Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
         
Commission   Registrant; State of Incorporation;   I.R.S. Employer
File Number   Address; and Telephone Number   Identification No.
 
333-21011   FIRSTENERGY CORP.
(An Ohio Corporation)
76 South Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
Telephone (800)736
-3402
  34-1843785
         
000-53742   FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
(An Ohio Corporation)
c/o FirstEnergy Corp.
76 South Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
Telephone (800)736-3402
  31-1560186
         
1-2578   OHIO EDISON COMPANY
(An Ohio Corporation)
c/o FirstEnergy Corp.
76 South Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
Telephone (800)736
-3402
  34-0437786
         
1-2323   THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
(An Ohio Corporation)
c/o FirstEnergy Corp.
76 South Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
Telephone (800)736
-3402
  34-0150020
         
1-3583   THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
(An Ohio Corporation)
c/o FirstEnergy Corp.
76 South Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
Telephone (800)736
-3402
  34-4375005
         
1-3141   JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
(A New Jersey Corporation)
c/o FirstEnergy Corp.
76 South Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
Telephone (800)736
-3402
  21-0485010
         
1-446   METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY
(A Pennsylvania Corporation)
c/o FirstEnergy Corp.
76 South Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
Telephone (800)736
-3402
  23-0870160
         
1-3522   PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
(A Pennsylvania Corporation)
c/o FirstEnergy Corp.
76 South Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
Telephone (800)736
-3402
  25-0718085
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
     
Yes þ No o
 
FirstEnergy Corp., FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company and Pennsylvania Electric Company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
     
Yes þ No o
  FirstEnergy Corp.
     
Yes o No o
 
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company, and Pennsylvania Electric Company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
     
Large Accelerated Filer þ
  FirstEnergy Corp.
 
   
Accelerated Filer o
  N/A
 
   
Non-accelerated Filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) þ
 
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company and Pennsylvania Electric Company
     
Smaller Reporting Company o
  N/A
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
     
Yes o No þ
 
FirstEnergy Corp., FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company and Pennsylvania Electric Company
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
         
    OUTSTANDING  
CLASS   AS OF April 29, 2011  
FirstEnergy Corp., $.10 par value
    418,216,437  
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., no par value
    7  
Ohio Edison Company, no par value
    60  
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, no par value
    67,930,743  
The Toledo Edison Company, $5 par value
    29,402,054  
Jersey Central Power & Light Company, $10 par value
    13,628,447  
Metropolitan Edison Company, no par value
    740,905  
Pennsylvania Electric Company, $20 par value
    4,427,577  
FirstEnergy Corp. is the sole holder of FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company and Pennsylvania Electric Company common stock.
This combined Form 10-Q is separately filed by FirstEnergy Corp., FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company and Pennsylvania Electric Company. Information contained herein relating to any individual registrant is filed by such registrant on its own behalf. No registrant makes any representation as to information relating to any other registrant, except that information relating to any of the FirstEnergy subsidiary registrants is also attributed to FirstEnergy Corp.
FirstEnergy Web Site
Each of the registrants’ Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are also made available free of charge on or through FirstEnergy’s Internet web site at www.firstenergycorp.com.
These reports are posted on the web site as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with the SEC. Additionally, the registrants routinely post important information on FirstEnergy’s Internet web site and recognize FirstEnergy’s Internet web site as a channel of distribution to reach public investors and as a means of disclosing material non-public information for complying with disclosure obligations under SEC Regulation FD. Information contained on FirstEnergy’s Internet web site shall not be deemed incorporated into, or to be part of, this report.
OMISSION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo Edison Company, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Metropolitan Edison Company and Pennsylvania Electric Company meet the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and are therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format specified in General Instruction H(2) to Form 10-Q.
 
 

 

 


Table of Contents

Forward-Looking Statements: This Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. These statements include declarations regarding management’s intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms “anticipate,” “potential,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate” and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Actual results may differ materially due to:
 
The speed and nature of increased competition in the electric utility industry.
 
The impact of the regulatory process on the pending matters in the various states in which we do business including, but not limited to, matters related to rates.
 
The status of the PATH project in light of PJM’s direction to suspend work on the project pending review of its planning process, its re-evaluation of the need for the project and the uncertainty of the timing and amounts of any related capital expenditures.
 
Business and regulatory impacts from ATSI’s realignment into PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.
 
Economic or weather conditions affecting future sales and margins.
 
Changes in markets for energy services.
 
Changing energy and commodity market prices and availability.
 
Financial derivative reforms that could increase our liquidity needs and collateral costs.
 
Replacement power costs being higher than anticipated or inadequately hedged.
 
The continued ability of FirstEnergy’s regulated utilities to collect transition and other costs.
 
Operation and maintenance costs being higher than anticipated.
 
Other legislative and regulatory changes, and revised environmental requirements, including possible GHG emission, water intake and coal combustion residual regulations, the potential impacts of any laws, rules or regulations that ultimately replace CAIR and the effects of the EPA’s recently released MACT proposal to establish certain mercury and other emission standards for electric generating units.
 
The uncertainty of the timing and amounts of the capital expenditures that may arise in connection with any NSR litigation or potential regulatory initiatives or rulemakings (including that such expenditures could result in our decision to shut down or idle certain generating units).
 
Adverse regulatory or legal decisions and outcomes (including, but not limited to, the revocation of necessary licenses or operating permits) and oversight by the NRC, including as a result of the incident at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant.
 
Adverse legal decisions and outcomes related to Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s transmission service charge appeal at the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.
 
The continuing availability of generating units and changes in their ability to operate at or near full capacity.
 
The ability to comply with applicable state and federal reliability standards and energy efficiency mandates.
 
Changes in customers’ demand for power, including but not limited to, changes resulting from the implementation of state and federal energy efficiency mandates.
 
The ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic goals.
 
Efforts and our ability to improve electric commodity margins and the impact of, among other factors, the increased cost of coal and coal transportation on such margins.
 
The ability to experience growth in the distribution business.
 
The changing market conditions that could affect the value of assets held in the registrants’ nuclear decommissioning trusts, pension trusts and other trust funds, and cause FirstEnergy to make additional contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger than currently anticipated.

 

 


Table of Contents

 
The ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with FirstEnergy’s financing plan, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting the registrants and other FirstEnergy subsidiaries.
 
Changes in general economic conditions affecting the registrants and other FirstEnergy subsidiaries.
 
Interest rates and any actions taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect the registrants’ access to financing or their costs and increase requirements to post additional collateral to support outstanding commodity positions, LOCs and other financial guarantees.
 
The continuing uncertainty of the national and regional economy and its impact on the registrants’ major industrial and commercial customers and those of other FirstEnergy subsidiaries.
 
Issues concerning the soundness of financial institutions and counterparties with which the registrants and FirstEnergy’s other subsidiaries do business.
 
Issues arising from the recently completed merger of FirstEnergy and Allegheny Energy, Inc. and the ongoing coordination of their combined operations including FirstEnergy’s ability to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers, as well as the ability to successfully integrate the businesses and realize cost savings and any other synergies and the risk that the credit ratings of the combined company or its subsidiaries may be different from what the companies expect.
 
The risks and other factors discussed from time to time in the registrants’ SEC filings, and other similar factors.
Dividends declared from time to time on FirstEnergy’s common stock during any annual period may in aggregate vary from the indicated amount due to circumstances considered by FirstEnergy’s Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
The foregoing review of factors should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on the registrants’ business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The registrants expressly disclaim any current intention to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
    Page  
 
       
       
 
       
  iii-v  
 
       
       
 
       
FirstEnergy Corp.
       
 
       
    1  
 
       
    2  
 
       
    3  
 
       
    4  
 
       
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.
       
 
       
    5  
 
       
    6  
 
       
    7  
 
       
Ohio Edison Company
       
 
       
    8  
 
       
    9  
 
       
    10  
 
       
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
       
 
       
    11  
 
       
    12  
 
       
    13  
 
       
The Toledo Edison Company
       
 
       
    14  
 
       
    15  
 
       
    16  
 
       
Jersey Central Power & Light Company
       
 
       
    17  
 
       
    18  
 
       
    19  
 
       
Metropolitan Edison Company
       
 
       
    20  
 
       
    21  
 
       
    22  
 
       
Pennsylvania Electric Company
       
 
       
    23  
 
       
    24  
 
       
    25  

 

i


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont’d)
         
    Page  
 
       
    26  
 
       
    78  
 
       
Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations
       
 
       
    117  
 
       
    120  
 
       
    122  
 
       
    124  
 
       
    126  
 
       
    128  
 
       
    130  
 
       
    132  
 
       
    132  
 
       
       
 
       
    133  
 
       
    133  
 
       
    134  
 
       
    135  
 
       
    136  
 
       
 Exhibit 10.1
 Exhibit 10.5
 Exhibit 10.6
 Exhibit 10.7
 Exhibit 10.8
 Exhibit 10.9
 Exhibit 10.10
 Exhibit 12
 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32
 EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
 EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

 

ii


Table of Contents

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The following abbreviations and acronyms are used in this report to identify FirstEnergy Corp. and its current and former subsidiaries:
     
AE
  Allegheny Energy, Inc., a Maryland utility holding company that merged with a subsidiary of FirstEnergy on February 25, 2011
AESC
  Allegheny Energy Service Corporation, a subsidiary of AE
AE Supply
  Allegheny Energy Supply Company LLC, an unregulated generation subsidiary of AE
AGC
  Allegheny Generating Company, a generation subsidiary of AE
Allegheny
  Allegheny Energy, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries
AVE
  Allegheny Ventures, Inc.
ATSI
  American Transmission Systems, Incorporated, which owns and operates transmission facilities
CEI
  The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, an Ohio electric utility operating subsidiary
FENOC
  FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company, which operates nuclear generating facilities
FES
  FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., which provides energy-related products and services
FESC
  FirstEnergy Service Company, which provides legal, financial and other corporate support services
FEV
  FirstEnergy Ventures Corp., which invests in certain unregulated enterprises and business ventures
FGCO
  FirstEnergy Generation Corp., which owns and operates non-nuclear generating facilities
FirstEnergy
  FirstEnergy Corp., a public utility holding company
Global Rail
  A joint venture between FEV and WMB Loan Ventures II LLC, that owns coal transportation operations near Roundup, Montana
GPU
  GPU, Inc., former parent of JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec, that merged with FirstEnergy on November 7, 2001
JCP&L
  Jersey Central Power & Light Company, a New Jersey electric utility operating subsidiary
Met-Ed
  Metropolitan Edison Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary
MP
  Monongahela Power Company, a West Virginia electric utility operating subsidiary of AE
NGC
  FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation Corp., owns nuclear generating facilities
OE
  Ohio Edison Company, an Ohio electric utility operating subsidiary
Ohio Companies
  CEI, OE and TE
PATH
  Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline LLC, a joint venture between Allegheny and a subsidiary of American Electric Power Company, Inc.
PATH-VA
  PATH Allegheny Virginia Transmission Corporation
PE
  The Potomac Edison Company, a Maryland electric operating subsidiary of AE
Penelec
  Pennsylvania Electric Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary
Penn
  Pennsylvania Power Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary of OE
Pennsylvania Companies
  Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn and WP
PNBV
  PNBV Capital Trust, a special purpose entity created by OE in 1996
Shippingport
  Shippingport Capital Trust, a special purpose entity created by CEI and TE in 1997
Signal Peak
  A joint venture between FEV and WMB Loan Ventures LLC, that owns mining operations near Roundup, Montana
TE
  The Toledo Edison Company, an Ohio electric utility operating subsidiary
TrAIL
  Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company
Utilities
  OE, CEI, TE, Penn, JCP&L, Met-Ed, Penelec, MP, PE and WP
Utility Registrants
  OE, CEI, TE, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec
WP
  West Penn Power Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary of AE
The following abbreviations and acronyms are used to identify frequently used terms in this report:
     
ALJ
  Administrative Law Judge
AOCL
  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
AEP
  American Electric Power
AQC
  Air Quality Control
ARO
  Asset Retirement Obligation
BGS
  Basic Generation Service
CAA
  Clean Air Act
CAIR
  Clean Air Interstate Rule
CAMR
  Clean Air Mercury Rule
CATR
  Clean Air Transport Rule
CBP
  Competitive Bid Process
CDWR
  California Department of Water Resources
CO2
  Carbon Dioxide
CTC
  Competitive Transition Charge

 

iii


Table of Contents

GLOSSARY OF TERMS, Cont’d.
     
DCPD
  Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors
DOE
  United States Department of Energy
DOJ
  United States Department of Justice
DPA
  Department of the Public Advocate, Division of Rate Counsel (New Jersey)
DSP
  Default Service Plan
EDCP
  Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
EE&C
  Energy Efficiency and Conservation
EIS
  Energy Insurance Services, Inc.
EMP
  Energy Master Plan
ENEC
  Expanded Net Energy Cost
EPA
  United States Environmental Protection Agency
ESOP
  Employee Stock Ownership Plan
ESP
  Electric Security Plan
FASB
  Financial Accounting Standards Board
FERC
  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FMB
  First Mortgage Bond
FPA
  Federal Power Act
FRR
  Fixed Resource Requirement
FTRs
  Financial Transmission Rights
GAAP
  Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States
RGGI
  Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
GHG
  Greenhouse Gases
IRS
  Internal Revenue Service
JOA
  Joint Operating Agreement
kV
  Kilovolt
KWH
  Kilowatt-hours
LED
  Light-Emitting Diode
LOC
  Letter of Credit
LTIP
  Long-Term Incentive Plan
MACT
  Maximum Achievable Control Technology
MDPSC
  Maryland Public Service Commission
MEIUG
  Met-Ed Industrial Users Group
MISO
  Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.
Moody’s
  Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
MRO
  Market Rate Offer
MSHA
  Mine Safety and Health Administration
MTEP
  MISO Regional Transmission Expansion Plan
MW
  Megawatts
MWH
  Megawatt-hours
NAAQS
  National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NDT
  Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts
NERC
  North American Electric Reliability Corporation
NJBPU
  New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
NNSR
  Non-Attainment New Source Review
NOAC
  Northwest Ohio Aggregation Coalition
NOPEC
  Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council
NOV
  Notice of Violation
NOX
  Nitrogen Oxide
NRC
  Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NSR
  New Source Review
NUG
  Non-Utility Generation
NUGC
  Non-Utility Generation Charge
NYSEG
  New York State Electric and Gas
OCC
  Ohio Consumers’ Counsel
OCI
  Other Comprehensive Income
OPEB
  Other Post-Employment Benefits
OVEC
  Ohio Valley Electric Corporation
PADEP
  Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
PCRB
  Pollution Control Revenue Bond
PICA
  Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority
PJM
  PJM Interconnection L. L. C.
POLR
  Provider of Last Resort; an electric utility’s obligation to provide generation service to customers Whose alternative supplier fails to deliver service
PPUC
  Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

 

iv


Table of Contents

GLOSSARY OF TERMS, Cont’d.
     
PSCWV
  Public Service Commission of West Virginia
PSA
  Power Supply Agreement
PSD
  Prevention of Significant Deterioration
PUCO
  Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
PURPA
  Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
RECs
  Renewable Energy Credits
RFP
  Request for Proposal
RGGI
  Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
RTEP
  Regional Transmission Expansion Plan
RTC
  Regulatory Transition Charge
RTO
  Regional Transmission Organization
S&P
  Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service
SB221
  Amended Substitute Senate Bill 221
SBC
  Societal Benefits Charge
SEC
  U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
SIP
  State Implementation Plan(s) Under the Clean Air Act
SMIP
  Smart Meter Implementation Plan
SNCR
  Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction
SO2
  Sulfur Dioxide
SOS
  Standard Offer Service
TBC
  Transition Bond Charge
TDS
  Total Dissolved Solid
TMDL
  Total Maximum Daily Load
TMI-2
  Three Mile Island Unit 2
TSC
  Transmission Service Charge
VIE
  Variable Interest Entity
VSCC
  Virginia State Corporation Commission
WVDEP
  West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
WVPSC
  Public Service Commission of West Virginia

 

v


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
In millions, except per share amounts   2011     2010  
 
               
REVENUES:
               
Electric utilities
  $ 2,332     $ 2,543  
Unregulated businesses
    1,244       756  
 
           
Total revenues*
    3,576       3,299  
 
           
 
               
EXPENSES:
               
Fuel
    453       334  
Purchased power
    1,186       1,238  
Other operating expenses
    1,033       701  
Provision for depreciation
    220       193  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    132       212  
General taxes
    237       205  
 
           
Total expenses
    3,261       2,883  
 
           
 
               
OPERATING INCOME
    315       416  
 
           
 
               
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
               
Investment income
    21       16  
Interest expense
    (231 )     (213 )
Capitalized interest
    18       41  
 
           
Total other expense
    (192 )     (156 )
 
           
 
               
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    123       260  
 
               
INCOME TAXES
    78       111  
 
           
 
               
NET INCOME
    45       149  
 
               
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
    (5 )     (6 )
 
           
 
               
EARNINGS AVAILABLE TO FIRSTENERGY CORP.
  $ 50     $ 155  
 
           
 
               
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
  $ 0.15     $ 0.51  
 
           
 
               
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF BASIC SHARES OUTSTANDING
    342       304  
 
           
 
               
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
  $ 0.15     $ 0.51  
 
           
 
               
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING
    343       306  
 
           
 
               
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
  $ 0.55     $ 0.55  
 
           
     
*  
Includes $119 and $109 million of excise tax collections in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

1


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In millions)   2011     2010  
 
               
NET INCOME
  $ 45     $ 149  
 
           
 
               
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
               
Pension and other postretirement benefits
    19       13  
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative hedges
    (6 )     4  
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities
    9       6  
 
           
Other comprehensive income
    22       23  
Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income
    1       7  
 
           
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
    21       16  
 
           
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
    66       165  
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
    (5 )     (6 )
 
           
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AVAILABLE TO FIRSTENERGY CORP.
  $ 71     $ 171  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

2


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
(In millions)   2011     2010  
ASSETS
               
 
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,101     $ 1,019  
Receivables-
               
Customers, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $38 in 2011 and $36 in 2010
    1,636       1,392  
Other, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $10 in 2011 and $8 in 2010
    229       176  
Materials and supplies
    852       638  
Prepaid taxes
    241       199  
Derivatives
    377       182  
Other
    210       92  
 
           
 
    4,646       3,698  
 
           
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
               
In service
    38,168       29,451  
Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
    11,345       11,180  
 
           
 
    26,823       18,271  
Construction work in progress
    2,322       1,517  
Property, plant and equipment held for sale, net
    490        
 
           
 
    29,635       19,788  
 
           
INVESTMENTS:
               
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    2,018       1,973  
Investments in lease obligation bonds
    422       476  
Nuclear fuel disposal trust
    207       208  
Other
    434       345  
 
           
 
    3,081       3,002  
 
           
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Goodwill
    6,527       5,575  
Regulatory assets
    2,084       1,826  
Intangible assets
    1,075       256  
Other
    818       660  
 
           
 
    10,504       8,317  
 
           
 
  $ 47,866     $ 34,805  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
 
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 1,385     $ 1,486  
Short-term borrowings
    486       700  
Accounts payable
    1,080       872  
Accrued taxes
    412       326  
Accrued compensation and benefits
    312       315  
Derivatives
    425       266  
Other
    1,062       733  
 
           
 
    5,162       4,698  
 
           
CAPITALIZATION:
               
Common stockholders’ equity-
               
Common stock, $0.10 par value, authorized 490,000,000 shares- 418,216,437 shares outstanding
    42       31  
Other paid-in capital
    9,779       5,444  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (1,518 )     (1,539 )
Retained earnings
    4,426       4,609  
 
           
Total common stockholders’ equity
    12,729       8,545  
Noncontrolling interest
    (40 )     (32 )
 
           
Total equity
    12,689       8,513  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    17,535       12,579  
 
           
 
    30,224       21,092  
 
           
 
               
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    4,832       2,879  
Retirement benefits
    2,313       1,868  
Asset retirement obligations
    1,443       1,407  
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction
    951       959  
Power purchase contract liability
    606       466  
Other
    2,335       1,436  
 
           
 
    12,480       9,015  
 
           
COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
               
 
  $ 47,866     $ 34,805  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In millions)   2011     2010  
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net Income
  $ 45     $ 149  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
               
Provision for depreciation
    220       193  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    132       212  
Nuclear fuel and lease amortization
    47       41  
Deferred purchased power and other costs
    (58 )     (77 )
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    171       59  
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability
    (15 )     (17 )
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    (13 )     (81 )
Commodity derivative transactions, net
    (25 )     33  
Pension trust contribution
    (157 )      
Asset impairments
    31       12  
Cash collateral paid
    (28 )     (46 )
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
               
Receivables
    164       2  
Materials and supplies
    40       (42 )
Prepayments and other current assets
    118       33  
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
               
Accounts payable
    (90 )     (57 )
Accrued taxes
    (182 )     7  
Accrued interest
    76       66  
Other
    15       19  
 
           
Net cash provided from operating activities
    491       506  
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
New financing-
               
Long-term debt
    217        
Redemptions and repayments-
               
Long-term debt
    (359 )     (109 )
Short-term borrowings, net
    (214 )     (295 )
Common stock dividend payments
    (190 )     (168 )
Other
    (4 )     (22 )
 
           
Net cash used for financing activities
    (550 )     (594 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Property additions
    (449 )     (508 )
Proceeds from asset sales
          114  
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    969       733  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    (993 )     (755 )
Customer acquisition costs
    (1 )     (101 )
Cash investments
    47       49  
Cash received in Allegheny merger
    590        
Other
    (22 )     (8 )
 
           
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
    141       (476 )
 
           
 
               
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    82       (564 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    1,019       874  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 1,101     $ 310  
 
           
 
               
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
               
Non-cash transaction: merger with Allegheny, common stock issued
  $ 4,354     $  
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               
REVENUES:
               
Electric sales to non-affiliates
  $ 1,044,490     $ 668,685  
Electric sales to affiliates
    260,874       607,302  
Other
    85,724       112,106  
 
           
Total revenues
    1,391,088       1,388,093  
 
           
 
               
EXPENSES:
               
Fuel
    343,109       328,221  
Purchased power from affiliates
    68,743       60,953  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    296,938       450,216  
Other operating expenses
    495,935       304,510  
Provision for depreciation
    68,452       62,918  
General taxes
    29,105       26,746  
Impairment of long-lived assets
    13,800       1,833  
 
           
Total expenses
    1,316,082       1,235,397  
 
           
 
               
OPERATING INCOME
    75,006       152,696  
 
           
 
               
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
               
Investment income
    5,861       717  
Miscellaneous income
    19,241       3,143  
Interest expense — affiliates
    (1,017 )     (2,305 )
Interest expense — other
    (52,960 )     (49,644 )
Capitalized interest
    9,919       19,690  
 
           
Total other expense
    (18,956 )     (28,399 )
 
           
 
               
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    56,050       124,297  
 
               
INCOME TAXES
    20,116       44,371  
 
           
 
               
NET INCOME
    35,934       79,926  
 
           
 
               
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
    (76 )      
 
           
 
               
EARNINGS AVAILABLE TO PARENT
  $ 36,010     $ 79,926  
 
           
 
               
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
               
 
               
NET INCOME
  $ 35,934     $ 79,926  
 
           
 
               
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
               
Pension and other postretirement benefits
    1,512       (9,834 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative hedges
    (8,879 )     1,274  
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities
    7,807       5,028  
 
           
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    440       (3,532 )
Income tax benefit related to other comprehensive income
    (2,362 )     (1,340 )
 
           
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    2,802       (2,192 )
 
           
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
    38,736       77,734  
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
    (76 )      
 
           
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT
  $ 38,812     $ 77,734  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
ASSETS
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 6,839     $ 9,281  
Receivables-
               
Customers, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $18,636 in 2011 and $16,591 in 2010
    388,951       365,758  
Associated companies
    533,280       477,565  
Other, net of allowances for uncollectible accounts of $6,702 in 2011 and $6,765 in 2010
    86,711       89,550  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    478,418       396,770  
Materials and supplies, at average cost
    488,997       545,342  
Derivatives
    328,156       181,660  
Prepayments and other
    50,938       60,171  
 
           
 
    2,362,290       2,126,097  
 
           
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
               
In service
    11,239,565       11,321,318  
Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
    4,107,542       4,024,280  
 
           
 
    7,132,023       7,297,038  
Construction work in progress
    756,305       1,062,744  
Property, plant and equipment held for sale, net
    476,602        
 
           
 
    8,364,930       8,359,782  
 
           
INVESTMENTS:
               
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    1,159,903       1,145,846  
Other
    9,744       11,704  
 
           
 
    1,169,647       1,157,550  
 
           
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Customer intangibles
    131,870       133,968  
Goodwill
    24,248       24,248  
Property taxes
    41,112       41,112  
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs
    90,803       73,386  
Derivatives
    211,223       97,603  
Other
    53,057       48,689  
 
           
 
    552,313       419,006  
 
           
 
  $ 12,449,180     $ 12,062,435  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 986,863     $ 1,132,135  
Short-term borrowings-
               
Associated companies
    360,543       11,561  
Other
    661        
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    499,936       466,623  
Other
    189,144       241,191  
Accrued taxes
    66,493       70,129  
Derivatives
    380,744       266,411  
Other
    224,525       251,671  
 
           
 
    2,708,909       2,439,721  
 
           
CAPITALIZATION:
               
Common stockholders’ equity-
               
Common stock, without par value, authorized 750 shares- 7 shares outstanding
    1,487,565       1,490,082  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (117,612 )     (120,414 )
Retained earnings
    2,454,587       2,418,577  
 
           
Total common stockholders’ equity
    3,824,540       3,788,245  
Noncontrolling interest
    16       (504 )
 
           
Total equity
    3,824,556       3,787,741  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    3,144,997       3,180,875  
 
           
 
    6,969,553       6,968,616  
 
           
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction
    950,726       959,154  
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    117,503       57,595  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
    53,181       54,224  
Asset retirement obligations
    866,643       892,051  
Retirement benefits
    289,285       285,160  
Property taxes
    41,112       41,112  
Lease market valuation liability
    205,366       216,695  
Derivatives
    168,409       81,393  
Other
    78,493       66,714  
 
           
 
    2,770,718       2,654,098  
 
           
COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
               
 
  $ 12,449,180     $ 12,062,435  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net Income
  $ 35,934     $ 79,926  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
               
Provision for depreciation
    68,452       62,918  
Nuclear fuel and lease amortization
    46,653       42,118  
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability
    (38,759 )     (40,869 )
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    61,268       37,773  
Asset impairments
    18,791       11,439  
Commodity derivative transactions, net
    (35,293 )     32,900  
Cash collateral paid
    (27,063 )     (21,411 )
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
               
Receivables
    (76,069 )     (158,288 )
Materials and supplies
    60,633       (8,700 )
Prepayments and other current assets
    8,728       13,516  
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
               
Accounts payable
    (18,734 )     (41,057 )
Accrued taxes
    (3,164 )     (16,300 )
Accrued interest
    (11,845 )     (14,930 )
Other
    4,093       12,069  
 
           
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities
    93,625       (8,896 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
New financing-
               
Long-term debt
    150,190        
Short-term borrowings, net
    349,643        
Redemptions and repayments-
               
Long-term debt
    (331,428 )     (1,278 )
Short-term borrowings, net
          (9,237 )
Other
    (1,017 )     (731 )
 
           
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
    167,388       (11,246 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Property additions
    (159,006 )     (301,603 )
Proceeds from asset sales
          114,272  
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    215,620       272,094  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    (230,912 )     (284,888 )
Loans from (to) associated companies, net
    (81,647 )     321,680  
Customer acquisition costs
    (1,103 )     (100,615 )
Other
    (6,407 )     (799 )
 
           
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
    (263,455 )     20,141  
 
           
 
               
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (2,442 )     (1 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    9,281       12  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 6,839     $ 11  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

7


Table of Contents

OHIO EDISON COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               
 
               
REVENUES:
               
Electric sales
  $ 363,831     $ 479,925  
Excise and gross receipts tax collections
    28,195       28,475  
 
           
Total revenues
    392,026       508,400  
 
           
 
               
EXPENSES:
               
Purchased power from affiliates
    93,262       153,677  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    60,379       94,231  
Other operating costs
    101,462       88,855  
Provision for depreciation
    21,876       21,880  
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    774       29,345  
General taxes
    49,426       47,492  
 
           
Total expenses
    327,179       435,480  
 
           
 
               
OPERATING INCOME
    64,847       72,920  
 
           
 
               
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
               
Investment income
    4,308       5,244  
Miscellaneous income (expense)
    290       (292 )
Interest expense
    (22,145 )     (22,310 )
Capitalized interest
    331       208  
 
           
Total other expense
    (17,216 )     (17,150 )
 
           
 
               
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    47,631       55,770  
 
               
INCOME TAXES
    17,491       19,609  
 
           
 
               
NET INCOME
    30,140       36,161  
 
           
 
               
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    116       132  
 
           
 
               
EARNINGS AVAILABLE TO PARENT
  $ 30,024     $ 36,029  
 
           
 
               
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
               
 
               
NET INCOME
  $ 30,140     $ 36,161  
 
           
 
               
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
               
Pension and other postretirement benefits
    339       4,015  
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities
    (22 )     291  
 
           
Other comprehensive income
    317       4,306  
Income tax expense (benefit) related to other comprehensive income
    (1,496 )     693  
 
           
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
    1,813       3,613  
 
           
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
    31,953       39,774  
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
    116       132  
 
           
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AVAILABLE TO PARENT
  $ 31,837     $ 39,642  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

8


Table of Contents

OHIO EDISON COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
ASSETS
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 345,030     $ 420,489  
Receivables-
               
Customers (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $3,774 in 2011 and $4,086 in 2010)
    158,146       176,591  
Associated companies
    74,125       118,135  
Other
    17,290       12,232  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    16,762       16,957  
Prepayments and other
    29,366       6,393  
 
           
 
    640,719       750,797  
 
           
UTILITY PLANT:
               
In service
    3,156,648       3,136,623  
Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
    1,217,827       1,207,745  
 
           
 
    1,938,821       1,928,878  
Construction work in progress
    48,302       45,103  
 
           
 
    1,987,123       1,973,981  
 
           
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
               
Investment in lease obligation bonds
    190,340       190,420  
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    126,826       127,017  
Other
    94,604       95,563  
 
           
 
    411,770       413,000  
 
           
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Regulatory assets
    385,005       400,322  
Pension assets
    59,104       28,596  
Property taxes
    71,331       71,331  
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs
    28,877       30,126  
Other
    16,007       17,634  
 
           
 
    560,324       548,009  
 
           
 
  $ 3,599,936     $ 3,685,787  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 1,424     $ 1,419  
Short-term borrowings-
               
Associated companies
    103,071       142,116  
Other
    320       320  
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    96,003       99,421  
Other
    25,515       29,639  
Accrued taxes
    68,415       78,707  
Accrued interest
    25,334       25,382  
Other
    105,315       74,947  
 
           
 
    425,397       451,951  
 
           
CAPITALIZATION:
               
Common stockholders’ equity-
               
Common stock, without par value, authorized 175,000,000 shares- 60 shares outstanding
    951,802       951,866  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (177,263 )     (179,076 )
Retained earnings
    71,645       141,621  
 
           
Total common stockholders’ equity
    846,184       914,411  
Noncontrolling interest
    5,796       5,680  
 
           
Total equity
    851,980       920,091  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    1,152,171       1,152,134  
 
           
 
    2,004,151       2,072,225  
 
           
 
               
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    719,979       696,410  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
    9,799       10,159  
Retirement benefits
    182,461       183,712  
Asset retirement obligations
    69,793       74,456  
Other
    188,356       196,874  
 
           
 
    1,170,388       1,161,611  
 
           
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
               
 
  $ 3,599,936     $ 3,685,787  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

9


Table of Contents

OHIO EDISON COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net Income
  $ 30,140     $ 36,161  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
               
Provision for depreciation
    21,876       21,880  
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    774       29,345  
Purchased power cost recovery reconciliation
    (4,926 )     (5,908 )
Amortization of lease costs
    32,933       32,934  
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    26,682       (2,489 )
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    (7,944 )     (12,160 )
Pension trust contribution
    (27,000 )      
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
               
Receivables
    82,291       65,141  
Prepayments and other current assets
    (22,973 )     (21,802 )
Decrease in operating liabilities-
               
Accounts payable
    (19,625 )     (35,461 )
Accrued taxes
    (10,305 )     (15,849 )
Accrued interest
    (48 )     (226 )
Other
    2,438       9,647  
 
           
Net cash provided from operating activities
    104,313       101,213  
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Redemptions and repayments-
               
Long-term debt
    (110 )     (1,363 )
Short-term borrowings, net
    (39,045 )     (92,863 )
Common stock dividend payments
    (100,000 )     (250,000 )
Other
          (113 )
 
           
Net cash used for financing activities
    (139,155 )     (344,339 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Property additions
    (37,651 )     (35,680 )
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    7,972       2,424  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    (8,896 )     (2,971 )
Loan repayments from associated companies, net
    195       14,469  
Cash investments
    (136 )     (384 )
Other
    (2,101 )     1,773  
 
           
Net cash used for investing activities
    (40,617 )     (20,369 )
 
           
 
               
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (75,459 )     (263,495 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    420,489       324,175  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 345,030     $ 60,680  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

10


Table of Contents

THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               
REVENUES:
               
Electric sales
  $ 206,742     $ 312,497  
Excise tax collections
    18,145       17,573  
 
           
Total revenues
    224,887       330,070  
 
           
 
               
EXPENSES:
               
Purchased power from affiliates
    46,168       109,393  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    18,220       37,398  
Other operating expenses
    35,036       31,235  
Provision for depreciation
    18,426       18,111  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    23,370       45,139  
General taxes
    40,212       38,489  
 
           
Total expenses
    181,432       279,765  
 
           
 
               
OPERATING INCOME
    43,455       50,305  
 
           
 
               
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
               
Investment income
    6,597       7,547  
Miscellaneous income
    636       581  
Interest expense
    (33,078 )     (33,621 )
Capitalized interest
    27       26  
 
           
Total other expense
    (25,818 )     (25,467 )
 
           
 
               
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    17,637       24,838  
 
               
INCOME TAXES
    4,436       10,843  
 
           
 
               
NET INCOME
    13,201       13,995  
 
           
 
               
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    366       419  
 
           
 
               
EARNINGS AVAILABLE TO PARENT
  $ 12,835     $ 13,576  
 
           
 
               
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
               
 
               
NET INCOME
  $ 13,201     $ 13,995  
 
           
 
               
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
               
Pension and other postretirement benefits
    2,967       (22,585 )
Income tax benefit related to other comprehensive income
    (462 )     (8,277 )
 
           
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    3,429       (14,308 )
 
           
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
    16,630       (313 )
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
    366       419  
 
           
 
               
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO PARENT
  $ 16,264     $ (732 )
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

11


Table of Contents

THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
ASSETS
               
 
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 30,244     $ 238  
Receivables-
               
Customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,018 in 2011 and $4,589 in 2010, respectively)
    107,418       183,744  
Associated companies
    34,819       77,047  
Other
    4,848       11,544  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    22,704       23,236  
Prepayments and other
    13,894       3,656  
 
           
 
    213,927       299,465  
 
           
UTILITY PLANT:
               
In service
    2,407,827       2,396,893  
Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
    937,105       932,246  
 
           
 
    1,470,722       1,464,647  
Construction work in progress
    48,572       38,610  
 
           
 
    1,519,294       1,503,257  
 
           
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
               
Investment in lessor notes
    286,747       340,029  
Other
    10,035       10,074  
 
           
 
    296,782       350,103  
 
           
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Goodwill
    1,688,521       1,688,521  
Regulatory assets
    337,189       370,403  
Property taxes
    80,614       80,614  
Other
    11,176       11,486  
 
           
 
    2,117,500       2,151,024  
 
           
 
  $ 4,147,503     $ 4,303,849  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
 
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 174     $ 161  
Short-term borrowings-
               
Associated companies
    23,303       105,996  
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    43,564       32,020  
Other
    8,811       14,947  
Accrued taxes
    75,771       84,668  
Accrued interest
    39,256       18,555  
Other
    40,862       44,569  
 
           
 
    231,741       300,916  
 
           
CAPITALIZATION:
               
Common stockholder’s equity-
               
Common stock, without par value, authorized 105,000,000 shares- 67,930,743 shares outstanding
    886,995       887,087  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (149,758 )     (153,187 )
Retained earnings
    531,741       568,906  
 
           
Total common stockholder’s equity
    1,268,978       1,302,806  
Noncontrolling interest
    14,886       18,017  
 
           
Total equity
    1,283,864       1,320,823  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    1,831,011       1,852,530  
 
           
 
    3,114,875       3,173,353  
 
           
 
               
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    631,507       622,771  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
    10,784       10,994  
Retirement benefits
    60,682       95,654  
Other
    97,914       100,161  
 
           
 
    800,887       829,580  
 
           
COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
               
 
  $ 4,147,503     $ 4,303,849  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

12


Table of Contents

THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net Income
  $ 13,201     $ 13,995  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
               
Provision for depreciation
    18,426       18,111  
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    23,370       45,139  
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    4,140       (13,627 )
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    2,158       2,282  
Accrued regulatory obligations
    (863 )     (26 )
Pension trust contribution
    (35,000 )      
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
               
Receivables
    136,887       70,633  
Prepayments and other current assets
    (10,236 )     (9,133 )
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
               
Accounts payable
    5,408       (14,387 )
Accrued taxes
    (8,898 )     (16,616 )
Accrued interest
    20,701       20,795  
Other
    (3,870 )     (2,636 )
 
           
Net cash provided from operating activities
    165,424       114,530  
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Redemptions and repayments-
               
Long-term debt
    (36 )     (26 )
Short-term borrowings, net
    (104,228 )     (126,334 )
Common stock dividend payments
    (50,000 )     (100,000 )
Other
    (3,497 )     (3,365 )
 
           
Net cash used for financing activities
    (157,761 )     (229,725 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Property additions
    (29,334 )     (19,735 )
Loans to associated companies, net
    532       1,426  
Redemptions of lessor notes
    53,282       48,606  
Other
    (2,137 )     (1,085 )
 
           
Net cash provided from investing activities
    22,343       29,212  
 
           
 
               
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    30,006       (85,983 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    238       86,230  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 30,244     $ 247  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

13


Table of Contents

THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               
 
               
REVENUES:
               
Electric sales
  $ 106,325     $ 125,431  
Excise tax collections
    7,302       7,041  
 
           
Total revenues
    113,627       132,472  
 
           
 
               
EXPENSES:
               
Purchased power from affiliates
    35,517       54,618  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    13,988       18,491  
Other operating expenses
    36,587       25,545  
Provision for depreciation
    7,931       7,950  
Deferral of regulatory assets, net
    (11,478 )     (8,499 )
General taxes
    14,452       13,461  
 
           
Total expenses
    96,997       111,566  
 
           
 
               
OPERATING INCOME
    16,630       20,906  
 
           
 
               
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
               
Investment income
    2,922       3,800  
Miscellaneous expense
    (1,629 )     (1,406 )
Interest expense
    (10,443 )     (10,487 )
Capitalized interest
    102       78  
 
           
Total other expense
    (9,048 )     (8,015 )
 
           
 
               
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    7,582       12,891  
 
               
INCOME TAXES
    1,735       5,382  
 
           
 
               
NET INCOME
    5,847       7,509  
 
           
 
               
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    2       3  
 
           
 
               
EARNINGS AVAILABLE TO PARENT
  $ 5,845     $ 7,506  
 
           
 
               
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
               
 
               
NET INCOME
  $ 5,847     $ 7,509  
 
           
 
               
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
               
Pension and other postretirement benefits
    592       296  
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities
    1,305       369  
 
           
Other comprehensive income
    1,897       665  
Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income
    334       170  
 
           
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
    1,563       495  
 
           
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
    7,410       8,004  
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
    2       3  
 
           
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AVAILABLE TO PARENT
  $ 7,408     $ 8,001  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

14


Table of Contents

THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
ASSETS
               
 
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 150,014     $ 149,262  
Receivables-
               
Customers (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $1,209 in 2011 and $1 in 2010)
    45,749       29  
Associated companies
    56,913       31,777  
Other (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $343 in 2011 and $330 in 2010)
    18,752       18,464  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    35,489       96,765  
Prepayments and other
    8,302       2,306  
 
           
 
    315,219       298,603  
 
           
UTILITY PLANT:
               
In service
    952,874       947,203  
Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
    449,791       446,401  
 
           
 
    503,083       500,802  
Construction work in progress
    12,647       12,604  
 
           
 
    515,730       513,406  
 
           
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
               
Investment in lessor notes
    82,133       103,872  
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    77,141       75,558  
Other
    1,469       1,492  
 
           
 
    160,743       180,922  
 
           
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Goodwill
    500,576       500,576  
Regulatory assets
    83,544       72,059  
Pension assets
    24,427        
Property taxes
    24,990       24,990  
Other
    36,167       23,750  
 
           
 
    669,704       621,375  
 
           
 
  $ 1,661,396     $ 1,614,306  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
 
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 191     $ 199  
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    36,055       17,168  
Other
    5,238       7,351  
Accrued taxes
    23,043       24,401  
Accrued interest
    15,983       5,931  
Lease market valuation liability
    36,900       36,900  
Other
    54,905       23,145  
 
           
 
    172,315       115,095  
 
           
CAPITALIZATION:
               
Common stockholders’ equity-
               
Common stock, $5 par value, authorized 60,000,000 shares- 29,402,054 shares outstanding
    147,010       147,010  
Other paid-in capital
    178,122       178,182  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (47,620 )     (49,183 )
Retained earnings
    108,379       117,534  
 
           
Total common stockholders’ equity
    385,891       393,543  
Noncontrolling interest
    2,591       2,589  
 
           
Total equity
    388,482       396,132  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    600,508       600,493  
 
           
 
    988,990       996,625  
 
           
 
               
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    157,797       132,019  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
    5,822       5,930  
Retirement benefits
    51,253       71,486  
Asset retirement obligations
    29,245       28,762  
Lease market valuation liability
    190,075       199,300  
Other
    65,899       65,089  
 
           
 
    500,091       502,586  
 
           
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
               
 
  $ 1,661,396     $ 1,614,306  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

15


Table of Contents

THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net Income
  $ 5,847     $ 7,509  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
               
Provision for depreciation
    7,931       7,950  
Deferral of regulatory assets, net
    (11,478 )     (8,499 )
Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability
    6,141       6,141  
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    25,046       11,287  
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    (142 )     837  
Pension trust contribution
    (45,000 )      
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
               
Receivables
    (70,694 )     45,376  
Prepayments and other current assets
    (5,996 )     (4,569 )
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
               
Accounts payable
    16,774       (35,414 )
Accrued taxes
    (1,358 )     (4,933 )
Accrued interest
    10,052       10,050  
Other
    6,098       (4,578 )
 
           
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities
    (56,779 )     31,157  
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Redemptions and repayments-
               
Long-term debt
    (56 )     (56 )
Short-term borrowings, net
          (225,975 )
Common stock dividend payments
    (15,000 )     (130,000 )
Other
          (2 )
 
           
Net cash used for financing activities
    (15,056 )     (356,033 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Property additions
    (9,507 )     (9,597 )
Loan repayments from (loans to) associated companies, net
    61,276       (33,587 )
Redemptions of lessor notes
    21,739       20,509  
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    13,883       31,067  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    (14,338 )     (31,705 )
Other
    (466 )     (1,227 )
 
           
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
    72,587       (24,540 )
 
           
 
               
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    752       (349,416 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    149,262       436,712  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 150,014     $ 87,296  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

16


Table of Contents

JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               
REVENUES:
               
Electric sales
  $ 634,023     $ 691,392  
Excise tax collections
    12,487       12,352  
 
           
Total revenues
    646,510       703,744  
 
           
 
               
EXPENSES:
               
Purchased power
    370,168       414,016  
Other operating expenses
    86,079       95,660  
Provision for depreciation
    25,314       27,971  
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    81,587       69,448  
General taxes
    17,411       16,436  
 
           
Total expenses
    580,559       623,531  
 
           
 
               
OPERATING INCOME
    65,951       80,213  
 
           
 
               
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
               
Miscellaneous income
    1,910       1,833  
Interest expense
    (30,657 )     (29,423 )
Capitalized interest
    427       133  
 
           
Total other expense
    (28,320 )     (27,457 )
 
           
 
               
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    37,631       52,756  
 
               
INCOME TAXES
    18,078       23,530  
 
           
 
               
NET INCOME
  $ 19,553     $ 29,226  
 
           
 
               
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
               
 
               
NET INCOME
  $ 19,553     $ 29,226  
 
           
 
               
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
               
Pension and other postretirement benefits
    4,221       15,928  
Unrealized gain on derivative hedges
    69       69  
 
           
Other comprehensive income
    4,290       15,997  
Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income
    1,590       6,558  
 
           
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
    2,700       9,439  
 
           
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
  $ 22,253     $ 38,665  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

17


Table of Contents

JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
ASSETS
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1     $ 4  
Receivables-
               
Customers (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $3,842 in 2011 and $3,769 in 2010)
    268,171       323,044  
Associated companies
    27,144       53,780  
Other
    21,269       26,119  
Notes receivable — associated companies
    298,274       177,228  
Prepaid taxes
    10,968       10,889  
Other
    16,357       12,654  
 
           
 
    642,184       603,718  
 
           
UTILITY PLANT:
               
In service
    4,579,753       4,562,781  
Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
    1,667,017       1,656,939  
 
           
 
    2,912,736       2,905,842  
Construction work in progress
    78,819       63,535  
 
           
 
    2,991,555       2,969,377  
 
           
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
               
Nuclear fuel disposal trust
    206,833       207,561  
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    190,424       181,851  
Other
    2,111       2,104  
 
           
 
    399,368       391,516  
 
           
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Goodwill
    1,810,936       1,810,936  
Regulatory assets
    460,156       513,395  
Other
    25,243       27,938  
 
           
 
    2,296,335       2,352,269  
 
           
 
  $ 6,329,442     $ 6,316,880  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 32,855     $ 32,402  
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    16,983       28,571  
Other
    123,814       158,442  
Accrued compensation and benefits
    33,415       35,232  
Customer deposits
    23,494       23,385  
Accrued taxes
    15,142       2,509  
Accrued interest
    29,926       18,111  
Other
    25,663       22,263  
 
           
 
    301,292       320,915  
 
           
CAPITALIZATION:
               
Common stockholders’ equity-
               
Common stock, $10 par value, authorized 16,000,000 shares- 13,628,447 shares outstanding
    136,284       136,284  
Other paid-in capital
    2,508,754       2,508,874  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (250,842 )     (253,542 )
Retained earnings
    246,723       227,170  
 
           
Total common stockholder’s equity
    2,640,919       2,618,786  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    1,762,365       1,769,849  
 
           
 
    4,403,284       4,388,635  
 
           
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    729,478       715,527  
Power purchase contract liability
    238,677       233,492  
Nuclear fuel disposal costs
    196,843       196,768  
Retirement benefits
    175,175       182,364  
Asset retirement obligations
    110,050       108,297  
Other
    174,643       170,882  
 
           
 
    1,624,866       1,607,330  
 
           
COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
               
 
  $ 6,329,442     $ 6,316,880  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

18


Table of Contents

JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net Income
  $ 19,553     $ 29,226  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
               
Provision for depreciation
    25,314       27,971  
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    81,587       69,448  
Deferred purchased power and other costs
    (26,516 )     (32,775 )
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    25,560       (2,082 )
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    (4,776 )     (5,847 )
Cash collateral returned to suppliers
    (250 )     (23,400 )
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
               
Receivables
    86,359       33,257  
Prepayments and other current assets
    (1,687 )     16,472  
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
               
Accounts payable
    (61,612 )     (40,992 )
Accrued taxes
    12,631       50,857  
Accrued interest
    11,815       11,816  
Tax collections payable
    7,084       14,544  
Other
    7,448       466  
 
           
Net cash provided from operating activities
    182,510       148,961  
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Redemptions and repayments-
               
Long-term debt
    (7,190 )     (6,773 )
Common stock dividend payments
          (90,000 )
 
           
Net cash used for financing activities
    (7,190 )     (96,773 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Property additions
    (47,604 )     (37,338 )
Loans to associated companies, net
    (121,046 )     (7,620 )
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    217,103       190,198  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    (221,695 )     (194,748 )
Other
    (2,081 )     (2,706 )
 
           
Net cash used for investing activities
    (175,323 )     (52,214 )
 
           
 
               
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (3 )     (26 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    4       27  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 1     $ 1  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

19


Table of Contents

METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               
 
               
REVENUES:
               
Electric sales
  $ 338,416     $ 451,560  
Gross receipts tax collections
    18,800       21,567  
 
           
Total revenues
    357,216       473,127  
 
           
 
               
EXPENSES:
               
Purchased power from affiliates
    49,889       161,080  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    153,043       91,928  
Other operating expenses
    47,232       101,983  
Provision for depreciation
    12,423       12,758  
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    32,094       48,800  
General taxes
    22,150       21,740  
 
           
Total expenses
    316,831       438,289  
 
           
 
               
OPERATING INCOME
    40,385       34,838  
 
           
 
               
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
               
Interest income
    93       1,217  
Miscellaneous income
    970       2,173  
Interest expense
    (13,057 )     (13,773 )
Capitalized interest
    147       126  
 
           
Total other expense
    (11,847 )     (10,257 )
 
           
 
               
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    28,538       24,581  
 
               
INCOME TAXES
    5,951       12,266  
 
           
 
               
NET INCOME
  $ 22,587     $ 12,315  
 
           
 
               
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
               
 
               
NET INCOME
  $ 22,587     $ 12,315  
 
           
 
               
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
               
Pension and other postretirement benefits
    1,963       9,709  
Unrealized gain on derivative hedges
    84       84  
 
           
Other comprehensive income
    2,047       9,793  
Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income
    763       4,177  
 
