XML 30 R10.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.24.3

ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION | 9 Months Ended
--- | ---
Sep. 30, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION | ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms and abbreviations used herein have the meanings set forth in the accompanying Glossary of Terms. FE was incorporated under Ohio law in 1996. FE’s principal business is the holding, directly or indirectly, of all of the outstanding equity of its principal subsidiaries as of September 30, 2024: OE, CEI, TE, FE PA, JCP&L, FESC, MP, AGC (a wholly owned subsidiary of MP), PE and KATCo. Additionally, FET is a consolidated VIE of FE, and is the parent company of ATSI, MAIT, PATH and TrAIL. FE also holds all of the outstanding equity of other direct subsidiaries including FEV, which currently holds a 33-1/3% equity ownership in Global Holding, the holding company for a joint venture in the Signal Peak mining and coal transportation operations. On January 1, 2024, FirstEnergy consolidated the Pennsylvania Companies into FE PA, including OE subsidiary Penn, rendering FE PA a new, single operating entity and the successor-in-interest to all assets and liabilities of the Pennsylvania Companies. As of January 1, 2024, FE PA is FE’s only regulated distribution power company in Pennsylvania encompassing the operations previously conducted individually by the Pennsylvania Companies. FE PA serves an area with a population of approximately 4.5 million and operates under the rate districts of the former Pennsylvania Companies. FirstEnergy continues to evaluate the legal, financial, operational and branding benefits of consolidating the Ohio Companies into a single Ohio power company. Also on January 1, 2024, WP transferred certain of its Pennsylvania-based transmission assets to KATCo, and PN and ME contributed their respective Class B equity interests of MAIT to FE, which were ultimately contributed to FET in exchange for a special purpose membership interest in FET. So long as FE holds the FET special purpose membership interests, it will receive 100% of any Class B distributions made by MAIT. FESC provides legal, financial and other corporate support services at cost, in accordance with its cost allocation manual, to affiliated FirstEnergy companies. FE does not bill directly or allocate any of its costs to any subsidiary company. Costs are charged to FE's subsidiaries for services received from FESC either through direct billing or through an allocation process. Allocated costs are for services that are provided on behalf of more than one company and are allocated using formulas developed by FESC. Intercompany transactions are generally settled under commercial terms within thirty days. FE and its subsidiaries are principally involved in the transmission, distribution and generation of electricity. FirstEnergy’s electric operating companies comprise one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving over 6 million customers in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. FirstEnergy’s transmission operations include more than 24,000 miles of lines and two regional transmission operation centers. As of September 30, 2024, AGC and MP control 3,604 MWs of net maximum generation capacity. FE and its subsidiaries follow GAAP and comply with the related regulations, orders, policies and practices prescribed by the SEC, FERC, and, as applicable, the PUCO, the PPUC, the MDPSC, the NYPSC, the WVPSC, the VSCC and the NJBPU. The accompanying interim financial statements as of September 30, 2024, and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are unaudited, but reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the financial statements. The December 31, 2023 Consolidated Balance Sheets were derived from audited financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make periodic estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The reported results of operations are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for any future period. FE and its subsidiaries have evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued. These interim financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements and notes prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. FE and its subsidiaries consolidate all majority-owned subsidiaries over which they exercise control and, when applicable, entities for which they have a controlling financial interest. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation as appropriate and permitted pursuant to GAAP. FE and its subsidiaries consolidate a variable interest entity when it is determined that it is the primary beneficiary. Investments in affiliates over which FE and its subsidiaries have the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not have a controlling financial interest, follow the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the interest in the entity is reported as an investment in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the percentage of FE’s ownership share of the entity’s earnings is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. During the first quarter of 2024, FirstEnergy’s segment reporting structure was modified to increase transparency for leadership and investors, simplify the presentation to corresponding legal entities, and align FirstEnergy’s earnings, cash flows and balance sheets at the