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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The ASC, established by the FASB, is the source of authoritative U.S. GAAP to be applied by nongovernmental entities. In addition, the rules and interpretative releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative U.S. GAAP for SEC registrants.
The consolidated financial statements include NRG's accounts and operations and those of its subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling interest. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The usual condition for a controlling financial interest is ownership of a majority of the voting interests of an entity. However, a controlling financial interest may also exist through arrangements that do not involve controlling voting interests. As such, NRG applies the guidance of ASC 810, Consolidations, or ASC 810, to determine when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or not controlled through its voting interests, referred to as a VIE, should be consolidated.
Presentation Adjustments
Beginning in the third quarter of 2024, the Company is recording the amortization of capitalized contracts costs within depreciation and amortization. This change, along with additional financial statement disclosures, is meant to address investor inquiries by enhancing transparency to easier match expenses with revenues. NRG previously recorded amortization of capitalized contract costs related to fulfillment in cost of operations and amortization of capitalized contract costs related to customer acquisition primarily in selling, general and administrative costs in the consolidated statements of operations. Prior years amounts were adjusted for comparative purposes. The adjustments had no impact on the Company’s total operating costs and expenses, and total cash flows.
The following table presents adjustments within the consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 related to capitalized contract costs:
(In millions)As Previously PresentedPresentation AdjustmentsAs Adjusted
Year ended December 31, 2023
Cost of operations (excluding depreciation and amortization shown below)$26,526 $(43)$26,483 
Depreciation and amortization1,127 168 1,295 
Selling, general and administrative costs1,968 (125)1,843 
Year ended December 31, 2022
Cost of operations (excluding depreciation and amortization shown below)$27,446 $(3)$27,443 
Depreciation and amortization634 86 720 
Selling, general and administrative costs1,228 (83)1,145 

The following table presents adjustments within the consolidated statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 related to capitalized contract costs:
(In millions)As Previously PresentedPresentation AdjustmentsAs Adjusted
Year ended December 31, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Amortization of capitalized contract costs$— $168 $168 
Prepayments and other current assets(233)(168)(401)
Year ended December 31, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Amortization of capitalized contract costs$— $86 $86 
Prepayments and other current assets17 (86)(69)
Winter Storm Uri Uplift Securitization Proceeds
In May 2021, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill (“HB”) 4492 to mitigate exceptionally high price adders and ancillary service costs incurred by ERCOT LSEs during Winter Storm Uri. HB 4492 authorized ERCOT to obtain $2.1 billion of financing to distribute to LSEs that were charged and paid to ERCOT those highly priced ancillary service and online reliability deployment price adders during Winter Storm Uri.
In December 2021, ERCOT filed with the PUCT a calculation of each LSE’s share of proceeds based on the settlement methodology. The Company accounted for the proceeds by analogy to the contribution model within ASC 958-605, Not-for-Profit Entities- Revenue Recognition and the grant model within IAS 20, Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance, as a reduction to expenses in the consolidated statements of operations in the 2021 annual period for which the proceeds were intended to compensate. In June 2022, the Company received proceeds of $689 million from ERCOT in relation with HB 4492.
Credit Losses
In accordance with ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, or ASU No. 2016-13, retail trade receivables are reported on the balance sheet net of the allowance for credit losses within accounts receivables, net. Long-term receivables are recorded net in other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company accrues an allowance 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 Company writes off customer contract receivable balances against the allowance for credit losses when it is determined a receivable is uncollectible.
The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022:
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)202420232022
Beginning balance$145 $133 $683 
Acquired balance from Vivint Smart Home— 22 — 
Provision for credit losses(a)
314 251 11 
Write-offs(363)(313)(593)
Recoveries collected38 39 32 
Other18 13 — 
Ending balance(a)
$152 $145 $133 
(a)Includes bilateral finance hedging risk of $(70) million accounted for under ASC 815 for the year ended December 31, 2022

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the provision for credit losses included the Company's loss mitigation efforts recognized as income of $126 million related to Winter Storm Uri. The increase in write-offs during the year ended December 31, 2022 was primarily due to the resolution of credit losses that occurred during Winter Storm Uri.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase.
