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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Entity Information [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Guarantees

We and certain of our subsidiaries enter into agreements from time to time providing financial or performance assurance to third parties for certain of our subsidiaries as part of our business, including guarantees and stand-by letters of credit. These agreements are entered into primarily to support or enhance the creditworthiness otherwise attributed to the subsidiary on a stand-alone basis, thereby facilitating the extension of sufficient credit to accomplish the subsidiary's intended commercial purposes. At December 31, 2021, AES Indiana had issued $226.2 million of guarantees and no stand-by letters of credit.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

We enter into various contractual obligations and other commercial commitments that may affect the liquidity of our operations. At December 31, 2021, these include:
 Payments due in:
 TotalLess Than 1 Year1 – 3
Years
3 – 5
Years
More Than
5 Years
 (In Millions)
Purchase obligations: 
Coal, gas, purchased power and 
         related transportation$1,241.8 $280.6 $310.3 $234.3 $416.6 
Other$321.2 $241.6 $57.3 $14.6 $7.7 

Purchase obligations:

Purchase commitments for coal, gas, purchased power and related transportation:

AES Indiana enters into long-term contracts for the purchase of coal, gas, purchased power and related transportation. In general, these contracts are subject to variable quantities or prices and are terminable only in limited circumstances.

Purchase orders and other contractual obligations:

At December 31, 2021, we had various other contractual obligations including contracts to purchase goods and services with various terms and expiration dates, as well as obligations under long term construction contracts. Due to uncertainty regarding the timing and payment of future obligations to the Service Company, and our ability to
terminate such obligations upon 90 days' notice, we have excluded such amounts in the contractual obligations table above. This table also does not include (i) regulatory liabilities (see Note 2, "Regulatory Matters"), (ii) derivatives and incentive compensation (see Note 5, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities"), (iii) taxes (see Note 8, "Income Taxes"), (iv) pension and other postretirement employee benefit liabilities (see Note 9, "Benefit Plans") and (v) contingencies (see Note 10, "Commitments and Contingencies"). See the indicated notes to the Financial Statements for additional information on the items excluded.

Legal Matters

IPALCO and AES Indiana are involved in litigation arising in the normal course of business. We accrue for litigation and claims when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, total legal loss contingencies accrued were $0.2 million and $13.4 million, respectively, which primarily related to personal injury litigation. During 2021, we entered into settlements resolving a significant portion of the legal loss contingencies previously accrued. The legal loss contingencies and settlement related accruals are included in "Accrued and other current liabilities" and "Other Non-Current Liabilities" on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. We maintain an amount of insurance protection for such litigation that we believe is adequate. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we have $12.5 million and $11.3 million, respectively, of receivables for insurance recoveries determined to be probable recorded in "Prepayments and other current assets" and "Other non-current assets" on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. While the ultimate outcome of outstanding litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that final outcomes will not have a material adverse effect on IPALCO’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to various federal, state, regional and local environmental protection and health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other things, the generation, storage, handling, use, disposal and transportation of regulated materials, including ash; the use and discharge of water used in generation boilers and for cooling purposes; the emission and discharge of hazardous and other materials, including GHGs, into the environment; climate change; and the health and safety of our employees. These laws and regulations often require a lengthy and complex process of obtaining and renewing permits and other governmental authorizations from federal, state and local agencies. Violation of these laws, regulations or permits can result in substantial fines, other sanctions, permit revocation and/or facility shutdowns. We cannot assure that we have been or will be at all times in full compliance with such laws, regulations and permits.

