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Commitments And Contingencies
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(a) Capital Purchase Obligations - Various capital purchase obligations contain minimum future commitments related to capital expenditures for certain emission controls and generation performance improvement projects. These projects include the installation of scrubbers and baghouses to reduce SO2 and mercury emissions, and generation performance improvements, at IPL’s Ottumwa Unit 1. At March 31, 2014, Alliant Energy’s and IPL’s minimum future commitments related to these projects were $35 million.

(b) Operating Expense Purchase Obligations - Various commodity supply, transportation and storage contracts meet obligations to provide electricity and natural gas to utility customers. Other operating expense purchase obligations with various vendors provide other goods and services. At March 31, 2014, minimum future commitments related to these operating expense purchase obligations were as follows (in millions):
 
Alliant Energy
 
IPL
 
WPL
Purchased power (a):
 
 
 
 
 
DAEC (IPL)

$1,619

 

$1,619

 

$—

Other
247

 
1

 
246

 
1,866

 
1,620

 
246

Natural gas
276

 
146

 
130

Coal (b)
309

 
134

 
175

SO2 emission allowances
34

 
34

 
—

Other (c)
33

 
21

 
9

 

$2,518

 

$1,955

 

$560


(a)
Includes payments required by PPAs for capacity rights and minimum quantities of MWhs required to be purchased.
(b)
Corporate Services entered into system-wide coal contracts on behalf of IPL and WPL that include minimum future commitments. These commitments were assigned to IPL and WPL based on information available as of March 31, 2014 regarding expected future usage, which is subject to change.
(c)
Includes individual commitments incurred during the normal course of business that exceeded $1 million at March 31, 2014.

(c) Legal Proceedings -
Flood Damage Claims - In June 2013, several plaintiffs purporting to represent a class of residential and commercial property owners filed a complaint against CRANDIC, Alliant Energy and various other defendants in the Iowa District Court for Linn County. Plaintiffs assert claims of negligence and strict liability based on their allegations that CRANDIC (along with other defendants) caused or exacerbated flooding of the Cedar River in June 2008. In July 2013, the case was removed from state court to federal court based on federal jurisdiction. In September 2013, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa dismissed the Plaintiffs’ claims and transferred the case for resolution to the Surface Transportation Board, the administrative agency that oversees the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act. In October 2013, the Plaintiffs appealed the federal court’s dismissal of the case to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Alliant Energy and CRANDIC believe the case is without merit and will continue to vigorously contest the case. As a result, Alliant Energy does not currently believe any material losses from these claims are both probable and reasonably estimated, and therefore, has not recognized any material loss contingency amounts for this complaint as of March 31, 2014. Due to the early stages of the claim and the lack of specific damages identified, Alliant Energy is currently unable to provide an estimate of potential loss or range of potential loss.

Smart Meters Patents - In 2011, a lawsuit was filed against WPL in the Court by TransData, a company that is claiming it has valid patents covering wireless smart electric meter technology. TransData alleges in the lawsuit that WPL used meters that contain technology that allegedly infringe on patents owned by TransData. In 2012, the lawsuit was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, whereby the lawsuit was consolidated with lawsuits TransData previously filed against various other utility companies. The smart meters in question were purchased by WPL from a third-party vendor. The third-party vendor had agreed to indemnify WPL for any judgment that could have resulted from the litigation. In April 2014, the third-party vendor entered into a settlement agreement with TransData under which WPL and its affiliates are granted a full license to use the subject wireless smart electric meter technology and this settlement is expected to resolve all issues that are subject of the litigation.

(d) Guarantees and Indemnifications -
RMT - In 2013, Alliant Energy sold RMT. RMT provided renewable energy services including construction and high voltage connection services for wind and solar projects. As part of the sale, Alliant Energy provided indemnifications to the buyer of RMT for losses resulting from potential breach of the representations and warranties made by Alliant Energy as of the sale date and for the potential breach of its obligations under the sale agreement. These indemnifications are limited to $3 million and expire in July 2014.

In addition, Alliant Energy, as part of the sale, indemnified the buyer for any claims, including claims of warranty under the project obligations that were commenced or are based on actions that occurred prior to the sale, except for liabilities already accounted for through adjustments to the purchase price. The indemnification obligations either cease to exist when the statute of limitation for such claims is met or, in the case of RMT’s projects, when the warranty period under the agreements expires. The warranty periods for RMT’s projects generally range from 12 to 60 months with the latest expiring in 2016.

