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Rate And Regulatory Matters | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2024
Public Utilities, General Disclosures [Abstract] |
RATE AND REGULATORY MATTERS | RATE AND REGULATORY MATTERS Below is a summary of updates to significant regulatory proceedings and related legal proceedings. See Note 2 – Rate and Regulatory Matters under Part II, Item 8, of the Form 10-K for additional information and a summary of our regulatory frameworks. We are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these matters, the timing of final decisions of the various agencies and courts, or the impact on our results of operations, financial position, or liquidity. Missouri 2024 Electric Service Regulatory Rate Review In June 2024, Ameren Missouri filed a request with the MoPSC seeking approval to increase its annual revenues for electric service by $446 million. The electric rate increase request is based on a 10.25% ROE, a capital structure composed of 52% common equity, a rate base of $14 billion, and a test year ended March 31, 2024, with certain pro-forma adjustments expected through an anticipated true-up date of December 31, 2024. Ameren Missouri also requested the continued use of the FAC and trackers for pension and postretirement benefits, uncertain income tax positions, certain excess deferred income taxes, and the utilization of production and investment tax credits or proceeds from the sale of tax credits allowed under the IRA, which the MoPSC previously authorized in earlier electric rate orders. The electric rate increase request reflects the following: •increased infrastructure investments made under Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan, including increased cost of capital and depreciation expense. Included in these investments are 500 megawatts of solar generation investment for the Boomtown, Cass County and Huck Finn solar projects along with investments in the Callaway nuclear energy center and other dispatchable generation to support a reliable, low-cost and cleaner mix of energy resources; •decreased costs resulting from the retirement of the Rush Island Energy Center; and •decreased costs related to the extension of the retirement date of the Sioux Energy Center from 2030 to 2032, consistent with Ameren Missouri’s 2023 IRP, to ensure reliability. The MoPSC proceeding relating to the proposed electric service rate changes will take place over a period of up to 11 months, with a decision by the MoPSC expected by May 2025 and new rates effective by June 2025. Ameren Missouri cannot predict the level of any electric service rate change the MoPSC may approve, whether the requested regulatory recovery mechanisms will be continued, or whether any rate change that may eventually be approved will be sufficient for Ameren Missouri to recover its costs and earn a reasonable return on its investments when the rate change goes into effect. 2024 Natural Gas Delivery Service Regulatory Rate Review In September 2024, Ameren Missouri filed a request with the MoPSC seeking approval to increase its annual revenues for natural gas delivery service by $40 million. The natural gas rate increase request is based on a 10.25% ROE, a capital structure composed of 52% common equity, a rate base of $531 million, and a test year ended March 31, 2024, with certain pro-forma adjustments expected through the true-up date of December 31, 2024. The request includes the continued use of the PGA, WNAR, and trackers for pension and other postretirement benefits and certain excess deferred taxes that the MoPSC previously authorized in earlier natural gas rate orders. The natural gas rate increase request reflects investments in our existing natural gas infrastructure to ensure the safe delivery of natural gas. The MoPSC proceeding relating to the proposed natural gas delivery service rate changes will take place over a period of up to 11 months, with a decision by the MoPSC expected by August 2025 and new rates effective by September 2025. Ameren Missouri cannot predict the level of any natural gas delivery service rate change the MoPSC may approve, whether the requested regulatory recovery mechanisms will be continued, or whether any rate change that may eventually be approved will be sufficient for Ameren Missouri to recover its costs and earn a reasonable return on its investments when the rate change goes into effect. Generation Facilities Ameren Missouri, and certain subsidiaries of Ameren Missouri, are parties to agreements to acquire and/or construct various generation facilities. The solar generation facilities are eligible for recovery under the PISA. The Castle Bluff Natural Gas Project would be eligible for recovery under the post-construction cost deferral discussed below, if approved by the MoPSC. The following table provides information with respect to each agreement:
| Agreement type | Facility size | Status of MoPSC CCN | Status of FERC approval of acquisition | Anticipated in-service date(a)
Huck Finn Solar Project(b)(c) | Build-transfer | 200-MW | Approved February 2023 | Received March 2023 | Fourth quarter 2024
Boomtown Solar Project(c)(d) | Build-transfer | 150-MW | Approved April 2023 | Received October 2023 | Fourth quarter 2024
Cass County Solar Project(c)(d) | Development-transfer(e) | 150-MW | Approved June 2024 | Not applicable | Fourth quarter 2024
Vandalia Solar Project(f)(g) | Self-build | 50-MW | Approved March 2024 | Not applicable | Fourth quarter 2025
Bowling Green Solar Project(f)(g) | Self-build | 50-MW | Approved March 2024 | Not applicable | First quarter 2026
