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Fair Value Measurements
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements
 
We classify our assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value within the fair value hierarchy.  This hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the inputs used to determine fair values, which are then classified and disclosed in one of three categories.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
 
Level 1 — Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level 2 — Other significant observable inputs, including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable (such as yield curves). 
 
Level 3 — Valuation models with significant unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity.  Instruments in this category may include long-dated derivative transactions where valuations are unobservable due to the length of the transaction, options, and transactions in locations where observable market data does not exist.  The valuation models we employ utilize spot prices, forward prices, historical market data and other factors to forecast future prices.

 Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Thus, a valuation may be classified in Level 3 even though the valuation may include significant inputs that are readily observable.  We maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  We rely primarily on the market approach of using prices and other market information for identical and/or comparable assets and liabilities.  If market data is not readily available, inputs
may reflect our own assumptions about the inputs market participants would use.  Our assessment of the inputs and the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities as well as their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  We assess whether a market is active by obtaining observable broker quotes, reviewing actual market activity, and assessing the volume of transactions.  We consider broker quotes observable inputs when the quote is binding on the broker, we can validate the quote with market activity, or we can determine that the inputs the broker used to arrive at the quoted price are observable.

Certain instruments have been valued using the concept of Net Asset Value (“NAV”) as a practical expedient. These instruments are typically structured as investment companies offering shares or units to multiple investors for the purpose of providing a return. These instruments are similar to mutual funds; however, their NAV is generally not published and publicly available, nor are these instruments traded on an exchange. Instruments valued using NAV as a practical expedient are included in our fair value disclosures; however, in accordance with GAAP are not classified within the fair value hierarchy levels.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements
 
We apply recurring fair value measurements to cash equivalents, derivative instruments, and investments held in the nuclear decommissioning trusts and other special use funds. On an annual basis, we apply fair value measurements to plan assets held in our retirement and other benefit plans.  See Note 7 in the 2022 Form 10-K for fair value discussion of plan assets held in our retirement and other benefit plans.
 
Cash Equivalents
 
Cash equivalents represent certain investments in money market funds that are valued using quoted prices in active markets.

Risk Management Activities — Energy Derivative Instruments
 
Exchange traded commodity contracts are valued using unadjusted quoted prices.  For non-exchange traded commodity contracts, we calculate fair value based on the average of the bid and offer price, discounted to reflect net present value.  We maintain certain valuation adjustments for a number of risks associated with the valuation of future commitments.  These include valuation adjustments for liquidity and credit risks.  The liquidity valuation adjustment represents the cost that would be incurred if all unmatched positions were closed out or hedged.  The credit valuation adjustment represents estimated credit losses on our net exposure to counterparties, taking into account netting agreements, expected default experience for the credit rating of the counterparties and the overall diversification of the portfolio.  We maintain credit policies that management believes minimize overall credit risk.
 
Certain non-exchange traded commodity contracts are valued based on unobservable inputs due to the long-term nature of contracts, characteristics of the product, or the unique location of the transactions.  Our long-dated energy transactions consist of observable valuations for the near-term portion and unobservable valuations for the long-term portions of the transaction.  We rely primarily on broker quotes to value these instruments.  When our valuations utilize broker quotes, we perform various control procedures to ensure the quote has been developed consistent with fair value accounting guidance.  These controls include assessing the quote for reasonableness by comparison against other broker quotes, reviewing historical price relationships, and assessing market activity.  When broker quotes are not available, the primary valuation technique used to calculate the fair value is the extrapolation of forward pricing curves using observable market data for more liquid delivery points in the same region and actual transactions at more illiquid delivery points.
 
When the unobservable portion is significant to the overall valuation of the transaction, the entire transaction is classified as Level 3. 
 
Risk Management Activities — Interest Rate Derivatives

Our interest rate derivative instruments relate to an interest rate swap, which is valued using financial models that utilize observable inputs for similar instruments and are classified as Level 2. Inputs include yield curves and credit quality of the counterparties.
 
Investments Held in Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts and Other Special Use Funds

The nuclear decommissioning trusts and other special use funds invest in fixed income and equity securities. Other special use funds include the coal reclamation escrow account and the active union employee medical account. See Note 12 for additional discussion about our investment accounts.