business unit level. The modification to the segments resulted in a reallocation of goodwill between the segments based on the relative fair value of the reporting units, as described further below. Disclosures for FirstEnergy's reportable operating segments for 2023 have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation reflecting the new reportable segments. In addition, on January 1, 2024, WP transferred certain of its Pennsylvania-based transmission assets to KATCo and for comparability, prior year results in the Stand-Alone Transmission segment reflect the earnings and results of those WP transmission assets. Economic Conditions Post-pandemic economic conditions have stabilized across numerous material categories, but lead times have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Several key suppliers have seen improvements with labor shortages and raw material availability and FirstEnergy continues to monitor the situation as capacity can be constrained with increased demand. Inflationary pressures have moderated, which has positively impacted the cost of materials, but certain categories have remained elevated. FirstEnergy continues to implement mitigation strategies to address supply constraints and does not expect service disruptions or any material impact on its capital investment plan. However, the situation remains fluid and a prolonged continuation or further increase in supply chain disruptions could have an adverse effect on FirstEnergy’s results of operations, cash flow and financial condition. FET Noncontrolling Interest FirstEnergy presents Brookfield’s ownership portion of FET’s net income and net assets as NCI. NCI is included as a component of equity on FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. On May 31, 2022, Brookfield acquired 19.9% of the issued and outstanding membership interests of FET. On February 2, 2023, FE, along with FET, entered into the FET P&SA II with Brookfield and the Brookfield Guarantors, pursuant to which FE agreed to sell to Brookfield at the closing, and Brookfield agreed to purchase from FE, an incremental 30% equity interest in FET for a purchase price of $3.5 billion. The FET Equity Interest Sale closed on March 25, 2024 and FET continues to be consolidated in FirstEnergy’s financial statements. The purchase price was paid in part by the issuance of two promissory notes at closing having an aggregate principal amount of $1.2 billion with: (i) one promissory note having an aggregate principal amount of $750 million, at an interest rate of 5.75% per annum, with a maturity date of September 25, 2025 and (ii) one promissory note having an aggregate principal amount of $450 million, at an interest rate of 7.75% per annum, with a maturity date of December 31, 2024. The remaining $2.3 billion of the purchase price was paid in cash at closing. On July 17, 2024, Brookfield paid FE approximately $1.2 billion in full satisfaction of the promissory notes. Interest income associated with the promissory notes was $24 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and is reported within “Miscellaneous income, net” on FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Statements of Income. As a result of the consummation of the transaction, Brookfield’s interest in FET increased from 19.9% to 49.9%, while FE retained the remaining 50.1% ownership interests of FET. The difference between the purchase price, net of transaction costs and deferred taxes of approximately $30 million and $797 million, respectively, and the carrying value of the NCI of $731 million, was recorded as an increase to OPIC by $1.9 billion during the first quarter of 2024. Pursuant to the terms of the FET P&SA II, in connection with the closing, Brookfield, FET and FE entered into the A&R FET LLC Agreement, which amended and restated in its entirety the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of FET. The A&R FET LLC Agreement, among other things, provides for the governance, exit, capital and distribution, and other arrangements for FET from and following the closing. Under the A&R FET LLC Agreement, as of the closing, the FET Board consists of five directors, two of whom are appointed by Brookfield and three of whom are appointed by FE. Capitalized Financing Costs For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, capitalized financing costs on FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Statements of Income include $16 million and $12 million, respectively, of allowance for equity funds used during construction and $19 million and $14 million, respectively, of capitalized interest. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, capitalized financing costs on FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Statements of Income include $42 million and $31 million, respectively, of allowance for equity funds used during construction and $52 million and $38 million, respectively, of capitalized interest. Discontinued Operations On February 27, 2020, the FES Debtors emerged from bankruptcy and were deconsolidated from FirstEnergy’s consolidated federal income tax group. The bankruptcy, emergence and deconsolidation resulted in FirstEnergy recognizing certain income tax benefits and charges, which were classified as discontinued operations. During the third quarter of 2023, FirstEnergy recognized a $21 million tax-effected charge to income tax expense related to the allocation of certain deferred income