           
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
    1,284       5,616  
 
           
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
  $ 23,871     $ 17,931  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

20


Table of Contents

METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
ASSETS
               
 
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 117     $ 243,220  
Receivables-
               
Customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,841 in 2011 and $3,868 in 2010, respectively)
    159,801       178,522  
Associated companies
    23,110       24,920  
Other
    16,836       13,007  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    9,542       11,028  
Prepaid taxes
    40,883       343  
Other
    1,973       2,289  
 
           
 
    252,262       473,329  
 
           
UTILITY PLANT:
               
In service
    2,260,156       2,247,853  
Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
    852,326       846,003  
 
           
 
    1,407,830       1,401,850  
Construction work in progress
    27,714       23,663  
 
           
 
    1,435,544       1,425,513  
 
           
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
               
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    303,906       289,328  
Other
    881       884  
 
           
 
    304,787       290,212  
 
           
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Goodwill
    416,499       416,499  
Regulatory assets
    285,300       295,856  
Power purchase contract asset
    107,055       111,562  
Other
    51,939       31,699  
 
           
 
    860,793       855,616  
 
           
 
  $ 2,853,386     $ 3,044,670  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
 
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 42,450     $ 28,760  
Short-term borrowings-
               
Associated companies
    109,709       124,079  
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    35,758       33,942  
Other
    47,450       29,862  
Accrued taxes
    14,514       60,856  
Accrued interest
    11,738       16,114  
Other
    29,543       29,278  
 
           
 
    291,162       322,891  
 
           
CAPITALIZATION:
               
Common stockholders’ equity-
               
Common stock, without par value, authorized 900,000 shares- 740,905 shares outstanding
    1,046,970       1,197,076  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (141,099 )     (142,383 )
Retained earnings
    29,994       32,406  
 
           
Total common stockholder’s equity
    935,865       1,087,099  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    705,125       718,860  
 
           
 
    1,640,990       1,805,959  
 
           
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    481,530       473,009  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
    6,761       6,866  
Nuclear fuel disposal costs
    44,465       44,449  
Asset retirement obligations
    195,883       192,659  
Retirement benefits
    22,405       29,121  
Power purchase contract liability
    118,123       116,027  
Other
    52,067       53,689  
 
           
 
    921,234       915,820  
 
           
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
               
 
  $ 2,853,386     $ 3,044,670  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

21


Table of Contents

METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net Income
  $ 22,587     $ 12,315  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
               
Provision for depreciation
    12,423       12,758  
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    32,094       48,800  
Deferred costs recoverable as regulatory assets
    (12,082 )     (18,276 )
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    1,304       (10,308 )
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    (1,433 )     (2,527 )
Cash collateral returned from (paid to) suppliers
    1,000       (700 )
Pension trust contributions
    (35,000 )      
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
               
Receivables
    16,702       (5,083 )
Prepayments and other current assets
    (40,225 )     (52,040 )
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
               
Accounts payable
    15,749       (7,279 )
Accrued taxes
    (46,006 )     19,960  
Accrued interest
    (4,376 )     (5,674 )
Other
    6,337       2,373  
 
           
Net cash used for operating activities
    (30,926 )     (5,681 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
New financing-
               
Short-term borrowings, net
          48,793  
Redemptions and repayments-
               
Long-term debt
          (100,000 )
Short-term borrowings, net
    (14,369 )      
Common stock
    (150,000 )      
Common stock dividend payments
    (25,000 )      
 
           
Net cash used for financing activities
    (189,369 )     (51,207 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Property additions
    (21,126 )     (25,526 )
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    335,860       143,713  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    (337,632 )     (146,056 )
Loans repayments from associated companies, net
    1,486       85,383  
Other
    (1,396 )     (618 )
 
           
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
    (22,808 )     56,896  
 
           
 
               
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (243,103 )     8  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    243,220       120  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 117     $ 128  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

22


Table of Contents

PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               
REVENUES:
               
Electric sales
  $ 308,316     $ 385,936  
Gross receipts tax collections
    16,529       17,524  
 
           
Total revenues
    324,845       403,460  
 
           
 
               
EXPENSES:
               
Purchased power from affiliates
    47,484       168,400  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    141,436       91,423  
Other operating expenses
    41,328       72,394  
Provision for depreciation
    14,573       14,682  
Amortization (deferral) of regulatory assets, net
    13,007       (9,966 )
General taxes
    20,736       16,534  
 
           
Total expenses
    278,564       353,467  
 
           
 
               
OPERATING INCOME
    46,281       49,993  
 
           
 
               
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
               
Miscellaneous income
    25       1,613  
Interest expense
    (17,234 )     (17,290 )
Capitalized interest
    22       140  
 
           
Total other expense
    (17,187 )     (15,537 )
 
           
 
               
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    29,094       34,456  
 
               
INCOME TAXES
    11,788       17,157  
 
           
 
               
NET INCOME
  $ 17,306     $ 17,299  
 
           
 
               
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
               
 
               
NET INCOME
  $ 17,306     $ 17,299  
 
           
 
               
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
               
Pension and other postretirement benefits
    1,585       8,547  
Unrealized gain on derivative hedges
    16       16  
 
           
Other comprehensive income
    1,601       8,563  
Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income
    555       3,284  
 
           
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
    1,046       5,279  
 
           
 
               
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
  $ 18,352     $ 22,578  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

23


Table of Contents

PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
                 
    March 31,     December 31,  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
ASSETS
               
 
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3     $ 5  
Receivables-
               
Customers (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $3,395 in 2011 and $3,369 in 2010)
    139,058       148,864  
Associated companies
    16,921       54,052  
Other
    12,142       11,314  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    12,334       14,404  
Prepaid taxes
    47,126       14,026  
Other
    1,843       1,592  
 
           
 
    229,427       244,257  
 
           
UTILITY PLANT:
               
In service
    2,545,211       2,532,629  
Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
    939,247       935,259  
 
           
 
    1,605,964       1,597,370  
Construction work in progress
    40,799       30,505  
 
           
 
    1,646,763       1,627,875  
 
           
OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
               
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
    159,999       152,928  
Non-utility generation trusts
    80,275       80,244  
Other
    294       297  
 
           
 
    240,568       233,469  
 
           
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
               
Goodwill
    768,628       768,628  
Regulatory assets
    179,092       163,407  
Power purchase contract asset
    4,169       5,746  
Other
    15,140       19,287  
 
           
 
    967,029       957,068  
 
           
 
  $ 3,083,787     $ 3,062,669  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
               
 
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 45,000     $ 45,000  
Short-term borrowings-
               
Associated companies
    90,363       101,338  
Accounts payable-
               
Associated companies
    41,231       35,626  
Other
    33,125       41,420  
Accrued taxes
    4,262       5,075  
Accrued interest
    24,069       17,378  
Other
    23,467       22,541  
 
           
 
    261,517       268,378  
 
           
CAPITALIZATION:
               
Common stockholders’ equity-
               
Common stock, $20 par value, authorized 5,400,000 shares- 4,427,577 shares outstanding
    88,552       88,552  
Other paid-in capital
    913,439       913,519  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (162,480 )     (163,526 )
Retained earnings
    58,299       60,993  
 
           
Total common stockholder’s equity
    897,810       899,538  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    1,072,339       1,072,262  
 
           
 
    1,970,149       1,971,800  
 
           
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accumulated deferred income taxes
    393,088       371,877  
Retirement benefits
    187,888       187,621  
Power purchase contract liability
    121,558       116,972  
Asset retirement obligations
    99,773       98,132  
Other
    49,814       47,889  
 
           
 
    852,121       822,491  
 
           
COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
               
 
  $ 3,083,787     $ 3,062,669  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

24


Table of Contents

PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(In thousands)   2011     2010  
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net Income
  $ 17,306     $ 17,299  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
               
Provision for depreciation
    14,573       14,682  
Amortization (deferral) of regulatory assets, net
    13,007       (9,966 )
Deferred costs recoverable as regulatory assets
    (17,771 )     (20,461 )
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
    16,648       21,772  
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
    1,551       (169 )
Cash collateral paid, net
    (2,124 )     (400 )
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
               
Receivables
    46,100       (4,641 )
Prepayments and other current assets
    (33,350 )     (50,186 )
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
               
Accounts payable
    (8,534 )     (1,348 )
Accrued taxes
    (813 )     (2,142 )
Accrued interest
    6,691       6,882  
Other
    10,204       7,162  
 
           
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities
    63,488       (21,516 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
New financing-
               
Short-term borrowings, net
          51,334  
Redemptions and repayments-
               
Short-term borrowings, net
    (10,975 )      
Common stock dividend payments
    (20,000 )      
Other
    26       (6 )
 
           
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
    (30,949 )     51,328  
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Property additions
    (31,128 )     (27,388 )
Loan repayments from associated companies, net
    2,070       279  
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
    178,927       93,057  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
    (180,411 )     (94,464 )
Other
    (1,999 )     (1,298 )
 
           
Net cash used for investing activities
    (32,541 )     (29,814 )
 
           
 
               
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (2 )     (2 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    5       14  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 3     $ 12  
 
           
The accompanying Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

25


Table of Contents

COMBINED NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company that holds, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding common stock of its principal subsidiaries: OE, CEI, TE, Penn (a wholly owned subsidiary of OE), ATSI, JCP&L, Met-Ed, Penelec, FENOC, AE and its principal subsidiaries (AE Supply, AGC, MP, PE, WP and TrAIL Company), FES and its subsidiaries FGCO and NGC, and FESC. AE merged with a subsidiary of FirstEnergy on February 25, 2011, with AE remaining as the surviving corporation and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy (See Note 2, Merger).
FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries follow GAAP and comply with the regulations, orders, policies and practices prescribed by the SEC, the FERC, the NERC and, as applicable, the PUCO, the PPUC, the MDPSC, the NYPSC, the WVPSC and the NJBPU. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make periodic estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The reported results of operations are not indicative of results of operations for any future period. In preparing the financial statements, FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries have evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued.
These statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for FirstEnergy, FES and the Utility Registrants, as applicable, and the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by FirstEnergy on February 25, 2011, as amended on April 19, 2011. The consolidated unaudited financial statements of FirstEnergy, FES and each of the Utility Registrants reflect all normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to fairly present results of operations for the interim periods. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms used herein have the meanings set forth in the accompanying Glossary of Terms.
FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries consolidate all majority-owned subsidiaries over which they exercise control and, when applicable, entities for which they have a controlling financial interest. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. FirstEnergy consolidates a VIE when it is determined that it is the primary beneficiary (see Note 7, Variable Interest Entities). Investments in affiliates over which FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries have the ability to exercise significant influence, but with respect to which are not the primary beneficiary and do not exercise control, follow the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the interest in the entity is reported as an investment in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the percentage share of the entity’s earnings is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
2. MERGER
Merger
On February 25, 2011, the merger between FirstEnergy and Allegheny closed. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger among FirstEnergy, Element Merger Sub, Inc., a Maryland corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy (Merger Sub), and AE, Merger Sub merged with and into AE, with AE continuing as the surviving corporation and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy. As part of the merger, AE shareholders received 0.667 of a share of FirstEnergy common stock for each share of AE common stock outstanding as of the date the merger was completed, and all outstanding AE equity-based employee compensation awards were converted into FirstEnergy equity-based awards on the same basis.
The merger created a combined company with increased scale and scope and greater diversification in energy delivery, generation and transmission. The combined company is the largest U.S. diversified electric utility by customers and operates one of the largest unregulated power generation fleets in the United States with FirstEnergy’s total current capacity of approximately 23,000 MW, which includes approximately 3,000 MW of regulated generation.

 

26


Table of Contents

The total consideration in the merger was based on the closing price of a share of FirstEnergy common stock on February 24, 2011, the day prior to the date the merger was completed, and was calculated as follows (in millions, except per share data):
         
Shares of Allegheny common stock outstanding on February 24, 2011
    170  
Exchange ratio
    0.667  
 
     
Number of shares of FirstEnergy common stock issued
    113  
Closing price of FirstEnergy common stock on February 24, 2011
  $ 38.16  
 
     
Fair value of shares issued by FirstEnergy
  $ 4,327  
Fair value of replacement share-based compensation awards relating to pre-merger service
    27  
 
     
Total consideration transferred
  $ 4,354  
 
     
The preliminary allocation of the total consideration transferred to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed includes adjustments for the fair value of coal contracts, energy supply contracts, emission allowances, unregulated property, plant and equipment, derivative instruments, goodwill, intangible assets, long-term debt and deferred income taxes. The preliminary allocation of the purchase price is as follows:
         
    Preliminary  
    Purchase Price  
(In millions)   Allocation  
 
       
Current assets
  $ 1,509  
Property, plant and equipment
    9,656  
Investments
    138  
Goodwill
    952  
Other noncurrent assets
    1,262  
Current liabilities
    (714 )
Noncurrent liabilities
    (3,453 )
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    (4,996 )
 
     
 
  $ 4,354  
 
     
Assumptions and estimates underlying the fair value adjustments are subject to change pending further review of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recognized as goodwill. The Allegheny delivery, transmission and generation businesses have been assigned to the Regulated Distribution, Regulated Independent Transmission and Competitive Energy Services segments, respectively. The preliminary estimate of goodwill from the merger of $952 million was assigned entirely to the Competitive Energy Services segment based on expected synergies from the merger. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes.
Total goodwill recognized by segment in FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Balance Sheet is as follows:
                                         
            Competitive     Regulated              
    Regulated     Energy     Independent     Other/        
(In millions)   Distribution     Services     Transmission     Corporate     Consolidated  
 
                                       
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 5,551     $ 24     $     $     $ 5,575  
 
                                       
Merger with Allegheny
          952                   952  
 
                             
 
                                       
Balance at March 31, 2011
  $ 5,551     $ 976     $     $     $ 6,527  
 
                             
 
                                     

 

27


Table of Contents

The preliminary valuation of the additional intangible assets and liabilities recorded as result of the merger is as follows:
                 
    Preliminary     Weighted Average  
(In millions)   Valuation     Amortization Period  
Above market contracts:
               
Energy supply contracts
  $ 189     10 years
NUG contracts
    124     25 years
Coal supply contracts
    525     8 years
 
             
 
    838          
 
               
Below market contracts:
               
NUG contracts
    143     13 years
Coal supply contracts
    86     7 years
Transportation contract
    35     8 years
 
             
 
    264          
 
             
 
               
 
  $ 574          
 
             
The fair value measurements of intangible assets and liabilities were primarily based on significant unobservable inputs and thus represent level 3 measurements as defined in accounting guidance for fair value measurements.
The fair value of Allegheny’s energy, NUG and gas transportation contracts, both above-market and below-market, were estimated based on the present value of the above/below market cash flows attributable to the contracts based on the contract type, discounted by a current market interest rate consistent with the overall credit quality of the portfolio. The above/below market cash flows were estimated by comparing the expected cash flow based on existing contracted prices and expected volumes with the cash flows from estimated current market contract prices for the same expected volumes. The estimated current market contract prices were derived considering current market prices, such as the price of energy and transmission, miscellaneous fees and a normal profit margin. The weighted average amortization period was determined based on the expected volumes to be delivered over the life of the contract.
The fair value of coal supply contracts was determined in a similar manner based on the present value of the above/below market cash flows attributable to the contracts. The fair value of these contracts will be amortized based on expected deliveries under each contract.
Total intangible assets recorded on FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2011 are as follows:
         
    Intangible  
(In millions)   Assets  
Purchase contract assets
       
NUG
  $ 241  
OVEC
    52  
 
     
 
    293  
 
       
Intangible assets
       
Coal contracts
    520  
FES customer intangible assets
    132  
Energy contracts
    130  
 
     
 
    782  
 
     
 
       
 
  $ 1,075  
 
     
Other intangible assets acquired in the Allegheny merger include land easements and software, having a fair value of $126 million, are included in “Property, plant and equipment” on FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2011.
In connection with the merger, FirstEnergy recorded approximately $82 million ($68 million net of tax) and $14 million ($10 million net of tax) of merger transaction costs during the first quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively. These costs are included in “Other operating expenses” in the Consolidated Statement of Income. Merger transaction costs recognized in the first quarter of 2011 include $56 million ($47 net of tax) of change in control and other benefit payments to AE executives.

 

28


Table of Contents

FirstEnergy also recorded approximately $75 million in merger integration costs during the first quarter of 2011, including an inventory valuation adjustment. In connection with the merger, FirstEnergy reviewed its inventory levels as a result of combining the inventory of both companies. Following this review FirstEnergy management determined the combined inventory stock contained excess and duplicative items. FirstEnergy management also adopted a consistent excess and obsolete inventory practice for the combined entity. Application of the revised practice, in conjunction with those items identified as excess and duplicative, resulted in an inventory valuation adjustment of $67 million ($42 million net of tax).
The amounts of revenue and earnings of Allegheny since the merger date included in FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Statement of Income for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 are as follows:
         
    February 26 -  
(In millions, except per share amounts)   March 31, 2011  
 
       
Total revenues
  $ 437  
Net Income(1)
    (46 )
 
       
Basic Earnings Per Share
  $ (0.13 )
Diluted Earnings Per Share
  $ (0.13 )
     
(1)  
Includes Allegheny’s after-tax merger costs of $52 million.
Pro Forma Financial Information
The following unaudited pro forma financial information reflects the consolidated results of operations of FirstEnergy as if the merger with Allegheny had taken place on January 1, 2010. The unaudited pro forma information has been calculated after applying FirstEnergy’s accounting policies and adjusting Allegheny’s results to reflect the depreciation and amortization that would have been charged assuming fair value adjustments to property, plant and equipment, debt and intangible assets had been applied on January 1, 2010, together with the consequential tax effects.
FirstEnergy and Allegheny both incurred non-recurring costs directly related to the merger that have been included in the pro forma earnings presented below. Approximately $83 million and $27 million of combined pre-tax transaction costs were incurred in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, respectively. In addition, in the three months ended March 31, 2011, $75 million of pre-tax merger integration costs and $24 million of charges from merger settlements approved by regulatory agencies have been recognized. Charges resulting from merger settlements are not expected to be material in future periods.
The unaudited pro forma financial information has been presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of results of operations that would have been achieved had the pro forma events taken place on the dates indicated, or the future consolidated results of operations of the combined company.
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
(Pro forma amounts in millions, except per share amounts)   2011     2010  
 
               
Revenues
  $ 4,786     $ 4,685  
Net income attributable to FirstEnergy
  $ 137     $ 255  
 
               
Basic Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.33     $ 0.61  
 
           
Diluted Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.33     $ 0.61  
 
           

 

29


Table of Contents

3. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share of common stock are computed using the weighted average of actual common shares outstanding during the relevant period as the denominator. The denominator for diluted earnings per share of common stock reflects the weighted average of common shares outstanding plus the potential additional common shares that would be issued if dilutive securities and other agreements to issue common stock were exercised. The following table reconciles basic and diluted earnings per share of common stock:
                 
    Three Months Ended  
Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted   March 31  
Earnings per Share of Common Stock   2011     2010  
    (In millions, except per  
    share amounts)  
 
               
Earnings available to FirstEnergy Corp.
  $ 50     $ 155  
 
           
 
               
Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding(1)
    342       304  
Assumed exercise of dilutive stock options and awards
    1       2  
 
           
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding(1)
    343       306  
 
           
 
               
Basic earnings per share of common stock
  $ 0.15     $ 0.51  
 
           
Diluted earnings per share of common stock
  $ 0.15     $ 0.51  
 
           
     
(1)  
Includes 113 million shares issued to AE stockholders for the period subsequent to the merger date. (See Note 2, Merger)
4. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
(A) LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
All borrowings with initial maturities of less than one year are defined as short-term financial instruments under GAAP and are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at cost, which approximates their fair market value, in the caption “short-term borrowings.” The following table provides the approximate fair value and related carrying amounts of long-term debt and other long-term obligations as of March 31, 2011 and December 31 2010:
                                 
    March 31, 2011     December 31, 2010  
    Carrying     Fair     Carrying     Fair  
    Value     Value     Value     Value  
    (In millions)  
FirstEnergy(1)
  $ 18,743     $ 19,776     $ 13,928     $ 14,845  
FES
    4,099       4,227       4,279       4,403  
OE
    1,159       1,334       1,159       1,321  
CEI
    1,831       2,035       1,853       2,035  
TE
    600       666       600       653  
JCP&L
    1,802       1,980       1,810       1,962  
Met-Ed
    742       826       742       821  
Penelec
    1,120       1,190       1,120       1,189  
     
(1)  
Includes debt assumed in the Allegheny merger (See Note 2) with a carrying value and a fair value as of March 31, 2011 of $4,995 million and $5,004 million, respectively.
The fair values of long-term debt and other long-term obligations reflect the present value of the cash outflows relating to those obligations based on the current call price, the yield to maturity or the yield to call, as deemed appropriate at the end of each respective period. The yields assumed were based on debt with similar characteristics offered by corporations with credit ratings similar to those of FirstEnergy, FES, the Utilities and other subsidiaries.
(B) INVESTMENTS
All temporary cash investments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less are reported as cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at cost, which approximates their fair market value. Investments other than cash and cash equivalents include held-to-maturity securities, available-for-sale securities and notes receivable.

 

30


Table of Contents

FES and the Utilities periodically evaluate their investments for other-than-temporary impairment. They first consider their intent and ability to hold an equity investment until recovery and then consider, among other factors, the duration and the extent to which the security’s fair value has been less than cost and the near-term financial prospects of the security issuer when evaluating an investment for impairment. For debt securities, FES and the Utilities consider their intent to hold the security, the likelihood that they will be required to sell the security before recovery of their cost basis, and the likelihood of recovery of the security’s entire amortized cost basis.
Available-For-Sale Securities
FES and the Utilities hold debt and equity securities within their nuclear decommissioning trusts, nuclear fuel disposal trusts and NUG trusts. These trust investments are considered as available-for-sale at fair market value. FES and the Utilities have no securities held for trading purposes.
The following table summarizes the amortized cost basis, unrealized gains and losses and fair values of investments held in nuclear decommissioning trusts, nuclear fuel disposal trusts and NUG trusts as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                                                                 
    March 31, 2011(1)     December 31, 2010(2)  
    Cost     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair     Cost     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Basis     Gains     Losses     Value     Basis     Gains     Losses     Value  
 
  (In millions)  
Debt securities
                                                               
FirstEnergy
  $ 1,985     $ 32     $     $ 2,017     $ 1,699     $ 31     $     $ 1,730  
FES
    1,012       18             1,030       980       13             993  
OE
    124       1             125       123       1             124  
TE
    51                   51       42                   42  
JCP&L
    358       7             365       281       9             290  
Met-Ed
    240       4             244       127       4             131  
Penelec
    200       2             202       145       4             149  
 
                                                               
Equity securities
                                                               
FirstEnergy
  $ 186     $ 7     $     $ 193     $ 268     $ 69     $     $ 337  
FES
    88       5             93                          
TE
    24       1             25                          
JCP&L
    21                   21       80       17             97  
Met-Ed
    33       1             34       125       35             160  
Penelec
    20                   20       63       16             79  
     
(1)  
Excludes cash investments, receivables, payables, deferred taxes and accrued income: FirstEnergy — $97 million; FES — $37 million; OE — $2 million; TE — $1 million; JCP&L — $12 million; Met-Ed — $27 million and Penelec — $18 million.
 
(2)  
Excludes cash investments, receivables, payables, deferred taxes and accrued income: FirstEnergy — $193 million; FES — $153 million; OE — $3 million; TE — $34 million; JCP&L — $3 million; Met-Ed — $(3) million and Penelec — $4 million.

 

31


Table of Contents

Proceeds from the sale of investments in available-for-sale securities, realized gains and losses on those sales net of adjustments recorded, and interest and dividend income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:
                                 
                            Interest and  
March 31, 2011   Sales Proceeds     Realized Gains     Realized Losses     Dividend Income  
    (In millions)  
FirstEnergy
  $ 970     $ 100     $ (29 )   $ 24  
FES
    216       12       (15 )     15  
OE
    8                   1  
TE
    14       1       (1 )     1  
JCP&L
    217       22       (4 )     4  
Met-Ed
    336       43       (5 )     2  
Penelec
    179       22       (4 )     1  
                                 
                            Interest and  
March 31, 2010   Sales Proceeds     Realized Gains     Realized Losses     Dividend Income  
    (In millions)  
FirstEnergy
  $ 733     $ 37     $ (51 )   $ 22  
FES
    272       13       (24 )     13  
OE
    2                   1  
TE
    31       1       (1 )     1  
JCP&L
    190       8       (8 )     4  
Met-Ed
    144       9       (11 )     2  
Penelec
    93       6       (7 )     1  
Unrealized gains applicable to the decommissioning trusts of FES, OE and TE are recognized in OCI because fluctuations in fair value will eventually impact earnings. The decommissioning trusts of JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec are subject to regulatory accounting. Net unrealized gains and losses are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities because the difference between investments held in trust and the decommissioning liabilities will be recovered from or refunded to customers.
The investment policy for the nuclear decommissioning trust funds restricts or limits the plans’ ability to hold certain types of assets including private or direct placements, warrants, securities of FirstEnergy, investments in companies owning nuclear power plants, financial derivatives, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stock and securities of the trust fund’s custodian or managers and their parents or subsidiaries.
FirstEnergy recognized $3 million and $11 million of net realized losses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, resulting from the sale of securities held in nuclear decommissioning trusts.
Held-To-Maturity Securities
The following table provides the amortized cost basis, unrealized gains and losses, and approximate fair values of investments in held-to-maturity securities as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                                                                 
    March 31, 2011     December 31, 2010  
    Cost     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair     Cost     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Basis     Gains     Losses     Value     Basis     Gains     Losses     Value  
    (In millions)  
Debt Securities
                                                               
FirstEnergy
  $ 422     $ 79     $     $ 501     $ 476     $ 91     $     $ 567  
OE
    190       45             235       190       51             241  
CEI
    287       33             320       340       41             381  
Investments in emission allowances, employee benefits and cost and equity method investments totaling $345 million as of March 31, 2011 and $259 million as of December 31, 2010 are not required to be disclosed and are excluded from the amounts reported above.

 

32


Table of Contents

Notes Receivable
The table below provides the approximate fair value and related carrying amounts of notes receivable as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The fair value of notes receivable represents the present value of the cash inflows based on the yield to maturity. The yields assumed were based on financial instruments with similar characteristics and terms. The maturity dates range from 2013 to 2021.
                                 
    March 31, 2011     December 31, 2010  
    Carrying     Fair     Carrying     Fair  
    Value     Value     Value     Value  
    (In millions)  
Notes Receivable
                               
FirstEnergy
  $ 7     $ 8     $ 7     $ 8  
TE
    82       94       104       118  
(C) RECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants on the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy has been established that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 — Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2 — Pricing inputs are either directly or indirectly observable in the market as of the reporting date, other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1. Additionally, Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies based on assumptions that are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument and can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors, and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Instruments in this category may include non-exchange-traded derivatives such as forwards and certain interest rate swaps.
Level 3 — Pricing inputs include inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value. FirstEnergy develops its view of the future market price of key commodities through a combination of market observation and assessment (generally for the short term) and fundamental modeling (generally for the long term). Key fundamental electricity model inputs are generally directly observable in the market or derived from publicly available historic and forecast data. Some key inputs reflect forecasts published by industry leading consultants who generally employ similar fundamental modeling approaches. Fundamental model inputs and results, as well as the selection of consultants, reflect the consensus of appropriate FirstEnergy management. Level 3 instruments include those that may be more structured or otherwise tailored to customers’ needs.
FirstEnergy utilizes market data and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable. FirstEnergy primarily applies the market approach for recurring fair value measurements using the best information available. Accordingly, FirstEnergy maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs.
The determination of the fair value measures takes into consideration various factors. These factors include nonperformance risk, including counterparty credit risk and the impact of credit enhancements (such as cash deposits, LOCs and priority interests). The impact of nonperformance risk was immaterial in the fair value measurements.
The following tables set forth financial assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. FirstEnergy’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the fair valuation of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The fair value of financial assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2011 assumed in the merger with Allegheny totaled $52 million and $51 million, respectively. There were no significant transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

33


Table of Contents

FirstEnergy Corp.
The following tables summarize assets and liabilities recorded on FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                                 
March 31, 2011   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
Corporate debt securities
  $     $ 877     $     $ 877  
Derivative assets — commodity contracts
          524             524  
Derivative assets — FTRs
                1       1  
Derivative assets — interest rate swaps
          4             4  
Derivative assets — NUG contracts(1)
                117       117  
Equity securities(2)
    194                   194  
Foreign government debt securities
          150             150  
U.S. government debt securities
          681             681  
U.S. state debt securities
          297             297  
 
                       
Other(4)
          148             148  
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 194     $ 2,681     $ 118     $ 2,993  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Derivative liabilities — commodity contracts
  $     $ (583 )   $     $ (583 )
Derivative liabilities — FTRs
                (12 )     (12 )
Derivative liabilities — interest rate swaps
          (5 )           (5 )
 
                       
Derivative liabilities — NUG contracts(1)
                (478 )     (478 )
 
                       
Total liabilities
  $     $ (588 )   $ (490 )   $ (1,078 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net assets (liabilities)(3)
  $ 194     $ 2,093     $ (372 )   $ 1,915  
 
                       
                                 
December 31, 2010   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
Corporate debt securities
  $     $ 597     $     $ 597  
Derivative assets — commodity contracts
          250             250  
Derivative assets — NUG contracts(1)
                122       122  
Equity securities(2)
    338                   338  
Foreign government debt securities
          149             149  
U.S. government debt securities
          595             595  
U.S. state debt securities
          379             379  
Other(4)
          219             219  
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 338     $ 2,189     $ 122     $ 2,649  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Derivative liabilities — commodity contracts
  $     $ (348 )   $     $ (348 )
Derivative liabilities — NUG contracts(1)
                (466 )     (466 )
 
                       
Total liabilities
  $     $ (348 )   $ (466 )   $ (814 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net assets (liabilities)(3)
  $ 338     $ 1,841     $ (344 )   $ 1,835  
 
                       
(1)  
NUG contracts are subject to regulatory accounting and do not impact earnings.
 
(2)  
NDT funds hold equity portfolios the performance of which is benchmarked against the S&P 500 Index or Russell 3000 Index.
 
(3)  
Excludes $(31) million and $(7) million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, of receivables, payables, deferred taxes and accrued income associated with the financial instruments reflected within the fair value table.
 
(4)  
Primarily consists of cash and cash equivalents.

 

34


Table of Contents

Rollforward of Level 3 Measurements
The following table provides a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of NUG contracts held by the Utilities and FTRs held by FirstEnergy and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the periods ending March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively:
                         
    Derivative Asset(1)     Derivative Liability(1)                  Net(1)                
    (In millions)  
January 1, 2011 Balance
  $ 122     $ (466 )   $ (344 )
Realized gain (loss)
                 
Unrealized gain (loss)
    (1 )     (89 )     (90 )
Purchases
                 
Issuances
                 
Sales
                 
Settlements
    (3 )     77       74  
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
          (12 )     (12 )
 
                 
March 31, 2011 Balance
  $ 118     $ (490 )   $ (372 )
 
                 
 
                       
January 1, 2010 Balance
  $ 200     $ (643 )   $ (443 )
Realized gain (loss)
                 
Unrealized gain (loss)
    (71 )     (110 )     (181 )
Purchases
                 
Issuances
                 
Sales
                 
Settlements
    (7 )     287       280  
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
                 
 
                 
December 31, 2010 Balance
  $ 122     $ (466 )   $ (344 )
 
                 
(1)  
Changes in the fair value of NUG contracts are subject to regulatory accounting and do not impact earnings.
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.
The following tables summarize assets and liabilities recorded on FES’ Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                                 
March 31, 2011   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
Corporate debt securities
  $     $ 567     $     $ 567  
Derivative assets — commodity contracts
          476             476  
Derivative assets — FTRs
                1       1  
Equity securities(3)
    93                   93  
Foreign government debt securities
          148             148  
U.S. government debt securities
          304             304  
 
                       
U.S. state debt securities
          8             8  
Other(2)
          43             43  
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 93     $ 1,546     $ 1     $ 1,640  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Derivative liabilities — commodity contracts
  $     $ (549 )   $     $ (549 )
 
                       
Total liabilities
  $     $ (549 )   $     $ (549 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net assets (liabilities)(1)
  $ 93     $ 997     $ 1     $ 1,091  
 
                       

 

35


Table of Contents

                                 
December 31, 2010   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
Corporate debt securities
  $     $ 528     $     $ 528  
Derivative assets — commodity contracts
          241             241  
Foreign government debt securities
          147             147  
U.S. government debt securities
          308             308  
U.S. state debt securities
          6             6  
Other(2)
          148             148  
 
                       
Total assets
  $     $ 1,378     $     $ 1,378  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Derivative liabilities – commodity contracts
  $     $ (348 )   $     $ (348 )
 
                       
Total liabilities
  $     $ (348 )   $     $ (348 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net assets (liabilities)(1)
  $     $ 1,030     $     $ 1,030  
 
                       
(1)  
Excludes $(3) million and $7 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, of receivables, payables, deferred taxes and accrued income associated with the financial instruments reflected within the fair value table.
 
(2)  
Primarily consists of cash and cash equivalents.
 
(3)  
NDT funds hold equity portfolios the performance of which is benchmarked against the S&P 500 Index or Russell 3000 Index.
Rollforward of Level 3 Measurements
The following table provides a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of FTRs held by FES and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the period ending March 31, 2011:
                         
    Derivative Asset     Derivative Liability     Net  
    FTRs     FTRs                FTRs             
    (In millions)  
January 1, 2011 Balance
  $     $     $  
Realized gain (loss)
                 
Unrealized gain (loss)
    1             1  
Purchases
                 
Issuances
                 
Sales
                 
Settlements
                 
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
                 
 
                 
March 31, 2011 Balance
  $ 1     $     $ 1  
 
                 
Ohio Edison Company
The following tables summarize assets and liabilities recorded on OE’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                                 
March 31, 2011   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
U.S. government debt securities
  $     $ 125     $     $ 125  
Other
          6             6  
 
                       
Total assets(1)
  $     $ 131     $     $ 131  
 
                       
                                 
December 31, 2010   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
U.S. government debt securities
  $     $ 124     $     $ 124  
Other
          2             2  
 
                       
Total assets(1)
  $     $ 126     $     $ 126  
 
                       
(1)  
Excludes $(3) million and $1 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 of receivables, payables, deferred taxes and accrued income associated with the financial instruments reflected within the fair value table.

 

36


Table of Contents

Toledo Edison Company
The following tables summarize assets and liabilities recorded on TE’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                                 
March 31, 2011   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
Corporate debt securities
  $     $ 16     $     $ 16  
Equity securities(3)
    25                   25  
U.S. government debt securities
          32             32  
U.S. state debt securities
          2             2  
Other(2)
          3             3  
 
                       
Total assets(1)
  $ 25     $ 53     $     $ 78  
 
                       
                                 
December 31, 2010   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
Corporate debt securities
  $     $ 7     $     $ 7  
U.S. government debt securities
          33             33  
U.S. state debt securities
          1             1  
Other(2)
          35             35  
 
                       
Total assets(1)
  $     $ 76     $     $ 76  
 
                       
(1)  
Excludes $(1) million and $2 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 of receivables, payables, deferred taxes and accrued income associated with the financial instruments reflected within the fair value table.
 
(2)  
Primarily consists of cash and cash equivalents.
 
(3)  
NDT funds hold equity portfolios the performance of which is benchmarked against the S&P 500 Index or Russell 3000 Index.
Jersey Central Power & Light Company
The following tables summarize assets and liabilities recorded on JCP&L’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                                 
March 31, 2011   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
Corporate debt securities
  $     $ 92     $     $ 92  
Derivative assets — commodity contracts
                       
Derivative assets — NUG contracts(1)
                6       6  
Equity securities(2)
    21                   21  
Foreign government debt securities
          1             1  
U.S. government debt securities
          60             60  
U.S. state debt securities
          214             214  
 
                       
Other
          16             16  
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 21     $ 383     $ 6     $ 410  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Derivative liabilities – NUG contracts(1)
  $     $     $ (239 )   $ (239 )
 
                       
Total liabilities
  $     $     $ (239 )   $ (239 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net assets (liabilities)(3)
  $ 21     $ 383     $ (233 )   $ 171  
 
                       

 

37


Table of Contents

                                 
December 31, 2010   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
Corporate debt securities
  $     $ 23     $     $ 23  
Derivative assets — commodity contracts
          2             2  
Derivative assets — NUG contracts(1)
                6       6  
Equity securities(2)
    96                   96  
U.S. government debt securities
          33             33  
U.S. state debt securities
          236             236  
Other
          4             4  
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 96     $ 298     $ 6     $ 400  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Derivative liabilities – NUG contracts(1)
  $     $     $ (233 )   $ (233 )
 
                       
Total liabilities
  $     $     $ (233 )   $ (233 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net assets (liabilities)(3)
  $ 96     $ 298     $ (227 )   $ 167  
 
                       
(1)  
NUG contracts are subject to regulatory accounting and do not impact earnings.
 
(2)  
NDT funds hold equity portfolios the performance of which is benchmarked against the S&P 500 Index or Russell 3000 Index.
 
(3)  
Excludes $(8) million and $(3) million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 of receivables, payables, deferred taxes and accrued income associated with the financial instruments reflected within the fair value table.
Rollforward of Level 3 Measurements
The following table provides a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of NUG contracts held by JCP&L and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the periods ending March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                         
    Derivative Asset     Derivative Liability     Net  
    NUG Contracts(1)     NUG Contracts(1)     NUG Contracts(1)  
    (In millions)  
January 1, 2011 Balance
  $ 6     $ (233 )   $ (227 )
Realized gain (loss)
                 
Unrealized gain (loss)
          (42 )     (42 )
Purchases
                 
Issuances
                 
Sales
                 
Settlements
          36       36  
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
                 
 
                 
March 31, 2011 Balance
  $ 6     $ (239 )   $ (233 )
 
                 
 
                       
January 1, 2010 Balance
  $ 8     $ (399 )   $ (391 )
Realized gain (loss)
                 
Unrealized gain (loss)
    (1 )     36       35  
Purchases
                 
Issuances
                 
Sales
                 
Settlements
    (1 )     130       129  
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
                 
 
                 
December 31, 2010 Balance
  $ 6     $ (233 )   $ (227 )
 
                 
(1)  
Changes in the fair value of NUG contracts are subject to regulatory accounting and do not impact earnings.

 

38


Table of Contents

Metropolitan Edison Company
The following tables summarize assets and liabilities recorded on Met-Ed’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                                 
March 31, 2011   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
Corporate debt securities
  $     $ 131     $     $ 131  
Derivative assets — commodity contracts
                       
Derivative assets — NUG contracts(1)
                107       107  
Equity securities(2)
    34                   34  
Foreign government debt securities
          2             2  
U.S. government debt securities
          100             100  
U.S. state debt securities
          2             2  
Other
          37             37  
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 34     $ 272     $ 107     $ 413  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Derivative liabilities – NUG contracts(1)
  $     $     $ (118 )   $ (118 )
 
                       
Total liabilities
  $     $     $ (118 )   $ (118 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net assets (liabilities)(3)
  $ 34     $ 272     $ (11 )   $ 295  
 
                       
                                 
December 31, 2010   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
Corporate debt securities
  $     $ 32     $     $ 32  
Derivative assets — commodity contracts
          5             5  
Derivative assets — NUG contracts(1)
                112       112  
Equity securities(2)
    160                   160  
Foreign government debt securities
          1             1  
U.S. government debt securities
          88             88  
U.S. state debt securities
          2             2  
Other
          14             14  
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 160     $ 142     $ 112     $ 414  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Derivative liabilities – NUG contracts(1)
  $     $     $ (116 )   $ (116 )
 
                       
Total liabilities
  $     $     $ (116 )   $ (116 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net assets (liabilities)(3)
  $ 160     $ 142     $ (4 )   $ 298  
 
                       
(1)  
NUG contracts are subject to regulatory accounting and do not impact earnings.
 
(2)  
NDT funds hold equity portfolios the performance of which is benchmarked against the S&P 500 Index or Russell 3000 Index.
 
(3)  
Excludes $(1) million and $(9) million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, of receivables, payables, deferred taxes and accrued income associated with the financial instruments reflected within the fair value table.

 

39


Table of Contents

Rollforward of Level 3 Measurements
The following table provides a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of NUG contracts held by Met-Ed and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the periods ending March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                         
    Derivative Asset     Derivative Liability     Net  
    NUG Contracts(1)     NUG Contracts(1)     NUG Contracts(1)  
    (In millions)  
January 1, 2011 Balance
  $ 112     $ (116 )   $ (4 )
Realized gain (loss)
                 
Unrealized gain (loss)
    (2 )     (16 )     (18 )
Purchases
                 
Issuances
                 
Sales
                 
Settlements
    (3 )     14       11  
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
                 
 
                 
March 31, 2011 Balance
  $ 107     $ (118 )   $ (11 )
 
                 
 
                       
January 1, 2010 Balance
  $ 176     $ (143 )   $ 33  
Realized gain (loss)
                 
Unrealized gain (loss)
    (59 )     (38 )     (97 )
Purchases
                 
Issuances
                 
Sales
                 
Settlements
    (5 )     65       60  
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
                 
 
                 
December 31, 2010 Balance
  $ 112     $ (116 )   $ (4 )
 
                 
(1)  
Changes in the fair value of NUG contracts are subject to regulatory accounting and do not impact earnings.
Pennsylvania Electric Company
The following tables summarize assets and liabilities recorded on Penelec’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                                 
March 31, 2011   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
Corporate debt securities
  $     $ 70     $     $ 70  
Derivative assets — commodity contracts
                       
Derivative assets — NUG contracts(1)
                4       4  
Equity securities(2)
    20                   20  
Foreign government debt securities
                       
U.S. government debt securities
          60             60  
U.S. state debt securities
          72             72  
 
                       
Other
          32             32  
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 20     $ 234     $ 4     $ 258  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Derivative liabilities – NUG contracts(1)
  $     $     $ (122 )   $ (122 )
 
                       
Total liabilities
  $     $     $ (122 )   $ (122 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net assets (liabilities)(3)
  $ 20     $ 234     $ (118 )   $ 136  
 
                       

 

40


Table of Contents

                                 
December 31, 2010   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
    (In millions)  
Assets
                               
Corporate debt securities
  $     $ 8     $     $ 8  
Derivative assets — commodity contracts
          2             2  
Derivative assets — NUG contracts(1)
                4       4  
Equity securities(2)
    81                   81  
U.S. government debt securities
          9             9  
U.S. state debt securities
          133             133  
Other
          5             5  
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 81     $ 157     $ 4     $ 242  
 
                       
 
                               
Liabilities
                               
Derivative liabilities – NUG contracts(1)
  $     $     $ (117 )   $ (117 )
 
                       
Total liabilities
  $     $     $ (117 )   $ (117 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net assets (liabilities)(3)
  $ 81     $ 157     $ (113 )   $ 125  
 
                       
(1)  
NUG contracts are subject to regulatory accounting and do not impact earnings.
 
(2)  
NDT funds hold equity portfolios the performance of which is benchmarked against the S&P 500 Index or Russell 3000 Index.
 
(3)  
Excludes $(15) million and $(3) million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, of receivables, payables and accrued income associated with the financial instruments reflected within the fair value table.
Rollforward of Level 3 Measurements
The following table provides a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of NUG and commodity contracts held by Penelec and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the periods ended March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                         
    Derivative Asset     Derivative Liability     Net  
    NUG Contracts(1)     NUG Contracts(1)     NUG Contracts(1)  
    (In millions)  
January 1, 2011 Balance
  $ 4     $ (117 )   $ (113 )
Realized gain (loss)
                 
Unrealized gain (loss)
          (30 )     (30 )
Purchases
                 
Issuances
                 
Sales
                 
Settlements
          25       25  
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
                 
 
                 
March 31, 2011 Balance
  $ 4     $ (122 )   $ (118 )
 
                 
 
                       
January 1, 2010 Balance
  $ 16     $ (101 )   $ (85 )
Realized gain (loss)
                 
Unrealized gain (loss)
    (11 )     (108 )     (119 )
Purchases
                 
Issuances
                 
Sales
                 
Settlements
    (1 )     92       91  
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
                 
 
                 
December 31, 2010 Balance
  $ 4     $ (117 )   $ (113 )
 
                 
(1)  
Changes in the fair value of NUG contracts are subject to regulatory accounting and do not impact earnings.

 

41


Table of Contents

5. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
FirstEnergy is exposed to financial risks resulting from fluctuating interest rates and commodity prices, including prices for electricity, natural gas, coal and energy transmission. To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, FirstEnergy established a Risk Policy Committee, comprised of members of senior management, which provides general management oversight for risk management activities throughout FirstEnergy. The Committee is responsible for promoting the effective design and implementation of sound risk management programs and oversees compliance with corporate risk management policies and established risk management practice. FirstEnergy also uses a variety of derivative instruments for risk management purposes including forward contracts, options, futures contracts and swaps. In addition to derivatives, FirstEnergy also enters into master netting agreements with certain third parties.
FirstEnergy accounts for derivative instruments on its Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value unless they meet the normal purchases and normal sales criteria. Derivatives that meet those criteria are accounted for under the accrual method of accounting, and their effects are included in earnings at the time of contract performance. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that qualify and are designated as cash flow hedge instruments are recorded to AOCL. Change in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedge instruments are recorded in the income statement on a mark-to-market basis. FirstEnergy’s has contractual derivative agreements through December 2018.
Cash Flow Hedges
FirstEnergy has used cash flow hedges for risk management purposes to manage the volatility related to exposures associated with fluctuating interest rates and commodity prices. The effective portion of gains and losses on the derivative contract are reported as a component of AOCL with subsequent reclassification to earnings in the period during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.
As of December 31, 2010, commodity derivative contracts designated in cash flow hedging relationships were $104 million of assets and $101 million of liabilities. In February 2011, FirstEnergy elected to dedesignate all outstanding cash flow hedge relationships. Total net unamortized losses included in AOCL associated with dedesignated cash flow hedges totaled $6 million as of March 31, 2011. Since the forecasted transactions remain probable of occurring, these amounts were “frozen” in AOCL and will be amortized into earnings over the life of the hedging instruments. Reclassifications from AOCL into other operating expense totaled $5 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2011. Approximately $16 million will be amortized to earnings as expense during the next twelve months.
FirstEnergy has used forward starting swap agreements to hedge a portion of the consolidated interest rate risk associated with anticipated issuances of fixed-rate, long-term debt securities of its subsidiaries. These derivatives were treated as cash flow hedges, protecting against the risk of changes in future interest payments resulting from changes in benchmark U.S. Treasury rates between the date of hedge inception and the date of the debt issuance. As of March 31, 2011, no forward starting swap agreements were outstanding. Total unamortized losses included in AOCL associated with prior interest rate cash flow hedges totaled $87 million ($57 million net of tax) as of March 31, 2011. Based on current estimates, approximately $10 million will be amortized to interest expense during the next twelve months. Reclassifications from AOCL into interest expense totaled $3 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
Fair Value Hedges
FirstEnergy has used fixed-for-floating interest rate swap agreements to hedge a portion of the consolidated interest rate risk associated with the debt portfolio of its subsidiaries. These derivative instruments were treated as fair value hedges of fixed-rate, long-term debt issues, protecting against the risk of changes in the fair value of fixed-rate debt instruments due to lower interest rates. As of March 31, 2011, no fixed-for-floating interest rate swap agreements were outstanding.
As of March 31, 2010, FirstEnergy held fixed-for-floating interest rate swap agreements with combined notional amounts of $950 million. The gains included in interest expense related to interest rate swaps totaled $1 million and the fair value of the derivative instruments totaled $(3) million. There was no impact on the results of operations as a result of ineffectiveness from fair value hedges.
Total unamortized gains included in long-term debt associated with prior fixed-for-floating interest rate swap agreements totaled $118 million ($77 million net of tax) as of March 31, 2011. Based on current estimates, approximately $22 million will be amortized to interest expense during the next twelve months. Reclassifications from long-term debt into interest expense totaled approximately $5 million and $1 million for the three-months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Commodity Derivatives
FirstEnergy uses both physically and financially settled derivatives to manage its exposure to volatility in commodity prices. Commodity derivatives are used for risk management purposes to hedge exposures when it makes economic sense to do so, including circumstances where the hedging relationship does not qualify for hedge accounting.