Alliant Energy also continues to guarantee RMT’s performance obligations related to certain of RMT’s projects that were commenced prior to Alliant Energy’s sale of RMT. As of March 31, 2014, Alliant Energy had $347 million of performance guarantees outstanding, with $246 million, $53 million and $48 million currently expected to expire in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The expiration of these performance guarantees may be extended depending on when all valid warranty claims are resolved for the respective projects.

Although Alliant Energy has received warranty claims related to certain of these projects, it does not currently believe that material losses are both probable and reasonably estimated, and therefore, has not recognized any material liabilities related to these matters as of March 31, 2014. Due to the early stages of the warranty claims, Alliant Energy is currently unable to provide an estimate of potential loss or range of potential loss. Refer to Note 16 for further discussion of RMT.

Whiting Petroleum - In 2004, Alliant Energy sold its remaining interest in Whiting Petroleum. Whiting Petroleum is an independent oil and gas company. Alliant Energy continues to guarantee the obligations related to the abandonment of certain platforms off the coast of California and related onshore plant and equipment that were owned by Whiting Petroleum prior to Alliant Energy’s sale of Whiting Petroleum. The guarantee does not include a maximum limit. As of March 31, 2014, the present value of the abandonment obligations is estimated at $32 million. Alliant Energy believes that no payments will be made under this guarantee. Alliant Energy has not recognized any material liabilities related to this guarantee as of March 31, 2014.

(e) Environmental Matters -
MGP Sites - IPL and WPL have current or previous ownership interests in various sites that are previously associated with the production of gas for which IPL and WPL have, or may have in the future, liability for investigation, remediation and monitoring costs. IPL and WPL are working pursuant to the requirements of various federal and state agencies to investigate, mitigate, prevent and remediate, where necessary, the environmental impacts to property, including natural resources, at and around these former MGP sites in order to protect public health and the environment. IPL and WPL are currently monitoring and/or remediating 27 and 5 sites, respectively.

Alliant Energy, IPL and WPL record environmental liabilities related to these MGP sites based upon periodic studies. Such amounts are based on the best current estimate of the remaining amount to be incurred for investigation, remediation and monitoring costs for those sites where the investigation process has been or is substantially completed, and the minimum of the estimated cost range for those sites where the investigation is in its earlier stages. There are inherent uncertainties associated with the estimated remaining costs for MGP projects primarily due to unknown site conditions and potential changes in regulatory agency requirements. It is possible that future cost estimates will be greater than current estimates as the investigation process proceeds and as additional facts become known. The amounts recognized as liabilities are reduced for expenditures incurred and are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change. Costs of future expenditures for environmental remediation obligations are not discounted. At March 31, 2014, estimated future costs expected to be incurred for the investigation, remediation and monitoring of the MGP sites, as well as environmental liabilities recorded on the balance sheets for these sites, were as follows (in millions):
 
Alliant Energy
 
IPL
 
WPL
Range of estimated future costs

$14

-
$33
 

$13

-
$31
 

$1

-
$2
Current and non-current environmental liabilities
21
 
19
 
2


WPL Consent Decree - In 2009, the EPA sent a notice of violation to WPL as an owner and the operator of Edgewater, Nelson Dewey and Columbia alleging that the owners of such EGUs failed to comply with appropriate pre-construction review and permitting requirements and as a result violated the PSD program requirements, Title V Operating Permit requirements of the CAA and the Wisconsin SIP. In 2010, the Sierra Club filed complaints against WPL, as owner and operator of Nelson Dewey and Columbia, and separately as owner and operator of Edgewater, based on allegations that modifications were made at the facilities without complying with the PSD program requirements, Title V Operating Permit requirements of the CAA and state regulatory counterparts contained within the Wisconsin SIP designed to implement the CAA.

