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Fair Value Measurements
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
4.  Fair Value Measurements

The fair value of assets and liabilities are determined using either unadjusted quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) or pricing inputs that are observable (Level 2) whenever that information is available and using unobservable inputs (Level 3) to estimate fair value only when relevant observable inputs are not available.  NEE and FPL use several different valuation techniques to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities, relying primarily on the market approach of using prices and other market information for identical and/or comparable assets and liabilities for those assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  NEE's and FPL's assessment of the significance of any particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  Non-performance risk, including the consideration of a credit valuation adjustment, is also considered in the determination of fair value for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value.

Cash Equivalents - Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  NEE primarily holds investments in money market funds.  The fair value of these funds is calculated using current market prices.

Special Use Funds and Other Investments - NEE and FPL hold primarily debt and equity securities directly, as well as indirectly through commingled funds.  Substantially all directly held equity securities are valued at their quoted market prices.  For directly held debt securities, multiple prices and price types are obtained from pricing vendors whenever possible, which enables cross-provider validations.  A primary price source is identified based on asset type, class or issue of each security.  Commingled funds, which are similar to mutual funds, are maintained by banks or investment companies and hold certain investments in accordance with a stated set of objectives.  The fair value of commingled funds is primarily derived from the quoted prices in active markets of the underlying securities.  Because the fund shares are offered to a limited group of investors, they are not considered to be traded in an active market.

Derivative Instruments - NEE and FPL measure the fair value of commodity contracts using prices observed on commodities exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets, or through the use of industry-standard valuation techniques, such as option modeling or discounted cash flows techniques, incorporating both observable and unobservable valuation inputs.  The resulting measurements are the best estimate of fair value as represented by the transfer of the asset or liability through an orderly transaction in the marketplace at the measurement date.

Most exchange-traded derivative assets and liabilities are valued directly using unadjusted quoted prices.  For exchange-traded derivative assets and liabilities where the principal market is deemed to be inactive based on average daily volumes and open interest, the measurement is established using settlement prices from the exchanges, and therefore considered to be valued using other observable inputs.

NEE, through its subsidiaries, including FPL, also enters into over-the-counter commodity contract derivatives.  The majority of these contracts are transacted at liquid trading points, and the prices for these contracts are verified using quoted prices in active markets from exchanges, brokers or pricing services for similar contracts.

NEE, through NEER, also enters into full requirements contracts, which, in most cases, meet the definition of derivatives and are measured at fair value.  These contracts typically have one or more inputs that are not observable and are significant to the valuation of the contract.  In addition, certain exchange and non-exchange traded derivative options at NEE have one or more significant inputs that are not observable, and are valued using industry-standard option models.

In all cases where NEE and FPL use significant unobservable inputs for the valuation of a commodity contract, consideration is given to the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability.  The primary input to the valuation models for commodity contracts is the forward commodity curve for the respective instruments.  Other inputs include, but are not limited to, assumptions about market liquidity, volatility, correlation and contract duration as more fully described below in Significant Unobservable Inputs Used in Recurring Fair Value Measurements.  In instances where the reference markets are deemed to be inactive or do not have transactions for a similar contract, the derivative assets and liabilities may be valued using significant other observable inputs and potentially significant unobservable inputs.  In such instances, the valuation for these contracts is established using techniques including extrapolation from or interpolation between actively traded contracts, or estimated basis adjustments from liquid trading points.  NEE and FPL regularly evaluate and validate the inputs used to determine fair value by a number of methods, consisting of various market price verification procedures, including the use of pricing services and multiple broker quotes to support the market price of the various commodities. In all cases where there are assumptions and models used to generate inputs for valuing derivative assets and liabilities, the review and verification of the assumptions, models and changes to the models are undertaken by individuals that are independent of those responsible for estimating fair value.

