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Commitments and Contingencies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and Contingencies | 13. Commitments and Contingencies (PPL) All commitments, contingencies and guarantees associated with PPL Energy Supply and its subsidiaries were retained by Talen Energy and its subsidiaries at the spinoff date without recourse to PPL. Energy Purchase Commitments (PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU) LG&E and KU enter into purchase contracts to supply the coal and natural gas requirements for generation facilities and LG&E's retail natural gas supply operations. These contracts include the following commitments:
Contract Type | Maximum Maturity Date
Natural Gas Fuel | 2019
Natural Gas Retail Supply | 2019
Coal | 2023
Coal Transportation and Fleeting Services | 2024
Natural Gas Transportation | 2026
LG&E and KU have a power purchase agreement with OVEC expiring in June 2040. See footnote (f) to the table in "Guarantees and Other Assurances" below for information on the OVEC power purchase contract, including recent developments in credit or debt conditions relating to OVEC. Future obligations for power purchases from OVEC are unconditional demand payments, comprised of debt-service payments and contractually-required reimbursements of plant operating, maintenance and other expenses, and are projected as follows:
| LG&E |  | KU |  | Total
2018 | $ | 20 |  |  | $ | 9 |  |  | $ | 29 |
2019 | 19 |  |  | 8 |  |  | 27 |
2020 | 18 |  |  | 8 |  |  | 26 |
2021 | 19 |  |  | 8 |  |  | 27 |
2022 | 19 |  |  | 8 |  |  | 27 |
Thereafter | 316 |  |  | 141 |  |  | 457 |
Total | $ | 411 |  |  | $ | 182 |  |  | $ | 593 |
LG&E and KU had total energy purchases under the OVEC power purchase agreement for the years ended December 31 as follows:
| 2017 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
LG&E | $ | 14 |  |  | $ | 16 |  |  | $ | 15 |
KU | 6 |  |  | 7 |  |  | 7 |
Total | $ | 20 |  |  | $ | 23 |  |  | $ | 22 |
Legal Matters (All Registrants) PPL and its subsidiaries are involved in legal proceedings, claims and litigation in the ordinary course of business. PPL and its subsidiaries cannot predict the outcome of such matters, or whether such matters may result in material liabilities, unless otherwise noted. WKE Indemnification (PPL and LKE) See footnote (e) to the table in "Guarantees and Other Assurances" below for information on an LKE indemnity relating to its former WKE lease, including related legal proceedings. (PPL, LKE and LG&E) Cane Run Environmental Claims In December 2013, six residents, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, filed a class action complaint against LG&E and PPL in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky alleging violations of the Clean Air Act, RCRA, and common law claims of nuisance, trespass and negligence. These plaintiffs seek injunctive relief and civil penalties, plus costs and attorney fees, for the alleged statutory violations. Under the common law claims, these plaintiffs seek monetary compensation and punitive damages for property damage and diminished property values for a class consisting of residents within four miles of the Cane Run plant. In their individual capacities, these plaintiffs sought compensation for alleged adverse health effects. In July 2014, the court dismissed the RCRA claims and all but one Clean Air Act claim, but declined to dismiss the common law tort claims. In November 2016, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint removing the personal injury claims and removing certain previously named plaintiffs. In February 2017, the District Court issued an order dismissing PPL as a defendant and dismissing the final federal claim against LG&E. On April 13, 2017, the federal District Court issued an order declining to exercise supplemental jurisdiction on the state law claims and dismissed the case in its entirety. On June 16, 2017, the plaintiffs filed a class action complaint in Jefferson Circuit Court, Kentucky, against LG&E alleging state law nuisance, negligence and trespass tort claims. The plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages for alleged property damage due to purported plant emissions on behalf of a class of residents within one to three miles of the plant. Proceedings are currently underway regarding potential class certification, for which a decision may occur in late 2018 or in 2019. PPL, LKE and LG&E cannot predict the outcome of this matter. LG&E retired one coal-fired unit at the Cane Run plant in March 2015 and the remaining two coal-fired units at the plant in June 2015. (PPL, LKE and KU) E.W. Brown Environmental Claims On July 12, 2017, the Kentucky Waterways Alliance and the Sierra Club filed a citizen suit complaint against KU in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky alleging discharges at the E.W. Brown plant in violation of the Clean Water Act and the plant's water discharge permit and alleging contamination that may present an imminent and substantial endangerment in violation of the RCRA. The plaintiffs' suit relates to prior notices of intent to file a citizen suit submitted in October and November 2015 and October 2016. These plaintiffs sought injunctive relief ordering KU to take all actions necessary to comply with the Clean Water Act and RCRA, including ceasing the discharges in question, abating effects associated with prior discharges and eliminating the alleged imminent and substantial