In April 2013, WPL, along with the other owners of Edgewater and Columbia, entered into a Consent Decree with the EPA and the Sierra Club to resolve the claims relating to Edgewater, Columbia and Nelson Dewey, while admitting no liability. In June 2013, the Consent Decree was approved by the Court, thereby resolving all claims against WPL. Under the Consent Decree, WPL is required to install the following emission controls systems:

•
SCR system at Edgewater Unit 5 by May 1, 2013 (placed in service in 2012);
•
Scrubbers and baghouses at Columbia Units 1 and 2 by December 31, 2014 (Columbia Unit 2 scrubber and baghouse were placed in service in April 2014);
•
Scrubber and baghouse at Edgewater Unit 5 by December 31, 2016; and
•
SCR system at Columbia Unit 2 by December 31, 2018.

WPL is also required to fuel switch or retire Nelson Dewey Units 1 and 2 and Edgewater Unit 3 by December 31, 2015, and Edgewater Unit 4 by December 31, 2018. In addition, the Consent Decree establishes emission rate limits for SO2, NOx and particulate matter for Columbia Units 1 and 2, Nelson Dewey Units 1 and 2 and Edgewater Units 4 and 5. The Consent Decree also includes annual plant-wide emission caps for SO2 and NOx for Columbia, Edgewater and Nelson Dewey. In addition, WPL will complete approximately $7 million in environmental mitigation projects.

Final recovery of the costs expected to be incurred related to the Consent Decree will be decided by the PSCW in future rate cases or other proceedings. Alliant Energy and WPL currently expect to recover any material costs incurred by WPL related to compliance with the terms of the Consent Decree from WPL’s electric customers, except for costs related to certain of the environmental mitigation projects.

Other Environmental Contingencies - In addition to the environmental liabilities discussed above, various environmental regulations are being monitored that may have a significant impact on future operations. Several of these environmental regulations are subject to legal challenges, reconsideration and/or other uncertainties. Given uncertainties regarding the outcome, timing and compliance plans for these environmental matters, the complete financial impact of these regulations are not able to be determined; however future capital investments and/or modifications to EGUs to comply with these regulations could be significant. Specific current, proposed or potential environmental matters that may require significant future expenditures include, among others: Clean Air Interstate Rule, Clean Air Visibility Rule, Mercury and Air Toxic Standard Rule, Wisconsin State Mercury Rule, Industrial Boiler and Process Heater Maximum Achievable Control Technology Rule, Ozone NAAQS Rule, Fine Particulate Matter NAAQS Rule, Federal Clean Water Act including Section 316(b), Hydroelectric Fish Passage Device, Effluent Limitation Guidelines, Coal Combustion Residuals, and various legislation and EPA regulations to monitor and regulate the emission of GHG, including New Source Performance Standards for GHG Emissions from Electric Utilities.

(f) Collective Bargaining Agreements - At March 31, 2014, employees covered by collective bargaining agreements represented 57%, 66% and 80% of Alliant Energy’s, IPL’s and WPL’s total employees, respectively. In May 2014, WPL’s collective bargaining agreement with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 965 expires, representing 26% and 80% of Alliant Energy’s and WPL’s total employees, respectively.
IPL [Member]
  
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(a) Capital Purchase Obligations - Various capital purchase obligations contain minimum future commitments related to capital expenditures for certain emission controls and generation performance improvement projects. These projects include the installation of scrubbers and baghouses to reduce SO2 and mercury emissions, and generation performance improvements, at IPL’s Ottumwa Unit 1. At March 31, 2014, Alliant Energy’s and IPL’s minimum future commitments related to these projects were $35 million.

(b) Operating Expense Purchase Obligations - Various commodity supply, transportation and storage contracts meet obligations to provide electricity and natural gas to utility customers. Other operating expense purchase obligations with various vendors provide other goods and services. At March 31, 2014, minimum future commitments related to these operating expense purchase obligations were as follows (in millions):
 
Alliant Energy
 
IPL
 
WPL
Purchased power (a):
 
 
 
 
 
DAEC (IPL)

$1,619

 

$1,619

 

$—

Other
247

 
1

 
246

 
1,866

 
1,620

 
246

Natural gas
276

 
146

 
130

Coal (b)
309

 
134

 
175

SO2 emission allowances
34

 
34

 
—

Other (c)
33

 
21

 
9

 

$2,518

 

$1,955

 

$560


(a)
Includes payments required by PPAs for capacity rights and minimum quantities of MWhs required to be purchased.
(b)
Corporate Services entered into system-wide coal contracts on behalf of IPL and WPL that include minimum future commitments. These commitments were assigned to IPL and WPL based on information available as of March 31, 2014 regarding expected future usage, which is subject to change.
(c)
Includes individual commitments incurred during the normal course of business that exceeded $1 million at March 31, 2014.

