UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
 

FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020
 
OR
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from              to          
 
Commission File
Number
 
Exact Name of Each Registrant as specified in its
charter; State of Incorporation; Address; and
Telephone Number
 
IRS Employer
Identification No.
1-8962 PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION 86-0512431
  (an Arizona corporation)  
  400 North Fifth Street, P.O. Box 53999  
  PhoenixArizona85072-3999   
  (602)250-1000    
1-4473 ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY 86-0011170
  (an Arizona corporation)  
  400 North Fifth Street, P.O. Box 53999  
  PhoenixArizona85072-3999   
  (602)250-1000    
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common StockPNWThe New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATIONYes
 
 No 
 
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANYYes
 
 No 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATIONYes
 
 No 
 
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANYYes
 
 No 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
Large accelerated filer
 
Accelerated filerNon-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
        
Emerging growth company      
 
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
Large accelerated filerAccelerated filerNon-accelerated filer
 
Smaller reporting company
        
Emerging growth company      
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether each registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATIONYes   No 
 
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANYYes     No 
 
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATIONNumber of shares of common stock, no par value, outstanding as of October 31, 2019:July 30, 2020:112,410,824112,556,967
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
Number of shares of common stock, $2.50 par value, outstanding as of July 30October 31, 2019, 2020:
71,264,947
 
Arizona Public Service Company meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format allowed under that General Instruction.






TABLE OF CONTENTS
  Page
   
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
This combined Form 10-Q is separately provided by Pinnacle West Capital Corporation ("Pinnacle West") and Arizona Public Service Company ("APS").  Any use of the words "Company," "we," and "our" refer to Pinnacle West.  Each registrant is providing on its own behalf all of the information contained in this Form 10-Q that relates to such registrant and, where required, its subsidiaries.  Except as stated in the preceding sentence, neither registrant is providing any information that does not relate to such registrant, and therefore makes no representation as to any such information.  The information required with respect to each company is set forth within the applicable items.  Item 1 of this report includes Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Pinnacle West and Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of APS.  Item 1 also includes Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations.  These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as "estimate," "predict," "may," "believe," "plan," "expect," "require," "intend," "assume," "project""project," "anticipate," "goal," "seek," "strategy," "likely," "should," "will," "could," and similar words.  Because actual results may differ materially from expectations, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements.  A number of factors could cause future results to differ materially from historical results, or from outcomes currently expected or sought by Pinnacle West or APS.  In addition to the Risk Factors described in Part I, Item 1A of the Pinnacle West/APS Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20182019 ("20182019 Form 10-K"), Part II, Item 1A of the Pinnacle West/APS Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 ("2020 1st Quarter 10-Q"), Part II, Item 1A of this report and in Part I, Item 2 — "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this report, these factors include, but are not limited to:
the potential effects of the continued Coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic, including, but not limited to, demand for energy, economic growth, our employees and contractors, supply chain, expenses, capital markets, capital projects, operations and maintenance activities, uncollectable accounts, liquidity, cash flows or other unpredictable events;
our ability to manage capital expenditures and operations and maintenance costs while maintaining reliability and customer service levels;
variations in demand for electricity, including those due to weather, seasonality, the general economy or social conditions, customer and sales growth (or decline), the effects of energy conservation measures and distributed generation, and technological advancements;
power plant and transmission system performance and outages;
competition in retail and wholesale power markets;
regulatory and judicial decisions, developments and proceedings;
new legislation, ballot initiatives and regulation, including those relating to environmental requirements, regulatory policy, nuclear plant operations and potential deregulation of retail electric markets;
fuel and water supply availability;
our ability to achieve timely and adequate rate recovery of our costs, including returns on and of debt and equity capital investment;
our ability to meet renewable energy and energy efficiency mandates and recover related costs;
risks inherent in the operation of nuclear facilities, including spent fuel disposal uncertainty;
current and future economic conditions in Arizona, including in real estate markets;
the direct or indirect effect on our facilities or business from cybersecurity threats or intrusions, data security breaches, terrorist attack, physical attack, severe storms, droughts, or other catastrophic events, such as fires, explosions, pandemic health events, or similar occurrences;
the development of new technologies which may affect electric sales or delivery;
the cost of debt and equity capital and the ability to access capital markets when required;
environmental, economic and other concerns surrounding coal-fired generation, including regulation of greenhouse gas emissions;
volatile fuel and purchased power costs;
the investment performance of the assets of our nuclear decommissioning trust, pension, and other postretirement benefit plans and the resulting impact on future funding requirements;
the liquidity of wholesale power markets and the use of derivative contracts in our business;
potential shortfalls in insurance coverage;
new accounting requirements or new interpretations of existing requirements;
generation, transmission and distribution facility and system conditions and operating costs;
the ability to meet the anticipated future need for additional generation and associated transmission facilities in our region;
the willingness or ability of our counterparties, power plant participants and power plant land owners to meet contractual or other obligations or extend the rights for continued power plant operations; and
restrictions on dividends or other provisions in our credit agreements and Arizona Corporation Commission ("ACC") orders. 


These and other factors are discussed in the Risk Factors described in Part I, Item 1A of our 20182019 Form 10-K, Part II, Item 1A of our 2020 1st Quarter 10-Q, and in Part II, Item 1A of this report, and in Part I, Item 2 — "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this report, which readers should review carefully before placing any reliance on our financial statements or disclosures.  Neither Pinnacle West nor APS assumes any obligation to update these statements, even if our internal estimates change, except as required by law.


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
 Page
  
  
  





PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
 2019 2018 2019 2018 2020 2019 2020 2019
                
OPERATING REVENUES (NOTE 2) $1,190,787
 $1,268,034
 $2,800,818
 $2,934,871
 $929,590
 $869,501
 $1,591,520
 $1,610,031
                
OPERATING EXPENSES  
  
      
  
    
Fuel and purchased power 344,862
 389,936
 817,672
 844,133
 238,382
 242,222
 426,903
 472,810
Operations and maintenance 238,582
 246,545
 711,759
 780,624
 219,392
 227,543
 440,710
 473,177
Depreciation and amortization 149,450
 145,971
 445,531
 436,232
 152,482
 147,374
 306,561
 296,081
Taxes other than income taxes 53,809
 51,375
 163,989
 158,582
 56,768
 55,090
 113,536
 110,180
Other expenses 794
 900
 1,904
 8,497
 692
 683
 1,514
 1,110
Total 787,497
 834,727
 2,140,855
 2,228,068
 667,716
 672,912
 1,289,224
 1,353,358
OPERATING INCOME 403,290
 433,307
 659,963
 706,803
 261,874
 196,589
 302,296
 256,673
OTHER INCOME (DEDUCTIONS)  
  
      
  
    
Allowance for equity funds used during construction 5,917
 12,259
 24,677
 39,411
 8,811
 7,572
 16,508
 18,760
Pension and other postretirement non-service credits - net 5,752
 12,449
 17,240
 37,314
 14,142
 6,374
 28,053
 11,488
Other income (Note 9) 15,191
 6,958
 35,245
 17,541
 16,670
 12,885
 29,239
 20,054
Other expense (Note 9) (5,740) (5,063) (14,448) (12,063) (4,036) (4,350) (8,820) (8,708)
Total 21,120
 26,603
 62,714
 82,203
 35,587
 22,481
 64,980
 41,594
INTEREST EXPENSE  
  
      
  
    
Interest charges 57,481
 61,605
 175,599
 181,267
 62,690
 57,465
 121,924
 118,118
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction (3,486) (5,913) (14,645) (18,959) (4,749) (4,494) (8,825) (11,159)
Total 53,995
 55,692
 160,954
 162,308
 57,941
 52,971
 113,099
 106,959
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 370,415
 404,218
 561,723
 626,698
 239,520
 166,099
 254,177
 191,308
INCOME TAXES 53,266
 84,333
 72,764
 127,107
 41,061
 17,080
 20,852
 19,498
NET INCOME 317,149
 319,885
 488,959
 499,591
 198,459
 149,019
 233,325
 171,810
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (Note 6) 4,873
 4,873
 14,620
 14,620
 4,874
 4,874
 9,747
 9,747
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS $312,276
 $315,012
 $474,339
 $484,971
 $193,585
 $144,145
 $223,578
 $162,063
                
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING — BASIC 112,463
 112,148
 112,408
 112,094
 112,638
 112,337
 112,616
 112,381
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING — DILUTED 112,746
 112,533
 112,739
 112,499
 112,879
 112,651
 112,871
 112,734
                
EARNINGS PER WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING  
  
      
  
    
Net income attributable to common shareholders — basic $2.78
 $2.81
 $4.22
 $4.33
 $1.72
 $1.28
 $1.99
 $1.44
Net income attributable to common shareholders — diluted $2.77
 $2.80
 $4.21
 $4.31
 $1.71
 $1.28
 $1.98
 $1.44
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
2019 2018 2019 20182020 2019 2020 2019
              
NET INCOME$317,149
 $319,885
 $488,959
 $499,591
$198,459
 $149,019
 $233,325
 $171,810
              
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX 
  
     
  
    
Derivative instruments: 
  
     
  
    
Net unrealized loss, net of tax expense of $0, $0, $0 and $96 for the respective periods
 
 
 (96)
Reclassification of net realized loss, net of tax benefit of $71, $149, $313 and $381 for the respective periods218
 451
 950
 1,316
Pension and other postretirement benefits activity, net of tax expense (benefit) of $290, $361, $72 and ($754) for the respective periods880
 1,099
 220
 (2,740)
Net unrealized loss, net of tax benefit of $513, $0, $805 and $0(1,549) 
 (1,257) 
Reclassification of net realized loss, net of tax benefit of $87, $134, $481 and $242262
 404
 282
 732
Pension and other postretirement benefits activity, net of tax benefit of $334, $506, $90 and $218(1,009) (1,539) 196
 (660)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)1,098
 1,550
 1,170
 (1,520)(2,296) (1,135) (779) 72
              
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME318,247
 321,435
 490,129
 498,071
196,163
 147,884
 232,546
 171,882
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests4,873
 4,873
 14,620
 14,620
4,874
 4,874
 9,747
 9,747
              
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS$313,374
 $316,562
 $475,509
 $483,451
$191,289
 $143,010
 $222,799
 $162,135
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.



PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
ASSETS 
  
 
  
      
CURRENT ASSETS 
  
 
  
Cash and cash equivalents$29,852
 $5,766
$6,763
 $10,283
Customer and other receivables361,951
 267,887
279,480
 266,426
Accrued unbilled revenues155,836
 137,170
191,578
 128,165
Allowance for doubtful accounts(7,282) (4,069)(11,579) (8,171)
Materials and supplies (at average cost)293,899
 269,065
318,368
 331,091
Fossil fuel (at average cost)18,527
 25,029
17,257
 14,829
Income tax receivable14,063
 
17,122
 21,727
Assets from risk management activities (Note 7)817
 1,113
710
 515
Deferred fuel and purchased power regulatory asset (Note 4)59,474
 37,164
101,425
 70,137
Other regulatory assets (Note 4)138,033
 129,738
150,169
 133,070
Other current assets67,985
 56,128
75,796
 61,958
Total current assets1,133,155
 924,991
1,147,089
 1,030,030
INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS 
  
 
  
Nuclear decommissioning trust (Notes 11 and 12)967,673
 851,134
1,024,033
 1,010,775
Other special use funds (Notes 11 and 12)243,982
 236,101
253,332
 245,095
Other assets102,116
 103,247
92,295
 96,953
Total investments and other assets1,313,771
 1,190,482
1,369,660
 1,352,823
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 
  
 
  
Plant in service and held for future use19,677,773
 18,736,628
20,343,151
 19,836,292
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(6,552,177) (6,366,014)(6,905,049) (6,637,857)
Net13,125,596
 12,370,614
13,438,102
 13,198,435
Construction work in progress738,492
 1,170,062
823,691
 808,133
Palo Verde sale leaseback, net of accumulated depreciation (Note 6)102,873
 105,775
99,971
 101,906
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization266,587
 262,902
275,028
 290,564
Nuclear fuel, net of accumulated amortization141,903
 120,217
152,219
 123,500
Total property, plant and equipment14,375,451
 14,029,570
14,789,011
 14,522,538
DEFERRED DEBITS 
  
 
  
Regulatory assets (Note 4)1,329,446
 1,342,941
1,315,846
 1,304,073
Operating lease right-of-use assets (Note 16)156,050
 
555,783
 145,813
Assets for other postretirement benefits (Note 5)31,717
 46,906
99,801
 90,570
Other37,976
 129,312
30,198
 33,400
Total deferred debits1,555,189
 1,519,159
2,001,628
 1,573,856
      
TOTAL ASSETS$18,377,566
 $17,664,202
$19,307,388
 $18,479,247
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.



PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 
  
 
  
      
CURRENT LIABILITIES 
  
 
  
Accounts payable$276,117
 $277,336
$316,230
 $346,448
Accrued taxes220,930
 154,819
151,487
 144,899
Accrued interest50,993
 61,107
53,503
 53,534
Common dividends payable
 82,675
88,066
 87,982
Short-term borrowings (Note 3)57,375
 76,400
291,900
 114,675
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 3)450,000
 500,000

 800,000
Customer deposits78,173
 91,174
49,132
 64,908
Liabilities from risk management activities (Note 7)44,349
 35,506
44,805
 38,946
Liabilities for asset retirements12,850
 19,842
10,735
 11,025
Operating lease liabilities (Note 16)26,221
 
83,851
 12,713
Regulatory liabilities (Note 4)208,022
 165,876
279,479
 234,912
Other current liabilities161,716
 184,229
127,175
 168,323
Total current liabilities1,586,746
 1,648,964
1,496,363
 2,078,365
LONG-TERM DEBT LESS CURRENT MATURITIES (Note 3)4,984,996
 4,638,232
5,922,161
 4,832,558
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER 
  
 
  
Deferred income taxes1,975,989
 1,807,421
2,070,453
 1,992,339
Regulatory liabilities (Note 4)2,310,131
 2,325,976
2,089,987
 2,267,835
Liabilities for asset retirements736,079
 706,703
657,217
 646,193
Liabilities for pension benefits (Note 5)297,843
 443,170
284,585
 280,185
Liabilities from risk management activities (Note 7)27,305
 24,531
26,181
 33,186
Customer advances192,374
 137,153
213,572
 215,330
Coal mine reclamation165,695
 212,785
167,896
 165,695
Deferred investment tax credit193,118
 200,405
193,081
 196,468
Unrecognized tax benefits6,341
 22,517
6,613
 6,189
Operating lease liabilities (Note 16)52,472
 
409,621
 51,872
Other166,772
 147,640
159,181
 159,844
Total deferred credits and other6,124,119
 6,028,301
6,278,387
 6,015,136
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (SEE NOTE 8)


 




 


EQUITY 
  
 
  
Common stock, no par value; authorized 150,000,000 shares, 112,403,751 and 112,159,896 issued at respective dates2,654,430
 2,634,265
Treasury stock at cost; 57,947 and 58,135 shares at respective dates(5,117) (4,825)
Common stock, no par value; authorized 150,000,000 shares, 112,591,124 and 112,540,126 issued at respective dates2,665,518
 2,659,561
Treasury stock at cost; 35,983 and 103,546 shares at respective dates(3,190) (9,427)
Total common stock2,649,313
 2,629,440
2,662,328
 2,650,134
Retained earnings2,949,891
 2,641,183
2,885,109
 2,837,610
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(46,538) (47,708)(57,875) (57,096)
Total shareholders’ equity5,552,666
 5,222,915
5,489,562
 5,430,648
Noncontrolling interests (Note 6)129,039
 125,790
120,915
 122,540
Total equity5,681,705
 5,348,705
5,610,477
 5,553,188
      
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY$18,377,566
 $17,664,202
$19,307,388
 $18,479,247
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2019 20182020 2019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
  
 
  
Net income$488,959
 $499,591
$233,325
 $171,810
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
 
  
Depreciation and amortization including nuclear fuel500,801
 489,861
343,173
 332,185
Deferred fuel and purchased power(60,911) (82,486)(26,473) (16,702)
Deferred fuel and purchased power amortization38,601
 92,397
(4,815) 23,307
Allowance for equity funds used during construction(24,677) (39,411)(16,508) (18,760)
Deferred income taxes83,703
 117,571
22,229
 4,326
Deferred investment tax credit(7,288) (7,397)(3,386) (2,656)
Stock compensation16,486
 16,140
9,130
 13,725
Changes in current assets and liabilities: 
  
 
  
Customer and other receivables(91,506) (65,203)7,767
 3,543
Accrued unbilled revenues(18,666) (83,939)(63,413) (56,487)
Materials, supplies and fossil fuel(18,332) (20,591)10,295
 (21,287)
Income tax receivable(14,063) 
4,605
 
Other current assets(10,104) 23,661
(24,896) (16,121)
Accounts payable33,899
 (11,399)17,772
 65,874
Accrued taxes66,111
 78,624
6,588
 4,102
Other current liabilities(68,927) 12,852
(45,334) (61,270)
Change in other long-term assets(52,276) 14,120
(4,885) (82,850)
Change in other long-term liabilities(27,049) (74,628)(96,142) 3,195
Net cash flow provided by operating activities834,761
 959,763
369,032
 345,934
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
  
   
Capital expenditures(857,883) (898,455)(676,973) (541,401)
Contributions in aid of construction34,121
 22,611
31,295
 18,909
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction(14,645) (18,959)(8,825) (11,159)
Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust sales and other special use funds520,996
 443,215
391,859
 309,354
Investment in nuclear decommissioning trust and other special use funds(523,573) (461,777)(393,000) (310,494)
Other8,971
 49
3,123
 7,153
Net cash flow used for investing activities(832,013) (913,316)(652,521) (527,638)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
  
 
  
Issuance of long-term debt794,981
 295,245
1,088,886
 497,324
Short-term borrowing and payments — net(6,025) 19,800
184,225
 363,973
Short-term debt borrowings49,000
 45,000
751,690
 49,000
Short-term debt repayments(62,000) (32,000)(758,690) (57,000)
Dividends paid on common stock(243,116) (228,037)(172,566) (161,979)
Repayment of long-term debt(500,000) (82,000)(800,000) (500,000)
Common stock equity issuance - net of purchases(130) (1,984)(2,204) (2,360)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests(11,372) (11,372)(11,372) (11,372)
Net cash flow provided by financing activities21,338
 4,652
279,969
 177,586
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS24,086
 51,099
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS(3,520) (4,118)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD5,766
 13,892
10,283
 5,766
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD$29,852
 $64,991
$6,763
 $1,648
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
Common Stock Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests TotalCommon Stock Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
Shares Amount Shares Amount        Shares Amount Shares Amount        
Balance, July 1, 2019112,361,595
 $2,648,234
 (58,219) $(5,140) $2,637,620
 $(47,636) $124,165
 $5,357,243
Balance, April 1, 2020112,563,610
 $2,664,387
 (72,302) $(7,000) $2,867,610
 $(55,579) $127,414
 $5,596,832
Net income  
   
 312,276
 
 4,873
 317,149
  
   
 193,585
 
 4,874
 198,459
Other comprehensive income  
   
 
 1,098
 
 1,098
Dividends on common stock  
   
 (5) 
 
 (5)
Other comprehensive loss  
   
 
 (2,296) 
 (2,296)
Dividends on common stock ($1.57 per share)  
   
 (176,086) 
 
 (176,086)
Issuance of common stock42,156
 6,196
   
 
 
 
 6,196
27,514
 1,131
   

 
 
 
 1,131
Purchase of treasury stock (a)  
 (103) (10) 
 
 
 (10)  
 (12,346) (924) 
 
 
 (924)
Reissuance of treasury stock for stock-based compensation and other  
 375
 33
 
 
 
 33
  
 48,665
 4,734
 
 
 
 4,734
Other  
   
 
 
 1
 1
  
   
 
 
 (1) (1)
Balance, September 30, 2019112,403,751
 $2,654,430
 (57,947) $(5,117) $2,949,891
 $(46,538) $129,039
 $5,681,705
Capital activities by noncontrolling interests  
 
 
 
 
 (11,372) (11,372)
Balance, June 30, 2020112,591,124
 $2,665,518
 (35,983) $(3,190) $2,885,109
 $(57,875) $120,915
 $5,610,477

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 Common Stock Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
 Shares Amount Shares Amount        
Balance, July 1, 2018111,990,222
 $2,624,672
 (17,633) $(1,431) $2,465,402
 $(56,624) $127,415
 $5,159,434
Net income  
   
 315,012
 
 4,873
 319,885
Other comprehensive income  
   
 
 1,550
 
 1,550
Dividends on common stock  
   
 14
 
 
 14
Issuance of common stock25,727
 4,955
   
 
 
 
 4,955
Purchase of treasury stock (a)  
 (101) (8) 
 
 
 (8)
Reissuance of treasury stock for stock-based compensation and other  
 366
 30
 
 
 
 30
Other  
   
 
 
 1
 1
Balance, September 30, 2018112,015,949
 $2,629,627
 (17,368) $(1,409) $2,780,428
 $(55,074) $132,289
 $5,485,861
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 Common Stock Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
 Shares Amount Shares Amount        
Balance, April 1, 2019112,340,322
 $2,644,063
 (63,271) $(5,586) $2,659,086
 $(46,501) $130,663
 $5,381,725
Net income  
   
 144,145
 
 4,874
 149,019
Other comprehensive loss  
   
 
 (1,135) 
 (1,135)
Dividends on common stock ($1.48 per share)  
   
 (165,611) 
 
 (165,611)
Issuance of common stock21,273
 4,171
   
 
 
 
 4,171
Reissuance of treasury stock for stock-based compensation and other  
 5,052
 446
 
 
 
 446
Capital activities by noncontrolling interests  
 
 
 
 
 (11,372) (11,372)
Balance, June 30, 2019112,361,595
 $2,648,234
 (58,219) $(5,140) $2,637,620
 $(47,636) $124,165
 $5,357,243

(a)Primarily represents shares of common stock withheld from certain stock awards for tax purposes.
    
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.







PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
Common Stock Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests TotalCommon Stock Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
Shares Amount Shares Amount        Shares Amount Shares Amount        
Balance, January 1, 2019112,159,896
 $2,634,265
 (58,135) $(4,825) $2,641,183
 $(47,708) $125,790
 $5,348,705
Balance, January 1, 2020112,540,126
 $2,659,561
 (103,546) $(9,427) $2,837,610
 $(57,096) $122,540
 $5,553,188
Net income  
   
 474,339
 
 14,620
 488,959
  
   
 223,578
 
 9,747
 233,325
Other comprehensive income  
   
 
 1,170
 
 1,170
Dividends on common stock ($1.48 per share)  
   
 (165,631) 
 
 (165,631)
Other comprehensive loss  
   
 
 (779) 
 (779)
Dividends on common stock ($1.57 per share)  
   
 (176,079) 
 
 (176,079)
Issuance of common stock243,855
 20,165
   
 
 
 
 20,165
50,998
 5,957
   
 
 
 
 5,957
Purchase of treasury stock (a)  
 (75,894) (6,892) 
 
 
 (6,892)  
 (33,070) (3,010) 
 
 
 (3,010)
Reissuance of treasury stock for stock-based compensation and other  
 76,082
 6,600
 
 
 
 6,600
  
 100,633
 9,247
 
 
 
 9,247
Capital activities by noncontrolling interests  
   
 
 
 (11,372) (11,372)  
   
 
 
 (11,372) (11,372)
Other  
   
 
 
 1
 1
Balance, September 30, 2019112,403,751
 $2,654,430
 (57,947) $(5,117) $2,949,891
 $(46,538) $129,039
 $5,681,705
Balance, June 30, 2020112,591,124
 $2,665,518
 (35,983) $(3,190) $2,885,109
 $(57,875) $120,915
 $5,610,477

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 Common Stock Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
 Shares Amount Shares Amount        
Balance, January 1, 2018111,816,170
 $2,614,805
 (64,463) $(5,624) $2,442,511
 $(45,002) $129,040
 $5,135,730
Net income  
   
 484,971
 
 14,620
 499,591
Other comprehensive loss  
   
 
 (1,520) 
 (1,520)
Dividends on common stock ($1.39 per share)  
   
 (155,607) 
 
 (155,607)
Issuance of common stock199,779
 14,822
   
 
 
 
 14,822
Purchase of treasury stock (a)  
 (81,278) (6,285) 
 
 
 (6,285)
Reissuance of treasury stock for stock-based compensation and other  
 128,373
 10,500
 1
 
 
 10,501
Capital activities by noncontrolling interests  
   
 
 
 (11,372) (11,372)
Reclassification of income tax effects related to new tax reform (b)  
   
 8,552
 (8,552) 
 
Other  
   
 
 
 1
 1
Balance, September 30, 2018112,015,949
 $2,629,627
 (17,368) $(1,409) $2,780,428
 $(55,074) $132,289
 $5,485,861
 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 Common Stock Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
 Shares Amount Shares Amount        
Balance, January 1, 2019112,159,896
 $2,634,265
 (58,135) $(4,825) $2,641,183
 $(47,708) $125,790
 $5,348,705
Net income  
   
 162,063
 
 9,747
 171,810
Other comprehensive income  
   
 
 72
 
 72
Dividends on common stock ($1.48 per share)  
   
 (165,626) 
 
 (165,626)
Issuance of common stock201,699
 13,969
   
 
 
 
 13,969
Purchase of treasury stock (a)  
 (75,791) (6,882) 
 
 
 (6,882)
Reissuance of treasury stock for stock-based compensation and other  
 75,707
 6,567
 
 
 
 6,567
Capital activities by noncontrolling interests  
   
 
 
 (11,372) (11,372)
Balance, June 30, 2019112,361,595
 $2,648,234
 (58,219) $(5,140) $2,637,620
 $(47,636) $124,165
 $5,357,243


(a)Primarily represents shares of common stock withheld from certain stock awards for tax purposes.
(b)
In 2018, the Company adopted new accounting guidance and elected to reclassify income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”) on items within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.




ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
 2019 2018 2019 2018 2020 2019 2020 2019
                
OPERATING REVENUES $1,190,787
 $1,267,997
 $2,800,818
 $2,931,966
OPERATING REVENUES (NOTE 2) $929,590
 $869,501
 $1,591,520
 $1,610,031
                
OPERATING EXPENSES  
  
      
  
    
Fuel and purchased power 344,862
 389,889
 817,672
 862,037
 238,382
 242,222
 426,903
 472,810
Operations and maintenance 235,440
 226,346
 699,958
 732,946
 216,221
 224,143
 434,486
 464,518
Depreciation and amortization 149,428
 145,949
 445,467
 434,594
 152,460
 147,354
 306,518
 296,039
Taxes other than income taxes 53,798
 51,366
 163,957
 157,877
 56,758
 55,081
 113,516
 110,159
Other expenses 794
 900
 1,904
 1,497
 692
 683
 1,514
 1,110
Total 784,322
 814,450
 2,128,958
 2,188,951
 664,513
 669,483
 1,282,937
 1,344,636
OPERATING INCOME 406,465
 453,547
 671,860
 743,015
 265,077
 200,018
 308,583
 265,395
OTHER INCOME (DEDUCTIONS)  
  
      
  
    
Allowance for equity funds used during construction 5,917
 12,259
 24,677
 39,411
 8,811
 7,572
 16,508
 18,760
Pension and other postretirement non-service credits - net 6,133
 12,812
 18,389
 38,398
 14,421
 6,757
 28,683
 12,256
Other income (Note 9) 14,534
 6,153
 32,641
 16,160
 13,272
 11,691
 24,905
 18,107
Other expense (Note 9) (2,826) (3,361) (10,132) (9,679) (3,859) (3,428) (8,527) (7,306)
Total 23,758
 27,863
 65,575
 84,290
 32,645
 22,592
 61,569
 41,817
INTEREST EXPENSE  
  
      
  
    
Interest charges 53,812
 58,551
 164,068
 172,440
 56,802
 53,591
 112,538
 110,256
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction (3,486) (5,913) (14,645) (18,959) (4,749) (4,494) (8,825) (11,159)
Total 50,326
 52,638
 149,423
 153,481
 52,053
 49,097
 103,713
 99,097
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 379,897
 428,772
 588,012
 673,824
 245,669
 173,513
 266,439
 208,115
INCOME TAXES 56,154
 85,533
 76,070
 133,415
 43,677
 18,463
 24,229
 19,916
NET INCOME 323,743
 343,239
 511,942
 540,409
 201,992
 155,050
 242,210
 188,199
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (Note 6) 4,873
 4,873
 14,620
 14,620
 4,874
 4,874
 9,747
 9,747
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDER $318,870
 $338,366
 $497,322
 $525,789
 $197,118
 $150,176
 $232,463
 $178,452
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
2019 2018 2019 20182020 2019 2020 2019
              
NET INCOME$323,743
 $343,239
 $511,942
 $540,409
$201,992
 $155,050
 $242,210
 $188,199
              
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX 
  
     
  
    
Derivative instruments: 
  
     
  
    
Net unrealized loss, net of tax expense of $0, $0, $0 and $96 for the respective periods
 
 
 (96)
Reclassification of net realized loss, net of tax benefit of $71, $149, $313 and $381 for the respective periods218
 451
 950
 1,316
Pension and other postretirement benefits activity, net of tax expense (benefit) of $249, $313, ($48) and ($947) for the respective periods755
 952
 (146) (2,955)
Net unrealized loss, net of tax benefit of $0, $0, $292 and $0
 
 292
 
Reclassification of net realized loss, net of tax benefit of $87, $134, $481 and $242262
 404
 282
 732
Pension and other postretirement benefits activity, net of tax benefit of $361, $544, $124 and $297(1,090) (1,653) (77) (901)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)973
 1,403
 804
 (1,735)(828) (1,249) 497
 (169)
              
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME324,716
 344,642
 512,746
 538,674
201,164
 153,801
 242,707
 188,030
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests4,873
 4,873
 14,620
 14,620
4,874
 4,874
 9,747
 9,747
              
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDER$319,843
 $339,769
 $498,126
 $524,054
$196,290
 $148,927
 $232,960
 $178,283
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.



ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 
September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
June 30,
2020
 December 31,
2019
ASSETS 
  
 
  
      
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 
  
 
  
Plant in service and held for future use$19,674,286
 $18,733,142
$20,339,690
 $19,832,805
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(6,548,921) (6,362,771)(6,901,805) (6,634,597)
Net13,125,365
 12,370,371
13,437,885
 13,198,208
      
Construction work in progress738,493
 1,170,062
823,691
 808,133
Palo Verde sale leaseback, net of accumulated depreciation (Note 6)102,873
 105,775
99,971
 101,906
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization266,432
 262,746
274,873
 290,409
Nuclear fuel, net of accumulated amortization141,903
 120,217
152,219
 123,500
Total property, plant and equipment14,375,066
 14,029,171
14,788,639
 14,522,156
      
INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS 
  
 
  
Nuclear decommissioning trust (Notes 11 and 12)967,673
 851,134
1,024,033
 1,010,775
Other special use funds (Notes 11 and 12)243,982
 236,101
253,332
 245,095
Other assets55,846
 40,817
43,973
 43,781
Total investments and other assets1,267,501
 1,128,052
1,321,338
 1,299,651
      
CURRENT ASSETS 
  
 
  
Cash and cash equivalents29,542
 5,707
6,224
 10,169
Customer and other receivables351,029
 257,654
275,476
 255,479
Accrued unbilled revenues155,836
 137,170
191,578
 128,165
Allowance for doubtful accounts(7,282) (4,069)(11,579) (8,171)
Materials and supplies (at average cost)293,899
 269,065
318,368
 331,091
Fossil fuel (at average cost)18,527
 25,029
17,257
 14,829
Income tax receivable15,982
 

 7,313
Assets from risk management activities (Note 7)817
 1,113
710
 515
Deferred fuel and purchased power regulatory asset (Note 4)59,474
 37,164
101,425
 70,137
Other regulatory assets (Note 4)138,033
 129,738
150,169
 133,070
Other current assets45,506
 35,111
47,588
 38,895
Total current assets1,101,363
 893,682
1,097,216
 981,492
      
DEFERRED DEBITS 
  
 
  
Regulatory assets (Note 4)1,329,446
 1,342,941
1,315,846
 1,304,073
Operating lease right-of-use assets (Note 16)154,205
 
554,106
 144,024
Assets for other postretirement benefits (Note 5)28,071
 43,212
95,937
 86,736
Other37,080
 128,265
29,562
 32,591
Total deferred debits1,548,802
 1,514,418
1,995,451
 1,567,424
      
TOTAL ASSETS$18,292,732
 $17,565,323
$19,202,644
 $18,370,723
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.



ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands) 
September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
June 30,
2020
 December 31,
2019
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 
  
 
  
      
CAPITALIZATION 
  
 
  
Common stock$178,162
 $178,162
$178,162
 $178,162
Additional paid-in capital2,721,696
 2,721,696
2,721,696
 2,721,696
Retained earnings3,119,977
 2,788,256
3,068,389
 3,011,927
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(26,303) (27,107)(35,025) (35,522)
Total shareholder equity5,993,532
 5,661,007
5,933,222
 5,876,263
Noncontrolling interests (Note 6)129,039
 125,790
120,915
 122,540
Total equity6,122,571
 5,786,797
6,054,137
 5,998,803
Long-term debt less current maturities (Note 3)4,535,728
 4,189,436
5,425,551
 4,833,133
Total capitalization10,658,299
 9,976,233
11,479,688
 10,831,936
CURRENT LIABILITIES 
  
 
  
Short-term borrowings (Note 3)2,900
 
219,900
 
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 3)450,000
 500,000

 350,000
Accounts payable268,163
 266,277
307,931
 338,006
Accrued taxes215,320
 176,357
150,879
 136,328
Accrued interest48,374
 60,228
52,925
 52,619
Common dividends payable
 82,700
88,000
 88,000
Customer deposits78,173
 91,174
49,132
 64,908
Liabilities from risk management activities (Note 7)44,349
 35,506
44,805
 38,946
Liabilities for asset retirements12,850
 19,842
10,735
 11,025
Operating lease liabilities (Note 16)26,028
 
83,744
 12,549
Regulatory liabilities (Note 4)208,022
 165,876
279,479
 234,912
Other current liabilities159,992
 178,137
128,147
 164,736
Total current liabilities1,514,171
 1,576,097
1,415,677
 1,492,029
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER 
  
 
  
Deferred income taxes1,976,662
 1,812,664
2,106,268
 2,033,096
Regulatory liabilities (Note 4)2,310,131
 2,325,976
2,089,987
 2,267,835
Liabilities for asset retirements736,079
 706,703
657,217
 646,193
Liabilities for pension benefits (Note 5)281,605
 425,404
267,386
 262,243
Liabilities from risk management activities (Note 7)27,305
 24,531
26,181
 33,186
Customer advances192,374
 137,153
213,572
 215,330
Coal mine reclamation165,695
 212,785
167,896
 165,695
Deferred investment tax credit193,118
 200,405
193,081
 196,468
Unrecognized tax benefits43,434
 41,861
39,039
 40,188
Operating lease liabilities (Note 16)50,669
 
407,888
 50,092
Other143,190
 125,511
138,764
 136,432
Total deferred credits and other6,120,262
 6,012,993
6,307,279
 6,046,758
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (SEE NOTE 8)


 




 


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY$18,292,732
 $17,565,323
$19,202,644
 $18,370,723

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2019 20182020 2019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
  
 
  
Net income$511,942
 $540,409
$242,210
 $188,199
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
 
  
Depreciation and amortization including nuclear fuel500,737
 488,223
343,130
 332,143
Deferred fuel and purchased power(60,911) (82,486)(26,473) (16,702)
Deferred fuel and purchased power amortization38,601
 92,397
(4,815) 23,307
Allowance for equity funds used during construction(24,677) (39,411)(16,508) (18,760)
Deferred income taxes97,002
 86,319
15,233
 (10,625)
Deferred investment tax credit(7,288) (7,397)(3,386) (2,656)
Changes in current assets and liabilities: 
  
 
  
Customer and other receivables(90,817) (56,874)824
 3,645
Accrued unbilled revenues(18,666) (83,939)(63,413) (56,487)
Materials, supplies and fossil fuel(18,332) (20,694)10,295
 (21,287)
Income tax receivable(15,982) 
7,313
 
Other current assets(8,642) 20,258
(19,752) (14,613)
Accounts payable37,004
 (8,857)17,915
 68,399
Accrued taxes38,963
 106,172
14,551
 (435)
Other current liabilities(66,368) 9,289
(40,381) (57,709)
Change in other long-term assets(54,872) 25,405
(7,356) (84,946)
Change in other long-term liabilities(27,521) (80,895)(91,983) 3,253
Net cash flow provided by operating activities830,173
 987,919
377,404
 334,726
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
  
 
  
Capital expenditures(857,883) (889,347)(676,973) (541,401)
Contributions in aid of construction34,121
 22,611
31,295
 18,909
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction(14,645) (18,959)(8,825) (11,159)
Proceeds from nuclear decommissioning trust sales and other special use funds520,996
 443,040
391,859
 309,354
Investment in nuclear decommissioning trust and other special use funds(523,573) (461,602)(393,000) (310,494)
Other(3,563) (1,261)(169) (1,612)
Net cash flow used for investing activities(844,547) (905,518)(655,813) (536,403)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
  
 
  
Issuance of long-term debt794,981
 295,245
591,936
 497,324
Short-term borrowings and payments — net2,900
 
219,900
 376,873
Short-term debt borrowings under revolving credit facility
 25,000
540,000
 
Short-term debt repayments under revolving credit facility
 (25,000)(540,000) 
Repayment of long-term debt(500,000) (82,000)(350,000) (500,000)
Dividends paid on common stock(248,300) (233,300)(176,000) (165,500)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests(11,372) (11,372)(11,372) (11,372)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities38,209
 (31,427)
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS23,835
 50,974
Net cash flow provided by financing activities274,464
 197,325
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS(3,945) (4,352)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD5,707
 13,851
10,169
 5,707
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD$29,542
 $64,825
$6,224
 $1,355

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.



ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
 Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
 Shares Amount          
Balance, July 1, 201971,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,721,696
 $2,801,110
 $(27,276) $124,165
 $5,797,857
Net Income  
 
 318,870
 
 4,873
 323,743
Other comprehensive income  
 
 
 973
 
 973
Other  
 
 (3) 
 1
 (2)
Balance, September 30, 201971,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,721,696
 $3,119,977
 $(26,303) $129,039
 $6,122,571
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
 Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
 Shares Amount          
Balance, April 1, 202071,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,721,696
 $3,047,269
 $(34,197) $127,414
 $6,040,344
Net Income  
 
 197,118
 
 4,874
 201,992
Other comprehensive loss  
 
 
 (828) 
 (828)
Dividends on common stock  
 
 (176,000) 
 
 (176,000)
Other  
 
 2
 
 (1) 1
Capital activities by noncontrolling activities  
 
 
 
 (11,372) (11,372)
Balance, June 30, 202071,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,721,696
 $3,068,389
 $(35,025) $120,915
 $6,054,137

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
 Shares Amount          
Balance, July 1, 201871,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,571,696
 $2,570,816
 $(35,159) $127,415
 $5,412,930
Net Income  
 
 338,366
 
 4,873
 343,239
Other comprehensive income  
 
 
 1,403
 
 1,403
Other  
 
 (2) 
 1
 (1)
Balance, September 30, 201871,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,571,696
 $2,909,180
 $(33,756) $132,289
 $5,757,571
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
 Shares Amount          
Balance, April 1, 201971,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,721,696
 $2,816,532
 $(26,027) $130,663
 $5,821,026
Net Income  
 
 150,176
 
 4,874
 155,050
Other comprehensive loss  
 
 
 (1,249) 
 (1,249)
Dividends on common stock  
 
 (165,598) 
 
 (165,598)
Capital activities by noncontrolling activities  
 
 
 
 (11,372) (11,372)
Balance, June 30, 201971,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,721,696
 $2,801,110
 $(27,276) $124,165
 $5,797,857


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.




















ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
 Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
 Shares Amount          
Balance, January 1, 201971,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,721,696
 $2,788,256
 $(27,107) $125,790
 $5,786,797
Net income  
 
 497,322
 
 14,620
 511,942
Other comprehensive income  
 
 
 804
 
 804
Dividends on common stock  
 
 (165,600) 
 
 (165,600)
Net capital activities by noncontrolling interests  
 
 
 
 (11,372) (11,372)
Other  
 
 (1) 
 1
 
Balance, September 30, 201971,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,721,696
 $3,119,977
 $(26,303) $129,039
 $6,122,571
 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
 Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
 Shares Amount          
Balance, January 1, 202071,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,721,696
 $3,011,927
 $(35,522) $122,540
 $5,998,803
Net Income  
 
 232,463
 
 9,747
 242,210
Other comprehensive income  
 
 
 497
 
 497
Dividends on common stock  
 
 (176,000) 
 
 (176,000)
Other  
 
 (1) 
 
 (1)
Capital activities by noncontrolling activities  
 
 
 
 (11,372) (11,372)
Balance, June 30, 202071,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,721,696
 $3,068,389
 $(35,025) $120,915
 $6,054,137

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
 Shares Amount          
Balance, January 1, 201871,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,571,696
 $2,533,954
 $(26,983) $129,040
 $5,385,869
Net Income  
 
 525,789
 
 14,620
 540,409
Other comprehensive loss  
 
 
 (1,735) 
 (1,735)
Dividends on common stock  
 
 (155,601) 
 
 (155,601)
Reclassification of income tax effects related to new tax reform (a)  
 
 5,038
 (5,038) 
 
Net capital activities by noncontrolling interests  
 
 
 
 (11,372) (11,372)
Other  
 
 
 
 1
 1
Balance, September 30, 201871,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,571,696
 $2,909,180
 $(33,756) $132,289
 $5,757,571
 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Noncontrolling Interests Total
 Shares Amount          
Balance, January 1, 201971,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,721,696
 $2,788,256
 $(27,107) $125,790
 $5,786,797
Net Income  
 
 178,452
 
 9,747
 188,199
Other comprehensive loss  
 
 
 (169) 
 (169)
Dividends on common stock  
 
 (165,598) 
 
 (165,598)
Capital activities by noncontrolling activities  
 
 
 
 (11,372) (11,372)
Balance, June 30, 201971,264,947
 $178,162
 $2,721,696
 $2,801,110
 $(27,276) $124,165
 $5,797,857

(a)In 2018, the Company adopted new accounting guidance and elected to reclassify income tax effects of the Tax Act on items within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings.


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.





COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. 
Consolidation and Nature of Operations
 
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Pinnacle West and our subsidiaries:  APS, 4C Acquisition, LLC ("4CA"), Bright Canyon Energy Corporation ("BCE") and El Dorado Investment Company ("El Dorado").  See Note 8 for more information on 4CA matters. Intercompany accounts and transactions between the consolidated companies have been eliminated.  The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for APS include the accounts of APS and the Palo Verde Generating Station ("Palo Verde") sale leaseback variable interest entities ("VIEs") (see Note 6 for further discussion).  Our accounting records are maintained in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("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.
 
Amounts reported in our interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are not necessarily indicative of amounts expected for the respective annual periods, due to the effects of seasonal temperature variations on energy consumption, timing of maintenance on electric generating units ("EGU"), and other factors.
 
Our condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments except as otherwise disclosed in the notes) that we believe are necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such regulations, although we believe that the disclosures provided are adequate to make the interim information presented not misleading. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and these notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our 20182019 Form 10-K.

On June 30, 2020, the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") issued an order granting a waiver request related to the existing Allowance for Funds Used During Construction ("AFUDC") rate calculation beginning March 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021.  The order provides a simplified approach that companies may elect to implement in order to minimize the significant distorted effect on the AFUDC formula resulting from increased short-term debt financing during the COVID-19 pandemic.  APS has adopted this simplified approach to computing the AFUDC composite rate  by using a simple average of the actual historical short-term debt balances for 2019, instead of current period short-term debt balances, and has left all other aspects of the AFUDC formula composite rate calculation unchanged. This change impacts the AFUDC composite rate in 2020, but does not impact prior years.  Furthermore, the change in the composite rate calculation does not impact our accounting treatment for these costs. The change will not have a material impact on our financial statements. See Note 1 in our 2019 Form 10-K for information on the accounting treatment for AFUDC.


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following table summarizes supplemental Pinnacle West cash flow information (dollars in thousands):
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2019 20182020 2019
Cash paid during the period for:      
Income taxes, net of refunds$12,488
 $10,091
$(3,028) $10,788
Interest, net of amounts capitalized166,907
 161,875
107,417
 114,717
Significant non-cash investing and financing activities:      
Accrued capital expenditures$85,099
 $99,405
$87,815
 $108,056
Right-of-use operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities8,759
 
434,997
 4,562
Sale of 4CA's 7% interest in Four Corners
 68,907
Dividends accrued but not yet paid88,066
 82,824


The following table summarizes supplemental APS cash flow information (dollars in thousands):
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2019 20182020 2019
Cash paid during the period for:      
Income taxes, net of refunds$35,573
 $24,746
$
 $35,573
Interest, net of amounts capitalized157,593
 154,788
100,991
 107,169
Significant non-cash investing and financing activities:      
Accrued capital expenditures$85,099
 $99,405
$87,815
 $108,056
Right-of-use operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities8,759
 
434,997
 4,562
Dividends accrued but not yet paid88,000
 82,800



2.    Revenue

Sources of Revenue

The following table provides detail of Pinnacle West's consolidated revenue disaggregated by revenue sources (dollars in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 20192018 20192018 20202019 20202019
Retail Electric Revenue        
Residential $668,467
$695,480
 $1,452,601
$1,512,402
 $515,128
$432,568
 $840,201
$784,134
Non-Residential 465,602
496,809
 1,194,199
1,275,498
 381,121
395,929
 684,472
728,597
Wholesale energy sales 36,775
53,501
 95,218
80,982
 15,927
21,991
 30,595
58,443
Transmission services for others 15,841
15,902
 46,247
46,235
 14,766
15,157
 30,693
30,406
Other sources 4,102
6,342
 12,553
19,754
 2,648
3,856
 5,559
8,451
Total operating revenues $1,190,787
$1,268,034
 $2,800,818
$2,934,871
 $929,590
$869,501
 $1,591,520
$1,610,031


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Retail Electric Revenue. Pinnacle West's retail electric revenue is generated by wholly owned regulated subsidiary APS's sale of electricity to our regulated customers within the authorized service territory at tariff rates approved by the ACC and based on customer kilowatt-hour ("KWh") usage. Revenues related to the sale of electricity are generally recognized when service is rendered or electricity is delivered to customers. The billing of electricity sales to individual customers is based on the reading of their meters. We obtain customers' meter data on a systematic basis throughout the month, and generally bill customers within a month from when service was provided. Customers are generally required to pay for services within 15 days of when the services are billed.

Wholesale Energy Sales and Transmission Services for Others. Revenues from wholesale energy sales and transmission services for others represent energy and transmission sales to wholesale customers. These activities primarily consist of managing fuel and purchased power risks in connection with the cost of serving our retail customers' energy requirements. We may also sell into the wholesale markets generation that is not needed for APS’s retail load. Our wholesale activities and tariff rates are regulated by the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC").FERC.

In the electricity business, some contracts to purchase energy are settled by netting against other contracts to sell electricity. This is referred to as a book-out, and usually occurs in contracts that have the same terms (product type, quantities, and delivery points) and for which power does not flow. We net these book-outs, which reduces both wholesale revenues and fuel and purchased power costs.
 
Revenue Activities

Our revenues primarily consist of activities that are classified as revenues from contracts with customers. We derive our revenues from contracts with customers primarily from sales of electricity to our regulated retail customers. Revenues from contracts with customers also include wholesale and transmission activities. Our revenues from contracts with customers for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 were $1,178$915 million and $2,756$1,563 million, respectively and for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20182019 were $1,257$858 million and $2,897$1,578 million, respectively.

We have certain revenues that do not meet the specific accounting criteria to be classified as revenues from contracts with customers. For the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020 our revenues that do not qualify as revenue from contracts with customers were $13$15 million and $45$29 million, respectively, and for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20182019 were $11$12 million and $38$32 million, respectively. This relates primarily to certain regulatory cost recovery mechanisms that are considered alternative revenue programs. We recognize revenue associated with alternative revenue programs when specific events permitting recognition are completed. Certain amounts associated with alternative revenue programs will subsequently be billed to customers; however, we do not reclassify billed amounts into revenue from contracts with customers. See Note 4 for a discussion of our regulatory cost recovery mechanisms.

Contract Assets and Liabilities from Contracts with Customers

There were no material contract assets, contract liabilities, or deferred contract costs recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 or December 31, 2018.2019.

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 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

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

forecasted economic environment, changes to our collection policies, and management’s best estimate of future collections success.

During March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to assist customers who may be experiencing economic difficulties, we suspended all service shut-offs due to nonpayment. We are experiencing an increase in the number of customers needing to utilize longer-term payment plans to avoid service disruption. These changes, among others, including the Summer Disconnection Moratorium (defined in Note 4), impacted our write-off factor during the period. We will continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on our write-off factor. See Note 4 for additional details.

The following table provides a rollforward of Pinnacle West’s allowance for doubtful accounts (dollars in thousands):

  June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
Allowance for doubtful accounts, balance at beginning of period $8,171
 $4,069
Bad debt expense 9,197
 11,819
Actual write-offs (5,789) (7,717)
Allowance for doubtful accounts, balance at end of period $11,579
 $8,171



3.Long-Term Debt and Liquidity Matters

Pinnacle West and APS maintain committed revolving credit facilities in order to enhance liquidity and provide credit support for their commercial paper programs, to refinance indebtedness, and for other general corporate purposes.
 

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Pinnacle West

Pinnacle West
On May 9, 2019,5, 2020, Pinnacle West entered intorefinanced its 364-day $50 million term loan agreement that would have matured on May 7, 2020 with a $50new 364-day $31 million term loan agreement that matures May 7, 2020. Pinnacle West used the proceeds to refinance indebtedness under and terminate a prior $150 million revolving credit facility.4, 2021. Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at London Inter-bank OfferedEurodollar Rate ("LIBOR") plus 0.55%1.40% per annum. At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, Pinnacle West had $41$31 million in outstanding borrowings under the current agreement.

On June 17, 2020, Pinnacle West issued $500 million of 1.3% unsecured senior notes that mature June 15, 2025. The net proceeds from the sale were used to repay early its $150 million term loan facility set to mature on December 21, 2020, to repay short-term indebtedness consisting of commercial paper and replenish cash incurred or used to fund capital expenditures, to redeem prior to maturity our $300 million, 2.25% senior notes due November 30, 2020, and for general corporate purposes.

At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, Pinnacle West had a $200 million revolving credit facility that matures in July 2023. Pinnacle West has the option to increase the amount of the facility up to a maximum of $300 million upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and with the consent of the lenders. Interest rates are based on Pinnacle West's senior unsecured debt credit ratings. The facility is available to support Pinnacle West's $200 million commercial paper program, for bank borrowings or for issuances of letters of credits. At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, Pinnacle West had 0 outstanding borrowings under its credit facility, 0 letters of credit outstanding and $13$41 million ofin commercial paper borrowings.


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

APS

On February 26, 2019, APS entered into a $200 million term loan agreement that matures August 26, 2020. APS used the proceeds to repay existing indebtedness. Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at LIBOR plus 0.50% per annum.

On February 28, 2019, APS issued $300 million of 4.25% unsecured senior notes that mature on March 1, 2049. The net proceeds from the sale, together with funds made available from the term loan described above, were used to repay existing indebtedness.

On March 1, 2019,January 15, 2020, APS repaid at maturity $500the remaining $150 million of the $250 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.75% senior notes.2.2% Senior Notes.

On August 19, 2019,May 22, 2020, APS issued $300$600 million of 2.6%3.35% unsecured senior notes that mature on AugustMay 15, 2029. 2050. The net proceeds from the sale were used to repay early its $200 million term loan facility and to repay short-term indebtedness, consisting of commercial paper and revolver borrowings, and to replenish cash used to fund capital expenditures.

At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, APS had 2 revolving credit facilities totaling $1 billion, including a $500 million credit facility that matures in June 2022 and a $500 million facility that matures in July 2023.  APS may increase the amount of each facility up to a maximum of $700 million, for a total of $1.4 billion, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and with the consent of the lenders.  Interest rates are based on APS’s senior unsecured debt credit ratings. These facilities are available to support APS’s $500 million commercial paper program, for bank borrowings or for issuances of letters of credit.  At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, APS had $3 million of commercial paper outstanding and 0 outstanding borrowings or letters of credit under its revolving credit facilities.facilities, no letters of credit outstanding, and $220 million in commercial paper borrowings.

On November 27, 2018, the ACC issued a financing order in which, subject to specified parameters and procedures, it approved APS’s short-term debt authorization equal to the sum of (i) 7% of APS’s capitalization, and (ii) $500 million (which is required to be used for costs relating to purchases of natural gas and power) and a long-term debt authorization of $5.9 billion. On March 27, 2020, APS filed an application with the ACC to increase the long-term debt limit from $5.9 billion to $7.5 billion and to continue its authorization of short-term debt granted in the 2018 financing order. This application is pending ACC review and approval.
 
See "Financial Assurances" in Note 8 for a discussion of other outstanding letters of credit.
 

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Debt Fair Value
 
Our long-term debt fair value estimates are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The following table presents the estimated fair value of our long-term debt, including current maturities (dollars in thousands):

As of September 30, 2019 As of December 31, 2018As of June 30, 2020 As of December 31, 2019
Carrying
Amount
 Fair Value 
Carrying
Amount
 Fair Value
Carrying
Amount
 Fair Value 
Carrying
Amount
 Fair Value
Pinnacle West$449,268
 $449,670
 $448,796
 $443,955
$496,610
 $507,850
 $449,425
 $450,822
APS4,985,728
 5,617,727
 4,689,436
 4,789,608
5,425,551
 6,386,439
 5,183,133
 5,743,570
Total$5,434,996
 $6,067,397
 $5,138,232
 $5,233,563
$5,922,161
 $6,894,289
 $5,632,558
 $6,194,392


 
4.

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4.Regulatory Matters
 
COVID-19 Pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, APS voluntarily suspended disconnections of customers for nonpayment beginning March 13, 2020.  In addition, APS waived all late payment fees during this current suspension period.  APS currently estimates that the Summer Disconnection Moratorium (see below for discussion of the Summer Disconnection Moratorium), the suspension of disconnections during the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased bad debt expense associated with both events will result in a negative impact to its 2020 operating results of approximately $20 million to $30 million pre-tax above the impact of disconnections on its operating results for years that did not have the Summer Disconnection Moratorium or COVID-19 pandemic. APS is anticipating an increase in bad debt expense associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, but it still believes that costs associated with the Summer Disconnection Moratorium and the COVID-19 disconnection suspensions and related bad debt expense with both events will fall within this estimated $20 million to $30 million range. These estimated impact amounts depend on certain assumptions, including, but not limited to, customer behaviors, population and employment growth, and the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy. Additionally, due to COVID-19, APS delayed the reset of the Environmental Improvement Surcharge ("EIS") adjustor and suspended the discontinuation of TEAM Phase II to the first billing cycle in May 2020 rather than April 2020 (see below for discussion of EIS and TEAM Phase II).

On April 17, 2020, APS filed an application with the ACC requesting a COVID-19 emergency relief package to provide additional assistance to its customers. On May 5, 2020, the ACC approved APS returning $36 million that had been collected through the Demand Side Management ("DSM") Adjustor Charge, but not allocated for current DSM programs, directly to customers through a bill credit in June 2020. As of June 30, 2020, APS had refunded approximately $40 million to customers. The additional $4 million over the approved amount was the result of the kWh credit being based on historic consumption which was different than actual consumption in the refund period. This difference was recorded to the DSM balancing account and will be addressed in subsequent DSM filings (see below for discussion of the DSM Adjustor Charge).

APS has committed in total approximately $8 million to assist customers and local non-profits and community organizations to help with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 5, 2020, APS also voluntarily committed to the ACC to contribute $5.3 million of non-ratepayer funds to provide assistance to residential and non-residential customers that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (“Customer COVID Assistance”). As part of this Customer COVID Assistance, APS has established a $2.3 million program to assist extra small and small non-residential customers that have a delinquency of two or more months with a one-time credit of $1,000 on each such customer's bill. The other $3 million of the Customer COVID Assistance has not yet been assigned to specific programs. Beyond the Customer COVID Assistance, APS has also provided $1.5 million to assist customers with a one-time credit of $100 on their bill, with a priority given to customers on limited-income service plans, and $1.25 million to assist local non-profits and community organizations working to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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2019 Retail Rate Case Filing with the Arizona Corporation Commission

On October 31, 2019,In accordance with the requirements of the 2018 rate review order described below, APS filed an application with the ACC foron October 31, 2019 seeking an annual increase in retail base rates of $69 million. This amount includes recovery of the deferral and rate base effects of the Four Corners selective catalytic reduction ("SCR") project that is currently the subject of a separate proceeding (see “SCR Cost Recovery” below). It also reflects a net credit to base rates of approximately $115 million primarily due to the prospective inclusion of rate refunds currently provided through the Tax Expense Adjustment Mechanism ("TEAM"). The proposed total revenue increase in APS's application is $184 million. The average annual customer bill impact of APS’s request is an increase of 5.6% (the average annual bill impact for a typical APS residential customer is 5.4%).

The principal provisions of APS's application are:

a test year comprised of twelve months ended June 30, 2019, adjusted as described below;
an original cost rate base of $8.87 billion, which approximates the ACC-jurisdictional portion of the book value of utility assets, net of accumulated depreciation and other credits;
the following proposed capital structure and costs of capital:
  Capital Structure Cost of Capital 
Long-term debt 45.3%4.10%
Common stock equity 54.7%10.15%
Weighted-average cost of capital   7.41%

 
a 1% return on the increment of fair value rate base above APS’s original cost rate base, as provided for by Arizona law;
authorization to defer until APS's next general rate case the increase or decrease in its Arizona property taxes attributable to tax rate changes after the date the rate application is adjudicated;
a number of proposed rate and program changes for residential customers, including:
a super off-peak period during the winter months for APS’s time-of-use with demand rates;
additional $1.25 million in funding for APS's limited-income crisis bill program; and
a flat bill/subscription rate pilot program;

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proposed rate design changes for commercial customers, including an experimental program designed to provide access to market pricing for up to 200 MW of medium and large commercial customers;
recovery of the deferral and rate base effects of the construction and operating costs of the Ocotillo modernization project (see below discussion of the 2017 Settlement Agreement)
recovery of the deferral and rate base effects of the construction and operating costs of the Ocotillo modernization project (see discussion below of the 2017 Settlement Agreement); and
continued recovery of the remaining investment and other costs related to the retirement and closure of the Navajo Generating Station (the "Navajo Plant") (see "Navajo Plant" below).

APS requested that the increase become effective December 1, 2020.  The hearing for this rate case was delayed, at the request of ACC Staff and the Residential Utility Consumer Office ("RUCO"), and is currently scheduled to begin December 14, 2020. APS cannot predict the outcome of its request.

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2016 Retail Rate Case Filing with the Arizona Corporation Commission
 
On June 1, 2016, APS filed an application with the ACC for an annual increase in retail base rates. On March 27, 2017, a majority of the stakeholders in the general retail rate case, including the ACC Staff, the Residential Utility Consumer Office,RUCO, limited income advocates and private rooftop solar organizations signed a settlement agreement (the "2017 Settlement Agreement") and filed it with the ACC. The 2017 Settlement Agreement provides for a net retail base rate increase of $94.6 million, excluding the transfer of adjustor balances, consisting of: (1) a non-fuel, non-depreciation, base rate increase of $87.2 million per year; (2) a base rate decrease of $53.6 million attributable to reduced fuel and purchased power costs; and (3) a base rate increase of $61.0 million due to changes in depreciation schedules. The average annual customer bill impact under the 2017 Settlement Agreement was calculated as an increase of 3.28% (the average annual bill impact for a typical APS residential customer was calculated as an increase of 4.54%).

Other key provisions of the agreement include the following:

an agreement by APS not to file another general retail rate case application before June 1, 2019;
an authorized return on common equity of 10.0%;
a capital structure comprised of 44.2% debt and 55.8% common equity;
a cost deferral order for potential future recovery in APS’s next general retail rate case for the construction and operating costs APS incurs for its Ocotillo modernization project;
a cost deferral and procedure to allow APS to request rate adjustments prior to its next general retail rate case related to its share of the construction costs associated with installing SCR equipment at the Four Corners Power Plant ("Four Corners");
a deferral for future recovery (or credit to customers) of the Arizona property tax expense above or below a specified test year level caused by changes to the applicable Arizona property tax rate;
an expansion of the Power Supply Adjustor (“PSA”) to include certain environmental chemical costs and third-party energy storage costs;
a new AZ Sun II program (now known as "APS Solar Communities") for utility-owned solar distributed generation with the purpose of expanding access to rooftop solar for low and moderate income Arizonans, recoverable through the Arizona Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff ("RES"), to be no less than $10 million per year in capital costs, and not more than $15 million per year;year in capital costs;
an increase to the per kWh cap for the environmental improvement surcharge from $0.00016 to $0.00050 and the addition of a balancing account;
rate design changes, including:
a change in the on-peak time of use period from noon - 7 p.m. to 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays;

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non-grandfathered distributed generation ("DG") customers would be required to select a rate option that has time of use rates and either a new grid access charge or demand component;
a Resource Comparison Proxy (“RCP”) for exported energy of 12.9 cents per kWh in year one; and
an agreement by APS not to pursue any new self-build generation (with certain exceptions) having an in-service date prior to January 1, 2022 (extended to December 31, 2027 for combined-cycle generating units), unless expressly authorized by the ACC.

Through a separate agreement, APS, industry representatives, and solar advocates committed to stand by the 2017 Settlement Agreement and refrain from seeking to undermine it through ballot initiatives, legislation or advocacy at the ACC.

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On August 15, 2017, the ACC approved (by a vote of 4-1), the 2017 Settlement Agreement without material modifications.  On August 18, 2017, the ACC issued a final written Opinion and Order reflecting its decision in APS’s general retail rate case (the "2017 Rate Case Decision"), which is subject to requests for rehearing and potential appeal. The new rates went into effect on August 19, 2017.

On October 17, 2017, Warren Woodward (an intervener in APS's general retail rate case) filed a Notice of Appeal in the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One. The notice raises a single issue related to the application of certain rate schedules to new APS residential customers after May 1, 2018. Mr. Woodward filed a second notice of appeal on November 13, 2017 challenging APS’s $5 per month automated metering infrastructure opt-out program. Mr. Woodward’s 2 appeals were consolidated, and APS requested and was granted intervention. The Arizona Court of Appeals issued a Memorandum Decision on December 11, 2018 affirming the ACC decisions challenged by Mr. Woodward. Mr. Woodward filed a petition for review with the Arizona Supreme Court on January 9, 2019. The Arizona Supreme Court denied review.

On January 3, 2018, an APS customer filed a petition with the ACC that was determined by the ACC Staff to be a complaint filed pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute §40-246 (the “Complaint”) and not a request for rehearing. Arizona Revised Statute §40-246 requires the ACC to hold a hearing regarding any complaint alleging that a public service corporation is in violation of any commission order or that the rates being charged are not just and reasonable if the complaint is signed by at least NaN customers of the public service corporation.. The Complaint alleged that APS is “in violation of commission order” [sic]. On February 13, 2018, the complainant filed anwas later amended Complaint alleging that the rates and charges in the 2017 Rate Case Decision are not just and reasonable. The complainant requested that the ACC hold a hearing on the amended Complaint to determine if the average bill impact on residential customers of the rates and charges approved in the 2017 Rate Case Decision is greater than 4.54% (the average annual bill impact for a typical APS residential customer estimated by APS) and, if so, what effect the alleged greater bill impact has on APS's revenues and the overall reasonableness and justness of APS's rates and charges, in order to determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant a full-scale rate hearing.  The ACC held a hearing on this matter, beginning in September 2018 and the hearing was concluded on October 1, 2018. On April 9, 2019, the Administrative Law Judge issued a Recommended Opinion and Order recommending that the Complaint be dismissed. The ACC considered the matter at its April and May 2019 open meetings, but no decision was issued. On July 3, 2019, the Administrative Law Judge issued an amendment to the Recommended Opinion and Order that incorporated the requirements of the rate review of the 2017 Rate Case Decision (see below discussion regarding the rate review). On July 10, 2019, the ACC reconsidered the matter and adopted the Administrative Law Judge's amended Recommended Opinion and Order along with several ACC Commissioner amendments and an amendment incorporating the results of the rate review and resolved the Complaint.


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ACC Review of APS 2017 Rate Case Decision

On December 24, 2018, certain ACC Commissioners filed a letter stating that because the ACC had received a substantial number of complaints that the rate increase authorized by the 2017 Rate Case Decision was much more than anticipated, they believe there is a possibility that APS is earning more than was authorized by the 2017 Rate Case Decision.  Accordingly, the ACC Commissioners requested the ACC Staff to perform a rate review of APS using calendar year 2018 as a test year and file a report by May 3, 2019.year. The ACC Commissioners also asked the ACC Staff to evaluate APS’s efforts to educate its customers regarding the new rates approved in the 2017 Rate Case Decision. On April 23, 2019, the ACC Staff indicated that they would need additional time beyond May 3, 2019 to file the requested report.

On June 4, 2019, the ACC Staff filed a proposed order regarding the rate review of the 2017 Rate Case Decision. On June 11, 2019, the ACC Commissioners approved the proposed ACC Staff order with amendments. The key provisions of the amended order include the following:

APS must file a rate case no later than October 31, 2019, using a June 30, 2019 test-year;
until the conclusion of the rate case being filed no later than October 31, 2019, APS must provide information on customer bills that shows how much a customer would pay on their most economical rate given their actual usage during each month;
APS customers can switch rate plans during an open enrollment period of six months;
APS must identify customers whose bills have increased by more than 9% and that are not on the most economical rate and provide such customers with targeted education materials and an opportunity to switch rate plans;
APS must provide grandfathered net metering customers on legacy demand rates an opportunity to switch to another legacy rate to enable such customers to fully benefit from legacy net metering rates;
APS must fund and implement a supplemental customer education and outreach program to be developed with and administered by ACC Staff and a third-party consultant; and
APS must fund and organize, along with the third-party consultant, a stakeholder group to suggest better ways to communicate the impact of changes to adjustor cost recovery mechanisms (see below for discussion on cost recovery mechanisms), including more effective ways to educate customers on rate plans and to reduce energy usage.


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APS cannot predict the outcome or impact of thefiled its rate case filed on October 31, 2019.2019 (see "2019 Retail Rate Case Filing with the Arizona Corporation Commission" above for more information). APS is assessing the impact to its financial statements ofdoes not believe that the implementation of the other key provisions of the amended order regarding the rate review and cannot predict at this time whether they will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On May 19, 2020, the ACC Staff filed a third-party consultant’s report which evaluated the effectiveness of APS’s customer outreach and education program related to the 2017 Rate Case Decision. On May 29, 2020, the Chairman of the ACC filed a letter with the ACC in response to this report and is alleging that APS is out of compliance with the 2017 Rate Case Decision and is over-earning. The Chairman proposed that the current rates should be classified as interim rates and customers held harmless if APS’s activities have caused the rates set in the 2017 Rate Case Decision to not be just and reasonable. Also, on May 29, 2020, a second commissioner filed a letter with the ACC agreeing with the Chairman’s assertions and further asserting that the 2017 Rate Case Decision should be re-opened. On June 18, 2020 at an ACC Open Meeting, the matters raised in these letters were discussed. The ACC did not vote to move forward with any adjustments to APS’s current rates. APS is monitoring this matter, but believes that the proposals are not legal and further that APS has not over-earned. APS cannot predict the outcome of this matter at this time or whether or how further action may be taken by the ACC.