endangerment. These plaintiffs also sought assessment of civil penalties and an award of litigation costs and attorney fees. On December 28, 2017 the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky issued an order dismissing the Clean Water Act and RCRA complaints against KU in their entirety. On January 26, 2018, the plaintiffs appealed the dismissal order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. KU is undertaking extensive remedial measures at the Brown plant including closure of the former ash pond, implementation of a groundwater remedial action plan, and performance of a corrective action plan including aquatic study of adjacent surface waters and risk assessment. PPL, LKE and KU cannot predict the outcome of these matters. (PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU) Trimble County Water Discharge Permit In May 2010, the Kentucky Waterways Alliance and other environmental groups filed a petition with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (KEEC) challenging the Kentucky Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit issued in April 2010, which covers water discharges from the Trimble County plant. In November 2010, the KEEC issued a final order upholding the permit, which was subsequently appealed by the environmental groups. In September 2013, the Franklin Circuit Court reversed the KEEC order and remanded the permit to the agency for further proceedings. LG&E and the KEEC appealed the order to the Kentucky Court of Appeals. In July 2015, the Court of Appeals upheld the lower court ruling. LG&E and the KEEC moved for discretionary review by the Kentucky Supreme Court. In February 2016, the Kentucky Supreme Court issued an order granting discretionary review and oral arguments were held in September 2016. On April 27, 2017, the Kentucky Supreme Court issued an order reversing the decision of the appellate court and upholding the permit issued to LG&E by the KEEC. Trimble County Landfill Various state and federal permits and regulatory approvals are required in order to construct a landfill at the Trimble County plant to be used for disposal of CCRs. In October 2016, the Kentucky Division of Water issued a water quality certification and in February 2017, the Kentucky Division of Waste Management issued a "special waste" landfill permit. In March 2017, the Sierra Club and a resident adjacent to the plant filed administrative challenges to the landfill permit which were subsequently dismissed by agreed order entered in August 2017. In June 2017, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a dredge and fill permit, the final approval required for construction of the landfill. PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU believe that all permits and regulatory approvals issued for the project comply with applicable state and federal laws. (All Registrants) Regulatory Issues See Note 6 for information on regulatory matters related to utility rate regulation. Electricity - Reliability Standards The NERC is responsible for establishing and enforcing mandatory reliability standards (Reliability Standards) regarding the bulk electric system in North America. The FERC oversees this process and independently enforces the Reliability Standards. The Reliability Standards have the force and effect of law and apply to certain users of the bulk electric system, including electric utility companies, generators and marketers. Under the Federal Power Act, the FERC may assess civil penalties for certain violations. PPL Electric, LG&E and KU monitor their compliance with the Reliability Standards and self-report or self-log potential violations of applicable reliability requirements whenever identified, and submit accompanying mitigation plans, as required. The resolution of a small number of potential violations is pending. Penalties incurred to date have not been significant. Any Regional Reliability Entity (including RFC or SERC) determination concerning the resolution of violations of the Reliability Standards remains subject to the approval of the NERC and the FERC. In the course of implementing their programs to ensure compliance with the Reliability Standards by those PPL affiliates subject to the standards, certain other instances of potential non-compliance may be identified from time to time. The Registrants cannot predict the outcome of these matters, and cannot estimate a range of reasonably possible losses, if any. Environmental Matters (All Registrants) Due to the environmental issues discussed below or other environmental matters, it may be necessary for the Registrants to modify, curtail, replace or cease operation of certain facilities or performance of certain operations to comply with statutes, regulations and other requirements of regulatory bodies or courts. In addition, legal challenges to new environmental permits or rules add to the uncertainty of estimating the future cost of these permits and rules. Finally, the regulatory reviews specified in the President's March 2017 Executive Order (the March 2017 Executive Order) promoting energy independence and economic growth could result in future regulatory changes and additional uncertainty. WPD's distribution businesses are subject to certain statutory and regulatory environmental requirements. It may be necessary for WPD to incur significant compliance costs, which costs may be recoverable through rates subject to the approval of Ofgem. PPL believes that WPD has taken and continues