(c) Legal Proceedings -
Flood Damage Claims - In June 2013, several plaintiffs purporting to represent a class of residential and commercial property owners filed a complaint against CRANDIC, Alliant Energy and various other defendants in the Iowa District Court for Linn County. Plaintiffs assert claims of negligence and strict liability based on their allegations that CRANDIC (along with other defendants) caused or exacerbated flooding of the Cedar River in June 2008. In July 2013, the case was removed from state court to federal court based on federal jurisdiction. In September 2013, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa dismissed the Plaintiffs’ claims and transferred the case for resolution to the Surface Transportation Board, the administrative agency that oversees the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act. In October 2013, the Plaintiffs appealed the federal court’s dismissal of the case to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Alliant Energy and CRANDIC believe the case is without merit and will continue to vigorously contest the case. As a result, Alliant Energy does not currently believe any material losses from these claims are both probable and reasonably estimated, and therefore, has not recognized any material loss contingency amounts for this complaint as of March 31, 2014. Due to the early stages of the claim and the lack of specific damages identified, Alliant Energy is currently unable to provide an estimate of potential loss or range of potential loss.

Smart Meters Patents - In 2011, a lawsuit was filed against WPL in the Court by TransData, a company that is claiming it has valid patents covering wireless smart electric meter technology. TransData alleges in the lawsuit that WPL used meters that contain technology that allegedly infringe on patents owned by TransData. In 2012, the lawsuit was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, whereby the lawsuit was consolidated with lawsuits TransData previously filed against various other utility companies. The smart meters in question were purchased by WPL from a third-party vendor. The third-party vendor had agreed to indemnify WPL for any judgment that could have resulted from the litigation. In April 2014, the third-party vendor entered into a settlement agreement with TransData under which WPL and its affiliates are granted a full license to use the subject wireless smart electric meter technology and this settlement is expected to resolve all issues that are subject of the litigation.

(d) Guarantees and Indemnifications -
RMT - In 2013, Alliant Energy sold RMT. RMT provided renewable energy services including construction and high voltage connection services for wind and solar projects. As part of the sale, Alliant Energy provided indemnifications to the buyer of RMT for losses resulting from potential breach of the representations and warranties made by Alliant Energy as of the sale date and for the potential breach of its obligations under the sale agreement. These indemnifications are limited to $3 million and expire in July 2014.

In addition, Alliant Energy, as part of the sale, indemnified the buyer for any claims, including claims of warranty under the project obligations that were commenced or are based on actions that occurred prior to the sale, except for liabilities already accounted for through adjustments to the purchase price. The indemnification obligations either cease to exist when the statute of limitation for such claims is met or, in the case of RMT’s projects, when the warranty period under the agreements expires. The warranty periods for RMT’s projects generally range from 12 to 60 months with the latest expiring in 2016.

Alliant Energy also continues to guarantee RMT’s performance obligations related to certain of RMT’s projects that were commenced prior to Alliant Energy’s sale of RMT. As of March 31, 2014, Alliant Energy had $347 million of performance guarantees outstanding, with $246 million, $53 million and $48 million currently expected to expire in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The expiration of these performance guarantees may be extended depending on when all valid warranty claims are resolved for the respective projects.

Although Alliant Energy has received warranty claims related to certain of these projects, it does not currently believe that material losses are both probable and reasonably estimated, and therefore, has not recognized any material liabilities related to these matters as of March 31, 2014. Due to the early stages of the warranty claims, Alliant Energy is currently unable to provide an estimate of potential loss or range of potential loss. Refer to Note 16 for further discussion of RMT.

Whiting Petroleum - In 2004, Alliant Energy sold its remaining interest in Whiting Petroleum. Whiting Petroleum is an independent oil and gas company. Alliant Energy continues to guarantee the obligations related to the abandonment of certain platforms off the coast of California and related onshore plant and equipment that were owned by Whiting Petroleum prior to Alliant Energy’s sale of Whiting Petroleum. The guarantee does not include a maximum limit. As of March 31, 2014, the present value of the abandonment obligations is estimated at $32 million. Alliant Energy believes that no payments will be made under this guarantee. Alliant Energy has not recognized any material liabilities related to this guarantee as of March 31, 2014.