Split Rail Solar Project(f)(g) | Build-transfer | 300-MW | Approved March 2024 | Received November 2024 | Mid-2026
Castle Bluff Natural Gas Project(f) | Self-build | 800-MW | Approved October 2024(h) | Not applicable | Fourth quarter 2027
(a)Anticipated in-service dates are dependent on the timing of construction completion, among other things. (b)The Huck Finn Solar Project is expected to support Ameren Missouri’s compliance with the state of Missouri’s renewable energy standard. Investments in the project are eligible for recovery under the RESRAM. (c)Ameren Missouri acquired the Cass County, Boomtown, and Huck Finn solar projects in June 2024, September 2024, and October 2024, respectively. These three acquisitions collectively represent a purchase price of approximately $0.9 billion. (d)The Boomtown and Cass County solar projects are expected to support Ameren Missouri’s transition to renewable energy generation and serve customers under the Renewable Solutions Program. (e)The development-transfer agreement included solar panels, project design, land rights, and engineering, procurement, and construction agreements. Ameren Missouri took over construction management of the project when it was acquired in June 2024. (f)These projects collectively represent approximately $1.7 billion of expected capital expenditures. (g)These solar projects are expected to support Ameren Missouri’s transition to renewable energy generation. (h)For additional information see Castle Bluff Natural Gas Project CCN and Post-Construction Cost Deferral below. Castle Bluff Natural Gas Project CCN and Post-Construction Cost Deferral In October 2024, the MoPSC issued an order approving a nonunanimous stipulation and agreement filed by Ameren Missouri, the MoPSC staff, and other intervenors requesting a CCN for the Castle Bluff Natural Gas Project. The order also includes the use of a post-construction cost deferral related to the Castle Bluff Natural Gas Project, which allows Ameren Missouri to defer and recover depreciation expense, financing costs, and applicable income taxes incurred from the date the project is placed in service to the date when project costs are reflected in updated base rates as a result of a regulatory rate review. The period of deferral would be limited to the earlier of the time the project costs are reflected in base rates or six months. Securitization of Rush Island Energy Center Costs In June 2024, the MoPSC issued a financing order authorizing the issuance of securitized utility tariff bonds by a wholly owned, special purpose subsidiary of Ameren Missouri to finance approximately $470 million of costs related to the planned accelerated retirement of the Rush Island Energy Center, which includes the expected remaining unrecovered net plant balance associated with the facility, among other costs. Ameren Missouri will collect the amounts necessary to repay the bonds over approximately 15 years from the date of bond issuance. The financing order also includes a determination that the decision to retire the Rush Island Energy Center was reasonable and prudent. The MoPSC did not make a determination regarding the prudency of Ameren Missouri's prior actions that resulted in the adverse ruling in the NSR and Clean Air Act litigation discussed in Note 9 – Commitments and Contingencies. However, claims regarding such actions could be considered in future regulatory proceedings. If future regulatory proceedings result in revenue reductions based on Ameren Missouri’s prior actions that resulted in the adverse ruling in the NSR and Clean Air Act litigation, it could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position, and liquidity of Ameren and Ameren Missouri. In September 2024, the financing order became final and unappealable. MEEIA In January 2024, Ameren Missouri filed a proposed customer energy-efficiency plan with the MoPSC under the MEEIA. In October 2024, Ameren Missouri, the MoOPC, and other intervenors filed a nonunanimous stipulation and agreement with the MoPSC for a three-year plan, which includes a portfolio of customer energy-efficiency and demand response programs, along with the continued use of the MEEIA rider, which allows Ameren Missouri to collect from customers its actual MEEIA program costs and related lost electric revenues. If the agreement is approved, Ameren Missouri intends to invest $51 million annually in 2025 and 2026 and $22 million in 2027 in the proposed customer energy-efficiency and demand response programs. In addition, the agreement requested performance incentives applicable to each plan year to earn revenues by achieving certain spending and demand response goals. If 100% of the goals are achieved in 2025, 2026, and 2027, Ameren Missouri would earn performance incentive revenues of $5 million, $5 million, and $2 million, respectively. Ameren Missouri expects a decision by the MoPSC in the fourth quarter of 2024, but cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this regulatory proceeding. MISO Long-Range Transmission Projects CCN In July 2022, the MISO approved the first tranche of projects related to a preliminary long-range transmission planning roadmap of projects through 2039. A portion of these projects were assigned or awarded via a competitive bid process to various utilities, including Ameren. In July 2024, ATXI filed a request for a CCN, among other things, with the MoPSC related to a portion of the MISO long-range transmission projects that it expects to construct within the MoPSC’s jurisdiction. A decision by the MoPSC is expected by mid-2025. Illinois MYRP In December 2023, the ICC issued an order in Ameren