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Summary of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of the 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. 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. 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’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 uses the term “Company” when discussing matters of common applicability to PNMR, PNM, and TNMP. Discussions regarding only PNMR, PNM, or TNMP are so indicated. Certain amounts in the 2014 and 2013 Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 financial statement presentation. 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 also consolidates Valencia (Note 9) and, through January 15, 2016, the PVNGS Capital Trust. 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. Other significant intercompany transactions between PNMR, PNM, and TNMP include interest and income tax sharing payments, as well as equity transactions. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. See Note 3. 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. GAAP also provides for the recognition of revenue and regulatory assets and liabilities associated with “alternative revenue programs” authorized by regulators. Such programs allow the utility to adjust future rates in response to past activities or completed events, if certain criteria are met, even for programs that do not otherwise qualify for recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities. 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 the NMPRC, PUCT, and FERC. 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. Competition Transition Charge In connection with the adoption of Senate Bill 7 by the Texas Legislature in 1999 that deregulated electric utilities operating within ERCOT, TNMP was allowed to recover its stranded costs through the CTC and to recover a carrying charge on the CTC. The amounts yet to be collect are recorded as regulatory assets by TNMP. TNMP’s calculation of allowable carrying charges on stranded costs recoverable from its transmission and distribution customers is based on a Texas Supreme Court ruling and the PUCT’s application of that ruling. 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 accumulated depreciation. Depreciation and Amortization PNM’s provision for depreciation and amortization of utility plant, other than nuclear fuel, is based upon composite 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 operating expenses and construction projects based on the use of the equipment. Average straight-line rates used were as follows:
| Year ended December 31
| 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
PNM |  |  |  |  |
Electric plant | 2.27 | % |  | 2.26 | % |  | 2.27 | %
Common, intangible, and general plant | 4.66 | % |  | 4.64 | % |  | 4.87 | %
TNMP | 3.94 | % |  | 3.59 | % |  | 3.66 | %
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). The allowance for borrowed funds used during construction is recorded in interest charges and the allowance for equity funds used during construction is recorded in other income on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, PNM recorded $7.8 million, $4.2 million, and $3.3 million of allowance for borrowed funds used during construction and $10.4 million, $5.6 million, and $4.4 million of allowance for equity funds used during construction. TNMP recorded $0.5 million, $0.5 million, and $0.4 million of allowance for borrowed funds used during construction and zero, zero, and zero of allowance for equity funds used during construction. Capitalized Interest The Company 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%, 6.6%, and 6.9% for 2015, 2014, and 2013. In 2015, 2014, and 2013, capitalized interest was $1.5 million, $1.6 million, and $1.5 million for PNMR consolidated; $0.8 million, $1.1 million, and $1.1 million for PNM; and $0.1 million, $0.1 million, and zero for TNMP. 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. Average cost is equal to net realizable value under the ratemaking process. Inventories consisted of the following at December 31:
| PNMR |  | PNM |  | TNMP
| 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2015 |  | 2014
| (In thousands)
Coal | $ | 18,356 |  |  | $ | 17,525 |  |  | $ | 18,356 |  |  | $ | 17,525 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Materials and supplies | 49,030 |  |  | 46,103 |  |  | 42,121 |  |  | 43,334 |  |  | 6,909 |  |  | 2,769 |
| $ | 67,386 |  |  | $ | 63,628 |  |  | $ | 60,477 |  |  | $ | 60,859 |  |  | $ | 6,909 |  |  | $ | 2,769 |
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 and held by the PVNGS Capital Trust, which was consolidated by PNM. The PVNGS Capital Trust held certain of the lessor notes to their maturities in January 2015 and January 2016. Upon final maturity of the lessor notes, the PVNGS Capital Trust ceased to exist. The PVNGS lessor notes were carried at amortized cost. PNM holds investment securities in the NDT for the purpose of funding its share of the decommissioning costs of PVNGS and a trust for PNM’s share of post-term reclamation costs related to the coal mines serving SJGS (Note 16). All of these investments are classified as available-for-sale. PNM evaluates the securities for impairment on an on-going basis. Since third party investment managers have sole discretion over the purchase and sales of the 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, 2015, 2014, and 2013, PNM recorded impairment losses on the available-for-sale securities held in the NDT and coal mine reclamation trust of $10.4 million, $4.8 million, and $3.5 million. No gains or losses are deferred as regulatory assets or liabilities. Unrealized gains on these investments, net of related tax effects, are included in OCI and AOCI. The available-for-sale securities are primarily comprised of international, United States, state, and municipal government obligations and corporate debt and equity securities. All investments are held in PNM’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. Goodwill Under GAAP, the Company does not amortize goodwill. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the goodwill might be impaired. See Note 19. Asset Impairment Tangible long-lived assets are evaluated in relation to the estimated future undiscounted cash flows to assess recoverability when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. Revenue Recognition Electric 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 wholesale electricity sales are recorded as electric 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 and fuel supply 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. 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. 