NEE uses interest rate contracts and foreign currency swaps to mitigate and adjust interest rate and foreign currency exposure related to certain outstanding and forecasted debt issuances and borrowings when deemed appropriate based on market conditions or when required by financing agreements.  NEE estimates the fair value of these derivatives using a discounted cash flows valuation technique based on the net amount of estimated future cash inflows and outflows related to the agreements.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements - NEE's and FPL's financial assets and liabilities and other fair value measurements made on a recurring basis by fair value hierarchy level are as follows:

 
December 31, 2013
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting(a)
 
Total
 
 
(millions)
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEE - equity securities
$
20

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
20

 
Special use funds:(b)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
1,170

 
$
1,336

(c) 
$

 
$

 
$
2,506

 
U.S. Government and municipal bonds
$
647

 
$
180

 
$

 
$

 
$
827

 
Corporate debt securities
$

 
$
597

 
$

 
$

 
$
597

 
Mortgage-backed securities
$

 
$
479

 
$

 
$

 
$
479

 
Other debt securities
$
16

 
$
44

 
$

 
$

 
$
60

 
FPL:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
291

 
$
1,176

(c) 
$

 
$

 
$
1,467

 
U.S. Government and municipal bonds
$
584

 
$
154

 
$

 
$

 
$
738

 
Corporate debt securities
$

 
$
421

 
$

 
$

 
$
421

 
Mortgage-backed securities
$

 
$
401

 
$

 
$

 
$
401

 
Other debt securities
$
16

 
$
30

 
$

 
$

 
$
46

 
Other investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
51

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
51

 
Debt securities
$
11

 
$
107

 
$

 
$

 
$
118

 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
$
1,368

 
$
2,106

 
$
1,069

 
$
(2,972
)
 
$
1,571

(d) 
Interest rate contracts
$

 
$
90

 
$

 
$

 
$
90

(d) 
FPL - commodity contracts
$

 
$
53

 
$
2

 
$
(7
)
 
$
48

(d) 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
$
1,285

 
$
1,994

 
$
354

 
$
(2,693
)
 
$
940

(d) 
Interest rate contracts
$

 
$
127

 
$
93

 
$

 
$
220

(d) 
Foreign currency swaps
$

 
$
151

 
$

 
$

 
$
151

(d) 
FPL - commodity contracts
$

 
$
7

 
$
2

 
$
(7
)
 
$
2

(d) 
______________________
(a)
Includes the effect of the contractual ability to settle contracts under master netting arrangements and margin cash collateral payments and receipts.  NEE and FPL also have contract settlement receivable and payable balances that are subject to the master netting arrangements but are not offset within the consolidated balance sheets and are recorded in customer receivables - net and accounts payable, respectively.
(b)
Excludes investments accounted for under the equity method and loans not measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  See Fair Value of Financial Instruments Recorded at the Carrying Amount below.
(c)
At NEE, approximately $1,300 million ($1,141 million at FPL) are invested in commingled funds whose underlying investments would be Level 1 if those investments were held directly by NEE or FPL.
(d)
See Note 3 - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments for a reconciliation of net derivatives to NEE's and FPL's consolidated balance sheets.
 
December 31, 2012
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Netting(a)
 
Total
 
 
(millions)
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEE - equity securities
$
23

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
23

 
Special use funds:(b)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
914

 
$
1,240

(c) 
$

 
$

 
$
2,154

 
U.S. Government and municipal bonds
$
451

 
$
143

 
$

 
$

 
$
594

 
Corporate debt securities
$

 
$
572

 
$

 
$

 
$
572

 
Mortgage-backed securities
$

 
$
560

 
$

 
$

 
$
560

 
Other debt securities
$
15

 
$
26

 
$

 
$

 
$
41

 
FPL:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
217

 
$
1,118

(c) 
$

 
$

 
$
1,335

 
U.S. Government and municipal bonds
$
390

 
$
119

 
$

 
$

 
$
509

 
Corporate debt securities
$

 
$
397

 
$

 
$

 
$
397

 
Mortgage-backed securities
$

 
$
475

 
$

 
$

 
$
475

 
Other debt securities
$
16

 
$
16

 
$

 
$

 
$
32

 
Other investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
7

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
7

 
Debt securities
$
11

 
$
106

 
$

 
$

 
$
117

 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
$
1,187

 
$
2,251

 
$
794

 
$
(2,871
)
 
$
1,361

(d) 
Interest rate contracts
$

 
$
76

 
$

 
$

 
$
76

(d) 
FPL - commodity contracts
$

 
$
14

 
$
3

 
$
(12
)
 