Cost Recovery Mechanisms
 
APS has received regulatory decisions that allow for more timely recovery of certain costs outside of a general retail rate case through the following recovery mechanisms.
 
Renewable Energy Standard.  In 2006, the ACC approved the RES.  Under the RES, electric utilities that are regulated by the ACC must supply an increasing percentage of their retail electric energy sales from eligible renewable resources, including solar, wind, biomass, biogas and geothermal technologies.  In order to achieve these requirements, the ACC allows APS to include a RES surcharge as part of customer bills to recover the approved amounts for use on renewable energy projects.  Each year APS is required to file a five-year implementation plan with the ACC and seek approval for funding the upcoming year’s RES budget. In 2015, the ACC revised the RES rules to allow the ACC to consider all available information, including the number of rooftop solar arrays in a utility’s service territory, to determine compliance with the RES.


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On June 30, 2017, APS filed its 2018 RES Implementation Plan and proposed a budget of approximately $90 million.  APS’s budget request supports existing approved projects and commitments and includes the anticipated transfer of specific revenue requirements into base rates in accordance with the 2017 Settlement Agreement and also requests a permanent waiver of the residential distributed energy requirement for 2018 contained in the RES rules. APS's 2018 RES budget request is lower than the 2017 RES budget due in part to a certain portion of the RES being collected by APS in base rates rather than through the RES adjustor.

On November 20, 2017, APS filed an updated 2018 RES budget to include budget adjustments for APS Solar Communities (formerly known as AZ Sun II), which was approved as part of the 2017 Rate Case Decision. APS Solar Communities is a 3-year program authorizing APS to spend $10 million to $15 million in capital costs each year to install utility-owned DG systems for low to moderate income residential homes, buildings of non-profit entities, Title I schools and rural government facilities. The 2017 Rate Case Decision provided that all operations and maintenance expenses, property taxes, marketing and advertising expenses, and the capital carrying costs for this program will be recovered through the RES. On June 12, 2018, the ACC approved the 2018 RES Implementation Plan including a waiver of the distributed energy requirements for the 2018 implementation year.

On June 29, 2018, APS filed its 2019 RES Implementation Plan and proposed a budget of approximately $89.9 million.  APS’s budget request supports existing approved projects and commitments and requests a permanent waiver of the residential distributed energy requirement for 2019 contained in the RES rules. On October 29, 2019, the ACC approved the 2019 RES Implementation Plan.Plan including a waiver of the residential distributed energy requirements for the 2019 implementation year.
    
On July 1, 2019, APS filed its 2020 RES Implementation Plan and proposed a budget of approximately $86.3 million. APS’s budget request supports existing approved projects and commitments and requests a

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permanent waiver of the residential distributed energy requirement for 2020 contained in the RES rules. The ACC has not yet ruled on the 2020 RES Implementation Plan.

On July 2, 2019,1, 2020, APS filed its 2021 RES Implementation Plan and proposed a budget of approximately $84.7 million.  APS’s budget request supports existing approved projects and commitments and requests a permanent waiver of the residential distributed energy requirement for 2021 contained in the RES rules.  The ACC has not yet ruled on the 2021 RES Implementation Plan.

On July 15, 2020, ACC Staff issued final draft rules which, propose a RES goal of 45% of retail energy served be renewable by 2035 and a goal of 20% of retail sales during peak demandif approved, would require APS to be frommeet certain clean energy resources by 2035.  The draft rules would also requirestandards, obtain approval for its action plan included in its IRP, and seek cost recovery in a certain amountrate process. APS cannot predict the outcome of the RES goal to be derived from distributed renewable storage, for which utilities would be required to offer performance-based incentives. Nuclear energy would be considered a clean resource under the draft rules.this matter. See "Energy Modernization Plan" below for more information.

Demand Side Management Adjustor Charge.  The ACC Electric Energy Efficiency Standards require APS to submit a Demand Side Management Implementation Plan ("DSM Plan") annually for review by and approval of the ACC. Verified energy savings from APS's resource savings projects can be counted toward compliance with the Electric Energy Efficiency Standards; however, APS is not allowed to count savings from systems savings projects toward determination of the achievement of performance incentives, nor may APS include savings from these system savings projects in the calculation of its Lost Fixed Cost Recovery (“LFCR”) mechanism (see below for discussion of the LFCR).

On September 1, 2017, APS filed its 2018 DSM Plan, which proposes modifications to the demand side management portfolio to better meet system and customer needs by focusing on peak demand reductions, storage, load shifting and demand response programs in addition to traditional energy savings measures. The 2018 DSM Plan seeks a requested budget of $52.6 million and requests a waiver of the Electric Energy Efficiency Standard for 2018.   On November 14, 2017, APS filed an amended 2018 DSM Plan, which revised

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the allocations between budget items to address customer participation levels, but kept the overall budget at $52.6 million. The ACC has not yet ruled on the APS 2018 amended DSM Plan.

On December 31, 2018, APS filed its 2019 DSM Plan, which requests a budget of $34.1 million and continues APS's focus on DSM strategies such as peak demand reduction, load shifting, storage and electrification strategies. The ACC has not yet ruled on the APS 2019 DSM Plan.

On May 7,December 31, 2019, APS filed a request for an extension to file its 2020 DSM Plan, no later than December 31, 2019.which requests a budget of $51.9 million and continues APS's focus on DSM strategies such as peak demand reduction, load shifting, storage and electrification strategies. The 2020 DSM Plan addresses all components of the pending 2018 and 2019 DSM plans, which enables the ACC to review the 2020 DSM Plan only. On July 10, 2019,May 15, 2020, APS filed an amended 2020 DSM Plan to provide assistance to customers experiencing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The amended 2020 DSM Plan requests the same budget amount of $51.9 million. The ACC has not yet ruled on the APS amended 2020 DSM Plan.

On April 17, 2020, APS filed an application with the ACC requesting a COVID-19 emergency relief package to provide additional assistance to its customers. On May 5, 2020, the ACC approved this request.APS returning $36 million that had been collected through the DSM Adjustor Charge, but not allocated for current DSM programs, directly to customers through a bill credit in June 2020. As of June 30, 2020, APS had refunded approximately $40 million to customers. The additional $4 million over the approved amount was the result of the kWh credit being based on historic consumption which was different than actual consumption in the refund period. This difference was recorded to the DSM balancing account and will be addressed in subsequent DSM filings. See "COVID-19 Pandemic" above for more information.

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 Power Supply Adjustor Mechanism and Balance. The PSA provides for the adjustment of retail rates to reflect variations primarily in retail fuel and purchased power costs.  The following table shows the changes in the deferred fuel and purchased power regulatory asset for 20192020 and 20182019 (dollars in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2019 20182020 2019
Beginning balance$37,164
 $75,637
$70,137
 $37,164
Deferred fuel and purchased power costs — current period60,911
 82,486
26,473
 16,702
Amounts charged to customers(38,601) (92,397)4,815
 (23,307)
Ending balance$59,474
 $65,726
$101,425
 $30,559

 
The PSA rate for the PSA year beginning February 1, 2017 was $(0.001348) per kWh, as compared to $0.001678 per kWh for the prior year.  This rate was comprised of a forward component of $(0.001027) per kWh and a historical component of $(0.000321) per kWh. On August 19, 2017 the PSA rate was revised to $0.000555 per kWh as part of the 2017 Rate Case Decision. This new rate was comprised of a forward component of $0.000876 per kWh and a historical component of $(0.000321) per kWh.

The PSA rate for the PSA year beginning February 1, 2018 is $0.004555 per kWh, consisting of a forward component of $0.002009 per kWh and a historical component of $0.002546 per kWh. This represented a $0.004 per kWh increase over the August 19, 2017 PSA, the maximum permitted under the Plan of Administration for the PSA. This left $16.4 million of 2017 fuel and purchased power costs above this annual cap. These costs rolled over into the following year and were reflected in the 2019 reset of the PSA.

On November 30, 2018, APS filed itsThe PSA rate for the PSA year beginning February 1, 2019. That rate2019 was $0.001658$0.001658 per kWh and consisted, consisting of a forward componentForward Component of $0.000536$0.000536 per kWh and a historical componentHistorical Component of $0.001122 per kWh. The 2019 PSA rate isThis represented a $0.002897 per kWh decrease compared to 2018. These rates went into effect as filed on February 1, 2019.

On November 27, 2019, APS filed its PSA rate for the PSA year beginning February 1, 2020. That rate was $(0.000456) per kWh and consisted of a Forward Component of $(0.002086) per kWh and a Historical Component of $0.001630 per kWh. The 2020 PSA rate is a $0.002115 per kWh decrease compared to the 2019 PSA year. These rates went into effect as filed on February 1, 2020.

On March 15, 2019, APS filed an application with the ACC requesting approval to recover the costs related to 2 energy storage power purchase tolling agreements through the PSA. This application is pending with the ACC. APS cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

Environmental Improvement Surcharge. The EIS permits APS to recover the capital carrying costs (rate of return, depreciation and taxes) plus incremental operations and maintenance expenses associated with environmental improvements made outside of a test year to comply with environmental standards set by federal, state, tribal, or local laws and regulations.  A filing is made on or before February 1st for qualified environmental improvements made during the prior calendar year, and the new charge becomes effective April 1 unless suspended by the ACC.  There is an overall cap of $0.0005 per kWh (approximately $13 - 14 million per year).  APS’s February 1, 2020 application requested an increase in the charge to $8.75 million, or $2.0 million over the charge in effect for the 2019-2020 rate effective year. On March 19, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, APS delayed the reset of the EIS adjustor to the first billing cycle in May 2020 rather than April 2020.
 
Transmission Rates, Transmission Cost Adjustor ("TCA") and Other Transmission MattersIn July 2008, FERC approved ana modification to APS’s Open Access Transmission Tariff forto allow APS to move from fixed rates to a formula rate-setting methodology in order to more accurately reflect and recover the costs

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that APS incurs in providing transmission services.  A large portion of the rate represents charges for transmission services to serve APS's retail customers ("Retail Transmission Charges").  In order to recover the Retail Transmission Charges, APS was previously required to file an application with, and obtain approval from, the ACC to reflect changes in Retail Transmission Charges through the TCA.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement entered into in 2012 regarding APS's rate case (the "2012("2012 Settlement Agreement"), however, an adjustment to rates to recover

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the Retail Transmission Charges will be made annually each June 1 and will go into effect automatically unless suspended by the ACC.
 
The formula rate is updated each year effective June 1 on the basis of APS's actual cost of service, as disclosed in APS's FERC Form 1 report for the previous fiscal year.  Items to be updated include actual capital expenditures made as compared with previous projections, transmission revenue credits and other items.  The resolution of proposed adjustments can result in significant volatility in the revenues to be collected.  APS reviews the proposed formula rate filing amounts with the ACC Staff.  Any items or adjustments which are not agreed to by APS and the ACC Staff can remain in dispute until settled or litigated at FERC.  Settlement or litigated resolution of disputed issues could require an extended period of time and could have a significant effect on the Retail Transmission Charges because any adjustment, though applied prospectively, may be calculated to account for previously over- or under-collected amounts.

Effective June 1, 2017, APS's annual wholesale transmission rates for all users of its transmission system increased by approximately $35.1 million for the twelve-month period beginning June 1, 2017 in accordance with the FERC-approved formula.  An adjustment to APS’s retail rates to recover FERC approved transmission charges went into effect automatically on June 1, 2017.

On March 7, 2018, APS made a filing to make modifications to its annual transmission formula to provide transmission customers the benefit of the reduced federal corporate income tax rate resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act") beginning in its 2018 annual transmission formula rate update filing. These modifications were approved by FERC on May 22, 2018 and reduced APS’s transmission rates compared to the rate that would have gone into effect absent these changes. On March 17, 2020, APS made a filing to make further modifications to its annual transmission formula to provide additional transparency for excess and deficient Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes resulting from the Tax Act, as well as for future local, state, and federal statutory tax rate changes. This filing is pending with FERC.

Effective June 1, 2018, APS's annual wholesale transmission rates for all users of its transmission system decreased by approximately $22.7 million for the twelve-month period beginning June 1, 2018 in accordance with the FERC-approved formula.  Of this amount, retail customer rates decreased by approximately $26.9 million. An adjustment to APS’s retail rates to recover FERC approved transmission charges went into effect automatically on June 1, 2018.

Effective June 1, 2019, APS's annual wholesale transmission rates for all users of its transmission system increased by approximately $4.9$25.8 million for the twelve-month period beginning June 1, 2019 in accordance with the FERC-approved formula. Of this amount, retail customer rates increased by approximately $4.7 million. An adjustment to APS’s retail rates to recover FERC approved transmission charges went into effect automatically on June 1, 2019.

Effective June 1, 2020, APS's annual wholesale transmission rates for all users of its transmission system decreased by approximately $6.1 million for the twelve-month period beginning June 1, 2020 in accordance with the FERC-approved formula.  Of this amount, retail customer rates decreased by approximately $10.9 million. An adjustment to APS’s retail rates to recover FERC approved transmission charges went into effect automatically on June 1, 2020.

 Lost Fixed Cost Recovery Mechanism.  The LFCR mechanism permits APS to recover on an after-the-fact basis a portion of its fixed costs that would otherwise have been collected by APS in the kWh sales lost due to APS energy efficiency programs and to DG such as rooftop solar arrays.  The fixed costs recoverable by the LFCR mechanism were first established in the 2012 Settlement Agreement and amount to approximately 3.1 cents per residential kWh lost and 2.3 cents per non-residential kWh lost. These amounts were revised in the 2017 Settlement Agreement toare currently 2.5 cents for both lost residential and non-residential kWh.kWh as set forth in

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the 2017 Settlement Agreement.  The LFCR adjustment has a year-over-year cap of 1% of retail revenues.  Any amounts left unrecovered in a particular year because of this cap can be carried over for recovery in a future year.  The kWhs lost from energy efficiency are based on a third-party evaluation of APS’s energy efficiency programs.  DG sales losses are determined from the metered output from the DG units.
 
APS filed its 2017 LFCR adjustment on January 13, 2017 requesting an LFCR adjustment of $63.7 million. On April 5, 2017, the ACC approved the 2017 annual LFCR adjustment as filed, effective with the first billing cycle of April 2017. On February 15, 2018, APS filed its 2018 annual LFCR Adjustment,adjustment, requesting that effective May 1, 2018, the LFCR be adjusted to $60.7 million (a $3 million per year decrease

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from 2017 levels).million. On February 6, 2019, the ACC approved the 2018 annual LFCR adjustment to become effective March 1, 2019. On February 15, 2019, APS filed its 2019 annual LFCR adjustment, requesting that effective May 1, 2019, the annual LFCR recovery amount be reduced to $36.2 million (a $24.5 million decrease from previous levels). On July 10, 2019, the ACC approved APS’s 2019 LFCR adjustment as filed, effective with the next billing cycle of July 2019. BecauseOn February 14, 2020, APS filed its 2020 annual LFCR adjustment, requesting that effective May 1, 2020, the annual LFCR mechanism has a balancing account that trues up any under or over recoveries,recovery amount be reduced to $26.6 million (a $9.6 million decrease from previous levels). On April 14, 2020, the delayACC approved the 2020 LFCR adjustment as filed, effective with the first billing cycle in implementation does not have an adverse effect on APS.May 2020.

Tax Expense Adjustor Mechanism.  As part of the 2017 Settlement Agreement, the parties agreed to a rate adjustment mechanism to address potential federal income tax reform and enable the pass-through of certain income tax effects to customers. The TEAM expressly applies to APS's retail rates with the exception of a small subset of customers taking service under specially-approved tariffs. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was enacted.  This legislation made significant changes to the federal income tax laws including a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018.

On January 8, 2018, APS filed an application with the ACC that addressed the change in the marginal federal tax rate from 35% to 21% resulting from the Tax Act and reduced rates by $119.1 million annually through an equal cents per kWh credit ("TEAM Phase I").  On February 22, 2018, the ACC approved the reduction of rates through an equal cents per kWh credit. The rate reduction was effective for the first billing cycle in March 2018.

The impact of the TEAM Phase I, over time, is expected to be earnings neutral. However, on a quarterly basis, there is a difference between the timing and amount of the income tax benefit and the reduction in revenues refunded through the TEAM Phase I related to the lower federal income tax rate. The amount of the benefit of the lower federal income tax rate is based on quarterly pre-tax results, while the reduction in revenues refunded through the TEAM Phase I is based on a per kWh sales credit which follows our seasonal kWh sales pattern and is not impacted by earnings of the Company.

On August 13, 2018, APS filed a second request with the ACC that addressed the return of an additional $86.5 million in tax savings to customers related to the amortization of non-depreciation related excess deferred taxes previously collected from customers ("TEAM Phase II"). The ACC approved this request on March 13, 2019, effective the first billing cycle in April 2019.2019 through the last billing cycle in March 2020. On March 19, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, APS delayed the discontinuation of TEAM Phase II until the first billing cycle in May 2020.  Amounts credited to customers after the last billing cycle in March 2020 will be recorded as a part of the balancing account and will be addressed for recovery as part of APS's 2019 ACC rate case. Both the timing of the reduction in revenues refunded through TEAM Phase II and the offsetting income tax benefit are recognized based upon our seasonal kWh sales pattern.
    
On April 10, 2019, APS filed a third request with the ACC that addressed the amortization of depreciation related excess deferred taxes over a 28.5 year period consistent with IRS normalization rules (“TEAM Phase III”).  On October 29, 2019, the ACC approved TEAM Phase III providing both (i) a one-time bill credit of $64 million to bewhich was credited to customers on their December 2019 bills, and (ii) a monthly bill

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credit effective the first billing cycle in December 2019 which will provide an additional benefit of $39.5 million to customers through December 31, 2020. It is currently anticipated that benefits related to the amortization of depreciation related excess deferred taxes for periods beginning after December 31, 2020 will be fully incorporated into the 2019 rate case filing.case.


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Net Metering

In 2015, the ACC voted to conduct a generic evidentiary hearing on the value and cost of DG to gather information that will inform the ACC on net metering issues and cost of service studies in upcoming utility rate cases.  A hearing was held in April 2016. On October 7, 2016, the Administrative Law Judge issued a recommendation in the docket concerning the value and cost of DG solar installations. On December 20, 2016, the ACC completed its open meeting to consider the recommended opinion and order by the Administrative Law Judge. After making several amendments, the ACC approved the recommended decision by a 4-1 vote. As a result of the ACC’s action, effective with APS’sAPS's 2017 Rate Case Decision the net metering tariff that governs payments for energy exported to the grid from residential rooftop solar systems was replaced by a more formula-driven approach that utilizes inputs from historical wholesale solar power until an avoided cost methodology is developed by the ACC.

As amended, the decision provides that payments by utilities for energy exported to the grid from DG solar facilities will be determined using a RCP methodology, a method that is based on the most recent five-year rolling average price that APS pays for utility-scale solar projects, while a forecasted avoided cost methodology is being developed.  The price established by this RCP method will be updated annually (between general retail rate cases) but will not be decreased by more than 10% per year. Once the avoided cost methodology is developed, the ACC will determine in APS's subsequent rate cases which method (or a combination of methods) is appropriate to determine the actual price to be paid by APS for exported distributed energy.

In addition, the ACC made the following determinations:

Customers who have interconnected a DG system or submitted an application for interconnection for DG systems prior to September 1, 2017, based on APS's 2017 Rate Case Decision, will be grandfathered for a period of 20 years from the date the customer’s interconnection application was accepted by the utility;
Customers with DG solar systems are to be considered a separate class of customers for ratemaking purposes; and
Once an export price is set for APS, no netting or banking of retail credits will be available for new DG customers, and the then-applicable export price will be guaranteed for new customers for a period of 10 years.

This decision of the ACC addresses policy determinations only. The decision states that its principles will be applied in future general retail rate cases, and the policy determinations themselves may be subject to future change, as are all ACC policies. A first-year export energy price of 12.9 cents per kWh was included in the 2017 Settlement Agreement and became effective on September 1, 2017.

In accordance with the 2017 Rate Case Decision, APS filed its request for a second-year export energy price of 11.6 cents per kWh on May 1, 2018.  This price reflected the 10% annual reduction discussed above. The new rate rider became effective on October 1, 2018. APS filed its request for a third-year export energy price of 10.4510.5 cents per kWh on May 1, 2019.  This price also reflects the 10% annual reduction discussed above. The new rate rider became effective on October 1, 2019. APS filed its request for a fourth-year export energy price of 9.4 cents per kWh on May 1, 2020, with a requested effective date of September 1, 2020.  This price reflects the 10% annual reduction discussed above. The ACC has not yet ruled on this request.

On January 23, 2017, The Alliance for Solar Choice ("TASC") sought rehearing of the ACC's decision regarding the value and cost of DG. TASC asserted that the ACC improperly ignored the Administrative Procedure Act, failed to give adequate notice regarding the scope of the proceedings, and relied on information that was not submitted as evidence, among other alleged defects. TASC filed a Notice of Appeal in the Arizona

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Court of Appeals and filed a Complaint and Statutory Appeal in the Maricopa County Superior Court on March 10, 2017. As part of the 2017 Settlement Agreement described above, TASC agreed to withdraw these appeals when the ACC decision implementing the 2017 Settlement Agreement is no longer subject to appellate review.

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See "2016 Retail Rate Case Filing with the Arizona Corporation Commission" above for information regarding an ACC order in connection with the rate review of the 2017 Rate Case Decision requiring APS to provide grandfathered net metering customers on legacy demand rates with an opportunity to switch to another legacy rate to enable such customers to benefit from legacy net metering rates.

Subpoena from Arizona Corporation Commissioner Robert Burns

On August 25, 2016, Commissioner Burns, individually and not by action of the ACC as a whole, served subpoenas in APS’s then current retail rate proceeding on APS and Pinnacle West for the production of records and information relating to a range of expenditures from 2011 through 2016. The subpoenas requested information concerning marketing and advertising expenditures, charitable donations, lobbying expenses, contributions to 501(c)(3) and (c)(4) nonprofits and political contributions. The return date for the production of information was set as September 15, 2016. The subpoenas also sought testimony from Company personnel having knowledge of the material, including the Chief Executive Officer.

On September 9, 2016, APS filed with the ACC a motion to quash the subpoenas or, alternatively, to stay APS's obligations to comply with the subpoenas and decline to decide APS's motion pending court proceedings. Contemporaneously with the filing of this motion, APS and Pinnacle West filed a complaint for special action and declaratory judgment in the Superior Court of Arizona for Maricopa County, seeking a declaratory judgment that Commissioner Burns’ subpoenas are contrary to law. On September 15, 2016, APS produced all non-confidential and responsive documents and offered to produce any remaining responsive documents that are confidential after an appropriate confidentiality agreement is signed.

On February 7, 2017, Commissioner Burns opened a new ACC docket and indicated that its purpose is to study and rectify problems with transparency and disclosure regarding financial contributions from regulated monopolies or other stakeholders who may appear before the ACC that may directly or indirectly benefit an ACC Commissioner, a candidate for ACC Commissioner, or key ACC Staff.  As part of this docket, Commissioner Burns set March 24, 2017 as a deadline for the production of all information previously requested through the subpoenas. Neither APS nor Pinnacle West produced the information requested and instead objected to the subpoena. On March 10, 2017, Commissioner Burns filed suit against APS and Pinnacle West in the Superior Court of Arizona for Maricopa County in an effort to enforce his subpoenas. On March 30, 2017, APS filed a motion to dismiss Commissioner Burns' suit against APS and Pinnacle West. In response to the motion to dismiss, the court stayed the suit and ordered Commissioner Burns to file a motion to compel the production of the information sought by the subpoenas with the ACC. On June 20, 2017, the ACC denied the motion to compel.

On August 4, 2017, Commissioner Burns amended his complaint to add all of the ACC Commissioners and the ACC itself as defendants. All defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint. On February 15, 2018, the Superior Court dismissed Commissioner Burns’ amended complaint. On March 6, 2018, Commissioner Burns filed an objection to the proposed final order from the Superior Court and a motion to further amend his complaint. The Superior Court permitted Commissioner Burns to amend his complaint to add a claim regarding his attempted investigation into whether his fellow commissioners should have been disqualified from voting on APS’s 2017 rate case. Commissioner Burns filed his second amended complaint, and all defendants filed responses opposing the second amended complaint and requested that it be dismissed.

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Oral argument occurred in November 2018 regarding the motion to dismiss. On December 18, 2018, the trial court granted the defendants’ motions to dismiss and entered final judgment on January 18, 2019. On February 13, 2019, Commissioner Burns filed a notice of appeal. On July 12, 2019, Commissioner Burns filed his opening brief in the Arizona Court of Appeals. APS filed its answering brief on October 21, 2019. The

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Arizona Court of Appeals originally granted the request for oral argument; however, on March 31, 2020, the court vacated the date scheduled for oral argument given the COVID-19 pandemic.  The court determined that the matter could be submitted without oral argument and has taken the matter under advisement and will issue a decision without oral argument. APS and Pinnacle West cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

Information Requests from Arizona Corporation Commissioners

On January 14, 2019, ACC Commissioner Kennedy opened a docket to investigate campaign expenditures and political participation of APS and Pinnacle West. In addition, on February 27, 2019, ACC Commissioners Burns and Dunn opened a new docket and requested documents from APS and Pinnacle West related to ACC elections and charitable contributions related to the ACC. On March 1, 2019, ACC Commissioner Kennedy issued a subpoena to APS seeking several categories of information for both Pinnacle West and APS including political contributions, lobbying expenditures, marketing and advertising expenditures, and contributions made to 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities, for the years 2013-2018. Pinnacle West and APS voluntarily responded to both sets of requests on March 29, 2019. APS also received and responded to various follow-on requests from ACC Commissioners on these matters. Pinnacle West and APS cannot predict the outcome of these matters.

Renewable Energy Ballot Initiative The Company's CEO, Mr. Guldner, appeared at the ACC's January 14, 2020 Open Meeting regarding ACC Commissioners' questions about political spending.  Mr. Guldner committed to the ACC that during his tenure, Pinnacle West and APS, and any of their affiliated companies, will not participate in ACC campaign elections through financial contributions or in-kind contributions.
    
On February 20, 2018, a renewable energy advocacy organization filed with the Arizona Secretary of State a ballot initiative for an Arizona constitutional amendment requiring Arizona public service corporations to provide at least 50% of their annual retail sales of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. For purposes of the proposed amendment, eligible renewable sources would not include nuclear generating facilities. The initiative was placed on the November 2018 Arizona elections ballot. On November 6, 2018, the initiative failed to receive adequate voter support and was defeated.
Energy Modernization Plan

On January 30, 2018, former ACC Commissioner Tobin proposed the Energy Modernization Plan, which consisted of a series of energy policies tied to clean energy sources such as energy storage, biomass, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and expanded energy planning through the integrated resource plansplan ("IRP") process. In August 2018, the ACC directed ACC Staff to open a new rulemaking docket which will address a wide range of energy issues, including the Energy Modernization Plan proposals. The rulemaking will consider possible modifications to existing ACC rules, such as the RES, Electric and Gas Energy Efficiency Standards, Net Metering, Resource Planning, and the Biennial Transmission Assessment, as well as the development of new rules regarding forest bioenergy, electric vehicles, interconnection of distributed generation, baseload security, blockchain technology and other technological developments, retail competition, and other energy-related topics.

On April 25, 2019, the ACC Staff issued aan initial set of draft energy rules in regardsand held various workshops to incorporate feedback from stakeholders and ACC Commissioners from April 2019 through July 2020. At the Energy Modernization Plan and workshops were held on April 29, 2019 regarding theseMarch 11-12, 2020 workshop, the ACC Staff committed to filing a final draft rules.of proposed rules by July 2020. On July 2, 2019,16, 2020, the ACC Staff issued a revised set offinal draft energy rules which propose 100% of retail kWh sales from clean energy resources by the end of 2050. Nuclear is defined as a RES goal of 45%clean energy resource. The proposed rules also require 50% of retail energy served be renewable by the end of 2035, andincluding a goal of 20% of retail sales during peak demand to be from clean10% carve out for customer-sited distributed generation with storage. A new energy resources by 2035.  The draft rules also require a certain amount ofefficiency standard was not included in the RES goal to be derived from distributed renewable storage, for which utilitiesproposed rules. APS would be required to offer performance-based incentives.  Nuclear energyobtain approval of its action plan included in its IRP and seek recovery of prudently incurred costs in a rate process. If approved by the ACC Commissioners, the rules would be consideredrequire utilities to file a clean resource underClean Energy Implementation Plan and Energy Efficiency Report as part of their IRP every three years beginning in 2023. In addition, the draft rules. The ACC held various stakeholder meetings and workshops onStaff proposed changing the IRP planning horizon from 15 years to 10 years. On July 30, 2020, the ACC Staff’sdiscussed the final draft energy rules in July through September 2019.but no action was taken by the ACC. APS cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
 

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Integrated Resource Planning

ACC rules require utilities to develop fifteen-year15-year IRPs which describe how the utility plans to serve customer load in the plan timeframe.  The ACC reviews each utility’s IRP to determine if it meets the necessary requirements and whether it should be acknowledged.  In March of 2018, the ACC reviewed the 2017 IRPs of its jurisdictional utilities and voted to not acknowledge any of the plans.  APS does not believe that this lack of acknowledgment will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Based on an ACC decision, APS iswas originally required to file a Preliminary Resource Plan by April 1, 2019 and its finalnext IRP by April 1, 2020.  APS filed a request to extendOn February 20, 2020, the ACC extended the deadline for all utilities to file its Preliminary IRP, which was granted.their IRP’s from April 1, 2020 to June 26, 2020. On August 1, 2019,June 26, 2020, APS filed its Preliminaryfinal IRP. On July 15, 2020, the ACC extended the schedule for final ACC review of utility IRPs to February 2021. See "Energy Modernization Rules" above for information regarding proposed changes to the IRP filings.

Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act ("PURPA")

In August 2016, APS filed an application requesting that all of its contracts with qualifying facilities over 100 kW be set at a presumptive maximum 2 year term. A qualifying facility is an eligible energy-producing facility as defined by FERC regulations within a host electric utility’s service territory that has a right to sell to the host utility. Host utilities are required to purchase power from qualifying facilities at an avoided cost as determined by the utility subject to state commission oversight. A hearing was held in August 2019 and briefing on this matter was completed in October 2019 regarding APS’s application. On December 17, 2019, the ACC denied the application and mandated a minimum contract length of 18 years for qualifying facilities over 100 kW and the rate paid to the qualifying facilities will be based on the long-term avoided cost. APS cannot predictis in discussions with qualifying facility developers but has not entered into any new qualifying facility agreements that would be subject to the outcomenew requirements of this matter.the ACC's decision.

On July 16, 2020, FERC issued a final rule revising FERC’s regulations implementing PURPA. The final rule will go into effect 120 days following publication in the Federal Register. APS is evaluating how the revised regulations may impact its operations.

Residential Electric Utility Customer Service Disconnections

On June 13, 2019, APS voluntarily suspended electric disconnections for residential customers who had not paid their bills. On June 20, 2019, the ACC voted to enact emergency rule amendments to prevent residential electric utility customer service disconnections during the period from June 1 through October 15.15 ("Summer Disconnection Moratorium"). During the moratorium on disconnections,Summer Disconnection Moratorium, APS could not charge late fees and interest on amounts that were past due from customers. Customer deposits must also be used to pay delinquent amounts before disconnection can occur and customers will have four months to pay back their deposit and any remaining delinquent amounts. In accordance with the emergency rules, APS began putting delinquent customers on a mandatory four-month payment plan beginning on October 16, 2019. The emergency rule changes will be effective for 180 days and may be renewed for one additional 180 day180-day period. During that time,

In addition, in June 2019, the ACC began a formal regular rulemaking process to allow stakeholder input and time for consideration of permanent rule changes. The ACC further ordered that each regulated electric utility serving retail customers in Arizona update its service conditions by incorporating the emergency rule amendments, restore power to any customers who were disconnected during the month of June 2019 and credit any fees that were charged for a reconnection. The ACC Staff issued draft amendments to the customer service disconnections rules. Stakeholders submitted initial comments to the draft amendments on September 23, 2019. ACC stakeholder meetings were held in September 2019 and October 2019 regarding the customer service disconnections rules. APS currently estimates that the disconnection moratorium will result in a negative impact to its 2019 operating results of approximately $10 million pre-tax depending on certain assumptions, including customer behaviors. APS is further assessing the impact to its financial statements beyond 2019, which will be affected by the results of final rulemaking related to disconnections.


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September 23, 2019. ACC stakeholder meetings were held in September 2019, October 2019 and January 2020 regarding the customer service disconnections rules.

Although the emergency rules expired in December 2019, the Summer Disconnection Moratorium will remain in effect through utility tariffs for 2020 and beyond until the ACC adopts permanent rules or determines otherwise.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, APS voluntarily suspended disconnections of customers for nonpayment beginning March 13, 2020. APS currently estimates that the Summer Disconnection Moratorium, the suspension of disconnections during the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased bad debt expense associated with both events will result in a negative impact to its 2020 operating results of approximately $20 million to $30 million pre-tax above the impact of disconnections on its operating results for years that did not have the Summer Disconnection Moratorium or COVID-19 pandemic. These estimated impact amounts depend on certain assumptions, including, but not limited to, customer behaviors, population and employment growth, the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy and the results of final rulemaking related to the Summer Disconnection Moratorium. See "COVID-19 Pandemic" above for more information.

