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Summary of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of accounting
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.
Principles of Consolidation
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 10) 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. The agreements for the jointly-owned plants provide that if an owner were to default on its payment obligations, the non-defaulting owners would be responsible for their proportionate share of the obligations of the defaulting owner. In exchange, the non-defaulting owners would be entitled to their proportionate share of the generating capacity of the defaulting owner. There have been no such payment defaults under any of the agreements for the jointly-owned plants.
PNMR shared services’ expenses, which represent costs that are primarily driven by corporate level activities, are charged to the business segments. These services are billed at cost and are reflected as general and administrative expenses in the business segments. Other significant intercompany transactions between PNMR, PNM, and TNMP include interest and income tax sharing payments, as well as equity transactions, and interconnection billings. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation
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 13.

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
Cash and Restricted Cash

Investments in highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered cash and cash equivalents. In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-18 - Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents (collectively, “restricted cash”) to be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period amounts shown on the statements of cash flows and adds disclosures necessary to reconcile such amounts to cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheets. ASU 2016-18 does not require that restricted cash be reflected as cash in the statement of financial position and does not provide a definition of what should be considered restricted cash.

As of January 1, 2016, PNM held a deposit of $8.2 million from a third party that was restricted for PNM’s construction of transmission interconnection facilities for that party. During 2016, PNM utilized $7.2 million of such third-party deposits to offset construction costs for the interconnection facilities. The remaining $1.0 million was held as restricted cash until the second quarter of 2017, at which time a refund was made to the third party. The balances of this deposit arrangement were included in other current assets on the balance sheets of PNMR and PNM. Under the terms of the BTMU Term Loan agreement (Note 7), all cash of NM Capital was restricted to be used for payments required under that agreement or for taxes and fees. On May 22, 2018, Westmoreland repaid the Westmoreland Loan in full. NM Capital used a portion of the proceeds to repay all of its obligations under the BTMU Term Loan. These payments effectively terminated the loan agreements (Note 10). Cash held by NM Capital was included in cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheets of PNMR and was less than $0.1 million at December 31, 2017.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-18 as of January 1, 2018, its required effective date. Upon adoption, ASU 2016-18 requires the use of a retrospective transition method for the statement of cash flows in each period presented. Accordingly, PNM made retrospective adjustments to its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to increase beginning cash, restricted cash, and equivalents by $8.2 million at January 1, 2016 and by $1.0 million January 1, 2017, and to reduce operating cash in-flows - other current assets by $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and by $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. In addition, the beginning and ending balances of cash, restricted cash, and equivalents are presented on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. No other changes were made to the Consolidated Financial Statements in connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-18.
Utility Plant
Utility Plant
Utility plant is stated at original cost, which includes capitalized payroll-related costs such as taxes, pension, other fringe benefits, administrative costs, and AFUDC, where authorized by rate regulation, or capitalized interest.
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, losses, and costs to remove resulting from retirements or other dispositions of regulated property in the normal course of business are credited or charged to accumulated depreciation.
PNM and TNMP may receive reimbursements, referred to as CIAC, from customers to pay for all or part of certain construction projects to extent that project does not benefit regulated customers in general. PNM and TNMP account for these reimbursements as offsets to utility plant additions based on the requirements of the NMPRC, FERC, and PUCT. Due to the PUCT’s regulatory treatment of CIAC reimbursements, TNMP also receives a financing component that is recognized as other income on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Under the NMPRC regulatory treatment, PNM typically does not receive a financing component.
Depreciation and Amortization
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 and FERC. 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.
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
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 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 or “debt AFUDC”) and a return on other funds (allowance for equity funds used during construction or “equity AFUDC”). The debt AFUDC is recorded in interest charges and the equity AFUDC is recorded in other income on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Capitalized Interest
Capitalized Interest
The Company capitalizes interest on its construction projects and major computer software projects not subject to the computation of AFUDC. Capitalized interest is recorded in interest charges.
Materials, Supplies, and Fuel Stock
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.
Investments
