Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Other Balance Sheet Information

The following table presents the accumulated depreciation included in property, plant and equipment, net and accumulated amortization included in intangible assets, net:


(In millions)	March 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
Property, plant and equipment accumulated depreciation	$	1,566	$	1,936
Intangible assets accumulated amortization	1,424		1,357

Credit Losses

On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, or ASU No. 2016-13, using the modified retrospective approach. Following the adoption of the new standard, the Company’s process of estimating expected credit losses remains materially consistent with its historical practice.

Retail trade receivables are reported on the balance sheet net of the allowance for credit losses. The Company accrues a provision for current expected credit losses based on (i) estimates of uncollectible revenues by analyzing accounts receivable aging and current and reasonable forecasts of expected economic factors including, but not limited to, unemployment rates and weather-related events, (ii) historical collections and delinquencies, and (iii) counterparty credit ratings for commercial and industrial customers.

The following table represents the activity in the allowance for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2021:


(In millions)	Three months ended March 31, 2021		Three months ended March 31, 2020
Beginning balance	$	67	$	43
Acquired balance from Direct Energy	112		—
Provision for credit losses	611		24
Write-offs	(48)		(32)
Recoveries collected	7		4
Ending balance	$	749	$	39

The increase in the provision for credit losses during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily due to the impacts of Winter Storm Uri on bilateral finance hedging risk of $393 million, counterparty credit risk of $109 million and ERCOT default shortfall payments of $83 million, as well as the acquisition of Direct Energy.

Restricted Cash

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and funds deposited by counterparties reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statements of cash flows:


(In millions)	March 31, 2021		December 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents	$	501	$	3,905
Funds deposited by counterparties	55		19
Restricted cash	18		6
Cash and cash equivalents, funds deposited by counterparties and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$	574	$	3,930

Funds deposited by counterparties consist of cash held by the Company as a result of collateral posting obligations from its counterparties. Some amounts are segregated into separate accounts that are not contractually restricted but, based on the Company's intention, are not available for the payment of general corporate obligations. Depending on market fluctuations and the settlement of the underlying contracts, the Company will refund this collateral to the hedge counterparties pursuant to the terms and conditions of the underlying trades. Since collateral requirements fluctuate daily and the Company cannot predict if any collateral will be held for more than twelve months, the funds deposited by counterparties are classified as a current asset on the Company's balance sheet, with an offsetting liability for this cash collateral received within current liabilities.

Restricted cash consists primarily of funds held within the Company's projects that are restricted for specific uses.

Recent Accounting Developments - Guidance Adopted in 2021

ASU 2019-12 — In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, or ASU No. 2019-12, to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. The guidance in ASU 2019-12 amends the general principles in Topic 740 to eliminate certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for investment, performing intraperiod allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. This ASU also includes guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing deferred taxes for tax goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the amendments effective January 1, 2021 using the prospective

approach. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows, or statement of financial position.

Recent Accounting Developments - Guidance Not Yet Adopted

ASU 2020-06 — In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), or ASU No. 2020-06. The guidance in ASU 2020-06 reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. In addition, ASU 2020-06 improves and amends the related earnings per share guidance. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently in the process of assessing the impact of this guidance on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures related to earnings per share.