 

42


Table of Contents

Electricity forwards are used to balance expected sales with expected generation and purchased power. Natural gas futures are entered into based on expected consumption of natural gas, primarily natural gas used in FirstEnergy’s peaking units. Heating oil futures are entered into based on expected consumption of oil and the financial risk in FirstEnergy’s coal transportation contracts. Interest rate swaps include two interest rate swap agreements that expire during 2011 with an aggregate notional value of $200 million that were entered into during 2003 to substantially offset two existing interest rate swaps with the same counterparty. The 2003 agreements effectively locked in a net liability and substantially eliminated future income volatility from the interest rate swap positions but do not qualify for cash flow hedge accounting. Derivative instruments are not used in quantities greater than forecasted needs.
As of March 31, 2011, FirstEnergy’s net liability position under commodity derivative contracts was $59 million, which primarily related to FES positions. Under these commodity derivative contracts, FES posted $120 million and Allegheny posted $1 million in collateral. Certain commodity derivative contracts include credit risk related contingent features that would require FES to post $24 million of additional collateral if the credit rating for its debt were to fall below investment grade.
Based on derivative contracts held as of March 31, 2011, an adverse 10% change in commodity prices would decrease net income by approximately $12 million ($7 million net of tax) during the next twelve months.
FTRs
FirstEnergy holds FTRs that generally represent an economic hedge of future congestion charges that will be incurred in connection with FirstEnergy’s load obligations. These future obligations are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets; and have not been designated as cash flow hedge instruments. FirstEnergy acquires the majority of its FTRs in an annual auction through a self-scheduling process involving the use of auction revenue rights allocated to members of an RTO that have load serving obligations. FirstEnergy initially records FTRs at the FTR auction price less the obligation due to the RTO, and subsequently adjusts the carrying value of remaining FTRs to their estimated fair value at the end of each accounting period prior to settlement. Changes in the fair value of FTRs held by FirstEnergy’s unregulated subsidiaries are included in other operating expenses as unrealized gains or losses. Unrealized gains or losses on FTRs held by FirstEnergy’s regulated subsidiaries are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities.
The following tables summarize the fair value of derivative instruments in FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments as of March 31, 2011:
                 
Derivative Assets  
    Fair Value  
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2011     2010  
    (In millions)  
 
               
Power Contracts
               
Current Assets
  $ 332     $ 151  
Noncurrent Assets
    192       89  
FTRs
               
Current Assets
    1        
Noncurrent Assets
           
NUGs
               
Current Assets
    3       3  
Noncurrent Assets
    114       119  
Interest Rate Swaps
               
Current Assets
    4        
Noncurrent Assets
           
Other
               
Current Assets
          10  
Noncurrent Assets
           
 
           
Total Derivatives
  $ 646     $ 372  
 
           
                 
Derivative Liabilities  
    Fair Value  
    March 31,     December 31,  
    2011     2010  
    (In millions)  
 
               
Power Contracts
               
Current Liabilities
  $ 408     $ 266  
Noncurrent Liabilities
    175       81  
FTRs
               
Current Liabilities
    12        
Noncurrent Liabilities
           
NUGs
               
Current Liabilities
    277       229  
Noncurrent Liabilities
    202       238  
Interest Rate Swaps
               
Current Liabilities
    5        
Noncurrent Liabilities
           
Other
               
Current Liabilities
           
Noncurrent Liabilities
           
 
           
Total Derivatives
  $ 1,079     $ 814  
 
           

 

43


Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the volume of FirstEnergy’s outstanding derivative transactions as of March 31, 2011:
                                 
    Purchases     Sales     Net     Units
    (In thousands)  
Power Contracts
    83,603       (100,407 )     (16,804 )   MWH
FTRs
    18,199       (130 )     18,069     MWH
Interest Rate Swaps
    200,000       (200,000 )         notional dollars
NUGs
    29,824             29,824     MWH
The effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, are summarized in the following tables:
                                         
    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    Power             Interest              
    Contracts     FTRs     Rate Swaps     Other     Total  
    (In millions)  
Derivatives in a Hedging Relationship
                                       
2011
                                       
Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCL (Effective Portion)
  $ (9 )   $     $           $ (9 )
Effective Gain (Loss) Reclassified to: (1)
                                       
Purchase Power Expense
    14                         14  
Wholesale Revenue
    (3 )                       (3 )
 
                                       
2010
                                       
Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCL (Effective Portion)
  $ (2 )                 3     $ 1  
Effective Gain (Loss) Reclassified to:(1)
                                       
Purchase Power Expense
    2                         2  
Fuel Expense
                      4       4  
 
                                       
Derivatives Not in a Hedging Relationship
                                       
2011
                                       
Unrealized Gain (Loss) Recognized in:
                                       
Purchase Power Expense
  $ 29                       $ 29  
Wholesale Revenue
                             
Other Operating Expense
    (20 )     1                   (19 )
 
Realized Gain (Loss) Reclassified to:
                                       
Purchase Power Expense
    (19 )     (2 )                 (21 )
Wholesale Revenue
    (2 )           (1 )           (3 )
 
                                       
2010
                                       
Unrealized Gain (Loss) Recognized in:
                                       
Purchase Power Expense
  $ (27 )                     $ (27 )
 
Realized Gain (Loss) Reclassified to:
                                       
Purchase Power Expense
    (25 )                       (25 )

 

44


Table of Contents

                         
Derivatives Not in a Hedging   Three Months Ended March 31,  
Relationship with Regulatory Offset(2)   NUGs     Other     Total  
    (In millions)  
2011
                       
Unrealized Loss to NUG Liability:
  $ (89 )   $     $ (89 )
Unrealized Gain to Regulatory Assets:
    89             89  
 
                       
Realized Gain to NUG Liability:
    72             72  
Realized Loss to Regulatory Assets:
    (72 )           (72 )
Realized Loss to Deferred Charges
          (10 )     (10 )
Realized Gain to Regulatory Assets:
          10       10  
 
                       
2010
                       
Unrealized Loss to NUG Liability:
  $ (224 )         $ (224 )
Unrealized Gain to Regulatory Assets:
    224             224  
 
Realized Gain to NUG Liability:
    78             78  
Realized Loss to Regulatory Assets:
    (78 )           (78 )
Realized Loss to Deferred Charges
          (9 )     (9 )
Realized Gain to Regulatory Assets:
          9       9  
     
(1)  
The ineffective portion was immaterial.
 
(2)  
Changes in the fair value of certain contracts are deferred for future recovery from (or refund to) customers.
The following table provides a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of certain contracts that are deferred for future recover from (or refund to) customers.
                         
    Three Months Ended March 31,  
Derivatives Not in a Hedging Relationship with Regulatory Offset(1)   NUGs     Other     Total  
    (In millions)  
Outstanding net asset (liability) as of January 1, 2011
  $ (345 )   $ 10     $ (335 )
Additions/Change in value of existing contracts
    (89 )           (89 )
Settled contracts
    72       (10 )     62  
 
                 
Outstanding net asset (liability) as of March 31, 2011
  $ (362 )   $     $ (362 )
 
                 
 
                       
Outstanding net asset (liability) as of January 1, 2010
  $ (444 )   $ 19     $ (425 )
Additions/Change in value of existing contracts
    (224 )           (224 )
Settled contracts
    78       (9 )     69  
 
                 
Outstanding net asset (liability) as of March 31, 2010
  $ (590 )   $ 10     $ (580 )
 
                 
     
(1)  
Changes in the fair value of certain contracts are deferred for future recovery from (or refund to) customers.
6. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
FirstEnergy provides noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all of its employees and non-qualified pension plans that cover certain employees. The plans provide defined benefits based on years of service and compensation levels.
FirstEnergy provides a portion of non-contributory pre-retirement basic life insurance for employees who are eligible to retire. Health care benefits, which include certain employee contributions, deductibles and co-payments, are also available upon retirement to certain employees, their dependents and, under certain circumstances, their survivors. FirstEnergy also has obligations to former or inactive employees after employment, but before retirement, for disability-related benefits.

 

45


Table of Contents

FirstEnergy’s funding policy is based on actuarial computations using the projected unit credit method. During the first quarter of 2011, FirstEnergy made a $157 million contribution to its qualified pension plans. FirstEnergy intends to make additional contributions of $220 million and $6 million to its qualified pension plans and postretirement benefit plans, respectively, in the last three quarters of 2011.
FirstEnergy measured the funded status of the Allegheny pension plans and postretirement benefit plans other than pensions as of the merger closing date using discount rates of 5.50% and 5.25%, respectively. As a result of the fair value measurement, FirstEnergy recorded accumulated benefit obligation reductions to the Allegheny pension plans and postretirement benefits other than pensions in the amount of $6 million and $2 million, respectively. The expected returns on plan assets used to calculate net period costs for the month ended March 31, 2011 was 8.25% for the Allegheny qualified pension plan and 5.00% for the Allegheny postretirement benefit plans other than pension plans.
The fair values of plan assets for Allegheny’s pension plans and postretirement benefit plans other than pensions at the date of the merger were $954 million and $75 million, respectively, and the actuarially determined benefit obligations for such plans at that date were $1,341 million and $272 million, respectively.
FirstEnergy’s net pension and OPEB expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 were $28 million and $24 million, respectively. The components of FirstEnergy’s net pension and OPEB (including amounts capitalized) for the three months ended March 30, 2011 and 2010, consisted of the following:
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
Pension Benefit Cost (Credit)   2011     2010  
    (In millions)  
Service cost
  $ 29     $ 25  
Interest cost
    84       78  
Expected return on plan assets
    (102 )     (90 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    4       3  
Recognized net actuarial loss
    49       47  
Curtailments (1)
    (2 )      
Special termination benefits (1)
    9        
 
           
Net periodic cost
  $ 71     $ 63  
 
           
     
(1)  
Represents costs (credits) incurred related to change in control provision payments to certain executives who were terminated or were expected to be terminated as a result of the merger.
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Credit)   2011     2010  
    (In millions)  
Service cost
  $ 3     $ 2  
Interest cost
    11       11  
Expected return on plan assets
    (10 )     (9 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    (48 )     (48 )
Recognized net actuarial loss
    14       15  
 
           
Net periodic cost
  $ (30 )   $ (29 )
 
           

 

46


Table of Contents

Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are allocated to FirstEnergy’s subsidiaries employing the plan participants. The net periodic pension costs and net periodic other postretirement benefit costs (including amounts capitalized) recognized by FirstEnergy’s subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
Pension Benefit Cost (Credit)   2011     2010  
    (In millions)  
FES
  $ 22     $ 22  
OE
    5       6  
CEI
    5       5  
TE
    1       2  
JCP&L
    5       6  
Met-Ed
    3       2  
Penelec
    5       5  
Other FirstEnergy Subsidiaries
    25       15  
 
           
 
  $ 71     $ 63  
 
           
                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31  
Other Postretirement Benefit Cost (Credit)   2011     2010  
    (In millions)  
FES
  $ (6 )   $ (7 )
OE
    (6 )     (6 )
CEI
    (2 )     (1 )
TE
          (1 )
JCP&L
    (2 )     (2 )
Met-Ed
    (3 )     (2 )
Penelec
    (3 )     (2 )
Other FirstEnergy Subsidiaries
    (8 )     (8 )
 
           
 
  $ (30 )   $ (29 )
 
           
7. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries perform qualitative analyses to determine whether a variable interest gives FirstEnergy or its subsidiaries a controlling financial interest in a VIE. This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
VIE’s included in FirstEnergy’s consolidated financial statements are: FEV’s joint venture in the Signal Peak mining and coal transportation operations; the PNBV and Shippingport bond trusts that were created to refinance debt originally issued in connection with sale and leaseback transactions; and wholly owned limited liability companies of JCP&L created to sell transition bonds to securitize the recovery of JCP&L’s bondable stranded costs associated with the previously divested Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, of which $302 million was outstanding as of March 31, 2011.
FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries reflect the portion of VIEs not owned by them in the caption noncontrolling interest within the consolidated financial statements. The change in noncontrolling interest within the consolidated balance sheets is the result of net losses of the noncontrolling interests ($5 million) and distributions to owners ($3 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2011.
In order to evaluate contracts for consolidation treatment and entities for which FirstEnergy has an interest, FirstEnergy aggregated variable interests into the following categories based on similar risk characteristics and significance as follows:

 

47


Table of Contents

PATH-WV
PATH, LLC was formed to construct, through its operating companies, a portion of the PATH Project, which is a high-voltage transmission line that is proposed to extend from West Virginia through Virginia and into Maryland, including modifications to an existing substation in Putnam County, West Virginia, and the construction of new substations in Hardy County, West Virginia and Frederick County, Maryland as directed by PJM. PATH, LLC is a series limited liability company that is comprised of multiple series, each of which has separate rights, powers and duties regarding specified property and the series profits and losses associated with such property. A subsidiary of AE owns 100% of the Allegheny Series and 50% of the West Virginia Series (PATH-WV), which is a joint venture with a subsidiary of AEP. FirstEnergy is not the primary beneficiary of PATH-WV, as it does not have control over the significant activities affecting the economics of the portion of the PATH Project to be constructed by PATH-WV.
Because of the nature of PATH-WV’s operations and its FERC approved rate mechanism, FirstEnergy’s maximum exposure to loss, through AE, consists of its equity investment in PATH-WV, which was $26 million at March 31, 2011.
Power Purchase Agreements
FirstEnergy evaluated its power purchase agreements and determined that certain NUG entities may be VIEs to the extent that they own a plant that sells substantially all of its output to the Utilities if the contract price for power is correlated with the plant’s variable costs of production. FirstEnergy, through its subsidiaries JCP&L, Met-Ed, Penelec, PE, WP and MP, maintains 23 long-term power purchase agreements with NUG entities. The agreements were entered into pursuant to PURPA. FirstEnergy was not involved in the creation of, and has no equity or debt invested in, these entities.
FirstEnergy has determined that for all but four of these NUG entities, its subsidiaries do not have variable interests in the entities or the entities do not meet the criteria to be considered a VIE. JCP&L, PE and WP may hold variable interests in the remaining four entities; however, FirstEnergy applied the scope exception that exempts enterprises unable to obtain the necessary information to evaluate entities.
Because JCP&L, PE and WP have no equity or debt interests in the NUG entities, their maximum exposure to loss relates primarily to the above-market costs incurred for power. FirstEnergy expects any above-market costs incurred by its subsidiaries to be recovered from customers. Purchased power costs related to the four contracts that may contain a variable interest that were held by FirstEnergy subsidiaries during the three months ended March 31, 2011, were $65 million, $11 million and $5 million for JCP&L, PE and WP, respectively. Purchased power costs related to the two contracts that may contain a variable interest that were held by JCP&L during the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $64 million.
In 1998 the PPUC issued an order approving a transition plan for WP that disallowed certain costs, including an estimated amount for an adverse power purchase commitment related to the NUG entity that WP may hold a variable interest, for which WP has taken the scope exception. As of March 31, 2011, WP’s reserve for this adverse purchase power commitment was $61 million, including a current liability of $18 million, and is being amortized over the life of the commitment.
Loss Contingencies
FirstEnergy has variable interests in certain sale-leaseback transactions. FirstEnergy is not the primary beneficiary of these interests as it does not have control over the significant activities affecting the economics of the arrangement.

 

48


Table of Contents

FES and the Ohio Companies are exposed to losses under their applicable sale-leaseback agreements upon the occurrence of certain contingent events. The maximum exposure under these provisions represents the net amount of casualty value payments due upon the occurrence of specified casualty events. Net discounted lease payments would not be payable if the casualty loss payments were made. The following table discloses each company’s net exposure to loss based upon the casualty value provisions mentioned above as of March 31, 2011:
                         
    Maximum     Discounted Lease     Net  
    Exposure     Payments, net(1)     Exposure  
    (In millions)  
FES
  $ 1,376     $ 1,187     $ 189  
OE
    644       485       159  
CEI(2)
    664       68       596  
TE(2)
    664       351       313  
     
(1)  
The net present value of FirstEnergy’s consolidated sale and leaseback operating lease commitments is $1.7 billion.
 
(2)  
CEI and TE are jointly and severally liable for the maximum loss amounts under certain sale-leaseback agreements.
8. INCOME TAXES
FirstEnergy accounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in its financial statements. Accounting guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a company’s tax return. As a result of the merger with Allegheny in the first quarter of 2011, FirstEnergy’s unrecognized tax benefits increased by $97 million. There were no other material changes to FirstEnergy’s unrecognized tax benefits during the first three months of 2011. After reaching a tentative agreement with the IRS on a tax item at appeals related to the capitalization of certain costs in the first quarter of 2010, FirstEnergy reduced the amount of unrecognized tax benefits by $57 million, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated deferred income taxes for this temporary tax item. There was no impact on FirstEnergy’s effective tax rate for this tax item in the first three months of 2010.
As of March 31, 2011, it is reasonably possible that approximately $48 million of unrecognized benefits may be resolved within the next twelve months, of which approximately $6 million, if recognized, would affect FirstEnergy’s effective tax rate. The potential decrease in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits is primarily associated with issues related to the capitalization of certain costs and various state tax items.
FirstEnergy recognizes interest expense or income related to uncertain tax positions. That amount is computed by applying the applicable statutory interest rate to the difference between the tax position recognized and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken on the tax return. FirstEnergy includes net interest and penalties in the provision for income taxes. During the first three months of 2011, there were no material changes to the amount of accrued interest, except for a $6 million increase in accrued interest from Allegheny. The reversal of accrued interest associated with the $57 million in recognized tax benefits in 2010 favorably affected FirstEnergy’s effective tax rate by $5 million in the first quarter of 2010. The net amount of interest accrued as of March 31, 2011 was $10 million, compared with $3 million as of December 31, 2010.
As a result of the non-deductible portion of merger transaction costs, FirstEnergy’s effective tax rate was unfavorably impacted by $30 million in the first quarter of 2011.
As a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act signed into law in March 2010, beginning in 2013 the tax deduction available to FirstEnergy will be reduced to the extent that drug costs are reimbursed under the Medicare Part D retiree subsidy program. As retiree healthcare liabilities and related tax impacts under prior law were already reflected in FirstEnergy’s consolidated financial statements, the change resulted in a charge to FirstEnergy’s earnings in the first quarter of 2010 of approximately $13 million and a reduction in accumulated deferred tax assets associated with these subsidies. That charge reflected the anticipated increase in income taxes that will occur as a result of the change in tax law.
Allegheny recorded as deferred income tax assets the effect of net operating losses and tax credits that will more likely than not be realized through future operations and through the reversal of existing temporary differences. The tax effected net operating loss carryforwards consisted of $152 million of state net operating loss carryforwards that expire from 2019 through 2029 and $53 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards that expire from 2023 to 2029. Federal Alternative Minimum Tax credits of $25 million have an indefinite carryforward period.
Allegheny is currently under audit by the IRS for tax years 2007 and 2008. The 2009 federal return was filed and is subject to review. State tax returns for tax years 2006 through 2009 remain subject to review in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia for certain subsidiaries of AE. FirstEnergy has tax returns that are under review at the audit or appeals level by the IRS (2008-2010) and state tax authorities. Tax returns for all state jurisdictions are open from 2006-2009. The IRS began auditing the year 2008 in February 2008 and the audit was completed in July 2010 with one item under appeal. The 2009 tax year audit began in February 2009 and the 2010 tax year audit began in February 2010. Management believes that adequate reserves have been recognized and final settlement of these audits is not expected to have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

49


Table of Contents

9. COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES
(A) GUARANTEES AND OTHER ASSURANCES
As part of normal business activities, FirstEnergy enters into various agreements on behalf of its subsidiaries to provide financial or performance assurances to third parties. These agreements include contract guarantees, surety bonds and LOCs. As of March 31, 2011, outstanding guarantees and other assurances aggregated approximately $3.8 billion, consisting primarily of parental guarantees ($0.8 billion), subsidiaries’ guarantees ($2.6 billion), surety bonds and LOCs ($0.4 billion).
FirstEnergy guarantees energy and energy-related payments of its subsidiaries involved in energy commodity activities principally to facilitate or hedge normal physical transactions involving electricity, gas, emission allowances and coal. FirstEnergy also provides guarantees to various providers of credit support for the financing or refinancing by subsidiaries of costs related to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment. These agreements legally obligate FirstEnergy to fulfill the obligations of those subsidiaries directly involved in energy and energy-related transactions or financing where the law might otherwise limit the counterparties’ claims. If demands of a counterparty were to exceed the ability of a subsidiary to satisfy existing obligations, FirstEnergy’s guarantee enables the counterparty’s legal claim to be satisfied by other FirstEnergy assets. FirstEnergy views as remote the likelihood that such parental guarantees of $0.2 billion (included in the $0.8 billion discussed above) as of March 31, 2011 would increase amounts otherwise payable by FirstEnergy to meet its obligations incurred in connection with financings and ongoing energy and energy-related activities.
While these types of guarantees are normally parental commitments for the future payment of subsidiary obligations, subsequent to the occurrence of a credit rating downgrade or “material adverse event,” the immediate posting of cash collateral, provision of an LOC or accelerated payments may be required of the subsidiary. As of March 31, 2011, FirstEnergy’s maximum exposure under these collateral provisions was $557 million, consisting of $433 million due to a below investment grade credit rating (of which $184 million is due to an acceleration of payment or funding obligation) and $124 million due to “material adverse event” contractual clauses. Additionally, stress case conditions of a credit rating downgrade or “material adverse event” and hypothetical adverse price movements in the underlying commodity markets would increase this amount to $623 million, consisting of $494 million due to a below investment grade credit rating (of which $184 million is related to an acceleration of payment or funding obligation) and $129 million due to “material adverse event” contractual clauses.
Most of FirstEnergy’s surety bonds are backed by various indemnities common within the insurance industry. Surety bonds and related guarantees of $138 million provide additional assurance to outside parties that contractual and statutory obligations will be met in a number of areas including construction contracts, environmental commitments and various retail transactions.
In addition to guarantees and surety bonds, contracts entered into by the Competitive Energy Services segment, including power contracts with affiliates awarded through competitive bidding processes, typically contain margining provisions that require the posting of cash or LOCs in amounts determined by future power price movements. Based on FES’ and AE Supply’s power portfolio as of March 31, 2011 and forward prices as of that date, FES and AE Supply have posted collateral of $158 million and $5 million, respectively. Under a hypothetical adverse change in forward prices (95% confidence level change in forward prices over a one year time horizon), FES would be required to post an additional $52 million of collateral. Depending on the volume of forward contracts and future price movements, higher amounts for margining could be required to be posted.
In connection with FES’ obligations to post and maintain collateral under the two-year PSA entered into by FES and the Ohio Companies following the CBP auction on May 13-14, 2009, NGC entered into a Surplus Margin Guaranty in an amount up to $500 million. The Surplus Margin Guaranty is secured by an NGC FMB issued in favor of the Ohio Companies.
FES’ debt obligations are generally guaranteed by its subsidiaries, FGCO and NGC, and FES guarantees the debt obligations of each of FGCO and NGC. Accordingly, present and future holders of indebtedness of FES, FGCO and NGC will have claims against each of FES, FGCO and NGC, regardless of whether their primary obligor is FES, FGCO or NGC.
Signal Peak and Global Rail are borrowers under a $350 million syndicated two-year senior secured term loan facility. FirstEnergy, together with WMB Loan Ventures LLC and WMB Loan Ventures II LLC, the entities that share ownership in the borrowers with FEV, have provided a guaranty of the borrowers’ obligations under the facility. In addition, FEV and the other entities that directly own the equity interest in the borrowers have pledged those interests to the lenders under the term loan facility as collateral for the facility.

 

50


Table of Contents

(B) ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Various federal, state and local authorities regulate FirstEnergy with regard to air and water quality and other environmental matters. Compliance with environmental regulations could have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy’s earnings and competitive position to the extent that FirstEnergy competes with companies that are not subject to such regulations and, therefore, do not bear the risk of costs associated with compliance, or failure to comply, with such regulations.
CAA Compliance
FirstEnergy is required to meet federally-approved SO2 and NOx emissions regulations under the CAA. FirstEnergy complies with SO2 and NOx reduction requirements under the CAA and SIP(s) by burning lower-sulfur fuel, combustion controls and post-combustion controls, generating more electricity from lower-emitting plants and/or using emission allowances. Violations can result in the shutdown of the generating unit involved and/or civil or criminal penalties.
The Sammis, Eastlake and Mansfield coal-fired plants are operated under a consent decree with the EPA and DOJ that requires reductions of NOx and SO2 emissions through the installation of pollution control devices or repowering. OE and Penn are subject to stipulated penalties for failure to install and operate such pollution controls in accordance with that agreement.
In July 2008, three complaints were filed against FGCO in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking damages based on Bruce Mansfield Plant air emissions. Two of these complaints also seek to enjoin the Bruce Mansfield Plant from operating except in a “safe, responsible, prudent and proper manner” one being a complaint filed on behalf of twenty-one individuals and the other being a class action complaint seeking certification as a class action with the eight named plaintiffs as the class representatives. FGCO believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself against the allegations made in these three complaints.
The states of New Jersey and Connecticut filed CAA citizen suits in 2007 alleging NSR violations at the Portland Generation Station against GenOn Energy, Inc. (formerly RRI Energy, Inc. and the current owner and operator), Sithe Energy (the purchaser of the Portland Station from Met-Ed in 1999) and Met-Ed. Specifically, these suits allege that “modifications” at Portland Units 1 and 2 occurred between 1980 and 2005 without preconstruction NSR permitting in violation of the CAA’s PSD program, and seek injunctive relief, penalties, attorney fees and mitigation of the harm caused by excess emissions. In September 2009, the Court granted Met-Ed’s motion to dismiss New Jersey’s and Connecticut’s claims for injunctive relief against Met-Ed, but denied Met-Ed’s motion to dismiss the claims for civil penalties. The parties dispute the scope of Met-Ed’s indemnity obligation to and from Sithe Energy, and Met-Ed is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.
In January 2009, the EPA issued a NOV to GenOn Energy, Inc. alleging NSR violations at the Portland Generation Station based on “modifications” dating back to 1986 and also alleged NSR violations at the Keystone and Shawville Stations based on “modifications” dating back to 1984. Met-Ed, JCP&L, as the former owner of 16.67% of the Keystone Station, and Penelec, as former owner and operator of the Shawville Station, are unable to predict the outcome of this matter.
In June 2008, the EPA issued a Notice and Finding of Violation to Mission Energy Westside, Inc. (Mission) alleging that “modifications” at the Homer City Power Station occurred from 1988 to the present without preconstruction NSR permitting in violation of the CAA’s PSD program. In May 2010, the EPA issued a second NOV to Mission, Penelec, New York State Electric & Gas Corporation and others that have had an ownership interest in the Homer City Power Station containing in all material respects allegations identical to those included in the June 2008 NOV. On July 20, 2010, the states of New York and Pennsylvania provided Mission, Penelec, NYSEG and others that have had an ownership interest in the Homer City Power Station a notification that was required 60 days prior to filing a citizen suit under the CAA. In January 2011, the DOJ filed a complaint against Penelec in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking injunctive relief against Penelec based on alleged “modifications” at the Homer City Power Station between 1991 to 1994 without preconstruction NSR permitting in violation of the CAA’s PSD and Title V permitting programs. The complaint was also filed against the former co-owner, New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, and various current owners of the Homer City Station, including EME Homer City Generation L.P. and affiliated companies, including Edison International. In January 2011, another complaint was filed against Penelec and the other entities described above in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking damages based on the Homer City Station’s air emissions as well as certification as a class action and to enjoin the Homer City Station from operating except in a “safe, responsible, prudent and proper manner.” Penelec believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself against the allegations made in the complaint, but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter. In addition, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the States of New Jersey and New York intervened and have filed separate complaints regarding the Homer City Station seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties. Mission is seeking indemnification from Penelec, the co-owner and operator of the Homer City Power Station prior to its sale in 1999. The scope of Penelec’s indemnity obligation to and from Mission is under dispute and Penelec is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

 

51


Table of Contents

In August 2009, the EPA issued a Finding of Violation and NOV alleging violations of the CAA and Ohio regulations, including the PSD, NNSR and Title V regulations at the Eastlake, Lakeshore, Bay Shore and Ashtabula generating plants. The EPA’s NOV alleges equipment replacements occurring during maintenance outages dating back to 1990 triggered the pre-construction permitting requirements under the PSD and NNSR programs. FGCO received a request for certain operating and maintenance information and planning information for these same generating plants and notification that the EPA is evaluating whether certain maintenance at the Eastlake generating plant may constitute a major modification under the NSR provision of the CAA. Later in 2009, FGCO also received another information request regarding emission projections for the Eastlake generating plant. FGCO intends to comply with the CAA, including the EPA’s information requests but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.
In August 2000, AE received a letter from the EPA requesting that it provide information and documentation relevant to the operation and maintenance of the following ten electric generation facilities, which collectively include 22 generation units: Albright, Armstrong, Fort Martin, Harrison, Hatfield’s Ferry, Mitchell, Pleasants, Rivesville, R. Paul Smith and Willow Island. The letter requested information under Section 114 of the CAA to determine compliance with the CAA and related requirements, including potential application of the NSR standards under the CAA, which can require the installation of additional air emission control equipment when the major modification of an existing facility results in an increase in emissions. AE has provided responsive information to this and a subsequent request but is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.
In May 2004, AE, AE Supply, MP and WP received a Notice of Intent to Sue Pursuant to CAA §7604 from the Attorneys General of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and from the PA DEP, alleging that Allegheny performed major modifications in violation of the PSD provisions of the CAA at the following West Virginia coal-fired facilities: Albright Unit 3; Fort Martin Units 1 and 2; Harrison Units 1, 2 and 3; Pleasants Units 1 and 2 and Willow Island Unit 2. The Notice also alleged PSD violations at the Armstrong, Hatfield’s Ferry and Mitchell generation facilities in Pennsylvania and identifies PA DEP as the lead agency regarding those facilities. In September 2004, AE, AE Supply, MP and WP received a separate Notice of Intent to Sue from the Maryland Attorney General that essentially mirrored the previous Notice.
In June 2005, the PA DEP and the Attorneys General of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland filed suit against AE, AE Supply, MP, PE and WP in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania alleging, among other things, that Allegheny performed major modifications in violation of the CAA and the Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act at the Hatfield’s Ferry, Armstrong and Mitchell facilities in Pennsylvania. On January 17, 2006, the PA DEP and the Attorneys General filed an amended complaint. In May 2006, the District Court denied Allegheny’s motion to dismiss the amended complaint. In July 2006, the Court determined that discovery would proceed regarding liability issues, but not remedies. Discovery on the liability phase closed on December 31, 2007, and summary judgment briefing was completed during the first quarter of 2008. In November 2008, the District Court issued a Memorandum Order denying all motions for summary judgment and establishing certain legal standards to govern at trial. In December 2009, a new trial judge was assigned to the case, who then entered an order granting a motion to reconsider the rulings in the November 2008 Memorandum Order. In April 2010, the new judge issued an opinion, again denying all motions for summary judgment and establishing certain legal standards to govern at trial. The non-jury trial on liability only was held in September 2010. Plaintiffs filed their proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law in December 2010, Allegheny made its related filings in February 2011 and plaintiffs filed their responses in April 2011. The parties are awaiting a decision from the District Court, but there is no deadline for that decision.
In September 2007, Allegheny also received a NOV from the EPA alleging NSR and PSD violations under the CAA, as well as Pennsylvania and West Virginia state laws at the Hatfield’s Ferry and Armstrong generation facilities in Pennsylvania and the Fort Martin and Willow Island generation facilities in West Virginia.
FirstEnergy intends to vigorously defend against the CAA matters described above but cannot predict their outcomes.
State Air Quality Compliance
In early 2006, Maryland passed the Healthy Air Act, which imposes state-wide emission caps on SO2 and NOX, requires mercury emission reductions and mandates that Maryland join the RGGI and participate in that coalition’s regional efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. On April 20, 2007, Maryland became the 10th state to join the RGGI. The Healthy Air Act provides a conditional exemption for the R. Paul Smith power station for NOX, SO2 and mercury, based on a PJM declaration that the station is vital to reliability in the Baltimore/Washington DC metropolitan area, which PJM determined in 2006. Pursuant to the legislation, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) passed alternate NOX and SO2 limits for R. Paul Smith, which became effective in April 2009. However, R. Paul Smith is still required to meet the Healthy Air Act mercury reductions of 80% beginning in 2010. The statutory exemption does not extend to R. Paul Smith’s CO2 emissions. Maryland issued final regulations to implement RGGI requirements in February 2008. Ten RGGI auctions have been held through the end of calendar year 2010. RGGI allowances are also readily available in the allowance markets, affording another mechanism by which to secure necessary allowances. On March 14, 2011, MDE requested PJM perform an analysis to determine if termination of operation at R. Paul Smith would adversely impact the reliability of electrical service in the PJM region under current system conditions. FirstEnergy is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

 

52


Table of Contents

In January 2010, the WVDEP issued a NOV for opacity emissions at Allegheny’s Pleasants generating facility. FirstEnergy is discussing with WVDEP steps to resolve the NOV including installing a reagent injection system to reduce opacity.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
The EPA’s CAIR requires reductions of NOx and SO2 emissions in two phases (2009/2010 and 2015), ultimately capping SO2 emissions in affected states to 2.5 million tons annually and NOx emissions to 1.3 million tons annually. In 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated CAIR “in its entirety” and directed the EPA to “redo its analysis from the ground up.” In December 2008, the Court reconsidered its prior ruling and allowed CAIR to remain in effect to “temporarily preserve its environmental values” until the EPA replaces CAIR with a new rule consistent with the Court’s opinion. The Court ruled in a different case that a cap-and-trade program similar to CAIR, called the “NOx SIP Call,” cannot be used to satisfy certain CAA requirements (known as reasonably available control technology) for areas in non-attainment under the “8-hour” ozone NAAQS. In July 2010, the EPA proposed the Clean Air Transport Rule (CATR) to replace CAIR, which remains in effect until the EPA finalizes CATR. CATR requires reductions of NOx and SO2 emissions in two phases (2012 and 2014), ultimately capping SO2 emissions in affected states to 2.6 million tons annually and NOx emissions to 1.3 million tons annually. The EPA proposed a preferred regulatory approach that allows trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances between power plants located in the same state and severely limits interstate trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances. The EPA also requested comment on two alternative approaches—the first eliminates interstate trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances and the second eliminates trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances in its entirety. Depending on the actions taken by the EPA with respect to CATR, the proposed MACT regulations discussed below and any future regulations that are ultimately implemented, FGCO’s future cost of compliance may be substantial. Management is currently assessing the impact of these environmental proposals and other factors on FGCO’s facilities, particularly on the operation of its smaller, non-supercritical units. For example, as disclosed herein, management decided to idle certain units or operate them on a seasonal basis until developments clarify.
Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions
On March 16, 2011, the EPA released its MACT proposal to establish emission standards for mercury, hydrochloric acid and various metals for electric generating units. Depending on the action taken by the EPA and how any future regulations are ultimately implemented, FirstEnergy’s future cost of compliance with MACT regulations may be substantial and changes to FirstEnergy’s operations may result.
Climate Change
There are a number of initiatives to reduce GHG emissions under consideration at the federal, state and international level. At the federal level, members of Congress have introduced several bills seeking to reduce emissions of GHG in the United States, and the House of Representatives passed one such bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, in June 2009. The Senate continues to consider a number of measures to regulate GHG emissions. President Obama has announced his Administration’s “New Energy for America Plan” that includes, among other provisions, proposals to ensure that 10% of electricity used in the United States comes from renewable sources by 2012, to increase to 25% by 2025, to implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce GHG emissions by 80% by 2050. Certain states, primarily the northeastern states participating in the RGGI and western states, led by California, have coordinated efforts to develop regional strategies to control emissions of certain GHGs.
In September 2009, the EPA finalized a national GHG emissions collection and reporting rule that required FirstEnergy to measure GHG emissions commencing in 2010 and will require it to submit reports commencing in 2011. In December 2009, the EPA released its final “Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act.” The EPA’s finding concludes that concentrations of several key GHGs increase the threat of climate change and may be regulated as “air pollutants” under the CAA. In April 2010, the EPA finalized new GHG standards for model years 2012 to 2016 passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles and clarified that GHG regulation under the CAA would not be triggered for electric generating plants and other stationary sources until January 2, 2011, at the earliest. In May 2010, the EPA finalized new thresholds for GHG emissions that define when permits under the CAA’s NSR program would be required. The EPA established an emissions applicability threshold of 75,000 tons per year (tpy) of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) effective January 2, 2011 for existing facilities under the CAA’s PSD program. Until July 1, 2011, this emissions applicability threshold will only apply if PSD is triggered by non-CO2 pollutants.

 

53


Table of Contents

At the international level, the Kyoto Protocol, signed by the U.S. in 1998 but never submitted for ratification by the U.S. Senate, was intended to address global warming by reducing the amount of man-made GHG, including CO2, emitted by developed countries by 2012. A December 2009 U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen did not reach a consensus on a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol, but did take note of the Copenhagen Accord, a non-binding political agreement that recognized the scientific view that the increase in global temperature should be below two degrees Celsius; includes a commitment by developed countries to provide funds, approaching $30 billion over the next three years with a goal of increasing to $100 billion by 2020; and establishes the “Copenhagen Green Climate Fund” to support mitigation, adaptation, and other climate-related activities in developing countries. To the extent that they have become a party to the Copenhagen Accord, developed economies, such as the European Union, Japan, Russia and the United States, would commit to quantified economy-wide emissions targets from 2020, while developing countries, including Brazil, China and India, would agree to take mitigation actions, subject to their domestic measurement, reporting and verification.
In 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversed and remanded lower court decisions that had dismissed complaints alleging damage from GHG emissions on jurisdictional grounds. However, a subsequent ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reinstated the lower court dismissal of a complaint alleging damage from GHG emissions. These cases involve common law tort claims, including public and private nuisance, alleging that GHG emissions contribute to global warming and result in property damages. The U.S. Supreme Court granted a writ of certiorari to review the decision of the Second Circuit. Oral argument was held on April 19, 2011, and a decision is expected by July 2011. While FirstEnergy is not a party to this litigation, FirstEnergy and/or one or more of its subsidiaries could be named in actions making similar allegations.
FirstEnergy cannot currently estimate the financial impact of climate change policies, although potential legislative or regulatory programs restricting CO2 emissions, or litigation alleging damages from GHG emissions, could require significant capital and other expenditures or result in changes to its operations. The CO2 emissions per KWH of electricity generated by FirstEnergy is lower than many of its regional competitors due to its diversified generation sources, which include low or non-CO2 emitting gas-fired and nuclear generators.
Clean Water Act
Various water quality regulations, the majority of which are the result of the federal Clean Water Act and its amendments, apply to FirstEnergy’s plants. In addition, the states in which FirstEnergy operates have water quality standards applicable to FirstEnergy’s operations.
The EPA established new performance standards under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act for reducing impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures at certain existing electric generating plants. The regulations call for reductions in impingement mortality (when aquatic organisms are pinned against screens or other parts of a cooling water intake system) and entrainment (which occurs when aquatic life is drawn into a facility’s cooling water system). The EPA has taken the position that until further rulemaking occurs, permitting authorities should continue the existing practice of applying their best professional judgment to minimize impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures. In April 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed one significant aspect of the Second Circuit’s opinion and decided that Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to compare costs with benefits in determining the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact at cooling water intake structures. On March 28, 2011, the EPA released a new proposed regulation under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act generally requiring fish impingement to be reduced to a 12% annual average and studies to be conducted at the majority of our existing generating facilities to assist permitting authorities to determine whether and what site-specific controls, if any, would be required to reduce entrainment of aquatic life. FirstEnergy is studying various control options and their costs and effectiveness, including pilot testing of reverse louvers in a portion of the Bay Shore power plant’s water intake channel to divert fish away from the plant’s water intake system. In November 2010, the Ohio EPA issued a permit for the Bay Shore power plant requiring installation of reverse louvers in its entire water intake channel by December 31, 2014. Depending on the results of such studies and the EPA’s further rulemaking and any final action taken by the states exercising best professional judgment, the future costs of compliance with these standards may require material capital expenditures.
In April 2011, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cleveland, Ohio advised FGCO that it is no longer considering prosecution under the Clean Water Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for three petroleum spills at the Edgewater, Lakeshore and Bay Shore plants which occurred on November 1, 2005, January 26, 2007 and February 27, 2007. This matter has been referred back to EPA for civil enforcement and FGCO is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.

 

54


Table of Contents

Monongahela River Water Quality
In late 2008, the PA DEP imposed water quality criteria for certain effluents, including TDS and sulfate concentrations in the Monongahela River, on new and modified sources, including the scrubber project at the Hatfield’s Ferry generation facility. These criteria are reflected in the current PA DEP water discharge permit for that project. AE Supply appealed the PA DEP’s permitting decision, which would require it to incur significant costs or negatively affect its ability to operate the scrubbers as designed. Preliminary studies indicate an initial capital investment in excess of $150 million in order to install technology to meet the TDS and sulfate limits in the permit. The permit has been independently appealed by Environmental Integrity Project and Citizens Coal Council, which seeks to impose more stringent technology-based effluent limitations. Those same parties have intervened in the appeal filed by AE Supply, and both appeals have been consolidated for discovery purposes. An order has been entered that stays the permit limits that AE Supply has challenged while the appeal is pending. The hearing is scheduled to begin on September 13, 2011. AE Supply intends to vigorously pursue these issues, but cannot predict the outcome of these appeals.
In a parallel rulemaking, the PA DEP recommended, and in August 2010, the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board issued, a final rule imposing end-of-pipe TDS effluent limitations. FirstEnergy could incur significant costs for additional control equipment to meet the requirements of this rule, although its provisions do not apply to electric generating units until the end of 2018, and then only if the EPA has not promulgated TDS effluent limitation guidelines applicable to such units.
In December 2010, PA DEP submitted its Clean Water Act 303(d) list to the EPA with a recommended sulfate impairment designation for an approximately 68 mile stretch of the Monongahela River north of the West Virginia border. EPA has not acted on PA DEP’s recommendation. If the designation is approved, Pennsylvania will then need to develop a TMDL limit for the river, a process that will take about five years. Based on the stringency of the TMDL, FirstEnergy may incur significant costs to reduce sulfate discharges into the Monongahela River from its Hatfield’s Ferry and Mitchell facilities in Pennsylvania and its Fort Martin facility in West Virginia.
In October 2009, the WVDEP issued the water discharge permit for the Fort Martin generation facility. Similar to the Hatfield’s Ferry water discharge permit issued for the scrubber project, the Fort Martin permit imposes effluent limitations for TDS and sulfate concentrations. The permit also imposes temperature limitations and other effluent limits for heavy metals that are not contained in the Hatfield’s Ferry water permit. Concurrent with the issuance of the Fort Martin permit, WVDEP also issued an administrative order that sets deadlines for MP to meet certain of the effluent limits that are effective immediately under the terms of the permit. MP appealed the Fort Martin permit and the administrative order. The appeal included a request to stay certain of the conditions of the permit and order while the appeal is pending, which was granted pending a final decision on appeal and subject to WVDEP moving to dissolve the stay. The appeals have been consolidated. MP moved to dismiss certain of the permit conditions for the failure of the WVDEP to submit those conditions for public review and comment during the permitting process. An agreed-upon order that suspends further action on this appeal, pending WVDEP’s release for public review and comment on those conditions, was entered on August 11, 2010. The stay remains in effect during that process. The current terms of the Fort Martin permit would require MP to incur significant costs or negatively affect operations at Fort Martin. Preliminary information indicates an initial capital investment in excess of the capital investment that may be needed at Hatfield’s Ferry in order to install technology to meet the TDS and sulfate limits in the Fort Martin permit, which technology may also meet certain of the other effluent limits in the permit. Additional technology may be needed to meet certain other limits in the permit. MP intends to vigorously pursue these issues but cannot predict the outcome of these appeals.
Regulation of Waste Disposal
Federal and state hazardous waste regulations have been promulgated as a result of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, and the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Certain fossil-fuel combustion residuals, such as coal ash, were exempted from hazardous waste disposal requirements pending the EPA’s evaluation of the need for future regulation. In February 2009, the EPA requested comments from the states on options for regulating coal combustion residuals, including whether they should be regulated as hazardous or non-hazardous waste.
In December 2009, in an advanced notice of public rulemaking, the EPA asserted that the large volumes of coal combustion residuals produced by electric utilities pose significant financial risk to the industry. In May 2010, the EPA proposed two options for additional regulation of coal combustion residuals, including the option of regulation as a special waste under the EPA’s hazardous waste management program which could have a significant impact on the management, beneficial use and disposal of coal combustion residuals. FirstEnergy’s future cost of compliance with any coal combustion residuals regulations that may be promulgated could be substantial and would depend, in part, on the regulatory action taken by the EPA and implementation by the EPA or the states.

 

55


Table of Contents

The Utility Registrants have been named as potentially responsible parties at waste disposal sites, which may require cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. Allegations of disposal of hazardous substances at historical sites and the liability involved are often unsubstantiated and subject to dispute; however, federal law provides that all potentially responsible parties for a particular site may be liable on a joint and several basis. Environmental liabilities that are considered probable have been recognized on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2011, based on estimates of the total costs of cleanup, the Utility Registrants proportionate responsibility for such costs and the financial ability of other unaffiliated entities to pay. Total liabilities of approximately $104 million (JCP&L — $69 million, TE — $1 million, CEI — $1 million, FGCO — $1 million and FirstEnergy — $32 million) have been accrued through March 31, 2011. Included in the total are accrued liabilities of approximately $64 million for environmental remediation of former manufactured gas plants and gas holder facilities in New Jersey, which are being recovered by JCP&L through a non-bypassable SBC.
(C) OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Power Outages and Related Litigation
In July 1999, the Mid-Atlantic States experienced a severe heat wave, which resulted in power outages throughout the service territories of many electric utilities, including JCP&L. Two class action lawsuits (subsequently consolidated into a single proceeding) were filed in New Jersey Superior Court in July 1999 against JCP&L, GPU and other GPU companies, seeking compensatory and punitive damages due to the outages. After various motions, rulings and appeals, the Plaintiffs’ claims for consumer fraud, common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, strict product liability and punitive damages were dismissed, leaving only the negligence and breach of contract causes of actions. On July 29, 2010, the Appellate Division upheld the trial court’s decision decertifying the class. Plaintiffs have filed, and JCP&L has opposed, a motion for leave to appeal to the New Jersey Supreme Court. In November 2010, the Supreme Court issued an order denying Plaintiffs’ motion. The Court’s order effectively ends the class action attempt, and leaves only nine (9) plaintiffs to pursue their respective individual claims. The remaining individual plaintiffs have not taken any affirmative steps to pursue their individual claims.
Nuclear Plant Matters
Under NRC regulations, FirstEnergy must ensure that adequate funds will be available to decommission its nuclear facilities. As of March 31, 2011, FirstEnergy had approximately $2 billion invested in external trusts to be used for the decommissioning and environmental remediation of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley, Perry and TMI-2. FirstEnergy provides an additional $15 million parental guarantee associated with the funding of decommissioning costs for these units. As required by the NRC, FirstEnergy annually recalculates and adjusts the amount of its parental guarantee, as appropriate. The values of FirstEnergy’s nuclear decommissioning trusts fluctuate based on market conditions. If the value of the trusts decline by a material amount, FirstEnergy’s obligation to fund the trusts may increase. Disruptions in the capital markets and their effects on particular businesses and the economy could also affect the values of the nuclear decommissioning trusts. The NRC issued guidance anticipating an increase in low-level radioactive waste disposal costs associated with the decommissioning of FirstEnergy’s nuclear facilities. On March 28, 2011, FENOC submitted its biennial report on nuclear decommissioning funding to the NRC. This submittal identified a total shortfall in nuclear decommissioning funding for Beaver Valley Unit 1 and Perry of approximately $92.5 million. This estimate encompasses the shortfall covered by the existing $15 million parental guarantee. FENOC agreed to increase the parental guarantee to $95 million within 90 days of the submittal.
In August 2010, FENOC submitted an application to the NRC for renewal of the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station operating license for an additional twenty years, until 2037. By an order dated April 26, 2011, the NRC Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) granted a hearing on the Davis-Besse license renewal application to a group of petitioners. By this order, the ASLB also admitted two contentions regarding (1) a combination of renewable alternatives to the renewal of Davis-Besse’s operating license, and (2) the cost of mitigating a severe accident at Davis-Besse. FENOC is currently evaluating these developments and considering an appropriate response. On April 14, 2011, a group of environmental organizations petitioned the NRC Commissioners to suspend all pending nuclear license renewal proceedings, including the Davis-Besse proceeding, to ensure that any safety and environmental implications of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station event in Japan are considered.
In January 2004, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims seeking damages in connection with costs incurred at the Beaver Valley, Davis-Besse and Perry Nuclear facilities as a result of the DOE failure to begin accepting spent nuclear fuel on January 31, 1998. DOE was required to so commence accepting spent nuclear fuel by the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (42 USC 10101 et seq) and the contracts entered into by the DOE and the owners and operators of these facilities pursuant to the Act. On January 18, 2011, the parties, FirstEnergy and DOJ, filed a joint status report that established a schedule for the litigation of these claims. FirstEnergy filed damages schedules and disclosures with the DOJ on February 11, 2011, seeking approximately $57 million in damages for delay costs incurred through September 30, 2010. The damage claim is subject to review and audit by DOE.