Illinois' MYRP proceeding approving base rates for electric distribution services for 2024 through 2027 and rejecting Ameren Illinois' Grid Plan, which was addressed as part of the MYRP proceeding. Rate changes consistent with the December 2023 order became effective in January 2024 and remained effective through late June 2024, when new rates became effective pursuant to the June 2024 ICC rehearing order discussed below. The December 2023 order adopted an alternative methodology to establish a rate base and revenue requirements for the years 2024 through 2027 using Ameren Illinois’ previously approved 2022 year-end rate base. In January 2024, the ICC partially denied a rehearing requested by Ameren Illinois to revise the allowed ROE in the December 2023 order and granted Ameren Illinois’ rehearing request to reconsider the rate base for each year of the MYRP and to include a base level of investments to maintain grid reliability in each year of the MYRP. In June 2024, the ICC issued an order on Ameren Illinois’ rehearing request, which revised the rate bases for Ameren Illinois’ MYRP test years to include investments for 2023 through 2027, among other things. New rates became effective in late June 2024. For additional information on the ICC’s June 2024 rehearing order, see the table below. In July 2024, Ameren Illinois filed a request for rehearing of the ICC’s June 2024 rehearing order to include an asset associated with other postretirement benefits in the rate base. Subsequently, in August 2024, the ICC denied the rehearing request. Also, in January 2024, Ameren Illinois filed an appeal of the December 2023 ICC order, including the 8.72% ROE, and subsequently updated the appeal filing in September 2024 to include the June 2024 rehearing order regarding the inclusion of an asset associated with other postretirement benefits in the rate base to the Illinois Appellate Court for the Fifth Judicial District. The court is under no deadline to address the appeal. In September 2024, Ameren Illinois filed an update to its revised Grid Plan and revised MYRP to update the requested revenue requirements for 2024 through 2027. Related to this MYRP filing, the ICC staff submitted its recommendation, and the administrative law judges issued a proposed order in August 2024 and October 2024, respectively, each recommending ICC approval of the Grid Plan and MYRP, with various adjustments as outlined in the table below. An ICC decision on the revised Grid Plan and updated revenue requirements is expected in December 2024 with rates effective in January 2025. The following table presents the approved revenue requirements and average annual rate base in the ICC’s June 2024 rehearing order, as well as the proposed revenue requirements and average annual rate base in Ameren Illinois’ September 2024 revised MYRP, the ICC staff’s August 2024 revised MYRP recommendation, and the October 2024 administrative law judges’ proposed order:
Year | Revenue Requirement (in millions) |  |  | Average Annual Rate Base (in billions)
ICC’s June 2024 Rehearing Order(a): |  |  |  |
2024 | $1,196 |  |  | $4.0
2025 | $1,282 |  |  | $4.3
2026 | $1,350 |  |  | $4.5
2027 | $1,397 |  |  | $4.7
Ameren Illinois’ September 2024 Revised MYRP(a): |  |  |  |
2024 | $1,215 |  |  | $4.3
2025 | $1,299 |  |  | $4.5
2026 | $1,385 |  |  | $4.8
2027 | $1,444 |  |  | $5.0
ICC Staff’s August 2024 Revised MYRP(a): |  |  |  |
2024 | $1,206 |  |  | $4.2
2025 | $1,288 |  |  | $4.4
2026 | $1,369 |  |  | $4.6
2027 | $1,424 |  |  | $4.8
Administrative Law Judges’ October 2024 Proposed Order(a): |  |  |  |
2024 | $1,206 |  |  | $4.2
2025 | $1,287 |  |  | $4.4
2026 | $1,370 |  |  | $4.6
2027 | $1,427 |  |  | $4.9
(a)Based on an allowed ROE of 8.72% and a capital structure composed of 50% common equity. The ROE is under appeal, as discussed above. Using the 2023 revenue requirement as a starting point, the approved revenue requirements in the ICC’s June 2024 rehearing order represent a cumulative four-year increase of $285 million compared to a cumulative increase of $332 million in Ameren Illinois’ September 2024 revised MYRP, a cumulative increase of $311 million in the ICC staff’s August 2024 revised MYRP recommendation, and a cumulative increase of $315 million in the administrative law judges’ October 2024 proposed order. Ameren Illinois cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the appeal to the Illinois Appellate Court for the Fifth Judicial District, its revised Grid Plan filing, or its request to update the associated MYRP revenue requirements for 2024 through 2027. 2023 Electric Distribution Revenue Requirement Reconciliation Adjustment Request In April 2024, Ameren Illinois filed for a reconciliation adjustment to its 2023 electric distribution service revenue requirement with the ICC. In July 2024, Ameren Illinois filed a revised reconciliation adjustment, requesting recovery of $158 million. The reconciliation adjustment reflects a capital structure composed of 50% common equity and Ameren Illinois’ actual 2023 recoverable costs and year-end rate base. In August 2024, the ICC staff submitted its calculation of the reconciliation adjustment, recommending approval of Ameren Illinois’ request. An ICC decision in this proceeding is required by December 2024, and any approved adjustment would be collected from customers in 2025. This is the final revenue requirement reconciliation under the IEIMA formula framework. Electric Customer Energy-Efficiency Investments In May 2024, Ameren Illinois filed its annual electric energy-efficiency formula rate update to increase its rates by $26 million with the ICC. In September 2024, the ICC staff filed a recommendation supporting Ameren Illinois’ requested increase. An ICC decision in this proceeding is required by December 2024, with new rates effective January 2025. 