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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies General The Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA") is a corporate agency and instrumentality of the United States ("U.S.") that was created in 1933 by federal legislation in response to a proposal by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. TVA was created to, among other things, improve navigation on the Tennessee River, reduce the damage from destructive flood waters within the Tennessee River system and downstream on the lower Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, further the economic development of TVA's service area in the southeastern U.S., and sell the electricity generated at the facilities TVA operates. Today, TVA operates the nation's largest public power system and supplies power in most of Tennessee, northern Alabama, northeastern Mississippi, and southwestern Kentucky and in portions of northern Georgia, western North Carolina, and southwestern Virginia to a population of nearly 10 million people. TVA also manages the Tennessee River, its tributaries, and certain shorelines to provide, among other things, year-round navigation, flood damage reduction, and affordable and reliable electricity. Consistent with these primary purposes, TVA also manages the river system and public lands to provide recreational opportunities, adequate water supply, improved water quality, cultural and natural resource protection, and economic development. The power program has historically been separate and distinct from the stewardship programs. It is required to be self-supporting from power revenues and proceeds from power financings, such as proceeds from the issuance of bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness ("collectively, Bonds"). Although TVA does not currently receive congressional appropriations, it is required to make annual payments to the United States Department of the Treasury ("U.S. Treasury") as a return on the government's appropriation investment in TVA's power facilities (the "Power Program Appropriation Investment"). In the 1998 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, Congress directed TVA to fund essential stewardship activities related to its management of the Tennessee River system and nonpower or stewardship properties with power revenues in the event that there were insufficient appropriations or other available funds to pay for such activities in any fiscal year. Congress has not provided any appropriations to TVA to fund such activities since 1999. Consequently, during 2000, TVA began paying for essential stewardship activities primarily with power revenues, with the remainder funded with user fees and other forms of revenues derived in connection with those activities. The activities related to stewardship properties do not meet the criteria of an operating segment under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Accordingly, these assets and properties are included as part of the power program, TVA's only operating segment. Power rates are established by the TVA Board of Directors (the "TVA Board") as authorized by the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 (the "TVA Act"). The TVA Act requires TVA to charge rates for power that will produce gross revenues sufficient to provide funds for operation, maintenance, and administration of its power system; payments to states and counties in lieu of taxes ("tax equivalents"); debt service on outstanding indebtedness; payments to the U.S. Treasury in repayment of and as a return on the Power Program Appropriation Investment; and such additional margin as the TVA Board may consider desirable for investment in system assets, retirement of outstanding Bonds in advance of maturity, additional reduction of the Power Program Appropriation Investment, and other purposes connected with TVA's business. TVA fulfilled its requirement to repay $1.0 billion of the Power Program Appropriation Investment with the 2014 payment and so this item is no longer a component of rate setting. In setting TVA's rates, the TVA Board is charged by the TVA Act to have due regard for the primary objectives of the TVA Act, including the objective that power shall be sold at rates as low as are feasible. Rates set by the TVA Board are not subject to review or approval by any state or other federal regulatory body. Fiscal Year TVA's fiscal year ends September 30. Years (2018, 2017, etc.) refer to TVA's fiscal years unless they are preceded by “CY,” in which case the references are to calendar years. Cost-Based Regulation Since the TVA Board is authorized by the TVA Act to set rates for power sold to its customers, TVA is self-regulated. Additionally, TVA's regulated rates are designed to recover its costs. Based on current projections, TVA believes that rates, set at levels that will recover TVA's costs, can be charged and collected. As a result of these factors, TVA records certain assets and liabilities that result from the regulated ratemaking process that would not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. Regulatory assets generally represent incurred costs that have been deferred because such costs are probable of future recovery in customer rates. Regulatory liabilities generally represent obligations to make refunds to customers for previous collections for costs that are not likely to be incurred or deferral of gains that will be credited to customers in future periods. TVA assesses whether the regulatory assets are probable of future recovery by considering factors such as applicable regulatory changes, potential legislation, and changes in technology. Based on these assessments, TVA believes the existing regulatory assets are probable of recovery. This determination reflects the current regulatory and political environment and is subject to change in the future. If future recovery of regulatory assets ceases to be probable, or any of the other factors described above cease to be applicable, TVA would no longer be considered to be a regulated entity and would be required to write off these costs. All regulatory asset write offs would be required to be recognized in earnings in the period in which future recovery ceases to be probable. Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, include the accounts of TVA, wholly-owned direct subsidiaries, and variable interest entities ("VIE") of which TVA is the primary beneficiary. See Note 9 and Note 10. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements requires TVA to estimate the effects of various matters that are inherently uncertain as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. Although the consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP, TVA is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the amounts of revenues and expenses reported during the reporting period. Each of these estimates varies in regard to the level of judgment involved and its potential impact on TVA's financial results. Estimates are considered critical either when a different estimate could have reasonably been used, or where changes in the estimate are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, and such use or change would materially impact TVA's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash includes cash on hand and non-interest bearing cash and deposit accounts. All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered cash equivalents. Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents that are restricted as to withdrawal or use under the terms of certain contractual agreements are recorded in Restricted cash and cash equivalents and Other long-term assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Restricted cash and cash equivalents includes cash held in trusts that are currently restricted for TVA economic development projects and for certain TVA environmental programs in accordance with agreements related to compliance with certain environmental regulations. See Note 21 — Commitments and Contingencies. Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts The allowance for uncollectible accounts reflects TVA's estimate of probable losses inherent in its accounts and loans receivable balances. TVA determines the allowance based on known accounts, historical experience, and other currently available information including events such as customer bankruptcy and/or a customer failing to fulfill payment arrangements after 90 days. It also reflects TVA's corporate credit department's assessment of the financial condition of customers and the credit quality of the receivables. The allowance for uncollectible accounts was less than $1 million at both September 30, 2018 and 2017, for accounts receivable. Additionally, loans receivable of $138 million and $118 million at September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, are included in Accounts receivable, net and Other long-term assets, for the current and long-term portions, respectively, and are reported net of allowances for uncollectible accounts of less than $1 million at both September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Revenues Revenues from power sales are recorded as electricity is delivered to customers. In addition to power sales invoiced and recorded during the month, TVA accrues estimated unbilled revenues for power sales provided to five customers whose billing date occurs prior to the end of the month. Exchange power sales are presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as a component of Sales of electricity. Exchange power sales are sales of excess power after meeting TVA native load and directly served requirements. Native load refers to the customers on whose behalf a company, by statute, franchise, regulatory requirement, or contract, has undertaken an obligation to serve. From time to time TVA transfers fiber optic capacity on TVA’s network to telecommunications service carriers and local power company customers of TVA ("LPCs"). These transactions are structured as indefeasible rights of use ("IRUs"), which are the exclusive right to use a specified amount of fiber optic capacity for a specified term. TVA accounts for the consideration received on transfers of fiber optic capacity for cash and on all of the other elements deliverable under an IRU as revenue ratably over the term of the agreement. TVA does not recognize revenue on any contemporaneous exchanges of its fiber optic capacity for an IRU of fiber optic capacity of the counterparty to the exchange. TVA engages in a wide array of arrangements in addition to power sales. TVA records revenue when it is realized or realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; the price or fee is fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenues from activities related to TVA’s overall mission are recorded as other operating revenue versus those that are not related to the overall mission, which are recorded in Other income (expense), net. Pre-Commercial Plant Operations As part of the process of completing the construction of a generating unit, the electricity produced is used to serve the demands of the electric system. TVA estimates revenue from such pre-commercial generation based on the guidance provided by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") regulations. Watts Bar Nuclear Plant ("Watts Bar") Unit 2 commenced pre-commercial plant operations in June 2016, and commercial operations began in October 2016. In addition, the Paradise Combined Cycle Plant commenced pre-commercial plant operations in October 2016, and commercial operations began in April 2017. The Allen Combined Cycle Plant ("Allen CC") began pre-commercial plant operations in September 2017, and began commercial operations in April 2018. Cogeneration capability at Johnsonville Combustion Turbine Unit 20 commenced pre-commercial plant operations in September 2017, and was placed in service during December 2017. Estimated revenue of $11 million and $22 million related to these projects was capitalized to