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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization and Basis of Presentation Edison International is the parent holding company of Southern California Edison Company ("SCE") and Edison Energy Group, Inc. ("Edison Energy Group"). SCE is an investor-owned public utility primarily engaged in the business of supplying and delivering electricity to an approximately 50,000 square mile area of southern California. Edison Energy Group is a holding company for Edison Energy, LLC ("Edison Energy") which is engaged in the competitive business of providing data-driven energy solutions to commercial, institutional and industrial customers. Edison Energy's business activities are currently not material to report as a separate business segment. These combined notes to the consolidated financial statements apply to both Edison International and SCE unless otherwise described. Edison International's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Edison International, SCE and other wholly owned and controlled subsidiaries. References to Edison International refer to the consolidated group of Edison International and its subsidiaries. References to "Edison International Parent and Other" refer to Edison International Parent and its competitive subsidiaries and "Edison International Parent" refer to Edison International on a stand-alone basis, not consolidated with its subsidiaries. SCE's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SCE and its wholly owned and controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements. Edison International's and SCE's accounting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, including the accounting principles for rate-regulated enterprises, which reflect the ratemaking policies of the California Public Utility Commission ("CPUC") and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC"). SCE applies authoritative guidance for rate-regulated enterprises to the portion of its operations in which regulators set rates at levels intended to recover the estimated costs of providing service, plus a return on net investments in assets, or rate base. Regulators may also impose certain penalties or grant certain incentives. Due to timing and other differences in the collection of electric utility revenue, these principles require an incurred cost that would otherwise be charged to expense by a non-regulated entity to be capitalized as a regulatory asset if it is probable that the cost is recoverable through future rates; and conversely the principles require recording of a regulatory liability for amounts collected in rates to recover costs expected to be incurred in the future or amounts collected in excess of costs incurred and refundable to customers. In addition, SCE recognizes revenue and regulatory assets from alternative revenue programs, which enables 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 qualify for recognition of "traditional" regulatory assets and liabilities. SCE assesses, at the end of each reporting period, whether regulatory assets are probable of future recovery. See Note 11 for composition of regulatory assets and liabilities. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain prior year amounts have been conformed to the current year's presentation, including the presentation of long-term insurance receivables on the consolidated balance sheets of Edison International and Southern California Edison, previously presented as other long-term assets. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash equivalents include investments in money market funds. Generally, the carrying value of cash equivalents equals the fair value, as these investments have original maturities of three months or less. The cash equivalents were as follows:
| Edison International |  | SCE
| December 31,
(in millions) | 2020 |  | 2019 |  | 2020 |  | 2019
Money market funds | $ | 62 |  |  | $ | 31 |  |  | $ | 38 |  |  | $ | — |
Cash is temporarily invested until required for check clearing. Checks issued, but not yet paid by the financial institution, are reclassified from cash to accounts payable at the end of each reporting period as follows:
| Edison International |  | SCE
| December 31,
(in millions) | 2020 |  | 2019 |  | 2020 |  | 2019
Book balances reclassified to accounts payable | $ | 69 |  |  | $ | 75 |  |  | $ | 69 |  |  | $ | 74 |
The following table sets forth the cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash included in the consolidated statements of cash flows:
(in millions) |  | December 31, 2020 |  | December 31, 2019
Edison International: |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 87 |  |  | $ | 68 |
Short-term restricted cash 1 |  | 2 |  |  | 2 |
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |  | $ | 89 |  |  | $ | 70 |
SCE: |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 55 |  |  | $ | 24 |
Short-term restricted cash 1 |  | 1 |  |  | — |
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |  | $ | 56 |  |  | $ | 24 |
1 Reflected in "Other current assets" on Edison International's and SCE's consolidated balance sheets. Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts The allowance for uncollectible accounts is recorded based on SCE's estimate of expected credit losses and adjusted over the life of the receivables as needed. Since the customer base of SCE is concentrated in Southern California and exposes SCE to a homogeneous set of economic conditions, the allowance is measured on a collective basis on the historical amounts written-off, assessment of customer collectibility and current economic trends, including unemployment rates and any likelihood of recession for the region. At December 31, 2020, this included the estimated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following table sets forth the changes in allowance for uncollectible accounts for SCE:
| Year ended December 31, 2020
(in millions) | Customers | All others
Beginning balance | $ | 35 |  | $ | 14 |
Plus: current period provision for uncollectible accounts |  |
Included in operation and maintenance expenses | 36 |  | 9 |
Deferred to regulatory assets | 120 |  | — |
Less: write-offs, net of recoveries | 16 |  | 10 |
Ending balance | $ | 175 |  | $ | 13 |