PNM holds investment securities in the NDT for the purpose of funding its share of the decommissioning costs of PVNGS and trusts for PNM’s share of final reclamation costs related to the coal mines serving SJGS and Four Corners (Note 16). Prior to 2018, PNM classified all debt and equity investments held in the NDT and coal mine reclamation trusts as available-for-sale securities. Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 Financial Instruments (Subtopic 825-10), which eliminates the requirement to classify investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values into trading or available-for-sale categories and requires those equity securities to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income rather than in OCI. Under ASU 2016-01, the accounting for available-for-sale debt securities remains essentially unchanged. See Note 9. 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 available-for-sale security that has a market value that is less than cost at the end of each quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2018, PNM recorded impairment losses on the available-for-sale debt securities of $13.7 million. For the years ended December 31, 2017, and 2016, PNM recorded impairment losses on the available-for-sale securities, which included both debt and equity securities, of $7.1 million and $13.9 million. No gains or losses are deferred as regulatory assets or liabilities. Through December 31, 2017, unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of related tax effects, are included in OCI and AOCI. In accordance with ASU 2016-01, unrealized gains on equity securities, net of related tax effects, were reclassified from AOCI to retained earnings on January 1, 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2018, unrealized gains recognized in OCI and AOCI, net of related tax effects, are related only to the available-for sale debt securities. These investments are primarily comprised of international, United States, state, and municipal government obligations and corporate debt 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
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.
Asset Impairment
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
Revenue Recognition
See Note 4 for a discussion of electric operating revenues.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts
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
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 recoverable through NMPRC, FERC, or PUCT regulation, which are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities and amortized over the lives of the respective issues. Unamortized debt premium, discount, and expense related to long-term are reflected as part of the debt liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Derivatives and Accounting for Derivatives
Derivatives
The Company records derivative instruments, including energy contracts, on 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 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. See Note 7 and Note 9.
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. 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.
Accounting for Derivatives
Under derivative accounting and related rules for energy contracts, PNM accounts for its various instruments for the purchase and sale of energy, which meet the definition of a derivative, based on PNM’s intent. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, PNM was not hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows from commodity derivatives through designated cash flows hedges. The derivative contracts recorded at fair value that do not qualify or are not designated for cash flow hedge accounting are classified as economic hedges. Economic hedges are defined as derivative instruments, including long-term power agreements, used to economically hedge generation assets, purchased power and fuel costs, and customer load requirements. 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. PNM has no trading transactions.
Decommissioning and Reclamation Costs
Decommissioning and Reclamation Costs
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 and PVNGS Unit 3 was excluded through December 31, 2017, but is included in retail rates beginning in 2018. See Note 16 and Note 17. See Note 17 for information concerning the treatment of nuclear decommissioning for the leased portions of PVNGS in the NMPRC’s order in PNM’s NM 2015 Rate Case and PNM’s appeal of that order.
In connection with both the SJGS and Four Corners coal supply agreements, 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 reclamation costs.
Environmental 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.
Income Taxes
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. In accordance with GAAP, all deferred taxes are reflected as non-current on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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 based on 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 and amortizes them over the estimated useful lives of the assets. See Note 18 for additional information, including a discussion of the impacts of the Tax Act.

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.

New Accounting Pronouncements
New Accounting Pronouncements

Information concerning recently issued accounting pronouncements that have not been adopted by the Company is presented below. The Company does not expect difficulty in adopting these standards by their required effective dates.

Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842)

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 to provide guidance on the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of leases. Effective January 1, 2019, ASU 2016-02 requires 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 classified as operating leases, will be on a straight-line basis and other leases will be required to be accounted for as financing arrangements, which are recorded in a manner that is similar to the accounting for capital leases under current GAAP. ASU 2016-02 also revises certain disclosure requirements. ASU 2016-02 allows entities to apply certain practical expedients to arrangements that exist upon adoption of the standard and provides for other practical expedients that can be applied to leases commencing after the date of adoption.

