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Summary of Business and Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Business and Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Business PNMR is an investor-owned holding company of energy and energy-related businesses. At December 31, 2011, PNMR’s primary subsidiaries are PNM and TNMP. PNM is a public utility with regulated operations primarily engaged in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. PNM completed the sale of its natural gas operations on January 30, 2009. TNMP is a wholly owned subsidiary of TNP, which is a holding company that is wholly owned by PNMR. TNMP provides regulated transmission and distribution services in Texas. PNMR completed the sale of First Choice, which was also a subsidiary of TNP on November 1, 2011. First Choice was a competitive retail electric provider operating in Texas. Until September 23, 2011, PNMR owned 50% of Optim Energy, which was focused on unregulated electric operations, principally within the areas of Texas covered by ERCOT. See Note 2 and Note 21. PNMR’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PNM. Financial Statement Preparation and Presentation The preparation of financial statements in conformity 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 the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could ultimately differ from those estimated. The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements include disclosures for PNMR, PNM, and TNMP. For discussion purposes, this report will use the term “Company” when discussing matters of common applicability to PNMR, PNM, and TNMP. Discussions regarding only PNMR, PNM, or TNMP will be indicated as such. Certain amounts in the 2010 and 2009 Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 financial statement presentation. Prior to its sale, PNM Gas was classified as discontinued operations. GAAP defines subsequent events as events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. Based on their nature, magnitude, and timing, certain subsequent events may be required to be reflected at the balance sheet date and/or required to be disclosed in the financial statements. The Company has evaluated subsequent events as required by GAAP. Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements of each of PNMR, PNM, and TNMP include their accounts and those of subsidiaries in which that entity owns a majority voting interest. PNM consolidates the PVNGS Capital Trust and Valencia. PNM owns undivided interests in several jointly-owned power plants and records its pro-rata share of the assets, liabilities, and expenses for those plants. PNMR shared services’ administrative and general expenses, which represent costs that are primarily driven by corporate level activities, are charged to the business segments. These services are billed at cost, except those billed to Optim Energy, which included a profit element. Other significant intercompany transactions between PNMR, PNM, and TNMP include transmission and distribution services; lease, interest, and income tax sharing payments; and dividends paid on common stock. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. See Note 19. Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation The Company maintains its accounting records in accordance with the uniform system of accounts prescribed by FERC and adopted by the NMPRC and PUCT. Certain of the Company’s operations are regulated by the NMPRC, PUCT, and FERC and the provisions of GAAP for rate-regulated enterprises are applied to the regulated operations. Regulators may assign costs to accounting periods that differ from accounting methods applied by non-regulated utilities. When it is probable that regulators will permit recovery of costs through future rates, costs are deferred as regulatory assets that otherwise would be expensed. Likewise, regulatory liabilities are recognized when it is probable that regulators will require refunds through future rates or when revenue is collected for expenditures that have not yet been incurred. Regulatory assets and liabilities are amortized into earnings over the authorized recovery period. Accordingly, the Company has deferred certain costs and recorded certain liabilities pursuant to the rate actions of FERC, the NMPRC, and the PUCT. Information on “regulatory assets” and “regulatory liabilities” is contained in Note 4. In some circumstances, regulators allow a requested increase in rates to be implemented, subject to refund, before the regulatory process has been completed and a decision rendered by the regulator. When this occurs, the Company assesses the possible outcomes of the rate proceeding. The Company records a provision for refund to the extent the amounts being collected, subject to refund, exceed the amount the Company determines is probable of ultimately being allowed by the regulator. Cash and Cash Equivalents Investments in highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered cash equivalents. Utility Plant Utility plant is stated at cost, which includes capitalized payroll-related costs such as taxes, pension, and other fringe benefits, administrative costs and AFUDC where authorized by rate regulation. Repairs, including major maintenance activities, and minor replacements of property are expensed when incurred, except as required by regulators for ratemaking purposes. Major replacements are charged to utility plant. Gains or losses resulting from retirements or other dispositions of regulated property in the normal course of business are credited or charged to the accumulated provision for depreciation. Allowance for Funds Used During Construction As provided by the FERC uniform systems of accounts, AFUDC is charged to regulated utility plant for construction projects. This allowance is a non-cash item designed to enable a utility to capitalize financing costs during periods