Inventory SCE's inventory is primarily composed of materials, supplies and spare parts, and generally stated at weighted average cost. Emission Allowances and Energy Credits SCE is allocated greenhouse gas ("GHG") allowances annually which it is then required to sell into quarterly auctions. GHG proceeds from the auctions are recorded as a regulatory liability to be refunded to customers. SCE purchases GHG allowances in quarterly auctions or from counterparties to satisfy its GHG emission compliance obligations and recovers such costs of GHG allowances from customers. GHG allowances held for use are classified as "Other current assets" on the consolidated balance sheets and are stated, similar to an inventory method, at the lower of weighted average cost or market. SCE had GHG allowances held for use of $78 million and $50 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. GHG emission obligations were $64 million and $50 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and are classified as "Other current liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets. SCE is allocated low carbon fuel standard ("LCFS") credits which it sells to market participants. Proceeds from the sales, net of program costs, are recorded in a balancing account to be refunded to eligible customers. SCE's net proceeds from the sale of these LCFS credits were $176 million and $184 million and are classified as "Regulatory liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Property, Plant and Equipment SCE plant additions, including eligible replacements and betterments, are capitalized. Direct material and labor and indirect costs such as construction overhead, administrative and general costs, pension and benefits, and property taxes are capitalized as part of plant additions. The CPUC authorizes a capitalization rate for each of the indirect costs which are allocated to each project based on either labor or total costs. Estimated useful lives authorized by the CPUC in the 2018 General Rate Case ("GRC") and weighted average useful lives of SCE's property, plant and equipment, are as follows:
| Estimated Useful Lives | Weighted Average Useful Lives
Generation plant | 10 years to 55 years | 36 years
Distribution plant | 20 years to 65 years | 48 years
Transmission plant | 45 years to 65 years | 54 years
General plant and other | 5 years to 60 years | 25 years
Depreciation of utility property, plant and equipment is computed on a straight-line, remaining-life basis. SCE's depreciation expense was $1.8 billion, $1.7 billion and $1.7 billion for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Depreciation expense stated as a percent of average original cost of depreciable utility plant was, on a composite basis, 3.6%, 3.6% and 3.7% for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The original costs of retired property are charged to accumulated depreciation. See Note 2 for further information. Nuclear fuel for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station ("Palo Verde") is recorded as utility plant (nuclear fuel in the fabrication and installation phase is recorded as construction in progress) in accordance with CPUC ratemaking procedures. Palo Verde nuclear fuel is amortized using the units of production method. Allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC") represents the estimated cost of debt and equity funds that finance utility-plant construction and is capitalized during certain plant construction. AFUDC is recovered in rates through depreciation expense over the useful life of the related asset. AFUDC equity represents a method to compensate SCE for the estimated cost of equity used to finance utility plant additions and is recorded as part of construction in progress. AFUDC equity was $121 million, $101 million and $104 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and is reflected in "Other income." AFUDC debt was $53 million, $63 million and $44 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively and is reflected as a reduction of "Interest expense." Major Maintenance Major maintenance costs for SCE's power plant facilities and equipment are expensed as incurred. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Impairments of long-lived assets are evaluated based on a review of estimated future cash flows expected to be generated whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such investments or assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds expected future cash flows, undiscounted and without interest charges, an impairment loss is recognized in the amount of the excess of fair value over the carrying amount. Fair value is determined via market, cost and income-based valuation techniques, as appropriate. Accounting principles for rate-regulated enterprises also require recognition of an impairment loss if it becomes probable that the regulated utility will abandon a plant investment, or if it becomes probable that the cost of a recently completed plant will be disallowed, either directly or indirectly, for ratemaking purposes and a reasonable estimate of the amount of the disallowance can be made. Initial and annual contributions to the wildfire insurance fund established pursuant to California Assembly Bill 1054 (the "Wildfire Insurance Fund" and "AB 1054") Edison International and SCE accounted for the contributions to the Wildfire Insurance Fund similarly to prepaid insurance. No period of coverage was provided in AB 1054, therefore expense is being allocated to periods ratably based on an estimated period of coverage. Edison International and SCE have a $2.4 billion and $2.8 billion long-term asset at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and a $323 million current asset reflected as "Wildfire Insurance Fund contributions" in the consolidated balance sheets for the initial $2.4 billion contribution made during the third quarter of 2019 and the present value of annual contributions SCE committed to make to the Wildfire Insurance Fund, reduced by amortization at both December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. A long-term liability of $703 million and $785 million have been reflected in "Other deferred credits and other long-term liabilities" for the present value of unpaid contribution amounts, at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Contributions were discounted to the present value at the date SCE committed to participate in the Wildfire Insurance Fund using US treasury interest rates. During 2020 a period of 10 years was used to amortize the asset. All expenses