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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
 
Pinnacle West is an investor-owned electric utility holding company that conducts business through its subsidiaries, APS, El Dorado and PNW Power. APS, our wholly-owned subsidiary, is a vertically-integrated electric utility that provides either retail or wholesale electric service to substantially all of the state of Arizona, with the major exceptions of about one-half of the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Tucson metropolitan area and Mohave County in northwestern Arizona.  APS accounts for essentially all of our revenues and earnings and is expected to continue to do so.  El Dorado is a wholly-owned subsidiary that invests in energy-related and Arizona community-based ventures. PNW Power, formed in September 2023, is a wholly-owned subsidiary that holds certain wind and transmission joint-venture investments previously held by BCE. BCE was sold on January 12, 2024 and is no longer included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See Note 22 for additional information.
 
Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pinnacle West and our subsidiaries, including APS, El Dorado, and PNW Power, as well as BCE through the date of its sale. Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Financial Statements also include the accounts of a VIE relating to the Captive. APS’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of APS and certain VIEs relating to the Palo Verde sale leaseback.  In September 2025, APS purchased two of the three leased interests, resulting in the termination of the related lease agreements and discontinuation of VIE consolidation for those leases. See Note 12 for additional information. Intercompany accounts and transactions between the consolidated companies have been eliminated.
 
We consolidate VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary.  We determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE through a qualitative analysis that identifies which variable interest holder has the controlling financial interest in the VIE.  In performing our primary beneficiary analysis, we consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including the design and activities of the VIE, the terms of the contracts the VIE has entered into, and which parties participated significantly in the design or redesign of the entity.  We continually evaluate our primary beneficiary conclusions to determine if changes have occurred which would impact our primary beneficiary assessments.  We have determined that APS is the primary beneficiary of a VIE lessor trust relating to the Palo Verde sale leaseback, and therefore APS consolidates this entity. We have also determined that Pinnacle West is the primary beneficiary of a protected captive insurance cell VIE, and therefore Pinnacle West consolidates this insurance cell.
Accounting Records and Use of Estimates
Accounting Records and Use of Estimates
 
Our accounting records are maintained in accordance with GAAP.  The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Regulatory Accounting
Regulatory Accounting
 
APS is regulated by the ACC and FERC.  The accompanying financial statements reflect the rate-making policies of these commissions.  As a result, we capitalize certain costs that would be included as expense in the current period by unregulated companies.  Regulatory assets represent incurred costs that have been deferred because they are probable of future recovery in customer rates. Regulatory liabilities generally represent amounts collected in rates to recover costs expected to be incurred in the future or amounts collected in excess of costs incurred and are refundable to customers.
 
Management judgments include continually assessing the likelihood of future recovery of regulatory assets and/or a disallowance of part of the cost of recently completed plant, by considering factors such as applicable regulatory environment changes and recent rate orders to other regulated entities in the same jurisdiction.  This determination reflects the current political and regulatory climate in Arizona and is subject to change in the future.  If future recovery of costs ceases to be probable, the assets would be written off as a charge in current period earnings. Management judgments also include assessing the impact of potential commission-ordered refunds to customers on regulatory liabilities.
Electric Revenues
Electric Revenues
 
Revenues primarily consist of activities that are classified as revenues from contracts with customers. Our electric revenues generally represent a single performance obligation delivered over time. We have elected to apply the practical expedient that allows us to recognize revenue based on the amount to which we have a right to invoice for services performed.

We derive electric revenues primarily from sales of electricity to our regulated retail customers. Revenues related to the sale of electricity are generally recognized when service is rendered or electricity is delivered to customers. Unbilled revenues are estimated by applying an average revenue/kWh by customer class to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed. Differences historically between the actual and estimated unbilled revenues are immaterial. We exclude sales taxes and franchise fees on electric revenues from both revenue and taxes other than income taxes.
 