 

56


Table of Contents

Other Legal Matters
In February 2010, a class action lawsuit was filed in Geauga County Court of Common Pleas against FirstEnergy, CEI and OE seeking declaratory judgment and injunctive relief, as well as compensatory, incidental and consequential damages, on behalf of a class of customers related to the reduction of a discount that had previously been in place for residential customers with electric heating, electric water heating, or load management systems. The reduction in the discount was approved by the PUCO. In March 2010, the named-defendant companies filed a motion to dismiss the case due to the lack of jurisdiction of the court of common pleas. The court granted the motion to dismiss on September 7, 2010. The plaintiffs appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals of Ohio, which has not yet rendered an opinion.
There are various lawsuits, claims (including claims for asbestos exposure) and proceedings related to FirstEnergy’s normal business operations pending against FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries. The other potentially material items not otherwise discussed above are described below.
FirstEnergy accrues legal liabilities only when it concludes that it is probable that it has an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. If it were ultimately determined that FirstEnergy or its subsidiaries have legal liability or are otherwise made subject to liability based on the above matters, it could have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy’s or its subsidiaries’ financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
10. REGULATORY MATTERS
(A) RELIABILITY INITIATIVES
Federally-enforceable mandatory reliability standards apply to the bulk electric system and impose certain operating, record-keeping and reporting requirements on the Utilities, FES, FGCO, FENOC, and ATSI and TrAIL Company. The NERC, as the ERO is charged with establishing and enforcing these reliability standards, although it has delegated day-to-day implementation and enforcement of these reliability standards to eight regional entities, including ReliabilityFirst Corporation. All of FirstEnergy’s facilities are located within the ReliabilityFirst region. FirstEnergy actively participates in the NERC and ReliabilityFirst stakeholder processes, and otherwise monitors and manages its companies in response to the ongoing development, implementation and enforcement of the reliability standards implemented and enforced by the ReliabilityFirst Corporation.
FirstEnergy believes that it generally is in compliance with all currently-effective and enforceable reliability standards. Nevertheless, in the course of operating its extensive electric utility systems and facilities, FirstEnergy occasionally learns of isolated facts or circumstances that could be interpreted as excursions from the reliability standards. If and when such items are found, FirstEnergy develops information about the item and develops a remedial response to the specific circumstances, including in appropriate cases “self-reporting” an item to ReliabilityFirst. Moreover, it is clear that the NERC, ReliabilityFirst and the FERC will continue to refine existing reliability standards as well as to develop and adopt new reliability standards. The financial impact of complying with new or amended standards cannot be determined at this time; however, 2005 amendments to the FPA provide that all prudent costs incurred to comply with the new reliability standards be recovered in rates. Still, any future inability on FirstEnergy’s part to comply with the reliability standards for its bulk power system could result in the imposition of financial penalties that could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
On December 9, 2008, a transformer at JCP&L’s Oceanview substation failed, resulting in an outage on certain bulk electric system (transmission voltage) lines out of the Oceanview and Atlantic substations resulting in customers losing power for up to eleven hours. On March 31, 2009, the NERC initiated a Compliance Violation Investigation in order to determine JCP&L’s contribution to the electrical event and to review any potential violation of NERC Reliability Standards associated with the event. NERC has submitted first and second Requests for Information regarding this and another related matter. JCP&L is complying with these requests. JCP&L is not able to predict what actions, if any, that the NERC may take with respect to this matter.
On August 23, 2010, FirstEnergy self-reported to ReliabilityFirst a vegetation encroachment event on a Met-Ed 230 kV line. This event did not result in a fault, outage, operation of protective equipment, or any other meaningful electric effect on any FirstEnergy transmission facilities or systems. On August 25, 2010, ReliabilityFirst issued a Notice of Enforcement to investigate the incident. FirstEnergy submitted a data response to ReliabilityFirst on September 27, 2010. In March 2011, ReliabilityFirst submitted its proposed findings and settlement. At this time, FirstEnergy is evaluating ReliabilityFirst’s proposal and is unable to predict the final outcome of this investigation.
Allegheny has been subject to routine audits with respect to its compliance with applicable reliability standards and has settled certain related issues. In addition, ReliabilityFirst is currently conducting certain violation investigations with regard to matters of compliance by Allegheny.

 

57


Table of Contents

(B) MARYLAND
In 1999, Maryland adopted electric industry restructuring legislation, which gave PE’s Maryland retail electric customers the right to choose their electricity generation suppliers. PE remained obligated to provide standard offer generation service (SOS) at capped rates to residential and non-residential customers for various periods. The longest such period, for residential customers, expired on December 31, 2008. PE implemented a rate stabilization plan in 2007 that was designed to transition customers from capped generation rates to rates based on market prices and that concluded on December 31, 2010. PE’s transmission and distribution rates for all customers are subject to traditional regulated utility ratemaking (i.e., cost-based rates).
By statute enacted in 2007, the obligation of Maryland utilities to provide SOS to residential and small commercial customers, in exchange for recovery of their costs plus a reasonable profit, was extended indefinitely. The legislation also established a five-year cycle (to begin in 2008) for the MDPSC to report to the legislature on the status of SOS. In August 2007, PE filed a plan for seeking bids to serve its Maryland residential load for the period after the expiration of rate caps. The MDPSC approved the plan and PE now conducts rolling auctions to procure the power supply necessary to serve its customer load. However, the terms on which PE will provide SOS to residential customers after the settlement beyond 2012 will depend on developments with respect to SOS in Maryland between now and then, including but not limited to possible MDPSC decisions in the proceedings discussed below.
The MDPSC opened a new docket in August 2007 to consider matters relating to possible “managed portfolio” approaches to SOS and other matters. “Phase II” of the case addressed utility purchases or construction of generation, bidding for procurement of demand response resources and possible alternatives if the TrAIL and PATH projects were delayed or defeated. It is unclear when the MDPSC will issue its findings in this and other SOS-related pending proceedings discussed below.
In September 2009, the MDPSC opened a new proceeding to receive and consider proposals for construction of new generation resources in Maryland. In December 2009, Governor Martin O’Malley filed a letter in this proceeding in which he characterized the electricity market in Maryland as a “failure” and urged the MDPSC to use its existing authority to order the construction of new generation in Maryland, vary the means used by utilities to procure generation and include more renewables in the generation mix. In August 2010, the MDPSC opened another new proceeding to solicit comments on the PJM RPM process. Public hearings on the comments were held in October 2010. In December 2010, the MDPSC issued an order soliciting comments on a model request for proposal for solicitation of long-term energy commitments by Maryland electric utilities. PE and numerous other parties filed comments, and at this time no further proceedings have been set by the MDPSC in this matter.
In September 2007, the MDPSC issued an order that required the Maryland utilities to file detailed plans for how they will meet the “EmPOWER Maryland” proposal that, in Maryland, electric consumption be reduced by 10% and electricity demand be reduced by 15%, in each case by 2015. In October 2007, PE filed its initial report on energy efficiency, conservation and demand reduction plans in connection with this order. The MDPSC conducted hearings on PE’s and other utilities’ plans in November 2007 and May 2008.
In a related development, the Maryland legislature in 2008 adopted a statute codifying the EmPOWER Maryland goals. In 2008, PE filed its comprehensive plans for attempting to achieve those goals, asking the MDPSC to approve programs for residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers, as well as a customer education program, and a pilot deployment of Advanced Utility Infrastructure (AUI) that Allegheny had previously tested in West Virginia. The MDPSC ultimately approved the programs in August 2009 after certain modifications had been made as required by the MDPSC, and approved cost recovery for the programs in October 2009. Expenditures were estimated to be approximately $101 million and would be recovered over the following six years. The AUI pilot was placed on a separate track to be re-examined after further discussion with the Staff of the MDPSC and other stakeholders. Meanwhile, extensive meetings with the MDPSC Staff and other stakeholders to discuss details of PE’s plans for additional and improved programs for the period 2012-2014 began in April 2011.
In March 2009, the Maryland PSC issued an order suspending until further notice the right of all electric and gas utilities in the state to terminate service to residential customers for non-payment of bills. The MDPSC subsequently issued an order making various rule changes relating to terminations, payment plans, and customer deposits that make it more difficult for Maryland utilities to collect deposits or to terminate service for non-payment. PE and several other utilities filed requests for reconsideration of various parts of the order, which were denied. The MDPSC is continuing to conduct hearings and collect data on payment plan and related issues and has adopted a set of proposed regulations that expand the summer and winter “severe weather” termination moratoria when temperatures are very high or very low, from one day, as provided by statute, to three days on each occurrence.

 

58


Table of Contents

On March 24, 2011, the MDPSC held an initial hearing to discuss possible new regulations relating to service interruptions, storm response, call center metrics, and related reliability standards. The proposed rules included provisions for civil penalties for non-compliance. Numerous parties filed comments on the proposed rules and participated in the hearing, with many noting issues of cost and practicality relating to implementation. Concurrently, the Maryland legislature is considering a bill addressing the same topics. The final bill passed on April 11, 2011, requires the MDPSC to promulgate rules by July 1, 2012 that address service interruptions, downed wire response, customer communication, vegetation management, equipment inspection, and annual reporting. In crafting the regulations, the MDPSC is directed to consider cost-effectiveness, and may adopt different standards for different utilities based on such factors as system design and existing infrastructure, geography, and customer density. Beginning in July 2013, the MDPSC is to assess each utility’s compliance with the standards, and may assess penalties of up to $25,000 per day per violation. The MDPSC has ordered that a working group of utilities, regulators, and other interested stakeholders meet to address the topics of the proposed rules.
In December 2009, PE filed an application with the MDPSC for authorization to construct the Maryland portions of the PATH Project to be owned by PATH Allegheny Maryland Transmission Company, LLC, which is owned by Potomac Edison and PATH-Allegheny. On February 28, 2011, PE withdrew its application. See “Transmission Expansion” in the Federal Regulation and Rate Matters section for further discussion of this matter.
(C) NEW JERSEY
JCP&L is permitted to defer for future collection from customers the amounts by which its costs of supplying BGS to non-shopping customers, costs incurred under NUG agreements, and certain other stranded costs, exceed amounts collected through BGS and NUG rates and market sales of NUG energy and capacity. As of March 31, 2011, the accumulated deferred cost balance was a credit of approximately $102 million. To better align the recovery of expected costs, in July 2010, JCP&L filed a request to decrease the amount recovered for the costs incurred under the NUG agreements by $180 million annually, which the NJBPU approved, allowing the change in rates to become effective March 1, 2011.
In March 2009 and again in February 2010, JCP&L filed annual SBC Petitions with the NJBPU that included a requested zero level of recovery of TMI-2 decommissioning costs based on an updated TMI-2 decommissioning cost analysis dated January 2009 estimated at $736 million (in 2003 dollars). Both matters are currently pending before the NJBPU.
(D) OHIO
The Ohio Companies operate under an ESP, which expires on May 31, 2011, that provides for generation supplied through a CBP. The ESP also allows the Ohio Companies to collect a delivery service improvement rider (Rider DSI) at an overall average rate of $0.002 per KWH for the period of April 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011. The Ohio Companies currently purchase generation at the average wholesale rate of a CBP conducted in May 2009. FES is one of the suppliers to the Ohio Companies through the May 2009 CBP. The PUCO approved a $136.6 million distribution rate increase for the Ohio Companies in January 2009, which went into effect on January 23, 2009 for OE ($68.9 million) and TE ($38.5 million) and on May 1, 2009 for CEI ($29.2 million).
In March 2010, the Ohio Companies filed an application for a new ESP, which the PUCO approved in August 2010, with certain modifications. The new ESP will go into effect on June 1, 2011 and conclude on May 31, 2014. The material terms of the new ESP include: a CBP similar to the one used in May 2009 and the one proposed on the October 2009 MRO filing (initial auctions held on October 20, 2010 and January 25, 2011); a load cap of no less than 80%, which also applies to tranches assigned post-auction; a 6% generation discount to certain low income customers provided by the Ohio Companies through a bilateral wholesale contract with FES; no increase in base distribution rates through May 31, 2014; and a new distribution rider, Delivery Capital Recovery Rider (Rider DCR), to recover a return of, and on, capital investments in the delivery system. Rider DCR substitutes for Rider DSI which terminates under the current ESP. The Ohio Companies also agreed not to recover from retail customers certain costs related to the companies’ integration into PJM for the longer of the five-year period from June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2015 or when the amount of costs avoided by customers for certain types of products totals $360 million dependent on the outcome of certain PJM proceedings, agreed to establish a $12 million fund to assist low income customers over the term of the ESP and agreed to additional matters related to energy efficiency and alternative energy requirements. Many of the existing riders approved in the previous ESP remain in effect, with some modifications. The new ESP resolved proceedings pending at the PUCO regarding corporate separation, elements of the smart grid proceeding and expenses related to the ESP.
Under the provisions of SB221, the Ohio Companies are required to implement energy efficiency programs that will achieve a total annual energy savings equivalent to approximately 166,000 MWH in 2009, 290,000 MWH in 2010, 410,000 MWH in 2011, 470,000 MWH in 2012 and 530,000 MWH in 2013, with additional savings required through 2025. Utilities are also required to reduce peak demand in 2009 by 1%, with an additional 0.75% reduction each year thereafter through 2018.

 

59


Table of Contents

In December 2009, the Ohio Companies filed the required three year portfolio plan seeking approval for the programs they intend to implement to meet the energy efficiency and peak demand reduction requirements for the 2010-2012 period. The Ohio Companies expect that all costs associated with compliance will be recoverable from customers. The PUCO issued an Opinion and Order generally approving the Ohio Companies’ 3-year plan, and the Companies are in the process of implementing those programs included in the Plan. Because of the delay in issuing the Order, the launch of the programs included in the plan for 2010 was delayed and will launch during the second quarter of this year. As a result, OE fell short of its statutory 2010 energy efficiency and peak demand reduction benchmarks. Therefore, on January 11, 2011, it requested that its 2010 energy efficiency and peak demand reduction benchmarks be amended to actual levels achieved in 2010. Moreover, because the PUCO indicated, when approving the 2009 benchmark request, that it would modify the Companies’ 2010 (and 2011 and 2012) energy efficiency benchmarks when addressing the portfolio plan, the Ohio Companies were not certain of their 2010 energy efficiency obligations. Therefore, CEI and TE (each of which achieved its 2010 energy efficiency and peak demand reduction statutory benchmarks) also requested an amendment if and only to the degree one was deemed necessary to bring these them into compliance with their yet-to-be-defined modified benchmarks. Failure to comply with the benchmarks or to obtain such an amendment may subject the Companies to an assessment by the PUCO of a penalty. In addition to approving the programs included in the plan, with only minor modifications, the PUCO authorized the Companies to recover all costs related to the original CFL program that the Ohio Companies had previously suspended at the request of the PUCO. Applications for Rehearing were filed on April 22, 2011, regarding portions of the PUCO’s decision, including the method for calculating savings and certain changes made by the PUCO to specific programs.
Additionally under SB221, electric utilities and electric service companies are required to serve part of their load from renewable energy resources equivalent to 0.25% of the KWH they served in 2009. In August and October 2009, the Ohio Companies conducted RFPs to secure RECs. The RFPs sought RECs, including solar RECs and RECs generated in Ohio in order to meet the Ohio Companies’ alternative energy requirements as set forth in SB221 for 2009, 2010 and 2011. The RECs acquired through these two RFPs were used to help meet the renewable energy requirements established under SB221 for 2009, 2010 and 2011. In March 2010, the PUCO found that there was an insufficient quantity of solar energy resources reasonably available in the market. The PUCO reduced the Ohio Companies’ aggregate 2009 benchmark to the level of solar RECs the Ohio Companies acquired through their 2009 RFP processes, provided the Ohio Companies’ 2010 alternative energy requirements be increased to include the shortfall for the 2009 solar REC benchmark. FES also applied for a force majeure determination from the PUCO regarding a portion of their compliance with the 2009 solar energy resource benchmark. On February 23, 2011, the PUCO granted FES’ force majeure request for 2009 and increased its 2010 benchmark by the amount of SRECs that FES was short of in its 2009 benchmark. In July 2010, the Ohio Companies initiated an additional RFP to secure RECs and solar RECs needed to meet the Ohio Companies’ alternative energy requirements as set forth in SB221 for 2010 and 2011 and executed related contracts in August 2010. On April 15, 2011, the Ohio Companies filed an application seeking an amendment to each of their 2010 alternative energy requirements for solar RECs generated in Ohio on the basis that an insufficient quantity of solar resources are available in the market but reflecting solar RECs that they have obtained and providing additional information regarding efforts to secure solar RECs. The PUCO has not yet acted on that application.
In February 2010, OE and CEI filed an application with the PUCO to establish a new credit for all-electric customers. In March 2010, the PUCO ordered that rates for the affected customers be set at a level that will provide bill impacts commensurate with charges in place on December 31, 2008 and authorized the Ohio Companies to defer incurred costs equivalent to the difference between what the affected customers would have paid under previously existing rates and what they pay with the new credit in place. Tariffs implementing this new credit went into effect in March 2010. In April 2010, the PUCO issued a Second Entry on Rehearing that expanded the group of customers to which the new credit would apply and authorized deferral for the associated additional amounts. The PUCO also stated that it expected that the new credit would remain in place through at least the 2011 winter season, and charged its staff to work with parties to seek a long term solution to the issue. Tariffs implementing this newly expanded credit went into effect in May 2010 and the proceeding remains open. The hearing on the matter was held in February 2011. The matter has now been briefed and the Ohio Companies await the PUCO’s decision.

 

60


Table of Contents

(E) PENNSYLVANIA
The PPUC entered an Order on March 3, 2010 that denied the recovery of marginal transmission losses through the TSC rider for the period of June 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008, directed Met-Ed and Penelec to submit a new tariff or tariff supplement reflecting the removal of marginal transmission losses from the TSC, and instructed Met-Ed and Penelec to work with the various intervening parties to file a recommendation to the PPUC regarding the establishment of a separate account for all marginal transmission losses collected from ratepayers plus interest to be used to mitigate future generation rate increases beginning January 1, 2011. In March 2010, Met-Ed and Penelec filed a Petition with the PPUC requesting that it stay the portion of the March 3, 2010 Order requiring the filing of tariff supplements to end collection of costs for marginal transmission losses. The PPUC granted the requested stay until December 31, 2010. Pursuant to the PPUC’s order, Met-Ed and Penelec filed plans to establish separate accounts for marginal transmission loss revenues and related interest and carrying charges and for the use of these funds to mitigate future generation rate increases which the PPUC approved. In April 2010, Met-Ed and Penelec filed a Petition for Review with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania appealing the PPUC’s March 3, 2010 Order. The argument before the Commonwealth Court, en banc, was held in December 2010. Although the ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time, Met-Ed and Penelec believe that they should prevail in the appeal and therefore expect to fully recover the approximately $252.7 million ($188.0 million for Met-Ed and $64.7 million for Penelec) in marginal transmission losses for the period prior to January 1, 2011.
In May 2008, May 2009 and May 2010, the PPUC approved Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s annual updates to their TSC rider for the annual periods between June 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010, including marginal transmission losses as approved by the PPUC, although the recovery of marginal losses will be subject to the outcome of the proceeding related to the 2008 TSC filing as described above. The PPUC’s approval in May 2010 authorized an increase to the TSC for Met-Ed’s customers to provide for full recovery by December 31, 2010.
Met-Ed and Penelec filed with the PPUC a generation procurement plan covering the period January 1, 2011 through May 31, 2013. The plan is designed to provide adequate and reliable service through a prudent mix of long-term, short-term and spot market generation supply with a staggered procurement schedule that varies by customer class, using a descending clock auction. In August 2009, the parties to the proceeding filed a settlement agreement of all but two issues, and the PPUC entered an Order approving the settlement and the generation procurement plan in November 2009. Generation procurement began in January 2010.
In February 2010, Penn filed a Petition for Approval of its Default Service Plan for the period June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2013. In July 2010, the parties to the proceeding filed a Joint Petition for Settlement of all issues. Although the PPUC’s Order approving the Joint Petition held that the provisions relating to the recovery of MISO exit fees and one-time PJM integration costs (resulting from Penn’s June 1, 2011 exit from MISO and integration into PJM) were approved, it made such provisions subject to the approval of cost recovery by FERC. Therefore, Penn may not put these provisions into effect until FERC has approved the recovery and allocation of MISO exit fees and PJM integration costs.
Pennsylvania adopted Act 129 in 2008 to address issues such as: energy efficiency and peak load reduction; generation procurement; time-of-use rates; smart meters; and alternative energy. Among other things, Act 129 required utilities to file with the PPUC an energy efficiency and peak load reduction plan, or EE&C Plan, by July 1, 2009, setting forth the utilities’ plans to reduce energy consumption by a minimum of 1% and 3% by May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2013, respectively, and to reduce peak demand by a minimum of 4.5% by May 31, 2013. Act 129 also required utilities to file with the PPUC a Smart Meter Implementation Plan (SMIP).
The PPUC entered an Order in February 2010 giving final approval to all aspects of the EE&C Plans of Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn and the tariff rider with rates effective March 1, 2010.
WP filed its original EE&C Plan in June 2009, which the PPUC approved, in large part, by Opinion and Order entered in October 2009. In November 2009, the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) filed an appeal with the Commonwealth Court of the PPUC’s October Order. The OCA contends that the PPUC’s Order failed to include WP’s costs for smart meter implementation in the EE&C Plan, and that inclusion of such costs would cause the EE&C Plan to exceed the statutory cap for EE&C expenditures. The OCA also contends that WP’s EE&C plan does not meet the Total Resource Cost Test. The appeal remains pending but has been stayed by the Commonwealth Court pending possible settlement of WP’s SMIP. In September, 2010, WP filed an amended EE&C Plan that is less reliant on smart meter deployment, which the PPUC approved in January 2011.

 

61


Table of Contents

Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn jointly filed a SMIP with the PPUC in August 2009. This plan proposed a 24-month assessment period in which the Pennsylvania Companies will assess their needs, select the necessary technology, secure vendors, train personnel, install and test support equipment, and establish a cost effective and strategic deployment schedule, which currently is expected to be completed in fifteen years. Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn estimate assessment period costs of approximately $29.5 million, which the Pennsylvania Companies, in their plan, proposed to recover through an automatic adjustment clause. The ALJ’s Initial Decision approved the SMIP as modified by the ALJ, including: ensuring that the smart meters to be deployed include the capabilities listed in the PPUC’s Implementation Order; denying the recovery of interest through the automatic adjustment clause; providing for the recovery of reasonable and prudent costs net of resulting savings from installation and use of smart meters; and requiring that administrative start-up costs be expensed and the costs incurred for research and development in the assessment period be capitalized. In April 2010, the PPUC adopted a Motion by Chairman Cawley that modified the ALJ’s initial decision, and decided various issues regarding the SMIP for Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn. The PPUC entered its Order in June 2010, consistent with the Chairman’s Motion. Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn filed a Petition for Reconsideration of a single portion of the PPUC’s Order regarding the future ability to include smart meter costs in base rates, which the PPUC granted in part by deleting language from its original order that would have precluded Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn from seeking to include smart meter costs in base rates at a later time. The costs to implement the SMIP could be material. However, assuming these costs satisfy a just and reasonable standard, they are expected to be recovered in a rider (Smart Meter Technologies Charge Rider) which was approved when the PPUC approved the SMIP.
In August 2009, WP filed its original SMIP, which provided for extensive deployment of smart meter infrastructure with replacement of all of WP’s approximately 725,000 meters by the end of 2014. In December 2009, WP filed a motion to reopen the evidentiary record to submit an alternative smart meter plan proposing, among other things, a less-rapid deployment of smart meters. In an Initial Decision dated April 29, 2010, an ALJ determined that WP’s alternative smart meter deployment plan, which contemplated deployment of 375,000 smart meters by May 2012, complied with the requirements of Act 129 and recommended approval of the alternative plan, including WP’s proposed cost recovery mechanism.
In light of the significant expenditures that would be associated with its smart meter deployment plans and related infrastructure upgrades, as well as its evaluation of recent PPUC decisions approving less-rapid deployment proposals by other utilities, WP re-evaluated its Act 129 compliance strategy, including both its plans with respect to smart meter deployment and certain smart meter dependent aspects of the EE&C Plan. In October 2010, WP and Pennsylvania’s Office of Consumer Advocate filed a Joint Petition for Settlement addressing WP’s smart meter implementation plan with the PPUC. Under the terms of the proposed settlement, WP proposed to decelerate its previously contemplated smart meter deployment schedule and to target the installation of approximately 25,000 smart meters in support of its EE&C Plan, based on customer requests, by mid-2012. The proposed settlement also contemplates that WP take advantage of the 30-month grace period authorized by the PPUC to continue WP’s efforts to re-evaluate full-scale smart meter deployment plans. WP currently anticipates filing its plan for full-scale deployment of smart meters in June 2012. Under the terms of the proposed settlement, WP would be permitted to recover certain previously incurred and anticipated smart-meter related expenditures through a levelized customer surcharge, with certain expenditures amortized over a ten-year period. Additionally, WP would be permitted to seek recovery of certain other costs as part of its revised SMIP that it currently intends to file in June 2012, or in a future base distribution rate case.
In December 2010, the PPUC directed that the SMIP proceeding be referred to the ALJ for further proceedings to ensure that the impact of the proposed merger with FirstEnergy is considered and that the Joint Petition for Settlement has adequate support in the record. On March 9, 2011, WP submitted an Amended Joint Petition for Settlement which restates the Joint Petition for Settlement filed in October 2010, adds the PPUC’s Office of Trial Staff as a signatory party, and confirms the support or non-opposition of all parties to the settlement. The proposed settlement also obligates OCA to withdraw its November 2009 appeal of the PPUC’s Order in WP’s EE&C plan proceeding. A Joint Stipulation with the OSBA was also filed on March 9, 2011. The proposed settlement remains subject to review by the ALJ, who will prepare an Initial Decision for consideration by the PPUC.
By Tentative Order entered in September 2009, the PPUC provided for an additional 30-day comment period on whether the 1998 Restructuring Settlement, which addressed how Met-Ed and Penelec were going to implement direct access to a competitive market for the generation of electricity, allows Met-Ed and Penelec to apply over-collection of NUG costs for select and isolated months to reduce non-NUG stranded costs when a cumulative NUG stranded cost balance exists. In response to the Tentative Order, various parties filed comments objecting to the above accounting method utilized by Met-Ed and Penelec. Met-Ed and Penelec are awaiting further action by the PPUC.
In the PPUC Order approving the FirstEnergy and Allegheny merger, the PPUC announced that a separate statewide investigation into Pennsylvania’s retail electricity market will be conducted with the goal of making recommendations for improvements to ensure that a properly functioning and workable competitive retail electricity market exists in the state. The PPUC has not yet initiated that investigation.

 

62


Table of Contents

(F) VIRGINIA
In September 2010, PATH-VA filed an application with the Virginia SCC for authorization to construct the Virginia portions of the PATH Project. On February 28, 2011, PATH-VA filed a motion to withdraw the application. See “Transmission Expansion” in the Federal Regulation and Rate Matters section for further discussion of this matter.
(G) WEST VIRGINIA
In August 2009, MP and PE filed with the WVPSC a request to increase retail rates by approximately $122.1 million annually, effective June 10, 2010. In January 2010, MP and PE filed supplemental testimony discussing a tax treatment change that would result in a revenue requirement approximately $7.7 million lower than the requirement included in the original filing. In addition, in December 2009, subsidiaries of MP and PE completed a securitization transaction to finance certain costs associated with the installation of scrubbers at the Fort Martin generating station, which costs would otherwise have been included in the request for rate recovery. Consequently, MP and PE ultimately requested an annual increase in retail rates of approximately $95 million, rather than $122.1 million. In April 2010, MP and PE filed with the WVPSC a Joint Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement reached with the other parties in the proceeding that provided for:
   
a $40 million annualized base rate increase effective June 29, 2010;
   
a deferral of February 2010 storm restoration expenses in West Virginia over a maximum five-year period;
   
an additional $20 million annualized base rate increase effective in January 2011;
   
a decrease of $20 million in ENEC rates effective January 2011, which amount is deferred for later recovery in 2012; and
   
a moratorium on filing for further increases in base rates before December 1, 2011, except under specified circumstances.
The WVPSC approved the Joint Petition and Agreement of Settlement in June 2010.
In 2009, the West Virginia Legislature enacted the Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Act (Portfolio Act), which generally requires that a specified minimum percentage of electricity sold to retail customers in West Virginia by electric utilities each year be derived from alternative and renewable energy resources according to a predetermined schedule of increasing percentage targets, including ten percent by 2015, fifteen percent by 2020, and twenty-five percent by 2025. In November 2010, the WVPSC issued Rules Governing Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS Rules), which became effective on January 4, 2011. Under the RPS Rules, on or before January 1, 2011, each electric utility subject to the provisions of this rule was required to prepare an alternative and renewable energy portfolio standard compliance plan and file an application with the WVPSC seeking approval of such plan. MP and PE filed their combined compliance plan in December 2010. Additionally, in January 2011, MP and PE filed an application with the WVPSC seeking to certify three  facilities as Qualified Energy Resource Facilities. If the application is approved, the three facilities would then be capable of generating renewable credits which would assist the companies in meeting their combined requirements under the Portfolio Act. Further, in February 2011, MP and PE filed a petition with the WVPSC seeking an Order declaring that MP is entitled to all alternative & renewable energy resource credits associated with the electric energy, or energy and capacity, that MP is required to purchase pursuant to electric energy purchase agreements between MP and three non-utility electric generating facilities in WV. The City of New Martinsville, the owner of one of the contracted resources, has filed an opposition to the Petition.

 

63


Table of Contents

(H) FERC MATTERS
Rates for Transmission Service Between MISO and PJM
In November 2004, the FERC issued an order eliminating the through and out rate for transmission service between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC’s intent was to eliminate multiple transmission charges for a single transaction between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC also ordered MISO, PJM and the transmission owners within MISO and PJM to submit compliance filings containing a rate mechanism to recover lost transmission revenues created by elimination of this charge (referred to as SECA) during a 16-month transition period. In 2005, the FERC set the SECA for hearing. The presiding ALJ issued an initial decision in August 2006, rejecting the compliance filings made by MISO, PJM and the transmission owners, and directing new compliance filings. This decision was subject to review and approval by the FERC. In May 2010, FERC issued an order denying pending rehearing requests and an Order on Initial Decision which reversed the presiding ALJ’s rulings in many respects. Most notably, these orders affirmed the right of transmission owners to collect SECA charges with adjustments that modestly reduce the level of such charges, and changes to the entities deemed responsible for payment of the SECA charges. The Ohio Companies were identified as load serving entities responsible for payment of additional SECA charges for a portion of the SECA period (Green Mountain/Quest issue). FirstEnergy executed settlements with AEP, Dayton and the Exelon parties to fix FirstEnergy’s liability for SECA charges originally billed to Green Mountain and Quest for load that returned to regulated service during the SECA period. The AEP, Dayton and Exelon, settlements were approved by the FERC in November 2010, and the relevant payments made. The Utilities have refund obligations that are under review by FERC as part of a compliance filing. Potential refund obligations of FirstEnergy are not expected to be material. Rehearings remain pending in this proceeding.
PJM Transmission Rate
In April 2007, FERC issued an order (Opinion 494) finding that the PJM transmission owners’ existing “license plate” or zonal rate design was just and reasonable and ordered that the current license plate rates for existing transmission facilities be retained. On the issue of rates for new transmission facilities, FERC directed that costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at 500 kV or higher are to be collected from all transmission zones throughout the PJM footprint by means of a postage-stamp rate based on the amount of load served in a transmission zone. Costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at less than 500 kV, however, are to be allocated on a load flow methodology (DFAX), which is generally referred to as a “beneficiary pays” approach to allocating the cost of high voltage transmission facilities.
The FERC’s Opinion 494 order was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, which issued a decision in August 2009. The court affirmed FERC’s ratemaking treatment for existing transmission facilities, but found that FERC had not supported its decision to allocate costs for new 500+ kV facilities on a load ratio share basis and, based on this finding, remanded the rate design issue back to FERC.
In an order dated January 21, 2010, FERC set the matter for “paper hearings”— meaning that FERC called for parties to submit comments or written testimony pursuant to the schedule described in the order. FERC identified nine separate issues for comments and directed PJM to file the first round of comments on February 22, 2010, with other parties submitting responsive comments and then reply comments on later dates. PJM filed certain studies with FERC on April 13, 2010, in response to the FERC order. PJM’s filing demonstrated that allocation of the cost of high voltage transmission facilities on a beneficiary pays basis results in certain eastern utilities in PJM bearing the majority of the costs. Numerous parties filed responsive comments or studies on May 28, 2010 and reply comments on June 28, 2010. FirstEnergy and a number of other utilities, industrial customers and state commissions supported the use of the beneficiary pays approach for cost allocation for high voltage transmission facilities. Certain eastern utilities and their state commissions supported continued socialization of these costs on a load ratio share basis. This matter is awaiting action by the FERC.
RTO Realignment
On February 1, 2011, ATSI in conjunction with PJM filed its proposal with FERC for moving its transmission rate into PJM’s tariffs. FirstEnergy expects ATSI to enter PJM on June 1, 2011, and that if legal proceedings regarding its rate are outstanding at that time, ATSI will be permitted to start charging its proposed rates, subject to refund. On April 1, 2011, the MISO Transmission Owners (including ATSI) filed proposed tariff language that describes the mechanics of collecting and administering MTEP costs from ATSI-zone ratepayers. From March 20, 2011 through April 1, 2011, FirstEnergy, PJM and the MISO submitted numerous filings for the purpose of effecting movement of the ATSI zone to PJM on June 1, 2011. These filings include clean-up of the MISO’s tariffs (to remove the ATSI zone), submission of load and generation interconnection agreements to reflect the move into PJM, and submission of changes to PJM’s tariffs to support the move into PJM.
FERC proceedings are pending in which ATSI’s transmission rate, the exit fee payable to MISO, transmission cost allocations and costs associated with long term firm transmission rights payable by the ATSI zone upon its departure from the MISO are under review. The outcome of these proceedings cannot be predicted.

 

64


Table of Contents

MISO Multi-Value Project Rule Proposal
In July 2010, MISO and certain MISO transmission owners jointly filed with FERC their proposed cost allocation methodology for certain new transmission projects. The new transmission projects—described as MVPs—are a class of MTEP projects. The filing parties proposed to allocate the costs of MVPs by means of a usage-based charge that will be applied to all loads within the MISO footprint, and to energy transactions that call for power to be “wheeled through” the MISO as well as to energy transactions that “source” in the MISO but “sink” outside of MISO. The filing parties expect that the MVP proposal will fund the costs of large transmission projects designed to bring wind generation from the upper Midwest to load centers in the east. The filing parties requested an effective date for the proposal of July 16, 2011. On August 19, 2010, MISO’s Board approved the first MVP project — the “Michigan Thumb Project.” Under MISO’s proposal, the costs of MVP projects approved by MISO’s Board prior to the anticipated June 1, 2011 effective date of FirstEnergy’s integration into PJM would continue to be allocated to FirstEnergy. MISO estimated that approximately $15 million in annual revenue requirements would be allocated to the ATSI zone associated with the Michigan Thumb Project upon its completion.
In September 2010, FirstEnergy filed a protest to the MVP proposal arguing that MISO’s proposal to allocate costs of MVP projects across the entire MISO footprint does not align with the established rule that cost allocation is to be based on cost causation (the “beneficiary pays” approach). FirstEnergy also argued that, in light of progress to date in the ATSI integration into PJM, it would be unjust and unreasonable to allocate any MVP costs to the ATSI zone, or to ATSI. Numerous other parties filed pleadings on MISO’s MVP proposal.
In December 2010, FERC issued an order approving the MVP proposal without significant change. FERC’s order was not clear, however, as to whether the MVP costs would be payable by ATSI or load in the ATSI zone. FERC stated that the MISO’s tariffs obligate ATSI to pay all charges that attach prior to ATSI’s exit but ruled that the question of the amount of costs that are to be allocated to ATSI or to load in the ATSI zone were beyond the scope of FERC’s order and would be addressed in future proceedings.
On January 18, 2011, FirstEnergy filed for rehearing of FERC’s order. In its rehearing request, FirstEnergy argued that because the MVP rate is usage-based, costs could not be applied to ATSI, which is a stand-alone transmission company that does not use the transmission system. FirstEnergy also renewed its arguments regarding cost causation and the impropriety of allocating costs to the ATSI zone or to ATSI. FirstEnergy cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings at this time.
PJM Calculation Error
In March 2010, MISO filed two complaints at FERC against PJM relating to a previously-reported modeling error in PJM’s system that impacted the manner in which market-to-market power flow calculations were made between PJM and MISO since April 2005. MISO claimed that this error resulted in PJM underpaying MISO by approximately $130 million over the time period in question. Additionally, MISO alleged that PJM did not properly trigger market-to-market settlements between PJM and MISO during times when it was required to do so, which MISO claimed may have cost it $5 million or more. As PJM market participants, AE Supply and MP may be liable for a portion of any refunds ordered in this case. PJM, Allegheny and other PJM market participants filed responses to MISO complaints and PJM filed a related complaint at FERC against MISO claiming that MISO improperly called for market-to-market settlements several times during the same time period covered by the two MISO complaints filed against PJM, which PJM claimed may have cost PJM market participants $25 million or more. On January 4, 2011, an Offer of Settlement was filed at FERC that, if approved, would resolve all pending issues in the dispute. The Offer of Settlement calls for the withdrawal of all pending complaints with no payments being made by any parties. Initial comments on the Offer of Settlement were filed at FERC on January 24, 2011. FirstEnergy and Allegheny Energy filed comments supporting the proposed settlement. A report on the partially contested settlement was issued by the settlement judge to the FERC on March 9, 2011. On March 16, 2011, the settlement judge terminated the settlement proceedings and forwarded the partially contested settlement to the FERC for review. The case is awaiting a decision by the FERC.
California Claims Matters
In October 2006, several California governmental and utility parties presented AE Supply with a settlement proposal to resolve alleged overcharges for power sales by AE Supply to the California Energy Resource Scheduling division of the California Department of Water Resources (CDWR) during 2001. The settlement proposal claims that CDWR is owed approximately $190 million for these alleged overcharges. This proposal was made in the context of mediation efforts by the FERC and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in pending proceedings to resolve all outstanding refund and other claims, including claims of alleged price manipulation in the California energy markets during 2000 and 2001. The Ninth Circuit has since remanded one of those proceedings to the FERC, which arises out of claims previously filed with the FERC by the California Attorney General on behalf of certain California parties against various sellers in the California wholesale power market, including AE Supply (the Lockyer case). AE Supply and several other sellers have filed motions to dismiss the Lockyer case. In March 2010, the judge assigned to the case entered an opinion that granted the motions to dismiss filed by AE Supply and other sellers and dismissed the claims of the California Parties. In April 2010, the California parties filed exceptions to the judge’s ruling with the FERC, and briefing is complete on those exceptions. The parties are awaiting a ruling from the FERC on the exceptions.

 

65


Table of Contents

In June 2009, the California Attorney General, on behalf of certain California parties, filed a second lawsuit with the FERC against various sellers, including AE Supply (the Brown case), again seeking refunds for trades in the California energy markets during 2000 and 2001. The above-noted trades with CDWR are the basis for the joining of AE Supply in this new lawsuit. AE Supply has filed a motion to dismiss the Brown case that is pending before the FERC. No scheduling order has been entered in the Brown case. Allegheny intends to vigorously defend against these claims but cannot predict their outcome.
Transmission Expansion
TrAIL Project. TrAIL is a 500kV transmission line currently under construction that will extend from southwest Pennsylvania through West Virginia and into northern Virginia. On April 15, 2011, the TrAIL 500 kV line segment from Meadowbrook substation to Loudoun substation in Virginia was successfully energized and is carrying load. The other segments are planned to be energized in May. The entire TrAIL line is scheduled to be completed and placed in service no later than June 2011.
PATH Project. The PATH Project is comprised of a 765 kV transmission line that is proposed to extend from West Virginia through Virginia and into Maryland, modifications to an existing substation in Putnam County, West Virginia, and the construction of new substations in Hardy County, West Virginia and Frederick County, Maryland.
PJM initially authorized construction of the PATH Project in June 2007 and, on June 17, 2010, requested that PATH, LLC proceed with all efforts related to the PATH Project, including state regulatory proceedings, assuming a required in-service date of June 1, 2015. In December 2010, PJM advised that its 2011 Load Forecast Report included load projections that are different from previous forecasts and that may have an impact on the proposed in-service date for the PATH Project. As part of its 2011 RTEP, and in response to a January 19, 2011 directive by a Virginia Hearing Examiner, PJM conducted a series of analyses using the most current economic forecasts and demand response commitments, as well as potential new generation resources. Preliminary analysis revealed the expected reliability violations that necessitated the PATH Project had moved several years into the future. Based on those results, PJM announced on February 28, 2011 that its Board of Managers had decided to hold the PATH Project in abeyance in its 2011 RTEP and directed FirstEnergy and AEP, as the sponsoring transmission owners, to suspend current development efforts on the project, subject to those activities necessary to maintain the project in its current state, while PJM conducts more rigorous analysis of the potential need for the project as part of its continuing RTEP process. PJM stated that its action did not constitute a directive to FirstEnergy and AEP to cancel or abandon the PATH Project. PJM further stated that it will complete a more rigorous analysis of the PATH Project and other transmission requirements and its Board will review this comprehensive analysis as part of its consideration of the 2011 RTEP. On February 28, 2011, affiliates of FirstEnergy and AEP filed motions or notices to withdraw applications for authorization to construct the project that were pending before state commissions in West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. Withdrawal was deemed effective upon filing the notice with the MDPSC and the WVPSC has granted the motion to withdraw. The VSCC has not ruled on the motion to withdraw.
PATH, LLC submitted a filing to FERC to implement a formula rate tariff effective March 1, 2008. In a November 19, 2010 order addressing various matters relating to the formula rate, FERC set the project’s base return on equity for hearing and reaffirmed its prior authorization of a return on CWIP, recovery of start-up costs and recovery of abandonment costs. In the order, FERC also granted a 1.5% return on equity incentive adder and a 0.50% return on equity adder for RTO participation. These adders will be applied to the base return on equity determined as a result of the hearing. PATH, LLC is currently engaged in settlement discussions with the staff of FERC and intervenors regarding resolution of the base return on equity. FirstEnergy cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding or whether it will have a material impact on its operating results.
Sales to Affiliates
FES has received authorization from the FERC to make wholesale power sales to affiliated regulated utilities in New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. FES actively participates in auctions conducted by or on behalf the regulated affiliates to obtain power necessary to meet the utilities’ POLR obligations. AE Supply, a merchant affiliate acquired in the FirstEnergy-Allegheny merger, also participates in these auctions, and obtains prior FERC authorization when necessary to make sales to FE affiliates.
11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
FirstEnergy has four types of stock-based compensation programs including LTIP, EDCP, ESOP and DCPD, as described below.
In addition, Allegheny’s stock-based awards were converted into First Energy stock-based awards as of the date of the merger. These awards, referred to below as converted Allegheny awards, were adjusted in terms of the number of awards and where applicable, the exercise price thereof, to reflect the merger’s common stock exchange ratio of 0.667 of a share of FirstEnergy common stock for each share of Allegheny common stock.

 

66


Table of Contents

(A) LTIP
FirstEnergy’s LTIP includes four forms of stock-based compensation awards — stock options, performance shares, restricted stock and restricted stock units.
Under FirstEnergy’s LTIP, total awards cannot exceed 29.1 million shares of common stock or their equivalent. Only stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units have currently been designated to be settled in common stock, with vesting periods ranging from two months to ten years. Performance share awards are currently designated to be paid in cash rather than common stock and therefore do not count against the limit on stock-based awards. There were 6.3 million shares available for future awards as of March 31, 2011.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Restricted common stock (restricted stock) and restricted stock unit (stock unit) activity was as follows:
         
    Three Months  
    Ended  
    March 31, 2011  
 
Restricted stock and stock units outstanding as of January 1, 2011
    1,878,022  
Granted
    223,161  
Converted Allegheny restricted stock
    645,197  
Exercised
    (422,031 )
Forfeited
    (37,182 )
 
     
Restricted stock and stock units outstanding as of March 31, 2011
    2,287,167  
 
     
The 223,161 shares of restricted common stock granted during the three months ended March 31, 2011 had a grant-date fair value of $8.2 million and a weighted-average vesting period of 1.86 years.
Restricted stock units include awards that will be settled in a specific number of shares of stock after the service condition has been met. Restricted stock units also include performance-based awards that will be settled after the service condition has been met in a specified number of shares of stock based on FirstEnergy’s performance compared to annual target performance metrics.
Compensation expense recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 for restricted stock and restricted stock units, net of amounts capitalized, was approximately $16 million and $6 million, respectively.
Stock Options
Stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was as follows:
                 
            Weighted  
            Average  
    Number of     Exercise  
Stock Option Activities   Shares     Price  
 
Stock options outstanding as of January 1, 2011 (all exercisable)
    2,889,066     $ 35.18  
Options granted
    662,122       37.75  
Converted Allegheny options
    1,805,811       41.75  
Options exercised
    (182,422 )     29.56  
Options forfeited/expired
    (6,670 )     69.36  
 
           
Stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2011
    5,167,907     $ 37.96  
 
           
(4,505,785 options exercisable)
               
Compensation expense recognized for stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $0.1 million. No expense was recognized during the three months ending March 31, 2010. Options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2011 had a grant-date fair value of $3.3 million and an expected weighted-average vesting period of 3.79 years.

 

67


Table of Contents

Options outstanding by exercise price as of March 31, 2011 were as follows:
                         
            Weighted     Remaining  
    Shares Under     Average     Contractual  
Exercise Prices   Options     Exercise Price     Life in Years  
 
$20.02 – $30.74
    1,305,563     $ 26.72       2.01  
$30.89 – $40.93
    3,378,866       37.22       4.79  
$42.72 – $51.82
    37,233       44.40       0.24  
$53.06 – $62.97
    54,559       56.15       3.27  
$64.52 – $71.82
    54,778       68.52       1.09  
$73.39 – $80.47
    327,570       80.19       6.01  
$81.19 – $89.59
    9,338       83.51       1.92  
 
                 
Total
    5,167,907     $ 37.96       4.07  
 
                 
Performance Shares
Performance shares will be settled in cash and are accounted for as liability awards. Compensation expense (income) recognized for performance shares during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, net of amounts capitalized, totaled $1 million and $(3) million, respectively. No performance shares under the FirstEnergy LTIP were settled during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
(B) ESOP
During 2011 shares of FirstEnergy common stock were purchased on the open market and contributed to participants’ accounts. Total ESOP-related compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, net of amounts capitalized and dividends on common stock were $7 million and $5 million, respectively.
(C) EDCP
Compensation expense (income) recognized on EDCP stock units, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, net of amounts capitalized, was not material.
(D) DCPD
DCPD expenses recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 were approximately $1 million and $1 million. The net liability recognized for DCPD of approximately $5 million as of March 31, 2011 is included in the caption “Retirement benefits” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Of the 1.7 million stock units authorized under the EDCP and DCPD, 1,076,779 stock units were available for future awards as of March 31, 2011.
12. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS
During the three months ended March 31, 2011, there were no new accounting standards or interpretations issued, but not effective that would materially affect FirstEnergy’s financial statements.
13. SEGMENT INFORMATION
With the completion of the Allegheny merger in the first quarter of 2011, FirstEnergy reorganized its management structure, which resulted in changes to its operating segments to be consistent with the manner in which management views the business. The new structure supports the combined company’s primary operations — distribution, transmission, generation and the marketing and sale of its products. The external segment reporting is consistent with the internal financial reporting utilized by FirstEnergy’s chief executive officer (its chief operating decision maker) to regularly assess the performance of the business and allocate resources. FirstEnergy now has three reportable operating segments — Regulated Distribution, Regulated Independent Transmission and Competitive Energy Services.

 

68


Table of Contents

Prior to the change in composition of business segments, FirstEnergy’s business was comprised of two reportable operating segments. The Energy Delivery Services segment included FirstEnergy’s then eight existing utility operating companies that transmit and distribute electricity to customers and purchase power to serve their POLR and default service requirements. The Competitive Energy Services segment was comprised of FES, which supplies electric power to end-use customers through retail and wholesale arrangements. The “Other” segment consisted of corporate items and other businesses that were below the quantifiable threshold for separate disclosure. Disclosures for FirstEnergy’s operating segments for 2010 have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
The changes in FirstEnergy’s reportable segments during the first quarter of 2011 consisted primarily of the following:
   
Energy Delivery Services was renamed Regulated Distribution and the operations of MP, PE and WP, which were acquired as part of the merger with Allegheny, and certain regulatory asset recovery mechanisms formerly included in the “Other” segment, were placed into this segment.
   
A new Regulated Independent Transmission segment was created consisting of ATSI, and the operations of TrAIL Company and FirstEnergy’s interest in PATH; TrAIL and PATH were acquired as part of the merger with Allegheny. The transmission assets and operations of JCP&L, Met-Ed, Penelec, MP, PE and WP remain within the Regulated Distribution segment.
   
AE Supply, an operator of generation facilities that was acquired as part of the merger with Allegheny, was placed into the Competitive Energy Services segment.
Financial information for each of FirstEnergy’s reportable segments is presented in the table below, which includes financial results for Allegheny beginning February 25, 2011. FES and the Utilities do not have separate reportable operating segments.
The Regulated Distribution segment distributes electricity through FirstEnergy’s ten utility operating companies, serving approximately 6 million customers within 67,000 square miles of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and New York, and purchases power for its POLR and default service requirements in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This segment also includes the transmission operations of JCP&L, Met-Ed, Penelec, WP, MP and PE and the regulated electric generation facilities in West Virginia and New Jersey which MP and JCP&L, respectively, own or contractually control.
The Regulated Distribution segment’s revenues are primarily derived from the delivery of electricity within FirstEnergy’s service areas, cost recovery of regulatory assets and the sale of electric generation service to retail customers who have not selected an alternative supplier (POLR or default service) in its Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania franchise areas. Its results reflect the commodity costs of securing electric generation from FES and AE Supply and from non-affiliated power suppliers and the deferral and amortization of certain fuel costs.
The Regulated Independent Transmission segment transmits electricity through transmission lines and its revenues are primarily derived from the formula rate recovery of costs and a return on debt and equity for capital expenditures in connection with TrAIL, PATH and other projects and revenues from providing transmission services to electric energy providers, power marketers and receiving transmission-related revenues from operation of a portion of the FirstEnergy transmission system. Its results reflect the net PJM and MISO transmission expenses related to the delivery of the respective generation loads. On June 1, 2011, the ATSI transmission assets currently dedicated to MISO are scheduled to be integrated into the PJM market. This integration brings all of FirstEnergy’s assets into one RTO.
The Competitive Energy Services segment, through FES, supplies electric power to end-use customers through retail and wholesale arrangements, including associated company power sales to meet all or a portion of the POLR and default service requirements of FirstEnergy’s Ohio and Pennsylvania utility subsidiaries and competitive retail sales to customers primarily in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan and New Jersey. FES purchases the entire output of the 18 generating facilities which it owns and operates through its FGCO subsidiary (fossil and hydroelectric generating facilities) and owns, through its NGC subsidiary, FirstEnergy’s nuclear generating facilities. FENOC, a separate subsidiary of FirstEnergy, operates and maintains NGC’s nuclear generating facilities as well as the output relating to leasehold interests of OE and TE in certain of those facilities that are subject to sale and leaseback arrangements with non-affiliates, pursuant to full output, cost-of-service PSAs.
The Competitive Energy Services segment also includes Allegheny’s unregulated electric generation operations, including AE Supply and AE Supply’s interest in AGC. AE Supply owns, operates and controls the electric generation capacity of its 18 facilities. AGC owns and sells generation capacity to AE Supply and MP, which own approximately 59% and 41% of AGC, respectively. AGC’s sole asset is a 40% undivided interest in the Bath County, Virginia pumped-storage hydroelectric generation facility and its connecting transmission facilities. All of AGC’s revenues are derived from sales of its 1,109 MW share of generation capacity from the Bath County generation facility to AE Supply and MP.
This business segment controls approximately 20,000 MWs of capacity and also purchases electricity to meet sales obligations. The segment’s net income is primarily derived from affiliated and non-affiliated electric generation sales less the related costs of electricity generation, including purchased power and net transmission (including congestion) and ancillary costs charged by PJM and MISO to deliver energy to the segment’s customers.