(e) Environmental Matters -
MGP Sites - IPL and WPL have current or previous ownership interests in various sites that are previously associated with the production of gas for which IPL and WPL have, or may have in the future, liability for investigation, remediation and monitoring costs. IPL and WPL are working pursuant to the requirements of various federal and state agencies to investigate, mitigate, prevent and remediate, where necessary, the environmental impacts to property, including natural resources, at and around these former MGP sites in order to protect public health and the environment. IPL and WPL are currently monitoring and/or remediating 27 and 5 sites, respectively.

Alliant Energy, IPL and WPL record environmental liabilities related to these MGP sites based upon periodic studies. Such amounts are based on the best current estimate of the remaining amount to be incurred for investigation, remediation and monitoring costs for those sites where the investigation process has been or is substantially completed, and the minimum of the estimated cost range for those sites where the investigation is in its earlier stages. There are inherent uncertainties associated with the estimated remaining costs for MGP projects primarily due to unknown site conditions and potential changes in regulatory agency requirements. It is possible that future cost estimates will be greater than current estimates as the investigation process proceeds and as additional facts become known. The amounts recognized as liabilities are reduced for expenditures incurred and are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change. Costs of future expenditures for environmental remediation obligations are not discounted. At March 31, 2014, estimated future costs expected to be incurred for the investigation, remediation and monitoring of the MGP sites, as well as environmental liabilities recorded on the balance sheets for these sites, were as follows (in millions):
 
Alliant Energy
 
IPL
 
WPL
Range of estimated future costs

$14

-
$33
 

$13

-
$31
 

$1

-
$2
Current and non-current environmental liabilities
21
 
19
 
2


WPL Consent Decree - In 2009, the EPA sent a notice of violation to WPL as an owner and the operator of Edgewater, Nelson Dewey and Columbia alleging that the owners of such EGUs failed to comply with appropriate pre-construction review and permitting requirements and as a result violated the PSD program requirements, Title V Operating Permit requirements of the CAA and the Wisconsin SIP. In 2010, the Sierra Club filed complaints against WPL, as owner and operator of Nelson Dewey and Columbia, and separately as owner and operator of Edgewater, based on allegations that modifications were made at the facilities without complying with the PSD program requirements, Title V Operating Permit requirements of the CAA and state regulatory counterparts contained within the Wisconsin SIP designed to implement the CAA.

In April 2013, WPL, along with the other owners of Edgewater and Columbia, entered into a Consent Decree with the EPA and the Sierra Club to resolve the claims relating to Edgewater, Columbia and Nelson Dewey, while admitting no liability. In June 2013, the Consent Decree was approved by the Court, thereby resolving all claims against WPL. Under the Consent Decree, WPL is required to install the following emission controls systems:

•
SCR system at Edgewater Unit 5 by May 1, 2013 (placed in service in 2012);
•
Scrubbers and baghouses at Columbia Units 1 and 2 by December 31, 2014 (Columbia Unit 2 scrubber and baghouse were placed in service in April 2014);
•
Scrubber and baghouse at Edgewater Unit 5 by December 31, 2016; and
•
SCR system at Columbia Unit 2 by December 31, 2018.

WPL is also required to fuel switch or retire Nelson Dewey Units 1 and 2 and Edgewater Unit 3 by December 31, 2015, and Edgewater Unit 4 by December 31, 2018. In addition, the Consent Decree establishes emission rate limits for SO2, NOx and particulate matter for Columbia Units 1 and 2, Nelson Dewey Units 1 and 2 and Edgewater Units 4 and 5. The Consent Decree also includes annual plant-wide emission caps for SO2 and NOx for Columbia, Edgewater and Nelson Dewey. In addition, WPL will complete approximately $7 million in environmental mitigation projects.

Final recovery of the costs expected to be incurred related to the Consent Decree will be decided by the PSCW in future rate cases or other proceedings. Alliant Energy and WPL currently expect to recover any material costs incurred by WPL related to compliance with the terms of the Consent Decree from WPL’s electric customers, except for costs related to certain of the environmental mitigation projects.