As discussed in Note 8, the Company has operating leases of office buildings, vehicles, and equipment. PNM also has operating lease interests in PVNGS Units 1 and 2 that will expire in January 2023 and 2024. In addition, the Company routinely enters into land easements and right-of-way agreements but only one such agreement with the Navajo Nation has been accounted for as a lease under current guidance. The Company will elect to use many of the practical expedients available upon adoption of the standard. As a result, the Company will continue to account for its leases, including its land lease agreement with the Navajo Nation, existing as of January 1, 2019 as operating leases until they expire or a modified. The Company will also elect the use of the practical expedient related to retrospective application of the standard and will adopt the standard prospectively, rather than restating prior periods to conform to the new guidance.

As of January 1, 2019, PNMR, PNM, and TNMP will record operating lease obligations and corresponding right-of-use assets aggregating approximately $160 million, $146 million, and $12 million. These amounts reflect anticipated future cash flows associated with each operating lease, including the 2018 consumer price index requirement for the right-of-way lease on the Navajo Nation, discounted at PNMR’s, PNM’s, and TNMP’s fully collateralized borrowing rates, except for fleet operating leases which contain specified interest rates. The Company anticipates the majority of its fleet leases, and certain of its leases for office equipment, commencing after the effective date of the new standard will be recorded as financing leases. After the date of adoption, the Company anticipates it will elect the use of the practical expedient to combine the lease and non-lease components for its fleet and office building leases, and to elect the practical expedient allowing leases with expected terms of less than one-year to not be recorded on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The standard also expands disclosure requirements related to leases, which will be provided beginning in 2019.

Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 Financial Instruments Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which changes the way entities recognize impairment of many financial assets, including accounts receivable and investments in debt securities, by requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining lives of the assets. In November 2018, the FASB clarified that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Topic 326 for assets measured at amortized costs. Instead, impairments of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842. The Company anticipates adopting ASU 2016-13 effective as of January 1, 2020, its required effective date. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impacts of this new standard but does not anticipate it will have a significant impact on its financial statements.


Accounting Standards Update 2017-04 Intangibles Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 to simplify the annual goodwill impairment assessment process. Currently, the first step of a quantitative impairment test requires an entity to compare the fair value of each reporting unit containing goodwill with its carrying value (including goodwill). If as a result of this analysis, the entity concludes there is an indication of impairment in a reporting unit having goodwill, the entity is required to perform the second step of the impairment analysis, determining the amount of goodwill impairment to be recorded. The amount is calculated by comparing the implied fair value of the goodwill to its carrying amount. This exercise requires the entity to allocate the fair value determined in step one to the individual assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. Any remaining fair value would be the implied fair value of goodwill on the testing date. To the extent the recorded amount of goodwill of a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value determined in step two, an impairment loss would be reflected in results of operations. ASU 2017-04 eliminates the second step of the impairment analysis. Accordingly, if the first step of a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis performed after adoption of ASU 2017-04 indicates that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the goodwill of that reporting unit would be impaired to the extent of that difference. The Company anticipates it will adopt ASU 2017-04 for impairment testing after January 1, 2020, its required effective date, although early adoption is permitted. However, if there is an indication of potential impairment of goodwill as a result of an impairment assessment prior to 2020, the Company will evaluate the impact of ASU 2017-04 and could elect to early adopt this standard.