Funds Deposited by Counterparties
Funds deposited by counterparties consist of cash held by the Company as a result of collateral posting obligations from its counterparties related to NRG's hedging program. The increase in funds deposited by counterparties is driven by the increase in forward positions as a result of increases in natural gas and power prices compared to December 31, 2023. Though some amounts are segregated into separate accounts, not all funds are contractually restricted. Based on the Company's intention, these funds are not available for the payment of general corporate obligations; however, they are available for liquidity management. 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
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.
 Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)202420232022
Cash and cash equivalents$966 $541 $430 
Funds deposited by counterparties199 84 1,708 
Restricted cash24 40 
Cash and cash equivalents, funds deposited by counterparties and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows
$1,173 $649 $2,178 
Restricted cash consists primarily of funds held within the Company's projects that are restricted in their use.
Inventory
Inventory is valued at the lower of weighted average cost or market, and consists principally of natural gas, fuel oil, coal, spare parts and finished goods. The Company removes natural gas inventory as goods are delivered to customers and as they are used in the production of electricity or steam. The Company removes fuel oil and coal inventories as they are used in the production of electricity. The Company removes spare parts inventories when they are used for repairs, maintenance or capital projects. The Company expects to recover the natural gas, fuel oil, coal and spare parts costs in the ordinary course of business. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost being determined on a first in first out basis for finished goods and weighted average cost method for all other inventories. The Company removes finished goods inventories as they are
sold to customers. Inventories sold to customers as part of a smart home system are generally capitalized as contract costs. Sales of inventory are classified as an operating activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost or, in the case of business acquisitions, acquisition date fair value; however, impairment adjustments are recorded whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. Significant additions or improvements extending asset lives are capitalized as incurred, while repairs and maintenance that do not improve or extend the life of the respective asset are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation, other than nuclear fuel, is computed using the straight-line method, while nuclear fuel was amortized based on units of production over the estimated useful lives. Certain assets and their related accumulated depreciation amounts are adjusted for asset retirements and disposals with the resulting gain or loss included in cost of operations in the consolidated statements of operations. For further discussion, see Note 8, Property, Plant and Equipment.
Business Interruption Insurance
The Company carries insurance policies to cover insurable risks including, but not limited to, business interruption. There were no business interruption insurance settlements during the year ended December 31, 2024. As a result of damage at the Limestone 1 and W.A. Parish 8 units, the Company recorded business interruption insurance settlements of $7 million and $81 million during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Business interruption insurance is recorded to cost of operations in the consolidated statements of operations and cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
Asset Impairments
Long-lived assets that are held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate carrying values may not be recoverable. Such reviews are performed in accordance with ASC 360. An impairment loss is indicated if the total future estimated undiscounted cash flows expected from an asset are less than its carrying value. An impairment charge is measured by the difference between an asset's carrying amount and fair value with the difference recorded in operating costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Fair values are determined by a variety of valuation methods, including third-party appraisals, sales prices of similar assets and present value techniques.
Investments accounted for by the equity method are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC 323, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures, or ASC 323, which requires that a loss in value of an investment that is an other-than-temporary decline should be recognized. The Company identifies and measures losses in the value of equity method investments based upon a comparison of fair value to carrying value. For further discussion of these matters, refer to Note 10, Asset Impairments.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs are capitalized and amortized as interest expense on a basis that approximates the effective interest method over the term of the related debt. Debt issuance costs are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt, or as an asset if the issuance costs relate to revolving debt agreements or certain other financing arrangements.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets represent contractual rights held by the Company. The Company recognizes specifically identifiable intangible assets including emissions allowances, customer and supply contracts, customer relationships, marketing partnerships, technologies, trade names and fuel contracts when specific rights and contracts are acquired. These intangible assets are amortized based on expected volumes, expected delivery, expected discounted future net cash flows, straight line or units of production basis. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had accumulated amortization related to its intangible assets of $3.6 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively.
Emission allowances held-for-sale, which are included in other non-current assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheet, are not amortized; they are carried at the lower of cost or fair value and reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC 360.
For further discussion, see Note 11, Goodwill and Other Intangibles.