to take measures to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. LG&E and KU are entitled to recover, through the ECR mechanism, certain costs of complying with the Clean Air Act, as amended, and those federal, state or local environmental requirements applicable to coal combustion wastes and by-products from facilities that generate electricity from coal in accordance with approved compliance plans. Costs not covered by the ECR mechanism for LG&E and KU and all such costs for PPL Electric are subject to rate recovery before the companies' respective state regulatory authorities, or the FERC, if applicable. Because neither WPD nor PPL Electric owns any generating plants, their exposure to related environmental compliance costs is reduced. PPL, PPL Electric, LKE, LG&E and KU can provide no assurances as to the ultimate outcome of future environmental or rate proceedings before regulatory authorities. Air (PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU) NAAQS The Clean Air Act, which regulates air pollutants from mobile and stationary sources in the United States, has a significant impact on the operation of fossil fuel generation plants. Among other things, the Clean Air Act requires the EPA periodically to review and establish concentration levels in the ambient air for six pollutants to protect public health and welfare. The six pollutants are carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone (contributed to by nitrogen oxide emissions), particulate matter and sulfur dioxide. The established concentration levels for these six pollutants are known as NAAQS. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to reassess the NAAQS on a five-year schedule. Federal environmental regulations of these six pollutants require states to adopt implementation plans, known as state implementation plans, which detail how the state will attain the standards that are mandated by the relevant law or regulation. Each state identifies the areas within its boundaries that meet the NAAQS (attainment areas) and those that do not (non-attainment areas), and must develop a state implementation plan both to bring non-attainment areas into compliance with the NAAQS and to maintain good air quality in attainment areas. In addition, for attainment of ozone and fine particulates standards, states in the eastern portion of the country, including Kentucky, are subject to a regional program developed by the EPA known as the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. The NAAQS, future revisions to the NAAQS and state implementation plans, or future revisions to regional programs, may require installation of additional pollution controls, the costs of which PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU believe are subject to cost recovery. Although PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU do not anticipate significant costs to comply with these programs, changes in market or operating conditions could result in different costs than anticipated. Ozone The EPA issued the current ozone standard in October 2015. The states and the EPA are required to determine (based on ambient air monitoring data) those areas that meet the standard and those that are in non-attainment. The EPA was scheduled to designate areas as being in attainment or nonattainment of the current ozone standard by no later than October 2017 which was to be followed by further regulatory proceedings identifying compliance measures and deadlines. However, the current implementation and compliance schedule is uncertain because the EPA failed to make nonattainment demonstrations by the applicable deadline. In addition, some industry groups have requested the EPA to defer implementation of the 2015 ozone standard, but the EPA has not yet acted on this request. While implementation of the 2015 ozone standard could potentially require the addition of SCRs at some LG&E and KU generating units, PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU are currently unable to determine what the compliance measures and deadlines may ultimately be with respect to the new standard. States are also obligated to address interstate transport issues associated with ozone standards through the establishment of "good neighbor" state implementation plans for those states that are found to contribute significantly to another state's non-attainment. As a result of a partial consent decree addressing claims regarding federal implementation, the EPA and several states, including Kentucky, are evaluating the need for further nitrogen oxide reductions from fossil-fueled plants to address interstate impacts. While PPL, LKE, LG&E, and KU are unable to predict the outcome of ongoing and future evaluations by the EPA and the states, such evaluations could potentially result in requirements for nitrogen oxide reductions beyond those currently required under the Cross State Air Pollution Rule. Sulfur Dioxide In 2010, the EPA issued the current NAAQS for sulfur dioxide and required states to identify areas that meet those standards and areas that are in "non-attainment". In July 2013, the EPA finalized non-attainment designations for parts of the country, including part of Jefferson County in Kentucky. Attainment must be achieved by 2018. As a result of scrubber replacements completed by LG&E at the Mill Creek plant in 2016, all Jefferson County monitors now indicate compliance with the sulfur dioxide standards. Additionally, LG&E accepted a new