tax liabilities associated with the FES Debtors and their tax return deconsolidation in 2020. Discontinued operations are reflected at Corporate/Other for segment reporting and within “Discontinued Operations” on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income and “Loss on disposal, net of tax” on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow. Equity Method Investments Investments over which FE and its subsidiaries have the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not have a controlling financial interest, follow the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the interest in the entity is reported as an investment on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The percentage of FE's ownership share of the entity’s earnings is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income and reflected in “Other Income (Expense)”. Equity method investments, which are included within "Investments" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, were approximately $109 million and $104 million as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively. Global Holding - FEV currently holds a 33-1/3% equity ownership in Global Holding, the holding company for a joint venture in the Signal Peak mining and coal transportation operations with coal sales primarily focused on international markets. FEV is not the primary beneficiary of the joint venture, as it does not have control over the significant activities affecting the joint venture’s economic performance. FEV's ownership interest is subject to the equity method of accounting. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, pre-tax income related to FEV’s ownership in Global Holding was $21 million and $43 million, respectively, and $63 million and $132 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. FEV’s pre-tax equity earnings and investment in Global Holding are included in Corporate/Other for segment reporting. As of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the carrying value of the equity method investment was $69 million and $66 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, FEV received cash dividends from Global Holding of $60 million and $135 million, respectively, which were classified with “Cash from Operating Activities” on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. PATH WV - PATH, a proposed transmission line from West Virginia through Virginia into Maryland, which PJM cancelled in 2012, is a series limited liability company that is comprised of multiple series, each of which has separate rights, powers and duties regarding specified property and the series profits and losses associated with such property. A subsidiary of FE owns 100% of the Allegheny Series (PATH-Allegheny) and 50% of the West Virginia Series (PATH-WV), which is a joint venture with a subsidiary of AEP. FirstEnergy is not the primary beneficiary of PATH-WV, as it does not have control over the significant activities affecting the economics of PATH-WV. FirstEnergy's ownership interest in PATH-WV is subject to the equity method of accounting. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying value of the equity method investment was $17 million. Facility Optimization FirstEnergy continues implementing its facility optimization plans, which are focused on cost savings and alignment with our flexible working arrangements and EESG priorities. This will result in exiting the general office in Akron, Ohio, and other corporate facilities in Brecksville, Ohio, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and Morristown, New Jersey. In December 2023, FirstEnergy purchased the general office building with the intention to sell in the future. During the third quarter of 2024, the Akron general office building was classified as held-for-sale. Upon classification as held-for-sale, FirstEnergy recognized a $62 million pre-tax impairment charge within “Other operating expenses” on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Of the $62 million, $17 million is included with Integrated, $31 million is included within Distribution, $11 million is included within Stand-Alone Transmission and $3 million at Corporate/Other for segment reporting. The remaining carrying value of the held-for-sale asset is immaterial, and therefore has not been presented separately on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The corporate headquarters will remain in Akron, Ohio, moving to FirstEnergy’s campus located in west Akron, Ohio, and FirstEnergy continues to explore real estate options and relocation opportunities for the other corporate facilities. As FirstEnergy continues to transform the business and implement initiatives to reduce costs, including the facility optimization plan, the impact of such actions may result in future impairments or other charges that may be significant. The aim of these combined efforts will be to help build a stronger, more sustainable company for the near and long term. Goodwill In accordance with GAAP, the modification to the segments in the first quarter of 2024 resulted in a transfer of goodwill between the segments based on the relative fair value of the reporting units, and as such, the segment goodwill balances do not necessarily represent the goodwill balances of the specific legal entities within the segments. The external segment reporting is consistent with the internal financial reports used by FirstEnergy's Chief Executive