$
5

(d) 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
$
1,240

 
$
1,844

 
$
228

 
$
(2,748
)
 
$
564

(d) 
Interest rate contracts
$

 
$
387

 
$

 
$

 
$
387

(d) 
Foreign currency swaps
$

 
$
66

 
$

 
$

 
$
66

(d) 
FPL - commodity contracts
$

 
$
31

 
$
1

 
$
(12
)
 
$
20

(d) 
______________________
(a)
Includes the effect of the contractual ability to settle contracts under master netting arrangements and margin cash collateral payments and receipts.  NEE and FPL also have contract settlement receivable and payable balances that are subject to the master netting arrangements but are not offset within the consolidated balance sheets and are recorded in customer receivables - net and accounts payable, respectively.
(b)
Excludes investments accounted for under the equity method and loans not measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  See Fair Value of Financial Instruments Recorded at the Carrying Amount below.
(c)
At NEE, approximately $1,214 million ($1,093 million at FPL) are invested in commingled funds whose underlying investments would be Level 1 if those investments were held directly by NEE or FPL.
(d)
See Note 3 - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments for a reconciliation of net derivatives to NEE's and FPL's consolidated balance sheets.

Significant Unobservable Inputs Used in Recurring Fair Value Measurements - The valuation of certain commodity contracts requires the use of significant unobservable inputs.  All forward price, implied volatility, implied correlation and interest rate inputs used in the valuation of such contracts are directly based on third-party market data, such as broker quotes and exchange settlements, when that data is available.  If third-party market data is not available, then industry standard methodologies are used to develop inputs that maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  Observable inputs, including some forward prices, implied volatilities and interest rates used for determining fair value are updated daily to reflect the best available market information.  Unobservable inputs which are related to observable inputs, such as illiquid portions of forward price or volatility curves, are updated daily as well, using industry standard techniques such as interpolation and extrapolation, combining observable forward inputs supplemented by historical market and other relevant data.  Other unobservable inputs, such as implied correlations, customer migration rates from full requirements contracts and some implied volatility curves, are modeled using proprietary models based on historical data and industry standard techniques.

All price, volatility, correlation and customer migration inputs used in valuation are subject to validation by the Trading Risk Management group.  The Trading Risk Management group performs a risk management function responsible for assessing credit, market and operational risk impact, reviewing valuation methodology and modeling, confirming transactions, monitoring approval processes and developing and monitoring trading limits.  The Trading Risk Management group is separate from the transacting group.  For markets where independent third-party data is readily available, validation is conducted daily by directly reviewing this market data against inputs utilized by the transacting group, and indirectly by critically reviewing daily risk reports.  For markets where independent third-party data is not readily available, additional analytical reviews are performed on at least a quarterly basis.  These analytical reviews are designed to ensure that all price and volatility curves used for fair valuing transactions are adequately validated each quarter, and are reviewed and approved by the Trading Risk Management group.  In addition, other valuation assumptions such as implied correlations and customer migration rates are reviewed and approved by the Trading Risk Management group on a periodic basis.  Newly created models used in the valuation process are also subject to testing and approval by the Trading Risk Management group prior to use and established models are reviewed annually, or more often as needed, by the Trading Risk Management group.

On a monthly basis, the Exposure Management Committee (EMC), which is comprised of certain members of senior management, meets with representatives from the Trading Risk Management group and the transacting group to discuss NEE's and FPL's energy risk profile and operations, to review risk reports and to discuss fair value issues as necessary.  The EMC develops guidelines required for an appropriate risk management control infrastructure, which includes implementation and monitoring of compliance with Trading Risk Management policy.  The EMC executes its risk management responsibilities through direct oversight and delegation of its responsibilities to the Trading Risk Management group, as well as to other corporate and business unit personnel.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of NEE's commodity contracts categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2013 are as follows:

Transaction Type
 
Fair Value at
December 31, 2013
 
Valuation
Technique(s)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
 
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward contracts - power
 
$
677

 
$
74

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Forward price (per MWh)
 
$13
$207
Forward contracts - gas
 
82

 
23

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Forward price (per MMBtu)
 