2023 Natural Gas Delivery Service Rate Order In November 2023, the ICC issued an order in Ameren Illinois’ January 2023 natural gas delivery service regulatory rate review, which resulted in an increase to its annual revenues for natural gas delivery service of $112 million based on a 9.44% allowed ROE, a capital structure composed of 50% common equity, and a rate base of approximately $2.85 billion. The order reflected a reduction of approximately $93 million of planned distribution and transmission capital investments included in Ameren Illinois’ requested revenue increase, which used a 2024 future test year. The new rates became effective on November 28, 2023. In December 2023, Ameren Illinois filed a request for rehearing of the ICC’s November 2023 order. The filing requested the ICC revise the order to include an allowed ROE of at least 9.89%, a capital structure composed of 52% common equity, and the reversal of the approximately $93 million reduction of planned distribution and transmission capital investments included in the order, among other things. In January 2024, the ICC denied Ameren Illinois’ rehearing request. Subsequently, in January 2024, Ameren Illinois filed an appeal of the November 2023 ICC order to the Illinois Appellate Court for the Fifth Judicial District. The court is under no deadline to address the appeal. Ameren Illinois cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this appeal. QIP Reconciliation Hearing In March 2021, Ameren Illinois filed a request with the ICC to initiate a reconciliation proceeding to determine the accuracy and prudence of natural gas capital investments recovered under the QIP rider during 2020. In September 2024, the Illinois Attorney General’s office challenged the recovery of capital investments that were made during 2020, alleging that the ICC should disallow approximately $30 million in natural gas capital investments as improper and imprudent, and resulting in a potential over-recovery of approximately $1 million by Ameren Illinois in 2020. In October 2023, and again in September 2024, the ICC staff filed testimony that supports the prudence and reasonableness of the capital investments made during 2020. Ameren Illinois’ 2020 QIP rate recovery request under review by the ICC was within the rate increase limitations allowed by law. The ICC is under no deadline to issue an order in this proceeding. Ameren Illinois cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this regulatory proceeding. MISO Long-Range Transmission Projects CCN In July 2022, the MISO approved the first tranche of projects related to a preliminary long-range transmission planning roadmap of projects through 2039. A portion of these projects were assigned or awarded via a competitive bidding process to various utilities, including Ameren. In February 2024, Ameren Illinois and ATXI filed a request for a CCN, among other things, with the ICC related to the portion of the MISO long-range transmission projects they will construct within the ICC’s jurisdiction. A decision by the ICC is expected by mid-2025. Federal FERC Complaint Cases Since November 2013, the allowed base ROE for FERC-regulated transmission rate base under the MISO tariff has been subject to customer complaint cases and has been changed by various FERC orders. In May 2020, the FERC issued an order, which set the allowed base ROE to 10.02% and required refunds, with interest, for the periods from November 2013 to February 2015 and from late September 2016 forward. Ameren and Ameren Illinois paid these refunds, including interest, by March 31, 2022. In June and July 2020, Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois, and ATXI, as well as various customers, petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for review of the May 2020 order, challenging certain aspects of the new ROE methodology established. The petition filed by Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois, and ATXI challenged the refunds required for the period from September 2016 to May 2020. In August 2022, the court issued a ruling that granted the customers’ petition for review, vacated the FERC’s previous MISO ROE-determining orders, and remanded the proceedings to the FERC. The court elected not to rule on the issues raised by Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois, and ATXI. In October 2024, the FERC issued an order, which decreased the allowed base ROE from 10.02% to 9.98% and required refunds, with interest, for the same periods covered by the May 2020 order. As a result of the October 2024 order, Ameren and Ameren Illinois recognized reductions to "Operating Revenues – Electric" on their statements of income of $10 million and $7 million, respectively, and recognized expense of $2 million and $1 million, respectively, in “Interest charges” on their statements of income during the third quarter of 2024. As of September 30, 2024, Ameren and Ameren Illinois had recorded liabilities in "Current regulatory liabilities" on their balance sheets of $12 million and $8 million, respectively, to reflect the expected refunds, including interest, associated with the allowed base ROE set by the October 2024 order. The decrease in the FERC-allowed base ROE resulting from the October 2024 order is not material to Ameren Missouri’s results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.

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