $ | 70 | $ | — | $ | (70 | ) | $ | (163 | ) | ||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax effects: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Effect related to pension and other retirement benefit obligations | 6 | 6 | — | (6 | ) | 6 | |||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income | 6 | 6 | — | (6 | ) | 6 | |||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | (157 | ) | 76 | — | (76 | ) | (157 | ) |
Condensed Statements of Consolidating Cash Flows
for the Year Ended December 31, 2018
(Millions of Dollars)
| Parent (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
| Cash flows — operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | (125 | ) | $ | 1,917 | $ | (321 | ) | $ | — | $ | 1,471 | |||||||
| Cash flows — financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances of long-term debt | — | 1,000 | — | — | 1,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Repayments/repurchases of debt | (4,543 | ) | 1,468 | — | — | (3,075 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Borrowings under accounts receivable securitization program | — | — | 339 | 339 | |||||||||||||||
| Cash dividend paid | — | (4,668 | ) | — | 4,668 | — | |||||||||||||
| Stock repurchase | (763 | ) | — | — | — | (763 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Debt tender offer and other financing fees | (179 | ) | (57 | ) | — | — | (236 | ) | |||||||||||
| Other, net | 12 | — | — | — | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (5,473 | ) | (2,257 | ) | 339 | 4,668 | (2,723 | ) | |||||||||||
| Cash flows — investing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | (24 | ) | (351 | ) | (3 | ) | — | (378 | ) | ||||||||||
| Nuclear fuel purchases | — | (118 | ) | — | — | (118 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Cash acquired in the Merger | — | 445 | — | — | 445 | ||||||||||||||
| Development and growth expenditures | — | (31 | ) | (3 | ) | — | (34 | ) | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities | — | 252 | — | — | 252 | ||||||||||||||
| Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities | — | (274 | ) | — | — | (274 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Dividend received from subsidiaries | 4,668 | (4,668 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||
| Other, net | (1 | ) | 7 | — | — | 6 | |||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 4,643 | (70 | ) | (6 | ) | (4,668 | ) | (101 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (955 | ) | (410 | ) | 12 | — | (1,353 | ) | |||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — beginning balance | 1,183 | 863 | — | — | 2,046 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — ending balance | $ | 228 | $ | 453 | $ | 12 | $ | — | $ | 693 |
Condensed Statements of Consolidating Cash Flows
for the Year Ended December 31, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
| Parent (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
| Cash flows — operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | (108 | ) | $ | 1,494 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,386 | ||||||||
| Cash flows — financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Repayments/repurchases of debt | — | (191 | ) | — | — | (191 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Cash dividend paid | — | (1,505 | ) | — | 1,505 | — | |||||||||||||
| Debt financing fees | — | (8 | ) | — | — | (8 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Other, net | — | (2 | ) | — | — | (2 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | — | (1,706 | ) | — | 1,505 | (201 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Cash flows — investing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | — | (114 | ) | — | — | (114 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Nuclear fuel purchases | — | (62 | ) | — | — | (62 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Development and growth expenditures | — | (190 | ) | — | — | (190 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Odessa acquisition | (330 | ) | (25 | ) | — | — | (355 | ) | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities | — | 252 | — | — | 252 | ||||||||||||||
| Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities | — | (272 | ) | — | — | (272 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Dividend received from subsidiaries | 1,505 | (1,505 | ) | — | |||||||||||||||
| Other, net | — | 14 | — | — | 14 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 1,175 | (397 | ) | — | (1,505 | ) | (727 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 1,067 | (609 | ) | — | — | 458 | |||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — beginning balance | 116 | 1,472 | — | — | 1,588 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — ending balance | $ | 1,183 | $ | 863 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,046 |
Condensed Statements of Consolidating Cash Flows
for the Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016
(Millions of Dollars)
| Parent (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
| Cash flows — operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | (36 | ) | $ | 117 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 81 | ||||||||
| Cash flows — financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances of long-term debt | — | 1,000 | — | — | 1,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash dividend paid | — | (997 | ) | — | 997 | — | |||||||||||||
| Special dividends | (992 | ) | — | — | — | (992 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Other, net | 1 | (3 | ) | — | — | (2 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (991 | ) | — | — | 997 | 6 | |||||||||||||
| Cash flows — investing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | — | (48 | ) | — | — | (48 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Nuclear fuel purchases | — | (41 | ) | — | — | (41 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities | — | 25 | — | — | 25 | ||||||||||||||
| Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities | — | (30 | ) | — | — | (30 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Dividend received from subsidiaries | 997 | — | — | (997 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| Other, net | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 997 | (93 | ) | — | (997 | ) | (93 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (30 | ) | 24 | — | — | (6 | ) | ||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — beginning balance | 146 | 1,448 | — | — | 1,594 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — ending balance | $ | 116 | $ | 1,472 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,588 |
| Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018 (Millions of Dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parent (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 171 | $ | 453 | $ | 12 | $ | — | $ | 636 | |||||||||
| Restricted cash | 57 | — | — | — | 57 | ||||||||||||||
| Advances to affiliates | 11 | 11 | — | (22 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| Trade accounts receivable — net | 4 | 729 | 464 | (110 | ) | 1,087 | |||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable — affiliates | — | 245 | — | (245 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| Notes due from affiliates | — | 101 | — | (101 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| Income taxes receivable | — | 1 | — | (1 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| Inventories | — | 391 | 21 | — | 412 | ||||||||||||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual assets | — | 730 | — | — | 730 | ||||||||||||||