$2
$16
Forward contracts - other commodity related
 
15

 
11

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Forward price (various)
 
$1
$245
Options - power
 
55

 
49

 
Option models
 
Implied correlations
 
7%
96%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Implied volatilities
 
1%
200%
Options - gas
 
22

 
29

 
Option models
 
Implied correlations
 
7%
96%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Implied volatilities
 
1%
175%
Full requirements and unit contingent contracts
 
218

 
168

 
Discounted cash flow
 
Forward price (per MWh)
 
$(32)
$222
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer migration rate(a)
 
—%
20%
Total
 
$
1,069

 
$
354

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
______________________
(a)
Applies only to full requirements contracts.

The sensitivity of NEE's fair value measurements to increases (decreases) in the significant unobservable inputs is as follows:

Significant Unobservable Input
 
Position
 
Impact on
Fair Value Measurement
Forward price
 
Purchase power/gas
 
Increase (decrease)
 
 
Sell power/gas
 
Decrease (increase)
Implied correlations
 
Purchase option
 
Decrease (increase)
 
 
Sell option
 
Increase (decrease)
Implied volatilities
 
Purchase option
 
Increase (decrease)
 
 
Sell option
 
Decrease (increase)
Customer migration rate
 
Sell power(a)
 
Decrease (increase)
————————————
(a)
Assumes the contract is in a gain position.

In addition, the fair value measurement of interest rate swap liabilities related to the solar projects in Spain of approximately $93 million at December 31, 2013 includes a significant credit valuation adjustment. The credit valuation adjustment, considered an unobservable input, reflects management's assessment of non-performance risk of the subsidiaries related to the solar projects in Spain that are party to the swap agreements.

The reconciliation of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are based on significant unobservable inputs is as follows:

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
NEE
 
FPL
 
NEE
 
FPL
 
NEE
 
FPL
 
(millions)
Fair value of net derivatives based on significant unobservable inputs at December 31 of prior year
$
566

 
$
2

 
$
486

 
$
4

 
$
296

 
$
7

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Included in earnings(a)
299

 

 
218

 

 
454

 

Included in regulatory assets and liabilities

 

 
5

 
5

 
3

 
3

Purchases
101

 

 
273

 
(7
)
 
270

 
(6
)
Settlements
(55
)
 
(2
)
 
(181
)
 

 
(166
)
 

Issuances
(173
)
 

 
(243
)
 

 
(362
)
 

Transfers in(b)
(120
)
 

 
20

 

 
6

 

Transfers out(b)
4

 

 
(12
)
 

 
(15
)
 

Fair value of net derivatives based on significant unobservable inputs at December 31
$
622

 
$

 
$
566

 
$
2

 
$
486

 
$
4

The amount of gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to derivatives still held at the reporting date(c)
$
329

 
$

 
$
152

 
$

 
$
423

 
$

______________________
(a)
For the year ended December 31, 2013, $302 million of realized and unrealized gains are reflected in the consolidated statement of income in operating revenues and the balance is primarily reflected in interest expense. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, $220 million and $441 million, respectively, of realized and unrealized gains are reflected in the consolidated statements of income in operating revenues and the balance is reflected in fuel, purchased power and interchange.
(b)
Transfers into Level 3 were a result of decreased observability of market data and, in 2013, the use of a significant credit valuation adjustment. Transfers from Level 3 to Level 2 were a result of increased observability of market data.  NEE's and FPL's policy is to recognize all transfers at the beginning of the reporting period.
(c)
For the year ended December 31, 2013, $330 million of unrealized gains are reflected in the consolidated statements of income in operating revenues and the balance is reflected in interest expense. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, $157 million and $423 million, respectively, of unrealized gains are reflected in the consolidated statements of income in operating revenues and the balance is reflected in fuel, purchased power and interchange.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements - NEE tests long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  In February 2013, the Spanish government enacted a new law that made further changes to the economic framework of renewable energy projects including, among other things, changes that negatively affect the projected economics of the 99.8 MWs of solar thermal facilities that affiliates of NEER were constructing in Spain (Spain solar projects) (see Note 13 - Spain Solar Projects).  Due to the February 2013 change in law, NEER performed a recoverability analysis, considering, among other things, working with lenders to restructure the financing agreements, abandoning the projects or selling the projects, and concluded that the undiscounted cash flows of the Spain solar projects were less than the carrying value of the projects.  Accordingly, NEER performed a fair value analysis based on the income approach to determine the amount of the impairment.  Based on the fair value analysis, property, plant and equipment with a carrying amount of approximately $800 million were written down to their estimated fair value of approximately $500 million as of March 31, 2013, resulting in an impairment of $300 million (which is recorded as a separate line item in NEE's consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2013) and other related charges ($342 million after-tax, see Note 5).