of construction of property subject to rate regulation. It represents the cost of borrowed funds (allowance for borrowed funds used during construction) and a return on other funds (allowance for equity funds used during construction). In 2011, 2010, and 2009, PNM recorded $1.5 million, $4.6 million, and $8.0 million of AFUDC on certain projects and TNMP recorded $1.2 million, $0.2 million, and $1.1 million. Capitalized Interest PNMR capitalizes interest on its construction projects and major computer software projects not subject to the computation of AFUDC. Interest was capitalized at the overall weighted average borrowing rate of 6.6%, 6.7%, and 6.9% for 2011, 2010, and 2009. In 2011, 2010, and 2009, PNMR’s capitalized interest was $0.5 million, $0.8 million, and $0.7 million; PNM’s was $0.2 million, $0.4 million, and $0.2 million; and TNMP had no capitalized interest. Carrying Charges on Stranded Costs TNMP’s estimate of allowable carrying charges on stranded costs that it may recover from its transmission and distribution customers is based on a Texas Supreme Court ruling and the PUCT’s application of that ruling. Materials, Supplies, and Fuel Stock Materials and supplies relate to transmission, distribution, and generating assets. Materials and supplies are charged to inventory when purchased and are expensed or capitalized as appropriate when issued. Materials and supplies are valued using an average costing method. Coal is valued using a rolling weighted average costing method that is updated based on the current period cost per ton. Periodic aerial surveys are performed on the coal piles and adjustments are made. In addition to coal delivered and included in inventory, PNM prepays the SJGS coal supplier for coal mined but not yet delivered. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, prepayments for coal, which are included in other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of PNMR and PNM, amounted to $14.6 million and $30.9 million. The December 31, 2011 amount reflects delivery of a portion of the prepaid coal and its utilization due to the mine fire incident described in Note 16. Inventories consisted of the following at December 31:
| PNMR |  | PNM |  | TNMP
| 2011 |  | 2010 |  | 2011 |  | 2010 |  | 2011 |  | 2010
| (In thousands)
Coal | $ | 17,175 |  |  | $ | 17,115 |  |  | $ | 17,175 |  |  | $ | 17,115 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Materials and supplies | 37,056 |  |  | 35,364 |  |  | 34,346 |  |  | 32,339 |  |  | 2,710 |  |  | 2,787 |
| $ | 54,231 |  |  | $ | 52,479 |  |  | $ | 51,521 |  |  | $ | 49,454 |  |  | $ | 2,710 |  |  | $ | 2,787 |
Investments In 1985 and 1986, PNM entered into eleven operating leases for interests in certain PVNGS generation facilities (Note 7). The 10.3% and 10.15% lessor notes that were issued by the owners of the assets subject to these leases were subsequently purchased by and are now held by the PVNGS Capital Trust, which is consolidated by PNM. Eight leases continue and are classified as operating leases. The PVNGS Capital Trust intends to hold the lessor notes until such notes mature in 2015 and 2016. Similarly, in 1985, PNM entered into two operating leases for the EIP transmission line for which the owners had issued lessor notes. In 2003, PNM acquired a 60% ownership interest in the EIP, collapsing the lease relating to it. In 2004, PNM purchased the outstanding lessor note relating to the remaining 40% interest. The remaining EIP lessor note bears interest at 10.25%, matures in 2012, and is carried on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in other investments at $2.2 million and $4.6 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. Both the PVNGS and EIP lessor notes are carried at amortized cost. The Company’s other investments, including the NDT, are primarily comprised of international, United States, state, and municipal government obligations and corporate debt and equity securities. All investments are held in the Company’s name and are in the custody of major financial institutions. The specific identification method is used to determine the cost of securities disposed of, with realized gains and losses reflected in other income and deductions. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, substantially all of these investments were classified as available for sale. PNM holds investment securities in the NDT for the purpose of funding its share of the decommissioning costs of PVNGS. PNM evaluates these investment securities for impairment on an on-going basis. Since third party investment managers have sole discretion over the purchase and sales of the NDT securities, PNM records a realized loss as an impairment for any security that has a market value that is less than cost at the end of each quarter. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, PNM recorded impairment losses on securities held in the NDT of $12.5 million, $5.0 million, and $8.1 million. No gains or losses are deferred as regulatory assets or liabilities. Unrealized gains on these investments are included in other comprehensive income, net of any related tax effect. Investment in Optim Energy Through September 23, 2011, PNMR accounted for its investment in Optim Energy using the equity method of accounting because PNMR’s ownership interest resulted in significant influence, but not control, over Optim Energy and its operations. On September 23, 2011, PNMR's ownership interest in Optim Energy was reduced to 1% and PNMR began using the cost method of accounting. On January 4, 2012, ECJV acquired PNMR's remaining 1% ownership interest at fair market value, which was determined to be zero. Through December 31, 2010, PNMR recorded its percentage share of earnings or loss of Optim Energy and carried its investment at cost, adjusted for its share of undistributed earnings or losses. PNMR’s investment in Optim Energy was reduced to zero at December 31, 2010 due to the determination that the investment was fully impaired. See Note 21. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Under GAAP, the Company does not amortize goodwill. Certain intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill and non-amortizable other intangible assets are evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the goodwill and intangible assets might be impaired. Amortizable other intangible assets are amortized over the shorter of their economic or legal lives and are evaluated for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. See Note 23. Asset Impairment Tangible long-lived assets are evaluated in relation to the future undiscounted cash flows to assess recoverability when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. Revenue Recognition Operating revenues are recorded in the period of energy delivery, which includes estimated amounts for service rendered but unbilled at the end of each accounting period. The determination of the energy sales to individual customers is based on the reading of their meters, which occurs on a systematic basis throughout the month. At the end of each month, amounts of energy delivered to customers since the date of the last meter reading and the corresponding unbilled revenue are estimated. Unbilled electric revenue is estimated based on the daily generation volumes, estimated customer usage by class, weather factors, line losses, and applicable customer rates reflecting historical trends and experience. PNM’s gas operations, which were sold on January 30, 2009 and are reflected as discontinued operations, purchased gas on behalf of its end-use sales-service customers while other marketers or producers purchased gas on behalf of their end-use transportation-service customers. PNM collected a cost of service revenue for the transportation, delivery, and customer service provided to all on-system end-use customers. Cost of service tariffs were set by the NMPRC while gas commodity rates were subject to the terms of the PGAC with oversight provided by the NMPRC. PNM’s wholesale electricity sales are recorded as operating revenues and the wholesale electricity purchases are recorded as costs of energy sold. In accordance with GAAP, derivative contracts that are net settled or “booked-out” are recorded net in earnings. A book-out is the planned or unplanned netting of off-setting purchase and sale transactions. A book-out is a transmission mechanism to reduce congestion on the transmission system or administrative burden. For accounting purposes, a book-out is the recording of net revenues upon the settlement of a derivative contract. Unrealized gains and losses on contracts that do not qualify for the normal purchases or normal sales exception or are not designated for hedge accounting are classified as economic hedges. Economic hedges are defined as derivative instruments, including long-term power agreements, used to hedge generation assets and purchased power costs. Changes in the fair value of economic hedges are reflected in results of operations, with changes related to economic hedges on sales included in operating revenues and changes related to economic hedges on purchases included in cost of energy sold. The Company has no trading transactions. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Accounts receivable consists primarily of trade receivables from customers. In the normal course of business, credit is extended to customers on a short-term basis. The Company calculates the allowance for uncollectible accounts based on historical experience and estimated default rates by customer class applied to corresponding accounts receivable balances net of customer deposit coverage. The accounts receivable balances are reviewed monthly and adjustments to the allowance for uncollectible accounts and bad debt expense are made as necessary. Amounts that are deemed uncollectible are written off. Depreciation and Amortization PNM’s provision for depreciation and amortization of utility plant, other than nuclear fuel, is based upon straight-line rates approved by the NMPRC. Amortization of nuclear fuel is based on units-of-production. TNMP’s provision for depreciation and amortization of utility plant is based upon straight-line rates approved by the PUCT. Depreciation of non-utility property is computed based on the straight-line method. The provision for depreciation of certain equipment is allocated between depreciation expense and construction projects based on the use of the equipment. Average rates used are as follows:
| Year ended December 31
| 2011 |  | 2010 |  | 2009
PNM |  |  |  |  |
Electric plant | 2.24 | % |  | 2.24 | % |  | 2.31 | %
Common, intangible, and general plant | 6.03 | % |  | 5.63 | % |  | 4.29 | %
TNMP | 3.41 | % |  | 3.39 | % |  | 3.44 | %
Amortization of Debt Acquisition Costs Discount, premium, and expense related to the issuance of long-term debt are amortized over the lives of the respective issues. Gains and losses incurred upon the early retirement of long-term debt are recognized in other income or deductions, except for amounts attributable to NMPRC or PUCT regulation, which are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities and amortized over the lives of the respective issues. Derivatives The Company records derivative instruments in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at their fair value. GAAP requires that changes in the derivatives’ fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting or normal purchase or sale criteria are met. For qualifying hedges, an entity must formally document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. GAAP provides that the effective portion of the gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated and qualifying as a cash flow hedging instrument be reported as a component of AOCI and be reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The