 

69


Table of Contents

The Other segment contains corporate items and other businesses that are below the quantifiable threshold for separate disclosure as a reportable segment.
Segment Financial Information
                                                 
            Competitive     Regulated                    
    Regulated     Energy     Independent     Other/     Reconciling        
Three Months Ended   Distribution     Services     Transmission     Corporate     Adjustments     Consolidated  
    (In millions)  
March 31, 2011
                                               
External revenues
  $ 2,268     $ 1,254     $ 67     $ (23 )   $ (22 )   $ 3,544  
Internal revenues
          343                   (311 )     32  
 
                                   
Total revenues
    2,268       1,597       67       (23 )     (333 )     3,576  
Depreciation and amortization
    245       88       13       6             352  
Investment income (loss), net
    25       6                   (10 )     21  
Net interest charges
    131       68       9       19       (14 )     213  
Income taxes
    56       3       7       (20 )     32       78  
Net income (loss)
    96       5       13       (35 )     (34 )     45  
Total assets
    27,165       17,308       2,479       914             47,866  
Total goodwill
    5,551       976                         6,527  
Property additions
    177       214       27       31             449  
 
                                               
March 31, 2010
                                               
External revenues
  $ 2,484     $ 719     $ 57     $ (22 )   $ (6 )   $ 3,232  
Internal revenues
          674                   (607 )     67  
 
                                   
Total revenues
    2,484       1,393       57       (22 )     (613 )     3,299  
Depreciation and amortization
    313       77       12       3             405  
Investment income (loss), net
    26       1             1       (12 )     16  
Net interest charges
    124       33       5       13       (3 )     172  
Income taxes
    62       42       7       (12 )     12       111  
Net income (loss)
    103       69       12       (19 )     (16 )     149  
Total assets
    21,535       10,950       995       598             34,078  
Total goodwill
    5,551       24                         5,575  
Property additions
    152       329       14       13             508  
Reconciling adjustments to segment operating results from internal management reporting to consolidated external financial reporting primarily consist of elimination of intersegment transactions.
14. IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
FirstEnergy reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. The recoverability of a long-lived asset is measured by comparing its carrying value to the sum of undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, impairment exists and a loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its estimated fair value. Two events occurred during the first quarter of 2011 that indicated the carrying value of certain assets may not be recoverable as described in the sections below.
Fremont Energy Center
On March 11, 2011, FirstEnergy and American Municipal Power, Inc., (AMP) entered into an agreement for the sale of Fremont Energy Center, which includes two natural gas combined-cycle combustion turbines and a steam turbine capable of producing 544 MW of load-following capacity and 163 MW of peaking capacity. The agreement provides, among other things, for a targeted closing date in July 2011. The execution of this agreement triggered a need to evaluate the recoverability of the carrying value of the assets associated with the Fremont Energy Center. The estimated fair value of the Fremont Energy Center was based on the purchase price outlined in the sale agreement with American Municipal Power, Inc. The result of this evaluation indicated that the carrying cost of the Fremont Energy Center was not fully recoverable. As a result of the recoverability evaluation, FirstEnergy recorded an impairment charge of $11 million to operating income during the quarter ended March 31, 2011. On April 19, 2011, FGCO filed an section 203 application with the FERC for authorization to sell the Fremont Energy Center, including related capacity supply obligations, to AMP. Comments are due on the filing on or before May 10, 2011. FGCO requested FERC action by June 17, 2011.

 

70


Table of Contents

Peaking Facilities
During the three months ended March 31, 2011, FirstEnergy assessed the carrying values of certain peaking facilities that will more likely than not be sold or disposed of before the end of their useful lives. The estimated fair values were based on estimated sales prices quoted in an active market. The result of this evaluation indicated that the carrying costs of the peaking facilities were not fully recoverable. As a result of the recoverability evaluation, FirstEnergy recorded an impairment charge of $14 million to the operating income of its Competitive Energy Services segment during the quarter ended March 31, 2011.
15. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
FirstEnergy has recognized applicable legal obligations for AROs and their associated cost for nuclear power plant decommissioning, reclamation of sludge disposal ponds and closure of coal ash disposal sites. In addition, FirstEnergy has recognized conditional asset retirement obligations (primarily for asbestos remediation).
The ARO liabilities for FES and OE include the decommissioning of the Perry nuclear generating facilities. FES and OE use an expected cash flow approach to measure the fair value of their nuclear decommissioning AROs.
During the first quarter of 2011, studies were completed to update the estimated cost of decommissioning the Perry nuclear generating facility. The cost studies resulted in a revision to the estimated cash flows associated with the ARO liabilities of FES and OE and reduced the liability for each subsidiary in the amounts of $40 million and $6 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2011.
The revision to the estimated cash flows had no significant impact on accretion of the obligation during the first quarter of 2011 when compared to the first quarter of 2010.
16. SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION
On July 13, 2007, FGCO completed a sale and leaseback transaction for its 93.825% undivided interest in Bruce Mansfield Unit 1. FES has fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed all of FGCO’s obligations under each of the leases. The related lessor notes and pass through certificates are not guaranteed by FES or FGCO, but the notes are secured by, among other things, each lessor trust’s undivided interest in Unit 1, rights and interests under the applicable lease and rights and interests under other related agreements, including FES’ lease guaranty. This transaction is classified as an operating lease under GAAP for FES and FirstEnergy and as a financing for FGCO.
The condensed consolidating statements of income for the three month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, consolidating balance sheets as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 for FES (parent and guarantor), FGCO and NGC (non-guarantor) are presented below. Investments in wholly owned subsidiaries are accounted for by FES using the equity method. Results of operations for FGCO and NGC are, therefore, reflected in FES’ investment accounts and earnings as if operating lease treatment was achieved. The principal elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions and the entries required to reflect operating lease treatment associated with the 2007 Bruce Mansfield Unit 1 sale and leaseback transaction.

 

71


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
                                         
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011   FES     FGCO     NGC     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (In thousands)  
 
                                       
REVENUES
  $ 1,366,899     $ 742,638     $ 467,967     $ (1,186,416 )   $ 1,391,088  
 
                             
 
                                       
EXPENSES:
                                       
Fuel
    1,203       293,862       48,044             343,109  
Purchased power from affiliates
    1,184,606       1,772       68,743       (1,186,378 )     68,743  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    296,733       205                   296,938  
Other operating expenses
    177,529       118,245       188,009       12,152       495,935  
Provision for depreciation
    879       31,539       37,333       (1,299 )     68,452  
General taxes
    12,263       9,453       7,389             29,105  
Impairment of long-lived assets
          13,800                   13,800  
 
                             
Total expenses
    1,673,213       468,876       349,518       (1,175,525 )     1,316,082  
 
                             
 
                                       
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
    (306,314 )     273,762       118,449       (10,891 )     75,006  
 
                             
 
                                       
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
                                       
Investment income
    676       232       4,953             5,861  
Miscellaneous income, including net income from equity investees
    247,859       584             (229,202 )     19,241  
Interest expense — affiliates
    (50 )     (451 )     (516 )           (1,017 )
Interest expense — other
    (24,133 )     (27,758 )     (16,836 )     15,767       (52,960 )
Capitalized interest
    131       4,826       4,962             9,919  
 
                             
Total other income (expense)
    224,483       (22,567 )     (7,437 )     (213,435 )     (18,956 )
 
                             
 
                                       
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    (81,831 )     251,195       111,012       (224,326 )     56,050  
 
                                       
INCOME TAXES (BENEFITS)
    (117,841 )     93,129       42,374       2,454       20,116  
 
                             
 
                                       
NET INCOME
    36,010       158,066       68,638       (226,780 )     35,934  
 
                                       
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
          (76 )                 (76 )
 
                             
 
                                       
EARNINGS AVAILABLE TO PARENT
  $ 36,010     $ 158,142     $ 68,638     $ (226,780 )   $ 36,010  
 
                             

 

72


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
                                         
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010   FES     FGCO     NGC     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (In thousands)  
 
                                       
REVENUES
  $ 1,367,025     $ 568,364     $ 426,320     $ (973,616 )   $ 1,388,093  
 
                             
 
                                       
EXPENSES:
                                       
Fuel
    5,097       280,863       42,261             328,221  
Purchased power from affiliates
    968,537       5,079       60,953       (973,616 )     60,953  
Purchased power from non-affiliates
    450,216                         450,216  
Other operating expenses
    53,125       99,776       139,420       12,189       304,510  
Provision for depreciation
    790       26,527       36,910       (1,309 )     62,918  
General taxes
    5,498       14,600       6,648             26,746  
Impairment of long-lived assets
          1,833                   1,833  
 
                             
Total expenses
    1,483,263       428,678       286,192       (962,736 )     1,235,397  
 
                             
 
                                       
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
    (116,238 )     139,686       140,128       (10,880 )     152,696  
 
                             
 
                                       
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
                                       
Investment income (loss)
    1,897       54       (1,234 )           717  
Miscellaneous income (expense), including net income from equity investees
    166,373       200       (101 )     (163,329 )     3,143  
Interest expense — affiliates
    (58 )     (1,812 )     (435 )           (2,305 )
Interest expense — other
    (23,373 )     (26,506 )     (15,763 )     15,998       (49,644 )
Capitalized interest
    100       16,333       3,257             19,690  
 
                             
Total other income (expense)
    144,939       (11,731 )     (14,276 )     (147,331 )     (28,399 )
 
                             
 
                                       
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    28,701       127,955       125,852       (158,211 )     124,297  
 
                                       
INCOME TAXES (BENEFITS)
    (51,225 )     48,043       45,013       2,540       44,371  
 
                             
 
                                       
NET INCOME
  $ 79,926     $ 79,912     $ 80,839     $ (160,751 )   $ 79,926  
 
                             

 

73


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
                                         
As of March 31, 2011   FES     FGCO     NGC     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (In thousands)  
ASSETS
                                       
CURRENT ASSETS:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $ 6,831     $ 8     $     $ 6,839  
Receivables-
                                       
Customers
    388,951                         388,951  
Associated companies
    621,241       500,097       269,750       (857,808 )     533,280  
Other
    27,966       7,617       51,128             86,711  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    5,742       389,312       83,364             478,418  
Materials and supplies, at average cost
    46,747       251,190       191,060             488,997  
Derivatives
    328,156                         328,156  
Prepayments and other
    41,403       9,093       948       (506 )     50,938  
 
                             
 
    1,460,206       1,164,140       596,258       (858,314 )     2,362,290  
 
                             
 
                                       
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
                                       
In service
    99,899       6,102,623       5,421,719       (384,676 )     11,239,565  
Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
    17,918       2,035,726       2,230,588       (176,690 )     4,107,542  
 
                             
 
    81,981       4,066,897       3,191,131       (207,986 )     7,132,023  
Construction work in progress
    8,139       147,546       600,620             756,305  
Property, plant and equipment held for sale, net
          476,602                   476,602  
 
                             
 
    90,120       4,691,045       3,791,751       (207,986 )     8,364,930  
 
                             
 
                                       
INVESTMENTS:
                                       
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
                1,159,903             1,159,903  
Investment in associated companies
    5,175,787                   (5,175,787 )      
Other
    371       9,171       202             9,744  
 
                             
 
    5,176,158       9,171       1,160,105       (5,175,787 )     1,169,647  
 
                             
 
                                       
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
                                       
Accumulated deferred income tax benefits
    32,544       376,182             (408,726 )      
Customer intangibles
    131,870                         131,870  
Goodwill
    24,248                         24,248  
Property taxes
          16,463       24,649             41,112  
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs
          23,288             67,515       90,803  
Derivatives
    211,223                         211,223  
Other
    26,661       75,647       8,157       (57,408 )     53,057  
 
                             
 
    426,546       491,580       32,806       (398,619 )     552,313  
 
                             
 
  $ 7,153,030     $ 6,355,936     $ 5,580,920     $ (6,640,706 )   $ 12,449,180  
 
                             
 
                                       
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
                                       
 
                                       
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
                                       
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 785     $ 373,550     $ 632,106     $ (19,578 )   $ 986,863  
Short-term borrowings-
                                       
Associated companies
    321,133       39,410                   360,543  
Other
          661                   661  
Accounts payable-
                                       
Associated companies
    769,133       290,902       208,889       (768,988 )     499,936  
Other
    92,874       96,270                   189,144  
Accrued taxes
    2,721       98,597       65,919       (100,744 )     66,493  
Derivatives
    380,744                         380,744  
Other
    31,698       119,402       26,282       47,143       224,525  
 
                             
 
    1,599,088       1,018,792       933,196       (842,167 )     2,708,909  
 
                             
 
                                       
CAPITALIZATION:
                                       
Common stockholder’s equity
    3,824,540       2,673,372       2,487,105       (5,160,461 )     3,824,556  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    1,488,455       2,113,043       793,250       (1,249,751 )     3,144,997  
 
                             
 
    5,312,995       4,786,415       3,280,355       (6,410,212 )     6,969,553  
 
                             
 
                                       
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
                                       
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction
                      950,726       950,726  
Accumulated deferred income taxes
                456,556       (339,053 )     117,503  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
          32,511       20,670               53,181  
Asset retirement obligations
          27,114       839,529             866,643  
Retirement benefits
    48,818       240,467                   289,285  
Property taxes
          16,463       24,649             41,112  
Lease market valuation liability
          205,366                   205,366  
Derivatives
    168,409                         168,409  
Other
    23,720       28,808       25,965             78,493  
 
                             
 
    240,947       550,729       1,367,369       611,673       2,770,718  
 
                             
 
  $ 7,153,030     $ 6,355,936     $ 5,580,920     $ (6,640,706 )   $ 12,449,180  
 
                             

 

74


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
                                         
As of December 31, 2010   FES     FGCO     NGC     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (In thousands)  
ASSETS
                                       
CURRENT ASSETS:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $ 9,273     $ 8     $     $ 9,281  
Receivables-
                                       
Customers
    365,758                         365,758  
Associated companies
    333,323       356,564       125,716       (338,038 )     477,565  
Other
    21,010       55,758       12,782             89,550  
Notes receivable from associated companies
    34,331       188,796       173,643             396,770  
Materials and supplies, at average cost
    40,713       276,149       228,480             545,342  
Derivatives
    181,660                         181,660  
Prepayments and other
    47,712       11,352       1,107             60,171  
 
                             
 
    1,024,507       897,892       541,736       (338,038 )     2,126,097  
 
                             
 
                                       
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
                                       
In service
    96,371       6,197,776       5,411,852       (384,681 )     11,321,318  
Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
    17,039       2,020,463       2,162,173       (175,395 )     4,024,280  
 
                             
 
    79,332       4,177,313       3,249,679       (209,286 )     7,297,038  
Construction work in progress
    8,809       519,651       534,284             1,062,744  
 
                             
 
    88,141       4,696,964       3,783,963       (209,286 )     8,359,782  
 
                             
 
                                       
INVESTMENTS:
                                       
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
                1,145,846             1,145,846  
Investment in associated companies
    4,941,763                   (4,941,763 )      
Other
    374       11,128       202             11,704  
 
                             
 
    4,942,137       11,128       1,146,048       (4,941,763 )     1,157,550  
 
                             
 
                                       
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
                                       
Accumulated deferred income tax benefits
    42,986       412,427             (455,413 )      
Customer intangibles
    133,968                         133,968  
Goodwill
    24,248                         24,248  
Property taxes
          16,463       24,649             41,112  
Unamortized sale and leaseback costs
          10,828             62,558       73,386  
Derivatives
    97,603                         97,603  
Other
    21,018       70,810       14,463       (57,602 )     48,689  
 
                             
 
    319,823       510,528       39,112       (450,457 )     419,006  
 
                             
 
  $ 6,374,608     $ 6,116,512     $ 5,510,859     $ (5,939,544 )   $ 12,062,435  
 
                             
 
                                       
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
                                       
 
                                       
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
                                       
Currently payable long-term debt
  $ 100,775     $ 418,832     $ 632,106     $ (19,578 )   $ 1,132,135  
Short-term borrowings-
                                       
Associated companies
          11,561                   11,561  
Other
                             
Accounts payable-
                                       
Associated companies
    351,172       212,620       249,820       (346,989 )     466,623  
Other
    139,037       102,154                   241,191  
Accrued taxes
    3,358       36,187       30,726       (142 )     70,129  
Derivatives
    266,411                         266,411  
Other
    51,619       147,754       15,156       37,142       251,671  
 
                             
 
    912,372       929,108       927,808       (329,567 )     2,439,721  
 
                             
 
                                       
CAPITALIZATION:
                                       
Common stockholder’s equity
    3,788,245       2,514,775       2,413,580       (4,928,859 )     3,787,741  
Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
    1,518,586       2,118,791       793,250       (1,249,752 )     3,180,875  
 
                             
 
    5,306,831       4,633,566       3,206,830       (6,178,611 )     6,968,616  
 
                             
 
                                       
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
                                       
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction
                      959,154       959,154  
Accumulated deferred income taxes
                448,115       (390,520 )     57,595  
Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
          33,280       20,944             54,224  
Asset retirement obligations
          26,780       865,271             892,051  
Retirement benefits
    48,214       236,946                   285,160  
Property taxes
          16,463       24,649             41,112  
Lease market valuation liability
          216,695                   216,695  
Derivatives
    81,393                         81,393  
Other
    25,798       23,674       17,242             66,714  
 
                             
 
    155,405       553,838       1,376,221       568,634       2,654,098  
 
                             
 
  $ 6,374,608     $ 6,116,512     $ 5,510,859     $ (5,939,544 )   $ 12,062,435  
 
                             

 

75


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                                         
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011   FES     FGCO     NGC     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (In thousands)  
 
                                       
NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  $ (215,124 )   $ 267,047     $ 41,702     $     $ 93,625  
 
                             
 
                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
New Financing-
                                       
Long-term debt
          90,190       60,000             150,190  
Short-term borrowings, net
    321,134       28,509                   349,643  
Redemptions and Repayments-
                                       
Long-term debt
    (130,208 )     (141,220 )     (60,000 )           (331,428 )
Other
    (430 )     (222 )     (365 )           (1,017 )
 
                             
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
    190,496       (22,743 )     (365 )           167,388  
 
                             
 
                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Property additions
    (2,858 )     (39,791 )     (116,357 )           (159,006 )
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
                215,620             215,620  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
                (230,912 )           (230,912 )
Loans from (to) associated companies, net
    28,589       (200,516 )     90,280             (81,647 )
Customer acquisition costs
    (1,103 )                       (1,103 )
Other
          (6,439 )     32             (6,407 )
 
                             
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
    24,628       (246,746 )     (41,337 )           (263,455 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
          (2,442 )                 (2,442 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
          9,273       8             9,281  
 
                             
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $     $ 6,831     $ 8     $     $ 6,839  
 
                             

 

76


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                                         
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010   FES     FGCO     NGC     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (In thousands)  
 
                                       
NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  $ (147,718 )   $ 40,130     $ 98,692     $     $ (8,896 )
 
                             
 
                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Redemptions and Repayments-
                                       
Long-term debt
    (197 )     (1,081 )                 (1,278 )
Short-term borrowings, net
          (9,237 )                 (9,237 )
Other
    (453 )     (177 )     (101 )           (731 )
 
                             
Net cash used for financing activities
    (650 )     (10,495 )     (101 )           (11,246 )
 
                             
 
                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Property additions
    (2,103 )     (174,163 )     (125,337 )           (301,603 )
Proceeds from asset sales
          114,272                   114,272  
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
                272,094             272,094  
Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
                (284,888 )           (284,888 )
Loans from associated companies, net
    250,908       31,232       39,540             321,680  
Customer acquisition costs
    (100,615 )                       (100,615 )
Other
    178       (977 )                 (799 )
 
                             
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
    148,368       (29,636 )     (98,591 )           20,141  
 
                             
 
                                       
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
          (1 )                 (1 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
          3       9             12  
 
                             
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $     $ 2     $ 9     $     $ 11  
 
                             

 

77


Table of Contents

Item 2.  
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant and Subsidiaries
FIRSTENERGY CORP.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Earnings available to FirstEnergy Corp. in the first quarter of 2011 were $50 million, or basic and diluted earnings of $0.15 per share of common stock, compared with $155 million, or basic and diluted earnings of $0.51 per share of common stock in the first quarter of 2010. The principal reasons for the decreases are summarized below.
         
Change in Basic Earnings Per Share From Prior Year   2011  
 
       
Basic earnings Per Share — First Quarter 2010
  $ 0.51  
Non-core asset sales/impairments
    (0.03 )
Trust securities impairments
    0.01  
Mark-to-market adjustments
    0.09  
Income tax charge from healthcare legislation — 2010
    0.04  
Regulatory charges — 2011
    (0.04 )
Regulatory charges — 2010
    0.08  
Merger-related costs
    (0.34 )
Revenues
    (0.26 )
Fuel and purchased power
    0.21  
Transmission expense
    (0.07 )
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    0.07  
Interest expense
    0.03  
Merger accounting — commodity contracts
    (0.04 )
Allegheny earnings contribution*
    0.13  
Additional shares issued
    (0.06 )
Other
    (0.18 )
 
     
Basic earnings Per Share — First Quarter 2011
  $ 0.15  
 
     
*  
Excludes merger accounting — commodity contracts, regulatory charges, mark-to-market adjustments and merger-related costs that are shown separately.
Merger
On February 25, 2011, the merger between FirstEnergy and Allegheny closed. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger between FirstEnergy, Element Merger Sub, Inc., a Maryland corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy (Merger Sub), and AE, Merger Sub merged with and into AE with AE continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy. As part of the merger, AE shareholders received 0.667 of a share of FirstEnergy common stock for each AE share outstanding as of the merger completion date and all outstanding AE equity-based employee compensation awards were converted into FirstEnergy equity-based awards on the same basis.
In connection with the merger, FirstEnergy recorded approximately $82 million and $14 million of merger transaction costs during the first quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively. FirstEnergy’s consolidated financial statements include Allegheny’s results of operations and financial position effective February 25, 2011. In addition, in the three months ended March 31, 2011, $75 million of pre-tax merger integration costs and $24 million of charges from merger settlements approved by regulatory agencies have been recognized. Charges resulting from merger settlements are not expected to be material in future periods.

 

78


Table of Contents

Operational Matters
Fremont Energy Center
On March 14, 2011, FirstEnergy entered into a definitive agreement to sell Fremont Energy Center (707 MW) to American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP). Under the terms of the agreement, AMP will purchase Fremont Energy Center for approximately $485 million, based on 685 MW of output. The purchase price would be incrementally increased, not to exceed an additional $16 million, to reflect additional output and transmission export capacity to its nameplate capacity of 707 MW. In addition, AMP would reimburse FirstEnergy up to $25.3 million for construction costs incurred from February 1, 2011 through the closing date. On April 19, 2011, FGCO filed an application with the FERC for authorization to sell the Fremont Energy Center, including related capacity supply obligations, to AMP. The transaction is expected to close in July 2011.
Perry Refueling
FENOC shutdown the Perry Nuclear Plant on April 18, 2011, for scheduled refueling and maintenance. During the outage 284 of the 748 fuel assemblies will be exchanged and maintenance safety inspections will be conducted while the unit is off line. Preventative maintenance to ensure continued safe and reliable operations will be preformed, including replacing several control rod blades, rewinding the generator and testing more than 100 valves. On April 25, 2011, the NRC began a Special Inspection to review the circumstances surrounding work activities to remove a source range monitor from the reactor core on April 22, 2011.
Beaver Valley Refueling
On April 11, 2011, FENOC announced that Beaver Valley Unit 2 (911 MW) returned to service following a March 7, 2011 shutdown for refueling and maintenance. During the outage 60 of the 157 fuel assemblies were exchanged, safety inspections were conducted, and numerous maintenance and improvement projects were completed.
Seneca Plant Maintenance
In March 2011, FirstEnergy announced that the Seneca Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric facility (451 MW) will repave its Upper Reservoir, overhaul the shutoff valves and perform routine maintenance activities.
TrAIL
On April 15, 2011, the TrAIL 500 kV line segment from Meadowbrook substation to Loudoun substation in Virginia was successfully energized and is carrying load. The other segments are planned to be energized in May. The entire TrAIL line is scheduled to be completed and placed in service no later than June 2011.
Signal Peak
On March 16, 2011, Signal Peak Energy received a letter from the MSHA indicating that its mine is no longer being considered for a pattern of potential violations notice.
Financial Matters
On March 16, 2011, Penelec and Met-Ed extended for three years the LOCs supporting two series of PCRBs currently outstanding in a variable interest rate mode totaling $49 million.
On March 17 and April 1, 2011, FES and Penelec completed the remarketing of six series of PCRBs totaling $328 million. Each of these series either remained in or was converted to a variable interest rate mode supported by a three-year bank LOC. In connection with the remarketings, approximately $207 million aggregate principal amount of FMBs previously delivered to LOC providers were cancelled, and approximately $50 million aggregate principal amount of FMBs previously delivered to secure PCRBs are expected to be cancelled on May 31, 2011.
On March 29, 2011, FES repaid a $100 million two-year term loan facility secured by FMBs that was scheduled to mature March 31, 2011. On April 8, 2011, FirstEnergy entered into a new $150 million unsecured term loan with an April 2013 maturity.

 

79


Table of Contents

Regulatory Matters
Ohio Energy Efficiency (EE) and Peak Demand Reduction (DR) Portfolio Plan
On March 23, 2011, the PUCO approved the three-year EE and DR portfolio plan for the Ohio Companies. The Ohio Companies’ plan was developed to comply with the EE mandate in Ohio’s SB 221, passed in 2008. This law requires that utilities in Ohio reduce energy usage by 22.2 percent by 2025 and peak demand by 7.75 percent by 2018, develop a portfolio plan, and meet annual benchmarks to measure progress.
Penn SREC
On March 11, 2011, the PPUC approved the results of the Penn procurement of SRECs to meet Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards through 2020. One SREC represents the solar renewable energy attributes of one MWH of generation from a solar generating facility. Penn contracted for 19,800 SREC’s. This purchase of SRECs is equivalent to approximately 2,200 MWH of solar power generation annually over the next nine years. The average cost is $199.09 per SREC, with deliveries scheduled for June 2011 through May 2020.
FIRSTENERGY’S BUSINESS
With the completion of the Allegheny merger in the first quarter of 2011, FirstEnergy reorganized its management structure, which resulted in changes to its operating segments to be consistent with the manner in which management views the business. The new structure supports the combined company’s primary operations — distribution, transmission, generation and the marketing and sale of its products. The external segment reporting is consistent with the internal financial reporting utilized by FirstEnergy’s chief executive officer (its chief operating decision maker) to regularly assess the performance of the business and allocate resources. FirstEnergy now has three reportable operating segments — Regulated Distribution, Regulated Independent Transmission and Competitive Energy Services.
Prior to the change in composition of business segments, FirstEnergy’s business was comprised of two reportable operating segments. The Energy Delivery Services segment included FirstEnergy’s then eight existing utility operating companies that transmit and distribute electricity to customers and purchase power to serve their POLR and default service requirements. The Competitive Energy Services segment was comprised of FES, which supplies electric power to end-use customers through retail and wholesale arrangements. The “Other” segment consisted of corporate items and other businesses that were below the quantifiable threshold for separate disclosure. Disclosures for FirstEnergy’s operating segments for 2010 have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
The changes in FirstEnergy’s reportable segments during the first quarter of 2011 consisted primarily of the following:
   
Energy Delivery Services was renamed Regulated Distribution and the operations of MP, PE and WP, which were acquired as part of the merger with Allegheny, and certain regulatory asset recovery mechanisms formerly included in the “Other” segment, were placed into this segment.
   
A new Regulated Independent Transmission segment was created consisting of ATSI, and the operations of TrAIL Company and FirstEnergy’s interest in PATH; TrAIL and PATH were acquired as part of the merger with Allegheny. The transmission assets and operations of JCP&L, Met-Ed, Penelec, MP, PE and WP remain within the Regulated Distribution segment.
   
AE Supply, an operator of generation facilities that was acquired as part of the merger with Allegheny, was placed into the Competitive Energy Services segment.
Financial information for each of FirstEnergy’s reportable segments is presented in the table below, which includes financial results for the Allegheny subsidiaries beginning February 25, 2011. FES and the Utilities do not have separate reportable operating segments.

 

80


Table of Contents

The Regulated Distribution segment distributes electricity through FirstEnergy’s ten utility operating companies, serving approximately 6 million customers within 67,000 square miles of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and New York, and purchases power for its POLR and default service requirements in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This segment also includes the transmission operations of JCP&L, Met-Ed, Penelec, WP, MP and PE and the regulated electric generation facilities in West Virginia and New Jersey which MP and JCP&L, respectively, own or contractually control.
The Regulated Distribution segment’s revenues are primarily derived from the delivery of electricity within FirstEnergy’s service areas, cost recovery of regulatory assets and the sale of electric generation service to retail customers who have not selected an alternative supplier (POLR or default service) in its Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania franchise areas. Its results reflect the commodity costs of securing electric generation from FES and AE Supply and from non-affiliated power suppliers and the deferral and amortization of certain fuel costs.
The Regulated Independent Transmission segment transmits electricity through transmission lines. Its revenues are primarily derived from the formula rate recovery of costs and a return on debt and equity for capital expenditures in connection with TrAIL, PATH and other projects and revenues from providing transmission services to electric energy providers, power marketers and receiving transmission-related revenues from operation of a portion of the FirstEnergy transmission system. Its results reflect the net PJM and MISO transmission expenses related to the delivery of the respective generation loads. On June 1, 2011, the ATSI transmission assets currently dedicated to MISO are scheduled to be integrated into the PJM market. This integration brings all of FirstEnergy’s assets into one RTO.
The Competitive Energy Services segment, through FES, supplies electric power to end-use customers through retail and wholesale arrangements, including associated company power sales to meet all or a portion of the POLR and default service requirements of FirstEnergy’s Ohio and Pennsylvania utility subsidiaries and competitive retail sales to customers primarily in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan and New Jersey. FES purchases the entire output of the 18 generating facilities which it owns and operates through its FGCO subsidiary (fossil and hydroelectric generating facilities) and owns, through its NGC subsidiary, FirstEnergy’s nuclear generating facilities. FENOC, a separate subsidiary of FirstEnergy, operates and maintains NGC’s nuclear generating facilities as well as the output relating to leasehold interests of OE and TE in certain of those facilities that are subject to sale and leaseback arrangements with non-affiliates, pursuant to full output, cost-of-service PSAs.
The Competitive Energy Services segment also includes Allegheny’s unregulated electric generation operations, including AE Supply and AE Supply’s interest in AGC. AE Supply owns, operates and controls the electric generation capacity of its 18 facilities. AGC owns and sells generation capacity to AE Supply and MP, which own approximately 59% and 41% of AGC, respectively. AGC’s sole asset is a 40% undivided interest in the Bath County, Virginia pumped-storage hydroelectric generation facility and its connecting transmission facilities. All of AGC’s revenues are derived from sales of its 1,109 MW share of generation capacity from the Bath County generation facility to AE Supply and MP.
This business segment controls approximately 20,000 MWs of capacity and also purchases electricity to meet sales obligations. The segment’s net income is primarily derived from affiliated and non-affiliated electric generation sales less the related costs of electricity generation, including purchased power and net transmission (including congestion) and ancillary costs charged by PJM and MISO to deliver energy to the segment’s customers.
The Other segment contains corporate items and other businesses that are below the quantifiable threshold for separate disclosure as a reportable segment.

 

81


Table of Contents

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The financial results discussed below include revenues and expenses from transactions among FirstEnergy’s business segments. A reconciliation of segment financial results is provided in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements. Earnings available to FirstEnergy by major business segment were as follows:
                         
    Three Months Ended        
    March 31     Increase  
    2011     2010     (Decrease)  
    (In millions, except per share data)  
Earnings By Business Segment:
                       
Regulated Distribution
  $ 96     $ 103     $ (7 )
Competitive Energy Services
    5       69       (64 )
Regulated Independent Transmission
    13       12       1  
Other and reconciling adjustments*
    (64 )     (29 )     (35 )
 
                 
Total
  $ 50     $ 155     $ (105 )
 
                 
 
                       
Basic Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.15     $ 0.51     $ (0.36 )
Diluted Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.15     $ 0.51     $ (0.36 )
*  
Consists primarily of interest expense related to holding company debt, corporate support services revenues and expenses, noncontrolling interests and the elimination of intersegment transactions.
Summary of Results of Operations — First Quarter 2011 Compared with First Quarter 2010
Financial results for FirstEnergy’s major business segments in the first quarter of 2011 and 2010 were as follows:
                                         
            Competitive     Regulated     Other and        
    Regulated     Energy     Independent     Reconciling     FirstEnergy  
First Quarter 2011 Financial Results   Distribution     Services     Transmission     Adjustments     Consolidated  
    (In millions)  
Revenues:
                                       
External
                                       
Electric
  $ 2,175     $ 1,162     $     $     $ 3,337  
Other
    93       92       67       (45 )     207  
Internal
          343             (311 )     32  
 
                             
Total Revenues
    2,268       1,597       67       (356 )     3,576  
 
                             
 
                                       
Expenses:
                                       
Fuel
    24       429                   453  
Purchased power
    1,179       318             (311 )     1,186  
Other operating expenses
    386       648       17       (18 )     1,033  
Provision for depreciation
    116       88       10       6       220  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    129             3             132  
Deferral of new regulatory assets
                             
General taxes
    176       44       8       9       237  
Impairment of long-lived assets
                             
 
                             
Total Expenses
    2,010       1,527       38       (314 )     3,261  
 
                             
 
                                       
Operating Income
    258       70       29       (42 )     315  
 
                             
Other Income (Expense):
                                       
Investment income
    25       6             (10 )     21  
Interest expense
    (132 )     (78 )     (9 )     (12 )     (231 )
Capitalized interest
    1       10             7       18  
 
                             
Total Other Expense
    (106 )     (62 )     (9 )     (15 )     (192 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Income Before Income Taxes
    152       8       20       (57 )     123  
Income taxes
    56       3       7       12       78  
 
                             
Net Income (Loss)
    96       5       13       (69 )     45  
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
                      (5 )     (5 )
 
                             
Earnings available to FirstEnergy Corp.
  $ 96     $ 5     $ 13     $ (64 )   $ 50  
 
                             

 

82


Table of Contents

                                         
            Competitive     Regulated     Other and        
    Regulated     Energy     Independent     Reconciling     FirstEnergy  
First Quarter 2010 Financial Results   Distribution     Services     Transmission     Adjustments     Consolidated  
    (In millions)  
Revenues:
                                       
External
                                       
Electric
  $ 2,398     $ 669     $     $     $ 3,067  
Other
    86       50       57       (28 )     165  
Internal
          674             (607 )     67  
 
                             
Total Revenues
    2,484       1,393       57       (635 )     3,299  
 
                             
 
                                       
Expenses:
                                       
Fuel
          334                   334  
Purchased power
    1,395       450             (607 )     1,238  
Other operating expenses
    359       352       14       (24 )     701  
Provision for depreciation
    104       77       9       3       193  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    209             3             212  
Deferral of new regulatory assets
                             
General taxes
    154       37       7       7       205  
Impairment of long-lived assets
                             
 
                             
Total Expenses
    2,221       1,250       33       (621 )     2,883  
 
                             
 
                                       
Operating Income
    263       143       24       (14 )     416  
 
                             
Other Income (Expense):
                                       
Investment income
    26       1             (11 )     16  
Interest expense
    (125 )     (56 )     (5 )     (27 )     (213 )
Capitalized interest
    1       23             17       41  
 
                             
Total Other Expense
    (98 )     (32 )     (5 )     (21 )     (156 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Income Before Income Taxes
    165       111       19       (35 )     260  
Income taxes
    62       42       7             111  
 
                             
Net Income (Loss)
    103       69       12       (35 )     149  
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
                      (6 )     (6 )
 
                             
Earnings available to FirstEnergy Corp.
  $ 103     $ 69     $ 12     $ (29 )   $ 155  
 
                             

 

83


Table of Contents

                                         
Changes Between First Quarter 2011           Competitive     Regulated     Other and        
and First Quarter 2010 Financial   Regulated     Energy     Independent     Reconciling     FirstEnergy  
Results Increase (Decrease)   Distribution     Services     Transmission     Adjustment     Consolidated  
    (In millions)  
Revenues:
                                       
External
                                       
Electric
  $ (223 )   $ 493     $     $     $ 270  
Other
    7       42       10       (17 )     42  
Internal
          (331 )           296       (35 )
 
                             
Total Revenues
    (216 )     204       10       279       277  
 
                             
 
                                       
Expenses:
                                       
Fuel
    24       95                   119  
Purchased power
    (216 )     (132 )           296       (52 )
Other operating expenses
    27       296       3       6       332  
Provision for depreciation
    12       11       1       3       27  
Amortization of regulatory assets
    (80 )                       (80 )
Deferral of new regulatory assets
                             
General taxes
    22       7       1       2       32  
Impairment of long-lived assets
                             
 
                             
Total Expenses
    (211 )     277       5       307       378  
 
                             
 
                                       
Operating Income
    (5 )     (73 )     5       (28 )     (101 )
 
                             
Other Income (Expense):
                                       
Investment income
    (1 )     5             1       5  
Interest expense
    (7 )     (22 )     (4 )     15       (18 )
Capitalized interest
          (13 )           (10 )     (23 )
 
                             
Total Other Expense
    (8 )     (30 )     (4 )     6       (36 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Income Before Income Taxes
    (13 )     (103 )     1       (22 )     (137 )
Income taxes
    (6 )     (39 )           12       (33 )
 
                             
Net Income (Loss)
    (7 )     (64 )     1       (34 )     (104 )
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
                      1       1  
 
                             
Earnings available to FirstEnergy Corp.
  $ (7 )   $ (64 )   $ 1     $ (35 )   $ (105 )
 
                             
Regulated Distribution — First Quarter 2011 Compared with First Quarter 2010
Net income decreased by $7 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to lower generation and transmission revenues and merger-related costs associated with the Allegheny merger, partially offset by lower purchased power costs and amortization of regulatory assets.

 

84


Table of Contents

Revenues —
The decrease in total revenues resulted from the following sources:
                         
    Three Months        
    Ended March 31     Increase  
Revenues by Type of Service   2011     2010     (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Pre-merger companies
                       
Distribution services
  $ 909     $ 883     $ 26  
 
                 
Generation sales:
                       
Retail
    873       1,178       (305 )
Wholesale
    116       217       (101 )
 
                 
Total generation sales
    989       1,395       (406 )
 
                 
Transmission
    37       160       (123 )
Other
    58       46       12  
 
                 
Total pre-merger companies
    1,993       2,484       (491 )
 
                 
Allegheny companies
    275             275  
 
                 
Total Revenues
  $ 2,268     $ 2,484     $ (216 )
 
                 
The increase in distribution service revenues reflected higher distribution deliveries in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Distribution deliveries (excluding the Allegheny companies) increased 650,000 MWH (2.4%) to 27,538,000 MWH in the first quarter of 2011 from 26,888,000 MWH in the first quarter of 2010. The increase in distribution deliveries by customer class is summarized in the following table:
                         
                    Increase  
Electric Distribution KWH Deliveries   2011     2010     (Decrease)  
    (in thousands)                  
 
                       
Pre-merger companies
                       
Residential
    10,638       10,455       1.8 %
Commercial
    7,929       7,953       (0.3 )%
Industrial
    8,841       8,351       5.9 %
Other
    130       129       0.8 %
 
                 
Total pre-merger companies
    27,538       26,888       2.4 %
 
                 
Allegheny companies
    3,540              
 
                 
Total Electric Distribution MWH Deliveries
    31,078       26,888       15.6 %
 
                 
Higher deliveries to residential customers reflected increased weather-related usage in the first quarter of 2011, as heating degree days increased by 5.2% from the same period in 2010. The increase in distribution deliveries to industrial customers was primarily due to recovering economic conditions in FirstEnergy’s service territory compared to the first quarter of 2010. In the industrial sector, KWH deliveries increased by 12.8% to major steel customers, 4.7% to refinery customers and 8.4% to chemical customers.
The following table summarizes the price and volume factors contributing to the $406 million decrease in generation revenues in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2010:
         
    Increase  
Source of Change in Generation Revenues     (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
 
       
Retail:
       
Effect of 32.4% decrease in sales volumes
  $ (382 )
Change in prices
    77  
 
     
 
    (305 )
 
     
Wholesale:
       
Effect of 3.9% increase in sales volumes
    8  
Change in prices
    (109 )
 
     
 
    (101 )
 
     
Net Decrease in Generation Revenues
  $ (406 )
 
     

 

85


Table of Contents

The decrease in retail generation sales volumes was primarily due to an increase in customer shopping in the Ohio Companies’, Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s service territories in the first quarter of 2011, compared to the first quarter of 2010. Total generation provided by alternative suppliers as a percentage of total KWH deliveries increased to 73% from 53% for the Ohio Companies and to 40% from 2% in Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s service areas.
The decrease in wholesale generation revenues reflected lower RPM revenues for Met-Ed and Penelec in the PJM market. Transmission revenues decreased $123 million due to the termination of Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s transmission tariff effective January 1, 2011. Transmission costs are now a component of the cost of generation established under Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s generation procurement plan.
The Allegheny companies added $275 million in revenues for the first quarter of 2011, including $69 million for distribution services, $190 million for generation sales and $16 million relating to PJM transmission revenues.
Expenses —
Total expenses decreased by $140 million due to the following:
   
Purchased power costs, excluding the Allegheny companies, were $356 million lower in the first quarter of 2011 due primarily to a decrease in sales volume requirements. The decrease in power purchased from FES reflected the increase in customer shopping described above and the termination of Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s partial requirements PSA with FES at the end of 2010. The increase in volumes purchased from non-affiliates under Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s generation procurement plan effective January 1, 2011 was offset by a decrease in RPM expenses in the PJM market. The Allegheny companies added $140 million in purchased power costs in the first quarter of 2011.
         
    Increase  
Source of Change in Purchased Power   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Pre-merger companies
       
Purchases from non-affiliates:
       
Change due to decreased unit costs
  $ (186 )
Change due to increased volumes
    188  
 
     
 
    2  
 
     
Purchases from FES:
       
Change due to increased unit costs
    36  
Change due to decreased volumes
    (412 )
 
     
 
    (376 )
 
     
 
       
Decrease in costs deferred
    18  
 
     
Total pre-merger companies
    (356 )
 
     
Purchases by Allegheny companies
    140  
 
     
Net Decrease in Purchased Power Costs
  $ (216 )
 
     
   
Transmission expenses decreased $98 million primarily due to lower PJM network transmission expenses and congestion costs of $110 million for Met-Ed and Penelec, partially offset by transmission expenses for the Allegheny companies of $12 million in the first quarter of 2011. Met-Ed and Penelec defer or amortize the difference between revenues from their transmission rider and transmission costs incurred with no material effect on earnings.
   
Energy Efficiency program costs, which are also recovered through rates, increased $16 million.
   
Material costs associated with maintenance activities increased $10 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period last year.
   
A provision for excess and obsolete material of $13 million was recognized in the first quarter of 2011 relating to revised inventory practices adopted in conjunction with the Allegheny merger.
   
Depreciation expense increased $12 million due to property additions since the first quarter of 2010.

 

86


Table of Contents

   
Net amortization of regulatory assets decreased $80 million due primarily to generation-related rate deferrals for the Ohio Companies, Met-Ed and Penelec and reduced net PJM transmission cost amortization.
   
General taxes increased $22 million due to higher property taxes and gross receipts taxes in the first quarter of 2011.
   
Fuel expenses for MP were $24 million in the first quarter of 2011.         
   
Operating expenses for the Allegheny companies were $38 million in the first quarter of 2011.
   
Merger-related costs incurred by the Allegheny companies were $48 million in the first quarter of 2011.
Other Expense —
Other expense increased $8 million in the first quarter of 2011 due to interest expense on debt of the Allegheny companies.
Regulated Independent Transmission — First Quarter 2011 Compared with First Quarter 2010
Net income increased by $1 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2010 due to earnings associated with TrAIL and PATH ($5 million), partially offset by reduced earnings for ATSI ($4 million).
Revenues —
Revenues by transmission asset owner are shown in the following table:
                         
    Three Months        
Revenues by   Ended March 31     Increase  
Transmission Asset Owner   2011     2010     (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
ATSI
  $ 52     $ 57     $ (5 )
TrAIL
    14             14  
PATH
    1             1  
 
                 
Total Revenues
  $ 67     $ 57     $ 10  
 
                 
Expenses —
Total expenses increased by $5 million due primarily to operating expenses associated with TrAIL and PATH, which were $3 million in the first quarter of 2011.
Other Expense —
Other expense increased $4 million in the first quarter of 2011 due to additional interest expense associated with TrAIL.
Competitive Energy Services — First Quarter 2011 Compared with First Quarter 2010
Net income decreased by $64 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared to the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to increased transmission expense, an inventory reserve adjustment, non-core asset impairments and the effect of mark-to-market adjustments.
Revenues —
Total revenues increased $204 million in the first quarter of 2011 primarily due to growth in direct and government aggregation sales and the inclusion of the Allegheny companies, partially offset by a decline in POLR sales.

 

87


Table of Contents

The increase in total revenues resulted from the following sources:
                         
    Three Months        
    Ended March 31     Increase  
Revenues by Type of Service   2011     2010     (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
 
                       
Direct and Government Aggregation
  $ 840     $ 512     $ 328  
POLR
    369       673       (304 )
Wholesale
    96       91       5  
Transmission
    26       17       9  
REC’s
    32       67       (35 )
Other
    41       33       8  
Allegheny Companies
    193             193  
 
                 
Total Revenues
  $ 1,597     $ 1,393     $ 204  
 
                 
 
                       
Allegheny Companies
                       
Direct and Government Aggregation
  $ 9                  
POLR
    68                  
Wholesale
    91                  
Transmission
    12                  
Other
    13                  
 
                     
Total Revenues
  $ 193                  
 
                     
 
                       
    Three Months        
    Ended March 31     Increase  
MWH Sales by Type of Service   2011     2010     (Decrease)  
    (In thousands)          
Direct
    9,671       5,854       65.2 %
Government Aggregation
    4,310       2,732       57.8 %
POLR
    5,714       13,276       (57.0 )%
Wholesale
    1,113       898       23.9 %
Allegheny Companies
    2,636              
 
                 
Total Sales
    23,444       22,760       3.0 %
 
                 
 
                       
Allegheny Companies
                       
Direct
    145                  
POLR
    812                  
Structured Sales
    284                  
Wholesale
    1,395                  
 
                     
Total Sales
    2,636                  
 
                     
The increase in direct and government aggregation revenues of $328 million resulted from increased revenue from the acquisition of new commercial and industrial customers as well as new government aggregation contracts with communities in Ohio that provided generation to approximately 1.5 million residential and small commercial customers at the end of March 2011 compared to approximately 1.1 million such customers at the end of March 2010. In addition, sales to residential and small commercial customers were bolstered by weather in the delivery area that was 5.2% colder than in 2010.

 

88


Table of Contents

The decrease in POLR revenues of $304 million was due to lower sales volumes to the Pennsylvania and Ohio Companies, partially offset by increased sales to non-associated companies and higher unit prices to the Pennsylvania Companies. Participation in POLR auctions and RFPs are expected to continue, but the concentration of these sales will primarily be dependent on our success in our direct retail and aggregation sales channels.
Wholesale revenues increased $5 million due to increased volumes partially offset by lower wholesale prices. The higher sales volumes were the result of increased short term (net hourly positions) transactions in MISO. $22 million of wholesale revenue resulted from long positions in MISO that were unable to be netted with short positions in PJM, due to separate settlement requirements with each RTO.
The following tables summarize the price and volume factors contributing to changes in revenues (excluding the Allegheny companies):
         
    Increase  
Source of Change in Direct and Government Aggregation   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Direct Sales:
       
Effect of 65.2% increase in sales volumes
  $ 223  
Change in prices
    (4 )
 
     
 
    219  
 
     
Government Aggregation:
       
Effect of 57.8% increase in sales volumes
    100  
Change in prices
    9  
 
     
 
    109  
 
     
Net Increase in Direct and Government Aggregation Revenues
  $ 328  
 
     
 
     
    Increase  
Source of Change in POLR Revenues   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
POLR:
       
Effect of 57.0% decrease in sales volumes
  $ (384 )
Change in prices
    80  
 
     
 
    (304 )
 
     
 
     
    Increase  
Source of Change in Wholesale Revenues   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Other Wholesale:
       
Effect of 23.9% increase in sales volumes
    12  
Change in prices
    (7 )
 
     
 
    5  
 
     
Transmission revenues increased $9 million due primarily to higher MISO congestion revenue. The revenues derived from the sale of RECs declined $35 million in the first quarter of 2011.
Expenses —
Total expenses increased $277 million in the first quarter of 2011 due to the following:
   
Fuel costs increased $13 million primarily due to increased volumes ($31 million), partially offset by lower unit prices ($18 million). Volumes increased due to higher generation at the fossil units. Unit prices declined primarily due to improved generating unit availability at more efficient units, partially offset by increased coal transportation costs and higher nuclear fuel unit prices following the refueling outages that occurred in 2010.
   
Purchased power costs decreased $153 million due primarily to lower volumes purchased ($185 million) partially offset by higher unit costs ($32 million). The decrease in volume primarily relates to the absence in 2011 of a 1,300 MW third party contract associated with serving Met-Ed and Penelec. $35 million of purchased power expense resulted from long positions in MISO that were unable to be netted with short positions in PJM, due to separate settlement requirements with each RTO.
   
