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Rate Matters and Regulation | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2017
Regulated Operations [Abstract] |
Rate Matters and Regulation | Rate Matters and Regulation Except as set forth below, the circumstances set forth in Note 14 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's 2016 Form 10-K appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of the Company's regulatory matters. Completed Regulatory Matters Oklahoma Rate Case Filing On December 18, 2015, OG&E filed a general rate case with the OCC requesting a rate increase of $92.5 million and a 10.25 percent return on equity based on a common equity percentage of 53 percent. The rate case was based on a June 30, 2015 test year and included recovery of $1.6 billion of electric infrastructure additions since its last general rate case in Oklahoma. On July 1, 2016, OG&E implemented an annual interim rate increase of $69.5 million, subject to refund for amounts in excess of the rates approved by the OCC. As of March 31, 2017 OG&E has fully reserved all of the interim rate increase pending resolution of the refund methodology. In December 2016, the ALJ issued a report and recommendations in the case. The ALJ's recommendations included, among other things, the use of OG&E's actual capital structure of 53.0 percent equity and 47.0 percent long-term debt and a return on equity of 9.87 percent resulting in an annual increase in OG&E's revenues of $40.7 million. On March 20, 2017, the OCC held hearings and issued a final order. The final order results in an annual net increase of approximately $8.8 million in OG&E's rates to its Oklahoma retail customers. Although the final order adopted certain of the recommendations set forth in the ALJ Report, it differs in certain key respects. The primary adjustments to the ALJ report consist of: (i) Oklahoma retail authorized rate of return on equity of 9.50 percent, (ii) depreciation expense is reduced by approximately $28.6 million from the ALJ report or $36.4 million from current rates on an annual basis, (iii) recovery of only 50.0 percent of short-term incentive compensation and no recovery of long-term incentive compensation, (iv) recovery of OG&E's requested vegetation management expenses and (v) recovery of production tax credits expiring in 2017 and air quality control systems consumable costs through the fuel adjustment clause. As a result of the final order, OG&E recorded in the first quarter of 2017, adjustments to depreciation expense, amortization of regulatory assets and liabilities, and impacts to the fuel adjustment clause effective July 1, 2016. On May 1, 2017, OG&E implemented new rates and began refunding excess amounts that it had collected in interim rates. Pending Regulatory Matters Set forth below is a list of various proceedings pending before state or federal regulatory agencies. Unless stated otherwise, OG&E cannot predict when the regulatory agency will act or what action the regulatory agency will take. OG&E's financial results are dependent in part on timely and adequate decisions by the regulatory agencies that set OG&E's rates. Environmental Compliance Plan On August 6, 2014, OG&E filed an application with the OCC for approval of its plan to comply with the EPA’s MATS and Regional Haze Rule FIP while serving the best long-term interests of customers in light of future environmental uncertainties. The application sought approval of the ECP and for a recovery mechanism for the associated costs. The ECP includes installing dry scrubbers at Sooner Units 1 and 2 and the conversion of Muskogee Units 4 and 5 to natural gas. The application also asked the OCC to predetermine the prudence of its Mustang Modernization Plan, which calls for replacing OG&E's soon-to-be retired Mustang steam turbines with 400 MWs of new, efficient combustion turbines at the Mustang site and approval for a recovery mechanism for the associated costs. On December 2, 2015, OG&E received an order from the OCC denying its plan to comply with the environmental mandates of the Federal Clean Air Act, Regional Haze Rule and MATS. The OCC also denied OG&E's request for pre-approval of its Mustang Modernization Plan, revised depreciation rates for both the retirement of the Mustang units and the replacement combustion turbines and pre-approval of early retirement and replacement of generating units at its Mustang site, including cost recovery through a rider. On February 12, 2016, OG&E filed an application requesting the OCC to issue an order approving its decision to install Dry Scrubbers at the Sooner facility. OG&E's application did not seek approval of the costs of the Dry Scrubber project. Instead, the reasonableness of the costs would be considered after the project is completed and OG&E seeks recovery in its rates. On April 28, 2016, the OCC approved the Dry Scrubber project. Two parties appealed the OCC's decision to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The Company is unable to predict what action the Oklahoma Supreme Court may take or the timing of any such action. OG&E anticipates the total cost of Dry Scrubbers will be $547.5 million, including allowance for funds used during construction and capitalized ad valorem taxes. As of March 31, 2017, OG&E had invested $281.6 million of construction work in progress on the Dry Scrubbers. OG&E anticipates the total cost for the Mustang Modernization Plan will be $424.9 million and expects the project to be completed in late 2017. As of March 31, 2017, OG&E had invested $231.8 million on the Mustang Modernization Plan. Integrated Resource Plans In October 2015, OG&E finalized the 2015 IRP and submitted it to the OCC. The 2015 IRP updated certain assumptions contained in the IRP submitted in 2014, but did not make any material changes to the ECP and other parts of the plan. Currently, OG&E is scheduled to update its IRP in Arkansas by October 1, 2017 and in Oklahoma by October 1, 2018. Arkansas Rate Case Filing On August 25, 2016, OG&E filed a general rate case with the APSC. The rate filing requested a $16.5 million rate increase based on a 10.25 percent return on equity. The rate increase was based on a June 30, 2016 test year and included a recovery of over $3.0 billion of electric infrastructure additions since the last Arkansas general rate case in 2011. The increase also reflects increases in operation and maintenance expenses, including vegetation management, and increased recovery of depreciation and dismantlement costs. In April 2017, OG&E entered into a settlement with the staff of the APSC and other intervenors. The settlement provides for a $7.1 million annual rate increase and a 9.5 percent return on equity on a 50.0 percent equity capital structure. The settlement is subject to approval of the APSC. Hearings are scheduled for the APSC to review the settlement on May 2, 2017. OG&E expects to receive an order from the APSC in the second quarter of 2017. The settlement also provides that OG&E will be regulated under a formula rate rider, which should result in a more efficient process as the return on equity, depreciation rates and capital structure should not change from what is approved by the APSC in the current rate case proceeding unless differences of plus or minus 50 basis points in return on equity were to occur. Adjustments are limited to plus or minus four percent of revenue for each rate class for the 12 months preceding the projected year. The initial term for the formula rate rider is not to exceed five years, unless additional approval is obtained from the APSC. OG&E expects to make its first filing under the Arkansas Formula Rate Rider in October 2018. Fuel Adjustment Clause Review for Calendar Year 2015 On September 8, 2016, the OCC staff filed an application to review OG&E’s fuel adjustment clause for calendar year 2015, including the prudence of OG&E’s electric generation, purchased power and fuel procurement costs. At a hearing on March 30, 2017, the PUD staff recommended to the OCC that the 2015 fuel costs be found prudent. The Company expects to receive an OCC order in the second quarter of 2017.

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- Definition Describes all of the specific events that have or may impact rates and amortization of regulatory assets and liabilities (for example, pending or recently concluded regulatory proceedings). Specifics may include quantifications related to rates, costs, and earnings. Events may relate to rate moratoriums or price tags. + References No definition available. + Details
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