related to the contributions are being reflected in "Operation and maintenance" in the consolidated statements of income. Changes in the estimated period of coverage provided by the Wildfire Insurance Fund could lead to material changes in future expense recognition. In estimating the period of coverage Edison International and SCE used Monte Carlo simulations based on five years (2014 – 2018) of historical data from wildfires caused by electrical utility equipment to estimate expected losses. The details of the operation of the Wildfire Insurance Fund and estimates related to claims by SCE, Pacific Gas & Electric Company ("PG&E") and San Diego Gas & Electric ("SDG&E") against the fund have been applied to the expected loss simulations to estimate the period of coverage of the fund. The most sensitive inputs to the estimated period of coverage are the expected frequency of wildfire events caused by investor-owned utility electrical equipment and the estimated costs associated with those forecasted events. Edison International and SCE evaluate all inputs annually, or upon claims being made from the fund for catastrophic wildfires, and the expected life of the insurance fund will be adjusted as required. Based on information available in the first quarter of 2021 regarding catastrophic wildfires during 2019 and 2020, SCE reassessed its estimate of the life of the Wildfire Insurance Fund. Using 7 years of historical data (2014 – 2020) of wildfires caused by electrical utility equipment to create Monte Carlo simulations of expected loss, resulted in the expected life of the Wildfire Insurance Fund increasing from 10 years to 15 years from the date SCE committed to participate in the Wildfire Insurance Fund. Edison International and SCE will assess the Wildfire Insurance Fund contribution assets for impairment in the event that a participating utility's electrical equipment is found to be the substantial cause of a catastrophic wildfire, based on the ability of SCE to benefit from the coverage provided by the Wildfire Insurance Fund in an amount equal to the recorded assets. Goodwill Edison International assesses goodwill through an annual goodwill impairment test, at the reporting unit level as of October 1 of each year. Edison International updates its goodwill impairment test between annual tests if events occur or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. In June 2020, the goodwill associated with Edison Energy was fully impaired primarily from the economic impact of COVID-19. During the second quarter of 2020 and in the fourth quarter of 2019 and 2018, Edison International recorded an impairment of its Edison Energy reporting unit goodwill totaling $34 million ($25 million after-tax), $25 million ($18 million after-tax), $19 million ($13 million after-tax), respectively. At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, Edison International had no remaining goodwill and $34 million of goodwill, respectively, all of which is related to its Edison Energy reporting unit. Nuclear Decommissioning and Asset Retirement Obligations The fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation ("ARO") is recorded in the period in which it is incurred, including a liability for the fair value of a conditional ARO, if the fair value can be reasonably estimated even though uncertainty exists about the timing and/or method of settlement. When an ARO liability is initially recorded, SCE capitalizes the cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. For each subsequent period, the liability is increased for accretion expense and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. SCE has not recorded an ARO for assets that are expected to operate indefinitely or where SCE cannot estimate a settlement date (or range of potential settlement dates). As such, ARO liabilities are not recorded for certain retirement activities, including certain hydroelectric facilities. The following table summarizes the changes in SCE's ARO liability:
| December 31,
(in millions) | 2020 |  | 2019
Beginning balance | $ | 3,029 |  |  | $ | 3,031 |
Accretion 1 | 160 |  |  | 166 |
Revisions | (36) |  |  | 4 |
Liabilities settled | (223) |  |  | (172) |
Ending balance | $ | 2,930 |  |  | $ | 3,029 |
1 An ARO represents the present value of a future obligation. Accretion is an increase in the liability to account for the time value of money resulting from discounting. AROs related to decommissioning of SCE's nuclear power facilities are based on site-specific studies conducted as part of each Nuclear Decommissioning Cost Triennial Proceeding ("NDCTP") conducted before the CPUC. Revisions of an ARO are established for updated site-specific decommissioning cost estimates. The ARO for decommissioning SCE's San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station ("San Onofre") and Palo Verde nuclear power facilities is $2.6 billion as of December 31, 2020. The liability to decommission SCE's nuclear power facilities is based on a 2017 decommissioning study that was filed as part of the 2018 NDCTP for San Onofre Units 1, 2 and 3, and a 2019 decommissioning study for Palo Verde. SCE revised the ARO for Palo Verde in 2020 and for San Onofre Units 1, 2 and 3 in 2018 to reflect updated decommissioning cost estimates. SCE records an ARO regulatory liability as a result of timing differences between the recognition of costs and the recovery of costs through the ratemaking process. For further information, see Note 11. Decommissioning of San Onofre Unit 1 began in 1999 and the transfer of spent nuclear fuel from Unit 1 to dry cask storage in the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation ("ISFSI") was completed in 2005. Major decommissioning work for Unit 1 has been completed except for certain underground work. Decommissioning of San Onofre Units 2 and 3 began in June 2013 and the spent nuclear fuel transfer from San Onofre Units 2 and 3 to dry cask storage in the ISFSI was completed in August 2020. In October 2019, the California Coastal Commission approved SCE's application for the Coastal Development Permit, the principal discretionary permit required to start major decommissioning activities at San Onofre. In August 2020, SCE commenced major decommissioning activities at San Onofre in accordance with the terms of the permit. Decommissioning costs, which are recovered through customer rates over the term of each nuclear facility's operating license, are recorded as a component of depreciation expense, with a corresponding credit to the ARO regulatory liability. Due to regulatory recovery of SCE's nuclear decommissioning expense, prudently incurred costs for nuclear decommissioning activities do not affect SCE's earnings. Amortization of the ARO asset (included within the unamortized nuclear investment) and accretion of the ARO liability are deferred as decreases to the ARO regulatory liability account, resulting in no impact on earnings. SCE has collected in rates amounts for the future decommissioning of its nuclear assets and has placed those amounts in independent trusts. Amounts collected in rates in excess of the ARO liability are classified as regulatory liabilities. Changes in the estimated costs, timing of decommissioning or the assumptions underlying these estimates could cause material revisions to the estimated total cost to decommission. SCE currently estimates that it will spend approximately $6.6 billion through 2079 to decommission its nuclear facilities. This estimate is based on SCE's decommissioning cost methodology used for ratemaking purposes, escalated at rates ranging from 0.6% to 7.5% (depending on the cost element) annually. These costs are expected to be funded from independent decommissioning trusts. SCE estimates annual after-tax earnings on the decommissioning funds of 1.3% to 4.1% dependent on asset class. If the assumed return on trust assets is not earned or costs escalate at higher rates, SCE expects that additional funds needed for decommissioning will be recoverable through future rates, subject to a reasonableness review. See Note 10 for further information. Due to regulatory recovery of SCE's nuclear decommissioning expense, prudently incurred costs for nuclear decommissioning activities do not affect SCE's earnings. SCE's nuclear decommissioning costs are subject to CPUC review through the triennial regulatory proceeding. SCE's nuclear decommissioning trust investments primarily consist of fixed income investments that are classified as available-for-sale and equity investments. Due to regulatory mechanisms, investment earnings and realized gains and losses have no impact on earnings. Unrealized gains and losses on decommissioning trust funds, including impairment, increase or decrease the trust assets and the related regulatory asset or liability and have no impact on electric utility revenue or decommissioning expense. SCE reviews each fixed income security for impairment on the last day of each month. If the fair value on the last day of the month is less than the amortized cost for that security, SCE impairs the disclosed amortized cost. If the fair value is greater or less than the carrying value for that security at the time of sale, SCE recognizes a related realized gain or loss, respectively. Deferred Financing Costs Debt premium, discount and issuance expenses incurred in connection with obtaining financing are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis. Under CPUC ratemaking procedures, SCE's debt reacquisition expenses are amortized over the remaining life of the reacquired debt or, if refinanced, the life of the new debt. SCE had unamortized losses on reacquired debt of $133 million and $142 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, reflected as long-term "Regulatory assets" in the consolidated balance sheets. In addition, Edison International and SCE had debt issuance costs related to issuances of long-term debt of $131 million and $117 million at December 31, 2020, respectively, and $121 million and $106 million at December 31, 2019, respectively, reflected as a reduction of "Long-term debt" on the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of deferred financing costs charged to interest expense is as follows:
| Edison International |  | SCE
| Years ended December 31,
(in millions) | 2020 |  | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2020 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Amortization of deferred financing costs charged to interest expense | $ | 32 |  |  | $ | 30 |  |  | $ | 30 |  |  | $ | 27 |  |  | $ | 26 |  |  | $ | 26 |
Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized by Edison International and SCE when a performance obligation to transfer control of the promised goods is satisfied or when services are rendered to customers. This typically occurs when electricity is delivered to customers, which includes amounts for services rendered but unbilled at the end of a reporting period. SCE's Revenue from Contracts with Customers Provision of Electricity SCE principally generates revenue through supplying and delivering electricity to its customers. Rates charged to customers are based on tariff rates, approved by the CPUC and FERC. Starting with SCE's 2021 GRC, revenue will be authorized through quadrennial GRC proceedings, which are intended to provide SCE a reasonable opportunity to recover its costs and earn a return on its CPUC-jurisdictional rate base. The CPUC sets an annual revenue requirement for the base year and the remaining three years are set by a methodology established in the GRC proceeding. Revenue was previously authorized by the CPUC in triennial GRC proceedings. As described above, SCE also earns revenue, with no return, to recover costs for power procurement and other activities. Revenue is authorized by the FERC through a formula rate which is intended to provide SCE a reasonable opportunity to recover transmission capital and operating costs that are prudently incurred, including a return on its FERC-jurisdictional rate base. Under the operation of the formula rate, transmission revenue is updated to actual cost of service annually. For SCE's electricity sales for both residential and non-residential customers, SCE satisfies the performance obligation of delivering electricity over time as the customers simultaneously receive and consume the delivered electricity. Energy sales are typically on a month-to-month implied contract for transmission, distribution and generation services. Revenue is recognized over time as the energy is supplied and delivered to customers and the respective revenue is billed and paid on a monthly basis. CPUC and FERC rates decouple authorized revenue from the volume of electricity sales and the price of energy procured so that SCE receives revenue equal to amounts authorized by the relevant regulatory agencies. As a result, the volume of electricity sold to customers and specific customer classes does not have a direct impact on SCE's financial results. See Note 7 for further information on SCE's revenue. Sales and Use Taxes SCE bills certain sales and use taxes levied by state or local governments to its customers. Included in these sales and use taxes are franchise fees, which SCE pays to various municipalities (based on contracts with these municipalities) in order to operate within the limits of the municipality. SCE bills these franchise fees to its customers based on a CPUC-authorized rate. These franchise fees, which are required to be paid regardless of SCE's ability to collect from the customer, are accounted for on a gross basis. SCE's franchise fees billed to customers were $131 million, $122 million and $133 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. When SCE acts as an agent for sales and use tax, the taxes are accounted for on a net basis. Amounts billed to and collected from customers for these taxes are remitted to the taxing authorities and are not recognized as electric utility revenue. SCE's Alternative Revenue Programs The CPUC and FERC have authorized additional, alternative revenue programs which adjust billings for the effects of broad external factors or compensate SCE for demand-side management initiatives and provide for incentive awards if SCE achieves certain objectives. These alternative revenue programs allow SCE to recover costs that SCE has been authorized to pass on to customers, including costs to purchase electricity and natural gas, and to fund public purpose, demand response, and customer energy efficiency programs. In general, revenue is recognized for these alternative revenue programs at the time the costs are incurred and, for incentive-based programs, at the time the awards are approved by the CPUC. SCE begins recognizing revenues for these programs when a program has been established by an order from either the CPUC or FERC that allows for automatic adjustment of future rates, the amount of revenue for the period is objectively determinable and probable of recovery and the revenue will be collected within 24 months following the end of the annual period. Regulatory Proceedings 2018 General Rate Case In May 2019, the CPUC approved a final decision in SCE's 2018 GRC. The revenue requirements in the 2018 GRC final decision are retroactive to January 1, 2018. SCE recorded the prior period impact of the 2018 GRC final decision in 2019 including: •An increase to earnings of $65 million attributable to 2018 from the application of the decision to revenue, depreciation expense and income tax expense. The reduction of revenue of $289 million reflected the lower authorized revenue related to 2018. •An impairment of utility property, plant and equipment of $170 million ($123 million after-tax) related to disallowed historical capital expenditures, primarily the write-off of specific pole replacements the CPUC determined were performed prematurely. 2021 General Rate Case In the 2021 GRC, SCE has requested a test year revenue requirement of $7.6 billion, an approximately $1.3 billion increase over the 2020 revenue requirement authorized in the 2018 GRC as updated for post test-year ratemaking changes. SCE believes that receiving a proposed decision on track 1 of the 2021 GRC in the first quarter of 2021 in line with the CPUC’s schedule for track 1 is unlikely. The CPUC has approved the establishment of a memorandum account making the authorized revenue requirement changes effective January 1, 2021. SCE cannot predict the revenue requirement the CPUC will ultimately authorize or forecast the timing of a final decision. SCE expects to recognize revenue based on the 2020 authorized revenue requirement until a GRC decision is issued. Power Purchase Agreements SCE enters into power purchase agreements ("PPAs") in the normal course of business. A power purchase agreement may be considered a variable interest in a variable interest entity ("VIE"). If SCE is the primary beneficiary in the VIE, SCE should consolidate the VIE. None of SCE's PPAs resulted in consolidation of a VIE at December 31, 2020 and 2019. See Note 3 for further discussion of PPAs that are considered variable interests. A PPA may also contain a lease for accounting purposes. See "Leases" below and Note 12 and Note 13 for further discussion of SCE's PPAs, including agreements that are classified as operating and finance leases for accounting purposes. A PPA that does not contain a lease may be classified as a derivative which is recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. These PPAs may be eligible for an election to designate as a normal purchase and sale, which is accounted for on an accrual basis as an executory contract. See Note 6 for further information on derivative instruments. PPAs that do not meet the above classifications are accounted for on an accrual basis. Derivative Instruments SCE records derivative instruments on its consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value unless otherwise exempted from derivative treatment as normal purchases or sales. The normal purchases and sales exception requires, among other things, physical delivery in quantities expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business. Realized gains and losses from SCE's derivative instruments are expected to be recovered from or refunded to customers through regulatory mechanisms and, therefore, SCE's fair value changes have no impact on purchased power expense or earnings. SCE does not use hedge accounting for derivative transactions due to regulatory accounting treatment. Where SCE's derivative instruments are subject to a master netting agreement and certain criteria are met, SCE presents its derivative assets and liabilities on a net basis on its consolidated balance sheets. In addition, derivative positions are offset against margin and cash collateral deposits. The results of derivative activities are recorded as part of cash flows from operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows. See Note 6 for further information on derivative instruments. Leases On January 1, 2019, Edison International and SCE adopted accounting standards updates that require lessees to recognize a lease on the balance sheet as a right-of-use ("ROU") asset and related lease liability and classify the lease as either operating or finance. A lease is defined as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified assets for a period of time in exchange for consideration. An entity controls the use when it has a right to obtain substantially all of the benefits from the use of the identified asset and has the right to direct the use of the asset. SCE determines if an arrangement is a lease at contract inception. SCE includes both the lease and non-lease components as a single component and accounts for them as a lease for all classes of underlying assets, except energy storage underlying assets which were first contracted in 2020 and for which each component will be separately accounted for. Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. SCE calculates and uses the rate implicit in the lease if the information is readily available or if not available, SCE uses its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of lease payments. Incremental borrowing rates are comprised of underlying risk-free rates and secured credit spreads relative to first mortgage bonds with like tenors of lease term durations. Lease ROU assets are based on the liability, subject to adjustments, such as lease incentives. The ROU assets also include any lease payments made at or before the commencement date. SCE excludes variable lease payments in measuring lease assets and lease liabilities, other than those that depend on an index or a rate or are in substance fixed payments. SCE's lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that such options will be exercised. Operating leases are included in "Operating lease right-of-use assets," "Current portion of operating lease liabilities" and "Operating lease liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in "Utility property, plant and equipment," "Other current liabilities" and "Other deferred credits and other long-term liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets. SCE enters into power purchase agreements that may contain leases. This occurs when a power purchase agreement designates a specific power plant, SCE obtains substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the plant and has the right to direct the use of the plant. SCE also enters into a number of agreements to lease property and equipment in the normal course of business, primarily related to vehicles, office space and other equipment. See Note 13 for further discussion of SCE's contracts that are classified as operating and finance leases. Edison International Parent and Other's leases primarily relate to Edison Energy Group. The leases for Edison International Parent and Other are immaterial to Edison International. Stock-Based Compensation Stock options, performance shares, deferred stock units and restricted stock units have been granted under Edison International's long-term incentive compensation programs. For equity awards that are settled in common stock, Edison International either issues new common stock, or uses a third party to purchase shares from the market and deliver such shares for the settlement of the awards. The performance shares granted during 2018 that are earned, have been or will be settled solely in cash. The performance shares granted in 2019 and 2020 that are earned, will be settled in common stock. Stock options, deferred stock units and restricted stock units are settled in common stock. However, for awards that are otherwise settled entirely in common stock, Edison International substitutes cash awards to the extent necessary to satisfy applicable tax withholding obligations or government levies. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period based on estimated fair values. For equity awards paid in common stock, fair value is determined at the grant date. However, with respect to the portion of the performance shares payable in common stock that are subject to market and financial performance conditions defined in the grants, the number of performance shares expected to be earned is subject to revision and updated at each reporting period, with a related adjustment to compensation expense. Awards paid in cash are classified as share-based liability awards and fair value is remeasured at each reporting date with the related compensation cost adjusted. For awards granted to retirement-eligible participants, stock compensation expense is recognized on a prorated basis over the initial year. For awards granted to participants who become eligible for retirement during the requisite service period, stock compensation expense is recognized over the period between the date of grant and the date the participant first becomes eligible for retirement. Edison International and SCE estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest rather than account for forfeitures when they occur. Share-based payments may create a permanent difference between the amount of compensation expense recognized for book and tax purposes. The tax impact of this permanent difference is recognized in earnings in the period it is created. See Note 9 for further information. SCE Dividends CPUC holding company rules require that SCE's dividend policy be established by SCE's Board of Directors on the same basis as if SCE were a stand-alone utility company, and that the capital requirements of SCE, as deemed to be necessary to meet SCE's electricity service obligations, shall receive first priority from the Boards of Directors of both Edison International and SCE. In addition, the CPUC regulates SCE's capital structure which limits the dividends it may pay to its shareholders. Effective January 1, 2020, the common equity component of SCE's CPUC authorized capital structure was increased from 48% to 52% on a weighted average basis over the January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022 compliance period. Under AB 1054, the impact of SCE's contributions to the Wildfire Insurance Fund are excluded from the measurement of SCE's CPUC-jurisdictional authorized capital structure. For further information, see Note 12. In May 2020, the CPUC issued a decision on SCE's application to the CPUC for waiver of compliance with its equity ratio requirement, that allows SCE to exclude from its equity ratio calculations (i) net charges accrued in connection with the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events and (ii) debt issued for the purpose of paying claims related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events up to an amount equal to the net charges accrued in connection with the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events. The temporary exclusion will lapse on May 7, 2022 or when a determination regarding cost recovery for the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events is made, whichever comes earlier. If the CPUC has not made a determination regarding cost recovery by May 7, 2022, SCE is permitted to file another application for a waiver of compliance with its equity ratio requirement. In the interim, SCE is required to notify the CPUC if an adverse financial event reduces SCE's spot equity ratio by more than one percent from the level most recently filed with the CPUC in the proceeding. The last spot equity ratio SCE filed with the CPUC in the proceeding did not exclude the then $1.8 billion net charge and was 45.2% as of December 31, 2018 (at the time the common equity component of SCE's CPUC authorized capital structure was required to remain at or above 48% on a weighted average basis over the applicable 37-month period). SCE’s spot equity ratio on December 31, 2018 would have been 48.7% had the $1.8 billion net charge at December 31, 2018 been excluded, therefore SCE will notify the CPUC if its spot ratio drops below 47.7% in any quarter. For further information, see Note 12. SCE monitors its compliance with the CPUC's equity ratio requirement based on the weighted average of the common equity component of SCE's CPUC authorized capital structure over the Capital Structure Compliance Period using its actual capital structure from the beginning of the Capital Structure Compliance Period through the reporting date together with forecasted performance and expected financing activities for the remainder of the Capital Structure Compliance Period. SCE expects to be compliant with its CPUC authorized capital structure at December 31, 2022. As a California corporation, SCE's ability to pay dividends is also governed by the California General Corporation Law. California law requires that for a dividend to be declared: (a) retained earnings must equal or exceed the proposed dividend, or (b) immediately after the dividend is made, the value of the corporation's assets must exceed the value of its liabilities plus amounts required to be paid, if any, in order to liquidate stock senior to the shares receiving the dividend. Additionally, a California corporation may not declare a dividend if it is, or as a result of the dividend would be, likely to be unable to meet its liabilities as they mature. Prior to declaring dividends, SCE's Board of Directors evaluates available information, including when applicable, information pertaining to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events, to ensure that the California law requirements for the declarations are met. On February 25, 2021, SCE declared a dividend to Edison International of $325 million. The timing and amount of future dividends are also dependent on a number of other factors including SCE's requirements to fund other obligations and capital expenditures, its ability to access the capital markets, and generate operating cash flows and earnings. If SCE incurs significant costs related to catastrophic wildfires, including the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events, and is unable to recover such costs through insurance, the Wildfire Insurance Fund (for fires after July 12, 2019), or from customers or is unable to access capital markets on reasonable terms, SCE may be limited in its ability to pay future dividends to Edison International and its preference shareholders. Earnings Per Share Edison International computes earnings per common share ("EPS") using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation formula that determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating security. Edison International's participating securities are stock-based compensation awards, payable in common shares, which earn dividend equivalents on an equal basis with common shares once the awards are vested. See Note 9 and Note 14 for further information. EPS attributable to Edison International common shareholders was computed as follows:
| Years ended December 31,
(in millions, except per share amounts) | 2020 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Basic earnings (loss) per share – continuing operations: |  |  |  |  |
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders | $ | 739 |  |  | $ | 1,284 |  |  | $ | (457) |
Participating securities dividends | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders | 739 |  |  | 1,284 |  |  | (457) |
Weighted average common shares outstanding | 373 |  |  | 340 |  |  | 326 |
Basic earnings (loss) per share – continuing operations | 1.98 |  |  | 3.78 |  |  | (1.40) |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share – continuing operations: |  |  |  |  |
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders | 739 |  |  | 1,284 |  |  | (457) |
Participating securities dividends | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders | 739 |  |  | 1,284 |  |  | (457) |
Income impact of assumed conversions | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Income (loss) from continuing operations available to common shareholders and assumed conversions | 739 |  |  | 1,284 |  |  | (457) |
Weighted average common shares outstanding | 373 |  |  | 340 |  |  | 326 |
Incremental shares from assumed conversions 1 | 1 |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |
Adjusted weighted average shares – diluted | 374 |  |  | 341 |  |  | 326 |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share – continuing operations | $ | 1.98 |  |  | $ | 3.77 |  |  | $ | (1.40) |
1 Due to the loss reported for the year ended December 31, 2018, incremental shares were not included as the effect would be antidilutive. In addition to the participating securities discussed above, Edison International also may award stock options, which are payable in common shares and are included in the diluted earnings per share calculation. Stock option awards to purchase 9,066,753, 4,511,802 and 8,852,706 shares of common stock for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been antidilutive. Income Taxes Edison International and SCE estimate their income taxes for each jurisdiction in which they operate. This involves estimating current period tax expense along with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items (such as depreciation) for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in the consolidated balance sheets. Income tax expense includes the current tax liability from operations and the change in deferred income taxes during the year. Interest income, interest expense and penalties associated with income taxes are generally reflected in "Income tax expense" on the consolidated statements of income. Edison International's eligible subsidiaries are included in Edison International's consolidated federal income tax and combined state tax returns. Edison International has tax-allocation and payment agreements with certain of its subsidiaries. Pursuant to an income tax-allocation agreement approved by the CPUC, SCE's tax liability is computed as if it filed its federal and state income tax returns on a separate return basis. Subsequent Events In February 2021, SCE Recovery Funding LLC, a bankruptcy remote, wholly owned special purpose subsidiary of SCE, issued $338 million of Senior Secured Recovery Bonds, Series 2021-A, in three tranches of $138 million, 0.86% due 2033, $100 million, 1.94% due 2040, and $100 million, 2.51% due 2045 ("Recovery Bonds") and used the proceeds to acquire SCE's right, title and interest in and to non-bypassable rates and other charges to be collected from certain existing and future customers in SCE's service territory, associated with the AB 1054 Excluded Capital Expenditures ("Recovery Property"). The Recovery Bonds were payable only from and secured by the Recovery Property. SCE Recovery Funding LLC is considered a VIE and will be consolidated by SCE for financial reporting purposes, however, the Recovery Bonds do not constitute a debt or other legal obligation of, or interest in, SCE or any of its affiliates, except for SCE Recovery Funding LLC. SCE used the proceeds it received from the sale of Recovery Property to reimburse itself for previously incurred AB 1054 Excluded Capital Expenditures, including the retirement of related debt. New Accounting Guidance Accounting Guidance Adopted In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standards update to require the use of the current expected credit loss model to measure impairment of financial assets measured at amortized cost, including trade and other receivables, and the use of an allowance to record estimated credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities. Edison International and SCE adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020 using the prospective adoption approach to available-for-sale debt securities and the modified retrospective approach to all other financial assets. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on Edison International's and SCE's financial position or result of operations. See "Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts" and "Nuclear Decommissioning and Asset Retirement Obligations" above and Note 10 for further information. In August 2018, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which aligns the requirement for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing costs incurred to develop or obtain internal use software. The guidance also clarified presentation requirements for reporting implementation costs in the financial statements. Edison International and SCE adopted the standard on January 1, 2020 using the prospective adoption approach. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on Edison International's and SCE's financial position or result of operations. In March 2020, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. In January 2021, the FASB issued an update to this standard to clarify that certain optional expedients and exceptions for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the reference rate transition. Edison International and SCE have adopted the standard as of April 1, 2020 prospectively. SCE generally does not use hedge accounting for derivative transactions. SCE has a term loan with a variable interest rate based on LIBOR. In addition, both Edison International and SCE have revolving credit facilities with a variable interest rate based on LIBOR. These agreements contain provisions that require an amendment if LIBOR can no longer be used. SCE also has certain preference stocks, for which the distributions will be payable at a floating rate referenced to LIBOR from 2022. As of December 31, 2020, both Edison International and SCE have not utilized any of the expedients and therefore there is no impact on adoption of the guidance, however, if contract amendments are made where LIBOR is no longer valid, both Edison International and SCE expect to utilize the expedients through the allowed period of December 31, 2022. In August 2018, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to remove, modify and add certain disclosure requirements related to employer-sponsored defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The guidance removes disclosure requirements that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifies certain specific disclosure requirements and adds disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The modifications only affect annual period disclosures and must be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. Edison International and SCE have adopted this guidance for the year ending December 31, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not materially affect the annual disclosures related to employer-sponsored defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. See Note 9 for further information. Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted In August 2020, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to simplify the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. The amendments in this update affect entities that issue convertible instruments indexed to or potentially settled in an entity's own equity. This guidance also simplifies an entity's application of the derivatives scope exception for contracts in its own equity and amend s certain aspects of the EPS guidance. The guidance is effective January 1, 2022 with early adoption permitted after January 1, 2021. Edison International and SCE do not expect the adoption of this standard will materially affect Edison International's and SCE's financial position or result of operations.

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