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Fair Value
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value FAIR VALUE
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in a principal or most advantageous market. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on inputs, which refer broadly to assumptions that market participants use in pricing assets or liabilities. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable inputs. The Registrants make certain assumptions they believe that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities, including assumptions about risk, and the risks inherent in the inputs to valuation techniques. Credit risk of the Registrants and their counterparties is incorporated in the valuation of assets and liabilities through the use of credit reserves, the impact of which was immaterial at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Registrants believe they use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable market-based inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
A fair value hierarchy has been established that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value in three broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy. All assets and liabilities are required to be classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Assessing the significance of a particular input may require judgment considering factors specific to the asset or liability and may affect the valuation of the asset or liability and its placement within the fair value hierarchy. The Registrants classify fair value balances based on the fair value hierarchy defined as follows:
Level 1 — Consists of unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Registrants have the ability to access as of the reporting date.
Level 2 — Consists of inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable through corroboration with observable market data.
Level 3 — Consists of unobservable inputs for assets or liabilities whose fair value is estimated based on internally developed models or methodologies using inputs that are generally less readily observable and supported by little, if any, market activity at the measurement date. Unobservable inputs are developed based on the best available information and subject to cost-benefit constraints.
The following table presents assets and liabilities for DTE Energy measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis:
September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Level
1
Level
2
Level
3
Other(a)
Netting(b)
Net BalanceLevel
1
Level
2
Level
3
Other(a)
Netting(b)
Net Balance
(In millions)
Assets
Cash equivalents(c)
$9 $ $ $ $ $9 $438 $— $— $— $— $438 
Nuclear decommissioning trusts
Equity securities944   196  1,140 947 — — 222 — 1,169 
Fixed income securities127 429  102  658 102 371 — 82 — 555 
Private equity and other   175  175 — — — 104 — 104 
Cash equivalents34     34 27 — — — — 27 
Other investments(d)
Equity securities61     61 55 — — — — 55 
Fixed income securities7     7 — — — — 
Cash equivalents86     86 97 — — — — 97 
Derivative assets
Commodity contracts(e)
Natural gas579 146 53  (715)63 99 74 60 — (156)77 
Electricity 707 245  (627)325 — 128 52 — (120)60 
Environmental & Other 598 12  (570)40 — 150 — (135)19 
Total derivative assets579 1,451 310  (1,912)428 99 352 116 — (411)156 
Total$1,847 $1,880 $310 $473 $(1,912)$2,598 $1,773 $723 $116 $408 $(411)$2,609 
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities
Commodity contracts(e)
Natural gas$(425)$(297)$(333)$ $664 $(391)$(88)$(59)$(76)$— $151 $(72)
Electricity (576)(340) 614 (302)— (126)(42)— 125 (43)
Environmental & Other (581)  570 (11)— (137)— — 129 (8)
Foreign currency exchange contracts (5)   (5)— (5)— — (5)
Total$(425)$(1,459)$(673)$ $1,848 $(709)$(88)$(327)$(118)$— $405 $(128)
Net Assets (Liabilities) at end of period$1,422 $421 $(363)$473 $(64)$1,889 $1,685 $396 $(2)$408 $(6)$2,481 
Assets
Current$506 $1,183 $258 $ $(1,591)$356 $532 $260 $92 $— $(330)$554 
Noncurrent1,341 697 52 473 (321)2,242 1,241 463 24 408 (81)2,055 
Total Assets$1,847 $1,880 $310 $473 $(1,912)$2,598 $1,773 $723 $116 $408 $(411)$2,609 
Liabilities
Current$(409)$(1,138)$(464)$ $1,546 $(465)$(84)$(223)$(79)$— $318 $(68)
Noncurrent(16)(321)(209) 302 (244)(4)(104)(39)— 87 (60)
Total Liabilities$(425)$(1,459)$(673)$ $1,848 $(709)$(88)$(327)$(118)$— $405 $(128)
Net Assets (Liabilities) at end of period$1,422 $421 $(363)$473 $(64)$1,889 $1,685 $396 $(2)$408 $(6)$2,481 
_______________________________________
(a)Amounts represent assets valued at NAV as a practical expedient for fair value.
(b)Amounts represent the impact of master netting agreements that allow DTE Energy to net gain and loss positions and cash collateral held or placed with the same counterparties.
(c)Amounts consisted of $1 million and $2 million of cash equivalents included in Restricted cash on DTE Energy's Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. All other amounts are included in Cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
(d)Excludes cash surrender value of life insurance investments.