Officer (its CODM) to regularly assess performance of the business and allocate resources. The fair values of the reporting units were calculated using a discounted cash flow analysis. Key assumptions incorporated in the discounted cash flow analysis included discount rates, growth rates, projected operating income, changes in working capital, projected capital investments, and terminal multiples. The discounted cash flow analysis was also utilized to complete an impairment assessment before and after the segment change, with no impairment of goodwill indicated. FirstEnergy evaluates goodwill for impairment annually on July 31 and more frequently if indicators of impairment arise. For 2024, FirstEnergy performed a qualitative assessment of its reporting units' goodwill, assessing economic, industry and market considerations in addition to the reporting units' overall financial performance. Key factors used in the assessment included: growth rates, interest rates, expected capital expenditures, utility sector market performance, regulatory and legal developments, and other market considerations. It was determined that the fair values of these reporting units were, more likely than not, greater than their carrying values and a quantitative analysis was not necessary. FirstEnergy's reporting units are consistent with its reportable segments and consist of Distribution, Integrated and Stand-Alone Transmission. The following table presents goodwill by reporting unit as of September 30, 2024:
(In millions) |  | Distribution Segment |  | Integrated Segment |  | Stand-Alone Transmission Segment | FirstEnergy Consolidated
Goodwill |  | $ | 3,222 |  |  | $ | 1,953 |  |  | $ | 443 |  | $ | 5,618 |
New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Issued Pronouncements - The following new authoritative accounting guidance issued by the FASB has not yet been adopted. Unless otherwise indicated, FirstEnergy is currently assessing the impact such guidance may have on its financial statements and disclosures, as well as the potential to early adopt where applicable. FirstEnergy has assessed other FASB issuances of new standards not described below based upon the current expectation that such new standards will not significantly impact FirstEnergy's financial reporting. ASU 2023-07, "Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures " (Issued in November 2023): ASU 2023-07 enhances interim disclosure requirements, clarifies circumstances in which an entity can disclose multiple segment measures of profit or loss, provides new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment, and contain other disclosure requirements. Disclosure requirements within ASU 2023-07 include disclosing significant segment expenses by reportable segment if they are regularly provided to the CODM and included in each reported measure of segment profit or loss. A public entity is also required to disclose the title and position of the individual(s) identified as the CODM as well as an explanation of how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. Disclosures are required on both an annual and an interim basis. For FirstEnergy, the guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2023-09, "Income taxes (Topic 280): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures " (Issued in December 2023): ASU 2023-09 enhances disclosures primarily related to existing rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information to help investors better assess how a company’s operations and related tax risks and tax planning and operational opportunities affect the tax rate and prospects for future cash flows. Disclosure requirements include a tabular reconciliation using both percentages and amounts, separated out into specific categories with certain reconciling items at or above 5% of the statutory tax as well as by nature and/or jurisdiction. In addition, entities will be required to disclose income taxes paid (net of refunds received), broken out between federal, state/local and foreign, and amounts paid to an individual jurisdiction when 5% or more of the total income taxes are paid to such jurisdiction. For FirstEnergy, the guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments within ASU 2023-09 are to be applied on a prospective basis, with retrospective application permitted. Recently Adopted Pronouncements - ASU 2022-03, "Fair Value Measurements of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions " (Issued in June 2022): ASU 2022-03 clarifies current guidance in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, when measuring the fair value of an equity security subject to contractual restrictions that prohibit the sale of an equity security, and introduces new disclosure requirements for those equity securities subject to contractual restrictions. FirstEnergy adopted ASU 2022-03 on January 1, 2024 with no material impact to its financial statements.

X
- Definition The entire disclosure for the basis of presentation and significant accounting policies concepts. Basis of presentation describes the underlying basis used to prepare the financial statements (for example, US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting, IFRS). Accounting policies describe all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Topic 235 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/235/tableOfContent + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration