Regulatory Matters

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2025

Regulated Operations [Abstract]

Regulatory Matters

Regulatory Matters

Environmental regulatory matters are discussed within Note 24, Environmental Matters.

NRG operates in a highly regulated industry and is subject to regulation by various federal, state and provincial agencies. As such, NRG is affected by regulatory developments at the federal, state and provincial levels and in the regions in which NRG operates. In addition, NRG is subject to the market rules, procedures, and protocols of the various ISO and RTO markets in which NRG participates. These power markets are subject to ongoing legislative and regulatory changes that may impact NRG's wholesale and retail operations.

In addition to the regulatory proceedings noted below, NRG and its subsidiaries are parties to other regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business or have other regulatory exposure. In management's opinion, the disposition of these ordinary course matters will not materially adversely affect NRG's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

FTC Investigation — In 2019, Vivint Smart Home received a civil investigative demand from the staff of the FTC concerning potential violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the “Red Flags Rule” thereunder, and the FTC Act. In April 2021, Vivint Smart Home entered into a settlement with the FTC that resolved this investigation. As part of this settlement, Vivint Smart Home paid $20 million and agreed to implement various additional compliance related measures ("Stipulated Order"). The Company is engaged in ongoing discussions with the staff of the FTC regarding the Company’s compliance with the terms of the Stipulated Order. Under the terms of the Stipulated Order, Vivint Smart Home is required to undertake biennial assessments by an independent third-party assessor (the "Assessor"), which reviews Vivint Smart Home’s compliance program and provides a report on Vivint Smart Home’s ongoing compliance with the Stipulated Order. Since its inception through November 2025, Vivint Smart Home has completed its initial assessment and its first and second biennial assessments as required by the Stipulated Order. In addition, Vivint Smart Home has voluntarily completed eleven quarterly assessments, for a total of fourteen assessments overall. Across all assessments, the Assessor reported no material findings of non-compliance and concluded that Vivint Smart Home’s Compliance Program remains substantially effective and comprehensive.

NYSPSC – Order to Show Cause — The NYSPSC issued an order referred to as the Retail Reset Order in December 2019 that limited the offers of ESCOs for electric and natural gas to three compliant products: guaranteed savings from the utility default rate, a fixed rate commodity product that is priced at no more than 5% greater than the trailing 12-month average utility supply rate or New York-sourced renewable energy that is at least 50% greater than the prevailing New York Renewable Energy Standard for load serving entities. Subsequently, the NYSPSC issued an order referred to as the Clarification Order on September 18, 2020 stating the Retail Reset Order applies only to prospective customer contracts. NRG took action to comply with the order when it became effective April 16, 2021. On January 8, 2024, the NYSPSC notified eight of NRG's retail energy suppliers (serving both electricity and natural gas) of alleged non-compliance with New York regulatory requirements. NRG responded to the notices in February 2024 and on September 23, 2025, the NYSPSC issued a follow-up order further alleging separately that the NRG retail supplier responsible for selling natural gas to commercial and industrial customers had been improperly serving residential customers. The follow-up order directed NRG to show cause why consequences, ranging from sales monitoring, fines, refunds, debarment and/or eligibility revocation, should not be imposed for failure to comply with the Retail Reset Order and other Commission directives. The Company believes it has complied with the law and applicable orders and does not agree with the NYSPSC's assertions.