(e)For contracts with a clearing agent, DTE Energy nets all activity across commodities. This can result in some individual commodities having a contra balance.
The following table presents assets for DTE Electric measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of:
September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Other(a)
Net BalanceLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Other(a)
Net Balance
(In millions)
Assets
Cash equivalents$ $ $ $ $ $$— $— $— $
Nuclear decommissioning trusts
Equity securities944   196 1,140 947 — — 222 1,169 
Fixed income securities127 429  102 658 102 371 — 82 555 
Private equity and other   175 175 — — — 104 104 
Cash equivalents34    34 27 — — — 27 
Other investments
Equity securities18    18 16 — — — 16 
Cash equivalents11    11 11 — — — 11 
Derivative assets — FTRs  12  12 — — — 
Total$1,134 $429 $12 $473 $2,048 $1,107 $371 $$408 $1,890 
Assets
Current$ $ $12 $ $12 $$— $$— $
Noncurrent1,134 429  473 2,036 1,103 371 — 408 1,882 
Total Assets$1,134 $429 $12 $473 $2,048 $1,107 $371 $$408 $1,890 
_______________________________________
(a)Amounts represent assets valued at NAV as a practical expedient for fair value.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased. The cash equivalents shown in the fair value table are comprised of short-term investments and money market funds.
Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts and Other Investments
The nuclear decommissioning trusts and other investments hold debt and equity securities directly and indirectly through commingled funds. Exchange-traded debt and equity securities held directly, as well as publicly-traded commingled funds, are valued using quoted market prices in actively traded markets. Non-exchange traded fixed income securities are valued based upon quotations available from brokers or pricing services.
Non-publicly traded commingled funds holding exchange-traded equity or debt securities are valued based on stated NAVs. There are no significant restrictions for these funds and investments may be redeemed with 7 to 65 days notice depending on the fund. There is no intention to sell the investment in these commingled funds.
Private equity and other assets include a diversified group of funds that are classified as NAV assets. These funds primarily invest in limited partnerships, including private equity, private real estate and private credit. Distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying fund assets over the life of the funds. There are generally no redemption rights. The limited partner must hold the fund for its life or find a third-party buyer, which may need to be approved by the general partner. The funds are established with varied contractual durations generally in the range of 7 years to 12 years. The fund life can often be extended by several years by the general partner, and further extended with the approval of the limited partners. Unfunded commitments related to these investments totaled $155 million and $183 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
For pricing the nuclear decommissioning trusts and other investments, a primary price source is identified by asset type, class, or issue for each security. The trustee monitors prices supplied by pricing services and may use a supplemental price source or change the primary source of a given security if the trustee determines that another price source is considered preferable. The Registrants have obtained an understanding of how these prices are derived, including the nature and observability of the inputs used in deriving such prices.
Derivative Assets and Liabilities
Derivative assets and liabilities are comprised of physical and financial derivative contracts, including futures, forwards, options, and swaps that are both exchange-traded and over-the-counter traded contracts. Various inputs are used to value derivatives depending on the type of contract and availability of market data. Exchange-traded derivative contracts are valued using quoted prices in active markets. The Registrants consider the following criteria in determining whether a market is considered active: frequency in which pricing information is updated, variability in pricing between sources or over time, and the availability of public information. Other derivative contracts are valued based upon a variety of inputs including commodity market prices, broker quotes, interest rates, credit ratings, default rates, market-based seasonality, and basis differential factors. The Registrants monitor the prices that are supplied by brokers and pricing services and may use a supplemental price source or change the primary price source of an index if prices become unavailable or another price source is determined to be more representative of fair value. The Registrants have obtained an understanding of how these prices are derived. Additionally, the Registrants selectively corroborate the fair value of their transactions by comparison of market-based price sources. Mathematical valuation models are used for derivatives for which external market data is not readily observable, such as contracts which extend beyond the actively traded reporting period. The Registrants have established a Risk Management Committee whose responsibilities include directly or indirectly ensuring all valuation methods are applied in accordance with predefined policies. The development and maintenance of the Registrants' forward price curves has been assigned to DTE Energy's Risk Management Department, which is separate and distinct from the trading functions within DTE Energy.