Other Environmental Contingencies - In addition to the environmental liabilities discussed above, various environmental regulations are being monitored that may have a significant impact on future operations. Several of these environmental regulations are subject to legal challenges, reconsideration and/or other uncertainties. Given uncertainties regarding the outcome, timing and compliance plans for these environmental matters, the complete financial impact of these regulations are not able to be determined; however future capital investments and/or modifications to EGUs to comply with these regulations could be significant. Specific current, proposed or potential environmental matters that may require significant future expenditures include, among others: Clean Air Interstate Rule, Clean Air Visibility Rule, Mercury and Air Toxic Standard Rule, Wisconsin State Mercury Rule, Industrial Boiler and Process Heater Maximum Achievable Control Technology Rule, Ozone NAAQS Rule, Fine Particulate Matter NAAQS Rule, Federal Clean Water Act including Section 316(b), Hydroelectric Fish Passage Device, Effluent Limitation Guidelines, Coal Combustion Residuals, and various legislation and EPA regulations to monitor and regulate the emission of GHG, including New Source Performance Standards for GHG Emissions from Electric Utilities.

(f) Collective Bargaining Agreements - At March 31, 2014, employees covered by collective bargaining agreements represented 57%, 66% and 80% of Alliant Energy’s, IPL’s and WPL’s total employees, respectively. In May 2014, WPL’s collective bargaining agreement with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 965 expires, representing 26% and 80% of Alliant Energy’s and WPL’s total employees, respectively.
WPL [Member]
  
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(a) Capital Purchase Obligations - Various capital purchase obligations contain minimum future commitments related to capital expenditures for certain emission controls and generation performance improvement projects. These projects include the installation of scrubbers and baghouses to reduce SO2 and mercury emissions, and generation performance improvements, at IPL’s Ottumwa Unit 1. At March 31, 2014, Alliant Energy’s and IPL’s minimum future commitments related to these projects were $35 million.

(b) Operating Expense Purchase Obligations - Various commodity supply, transportation and storage contracts meet obligations to provide electricity and natural gas to utility customers. Other operating expense purchase obligations with various vendors provide other goods and services. At March 31, 2014, minimum future commitments related to these operating expense purchase obligations were as follows (in millions):
 
Alliant Energy
 
IPL
 
WPL
Purchased power (a):
 
 
 
 
 
DAEC (IPL)

$1,619

 

$1,619

 

$—

Other
247

 
1

 
246

 
1,866

 
1,620

 
246

Natural gas
276

 
146

 
130

Coal (b)
309

 
134

 
175

SO2 emission allowances
34

 
34

 
—

Other (c)
33

 
21

 
9

 

$2,518

 

$1,955

 

$560


(a)
Includes payments required by PPAs for capacity rights and minimum quantities of MWhs required to be purchased.
(b)
Corporate Services entered into system-wide coal contracts on behalf of IPL and WPL that include minimum future commitments. These commitments were assigned to IPL and WPL based on information available as of March 31, 2014 regarding expected future usage, which is subject to change.
(c)
Includes individual commitments incurred during the normal course of business that exceeded $1 million at March 31, 2014.

(c) Legal Proceedings -
Flood Damage Claims - In June 2013, several plaintiffs purporting to represent a class of residential and commercial property owners filed a complaint against CRANDIC, Alliant Energy and various other defendants in the Iowa District Court for Linn County. Plaintiffs assert claims of negligence and strict liability based on their allegations that CRANDIC (along with other defendants) caused or exacerbated flooding of the Cedar River in June 2008. In July 2013, the case was removed from state court to federal court based on federal jurisdiction. In September 2013, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa dismissed the Plaintiffs’ claims and transferred the case for resolution to the Surface Transportation Board, the administrative agency that oversees the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act. In October 2013, the Plaintiffs appealed the federal court’s dismissal of the case to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Alliant Energy and CRANDIC believe the case is without merit and will continue to vigorously contest the case. As a result, Alliant Energy does not currently believe any material losses from these claims are both probable and reasonably estimated, and therefore, has not recognized any material loss contingency amounts for this complaint as of March 31, 2014. Due to the early stages of the claim and the lack of specific damages identified, Alliant Energy is currently unable to provide an estimate of potential loss or range of potential loss.