Retail Electric Competition Rules

On November 17, 2018, the ACC voted to re-examine the facilitation of a deregulated retail electric market in Arizona. An ACC special open meeting workshop was held on December 3, 2018. No substantive action was taken, but interested parties were asked to submit written comments and respond to a list of questions from ACC Staff. On July 1 and July 2, 2019, ACC Staff issued a report and initial proposed draft rules regarding possible modifications to the ACC’s retail electric competition rules. Interested parties filed comments to the ACC Staff report and a stakeholder meeting and workshop to discuss the retail electric competition rules was held on July 30, 2019. ACC Commissioners submitted additional questions regarding this matter. On February 10, 2020, two ACC Commissioners filed two sets of draft proposed retail electric competition rules. On February 12, 2020, ACC staff issued its second report regarding possible modifications to the ACC’s retail electric competition rules. The ACC held a workshop on February 25-26, 2020 for further consideration and discussion of the retail electric competition rules. During the July 15, 2020 ACC Staff meeting, the ACC Commissioners discussed the possible development of a retail competition pilot program, but no action was taken. The ACC Commissioners are continuing to explore the retail electric competition rules. APS cannot predict whether these efforts will result in any changes and, if changes to the rules results, what impact these rules would have on APS.

Four CornersRate Plan Comparison Tool

SCE-Related Matters. On December 30, 2013,November 14, 2019, APS purchased Southern California Edison Company's ("SCE’s") 48% ownership interest in each of Units 4learned that its rate plan comparison tool was not functioning as intended due to an integration error between the tool and 5 of Four Corners.the Company’s meter data management system. APS immediately removed the tool from its website and notified the ACC. The 2012 Settlement Agreement includes a procedure to allow APS to request rate adjustments prior to its next general retail rate case related to APS’s acquisitionpurpose of the additional interests in Unitstool was to provide customers with a rate plan recommendation based upon historical usage data. Upon investigation, APS determined that the error may have affected rate plan recommendations to customers between February 4, 2019 and 5November 14, 2019. By the middle of May 2020, APS provided refunds to approximately 13,000 potentially impacted customers equal to the difference between what they paid for electricity and the related closure of Units 1-3 of Four Corners.  APS made its filing under this provision on December 30, 2013. On December 23, 2014, the ACC approvedamount they would have paid had they selected their most economical rate, adjustments resulting inas applicable, and a revenue increase of $57.1 million on an annual basis.  This included the deferral$25 payment for future recovery of all non-fuel operating costs for the acquired SCE interest in Four Corners, net of the non-fuel operating costs savings resulting from the closure of Units 1-3 from the date of closing of the purchase through its inclusion in rates.  The 2012 Settlement Agreement also provided for deferral for future recovery of all unrecovered costs incurred in connection with the closure of Units 1-3.  The deferral balance related to the acquisition of SCE’s interest in Units 4 and 5 and the closure of Units 1-3 was $42 million as of September 30, 2019 and is being amortized in rates over a total of 10 years.

 As part of APS’s acquisition of SCE’s interest in Units 4 and 5, APS and SCE agreed, via a "Transmission Termination Agreement" that, upon closing of the acquisition, the companies would terminate an existing transmission agreement ("Transmission Agreement") between the parties that provides transmission capacity on a system (the "Arizona Transmission System") for SCE to transmit its portion of the output from Four Corners to California.  APS previously submitted a request to FERC related to this termination, which resulted in a FERC order denying rate recovery of $40 million that APS agreed to pay SCE associated with the termination. On December 22, 2015, APS and SCE agreed to terminate the Transmission Termination Agreement and allow for the Transmission Agreement to expire according to its terms, which includes settling obligations in accordance with the terms of the Transmission Agreement. APS established a regulatory asset of $12 million in 2015 in connection with the payment required under the terms of the Transmission Agreement. On July 1, 2016, FERC issued an order denying APS’s request to recover the regulatory asset through its FERC-jurisdictional rates.  APS and SCE completed the termination of the Transmission Agreement on July 6, 2016. APS made the required payment to SCE and wrote-off the $12 million regulatory asset and charged operating revenues to reflect the effects of this order in the second quarter of 2016.  On July 29, 2016, APS filed a request for rehearing with FERC. In its order denying recovery, FERC also referred to its enforcement division a question of whether the agreement between APS and SCE relating to the settlement of obligations under the Transmission Agreement was a jurisdictional contract that should have been filed with FERC. On October 5, 2017, FERC issued an order denying APS's request for rehearing. FERC also upheld its prior determinationany inconvenience that the agreement relating tocustomer may have experienced. The refunds and payment for inconvenience being provided did not have a material impact on APS's financial statements. APS developed a new tool for comparing customers’ rate plan options.  APS had an independent third party verify that the settlement was a jurisdictional contract and should have been filed with FERC.new rate comparison tool works correctly.  In February 2020, APS cannot predict whether or iflaunched the enforcement division will take any action. APS filed an appeal of FERC's July 1, 2016 and October 5, 2017 orders with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on December 4, 2017. On June 14, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninthnew online rate comparison tool, which

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Circuit issuedis now available for its customers. The ACC is currently investigating this matter and has hired an unpublished memorandum order denying APS’s petition for reviewoutside consultant to evaluate the extent of FERC’s ordersthe error and the overall effectiveness of the tool. APS received a civil investigative demand from the Office of the Arizona Attorney General, Civil Litigation Division, Consumer Protection & Advocacy Section that denied APS’s requestseeks information pertaining to recover the regulatory asset through its FERC-jurisdictional ratesrate plan comparison tool offered to APS customers and granting APS’s petition for review of FERC’s orders findingother related issues. APS is fully cooperating with the agreement to be a jurisdictional contract. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated FERC’s determination that the agreement was required to be filed with FERC and remanded the issue to FERC for additional proceedings.Attorney General’s Office in this matter. APS cannot predict the outcome of the remand proceeding.these matters.

Four Corners SCR Cost Recovery.

On December 29, 2017, in accordance with the 2017 Rate Case Decision, APS filed a Notice of Intent to file its SCR Adjustment to permit recovery of costs associated with the installation of SCR equipment at Four Corners Units 4 and 5.  APS filed the SCR Adjustment request in April 2018.  Consistent with the 2017 Rate Case Decision, the request was narrow in scope and addressed only costs associated with this specific environmental compliance equipment.  The SCR Adjustment request provided that there would be a $67.5 million annual revenue impact that would be applied as a percentage of base rates for all applicable customers.  Also, as provided for in the 2017 Rate Case Decision, APS requested that the adjustment become effective no later than January 1, 2019.  The hearing for this matter occurred in September 2018.  At the hearing, APS accepted ACC Staff's recommendation of a lower annual revenue impact of approximately $58.5 million. The Administrative Law Judge issued a Recommended Opinion and Order finding that the costs for the SCR project were prudently incurred and recommending authorization of the $58.5 million annual revenue requirement related to the installation and operation of the SCRs. Exceptions to the Recommended Opinion and Order were filed by the parties and intervenors on December 7, 2018.  The ACC has not issued a decision on this matter. APS included the costs for the SCR project in the retail rate base in its 2019 retail rate case filing with the ACC. On March 18, 2020, the ACC agreed to take administrative notice to include in the pending rate case portions of the record in this prior proceeding that are relevant to the SCRs. APS cannot predict the outcome or timing of the decision on this matter. APS may be required to record a charge to its results of operations if the ACC issues an unfavorable decision (see SCR deferral in the Regulatory Assets and Liabilities table below).

Cholla

On September 11, 2014, APS announced that it would close Unit 2 of the Cholla Power Plant ("Cholla") and cease burning coal at the other APS-owned units (Units 1 and 3) at the plant by the mid-2020s, if the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") approvesapproved a compromise proposal offered by APS to meet required environmental and emissions standards and rules. On April 14, 2015, the ACC approved APS's plan to retire Unit 2, without expressing any view on the future recoverability of APS's remaining investment in the unit. APS closed Unit 2 on October 1, 2015. In early 2017, EPA approved a final rule incorporating APS's compromise proposal, which took effect on April 26, 2017. In December 2019, PacifiCorp notified APS that it plans to retire Cholla Unit 4 by the end of 2020.

Previously, APS estimated Cholla Unit 2’s end of life to be 2033. APS has been recovering a return on and of the net book value of the unit in base rates. Pursuant to the 2017 Settlement Agreement described above, APS will be allowed continued recovery of the net book value of the unit and the unit’s decommissioning and other retirement-related costs ($7765 million as of SeptemberJune 30, 2019)2020), in addition to a return on its investment. In accordance with GAAP, in the third quarter of 2014, Unit 2’s remaining net book value was reclassified from property, plant and equipment to a regulatory asset. The 2017 Settlement Agreement also shortened the depreciation lives of Cholla Units 1 and 3 to 2025.

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On March 20, 2019, APS announced that it began evaluating the feasibility and cost of converting a unit at Cholla to burn biomass. Biomass is a fuel comprised of forest trimmings, and a converted unit at Cholla could assist in forest thinning, responsible forest management, an improved watershed, and a reduced wildfire risk. APS’s ability to operate a biomass power plant would depend on third-parties procuring forest biomass for fuel. APS reported the results of its evaluation on May 9, 2019 to the ACC. On July 10, 2019, the ACC voted to not require APS to file a request for proposal to convert the unit at Cholla to burn biomass.

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Navajo Plant
The co-owners of the Navajo Plant and the Navajo Nation agreed that the Navajo Plant willwould remain in operation until December 2019 under the existing plant lease. The co-owners and the Navajo Nation executed a lease extension on November 29, 2017 that will allowallows for decommissioning activities to begin after the plant ceasesceased operations by Decemberin November 2019.
APS is currently recovering depreciation and a return on the net book value of its interest in the Navajo Plant over its previously estimated life through 2026. APS will seek continued recovery in rates for the book value of its remaining investment in the plant ($8077 million as of SeptemberJune 30, 2019)2020) plus a return on the net book value as well as other costs related to retirement and closure, which are still being assessed and may be material. APS believes it will be allowed recovery of the net book value, in addition to a return on its investment. In accordance with GAAP, in the second quarter of 2017, APS's remaining net book value of its interest in the Navajo Plant was reclassified from property, plant and equipment to a regulatory asset. If the ACC does not allow full recovery of the remaining net book value of this interest, all or a portion of the regulatory asset will be written off and APS's net income, cash flows, and financial position will be negatively impacted.    

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Regulatory Assets and Liabilities 
The detail of regulatory assets is as follows (dollars in thousands): 
Amortization Through September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018Amortization Through June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
 Current Non-Current Current Non-Current Current Non-Current Current Non-Current
Pension(a) $
 $703,460
 $
 $733,351
(a) $
 $663,327
 $
 $660,223
Income taxes — allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC") equity2050 6,815
 156,528
 6,800
 154,974
Retired power plant costs2033 28,182
 146,076
 28,182
 167,164
2033 28,182
 128,304
 28,182
 142,503
Income taxes — allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC") equity2049 6,457
 154,269
 6,457
 151,467
Deferred fuel and purchased power (b) (c)2021 101,425
 
 70,137
 
Deferred fuel and purchased power — mark-to-market (Note 7)2023 41,643
 27,305
 31,728
 23,768
2024 42,911
 26,151
 36,887
 33,185
Ocotillo deferralN/A 
 65,571
 
 38,144
SCR deferralN/A 
 64,971
 
 52,644
Deferred property taxes2027 8,569
 60,338
 8,569
 66,356
2027 8,569
 53,911
 8,569
 58,196
Deferred fuel and purchased power (b) (c)2020 59,474
 
 37,164
 
SCR deferralN/A 
 45,296
 
 23,276
Deferred compensation2036 
 36,481
 
 36,464
Four Corners cost deferral2024 8,077
 34,171
 8,077
 40,228
2024 8,077
 28,113
 8,077
 32,152
Deferred compensation2036 
 37,589
 
 36,523
Lost fixed cost recovery (b)2020 25,775
 
 32,435
 
2021 34,144
 
 26,067
 
Income taxes — investment tax credit basis adjustment2047 1,079
 24,555
 1,079
 25,522
2048 1,098
 24,532
 1,098
 24,981
Ocotillo deferralN/A 
 23,643
 
 
Palo Verde VIEs (Note 6)2046 
 20,480
 
 20,015
2046 
 20,945
 
 20,635
Coal reclamation2026 1,546
 18,821
 1,546
 15,607
2026 1,068
 17,533
 1,546
 17,688
Loss on reacquired debt2038 1,637
 12,441
 1,637
 13,668
2038 1,637
 11,241
 1,637
 12,031
Mead-Phoenix transmission line CIAC2050 332
 9,795
 332
 10,044
TCA balancing account (b)2021 5,016
 2,721
 3,860
 772
2022 8,272
 2,926
 6,324
 2,885
Mead-Phoenix transmission line contributions in aid of construction ("CIAC")2050 332
 9,546
 332
 9,712
Tax expense of Medicare subsidy2024 1,235
 5,073
 1,235
 6,176
2024 1,238
 4,444
 1,235
 4,940
AG-1 deferral2022 2,787
 3,413
 2,654
 5,819
2022 2,787
 1,322
 2,787
 2,716
Tax expense adjuster mechanism (b)2019 2,916
 
 
 
2020 3,640
 
 1,612
 
OtherVarious 2,782
 
 1,947
 3,185
Various 1,399
 
 1,917
 
Total regulatory assets (d)  $197,507
 $1,329,446
 $166,902
 $1,342,941
  $251,594
 $1,315,846
 $203,207
 $1,304,073

(a)This asset represents the future recovery of pension benefit obligations through retail rates.  If these costs are disallowed by the ACC, this regulatory asset would be charged to other comprehensive income ("OCI") and result in lower future revenues.
(b)See "Cost Recovery Mechanisms" discussion above.
(c)Subject to a carrying charge.
(d)There are no regulatory assets for which the ACC has allowed recovery of costs, but not allowed a return by exclusion from rate base.  FERC rates are set using a formula rate as described in "Transmission Rates, Transmission Cost Adjustor and Other Transmission Matters."



COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The detail of regulatory liabilities is as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Amortization Through September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018Amortization Through June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
 Current Non-Current Current Non-Current Current Non-Current Current Non-Current
Excess deferred income taxes - ACC - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (a)(b) $38,529
 $1,178,216
 $
 $1,272,709
2046 $113,168
 $966,576
 $59,918
 $1,054,053
Excess deferred income taxes - FERC - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (a)2058 6,302
 238,064
 6,302
 243,691
2058 7,256
 233,953
 6,302
 237,357
Asset retirement obligations2057 
 367,930
 
 278,585
2057 
 408,126
 
 418,423
Removal costs(c) 47,459
 151,535
 39,866
 177,533
(c) 47,300
 126,036
 47,356
 136,072
Other postretirement benefits(d) 37,821
 95,789
 37,864
 125,903
(d) 37,575
 118,398
 37,575
 139,634
Four Corners coal reclamation2038 5,461
 48,795
 1,059
 51,704
Spent nuclear fuel2027 6,068
 47,901
 6,676
 51,019
Income taxes — change in rates2048 2,764
 67,605
 2,769
 70,069
2050 2,802
 50,163
 2,797
 68,265
Spent nuclear fuel2027 5,746
 53,229
 6,503
 57,002
Income taxes — deferred investment tax credit2047 2,164
 49,182
 2,164
 51,120
2048 2,202
 49,133
 2,202
 50,034
Four Corners coal reclamation2038 1,858
 49,194
 1,858
 17,871
Renewable energy standard (b)2021 42,146
 5,675
 44,966
 20
2021 38,934
 22
 39,287
 10,300
Sundance maintenance2031 1,100
 13,001
 5,698
 11,319
Demand side management (b)2021 14,300
 24,146
 14,604
 4,123
2021 3,068
 6,138
 15,024
 24,146
Sundance maintenance2031 4,640
 13,393
 1,278
 17,228
Deferred gains on utility property2022 2,923
 4,766
 4,423
 6,581
Property tax deferralN/A 
 6,288
 
 2,611
N/A 
 8,603
 
 7,046
FERC transmission true up2021 
 2,586
 
 
2022 5,452
 2,209
 1,045
 2,004
Active union medical trustN/A 
 7,629
 
 2,041
Tax expense adjustor mechanism (b)2020 6,450
 
 7,018
 
Deferred gains on utility property2022 2,423
 2,973
 2,423
 4,163
OtherVarious 1,370
 2,533
 3,279
 930
Various 220
 331
 532
 255
Total regulatory liabilities  $208,022
 $2,310,131
 $165,876
 $2,325,976
  $279,479
 $2,089,987
 $234,912
 $2,267,835

(a)For purposes of presentation on the Statement of Cash Flows, amortization of the regulatory liabilities for excess deferred income taxes are reflected as "Deferred income taxes" under Cash Flows From Operating Activities.
(b)See “Cost Recovery Mechanisms” discussion above.
(c)In accordance with regulatory accounting guidance, APS accrues removal costs for its regulated assets, even if there is no legal obligation for removal.
(d)See Note 5.

5.
Retirement Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Pinnacle West sponsors a qualified defined benefit and account balance pension plan, a non-qualified supplemental excess benefit retirement plan, and an other postretirement benefit plan for the employees of Pinnacle West and our subsidiaries.  Pinnacle West uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans.  The market-related value of our plan assets is their fair value at the measurement dates.


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table provides details of the plans’ net periodic benefit costs and the portion of these costs charged to expense (including administrative costs and excluding amounts capitalized as overhead construction or billed to electric plant participants) (dollars in thousands):

Pension Benefits Other BenefitsPension Benefits Other Benefits
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 20182020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
Service cost — benefits earned during the period$12,476
 $14,167
 $37,427
 $42,501
 $4,593
 $5,275
 $13,777
 $15,825
$13,859
 $12,408
 $28,116
 $24,951
 $5,401
 $4,470
 $11,118
 $9,184
Non-service costs (credits):                              
Interest cost on benefit obligation34,211
 31,172
 102,632
 93,517
 7,473
 7,037
 22,420
 21,111
29,522
 34,069
 59,283
 68,421
 6,417
 7,421
 12,929
 14,947
Expected return on plan assets(42,971) (45,713) (128,913) (137,140) (9,603) (10,520) (28,809) (31,561)(46,915) (43,049) (93,721) (85,942) (10,019) (9,603) (20,038) (19,206)
Amortization of: 
    
  
  
  
  
  
 
    
  
  
  
  
  
Prior service credit
 
 
 
 (9,456) (9,461) (28,366) (28,382)
 
 
 
 (9,394) (9,455) (18,788) (18,910)
Net actuarial loss10,646
 8,021
 31,938
 24,062
 
 
 
 
8,295
 10,053
 17,306
 21,292
 
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit
cost (credit)
$14,362
 $7,647
 $43,084
 $22,940
 $(6,993) $(7,669) $(20,978) $(23,007)$4,761
 $13,481
 $10,984
 $28,722
 $(7,595) $(7,167) $(14,779) $(13,985)
Portion of cost (credit) charged to expense$7,593
 $2,524
 $22,837
 $7,535
 $(4,966) $(5,359) $(14,846) $(16,083)$271
 $7,000
 $1,613
 $15,244
 $(5,056) $(5,063) $(10,512) $(9,880)

 
Contributions
 
We have not made voluntary contributions of $150 million to our pension plan year-to-date in 2019.2020. The minimum required contributions for the pension plan are 0 for the next three years. We expect to make voluntary contributions up to a total of $350$100 million per year during the 2019-20212020-2022 period. We do not expect to make any contributions over the next three years to our other postretirement benefit plans. In 2019, the Company was reimbursed $30 million for prior year retiree medical claims from the other postretirement benefit plan trust assets.
 
6.
Palo Verde Sale Leaseback Variable Interest Entities
 
In 1986, APS entered into agreements with 3 separate VIE lessor trust entities in order to sell and lease back interests in Palo Verde Unit 2 and related common facilities. APS will retain the assets through 2023 under 1 lease and 2033 under the other 2 leases. APS will be required to make payments relating to these leases of approximately $23 million annually for the period 2020 through 2023, and $16 million annually for the period 2024 through 2033. At the end of the lease period, APS will have the option to purchase the leased assets at their fair market value, extend the leases for up to two years, or return the assets to the lessors.

The leases' terms give APS the ability to utilize the assets for a significant portion of the assets’ economic life, and therefore provide APS with the power to direct activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance.  Predominantly due to the lease terms, APS has been deemed the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and therefore consolidates the VIEs.
 
As a result of consolidation, we eliminate lease accounting and instead recognize depreciation expense, resulting in an increase in net income for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 of $5 million and $15$10 million, respectively, and for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20182019 of $5 million and

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

$15 $10 million, respectively, entirely attributable to the noncontrolling interests. Income attributable to Pinnacle West shareholders is not impacted by the consolidation.

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and December 31, 20182019 include the following amounts relating to the VIEs (dollars in thousands):
 
September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
Palo Verde sale leaseback property plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation$102,873
 $105,775
$99,971
 $101,906
Equity — Noncontrolling interests129,039
 125,790
120,915
 122,540

 
Assets of the VIEs are restricted and may only be used for payment to the noncontrolling interest holders. These assets are reported on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
APS is exposed to losses relating to these VIEs upon the occurrence of certain events that APS does not consider to be reasonably likely to occur.  Under certain circumstances (for example, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ("NRC") issuing specified violation orders with respect to Palo Verde or the occurrence of specified nuclear events), APS would be required to make specified payments to the VIEs’ noncontrolling equity participants and take title to the leased Unit 2 interests, which, if appropriate, may be required to be written down in value.  If such an event were to occur during the lease periods, APS may be required to pay the noncontrolling equity participants approximately $299$304 million beginning in 2019,2020, and up to $456 million over the lease extension terms.
 
For regulatory ratemaking purposes, the agreements continue to be treated as operating leases and, as a result, we have recorded a regulatory asset relating to the arrangements.

7.    Derivative Accounting
 
Derivative financial instruments are used to manage exposure to commodity price and transportation costs of electricity, natural gas, emissions allowances, and in interest rates.  Risks associated with market volatility are managed by utilizing various physical and financial derivative 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 fuels.  Derivative instruments that meet certain hedge accounting criteria may be designated as cash flow hedges and are used to limit our exposure to cash flow variability on forecasted transactions.  The changes in market value of such instruments have a high correlation to price changes in the hedged transactions.  Derivative instruments are also entered into for economic hedging purposes.  While economic hedges may mitigate exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices, these instruments have not been designated as accounting hedges.  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 costs in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, but does not impact our financial condition, net income or cash flows.
 
Our derivative instruments, excluding those qualifying for a scope exception, are recorded on the balance sheets as an asset or liability and are measured at fair value.  See Note 11 for a discussion of fair value measurements.  Derivative instruments may qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales scope exception if they require physical delivery and the quantities represent those transacted in the normal course of business.  Derivative instruments qualifying for the normal purchases and sales scope exception are accounted for under

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

the accrual method of accounting and excluded from our derivative instrument discussion and disclosures below.

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
For its regulated operations, APS defers for future rate treatment 100% of the unrealized gains and losses on derivatives pursuant to the PSA mechanism that would otherwise be recognized in income.  Realized gains and losses on derivatives are deferred in accordance with the PSA to the extent the amounts are above or below the Base Fuel Rate (see Note 4).  Gains and losses from derivatives in the following tables represent the amounts reflected in income before the effect of PSA deferrals.
 
As of SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, we had the following outstanding gross notional volume of derivatives, which represent both purchases and sales (does not reflect net position): 
 Quantity Quantity
Commodity Unit of MeasureSeptember 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Unit of MeasureJune 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
Power GWh232
 250
 GWh294
 193
Gas Billion cubic feet187
 218
 Billion cubic feet249
 257

 
Gains and Losses from Derivative Instruments
 
The following table provides information about gains and losses from derivative instruments in designated cash flow accounting hedging relationships during the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 20182019 (dollars in thousands):
 
 Financial Statement Location Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Financial Statement Location Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
Commodity Contracts 2019 2018 2019 2018 2020 2019 2020 2019
Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion Realized) (a) Fuel and purchased power (b) $(289) $(600) $(1,263) $(1,697) Fuel and purchased power (b) $(349) $(538) $(763) $(974)

(a)
During the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, we had 0 gains or losses reclassified from accumulated OCI to earnings related to discontinued cash flow hedges.
(b)Amounts are before the effect of PSA deferrals.
 
During the next twelve months we estimate that a net loss of approximately $1 million before income taxesno amounts will be reclassified from accumulated OCI as an offset tointo income. For APS, the effect of market price changesdelivery period for the related hedged transactions.  In accordance with the PSA, most of these amounts will be recorded as either a regulatory asset or liability andall derivative instruments in designated cash flow accounting hedging relationship have no immediate effect on earnings.lapsed.


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table provides information about gains and losses from derivative instruments not designated as accounting hedging instruments during the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 20182019 (dollars in thousands):
 
 Financial Statement Location Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Financial Statement Location Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
Commodity Contracts 2019 2018 2019 2018 2020 2019 2020 2019
Net Loss Recognized in Income Operating revenues $
 $(1,029) $
 $(2,590) Fuel and purchased power (a) $(4,894) $(49,686) $(34,971) $(41,516)
Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income Fuel and purchased power (a) (28,249) 4,263
 (69,765) (26,442)
Total   $(28,249) $3,234
 $(69,765) $(29,032)

(a)Amounts are before the effect of PSA deferrals.
 
Derivative Instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Our derivative transactions are typically executed under standardized or customized agreements, which include collateral requirements and, in the event of a default, would allow for the netting of positive and negative exposures associated with a single counterparty.  Agreements that allow for the offsetting of positive and negative exposures associated with a single counterparty are considered master netting arrangements.  Transactions with counterparties that have master netting arrangements are offset and reported net on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Transactions that do not allow for offsetting of positive and negative positions are reported gross on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
We do not offset a counterparty’s current derivative contracts with the counterparty’s non-current derivative contracts, although our master netting arrangements would allow current and non-current positions to be offset in the event of a default.  Additionally, in the event of a default, our master netting arrangements would allow for the offsetting of all transactions executed under the master netting arrangement.  These types of transactions may include non-derivative instruments, derivatives qualifying for scope exceptions, trade receivables and trade payables arising from settled positions, and other forms of non-cash collateral (such as letters of credit).  These types of transactions are excluded from the offsetting tables presented below.
 

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following tables provide information about the fair value of our risk management activities reported on a gross basis, and the impacts of offsetting as of SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018.2019.  These amounts relate to commodity contracts and are located in the assets and liabilities from risk management activities lines of our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As of September 30, 2019:
(dollars in thousands)
 
Gross
 Recognized
 Derivatives
 (a)
 
Amounts
Offset
 (b)
 
Net
 Recognized
 Derivatives
 
Other
 (c)
 
Amount Reported on Balance Sheets
As of June 30, 2020:
(dollars in thousands)
 
Gross
 Recognized
 Derivatives
 (a)
 
Amounts
Offset
 (b)
 
Net
 Recognized
 Derivatives
 
Other
 (c)
 
Amount Reported on Balance Sheets
Current assets $1,776
 $(1,266) $510
 $307
 $817
 $2,989
 $(2,279) $710
 $
 $710
Investments and other assets 540
 (510) 30
 
 30
Total assets 1,776
 (1,266) 510
 307
 817
 3,529
 (2,789) 740
 
 740
                    
Current liabilities (44,429) 1,266
 (43,163) (1,186) (44,349) (45,899) 2,279
 (43,620) (1,185) (44,805)
Deferred credits and other (27,305) 
 (27,305) 
 (27,305) (26,691) 510
 (26,181) 
 (26,181)
Total liabilities (71,734) 1,266
 (70,468) (1,186) (71,654) (72,590) 2,789
 (69,801) (1,185) (70,986)
Total $(69,958) $
 $(69,958) $(879) $(70,837) $(69,061) $
 $(69,061) $(1,185) $(70,246)

(a)All of our gross recognized derivative instruments were subject to master netting arrangements.
(b)NaN cash collateral has been provided to counterparties, or received from counterparties, that is subject to offsetting.
(c)Represents cash collateral and cash margin that is not subject to offsetting. Amounts relate to non-derivative instruments, derivatives qualifying for scope exceptions, or collateral and margin posted in excess of the recognized derivative instrument. Includes cash collateral received from counterparties of $1,186$1,185 and cash margin provided to counterparties of $307.$0.

As of December 31, 2018:
(dollars in thousands)
 
Gross
Recognized
Derivatives
 (a)
 
Amounts
Offset
(b)
 
Net
 Recognized
 Derivatives
 
Other
 (c)
 
Amount
Reported on
Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2019:
(dollars in thousands)
 
Gross
Recognized
Derivatives
 (a)
 
Amounts
Offset
(b)
 
Net
 Recognized
 Derivatives
 
Other
 (c)
 
Amount
Reported on
Balance Sheets
Current assets $3,106
 $(2,149) $957
 $156
 $1,113
 $584
 $(474) $110
 $405
 $515
Investments and other assets 36
 (36) 
 
 
Total assets 3,142
 (2,185) 957
 156
 1,113
                    
Current liabilities (36,345) 2,149
 (34,196) (1,310) (35,506) (38,235) 474
 (37,761) (1,185) (38,946)
Deferred credits and other (24,567) 36
 (24,531) 
 (24,531) (33,186) 
 (33,186) 
 (33,186)
Total liabilities (60,912) 2,185
 (58,727) (1,310) (60,037) (71,421) 474
 (70,947) (1,185) (72,132)
Total $(57,770) $
 $(57,770) $(1,154) $(58,924) $(70,837) $
 $(70,837) $(780) $(71,617)

(a)All of our gross recognized derivative instruments were subject to master netting arrangements.
(b)NaN cash collateral has been provided to counterparties, or received from counterparties, that is subject to offsetting.
(c)Represents cash collateral and cash margin that is not subject to offsetting. Amounts relate to non-derivative instruments, derivatives qualifying for scope exceptions, or collateral and margin posted in excess of the recognized derivative instrument.  Includes cash collateral received from counterparties of $1,310$1,185 and cash margin provided to counterparties of $156.$405.


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Credit Risk and Credit Related Contingent Features
 
We are exposed to losses in the event of nonperformance or nonpayment by counterparties and have risk management contracts with many counterparties. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020 we have one counterparty for which our exposure represents approximately 62%79% of Pinnacle West’s $0.8West's $0.7 million of risk management assets. This exposure relates to a master agreement with a counterparty that has a very high credit rating. Our risk management process assesses and monitors the financial exposure of all counterparties.  Despite the fact that the great majority of our trading counterparties' debt is rated as investment grade by the credit rating agencies, there is still a possibility that one or more of these counterparties could default, resulting in a material impact on consolidated earnings for a given period. Counterparties in the portfolio consist principally of financial institutions, major energy companies, municipalities and local distribution companies.  We maintain credit policies that we believe minimize overall credit risk to within acceptable limits.  Determination of the credit quality of our counterparties is based upon a number of factors, including credit ratings and our evaluation of their financial condition.  To manage credit risk, we employ collateral requirements and standardized agreements that allow for the netting of positive and negative exposures associated with a single counterparty.  Valuation adjustments are established representing our estimated credit losses on our overall exposure to counterparties.
 
Certain of our derivative instrument contracts contain credit-risk-related contingent features including, among other things, investment grade credit rating provisions, credit-related cross-default provisions, and adequate assurance provisions.  Adequate assurance provisions allow a counterparty with reasonable grounds for uncertainty to demand additional collateral based on subjective events and/or conditions.  For those derivative instruments in a net liability position, with investment grade credit contingencies, the counterparties could demand additional collateral if our debt credit rating were to fall below investment grade (below BBB- for Standard & Poor’s or Fitch or Baa3 for Moody’s).
 
The following table provides information about our derivative instruments that have credit-risk-related contingent features at SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 (dollars in thousands):
September 30, 2019June 30, 2020
Aggregate fair value of derivative instruments in a net liability position$71,503
$72,590
Cash collateral posted

Additional cash collateral in the event credit-risk-related contingent features were fully triggered (a)70,230
63,880

(a)This amount is after counterparty netting and includes those contracts which qualify for scope exceptions, which are excluded from the derivative details above.
 
We also have energy-related non-derivative instrument contracts with investment grade credit-related contingent features, which could also require us to post additional collateral of approximately $95$88 million if our debt credit ratings were to fall below investment grade.


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8.
Commitments and Contingencies
 
Palo Verde Generating Station
 
Spent Nuclear Fuel and Waste Disposal
 
On December 19, 2012, APS, acting on behalf of itself and the participant owners of Palo Verde, filed a second breach of contract lawsuit against the United States Department of Energy ("DOE") in the United States Court of Federal Claims ("Court of Federal Claims").  The lawsuit sought to recover damages incurred due to DOE’s breach of the Contract for Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and/or High Level Radioactive Waste ("Standard Contract") for failing to accept Palo Verde's spent nuclear fuel and high level waste from January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2011, as it was required to do pursuant to the terms of the Standard Contract and the Nuclear Waste Policy Act.  On August 18, 2014, APS and DOE entered into a settlement agreement, stipulating to a dismissal of the lawsuit and payment of $57.4 million by DOE to the Palo Verde owners for certain specified costs incurred by Palo Verde during the period January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2011. APS’s share of this amount is $16.7 million. Amounts recovered in the lawsuit and settlement were recorded as adjustments to a regulatory liability and had no impact on the amount of reported net income. In addition, the settlement agreement, as amended, provides APS with a method for submitting claims and getting recovery for costs incurred through December 31, 2019. In July 2020, APS accepted DOE's extension of the settlement agreement for recovery of costs incurred through December 31, 2022.

APS has submitted 5 claims pursuant to the terms of the August 18, 2014 settlement agreement, for 5 separate time periods during July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2018. The DOE has approved and paid $84.3 million for these claims (APS’s share is $24.5 million). The amounts recovered were primarily recorded as adjustments to a regulatory liability and had no impact on reported net income. In accordance with the 2017 Rate Case Decision, this regulatory liability is being refunded to customers (see Note 4). On October 31, 2019, APS filed its nextsixth claim pursuant to the terms of the August 18, 2014 settlement agreement in the amount of $16 million (APS’s share is $4.7 million). On February 11, 2020, the DOE approved a payment of $15.4 million (APS's share is $4.5 million) and on April 20, 2020, APS received this payment.

