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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023
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 and PNW Power. 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 a wholly-owned subsidiary that invests in energy-related and Arizona community-based ventures. PNW Power is a wholly-owned subsidiary that was created in September 2023 to hold certain investments in wind and transmission joint projects. See Note 20 for more information on PNW Power. BCE was a Pinnacle West subsidiary that was formed in 2014. On August 4, 2023, Pinnacle West entered into a purchase and sale agreement pursuant to which all of our equity interest in BCE was sold. The sale was completed on January 12, 2024. See Note 20 for more information relating to the sale of BCE. Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pinnacle West and our subsidiaries: APS, El Dorado, BCE and PNW Power. 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 Variable Interest Entities (each a “VIE”) 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 17 for additional information. We have determined that Pinnacle West is the primary beneficiary of a captive insurance protected cell VIE. As of December 31, 2023, the captive cell’s activities are insignificant to our consolidated financial statements. 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. To conform with the current year’s disaggregated presentation of significant changes in assets and liabilities and the aggregation of less significant changes in assets and liabilities, we made certain reclassifications for the year ended December 31, 2022, within the operating activities section of our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Regulatory Accounting APS is regulated by the ACC and the 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 3 for additional information. Electric Revenues 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. Certain cost recovery mechanisms may qualify as 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 3 for additional information. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The allowance for doubtful accounts represents our best estimate of accounts receivable and accrued unbilled revenues that will ultimately be uncollectible due to credit loss risk. The allowance includes a write-off component that is calculated by applying an estimated write-off factor to retail electric revenues. The write-off factor used to estimate uncollectible accounts is based upon consideration of historical collections experience, the current and forecasted economic environment, changes to our collection policies, and management’s best estimate of future collections success. See Note 2. 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 •AFUDC. Pinnacle West’s property, plant and equipment included in the December 31, 2023, and 2022 Consolidated Balance Sheets is composed of the following (dollars in thousands):
Property, Plant and Equipment: | 2023 |  | 2022
Generation | $ | 10,446,291 |  |  | $ | 9,563,145 |
Transmission | 3,773,253 |  |  | 3,589,456 |
Distribution | 8,448,293 |  |  | 7,951,867 |
General plant | 1,543,330 |  |  | 1,347,678 |
Plant in service and held for future use | 24,211,167 |  |  | 22,452,146 |
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (8,408,040) |  |  | (7,929,878) |
Net | 15,803,127 |  |  | 14,522,268 |
Construction work in progress | 1,724,004 |  |  | 1,882,791 |
Palo Verde sale leaseback, net of accumulated depreciation | 86,426 |  |  | 90,296 |
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization | 267,110 |  |  | 258,880 |
Nuclear fuel, net of accumulated amortization | 99,490 |  |  | 100,119 |
Total property, plant and equipment | $ | 17,980,157 |  |  | $ | 16,854,354 |
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 11 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 AROs. 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, 2023, were as follows: •Steam generation — 11 years; •Nuclear plant — 25 years; •Other generation — 18 years; •Transmission — 38 years; •Distribution — 33 years; and •General plant — 7 years. Depreciation of utility property, plant and equipment is computed on a straight-line, remaining-life basis. Depreciation expense was $669 million in 2023, $632 million in 2022, and $575 million in 2021. For the years 2021 through 2023, the depreciation rates ranged from a low of 1.37% to a high of 12.15%. The weighted-average depreciation rate was 2.98% in 2023, 3.03% in 2022, and 2.87% in 2021. Asset Retirement Obligations APS has AROs for its Palo Verde nuclear facilities and certain other generation assets. The Palo Verde ARO 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 AROs 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 AROs 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 ARO 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 11 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 6.29% for 2023, 5.75% for 2022, and 6.75% for 2021. APS compounds AFUDC semi-annually and ceases to accrue AFUDC when construction work is completed and the property is placed in service. On June 30, 2020, FERC issued an order granting a waiver request related to the existing AFUDC rate calculation beginning March 1, 2020, through February 28, 2021. On February 23, 2021, this waiver was extended until September 30, 2021. On September 21, 2021, it was further extended until March 31, 2022. The order provided a simplified approach that companies may elect to implement in order to minimize the significant distorted effect on the AFUDC formula resulting from increased short-term debt financing during the COVID-19 pandemic. APS adopted this simplified approach to computing the AFUDC composite rate by using a simple average of the actual historical short-term debt balances for 2019, instead of current period short-term debt balances, and left all other aspects of the AFUDC formula composite rate calculation unchanged. This change impacted the AFUDC composite rate in 2021 and for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022. Furthermore, the change in the composite rate calculation did not impact our accounting treatment for these costs. The change did not have a material impact on our financial statements. 