The following table presents the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for DTE Energy:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Natural GasElectricityOtherTotalNatural GasElectricityOtherTotal
(In millions)
Net Assets (Liabilities) as of June 30$(181)$(49)$15 $(215)$20 $16 $10 $46 
Transfers from Level 3 into Level 2    (1)— — (1)
Total gains (losses)
Included in earnings(a)
(162)(21) (183)(80)37 (42)
Recorded in Regulatory liabilities  (1)(1)— — 
Purchases, issuances, and settlements
Settlements63 (25)(2)36 22 (48)(13)(39)
Net Assets (Liabilities) as of September 30$(280)$(95)$12 $(363)$(39)$$$(27)
Total gains (losses) included in Net Income attributed to the change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets and liabilities held at September 30(a)
$(109)$(30)$(2)$(141)$(57)$11 $(1)$(47)
_______________________________________
(a)Amounts are reflected in Operating Revenues — Non-utility operations and Fuel, purchased power, gas, and other — non-utility in DTE Energy's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Natural GasElectricityOtherTotalNatural GasElectricityOtherTotal
(In millions)
Net Assets (Liabilities) as of December 31$(16)$10 $4 $(2)$(15)$16 $$
Transfers from Level 3 into Level 2    (5)— — (5)
Total gains (losses)
Included in earnings(a)
(356)(5) (361)(44)90 (7)39 
Recorded in Regulatory liabilities  14 14 — — 21 21 
Purchases, issuances, and settlements
Settlements92 (100)(6)(14)25 (101)(10)(86)
Net Assets (Liabilities) as of September 30$(280)$(95)$12 $(363)$(39)$$$(27)
Total gains (losses) included in Net Income attributed to the change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets and liabilities held at September 30(a)
$(301)$(54)$(17)$(372)$(20)$53 $(17)$16 
Total gains (losses) included in Regulatory liabilities attributed to the change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets and liabilities held at September 30$ $ $12 $12 $— $— $$
_______________________________________
(a)Amounts are reflected in Operating Revenues — Non-utility operations and Fuel, purchased power, gas, and other — non-utility in DTE Energy's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The following table presents the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for DTE Electric:
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2021202020212020
(In millions)
Net Assets as of beginning of period$15 $10 $4 $
Change in fair value recorded in Regulatory liabilities(1)14 21 
Purchases, issuances, and settlements
Settlements(2)(12)(6)(17)
Net Assets as of September 30$12 $$12 $
Total gains (losses) included in Regulatory liabilities attributed to the change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets and liabilities held at September 30$ $— $12 $
Derivatives are transferred between levels primarily due to changes in the source data used to construct price curves as a result of changes in market liquidity. Transfers in and transfers out are reflected as if they had occurred at the beginning of the period. There were no transfers from or into Level 3 for DTE Electric during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.
The following tables present the unobservable inputs related to DTE Energy's Level 3 assets and liabilities:
September 30, 2021
Commodity ContractsDerivative AssetsDerivative LiabilitiesValuation TechniquesUnobservable InputRangeWeighted Average
(In millions)
Natural Gas$53 $(333)Discounted Cash FlowForward basis price (per MMBtu)$(1.33)$3.53 /MMBtu$(0.04)/MMBtu
Electricity$245 $(340)Discounted Cash FlowForward basis price (per MWh)$(8)$10 /MWh$(1)/MWh
December 31, 2020
Commodity ContractsDerivative AssetsDerivative LiabilitiesValuation TechniquesUnobservable InputRangeWeighted Average
(In millions)
Natural Gas$60 $(76)Discounted Cash FlowForward basis price (per MMBtu)$(0.86)$2.50 /MMBtu$(0.07)/MMBtu
Electricity$52 $(42)Discounted Cash FlowForward basis price (per MWh)$(9)$/MWh$— /MWh
The unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the electricity and natural gas commodity types consist of inputs that are less observable due in part to lack of available broker quotes, supported by little, if any, market activity at the measurement date or are based on internally developed models. Certain basis prices (i.e., the difference in pricing between two locations) included in the valuation of natural gas and electricity contracts were deemed unobservable. The weighted average price for unobservable inputs was calculated using the average of forward price curves for natural gas and electricity and the absolute value of monthly volumes.
