Regulatory (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Regulatory Liabilities

Details of the regulatory assets and liabilities are presented in the following table:


Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
(millions)	March 31, 2022		December 31, 2021
Regulatory assets:
Regulatory tax asset (1)	$	119	$	117
Cost-recovery clauses (2)		142		89
Capital cost recovery for early retired assets (3)		512		518
Environmental remediation (4)		22		22
Postretirement benefits (5)		225		230
Asset retirement obligation (6)		11		11
Other		17		15
Total regulatory assets		1,048		1,002
Less: Current portion		209		136
Long-term regulatory assets	$	839	$	866
Regulatory liabilities:
Regulatory tax liability (7)	$	641	$	638
Cost-recovery clauses - deferred balances (2)		22		16
Accumulated reserve - cost of removal (8)		470		468
Storm reserve (9)		46		46
Other		2		2
Total regulatory liabilities		1,181		1,170
Less: Current portion		49		78
Long-term regulatory liabilities	$	1,132	$	1,092

(1)

The regulatory tax asset is primarily associated with the depreciation and recovery of AFUDC-equity. This asset does not earn a return but rather is included in the capital structure, which is used in the calculation of the weighted cost of capital used to determine revenue requirements. It will be recovered over the expected life of the related assets. The regulatory tax asset balance reflects the impact of the federal corporate income tax rate reduction.

(2)

These assets and liabilities are related to FPSC clauses and riders. They are recovered or refunded through cost-recovery mechanisms approved by the FPSC on a dollar-for-dollar basis in a subsequent period.

(3)

This regulatory asset is related to the remaining net book value of Big Bend Units 1 through 3 and smart meter assets that were retired. The balance earns a rate of return as permitted by the FPSC and will be recovered as a separate line item on customer bills for a period of 15 years. See “Tampa Electric Base Rates” above for further information.

(4)

This asset is related to costs associated with environmental remediation primarily at MGP sites. The balance is included in rate base, partially offsetting the related liability, and earns a rate of return as permitted by the FPSC. The timing of recovery is based on a settlement agreement approved by the FPSC.

(5)

This asset is related to the deferred costs of postretirement benefits and it is amortized over the remaining service life of plan participants. Deferred costs of postretirement benefits that are included in expense are recognized as cost of service for rate-making purposes as permitted by the FPSC.

(6)

This asset is related to costs associated with an asset retirement obligation, which is a legal obligation for the future retirement of certain tangible, long-lived assets. This regulatory asset does not earn a return because it is offset with related assets and liabilities within rate base. It is recovered and removed as the obligation is settled and removed as the activities for the retirement of the related assets have been completed.

(7)

The regulatory tax liability is primarily related to the revaluation of TEC’s deferred income tax balances recorded on December 31, 2017 at the lower corporate income tax rate due to U.S. tax reform. The liability related to the revaluation of the deferred income tax balances is amortized and returned to customers through rate reductions or other revenue offsets based on IRS regulations and the settlement agreement for tax reform benefits approved by the FPSC.

(8)

This item represents the non-ARO cost of removal in the accumulated reserve for depreciation. AROs are costs for legally required removal of property, plant and equipment. Non-ARO cost of removal represents estimated funds received from customers through depreciation rates to cover future non-legally required cost of removal of property, plant and equipment, net of salvage value upon retirement, which reduces rate base for ratemaking purposes. This liability is reduced as costs of removal are incurred.

(9)

As a result of Tampa Electric’s 2013 rate case settlement, in the event of a named storm that results in damage to its system, Tampa Electric can petition the FPSC to seek recovery of those costs over a 12-month period or longer as determined by the FPSC, as well as replenish its reserve to $56 million, the level of the reserve as of October 31, 2013. This provision was also included in Tampa Electric’s subsequent 2017 amended and restated settlement agreement and in Tampa Electric’s 2021 rate case settlement agreement.