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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business and Basis of Presentation Pinnacle West is a holding company that conducts business through its subsidiaries, APS, El Dorado, BCE and 4CA. APS, our wholly-owned subsidiary, is a vertically-integrated electric utility that provides either retail or wholesale electric service to substantially all of the state of Arizona, with the major exceptions of about one-half of the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Tucson metropolitan area and Mohave County in northwestern Arizona. APS accounts for essentially all of our revenues and earnings, and is expected to continue to do so. El Dorado is an investment firm. BCE is a subsidiary that was formed in 2014 that focuses on growth opportunities that leverage the Company's core expertise in the electric energy industry. 4CA is a subsidiary that was formed in 2016 as a result of the purchase of El Paso's 7% interest in Four Corners. See Note 11 for more information on 4CA matters. Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pinnacle West and our subsidiaries: APS, El Dorado, BCE and 4CA. APS’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of APS and certain VIEs relating to the Palo Verde sale leaseback. Intercompany accounts and transactions between the consolidated companies have been eliminated. We consolidate VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary. We determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE through a qualitative analysis that identifies which variable interest holder has the controlling financial interest in the VIE. In performing our primary beneficiary analysis, we consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including the design and activities of the VIE, the terms of the contracts the VIE has entered into, and which parties participated significantly in the design or redesign of the entity. We continually evaluate our primary beneficiary conclusions to determine if changes have occurred which would impact our primary beneficiary assessments. We have determined that APS is the primary beneficiary of certain VIE lessor trusts relating to the Palo Verde sale leaseback, and therefore APS consolidates these entities. See Note 19 for additional information. Our consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, except as otherwise disclosed in the notes) that we believe are necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Accounting Records and Use of Estimates Our accounting records are maintained in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Regulatory Accounting APS is regulated by the ACC and FERC. The accompanying financial statements reflect the rate-making policies of these commissions. As a result, we capitalize certain costs that would be included as expense in the current period by unregulated companies. Regulatory assets represent incurred costs that have been deferred because they are probable of future recovery in customer rates. Regulatory liabilities generally represent amounts collected in rates to recover costs expected to be incurred in the future or amounts collected in excess of costs incurred and are refundable to customers. Management judgments include continually assessing the likelihood of future recovery of regulatory assets and/or a disallowance of part of the cost of recently completed plant, by considering factors such as applicable regulatory environment changes and recent rate orders to other regulated entities in the same jurisdiction. This determination reflects the current political and regulatory climate in Arizona and is subject to change in the future. If future recovery of costs ceases to be probable, the assets would be written off as a charge in current period earnings. Management judgments also include assessing the impact of potential Commission-ordered refunds to customers on regulatory liabilities. See Note 4 for additional information. Electric Revenues On January 1, 2018, we adopted new revenue guidance ASU 2014-09, Revenue from contracts with customers; accordingly our 2019 and 2018 electric revenues primarily consist of activities that are classified as revenues from contracts with customers. Our electric revenues generally represent a single performance obligation delivered over time. We have elected to apply the practical expedient that allows us to recognize revenue based on the amount to which we have a right to invoice for services performed. We derive electric revenues primarily from sales of electricity to our regulated retail customers. Revenues related to the sale of electricity are generally recognized when service is rendered or electricity is delivered to customers. Unbilled revenues are estimated by applying an average revenue/kWh by customer class to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed. Differences historically between the actual and estimated unbilled revenues are immaterial. We exclude sales taxes and franchise fees on electric revenues from both revenue and taxes other than income taxes. Revenues from our regulated retail customers and non-derivative instruments are reported on a gross basis on Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Statements of Income. In the electricity business, some contracts to purchase electricity are netted against other contracts to sell electricity. This is called a "book-out" and usually occurs for contracts that have the same terms (quantities, delivery points and delivery periods) and for which power does not flow. We net these book-outs, which reduces both wholesale revenues and fuel and purchased power costs. Some of our cost recovery mechanisms are alternative revenue programs. For alternative revenue programs that meet specified accounting criteria, we recognize revenues when the specific events permitting billing of the additional revenues have been completed. See Notes 2 and 4 for additional information. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The allowance for doubtful accounts represents our best estimate of existing accounts receivable that will ultimately be uncollectible. The allowance is calculated by applying an estimated write-off factor to utility revenues. The write-off factors used to estimate uncollectible accounts are based upon consideration of both historical collections experience and management’s best estimate of future collections success given the existing collections environment. Property, Plant and Equipment Utility plant is the term we use to describe the business property and equipment that supports electric service, consisting primarily of generation, transmission and distribution facilities. We report utility plant at its original cost, which includes:
• | material and labor;
• | contractor costs;
• | capitalized leases;
• | construction overhead costs (where applicable); and
• | allowance for funds used during construction.