sulfur dioxide emission limit to ensure continuing compliance with the NAAQS. PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU do not anticipate any further measures to achieve compliance with the new sulfur dioxide standards. Climate Change There is continuing world-wide attention focused on issues related to climate change. In June 2016, President Obama announced that the United States, Canada and Mexico established the North American Climate, Clean Energy, and Environment Partnership Plan, which specifies actions to promote clean energy, address climate change and protect the environment. The plan includes a goal to provide 50% of the energy used in North America from clean energy sources by 2025. The plan does not impose any nation-specific requirements. In December 2015, 195 nations, including the U.S., signed the Paris Agreement on Climate, which establishes a comprehensive framework for the reduction of GHG emissions from both developed and developing nations. Although the agreement does not establish binding reduction requirements, it requires each nation to prepare, communicate, and maintain GHG reduction commitments. Reductions can be achieved in a variety of ways, including energy conservation, power plant efficiency improvements, reduced utilization of coal-fired generation or replacing coal-fired generation with natural gas or renewable generation. Based on the EPA's rules issued in 2015 imposing GHG emission standards for both new and existing power plants, the U.S. committed to an initial reduction target of 26% to 28% below 2005 levels by 2025. However, on June 1, 2017, President Trump announced a plan to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and undertake negotiations to reenter the current agreement or enter a new agreement on terms more favorable to the U.S. Under the terms of the Paris Agreement, any U.S. withdrawal would not be complete until November 2020. Additionally, the March 2017 Executive Order directed the EPA to review its 2015 greenhouse gas rules for consistency with certain policy directives and suspend, revise, or rescind those rules as appropriate. The March 2017 Executive Order also directs rescission of specified guidance, directives, and prior Presidential actions regarding climate change. PPL, LKE, LG&E, and KU cannot predict the outcome of such regulatory actions or the impact, if any, on plant operations, rate treatment or future capital or operating needs. The U.K. has enacted binding carbon reduction requirements that are applicable to WPD. Under the U.K. law, WPD must purchase carbon allowances to offset emissions associated with WPD's operations. The cost of these allowances is not significant and is included in WPD's current operating expenses. The EPA's Rules under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act There continues to be uncertainty around the EPA's regulation of existing coal-fired power plants. In 2015 the EPA had finalized rules imposing GHG emission standards for both new and existing power plants and had proposed a federal implementation plan that would apply to any states that failed to submit an acceptable state implementation plan to reduce GHG emissions on a state-by-state basis (the 2015 EPA Rules). Following legal challenges to the 2015 EPA Rules, a stay of those rules by the U.S. Supreme Court, and the President's March 2017 Executive Order (requiring the EPA to review the 2015 EPA Rules), however, in October 2017, the EPA proposed to rescind the 2015 EPA Rules and in December 2017, released an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking for a replacement rule (Replacement Rules) which contemplates GHG reductions based on "inside the fence" measures implemented at individual plants. The contemplated approach in the Replacement Rules is a more limited approach than that taken in the 2015 EPA Rules which had included assumed increased levels of fuel switching and renewable energy in determining the level of emission reduction required by each state. At present, the 2015 EPA Rules remain stayed and the Replacement Rules have not yet been published. In April 2014, the Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation limiting the measures that the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet may consider in setting performance standards to comply with the 2015 EPA Rules, if enacted. The legislation provides that such state GHG performance standards will be based on emission reductions, efficiency measures and other improvements available at each power plant, rather than renewable energy, end-use energy efficiency, fuel switching and re-dispatch. These statutory restrictions are consistent with the EPA's notice of proposed rulemaking on the Replacement Rules. LG&E and KU are monitoring developments at the state and federal level. Until there is more clarity about the potential requirements that may be imposed under the Replacement Rules and Kentucky's implementation plan, PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU cannot predict the potential impact, if any, on plant operations, future capital or operating costs. PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU believe that the costs, which could be significant, would be subject to rate recovery. Sulfuric Acid Mist Emissions (PPL, LKE and LG&E) In June 2016, the EPA issued a notice of violation under the Clean Air Act alleging that LG&E violated applicable rules relating to sulfuric acid mist emissions at its Mill Creek