offset project costs for the years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. TVA also capitalized related fuel costs for these construction projects of approximately $19 million and $14 million during the years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Inventories Certain Fuel, Materials, and Supplies. Materials and supplies inventories are valued using an average unit cost method. A new average cost is computed after each inventory purchase transaction, and inventory issuances are priced at the latest moving weighted average unit cost. Coal, fuel oil, and natural gas inventories are valued using an average cost method. A new weighted average cost is computed monthly, and monthly issues are priced accordingly. Allowance for Inventory Obsolescence. TVA reviews material and supplies inventories by category and usage on a periodic basis. Each category is assigned a probability of becoming obsolete based on the type of material and historical usage data. In 2018, TVA started moving from a site-specific inventory management policy to a fleet-wide strategy for each generation type. Based on the estimated value of the inventory, TVA adjusts its allowance for inventory obsolescence. Emission Allowances. TVA has emission allowances for sulfur dioxide ("SO 2") and nitrogen oxide ("NO x") which are accounted for as inventory. The cost of specific allowances used each month is charged to operating expense based on tons of SO 2 and NO x emitted during the respective compliance periods. Allowances granted to TVA by the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") are recorded at zero cost. Renewable Energy Credits. TVA accounts for Renewable Energy Certificates ("RECs") using the specific identification cost method. RECs that are acquired through power purchases are recorded as inventory and charged to purchased power expense when the RECs are subsequently used or sold. TVA assigns a value to the RECs at the inception of the power purchase arrangement using a relative fair value approach. RECs created through TVA-owned asset generation are recorded at zero cost. Property, Plant, and Equipment, and Depreciation Property, Plant, and Equipment. Additions to plant are recorded at cost, which includes direct and indirect costs and may include allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC"), if eligible. The cost of current repairs and minor replacements is charged to operating expense. Nuclear fuel inventories, which are included in Property, plant, and equipment, are valued using the average cost method for raw materials and the specific identification method for nuclear fuel in a reactor. Amortization of nuclear fuel in a reactor is calculated on a units-of-production basis and is included in fuel expense. When property, plant, and equipment is retired, accumulated depreciation is charged for the original cost of the assets. Gains or losses are only recognized upon the sale of land or an entire operating unit. Depreciation. TVA accounts for depreciation of its properties using the composite depreciation convention of accounting. Under the composite method, assets with similar economic characteristics are grouped and depreciated as one asset. Depreciation is generally computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated service lives of the various classes of assets. The estimation of asset useful lives requires management judgment, supported by external depreciation studies of historical asset retirement experience. Depreciation rates are determined based on the external depreciation studies. This study will be updated at least every five years. Depreciation expense for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $1.3 billion, $1.3 billion, and $1.4 billion, respectively. Depreciation expense expressed as a percentage of the average annual depreciable completed plant was 2.45 percent for 2018, 2.49 percent for 2017, and 2.97 percent for 2016. Average depreciation rates by asset class are as follows:
Property, Plant, and Equipment Depreciation Rates At September 30 (percent)
| 2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2016
Asset Class |  |  |  |  |
Nuclear | 2.64 |  |  | 2.66 |  |  | 2.37 |
Coal-fired | 2.32 |  |  | 2.33 |  |  | 3.50 |
Hydroelectric | 1.57 |  |  | 1.58 |  |  | 1.29 |
Gas and oil-fired | 2.93 |  |  | 3.27 |  |  | 3.09 |
Transmission | 1.32 |  |  | 1.34 |  |  | 2.80 |
Other | 5.90 |  |  | 6.12 |  |  | 8.97 |
Coal-Fired. In April 2011, TVA entered into two substantively similar agreements, one with the EPA and the other with Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, and three environmental advocacy groups (collectively, the "Environmental Agreements”). See Note 21 — Legal Proceedings — Environmental Agreements. Under the Environmental Agreements, TVA committed to retire 18 coal-fired units on a phased schedule, among other things. Since its November 2013 meeting, the TVA Board has approved the retirement of certain coal-fired units. Units subsequently retired include: Widows Creek Fossil Plant ("Widows Creek") Units 7 and 8 on September 30, 2015; Colbert Fossil Plant ("Colbert") Units 1-5 on April 16, 2016; Paradise Fossil Plant ("Paradise") Units 1 and 2 on April 15, 2017; Johnsonville Fossil Plant ("Johnsonville") Units 1-4 on December 31, 2017; and Allen Fossil Plant ("Allen") Units 1-3 on March 31, 2018. As a result of TVA's decision to idle or retire units, TVA recognized $48 million, $104 million and $139 million in accelerated depreciation expense related to the units during the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Accelerated depreciation is based on the rate in effect at the time the decision is made to idle or retire a unit. Capital Lease Agreements. Assets recorded under capital lease agreements are included in property, plant, and equipment. These primarily consist of a natural gas lateral pipeline, power production facilities, water treatment assets, and land of $149 million and $161 million at September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Amortization expense related to capital leases is included in Depreciation and amortization in TVA’s statement of operations, excluding leases and other financing obligations where regulatory accounting is applied. See Note 7 — Other Non-Current Regulatory Assets — Deferred Capital Leases and Other Financing Obligations. On April 4, 2016, TVA entered into a letter agreement with Choctaw Generation Limited Partnership, LLLP (“CGLP”) for the reimbursement of certain capital costs and ongoing operating and maintenance costs related to assets recently constructed at the Red Hills lignite-fired power facility. These capital additions were required to comply with new Mercury and Air Toxics Standards ("MATS"). As a result of the new agreement, TVA was required to reassess a related 1997 power purchase and operating agreement (“PPOA”) with CGLP that was previously classified as an executory contract. This reassessment determined that the PPOA contained a capital lease and resulted in TVA recording a capital lease asset at the estimated fair value of $76 million with an offsetting capital lease liability included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities. Allowance for Funds Used During Construction. TVA may capitalize interest on eligible projects as AFUDC, based on the average interest rate of TVA’s outstanding debt. The allowance is applicable to construction in progress related to eligible projects with (1) an expected total project cost of $1.0 billion or more, and (2) an estimated construction period of at least three years in duration. No AFUDC was capitalized for the years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. TVA capitalized $235 million of AFUDC for the year ended September 30, 2016, related to the Watts Bar Unit 2 project, which went into service in October 2016. Reacquired Rights. Property, plant, and equipment includes intangible reacquired rights, net of amortization, of $208 million and $215 million as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to the purchase of residual interests from lease/leaseback agreements of certain combustion turbine units. Amortization expense was $8 million, $4 million, and $1 million for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. See Note 9. Software Costs. TVA capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal-use software. Capitalized software costs are included in Property, plant, and equipment on the consolidated balance sheets and are generally amortized over seven years. At September 30, 2018 and 2017, unamortized computer software costs totaled $53 million and $42 million, respectively. Amortization expense related to capitalized computer software costs was $32 million, $26 million, and $43 million for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Software costs that do not meet capitalization criteria are expensed as incurred. Impairment of Assets. TVA evaluates long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets, TVA bases its evaluation on impairment indicators such as the nature of the assets, the future economic benefit of the assets, any historical or future profitability measurements, regulatory approval and ability to set rates at levels that allow for recoverability of the assets, and other external market conditions or factors that may be present. If such impairment indicators are present or other factors exist that indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, TVA determines whether an impairment has occurred based on an estimate of undiscounted cash flows attributable to the asset as compared with the carrying value of the asset. If an impairment has occurred, the amount of the impairment recognized is measured as the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value. Additionally, TVA regularly evaluates construction projects. If the project is canceled or deemed to have no future economic benefit, the project is written off as an asset impairment or, upon TVA Board approval, reclassified as a regulatory asset. Decommissioning Costs TVA recognizes legal obligations associated with the future retirement of certain tangible long-lived assets. These obligations relate to fossil fuel-fired generating plants, nuclear generating plants, hydroelectric generating plants/dams, transmission structures, and other property-related assets. These other property-related assets include, but are not limited to, easements and coal rights. Activities involved with retiring these assets could include decontamination and demolition of structures, removal and disposal of wastes, and site restoration. Revisions to the estimates of asset retirement obligations ("AROs") are made whenever factors indicate that the timing or amounts of estimated cash flows have changed materially. Any accretion or depreciation expense related to these liabilities and assets is charged to a regulatory asset. See Note 7 — Nuclear Decommissioning Costs and Non-Nuclear Decommissioning Costs and Note 12. Blended Low-Enriched Uranium Program Under the blended low-enriched uranium ("BLEU") program, TVA, the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE"), and certain nuclear fuel contractors have entered into agreements providing for the DOE's surplus of enriched uranium to be blended with other uranium down to a level that allows the blended uranium to be fabricated into fuel that can be used in nuclear power plants. Under the terms of an interagency agreement between TVA and the DOE, in exchange for supplying highly enriched uranium materials to the appropriate third-party fuel processors for processing into usable BLEU fuel for TVA, the DOE participates to a degree in the savings generated by TVA’s use of this blended nuclear fuel. TVA accrues an obligation with each BLEU reload batch related to the portion of the ultimate future payments estimated to be attributable to the BLEU fuel currently in use. TVA estimated DOE's portion of the cost savings from the program to be $166 million. The last reload of BLEU material is currently underway at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant ("Browns Ferry"). There is a potential to receive additional BLEU fuel beginning in 2020, and it would be used in future Browns Ferry reloads. At September 30, 2018, TVA had paid out approximately $165 million for this program, and the obligation recorded was $1 million. Investment Funds Investment funds consist primarily of trust funds designated to fund decommissioning requirements (see Note 21 — Contingencies — Decommissioning Costs), the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP") (see Note 20 — Overview of Plans and Benefits — Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan), and the Deferred Compensation Plan ("DCP"). The Nuclear Decommissioning Trust ("NDT") holds funds primarily for the ultimate decommissioning of TVA's nuclear power plants. The Asset Retirement Trust ("ART") holds funds primarily for the costs related to the future closure and retirement of TVA's other long-lived assets. The NDT, ART, SERP, and DCP funds are invested in portfolios of securities generally designed to achieve a return in line with overall equity and debt market performance. The NDT, ART, SERP, and DCP funds are all classified as trading. Energy Prepayment Obligations In 2004, TVA and its largest customer, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division ("MLGW"), entered into an energy prepayment agreement under which MLGW prepaid TVA $1.5 billion for the future costs of electricity to be delivered by TVA to MLGW over a period of 180 months. TVA accounted for the prepayment as unearned revenue and is reporting the obligation to deliver power under this arrangement as Energy prepayment obligations and Current portion of energy prepayment obligations on the September 30, 2018 and 2017 Consolidated Balance Sheets. Revenue is recognized in each year of the arrangement, as electricity is delivered to MLGW, based on the ratio of units of kilowatt hours ("kWh") delivered to total units of kWh under contract. At September 30, 2018, approximately $1.49 billion had been recognized as non-cash revenue on a cumulative basis during the life of the agreement, $100 million of which was recognized as non-cash revenue during each of 2018 and 2017. The remaining $10 million is expected to be recognized as non-cash revenue in 2019. Discounts to account for the time value of money, which are recorded as a reduction to electricity sales, amounted to $46 million for both of the years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Insurance Although TVA uses private companies to administer its healthcare plans for eligible active and retired employees not covered by Medicare, TVA does not purchase health insurance. Third-party actuarial specialists assist TVA in determining certain liabilities for self-insured claims. TVA recovers the costs of claims through power rates and through adjustments to the participants’ contributions to their benefit plans. These liabilities are included in Other liabilities on the balance sheets. TVA sponsors an Owner Controlled Insurance Program which provides workers' compensation and liability insurance for a select group of contractors performing maintenance, modifications, outage, and new construction activities at TVA facilities. The Federal Employees' Compensation Act ("FECA") governs liability to employees for service-connected injuries. TVA purchases excess workers' compensation insurance above a self-insured retention. In addition to excess workers' compensation insurance, TVA purchases the following types of insurance:
• | Nuclear liability insurance; nuclear property, decommissioning, and decontamination insurance; and nuclear accidental outage insurance. See Note 21 — Contingencies — Nuclear Insurance.
• | Excess liability insurance for aviation, auto, marine, and general liability exposures.
• | Property insurance for certain conventional (non-nuclear) assets.
The insurance policies are subject to the terms and conditions of the specific policy, including deductibles or self-insured retentions. To the extent insurance would not provide either a partial or total recovery of the costs associated with a loss, TVA would have to recover any such costs through other means, including through power rates. Research and Development Costs Research and development costs are expensed when incurred. TVA’s research programs include those related to power delivery technologies, emerging technologies (clean energy, renewables, distributed resources, and energy efficiency), technologies related to generation (fossil fuel, nuclear, and hydroelectric), and environmental technologies. Tax Equivalents TVA is not subject to federal income taxation. In addition, neither TVA nor its property, franchises, or income is subject to taxation by states or their subdivisions. The TVA Act requires TVA to make payments to states and counties in which TVA conducts its power operations and in which TVA has acquired power properties previously subject to state and local taxation. The total amount of these payments is five percent of gross revenues from sales of power during the preceding year, excluding sales or deliveries to other federal agencies and off-system sales with other utilities, with a provision for minimum payments under certain circumstances. TVA calculates tax equivalent expense by subtracting the prior year fuel cost-related tax equivalent regulatory asset or liability from the payments made to the states and counties during the current year and adding back the current year fuel cost-related tax equivalent regulatory asset or liability. Fuel cost-related tax equivalent expense is recognized in the same accounting period in which the fuel cost-related revenue is recognized. Maintenance Costs TVA records maintenance costs and repairs related to its property, plant, and equipment in the consolidated statements of operations as they are incurred except for the recording of certain regulatory assets for retirement and removal costs.

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