Smart Meters Patents - In 2011, a lawsuit was filed against WPL in the Court by TransData, a company that is claiming it has valid patents covering wireless smart electric meter technology. TransData alleges in the lawsuit that WPL used meters that contain technology that allegedly infringe on patents owned by TransData. In 2012, the lawsuit was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, whereby the lawsuit was consolidated with lawsuits TransData previously filed against various other utility companies. The smart meters in question were purchased by WPL from a third-party vendor. The third-party vendor had agreed to indemnify WPL for any judgment that could have resulted from the litigation. In April 2014, the third-party vendor entered into a settlement agreement with TransData under which WPL and its affiliates are granted a full license to use the subject wireless smart electric meter technology and this settlement is expected to resolve all issues that are subject of the litigation.

(d) Guarantees and Indemnifications -
RMT - In 2013, Alliant Energy sold RMT. RMT provided renewable energy services including construction and high voltage connection services for wind and solar projects. As part of the sale, Alliant Energy provided indemnifications to the buyer of RMT for losses resulting from potential breach of the representations and warranties made by Alliant Energy as of the sale date and for the potential breach of its obligations under the sale agreement. These indemnifications are limited to $3 million and expire in July 2014.

In addition, Alliant Energy, as part of the sale, indemnified the buyer for any claims, including claims of warranty under the project obligations that were commenced or are based on actions that occurred prior to the sale, except for liabilities already accounted for through adjustments to the purchase price. The indemnification obligations either cease to exist when the statute of limitation for such claims is met or, in the case of RMT’s projects, when the warranty period under the agreements expires. The warranty periods for RMT’s projects generally range from 12 to 60 months with the latest expiring in 2016.

Alliant Energy also continues to guarantee RMT’s performance obligations related to certain of RMT’s projects that were commenced prior to Alliant Energy’s sale of RMT. As of March 31, 2014, Alliant Energy had $347 million of performance guarantees outstanding, with $246 million, $53 million and $48 million currently expected to expire in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The expiration of these performance guarantees may be extended depending on when all valid warranty claims are resolved for the respective projects.

Although Alliant Energy has received warranty claims related to certain of these projects, it does not currently believe that material losses are both probable and reasonably estimated, and therefore, has not recognized any material liabilities related to these matters as of March 31, 2014. Due to the early stages of the warranty claims, Alliant Energy is currently unable to provide an estimate of potential loss or range of potential loss. Refer to Note 16 for further discussion of RMT.

Whiting Petroleum - In 2004, Alliant Energy sold its remaining interest in Whiting Petroleum. Whiting Petroleum is an independent oil and gas company. Alliant Energy continues to guarantee the obligations related to the abandonment of certain platforms off the coast of California and related onshore plant and equipment that were owned by Whiting Petroleum prior to Alliant Energy’s sale of Whiting Petroleum. The guarantee does not include a maximum limit. As of March 31, 2014, the present value of the abandonment obligations is estimated at $32 million. Alliant Energy believes that no payments will be made under this guarantee. Alliant Energy has not recognized any material liabilities related to this guarantee as of March 31, 2014.

(e) Environmental Matters -
MGP Sites - IPL and WPL have current or previous ownership interests in various sites that are previously associated with the production of gas for which IPL and WPL have, or may have in the future, liability for investigation, remediation and monitoring costs. IPL and WPL are working pursuant to the requirements of various federal and state agencies to investigate, mitigate, prevent and remediate, where necessary, the environmental impacts to property, including natural resources, at and around these former MGP sites in order to protect public health and the environment. IPL and WPL are currently monitoring and/or remediating 27 and 5 sites, respectively.

Alliant Energy, IPL and WPL record environmental liabilities related to these MGP sites based upon periodic studies. Such amounts are based on the best current estimate of the remaining amount to be incurred for investigation, remediation and monitoring costs for those sites where the investigation process has been or is substantially completed, and the minimum of the estimated cost range for those sites where the investigation is in its earlier stages. There are inherent uncertainties associated with the estimated remaining costs for MGP projects primarily due to unknown site conditions and potential changes in regulatory agency requirements. It is possible that future cost estimates will be greater than current estimates as the investigation process proceeds and as additional facts become known. The amounts recognized as liabilities are reduced for expenditures incurred and are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change. Costs of future expenditures for environmental remediation obligations are not discounted. At March 31, 2014, estimated future costs expected to be incurred for the investigation, remediation and monitoring of the MGP sites, as well as environmental liabilities recorded on the balance sheets for these sites, were as follows (in millions):
 