Revenues from our regulated retail customers and non-derivative instruments are reported on a gross basis on Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Statements of Income. In the electricity business, some contracts to purchase electricity are netted against other contracts to sell electricity. This is called a “book-out” and usually occurs for contracts that have the same terms (quantities, delivery points and delivery periods) and for which power does not flow. We net these book-outs, which reduces both wholesale revenues and fuel and purchased power costs.
Certain cost recovery mechanisms may qualify as alternative revenue programs. For alternative revenue programs that meet specified accounting criteria, we recognize revenues when the specific events permitting billing of the additional revenues have been completed.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
The allowance for doubtful accounts represents our best estimate of accounts receivable and accrued unbilled revenues that will ultimately be uncollectible due to credit loss risk. The allowance includes a write-off component that is calculated by applying an estimated write-off factor to retail electric revenues. The write-off factor used to estimate uncollectible accounts is based upon consideration of historical collections experience, the current and forecasted economic environment, changes to our collection policies, and management’s best estimate of future collections success.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
 
Utility plant is the term we use to describe the business property and equipment that supports electric service, consisting primarily of generation, transmission, and distribution facilities.  We report utility plant at its original cost, which includes:

material and labor;
contractor costs;
capitalized leases;
construction overhead costs (where applicable); and
AFUDC.
Property, plant and equipment balances and classes for APS are not materially different than Pinnacle West.

We expense the costs of plant outages, major maintenance and routine maintenance as incurred.  We charge retired utility plant to accumulated depreciation.  Liabilities associated with the retirement of
tangible long-lived assets are recognized at fair value as incurred and capitalized as part of the related tangible long-lived assets.  Accretion of the liability due to the passage of time is an operating expense, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the long-lived asset.  See Note 21 for additional information.

APS records a regulatory liability for the excess that has been recovered in regulated rates over the amount calculated in accordance with guidance on accounting for AROs.  APS believes it is probable it will recover in regulated rates, the costs calculated in accordance with this accounting guidance.
 
We record depreciation and amortization on utility plant on a straight-line basis over the remaining useful life of the related assets.  The approximate remaining average useful lives of our utility property at December 31, 2025, were as follows:

Steam generation — 21 years;
Nuclear plant — 30 years;
Other generation — 16 years;
Transmission — 34 years;
Distribution — 33 years;
Energy storage — 19 years;
Solar plant — 28 years; and
General plant — 10 years.
 
Depreciation of utility property, plant and equipment is computed on a straight-line, remaining-life basis.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset Retirement Obligations
APS has AROs for its Palo Verde nuclear facilities and certain other generation assets.  The Palo Verde ARO primarily relates to final plant decommissioning.  This obligation is based on the NRC’s requirements for disposal of irradiated property or plant and agreements APS reached with the ACC for final decommissioning of the plant.  The non-nuclear generation AROs primarily relate to requirements for removing portions of those plants at the end of the plant life or lease term and coal ash pond closures. Some of APS’s transmission and distribution assets have AROs because they are subject to right of way and easement agreements that require final removal.  These agreements have a history of uninterrupted renewal that APS expects to continue.  As a result, APS cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of the ARO related to such transmission and distribution assets. Additionally, APS has aquifer protection permits for some of its generation sites that require the closure of certain facilities at those sites.
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
 
AFUDC represents the approximate net composite interest cost of borrowed funds and an allowed return on the equity funds used for construction of regulated utility plant.  Both the debt and equity components of AFUDC are non-cash amounts within the Consolidated Statements of Income.  Plant
construction costs, including AFUDC, are recovered in authorized rates through depreciation when completed projects are placed into commercial operation.
 
AFUDC was calculated by using a composite rate of 6.67% for 2025, 6.23% for 2024, and 6.29% for 2023.  APS compounds AFUDC semi-annually and ceases to accrue AFUDC when construction work is completed and the property is placed in service.
Materials and Supplies
Materials and Supplies
 
APS values materials, supplies and fossil fuel inventory using a weighted-average cost method.  APS materials, supplies and fossil fuel inventories are carried at the lower of weighted-average cost or net realizable value, unless evidence indicates that the weighted-average cost (even if in excess of market) will be recovered.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements
 
We apply recurring fair value measurements to cash equivalents, derivative instruments, investments held in the nuclear decommissioning trust and other special use funds. On an annual basis, we apply fair value measurements to plan assets held in our retirement and other benefits plans. Due to the nature of short-term borrowings, the carrying values of these instruments approximate fair value.  Fair value measurements may also be applied on a nonrecurring basis to other assets and liabilities in certain circumstances such as impairments.  We also disclose fair value information for our long-term debt, which is carried at amortized cost. See Note 7 for additional information.
 