We value investments in fixed income and equity securities using information provided by our trustees and escrow agent. Our trustees and escrow agent use pricing services that utilize the valuation methodologies described below to determine fair market value. We have internal control procedures designed to ensure this information is consistent with fair value accounting guidance. These procedures include assessing valuations using an independent pricing source, verifying that pricing can be supported by actual recent market transactions, assessing hierarchy classifications, comparing investment returns with benchmarks, and obtaining and reviewing independent audit reports on the trustees’ and escrow agent’s internal operating controls and valuation processes.

Fixed Income Securities

Fixed income securities issued by the U.S. Treasury are valued using quoted active market prices and are typically classified as Level 1.  Fixed income securities issued by corporations, municipalities, and other agencies, including mortgage-backed instruments, are valued using quoted inactive market prices, quoted active market prices for similar securities, or by utilizing calculations which incorporate observable inputs such as yield curves and spreads relative to such yield curves.  These fixed income instruments are classified as Level 2.  Whenever possible, multiple market quotes are obtained which enables a cross-check validation.  A primary price source is identified based on asset type, class, or issue of securities.

Fixed income securities may also include short-term investments in certificates of deposit, variable rate notes, time deposit accounts, U.S. Treasury and Agency obligations, U.S. Treasury repurchase agreements, commercial paper, and other short-term instruments. These instruments are valued using active market prices or utilizing observable inputs described above.

Equity Securities

The nuclear decommissioning trusts’ equity security investments are held indirectly through commingled funds.  The commingled funds are valued using the funds’ NAV as a practical expedient. The funds’ NAV is primarily derived from the quoted active market prices of the underlying equity securities held by the funds. We may transact in these commingled funds on a semi-monthly basis at the NAV.  The commingled funds are maintained by a bank and hold investments in accordance with the stated objective of tracking the performance of the S&P 500 Index.  Because the commingled funds’ shares are offered to a limited group of investors, they are not considered to be traded in an active market. As these instruments are valued using NAV, as a practical expedient, they have not been classified within the fair value hierarchy.
The nuclear decommissioning trusts and other special use funds may also hold equity securities that include exchange traded mutual funds and money market accounts for short-term liquidity purposes. These short-term, highly-liquid investments are valued using active market prices.

Fair Value Tables
 
The following table presents the fair value at March 31, 2023, of our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (dollars in thousands):
 
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Other Total
ASSETS      
Cash equivalents$14 $— $— $— $14 
Risk management activities — derivative instruments:
Commodity contracts— 28,483 21,257 (16,697)(a)33,043 
Interest rate swaps— 134 — — 134 
Subtotal risk management activities - derivative instruments— 28,617 21,257 (16,697)33,177 
Nuclear decommissioning trust:
Equity securities9,665 — — (1,135)(b)8,530 
U.S. commingled equity funds— — — 507,706 (c)507,706 
U.S. Treasury debt231,003 — — —  231,003 
Corporate debt— 149,541 — —  149,541 
Mortgage-backed securities— 157,330 — —  157,330 
Municipal bonds— 63,950 — —  63,950 
Other fixed income— 7,557 — —  7,557 
Subtotal nuclear decommissioning trust240,668 378,378 — 506,571 1,125,617 
Other special use funds:
Equity securities27,642 — — 1,041 (b)28,683 
U.S. Treasury debt320,196 — — — 320,196 
Municipal bonds— 3,998 — — 3,998 
Subtotal other special use funds347,838 3,998 — 1,041 352,877 
Total assets$588,520 $410,993 $21,257 $490,915 $1,511,685 
LIABILITIES
Risk management activities — derivative instruments:
Commodity contracts$— $(93,567)$(14,635)$10,643 (a)$(97,559)
Interest rate swaps— (1,698)— — (1,698)
Subtotal risk management activities - derivative instruments— (95,265)(14,635)10,643 (99,257)
Total liabilities$— $(95,265)$(14,635)$10,643 $(99,257)
(a)Represents counterparty netting, margin, and collateral. See Note 7.
(b)Represents net pending securities sales and purchases.
(c)Valued using NAV as a practical expedient and, therefore, are not classified in the fair value hierarchy.