Alliant Energy
 
IPL
 
WPL
Range of estimated future costs

$14

-
$33
 

$13

-
$31
 

$1

-
$2
Current and non-current environmental liabilities
21
 
19
 
2


WPL Consent Decree - In 2009, the EPA sent a notice of violation to WPL as an owner and the operator of Edgewater, Nelson Dewey and Columbia alleging that the owners of such EGUs failed to comply with appropriate pre-construction review and permitting requirements and as a result violated the PSD program requirements, Title V Operating Permit requirements of the CAA and the Wisconsin SIP. In 2010, the Sierra Club filed complaints against WPL, as owner and operator of Nelson Dewey and Columbia, and separately as owner and operator of Edgewater, based on allegations that modifications were made at the facilities without complying with the PSD program requirements, Title V Operating Permit requirements of the CAA and state regulatory counterparts contained within the Wisconsin SIP designed to implement the CAA.

In April 2013, WPL, along with the other owners of Edgewater and Columbia, entered into a Consent Decree with the EPA and the Sierra Club to resolve the claims relating to Edgewater, Columbia and Nelson Dewey, while admitting no liability. In June 2013, the Consent Decree was approved by the Court, thereby resolving all claims against WPL. Under the Consent Decree, WPL is required to install the following emission controls systems:

•
SCR system at Edgewater Unit 5 by May 1, 2013 (placed in service in 2012);
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Scrubbers and baghouses at Columbia Units 1 and 2 by December 31, 2014 (Columbia Unit 2 scrubber and baghouse were placed in service in April 2014);
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Scrubber and baghouse at Edgewater Unit 5 by December 31, 2016; and
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SCR system at Columbia Unit 2 by December 31, 2018.

WPL is also required to fuel switch or retire Nelson Dewey Units 1 and 2 and Edgewater Unit 3 by December 31, 2015, and Edgewater Unit 4 by December 31, 2018. In addition, the Consent Decree establishes emission rate limits for SO2, NOx and particulate matter for Columbia Units 1 and 2, Nelson Dewey Units 1 and 2 and Edgewater Units 4 and 5. The Consent Decree also includes annual plant-wide emission caps for SO2 and NOx for Columbia, Edgewater and Nelson Dewey. In addition, WPL will complete approximately $7 million in environmental mitigation projects.

Final recovery of the costs expected to be incurred related to the Consent Decree will be decided by the PSCW in future rate cases or other proceedings. Alliant Energy and WPL currently expect to recover any material costs incurred by WPL related to compliance with the terms of the Consent Decree from WPL’s electric customers, except for costs related to certain of the environmental mitigation projects.

Other Environmental Contingencies - In addition to the environmental liabilities discussed above, various environmental regulations are being monitored that may have a significant impact on future operations. Several of these environmental regulations are subject to legal challenges, reconsideration and/or other uncertainties. Given uncertainties regarding the outcome, timing and compliance plans for these environmental matters, the complete financial impact of these regulations are not able to be determined; however future capital investments and/or modifications to EGUs to comply with these regulations could be significant. Specific current, proposed or potential environmental matters that may require significant future expenditures include, among others: Clean Air Interstate Rule, Clean Air Visibility Rule, Mercury and Air Toxic Standard Rule, Wisconsin State Mercury Rule, Industrial Boiler and Process Heater Maximum Achievable Control Technology Rule, Ozone NAAQS Rule, Fine Particulate Matter NAAQS Rule, Federal Clean Water Act including Section 316(b), Hydroelectric Fish Passage Device, Effluent Limitation Guidelines, Coal Combustion Residuals, and various legislation and EPA regulations to monitor and regulate the emission of GHG, including New Source Performance Standards for GHG Emissions from Electric Utilities.

(f) Collective Bargaining Agreements - At March 31, 2014, employees covered by collective bargaining agreements represented 57%, 66% and 80% of Alliant Energy’s, IPL’s and WPL’s total employees, respectively. In May 2014, WPL’s collective bargaining agreement with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 965 expires, representing 26% and 80% of Alliant Energy’s and WPL’s total employees, respectively.