Pinnacle West’s property, plant and equipment included in the December 31, 2019 and 2018 Consolidated Balance Sheets is composed of the following (dollars in thousands):
Property, Plant and Equipment: | 2019 |  | 2018
Generation | $ | 8,916,872 |  |  | $ | 8,285,514 |
Transmission | 3,095,907 |  |  | 3,033,579 |
Distribution | 6,690,697 |  |  | 6,378,345 |
General plant | 1,132,816 |  |  | 1,039,190 |
Plant in service and held for future use | 19,836,292 |  |  | 18,736,628 |
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (6,637,857 | ) |  | (6,366,014 | )
Net | 13,198,435 |  |  | 12,370,614 |
Construction work in progress | 808,133 |  |  | 1,170,062 |
Palo Verde sale leaseback, net of accumulated depreciation | 101,906 |  |  | 105,775 |
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization | 290,564 |  |  | 262,902 |
Nuclear fuel, net of accumulated amortization | 123,500 |  |  | 120,217 |
Total property, plant and equipment | $ | 14,522,538 |  |  | $ | 14,029,570 |
Property, plant and equipment balances and classes for APS are not materially different than Pinnacle West. We expense the costs of plant outages, major maintenance and routine maintenance as incurred. We charge retired utility plant to accumulated depreciation. Liabilities associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets are recognized at fair value as incurred and capitalized as part of the related tangible long-lived assets. Accretion of the liability due to the passage of time is an operating expense, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the long-lived asset. See Note 12 for additional information. APS records a regulatory liability for the excess that has been recovered in regulated rates over the amount calculated in accordance with guidance on accounting for asset retirement obligations. APS believes it is probable it will recover in regulated rates, the costs calculated in accordance with this accounting guidance. We record depreciation and amortization on utility plant on a straight-line basis over the remaining useful life of the related assets. The approximate remaining average useful lives of our utility property at December 31, 2019 were as follows: •Fossil plant — 17 years; •Nuclear plant — 22 years; •Other generation — 21 years; •Transmission — 40 years; •Distribution — 34 years; and •General plant — 8 years. Depreciation of utility property, plant and equipment is computed on a straight-line, remaining-life basis. Depreciation expense was $522 million in 2019, $486 million in 2018, and $453 million in 2017. For the years 2017 through 2019, the depreciation rates ranged from a low of 0.18% to a high of 24.49%. The weighted-average depreciation rate was 2.81% in 2019, 2.81% in 2018, and 2.80% in 2017. Asset Retirement Obligations APS has asset retirement obligations for its Palo Verde nuclear facilities and certain other generation assets. The Palo Verde asset retirement obligation primarily relates to final plant decommissioning. This obligation is based on the NRC’s requirements for disposal of radiated property or plant and agreements APS reached with the ACC for final decommissioning of the plant. The non-nuclear generation asset retirement obligations primarily relate to requirements for removing portions of those plants at the end of the plant life or lease term and coal ash pond closures. Some of APS’s transmission and distribution assets have asset retirement obligations because they are subject to right of way and easement agreements that require final removal. These agreements have a history of uninterrupted renewal that APS expects to continue. As a result, APS cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of the asset retirement obligation related to such transmission and distribution assets. Additionally, APS has aquifer protection permits for some of its generation sites that require the closure of certain facilities at those sites. See Note 12 for further information on Asset Retirement Obligations. Allowance for Funds Used During Construction AFUDC represents the approximate net composite interest cost of borrowed funds and an allowed return on the equity funds used for construction of regulated utility plant. Both the debt and equity components of AFUDC are non-cash amounts within the Consolidated Statements of Income. Plant construction costs, including AFUDC, are recovered in authorized rates through depreciation when completed projects are placed into commercial operation. AFUDC was calculated by using a composite rate of 6.98% for 2019, 7.03% for 2018, and 6.68% for 2017. APS compounds AFUDC semi-annually and ceases to accrue AFUDC when construction work is completed and the property is placed in service. Materials and Supplies APS values materials, supplies and fossil fuel inventory using a weighted-average cost method. APS materials, supplies and fossil fuel inventories are carried at the lower of weighted-average cost or market, unless evidence indicates that the weighted-average cost (even if in excess of market) will be recovered. Fair Value Measurements We apply recurring fair value measurements to cash equivalents, derivative instruments, investments held in the nuclear decommissioning trust and other special use funds. On an annual basis, we apply fair