New Source Review and other CAA NOVs

In October 2009, AES Indiana received a NOV and Finding of Violation from the EPA pursuant to the CAA Section 113(a). The NOV alleged violations of the CAA at AES Indiana’s three primarily coal-fired electric generating facilities at the time, dating back to 1986. The alleged violations primarily pertain to the PSD and non-attainment New Source Review (NSR) requirements under the CAA. In addition, on October 1, 2015, AES Indiana received a NOV from the EPA pursuant to CAA Section 113(a) alleging violations of the CAA, the Indiana SIP, and the Title V operating permit related to alleged particulate matter and opacity violations at AES Indiana Petersburg Unit 3. Also, on February 5, 2016, the EPA issued a NOV pursuant to CAA Section 113(a) alleging violations of PSD, non-attainment NSR and other CAA regulations, the Indiana SIP, and the Title V operating permit at Petersburg Generating Station. On August 31, 2020, AES Indiana reached a settlement with the EPA, the DOJ and IDEM resolving the purported violations of the CAA with respect to the coal-fired generation units at AES Indiana's Petersburg location. The settlement agreement, in the form of a proposed judicial consent decree was approved and entered by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana on March 23, 2021, and includes, among other items, the following requirements: annual caps on NOx and SO2 emissions and more stringent emissions limits than AES Indiana's current Title V air permit; payment of civil penalties totaling $1.525 million (the payment of which was satisfied by AES Indiana in April 2021); a $5 million environmental mitigation project consisting of the construction and operation of a new, non-emitting source of generation at the site; expenditure of $0.325 million on a state-only environmentally beneficial project to preserve local, ecologically-significant lands; and retirement of Units 1 and 2 prior to July 1, 2023. If AES Indiana does not meet this retirement obligation, it must install a Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction System (SNCR) on Unit 4. AES Indiana has a contingent liability recorded related to these New Source Review and other CAA NOV matters.
Coal Ash Insurance Litigation In August 2021, AES Indiana filed a civil action against various third-party insurance providers. The complaint seeks damages for breach of contract and a declaratory judgment declaring that such insurers must defend and indemnify AES Indiana under liability insurance policies issued between 1950 and the filing of the civil action against certain environmental liabilities arising from CCR at Harding Street, Petersburg and Eagle Valley. At this time, we cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Indianapolis Power And Light Company  
Entity Information [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Guarantees

We and certain of our subsidiaries enter into agreements from time to time providing financial or performance assurance to third parties for certain of our subsidiaries as part of our business, including guarantees and stand-by letters of credit. These agreements are entered into primarily to support or enhance the creditworthiness otherwise attributed to the subsidiary on a stand-alone basis, thereby facilitating the extension of sufficient credit to accomplish the subsidiary's intended commercial purposes. At December 31, 2021, AES Indiana had issued $226.2 million of guarantees and no stand-by letters of credit.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

We enter into various contractual obligations and other commercial commitments that may affect the liquidity of our operations. At December 31, 2021, these include:
 Payments due in:
 TotalLess Than 1 Year1 – 3
Years
3 – 5
Years
More Than
5 Years
 (In Millions)
Purchase obligations: 
Coal, gas, purchased power and 
         related transportation$1,241.8 $280.6 $310.3 $234.3 $416.6 
Other$321.2 $241.6 $57.3 $14.6 $7.7 

Purchase obligations:

Purchase commitments for coal, gas, purchased power and related transportation:

AES Indiana enters into long-term contracts for the purchase of coal, gas, purchased power and related transportation. In general, these contracts are subject to variable quantities or prices and are terminable only in limited circumstances.

Purchase orders and other contractual obligations:

At December 31, 2021, we had various other contractual obligations including contracts to purchase goods and services with various terms and expiration dates, as well as obligations under long term construction contracts. Due to uncertainty regarding the timing and payment of future obligations to the Service Company, and our ability to
terminate such obligations upon 90 days' notice, we have excluded such amounts in the contractual obligations table above. This table also does not include (i) regulatory liabilities (see Note 2, "Regulatory Matters"), (ii) derivatives and incentive compensation (see Note 5, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities"), (iii) taxes (see Note 8, "Income Taxes"), (iv) pension and other postretirement employee benefit liabilities (see Note 9, "Benefit Plans") and (v) contingencies (see Note 10, "Commitments and Contingencies"). See the indicated notes to the Financial Statements for additional information on the items excluded.