The inputs listed above would have had a direct impact on the fair values of the above security types if they were adjusted. A significant increase (decrease) in the basis price would have resulted in a higher (lower) fair value for long positions, with offsetting impacts to short positions.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following table presents the carrying amount and fair value of financial instruments for DTE Energy:
September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
CarryingFair ValueCarryingFair Value
AmountLevel 1Level 2Level 3AmountLevel 1Level 2Level 3
(In millions)
Notes receivable(a), excluding lessor finance leases
$142 $ $ $142 $141 $— $— $141 
Short-term borrowings$361 $ $361 $ $38 $— $38 $— 
Notes payable(b)
$5 $ $ $5 $19 $— $— $19 
Long-term debt(c)
$17,222 $2,241 $15,486 $1,104 $19,439 $2,547 $18,230 $1,397 
_______________________________________
(a)Current portion included in Current Assets — Other on DTE Energy's Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
(b)Included in Current Liabilities — Other and Other Liabilities — Other on DTE Energy's Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
(c)Includes debt due within one year and excludes finance lease obligations. Carrying value also includes unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs.
The following table presents the carrying amount and fair value of financial instruments for DTE Electric:
September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
CarryingFair ValueCarryingFair Value
AmountLevel 1Level 2Level 3AmountLevel 1Level 2Level 3
(In millions)
Notes receivable(a)
$17 $ $ $17 $16 $— $— $16 
Short-term borrowings — affiliates$32 $ $ $32 $101 $— $— $101 
Short-term borrowings — other$159 $ $159 $ $— $— $— $— 
Notes payable(b)
$4 $ $ $4 $17 $— $— $17 
Long-term debt(c)
$8,906 $ $9,952 $150 $8,236 $— $9,579 $379 
_______________________________________
(a)Included in Current Assets — Other on DTE Electric's Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
(b)Included in Current Liabilities — Other and Other Liabilities — Other on DTE Electric's Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
(c)Includes debt due within one year and excludes finance lease obligations. Carrying value also includes unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs.
For further fair value information on financial and derivative instruments, see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, "Financial and Other Derivative Instruments."
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Funds
DTE Electric has a legal obligation to decommission its nuclear power plants following the expiration of its operating licenses. This obligation is reflected as an Asset retirement obligation on DTE Electric's Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Rates approved by the MPSC provide for the recovery of decommissioning costs of Fermi 2 and the disposal of low-level radioactive waste.
The following table summarizes DTE Electric's fair value of the nuclear decommissioning trust fund assets:
September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
(In millions)
Fermi 2$1,989 $1,841 
Fermi 13 
Low-level radioactive waste15 11 
$2,007 $1,855 
The costs of securities sold are determined on the basis of specific identification. The following table sets forth DTE Electric's gains and losses and proceeds from the sale of securities by the nuclear decommissioning trust funds:
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2021202020212020
(In millions)
Realized gains$21 $38 $80 $172 
Realized losses$(1)$(11)$(9)$(103)
Proceeds from sale of securities$217 $816 $854 $2,054 
Realized gains and losses from the sale of securities and unrealized gains and losses incurred by the Fermi 2 trust are recorded to Regulatory assets and the Nuclear decommissioning liability. Realized gains and losses from the sale of securities and unrealized gains and losses on the low-level radioactive waste funds are recorded to the Nuclear decommissioning liability.
The following table sets forth DTE Electric's fair value and unrealized gains and losses for the nuclear decommissioning trust funds:
September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
(In millions)
Equity securities$1,140 $507 $(8)$1,169 $481 $(6)
Fixed income securities658 24 (5)555 20 (1)
Private equity and other175 41 (2)104 — — 
Cash equivalents34   27 — — 
$2,007 $572 $(15)$1,855 $501 $(7)
The following table summarizes the fair value of the fixed income securities held in nuclear decommissioning trust funds by contractual maturity:
September 30, 2021
(In millions)
Due within one year$11 
Due after one through five years138 
Due after five through ten years112 
Due after ten years295 
$556 
Fixed income securities held in nuclear decommissioning trust funds include $102 million of non-publicly traded commingled funds that do not have a contractual maturity date.
Other Securities
At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Registrants' securities included in Other investments on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position were comprised primarily of investments within DTE Energy's rabbi trust. The rabbi trust was established to fund certain non-qualified pension benefits, and therefore changes in market value are recognized in earnings. Gains and losses are allocated from DTE Energy to DTE Electric and are included in Other Income or Other Expense, respectively, in the Registrants' Consolidated Statements of Operations. The following table summarizes the Registrant's gains (losses) related to the trust:
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2021202020212020
(In millions)
Gains (losses) related to equity securities$(1)$$3 $(4)
Gains (losses) related to fixed income securities —  (3)
$(1)$$3 $(7)