Fair value is the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market which we can access for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants on the measurement date.  Inputs to fair value may include observable and unobservable data.  We maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
 
We determine fair market value using observable inputs such as actively-quoted prices for identical instruments when available.  When actively-quoted prices are not available for the identical instruments, we use other observable inputs, such as prices for similar instruments, other corroborative market information, or prices provided by other external sources.  For options, long-term contracts, and other contracts for which observable price data are not available, we use models and other valuation methods, which may incorporate unobservable inputs to determine fair market value.
The use of models and other valuation methods to determine fair market value often requires subjective and complex judgment.  Actual results could differ from the results estimated through application of these methods.
Derivative Accounting
Derivative Accounting
 
We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations in the commodity price and transportation costs of electricity, natural gas, coal and in interest rates.  We manage risks associated with market volatility by utilizing various physical and financial instruments including futures, forwards, options, and swaps.  As part of our overall risk management program, we may use derivative instruments to hedge purchases and sales of electricity and natural gas as well as interest rate risk.  The changes in market value
of such contracts have a high correlation to price changes in the hedged transactions.  We also enter into derivative instruments for economic hedging purposes.  Contracts that have the same terms (quantities, delivery points and delivery periods) and for which power does not flow are netted, which reduces both revenues and fuel and purchased power expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income, but does not impact our financial condition, net income, or cash flows.
 
We account for our derivative contracts in accordance with derivatives and hedging guidance, which requires all derivatives not qualifying for a scope exception to be measured at fair value on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities.  Transactions with counterparties that have master netting arrangements are reported net on the balance sheet.
Loss Contingencies and Environmental Liabilities
Loss Contingencies and Environmental Liabilities
 
Pinnacle West and APS are involved in certain legal and environmental matters that arise in the normal course of business.  Contingent losses and environmental liabilities are recorded when it is determined that it is probable that a loss has occurred, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  When a range of the probable loss exists and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, Pinnacle West and APS record a loss contingency at the minimum amount in the range.  Unless otherwise required by GAAP, legal fees are expensed as incurred.
 
The Captive’s contingent losses may include an amount for losses incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). A reserve for IBNR is based upon a loss analysis prepared using actuarial assumptions and techniques. Such liabilities are necessarily based on estimates and the ultimate obligation may be in excess of or less than the estimated liability. The methods for making such estimates and for establishing the resulting liability are continually reviewed, and any adjustments for the review process as well as differences between estimates and ultimate payments are reflected in earnings currently.
Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Pinnacle West sponsors a qualified defined benefit and account balance pension plan for the employees of Pinnacle West and its subsidiaries, in addition to a non-qualified pension plan.  We also sponsor another postretirement benefit plan for the employees of Pinnacle West and its subsidiaries that provides medical and life insurance benefits to retired employees.  Pension and other postretirement benefit expense are determined by actuarial valuations, based on assumptions that are evaluated annually.
Nuclear Fuel
Nuclear Fuel
 
APS amortizes nuclear fuel by using the unit-of-production method.  The unit-of-production method is based on actual physical usage.  APS divides the cost of the fuel by the estimated number of thermal units it expects to produce with that fuel.  APS then multiplies that rate by the number of thermal units produced within the current period.  This calculation determines the current period nuclear fuel expense.
 
APS also charges nuclear fuel expense for the interim storage and permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel.  The DOE is responsible for the permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel and charged APS
$0.001 per kWh of nuclear generation through May 2014, at which point the DOE reduced the fee to zero.  In accordance with a settlement agreement with the DOE in August 2014 for interim storage, we accrued a receivable and an offsetting regulatory liability through the settlement period ended December of 2025.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
 