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. 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 other deductions, except for amounts attributable to NMPRC, FERC, or PUCT regulation, which are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities and amortized over the lives of the respective issues. See Note 6 for information regarding the adoption of a new accounting standard that requires a change in presentation of unamortized debt issuance costs on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Derivatives The Company records derivative instruments, including energy contracts, other than those designated as normal purchases or normal sales, 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 normal sale criteria are met. Normal purchases and normal sales are not marked to market and are reflected in results of operations when the underlying transactions settle. 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 6 and Note 8. The Company treats all forward commodity 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 provides 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. Decommissioning and Reclamation 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 periodic site-specific estimates of the costs for removing all radioactive and other structures at PVNGS and are dependent upon numerous assumptions, including estimates of future decommissioning costs at current price levels, inflation rates, and discount rates. PNM’s accruals for PVNGS Units 1, 2, and 3, including portions held under leases, have been made based on such estimates, the guidelines of the NRC, and the extended PVNGS license periods. PVNGS Units 1 and 2 are included in PNM’s retail rates while PVNGS Unit 3 is currently excluded. 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 and Note 16. 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 periodic site-specific studies that estimate the costs to be incurred in the future and are dependent upon numerous assumptions, including estimates of future reclamation costs at current price levels, inflation rates, and discount rates. 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 are based on assumptions regarding the 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, 2015, 2014, and 2013, as well as the amounts of environmental liabilities at December 31, 2015 and 2014 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, FERC, 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, FERC, 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. The Company makes an estimate of its anticipated effective tax rate for the year as of the end of each quarterly period within its fiscal year. In interim periods, income tax expense is calculated by applying the anticipated annual effective tax rate to year-to-date earnings before taxes, which includes the earnings attributable to the Valencia non-controlling interest. GAAP also provides that certain unusual or infrequently occurring items, as well as adjustments due to enactment of new tax laws, be excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate calculation. 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. New Accounting Pronouncements Information concerning recently issued accounting pronouncements that have not been adopted by the Company is presented below. Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. On August 12, 2015, the FASB issued a one-year deferral in the effective date. The Company must now adopt the new standard beginning on January 1, 2018. Early adoption would be permitted beginning January 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company has not yet selected a transition method although it is unlikely the Company would elect to early adopt the new standard. The Company is analyzing the impacts this new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but has not determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting. Accounting Standards Update 2014-15 – Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern On August 27, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, which requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern in connection with the preparation of financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period. Disclosure requirements associated with management’s evaluation are also outlined in the new guidance. The new standard is effective for the Company for reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impacts of this new standard. Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 – Financial Instruments (Subtopic 825-10) – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities On January 5, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, which makes targeted improvements to GAAP regarding financial instruments. The new standard eliminates the requirement to classify investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values into trading or available-for-sale categories and now requires those equity securities to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income rather than in OCI. The new standard also revises certain presentation and disclosure requirements. Under the new standard, accounting for investments in debt securities remains essentially unchanged. The new standard will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2018. Early adoption of the standard is permitted. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impacts of this new standard. Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 – Leases (Topic 842) On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, which will change how lessees account for leases. The ASU will require that a liability be recorded on the balance sheet for all leases based on the present value of future lease obligations. A corresponding right-of-use asset will also be recorded. Amortization of the lease obligation and the right-of-use asset for certain leases, primarily those currently classified as operating leases, will be on a straight-line basis, which is not expected to have a significant impact on the statements of earnings or cash flows, whereas other leases will be required to be accounted for as financing arrangements similar to the accounting treatment for capital leases under current GAAP. The new standard also revises certain disclosure requirements. The new standard will be effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2019. Early adoption of the standard is permitted. At adoption of the ASU, leases will be recognized and measured as of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. Since this ASU was only recently issued, the Company has not yet begun the process of analyzing the impacts of this new standard.

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