New Accounting Pronouncements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]

New Accounting Pronouncements

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently Adopted Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, as amended. The amendments in this update have replaced the previous incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information, including forecasts, to develop credit loss estimates. The ASU requires entities to use the new methodology to measure impairment of financial instruments, including accounts receivable, and may result in earlier recognition of credit losses than under previous generally accepted accounting principles. Entities must apply the new guidance as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. The Registrants adopted the standard effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of the ASU did not have an impact on the Registrants' financial position or results of operations. Additional required disclosures have been included in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Significant Accounting Policies”.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in this update modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820. The Registrants adopted the ASU effective January 1, 2020. The Registrants have updated Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Fair Value, to incorporate the disclosure changes required by the ASU.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. The amendments in this update align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license). The Registrants adopted the standard effective January 1, 2020 using the prospective approach. The adoption of the ASU did not have an impact on the Registrants’ Consolidated Financial Statements. On a prospective basis, costs within the scope of this amendment will be accounted for consistent with any underlying service contracts. Capitalized implementation costs will be reflected in Other noncurrent assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and amortization of these costs will be reflected in Operation and maintenance within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Cash flow activity will be reflected in the Other current and noncurrent assets and liabilities line within the Operating Activities section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The amendments in this update modify the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The Registrants adopted the ASU effective January 1, 2020. The required disclosures for this ASU will be reflected in the 2020 year-end financial statements.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities. The amendments in this update modify the requirements for determining whether fees paid to a decision maker or service provider are variable interests and require reporting entities to consider indirect interests held through related parties under common control on a proportional basis. The Registrants adopted the ASU effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of the ASU did not have a significant impact on the Registrants’ Consolidated Financial Statements.

Recently Issued Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in this update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions, and clarifying certain requirements regarding franchise taxes, goodwill, consolidated tax expenses, and annual effective tax rate calculations. The ASU is effective for the Registrants for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Registrants are currently assessing the impact of this standard on their Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The amendments in this update provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The ASU is effective for the Registrants beginning March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Registrants are currently assessing the impact of this standard on their Consolidated Financial Statements.