Legal Matters

AES Indiana is involved in litigation arising in the normal course of business. AES Indiana accrues for litigation and claims when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, total legal loss contingencies accrued were $0.2 million and $13.4 million, respectively, which primarily related to personal injury litigation. During 2021, AES Indiana entered into settlements resolving a significant portion of the legal loss contingencies previously accrued. The legal loss contingencies and settlement related accruals are included in "Accrued and other current liabilities" and "Other Non-Current Liabilities" on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. AES Indiana maintains an amount of insurance protection for such litigation that it believes is adequate. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, AES Indiana has $12.5 million and $11.3 million, respectively, of receivables for insurance recoveries determined to be probable recorded in "Prepayments and other current assets" and "Other non-current assets" on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. While the ultimate outcome of outstanding litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that final outcomes will not have a material adverse effect on AES Indiana’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Environmental Matters

AES Indiana is subject to various federal, state, regional and local environmental protection and health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other things, the generation, storage, handling, use, disposal and transportation of regulated materials, including ash; the use and discharge of water used in generation boilers and for cooling purposes; the emission and discharge of hazardous and other materials, including GHGs, into the environment; climate change; and the health and safety of AES Indiana's employees. These laws and regulations often require a lengthy and complex process of obtaining and renewing permits and other governmental authorizations from federal, state and local agencies. Violation of these laws, regulations or permits can result in substantial fines, other sanctions, permit revocation and/or facility shutdowns. AES Indiana cannot assure that it has been or will be at all times in full compliance with such laws, regulations and permits.

New Source Review and other CAA NOVs

In October 2009, AES Indiana received a NOV and Finding of Violation from the EPA pursuant to the CAA Section 113(a). The NOV alleged violations of the CAA at AES Indiana’s three primarily coal-fired electric generating facilities at the time, dating back to 1986. The alleged violations primarily pertain to the PSD and non-attainment New Source Review (NSR) requirements under the CAA. In addition, on October 1, 2015, AES Indiana received a NOV from the EPA pursuant to CAA Section 113(a) alleging violations of the CAA, the Indiana SIP, and the Title V operating permit related to alleged particulate matter and opacity violations at AES Indiana Petersburg Unit 3. Also, on February 5, 2016, the EPA issued a NOV pursuant to CAA Section 113(a) alleging violations of PSD, non-attainment NSR and other CAA regulations, the Indiana SIP, and the Title V operating permit at Petersburg Generating Station. On August 31, 2020, AES Indiana reached a settlement with the EPA, the DOJ and IDEM resolving the purported violations of the CAA with respect to the coal-fired generation units at AES Indiana's Petersburg location. The settlement agreement, in the form of a proposed judicial consent decree was approved and entered by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana on March 23, 2021, and includes, among other items, the following requirements: annual caps on NOx and SO2 emissions and more stringent emissions limits than AES Indiana's current Title V air permit; payment of civil penalties totaling $1.525 million (the payment of which was satisfied by AES Indiana in April 2021); a $5 million environmental mitigation project consisting of the construction and operation of a new, non-emitting source of generation at the site; expenditure of $0.325 million on a state-only environmentally beneficial project to preserve local, ecologically-significant lands; and retirement of Units 1 and 2 prior to July 1, 2023. If AES Indiana does not meet this retirement obligation, it must install a Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction System (SNCR) on Unit 4. AES Indiana has a contingent liability recorded related to these New Source Review and other CAA NOV matters.
Coal Ash Insurance Litigation In August 2021, AES Indiana filed a civil action against various third-party insurance providers. The complaint seeks damages for breach of contract and a declaratory judgment declaring that such insurers must defend and indemnify AES Indiana under liability insurance policies issued between 1950 and the filing of the civil action against certain environmental liabilities arising from CCR at Harding Street, Petersburg and Eagle Valley. At this time, we cannot predict the outcome of this matter.