Nuclear Insurance

Public liability for incidents at nuclear power plants is governed by the Price-Anderson Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act ("Price-Anderson Act"), which limits the liability of nuclear reactor owners to the amount of insurance available from both commercial sources and an industry-wide retrospective payment plan.  In accordance with the Price-Anderson Act, the Palo Verde participants are insured against public liability for a nuclear incident of up to approximately $13.9$13.8 billion per occurrence. Palo Verde maintains the maximum available nuclear liability insurance in the amount of $450 million, which is provided by American Nuclear Insurers ("ANI").  The remaining balance of approximately $13.5$13.3 billion of liability coverage is provided through a mandatory industry-wide retrospective premium program.  If losses at any nuclear power plant covered by the program exceed the accumulated funds, APS could be responsible for retrospective premiums.  The maximum retrospective premium per reactor under the program for each nuclear liability incident is approximately $137.6 million, subject to a maximum annual premium of approximately $20.5 million per incident.  Based on APS’s ownership interest in the 3 Palo Verde units, APS’s maximum retrospective premium per incident for all 3 units is approximately $120.1 million, with a maximum annual retrospective premium of approximately $17.9 million.    
    
The Palo Verde participants maintain insurance for property damage to, and decontamination of, property at Palo Verde in the aggregate amount of $2.8 billion.  APS has also secured accidental outage insurance for a sudden and unforeseen accidental outage of any of the 3 units.  The property damage, decontamination, and accidental outage insurance are provided by Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited

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Limited ("NEIL").  APS is subject to retrospective premium adjustments under all NEIL policies if NEIL’s losses in any policy year exceed accumulated funds. The maximum amount APS could incur under the current NEIL policies totals approximately $25.5$25.8 million for each retrospective premium assessment declared by NEIL’s Board of Directors due to losses.  In addition, NEIL policies contain rating triggers that would result in APS providing approximately $73.4$75.1 million of collateral assurance within 20 business days of a rating downgrade to non-investment grade.  The insurance coverage discussed in this and the previous paragraph is subject to certain policy conditions, sublimits and exclusions.

Contractual Obligations

During 2019 our fuel and purchased power commitments have increased from the information provided in our 2018 10-K. The increase is primarily due to new purchased power commitmentsAs of approximately $260 million. The majority of the changes relate to 2024 and thereafter.

During 2019 our coal reclamation commitments have decreased from the information provided in our 2018 10-K by approximately $100 million. The decrease is primarily due to a new coal reclamation cost study for Four Corners. The majority of the changes relate to 2024 and thereafter.

Other than the items described above,June 30, 2020, there have been no material changes as of September 30, 2019, outside the normal course of business in contractual obligations from the information provided in our 20182019 Form 10-K. See Note 3 for discussion regarding changes in our short-term and long-term debt obligations.

Superfund-Related Matters
 
The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act ("Superfund" or "CERCLA") establishes liability for the cleanup of hazardous substances found contaminating the soil, water or air.  Those who released, generated, transported to or disposed of hazardous substances at a contaminated site are among the parties who are potentially responsible ("PRPs").  PRPs may be strictly, and often are jointly and severally, liable for clean-up.  On September 3, 2003, EPA advised APS that EPA considers APS to be a PRP in the Motorola 52nd Street Superfund Site, Operable Unit 3 ("OU3") in Phoenix, Arizona.  APS has facilities that are within this Superfund site.  APS and Pinnacle West have agreed with EPA to perform certain investigative activities of the APS facilities within OU3.  In addition, on September 23, 2009, APS agreed with EPA and one other PRP to voluntarily assist with the funding and management of the site-wide groundwater remedial investigation and feasibility study ("RI/FS").  Based upon discussions between the OU3 working group parties and EPA, along with the results of recent technical analyses prepared by the OU3 working group to supplement the RI/FS for OU3, APS anticipates finalizing the RI/FS in the fall or winter of 2019.2020. We estimate that our costs related to this investigation and study will be approximately $2$3 million.  We anticipate incurring additional expenditures in the future, but because the overall investigation is not complete and ultimate remediation requirements are not yet finalized, at the present time expenditures related to this matter cannot be reasonably estimated.
 
On August 6, 2013, Roosevelt Irrigation District ("RID") filed a lawsuit in Arizona District Court against APS and 24 other defendants, alleging that RID’s groundwater wells were contaminated by the release of hazardous substances from facilities owned or operated by the defendants.  The lawsuit also alleges that, under Superfund laws, the defendants are jointly and severally liable to RID.  The allegations against APS arise out of APS’s current and former ownership of facilities in and around OU3.  As part of a state governmental investigation into groundwater contamination in this area, on January 25, 2015, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality ("ADEQ") sent a letter to APS seeking information concerning the degree to which, if any, APS’s current and former ownership of these facilities may have contributed to groundwater

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contamination in this area.  APS responded to ADEQ on May 4, 2015. On December 16, 2016, 2 RID environmental and engineering contractors filed an ancillary lawsuit for recovery of costs against APS and the other defendants in the RID litigation. That same day, another RID service provider filed an additional ancillary CERCLA lawsuit against certain of the defendants in the main RID litigation, but excluded APS and certain other parties as named defendants. Because the ancillary lawsuits concern past costs allegedly incurred by these RID vendors, which were ruled unrecoverable directly by RID in November of 2016, the additional lawsuits do not increase APS's exposure or risk related to these matters.


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On April 5, 2018, RID and the defendants in that particular litigation executed a settlement agreement, fully resolving RID's CERCLA claims concerning both past and future cost recovery. APS's share of this settlement was immaterial. In addition, the 2 environmental and engineering vendors voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit against APS and the other named defendants without prejudice. An order to this effect was entered on April 17, 2018. With this disposition of the case, the vendors may file their lawsuit again in the future. On August 16, 2019, Maricopa County, one of the three direct defendants in the service provider lawsuit, filed a third-party complaint seeking contribution for its liability, if any, from APS and 28 other third-party defendants. We are unable to predict the outcome of these matters; however, we do not expect the outcome to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
  
Environmental Matters

APS is subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations affecting many aspects of its present and future operations, including air emissions of both conventional pollutants and greenhouse gases, water quality, wastewater discharges, solid waste, hazardous waste, and coal combustion residuals ("CCRs").  These laws and regulations can change from time to time, imposing new obligations on APS resulting in increased capital, operating, and other costs.  Associated capital expenditures or operating costs could be material.  APS intends to seek recovery of any such environmental compliance costs through our rates, but cannot predict whether it will obtain such recovery.  The following proposed and final rules involve material compliance costs to APS.
 
Regional Haze Rules. APS has received the final rulemaking imposing new pollution control requirements on Four Corners andCorners. EPA required the Navajo Plant. EPA will require these plantsplant to install pollution control equipment that constitutes best available retrofit technology ("BART") to lessen the impacts of emissions on visibility surrounding the plants.plant. In addition, EPA issued a final rule for Regional Haze compliance at Cholla that does not involve the installation of new pollution controls and that will replace an earlier BART determination for this facility. See below for details of the Cholla BART approval.

Four Corners. Based on EPA’s final standards, APS's 63% share of the cost of required controls for Four Corners Units 4 and 5 iswas approximately $400 million, which has been incurred.  In addition, APS and El Paso Electric Company ("El Paso") entered into an asset purchase agreement providing for the purchase by APS, or an affiliate of APS, of El Paso's 7% interest in Four Corners Units 4 and 5. 4CA purchased the El Paso interest on July 6, 2016. Navajo Transitional Energy Company, LLC ("NTEC") purchased the interest from 4CA on July 3, 2018. See "Four Corners - 4CA Matter" below for a discussion of the NTEC purchase. The cost of the pollution controls related to the 7% interest is approximately $45 million, which was assumed by NTEC through its purchase of the 7% interest.

Navajo Plant. APS estimates that its share of costs for upgrades at the Navajo Plant, based on EPA’s Federal Implementation Plan ("FIP"), could be up to approximately $200 million; however, given the future plans for the Navajo Plant, we do not expect to incur these costs.  See "Navajo Plant" in Note 4 for information regarding future plans for the Navajo Plant and details related to the resulting regulatory asset.

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Cholla. APS believed that EPA’s original 2012 final rule establishing controls constituting BART for Cholla, which would require installation of SCR controls, was unsupported and that EPA had no basis for disapproving Arizona’s State Implementation Plan ("SIP") and promulgating a FIP that was inconsistent with the state’s considered BART determinations under the regional haze program.  In September 2014, APS met with EPA to propose a compromise BART strategy, whereby APS would permanently close Cholla Unit 2 and cease burning coal at Units 1 and 3 by the mid-2020s. (See "Cholla" in Note 4 for information regarding future plans for the Cholla plant and details related to the resulting regulatory asset.) APS made the proposal with the understanding that additional emission control equipment is unlikely to be required in the future because retiring and/or converting the units as contemplated in the proposal is more cost effective than, and will result in increased visibility improvement over, the BART requirements for oxides of nitrogen ("NOx") imposed through EPA's BART FIP. In early 2017, EPA approved a final rule incorporating APS's compromise proposal, which took effect for Cholla on April 26, 2017.

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Coal Combustion Waste. On December 19, 2014, EPA issued its final regulations governing the handling and disposal of CCR, such as fly ash and bottom ash. The rule regulates CCR as a non-hazardous waste under Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA") and establishes national minimum criteria for existing and new CCR landfills and surface impoundments and all lateral expansions consisting ofexpansions. These criteria include standards governing location restrictions, design and operating criteria, groundwater monitoring and corrective action, closure requirements and post closure care, and recordkeeping, notification, and internet posting requirements. The rule generally requires any existing unlined CCR surface impoundment that is contaminating groundwater above a regulated constituent’s groundwater protection standard to stop receiving CCR and either retrofit or close, and further requires the closure of any CCR landfill or surface impoundment that cannot meet the applicable performance criteria for location restrictions or structural integrity. Such closure requirements are deemed "forced closure" or "closure for cause" of unlined surface impoundments, and are the subject of recent regulatory and judicial activities described below.
On December 16, 2016, President Obama signedSince these regulations were finalized, EPA has taken steps to substantially modify the federal rules governing CCR disposal. While certain changes have been prompted by utility industry petitions, others have resulted from judicial review, court-approved settlements with environmental groups, and statutory changes to RCRA. The following lists the pending regulatory changes that, if finalized, could have a material impact as to how APS manages CCR at its coal-fired power plants:

Following the passage of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation ("WIIN") Act into law, which contains a number of provisions requiringin 2016, EPA to modify the self-implementing provisions of the Agency's current CCR rules under Subtitle D. Such modifications include new EPApossesses authority to directly enforce theeither authorize states to develop their own permit programs for CCR rules through the use of administrative orders and providing states, like Arizona, where the Cholla facility is located, the option of developingmanagement or issue federal permits governing CCR disposal unit permitting programs, subject to EPA approval. For facilitiesboth in states that do not develop state-specific permittingwithout their own permit programs EPA is requiredand on tribal lands. Although ADEQ has taken steps to develop a federal permit program, pending the availability of congressional appropriations. By contrast, for facilities located within the boundaries of Native American tribal reservations, such as the Navajo Nation, where the Navajo Plant and Four Corners facilities are located, EPA is required to develop a federal permit program regardless of appropriated funds.

ADEQ has initiated a process to evaluate how to develop a state CCR permitting program, it is not clear when that would cover electric generating units ("EGUs"), including Cholla. While APS has been working with ADEQ on the development of this program we are unable to predict when Arizona will be able to finalize and secureput into effect. On December 19, 2019, EPA approval for a state-specific CCR permitting program. With respect toproposed its own set of regulations governing the Navajo Nation, APS has sought clarification as to when and how EPA would be initiating permit proceedings for facilities on the reservation, including Four Corners. We are unable to predict at this time when EPA will be issuingissuance of CCR management permits for the facilities on the Navajo Nation. At this time, it remains unclear how the CCR provisions of the WIIN Act will affect APS and its management of CCR.permits.

Based upon utility industry petitions for EPA to reconsider the RCRA Subtitle D regulations for CCR, which were premised in part on the CCR provisions of the 2016 WIIN Act, on September 13, 2017 EPA agreed

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to evaluate whether to revise these federal CCR regulations. On July 17, 2018, EPA finalized a revision to its RCRA Subtitle D regulations for CCR, the "Phase I, Part I" revision to its CCR regulations, deferring for future action a number of other proposed changes contemplated in a March 1, 2018, proposal. For the final rule issued on July 17, 2018,as a result of a settlement with certain environmental groups, EPA established nationwide health-based standards for certain constituents of CCR subjectproposed adding boron to groundwater corrective action and delayed the closure deadlines for certain unlined CCR surface impoundments by 18 months (for example, those disposal units required to undergo forced closure). These changes to the federal regulations governing CCR disposal are unlikely to have a material impact on APS. As for those aspects of the March 2018 rulemaking proposal for which EPA has yet to take final action, it remains unclear which specific provisions of the federal CCR rules will ultimately be modified, how they will be modified, or when such modification will occur.

Pursuant to a June 24, 2016 order by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in the litigation by industry- and environmental-groups challenging EPA’s CCR regulations, EPA is required to complete a rulemaking proceeding in the near future concerning whether or not boron must be included on the list of groundwater constituents that might trigger corrective action under EPA’srequirements to remediate groundwater impacted by CCR rules.  Simultaneously with the issuance of EPA's proposed modifications to the federal CCR rules in response to industry petitions,disposal activities. Apart from a subsequent proposal issued on March 1, 2018, EPA issued a proposed rule seeking comment as to whether or not boron should be included on this list. On August 14, 2019 EPA modified its boron proposal to includeadd a specific, health-based groundwater protection standard for boron. These proposals remain pending, andboron, EPA is not requiredhas yet to take final action including boron among the list of constituents that will determine CCR corrective actions.  Should EPA take final action adding boron to the list of groundwater constituents that might trigger corrective action, any resulting corrective action measures may increase APS's costs of compliance with the CCR rule at our coal-fired generating facilities.  Aton this time APS cannot predict the eventual results of this rulemaking proceeding concerning boron.proposal.

OnBased on an August 21, 2018 the D.C. Circuit Court issued its decision, on the merits of the industry- and environmental-group litigation challenging the federal CCR regulations. The Court upheld the legality of EPA’s CCR regulations, though it vacated and remanded back to EPA a number of specific provisions, which are to be corrected in accordance with the Court’s order. Among the issues affecting APS’s management of CCR, the D.C. Circuit’s decision vacated and remanded those provisions of the EPA CCR regulations that allow for the operation of unlined CCR surface impoundments, even where those unlined impoundments have not otherwise violated a regulatory location restriction or groundwater protection standard (i.e., otherwise triggering forced closure).

BasedEPA recently proposed corresponding changes to federal CCR regulations. On July 29, 2020, EPA took final action on this decision, on December 17, 2018, certain environmental groups filed an emergency motion withnew regulations establishing April 11, 2021 as the D.C. Circuit to either stay or summarily vacate EPA's July 17, 2018 final rule extending the closure-initiation deadline for certain unlined CCR surface impoundments until October 2020. In response, EPA filed a motion to remand but not vacate that deadline extension regulation. On March 13, 2019, the Court issued its ruling on the pending motions concerning the October 2020 deadline for closure initiation and granted remand without vacatur. This ruling allows the current October 2020 deadline to remain in effect while EPA completes a rulemaking to revise or reaffirm this deadline in accordance with the August 2018 D.C. Circuit decision concerninginitiating the closure of unlined CCR surface impoundments.

On November 4, 2019, EPA issued aalso proposed rule responding to change the manner by which facilities that have committed to cease burning coal in the near-term may qualify for alternative closure. Such qualification would allow CCR disposal units at these plants to continue operating, even though they would otherwise be subject to forced closure under the federal CCR regulations. EPA's July 29, 2020 final regulation adopted this litigation that contemplatesproposal and now requires explicit EPA approval for facilities to utilize an August 2020alternative closure initiation deadlinedeadline.

We cannot at this time predict the outcome of these regulatory proceedings or when the EPA will take final action. Depending on the eventual outcome, the costs associated with an optional three-month extension as needed for the completionAPS’s management of alternative disposal capacity.CCR could materially increase, which could affect APS’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

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APS currently disposes of CCR in ash ponds and dry storage areas at Cholla and Four Corners. APS estimates that its share of incremental costs to comply with the CCR rule for Four Corners is approximately $22 million and its share of incremental costs to comply with the CCR rule for Cholla is approximately $15 million. The Navajo Plant currently disposesdisposed of CCR only in a dry landfill storage area. To comply with the CCR

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rule for the Navajo Plant, APS's share of incremental costs iswas approximately $1 million, which has been incurred. Additionally, the CCR rule requires ongoing, phased groundwater monitoring. By October 17, 2017, electric utility companies that own or operate CCR disposal units, such as APS, must have collected sufficient groundwater sampling data to initiate a detection monitoring program.  To the extent that certain threshold constituents are identified through this initial detection monitoring at levels above the CCR rule’s standards, the rule required the initiation of an assessment monitoring program by April 15, 2018. 

As of October 2018, APS has completed the statistical analyses for its CCR disposal units that triggered assessment monitoring. APS determined that several of its CCR disposal units at Cholla and Four Corners will need to undergo corrective action. In addition, under the current regulations, all such disposal units must cease operating and initiate closure by October of31, 2020. APS currently estimates that the additional incremental costs to complete this corrective action and closure work, along with the costs to develop replacement CCR disposal capacity, could be approximately $5 million for both Cholla and Four Corners. APS initiated an assessment of corrective measures on January 14, 2019 and APS predictsexpects such assessment will continue through early 2020. Duringmid- to late-2020. As part of this assessment, APS willcontinues to gather additional groundwater data and perform remedial evaluations as to the CCR disposal units at Cholla and Four Corners undergoing corrective action. In addition, APS will solicit input from the public, host public hearings, and select remedies. As such,remedies as part of this $5process. Based on the work performed to date, APS currently estimates that its share of corrective action and monitoring costs at Four Corners will likely range from $10 million to $15 million, which would be incurred over 30 years. The analysis needed to perform a similar cost estimate may change based upon APS’s performance offor Cholla remains ongoing at this time. As APS continues to implement the CCR rule’s corrective action assessment process.process, the current cost estimates may change. Given uncertainties that may exist until we have fully completed the corrective action assessment process, we cannot predict any ultimate impacts to the Company; however, at this time we do not believe the cost estimates for Cholla and any potential change to the cost estimate for Four Corners would have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Clean Power Plan/Affordable Clean Energy Regulations. On June 19, 2019, EPA took final action on its proposals to repeal EPA's 2015 Clean Power Plan (“CPP”) and replace those regulations with a new rule, the Affordable Clean Energy (“ACE”) regulations. EPA originally finalized the CPP on August 3, 2015, and those regulations had been stayed pending judicial review.

The ACE regulations are based upon measures that can be implemented to improve the heat rate of steam-electric power plants, specifically coal-fired EGUs. In contrast with the CPP, EPA's ACE regulations would not involve utility-level generation dispatch shifting away from coal-fired generation and toward renewable energy resources and natural gas-fired combined cycle power plants. EPA’s ACE regulations provide states and EPA regions such as the Navajo Nation with three years to develop plans establishing source-specific standards of performance based upon application of the ACE rule’s heat-rate improvement emission guidelines. While corresponding New Source Review (“NSR”) reform regulations were proposed as part of EPA’s initial ACE proposal, the finalized ACE regulations did not include such reform measures. EPA announced that it will be taking final action on EPA's NSR reform proposal for EGUs in the near future.

We cannot at this time predict the outcome of EPA's regulatory actions repealing and replacing the CPP. Various state governments, industry organizations, and environmental and public-health public interest groups have filed lawsuits in the D.C. Circuit challenging the legality of EPA’s action, both in repealing the CPP and issuing the ACE regulations. In addition, to the extent that the ACE regulations go into effect as finalized, it is not yet clear how the state of Arizona or EPA will implement these regulations as applied to APS’s coal-fired EGUs. In light of these uncertainties, APS is still evaluating the impact of the ACE regulations on its coal-fired generation fleet.

Other environmental rules that could involve material compliance costs include those related to effluent limitations, the ozone national ambient air quality standard and other rules or matters involving the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, RCRA, Superfund, the Navajo Nation, and water

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supplies for our power plants.  The financial impact of complying with current and future environmental rules could jeopardize the economic viability of our coal plants or the willingness or ability of power plant

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participants to fund any required equipment upgrades or continue their participation in these plants.  The economics of continuing to own certain resources, particularly our coal plants, may deteriorate, warranting early retirement of those plants, which may result in asset impairments.  APS would seek recovery in rates for the book value of any remaining investments in the plants as well as other costs related to early retirement, but cannot predict whether it would obtain such recovery.
  
Federal Agency Environmental Lawsuit Related to Four Corners

On April 20, 2016, several environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement ("OSM") and other federal agencies in the District of Arizona in connection with their issuance of the approvals that extended the life of Four Corners and the adjacent mine.  The lawsuit alleges that these federal agencies violated both the Endangered Species Act ("ESA") and the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA") in providing the federal approvals necessary to extend operations at the Four Corners Power Plant and the adjacent Navajo Mine past July 6, 2016.  APS filed a motion to intervene in the proceedings, which was granted on August 3, 2016.

On September 15, 2016, NTEC, the company that owns the adjacent mine, filed a motion to intervene for the purpose of dismissing the lawsuit based on NTEC's tribal sovereign immunity. On September 11, 2017, the Arizona District Court issued an order granting NTEC's motion, dismissing the litigation with prejudice, and terminating the proceedings. On November 9, 2017, the environmental group plaintiffs appealed the district court order dismissing their lawsuit. On July 29, 2019, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the September 2017 dismissal of the lawsuit, after which the environmental group plaintiffs petitioned the Ninth Circuit for rehearing on September 12, 2019. We cannot predictThe Ninth Circuit denied this petition for rehearing on December 11, 2019. On March 24 , 2020, the outcomeenvironmental group plaintiffs filed a Petition for a Writ of anyCertiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of the Ninth Circuit decision. This petition was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 29, 2020. No further proceedings.legal proceedings related to this matter are expected at this time.

Four Corners National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES") Permit

On July 16, 2018, several environmental groups filed a petition for review before the EPA Environmental Appeals Board ("EAB") concerning the NPDES wastewater discharge permit for Four Corners, which was reissued on June 12, 2018.  The environmental groups allege that the permit was reissued in contravention of several requirements under the Clean Water Act and did not contain required provisions concerning EPA’s 2015 revised effluent limitation guidelines for steam-electric EGUs, 2014 existing-source regulations governing cooling-water intake structures, and effluent limits for surface seepage and subsurface discharges from coal-ash disposal facilities.  To address certain of these issues through a reconsidered permit, EPA took action on December 19, 2018 to withdraw the NPDES permit reissued in June 2018. Withdrawal of the permit moots the EAB appeal, and EPA filed a motion to dismiss on that basis. The EAB thereafter dismissed the environmental group appeal on February 12, 2019. EPA then issued thea revised final NPDES permit for Four Corners on September 30, 2019. This permit is now subject to a petition for review before the EPA Environmental Appeals Board,EAB, based upon a November 1, 2019 filing by several environmental groups. Oral argument on this appeal has been scheduled for September 3, 2020. We cannot predict the outcome of this review and whether the review will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
    

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Four Corners - 4CA Matter

On July 6, 2016, 4CA purchased El Paso’s 7% interest in Four Corners. NTEC had the option to purchase thepurchased this 7% interest and ultimately purchased the interest on July 3, 2018.2018 from 4CA. NTEC purchased the 7% interest at 4CA’s book value, approximately $70 million, and is paying 4CA the purchase price over a period of four years pursuant to a secured interest-bearing promissory note. The note is secured by a portion of APS’s payments to be owed to NTEC under the 2016 Coal Supply Agreement. As of June 30, 2020, the note has a remaining balance of $39 million. NTEC continues to make payments in accordance with the terms of the note. Due to its short-remaining term, among other factors, there are no expected credit losses associated with the note.
In connection with the sale, Pinnacle West guaranteed certain obligations that NTEC will have to the other owners of Four Corners, such as NTEC's 7% share of capital expenditures and operating and maintenance expenses. Pinnacle West's guarantee is secured by a portion of APS's payments to be owed to NTEC under the 2016 Coal Supply Agreement.
The 2016 Coal Supply Agreement contained alternate pricing terms for the 7% interest in the event NTEC did not purchase the interest. Until the time that NTEC purchased the 7% interest, the alternate pricing provisions were applicable to 4CA as the holder of the 7% interest. These terms included a formula under which NTEC must make certain payments to 4CA for reimbursement of operations and maintenance costs and a specified rate of return, offset by revenue generated by 4CA’s power sales. Such payments are due to 4CA at the end of each calendar year. A $10 million payment was due to 4CA at December 31, 2017, which NTEC satisfied by directing to 4CA a prepayment from APS of a portion of a future mine reclamation obligation. The balance of the amount under this formula due December 31, 2018 for calendar year 2017 was approximately $20 million, which was paid to 4CA on December 14, 2018. The balance of the amount under this formula for calendar year 2018 (up to the date that NTEC purchased the 7% interest) iswas approximately $10 million, which iswas due to 4CA aton December 31, 2019. Such payment was satisfied in January 2020 by NTEC directing to 4CA a prepayment from APS of future coal payment obligations of which the prepayment has been fully utilized as of June 2020.
Financial Assurances

In the normal course of business, we obtain standby letters of credit and surety bonds from financial institutions and other third parties. These instruments guarantee our own future performance and provide third parties with financial and performance assurance in the event we do not perform. These instruments support commodity contract collateral obligations and other transactions. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, standby letters of credit totaled $1.7$4.9 million and will expire in 2020.2021. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, surety bonds expiring through 20202021 totaled $14$16 million. The underlying liabilities insured by these instruments are reflected on our balance sheets, where applicable. Therefore, no additional liability is reflected for the letters of credit and surety bonds themselves.
 
We enter into agreements that include indemnification provisions relating to liabilities arising from or related to certain of our agreements.  Most significantly, APS has agreed to indemnify the equity participants and other parties in the Palo Verde sale leaseback transactions with respect to certain tax matters.  Generally, a maximum obligation is not explicitly stated in the indemnification provisions and, therefore, the overall maximum amount of the obligation under such indemnification provisions cannot be reasonably estimated.  Based on historical experience and evaluation of the specific indemnities, we do not believe that any material loss related to such indemnification provisions is likely.
 
Pinnacle West has issued parental guarantees and has provided indemnification under certain surety bonds for APS which were not material at SeptemberJune 30, 2019.2020. In connection with the sale of 4CA's 7% interest to NTEC, Pinnacle West is guaranteeing certain obligations that NTEC will have to the other owners of Four Corners. (See "Four Corners - 4CA Matter" above for information related to this guarantee.) Pinnacle West has not needed to perform under this guarantee. A maximum obligation is not explicitly stated in the guarantee and, therefore, the overall maximum amount of the obligation under such guarantee cannot be reasonably estimated; however, we consider the fair value of this guarantee to be immaterial.

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estimated; however, we consider the fair value of this guarantee, including expected credit losses, to be immaterial.
In connection with BCE’s acquisition of minority ownership positions in the Clear Creek and Nobles 2 wind farms, Pinnacle West has issued parental guarantees to guarantee the obligations of BCE subsidiaries to make required equity contributions to fund project construction (the “Equity Contribution Guarantees”) and to make production tax credit funding payments to borrowers of the projects (the “PTC Guarantees”).  The amounts guaranteed by Pinnacle West reduce as payments are made under the respective guarantee agreements.  The Equity Contribution Guarantees are currently anticipated to be terminated upon completion of construction of the respective projects, which is anticipated to occur prior to December 31, 2020, and the PTC Guarantees (approximately $40 million as of June 30, 2020) are currently expected to be terminated ten years following the commercial operation date of the applicable project.

9.
Other Income and Other Expense
 
The following table provides detail of Pinnacle West's Consolidated other income and other expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
2019 2018 2019 20182020 2019 2020 2019
Other income: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Interest income$2,694
 $1,957
 $7,695
 $6,256
$2,755
 $2,699
 $6,032
 $5,001
Debt return on Four Corners SCR (Note 4)4,920

4,910
 14,651
 11,190
Investment gains (losses) - net2,826
 
 2,826
 
Debt return on Four Corners SCR deferrals (Note 4)4,249

4,887
 7,389
 9,731
Debt return on Ocotillo modernization project (Note 4)7,555
 
 12,849
 
6,703
 5,294
 12,847
 5,294
Miscellaneous22
 91
 50
 95
137
 5
 145
 28
Total other income$15,191
 $6,958
 $35,245
 $17,541
$16,670
 $12,885
 $29,239
 $20,054
Other expense: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Non-operating costs$(2,647) $(2,480) $(8,832) $(7,404)$(2,290) $(3,481) $(4,948) $(6,185)
Investment losses — net(716) 
 (1,445) (268)
Investment gains (losses) — net
 (491) 60
 (729)
Miscellaneous(2,377) (2,583) (4,171) (4,391)(1,746) (378) (3,932) (1,794)
Total other expense$(5,740) $(5,063) $(14,448) $(12,063)$(4,036) $(4,350) $(8,820) $(8,708)

 
The following table provides detail of APS’s other income and other expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (dollars in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Other income: 
  
  
  
Interest income$2,037
 $1,151
 $5,091
 $4,874
Debt return on Four Corners SCR (Note 4)4,920

4,910
 14,651

11,190
Debt return on Ocotillo modernization project (Note 4)7,555
 
 12,849
 
Miscellaneous22
 92
 50
 96
Total other income$14,534
 $6,153
 $32,641
 $16,160
Other expense: 
  
  
  
Non-operating costs$(2,448) $(2,334) $(7,965) $(6,931)
Miscellaneous(378) (1,027) (2,167) (2,748)
Total other expense$(2,826) $(3,361) $(10,132) $(9,679)




COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table provides detail of APS’s other income and other expense (dollars in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
Other income: 
  
  
  
Interest income$2,183
 $1,504
 $4,524
 $3,054
Debt return on Four Corners SCR deferrals (Note 4)4,249
 4,887
 7,389

9,731
Debt return on Ocotillo modernization project (Note 4)6,703
 5,294
 12,847
 5,294
Miscellaneous137
 6
 145
 28
Total other income$13,272
 $11,691
 $24,905
 $18,107
Other expense: 
  
  
  
Non-operating costs$(2,113) $(3,049) $(4,595) $(5,517)
Miscellaneous(1,746) (379) (3,932) (1,789)
Total other expense$(3,859) $(3,428) $(8,527) $(7,306)


10.
Earnings Per Share
 
The following table presents the calculation of Pinnacle West’s basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Three Months Ended 
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2019 2018 2019 20182020 2019 2020 2019
Net income attributable to common shareholders$312,276
 $315,012
 $474,339
 $484,971
$193,585
 $144,145
 $223,578
 $162,063
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic112,463
 112,148
 112,408
 112,094
112,638
 112,337
 112,616
 112,381
Net effect of dilutive securities:              
Contingently issuable performance shares and restricted stock units283
 385
 331
 405
241
 314
 255
 353
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted112,746
 112,533
 112,739
 112,499
112,879
 112,651
 112,871
 112,734
Earnings per weighted-average common share outstanding              
Net income attributable to common shareholders — basic$2.78
 $2.81
 $4.22
 $4.33
$1.72
 $1.28
 $1.99
 $1.44
Net income attributable to common shareholders — diluted$2.77
 $2.80
 $4.21
 $4.31
$1.71
 $1.28
 $1.98
 $1.44


11.
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 — UnadjustedInputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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 trustNuclear 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 78 in the 20182019 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 — 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

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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.
 

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

When the unobservable portion is significant to the overall valuation of the transaction, the entire transaction is classified as Level 3. Our classification of instruments as Level 3 is primarily reflective of the long-term nature of our energy transactions.
Our energy risk management committee, consisting of officers and key management personnel, oversees our energy risk management activities to ensure compliance with our stated energy risk management policies.  We have a risk control function that is responsible for valuing our derivative commodity instruments in accordance with established policies and procedures.  The risk control function reports to the chief financial officer.
 
Investments Held in Nuclear Decommissioning TrustTrusts and Other Special Use Funds
 
The nuclear decommissioning trustNuclear 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.


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Equity Securities

The nuclear decommissioning trust'sNuclear Decommissioning Trusts's 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

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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 trustNuclear 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.



COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Fair Value Tables
 
The following table presents the fair value at SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 of our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (dollars in thousands):
 
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other   TotalLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other   Total
Assets 
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
    
Risk management activities — derivative instruments:                  
Commodity contracts$
 $1,388
 $388
 $(959) (a) $817
$
 $3,165
 $365
 $(2,790) (a) $740
Nuclear decommissioning trust:                  
Equity securities8,774
 
 
 (1,322) (b) 7,452
15,985
 
 
 (6,130) (b) 9,855
U.S. commingled equity funds
 
 
 476,693
 (c) 476,693

 
 
 502,251
 (c) 502,251
U.S. Treasury debt162,092
 
 
 
   162,092
143,673
 
 
 
   143,673
Corporate debt
 124,026
 
 
   124,026

 149,672
 
 
   149,672
Mortgage-backed securities
 112,704
 
 
   112,704

 99,407
 
 
   99,407
Municipal bonds
 74,202
 
 
   74,202

 106,971
 
 
   106,971
Other fixed income
 10,504
 
 
   10,504

 12,204
 
 
   12,204
Subtotal nuclear decommissioning trust170,866
 321,436
 
 475,371
 967,673
159,658
 368,254
 
 496,121
 1,024,033
                  
Other special use funds:                  
Equity securities1,982
 
 
 1,418
 (b) 3,400
8,955
 
 
 526
 (b) 9,481
U.S. Treasury debt232,165
 
 
 
 
 232,165
229,858
 
 
 
 
 229,858
Municipal bonds
 8,417
 
 
 8,417

 13,993
 
 
 13,993
Subtotal other special use funds234,147
 8,417
 
 1,418
 243,982
238,813
 13,993
 
 526
 253,332
                  
Total assets$405,013
 $331,241
 $388
 $475,830
 $1,212,472
$398,471
 $385,412
 $365
 $493,857
 $1,278,105
Liabilities 
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
    
Risk management activities — derivative instruments: 
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
    
Commodity contracts$
 $(69,752) $(1,982) $80
 (a) $(71,654)$
 $(61,974) $(10,617) $1,605
 (a) $(70,986)

(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.



COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table presents the fair value at December 31, 20182019 of our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (dollars in thousands):
 
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other   TotalLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other   Total
Assets 
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
    
Cash equivalents$1,200
 $
 $
 $
 $1,200
Risk management activities — derivative instruments:                  
Commodity contracts
 3,140
 2
 (2,029) (a) 1,113
$
 $551
 $33
 $(69) (a) $515
Nuclear decommissioning trust: 
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
    
Equity securities5,203
 
 
 2,148
 (b) 7,351
10,872
 
 
 2,401
 (b) 13,273
U.S. commingled equity funds
 
 
 396,805
 (c) 396,805

 
 
 518,844
 (c) 518,844
U.S. Treasury debt148,173
 
 
 
 148,173
160,607
 
 
 
 160,607
Corporate debt
 96,656
 
 
   96,656

 115,869
 
 
   115,869
Mortgage-backed securities
 113,115
 
 
   113,115

 118,795
 
 
   118,795
Municipal bonds
 79,073
 
 
   79,073

 73,040
 
 
   73,040
Other fixed income
 9,961
 
 
   9,961

 10,347
 
 
   10,347
Subtotal nuclear decommissioning trust153,376
 298,805
 
 398,953
 851,134
171,479
 318,051
 
 521,245
 1,010,775
                  
Other special use funds:                  
Equity securities45,130
 
 
 593
 (b) 45,723
7,142
 
 
 474
 (b) 7,616
U.S. Treasury debt173,310
 
 
 
 173,310
232,848
 
 
 
 232,848
Municipal bonds
 17,068
 
 
 17,068

 4,631
 
 
 4,631
Subtotal other special use funds218,440
 17,068
 
 593
 236,101
239,990
 4,631
 
 474
 245,095
                  
Total assets$373,016
 $319,013
 $2
 $397,517
 $1,089,548
$411,469
 $323,233
 $33
 $521,650
 $1,256,385
Liabilities 
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
    
Risk management activities — derivative instruments: 
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
    
Commodity contracts$
 $(52,696) $(8,216) $875
 (a) $(60,037)$
 $(67,992) $(3,429) $(711) (a) $(72,132)

(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.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

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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 September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
 September 30, 2019
Fair Value (thousands)
 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input   Weighted-Average
Commodity ContractsAssets Liabilities   Range 
Electricity: 
  
        
Forward Contracts (a)$388
 $489
 Discounted cash flows Electricity forward price (per MWh) $17.79 - $17.79 $17.79
Natural Gas: 
  
        
Forward Contracts (a)
 1,493
 Discounted cash flows Natural gas forward price (per MMBtu) $2.53 - $2.79 $2.64
Total$388
 $1,982
        

(a)Includes swaps and physical and financial contracts.

 December 31, 2018
Fair Value (thousands)
 Valuation Technique Significant Unobservable Input   Weighted-Average
Commodity ContractsAssets Liabilities   Range 
Electricity: 
  
        
Forward Contracts (a)$
 $2,456
 Discounted cash flows Electricity forward price (per MWh) $17.88 - $37.03 $26.10
Natural Gas: 
  
        
Forward Contracts (a)2
 5,760
 Discounted cash flows Natural gas forward price (per MMBtu) $1.79 - $2.92 $2.48
Total$2
 $8,216
        

(a)Includes swaps and physical and financial contracts.

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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 and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (dollars in thousands):
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Commodity Contracts 2019 2018 2019 2018
Net derivative balance at beginning of period $(12,753) $(9,358) $(8,214) $(18,256)
Total net gains (losses) realized/unrealized:  
  
    
Deferred as a regulatory asset or liability (2,324) 1,244
 (12,634) (2,067)
Settlements 8,980
 (2,332) 11,929
 (1,056)
Transfers into Level 3 from Level 2 (613) (2,246) (3,711) (7,225)
Transfers from Level 3 into Level 2 5,116
 2,829
 11,036
 18,741
Net derivative balance at end of period $(1,594) $(9,863) $(1,594) $(9,863)
         
Net unrealized gains included in earnings related to instruments still held at end of period $
 $
 $
 $


Transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy shown in the table above reflect the fair market value at the beginning of the period and are triggered by a change in the lowest significant input as of the end of the period.  We had no significant Level 1 transfers to or from any other hierarchy level.  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. The NTEC note receivable related to the sale of 4CA’s interest in Four Corners bears interest at 3.9% per annum and has a book value of $49$39 million as of SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and $61$44 million as of December 31, 20182019, as presented on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The carrying amount is not materially different from the fair value of the note receivable and is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  See Note 8 for more information on 4CA matters.

12.
Investments in Nuclear Decommissioning TrustTrusts and Other Special Use Funds
 
We have investments in debt and equity securities held in nuclear decommissioning trust, coal reclamation escrow account,Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts, Coal Mine Reclamation Escrow Account, and an active union employee medical account.Active Union Employee Medical Account. Investments in debt securities are classified as available-for-sale securities. We record both debt and equity security investments at their fair value on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 11 for a discussion of how fair value is determined and the classification of the investments within the fair value hierarchy. The investments in each trust or account are restricted for use and are intended to fund specified costs and activities as further described for each fund below.

Nuclear Decommissioning TrustTrusts - ToAPS established external decommissioning trusts in accordance with NRC regulations to fund the future costs APS expects to incur to decommission Palo Verde, APS established an external decommissioning trust in accordance with NRC regulations.Verde.  Third-party investment managers are authorized to buy and sell securities per stated investment guidelines.  The trust funds are invested in fixed income securities and equity securities. Earnings and proceeds from sales and maturities of securities are reinvested in the trust.trusts. Because of the ability of APS to recover decommissioning

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

costs in rates, and in accordance with the regulatory treatment, APS has deferred realized and unrealized gains and losses (including other-than-temporary impairments)credit losses) in other regulatory liabilities.
 
Coal Mine Reclamation Escrow Account - APS has investments restricted for the future coal mine reclamation funding related to Four Corners. This escrow account is primarily invested in fixed income securities. Earnings and proceeds from sales of securities are reinvested in the escrow account. Because of the ability of APS to recover coal mine reclamation costs in rates, and in accordance with the regulatory treatment, APS has deferred realized and unrealized gains and losses (including other-than-temporary impairments)credit losses) in other regulatory liabilities. Activities relating to APS coal mine reclamation escrow account investments are included within the other special use funds in the table below.

Active Union Employee Medical Account - APS has investments restricted for paying active union employee medical costs. These investments were transferred from APS other postretirement benefit trust assets into the active union employee medical trust in January 2018 (see Note 7 in the 2018 Form 10-K). These investments may be used to pay active union employee medical costs incurred in the current and future periods. In August 2019, the Company was reimbursed $15 million for prior year active union employee medical claims from the active union employee medical account. The account is invested primarily in fixed income securities. In accordance with the ratemaking treatment, APS has deferred the unrealized gains and losses (including other-than-temporary impairments)credit losses) in other regulatory assets.liabilities. Activities relating to active union employee medical account investments are included within the other special use funds in the table below.


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

APS

The following tables present the unrealized gains and losses based on the original cost of the investment and summarizes the fair value of APS's nuclear decommissioning trustNuclear Decommissioning Trusts and other special use fund assets at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):  
September 30, 2019June 30, 2020
Fair Value 
Total
Unrealized
Gains
 
Total
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value 
Total
Unrealized
Gains
 
Total
Unrealized
Losses
Investment Type:Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Other Special Use Funds Total Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Other Special Use Funds Total 
Equity securities$485,467
 $1,982
 $487,449
 $297,032
 $
$518,236
 $8,955
 $527,191
 $316,494
 $(58)
Available for sale-fixed income securities483,528
 240,582
 724,110
(a)28,750
 (476)511,927
 243,851
 755,778
(a)49,693
 (524)
Other(1,322) 1,418
 96
(b)
 
(6,130) 526
 (5,604)(b)
 
Total$967,673
 $243,982
 $1,211,655
 $325,782
 $(476)$1,024,033
 $253,332
 $1,277,365
 $366,187
 $(582)

(a)As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, the amortized cost basis of these available-for-sale investments is $696$707 million.
(b)Represents net pending securities sales and purchases.

December 31, 2018December 31, 2019
Fair Value 
Total
Unrealized
Gains
 
Total
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value 
Total
Unrealized
Gains
 
Total
Unrealized
Losses
Investment Type:Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Other Special Use Funds Total Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Other Special Use Funds Total 
Equity securities$402,008
 $45,130
 $447,138
 $222,147
 $(459)$529,716
 $7,142
 $536,858
 $337,681
 $
Available for sale-fixed income securities446,978
 190,378
 637,356
(a)8,634
 (6,778)478,658
 237,479
 716,137
(a)25,795
 (669)
Other2,148
 593
 2,741
(b)
 
2,401
 474
 2,875
(b)
 
Total$851,134
 $236,101
 $1,087,235
 $230,781
 $(7,237)$1,010,775
 $245,095
 $1,255,870
 $363,476
 $(669)

(a)As of December 31, 2018,2019, the amortized cost basis of these available-for-sale investments is $635$691 million.
(b)Represents net pending securities sales and purchases.

    

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table sets forth APS's realized gains and losses relating to the sale and maturity of available-for-sale debt securities and equity securities, and the proceeds from the sale and maturity of these investment securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (dollars in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended June 30,
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Other Special Use Funds TotalNuclear Decommissioning Trusts Other Special Use Funds Total
2020     
Realized gains$4,500
 $
 $4,500
Realized losses(1,621) 
 (1,621)
Proceeds from the sale of securities (a)176,942
 19,830
 196,772
2019          
Realized gains$4,732
 $4
 $4,736
$2,643
 $
 $2,643
Realized losses(2,360) 
 (2,360)(1,700) 
 (1,700)
Proceeds from the sale of securities (a)155,386
 56,255
 211,641
93,559
 36,747
 130,306
2018     
Realized gains$653
 $
 $653
Realized losses(1,965) 
 (1,965)
Proceeds from the sale of securities (a)148,150
 25,127
 173,277

(a)Proceeds are reinvested in the nuclear decommissioning trustNuclear Decommissioning Trusts and coal reclamation escrowother special use funds, excluding amounts reimbursed to the Company for active union employee medical claims from the active union employee medical account.

 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Other Special Use Funds Total
2019     
Realized gains$8,478
 $4
 $8,482
Realized losses(5,465) 
 (5,465)
Proceeds from the sale of securities (a)371,538
 149,458
 520,996
2018     
Realized gains$2,951
 $1
 $2,952
Realized losses(6,990) 
 (6,990)
Proceeds from the sale of securities (a)401,396
 41,644
 443,040

 Six Months Ended June 30,
 Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts Other Special Use Funds Total
2020     
Realized gains$7,813
 $
 $7,813
Realized losses(3,848) 
 (3,848)
Proceeds from the sale of securities (a)355,138
 36,721
 391,859
2019     
Realized gains$3,746
 $
 $3,746
Realized losses(3,105) 
 (3,105)
Proceeds from the sale of securities (a)216,152
 93,202
 309,354

(a)Proceeds are reinvested in the nuclear decommissioning trustNuclear Decommissioning Trusts and coal reclamation escrowother special use funds, excluding amounts reimbursed to the Company for active union employee medical claims from the active union employee medical account.

    

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The fair value of APS's fixed income securities, summarized by contractual maturities, at SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, is as follows (dollars in thousands):
 Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Coal Mine Reclamation Escrow Account Active Union Employee Medical Account Total
Less than one year$21,767
 $37,494
 $40,673
 $99,934
1 year – 5 years137,754
 11,371
 143,406
 292,531
5 years – 10 years125,807
 1,904
 
 127,711
Greater than 10 years226,599
 9,003
 
 235,602
Total$511,927
 $59,772
 $184,079
 $755,778
 Nuclear Decommissioning Trust (a) Coal Reclamation Escrow Account Active Union Medical Trust Total
Less than one year$40,309
 $32,628
 $37,013
 $109,950
1 year – 5 years133,488
 25,928
 140,895
 300,311
5 years – 10 years103,973
 720
 
 104,693
Greater than 10 years205,758
 3,398
 
 209,156
Total$483,528
 $62,674
 $177,908
 $724,110


(a)Includes certain fixed income investments that are not due at a single maturity date. These investments have been allocated within the table based on the final payment date of the instrument.
    
13.    New Accounting Standards
Standards Adopted in 2019

ASU 2016-02, Leases

In February 2016, a new lease accounting standard was issued. This new standard supersedes the existing lease accounting model, and modifies both lessee and lessor accounting. The new standard requires a lessee to reflect most operating lease arrangements on the balance sheet by recording a right-of-use asset and a lease liability that is initially measured at the present value of lease payments. Among other changes, the new standard also modifies the definition of a lease, and requires expanded lease disclosures. Since the issuance of the new lease standard, additional lease related guidance has been issued relating to land easements and how entities may elect to account for these arrangements at transition, among other items. The new lease standard and related amendments were effective for us on January 1, 2019, with early application permitted. The standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings determined at either the date of adoption, or the earliest period presented in the financial statements. The standard includes various optional practical expedients provided to facilitate transition. We adopted this standard, and related amendments, on January 1, 2019. See Note 16.

ASU 2018-15, Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract

In August 2018, a new accounting standard was issued that clarifies how customers in a cloud computing service arrangement should account for implementation costs associated with the arrangement. To determine which implementation costs should be capitalized, the new guidance aligns the accounting with existing guidance pertaining to internal-use software. As a result of this new standard, certain cloud computing service arrangement implementation costs will now be subject to capitalization and amortized on a straight-line basis over the cloud computing service arrangement term. The new standard is effective for us on January 1, 2020, with early application permitted, and may be applied using either a retrospective or prospective transition approach. On July 1, 2019, we early adopted this new accounting standard using the prospective approach. The adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements.


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Standard Pending Adoption

ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments: Measurement of Credit Losses

In June 2016, a new accounting standard was issued that amends the measurement of credit losses on certain financial instruments. The new standard will requirerequires entities to use a current expected credit loss model to measure impairment of certain investments in debt securities, trade accounts receivables, and other financial instruments. Since the issuance of the new standard, various guidance has been issued that amends the new standard, including clarifications of certain aspects of the standard and targeted transition relief, among other changes. The new standard and related amendments arewere effective for us on January 1, 2020, and must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach for certain aspects of the standard, and a prospective approach for other aspects of the standard. We are currently evaluatingadopted the standard on January 1, 2020 using primarily the modified retrospective approach. While the adoption of this new accounting standardguidance changed our process and the impacts it maymethodology for determining credit losses and resulted in additional disclosures, these changes did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

See Note 2 for allowance for doubtful accounts related credit loss disclosures.
    

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

14.     Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
The following table shows the changes in Pinnacle West's consolidated accumulated other comprehensive loss, including reclassification adjustments, net of tax, by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (dollars in thousands):
  Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits    Derivative Instruments    Total
Three Months Ended September 30         
Balance June 30, 2019$(46,657)   $(979)   $(47,636)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss880
  (a) 218
 (b) 1,098
Balance September 30, 2019$(45,777)   $(761)   $(46,538)


   
   
Balance June 30, 2018$(54,233)   $(2,391)   $(56,624)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss1,099
  (a) 451
 (b) 1,550
Balance September 30, 2018$(53,134)   $(1,940)   $(55,074)


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits    Derivative Instruments    Total
Three Months Ended June 30         
Balance March 31, 2020$(55,317)   $(262)   $(55,579)
OCI (loss) before reclassifications(2,008)   (1,549)   (3,557)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss999
  (a) 262
 (b) 1,261
Balance June 30, 2020$(56,326)   $(1,549)   $(57,875)


   
   
Balance March 31, 2019$(45,118)   $(1,383)   $(46,501)
OCI (loss) before reclassifications(2,422)   
   (2,422)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss883
  (a) 404
 (b) 1,287
Balance June 30, 2019$(46,657)   $(979)   $(47,636)

 Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits  Derivative Instruments  TotalPension and Other Postretirement Benefits Derivative Instruments Total
Nine Months Ended September 30     
Six Months Ended June 30     
Balance December 31, 2019$(56,522) $(574) $(57,096)
OCI (loss) before reclassifications(2,008) (1,257) (3,265)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss2,204
 (a) 282
 (b) 2,486
Balance June 30, 2020$(56,326) $(1,549) $(57,875)
     
Balance December 31, 2018$(45,997) $(1,711) $(47,708)$(45,997) $(1,711) $(47,708)
OCI (loss) before reclassifications(2,422) 
 (2,422)(2,422) 
 (2,422)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss2,642
  (a) 950
 (b) 3,592
1,762
 (a) 732
 (b) 2,494
Balance September 30, 2019$(45,777) $(761) $(46,538)
     
Balance December 31, 2017$(42,440) $(2,562) $(45,002)
OCI (loss) before reclassifications(5,928) (96) (6,024)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss3,188
  (a) 1,316
 (b) 4,504
Reclassification of income tax effect related to tax reform(7,954)  (c) (598)  (c) (8,552)
Balance September 30, 2018$(53,134) $(1,940) $(55,074)
Balance June 30, 2019$(46,657) $(979) $(47,636)

(a)These amounts primarily represent amortization of actuarial loss and are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.  See Note 5.
(b)These amounts primarily represent realized gains and losses and are included in the computation of fuel and purchased power costs and are subject to the PSA.  See Note 7.
(c)In 2018, the company adopted new accounting guidance and elected to reclassify income tax effects of the Tax Act on items within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings.


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table shows the changes in APS's consolidated accumulated other comprehensive loss, including reclassification adjustments, net of tax, by component for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 20182019 (dollars in thousands): 
  Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits    Derivative Instruments    Total
Three Months Ended September 30         
Balance June 30, 2019$(26,297)   $(979)   $(27,276)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss755
  (a) 218
  (b) 973
Balance September 30, 2019$(25,542)   $(761)   $(26,303)


   
   
Balance June 30, 2018$(32,768)   $(2,391)   $(35,159)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss952
  (a) 451
  (b) 1,403
Balance September 30, 2018$(31,816)   $(1,940)   $(33,756)

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits    Derivative Instruments    Total
Three Months Ended June 30         
Balance March 31, 2020$(33,935)   $(262)   $(34,197)
OCI (loss) before reclassifications(1,951)   
   (1,951)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss861
  (a) 262
  (b) 1,123
Balance June 30, 2020$(35,025)   $
   $(35,025)


   
   
Balance March 31, 2019$(24,644)   $(1,383)   $(26,027)
OCI (loss) before reclassifications(2,414)   
   (2,414)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss761
  (a) 404
  (b) 1,165
Balance June 30, 2019$(26,297)   $(979)   $(27,276)

  Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits    Derivative Instruments    Total
Nine Months Ended September 30         
Balance December 31, 2018$(25,396)   $(1,711)   $(27,107)
OCI (loss) before reclassifications(2,414)   
   (2,414)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss2,268
  (a) 950
  (b) 3,218
Balance September 30, 2019$(25,542)   $(761)   $(26,303)
          
Balance December 31, 2017$(24,421)   $(2,562)   $(26,983)
OCI (loss) before reclassifications(5,791)   (96)   (5,887)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss2,836
  (a) 1,316
  (b) 4,152
Reclassification of income tax effect related to tax reform(4,440)  (c) (598)  (c) (5,038)
Balance September 30, 2018$(31,816)   $(1,940)   $(33,756)

  Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits    Derivative Instruments    Total
Six Months Ended June 30         
Balance December 31, 2019$(34,948)   $(574)   $(35,522)
OCI (loss) before reclassifications(1,951)   292
   (1,659)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss1,874
 (a) 282
  (b) 2,156
Balance June 30, 2020$(35,025)   $
   $(35,025)
          
Balance December 31, 2018$(25,396)   $(1,711)   $(27,107)
OCI (loss) before reclassifications(2,414)   
   (2,414)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss1,513
 (a) 732
  (b) 2,245
Balance June 30, 2019$(26,297)   $(979)   $(27,276)

(a)These amounts primarily represent amortization of actuarial loss and are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.  See Note 5.
(b)These amounts primarily represent realized gains and losses and are included in the computation of fuel and purchased power costs and are subject to the PSA.  See Note 7.
(c)In 2018, the company adopted new accounting guidance and elected to reclassify income tax effects of the Tax Act on items within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings.


COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

15. 
Income Taxes
 
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduced the corporate tax rate to 21% effective January 1, 2018. As a result of this rate reduction, the Company recognized a $1.14 billion reduction in its net deferred income tax liabilities as of December 31, 2017. In accordance with accounting for regulated companies, the effect of this rate reduction was substantially offset by a net regulatory liability.

Federal income tax laws require the amortization of a majority of the balance over the remaining regulatory life of the related property. As a result of the modifications made to the annual transmission formula rate during the second quarter of 2018, the Company began amortization of FERC jurisdictional net excess deferred tax liabilities in 2018. On March 13, 2019, the ACC approved the Company's proposal to amortize non-depreciation related net excess deferred tax liabilities subject to its jurisdiction over a twelve-month period. As a result, the Company began amortization in March 2019. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, the Company has recorded $42$14 million of income tax benefit related to the amortization of these non-depreciation related net excess deferred tax liabilities. On April 10,October 29, 2019, the ACC approved the Company’s proposal to amortize depreciation related net excess deferred tax liabilities subject to its jurisdiction over a 28.5-year period with amortization to retroactively begin as of January 1, 2018. As of June 30, 2020, the Company filed a request with the ACC which addresses thehas recorded $13.5 million of income tax benefit related to amortization of these depreciation related excess deferred taxes.liabilities. See Note 4 for more details.
    

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In August 2018, U.S. Treasury proposed regulations that clarified bonus depreciation transition rules under the Tax Act for regulated public utility property placed in service after September 27, 2017 and before January 1, 2018.  However, these proposed regulations were ambiguous with respect to regulated public utility property placed in service on or after January 1, 2018. In September 2019, U.S. Treasury issued final regulations, which replaced the August 2018 proposed regulations. These final regulations did not materially impact any tax position taken by the Company for property placed in service after September 27, 2017 and before January 1, 2018.

Along with the September 2019 final regulations, U.S. Treasury also issued new proposed regulations which clarify bonus depreciation transition rules under the Tax Act for property placed in service by regulated public utilities after December 31, 2017. The proposed regulations provide that certain regulated public utility property which was under construction prior to September 28, 2017 and placed in service between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 would continue to be eligible for bonus depreciation under the rules and bonus depreciation phase-downs in effect prior to enactment of the Tax Act. During the third quarter, as a result of the clarification provided by these proposed regulations, the Company recorded deferred tax liabilities of approximately $56 million related to bonus depreciation benefits claimed on the Company’s 2018 tax return.

Net income associated with the Palo Verde sale leaseback VIEs is not subject to tax.  As a result, there is no income tax expense associated with the VIEs recorded on the Pinnacle West Consolidated and APS Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 6 for additional details related to the Palo Verde sale leaseback VIEs.

As of the balance sheet date, the tax year ended December 31, 2016 and all subsequent tax years remain subject to examination by the IRS.  With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2014.2015.


16. 
Leases
 
We lease certain land, buildings, vehicles, equipment and other property through operating rental agreements with varying terms, provisions, and expiration dates. APS also has certain purchased power

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

agreements that qualify as lease arrangements. Our leases have remaining terms that expire in 20192020 through 2050. Substantially all of our leasing activities relate to APS.

In 1986, APS entered into agreements with 3 separate lessor trust entities in order to sell and lease back interests in Palo Verde Unit 2 and related common facilities.  These lessor trust entities have been deemed VIEs for which APS is the primary beneficiary.  As the primary beneficiary, APS consolidated these lessor trust entities.  The impacts of these sale leaseback transactions are excluded from our lease disclosures as lease accounting is eliminated upon consolidation.  See Note 6 for a discussion of VIEs.
On June 1, 2020 APS had 2 separate purchased power lease contracts that commenced. The lease terms end on September 30, 2025 and September 30, 2026, respectively. Both of these leases allow APS the right to the generation capacity from certain natural-gas fueled generators during the months of June through September over the contract term.  APS does not operate or maintain these leased assets. APS controls the dispatch of the leased assets during the months of June through September and is required to pay a fixed monthly capacity payment during these periods of use. For these types of leased assets APS has elected to combine both the lease and non-lease payment components and accounts for the entire fixed payment as a lease obligation. These purchased power lease contracts are accounted for as operating leases. The contracts do not contain purchase options or term extension options.  In addition to the fixed monthly capacity payment, APS must also pay variable charges based on the actual production volume of the asset. The variable consideration is not included in the measurement of our lease obligation.
The following tables provide information related to our lease costs (dollars in thousands):

  Three Months Ended
June 30, 2020
 Three Months Ended
June 30, 2019
  Purchased Power Lease Contracts Land, Property & Equipment Leases Total Purchased Power Lease Contracts Land, Property & Equipment Leases Total
Operating lease cost $17,221
 $4,651
 $21,872
 $14,063
 $4,414
 $18,477
Variable lease cost 40,821
 255
 41,076
 41,529
 360
 41,889
Short-term lease cost 
 996
 996
 
 1,812
 1,812
Total lease cost $58,042
 $5,902
 $63,944
 $55,592
 $6,586
 $62,178



  Six Months Ended
June 30, 2020
 Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
  Purchased Power Lease Contracts Land, Property & Equipment Leases Total Purchased Power Lease Contracts Land, Property & Equipment Leases Total
Operating lease cost $17,221
 $9,304
 $26,525
 $14,063
 $8,762
 $22,825
Variable lease cost 61,394
 498
 61,892
 58,820
 360
 59,180
Short-term lease cost 
 1,786
 1,786
 
 2,665
 2,665
Total lease cost $78,615
 $11,588
 $90,203
 $72,883
 $11,787
 $84,670



COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On January 1, 2019 we adopted new lease accounting guidance (see Note 13). We elected the transition method that allows us to apply the new lease guidance on the date of adoption, January 1, 2019, and will not retrospectively adjust prior periods. We also elected certain transition practical expedients that allow us to not reassess (a) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (b) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases and (c) initial direct costs for any existing leases. These practical expedients apply to leases that commenced prior to January 1, 2019. Furthermore, we elected the practical expedient transition provisions relating to the treatment of existing land easements.
On January 1, 2019 the adoption of this new accounting standard resulted in the recognition on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets of approximately $194 million of right-of-use lease assets and $119 million of lease liabilities relating to our operating lease arrangements. The right-of-use lease assets include $85 million of prepaid lease costs that have been reclassified from other deferred debits, and $10 million of deferred lease costs that have been reclassified from other current liabilities. In addition to these balance sheet impacts, the adoption of the guidance resulted in expanded lease disclosures, which are included below.
The following tables provide information related to our lease costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 (dollars in thousands):

  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
  Purchased Power Lease Contracts Land, Property & Equipment Leases Total
Operating lease cost $21,095
 $4,581
 $25,676
Variable lease cost 36,917
 183
 37,100
Short-term lease cost 
 812
 812
Total lease cost $58,012
 $5,576
 $63,588



  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
  Purchased Power Lease Contracts Land, Property & Equipment Leases Total
Operating lease cost $35,159
 $13,343
 $48,502
Variable lease cost 95,736
 543
 96,279
Short-term lease cost 
 3,477
 3,477
Total lease cost $130,895
 $17,363
 $148,258


Lease costs are primarily included as a component of operating expenses on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  Lease costs relating to purchased power lease contracts are recorded in fuel and purchased power on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, and are subject to recovery under the PSA or RES (see Note 4).  The tables above reflect the lease cost amounts before the effect of regulatory deferral under the PSA and RES.  Variable lease costs are recognized in the period the costs are incurred, and primarily relate to renewable purchased power lease contracts.  Payments under most renewable purchased power lease contracts are dependent upon environmental factors, and due to the inherent uncertainty associated with the reliability of the fuel source, the payments are considered variable and are excluded from the measurement of leaseliabilities and right-of-use lease assets. Certain of our lease agreements have lease

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

terms with non-consecutive periods of use. For these agreements we recognize lease costs during the periods of use.  Leases with initial terms of 12 months or less are considered short-term leases and are not recorded on the balance sheet.

The following table provides information related to the maturity of our operating lease liabilities at September 30, 2019 (dollars in thousands):
  June 30, 2020
Year Purchased Power Lease Contracts Land, Property & Equipment Leases Total
2020 (remaining six months of 2020) $59,555
 $7,817
 $67,372
2021 66,658
 13,123
 79,781
2022 68,325
 9,495
 77,820
2023 70,033
 7,191
 77,224
2024 71,784
 4,945
 76,729
2025 73,578
 3,245
 76,823
Thereafter 36,759
 36,615
 73,374
Total lease commitments 446,692
 82,431
 529,123
Less imputed interest 16,844
 18,807
 35,651
Total lease liabilities $429,848
 $63,624
 $493,472
  September 30, 2019
Year Purchased Power Lease Contracts Land, Property & Equipment Leases Total
2019 (remaining three months of 2019) $13,625
 $3,352
 $16,977
2020 
 14,083
 14,083
2021 
 11,244
 11,244
2022 
 7,727
 7,727
2023 
 6,101
 6,101
2024 
 3,915
 3,915
Thereafter 
 38,697
 38,697
Total lease commitments 13,625
 85,119
 98,744
Less imputed interest 19
 20,032
 20,051
Total lease liabilities $13,606
 $65,087
 $78,693

 
We recognize lease assets and liabilities upon lease commencement. At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, we have additional lease arrangements that have been executed, but have not yet commenced. These arrangements primarily relate to purchased power lease contracts. These leases havecontracts with lease commencement dates beginning in June 2020May 2021 with terms ending throughin October 2027. We expect the total fixed consideration paid for these arrangements, which includes both lease and nonlease payments, will approximate $705$258 million over the term of the arrangements.

The following table provides information related to estimated future minimum operating lease payments at December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands):
  December 31, 2018
Year Purchased Power Lease Contracts Land, Property & Equipment Leases Total
2019 $54,499
 $13,747
 $68,246
2020 
 12,428
 12,428
2021 
 9,478
 9,478
2022 
 6,513
 6,513
2023 
 5,359
 5,359
Thereafter 
 42,236
 42,236
Total future lease commitments $54,499
 $89,761
 $144,260



COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following tables provide other additional information related to operating lease liabilities:
September 30, 2019
Weighted average remaining lease term12 years
Weighted average discount rate (a)3.73%
 June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
Weighted average remaining lease term7 years
 13 years
Weighted average discount rate (a)1.66% 3.71%


(a) Most of our lease agreements do not contain an implicit rate that is readily determinable. For these agreements we use our incremental borrowing rate to measure the present value of lease liabilities.  We determine our incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement based on the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. We use the implicit rate when it is readily determinable.

 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities - operating cash flows (dollars in thousands):$51,980
 Six Months Ended
June 30, 2020
 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities - operating cash flows (dollars in thousands):$7,624
 $11,987


17.Asset Retirement Obligations

In the first quarter of 2020, APS recognized an ARO for its share of corrective action and water monitoring costs at Four Corners and the Navajo Plant (see additional details in Notes 4 and 8), which resulted in a decrease to the ARO of $11 million for Four Corners and an increase to the ARO of $5 million for the Navajo Plant.

The following schedule shows the change in our asset retirement obligations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 (dollars in thousands): 

 2020
Asset retirement obligations at January 1, 2020$657,218
Changes attributable to: 
Accretion expense20,410
Settlements(4,324)
Estimated cash flow revisions(5,352)
Asset retirement obligations at June 30, 2020$667,952


In accordance with regulatory accounting, APS accrues removal costs for its regulated utility assets, even if there is no legal obligation for removal.  See detail of regulatory liabilities in Note 4.


ITEM 2.         MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
INTRODUCTION
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Pinnacle West’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and APS’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Combined Notes that appear in Item 1 of this report.  For information on factors that may cause our actual future results to differ from those we currently seek or anticipate, see "Forward-Looking Statements" at the front of this report and "Risk Factors" in Part 1, Item 1A of the 20182019 Form 10-K.10-K, Part II, Item 1A of the 2020 1st Quarter 10-Q and Part II, Item 1A of this report.
 
OVERVIEW

Business Overview

Pinnacle West owns all of the outstanding common stock of APS.  APS is a vertically-integratedan investor-owned electric utility that provides either retail or wholesale electric service to most of the state ofholding company based in Phoenix, Arizona with the major exceptionsconsolidated assets of about one-half of the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Tucson metropolitan area$19 billion. For over 130 years, Pinnacle West and Mohave County in northwesternour affiliates have provided energy and energy-related products to people and businesses throughout Arizona.  APS currently accounts for

Pinnacle West derives essentially all of our revenues and earnings.
Areasearnings from our principal subsidiary, APS. APS is Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electric company that generates safe, affordable and reliable electricity for approximately 1.3 million retail customers in 11 of Business Focus
Operational Performance, ReliabilityArizona’s 15 counties. APS is also the operator and Recent Developments.co-owner of Palo Verde - a primary source of electricity for the southwest United States and the largest nuclear power plant in the United States.

Nuclear. APS operates and is a joint owner of Palo Verde. Palo Verde experienced strong performance during 2018, with its three units achieving a combined year-end capacity factor of 90.2% and an all-time best collective radiation exposure dose performance in the history of Palo Verde’s operation.