Accounting Standards Update 2017-12 Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12 to better align hedge accounting with an organization’s risk management activities and to simplify the application of hedge accounting guidance. ASU 2017-12 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 although early adoption is permitted. At adoption, ASU 2017-12 is to be applied prospectively and allows entities to record a cumulative-effect adjustment at the transition date as well as allowing entities to elect certain practical expedients upon adoption. As discussed in Note 7, the Company periodically enters into, and designates as cash flow hedges, interest rate swaps to hedge its exposure to changes in interest rates. In addition, as discussed in Note 9, the Company enters into various derivative instruments to economically hedge the risk of changes in commodity prices, which are not currently designated as cash flow hedges. Beginning on January 1, 2018, PNM’s capacity in PVNGS Unit 3 is being used as a resource to serve NM retail customers (Note 16). As a result, the Company’s exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices, as well as its use of economic hedging transactions, has been significantly reduced. The Company will adopt ASU 2017-12 on its January 1, 2019 effective date and does not anticipate the changes will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2018-13 – Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework: Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurements

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 to improve fair value disclosures. ASU 2018-13 eliminates certain disclosure requirements related to transfers between Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and the requirement to disclose the valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 also amends certain disclosure requirements for investments measured at net asset value and requires new disclosures for Level 3 investments, including a new requirement to disclose changes in unrealized gains or losses recorded in OCI related to Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2020 and permits entities to adopt all or certain elements of the new guidance prior to its effective date. ASU 2018-13 requires retrospective application, except for the new disclosures related to Level 3 investments which are to be applied prospectively. As discussed in Note 9, PNM and TNMP have investment securities in trusts for decommissioning, reclamation, pension benefits, and other postretirement benefits, which are measured at fair value. Certain investments in these trusts are measured at net asset value per share. These trusts also hold Level 3 investments. The Company is evaluating the requirements of ASU 2018-13, but does not anticipate it will have a significant impact on the Company’s fair value disclosures.

Accounting Standards Update 2018-14 – Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans (Topic 715) Disclosure Framework: Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14 to improve benefit plan sponsors’ disclosures for defined benefit pension and other post-employment benefit plans. ASU 2018-14 removes the requirement to disclose the amounts in other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as benefit cost over the next fiscal year and the requirement to disclose the impact of a one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate; clarifies the disclosure requirements for plans with assets that are less than their projected benefit, or accumulated benefit obligation; and requires significant gains and losses affecting benefit obligations during the period be disclosed. ASU 2018-14 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2021, although early adoption is permitted, and requires retrospective application. As discussed in Note 11, PNM and TNMP maintain qualified defined benefit, other postretirement benefit plans providing medical and dental benefits, and executive retirement programs. The Company is in the process of evaluating the requirements of ASU 2018-14 but does not anticipate these changes will have a significant impact on the Company’s defined benefit and other postretirement benefit plan disclosures.

Accounting Standards Update 2018-15 – Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software (Topic 350): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15 to align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. Under ASU 2018-15, entities are required to capitalize implementation costs for hosting arrangements if those costs meet the capitalization requirements for internal-use software arrangements. ASU 2018-15 requires entities to present cash flows, capitalized costs, and amortization expense in the same financial statement line items as other costs incurred for such hosting arrangements. ASU 2018-15 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2020, although early adoption is permitted, and allows entities to apply the new requirements retrospectively or prospectively. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impacts of this new standard.

