Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block]

NiSource is currently evaluating the impact of certain ASUs on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) or Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited), which are described below:



Standard	Description	Effective Date	Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters
ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost	The pronouncement changes how defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans present net periodic benefit cost. The service cost component of net periodic benefit cost will be included with other employee compensation costs whereas other components of the net periodic benefit cost will be disclosed separately outside of income from operations in the income statement. Additionally, only the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost will be eligible for capitalization.	Annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted.	NiSource is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) and Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).



Standard	Description	Effective Date	Effect on the financial statements or other significant matters
ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients	The pronouncement clarifies implementation guidance in ASU 2014-09 on assessing collectability, noncash consideration and the presentation of sales and other similar taxes collected from customers.	Annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted for annual or interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016.	NiSource has formed an internal stakeholder group to promote information sharing and communication of the new requirements. Additionally, NiSource participates in an informal forum of industry peers where questions can be asked and interpretations of the new standard can be shared. Recently, involvement in this group has resulted in additional clarity on industry-specific issues such as treatment of CIAC, scoping of tariff arrangements and presentation of alternative revenue programs. This clarity will help to further NiSource's adoption efforts. NiSource has separated its various revenue streams into high-level categories, which serve as the basis for accounting analysis and documentation as it relates to the pronouncement's impact on NiSource's revenues. Substantially all of NiSource’s revenues are tariff based, which NiSource concluded will be in scope of ASC 606. NiSource has also undertaken efforts to outline mock footnote disclosures intended to satisfy ASC 606's disclosure requirements. NiSource expects to adopt this ASU effective January 1, 2018. As of March 31, 2017, NiSource has not concluded on a method of adoption.
ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations	The pronouncement clarifies the principal versus agent guidance in ASU 2014-09. The amendment clarifies how an entity should identify the unit of accounting for the principal versus agent evaluation, and how it should apply the control principle to certain types of arrangements.
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)	The pronouncement outlines a single, comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of the new standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)	The pronouncement introduces a lessee model that brings most leases on the balance sheet. The standard requires that lessees recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases, as that term is defined in the standard) at the lease commencement date: (1) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.	Annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted.	NiSource has formed an internal stakeholder group that meets periodically to share information and gather data related to leasing activity at NiSource. This includes compiling a list of all contracts that could meet the definition of a lease under the new standard and evaluating the accounting for these contracts under the new standard to determine the ultimate impact the new standard will have on NiSource’s financial statements. Also this procedure has identified process improvements to ensure data from newly initiated leases is captured to comply with the new standard. This work included the assistance of a third-party advisory firm. As of March 31, 2017, no conclusion has been reached as to when NiSource will adopt this standard.

Schedule of Prospective Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements



Standard	Adoption
ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment	NiSource elected to adopt this ASU effective January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) or Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting	NiSource elected to adopt this pronouncement during the third quarter of 2016. Upon adoption, NiSource elected to begin accounting for forfeitures of share-based awards as they occur. The impact of this change was not material. Additionally, NiSource recorded a $25.3 million credit to beginning retained deficit. This adjustment represents excess tax benefits generated in years prior to 2016 that were previously not recognized in stockholders' equity due to NOLs in those years. Both of these adjustments were adopted on a modified retrospective basis. Lastly, NiSource recorded income tax benefits of $7.2 million related to excess tax benefits generated in 2016. This provision was adopted on a prospective basis. However, because NiSource adopted the standard during an interim period, the standard required this $7.2 million benefit be reflected as though it was adopted as of January 1, 2016. Quarter-to-date March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016 earnings per share from continuing operations increased by $0.02 and $0.00, respectively, as a result of the adoption. For additional information, see Note 2, "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" in NiSource's 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016.