Coal and Related Environmental Matters and Transactions.  APS is a joint owner of three coal-fired power plants and acts as operating agent for two of the plants.  APS is focused on the impacts on its coal fleet that may result from increased regulation and potential legislation concerning GHG emissions. On June 19, 2019, EPA took final action on its proposals to repeal EPA's 2015 Clean Power Plan (“CPP”) and replace those regulations with a new rule, the Affordable Clean Energy (“ACE”) regulations. EPA originally finalized the CPP on August 3, 2015, and those regulations had been stayed pending judicial review. The ACE regulations are more narrow than the CPP, and are based upon heat-rate improvements at steam-electric power plants. These new regulations are now subject to litigation challenging their legality in the D.C. Circuit, along with the development of jurisdiction specific implementing regulations (e.g., as to states and EPA regional divisions). APS continually analyzes its long-range capital management plans to assess the potential effects of such proposals, understanding that any resulting regulation and legislation could impact the economic viability of certain plants, as well as the willingness or ability of power plant participants to continue participation in such plants.

Cholla

On September 11, 2014, APS announced that it would close its 260 megawatts ("MW") Unit 2 at Cholla and cease burning coal at the other APS-owned units (Units 1 and 3) at the plant by the mid-2020s, if EPA approved a compromise proposal offered by APS to meet required environmental and emissions standards and rules. On April 14, 2015, the ACC approved APS's plan to retire Unit 2, without expressing any view on the future recoverability of APS's remaining investment in the Unit, which was later addressed in the 2017 Settlement Agreement. (See Note 4 for details related to the resulting cost recovery.) APS believes that the environmental benefits of this proposal are greater in the long-term than the benefits that would have resulted from adding emissions control equipment. APS closed Unit 2 on October 1, 2015. In early 2017, EPA


approved a final rule incorporating APS's compromise proposal, which took effect for Cholla on April 26, 2017.

On March 20, 2019, APS announced that it began evaluating the feasibility and cost of converting a unit at Cholla to burn biomass. Biomass is a fuel comprised of forest trimmings, and a converted unit at Cholla could assist in forest thinning, responsible forest management, an improved watershed, and a reduced wildfire risk. APS’s ability to operate a biomass power plant would depend on third-parties procuring forest biomass for fuel. APS reported the results of its evaluation on May 9, 2019 to the ACC. On July 10, 2019, the ACC voted to not require APS to file a request for proposal to convert the unit at Cholla to burn biomass.

Four Corners
Ownership and Coal Supply Matters.  In 2013, BHP Billiton New Mexico Coal, Inc. ("BHP Billiton"), the parent company of BHP Navajo Coal Company ("BNCC"), the coal supplier and operator of the mine that served Four Corners, transferred its ownership of BNCC to NTEC, a company formed by the Navajo Nation to own the mine and develop other energy projects. At that same time, the Four Corners’ co-owners executed the 2016 Coal Supply Agreement for the supply of coal to Four Corners from July 2016 through 2031. El Paso, a 7% owner in Units 4 and 5 of Four Corners, did not sign the 2016 Coal Supply Agreement. Under the 2016 Coal Supply Agreement, APS agreed to assume the 7% shortfall obligation. On February 17, 2015, APS and El Paso entered into an asset purchase agreement providing for the purchase by APS, or an affiliate of APS, of El Paso’s 7% interest in each of Units 4 and 5 of Four Corners. 4CA purchased the El Paso interest on July 6, 2016. The purchase price was immaterial in amount, and 4CA assumed El Paso's reclamation and decommissioning obligations associated with the 7% interest.

NTEC had an option to purchase the 4CA 7% interest and ultimately purchased the interest on July 3, 2018. NTEC purchased the 7% interest at 4CA’s book value, approximately $70 million, and is paying 4CA the purchase price over a period of four years pursuant to a secured interest-bearing promissory note. In connection with the sale, Pinnacle West guaranteed certain obligations that NTEC will have to the other owners of Four Corners, such as NTEC's 7% share of capital expenditures and operating and maintenance expenses. Pinnacle West's guarantee is secured by a portion of APS's payments to be owed to NTEC under the 2016 Coal Supply Agreement.COVID-19 Pandemic

The 2016 Coal Supply Agreement contained alternate pricing termsCOVID-19 pandemic continues to be a rapidly evolving situation. It has led to economic disruption and volatility in financial markets worldwide. The Company is operating under long-standing crisis and business continuity plans that exist to address situations including pandemics like COVID-19. We are focused on ensuring the health and safety of our employees, contractors and the general public by helping limit spread of this virus and ensuring continued, safe and reliable electric service for APS customers.
We have identified business-critical positions in both our operations and support organizations and identified backup personnel who are intended to provide support if needed to maintain operations with a reduced workforce. Essential planned work and capital investments are continuing during the 7% interestpandemic but certain non-essential planned work has been postponed to later in 2020. The Company conducted a contract review to confirm adequacy of needed summer resources and has measures in place to continue to monitor resource needs and supply chain adequacy. At this time, the event NTEC didCompany does not purchase the interest. Until the timebelieve it has any material supply chain risks due to COVID-19 that NTEC purchased the 7% interest, the alternate pricing provisions were applicablewould impact its ability to 4CA, as the holder of the 7% interest. These terms included a formula under which NTEC must make certain payments to 4CA for reimbursement ofserve customers’ needs. The Company's operations and maintenance costs and a specified rateexpenses, exclusive of return, offsetbad debt expense, increased by revenue generated by 4CA’s power sales. Such payments areapproximately $9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 due to 4CA atcosts for personal protective equipment and other health and safety-related costs related to COVID-19.  We expect the endCompany’s operation and maintenance expenses will continue to be impacted for the remainder of each calendar year. A $10 million payment was due2020 by the need for additional personal protective equipment and other health and safety-related costs related to 4CA at December 31, 2017, which NTEC satisfied by directing to 4CA a prepayment fromCOVID-19.

While the total expected impact of COVID-19 on future sales is currently unknown, APS of a portion of a future mine reclamation obligation. The balancehas experienced higher electric residential sales and lower electric commercial and industrial sales since the outset of the amount duepandemic. From March 13th through July 28, 2020, the cumulative impact in weather-normalized usage was negative 1%. During that period, APS’s retail electric residential weather-normalized sales increased 4%,


and its retail electric commercial and industrial weather-normalized sales decreased 5% in the aggregate. APS expects the reduction in electric demand from commercial and industrial customers and increased demand from residential customers to continue in the near term. Based on past experience, a 1% variation in our annual kWh sales projections under this formula at December 31, 2018 for calendar year 2017 wasnormal business conditions can result in increases or decreases in annual net income of approximately $20 million, whichmillion.
On March 31, 2020, a stay at home order became effective for the state of Arizona and remained in effect until May 16, 2020, when it was paid to 4CAlifted and Arizona began reopening. In June 2020, Arizona saw an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Accordingly, on December 14, 2018. The balanceJune 29, 2020, the governor of Arizona closed bars, indoor gyms and fitness clubs or centers, indoor movie theaters and water parks and tubing operators until July 27, 2020 as a partial reversal of the amount under this formula for calendar year 2018 (upstate’s reopening and to mitigate the date that NTEC purchasedspread of COVID-19. On July 23, 2020, the 7% interest) is approximately $10 million, which is due to 4CA at December 31, 2019.

Lease Extension.  APS, on behalf of the Four Corners participants, negotiated amendments to an existing facility lease with the Navajo Nation, which extends the Four Corners leasehold interest from 2016 to 2041.  The Navajo Nation approved these amendments in March 2011.  The effectiveness of the amendments also required the approval of the United States Department of the Interior ("DOI"), as did a related federal rights-of-way grant.  A federal environmental review was undertaken as part of the DOI review process, and culminated in the issuance by DOI of a record of decision on July 17, 2015 justifying the agency action extending the life of the plant and the adjacent mine.  



On April 20, 2016, several environmental groups filed a lawsuit against OSM and other federal agencies in the Districtgovernor of Arizona extended these closures and they will remain in connection with their issuance of the approvals that extended the life of Four Cornersplace and the adjacent mine.  The lawsuit alleges that these federal agencies violated both the ESA and NEPA in providing the federal approvals necessarycontinue to extend operations at the Four Corners Power Plant and the adjacent Navajo Mine past July 6, 2016.  APS filed a motion to intervene in the proceedings, which was granted on August 3, 2016.

On September 15, 2016, NTEC, the company that owns the adjacent mine, filed a motion to intervenebe reviewed for the purpose of dismissing the lawsuit based on NTEC's tribal sovereign immunity. On September 11, 2017, the Arizona District Court issued an order granting NTEC's motion, dismissing the litigation with prejudice, and terminating the proceedings. On November 9, 2017, the environmental group plaintiffs appealed the district court order dismissing their lawsuit. On July 29, 2019, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the September 2017 dismissal of the lawsuit, after which the environmental group plaintiffs petitioned the Ninth Circuit for rehearing on September 12, 2019.repeal or revision every two weeks. We cannot predict the outcome of any further proceedings.

Wastewater Permit. On July 16, 2018, several environmental groups filed a petition for review before the EPA EAB concerning the NPDES wastewater discharge permit for Four Corners, which was reissued on June 12, 2018.  The environmental groups allege that the permit was reissued in contravention of several requirements under the Clean Water Act and did not contain required provisions concerning EPA’s 2015 revised effluent limitation guidelines for steam-electric EGUs, 2014 existing-source regulations governing cooling-water intake structures, and effluent limits for surface seepage and subsurface discharges from coal-ash disposal facilities.  To address certain of these issues through a reconsidered permit, EPA took action on December 19, 2018 to withdraw the NPDES permit reissued in June 2018. Withdrawalimpact of the permit mootsincreased spread of COVID-19 in Arizona and the EAB appeal, and EPA filed a motion to dismiss on that basis. The EAB thereafter dismissed the environmental group appeal on February 12, 2019. EPA issued the final NPDES permit for Four Corners on September 30, 2019. This permit is now subject to a petition for review before the EPA Environmental Appeals Board, based upon a November 1, 2019 filing by several environmental groups. We cannot predict the outcome of this review and whether the reviewpartial reclosure will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.flows and we are continuing to monitor the impacts.

Navajo PlantAs a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in mid-March 2020 the commercial paper markets failed to function normally and we were unable to utilize commercial paper as our primary method of acquiring short-term capital, which resulted in us drawing on our revolving credit facilities during the first quarter of 2020.  In mid-April 2020, we were again able to utilize the commercial paper market and we have paid down the entire amount of the revolving credit facilities that were utilized as a result of the commercial paper market failure. 

The co-ownersCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allows employers to defer payments of the Navajo Plantemployer share of Social Security payroll taxes that would have otherwise been owed from March 27, 2020 through December 31, 2020. We are deferring the cash payment of the employer's portion of Social Security payroll taxes for the period July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 that we expect will be in the range of $15 million to $20 million. We will pay half of this cash deferral by December 31, 2021 and the Navajo Nation agreedremainder by December 31, 2022.

On June 30, 2020, FERC issued an order granting a waiver request related to the existing AFUDC rate calculation beginning March 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021.  The order provides a simplified approach that companies may elect to implement in order to minimize the significant distorted effect on the AFUDC formula resulting from increased short-term debt financing during the COVID-19 pandemic.  APS has adopted this simplified approach to computing the AFUDC composite rate  by using a simple average of the actual historical short-term debt balances for 2019, instead of current period short-term debt balances, and has left all other aspects of the AFUDC formula composite rate calculation unchanged. This change impacts the AFUDC composite rate in 2020, but does not impact prior years.  Furthermore, the change in the composite rate calculation does not impact our accounting treatment for these costs. The change will not have a material impact on our financial statements. See Note 1 in our 2019 Form 10-K for information on the accounting treatment for AFUDC.  

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, APS voluntarily suspended disconnections of customers for nonpayment beginning March 13, 2020.  In addition, APS waived all late payment fees during this current suspension period.  APS currently estimates that the Navajo Plant will remain in operation until December 2019 underSummer Disconnection Moratorium (see Note 4), the existing plant lease. The co-ownerssuspension of disconnections during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Navajo Nation executedincreased bad debt expense associated with both events will result in a lease extensionnegative impact to its 2020 operating results of approximately $20 million to $30 million pre-tax above the impact of disconnections on November 29, 2017its operating results for years that did not have the Summer Disconnection Moratorium or COVID-19 pandemic. APS is anticipating an increase in bad debt expense associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, but it still believes that costs associated with the Summer Disconnection Moratorium and the COVID-19 disconnection suspensions and related bad debt expense with both events will allowfall within this estimated $20 million to $30 million range. These estimated impact amounts


depend on certain assumptions, including, but not limited to, customer behaviors, population and employment growth, and the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy. Additionally, due to COVID-19, APS delayed the reset of the EIS adjustor and suspended the discontinuation of TEAM Phase II to the first billing cycle in May 2020 rather than April 2020 (see Note 4 ).

On April 17, 2020, APS filed an application with the ACC requesting a COVID-19 emergency relief package to provide additional assistance to its customers. On May 5, 2020, the ACC approved APS returning $36 million that had been collected through the DSM Adjustor Charge, but not allocated for decommissioning activitiescurrent DSM programs, directly to begin aftercustomers through a bill credit in June 2020 (see Note 4). As of June 30, 2020, APS had refunded approximately $40 million to customers. The additional $4 million over the plant ceases operations by December 2019.approved amount was the result of the kWh credit being based on historic consumption which was different than actual consumption in the refund period. This difference was recorded to the DSM balancing account and will be addressed in subsequent DSM filings.

APS is currently recovering depreciationhas committed in total approximately $8 million to assist customers and local non-profits and community organizations to help with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 5, 2020, APS voluntarily committed to the ACC to contribute $5.3 million of non-ratepayer funds to provide assistance to residential and non-residential customers that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (“Customer COVID Assistance”). As part of this Customer COVID Assistance, APS has established a return$2.3 million program to assist extra small and small non-residential customers that have a delinquency of two or more months with a one-time credit of $1,000 on each such customer's bill. The other $3 million of the net book valueCustomer COVID Assistance has not yet been assigned to specific programs. Beyond the Customer COVID Assistance, APS has also provided $1.5 million to assist customers with a one-time credit of its interest in$100 on their bill, with a priority given to customers on limited-income service plans, and $1.25 million to assist local non-profits and community organizations working to mitigate the Navajo Plant over its previously estimated life through 2026. APS will seek continued recovery in rates forimpacts of the book valueCOVID-19 pandemic.

More detailed discussion of its remaining investment in the plant (see Note 4 for detailsimpacts and future uncertainties related to the resultingCOVID‑19 pandemic can be found throughout this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the Combined Notes to Pinnacle West's and APS's financial statements that appear in Item 1of this report and  "Risk Factors" in Part II, Item 1A of the 2020 1st Quarter 10-Q and Part II, Item 1A of this report.

Strategic Overview

Our strategy is to deliver shareholder value by creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona with a clean, affordable, reliable and customer-focused plan.

Clean Energy Commitment

We are committed to doing our part to make the future clean and carbon-free. Our vision for APS and Arizona presents an opportunity to engage with customers, communities, employees, policymakers, shareholders and others to achieve a shared, sustainable vision for Arizona. This goal is based on sound science and supports continued growth and economic development while maintaining reliability and affordable prices for APS's customers.

APS's new clean energy goals consist of three parts:
A 2050 goal to provide 100% clean, carbon-free electricity;
A 2030 target of achieving a resource mix that is 65% clean energy, with 45% of the generation portfolio coming from renewable energy; and
A commitment to end APS’s use of coal-fired generation by 2031.



APS's ability to successfully execute its clean energy commitment is dependent upon a number of important external factors, some of which include a supportive regulatory asset) plusenvironment, sales and customer growth, development of clean energy technologies and continued access to capital markets.

2050 Goal: 100% Clean, Carbon-Free Electricity. Achieving a returnfully clean, carbon-free energy mix by 2050 is our aspiration. The 2050 goal will involve new thinking and depends on the net book valueimproved and new technologies.

2030 Goal: 65% Clean Energy. APS has an energy mix that is already 50% clean with existing plans to add more renewables and energy storage before 2025. By building on those plans, APS intends to attain an energy mix that is 65% clean by 2030, with 45% of APS's generation portfolio coming from renewable energy. “Clean” is measured as percent of energy mix which includes carbon-free resources like nuclear and demand-side management, and “renewable” is expressed as a percent of retail sales. This target will serve as a checkpoint for our resource planning, investment strategy, and customer affordability efforts as APS moves toward 100% clean, carbon-free energy mix by 2050.

APS understands that closing its coal-fired power plants will significantly impact employees as well as other costs relatedthe surrounding communities. APS will continue to retirementengage in meaningful dialogue with these stakeholders in order to explore, better understand and closure, which are still being assessedprepare to address a range of potential effects, including environmental, social and may be material.
Natural Gas.  APS has six natural gas power plants located throughout Arizona, including Ocotillo. Ocotillo was originally a 330 MW 4-unit gas plant located in the metropolitan Phoenix area.  In early 2014, APS announced a project to modernize the plant, which involves retiring two older 110 MW steam units, adding five 102 MW combustion turbines and maintaining two existing 55 MW combustion turbines.  The modernization of the plant was completed on May 30, 2019 and it increased the capacity of the site by 290 MW to a total of 620 MW. (See Note 4 for details of the rate recovery in our 2017 Rate Case Decision.)



Transmission and Delivery.  APS continues to work closely with customers, stakeholders, and regulators to identify and plan for transmission needs that support new customers, system reliability, access to markets and clean energy development.  The capital expenditures table presented in the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section below includes new APS transmission projects, along with other transmission costs for upgrades and replacements, including those for data center development.  APS is also working to establish and expand advanced grid technologies throughout its service territory to provide long-term benefits both to APS and its customers.  APS is strategically deploying a variety of technologies that are intended to allow customers to better manage their energy usage, minimize system outage durations and frequency, enable customer choice for new customer sited technologies, and facilitate greater cost savings to APS through improved reliability and the automation of certain distribution functions.economic impacts.

Energy Imbalance Market.2031 Goal: End APS's Use of Coal-Fired Generation. In 2015, APS and the California Independent System Operator, the operator for the majorityThe commitment to end APS's use of California's transmission grid, signed an agreement forcoal-fired generation by 2031 will require APS to begin participationcease use of coal-generation at Four Corners. APS has permanently retired more than 1,000 MW of coal-fired electric generating capacity. These closures and other measures taken by APS have resulted in a total reduction of carbon emissions of 26% since 2005. In addition, APS has committed to end the Energy Imbalance Market (“EIM”). APS's participation in the EIM began on October 1, 2016.  The EIM allows for rebalancing supply and demand in 15-minute blocks with dispatching every five minutes before the energy is needed, insteaduse of the traditional one hour blocks.  APS continues to expect thatcoal at its participation in EIM will lower its fuel costs, improve visibility and situational awareness for system operations in the Western Interconnection power grid, and improve integration of APS’s renewable resources.remaining Cholla units by 2025.

Renewables. Renewable Energy.APS intends to strengthen its already diverse energy mix by increasing its investments in carbon-free resources. Its near-term actions include competitive solicitations to procure clean energy resources such as solar, wind, energy storage, demand response and DSM resources, all of which lead to a cleaner grid.



APS has a diverse portfolio of existing and planned renewable resources, including solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and biogas. APS's clean energy strategy includes executing purchased power contracts for new facilities, ongoing development of distributed energy resources and procurement of new facilities to be owned by APS. The following table summarizes the resources in APS's renewable energy portfolio that are in operation and under development as of SeptemberJune 30, 2019.2020. Agreements for the development and completion of future resources are subject to various conditions, including successful siting, permitting and interconnection of the projects to the electric grid.
Net Capacity in Operation
(MW)
 
Net Capacity Planned / Under
Development (MW)
 
Net Capacity in Operation
(MW)
 
Net Capacity Planned / Under
Development (MW)
 
Total APS Owned: Solar239
 
 244
 
 
Purchased Power Agreements: 
  
  
  
 
Solar310
 
 310
 
 
Solar + Energy Storage
 50
 
 50
 
Wind289
 
 289
 
 
Geothermal10
 
 10
 
 
Biomass14
 
 14
 
 
Biogas3
 
 3
 
 
Total Purchased Power Agreements626
 50
 626
 50
 
Total Distributed Energy: Solar (a) 930
 54
(b)1,019
 29
(b)
Total Renewable Portfolio1,795
 104
 1,889
 79
 

(a)        Includes rooftop solar facilities owned by third parties. Distributed generation is produced in Direct Current and is converted to AC for reporting purposes.
(b)Applications received by APS that are not yet installed and online.

APS has developed and owns solar resources through the ACC-approved AZ Sun Program.  APS invested approximately $675 million in the AZ Sun Program.  APSalso issued two Requests for Proposal ("RFP") in September 2019. The first RFP seeks competitive proposals for up to 150 MW of APS-owned solar resources to be in service by 2021. This solar generation will be designed with the flexibility to add energy


storage as a future option. A second RFP requests up to 250 MW of wind resources to be in service as soon as possible, but no later than 2022.

Palo Verde. Palo Verde, the nation’s largest carbon-free, clean energy resource, will continue to be a foundational part of APS's resource portfolio. The plant supplies nearly 70% of our clean energy and provides the foundation for the reliable and affordable service for APS customers. Palo Verde is not just the cornerstone of our current clean energy mix, it also is a significant provider of clean energy to the southwest United States. The plant’s continued operation is important to a carbon-free and clean energy future for Arizona and the region, as a reliable, continuous, affordable resource and as a large contributor to the local economy.

Affordable

We believe it is APS's responsibility to deliver electric services to customers in the most cost-effective manner. Since January 2018 through June 2020, the average residential bill decreased by 7.3% or $10.95.

Building upon existing cost management efforts, APS launched a customer affordability initiative in 2019. The initiative was implemented company-wide to thoughtfully and deliberately assess our business processes and organizational approaches to completing high-value work and internal efficiencies. Through the initiative and existing cost management practices, APS identified $20 million in possible cost savings for 2020.



Participation in the EIM continues to be an effective tool for creating savings for our customers from the real-time, voluntary market. As of June 30, 2020, the EIM has delivered approximately $158 million in gross benefits to APS customers since APS began participating in EIM in 2016. APS is in discussions with the EIM operator, CAISO, and other EIM participants about the feasibility of creating a voluntary day-ahead market to achieve more cost savings and use the region’s renewable resources more efficiently.

Reliable

While our energy mix evolves, the obligation to deliver reliable service to our customers remains. Excluding voluntary outages and proactive fire mitigation efforts, APS finished 2019 with its best score for frequency of customer power outages.
Planned investments will support operating and maintaining the grid, updating technology, accommodating customer growth and enabling more renewable energy resources. Our advanced distribution management system allows operators to locate outages, control line devices remotely and helps them coordinate more closely with field crews to safely maintain an increasingly dynamic grid. The system also integrates a new meter data management system that increases grid visibility and gives customers access to more of their energy usage data.

Wildfire safety remains a critical focus for APS and other utilities. We increased investment in fire mitigation efforts to clear defensible space around our infrastructure, build partnerships with government entities and first responders and educate customers and communities. These programs contribute to customer reliability, responsible forest management and safe communities.

The new units at our modernized Ocotillo power plant provide cleaner-running and more efficient units. They support reliability by responding quickly to the variability of solar generation, and delivering energy in the late afternoon and early evening, when solar production declines as the sun sets and customer demand peaks.

Customer-Focused

Customers are at the core of what APS does every day and APS is committed to providing options that make it easier for its customers to do business with them. In 2019, APS launched its redesigned aps.com website and mobile app, giving customers upgraded access to their energy usage data and billing information. APS's Customer Care team is using speech analytics to enrich advisors’ interactions with customers over the telephone, and customers can also communicate with APS through an online chat.

APS expanded financial help for its most vulnerable customers in 2019, allocating $2.75 million in crisis bill assistance and increasing the individual benefit for qualifying customers from $400 to $800 per year. The APS Solar Communities program has allowed more than 600 limited- and moderate-income customers to support clean energy and save money by hosting APS-owned solar systems on their residences in exchange for a monthly bill credit.

APS continues to develop and deploy innovative programs that connect customers with advanced technologies to help them manage their bills and encourage energy use during midday, when solar power is most abundant. Three energy storage programs incorporating smart thermostats, connected water heaters and batteries are helping customers shift energy use to times when they can take advantage of low-cost, abundant energy and reduce peak demand on APS's system.

In 2020, APS is convening an advisory panel of customers to gain a deeper understanding of the customer experience through their individual perspectives. A group of customer service advisors, in


conjunction with local human services agencies, will resume providing in-person customer support in communities APS serves once it is safe to do so because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

APS is also providing assistance to residential and business customers that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. See "COVID-19 Pandemic" above for more information about pandemic relief.

Emerging Technologies

Energy Storage. Storage

APS deploys a number of advanced technologies on its system, including energy storage. Storage can provide capacity, improve power quality, be utilized for system regulation, integrate renewable generation, and canin certain circumstances, be used to defer certain traditional infrastructure investments. Energy storage can also aid in integrating higher levels of renewables by storing excess energy when system demand is low and renewable production is high and then releasing the stored energy during peak demand hours later in the day and after sunset. APS is utilizing grid-scale energy storage projects to benefit customers, to increase renewable utilization, and to further our understanding of how storage works with other advanced technologies and the grid. We are preparing for additional energy storage in the future.

In early 2018, APS entered into a 15-year power purchase agreement for a 65 MW solar facility that charges a 50 MW solar-fueled battery. Service under this agreement is scheduled to begin in 2021. In 2018, APS issued a request for proposalan RFP for approximately 106 MW of energy storage to be located at up to five of its AZ Sun sites. Based upon our evaluation of the RFP responses, APS decided to expand the initial phase of battery deployment to 141 MW by adding a sixth AZ Sun site. In February 2019, we contracted for the 141 MW and originally anticipated such facilities could be in service by mid-2020. In April 2019, a battery module in APS’s McMicken battery energy storage facility experienced an equipment failure, which prompted an internal investigation to determine the cause. The resultsAPS has completed its investigation of the investigation will informMcMicken battery incident and is continuing to determine the timing of our utilization and implementationfuture deployment of batteries on ourAPS's system. Due to the April 2019 event,McMicken battery incident, APS is working with the counterparty for the AZ Sun sites to determine appropriate timing and path forward for such facilities. Additionally, in February 2019, APS signed two 20-year power purchase agreements for energy storage totaling 150 MW. Service under these power purchase agreements is expected to begin in mid-2021, pendingalso dependent on the results of the McMicken battery incident investigation and requires approval from the ACC to allow for recovery of these agreements through the PSA and the results of the McMicken investigation.  Including the 150 MW of power purchase agreement energy storage projects described above, wePSA.

We currently plan to install at least 850 MW of energy storage by 2025.2025, including the 150 MW of energy storage projects under power purchase agreements described above.  The additional 700 MW of APS-owned energy storage will include at least 100 MWis expected to be made up of solarthe retrofits associated with current RFPs evaluating battery-ready solar projects as well. We originally intended to procure the first 260 MW in 2019 (60 MW on additionalour AZ Sun sites as described above, along with current and 100 MW offuture RFPs for energy storage and solar plus 100 MW of energy storage), however givenstorage projects. Given the April 2019 event, we are currently evaluatingcontinue to evaluate the appropriate timing and path forward to support the overall capacity goals for our system.

Regulatory Matterssystem and associated energy storage requirements. Currently, APS is pursuing an RFP for battery-ready solar resources up to 150 MW with results expected in the second half of 2020.

Rate Matters.Electric Vehicles

APS needs timely recovery through ratesplans to make electric vehicle charging more accessible for its customers and help Arizona businesses, schools and governments electrify their fleets. In 2019, APS implemented its Take Charge AZ Pilot Program. The program provides charging equipment, installation, and maintenance to business customers, government agencies, and multifamily housing communities. Rates are designed to encourage charging overnight and during daytime off-peak hours when solar energy is abundant.



The ACC ordered the state’s public service corporations, including APS, to develop a long-term, comprehensive Statewide Transportation Electrification Plan (“TE Plan”) for Arizona. The TE Plan is intended to provide a roadmap for Transportation Electrification in Arizona, focused on realizing the associated air quality and economic development benefits for all residents in the state along with understanding the impact of its capital and operating expenditureselectric vehicle charging on the grid. APS is actively participating in this process, which is scheduled to maintain its financial health.  APS’s retail rates are regulatedbe completed by the end of 2020 and submitted to the ACC for review and its wholesale electric rates (primarily for transmission) are regulated by FERC.  See Note 4 for information on APS’s FERC rates.approval.

2019 Retail Rate Case FilingHydrogen Production
Palo Verde, in partnership with Idaho National Laboratory and two other utilities, has been chosen by the DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy to participate in a hydrogen production project with the Arizona Corporation Commissiongoal to improve the long-term economic competitiveness of the nuclear power industry. The project, planned for 2020 through 2022, will look at how hydrogen produced from Palo Verde energy may be used as energy storage for use in reverse-operable electrolysis or peaking gas turbines during times of the day when photovoltaic solar energy sources are unavailable and energy reserves in the southwest United States are low. It could also be used to support a rapidly increasing hydrogen transportation fuel market.

Experience from the pilot project will offer insights into methods for flexible transitions between electricity and hydrogen generation in solar-dominated electricity markets, and demonstrate how hydrogen may be used as energy storage to provide electricity during operating periods when solar is not available.

. Carbon Capture

Carbon capture technologies can isolate CO2 and either sequester it permanently in geologic formations or convert it for use in products. Currently, almost all existing fossil fuel generators do not control carbon emissions the way they control emissions of other air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide or oxides of nitrogen. Carbon capture technologies are still in the demonstration phase and while they show promise, they are still being tested in real-world conditions. These technologies could offer the potential to keep in operation existing generators that otherwise would need to be retired. APS will continue to monitor this emerging technology.

Regulatory Overview

On October 31, 2019, APS filed an application with the ACC forseeking an annual increase in retail base rates of $69 million. This amount includes recovery of the deferral and rate base effects of the Four Corners SCR project that is currently the subject of a separate proceeding (see “SCR Cost Recovery” below)in Note 4). It also reflects a net credit to base rates of approximately $115 million primarily due to the prospective inclusion of rate refunds currently provided through the TEAM. The proposed total revenue increase in APS's application is $184 million. The average annual customer bill impact of APS’s request is an increase of 5.6% (the average annual bill impact for a typical APS residential customer is 5.4%).

The principal provisions of APS's application are:

a test year comprised of twelve months ended June 30, 2019, adjusted as described below;


an original cost rate base of $8.87 billion, which approximates the ACC-jurisdictional portion of the book value of utility assets, net of accumulated depreciation and other credits;
the following proposed capital structure and costs of capital:


  Capital Structure Cost of Capital 
Long-term debt 45.3%4.10%
Common stock equity 54.7%10.15%
Weighted-average cost of capital   7.41%
 
a 1% return on the increment of fair value rate base above APS’s original cost rate base, as provided for by Arizona law;
authorization to defer until APS's next general rate case the increase or decrease in its Arizona property taxes attributable to tax rate changes after the date the rate application is adjudicated;
a number of proposed rate and program changes for residential customers, including:
a super off-peak period during the winter months for APS’s time-of-use with demand rates;
additional $1.25 million in funding for APS's limited-income crisis bill program; and
a flat bill/subscription rate pilot program;
proposed rate design changes for commercial customers, including an experimental program designed to provide access to market pricing for up to 200 MW of medium and large commercial customers;
recovery of the deferral and rate base effects of the construction and operating costs of the Ocotillo modernization project (see Note 4 discussion of the 2017 Settlement Agreement); and
continued recovery of the remaining investment and other costs related to the retirement and closure of the Navajo Plant (see Note 4 for details related to the resulting regulatory asset).

APS requested that the increase become effective December 1, 2020.  The hearing for this rate case was delayed, at the request of ACC Staff and RUCO, and is currently scheduled to begin December 14, 2020. APS cannot predict the outcome of its request.

2016 Retail Rate Case Filing with the Arizona Corporation Commission. On June 1, 2016, APS filed an application with the ACC for an annual increase in retail base rates. On March 27, 2017, a majority of the stakeholders in the general retail rate case, including the ACC Staff, the Residential Utility Consumer Office, limited income advocates and private rooftop solar organizations signed the 2017 Settlement Agreement and filed it with the ACC. The average annual customer bill impact under the 2017 Settlement Agreement was calculated as an increase of 3.28% (the average annual bill impact for a typical APS residential customer was calculated as 4.54%). (SeeSee Note 4 for details of the 2017 Settlement Agreement.)

On August 15, 2017, the ACC approved (by a vote of 4-1), the 2017 Settlement Agreement without material modifications.  On August 18, 2017, the ACC issued a final written Opinion and Order reflecting its decision in APS’s general retail rate case (the "2017 Rate Case Decision"), which is subject to requests for rehearing and potential appeal. The new rates went into effect on August 19, 2017.
On January 3, 2018, an APS customer filed a petition with the ACC that was determined by the Administrative Law Judge to be a complaint filed pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute §40-246 and not a request for rehearing. Arizona Revised Statute §40-246 requires the ACC to hold a hearinginformation regarding any complaint alleging that a public service corporation is in violation of any commission order or that the rates being charged are not just and reasonable if the complaint is signed by at least twenty-five customers of the public service corporation. The Complaint alleged that APS is “in violation of commission order” [sic]. On February 13, 2018, the complainant filed an amended Complaint alleging that the rates and charges in the 2017 Rate Case Decision are not just and reasonable.  The complainant requested that the ACC hold a hearing on the amended Complaint to determine if the average bill impact on residential customers of the rates and charges approved in the 2017 Rate Case Decision is greater than 4.54% (the average annual bill impact for a typical


APS residential customer estimated by APS) and, if so, what effect the alleged greater bill impact has on APS's revenues and the overall reasonableness and justness of APS's rates and charges, in order to determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant a full-scale rate hearing.  The ACC held a hearing on this matter beginning in September 2018 and the hearing was concluded on October 1, 2018. On April 9, 2019, the Administrative Law Judge issued a Recommended Opinion and Order recommending that the Complaint be dismissed. The ACC considered the matter at its April and May 2019 open meetings, but no decision was issued. On July 3, 2019, the Administrative Law Judge issued an amendment to the Recommended Opinion and Order that incorporated the requirements of the rate review of the 2017 Rate Case Decision (see below discussion regarding the rate review). On July 10, 2019, the ACC reconsidered the matter and adopted the Administrative Law Judge's amended Recommended Opinion and Order along with several ACC Commissioner amendments and an amendment incorporating the results of the rate review and resolved the Complaint.