value measurements to plan assets held in our retirement and other benefits plans. Due to the short-term nature of short-term borrowings, the carrying values of these instruments approximate fair value. Fair value measurements may also be applied on a nonrecurring basis to other assets and liabilities in certain circumstances such as impairments. We also disclose fair value information for our long-term debt, which is carried at amortized cost. See Note 7 for additional information. Fair value is the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market which we can access for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants on the measurement date. Inputs to fair value may include observable and unobservable data. We maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. We determine fair market value using observable inputs such as actively-quoted prices for identical instruments when available. When actively-quoted prices are not available for the identical instruments, we use other observable inputs, such as prices for similar instruments, other corroborative market information, or prices provided by other external sources. For options, long-term contracts and other contracts for which observable price data are not available, we use models and other valuation methods, which may incorporate unobservable inputs to determine fair market value. The use of models and other valuation methods to determine fair market value often requires subjective and complex judgment. Actual results could differ from the results estimated through application of these methods. See Note 14 for additional information about fair value measurements. Derivative Accounting We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations in the commodity price and transportation costs of electricity, natural gas, coal and in interest rates. We manage risks associated with market volatility by utilizing various physical and financial instruments including futures, forwards, options and swaps. As part of our overall risk management program, we may use derivative instruments to hedge purchases and sales of electricity and fuels. The changes in market value of such contracts have a high correlation to price changes in the hedged transactions. We also enter into derivative instruments for economic hedging purposes. Contracts that have the same terms (quantities, delivery points and delivery periods) and for which power does not flow are netted, which reduces both revenues and fuel and purchased power expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income, but does not impact our financial condition, net income or cash flows. We account for our derivative contracts in accordance with derivatives and hedging guidance, which requires all derivatives not qualifying for a scope exception to be measured at fair value on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities. Transactions with counterparties that have master netting arrangements are reported net on the balance sheet. See Note 17 for additional information about our derivative instruments. Loss Contingencies and Environmental Liabilities Pinnacle West and APS are involved in certain legal and environmental matters that arise in the normal course of business. Contingent losses and environmental liabilities are recorded when it is determined that it is probable that a loss has occurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. When a range of the probable loss exists and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, Pinnacle West and APS record a loss contingency at the minimum amount in the range. Unless otherwise required by GAAP, legal fees are expensed as incurred. Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits Pinnacle West sponsors a qualified defined benefit and account balance pension plan for the employees of Pinnacle West and its subsidiaries. We also sponsor another postretirement benefit plan for the employees of Pinnacle West and its subsidiaries that provides medical and life insurance benefits to retired employees. Pension and other postretirement benefit expense are determined by actuarial valuations, based on assumptions that are evaluated annually. See Note 8 for additional information on pension and other postretirement benefits. Nuclear Fuel APS amortizes nuclear fuel by using the unit-of-production method. The unit-of-production method is based on actual physical usage. APS divides the cost of the fuel by the estimated number of thermal units it expects to produce with that fuel. APS then multiplies that rate by the number of thermal units produced within the current period. This calculation determines the current period nuclear fuel expense. APS also charges nuclear fuel expense for the interim storage and permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel. The DOE is responsible for the permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel and charged APS $0.001 per kWh of nuclear generation through May 2014, at which point the DOE reduced the fee to zero. In accordance with a settlement agreement with the DOE in August 2014, we now accrue a receivable and an offsetting regulatory liability through the settlement period ending December of 2019. See Note 11 for information on spent nuclear fuel