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ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]  
Asset retirement obligations ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
Our utilities have recorded AROs primarily for the removal of natural gas distribution mains and service pipes (including asbestos and PCBs); asbestos abatement at certain generation and substation facilities, office buildings, and service centers; the removal and dismantlement of a biomass generation facility; the dismantling of wind and solar generation projects; the disposal of PCB-contaminated transformers; the closure of CCR landfills at certain generation facilities; and the removal of above ground and underground storage tanks. Regulatory assets and liabilities are established by our utilities to record the differences between ongoing expense recognition under the ARO accounting rules and the ratemaking practices for retirement costs authorized by the applicable regulators.

WECI has also recorded AROs for the dismantling of our non-utility renewable generation projects.
The following table shows changes to our AROs:
(in millions)20242023
Balance at January 1$374.2 $479.3 
Accretion13.0 12.8 
Additions165.9 
(1)
16.6 
(2)
Liabilities settled(5.2)(3.2)
Balance at September 30$547.9 $505.5 

(1)    AROs increased primarily as a result of AROs being recorded related to the new EPA CCR Rule that was enacted in April 2024. See Note 23, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information.

(2)    AROs increased primarily as a result of AROs being recorded for the legal requirement to dismantle, at retirement, the Red Barn wind-powered generation project and the Sapphire Sky and Samson I non-utility renewable generation projects.