| Margin deposits related to commodity contracts | — | 361 | — | — | 361 | ||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expense and other current assets | 2 | 134 | 16 | — | 152 | ||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | 245 | 3,156 | 513 | (479 | ) | 3,435 | |||||||||||||
| Investments | — | 1,218 | 32 | — | 1,250 | ||||||||||||||
| Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary | — | 131 | — | — | 131 | ||||||||||||||
| Investment in affiliated companies | 11,186 | 263 | — | (11,449 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment — net | 15 | 14,017 | 580 | — | 14,612 | ||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | — | 2,068 | — | — | 2,068 | ||||||||||||||
| Identifiable intangible assets — net | 10 | 2,480 | 3 | — | 2,493 | ||||||||||||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual assets | — | 109 | — | — | 109 | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated deferred income taxes | 809 | 599 | — | (72 | ) | 1,336 | |||||||||||||
| Other noncurrent assets | 255 | 330 | 5 | — | 590 | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 12,520 | $ | 24,371 | $ | 1,133 | $ | (12,000 | ) | $ | 26,024 | ||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable securitization program | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 339 | $ | — | $ | 339 | |||||||||
| Advances from affiliates | — | — | 22 | (22 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| Long-term debt due currently | 23 | 163 | 5 | — | 191 | ||||||||||||||
| Trade accounts payable | 2 | 928 | 121 | (106 | ) | 945 | |||||||||||||
| Accounts payable — affiliates | 236 | — | 9 | (245 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| Notes due to affiliates | — | — | 101 | (101 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities | — | 1,376 | — | — | 1,376 | ||||||||||||||
| Margin deposits related to commodity contracts | — | 4 | — | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued taxes | 11 | — | — | (1 | ) | 10 | |||||||||||||
| Accrued taxes other than income | — | 181 | 1 | — | 182 | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued interest | 48 | 29 | 4 | (4 | ) | 77 | |||||||||||||
| Asset retirement obligations | — | 156 | — | — | 156 | ||||||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 74 | 267 | 4 | — | 345 | ||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 394 | 3,104 | 606 | (479 | ) | 3,625 |
| Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018 (Millions of Dollars) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parent (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, less amounts due currently | 3,819 | 7,027 | 28 | — | 10,874 | ||||||||||||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities | — | 270 | — | — | 270 | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated deferred income taxes | — | — | 82 | (72 | ) | 10 | |||||||||||||
| Tax Receivable Agreement obligation | 420 | — | — | — | 420 | ||||||||||||||
| Asset retirement obligations | — | 2,203 | 14 | — | 2,217 | ||||||||||||||
| Identifiable intangible liabilities — net | — | 278 | 123 | — | 401 | ||||||||||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits | 20 | 303 | 17 | — | 340 | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 4,653 | 13,185 | 870 | (551 | ) | 18,157 | |||||||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 7,867 | 11,186 | 259 | (11,449 | ) | 7,863 | |||||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary | — | — | 4 | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 12,520 | $ | 24,371 | $ | 1,133 | $ | (12,000 | ) | $ | 26,024 |
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017
(Millions of Dollars)
| Parent (Issuer) | Guarantor Subsidiaries | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,124 | $ | 363 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,487 | |||||||||
| Restricted cash | 59 | — | — | — | 59 | ||||||||||||||
| Trade accounts receivable — net | 4 | 578 | — | — | 582 | ||||||||||||||
| Inventories | — | 253 | — | — | 253 | ||||||||||||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual assets | — | 190 | — | — | 190 | ||||||||||||||
| Margin deposits related to commodity contracts | — | 30 | — | — | 30 | ||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expense and other current assets | — | 72 | — | — | 72 | ||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | 1,187 | 1,486 | — | — | 2,673 | ||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash | — | 500 | — | — | 500 | ||||||||||||||
| Investments | — | 1,240 | — | — | 1,240 | ||||||||||||||
| Investment in affiliated companies | 5,632 | — | — | (5,632 | ) | — | |||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment — net | — | 4,820 | — | — | 4,820 | ||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | — | 1,907 | — | — | 1,907 | ||||||||||||||
| Identifiable intangible assets — net | — | 2,530 | — | — | 2,530 | ||||||||||||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual assets | — | 58 | — | — | 58 | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated deferred income taxes | 5 | 705 | — | — | 710 | ||||||||||||||
| Other noncurrent assets | 6 | 156 | — | — | 162 | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 6,830 | $ | 13,402 | $ | — | $ | (5,632 | ) | $ | 14,600 | ||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt due currently | — | 44 | — | — | 44 | ||||||||||||||
| Trade accounts payable | 11 | 462 | — | — | 473 | ||||||||||||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities | — | 224 | — | — | 224 | ||||||||||||||
| Margin deposits related to commodity contracts | — | 4 | — | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued taxes | 58 | — | — | — | 58 | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued taxes other than income | — | 136 | — | — | 136 | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued interest | — | 16 | — | — | 16 | ||||||||||||||
| Asset retirement obligations | — | 99 | — | — | 99 | ||||||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 86 | 211 | — | — | 297 | ||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 155 | 1,196 | — | — | 1,351 | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt, less amounts due currently | — | 4,379 | — | — | 4,379 | ||||||||||||||
| Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities | — | 102 | — | — | 102 | ||||||||||||||
| Tax Receivable Agreement obligation | 333 | — | — | — | 333 | ||||||||||||||
| Asset retirement obligations | — | 1,837 | — | — | 1,837 | ||||||||||||||
| Identifiable intangible liabilities — net | — | 36 | — | — | 36 | ||||||||||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits | — | 220 | — | — | 220 | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 488 | 7,770 | — | — | 8,258 | ||||||||||||||
| Total equity | 6,342 | 5,632 | — | (5,632 | ) | 6,342 | |||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 6,830 | $ | 13,402 | $ | — | $ | (5,632 | ) | $ | 14,600 |
Previous: Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK · Next: Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE