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Asset Retirement Obligations
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]  
Asset Retirement Obligations Asset Retirement Obligations
The Companies recognize a liability at fair value for legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets in the period in which they are incurred, or when sufficient information becomes available to reasonably estimate the fair value of such legal obligations. When the liability is initially recorded, asset retirement costs are capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related asset. The liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. The fair value of the asset retirement obligation liability is measured using expected future cash flows discounted at credit-adjusted risk-free rates, historical information, and where available, quoted prices from outside contractors. The Companies evaluate these assumptions underlying the asset retirement obligation liability on an annual basis or as frequently as needed.
The Companies recorded asset retirement obligations associated with the removal of asbestos and asbestos-containing material in their buildings (other than the structures enclosing generating stations and substations), electric equipment and steam and gas distribution systems. The Companies also recorded asset retirement obligations relating to gas and oil pipelines abandoned in place and municipal infrastructure support.
The Companies did not record an asset retirement obligation for the removal of asbestos associated with the structures enclosing generating stations and substations. For these building structures, the Companies were unable to reasonably estimate their asset retirement obligations because the Companies were unable to estimate the undiscounted retirement costs or the retirement dates and settlement dates. The amount of the undiscounted retirement costs could vary considerably depending on the disposition method for the building structures, and the method has not been determined. The Companies anticipate continuing to use these building structures in their businesses for an indefinite period, and so the retirement dates and settlement dates are not determinable.
The Utilities include in depreciation rates the estimated removal costs, less salvage, for utility plant assets. The amounts related to removal costs that are associated with asset retirement obligations are classified as an asset
retirement liability. Pursuant to accounting rules for regulated operations, future removal costs that do not represent legal asset retirement obligations are recorded as regulatory liabilities. Accretion and depreciation expenses related to removal costs that represent legal asset retirement obligations are applied against the Companies’ regulatory liabilities. Asset retirement costs that are recoverable from customers are recorded as regulatory liabilities to reflect the timing difference between costs recovered through the rate-making process and recognition of costs.
The following table represents the balance of asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and changes to the obligation for the years then ended:
Con EdisonCECONY
(Millions of Dollars)2025(a)2024(a)20252024
Beginning Balance as of January 1,$453$522$452$520
Changes in estimated cash flows84(21)82(21)
Accretion expense18201820
Liabilities settled(77)(68)(76)(67)
Ending Balance as of December 31, (b)$478$453$476$452
(a)The asset retirement obligations of Broken Bow II in 2024 are reflected in current liabilities held for sale on Con Edison's consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024. For 2024, $3 million of asset retirement obligations related to Broken Bow II are not shown in the table above, as they are already excluded from the beginning balance as of January 1, 2024 for Con Edison. Broken Bow II was sold and transferred in January 2025. See Note A, Note W, and Note X.
(b)At December 31, 2025, Con Edison and CECONY recorded reductions of $64 million and $63 million, respectively, to the regulatory liability associated with cost of removal to reflect depreciation and interest expense. At December 31, 2024, Con Edison and CECONY recorded reductions of $85 million and $84 million, respectively, to the regulatory liability associated with cost of removal to reflect depreciation and interest expense.