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Regulatory Matters | 6 Months Ended
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Jun. 30, 2018
Regulatory Matters Disclosure [Abstract] |
Regulatory Matters | Regulatory Matters This footnote should be read in conjunction with the complete description under Note 23, Regulatory Matters, to the Company's 2017 Form 10-K. Environmental regulatory matters are discussed within Note 17, Environmental Matters, to this Form 10-Q. NRG operates in a highly regulated industry and is subject to regulation by various federal and state agencies. As such, NRG is affected by regulatory developments at both the federal and state levels and in the regions in which NRG operates. In addition, NRG is subject to the market rules, procedures, and protocols of the various ISO and RTO markets in which NRG participates. These power markets are subject to ongoing legislative and regulatory changes that may impact NRG's wholesale and retail businesses. In addition to the regulatory proceedings noted below, NRG and its subsidiaries are parties to other regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business or have other regulatory exposure. In management's opinion, the disposition of these ordinary course matters will not materially adversely affect NRG's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. National Department of Energy Consideration of 202(c) and Defense Production Act — On March 29, 2018, FirstEnergy Solutions requested that the Department of Energy provide price supports for its coal and nuclear units by having the DOE issue an emergency must-run order under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act. A number of parties have filed comments with the DOE, including PJM, challenging the assertion that the FirstEnergy Solutions’ units are necessary for grid reliability. The DOE has not yet formally responded. On June 1, 2018, the White House announced that President Trump has directed Secretary of Energy Rick Perry to "prepare immediate steps to stop the loss" of coal and nuclear resources. No formal timeline for action on either proposal has been set by the Administration. Zero-Emission Credits for Nuclear Plants in Illinois — In 2016, Illinois enacted a Zero Emission Credit, or ZEC, program for selected nuclear units in Illinois. In total, the program directs over $2.5 billion over ten years to two Exelon-owned nuclear power plants in Illinois. These ZECs are out-of-market subsidies that threaten to artificially suppress market prices and interfere with the wholesale power market. On February 14, 2017, NRG, along with other companies, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging that the state program is preempted by federal law and in violation of the dormant commerce clause. On July 14, 2017, Defendants' motions to dismiss were granted. On July 17, 2017, NRG, along with other companies, filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Briefing is complete. On May 29, 2018, the United States filed an amicus brief at the invitation of the Seventh Circuit arguing that the ZEC program is not preempted. Zero-Emission Credits for Nuclear Plants in New York — On August 1, 2016, the NYSPSC issued its Clean Energy Standard, or CES, which provided for ZECs which would provide more than $7.6 billion over 12 years in out-of-market subsidy payments to certain selected nuclear generating units in the state. These ZECs are out-of-market subsidies that threaten to artificially suppress market prices and interfere with the wholesale power market. On October 19, 2016, NRG, along with other companies, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, challenging the validity of the NYSPSC action and the ZEC program. On July 25, 2017, Defendants' motions to dismiss were granted. On August 24, 2017, NRG, along with other plaintiff companies, filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Briefing is complete. On May 29, 2018, the United States filed an amicus brief at the invitation of the Seventh Circuit arguing that the ZEC program is not preempted. Department of Energy's Proposed Grid Resiliency Pricing Rule and Subsequent FERC Proceeding — On September 29, 2017, the Department of Energy issued a proposed rulemaking titled the "Grid Resiliency Pricing Rule." The rulemaking directs FERC to take action to reform the ISO/RTO markets to value certain reliability and resiliency attributes of electric generation resources. On October 2, 2017, FERC issued a notice inviting comments. On October 4, 2017, FERC staff issued a series of questions requesting commenters to address. On October 23, 2017, NRG filed comments encouraging FERC to act expeditiously to modernize energy and capacity markets in a manner compatible with robust competitive markets. On January 8, 2018, FERC terminated the proposed rulemaking and opened a new proceeding asking each ISO/RTO to address specific questions focused on grid resilience. On March 9, 2018, the ISOs/RTOs filed comments to the questions posed by FERC. The Company responded on May 9, 2018 and is currently awaiting a decision from FERC. East/West Montgomery County Station Power Tax — On December 20, 2013, NRG received a letter from Montgomery County, Maryland requesting payment of an energy tax for the consumption of station power at the Dickerson Facility over the previous three years. Montgomery County seeks payment in the amount of $22 million, which includes tax, interest and penalties. NRG disputed the applicability of the tax. On December 11, 2015, the Maryland Tax Court reversed Montgomery County's assessment. Montgomery County filed an appeal, and on February 2, 2017, the Montgomery County Circuit Court affirmed the decision of the tax court. On February 17, 2017, Montgomery County filed an appeal to the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland. On April 24, 2018, the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland affirmed the lower court's decision and on May 29, 2018, Montgomery County petitioned the Court of Appeals of Maryland to issue a writ of certiorari to review that decision. NRG filed an answer opposing the petition on June 18, 2018. The petition is currently pending before the Court of Appeals of Maryland. Puente Power Project — On October 5, 2017, the California Energy Commission, or CEC, the agency responsible for permitting the Puente Power Project, issued a statement on behalf of the committee of two Commissioners overseeing the permitting process stating their intention to issue a proposed decision that would deny a permit for the Puente Power Project. On October 16, 2017, NRG filed a motion to suspend the permitting proceeding for at least six months, which was granted on November 3, 2017. On May 31, 2018, the CEC extended the suspension period at NRG's request to July 1, 2019. The supplemental extension period should allow sufficient time to determine whether alternate procurement efforts undertaken by SCE supersede the need for the Puente Power Project.

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