Goodwill
In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, or ASC 350, the Company recognizes goodwill for the excess cost of an acquired entity over the net value assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. NRG performs goodwill impairment tests annually, during the fourth quarter, and when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
The Company may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. If it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, there is no goodwill impairment.
In the absence of sufficient qualitative factors indicating that it is more-likely-than-not that no impairment occurred, the Company performs a quantitative assessment by determining the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing the fair value to its book value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its book value, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired. If the book value exceeds fair value, the Company recognizes an impairment loss equal to the difference between book value and fair value.
For further discussion of goodwill impairment losses recognized refer to Note 10, Asset Impairments.
Capitalized Contract Costs
Capitalized contract costs represent the costs directly related and incremental to the origination of new contracts, modification of existing contracts or to the fulfillment of the related customer contracts. These costs include installed products, commissions, other compensation and the cost of installation of new or upgraded customer contracts. The Company calculates amortization by accumulating all deferred contract costs into separate portfolios based on the initial month of service and amortizes those deferred contract costs on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit, consistent with the pattern in which the Company provides services to its customers. The expected period of benefit for customers is approximately five years. The Company updates its estimate of the expected period of benefit periodically and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the expected period of benefit could change significantly. Such changes, if any, are accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate. Amortization of capitalized contract costs are included in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of operations. Contract costs not directly related and incremental to the origination of new contracts, modification of existing contracts or to the fulfillment of the related customer contracts are expensed as incurred.
Depreciation and Amortization
The Company's depreciation and amortization included in the consolidated statement of operations consisted of the following:
For the Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)202420232022
Amortization of capitalized contract costs related to fulfillment$120 $37 $— 
Amortization of capitalized contract costs related to customer acquisition212 131 86 
Amortization of customer relationships and other intangible assets800 870 343 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment271 257 291 
Total depreciation and amortization$1,403 $1,295 $720 
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, or ASC 740, which requires that the Company use the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes and provide deferred income taxes for all significant temporary differences.
The Company has two categories of income tax expense or benefit — current and deferred, as follows:
Current income tax expense or benefit consists solely of current taxes payable less applicable tax credits, and
Deferred income tax expense or benefit is the change in the net deferred income tax asset or liability, excluding amounts charged or credited to accumulated other comprehensive income
The Company reports some of its revenues and expenses differently for financial statement purposes than for income tax return purposes, resulting in temporary and permanent differences between the Company's financial statements and income tax returns. The tax effects of such temporary differences are recorded as either deferred income tax assets or deferred income tax liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The Company measures its deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities using income tax rates that are expected to be in effect when the deferred tax is realized.
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, which applies to all tax positions related to income taxes. Under ASC 740, tax benefits are recognized when it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the authorities. The benefit recognized from a position is the amount of benefit that has
surpassed the more-likely-than-not threshold, as it is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
In accordance with ASC 740 and as discussed further in Note 19, Income Taxes, changes to existing net deferred tax assets or valuation allowances or changes to uncertain tax benefits, are recorded to income tax expense/(benefit).
Contract and Emission Credit Amortization
Assets and liabilities recognized through acquisitions related to the purchase and sale of energy and energy-related products in future periods for which the fair value has been determined to be significantly less or more than market are amortized to revenues or cost of operations over the term of each underlying contract based on actual generation and/or contracted volumes.
Emission credits represent the right to emit a specified amount of certain pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide, over a compliance period. Emission credits held for use are amortized to cost of operations based on the weighted average cost of the allowances held.
Gross Receipts and Sales Taxes
In connection with its retail sales, the Company records gross receipts taxes on a gross basis in revenues and cost of operations in its consolidated statements of operations. During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, the Company's revenues and cost of operations included gross receipts taxes of $216 million, $212 million, and $218 million, respectively. Additionally, the Company records sales taxes collected from its taxable retail customers and remitted to the various governmental entities on a net basis; thus, there is no impact on the Company's consolidated statement of operations.
Cost of Operations
Cost of operations includes cost of fuel, purchased energy and other costs of sales, mark-to-market for economic hedging activities, contract and emission credit amortization, operations and maintenance, and other cost of operations.