Income taxes are provided using the asset and liability approach prescribed by guidance relating to accounting for income taxes and are based on currently enacted tax rates.  We file our federal income tax return on a consolidated basis, and we file our state income tax returns on a consolidated or unitary basis.  In accordance with our intercompany tax sharing agreement, federal and state income taxes are allocated to each first-tier subsidiary as though each first-tier subsidiary filed a separate income tax return.  Any difference between that method and the consolidated (and unitary) income tax liability is attributed to the parent company.  The income tax accounts reflect the tax and interest associated with management’s estimate of the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement for all known and measurable tax exposures.
Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets
 
We have separately disclosed intangible assets on Pinnacle West’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The intangible assets relate primarily to APS’s internal-use software. We have no goodwill recorded. The intangible assets are amortized over their finite useful lives.
Investments
Investments
 
El Dorado holds investments in both debt and equity securities.  Investments in debt securities are generally accounted for as held-to-maturity and investments in equity securities are accounted for using either the equity method (if significant influence) or the measurement alternative for investments without readily determinable fair values (if less than 3-5% ownership and no significant influence). See Note 23 for additional information.

PNW Power holds investments in equity securities. Investments in equity securities are accounted for using either the equity method (if significant influence) or the measurement alternative for investments without readily determinable fair values (if less than 3-5% ownership and no significant influence).
 
Our investments in the nuclear decommissioning trusts, and other special use funds, are accounted for in accordance with guidance on accounting for investments in debt and equity securities.
Leases
Leases

We determine if an agreement is a lease at contract inception. A lease is defined as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. To control the use of an identified asset an entity must have both a right to obtain substantially all of the benefits from the use of the asset and the right to direct the use of the asset. If we determine an agreement is a lease, and we are the lessee, we recognize a right-of-use lease asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the fixed lease payments over the lease term. To present value lease liabilities we use the implicit rate in the lease if the information is readily available, otherwise we use our incremental borrowing rate determined at lease commencement. Our incremental borrowing rate is based on the rate of interest we would have to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. When measuring right-of-use assets and lease liabilities we exclude variable lease payments, other than those that depend on an index or rate or are in-substance fixed payments. For short-term leases with terms of 12 months or less, we do not recognize a right-of-use lease asset or lease liability. We recognize operating lease expense using a straight-line pattern over the periods of use.

APS enters into purchased power contracts that may contain leases. This occurs when a PPA designates a specific power plant or facility, APS obtains substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the facility and has the right to direct the use of the facility. Purchased power lease contracts may also include energy storage facilities. Lease costs relating to purchased power lease contracts are
reported in fuel and purchased power on the Consolidated Statements of Income and are subject to recovery under the PSA or RES. See Note 8 for additional information. We also may enter into lease agreements related to vehicles, office space, land, and other equipment. See Note 20 for additional information.
Business Segments Business Segments
 
Pinnacle West’s reportable business segment is our regulated electricity segment, which consists of retail and wholesale sales supplied under traditional cost-based regulation and related activities and includes electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. Our reportable segment activities are conducted through our wholly-owned subsidiary, APS. All other operating segment activities are insignificant to Pinnacle West.

For segment reporting purposes, Pinnacle West’s Chief Executive Officer performs the function of chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). Our CODM uses net income to measure an operating segment’s profitability. When assessing the performance of an operating segment, and making decisions about allocating resources, our CODM evaluates net income actual results compared to budget. Net income is also used when implementing strategic initiatives and selecting projects to meet business objectives. Our reportable segment’s revenue streams are dependent upon regulated rate recovery, which is a primary factor in how we identify operating segments.
For information on our reportable business segment’s revenues, significant expenses, net income (loss), assets, and other reportable segment items, see the APS Consolidated Statements of Income, APS Consolidated Balance Sheets, and APS Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
New Accounting Standards New Accounting Standards
 
ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes: Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures

In December 2023, a new accounting standard was issued that expands disclosures relating to income taxes. The expanded disclosures include a tabular income tax rate reconciliation, disclosure of specific reconciliation categories and reconciling items, the amount of income taxes paid by jurisdiction, and other disclosures. We adopted this standard on December 31, 2025, using a retrospective approach. The adoption of the new standard results in changes to our income tax disclosures, but did not impact our accounting for income taxes or our financial statement results. See Note 5.

