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Variable Interests and Variable Interest Entities
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6 Months Ended | ||
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Jun. 30, 2011
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| Variable Interests and Variable Interest Entities | |||
| Variable Interests and Variable Interest Entities |
In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to amend the manner in which entities evaluate whether consolidation is required for VIEs. NiSource adopted the guidance on January 1, 2010. In general, a VIE is an entity which (1) has an insufficient amount of at-risk equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional financial subordinated support provided by any parties, (2) whose at-risk equity owners, as a group, do not have power, through voting rights or similar rights, to direct activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance or (3) whose at-risk owners do not absorb the entity's losses or receive the entity's residual return. A VIE is required to be consolidated by a company if that company is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. NiSource consolidates those VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary. Prior to the adoption of the new FASB guidance on consolidation of variable interest entities, the prevalent method for determining the primary beneficiary was through a quantitative method. With the adoption of the guidance, NiSource also considers qualitative elements in determining the primary beneficiary. These qualitative measures include the ability to control an entity and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits. NiSource's analysis under this standard includes an assessment of guarantees, operating leases, purchase agreements, and other contracts, as well as its investments and joint ventures. For items that have been identified as variable interests, or where there is involvement with an identified variable interest entity, an in-depth review of the relationship between the relevant entities and NiSource is made to evaluate qualitative and quantitative factors to determine the primary beneficiary, if any, and whether additional disclosures would be required under the current standard. At June 30, 2011, consistent with prior periods, NiSource consolidated its low income housing real estate investments from which NiSource derives certain tax benefits. Based on the newly adopted guidance on the consolidation of variable interest entities, these investments met the definition of a VIE. As of June 30, 2011, NiSource is a 99% limited partner with a net investment of approximately $1.2 million. Consistent with prior periods, NiSource evaluated the nature and intent of the low income housing investments when determining the primary beneficiary. NiSource concluded that it continues to be the primary beneficiary. Subject to certain conditions precedent, NiSource has the contractual right to take control of the low income housing properties. At June 30, 2011, gross assets of the low income housing real estate investments in continuing operations were $28.9 million. Current and non-current assets were $1.2 million and $27.7 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2011, NiSource recorded long-term debt of approximately $11.3 million as a result of consolidating these investments. However, this debt is nonrecourse to NiSource and NiSource's direct and indirect subsidiaries. Approximately $0.7 million of the assets are restricted to settle the obligations of the entity. Northern Indiana has a service agreement with Pure Air, a general partnership between Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and First Air Partners LP, under which Pure Air provides scrubber services to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions for Units 7 and 8 at the Bailly Generating Station. Services under this contract commenced on July 1, 1992, and Northern Indiana pays for the services under a combination of fixed and variable charges. The agreement provides that, assuming various performance standards are met by Pure Air, a termination payment would be due if Northern Indiana terminated the agreement prior to the end of the twenty-year contract period. NiSource has made an exhaustive effort to obtain information needed from Pure Air to determine the status of Pure Air as a VIE. However, Northern Indiana had not been able to obtain this information and as a result, it is unclear whether Pure Air is a VIE and if Northern Indiana is the primary beneficiary. Northern Indiana will continue to request the information required to determine whether Pure Air is a VIE. Northern Indiana has no exposure to loss related to the service agreement with Pure Air. |