plant. The notice alleges failure to install proper controls, failure to operate the facility consistent with good air pollution control practice, and causing emissions exceeding applicable requirements or constituting a nuisance or endangerment. LG&E believes it has complied with applicable regulations during the relevant time period. Discussions between the EPA and LG&E are ongoing. The parties have entered into a tolling agreement with respect to this matter through December 2018. PPL, LKE and LG&E are unable to predict the outcome of this matter or the potential impact on operations of the Mill Creek plant, including increased capital or operating costs, and potential civil penalties or remedial measures, if any. Water/Waste (PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU) CCRs In April 2015, the EPA published its final rule regulating CCRs. CCRs include fly ash, bottom ash and sulfur dioxide scrubber wastes. The rule became effective in October 2015. It imposes extensive new requirements, including location restrictions, design and operating standards, groundwater monitoring and corrective action requirements, and closure and post-closure care requirements on CCR impoundments and landfills that are located on active power plants in the United States and not closed. Under the rule, CCRs are regulated as non-hazardous under Subtitle D of RCRA and beneficial use of CCRs is allowed, with some restrictions. The rule's requirements for covered CCR impoundments and landfills include implementation of groundwater monitoring and commencement or completion of closure activities generally between three and ten years from certain triggering events. The rule requires posting of compliance documentation on a publicly accessible website. Industry groups, environmental groups, individual companies and others have filed legal challenges to the final rule, which are pending before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The EPA has advised the court that it expects to reconsider certain aspects of the CCR Rule in the near future. In January 2017, Kentucky issued a new state rule relating to CCR matters, effective May 2017, aimed at reflecting the requirements of the federal CCR Rule. In May 2017, a resident adjacent to LG&E's and KU's Trimble County plant filed a lawsuit in Franklin County, Kentucky Circuit Court against the Kentucky Energy and Environmental Cabinet and LG&E seeking to invalidate the new rule. On January 31, 2018, the state court issued an opinion invalidating certain elements of the new rule. PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation. LG&E and KU presently operate their Trimble County facilities under continuing permits authorized via the former program and do not currently anticipate material impacts as a result of the challenge to the new rule. Separately, in December 2016, federal legislation was enacted that authorized the EPA to approve equally protective state programs that would operate in lieu of the CCR Rule. The Kentucky Energy and Environmental Cabinet indicated it may propose rules under such authority in the future. LG&E and KU received KPSC approval for a compliance plan providing for construction of additional landfill capacity at the E.W. Brown station, closure of impoundments at the Mill Creek, Trimble County, E.W. Brown, and Ghent stations, and construction of process water management facilities at those plants. In addition to the foregoing measures required for compliance with federal CCR rule requirements, KU also received KPSC approval for its plans to close impoundments at the retired Green River, Pineville and Tyrone plants to comply with applicable state law requirements. See Note 6 for additional information. In connection with the final CCR rule, LG&E and KU recorded adjustments to existing AROs during 2015, 2016 and 2017. See Note 19 for additional information. Further changes to AROs, current capital plans or operating costs may be required as estimates are refined based on closure developments, groundwater monitoring results, and regulatory or legal proceedings. Costs relating to this rule are subject to rate recovery. Clean Water Act Regulations under the federal Clean Water Act dictate permitting and mitigation requirements for facilities and construction projects in the United States. Many of those requirements relate to power plant operations, including requirements related to the treatment of pollutants in effluents prior to discharge, the temperature of effluent discharges and the location, design and construction of cooling water intake structures at generating facilities, standards intended to protect aquatic organisms that become trapped at or pulled through cooling water intake structures at generating facilities. The requirements could impose significant costs for LG&E and KU, which are subject to rate recovery. ELGs In September 2015, the EPA released its final ELGs for wastewater discharge permits for new and existing steam electric generating facilities. The rule provides strict technology-based discharge limitations for control of pollutants in scrubber wastewater, fly ash and bottom ash transport water, mercury control wastewater, gasification wastewater and combustion residual leachate. The new guidelines require deployment of additional control technologies providing physical, chemical and biological treatment of wastewaters. The guidelines also mandate operational changes including "no discharge" requirements for fly ash and bottom ash transport waters and mercury control wastewaters. The implementation date for individual generating stations will be determined by the states on a case-by-case basis according to criteria provided by the EPA. Industry groups, environmental groups, individual companies and others have filed legal challenges to the final rule, which have been consolidated before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In April 2017, the EPA announced that it would grant petitions for reconsideration of the rule. In September 2017, the EPA published in the Federal Register a proposed rule that would postpone the compliance date for requirements relating to bottom ash transport waters and scrubber wastewaters discharge limits. The EPA expects to complete its reconsideration of best available technology standards by the fall of 2020. Upon completion of the ongoing regulatory proceedings, the rule will be implemented by the states in the course of their normal permitting activities. LG&E and KU are developing compliance strategies and schedules. PPL, LKE, LG&E and KU are unable to predict the outcome of the EPA's pending reconsideration of the rule or fully estimate compliance costs or timing. Additionally, certain aspects of these compliance plans and estimates relate to developments in state water quality standards, which are separate from the ELG rule or its implementation. Costs to comply with ELGs or other discharge limits, which are expected to be significant, are subject to rate recovery. Seepages and Groundwater Infiltration Seepages or groundwater infiltration have been detected at active and retired wastewater basins and landfills at various LG&E and KU plants. LG&E and KU have completed, or are completing, assessments of seepages or groundwater infiltration at various facilities and have completed, or are working with agencies to implement, further testing, monitoring or abatement measures, where applicable. A range of reasonably possible costs cannot currently be estimated. Depending on the circumstances in each case, certain costs, which may be subject to rate recovery, could be significant. (All Registrants) Other Issues In June 2016, the "Frank Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act" took effect as an amendment to the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). The Act made no changes to the pre-existing TSCA rules as it pertains to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). The EPA continues to reassess its PCB regulations as part of the 2010 Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM). The EPA's ANPRM rulemaking is to occur in two phases. Only the second part of the rule, currently scheduled for November 2017, is applicable to PPL operations. This part of the rule relates to the use of PCBs in electrical equipment and natural gas pipelines, as well as continued use of PCB-contaminated porous surfaces. Although the first rulemaking will not directly affect the Registrants' operations, it may indicate certain approaches or principles to occur in the later rulemaking which may affect Registrants' facilities in the United States, including phase-out of some or all equipment containing PCBs. Should such a phase-out be required, the costs, which are subject to rate recovery, could be significant. Superfund and Other Remediation PPL Electric is potentially responsible for a share of the costs at several sites listed by the EPA under the federal Superfund program, including the Columbia Gas Plant site and the Brodhead site. Clean-up actions have been or are being undertaken at all of these sites, the costs of which have not been, and are not expected to be, significant to PPL Electric. PPL Electric, LG&E and KU are investigating, responding to agency inquiries, taking various measures, remediating, or have completed the remediation of, for several sites that were not addressed under a regulatory program such as Superfund, but for which PPL Electric, LG&E and KU may be liable for remediation. These include a number of former coal gas manufacturing plants in Pennsylvania and Kentucky previously owned or operated or currently owned by predecessors or affiliates of PPL Electric, LG&E and KU. To date, the costs of these sites have not been significant. There are additional sites, formerly owned or operated by PPL Electric, LG&E and KU predecessors or affiliates. PPL Electric, LG&E and KU lack sufficient information on such additional sites and are therefore unable to estimate any potential liability they may have or a range of reasonably possible losses, if any, related to these matters. At December 31, 2017, PPL Electric had a recorded liability of $10 million representing its best estimate of the probable loss incurred to remediate the sites noted above. Depending on the outcome of investigations at sites where investigations have not begun or been completed, or developments at sites for which information is incomplete, additional costs of remediation could be incurred; however, such costs are not expected to be significant. The EPA is evaluating the risks associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and naphthalene, chemical by-products of coal gas manufacturing. As a result of the EPA's evaluation, individual states may establish stricter standards for water quality and soil cleanup. This could require several PPL subsidiaries to take more extensive assessment and remedial actions at former coal gas manufacturing plants. PPL, PPL Electric, LKE, LG&E and KU cannot estimate a range of reasonably possible losses, if any, related to these matters. From time to time, PPL's subsidiaries in the United States undertake testing, monitoring or remedial action in response to notices of violations, spills or other releases at various on-site and off-site locations, negotiate with the EPA and state and local agencies regarding actions necessary for compliance with applicable requirements, negotiate with property owners and other third parties alleging impacts from PPL's operations and undertake similar actions necessary to resolve environmental matters that arise in the course of normal operations. Based on analyses to date, resolution of these environmental matters is not expected to have a significant adverse impact on the operations of PPL Electric, LG&E and KU. Future cleanup or remediation work at sites under review, or at sites not yet identified, may result in significant additional costs for PPL, PPL Electric, LKE, LG&E and KU. Insurance policies maintained by LKE, LG&E and KU may be applicable to certain of the costs or other obligations related to these matters but the amount of insurance coverage or reimbursement cannot be estimated or assured. Other Labor Union Agreements (PPL and PPL Electric) In March 2017, members of the IBEW ratified a new five-year labor agreement with PPL. The contract covers nearly 1,400 employees and was effective May 22, 2017. The terms of the new labor agreement are not expected to have a significant impact on the financial results of PPL or PPL Electric. (LKE and KU) In August 2017, KU and the United Steelworkers of America ratified a three-year labor agreement through August 2020. The agreement covers approximately 54 employees. The terms of the new labor agreement do not have a significant impact on the financial results of LKE or KU. (LKE and LG&E) In November 2017, LG&E and the IBEW ratified a three-year labor agreement through November 2020. The agreement covers approximately 671 employees. The terms of the new labor agreement do not have a significant impact on the financial results of LKE or LG&E. The Registrants cannot predict the outcome of future union labor negotiations. Guarantees and Other Assurances (All Registrants) In the normal course of business, the Registrants enter into agreements that provide financial performance assurance to third parties on behalf of certain subsidiaries. Such agreements include, for example, guarantees, stand-by letters of credit issued by financial institutions and surety bonds issued by insurance companies. These agreements are entered into primarily to support or enhance the creditworthiness attributed to a subsidiary on a stand-alone basis or to facilitate the commercial activities in which these subsidiaries engage. (PPL) PPL fully and unconditionally guarantees all of the debt securities of PPL Capital Funding. (All Registrants) The table below details guarantees provided as of December 31, 2017. "Exposure" represents the estimated maximum potential amount of future payments that could be required to be made under the guarantee. The probability of expected payment/performance under each of these guarantees is remote except for "WPD guarantee of pension and other obligations of unconsolidated entities" and "Indemnification of lease termination and other divestitures." The total recorded liability at December 31, 2017 was $17 million for PPL and $11 million for LKE. The $11 million recorded at LKE represents the settlement amount related to WKE's excess power matter. See footnote (e) for additional information. The total recorded liability at December 31, 2016 was $22 million for PPL and $17 million for LKE. For reporting purposes, on a consolidated basis, all guarantees of PPL Electric, LKE, LG&E and KU also apply to PPL, and all guarantees of LG&E and KU also apply to LKE.
| Exposure at December 31, 2017 |  | Expiration Date
PPL |  |  |
Indemnifications related to the WPD Midlands acquisition |  |  | (a) |
WPD indemnifications for entities in liquidation and sales of assets | $ | 11 |  | (b) | 2020
WPD guarantee of pension and other obligations of unconsolidated entities | 95 |  | (c) |
PPL Electric |  |  |
Guarantee of inventory value | 16 |  | (d) | 2018
LKE |  |  |
Indemnification of lease termination and other divestitures | 201 |  | (e) | 2021-2023
LG&E and KU |  |  |
LG&E and KU guarantee of shortfall related to OVEC |  |  | (f) |
(a) | Indemnifications related to certain liabilities, including a specific unresolved tax issue and those relating to properties and assets owned by the seller that were transferred to WPD Midlands in connection with the acquisition. A cross indemnity has been received from the seller on the tax issue. The maximum exposure and expiration of these indemnifications cannot be estimated because the maximum potential liability is not capped and the expiration date is not specified in the transaction documents.
(b) | Indemnification to the liquidators and certain others for existing liabilities or expenses or liabilities arising during the liquidation process. The indemnifications are limited to distributions made from the subsidiary to its parent either prior or subsequent to liquidation or are not explicitly stated in the agreements. The indemnifications generally expire two to seven years subsequent to the date of dissolution of the entities. The exposure noted only includes those cases where the agreements provide for specific limits.
In connection with their sales of various businesses, WPD and its affiliates have provided the purchasers with indemnifications that are standard for such transactions, including indemnifications for certain pre-existing liabilities and environmental and tax matters or have agreed to continue their obligations under existing third-party guarantees, either for a set period of time following the transactions or upon the condition that the purchasers make reasonable efforts to terminate the guarantees. Additionally, WPD and its affiliates remain secondarily responsible for lease payments under certain leases that they have assigned to third parties.
(c) | Relates to certain obligations of discontinued or modified electric associations that were guaranteed at the time of privatization by the participating members. Costs are allocated to the members and can be reallocated if an existing member becomes insolvent. At December 31, 2017, WPD has recorded an estimated discounted liability for which the expected payment/performance is probable. Neither the expiration date nor the maximum amount of potential payments for certain obligations is explicitly stated in the related agreements, and as a result, the exposure has been estimated.
(d) | A third party logistics firm provides inventory procurement and fulfillment services. The logistics firm has title to the inventory, however, upon termination of the contracts, PPL Electric has guaranteed to purchase any remaining inventory that has not been used or sold. In January 2018, this agreement was superseded by a new contract which extends the guarantee until 2020.
(e) | LKE provides certain indemnifications covering the due and punctual payment, performance and discharge by each party of its respective obligations. The most comprehensive of these guarantees is the LKE guarantee covering operational, regulatory and environmental commitments and indemnifications made by WKE under a 2009 Transaction Termination Agreement. This guarantee has a term of 12 years ending July 2021, and a maximum exposure of $200 million, exclusive of certain items such as government fines and penalties that may exceed the maximum. Another WKE-related LKE guarantee formerly covered other indemnifications related to the purchase price of excess power, had a term expiring in 2023, and a maximum exposure of $100 million, which excess power matter and related indemnifications had been the subject of a dispute and legal proceeding among the parties. In December 2017, the parties executed settlement agreements which resolved all claims relating to the excess power matter, and terminated such guarantee, for $11 million. Additionally, LKE has indemnified various third parties related to historical obligations for other divested subsidiaries and affiliates. The indemnifications vary by entity and the maximum exposures range from being capped at the sale price to no specified maximum. LKE could be required to perform on these indemnifications in the event of covered losses or liabilities being claimed by an indemnified party. LKE cannot predict the ultimate outcomes of the various indemnification scenarios, but does not expect such outcomes to result in significant losses above the amounts recorded.
(f) | Pursuant to the OVEC power purchase contract, LG&E and KU are obligated to pay for their share of OVEC's excess debt service, post-retirement and decommissioning costs, as well as any shortfall from amounts included within a demand charge designed and expected to cover these costs over the term of the contract. LKE's proportionate share of OVEC's outstanding debt was $117 million at December 31, 2017, consisting of LG&E's share of $81 million and KU's share of $36 million. The maximum exposure and the expiration date of these potential obligations are not presently determinable. See "Energy Purchase Commitments" above for additional information on the OVEC power purchase contract. In connection with recent credit market related developments at OVEC or certain of its sponsors, such parties, including LG&E and KU, have allowed implementation of a limited, partial OVEC reserve fund for debt costs and are analyzing certain potential additional credit support actions to preserve OVEC's access to credit markets or mitigate risks or adverse impacts relating thereto, including increased interest costs and accelerated maturities of OVEC's existing short and long-term debt. The ultimate outcome of these matters, including any potential impact on LG&E's and KU's obligations relating to OVEC debt under the power purchase contract cannot be predicted.
The Registrants provide other miscellaneous guarantees through contracts entered into in the normal course of business. These guarantees are primarily in the form of indemnification or warranties related to services or equipment and vary in duration. The amounts of these guarantees often are not explicitly stated, and the overall maximum amount of the obligation under such guarantees cannot be reasonably estimated. Historically, no significant payments have been made with respect to these types of guarantees and the probability of payment/performance under these guarantees is remote. PPL, on behalf of itself and certain of its subsidiaries, maintains insurance that covers liability assumed under contract for bodily injury and property damage. The coverage provides maximum aggregate coverage of $225 million. This insurance may be applicable to obligations under certain of these contractual arrangements.

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