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 net realizable value, 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 6 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 12 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 natural gas as well as interest rate risk. 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 15 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, in addition to a non-qualified pension plan. 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 7 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 for interim storage, we accrued a receivable and an offsetting regulatory liability through the settlement period ended December of 2023. See Note 10 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 4 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,
| 2023 |  | 2022 |  | 2021
Cash paid during the period for: |  |  |  |  |
Income taxes, net of refunds | $ | 8,788 |  |  | $ | 46,227 |  |  | $ | 229 |
Interest, net of amounts capitalized | 310,996 |  |  | 245,271 |  |  | 227,584 |
Significant non-cash investing and financing activities: |  |  |  |  |
Accrued capital expenditures | $ | 206,269 |  |  | $ | 114,999 |  |  | $ | 167,733 |
Dividends declared but not paid | 99,813 |  |  | 97,895 |  |  | 95,988 |
BCE Sale non-cash consideration (Note 20) | 28,262 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
The following table summarizes supplemental APS cash flow information for each of the last three years (dollars in thousands):
| Year ended December 31,
| 2023 |  | 2022 |  | 2021
Cash paid during the period for: |  |  |  |  |
Income taxes, net of refunds | $ | 21,734 |  |  | $ | 95,985 |  |  | $ | 19,783 |
Interest, net of amounts capitalized | 267,261 |  |  | 227,159 |  |  | 217,749 |
Significant non-cash investing and financing activities: |  |  |  |  |
Accrued capital expenditures | $ | 206,269 |  |  | $ | 116,533 |  |  | $ | 167,657 |
Dividends declared but not paid | 99,800 |  |  | 97,900 |  |  | 96,000 |
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 $90 million in 2023, $84 million in 2022, and $80 million in 2021. Estimated amortization expense on existing intangible assets over the next five years is $90 million in 2024, $75 million in 2025, $49 million in 2026, $23 million in 2027, and $11 million in 2028. At December 31, 2023, the weighted-average remaining amortization period for intangible assets was 5 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). PNW Power 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 accounts and active union employee medical account, are accounted for in accordance with guidance on accounting for investments in debt and equity securities. See Notes 12 and 18 for more information on these investments. Leases We determine if an agreement is a lease at contract inception. A lease is defined as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. To control the use of an identified asset an entity must have both a right to obtain substantially all of the benefits from the use of the asset and the right to direct the use of the asset. If we determine an agreement is a lease, and we are the lessee, we recognize a right-of-use lease asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the fixed lease payments over the lease term. To present value lease liabilities we use the implicit rate in the lease if the information is readily available, otherwise we use our incremental borrowing rate determined at lease commencement. Our incremental borrowing rate is based on the rate of interest we would have to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. When measuring right-of-use assets and lease liabilities we exclude variable lease payments, other than those that depend on an index or rate or are in-substance fixed payments. For short-term leases with terms of 12 months or less, we do not recognize a right-of-use lease asset or lease liability. We recognize operating lease expense using a straight-line pattern over the periods of use. APS enters into purchased power contracts that may contain leases. This occurs when a purchased power agreement designates a specific power plant or facility, APS obtains substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the facility and has the right to direct the use of the facility. Purchased power lease contracts may also include energy storage facilities. Lease costs relating to purchased power lease contracts are reported in fuel and purchased power on the Consolidated Statements of Income and are subject to recovery under the PSA or RES. See Note 3. We also may enter into lease agreements related to vehicles, office space, land, and other equipment. See Note 8 for information on our lease agreements. 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, 2023, 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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