disposal costs. Income Taxes Income taxes are provided using the asset and liability approach prescribed by guidance relating to accounting for income taxes and are based on currently enacted tax rates. We file our federal income tax return on a consolidated basis, and we file our state income tax returns on a consolidated or unitary basis. In accordance with our intercompany tax sharing agreement, federal and state income taxes are allocated to each first-tier subsidiary as though each first-tier subsidiary filed a separate income tax return. Any difference between that method and the consolidated (and unitary) income tax liability is attributed to the parent company. The income tax accounts reflect the tax and interest associated with management’s estimate of the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement for all known and measurable tax exposures. See Note 5 for additional discussion. Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider cash equivalents to be highly liquid investments with a remaining maturity of three months or less at acquisition. The following table summarizes supplemental Pinnacle West cash flow information for each of the last three years (dollars in thousands):
| Year ended December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2017
Cash paid during the period for: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income taxes, net of refunds | $ | 12,535 |  |  | $ | 21,173 |  |  | $ | 2,186 |
Interest, net of amounts capitalized | 218,664 |  |  | 208,479 |  |  | 189,288 |
Significant non-cash investing and financing activities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued capital expenditures | $ | 141,297 |  |  | $ | 132,620 |  |  | $ | 130,404 |
Dividends declared but not paid | 87,982 |  |  | 82,675 |  |  | 77,667 |
Right-of-use operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities | 11,262 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Sale of 4CA 7% interest in Four Corners | — |  |  | 68,907 |  |  | — |
The following table summarizes supplemental APS cash flow information for each of the last three years (dollars in thousands):
| Year ended December 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2017
Cash paid (received) during the period for: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income taxes, net of refunds | $ | (15,042 | ) |  | $ | 77,942 |  |  | $ | (14,098 | )
Interest, net of amounts capitalized | 204,261 |  |  | 196,419 |  |  | 184,210 |
Significant non-cash investing and financing activities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued capital expenditures | $ | 141,297 |  |  | $ | 132,620 |  |  | $ | 130,057 |
Dividends declared but not paid | 88,000 |  |  | 82,700 |  |  | 77,700 |
Right-of-use operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities | 11,262 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Intangible Assets We have no goodwill recorded and have separately disclosed other intangible assets, primarily APS's software, on Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The intangible assets are amortized over their finite useful lives. Amortization expense was $66 million in 2019, $68 million in 2018, and $72 million in 2017. Estimated amortization expense on existing intangible assets over the next five years is $68 million in 2020, $52 million in 2021, $41 million in 2022, $32 million in 2023, and $22 million in 2024. At December 31, 2019, the weighted-average remaining amortization period for intangible assets was 8 years. Investments El Dorado holds investments in both debt and equity securities. Investments in debt securities are generally accounted for as held-to-maturity and investments in equity securities are accounted for using either the equity method (if significant influence) or the measurement alternative for investments without readily determinable fair values (if less than 20% ownership and no significant influence). Bright Canyon holds investments in equity securities. Investments in equity securities are accounted for using either the equity method (if significant influence) or the measurement alternative for investments without readily determinable fair values (if less than 20% ownership and no significant influence). Our investments in the nuclear decommissioning trusts, coal reclamation escrow account and active union employee medical account, are accounted for in accordance with guidance on accounting for investments in debt and equity securities. See Notes 14 and 20 for more information on these investments. Business Segments Pinnacle West’s reportable business segment is our regulated electricity segment, which consists of traditional regulated retail and wholesale electricity businesses (primarily electricity service to Native Load customers) and related activities and includes electricity generation, transmission and distribution. All other segment activities are insignificant. Preferred Stock At December 31, 2019, Pinnacle West had 10 million shares of serial preferred stock authorized with no par value, none of which was outstanding, and APS had 15,535,000 shares of various types of preferred stock authorized with $25, $50 and $100 par values, none of which was outstanding.

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