Accounting Standards Update 2018-18 - Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606
In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18 to clarify transactions between collaborative arrangement participants that should be recognized as revenue under Topic 606. ASU 2018-18 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2020, although early adoption is permitted, and requires retrospective application. The Company has collaborative arrangements related to its interests in SJGS, Four Corners, PVNGS, and Luna. The Company believes its current accounting practices comply with the requirements of ASU 2018-18 but is in the process of analyzing the impacts of the new standard.
Segment Information
The following segment presentation is based on the methodology that management uses for making operating decisions and assessing performance of its various business activities. A reconciliation of the segment presentation to the GAAP financial statements is provided.
Fair Value of Derivatives
The Company determines the fair values of its derivative and other financial instruments based on the hierarchy established in GAAP, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. GAAP describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. The Company records any transfers between fair value hierarchy levels as of the end of each calendar quarter. There were no transfers between levels during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. See New Accounting Pronouncements in Note 1.
For investment securities, Level 2 and Level 3 fair values are provided by fund managers utilizing a pricing service. For Level 2 fair values, the pricing provider predominantly uses the market approach using bid side market value based upon a hierarchy of information for specific securities or securities with similar characteristics. Fair values of Level 2 investments in mutual funds are equal to net asset value as of year-end. Level 3 investments are comprised of corporate term loans and, at December 31, 2017, the Westmoreland Loan. For commodity derivatives, Level 2 fair values are determined based on market observable inputs, which are validated using multiple broker quotes, including forward price, volatility, and interest rate curves to establish expectations of future prices. Credit valuation adjustments are made for estimated credit losses based on the overall exposure to each counterparty. For the Company’s long-term debt, Level 2 fair values are provided by an external pricing service. The pricing service primarily utilizes quoted prices for similar debt in active markets when determining fair value. The valuation of Level 3 investments requires significant judgment by the pricing provider due to the absence of quoted market values, changes in market conditions, and the long-term nature of the assets. The significant unobservable inputs include the trading multiples of public companies that are considered comparable to the company being valued, company specific issues, estimates of liquidation value, current operating performance and future expectations of performance, changes in market outlook and the financing environment, capitalization rates, discount rates, and cash flows. For the Westmoreland Loan, fair values were determined using an internal valuation model of discounted cash flows that took into consideration discount rates observable for similar types of assets and liabilities. Management of the Company independently verifies the information provided by pricing services.
Variable Interest Entities
GAAP determines how an enterprise evaluates and accounts for its involvement with variable interest entities, focusing primarily on whether the enterprise has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). GAAP also requires continual reassessment of the primary beneficiary of a VIE.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
The expected long-term rate of return on pension and postretirement plan assets is calculated on the market-related value of assets. GAAP requires that actual gains and losses on pension and OPEB plan assets be recognized in the market-related value of assets equally over a period of not more than five years, which reduces year-to-year volatility.
GAAP requires a plan sponsor to (a) recognize in its statement of financial position an asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status; (b) measure a plan’s assets and its obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of the employer’s fiscal year; and (c) recognize changes in the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan in the year in which the changes occur.
GAAP requires unrecognized prior service costs and unrecognized gains or losses to be recorded in AOCI and subsequently amortized. The amortization of these incurred costs is included as pension and postretirement benefit periodic cost or income in subsequent years. To the extent the amortization of these items will ultimately be recovered or returned through future rates, PNM and TNMP record the costs as a regulatory asset or regulatory liability.
Commitments and Contingencies
There are various claims and lawsuits pending against the Company. In addition, the Company is subject to federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations and periodically participates in the investigation and remediation of various sites. In addition, the Company periodically enters into financial commitments in connection with its business operations. Also, the Company is involved in various legal and regulatory (Note 17) proceedings in the normal course of its business. It is not possible at this time for the Company to determine fully the effect of all litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
With respect to some of the items listed below, the Company has determined that a loss is not probable or that, to the extent probable, cannot be reasonably estimated. In some cases, the Company is not able to predict with any degree of certainty the range of possible loss that could be incurred. The Company assesses legal and regulatory matters based on current information and makes judgments concerning their potential outcome, giving due consideration to the nature of the claim, the amount and nature of any damages sought, and the probability of success. Such judgments are made with the understanding that the outcome of any litigation, investigation, or other legal proceeding is inherently uncertain. In accordance with GAAP, the Company records liabilities for matters where it is probable a loss has been incurred and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable. The actual outcomes of the items listed below could ultimately differ from the judgments made and the differences could be material. The Company cannot make any assurances that the amount of reserves or potential insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover the cash obligations that might be incurred as a result of litigation or regulatory proceedings. Except as otherwise disclosed, the Company does not expect that any known lawsuits, environmental costs, and commitments will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.