Fossil operating costs increased $1 million due primarily to higher labor costs partially offset by lower professional and contractor costs and reduced coal sale losses.
   
Nuclear operating costs increased $15 million due primarily to higher labor and related benefits, partially offset by lower professional and contractor costs.

 

89


Table of Contents

   
Transmission expenses increased $111 million due primarily to increases in PJM of $108 million from higher congestion, network, and loss expense and MISO transmission expenses of $3 million due to higher congestion costs.
   
General taxes increased $3 million due to an increase in revenue-related taxes.
   
Other expenses increased $65 million primarily due to: a $54 million provision for excess and obsolete material relating to revised inventory practices adopted in connection with the Allegheny merger; a $13 million impairment charge related to non-core assets; an $11 million increase in intercompany billings; and reduced mark-to-market adjustments of $15 million.
The inclusion of approximately one month of the Allegheny companies’ operations contributed $222 million to expenses, including a $29 million mark-to-market adjustment relating primarily to power contracts.
Other Expense —
Total other expense in the first quarter of 2011 was $30 million higher than the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to a $35 million increase in net interest expense partially offset by an increase in nuclear decommissioning trust investment income ($5 million). The increase in interest expense was primarily due to the inclusion of the Allegheny companies ($20 million) and lower capitalized interest ($13 million) associated with the completion of the Sammis AQC project in 2010.
Other — First Quarter of 2011 Compared with First Quarter of 2010
Financial results from other operating segments and reconciling items, including interest expense on holding company debt and corporate support services revenues and expenses, resulted in a $35 million decrease in earnings available to FirstEnergy in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. The decrease resulted primarily from reduced other revenues ($17 million) representing reconciling adjustments combined with increased income taxes ($12 million).
Regulatory Assets
FirstEnergy and the Utilities prepare their consolidated financial statements in accordance with the authoritative guidance for accounting for certain types of regulation. Under this guidance, regulatory assets represent incurred costs that have been deferred because of their probable future recovery from customers through regulated rates. Regulatory liabilities represent amounts that are expected to be credited to customers through future regulated rates or amounts collected from customers for costs not yet incurred. FirstEnergy and the Utilities net their regulatory assets and liabilities based on federal and state jurisdictions. The following table provides the balance of net regulatory assets by company as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and changes during the three months then ended:
                         
    March 31,     December 31,     Increase  
Regulatory Assets   2011     2010     (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
OE
  $ 385     $ 400     $ (15 )
CEI
    337       370       (33 )
TE
    84       72       12  
JCP&L
    460       513       (53 )
Met-Ed
    285       296       (11 )
Penelec
    179       163       16  
Other*
    354       12       342  
 
                 
Total
  $ 2,084     $ 1,826     $ 258  
 
                 
     
*  
2011 includes $343 million related to the Allegheny companies.

 

90


Table of Contents

The following tables provide information about the composition of net regulatory assets as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and the changes during the three months then ended:
                         
    March 31,     December 31,     Increase  
Regulatory Assets by Source   2011     2010     (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Regulatory transition costs
  $ 592     $ 770     $ (178 )
Customer receivables for future income taxes
    488       326       162  
Loss on reacquired debt
    56       48       8  
Employee postretirement benefits
    14       16       (2 )
Nuclear decommissioning, decontamination and spent fuel disposal costs
    (200 )     (184 )     (16 )
Asset removal costs
    (220 )     (237 )     17  
MISO/PJM transmission costs
    280       184       96  
Deferred generation costs
    574       386       188  
Distribution costs
    333       426       (93 )
Other
    167       91       76  
 
                 
Total
  $ 2,084     $ 1,826     $ 258  
 
                 
FirstEnergy had $390 million of net regulatory liabilities as of March 31, 2011, which includes $378 million of net regulatory liabilities acquired as part of the merger with AE that are primarily related to asset removal costs.
Regulatory assets that do not earn a current return totaled approximately $297 million as of March 31, 2011.
Regulatory assets not earning a current return primarily for certain all-electric residential discounts and municipal taxes by OE, CEI and TE are approximately $53 million, $32 million and $4 million, respectively. The timing of expected recovery of these assets cannot be determined at this time.
Regulatory assets not earning a current return primarily for regulatory transition costs by Met-Ed and Penelec are approximately $114 million and $5 million, respectively, and are expected to be recovered by 2020.
Regulatory assets not earning a current return primarily for certain storm damage costs and pension and postretirement benefits by JCP&L are approximately $37 million. The timing of expected recovery of these assets cannot be determined at this time.
Regulatory assets not earning a current return primarily for certain deferred generation costs are approximately $52 million by FirstEnergy’s other utility subsidiaries are expected to be recovered over various periods though 2012.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
As of March 31, 2011, FirstEnergy had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.1 billion available to fund investments, operations and capital expenditures. To fund liquidity and capital requirements for 2011 and beyond, FirstEnergy may rely on internal and external sources of funds. Short-term cash requirements not met by cash provided from operations are generally satisfied through short-term borrowings. Long-term cash needs may be met through issuances of debt and/or equity securities.
FirstEnergy expects its existing sources of liquidity to remain sufficient to meet its anticipated obligations and those of its subsidiaries. FirstEnergy’s business is capital intensive, requiring significant resources to fund operating expenses, construction expenditures, scheduled debt maturities and interest and dividend payments. During 2011, FirstEnergy expects to satisfy these requirements with a combination of internal cash from operations and external funds from the capital markets as market conditions warrant. FirstEnergy also expects that borrowing capacity under credit facilities will continue to be available to manage working capital requirements along with continued access to long-term capital markets.
A material adverse change in operations, or in the availability of external financing sources, could impact FirstEnergy’s liquidity position and ability to fund its capital resource requirements. To mitigate risk, FirstEnergy’s business model stresses financial discipline and a strong focus on execution. Major elements of this business model include the expectation of: projected cash from operations, opportunities for favorable long-term earnings growth in the competitive generation markets, operational excellence, business plan execution, well-positioned generation fleet, no speculative trading operations, appropriate long-term commodity hedging positions, manageable capital expenditure program, adequately funded pension plan, minimal near-term maturities of existing long-term debt, commitment to a secure dividend and a successful merger integration.

 

91


Table of Contents

As of March 31, 2011, FirstEnergy’s net deficit in working capital (current assets less current liabilities) was principally due to the classification of certain variable interest rate PCRBs as currently payable long-term debt and short-term borrowings. Currently payable long-term debt as of March 31, 2011, included the following (in millions):
         
Currently Payable Long-term Debt        
PCRBs supported by bank LOCs (1)
  $ 827  
FGCO and NGC unsecured PCRBs (1)
    141  
Penelec unsecured PCRBs
    25  
FirstEnergy Corp. unsecured note
    250  
NGC collateralized lease obligation bonds
    50  
Sinking fund requirements
    49  
Other notes
    43  
 
     
 
  $ 1,385  
 
     
(1)  
Interest rate mode permits individual debt holders to put the respective debt back to the issuer prior to maturity.
Short-Term Borrowings
FirstEnergy had approximately $486 million of short-term borrowings as of March 31, 2011 and $700 million as of December 31, 2010. FirstEnergy’s available liquidity as of April 25, 2011, is summarized in the following table:
                             
                        Available  
Company   Type   Maturity   Commitment     Liquidity  
                (In millions)  
FirstEnergy(1)
  Revolving   Aug. 2012   $ 2,750     $ 1,983  
AE
  Revolving   Apr. 2013     250       247  
AE Supply(2)
  Revolving   Various     1,050       1,000  
FE Utilities & TrAIL
  Revolving   2013     910       475  
 
                       
 
      Subtotal   $ 4,960     $ 3,705  
 
      Cash           1,134  
 
                       
 
      Total   $ 4,960     $ 4,839  
 
                       
(1)  
FirstEnergy Corp. and subsidiary borrowers.
 
(2)  
Includes $50 million for AGC.
Revolving Credit Facilities
FirstEnergy has the capability to request an increase in the total commitments available under the $2.75 billion revolving credit facility (included in the borrowing capability table above) up to a maximum of $3.25 billion, subject to the discretion of each lender to provide additional commitments. A total of 25 banks participate in the facility, with no one bank having more than 7.3% of the total commitment. Commitments under the facility are available until August 24, 2012, unless the lenders agree, at the request of the borrowers, to an unlimited number of additional one-year extensions. Generally, borrowings under the facility must be repaid within 364 days. Available amounts for each borrower are subject to a specified sub-limit, as well as applicable regulatory and other limitations.

 

92


Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the borrowing sub-limits for each borrower under the facilities, as well as the limitations on short-term indebtedness applicable to each borrower under current regulatory approvals and applicable statutory and/or charter limitations as of March 31, 2011:
                 
    Revolving     Regulatory and  
    Credit Facility     Other Short-Term  
Borrower   Sub-Limit     Debt Limitations  
    (In millions)  
FirstEnergy
  $ 2,750     $ (1)
FES
    1,000       (1)
OE
    500       500  
Penn
    50       33 (2)
CEI
    250 (3)     500  
TE
    250 (3)     500  
JCP&L
    425       411 (2)
Met-Ed
    250       300 (2)
Penelec
    250       300 (2)
ATSI
    50 (4)     50  
(1)  
No limitations.
 
(2)  
Excluding amounts that may be borrowed under the regulated companies’ money pool.
 
(3)  
Borrowing sub-limits for CEI and TE may be increased to up to $500 million by delivering notice to the administrative agent that such borrower has senior unsecured debt ratings of at least BBB by S&P and Baa2 by Moody’s.
 
(4)  
The borrowing sub-limit for ATSI may be increased up to $100 million by delivering notice to the administrative agent that ATSI has received regulatory approval to have short-term borrowings up to the same amount.
Under the $2.75 billion revolving credit facility, borrowers may request the issuance of LOCs expiring up to one year from the date of issuance. The stated amount of outstanding LOCs will count against total commitments available under the facility and against the applicable borrower’s borrowing sub-limit.
The $2.75 billion revolving credit facility contains financial covenants requiring each borrower to maintain a consolidated debt to total capitalization ratio of no more than 65%, measured at the end of each fiscal quarter. As of March 31, 2011, FirstEnergy’s and its subsidiaries’ debt to total capitalization ratios (as defined under the revolving credit facility) were as follows:
         
Borrower        
FirstEnergy
    57.6 %
FES
    53.3 %
OE
    55.0 %
Penn
    35.0 %
CEI
    56.4 %
TE
    58.1 %
JCP&L
    34.5 %
Met-Ed
    44.3 %
Penelec
    54.5 %
ATSI
    49.6 %
As of March 31, 2011, FirstEnergy could issue additional debt of approximately $7.1 billion, or recognize a reduction in equity of approximately $3.8 billion, and remain within the limitations of the financial covenants required by its $2.75 billion revolving credit facility.
The $2.75 billion revolving credit facility, does not contain provisions that restrict the ability to borrow or accelerate payment of outstanding advances as a result of any change in credit ratings. Pricing is defined in “pricing grids,” whereby the cost of funds borrowed under the facility is related to the credit ratings of the company borrowing the funds.

 

93


Table of Contents

In addition to the $2.75 billion revolving credit facility, FirstEnergy also has access to an additional $2.2 billion of revolving credit facilities relating to the Allegheny companies. The following table summarizes the borrowing sub-limits for each borrower under the facilities as of March 31, 2011:
         
    Revolving  
    Credit Facility  
Borrower   Sub-Limit  
    (In millions)  
AE
  $ 250  
AE Supply
    1,000  
MP
    110  
PE
    150  
WP
    200  
AGC
    50  
TrAIL
    450  
Under the terms of their individual credit facilities, outstanding debt of AE Supply, MP, PE, WP and AGC may not exceed 65% of the sum of their debt and equity as of the last day of each calendar quarter. Outstanding debt for TrAIL may not exceed 70% and 65% of the sum of its debt and equity as of the last day of each calendar quarter through June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2012, respectively. These provisions limit debt levels of these subsidiaries and also limit the net assets of each subsidiary that may be transferred to AE.
FirstEnergy, the Utilities, FES and AESC are currently pursuing an aggregate of up to $4.0 billion in new multi-year revolving credit facilities to replace a portion of the existing facilities described above.
FirstEnergy Money Pools
FirstEnergy’s regulated companies, excluding regulated companies acquired in the Allegheny merger, also have the ability to borrow from each other and the holding company to meet their short-term working capital requirements. A similar but separate arrangement exists among FirstEnergy’s unregulated companies. FESC administers these two money pools and tracks surplus funds of FirstEnergy and the respective regulated and unregulated subsidiaries, as well as proceeds available from bank borrowings. Companies receiving a loan under the money pool agreements must repay the principal amount of the loan, together with accrued interest, within 364 days of borrowing the funds. The rate of interest is the same for each company receiving a loan from their respective pool and is based on the average cost of funds available through the pool. The average interest rate for borrowings in the first quarter of 2011 was 0.38% per annum for the regulated companies’ money pool and 0.47% per annum for the unregulated companies’ money pool. In March 2011, AE Supply invested $200 million into the unregulated money pool. FirstEnergy and its regulated companies acquired in the Allegheny merger have filed with the appropriate regulatory commissions to receive approval to be part of the FirstEnergy regulated money pool.
Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
As of March 31, 2011, FirstEnergy’s currently payable long-term debt included approximately $827 million (FES — $778 million, Met-Ed — $29 million and Penelec — $20 million) of variable interest rate PCRBs, the bondholders of which are entitled to the benefit of irrevocable direct pay bank LOCs. The interest rates on the PCRBs are reset daily or weekly. Bondholders can tender their PCRBs for mandatory purchase prior to maturity with the purchase price payable from remarketing proceeds or, if the PCRBs are not successfully remarketed, by drawings on the irrevocable direct pay LOCs. The subsidiary obligor is required to reimburse the applicable LOC bank for any such drawings or, if the LOC bank fails to honor its LOC for any reason, must itself pay the purchase price.
The LOCs for FirstEnergy variable interest rate PCRBs were issued by the following banks as of March 31, 2011:
                 
    Aggregate LOC         Reimbursements of
LOC Bank   Amount(1)     LOC Termination Date   LOC Draws Due
    (In millions)          
CitiBank N.A.
  $ 166     June 2014   June 2014
The Bank of Nova Scotia
    178     Beginning June 2012   Multiple dates(2)
The Royal Bank of Scotland
    131     June 2012   6 months
Wachovia Bank
    152     March 2014   March 2014
US Bank
    60     April 2014   6 months
UBS
    272     April 2014   April 2014
 
             
Total
  $ 959          
 
             
(1)  
Includes approximately $10 million of applicable interest coverage.
 
(2)  
Shorter of 6 months or LOC termination date ($49 million) and shorter of one year or LOC termination date ($129 million).

 

94


Table of Contents

On March 17, 2011, FES completed the remarketing of $207 million variable rate PCRBs. These PCRBs remained in a variable interest mode, supported by bank LOC’s. Also, on March 1, 2011, FES repurchased $50 million of non-LOC backed fixed rate PCRBs that were subject to purchase on demand by the owner on that date.
On April 1, 2011, FES completed the remarketing of an additional $97 million of non-LOC backed commercial paper rate and fixed rate PCRBs (including the $50 million repurchased on March 1) into variable rate modes with LOC support. Also on April 1, 2011, Penelec completed the remarketing of $25 million of non-LOC backed commercial paper rate PCRBs into a variable rate mode with LOC support.
In connection with the remarketings, approximately $207 aggregate principal amount of FMBs previously delivered to LOC providers were cancelled, and approximately $50 million aggregate principal amount of FMBs delivered to secure PCRBs will be cancelled on May 31, 2011.
Long-Term Debt Capacity
As of March 31, 2011, the Ohio Companies and Penn had the aggregate capability to issue approximately $2.4 billion of additional FMBs on the basis of property additions and retired bonds under the terms of their respective mortgage indentures. The issuance of FMBs by the Ohio Companies is also subject to provisions of their senior note indentures generally limiting the incurrence of additional secured debt, subject to certain exceptions that would permit, among other things, the issuance of secured debt (including FMBs) supporting pollution control notes or similar obligations, or as an extension, renewal or replacement of previously outstanding secured debt. In addition, these provisions would permit OE and CEI to incur additional secured debt not otherwise permitted by a specified exception of up to $118 million and $17 million, respectively. As a result of its indenture provisions, TE cannot incur any additional secured debt. Met-Ed and Penelec had the capability to issue secured debt of approximately $365 million and $346 million, respectively, under provisions of their senior note indentures as of March 31, 2011. In addition, based upon their respective FMB indentures, net earnings and available bondable property additions as of March 31, 2011, MP, PE and WP had the capability to issue approximately $685 million of additional FMBs in the aggregate.
Based upon FGCO’s FMB indenture, net earnings and available bondable property additions as of March 31, 2011, FGCO had the capability to issue $2.4 billion of additional FMBs under the terms of that indenture. Based upon NGC’s FMB indenture, net earnings and available bondable property additions, NGC had the capability to issue $1.2 billion of additional FMBs as of March 31, 2011.
FirstEnergy’s access to capital markets and costs of financing are influenced by the ratings of its securities. On March 1, 2011, Fitch affirmed the ratings and outlook of FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries. On February 25, 2011, Moody’s affirmed the ratings and stable outlook of FirstEnergy and its regulated utilities, upgraded AE’s senior unsecured ratings to Baa3 from Ba1 and placed the ratings for FES under review for possible downgrade. The following table displays FirstEnergy’s and its subsidiaries’ securities ratings as of March 31, 2011.
                         
    Senior Secured   Senior Unsecured
Issuer   S&P   Moody’s   Fitch   S&P   Moody’s   Fitch
FirstEnergy Corp.
        BB+   Baa3   BBB
Allegheny
        BB+   Baa3   BBB-
FES
        BBB-   Baa2   BBB
AE Supply
  BBB   Baa2   BBB   BBB-   Baa3   BBB-
AGC
        BBB-   Baa3   BBB-
ATSI
        BBB-   Baa1  
CEI
  BBB   Baa1   BBB   BBB-   Baa3   BBB-
JCP&L
        BBB-   Baa2   BBB+
Met-Ed
  BBB   A3   BBB+   BBB-   Baa2   BBB
MP
  BBB+   Baa1   BBB+   BBB-   Baa3   BBB-
OE
  BBB   A3   BBB+   BBB-   Baa2   BBB
Penelec
  BBB   A3   BBB+   BBB-   Baa2   BBB
Penn
  BBB+   A3   BBB+      
PE
  BBB+   Baa1   BBB+   BBB-   Baa3   BBB-
TE
  BBB   Baa1   BBB      
TrAIL
        BBB-   Baa2   BBB
WP
  BBB+   A3   BBB+   BBB-   Baa2   BBB-

 

95


Table of Contents

Changes in Cash Position
As of March 31, 2011, FirstEnergy had $1.1 billion of cash and cash equivalents compared to $1 billion as of December 31, 2010. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, FirstEnergy had approximately $73 million and $13 million, respectively, of restricted cash included in other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
During the first three months of 2011, FirstEnergy received $240 million of cash dividends from its subsidiaries and paid $190 million in cash dividends to common shareholders, including $20 million paid in March by Allegheny to its former shareholders.
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
FirstEnergy’s consolidated net cash from operating activities is provided primarily by its competitive energy services and energy delivery services businesses (see Results of Operations above). Net cash provided from operating activities decreased by $15 million during the first three months of 2011 compared to the comparable period in 2010, as summarized in the following table:
                         
    Three Months        
    Ended March 31     Increase  
Operating Cash Flows   2011     2010     (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Net income
  $ 45     $ 149     $ (104 )
Non-cash charges and other adjustments
    515       367       148  
Pension trust contribution
    (157 )           (157 )
Working capital and other
    88       (10 )     98  
 
                 
 
  $ 491     $ 506     $ (15 )
 
                 
The increase in non-cash charges and other adjustments is primarily due to increased deferred taxes and investment tax credits ($112 million), increased asset impairments ($19 million), changes in accrued compensation and retirement benefits ($68 million) and increased depreciation ($27 million), partially offset by lower amortization of regulatory assets ($80 million).
The increase in cash flows from working capital and other is primarily due to decreased receivables ($162 million), decreased prepayments and other current assets ($85 million) and decreased materials and supplies ($82 million), partially offset by decreased accrued taxes ($189 million) and decreased accounts payable ($33 million).
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
In the first three months of 2011, cash used for financing activities was $550 million compared to $594 million in the first three months of 2010. The following table summarizes security issuances (net of any discounts) and redemptions:
                 
    Three Months  
    Ended March 31  
Securities Issued or Redeemed   2011     2010  
    (In millions)  
New Issues
               
Pollution control notes
    150        
Long-term revolvers
    60        
Unsecured Notes
    7        
 
           
 
  $ 217     $  
 
           
 
               
Redemptions
               
Pollution control notes
    (200 )      
Long-term revolvers
    (20 )      
Senior secured notes
    (109 )     9  
Unsecured notes
    (30 )     100  
 
           
 
  $ (359 )   $ 109  
 
           
 
               
Short-term borrowings, net
  $ (214 )   $ (295 )
 
           
On March 29, 2011, FES paid off a $100 million term loan secured by FMBs that was scheduled to mature on March 31, 2011. On April 8, 2011, FirstEnergy entered into a $150 million unsecured term loan with an April 2013 maturity.
In March 2011 FES repurchased and retired $20 million of its 6.80% unsecured senior notes and $10 million of its 6.05% unsecured senior notes originally outstanding in the principal amounts of $500 million and $600 million, respectively. Additionally, on April 29, 2011, Met-Ed redeemed approximately $14 million of FMBs securing PCRBs.
During the remainder of 2011, FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries expect to pursue, from time to time, continued reductions in outstanding long-term debt of up to approximately $1.0 to $1.5 billion including through redemptions, open market or privately negotiated purchases. Any such transactions will be subject to prevailing market conditions, liquidity requirements and other factors.

 

96


Table of Contents

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Cash flows received from investing activities in the first three months of 2011 resulted primarily from the cash acquired in the Allegheny merger, partially offset by cash used for property additions. The following table summarizes investing activities for the first three months of 2011 and 2010 by business segment:
                                 
Summary of Cash Flows   Property                    
Provided from (Used for) Investing Activities   Additions     Investments     Other     Total  
    (In millions)  
Sources (Uses)
                               
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
                               
Regulated distribution
  $ (177 )   $ 60     $ (9 )   $ (126 )
Competitive energy services
    (214 )     (15 )     (8 )     (237 )
Regulated independent transmission
    (27 )     (1 )           (28 )
Other
    (31 )     590       145       704  
Inter-Segment reconciling items
          (22 )     (150 )     (172 )
 
                       
Total
  $ (449 )   $ 612     $ (22 )   $ 141  
 
                       
 
                               
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
                               
Regulated distribution
  $ (152 )   $ 62     $ (6 )   $ (96 )
Competitive energy services
    (329 )           (1 )     (330 )
Regulated independent transmission
    (14 )           (1 )     (15 )
Other
    (13 )                 (13 )
Inter-Segment reconciling items
          (22 )           (22 )
 
                       
Total
  $ (508 )   $ 40     $ (8 )   $ (476 )
 
                       
Net cash provided from investing activities in the first three months of 2011 increased by $617 million compared to the first three months of 2010. The increase was principally due to cash acquired in the Allegheny merger ($590 million), a decrease in purchases of customer intangibles by FES in the customer acquisition process ($100 million) and a decrease in property additions ($59 million), principally due to lower AQC system expenditures, partially offset by decreased proceeds from asset sales ($114 million).
During the remaining nine months of 2011, capital requirements for property additions and capital leases are expected to be approximately $1.8 billion. This includes approximately $90 million of nuclear fuel expenditures.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Estimated cash payments for contractual obligations that are considered firm obligations acquired by FirstEnergy in the AE merger are summarized as follows:
                                         
                    2012-     2014-        
Contractual Obligations   Total     2011     2013     2015     Thereafter  
    (In millions)  
Long-term debt(1)
  $ 4,776     $ 8     $ 1,445     $ 1,037     $ 2,286  
Interest on long-term debt(2)
    2,516       240       470       341       1,465  
Fuel and purchased power(3)
    9,781       956       2,160       1,650       5,015  
Capital expenditures
    141       117       24              
Pension funding (4)
    695       124       175       186       210  
 
                             
 
                                       
Total
  $ 17,909     $ 1,445     $ 4,274     $ 3,214     $ 8,976  
 
                             
(1)  
Does not include payments made and debt issued subsequent to March 31, 2011.
 
(2)  
Interest on variable-rate debt is based on interest rates as of March 31, 2011.
 
(3)  
Amounts under contract with fixed or minimum quantities are based on estimated annual requirements.
 
(4)  
Estimated contributions through 2021 based on current actuarial assumptions.
GUARANTEES AND OTHER ASSURANCES
As part of normal business activities, FirstEnergy enters into various agreements on behalf of its subsidiaries to provide financial or performance assurances to third parties. These agreements include contract guarantees, surety bonds and LOCs. Some of the guaranteed contracts contain collateral provisions that are contingent upon either FirstEnergy or its subsidiaries’ credit ratings.

 

97


Table of Contents

As of March 31, 2011, FirstEnergy’s maximum exposure to potential future payments under outstanding guarantees and other assurances approximated $3.8 billion, as summarized below:
         
    Maximum  
Guarantees and Other Assurances   Exposure  
    (In millions)  
FirstEnergy Guarantees on Behalf of its Subsidiaries
       
Energy and Energy-Related Contracts(1)
  $ 231  
FirstEnergy guarantee of OVEC obligations
    300  
Other(2)
    228  
 
     
 
    759  
 
     
 
       
Subsidiaries’ Guarantees
       
Energy and Energy-Related Contracts
    158  
FES’ guarantee of NGC’s nuclear property insurance
    70  
FES’ guarantee of FGCO’s sale and leaseback obligations
    2,375  
Other
    18  
 
     
 
    2,621  
 
     
 
       
Surety Bonds
    138  
LOC (non-debt)(3)
    318  
 
     
 
    456  
 
     
Total Guarantees and Other Assurances
  $ 3,836  
 
     
(1)  
Issued for open-ended terms, with a 10-day termination right by FirstEnergy.
 
(2)  
Includes guarantees of $15 million for nuclear decommissioning funding assurances, $161 million supporting OE’s sale and leaseback arrangement, and $37 million for railcar leases.
 
(3)  
Includes $146 million issued for various terms pursuant to LOC capacity available under FirstEnergy’s revolving credit facilities, $130 million pledged in connection with the sale and leaseback of Beaver Valley Unit 2 by OE and $42 million pledged in connection with the sale and leaseback of Perry by OE.
FirstEnergy guarantees energy and energy-related payments of its subsidiaries involved in energy commodity activities principally to facilitate or hedge normal physical transactions involving electricity, gas, emission allowances and coal. FirstEnergy also provides guarantees to various providers of credit support for the financing or refinancing by its subsidiaries of costs related to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment. These agreements legally obligate FirstEnergy to fulfill the obligations of those subsidiaries directly involved in energy and energy-related transactions or financings where the law might otherwise limit the counterparties’ claims. If demands of a counterparty were to exceed the ability of a subsidiary to satisfy existing obligations, FirstEnergy’s guarantee enables the counterparty’s legal claim to be satisfied by FirstEnergy’s assets. FirstEnergy believes the likelihood is remote that such parental guarantees will increase amounts otherwise paid by FirstEnergy to meet its obligations incurred in connection with ongoing energy and energy-related activities.
While these types of guarantees are normally parental commitments for the future payment of subsidiary obligations, subsequent to the occurrence of a credit rating downgrade to below investment grade, an acceleration or funding obligation or a “material adverse event,” the immediate posting of cash collateral, provision of a LOC or accelerated payments may be required of the subsidiary. As of March 31, 2011, FirstEnergy’s maximum exposure under these collateral provisions was $557 million, as shown below:
                                 
Collateral Provisions   FES     AE Supply     Utilities     Total  
    (In millions)  
Credit rating downgrade to below investment grade (1)
  $ 357     $ 10     $ 66     $ 433  
Material adverse event (2)
    54       57       13       124  
 
                       
Total
  $ 411     $ 67     $ 79     $ 557  
 
                       
(1)  
Includes $138 million and $46 million that is also considered an acceleration of payment or funding obligation at FES and the Utilities, respectively.
 
(2)  
Includes $53 million that is also considered an acceleration of payment or funding obligation at FES.

 

98


Table of Contents

Stress case conditions of a credit rating downgrade or “material adverse event” and hypothetical adverse price movements in the underlying commodity markets would increase the total potential amount to $623 million, as shown below:
                                 
Collateral Provisions   FES     AE Supply     Utilities     Total  
    (In millions)  
Credit rating downgrade to below investment grade (1)
  $ 420     $ 8     $ 66     $ 494  
Material adverse event (2)
    60       56       13       129  
 
                       
Total
  $ 480     $ 64     $ 79     $ 623  
 
                       
(1)  
Includes $138 million and $46 million that is also considered an acceleration of payment or funding obligation at FES and the Utilities, respectively.
 
(2)  
Includes $53 million that is also considered an acceleration of payment or funding obligation at FES.
Most of FirstEnergy’s surety bonds are backed by various indemnities common within the insurance industry. Surety bonds and related guarantees of $138 million provide additional assurance to outside parties that contractual and statutory obligations will be met in a number of areas including construction contracts, environmental commitments and various retail transactions.
In addition to guarantees and surety bonds, contracts entered into by the Competitive Energy Services segment, including power contracts with affiliates awarded through competitive bidding processes, typically contain margining provisions that require the posting of cash or LOCs in amounts determined by future power price movements. Based on FES’ and AE Supply’s power portfolio as of March 31, 2011 and forward prices as of that date, FES and AE Supply have posted collateral of $158 million and $5 million, respectively. Under a hypothetical adverse change in forward prices (95% confidence level change in forward prices over a one year time horizon), FES would be required to post an additional $52 million of collateral. Depending on the volume of forward contracts and future price movements, higher amounts for margining could be required to be posted.
In connection with FES’ obligations to post and maintain collateral under the two-year PSA entered into by FES and the Ohio Companies following the CBP auction on May 13-14, 2009, NGC entered into a Surplus Margin Guaranty in an amount up to $500 million. The Surplus Margin Guaranty is secured by an NGC FMB issued in favor of the Ohio Companies.
FES’ debt obligations are generally guaranteed by its subsidiaries, FGCO and NGC, and FES guarantees the debt obligations of each of FGCO and NGC. Accordingly, present and future holders of indebtedness of FES, FGCO and NGC may have claims against each of FES, FGCO and NGC, regardless of whether their primary obligor is FES, FGCO or NGC.
Signal Peak and Global Rail are borrowers under a $350 million syndicated two-year senior secured term loan facility. FirstEnergy, together with WMB Loan Ventures LLC and WMB Loan Ventures II LLC, the entities that share ownership in the borrowers with FEV, have provided a guaranty of the borrowers’ obligations under the facility. In addition, FEV and the other entities that directly own the equity interest in the borrowers have pledged those interests to the lenders under the term loan facility as collateral for the facility.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
FES and the Ohio Companies have obligations that are not included on their Consolidated Balance Sheets related to sale and leaseback arrangements involving the Bruce Mansfield Plant, Perry Unit 1 and Beaver Valley Unit 2, which are satisfied through operating lease payments. The total present value of these sale and leaseback operating lease commitments, net of trust investments, is $1.7 billion as of March 31, 2011.
MARKET RISK INFORMATION
FirstEnergy uses various market risk sensitive instruments, including derivative contracts, primarily to manage the risk of price and interest rate fluctuations. FirstEnergy’s Risk Policy Committee, comprised of members of senior management, provides general oversight for risk management activities throughout the company.
Commodity Price Risk
FirstEnergy is exposed to financial risks resulting from fluctuating interest rates and commodity prices, including prices for electricity, natural gas, coal and energy transmission. To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, FirstEnergy established a Risk Policy Committee, comprised of members of senior management, which provides general management oversight for risk management activities throughout FirstEnergy. The Committee is responsible for promoting the effective design and implementation of sound risk management programs and oversees compliance with corporate risk management policies and established risk management practice. FirstEnergy uses a variety of derivative instruments for risk management purposes including forward contracts, options, futures contracts and swaps. In addition to derivatives, FirstEnergy also enters into master netting agreements with certain third parties.

 

99


Table of Contents

The valuation of derivative contracts is based on observable market information to the extent that such information is available. In cases where such information is not available, FirstEnergy relies on model-based information. The model provides estimates of future regional prices for electricity and an estimate of related price volatility. FirstEnergy uses these results to develop estimates of fair value for financial reporting purposes and for internal management decision making (see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements). Sources of information for the valuation of commodity derivative contracts as of March 31, 2011 are summarized by year in the following table:
                                                         
Source of Information-                                          
Fair Value by Contract Year   2011     2012     2013     2014     2015     Thereafter     Total  
    (In millions)  
Prices actively quoted(1)
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
Other external sources(2)
    (315 )     (152 )     (44 )     (36 )                 (547 )
Prices based on models
    (11 )                       19       106       114  
 
                                         
Total(3)
  $ (326 )   $ (152 )   $ (44 )   $ (36 )   $ 19     $ 106     $ (433 )
 
                                         
(1)  
Represents exchange traded New York Mercantile Exchange futures and options.
 
(2)  
Primarily represents contracts based on broker and IntercontinentalExchange quotes.
 
(3)  
Includes $366 million in non-hedge commodity derivative contracts that are primarily related to NUG contracts. NUG contracts are generally subject to regulatory accounting and do not materially impact earnings.
FirstEnergy performs sensitivity analyses to estimate its exposure to the market risk of its commodity positions. Based on derivative contracts held as of March 31, 2011, an adverse 10% change in commodity prices would decrease net income by approximately $12 million ($7 million net of tax) during the next 12 months.
Equity Price Risk
FirstEnergy provides a noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plan that covers substantially all of its employees other than Allegheny employees employed by FirstEnergy and non-qualified pension plans that cover certain employees (the FirstEnergy Pension Plan). In addition, effective on the date of the merger, FirstEnergy provides noncontributory qualified defined pension plan benefits that cover substantially all of Allegheny employees employed by FirstEnergy and a supplemental executive retirement plan that covers certain Allegheny executives employed by FirstEnergy (the Allegheny Pension Plan). The FirstEnergy Pension Plan and the Allegheny Pension Plan provide defined benefits based on years of service and compensation levels.
Eligible FirstEnergy retirees, their dependents and, under certain circumstances, their survivors are provided other postretirement benefits such as a minimum amount of noncontributory life insurance, optional contributory insurance and certain health care benefits. These other postretirement benefits are not provided in retirement for employees hired on or after January 1, 2005.
Eligible Allegheny retirees and dependents are provided other postretirement benefits such as subsidies for medical and life insurance plans. Subsidized medical coverage is not provided in retirement to Allegheny employees employed by FirstEnergy that were hired on or after January 1, 1993, with the exception of certain union employees who were hired or became members before May 1, 2006.
The benefit plan assets and obligations are remeasured annually using a December 31 measurement date or as significant triggering events occur. As of March 31, 2011, the FirstEnergy pension plan was invested in approximately 32% of equity securities, 47% of fixed income securities, 10% of absolute return strategies, 5% of real estate, 2% of private equity and 4% of cash. The FirstEnergy Pension Plan and the Allegheny Pension Plan were 86% and 78%, respectively, funded on an accumulated benefit obligation basis as of March 31, 2011. A decline in the value of pension plan assets could result in additional funding requirements. FirstEnergy’s funding policy is based on actuarial computations using the projected unit credit method. During the first quarter of 2011, FirstEnergy made a $157 million contribution to its qualified pension plans. FirstEnergy intends to make additional contributions of $220 million and $6 million to its qualified pension plans and postretirement benefit plans, respectively, in the last three quarters of 2011.

 

100


Table of Contents

Nuclear decommissioning trust funds have been established to satisfy NGC’s and the Utilities’ nuclear decommissioning obligations. As of March 31, 2011, approximately 85% of the funds were invested in fixed income securities, 9% of the funds were invested in equity securities and 6% were invested in short-term investments, with limitations related to concentration and investment grade ratings. The investments are carried at their market values of approximately $1,741 million, $194 million and $115 million for fixed income securities, equity securities and short-term investments, respectively, as of Mach 31, 2011, excluding $(31) million of receivables, payables, deferred taxes and accrued income. A hypothetical 10% decrease in prices quoted by stock exchanges would result in a $19 million reduction in fair value as of March 31, 2011. The decommissioning trusts of JCP&L and the Pennsylvania Companies are subject to regulatory accounting, with unrealized gains and losses recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities, since the difference between investments held in trust and the decommissioning liabilities will be recovered from or refunded to customers. NGC, OE and TE recognize in earnings the unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities held in their nuclear decommissioning trusts as other-than-temporary impairments. A decline in the value of FirstEnergy’s nuclear decommissioning trusts or a significant escalation in estimated decommissioning costs could result in additional funding requirements. In the first three months of 2011, approximately $1 million was contributed to JCP&L’s nuclear decommissioning trusts. During the second quarter of 2011, FirstEnergy intends to contribute approximately $4 million and $1 million to the OE and TE nuclear decommissioning trusts, respectively, to comply with requirements under certain sale-leaseback transactions in which OE and TE continue as lessees. On March 28, 2011, FENOC submitted its biennial report on nuclear decommissioning funding to the NRC. This submittal identified a total shortfall in nuclear decommissioning funding for Beaver Valley Unit 1 and Perry of approximately $93 million. This estimate encompasses the shortfall covered by the existing $15 million parental guarantee. FENOC agreed to increase the parental guarantee to $95 million within 90 days of the submittal.
CREDIT RISK
Credit risk is the risk of an obligor’s failure to meet the terms of any investment contract, loan agreement or otherwise perform as agreed. Credit risk arises from all activities in which success depends on issuer, borrower or counterparty performance, whether reflected on or off the balance sheet. FirstEnergy engages in transactions for the purchase and sale of commodities including gas, electricity, coal and emission allowances. These transactions are often with major energy companies within the industry.
FirstEnergy maintains credit policies with respect to its counterparties to manage overall credit risk. This includes performing independent risk evaluations, actively monitoring portfolio trends and using collateral and contract provisions to mitigate exposure. As part of its credit program, FirstEnergy aggressively manages the quality of its portfolio of energy contracts, evidenced by a current weighted average risk rating for energy contract counterparties of BBB (S&P). As of March 31, 2011, the largest credit concentration was with J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., which is currently rated investment grade, representing 13.4% of FirstEnergy’s total approved credit risk comprised of 5.9% for FES, 2.1% for JCP&L, 2.7% for Met-Ed and a combined 2.7% for OE, TE and CEI.
OUTLOOK
Reliability Initiatives
Federally-enforceable mandatory reliability standards apply to the bulk electric system and impose certain operating, record-keeping and reporting requirements on the Utilities, FES, FGCO, FENOC, and ATSI and TrAIL Company. The NERC, as the ERO is charged with establishing and enforcing these reliability standards, although it has delegated day-to-day implementation and enforcement of these reliability standards to eight regional entities, including ReliabilityFirst Corporation. All of FirstEnergy’s facilities are located within the ReliabilityFirst region. FirstEnergy actively participates in the NERC and ReliabilityFirst stakeholder processes, and otherwise monitors and manages its companies in response to the ongoing development, implementation and enforcement of the reliability standards implemented and enforced by the ReliabilityFirst Corporation.
FirstEnergy believes that it generally is in compliance with all currently-effective and enforceable reliability standards. Nevertheless, in the course of operating its extensive electric utility systems and facilities, FirstEnergy occasionally learns of isolated facts or circumstances that could be interpreted as excursions from the reliability standards. If and when such items are found, FirstEnergy develops information about the item and develops a remedial response to the specific circumstances, including in appropriate cases “self-reporting” an item to ReliabilityFirst. Moreover, it is clear that the NERC, ReliabilityFirst and the FERC will continue to refine existing reliability standards as well as to develop and adopt new reliability standards. The financial impact of complying with new or amended standards cannot be determined at this time; however, 2005 amendments to the FPA provide that all prudent costs incurred to comply with the new reliability standards be recovered in rates. Still, any future inability on FirstEnergy’s part to comply with the reliability standards for its bulk power system could result in the imposition of financial penalties that could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
On December 9, 2008, a transformer at JCP&L’s Oceanview substation failed, resulting in an outage on certain bulk electric system (transmission voltage) lines out of the Oceanview and Atlantic substations resulting in customers losing power for up to eleven hours. On March 31, 2009, the NERC initiated a Compliance Violation Investigation in order to determine JCP&L’s contribution to the electrical event and to review any potential violation of NERC Reliability Standards associated with the event. NERC has submitted first and second Requests for Information regarding this and another related matter. JCP&L is complying with these requests. JCP&L is not able to predict what actions, if any, that the NERC may take with respect to this matter.

 

101


Table of Contents

On August 23, 2010, FirstEnergy self-reported to ReliabilityFirst a vegetation encroachment event on a Met-Ed 230 kV line. This event did not result in a fault, outage, operation of protective equipment, or any other meaningful electric effect on any FirstEnergy transmission facilities or systems. On August 25, 2010, ReliabilityFirst issued a Notice of Enforcement to investigate the incident. FirstEnergy submitted a data response to ReliabilityFirst on September 27, 2010. In March 2011, ReliabilityFirst submitted its proposed findings and settlement. At this time, FirstEnergy is evaluating ReliabilityFirst’s proposal and is unable to predict the final outcome of this investigation.
Allegheny has been subject to routine audits with respect to its compliance with applicable reliability standards and has settled certain related issues. In addition, ReliabilityFirst is currently conducting certain violation investigations with regard to matters of compliance by Allegheny.
Maryland
In 1999, Maryland adopted electric industry restructuring legislation, which gave PE’s Maryland retail electric customers the right to choose their electricity generation suppliers. PE remained obligated to provide standard offer generation service (SOS) at capped rates to residential and non-residential customers for various periods. The longest such period, for residential customers, expired on December 31, 2008. PE implemented a rate stabilization plan in 2007 that was designed to transition customers from capped generation rates to rates based on market prices and that concluded on December 31, 2010. PE’s transmission and distribution rates for all customers are subject to traditional regulated utility ratemaking (i.e., cost-based rates).
By statute enacted in 2007, the obligation of Maryland utilities to provide SOS to residential and small commercial customers, in exchange for recovery of their costs plus a reasonable profit, was extended indefinitely. The legislation also established a five-year cycle (to begin in 2008) for the MDPSC to report to the legislature on the status of SOS. In August 2007, PE filed a plan for seeking bids to serve its Maryland residential load for the period after the expiration of rate caps. The MDPSC approved the plan and PE now conducts rolling auctions to procure the power supply necessary to serve its customer load. However, the terms on which PE will provide SOS to residential customers after the settlement beyond 2012 will depend on developments with respect to SOS in Maryland between now and then, including but not limited to possible MDPSC decisions in the proceedings discussed below.
The MDPSC opened a new docket in August 2007 to consider matters relating to possible “managed portfolio” approaches to SOS and other matters. “Phase II” of the case addressed utility purchases or construction of generation, bidding for procurement of demand response resources and possible alternatives if the TrAIL and PATH projects were delayed or defeated. It is unclear when the MDPSC will issue its findings in this and other SOS-related pending proceedings discussed below.
In September 2009, the MDPSC opened a new proceeding to receive and consider proposals for construction of new generation resources in Maryland. In December 2009, Governor Martin O’Malley filed a letter in this proceeding in which he characterized the electricity market in Maryland as a “failure” and urged the MDPSC to use its existing authority to order the construction of new generation in Maryland, vary the means used by utilities to procure generation and include more renewables in the generation mix. In August 2010, the MDPSC opened another new proceeding to solicit comments on the PJM RPM process. Public hearings on the comments were held in October 2010. In December 2010, the MDPSC issued an order soliciting comments on a model request for proposal for solicitation of long-term energy commitments by Maryland electric utilities. PE and numerous other parties filed comments, and at this time no further proceedings have been set by the MDPSC in this matter.
In September 2007, the MDPSC issued an order that required the Maryland utilities to file detailed plans for how they will meet the “EmPOWER Maryland” proposal that, in Maryland, electric consumption be reduced by 10% and electricity demand be reduced by 15%, in each case by 2015. In October 2007, PE filed its initial report on energy efficiency, conservation and demand reduction plans in connection with this order. The MDPSC conducted hearings on PE’s and other utilities’ plans in November 2007 and May 2008.
In a related development, the Maryland legislature in 2008 adopted a statute codifying the EmPOWER Maryland goals. In 2008, PE filed its comprehensive plans for attempting to achieve those goals, asking the MDPSC to approve programs for residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers, as well as a customer education program, and a pilot deployment of Advanced Utility Infrastructure (AUI) that Allegheny had previously tested in West Virginia. The MDPSC ultimately approved the programs in August 2009 after certain modifications had been made as required by the MDPSC, and approved cost recovery for the programs in October 2009. Expenditures were estimated to be approximately $101 million and would be recovered over the following six years. The AUI pilot was placed on a separate track to be re-examined after further discussion with the Staff of the MDPSC and other stakeholders. Meanwhile, extensive meetings with the MDPSC Staff and other stakeholders to discuss details of PE’s plans for additional and improved programs for the period 2012-2014 began in April 2011.

 

102


Table of Contents

In March 2009, the Maryland PSC issued an order suspending until further notice the right of all electric and gas utilities in the state to terminate service to residential customers for non-payment of bills. The MDPSC subsequently issued an order making various rule changes relating to terminations, payment plans, and customer deposits that make it more difficult for Maryland utilities to collect deposits or to terminate service for non-payment. PE and several other utilities filed requests for reconsideration of various parts of the order, which were denied. The MDPSC is continuing to conduct hearings and collect data on payment plan and related issues and has adopted a set of proposed regulations that expand the summer and winter “severe weather” termination moratoria when temperatures are very high or very low, from one day, as provided by statute, to three days on each occurrence.
On March 24, 2011, the MDPSC held an initial hearing to discuss possible new regulations relating to service interruptions, storm response, call center metrics, and related reliability standards. The proposed rules included provisions for civil penalties for non-compliance. Numerous parties filed comments on the proposed rules and participated in the hearing, with many noting issues of cost and practicality relating to implementation. Concurrently, the Maryland legislature is considering a bill addressing the same topics. The final bill passed on April 11, 2011, requires the MDPSC to promulgate rules by July 1, 2012 that address service interruptions, downed wire response, customer communication, vegetation management, equipment inspection, and annual reporting. In crafting the regulations, the MDPSC is directed to consider cost-effectiveness, and may adopt different standards for different utilities based on such factors as system design and existing infrastructure, geography, and customer density. Beginning in July 2013, the MDPSC is to assess each utility’s compliance with the standards, and may assess penalties of up to $25,000 per day per violation. The MDPSC has ordered that a working group of utilities, regulators, and other interested stakeholders meet to address the topics of the proposed rules.
In December 2009, PE filed an application with the MDPSC for authorization to construct the Maryland portions of the PATH Project to be owned by PATH Allegheny Maryland Transmission Company, LLC, which is owned by Potomac Edison and PATH-Allegheny. On February 28, 2011, PE withdrew its application. See “Transmission Expansion” in the Federal Regulation and Rate Matters section for further discussion of this matter.
New Jersey
JCP&L is permitted to defer for future collection from customers the amounts by which its costs of supplying BGS to non-shopping customers, costs incurred under NUG agreements, and certain other stranded costs, exceed amounts collected through BGS and NUG rates and market sales of NUG energy and capacity. As of March 31, 2011, the accumulated deferred cost balance was a credit of approximately $102 million. To better align the recovery of expected costs, in July 2010, JCP&L filed a request to decrease the amount recovered for the costs incurred under the NUG agreements by $180 million annually, which the NJBPU approved, allowing the change in rates to become effective March 1, 2011.
In March 2009 and again in February 2010, JCP&L filed annual SBC Petitions with the NJBPU that included a requested zero level of recovery of TMI-2 decommissioning costs based on an updated TMI-2 decommissioning cost analysis dated January 2009 estimated at $736 million (in 2003 dollars). Both matters are currently pending before the NJBPU.
Ohio
The Ohio Companies operate under an ESP, which expires on May 31, 2011, that provides for generation supplied through a CBP. The ESP also allows the Ohio Companies to collect a delivery service improvement rider (Rider DSI) at an overall average rate of $0.002 per KWH for the period of April 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011. The Ohio Companies currently purchase generation at the average wholesale rate of a CBP conducted in May 2009. FES is one of the suppliers to the Ohio Companies through the May 2009 CBP. The PUCO approved a $136.6 million distribution rate increase for the Ohio Companies in January 2009, which went into effect on January 23, 2009 for OE ($68.9 million) and TE ($38.5 million) and on May 1, 2009 for CEI ($29.2 million).
In March 2010, the Ohio Companies filed an application for a new ESP, which the PUCO approved in August 2010, with certain modifications. The new ESP will go into effect on June 1, 2011 and conclude on May 31, 2014. The material terms of the new ESP include: a CBP similar to the one used in May 2009 and the one proposed on the October 2009 MRO filing (initial auctions held on October 20, 2010 and January 25, 2011); a load cap of no less than 80%, which also applies to tranches assigned post-auction; a 6% generation discount to certain low income customers provided by the Ohio Companies through a bilateral wholesale contract with FES; no increase in base distribution rates through May 31, 2014; and a new distribution rider, Delivery Capital Recovery Rider (Rider DCR), to recover a return of, and on, capital investments in the delivery system. Rider DCR substitutes for Rider DSI which terminates under the current ESP. The Ohio Companies also agreed not to recover from retail customers certain costs related to the companies’ integration into PJM for the longer of the five-year period from June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2015 or when the amount of costs avoided by customers for certain types of products totals $360 million dependent on the outcome of certain PJM proceedings, agreed to establish a $12 million fund to assist low income customers over the term of the ESP and agreed to additional matters related to energy efficiency and alternative energy requirements. Many of the existing riders approved in the previous ESP remain in effect, with some modifications. The new ESP resolved proceedings pending at the PUCO regarding corporate separation, elements of the smart grid proceeding and expenses related to the ESP.