Cost of Fuel, Purchased Energy and Other Cost of Sales
Cost of fuel is primarily the costs associated with procurement, transportation and storage of natural gas, nuclear fuel, oil and coal to operate the generation portfolio, which is expensed as the fuel is consumed. Purchased energy primarily relates to purchases to supply the Company's customer base, which includes spot market purchases, as well as contracts of various quantities and durations, including Renewable PPAs with third-party developers, which are primarily accounted for as NPNS (see further discussion in Derivative Instruments below). Other cost of sales primarily consists of TDSP expenses.
The cost of fuel is based on actual and estimated fuel usage for the applicable reporting period. The cost to deliver energy and related services to customers is based on actual and estimated supply volumes for the applicable reporting period. A portion of the cost of energy, $284 million, $240 million, and $202 million as of December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, was accrued and consisted of estimated transmission and distribution charges not yet billed by the transmission and distribution utilities.
In estimating supply volumes, the Company considers the effects of historical customer volumes, weather factors and usage by customer class. Transmission and distribution delivery fees are estimated using the same method used for electricity sales and services to retail customers. In addition, ISO fees are estimated based on historical trends, estimated supply volumes and initial ISO settlements. Volume estimates are then multiplied by the supply rate and recorded as cost of operations in the applicable reporting period.
Vivint Smart Home Flex Pay
Under the Flex Pay plan (“Flex Pay”), offered by Vivint Smart Home, customers pay separately for smart home products and services (smart home and security). The customer has the ability to pay for Vivint Smart Home products in the following three ways: (i) qualified customers may finance the purchase through third-party financing providers ("Consumer Financing Program" or “CFP”), (ii) Vivint Smart Home generally offers a limited number of customers not eligible for the CFP, but who qualify under Vivint Smart Home underwriting criteria, the option to enter into a retail installment contract directly with Vivint Smart Home or (iii) customers may conduct purchases by check, automatic clearing house payments, credit or debit card or by obtaining short-term financing (generally no more than six-month installment terms) through Vivint Smart Home.
Although customers pay separately for products and services under Flex Pay, the Company has determined that the sale of products and services are one single performance obligation resulting in deferred revenue for the gross amount of products sold. For products financed through the CFP, gross deferred revenues are reduced by (i) any fees the third-party financing provider (“Financing Provider”) is contractually entitled to receive at the time of loan origination, and (ii) the present value of expected future payments due to the Financing Providers. Loans are issued on either an installment or revolving basis with repayment terms ranging from 6 to 60 months.
For certain Financing Provider loans:
Vivint Smart Home pays a monthly fee based on either the average daily outstanding balance of the installment loans, or the number of outstanding loans.
Vivint Smart Home incurs fees at the time of the loan origination and receives proceeds that are net of these fees.
Vivint Smart Home also shares liability for credit losses.
Vivint Smart Home is responsible for reimbursing certain Financing Providers for merchant transaction fees and other associated loan fees.
Due to the nature of these provisions, the Company records a derivative liability ("CFP Derivative") at its fair value when the Financing Provider originates loans to customers, which reduces the amount of estimated revenue recognized on the provision of the services. The derivative liability is reduced as payments are made by Vivint Smart Home to the Financing Provider. Subsequent changes to the fair value of the derivative liability are realized through other income, net in the consolidated statements of operations. For further discussion, see Note 6, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
Derivative Instruments
The Company accounts for derivative instruments under ASC 815, which requires the Company to record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value and changes in fair value in earnings, unless they qualify for the NPNS exception. The Company's primary derivative instruments are power and natural gas purchase or sales contracts, fuels purchase contracts, the CFP and other energy related commodities used to mitigate variability in earnings due to fluctuation in market prices. In order to mitigate interest rate risk associated with the issuance of the Company's variable rate debt, NRG enters into interest rate swap agreements. In addition, in order to mitigate foreign exchange risk associated with the purchase of USD denominated natural gas for the Company's Canadian business, NRG enters into foreign exchange contract agreements.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not have derivative instruments that were designated as cash flow or fair value hedges.