The following table presents the fair value at December 31, 2022, of our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (dollars in thousands):
 
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Other Total
ASSETS
Risk management activities — derivative instruments:
Commodity contracts$— $127,129 $26,132 $(21,163)(a)$132,098 
Interest rate swaps— 131 — — 131 
Subtotal risk management activities - derivative instruments— 127,260 26,132 (21,163)132,229 
Nuclear decommissioning trust:
Equity securities14,658 — — 3,827 (b)18,485 
U.S. commingled equity funds— — — 472,582 (c)472,582 
U.S. Treasury debt211,923 — — — 211,923 
Corporate debt— 149,226 — — 149,226 
Mortgage-backed securities— 147,938 — — 147,938 
Municipal bonds— 64,881 — — 64,881 
Other fixed income— 8,375 — — 8,375 
Subtotal nuclear decommissioning trust226,581 370,420 — 476,409 1,073,410 
Other special use funds:
Equity securities66,974 — — 963 (b)67,937 
U.S. Treasury debt275,267 — — — 275,267 
Municipal bonds— 4,027 — — 4,027 
Subtotal other special use funds342,241 4,027 — 963 347,231 
Total assets$568,822 $501,707 $26,132 $456,209 $1,552,870 
LIABILITIES
Risk management activities — derivative instruments:
Commodity contracts$— $(25,874)$(31,020)$15,357 (a)$(41,537)
Interest rate swaps— (909)— — (909)
Subtotal risk management activities - derivative instruments— (26,783)(31,020)15,357 (42,446)
Total liabilities$— $(26,783)$(31,020)$15,357 $(42,446)

(a)Represents counterparty netting, margin, and collateral. See Note 7.
(b)Represents net pending securities sales and purchases.
(c)Valued using NAV as a practical expedient and, therefore, are not classified in the fair value hierarchy.
Fair Value Measurements Classified as Level 3
 
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of our energy derivative contracts include broker quotes that cannot be validated as an observable input primarily due to the long-term nature of the quote or other characteristics of the product.  Significant changes in these inputs in isolation would result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurements.  Changes in our derivative contract fair values, including changes relating to unobservable inputs, typically will not impact net income due to regulatory accounting treatment. See Note 4.
 
Because our forward commodity contracts classified as Level 3 are currently in a net purchase position, we would expect price increases of the underlying commodity to result in increases in the net fair value of the related contracts.  Conversely, if the price of the underlying commodity decreases, the net fair value of the related contracts would likely decrease.
 
Other unobservable valuation inputs include credit and liquidity reserves which do not have a material impact on our valuations; however, significant changes in these inputs could also result in higher or lower fair value measurements.

The following tables provide information regarding our significant unobservable inputs used to value our risk management derivative Level 3 instruments at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

March 31, 2023
 Fair Value (thousands)		ValuationSignificantWeighted-Average
Commodity ContractsAssetsLiabilitiesTechniqueUnobservable InputRange (b)
Electricity:
Forward Contracts (a)$21,084 $14,385 Discounted cash flowsElectricity forward price (per MWh)$37.79-$306.34$157.00 
Natural Gas:
Forward Contracts (a)173 250 Discounted cash flowsNatural gas forward price (per MMBtu)$(0.02)-$0.14$0.02 
Total$21,257 $14,635 
(a)Includes swaps and physical and financial contracts.
(b)Unobservable inputs were weighted by the relative fair value of the instrument.

 
December 31, 2022
 Fair Value (thousands)		ValuationSignificantWeighted-Average
Commodity ContractsAssetsLiabilitiesTechniqueUnobservable InputRange(b)
Electricity:
Forward Contracts (a)$26,132 $1,759 Discounted cash flowsElectricity forward price (per MWh)$37.79-$310.69$163.92 
Natural Gas:
Forward Contracts (a)— 29,261 Discounted cash flowsNatural gas forward price (per MMBtu)$(11.81)-$0.00$(5.08)
Total$26,132 $31,020 
(a)Includes swaps and physical and financial contracts.
(b)Unobservable inputs were weighted by the relative fair value of the instrument.
The following table shows the changes in fair value for our risk management activities’ assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
Commodity Contracts20232022
Net derivative balance at beginning of period$(4,888)$(2,738)
Total net gains (losses) realized/unrealized:
Deferred as a regulatory asset or liability(30,427)16,807 
Settlements41,937 (4,419)
Transfers into Level 3 from Level 2— — 
Transfers from Level 3 into Level 2— — 
Net derivative balance at end of period$6,622 $9,650 
Net unrealized gains included in earnings related to instruments still held at end of period$— $— 

Transfers in or out of Level 3 are typically related to our long dated energy transactions that extend beyond available quoted periods.
 
Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value
 
The carrying value of our short-term borrowings approximate fair value and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  See Note 3 for our long-term debt fair values.