 

103


Table of Contents

Under the provisions of SB221, the Ohio Companies are required to implement energy efficiency programs that will achieve a total annual energy savings equivalent to approximately 166,000 MWH in 2009, 290,000 MWH in 2010, 410,000 MWH in 2011, 470,000 MWH in 2012 and 530,000 MWH in 2013, with additional savings required through 2025. Utilities are also required to reduce peak demand in 2009 by 1%, with an additional 0.75% reduction each year thereafter through 2018.
In December 2009, the Ohio Companies filed the required three year portfolio plan seeking approval for the programs they intend to implement to meet the energy efficiency and peak demand reduction requirements for the 2010-2012 period. The Ohio Companies expect that all costs associated with compliance will be recoverable from customers. The PUCO issued an Opinion and Order generally approving the Ohio Companies’ 3-year plan, and the Companies are in the process of implementing those programs included in the Plan. Because of the delay in issuing the Order, the launch of the programs included in the plan for 2010 was delayed and will launch during the second quarter of this year. As a result, OE fell short of its statutory 2010 energy efficiency and peak demand reduction benchmarks. Therefore, on January 11, 2011, it requested that its 2010 energy efficiency and peak demand reduction benchmarks be amended to actual levels achieved in 2010. Moreover, because the PUCO indicated, when approving the 2009 benchmark request, that it would modify the Companies’ 2010 (and 2011 and 2012) energy efficiency benchmarks when addressing the portfolio plan, the Ohio Companies were not certain of their 2010 energy efficiency obligations. Therefore, CEI and TE (each of which achieved its 2010 energy efficiency and peak demand reduction statutory benchmarks) also requested an amendment if and only to the degree one was deemed necessary to bring these them into compliance with their yet-to-be-defined modified benchmarks. Failure to comply with the benchmarks or to obtain such an amendment may subject the Companies to an assessment by the PUCO of a penalty. In addition to approving the programs included in the plan, with only minor modifications, the PUCO authorized the Companies to recover all costs related to the original CFL program that the Ohio Companies had previously suspended at the request of the PUCO. Applications for Rehearing were filed on April 22, 2011, regarding portions of the PUCO’s decision, including the method for calculating savings and certain changes made by the PUCO to specific programs.
Additionally under SB221, electric utilities and electric service companies are required to serve part of their load from renewable energy resources equivalent to 0.25% of the KWH they served in 2009. In August and October 2009, the Ohio Companies conducted RFPs to secure RECs. The RFPs sought RECs, including solar RECs and RECs generated in Ohio in order to meet the Ohio Companies’ alternative energy requirements as set forth in SB221 for 2009, 2010 and 2011. The RECs acquired through these two RFPs were used to help meet the renewable energy requirements established under SB221 for 2009, 2010 and 2011. In March 2010, the PUCO found that there was an insufficient quantity of solar energy resources reasonably available in the market. The PUCO reduced the Ohio Companies’ aggregate 2009 benchmark to the level of solar RECs the Ohio Companies acquired through their 2009 RFP processes, provided the Ohio Companies’ 2010 alternative energy requirements be increased to include the shortfall for the 2009 solar REC benchmark. FES also applied for a force majeure determination from the PUCO regarding a portion of their compliance with the 2009 solar energy resource benchmark. On February 23, 2011, the PUCO granted FES’ force majeure request for 2009 and increased its 2010 benchmark by the amount of SRECs that FES was short of in its 2009 benchmark. In July 2010, the Ohio Companies initiated an additional RFP to secure RECs and solar RECs needed to meet the Ohio Companies’ alternative energy requirements as set forth in SB221 for 2010 and 2011 and executed related contracts in August 2010. On April 15, 2011, the Ohio Companies filed an application seeking an amendment to each of their 2010 alternative energy requirements for solar RECs generated in Ohio on the basis that an insufficient quantity of solar resources are available in the market but reflecting solar RECs that they have obtained and providing additional information regarding efforts to secure solar RECs. The PUCO has not yet acted on that application.
In February 2010, OE and CEI filed an application with the PUCO to establish a new credit for all-electric customers. In March 2010, the PUCO ordered that rates for the affected customers be set at a level that will provide bill impacts commensurate with charges in place on December 31, 2008 and authorized the Ohio Companies to defer incurred costs equivalent to the difference between what the affected customers would have paid under previously existing rates and what they pay with the new credit in place. Tariffs implementing this new credit went into effect in March 2010. In April 2010, the PUCO issued a Second Entry on Rehearing that expanded the group of customers to which the new credit would apply and authorized deferral for the associated additional amounts. The PUCO also stated that it expected that the new credit would remain in place through at least the 2011 winter season, and charged its staff to work with parties to seek a long term solution to the issue. Tariffs implementing this newly expanded credit went into effect in May 2010 and the proceeding remains open. The hearing on the matter was held in February 2011. The matter has now been briefed and the Ohio Companies await the PUCO’s decision.

 

104


Table of Contents

Pennsylvania
The PPUC entered an Order on March 3, 2010 that denied the recovery of marginal transmission losses through the TSC rider for the period of June 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008, directed Met-Ed and Penelec to submit a new tariff or tariff supplement reflecting the removal of marginal transmission losses from the TSC, and instructed Met-Ed and Penelec to work with the various intervening parties to file a recommendation to the PPUC regarding the establishment of a separate account for all marginal transmission losses collected from ratepayers plus interest to be used to mitigate future generation rate increases beginning January 1, 2011. In March 2010, Met-Ed and Penelec filed a Petition with the PPUC requesting that it stay the portion of the March 3, 2010 Order requiring the filing of tariff supplements to end collection of costs for marginal transmission losses. The PPUC granted the requested stay until December 31, 2010. Pursuant to the PPUC’s order, Met-Ed and Penelec filed plans to establish separate accounts for marginal transmission loss revenues and related interest and carrying charges and for the use of these funds to mitigate future generation rate increases which the PPUC approved. In April 2010, Met-Ed and Penelec filed a Petition for Review with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania appealing the PPUC’s March 3, 2010 Order. The argument before the Commonwealth Court, en banc, was held in December 2010. Although the ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time, Met-Ed and Penelec believe that they should prevail in the appeal and therefore expect to fully recover the approximately $252.7 million ($188.0 million for Met-Ed and $64.7 million for Penelec) in marginal transmission losses for the period prior to January 1, 2011.
In May 2008, May 2009 and May 2010, the PPUC approved Met-Ed’s and Penelec’s annual updates to their TSC rider for the annual periods between June 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010, including marginal transmission losses as approved by the PPUC, although the recovery of marginal losses will be subject to the outcome of the proceeding related to the 2008 TSC filing as described above. The PPUC’s approval in May 2010 authorized an increase to the TSC for Met-Ed’s customers to provide for full recovery by December 31, 2010.
Met-Ed and Penelec filed with the PPUC a generation procurement plan covering the period January 1, 2011 through May 31, 2013. The plan is designed to provide adequate and reliable service through a prudent mix of long-term, short-term and spot market generation supply with a staggered procurement schedule that varies by customer class, using a descending clock auction. In August 2009, the parties to the proceeding filed a settlement agreement of all but two issues, and the PPUC entered an Order approving the settlement and the generation procurement plan in November 2009. Generation procurement began in January 2010.
In February 2010, Penn filed a Petition for Approval of its Default Service Plan for the period June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2013. In July 2010, the parties to the proceeding filed a Joint Petition for Settlement of all issues. Although the PPUC’s Order approving the Joint Petition held that the provisions relating to the recovery of MISO exit fees and one-time PJM integration costs (resulting from Penn’s June 1, 2011 exit from MISO and integration into PJM) were approved, it made such provisions subject to the approval of cost recovery by FERC. Therefore, Penn may not put these provisions into effect until FERC has approved the recovery and allocation of MISO exit fees and PJM integration costs.
Pennsylvania adopted Act 129 in 2008 to address issues such as: energy efficiency and peak load reduction; generation procurement; time-of-use rates; smart meters; and alternative energy. Among other things, Act 129 required utilities to file with the PPUC an energy efficiency and peak load reduction plan, or EE&C Plan, by July 1, 2009, setting forth the utilities’ plans to reduce energy consumption by a minimum of 1% and 3% by May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2013, respectively, and to reduce peak demand by a minimum of 4.5% by May 31, 2013. Act 129 also required utilities to file with the PPUC a Smart Meter Implementation Plan (SMIP).
The PPUC entered an Order in February 2010 giving final approval to all aspects of the EE&C Plans of Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn and the tariff rider with rates effective March 1, 2010.
WP filed its original EE&C Plan in June 2009, which the PPUC approved, in large part, by Opinion and Order entered in October 2009. In November 2009, the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) filed an appeal with the Commonwealth Court of the PPUC’s October Order. The OCA contends that the PPUC’s Order failed to include WP’s costs for smart meter implementation in the EE&C Plan, and that inclusion of such costs would cause the EE&C Plan to exceed the statutory cap for EE&C expenditures. The OCA also contends that WP’s EE&C plan does not meet the Total Resource Cost Test. The appeal remains pending but has been stayed by the Commonwealth Court pending possible settlement of WP’s SMIP. In September, 2010, WP filed an amended EE&C Plan that is less reliant on smart meter deployment, which the PPUC approved in January 2011.

 

105


Table of Contents

Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn jointly filed a SMIP with the PPUC in August 2009. This plan proposed a 24-month assessment period in which the Pennsylvania Companies will assess their needs, select the necessary technology, secure vendors, train personnel, install and test support equipment, and establish a cost effective and strategic deployment schedule, which currently is expected to be completed in fifteen years. Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn estimate assessment period costs of approximately $29.5 million, which the Pennsylvania Companies, in their plan, proposed to recover through an automatic adjustment clause. The ALJ’s Initial Decision approved the SMIP as modified by the ALJ, including: ensuring that the smart meters to be deployed include the capabilities listed in the PPUC’s Implementation Order; denying the recovery of interest through the automatic adjustment clause; providing for the recovery of reasonable and prudent costs net of resulting savings from installation and use of smart meters; and requiring that administrative start-up costs be expensed and the costs incurred for research and development in the assessment period be capitalized. In April 2010, the PPUC adopted a Motion by Chairman Cawley that modified the ALJ’s initial decision, and decided various issues regarding the SMIP for Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn. The PPUC entered its Order in June 2010, consistent with the Chairman’s Motion. Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn filed a Petition for Reconsideration of a single portion of the PPUC’s Order regarding the future ability to include smart meter costs in base rates, which the PPUC granted in part by deleting language from its original order that would have precluded Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn from seeking to include smart meter costs in base rates at a later time. The costs to implement the SMIP could be material. However, assuming these costs satisfy a just and reasonable standard, they are expected to be recovered in a rider (Smart Meter Technologies Charge Rider) which was approved when the PPUC approved the SMIP.
In August 2009, WP filed its original SMIP, which provided for extensive deployment of smart meter infrastructure with replacement of all of WP’s approximately 725,000 meters by the end of 2014. In December 2009, WP filed a motion to reopen the evidentiary record to submit an alternative smart meter plan proposing, among other things, a less-rapid deployment of smart meters. In an Initial Decision dated April 29, 2010, an ALJ determined that WP’s alternative smart meter deployment plan, which contemplated deployment of 375,000 smart meters by May 2012, complied with the requirements of Act 129 and recommended approval of the alternative plan, including WP’s proposed cost recovery mechanism.
In light of the significant expenditures that would be associated with its smart meter deployment plans and related infrastructure upgrades, as well as its evaluation of recent PPUC decisions approving less-rapid deployment proposals by other utilities, WP re-evaluated its Act 129 compliance strategy, including both its plans with respect to smart meter deployment and certain smart meter dependent aspects of the EE&C Plan. In October 2010, WP and Pennsylvania’s Office of Consumer Advocate filed a Joint Petition for Settlement addressing WP’s smart meter implementation plan with the PPUC. Under the terms of the proposed settlement, WP proposed to decelerate its previously contemplated smart meter deployment schedule and to target the installation of approximately 25,000 smart meters in support of its EE&C Plan, based on customer requests, by mid-2012. The proposed settlement also contemplates that WP take advantage of the 30-month grace period authorized by the PPUC to continue WP’s efforts to re-evaluate full-scale smart meter deployment plans. WP currently anticipates filing its plan for full-scale deployment of smart meters in June 2012. Under the terms of the proposed settlement, WP would be permitted to recover certain previously incurred and anticipated smart-meter related expenditures through a levelized customer surcharge, with certain expenditures amortized over a ten-year period. Additionally, WP would be permitted to seek recovery of certain other costs as part of its revised SMIP that it currently intends to file in June 2012, or in a future base distribution rate case.
In December 2010, the PPUC directed that the SMIP proceeding be referred to the ALJ for further proceedings to ensure that the impact of the proposed merger with FirstEnergy is considered and that the Joint Petition for Settlement has adequate support in the record. On March 9, 2011, WP submitted an Amended Joint Petition for Settlement which restates the Joint Petition for Settlement filed in October 2010, adds the PPUC’s Office of Trial Staff as a signatory party, and confirms the support or non-opposition of all parties to the settlement. The proposed settlement also obligates OCA to withdraw its November 2009 appeal of the PPUC’s Order in WP’s EE&C plan proceeding. A Joint Stipulation with the OSBA was also filed on March 9, 2011. The proposed settlement remains subject to review by the ALJ, who will prepare an Initial Decision for consideration by the PPUC.
By Tentative Order entered in September 2009, the PPUC provided for an additional 30-day comment period on whether the 1998 Restructuring Settlement, which addressed how Met-Ed and Penelec were going to implement direct access to a competitive market for the generation of electricity, allows Met-Ed and Penelec to apply over-collection of NUG costs for select and isolated months to reduce non-NUG stranded costs when a cumulative NUG stranded cost balance exists. In response to the Tentative Order, various parties filed comments objecting to the above accounting method utilized by Met-Ed and Penelec. Met-Ed and Penelec are awaiting further action by the PPUC.
In the PPUC Order approving the FirstEnergy and Allegheny merger, the PPUC announced that a separate statewide investigation into Pennsylvania’s retail electricity market will be conducted with the goal of making recommendations for improvements to ensure that a properly functioning and workable competitive retail electricity market exists in the state. The PPUC has not yet initiated that investigation.

 

106


Table of Contents

Virginia
In September 2010, PATH-VA filed an application with the Virginia SCC for authorization to construct the Virginia portions of the PATH Project. On February 28, 2011, PATH-VA filed a motion to withdraw the application. See “Transmission Expansion” in the Federal Regulation and Rate Matters section for further discussion of this matter.
West Virginia
In August 2009, MP and PE filed with the WVPSC a request to increase retail rates by approximately $122.1 million annually, effective June 10, 2010. In January 2010, MP and PE filed supplemental testimony discussing a tax treatment change that would result in a revenue requirement approximately $7.7 million lower than the requirement included in the original filing. In addition, in December 2009, subsidiaries of MP and PE completed a securitization transaction to finance certain costs associated with the installation of scrubbers at the Fort Martin generating station, which costs would otherwise have been included in the request for rate recovery. Consequently, MP and PE ultimately requested an annual increase in retail rates of approximately $95 million, rather than $122.1 million. In April 2010, MP and PE filed with the WVPSC a Joint Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement reached with the other parties in the proceeding that provided for:
   
a $40 million annualized base rate increase effective June 29, 2010;
   
a deferral of February 2010 storm restoration expenses in West Virginia over a maximum five-year period;
   
an additional $20 million annualized base rate increase effective in January 2011;
   
a decrease of $20 million in ENEC rates effective January 2011, which amount is deferred for later recovery in 2012; and
   
a moratorium on filing for further increases in base rates before December 1, 2011, except under specified circumstances.
The WVPSC approved the Joint Petition and Agreement of Settlement in June 2010.
In 2009, the West Virginia Legislature enacted the Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Act (Portfolio Act), which generally requires that a specified minimum percentage of electricity sold to retail customers in West Virginia by electric utilities each year be derived from alternative and renewable energy resources according to a predetermined schedule of increasing percentage targets, including ten percent by 2015, fifteen percent by 2020, and twenty-five percent by 2025. In November 2010, the WVPSC issued Rules Governing Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS Rules), which became effective on January 4, 2011. Under the RPS Rules, on or before January 1, 2011, each electric utility subject to the provisions of this rule was required to prepare an alternative and renewable energy portfolio standard compliance plan and file an application with the WVPSC seeking approval of such plan. MP and PE filed their combined compliance plan in December 2010. Additionally, in January 2011, MP and PE filed an application with the WVPSC seeking to certify three facilities as Qualified Energy Resource Facilities. If the application is approved, the three facilities would then be capable of generating renewable credits which would assist the Companies in meeting their combined requirements under the Portfolio Act. Further, in February 2011, MP and PE filed a petition with the WVPSC seeking an Order declaring that MP is entitled to all alternative & renewable energy resource credits associated with the electric energy, or energy and capacity, that MP is required to purchase pursuant to electric energy purchase agreements between MP and three non-utility electric generating facilities in WV. The City of New Martinsville, the owner of one of the contracted resources, has filed an opposition to the Petition.
FERC Matters
Rates for Transmission Service Between MISO and PJM
In November 2004, the FERC issued an order eliminating the through and out rate for transmission service between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC’s intent was to eliminate multiple transmission charges for a single transaction between the MISO and PJM regions. The FERC also ordered MISO, PJM and the transmission owners within MISO and PJM to submit compliance filings containing a rate mechanism to recover lost transmission revenues created by elimination of this charge (referred to as SECA) during a 16-month transition period. In 2005, the FERC set the SECA for hearing. The presiding ALJ issued an initial decision in August 2006, rejecting the compliance filings made by MISO, PJM and the transmission owners, and directing new compliance filings. This decision was subject to review and approval by the FERC. In May 2010, FERC issued an order denying pending rehearing requests and an Order on Initial Decision which reversed the presiding ALJ’s rulings in many respects. Most notably, these orders affirmed the right of transmission owners to collect SECA charges with adjustments that modestly reduce the level of such charges, and changes to the entities deemed responsible for payment of the SECA charges. The Ohio Companies were identified as load serving entities responsible for payment of additional SECA charges for a portion of the SECA period (Green Mountain/Quest issue). FirstEnergy executed settlements with AEP, Dayton and the Exelon parties to fix FirstEnergy’s liability for SECA charges originally billed to Green Mountain and Quest for load that returned to regulated service during the SECA period. The AEP, Dayton and Exelon, settlements were approved by the FERC in November 2010, and the relevant payments made. The Utilities have refund obligations that are under review by FERC as part of a compliance filing. Potential refund obligations of FirstEnergy are not expected to be material. Rehearings remain pending in this proceeding.

 

107


Table of Contents

PJM Transmission Rate
In April 2007, FERC issued an order (Opinion 494) finding that the PJM transmission owners’ existing “license plate” or zonal rate design was just and reasonable and ordered that the current license plate rates for existing transmission facilities be retained. On the issue of rates for new transmission facilities, FERC directed that costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at 500 kV or higher are to be collected from all transmission zones throughout the PJM footprint by means of a postage-stamp rate based on the amount of load served in a transmission zone. Costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at less than 500 kV, however, are to be allocated on a load flow methodology (DFAX), which is generally referred to as a “beneficiary pays” approach to allocating the cost of high voltage transmission facilities.
The FERC’s Opinion 494 order was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, which issued a decision in August 2009. The court affirmed FERC’s ratemaking treatment for existing transmission facilities, but found that FERC had not supported its decision to allocate costs for new 500+ kV facilities on a load ratio share basis and, based on this finding, remanded the rate design issue back to FERC.
In an order dated January 21, 2010, FERC set the matter for “paper hearings”— meaning that FERC called for parties to submit comments or written testimony pursuant to the schedule described in the order. FERC identified nine separate issues for comments and directed PJM to file the first round of comments on February 22, 2010, with other parties submitting responsive comments and then reply comments on later dates. PJM filed certain studies with FERC on April 13, 2010, in response to the FERC order. PJM’s filing demonstrated that allocation of the cost of high voltage transmission facilities on a beneficiary pays basis results in certain eastern utilities in PJM bearing the majority of the costs. Numerous parties filed responsive comments or studies on May 28, 2010 and reply comments on June 28, 2010. FirstEnergy and a number of other utilities, industrial customers and state commissions supported the use of the beneficiary pays approach for cost allocation for high voltage transmission facilities. Certain eastern utilities and their state commissions supported continued socialization of these costs on a load ratio share basis. This matter is awaiting action by the FERC.
RTO Realignment
On February 1, 2011, ATSI in conjunction with PJM filed its proposal with FERC for moving its transmission rate into PJM’s tariffs. FirstEnergy expects ATSI to enter PJM on June 1, 2011, and that if legal proceedings regarding its rate are outstanding at that time, ATSI will be permitted to start charging its proposed rates, subject to refund. On April 1, 2011, the MISO Transmission Owners (including ATSI) filed proposed tariff language that describes the mechanics of collecting and administering MTEP costs from ATSI-zone ratepayers. From March 20, 2011 through April 1, 2011, FirstEnergy, PJM and the MISO submitted numerous filings for the purpose of effecting movement of the ATSI zone to PJM on June 1, 2011. These filings include clean-up of the MISO’s tariffs (to remove the ATSI zone), submission of load and generation interconnection agreements to reflect the move into PJM, and submission of changes to PJM’s tariffs to support the move into PJM.
FERC proceedings are pending in which ATSI’s transmission rate, the exit fee payable to MISO, transmission cost allocations and costs associated with long term firm transmission rights payable by the ATSI zone upon its departure from the MISO are under review. The outcome of these proceedings cannot be predicted.
MISO Multi-Value Project Rule Proposal
In July 2010, MISO and certain MISO transmission owners jointly filed with FERC their proposed cost allocation methodology for certain new transmission projects. The new transmission projects—described as MVPs—are a class of MTEP projects. The filing parties proposed to allocate the costs of MVPs by means of a usage-based charge that will be applied to all loads within the MISO footprint, and to energy transactions that call for power to be “wheeled through” the MISO as well as to energy transactions that “source” in the MISO but “sink” outside of MISO. The filing parties expect that the MVP proposal will fund the costs of large transmission projects designed to bring wind generation from the upper Midwest to load centers in the east. The filing parties requested an effective date for the proposal of July 16, 2011. On August 19, 2010, MISO’s Board approved the first MVP project — the “Michigan Thumb Project.” Under MISO’s proposal, the costs of MVP projects approved by MISO’s Board prior to the anticipated June 1, 2011 effective date of FirstEnergy’s integration into PJM would continue to be allocated to FirstEnergy. MISO estimated that approximately $15 million in annual revenue requirements would be allocated to the ATSI zone associated with the Michigan Thumb Project upon its completion.
In September 2010, FirstEnergy filed a protest to the MVP proposal arguing that MISO’s proposal to allocate costs of MVP projects across the entire MISO footprint does not align with the established rule that cost allocation is to be based on cost causation (the “beneficiary pays” approach). FirstEnergy also argued that, in light of progress to date in the ATSI integration into PJM, it would be unjust and unreasonable to allocate any MVP costs to the ATSI zone, or to ATSI. Numerous other parties filed pleadings on MISO’s MVP proposal.

 

108


Table of Contents

In December 2010, FERC issued an order approving the MVP proposal without significant change. FERC’s order was not clear, however, as to whether the MVP costs would be payable by ATSI or load in the ATSI zone. FERC stated that the MISO’s tariffs obligate ATSI to pay all charges that attach prior to ATSI’s exit but ruled that the question of the amount of costs that are to be allocated to ATSI or to load in the ATSI zone were beyond the scope of FERC’s order and would be addressed in future proceedings.
On January 18, 2011, FirstEnergy filed for rehearing of FERC’s order. In its rehearing request, FirstEnergy argued that because the MVP rate is usage-based, costs could not be applied to ATSI, which is a stand-alone transmission company that does not use the transmission system. FirstEnergy also renewed its arguments regarding cost causation and the impropriety of allocating costs to the ATSI zone or to ATSI. FirstEnergy cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings at this time.
PJM Calculation Error
In March 2010, MISO filed two complaints at FERC against PJM relating to a previously-reported modeling error in PJM’s system that impacted the manner in which market-to-market power flow calculations were made between PJM and MISO since April 2005. MISO claimed that this error resulted in PJM underpaying MISO by approximately $130 million over the time period in question. Additionally, MISO alleged that PJM did not properly trigger market-to-market settlements between PJM and MISO during times when it was required to do so, which MISO claimed may have cost it $5 million or more. As PJM market participants, AE Supply and MP may be liable for a portion of any refunds ordered in this case. PJM, Allegheny and other PJM market participants filed responses to MISO complaints and PJM filed a related complaint at FERC against MISO claiming that MISO improperly called for market-to-market settlements several times during the same time period covered by the two MISO complaints filed against PJM, which PJM claimed may have cost PJM market participants $25 million or more. On January 4, 2011, an Offer of Settlement was filed at FERC that, if approved, would resolve all pending issues in the dispute. The Offer of Settlement calls for the withdrawal of all pending complaints with no payments being made by any parties. Initial comments on the Offer of Settlement were filed at FERC on January 24, 2011. FirstEnergy and Allegheny Energy filed comments supporting the proposed settlement. A report on the partially contested settlement was issued by the settlement judge to the FERC on March 9, 2011. On March 16, 2011, the settlement judge terminated the settlement proceedings and forwarded the partially contested settlement to the FERC for review. The case is awaiting a decision by the FERC.
California Claims Matters
In October 2006, several California governmental and utility parties presented AE Supply with a settlement proposal to resolve alleged overcharges for power sales by AE Supply to the California Energy Resource Scheduling division of the California Department of Water Resources (CDWR) during 2001. The settlement proposal claims that CDWR is owed approximately $190 million for these alleged overcharges. This proposal was made in the context of mediation efforts by the FERC and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in pending proceedings to resolve all outstanding refund and other claims, including claims of alleged price manipulation in the California energy markets during 2000 and 2001. The Ninth Circuit has since remanded one of those proceedings to the FERC, which arises out of claims previously filed with the FERC by the California Attorney General on behalf of certain California parties against various sellers in the California wholesale power market, including AE Supply (the Lockyer case). AE Supply and several other sellers have filed motions to dismiss the Lockyer case. In March 2010, the judge assigned to the case entered an opinion that granted the motions to dismiss filed by AE Supply and other sellers and dismissed the claims of the California Parties. In April 2010, the California parties filed exceptions to the judge’s ruling with the FERC, and briefing is complete on those exceptions. The parties are awaiting a ruling from the FERC on the exceptions.
In June 2009, the California Attorney General, on behalf of certain California parties, filed a second lawsuit with the FERC against various sellers, including AE Supply (the Brown case), again seeking refunds for trades in the California energy markets during 2000 and 2001. The above-noted trades with CDWR are the basis for the joining of AE Supply in this new lawsuit. AE Supply has filed a motion to dismiss the Brown case that is pending before the FERC. No scheduling order has been entered in the Brown case. Allegheny intends to vigorously defend against these claims but cannot predict their outcome.
Transmission Expansion
TrAIL Project. TrAIL is a 500 kV transmission line currently under construction that will extend from southwest Pennsylvania through West Virginia and into northern Virginia. On April 15, 2011, the TrAIL 500 kV line segment from Meadowbrook substation to Loudoun substation in Virginia was successfully energized and is carrying load. The other segments are planned to be energized in May. The entire TrAIL line is scheduled to be completed and placed in service no later than June 2011.
PATH Project. The PATH Project is comprised of a 765 kV transmission line that is proposed to extend from West Virginia through Virginia and into Maryland, modifications to an existing substation in Putnam County, West Virginia, and the construction of new substations in Hardy County, West Virginia and Frederick County, Maryland.

 

109


Table of Contents

PJM initially authorized construction of the PATH Project in June 2007 and, on June 17, 2010, requested that PATH, LLC proceed with all efforts related to the PATH Project, including state regulatory proceedings, assuming a required in-service date of June 1, 2015. In December 2010, PJM advised that its 2011 Load Forecast Report included load projections that are different from previous forecasts and that may have an impact on the proposed in-service date for the PATH Project. As part of its 2011 RTEP, and in response to a January 19, 2011 directive by a Virginia Hearing Examiner, PJM conducted a series of analyses using the most current economic forecasts and demand response commitments, as well as potential new generation resources. Preliminary analysis revealed the expected reliability violations that necessitated the PATH Project had moved several years into the future. Based on those results, PJM announced on February 28, 2011 that its Board of Managers had decided to hold the PATH Project in abeyance in its 2011 RTEP and directed FirstEnergy and AEP, as the sponsoring transmission owners, to suspend current development efforts on the project, subject to those activities necessary to maintain the project in its current state, while PJM conducts more rigorous analysis of the potential need for the project as part of its continuing RTEP process. PJM stated that its action did not constitute a directive to FirstEnergy and AEP to cancel or abandon the PATH Project. PJM further stated that it will complete a more rigorous analysis of the PATH Project and other transmission requirements and its Board will review this comprehensive analysis as part of its consideration of the 2011 RTEP. On February 28, 2011, affiliates of FirstEnergy and AEP filed motions or notices to withdraw applications for authorization to construct the project that were pending before state commissions in West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. Withdrawal was deemed effective upon filing the notice with the MDPSC and the WVPSC has granted the motion to withdraw. The VSCC has not ruled on the motion to withdraw.
PATH, LLC submitted a filing to FERC to implement a formula rate tariff effective March 1, 2008. In a November 19, 2010 order addressing various matters relating to the formula rate, FERC set the project’s base return on equity for hearing and reaffirmed its prior authorization of a return on CWIP, recovery of start-up costs and recovery of abandonment costs. In the order, FERC also granted a 1.5% return on equity incentive adder and a 0.50% return on equity adder for RTO participation. These adders will be applied to the base return on equity determined as a result of the hearing. PATH, LLC is currently engaged in settlement discussions with the staff of FERC and intervenors regarding resolution of the base return on equity. FirstEnergy cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding or whether it will have a material impact on its operating results.
Sales to Affiliates
FES has received authorization from the FERC to make wholesale power sales to affiliated regulated utilities in New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. FES actively participates in auctions conducted by or on behalf the regulated affiliates to obtain power necessary to meet the utilities’ POLR obligations. AE Supply, a merchant affiliate acquired in the FirstEnergy-Allegheny merger, also participates in these auctions, and obtains prior FERC authorization when necessary to make sales to FE affiliates.
Environmental Matters
Various federal, state and local authorities regulate FirstEnergy with regard to air and water quality and other environmental matters. Compliance with environmental regulations could have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy’s earnings and competitive position to the extent that FirstEnergy competes with companies that are not subject to such regulations and, therefore, do not bear the risk of costs associated with compliance, or failure to comply, with such regulations.
CAA Compliance
FirstEnergy is required to meet federally-approved SO2 and NOx emissions regulations under the CAA. FirstEnergy complies with SO2 and NOx reduction requirements under the CAA and SIP(s) by burning lower-sulfur fuel, combustion controls and post-combustion controls, generating more electricity from lower-emitting plants and/or using emission allowances. Violations can result in the shutdown of the generating unit involved and/or civil or criminal penalties.
The Sammis, Eastlake and Mansfield coal-fired plants are operated under a consent decree with the EPA and DOJ that requires reductions of NOx and SO2 emissions through the installation of pollution control devices or repowering. OE and Penn are subject to stipulated penalties for failure to install and operate such pollution controls in accordance with that agreement.
In July 2008, three complaints were filed against FGCO in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking damages based on Bruce Mansfield Plant air emissions. Two of these complaints also seek to enjoin the Bruce Mansfield Plant from operating except in a “safe, responsible, prudent and proper manner” one being a complaint filed on behalf of twenty-one individuals and the other being a class action complaint seeking certification as a class action with the eight named plaintiffs as the class representatives. FGCO believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself against the allegations made in these three complaints.

 

110


Table of Contents

The states of New Jersey and Connecticut filed CAA citizen suits in 2007 alleging NSR violations at the Portland Generation Station against GenOn Energy, Inc. (formerly RRI Energy, Inc. and the current owner and operator), Sithe Energy (the purchaser of the Portland Station from Met-Ed in 1999) and Met-Ed. Specifically, these suits allege that “modifications” at Portland Units 1 and 2 occurred between 1980 and 2005 without preconstruction NSR permitting in violation of the CAA’s PSD program, and seek injunctive relief, penalties, attorney fees and mitigation of the harm caused by excess emissions. In September 2009, the Court granted Met-Ed’s motion to dismiss New Jersey’s and Connecticut’s claims for injunctive relief against Met-Ed, but denied Met-Ed’s motion to dismiss the claims for civil penalties. The parties dispute the scope of Met-Ed’s indemnity obligation to and from Sithe Energy, and Met-Ed is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.
In January 2009, the EPA issued a NOV to GenOn Energy, Inc. alleging NSR violations at the Portland Generation Station based on “modifications” dating back to 1986 and also alleged NSR violations at the Keystone and Shawville Stations based on “modifications” dating back to 1984. Met-Ed, JCP&L, as the former owner of 16.67% of the Keystone Station, and Penelec, as former owner and operator of the Shawville Station, are unable to predict the outcome of this matter.
In June 2008, the EPA issued a Notice and Finding of Violation to Mission Energy Westside, Inc. (Mission) alleging that “modifications” at the Homer City Power Station occurred from 1988 to the present without preconstruction NSR permitting in violation of the CAA’s PSD program. In May 2010, the EPA issued a second NOV to Mission, Penelec, New York State Electric & Gas Corporation and others that have had an ownership interest in the Homer City Power Station containing in all material respects allegations identical to those included in the June 2008 NOV. On July 20, 2010, the states of New York and Pennsylvania provided Mission, Penelec, NYSEG and others that have had an ownership interest in the Homer City Power Station a notification that was required 60 days prior to filing a citizen suit under the CAA. In January 2011, the DOJ filed a complaint against Penelec in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking injunctive relief against Penelec based on alleged “modifications” at the Homer City Power Station between 1991 to 1994 without preconstruction NSR permitting in violation of the CAA’s PSD and Title V permitting programs. The complaint was also filed against the former co-owner, New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, and various current owners of the Homer City Station, including EME Homer City Generation L.P. and affiliated companies, including Edison International. In January 2011, another complaint was filed against Penelec and the other entities described above in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking damages based on the Homer City Station’s air emissions as well as certification as a class action and to enjoin the Homer City Station from operating except in a “safe, responsible, prudent and proper manner.” Penelec believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself against the allegations made in the complaint, but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter. In addition, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the States of New Jersey and New York intervened and have filed separate complaints regarding the Homer City Station seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties. Mission is seeking indemnification from Penelec, the co-owner and operator of the Homer City Power Station prior to its sale in 1999. The scope of Penelec’s indemnity obligation to and from Mission is under dispute and Penelec is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.
In August 2009, the EPA issued a Finding of Violation and NOV alleging violations of the CAA and Ohio regulations, including the PSD, NNSR and Title V regulations at the Eastlake, Lakeshore, Bay Shore and Ashtabula generating plants. The EPA’s NOV alleges equipment replacements occurring during maintenance outages dating back to 1990 triggered the pre-construction permitting requirements under the PSD and NNSR programs. FGCO received a request for certain operating and maintenance information and planning information for these same generating plants and notification that the EPA is evaluating whether certain maintenance at the Eastlake generating plant may constitute a major modification under the NSR provision of the CAA. Later in 2009, FGCO also received another information request regarding emission projections for the Eastlake generating plant. FGCO intends to comply with the CAA, including the EPA’s information requests but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.
In August 2000, AE received a letter from the EPA requesting that it provide information and documentation relevant to the operation and maintenance of the following ten electric generation facilities, which collectively include 22 generation units: Albright, Armstrong, Fort Martin, Harrison, Hatfield’s Ferry, Mitchell, Pleasants, Rivesville, R. Paul Smith and Willow Island. The letter requested information under Section 114 of the CAA to determine compliance with the CAA and related requirements, including potential application of the NSR standards under the CAA, which can require the installation of additional air emission control equipment when the major modification of an existing facility results in an increase in emissions. AE has provided responsive information to this and a subsequent request but is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.
In May 2004, AE, AE Supply, MP and WP received a Notice of Intent to Sue Pursuant to CAA §7604 from the Attorneys General of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and from the PA DEP, alleging that Allegheny performed major modifications in violation of the PSD provisions of the CAA at the following West Virginia coal-fired facilities: Albright Unit 3; Fort Martin Units 1 and 2; Harrison Units 1, 2 and 3; Pleasants Units 1 and 2 and Willow Island Unit 2. The Notice also alleged PSD violations at the Armstrong, Hatfield’s Ferry and Mitchell generation facilities in Pennsylvania and identifies PA DEP as the lead agency regarding those facilities. In September 2004, AE, AE Supply, MP and WP received a separate Notice of Intent to Sue from the Maryland Attorney General that essentially mirrored the previous Notice.

 

111


Table of Contents

In June 2005, the PA DEP and the Attorneys General of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland filed suit against AE, AE Supply, MP, PE and WP in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania alleging, among other things, that Allegheny performed major modifications in violation of the CAA and the Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act at the Hatfield’s Ferry, Armstrong and Mitchell facilities in Pennsylvania. On January 17, 2006, the PA DEP and the Attorneys General filed an amended complaint. In May 2006, the District Court denied Allegheny’s motion to dismiss the amended complaint. In July 2006, the Court determined that discovery would proceed regarding liability issues, but not remedies. Discovery on the liability phase closed on December 31, 2007, and summary judgment briefing was completed during the first quarter of 2008. In November 2008, the District Court issued a Memorandum Order denying all motions for summary judgment and establishing certain legal standards to govern at trial. In December 2009, a new trial judge was assigned to the case, who then entered an order granting a motion to reconsider the rulings in the November 2008 Memorandum Order. In April 2010, the new judge issued an opinion, again denying all motions for summary judgment and establishing certain legal standards to govern at trial. The non-jury trial on liability only was held in September 2010. Plaintiffs filed their proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law in December 2010, Allegheny made its related filings in February 2011 and plaintiffs filed their responses in April 2011. The parties are awaiting a decision from the District Court, but there is no deadline for that decision.
In September 2007, Allegheny also received a NOV from the EPA alleging NSR and PSD violations under the CAA, as well as Pennsylvania and West Virginia state laws at the Hatfield’s Ferry and Armstrong generation facilities in Pennsylvania and the Fort Martin and Willow Island generation facilities in West Virginia.
FirstEnergy intends to vigorously defend against the CAA matters described above but cannot predict their outcomes.
State Air Quality Compliance
In early 2006, Maryland passed the Healthy Air Act, which imposes state-wide emission caps on SO2 and NOX, requires mercury emission reductions and mandates that Maryland join the RGGI and participate in that coalition’s regional efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. On April 20, 2007, Maryland became the 10th state to join the RGGI. The Healthy Air Act provides a conditional exemption for the R. Paul Smith power station for NOX, SO2 and mercury, based on a PJM declaration that the station is vital to reliability in the Baltimore/Washington DC metropolitan area, which PJM determined in 2006. Pursuant to the legislation, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) passed alternate NOX and SO2 limits for R. Paul Smith, which became effective in April 2009. However, R. Paul Smith is still required to meet the Healthy Air Act mercury reductions of 80% beginning in 2010. The statutory exemption does not extend to R. Paul Smith’s CO2 emissions. Maryland issued final regulations to implement RGGI requirements in February 2008. Ten RGGI auctions have been held through the end of calendar year 2010. RGGI allowances are also readily available in the allowance markets, affording another mechanism by which to secure necessary allowances. On March 14, 2011, MDE requested PJM perform an analysis to determine if termination of operation at R. Paul Smith would adversely impact the reliability of electrical service in the PJM region under current system conditions. FirstEnergy is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.
In January 2010, the WVDEP issued a NOV for opacity emissions at Allegheny’s Pleasants generating facility. FirstEnergy is discussing with WVDEP steps to resolve the NOV including installing a reagent injection system to reduce opacity.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
The EPA’s CAIR requires reductions of NOx and SO2 emissions in two phases (2009/2010 and 2015), ultimately capping SO2 emissions in affected states to 2.5 million tons annually and NOx emissions to 1.3 million tons annually. In 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated CAIR “in its entirety” and directed the EPA to “redo its analysis from the ground up.” In December 2008, the Court reconsidered its prior ruling and allowed CAIR to remain in effect to “temporarily preserve its environmental values” until the EPA replaces CAIR with a new rule consistent with the Court’s opinion. The Court ruled in a different case that a cap-and-trade program similar to CAIR, called the “NOx SIP Call,” cannot be used to satisfy certain CAA requirements (known as reasonably available control technology) for areas in non-attainment under the “8-hour” ozone NAAQS. In July 2010, the EPA proposed the Clean Air Transport Rule (CATR) to replace CAIR, which remains in effect until the EPA finalizes CATR. CATR requires reductions of NOx and SO2 emissions in two phases (2012 and 2014), ultimately capping SO2 emissions in affected states to 2.6 million tons annually and NOx emissions to 1.3 million tons annually. The EPA proposed a preferred regulatory approach that allows trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances between power plants located in the same state and severely limits interstate trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances. The EPA also requested comment on two alternative approaches—the first eliminates interstate trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances and the second eliminates trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances in its entirety. Depending on the actions taken by the EPA with respect to CATR, the proposed MACT regulations discussed below and any future regulations that are ultimately implemented, FGCO’s future cost of compliance may be substantial. Management is currently assessing the impact of these environmental proposals and other factors on FGCO’s facilities, particularly on the operation of its smaller, non-supercritical units. For example, as disclosed herein, management decided to idle certain units or operate them on a seasonal basis until developments clarify.

 

112


Table of Contents

Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions
On March 16, 2011, the EPA released its MACT proposal to establish emission standards for mercury, hydrochloric acid and various metals for electric generating units. Depending on the action taken by the EPA and how any future regulations are ultimately implemented, FirstEnergy’s future cost of compliance with MACT regulations may be substantial and changes to FirstEnergy’s operations may result.
Climate Change
There are a number of initiatives to reduce GHG emissions under consideration at the federal, state and international level. At the federal level, members of Congress have introduced several bills seeking to reduce emissions of GHG in the United States, and the House of Representatives passed one such bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, in June 2009. The Senate continues to consider a number of measures to regulate GHG emissions. President Obama has announced his Administration’s “New Energy for America Plan” that includes, among other provisions, proposals to ensure that 10% of electricity used in the United States comes from renewable sources by 2012, to increase to 25% by 2025, to implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce GHG emissions by 80% by 2050. Certain states, primarily the northeastern states participating in the RGGI and western states, led by California, have coordinated efforts to develop regional strategies to control emissions of certain GHGs.
In September 2009, the EPA finalized a national GHG emissions collection and reporting rule that required FirstEnergy to measure GHG emissions commencing in 2010 and will require it to submit reports commencing in 2011. In December 2009, the EPA released its final “Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act.” The EPA’s finding concludes that concentrations of several key GHGs increase the threat of climate change and may be regulated as “air pollutants” under the CAA. In April 2010, the EPA finalized new GHG standards for model years 2012 to 2016 passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles and clarified that GHG regulation under the CAA would not be triggered for electric generating plants and other stationary sources until January 2, 2011, at the earliest. In May 2010, the EPA finalized new thresholds for GHG emissions that define when permits under the CAA’s NSR program would be required. The EPA established an emissions applicability threshold of 75,000 tons per year (tpy) of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) effective January 2, 2011 for existing facilities under the CAA’s PSD program. Until July 1, 2011, this emissions applicability threshold will only apply if PSD is triggered by non-CO2 pollutants.
At the international level, the Kyoto Protocol, signed by the U.S. in 1998 but never submitted for ratification by the U.S. Senate, was intended to address global warming by reducing the amount of man-made GHG, including CO2, emitted by developed countries by 2012. A December 2009 U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen did not reach a consensus on a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol, but did take note of the Copenhagen Accord, a non-binding political agreement that recognized the scientific view that the increase in global temperature should be below two degrees Celsius; includes a commitment by developed countries to provide funds, approaching $30 billion over the next three years with a goal of increasing to $100 billion by 2020; and establishes the “Copenhagen Green Climate Fund” to support mitigation, adaptation, and other climate-related activities in developing countries. To the extent that they have become a party to the Copenhagen Accord, developed economies, such as the European Union, Japan, Russia and the United States, would commit to quantified economy-wide emissions targets from 2020, while developing countries, including Brazil, China and India, would agree to take mitigation actions, subject to their domestic measurement, reporting and verification.
In 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversed and remanded lower court decisions that had dismissed complaints alleging damage from GHG emissions on jurisdictional grounds. However, a subsequent ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reinstated the lower court dismissal of a complaint alleging damage from GHG emissions. These cases involve common law tort claims, including public and private nuisance, alleging that GHG emissions contribute to global warming and result in property damages. The U.S. Supreme Court granted a writ of certiorari to review the decision of the Second Circuit. Oral argument was held on April 19, 2011, and a decision is expected by July 2011. While FirstEnergy is not a party to this litigation, FirstEnergy and/or one or more of its subsidiaries could be named in actions making similar allegations.
FirstEnergy cannot currently estimate the financial impact of climate change policies, although potential legislative or regulatory programs restricting CO2 emissions, or litigation alleging damages from GHG emissions, could require significant capital and other expenditures or result in changes to its operations. The CO2 emissions per KWH of electricity generated by FirstEnergy is lower than many of its regional competitors due to its diversified generation sources, which include low or non-CO2 emitting gas-fired and nuclear generators.

 

113


Table of Contents

Clean Water Act
Various water quality regulations, the majority of which are the result of the federal Clean Water Act and its amendments, apply to FirstEnergy’s plants. In addition, the states in which FirstEnergy operates have water quality standards applicable to FirstEnergy’s operations.
The EPA established new performance standards under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act for reducing impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures at certain existing electric generating plants. The regulations call for reductions in impingement mortality (when aquatic organisms are pinned against screens or other parts of a cooling water intake system) and entrainment (which occurs when aquatic life is drawn into a facility’s cooling water system). The EPA has taken the position that until further rulemaking occurs, permitting authorities should continue the existing practice of applying their best professional judgment to minimize impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures. In April 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed one significant aspect of the Second Circuit’s opinion and decided that Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to compare costs with benefits in determining the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact at cooling water intake structures. On March 28, 2011, the EPA released a new proposed regulation under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act generally requiring fish impingement to be reduced to a 12% annual average and studies to be conducted at the majority of our existing generating facilities to assist permitting authorities to determine whether and what site-specific controls, if any, would be required to reduce entrainment of aquatic life. FirstEnergy is studying various control options and their costs and effectiveness, including pilot testing of reverse louvers in a portion of the Bay Shore power plant’s water intake channel to divert fish away from the plant’s water intake system. In November 2010, the Ohio EPA issued a permit for the Bay Shore power plant requiring installation of reverse louvers in its entire water intake channel by December 31, 2014. Depending on the results of such studies and the EPA’s further rulemaking and any final action taken by the states exercising best professional judgment, the future costs of compliance with these standards may require material capital expenditures.
In April 2011, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cleveland, Ohio advised FGCO that it is no longer considering prosecution under the Clean Water Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for three petroleum spills at the Edgewater, Lakeshore and Bay Shore plants which occurred on November 1, 2005, January 26, 2007 and February 27, 2007. This matter has been referred back to EPA for civil enforcement and FGCO is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.
Monongahela River Water Quality
In late 2008, the PA DEP imposed water quality criteria for certain effluents, including TDS and sulfate concentrations in the Monongahela River, on new and modified sources, including the scrubber project at the Hatfield’s Ferry generation facility. These criteria are reflected in the current PA DEP water discharge permit for that project. AE Supply appealed the PA DEP’s permitting decision, which would require it to incur significant costs or negatively affect its ability to operate the scrubbers as designed. Preliminary studies indicate an initial capital investment in excess of $150 million in order to install technology to meet the TDS and sulfate limits in the permit. The permit has been independently appealed by Environmental Integrity Project and Citizens Coal Council, which seeks to impose more stringent technology-based effluent limitations. Those same parties have intervened in the appeal filed by AE Supply, and both appeals have been consolidated for discovery purposes. An order has been entered that stays the permit limits that AE Supply has challenged while the appeal is pending. The hearing is scheduled to begin on September 13, 2011. AE Supply intends to vigorously pursue these issues, but cannot predict the outcome of these appeals.
In a parallel rulemaking, the PA DEP recommended, and in August 2010, the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board issued, a final rule imposing end-of-pipe TDS effluent limitations. FirstEnergy could incur significant costs for additional control equipment to meet the requirements of this rule, although its provisions do not apply to electric generating units until the end of 2018, and then only if the EPA has not promulgated TDS effluent limitation guidelines applicable to such units.
In December 2010, PA DEP submitted its Clean Water Act 303(d) list to the EPA with a recommended sulfate impairment designation for an approximately 68 mile stretch of the Monongahela River north of the West Virginia border. EPA has not acted on PA DEP’s recommendation. If the designation is approved, Pennsylvania will then need to develop a TMDL limit for the river, a process that will take about five years. Based on the stringency of the TMDL, FirstEnergy may incur significant costs to reduce sulfate discharges into the Monongahela River from its Hatfield’s Ferry and Mitchell facilities in Pennsylvania and its Fort Martin facility in West Virginia.