ASU 2024-03, Income Statement Reporting: Expense Disaggregation Disclosures

In November 2024, a new accounting standard was issued that requires specific disclosures related to certain costs and expenses. Companies will be required to disclose the amounts of certain cost and expense categories, such as purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, and amortization, among other disclosures. The new disclosures may be provided in the notes to the financial statements and will not require changes to the face of the Consolidated Statements of Income. The standard becomes effective on December 31, 2027, using either a prospective or retrospective approach,
with early adoption permitted. The adoption of the new standard will result in disclosure changes, but will not impact our accounting for such costs and expenses or our financial statement results. We are currently evaluating the transition method and date of adoption we will elect for this new standard.

ASU 2025-03, Business Combinations and Consolidation: Determining the Accounting Acquirer in the Acquisition of a Variable Interest Entity

In May 2025, a new accounting standard was issued that revises the guidance on identifying the accounting acquirer in a business combination in which the acquiree is a VIE that meets the definition of a business. Prior to the issuance of the amended guidance, for certain transactions, the primary beneficiary of the VIE was always required to be deemed the acquirer in the transaction. Under the amended guidance, an entity will now need to complete an assessment of the transaction to determine the acquiring entity and is no longer required to assume that the primary beneficiary is the acquirer in the transaction.

The standard will become effective for us on January 1, 2027, with early adoption permitted. We expect to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2027, and will apply the guidance prospectively to acquisition transactions occurring on and after the adoption date. Upon adoption, we do not expect the guidance will have a material impact on our financial statements. The adoption of this guidance will not impact the APS purchase transactions relating to the Palo Verde sale leaseback VIEs. See Note 12.

ASU 2025-06, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software: Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software

In September 2025, a new accounting standard was issued that modernizes the accounting for internal-use software costs by removing references to prescriptive and sequential development stages of a project and replacing them with new criteria used in determining when to start capitalizing software costs. Under the new guidance, capitalization begins when management authorizes and commits to funding the software project and it is probable the project will be completed and used as intended. When determining if a project is probable of being completed, entities must evaluate whether significant development uncertainty exists, such as unresolved technological innovations or unproven features. The new guidance also clarifies that capitalized internal-use software costs are subject to the property, plant, and equipment disclosure requirements.

The standard will become effective for us on January 1, 2028, with early adoption permitted. Entities may adopt the standard using one of the following transition methods: a prospective approach, a retrospective approach, or a modified transition approach that considers in-process projects at the date of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impacts on our financial statements of adopting this new standard and the transition method and date of adoption we will elect. The adoption of this guidance may impact our timing and scope of software costs eligible for capitalization, and may also impact our disclosures relating to software.

ASU 2025-09, Derivatives and Hedging: Hedge Accounting Improvements

In November 2025, a new accounting standard was issued which clarifies certain aspects of the hedge accounting guidance. The new standard is intended to better align hedge accounting with the economics of an entity’s risk management activities, and provides entities the ability to apply hedge accounting to an expanded population of economic hedges of forecasted transactions. The standard will become effective for us on January 1, 2027, applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted.
We expect to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2027. We are not currently applying hedge accounting, and do not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our financial statements.

ASU 2025-10, Government Grants: Accounting for Government Grants Received by Business Entities

In December 2025, a new accounting standard was issued establishing authoritative GAAP guidance on the accounting for government grants received by business entities. Prior to the issuance of this new standard, GAAP did not include guidance relating to government grants received by business entities. The new standard is intended to eliminate diversity in practice and improve the financial reporting and consistency across business entities for government grants. The new standard defines government grants and includes recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure requirements. The new standard includes guidance pertaining to both government grants received relating to an asset and government grants received relating to income. The guidance includes recognition thresholds based on the probability of compliance with grant conditions and receipt of the grant, among other accounting requirements. Disclosure requirements include the nature and amounts of government grants received, the conditions attached to the grants, and accounting policies applied.
The new standard will become effective for us on January 1, 2029, with early adoption permitted. Entities may adopt the standard using various transition methods, including a modified prospective approach, a modified retrospective approach, or a retrospective approach to all government grants. We are currently evaluating the impacts on our financial statements of adopting this new standard, as well as the date we will adopt this guidance and the transition method we will elect.