Revenues and expenses on contracts that qualify for the NPNS exception are recognized when the underlying physical transaction is delivered. While these contracts are considered derivative instruments under ASC 815, they are not recorded at fair value, but on an accrual basis of accounting. If it is determined that a transaction designated as NPNS no longer meets the scope exception, the fair value of the related contract is recorded on the balance sheet and immediately recognized through earnings.
NRG's trading activities are subject to limits in accordance with the Company's Risk Management Policy. These contracts are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value and changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments are recognized in earnings.
Mark-to-Market for Economic Hedging Activities
NRG enters into derivative instruments to manage price and delivery risk, optimize physical and contractual assets in the portfolio and manage working capital requirements. The mark-to-market for economic hedging activities are recognized to revenues or cost of operations during the reporting period.
Operations and Maintenance and Other Cost of Operations
Operations and maintenance costs include major and other routine preventative (planned outage) and corrective (forced outage) maintenance activities to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the Company's generation portfolio in compliance with all local, state and federal requirements. Operations and maintenance costs are also costs associated with retaining and maintaining the Company's customer base, such as call center support, portfolio maintenance and data analytics. Other cost of operations primarily includes gross receipts taxes, insurance, property taxes and asset retirement obligation expense.
Foreign Currency Translation and Transaction Gains and Losses
The local currencies are generally the functional currency of NRG's foreign operations. Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are translated at end-of-period rates of exchange. Revenues, expenses, and cash flows are translated at the weighted-average rates of exchange for the period. The resulting currency translation adjustments are not included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the period, but are accumulated and reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity until sale or complete or substantially complete liquidation of the net investment in the foreign entity takes place. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are reported within other income, net in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, amounts recognized as foreign currency transaction gains/(losses) were immaterial. The Company's cumulative translation adjustment balances as of December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 were $(72) million, $(43) million, and $(55) million, respectively.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trust funds, accounts receivable, notes receivable, derivatives and investments in debt securities. Trust funds are held in accounts managed by experienced investment advisors. Certain accounts receivable, notes receivable, and derivative instruments are concentrated within entities engaged in the energy industry. These industry concentrations may impact the Company's overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that the customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry or other conditions. Receivables and other contractual arrangements are subject to collateral requirements under the terms of enabling agreements. However, the Company believes that the credit risk posed by industry concentration is offset by the diversification and creditworthiness of its customer base. See Note 5, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for a further discussion of derivative concentrations.
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company accounts for AROs in accordance with ASC 410-20, Asset Retirement Obligations, or ASC 410-20. Retirement obligations associated with long-lived assets included within the scope of ASC 410-20 are those for which a legal obligation exists under enacted laws, statutes, and written or oral contracts, including obligations arising under the doctrine of promissory estoppel, and for which the timing and/or method of settlement may be conditional on a future event. ASC 410-20 requires an entity to recognize the fair value of a liability for an ARO in the period in which it is incurred and a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made.
Upon initial recognition of a liability for an ARO, the Company capitalizes the asset retirement cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by the same amount. Over time, the liability is accreted to its future value, while the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. See Note 13, Asset Retirement Obligations, for a further discussion of AROs.
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits
The Company offers pension benefits through a defined benefit pension plan. In addition, the Company provides postretirement health and welfare benefits for certain groups of employees. The Company accounts for pension and other postretirement benefits in accordance with ASC 715, Compensation — Retirement Benefits, or ASC 715. The Company recognizes the funded status of the Company's defined benefit plans in the statement of financial position and records an offset for gains and losses as well as all prior service costs that have not been included as part of the Company's net periodic benefit cost to other comprehensive income. The determination of the Company's obligation and expenses for pension benefits is dependent on the selection of certain assumptions. These assumptions determined by management include the discount rate, the expected rate of return on plan assets and the rate of future compensation increases. The Company's actuarial consultants assist in determining assumptions for such items as retirement age. The assumptions used may differ materially from actual results, which may result in a significant impact to the amount of pension obligation or expense recorded by the Company.
The Company measures the fair value of its pension assets in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, or ASC 820. For further discussion, see Note 14, Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, or ASC 718. The fair value of the Company's performance stock units is estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo valuation model. NRG uses the Company's common stock price on the date of grant as the fair value of the Company's deferred stock units. Forfeiture rates are estimated based on an analysis of the Company's historical forfeitures, employment turnover, and expected future behavior. The Company recognizes compensation expense for both graded and cliff vesting awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. For further discussion, see Note 20, Stock-Based Compensation.
Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method
The Company has investments in domestic energy projects, as well as one Australian project. The equity method of accounting is applied to such investments in affiliates, which include joint ventures and partnerships, because the ownership structure prevents the Company from exercising a controlling influence over the operating and financial policies of the projects. Under this method, equity in pre-tax income or losses of domestic partnerships and, generally, in the net income or losses of its Australian project, are reflected as equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates. Distributions from equity method investments that represent earnings on the Company's investment are included within cash flows from operating activities and distributions from equity method investments that represent a return of the Company's investment are included within cash flows from investing activities. For further discussion, see Note 16, Investments Accounted for by the Equity Method and Variable Interest Entities.
Sale-Leaseback Arrangements
NRG is party to sale-leaseback arrangements that provide for the sale of certain assets to a third-party and simultaneously leases back the same asset to the Company. If the seller-lessee transfers control of the underlying assets to the buyer-lessor, the arrangement is accounted for under ASC 842-40, Sale-Leaseback Transactions. These arrangements are classified as operating leases on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
Marketing and Advertising Costs
The Company expenses its marketing and advertising costs as incurred and includes them within selling, general and administrative costs. The costs of tangible assets used in advertising campaigns are recorded as fixed assets or deferred advertising costs and amortized as advertising costs over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the advertising campaign. The Company has several long-term sponsorship arrangements. Payments related to these arrangements are deferred and expensed over the term of the arrangement. Advertising expenses for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 were $215 million, $185 million, and $82 million, respectively.
Business Combinations
The Company accounts for its business combinations in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, or ASC 805, which requires an acquirer to recognize and measure in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at fair value at the acquisition date. The Company also recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired or a gain from a bargain purchase in the business combination. In addition, transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
In recording transactions and balances resulting from business operations, the Company uses estimates based on the best information available. Estimates are used for such items as plant depreciable lives, tax provisions, uncollectible accounts, actuarially determined benefit costs, the valuation of energy commodity contracts, environmental liabilities, legal costs incurred in connection with recorded loss contingencies, and assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, among others. In addition, estimates are used to test long-lived assets and goodwill for impairment and to determine the fair value of impaired assets. As better information becomes available or actual amounts are determinable, the recorded estimates are revised. Consequently, operating results can be affected by revisions to prior accounting estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes. The reclassifications did not affect results from operations, net assets or cash flows.
Recent Accounting Developments - Guidance Adopted in 2024
ASU 2023-07 – In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) – Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, or ASU 2023-07. The guidance in ASU 2023-07 enhances reportable segment disclosure requirements by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit and loss, an amount and description of its composition for other segment items and interim disclosures of a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets. The Company adopted the amendments effective December 31, 2024. Because the amendments update disclosure requirements only, it did not have an impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows, or statement of financial position.
Recent Accounting Developments - Guidance Not Yet Adopted
ASU 2023-09 – In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, or ASU 2023-09. The guidance in ASU 2023-09 enhances income tax disclosures by requiring disclosure of specific categories in the effective tax rate reconciliation and additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. Further, the amendments of ASU 2023-09 require certain disclosures on income tax expense and income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments of ASU 2023-09 may be applied on a prospective or retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2023-09 on its disclosures.
ASU 2024-03 – In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40) – Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, or ASU
2024-03. The guidance in ASU 2024-03 requires more detailed information about specified categories of expenses included in certain captions presented on the face of the income statement. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments may be applied either (1) prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date of this ASU or (2) retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2024-03 on its disclosures.
ASU 2024-04 – In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-04, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) – Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt Instruments, or ASU 2024-04. The guidance in ASU 2024-04 clarifies the requirements related to accounting for the settlement of a debt instrument as an induced conversion when changes are made to conversion features as part of an offer to settle the instrument. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025, with early adoption permitted. The amendments may be applied either (1) prospectively to any settlements of convertible debt instruments that occur after the effective date of this ASU or (2) retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements, with a cumulative adjustment-effect adjustment to equity. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2024-04 on its disclosures.