The estimate of the fair value was based on the discounted cash flows which were determined using a market participant view of the Spain solar projects upon completion and final commissioning of the projects.  As part of the valuation, NEER used observable inputs where available, including the revised renewable energy pricing under the February 2013 change in law.  Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), including forecasts of generation, estimates of tariff escalation rates and estimated costs of debt and equity capital, were also used in the estimation of fair value.  In addition, NEER made certain assumptions regarding the projected capital and maintenance expenditures based on the estimated costs to complete the Spain solar projects and ongoing capital and maintenance expenditures.  An increase in the revenue and generation forecasts, a decrease in the projected capital and maintenance expenditures or a decrease in the weighted-average cost of capital each would result in an increased fair market value.  Changes in the opposite direction of those unobservable inputs would result in a decreased fair market value.  See Note 13 - Spain Solar Projects for a discussion of additional developments that could potentially impact the Spain solar projects.

In 2011, market value indications and the potential impact of proposed environmental regulations suggested that the carrying value of certain NEER assets, primarily wind assets in West Texas and oil-fired assets in Maine, could be impaired.  NEER performed a fair value analysis and concluded that an impairment charge related to the long-lived assets, primarily property, plant and equipment, was necessary.  The fair value analysis was primarily based on the income approach using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) including revenue and generation forecasts, projected capital and maintenance expenditures and discount rates.  As a result, long-lived assets held and used with a carrying amount of approximately $79 million were written down to their fair value of $28 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $51 million ($31 million after-tax), which was recorded as a separate line item in NEE's consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2011.

In 2011, subsidiaries of NEER completed the sales of their ownership interests in five natural gas-fired generating plants with a total generating capacity of approximately 2,700 MW for net cash proceeds of approximately $1.2 billion, after transaction costs and working capital and other adjustments.  Approximately $363 million of these proceeds were used to repay debt associated with certain of the projects.  A NEER affiliate will continue to operate the facilities that were sold under service contracts expiring through 2016.  In connection with the sales, a loss of approximately $151 million ($98 million after-tax) was recorded in NEE's consolidated statements of income.  The loss includes the reclassification of $30 million from AOCI as a result of the discontinuance of certain cash flow hedges because it became no longer probable that the future hedged transactions would occur.  See Note 3.

See Note 6 for a discussion of the nonrecurring fair value measurement of certain discontinued operations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Recorded at the Carrying Amount - The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, short-term debt and commercial paper approximate their fair values.  The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of other financial instruments, excluding those recorded at fair value and disclosed above in Recurring Fair Value Measurements, are as follows:

 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
 
(millions)
 
NEE:
 
 
Special use funds(a)
$
311

 
$
311

 
$
269

 
$
269

 
Other investments - primarily notes receivable
$
531

 
$
627

(b) 
$
590

 
$
774

(b) 
Long-term debt, including current maturities
$
27,728

 
$
28,612

(c) 
$
26,647

(d) 
$
28,874

(c) 
FPL:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special use funds(a)
$
200