 

114


Table of Contents

In October 2009, the WVDEP issued the water discharge permit for the Fort Martin generation facility. Similar to the Hatfield’s Ferry water discharge permit issued for the scrubber project, the Fort Martin permit imposes effluent limitations for TDS and sulfate concentrations. The permit also imposes temperature limitations and other effluent limits for heavy metals that are not contained in the Hatfield’s Ferry water permit. Concurrent with the issuance of the Fort Martin permit, WVDEP also issued an administrative order that sets deadlines for MP to meet certain of the effluent limits that are effective immediately under the terms of the permit. MP appealed the Fort Martin permit and the administrative order. The appeal included a request to stay certain of the conditions of the permit and order while the appeal is pending, which was granted pending a final decision on appeal and subject to WVDEP moving to dissolve the stay. The appeals have been consolidated. MP moved to dismiss certain of the permit conditions for the failure of the WVDEP to submit those conditions for public review and comment during the permitting process. An agreed-upon order that suspends further action on this appeal, pending WVDEP’s release for public review and comment on those conditions, was entered on August 11, 2010. The stay remains in effect during that process. The current terms of the Fort Martin permit would require MP to incur significant costs or negatively affect operations at Fort Martin. Preliminary information indicates an initial capital investment in excess of the capital investment that may be needed at Hatfield’s Ferry in order to install technology to meet the TDS and sulfate limits in the Fort Martin permit, which technology may also meet certain of the other effluent limits in the permit. Additional technology may be needed to meet certain other limits in the permit. MP intends to vigorously pursue these issues but cannot predict the outcome of these appeals.
Regulation of Waste Disposal
Federal and state hazardous waste regulations have been promulgated as a result of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, and the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Certain fossil-fuel combustion residuals, such as coal ash, were exempted from hazardous waste disposal requirements pending the EPA’s evaluation of the need for future regulation. In February 2009, the EPA requested comments from the states on options for regulating coal combustion residuals, including whether they should be regulated as hazardous or non-hazardous waste.
In December 2009, in an advanced notice of public rulemaking, the EPA asserted that the large volumes of coal combustion residuals produced by electric utilities pose significant financial risk to the industry. In May 2010, the EPA proposed two options for additional regulation of coal combustion residuals, including the option of regulation as a special waste under the EPA’s hazardous waste management program which could have a significant impact on the management, beneficial use and disposal of coal combustion residuals. FirstEnergy’s future cost of compliance with any coal combustion residuals regulations that may be promulgated could be substantial and would depend, in part, on the regulatory action taken by the EPA and implementation by the EPA or the states.
The Utility Registrants have been named as potentially responsible parties at waste disposal sites, which may require cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. Allegations of disposal of hazardous substances at historical sites and the liability involved are often unsubstantiated and subject to dispute; however, federal law provides that all potentially responsible parties for a particular site may be liable on a joint and several basis. Environmental liabilities that are considered probable have been recognized on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2011, based on estimates of the total costs of cleanup, the Utility Registrants proportionate responsibility for such costs and the financial ability of other unaffiliated entities to pay. Total liabilities of approximately $104 million (JCP&L — $69 million, TE — $1 million, CEI — $1 million, FGCO — $1 million and FirstEnergy — $32 million) have been accrued through March 31, 2011. Included in the total are accrued liabilities of approximately $64 million for environmental remediation of former manufactured gas plants and gas holder facilities in New Jersey, which are being recovered by JCP&L through a non-bypassable SBC.
Other Legal Proceedings
Power Outages and Related Litigation
In July 1999, the Mid-Atlantic States experienced a severe heat wave, which resulted in power outages throughout the service territories of many electric utilities, including JCP&L. Two class action lawsuits (subsequently consolidated into a single proceeding) were filed in New Jersey Superior Court in July 1999 against JCP&L, GPU and other GPU companies, seeking compensatory and punitive damages due to the outages. After various motions, rulings and appeals, the Plaintiffs’ claims for consumer fraud, common law fraud, negligent misrepresentation, strict product liability and punitive damages were dismissed, leaving only the negligence and breach of contract causes of actions. On July 29, 2010, the Appellate Division upheld the trial court’s decision decertifying the class. Plaintiffs have filed, and JCP&L has opposed, a motion for leave to appeal to the New Jersey Supreme Court. In November 2010, the Supreme Court issued an order denying Plaintiffs’ motion. The Court’s order effectively ends the class action attempt, and leaves only nine (9) plaintiffs to pursue their respective individual claims. The remaining individual plaintiffs have not taken any affirmative steps to pursue their individual claims.

 

115


Table of Contents

Nuclear Plant Matters
Under NRC regulations, FirstEnergy must ensure that adequate funds will be available to decommission its nuclear facilities. As of March 31, 2011, FirstEnergy had approximately $2 billion invested in external trusts to be used for the decommissioning and environmental remediation of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley, Perry and TMI-2. FirstEnergy provides an additional $15 million parental guarantee associated with the funding of decommissioning costs for these units. As required by the NRC, FirstEnergy annually recalculates and adjusts the amount of its parental guarantee, as appropriate. The values of FirstEnergy’s nuclear decommissioning trusts fluctuate based on market conditions. If the value of the trusts decline by a material amount, FirstEnergy’s obligation to fund the trusts may increase. Disruptions in the capital markets and their effects on particular businesses and the economy could also affect the values of the nuclear decommissioning trusts. The NRC issued guidance anticipating an increase in low-level radioactive waste disposal costs associated with the decommissioning of FirstEnergy’s nuclear facilities. On March 28, 2011, FENOC submitted its biennial report on nuclear decommissioning funding to the NRC. This submittal identified a total shortfall in nuclear decommissioning funding for Beaver Valley Unit 1 and Perry of approximately $92.5 million. This estimate encompasses the shortfall covered by the existing $15 million parental guarantee. FENOC agreed to increase the parental guarantee to $95 million within 90 days of the submittal.
In August 2010, FENOC submitted an application to the NRC for renewal of the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station operating license for an additional twenty years, until 2037. By an order dated April 26, 2011, the NRC Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) granted a hearing on the Davis-Besse license renewal application to a group of petitioners. By this order, the ASLB also admitted two contentions regarding (1) a combination of renewable alternatives to the renewal of Davis-Besse’s operating license, and (2) the cost of mitigating a severe accident at Davis-Besse. FENOC is currently evaluating these developments and considering an appropriate response. On April 14, 2011, a group of environmental organizations petitioned the NRC Commissioners to suspend all pending nuclear license renewal proceedings, including the Davis-Besse proceeding, to ensure that any safety and environmental implications of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station event in Japan are considered.
In January 2004, subsidiaries of FirstEnergy filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims seeking damages in connection with costs incurred at the Beaver Valley, Davis-Besse and Perry Nuclear facilities as a result of the DOE failure to begin accepting spent nuclear fuel on January 31, 1998. DOE was required to so commence accepting spent nuclear fuel by the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (42 USC 10101 et seq) and the contracts entered into by the DOE and the owners and operators of these facilities pursuant to the Act. On January 18, 2011, the parties, FirstEnergy and DOJ, filed a joint status report that established a schedule for the litigation of these claims. FirstEnergy filed damages schedules and disclosures with the DOJ on February 11, 2011, seeking approximately $57 million in damages for delay costs incurred through September 30, 2010. The damage claim is subject to review and audit by DOE.
Other Legal Matters
In February 2010, a class action lawsuit was filed in Geauga County Court of Common Pleas against FirstEnergy, CEI and OE seeking declaratory judgment and injunctive relief, as well as compensatory, incidental and consequential damages, on behalf of a class of customers related to the reduction of a discount that had previously been in place for residential customers with electric heating, electric water heating, or load management systems. The reduction in the discount was approved by the PUCO. In March 2010, the named-defendant companies filed a motion to dismiss the case due to the lack of jurisdiction of the court of common pleas. The court granted the motion to dismiss on September 7, 2010. The plaintiffs appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals of Ohio, which has not yet rendered an opinion.
There are various lawsuits, claims (including claims for asbestos exposure) and proceedings related to FirstEnergy’s normal business operations pending against FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries. The other potentially material items not otherwise discussed above are described below.
FirstEnergy accrues legal liabilities only when it concludes that it is probable that it has an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. If it were ultimately determined that FirstEnergy or its subsidiaries have legal liability or are otherwise made subject to liability based on the above matters, it could have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy’s or its subsidiaries’ financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS
See Note 12 of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

 

116


Table of Contents

FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FES is a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy. FES provides energy-related products and services, and through its subsidiaries, FGCO and NGC, owns or leases, operates and maintains FirstEnergy’s fossil and hydroelectric generation facilities (excluding the Allegheny facilities), and owns FirstEnergy’s nuclear generation facilities, respectively. FENOC, a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy, operates and maintains the nuclear generating facilities.
FES’ revenues are derived from sales to individual retail customers, sales to communities in the form of government aggregation programs, and its participation in affiliated and non-affiliated POLR auctions. FES sales are primarily concentrated in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan and New Jersey. In 2010, FES also supplied the POLR default service requirements of Met-Ed and Penelec.
The demand for electricity produced and sold by FES, along with the price of that electricity, is impacted by conditions in competitive power markets, global economic activity, economic activity in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions and weather conditions.
For additional information with respect to FES, please see the information contained in FirstEnergy’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the following subheadings, which information is incorporated by reference herein: Capital Resources and Liquidity, Guarantees and Other Assurances, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Market Risk Information, Credit Risk, Outlook and New Accounting Standards and Interpretations.
Results of Operations
Earnings available to parent decreased by $44 million in the first three months of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010. The decrease was primarily due to increased transmission expenses, an inventory valuation adjustment, non-core asset impairments and mark-to-market accounting.
Revenues
Total revenues increased $3 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, primarily due to growth in direct and government aggregation sales, partially offset by decreases in POLR sales.
The increase in revenues resulted from the following sources:
                         
    Three Months        
    Ended March 31     Increase  
Revenues by Type of Service   2011     2010     (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Direct and Government Aggregation
  $ 840     $ 512     $ 328  
POLR
    369       673       (304 )
Other Wholesale
    96       91       5  
Transmission
    26       17       9  
RECs
    32       67       (35 )
Other
    28       28        
 
                 
Total Revenues
  $ 1,391     $ 1,388     $ 3  
 
                 
                         
    Three Months        
    Ended March 31     Increase  
MWH Sales by Type of Service   2011     2010     (Decrease)  
    (In thousands)          
Direct
    9,671       5,854       65.2 %
Government Aggregation
    4,310       2,732       57.8 %
POLR
    5,714       13,276       (57.0 )%
Wholesale
    1,113       898       23.9 %
 
                 
Total Sales
    20,808       22,760       (8.6 )%
 
                 

 

117


Table of Contents

The increase in direct and government aggregation revenues of $328 million resulted from the acquisition of new commercial and industrial customers and new government aggregation contracts with communities in Ohio, in addition, sales to residential and small commercial customers were bolstered by weather in the delivery area that was 5.2% colder than in 2010.
The decrease in POLR revenues of $304 million was due to lower sales volumes to the Pennsylvania and Ohio Companies, partially offset by increased sales to non-associated companies and higher unit prices to the Pennsylvania Companies. Participation in POLR auctions and RFPs are expected to continue, but the concentration of these sales will primarily be dependent on our success in our direct retail and aggregation sales channels.
Wholesale revenues increased $5 million due to increased volumes partially offset by lower wholesale prices. The higher sales volumes were the result of increased short term (net hourly position) transactions in MISO. $22 million of wholesale revenue resulted from long positions in MISO that were unable to be netted with short positions in PJM, due to separate settlement requirements within each RTO.
The following tables summarize the price and volume factors contributing to changes in revenues from generation sales:
         
    Increase  
Source of Change in Direct and Government Aggregation   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Direct Sales:
       
Effect of increase in sales volumes
  $ 223  
Change in prices
    (4 )
 
     
 
    219  
 
     
Government Aggregation:
       
Effect of increase in sales volumes
    100  
Change in prices
    9  
 
     
 
    109  
 
     
Net Increase in Direct and Government Aggregation Revenues
  $ 328  
 
     
 
       
    Increase  
Source of Change in POLR Revenues   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
POLR:
       
Effect of decrease in sales volumes
  $ (384 )
Change in prices
    80  
 
     
 
    (304 )
 
     
 
       
    Increase  
Source of Change in Wholesale Revenues   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Wholesale:
       
Effect of increase in sales volumes
    12  
Change in prices
    (7 )
 
     
 
    5  
 
     
Transmission revenues increased $9 million due primarily to higher MISO congestion revenues. The revenues derived from the sale of RECs declined $35 million in the first quarter of 2011.
Expenses
Total operating expenses increased $81 million in the first three months of 2011, compared with the same period of 2010.

 

118


Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the factors contributing to the changes in fuel and purchased power costs in the first three months of 2011, compared with the same period last year:
         
    Increase  
Source of Change in Fuel and Purchased Power   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Fossil Fuel:
       
Change due to decreased unit costs
  $ (22 )
Change due to volume consumed
    31  
 
     
 
    9  
 
     
Nuclear Fuel:
       
Change due to increased unit costs
    6  
Change due to volume consumed
     
 
     
 
    6  
 
     
Non-affiliated Purchased Power:
       
Change due to increased unit costs
    32  
Change due to volume purchased
    (185 )
 
     
 
    (153 )
 
     
Affiliated Purchased Power:
       
Change due to increased unit costs
    20  
Change due to volume purchased
    (12 )
 
     
 
    8  
 
     
Net Decrease in Fuel and Purchased Power Costs
  $ (130 )
 
     
Fossil fuel costs increased $9 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, as a result of higher generation at the fossil units, partially offset by decreased fossil unit costs. Fossil unit prices declined primarily due to improved generating unit availability at more efficient units, partially offset by increased coal transportation costs. Nuclear fuel expenses increased primarily due to higher unit prices following the refueling outages that occurred in 2010.
Non-affiliated purchased power costs decreased $153 million due primarily to lower volumes purchased, partially offset by higher unit costs. The decrease in volume relates to the absence in 2011 of a 1,300 MW third party contract associated with serving Met-Ed and Penelec. $35 million of purchased power expense resulted from long positions in MISO that were unable to be netted with short positions in PJM, due to separate settlement requirements within each RTO.
Other operating expenses increased $191 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, as a result of increased RTO transmission costs ($111 million), an inventory valuation adjustment ($54 million) and increased nuclear operating costs ($15 million) related to higher labor and related benefits, partially offset by lower professional and contractor costs.
In the first three month of 2011, impairment charges of long-lived assets increased expenses by $14 million.
General taxes increased $2 million due to an increase in revenue-related taxes.
Other Expense
Total other expense decreased $9 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, primarily due to an increase in miscellaneous income ($16 million) and increased investment income ($5 million), partially offset by an increase in interest expense (net of capitalized interest — $12 million). Increased miscellaneous income was the result of mark-to-market adjustments on power related derivatives. Increased investment income was the result of higher nuclear decommissioning trust investment income. The increase in interest expense was the result of reduced capitalized interest associated with the completion of the Sammis AQC project in 2010 combined with increased interest expense associated with the restructuring of certain variable rate PCRBs into fixed rate modes.

 

119


Table of Contents

OHIO EDISON COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OE is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. OE and its wholly owned subsidiary, Penn, conduct business in portions of Ohio and Pennsylvania, providing regulated electric distribution services. They procure generation services for those franchise customers electing to retain OE and Penn as their power supplier.
For additional information with respect to OE, please see the information contained in FirstEnergy’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the following subheadings, which information is incorporated by reference herein: Capital Resources and Liquidity, Guarantees and Other Assurances, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Market Risk Information, Credit Risk, Outlook and New Accounting Standards and Interpretations.
Results of Operations
Earnings available to parent decreased by $6 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010. The decrease primarily resulted from lower revenues and higher other operating costs, partially offset by lower purchased power costs and amortization of regulatory assets.
Revenues
Revenues decreased $116 million, or 23%, in the first three months of 2011, compared with the same period in 2010, due primarily to a decrease in generation revenues, partially offset by higher distribution revenues.
Distribution revenues increased $10 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, primarily due to an increase in KWH deliveries and higher average prices in all customer classes. The higher KWH deliveries in the residential class were influenced by increased weather-related usage in the first three months of 2011, reflecting a 5% increase in heating degree days in OE’s service territory.
Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, are summarized in the following tables:
         
Distribution KWH Deliveries   Increase  
 
       
Residential
    1.4 %
Commercial
    1.2 %
Industrial
    9.3 %
 
     
Increase in Distribution Deliveries
    3.7 %
 
     
         
Distribution Revenues   Increase  
    (In millions)  
Residential
  $ 7  
Commercial
    1  
Industrial
    2  
 
     
Increase in Distribution Revenues
  $ 10  
 
     
Retail generation revenues decreased $127 million primarily due to a decrease in KWH sales and lower average prices in all customer classes. Retail generation obligations are attributable to non-shopping customers and are procured through full-requirements auctions. OE defers the difference between retail generation revenues and costs, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings. Lower KWH sales were primarily the result of increased customer shopping, partially offset by increased weather-related usage in the first three months of 2011, as described above.

 

120


Table of Contents

Changes in retail generation KWH sales and revenues in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, are summarized in the following tables:
         
Retail Generation KWH Sales   Decrease  
 
       
Residential
    (33.0 )%
Commercial
    (43.2 )%
Industrial
    (16.3 )%
 
     
Decrease in Retail Generation Sales
    (32.0 )%
 
     
         
Retail Generation Revenues   Decrease  
    (In millions)  
Residential
  $ (85 )
Commercial
    (30 )
Industrial
    (12 )
 
     
Decrease in Retail Generation Revenues
  $ (127 )
 
     
Expenses
Total expenses decreased $108 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010. The following table presents changes from the prior period by expense category:
         
    Increase  
Expenses — Changes   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Purchased power costs
  $ (94 )
Other operating expenses
    13  
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    (29 )
General taxes
    2  
 
     
Net Decrease in Expenses
  $ (108 )
 
     
Purchased power costs decreased in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, primarily due to lower KWH purchases resulting from reduced generation sales requirements in the first three months of 2011 coupled with lower unit costs. The increase in other operating costs for the first three months of 2011 was primarily due to expenses associated with the 2011 Beaver Valley Unit 2 refueling outage that were absent in 2010. The amortization of regulatory assets decreased primarily due to higher deferred residential generation credits in 2011.

 

121


Table of Contents

THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
CEI is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. CEI conducts business in northeastern Ohio, providing regulated electric distribution services. CEI also procures generation services for those customers electing to retain CEI as their power supplier.
For additional information with respect to CEI, please see the information contained in FirstEnergy’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the following subheadings, which information is incorporated by reference herein: Capital Resources and Liquidity, Guarantees and Other Assurances, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Market Risk Information, Credit Risk, Outlook and New Accounting Standards and Interpretations.
Results of Operations
Earnings available to parent decreased by $1 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010. The decrease in earnings was primarily due to lower revenues, partially offset by lower purchased power and amortization of regulatory assets.
Revenues
Revenues decreased $105 million, or 32%, in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, due to lower retail generation and distribution revenues.
Distribution revenues decreased $5 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, due to lower average unit prices for the industrial and residential customer classes offset by increased KWH deliveries across all sectors. The lower average unit prices were the result of the absence of transition charges in 2011. Higher KWH deliveries in the residential class were influenced by increased weather-related usage in the first three months of 2011, reflecting a 10% increase in heating degree days in CEI’s service territory.
Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, are summarized in the following tables:
         
Distribution KWH Deliveries   Increase  
 
       
Residential
    2.3 %
Commercial
    3.1 %
Industrial
    0.9 %
 
     
Increase in Distribution Deliveries
    2.1 %
 
     
         
    Increase  
Distribution Revenues   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Residential
  $  
Commercial
    7  
Industrial
    (12 )
 
     
Net Decrease in Distribution Revenues
  $ (5 )
 
     

 

122


Table of Contents

Retail generation revenues decreased $101 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, primarily due to lower KWH sales and lower average unit prices across all customer classes. Retail generation obligations are attributable to non-shopping customers and are procured through full-requirements auctions. CEI defers the difference between retail generation revenues and costs, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings. Reduced KWH sales were primarily the result of increased customer shopping in the first three months of 2011, partially offset by higher residential KWH deliveries resulting from the colder weather conditions. Lower average unit prices in the residential customer class were the result of generation credits in place for 2011.
Changes in retail generation sales and revenues in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, are summarized in the following tables:
         
Retail Generation KWH Sales   Decrease  
 
       
Residential
    (48.4 )%
Commercial
    (48.3 )%
Industrial
    (62.8 )%
 
     
Decrease in Retail Generation Sales
    (53.3 )%
 
     
         
Retail Generation Revenues   Decrease  
    (In millions)  
Residential
  $ (46 )
Commercial
    (29 )
Industrial
    (26 )
 
     
Decrease in Retail Generation Revenues
  $ (101 )
 
     
Expenses
Total expenses decreased $98 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010. The following table presents the change from the prior period by expense category:
         
    Increase  
Expenses — Changes   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Purchased power costs
  $ (82 )
Other operating costs
    4  
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    (22 )
General taxes
    2  
 
     
Net Decrease in Expenses
  $ (98 )
 
     
Purchased power costs decreased in the first three months of 2011 due to lower KWH purchases resulting from reduced sales requirements in the first three months of 2011. Other operating expenses increased due to 2011 inventory valuation adjustments. Decreased amortization of regulatory assets was primarily due to completion of transition cost recovery at the end of 2010 and 2011 and deferred residential generation credits, partially offset by increased recovery of non-residential distribution deferrals and the absence in 2010 of deferred renewable energy credit expenses. General taxes increased in the first three months of 2011 due to increased property taxes in 2011.

 

123


Table of Contents

THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
TE is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. TE conducts business in northwestern Ohio, providing regulated electric distribution services. TE also procures generation services for those customers electing to retain TE as their power supplier.
For additional information with respect to TE, please see the information contained in FirstEnergy’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the following subheadings, which information is incorporated by reference herein: Capital Resources and Liquidity, Guarantees and Other Assurances, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Market Risk Information, Credit Risk, Outlook and New Accounting Standards and Interpretations.
Results of Operations
Earnings available to parent decreased by $2 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010. The decrease primarily resulted from lower revenues and higher other operating costs, partially offset by lower purchased power costs and deferral of regulatory assets.
Revenues
Revenues decreased $19 million, or 14%, in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, due to a decrease in retail generation revenues, partially offset by higher distribution revenues and wholesale generation revenues.
Distribution revenues increased $2 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, due to higher residential and industrial revenues, partially offset by lower commercial revenues. Residential and industrial revenues were the result of higher average unit prices and higher KWH deliveries. The higher KWH deliveries in the residential class were influenced by increased weather-related usage in the first three months of 2011, reflecting a 9% increase in heating degree days in TE’s service territory. Commercial revenues were impacted by lower KWH deliveries and lower average unit prices.
Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, are summarized in the following tables:
         
    Increase  
Distribution KWH Deliveries   (Decrease)  
 
       
Residential
    3.6 %
Commercial
    (2.3 )%
Industrial
    5.3 %
 
     
Net Increase in Distribution Deliveries
    3.3 %
 
     
         
    Increase  
Distribution Revenues   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Residential
  $ 2  
Commercial
    (1 )
Industrial
    1  
 
     
Net Increase in Distribution Revenues
  $ 2  
 
     
Retail generation revenues decreased $25 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, due to lower KWH sales to all customer classes and lower unit prices to residential and industrial customers. Retail generation obligations are attributable to non-shopping customers and are procured through full-requirements auctions. TE defers the difference between retail generation revenues and costs, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings. Lower KWH sales were the result of increased customer shopping, partially offset by increased weather-related usage in the first three months of 2011, as described above.

 

124


Table of Contents

Changes in retail generation KWH sales and revenues in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, are summarized in the following tables:
         
Retail Generation KWH Sales   Decrease  
 
       
Residential
    (28.5 )%
Commercial
    (49.5 )%
Industrial
    (13.1 )%
 
     
Decrease in Retail Generation Sales
    (24.0 )%
 
     
         
Retail Generation Revenues   Decrease  
    (In millions)  
Residential
  $ (10 )
Commercial
    (6 )
Industrial
    (9 )
 
     
Decrease in Retail Generation Revenues
  $ (25 )
 
     
Wholesale revenues increased $3 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, primarily due to higher revenues from sales to NGC from TE’s leasehold interest in Beaver Valley Unit 2.
Expenses
Total expenses decreased $15 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010. The following table presents changes from the prior period by expense category:
         
    Increase  
Expenses — Changes   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Purchased power costs
  $ (24 )
Other operating expenses
    11  
Deferral of regulatory assets, net
    (3 )
General Taxes
    1  
 
     
Net Decrease in Expenses
  $ (15 )
 
     
Purchased power costs decreased in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, due to lower KWH purchases resulting from reduced generation sales requirements in the first three months of 2011 coupled with lower unit costs. The increase in other operating costs for the first three months of 2011 was primarily due to expenses associated with the 2011 Beaver Valley Unit 2 refueling outage that were absent in 2010 and higher storm restoration expenses. The deferral of regulatory assets increased due to higher PUCO-approved cost deferrals in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010.

 

125


Table of Contents

JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
JCP&L is a wholly owned, electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. JCP&L conducts business in New Jersey, providing regulated electric transmission and distribution services. JCP&L also procures generation services for franchise customers electing to retain JCP&L as their power supplier. JCP&L procures electric supply to serve its BGS customers through a statewide auction process approved by the NJBPU.
For additional information with respect to JCP&L, please see the information contained in FirstEnergy’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the following subheadings, which information is incorporated by reference herein: Capital Resources and Liquidity, Market Risk Information, Credit Risk, Outlook, Regulatory Matters, Environmental Matters, Other Legal Proceedings and New Accounting Standards and Interpretations.
Results of Operations
Net income decreased by $10 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010. The decrease was primarily due to lower revenues and increased net amortization of regulatory assets, partially offset by lower purchased power costs and other operating costs.
Revenues
In the first three months of 2011, revenues decreased $57 million, or 8%, compared to the same period of 2010. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to lower distribution and retail generation revenues, partially offset by an increase in wholesale generation and other revenues.
Distribution revenues decreased $17 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, primarily due to a NJBPU-approved rate adjustment which became effective March 1, 2011 for all customer classes, partially offset by higher KWH deliveries in the residential class resulting from a 6% increase in heating degree days.
Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in the first three months of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010 are summarized in the following tables:
         
    Increase  
Distribution KWH Deliveries   (Decrease)  
 
       
Residential
    1.4 %
Commercial
    (3.4 )%
Industrial
    (2.0 )%
 
     
Net Decrease in Distribution Deliveries
    (1.1 )%
 
     
         
Distribution Revenues   Decrease  
    (In millions)  
Residential
  $ (5 )
Commercial
    (10 )
Industrial
    (2 )
 
     
Decrease in Distribution Revenues
  $ (17 )
 
     
Retail generation revenues decreased $47 million due to lower retail generation KWH sales in all customer classes. Retail generation obligations are attributable to non-shopping customers and are procured through full-requirements auctions. JCP&L defers the difference between retail generation revenues and costs, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings. These lower sales were primarily due to an increase in customer shopping.

 

126


Table of Contents

Changes in retail generation KWH sales and revenues in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, are summarized in the following tables:
         
Retail Generation KWH Sales   Decrease  
 
       
Residential
    (7.5 )%
Commercial
    (26.4 )%
Industrial
    (23.1 )%
 
     
Decrease in Retail Generation Sales
    (13.7 )%
 
     
         
Retail Generation Revenues   Decrease  
    (In millions)  
Residential
  $ (15 )
Commercial
    (29 )
Industrial
    (3 )
 
     
Decrease in Retail Generation Revenues
  $ (47 )
 
     
Wholesale generation revenues increased $3 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, due primarily to an increase in sales volumes.
Other revenues increased $4 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, primarily due to an increase in transition bond revenues as a result of higher KWH deliveries to residential customers.
Expenses
Total expenses decreased $43 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010. The following table presents changes from the prior period by expense category:
         
    Increase  
Expenses — Changes   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Purchased power costs
  $ (44 )
Other operating costs
    (9 )
Provision for depreciation
    (3 )
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    12  
General taxes
    1  
 
     
Net Decrease in Expenses
  $ (43 )
 
     
Purchased power costs decreased in the first three months of 2011 primarily due to lower requirements from reduced sales. Other operating costs decreased in the first three months of 2011 primarily due to lower storm restoration costs, partially offset by inventory valuation adjustments. The amortization of regulatory assets increased primarily due to lower storm cost deferrals and the write-off of nonrecoverable NUG costs, partially offset by lower purchased power deferrals in the first quarter of 2011.

 

127


Table of Contents

METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Met-Ed is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. Met-Ed conducts business in eastern Pennsylvania, providing regulated electric transmission and distribution services. Met-Ed also procures generation service for those customers electing to retain Met-Ed as their power supplier. In 2011, Met-Ed procures power under its Default Service Plan (DSP) in which full requirements products (energy, capacity, ancillary services, and applicable transmission services) are procured through descending clock auctions.
As authorized by Met-Ed’s Board of Directors, Met-Ed repurchased 118,595 shares of its common stock from its parent, FirstEnergy, for $150 million on January 28, 2011.
For additional information with respect to Met-Ed, please see the information contained in FirstEnergy’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the following subheadings, which information is incorporated by reference herein: Market Risk Information, Credit Risk, Outlook, Capital Resources and Liquidity, Regulatory Matters, Environmental Matters, Other Legal Proceedings and New Accounting Standards and Interpretations.
Results of Operations
Net income increased by $10 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010. The increase was primarily due to decreased purchased power, other operating expenses and amortization of net regulatory assets, partially offset by decreased revenues.
Revenues
Revenue decreased $116 million, or 24%, in the first three months of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010, reflecting lower distribution, wholesale generation and transmission revenues, partially offset by an increase in retail generation revenues.
Distribution revenues decreased $72 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, primarily due to lower rates resulting from the DSP that began in 2011 that eliminated the transmission component from the distribution rate. Higher KWH deliveries to industrial customers were due to improving economic conditions in Met-Ed’s service territory. Higher residential and commercial KWH deliveries reflect increased weather-related usage due to an 8% increase in heating degree days in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period in 2010.
Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, are summarized in the following tables:
         
Distribution KWH Deliveries   Increase  
 
       
Residential
    3.4 %
Commercial
    2.5 %
Industrial
    5.8 %
 
     
Increase in Distribution Deliveries
    4.1 %
 
     
         
Distribution Revenues   Decrease  
    (In millions)  
Residential
  $ (29 )
Commercial
    (17 )
Industrial
    (26 )
 
     
Decrease in Distribution Revenues
  $ (72 )
 
     
Retail generation revenues increased $18 million in the first three months of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010, due to an increase in generation rates from the auctions and now including transmission services in the rates under the DSP effective January 1, 2011. The DSP resulted in higher composite unit prices across all customer classes. Higher KWH sales to residential customers were primarily due to weather-related usage as described above. Increased customer shopping in the commercial and industrial classes of 36% and 81%, respectively, reduced KWH sales to these classes. Retail generation obligations are attributable to non-shopping customers and are procured through full-requirements auctions. Met-Ed defers the difference between retail generation revenues and costs, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings.

 

128


Table of Contents

Changes in retail generation KWH sales and revenues in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, are summarized in the following tables:
         
    Increase  
Retail Generation KWH Sales   (Decrease)  
 
       
Residential
    2.7 %
Commercial
    (34.1 )%
Industrial
    (80.0 )%
 
     
Net Decrease in Retail Generation Sales
    (34.5 )%
 
     
         
    Increase  
Retail Generation Revenues   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Residential
  $ 53  
Commercial
    3  
Industrial
    (38 )
 
     
Net Increase in Retail Generation Revenues
  $ 18  
 
     
Wholesale revenues decreased $54 million in the first three months of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010, primarily due to Met-Ed ending certain capacity purchase for resale contracts.
Transmission revenues decreased $8 million in the first three months of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010 primarily due to decreased FTR revenues. Met-Ed defers the difference between transmission revenues and transmission costs incurred, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings.
Expenses
Total expenses decreased $121 million in the first three months of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010. The following table presents changes from the prior year by expense category:
         
Expenses — Changes   Decrease  
    (In millions)  
Purchased power costs
  $ (50 )
Other operating costs
    (54 )
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    (17 )
 
     
Decrease in Expenses
  $ (121 )
 
     
Purchased power costs decreased $50 million in the first three months of 2011 due to a decrease in KWH purchased to source generation sales requirements, partially offset by higher unit costs. Other operating costs decreased $54 million in the first three months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 primarily due to lower transmission congestion and transmission loss expenses (see reference to deferral accounting above). The amortization of regulatory assets decreased $17 million in the first three months of 2011 primarily due to the termination of transmission and transition tariff riders at the end of 2010.
Other Expense
In the first three months of 2011, interest income decreased due to reduced CTC stranded asset balances compared to the same period of 2010.

 

129


Table of Contents

PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Penelec is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy. Penelec conducts business in northern and south central Pennsylvania, providing regulated transmission and distribution services. Penelec also procures generation service for those customers electing to retain Penelec as their power supplier. Beginning in 2011, Penelec procures power under its Default Service Plan (DSP) in which full requirements products (energy, capacity, ancillary services, and applicable transmission services) are procured through descending clock auctions.
For additional information with respect to Penelec, please see the information contained in FirstEnergy’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the following subheadings, which information is incorporated by reference herein: Capital Resources and Liquidity, Market Risk Information, Credit Risk, Outlook, Regulatory Matters, Environmental Matters, Other Legal Proceedings and New Accounting Standards and Interpretations.
Results of Operations
Net income increased slightly in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010. The increase was primarily due to lower purchased power and other operating costs, partially offset by lower revenues, net amortization of regulatory assets and higher general taxes.
Revenues
Revenue decreased $79 million, or 19.5%, in the first three months of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010. The decrease in revenue was primarily due to lower retail and wholesale generation revenues and lower transmission revenues, partially offset by higher distribution revenues.
Distribution revenues increased by $1 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, primarily due to an increase in the retail transition rates and energy efficiency rates for all customer classes, partially offset by decreased KWH sales in the residential and commercial classes.
Changes in distribution KWH deliveries and revenues in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, are summarized in the following tables:
         
    Increase  
Distribution KWH Deliveries   (Decrease)  
 
       
Residential
    (0.2 )%
Commercial
    (3.0 )%
Industrial
    10.0 %
 
     
Net Increase in Distribution Deliveries
    3.1 %
 
     
         
    Increase  
Distribution Revenues   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Residential
  $ 3  
Commercial
    (5 )
Industrial
    3  
 
     
Net Increase in Distribution Revenues
  $ 1  
 
     
Retail generation revenues decreased $22 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, primarily due to lower KWH sales to all customer classes, partially offset by higher generation rates for all customer classes. Retail generation obligations are attributable to non-shopping customers and are procured through full-requirements auctions. Penelec defers the difference between retail generation revenues and costs, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings. Lower sales to all customer classes were primarily due to an increase in customer shopping following the expiration of generation rate caps at the end of 2010. Higher generation rates reflect the inclusion of transmission services in generation rates under the DSP, effective January 1, 2011.

 

130


Table of Contents

Changes in retail generation KWH sales and revenues in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, are summarized in the following tables:
         
Retail Generation KWH Sales   Decrease  
 
       
Residential
    (0.4 )%
Commercial
    (38.3 )%
Industrial
    (78.5 )%
 
     
Decrease in Retail Generation Sales
    (39.1 )%
 
     
         
    Increase  
Retail Generation Revenues   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Residential
  $ 31  
Commercial
    (9 )
Industrial
    (44 )
 
     
Net Decrease in Retail Generation Revenues
  $ (22 )
 
     
Wholesale generation revenues decreased $49 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, due to Penelec no longer purchasing non-NUG capacity for resale to the PJM market beginning in 2011.
Transmission revenues decreased $8 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, primarily due to lower Financial Transmission Rights revenues. Penelec defers the difference between transmission revenues and transmission costs incurred, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings.
Expenses
Total expenses decreased by $75 million in the first three months of 2011, as compared with the same period of 2010. The following table presents changes from the prior year by expense category:
         
    Increase  
Expenses — Changes   (Decrease)  
    (In millions)  
Purchased power costs
  $ (71 )
Other operating costs
    (31 )
Amortization of regulatory assets, net
    23  
General taxes
    4  
 
     
Net Decrease in Expenses
  $ (75 )
 
     
Purchased power costs decreased $71 million in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period of 2010, primarily due to decreased KWH purchased to source generation sales requirements. Other operating costs decreased $31 million in the first three months of 2011, primarily due to lower transmission congestion and transmission loss expenses (see reference to deferral accounting above). The amortization of net regulatory assets increased $23 million in the first three months of 2011, primarily due to reduced NUG deferrals as a result of a NUG Rider implemented in January 2011. General taxes increased $4 million primarily due to higher Pennsylvania Sales and Use Taxes and the absence of a favorable ruling on a property tax appeal in the first quarter of 2010.

 

131


Table of Contents

ITEM 3.  
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Market Risk Information” in Item 2 above.
ITEM 4.  
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES — FIRSTENERGY
FirstEnergy’s management, with the participation of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
(b) CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, other than changes resulting from the Allegheny merger discussed below, there have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, FirstEnergy’s internal control over financial reporting.
On February 25, 2011, the merger between FirstEnergy and Allegheny closed. FirstEnergy is currently in the process of integrating Allegheny’s operations, processes, and internal controls. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item I for additional information relating to the merger.

 

132


Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ICG Litigation
On December 28, 2006, AE Supply and MP filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania against International Coal Group, Inc. (ICG), Anker West Virginia Mining Company, Inc. (Anker WV), and Anker Coal Group, Inc. (Anker Coal). Anker WV, now known as Wolf Mining Company, entered into a long term Coal Sales Agreement with AE Supply and MP for the supply of coal to the Harrison generating facility. Anker Coal, now known as Hunter Ridge Holdings Inc., guaranteed performance under the contract. Prior to the time of trial, ICG was dismissed as a defendant by the Court, which issue can be the subject of a future appeal. As a result of defendants’ past and continued failure to supply the contracted coal, AE Supply and MP have incurred and will continue to incur significant additional costs for purchasing replacement coal. A non-jury trial was held on January 10, 2011 through February 1, 2011. At trial, AE Supply and MP presented evidence that they have incurred damages for replacement coal purchased through the end of 2010 and will incur additional damages for future shortfalls. The total damages claimed were in excess of $150 million. Defendants primarily claim that their performance is excused under a force majeure clause in the coal sales agreement and presented evidence at trial that they will continue to not provide the contracted yearly tonnage amounts. On May 2, 2011, the court entered a verdict in favor of AE Supply and MP for $104 million, which may be challenged in post-trial filings and an appeal.
Additional Information required for Part II, Item 1 is incorporated by reference to the discussions in Notes 10 and 11 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
ITEM 1A.  
RISK FACTORS
FirstEnergy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, includes a detailed discussion of its risk factors. In connection with the recent acquisition of Allegheny and the current events in Japan, the information presented below updates and supplements the risk factors appearing in our annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Potential NRC Regulation in Response to the Incident at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant
As a result of the NRC’s investigation of the incident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, potential exists for the NRC to promulgate new or revised requirements with respect to nuclear plants located in the United States, which could necessitate additional expenditures at our nuclear plants. It is also possible that the NRC could suspend or otherwise delay pending nuclear relicensing proceedings, including the Davis-Besse relicensing proceeding. FirstEnergy cannot currently estimate the impact of any such regulatory actions on its financial condition or results of operations.
Risks Associated With Our Recently Completed Merger
Our Merger with AE May Not Achieve Its Intended Results.
We entered into the merger agreement with AE with the expectation that the merger would result in various benefits, including, among other things, cost savings and operating efficiencies relating to the regulated segments and the unregulated competitive segment. Our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger is subject to a number of uncertainties, including whether the business of Allegheny is integrated in an efficient and effective manner and maintenance of the current credit ratings of the combined company and its subsidiaries. Failure to achieve these anticipated benefits could result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues generated by the combined company and diversion of management’s time and energy and could have an adverse effect on the combined company’s business, financial results and prospects.
As a Result of the Merger We Will be Subject to Business Uncertainties That Could Adversely Affect Our Financial Results.
Although we are taking steps designed to reduce any adverse effects, uncertainty about the effect of the merger with AE on employees and customers may have an adverse effect on us. Employee retention and recruitment may be particularly challenging, as employees and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with the combined company. Despite our retention and recruiting efforts, key employees may depart or fail to accept employment with us because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to remain with the combined company. Additionally, customers, suppliers and others that deal with us may seek to change existing relationships.
Furthermore, the integration of Allegheny into our company may place a significant burden on management and internal resources. The diversion of management attention away from day-to-day business concerns and any difficulties encountered in the transition and integration process could affect our financial results. In each case, our business results could be affected.

 

133


Table of Contents

The Combined Company Will Have a Higher Percentage of Coal-Fired Generation Capacity Compared to FirstEnergy’s Previous Generation Mix. As a Result, FirstEnergy May Be Exposed to Greater Risk from Regulations of Coal and Coal Combustion By-Products Than it Faced Prior to the Merger
The combined company’s generation fleet has a higher percentage of coal-fired generation capacity compared to FirstEnergy’s previous generation mix. As a result, FirstEnergy’s exposure to new or changing legislation, regulation or other legal requirements related to greenhouse gas or other emissions may be increased compared to its previous exposure. Approximately 52% of FirstEnergy’s pre-merger generation fleet capacity was coal-fired, with the remainder being low-emitting natural gas, oil fired or non-emitting nuclear and pumped storage. Approximately 78% of Allegheny’s generation fleet capacity is coal-fired. Approximately 62% of the combined company’s fleet capacity is coal-fired. Historically, coal-fired generating plants face greater exposure to the costs of complying with federal, state and local environmental statutes, rules and regulations relating to emissions of substances such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury. In addition, there are currently a number of federal, state and international initiatives under consideration to, among other things, require reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from power generation or other facilities and to regulate coal combustion by-products, such as coal ash, as hazardous waste. These legal requirements and initiatives could require substantial additional costs, extensive mitigation efforts and, in the case of greenhouse gas legislation, could raise uncertainty about the future viability of fossil fuels as an energy source for new and existing electric generation facilities. Failure to comply with any such existing or future legal requirements may also result in the assessment of fines and penalties. Significant resources also may be expended to defend against allegations of violations of any such requirements. FirstEnergy expects approximately 70% of its generation fleet to be non-emitting or low-emitting by the end of 2011. All of Allegheny’s supercritical coal-fired generation assets are scrubbed, and its generation portfolio also includes pumped storage and natural gas generation capacity. The combined company’s generation fleet nevertheless could face greater exposure to risks relating to the foregoing legal requirements than FirstEnergy’s pre-merger fleet due to the combined company’s increased percentage of coal-fired generation facilities.
ITEM 2.  
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
(c) FirstEnergy
The table below includes information on a monthly basis regarding purchases made by FirstEnergy of its common stock during the first quarter of 2011.
                                 
    Period  
    January     February     March     First Quarter  
 
                               
Total Number of Shares Purchased(a)
    32,053       543,138       1,344,212       1,919,403  
 
                               
Average Price Paid per Share
  $ 38.36     $ 38.44     $ 37.55     $ 37.81  
 
                               
Total Number of Shares Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
                       
 
                               
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
                       
     
(a)  
Share amounts reflect purchases on the open market to satisfy FirstEnergy’s obligations to deliver common stock for some or all of the following: 2007 Incentive Plan, Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors, Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, Savings Plan, Director Compensation, Allegheny Energy, Inc. 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, Allegheny Energy, Inc. 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan, Allegheny Energy, Inc, Non-Employee Director Stock Plan, Allegheny Energy, Inc, amended and Restated Revised Plan for Deferral of Compensation of Directors, and Stock Investment Plan.

 

134


Table of Contents

ITEM 5.  
OTHER INFORMATION
Signal Peak Mine Safety
FirstEnergy, through its FEV wholly-owned subsidiary, has a 50% interest in Global Mining Group LLC, a joint venture that owns Signal Peak which is a company that constructed and operates the Bull Mountain Mine No. 1 (Mine), an underground coal mine near Roundup, Montana. The operation of the Mine is subject to regulation by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act).
Section 1503 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), which was enacted on July 21, 2010, contains new reporting requirements regarding mine safety, including, to the extent applicable, disclosing in periodic reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 the receipt of certain notifications from the MSHA.
On November 19, 2010, Signal Peak received a letter from MSHA placing it on notice that the Mine has a potential pattern of violations of mandatory health or safety standards under Section 104(e) of the Mine Act. If implemented, Section 104(e) requires all subsequent violations designated as Significant and Substantial be issued as closure orders with all persons withdrawn from the affected area except those necessary to correct the violation. On March 16, 2011, Signal Peak Mine received a letter from MSHA indicating that the mine is no longer being considered for a pattern of potential violations notice.
Signal Peak received the following notices of violation and proposed assessments for the Mine under the Mine Act during the three months ended March 31, 2011:
         
    Signal  
    Peak  
Number of significant and substantial violations of mandatory health or safety standards under 104*
    22  
Number of orders issued under 104(b)*
     
Number of citations and orders for unwarrantable failure to comply with mandatory health or safety standards under 104(d)*
     
Number of flagrant violations under 110(b)(2)*
     
Number of imminent danger orders issued under 107(a)*
     
MSHA written notices under Mine Act section 104(e)* of a pattern of violation of mandatory health or safety standards or of the potential to have such a pattern
     
Pending Mine Safety Commission legal actions (including any contested citations issued)
    13  
Number of mining related fatalities
     
Total dollar value of proposed assessments
  $ 1,892  
     
*  
References to sections under Mine Act
The inclusion of this information in this report is not an admission by FirstEnergy that it controls Signal Peak or that Signal Peak is FirstEnergy’s subsidiary for purposes of Section 1503 or for any other purpose,
More detailed information about the Mine, including safety-related data, can be found at MSHA’s website, www.MSHA.gov. Signal Peak operates the Mine under the MSHA identification number 2401950.

 

135


Table of Contents

ITEM 6.  
EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number
             
FirstEnergy          
 
      3.1    
Amendment to the Amended Articles of Incorporation of FirstEnergy Corp. dated as of February 25, 2011 (incorporated by reference to FirstEnergy’s Form 8-K filed February 25, 2011, Exhibit 3.1, File No. 21011)
           
 
      10.1    
Allegheny Energy, Inc. 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to FirstEnergy’s Form 8-K filed February 25, 2011, Exhibit 10.2, File No. 21011)
           
 
      10.2    
Allegheny Energy, Inc. 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to FirstEnergy’s Form 8-K filed February 25, 2011, Exhibit 10.3, File No. 21011)
           
 
      10.3    
Allegheny Energy, Inc. Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to FirstEnergy’s Form 8-K filed February 25, 2011, Exhibit 10.4, File No. 21011)
           
 
      10.4    
Allegheny Energy, Inc. Amended and Restated Revised Plan for Deferral of Compensation of directors (incorporated by reference to FirstEnergy’s Form 8-K filed February 25, 2011, Exhibit 10.5, File No. 21011)
           
 
      10.5    
Amendment to FirstEnergy Corp. 2007 Incentive Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2011
           
 
      10.6    
Amendment to FirstEnergy Corp. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2012
           
 
      10.7    
Amendment to FirstEnergy Corp. Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors, effective January 1, 2012
           
 
      10.8    
Amendment to FirstEnergy Corp. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective January 1, 2012
           
 
      10.9    
FirstEnergy Corp. Change in Control Severance Plan
           
 
      10.10    
Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 25, 2011, between FirstEnergy Service Company and Gary R. Leidich
           
 
      12    
Fixed charge ratios
           
 
      31.1    
Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      31.2    
Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      32    
Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
           
 
      101 *  
The following materials from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of FirstEnergy Corp. for the period ended March 31, 2011, formatted in XBRL (extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) related notes to these financial statements tagged as blocks of text and (v) document and entity information.
           
 
FES          
 
      10.1    
Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of March 11, 2011 by and between FirstEnergy Generation Corp. and American Municipal Power, Inc.
           
 
      12    
Fixed charge ratios
           
 
      31.1    
Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      31.2    
Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      32    
Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
OE          
 
           
 
      12    
Fixed charge ratios
           
 
      31.1    
Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      31.2    
Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      32    
Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
CEI          
 
           
 
      12    
Fixed charge ratios
           
 
      31.1    
Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      31.2    
Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      32    
Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
           
 
TE          
 
      12    
Fixed charge ratios
           
 
      31.1    
Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      31.2    
Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      32    
Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
           
 

 

136


Table of Contents

             
JCP&L          
 
      12    
Fixed charge ratios
           
 
      31.1    
Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      31.2    
Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      32    
Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
           
 
Met-Ed          
 
      12    
Fixed charge ratios
           
 
      31.1    
Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      31.2    
Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      32    
Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
           
 
Penelec          
 
      12    
Fixed charge ratios
           
 
      31.1    
Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      31.2    
Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
           
 
      32    
Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
     
*  
Users of these data are advised pursuant to Rule 401 of Regulation S-T that the financial information contained in the XBRL-Related Documents is unaudited and, as a result, investors should not rely on the XBRL-Related Documents in making investment decisions. Furthermore, users of these data are advised in accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission that this Interactive Data File is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
Pursuant to reporting requirements of respective financings, FirstEnergy, FES, OE, CEI, TE, JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec are required to file fixed charge ratios as an exhibit to this Form 10-Q.
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(4)(iii)(A) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, neither FirstEnergy, FES, OE, CEI, TE, JCP&L, Met-Ed nor Penelec have filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-Q any instrument with respect to long-term debt if the respective total amount of securities authorized thereunder does not exceed 10% of its respective total assets, but each hereby agrees to furnish to the SEC on request any such documents.

 

137


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
May 3, 2011
         
 
  FIRSTENERGY CORP.
 
Registrant
   
 
       
 
  FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
Registrant
   
 
       
 
  OHIO EDISON COMPANY
 
Registrant
   
 
       
 
  THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
 
Registrant
   
 
       
 
  THE TOLEDO EDISON COMPANY
 
Registrant
   
 
       
 
  METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY
 
Registrant
   
 
       
 
  PENNSYLVANIA ELECTRIC COMPANY
 
Registrant
   
 
       
 
  /s/ Harvey L. Wagner
 
Harvey L. Wagner
   
 
  Vice President, Controller    
 
  and Chief Accounting Officer    
 
       
 
  JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
 
Registrant
   
 
       
 
  /s/ K. Jon Taylor
 
K. Jon Taylor
   
 
  Controller    
 
  (Principal Accounting Officer)    

 

138