results of hedge ineffectiveness and the portion of the change in fair value of a derivative that an entity has chosen to exclude from hedge effectiveness are required to be presented in current earnings. See Note 8. The Company treats all forward electric purchases and sales contracts subject to unplanned netting or book-out by the transmission provider as derivative instruments subject to mark-to-market accounting, unless the contract qualifies for the normal exception by meeting the definition of a capacity contract. Under this definition, the contract cannot permit net settlement, the seller must have the resources to serve the contract, and the buyer must be a load serving entity. GAAP gives guidance on whether realized gains and losses on derivative contracts not held for trading purposes should be reported on a net or gross basis and concludes such classification is a matter of judgment that depends on the relevant facts and circumstances. Changes in the fair value of economic hedges are reflected in results of operations and are classified between operating revenues and cost of energy according to the intent of the hedge. Decommissioning Costs PNM owns and leases nuclear and fossil-fuel generating facilities. In accordance with GAAP, PNM is only required to recognize and measure decommissioning liabilities for tangible long-lived assets for which a legal obligation exists. Nuclear decommissioning costs and related accruals are based on site-specific estimates of the costs for removing all radioactive and other structures at PVNGS and are dependent upon numerous assumptions. PNM’s accruals for PVNGS Units 1, 2, and 3 have been made based on such estimates, the guidelines of the NRC, and the extended PVNGS license period. PVNGS Unit 3 is excluded from PNM’s retail rates while PVNGS Units 1 and 2 are included. PNM collects a provision for ultimate decommissioning of PVNGS Units 1 and 2 and its fossil-fueled generation facilities in its rates and recognizes a corresponding expense and liability for these amounts. See Note 15. In connection with both the SJGS coal agreement and the Four Corners fuel agreement, the owners are required to reimburse the mining companies for the cost of contemporaneous reclamation as well as the costs for final reclamation of the coal mines. The reclamation costs are based on site-specific studies that estimate the costs to be incurred in the future and are dependent upon numerous assumptions. PNM considers the contemporaneous reclamation costs part of the cost of its delivered coal costs. See Note 16 for a discussion of the final reclamation costs. Environmental Costs The normal operations of the Company involve activities and substances that expose the Company to potential liabilities under laws and regulations protecting the environment. Liabilities under these laws and regulations can be material and in some instances may be imposed without regard to fault, or may be imposed for past acts, even though the past acts may have been lawful at the time they occurred. The Company records its environmental liabilities when site assessments or remedial actions are probable and a range of reasonably likely cleanup costs can be estimated. The Company reviews its sites and measures the liability by assessing a range of reasonably likely costs for each identified site using currently available information and the probable level of involvement and financial condition of other potentially responsible parties. These estimates include costs for site investigations, remediation, operations and maintenance, monitoring, and site closure. The ultimate cost to clean up the Company's identified sites may vary from its recorded liability due to numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation process. Amounts recorded for environmental expense in the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, as well as the amounts of environmental liabilities at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were insignificant. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits See Note 12 for a discussion of pension and postretirement benefits expense, including a discussion of the actuarial assumptions. Stock-Based Compensation See Note 13 for a discussion of stock-based compensation expense. Income Taxes Income taxes are recognized using the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Current NMPRC and PUCT approved rates include the tax effects of the majority of these differences. GAAP requires that rate-regulated enterprises record deferred income taxes for temporary differences accorded flow-through treatment at the direction of a regulatory commission. The resulting deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded at the expected cash flow to be reflected in future rates. Because the NMPRC and the PUCT have consistently permitted the recovery of tax effects previously flowed-through earnings, the Company has established regulatory liabilities and assets offsetting such deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company recognizes only the impact of tax positions that, based on their merits, are more likely than not to be sustained upon an IRS audit. The Company defers investment tax credits related to rate regulated assets and amortizes them over the estimated useful lives of those assets. See Note 11. Excise Taxes The Company pays certain fees or taxes which are either considered to be an excise tax or similar to an excise tax. Substantially all of these taxes are recorded on a net basis in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18743-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18854-107790 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 8 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18861-107790 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18726-107790 + Details
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