 
$
200

 
$
170

 
$
170

 
Long-term debt, including current maturities
$
8,829

 
$
9,451

(c) 
$
8,782

 
$
10,421

(c) 
______________________
(a)
Primarily represents investments accounted for under the equity method and loans not measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
(b)
Primarily classified as held to maturity.  Fair values are primarily estimated using a discounted cash flow valuation technique based on certain observable yield curves and indices considering the credit profile of the borrower (Level 3).  Notes receivable bear interest primarily at fixed rates and mature by 2029.  Notes receivable are considered impaired and placed in non-accrual status when it becomes probable that all amounts due cannot be collected in accordance with the contractual terms of the agreement.  The assessment to place notes receivable in non-accrual status considers various credit indicators, such as credit ratings and market-related information.  As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, NEE had no notes receivable reported in non-accrual status.
(c)
As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, for NEE, $17,921 million and $18,962 million, respectively, is estimated using quoted market prices for the same or similar issues (Level 2); the balance is estimated using a discounted cash flow valuation technique, considering the current credit spread of the debtor (Level 3).  For FPL, estimated using quoted market prices for the same or similar issues (Level 2).
(d)
Also includes long-term debt reflected in liabilities associated with assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheets, for which the carrying amount approximates fair value.  See Note 6.

Special Use Funds - The special use funds noted above and those carried at fair value (see Recurring Fair Value Measurements) consist of FPL's storm fund assets of $74 million and NEE's and FPL's nuclear decommissioning fund assets of $4,706 million and $3,199 million, respectively, at December 31, 2013.  The investments held in the special use funds consist of equity and debt securities which are primarily classified as available for sale and carried at estimated fair value.  The amortized cost of debt and equity securities is $1,954 million and $1,384 million, respectively, at December 31, 2013 and $1,679 million and $1,500 million, respectively, at December 31, 2012 ($1,595 million and $694 million, respectively, at December 31, 2013 and $1,339 million and $839 million, respectively, at December 31, 2012 for FPL).  For FPL's special use funds, consistent with regulatory treatment, changes in fair value, including any other than temporary impairment losses, result in a corresponding adjustment to the related regulatory liability accounts.  For NEE's non-rate regulated operations, changes in fair value result in a corresponding adjustment to OCI, except for unrealized losses associated with marketable securities considered to be other than temporary, including any credit losses, which are recognized as other than temporary impairment losses on securities held in nuclear decommissioning funds in NEE's consolidated statements of income.  Debt securities included in the nuclear decommissioning funds have a weighted-average maturity at December 31, 2013 of approximately six years at both NEE and FPL.  FPL's storm fund primarily consists of debt securities with a weighted-average maturity at December 31, 2013 of approximately three years.  The cost of securities sold is determined using the specific identification method.

Realized gains and losses and proceeds from the sale or maturity of available for sale securities are as follows:

 
NEE
 
FPL
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(millions)
Realized gains
$
246

 
$
252

 
$
183

 
$
182

 
$
98

 
$
74

Realized losses
$
88

 
$
67

 
$
88

 
$
59

 
$
46

 
$
62

Proceeds from sale or maturity of securities
$
4,190

 
$
5,028

 
$
4,348

 
$
3,342

 
$
3,790

 
$
2,988


The unrealized gains on available for sale securities are as follows:

 
NEE
 
FPL
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
(millions)
 
 
Equity securities
$
1,125

 
$
680

 
$
777

 
$
521

Debt securities
$
42

 
$
92

 
$
36

 
$
77


The unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities and the fair value of available for sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position are as follows:

 
NEE
 
FPL
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
(millions)
 
 
Unrealized losses(a)
$
32

 
$
3

 
$
25

 
$
2

Fair value
$
1,069

 
$
277

 
$
844

 
$
223

______________________
(a)
Unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities for securities in an unrealized loss position for greater than twelve months at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were not material to NEE or FPL.

Regulations issued by the FERC and the NRC provide general risk management guidelines to protect nuclear decommissioning funds and to allow such funds to earn a reasonable return.  The FERC regulations prohibit, among other investments, investments in any securities of NEE or its subsidiaries, affiliates or associates, excluding investments tied to market indices or mutual funds.  Similar restrictions applicable to the decommissioning funds for NEER's nuclear plants are included in the NRC operating licenses for those facilities or in NRC regulations applicable to NRC licensees not in cost-of-service environments.  With respect to the decommissioning fund for Seabrook, decommissioning fund contributions and withdrawals are also regulated by the NDFC pursuant to New Hampshire law.

The nuclear decommissioning reserve funds are managed by investment managers who must comply with the guidelines of NEE and FPL and the rules of the applicable regulatory authorities.  The funds' assets are invested giving consideration to taxes, liquidity, risk, diversification and other prudent investment objectives.