On December 24, 2018, certain ACC Commissioners filed a letter stating that because the ACC had received a substantial number of complaints that the rate increase authorized by the 2017 Rate Case Decision was much more than anticipated, they believe there is a possibility that APS is earning more than was authorized by the 2017 Rate Case Decision.  Accordingly, the ACC Commissioners requested the ACC Staff to perform a rate review of APS using calendar year 2018 as a test year and file a report by May 3, 2019.  The ACC Commissioners also asked the ACC Staff to evaluate APS’s efforts to educate its customers regarding the new rates approved in the 2017 Rate Case Decision. On April 23, 2019, the ACC Staff indicated that they would need additional time beyond May 3, 2019 to file the requested report.

On June 5, 2019, the ACC Staff filed a proposed order regarding the rate review of the 2017 Rate Case Decision. On June 11, 2019, the ACC Commissioners approved the proposed ACC Staff order with amendments. The key provisions of the amended order include the following:

APS must file a rate case no later than October 31, 2019, using a June 30, 2019 test-year;
until the conclusion of the rate case being filed no later than October 31, 2019, APS must provide information on customer bills that shows how much a customer would pay on their most economical rate given their actual usage during each month;
APS customers can switch rate plans during an open enrollment period of six months;
APS must identify customers whose bills have increased by more than 9% and that are not on the most economical rate and provide such customers with targeted education materials and an opportunity to switch rate plans;
APS must provide grandfathered net metering customers on legacy demand rates an opportunity to switch to another legacy rate to enable such customers to fully benefit from legacy net metering rates;
APS must fund and implement a supplemental customer education and outreach program to be developed with and administered by ACC Staff and a third-party consultant; and
APS must fund and organize, along with the third-party consultant, a stakeholder group to suggest better ways to communicate the impact of changes to adjustor cost recovery mechanisms (see Note 4 on cost recovery mechanisms), including more effective ways to educate customers on rate plans and to reduce energy usage.

APS cannot predict the outcome or impact of the rate case filed on October 31, 2019. APS is assessing the impact to its financial statements of the implementation of the other key provisions of the amended order regarding the rate review and cannot predict at this time whether they will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 

APS has several recovery mechanisms in place that provide more timely recovery to APS of its fuel and transmission costs, and costs associated with the promotion and implementation of its demand side management and renewable energy efforts and customer programs.  These mechanisms, such as the RES and Demand Side Management Adjustor Charge, are described more fully in Note 4.



SCR Cost Recovery. On December 29, 2017, in accordance with the 2017 Rate Case Decision, APS filed a Notice of Intent to file its SCR Adjustment to permit recovery of costs associated with the installation of SCR equipment at Four Corners Units 4 and 5.  APS filed the SCR Adjustment request in April 2018. Consistent with the 2017 Rate Case Decision, the request was narrow in scope and addressed only costs associated with this specific environmental compliance equipment. The SCR Adjustment request provided that there would be a $67.5 million annual revenue impact that would be applied as a percentage of base rates for all applicable customers. Also, as provided for in the 2017 Rate Case Decision, APS requested that the rate adjustment become effective no later than January 1, 2019. The hearing for this matter occurred in September 2018. At the hearing, APS accepted ACC Staff's recommendation of a lower annual revenue impact of approximately $58.5 million. The Administrative Law Judge issued a Recommended Opinion and Order finding that the costs for the SCR project were prudently incurred and recommending authorization of the $58.5 million annual revenue requirement related to the installation and operation of the SCRs. Exceptions to the Recommended Opinion and Order were filed by the parties and intervenors on December 7, 2018.  The ACC has not issued a decision on this matter.  APS included the costs for the SCR project in the retail rate base in its 2019 retail rate case filing with the ACC. APS cannot predict the outcome or timing of the decision on this matter. APS may be required to record a charge to its results of operations if the ACC issues an unfavorable decision (see SCR deferral in the Regulatory Assets and Liabilities table in Note 4).
Tax Expense Adjustor Mechanism. As part of the 2017 Settlement Agreement, the parties agreed to a rate adjustment mechanism to address potential federal income tax reform and enable the pass-through of certain income tax effects to customers. The TEAM expressly applies to APS's retail rates with the exception of a small subset of customers taking service under specially-approved tariffs. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was enacted.  This legislation made significant changes to the federal income tax laws including a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018.

On January 8, 2018, APS filed TEAM Phase I with the ACC that addressed the change in the marginal federal tax rate from 35% to 21% resulting from the Tax Act and reduces rates by $119.1 million annually through an equal cents per kWh credit.  On February 22, 2018, the ACC approved the reduction of rates through an equal cents per kWh credit. The rate reduction was effective for the first billing cycle in March 2018.

The impact of the TEAM Phase I, over time, is expected to be earnings neutral. However, on a quarterly basis, there is a difference between the timing and amount of the income tax benefit and the reduction in revenues refunded through the TEAM Phase I related to the lower federal income tax rate. The amount of the benefit of the lower federal income tax rate is based on quarterly pre-tax results, while the reduction in revenues refunded through the TEAM Phase I is based on a per kWh sales credit which follows our seasonal kWh sales pattern and is not impacted by earnings of the Company.

On August 13, 2018, APS filed TEAM Phase II, a second request with the ACC that addressed the return of an additional $86.5 million in tax savings to customers related to the amortization of non-depreciation related excess deferred taxes previously collected from customers. The ACC approved this request on March 13, 2019, effective the first billing cycle in April 2019. Both the timing of the reduction in revenues refunded through TEAM Phase II and the offsetting income tax benefit are recognized based upon our seasonal kWh sales pattern.
On April 10, 2019, APS filed a third request with the ACC that addresses the amortization of depreciation related excess deferred taxes over a 28.5 year period (“TEAM Phase III”).  On October 29, 2019, the ACC approved TEAM Phase III providing both (i) a one-time bill credit of $64 million to be credited to customers on their December 2019 bills, and (ii) a monthly bill credit effective the first billing cycle in December 2019 which will provide an additional benefit of $39.5 million to customers through


December 31, 2020. It is currently anticipated that benefits related to the amortization of depreciation related excess deferred taxes for periods beginning after December 31, 2020 will be fully incorporated into the 2019 rate case filing.

Subpoena from Arizona Corporation Commissioner Robert Burns. On August 25, 2016, Commissioner Burns, individually and not by action of the ACC as a whole, served subpoenas in APS’s then current retail rate proceeding on APS and Pinnacle West for the production of records and information relating to a range of expenditures from 2011 through 2016. The subpoenas requested information concerning marketing and advertising expenditures, charitable donations, lobbying expenses, contributions to 501(c)(3) and (c)(4) nonprofits and political contributions. The return date for the production of information was set as September 15, 2016. The subpoenas also sought testimony from Company personnel having knowledge of the material, including the Chief Executive Officer.

On September 9, 2016, APS filed with the ACC a motion to quash the subpoenas or, alternatively, to stay APS's obligations to comply with the subpoenas and decline to decide APS's motion pending court proceedings. Contemporaneously with the filing of this motion, APS and Pinnacle West filed a complaint for special action and declaratory judgment in the Superior Court of Arizona for Maricopa County, seeking a declaratory judgment that Commissioner Burns’ subpoenas are contrary to law. On September 15, 2016, APS produced all non-confidential and responsive documents and offered to produce any remaining responsive documents that are confidential after an appropriate confidentiality agreement is signed.

On February 7, 2017, Commissioner Burns opened a new ACC docket and indicated that its purpose is to study and rectify problems with transparency and disclosure regarding financial contributions from regulated monopolies or other stakeholders who may appear before the ACC that may directly or indirectly benefit an ACC Commissioner, a candidate for ACC Commissioner, or key ACC Staff.  As part of this docket, Commissioner Burns set March 24, 2017 as a deadline for the production of all information previously requested through the subpoenas. Neither APS nor Pinnacle West produced the information requested and instead objected to the subpoena. On March 10, 2017, Commissioner Burns filed suit against APS and Pinnacle West in the Superior Court of Arizona for Maricopa County in an effort to enforce his subpoenas. On March 30, 2017, APS filed a motion to dismiss Commissioner Burns' suit against APS and Pinnacle West. In response to the motion to dismiss, the court stayed the suit and ordered Commissioner Burns to file a motion to compel the production of the information sought by the subpoenas with the ACC. On June 20, 2017, the ACC denied the motion to compel.

On August 4, 2017, Commissioner Burns amended his complaint to add all of the ACC Commissioners and the ACC itself as defendants. All defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint. On February 15, 2018, the Superior Court dismissed Commissioner Burns’ amended complaint. On March 6, 2018, Commissioner Burns filed an objection to the proposed final order from the Superior Court and a motion to further amend his complaint. The Superior Court permitted Commissioner Burns to amend his complaint to add a claim regarding his attempted investigation into whether his fellow commissioners should have been disqualified from voting on APS’s 2017 rate case. Commissioner Burns filed his second amended complaint, and all defendants filed responses opposing the second amended complaint and requested that it be dismissed. Oral argument occurred in November 2018 regarding the motion to dismiss. On December 18, 2018, the trial court granted the defendants’ motions to dismiss and entered final judgment on January 18, 2019. On February 13, 2019, Commissioner Burns filed a notice of appeal. On July 12, 2019, Commissioner Burns filed his opening brief in the Arizona Court of Appeals. APS filed its answering brief on October 21, 2019. APS and Pinnacle West cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

Information Requests from Arizona Corporation Commissioners. On January 14, 2019, ACC Commissioner Kennedy opened a docket to investigate campaign expenditures and political participation of APS and Pinnacle West. In addition, on February 27, 2019, ACC Commissioners Burns and Dunn opened a


new docket and requested documents from APS and Pinnacle West related to ACC elections and charitable contributions related to the ACC. On March 1, 2019, ACC Commissioner Kennedy issued a subpoena to APS seeking several categories of information for both Pinnacle West and APS including political contributions, lobbying expenditures, marketing and advertising expenditures, and contributions made to 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities, for the years 2013-2018. Pinnacle West and APS voluntarily responded to both sets of requests on March 29, 2019. APS also received and responded to various follow-on requests from ACC Commissioners on these matters. Pinnacle West and APS cannot predict the outcome of theseregulatory matters.

Energy Modernization Plan. On January 30, 2018, former ACC Commissioner Tobin proposed the Energy Modernization Plan, which consisted of a series of energy policies tied to clean energy sources such as energy storage, biomass, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and expanded energy planning through the integrated resource plans ("IRP") process. In August 2018, the ACC directed ACC Staff to open a new rulemaking docket which will address a wide range of energy issues, including the Energy Modernization Plan proposals. The rulemaking will consider possible modifications to existing ACC rules, such as the RES, Electric and Gas Energy Efficiency Standards, Net Metering, Resource Planning, and the Biennial Transmission Assessment, as well as the development of new rules regarding forest bioenergy, electric vehicles, interconnection of distributed generation, baseload security, blockchain technology and other technological developments, retail competition, and other energy-related topics. On April 25, 2019, the ACC Staff issued a set of draft rules in regards to the Energy Modernization Plan and workshops were held on April 29, 2019 regarding these draft rules. On July 2, 2019, the ACC Staff issued a revised set of draft rules, which propose a RES goal of 45% of retail energy served be renewable by 2035 and a goal of 20% of retail sales during peak demand to be from clean energy resources by 2035.  The draft rules also require a certain amount of the RES goal to be derived from distributed renewable storage, for which utilities would be required to offer performance-based incentives.  Nuclear energy would be considered a clean resource under the draft rules. The ACC held various stakeholder meetings and workshops on ACC Staff’s draft energy rules in July through September 2019. APS cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

Integrated Resource Planning. ACC rules require utilities to develop fifteen-year IRPs which describe how the utility plans to serve customer load in the plan timeframe.  The ACC reviews each utility’s IRP to determine if it meets the necessary requirements and whether it should be acknowledged.  In March of 2018, the ACC reviewed the 2017 IRPs of its jurisdictional utilities and voted to not acknowledge any of the plans.  APS does not believe that this lack of acknowledgment will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Based on an ACC decision, APS is required to file a Preliminary Resource Plan by April 1, 2019 and its final IRP by April 1, 2020. APS filed a request to extend the deadline to file its Preliminary IRP, which was granted. On August 1, 2019, APS filed its Preliminary IRP.

Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act. In August 2016, APS filed an application requesting that all of its contracts with qualifying facilities over 100 kW be set at a presumptive maximum 2 year term. A qualifying facility is an eligible energy-producing facility as defined by FERC regulations within a host electric utility’s service territory that has a right to sell to the host utility. Host utilities are required to purchase power from qualifying facilities at an avoided cost as determined by the utility subject to state commission oversight. A hearing was held in August 2019 and briefing on this matter was completed in October 2019 regarding APS’s application. APS cannot predict the outcome of this matter.
Residential Electric Utility Customer Service Disconnections.On June 13, 2019, APS voluntarily suspended electric disconnections for residential customers who had not paid their bills.  On June 20, 2019, the ACC voted to enact emergency rule amendments to prevent residential electric utility customer service disconnections during the period from June 1 through October 15. During the moratorium on disconnections, APS could not charge late fees and interest on amounts that were past due from customers.  Customer deposits must also be used to pay delinquent amounts before disconnection can occur and customers will have four months to pay back their deposit and any remaining delinquent amounts.  In accordance with the emergency


rules, APS began putting delinquent customers on a mandatory four-month payment plan beginning on October 16, 2019. The emergency rule changes will be effective for 180 days and may be renewed for one additional 180 day period. During that time, the ACC began a formal regular rulemaking process to allow stakeholder input and time for consideration of permanent rule changes.  The ACC further ordered that each regulated electric utility serving retail customers in Arizona update its service conditions by incorporating the emergency rule amendments, restore power to any customers who were disconnected during the month of June 2019 and credit any fees that were charged for a reconnection. The ACC Staff issued draft amendments to the customer service disconnections rules. Stakeholders submitted initial comments to the draft amendments on September 23, 2019. ACC stakeholder meetings were held in September 2019 and October 2019 regarding the customer service disconnections rules. APS currently estimates that the disconnection moratorium will result in a negative impact to its 2019 financial statements of approximately $10 million depending on certain assumptions, including customer behaviors. APS is further assessing the impact to its financial statements beyond 2019, which will be affected by the results of final rulemaking related to disconnections.

Retail Electric Competition Rules. On November 17, 2018, the ACC voted to re-examine the facilitation of a deregulated retail electric market in Arizona. An ACC special open meeting workshop was held on December 3, 2018. No substantive action was taken, but interested parties were asked to submit written comments and respond to a list of questions from ACC Staff. On July 1 and July 2, 2019, ACC Staff issued a report and initial proposed draft rules regarding possible modifications to the ACC’s retail electric competition rules. Interested parties filed comments to the ACC Staff report and a stakeholder meeting and workshop to discuss the retail electric competition rules and energy modernization plan proposals was held on July 30, 2019. ACC Commissioners submitted additional questions regarding this matter. APS cannot predict whether these efforts will result in any changes and, if changes to the rules results, what impact these rules would have on APS.

FERC Matter. As part of APS’s acquisition of SCE’s interest in Four Corners Units 4 and 5, APS and SCE agreed, via a "Transmission Termination Agreement" that, upon closing of the acquisition, the companies would terminate an existing transmission agreement ("Transmission Agreement") between the parties that provides transmission capacity on a system (the "Arizona Transmission System") for SCE to transmit its portion of the output from Four Corners to California.  APS previously submitted a request to FERC related to this termination, which resulted in a FERC order denying rate recovery of $40 million that APS agreed to pay SCE associated with the termination.  On December 22, 2015, APS and SCE agreed to terminate the Transmission Termination Agreement and allow for the Transmission Agreement to expire according to its terms, which includes settling obligations in accordance with the terms of the Transmission Agreement.  APS established a regulatory asset of $12 million in 2015 in connection with the payment required under the terms of the Transmission Agreement. On July 1, 2016, FERC issued an order denying APS’s request to recover the regulatory asset through its FERC-jurisdictional rates.  APS and SCE completed the termination of the Transmission Agreement on July 6, 2016. APS made the required payment to SCE and wrote-off the $12 million regulatory asset and charged operating revenues to reflect the effects of this order in the second quarter of 2016.  On July 29, 2016, APS filed for a rehearing with FERC. In its order denying recovery, FERC also referred to its enforcement division a question of whether the agreement between APS and SCE relating to the settlement of obligations under the Transmission Agreement was a jurisdictional contract that should have been filed with FERC. On October 5, 2017, FERC issued an order denying APS's request for rehearing. FERC also upheld its prior determination that the agreement relating to the settlement was a jurisdictional contract and should have been filed with FERC. APS cannot predict whether or if the enforcement division will take any action. APS filed an appeal of FERC's July 1, 2016 and October 5, 2017 orders with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on December 4, 2017. On June 14, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an unpublished memorandum order denying APS’s petition for review of FERC’s orders that denied APS’s request to recover the regulatory asset through its FERC-jurisdictional rates and granting APS’s petition for review of FERC’s orders finding the agreement to be a jurisdictional contract. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated FERC’s determination that the agreement was


required to be filed with FERC and remanded the issue to FERC for additional proceedings. APS cannot predict the outcome of the remand proceeding.
Financial Strength and Flexibility 

Pinnacle West and APS currently have ample borrowing capacity under their respective credit facilities, and may readily access these facilities ensuring adequate liquidity for each company.  Capital expenditures will be funded with internally generated cash and external financings, which may include issuances of long-term debt and Pinnacle West common stock.
 
Other Subsidiaries

Bright Canyon Energy.Energy. On July 31, 2014, Pinnacle West announced its creation of a wholly-owned subsidiary, BCE.  BCE's focusstrategy is on new growth opportunitiesto develop, own, operate and acquire energy infrastructure in a manner that leverageleverages the Company’s core expertise in the electric energy industry.  BCE’s first initiative isIn 2014, BCE formed a 50/50 joint venture with BHE U.S. Transmission LLC, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company.  The joint venture, named TransCanyon, is pursuing independent transmission opportunities within the eleven states that comprise the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, excluding opportunities related to transmission service that would otherwise be provided under the tariffs of the retail service territories of the venture partners’ utility affiliates.  TransCanyon continues to pursue transmission development opportunities in the western United States consistent with its strategy.

El Dorado. The operations of El Dorado are notOn December 20, 2019, BCE acquired minority ownership positions in two wind farms under development by Tenaska, the 242 MW Clear Creek wind farm in Missouri ("Clear Creek") and the 250 MW Nobles 2 wind farm in Minnesota ("Nobles 2"). Clear Creek achieved commercial operation in May 2020 and Nobles 2 is expected to have any material impact on our financial results, or to require any material amountsachieve commercial operation in 2020 and deliver power later this year. Both wind


farms deliver power under long-term power purchase agreements. BCE indirectly owns 9.9% of capital, over the next three years.Clear Creek and 5.1% of Nobles 2.

El Dorado4CA.. See "Four Corners - OwnershipEl Dorado is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pinnacle West. El Dorado owns debt investments and Coal Supply Matters" above for information regarding 4CA.minority interests in several energy-related investments and Arizona community-based ventures.  El Dorado committed to a $25 million investment in the Energy Impact Partners fund, which is an organization that focuses on fostering innovation and supporting the transformation of the utility industry. The investment will be made by El Dorado as investments are selected by the Energy Impact Partners fund.

Key Financial Drivers
 
In addition to the continuing impact of the matters described above, many factors influence our financial results and our future financial outlook, including those listed below.  We closely monitor these factors to plan for the Company’s current needs, and to adjust our expectations, financial budgets and forecasts appropriately.
 
Electric Operating Revenues.  For the years 20162017 through 2018,2019, retail electric revenues comprised approximately 95% of our total operating revenues.  Our electric operating revenues are affected by customer growth or decline, variations in weather from period to period, customer mix, average usage per customer and the impacts of energy efficiency programs, distributed energy additions, electricity rates and tariffs, the recovery of PSA deferrals and the operation of other recovery mechanisms.  These revenue transactions are affected by the availability of excess generation or other energy resources and wholesale market conditions, including competition, demand and prices.
 
Actual and Projected Customer and Sales Growth. Retail customers in APS’s service territory increased 1.9%2.3% for the nine-monthsix-month period ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared with the prior-year period.  For the three years 20162017 through 2018,2019, APS’s customer growth averaged 1.6%1.8% per year.  We currently project annual customer growth to be 1.5 - 2.5% for 20192020 and to average in the range of 1.5 - 2.5% for 20192020 through 20212022 based on our assessment of improving economic conditionssteady population growth in Arizona.

Retail electricity sales in kWh, adjusted to exclude the effects of weather variations, increased 0.5%decreased 0.3% for the nine-monthsix-month period ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared with the prior-year period. Improving economic


conditions andWhile steady customer growth werewas offset by energy savings driven by customer conservation, energy efficiency, and distributed renewable generation initiatives.  initiatives, the main driver of declining sales for this period was the impact of business closures due to COVID-19.  Though the total expected impact of COVID-19 on future sales is currently unknown, APS has experienced higher electric residential sales and lower electric commercial and industrial sales since the outset of the pandemic. From March 13th through July 28, 2020, the cumulative impact in weather-normalized usage was negative 1%. During that period, APS’s retail electric residential weather-normalized sales increased 4%, and its retail electric commercial and industrial weather-normalized sales decreased 5% in the aggregate. APS expects the reduction in electric demand from commercial and industrial customers and increased demand from residential customers to continue in the near term.

For the three years 20162017 through 2018,2019, annual retail electricity sales were about flat, adjusted to exclude the effects of weather variations.  We currently project that annual retail electricity sales in kWh will increase in the range of 0.0 -be flat to negative 1.0% for 20192020 and increase on average in the range of 1.00.5 - 2.0%1.5% during 20192020 through 2021,2022, including the effects of customer conservation, and energy efficiency and distributed renewable generation initiatives, but excluding the effects of weather variations and excluding the impacts of several new large data centers opening operations in Metro Phoenix.  The impact of new large data centers could raise the range of expected annual sales annual growth rate over the 20192020 to 20212022 period, but demand from these customers remains uncertain at this point. Slowertime. These estimates could be further impacted by slower than expected growth of the Arizona economy or acceleration of the expected effects of customer conservation, energy efficiency, or distributed renewable generation initiatives could further impact these estimates.


generation initiatives, or customer and sales growth and the economy that is being impacted by COVID-19 not normalizing in 2020.
Actual sales growth, excluding weather-related variations, may differ from our projections as a result of numerous factors, such as economic conditions, customer growth, usage patterns and energy conservation, impacts of energy efficiency programs and growth in DG,distributed generation, and responses to retail price changes.  Based on past experience, a reasonable range of1% variation in our annual kWh sales projections attributable to such economic factors under normal business conditions can result in increases or decreases in annual net income of up to approximately $15$20 million.
 
Weather.  In forecasting the retail sales growth numbers provided above, we assume normal weather patterns based on historical data.  Historically, extreme weather variations have resulted in annual variations in net income in excess of $25 million.  However, our experience indicates that the more typical variations from normal weather can result in increases or decreases in annual net income of up to $15 million.
 
Fuel and Purchased Power Costs. Fuel and purchased power costs included on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are impacted by our electricity sales volumes, existing contracts for purchased power and generation fuel, our power plant performance, transmission availability or constraints, prevailing market prices, new generating plants being placed in service in our market areas, changes in our generation resource allocation, our hedging program for managing such costs and PSA deferrals and the related amortization.

Operations and Maintenance ExpensesOperations and maintenance expenses are impacted by customer and sales growth, power plant operations, maintenance of utility plant (including generation, transmission, and distribution facilities), inflation, unplanned outages, planned outages (typically scheduled in the spring and fall), renewable energy and demand side management related expenses (which are offset by the same amount of operating revenues) and other factors.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses.  Depreciation and amortization expenses are impacted by net additions to utility plant and other property (such as new generation, transmission, and distribution facilities), and changes in depreciation and amortization rates.  See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below for information regarding the planned additions to our facilities and income tax impacts related to bonus depreciation. facilities.
 
Property Taxes.  Taxes other than income taxes consist primarily of property taxes, which are affected by the value of property in-service and under construction, assessment ratios, and tax rates.  The average property tax rate in Arizona for APS, which owns essentially all of our property, was 10.9% of the assessed value for 2019, 11.0% for 2018 and 11.2% for 2017. We expect property taxes to increase as we add new generating units and continue with improvements and expansions to our existing generating units and transmission and distribution facilities. 



Pension and other postretirement non-service credits - net.  Pension and other postretirement non-service credits can be impacted by changes in our actuarial assumptions. The most relevant actuarial assumptions are the discount rate used to measure our net periodic costs/credit, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used to estimate earnings on invested funds over the long-term, the mortality assumptions and the assumed healthcare cost trend rates. We review these assumptions on an annual basis and adjust them as necessary.

Interest Expense.  Interest expense is affected by the amount of debt outstanding and the interest rates on that debt (see Note 3).  The primary factors affecting borrowing levels are expected to be our capital expenditures, long-term debt maturities, equity issuances and internally generated cash flow.  An allowance for


borrowed funds used during construction offsets a portion of interest expense while capital projects are under construction.  We stop accruing AFUDC on a project when it is placed in commercial operation.
 
Income Taxes.  Income taxes are affected by the amount of pretax book income, income tax rates, certain deductions and non-taxable items, such as AFUDC.  In addition, income taxes may also be affected by the settlement of issues with taxing authorities. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was enacted and was generally effective on January 1, 2018. Changes impacting the Company include a reduction in the corporate tax rate to 21%, revisions to the rules related to tax bonus depreciation, limitations on interest deductibility and an associated exception for certain public utilities, and requirements that certain excess deferred tax amounts of regulated utilities be normalized. (See Note 15 for details of the impacts on the Company as of SeptemberJune 30, 2019.2020.) In APS's 2017 rate case decision, the ACC approved a Tax Expense Adjustor Mechanism which will be used to pass through the income tax effects to retail customers of the Tax Act. (See Note 4 for details of the TEAM.)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Pinnacle West’s only reportable business segment is our regulated electricity segment, which consists of traditional regulated retail and wholesale electricity businesses (primarily sales supplied under traditional cost based rate regulation) and related activities and includes electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

Operating ResultsThree-month period ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared with three-month period ended SeptemberJune 30, 2018.2019.

Our consolidated net income attributable to common shareholders for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 was $312$194 million, compared with consolidated net income attributable to common shareholders of $315$144 million for the prior-year period.  The results reflect a decreasean increase of approximately $1$48 million for the regulated electricity segment primarily due to higher revenue driven by the effects of weather, lower transmission revenuesoperations and lowermaintenance expense and higher pension and other postretirement non-service credits, partially offset by lowerhigher income taxes. Weather had a significant impact on our result of operations and maintenance expense.due to the hotter than normal weather in 2020 compared to the milder than normal weather in the same 2019 period. 




The following table presents net income attributable to common shareholders by business segment compared with the prior-year period:

Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Three Months Ended
June 30,
  
2019 2018 Net Change2020 2019 Net Change
(dollars in millions)(dollars in millions)
Regulated Electricity Segment: 
  
  
 
  
  
Operating revenues less fuel and purchased power expenses$845
 $877
 $(32)$690
 $626
 $64
Operations and maintenance(238) (246) 8
(218) (227) 9
Depreciation and amortization(149) (146) (3)(152) (147) (5)
Taxes other than income taxes(53) (51) (2)(57) (55) (2)
Pension and other postretirement non-service credits - net6
 12
 (6)14
 6
 8
All other income and expenses, net14
 14
 
19
 16
 3
Interest charges, net of allowance for borrowed funds used during construction(54) (56) 2
(58) (53) (5)
Income taxes(53) (85) 32
(41) (17) (24)
Less income related to noncontrolling interests (Note 6)(5) (5) 
(5) (5) 
Regulated electricity segment income313
 314
 (1)192
 144
 48
All other(1) 1
 (2)2
 
 2
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders$312
 $315
 $(3)$194
 $144
 $50

Operating revenues less fuel and purchased power expenses.  Regulated electricity segment operating revenues less fuel and purchased power expenses were $32$64 million lowerhigher for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared with the prior-year period.  The following table summarizes the major components of this change:

Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Operating
revenues
 
Fuel and
purchased
power expenses
 Net change
Operating
revenues
 
Fuel and
purchased
power expenses
 Net change
(dollars in millions)(dollars in millions)
Refunds due to lower Federal corporate income tax rate (Note 4)$(27) $
 $(27)
Effects of weather(9) (2) (7)$84
 $20
 $64
Lower transmission revenues (Note 4)(5) 
 (5)
Refunds due to tax reform (Note 4)14
 
 14
Changes in net fuel and purchased power costs, including off-system sales margins and related deferrals(48) (51) 3
(18) (18) 
Higher retail revenue due to higher customer growth, partially offset by the impacts of energy efficiency, distributed generation and changes in customer usage patterns4
 2
 2
Lower renewable energy regulatory surcharges, partially offset by operations and maintenance costs(3) 
 (3)
Lower retail revenue due to the impacts of energy efficiency, distributed generation and changes in customer usage patterns, including the impacts of COVID-19, partially offset by higher customer growth(17) (2) (15)
Miscellaneous items, net8
 6
 2

 (4) 4
Total$(77) $(45) $(32)$60
 $(4) $64




Operations and maintenance.  Operations and maintenance expenses decreased $8$9 million for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared with the prior-year period primarily because of:

A decrease of $16$13 million primarily related to public outreachan increased recovery from contributions of administrative and general costs at the parent company primarily associated with the ballot initiative in 2018;from Palo Verde owners;

An increaseA decrease of $5 million related to consulting costs;

A decrease of $3 million primarily related to costs for renewable energy and similar regulatory programs, which are partially offset in operating revenues and purchased power;

An increase of $3 million for costs related to information technology;

An increase of $4 million related to customer bad debt expenses primarily related to the Summer Disconnection Moratorium and COVID-19 disconnect suspensions (see Note 4);

An increase of $8 million primarily related to personal protective equipment and other health and safety-related costs for COVID-19 response; and

A decrease of $3 million for other miscellaneous factors.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expenses were $5 million higher for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the prior-year period primarily due to increased plant in service of $8 million, partially offset by the regulatory deferrals for the Ocotillo modernization project of $3 million.

Pension and other postretirement non-service credits, net. Pension and other postretirement non-service credits, net were $6$8 million lowerhigher for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared to the prior-year period primarily due to lowerhigher market returns.returns in 2019.

Interest charges, net of allowance for borrowed funds used during construction. Interest charges, net of allowance for borrowed funds used during construction were $5 million higher for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the prior-year period primarily due to higher debt balances in the current period.

Income taxes.  Income taxes were $32$24 million lowerhigher for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared with the prior-year period primarily due to higher pre-tax income and reduced amortization of excess deferred taxes (Note 4) and lower pretax income.(see Note 15).



Operating ResultsNine-monthSix-month period ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared with nine-monthsix-month period ended SeptemberJune 30, 2018.2019.

Our consolidated net income attributable to common shareholders for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 was $474$224 million, compared with consolidated net income attributable to common shareholders of $485$162 million for the prior-year period. The results reflect a decreasean increase of approximately $9$59 million for the regulated electricity segment primarily due to lower operations and maintenance expense, higher revenue driven by the effects of weather and lowerhigher pension and other postretirement non-service credits, partially offset by lowerhigher depreciation expense. Weather had a significant impact on our result of operations and maintenance expense.


due to the hotter than normal weather in 2020 compared to the milder than normal weather in the same 2019 period. 

The following table presents net income attributable to common shareholders by business segment compared with the prior-year period:

Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Six Months Ended June 30,  
2019 2018 Net Change2020 2019 Net Change
(dollars in millions)(dollars in millions)
Regulated Electricity Segment: 
  
  
 
  
  
Operating revenues less fuel and purchased power expenses$1,980
 $2,067
 $(87)$1,162
 $1,135
 $27
Operations and maintenance(710) (769) 59
(439) (472) 33
Depreciation and amortization(446) (435) (11)(307) (296) (11)
Taxes other than income taxes(164) (158) (6)(113) (110) (3)
Pension and other postretirement non-service credits - net17
 37
 (20)28
 11
 17
All other income and expenses, net46
 46
 
34
 30
 4
Interest charges, net of allowance for borrowed funds used during construction(161) (162) 1
(113) (107) (6)
Income taxes(72) (127) 55
(21) (19) (2)
Less income related to noncontrolling interests (Note 6)(15) (15) 
(10) (10) 
Regulated electricity segment income475
 484
 (9)221
 162
 59
All other(1) 1
 (2)3
 
 3
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders$474
 $485
 $(11)$224
 $162
 $62




Operating revenues less fuel and purchased power expenses.  Regulated electricity segment operating revenues less fuel and purchased power expenses were $87$27 million lowerhigher for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared with the prior-year period.  The following table summarizes the major components of this change:

 Increase (Decrease)
 
Operating
revenues
 
Fuel and
purchased
power expenses
 Net change
 (dollars in millions)
Refunds due to lower Federal corporate income tax rate (Note 4)$(59) $
 $(59)
Effects of weather(42) (10) (32)
Lower renewable energy regulatory surcharges and higher purchased power, partially offset by operations and maintenance costs(15) 1
 (16)
Lower transmission revenues (Note 4)(8) 
 (8)
Change in residential rate design and seasonal rates (a)13
 
 13
Lost fixed cost recovery8
 
 8
Higher retail revenue due to higher customer growth, partially offset by the impacts of energy efficiency, distributed generation and changes in customer usage patterns11
 4
 7
Changes in net fuel and purchased power costs, including off-system sales margins and related deferrals(43) (46) 3
Miscellaneous items, net4
 7
 (3)
Total$(131) $(44) $(87)

(a) As part of the 2017 Settlement Agreement, rate design changes were implemented in the spring of 2018 that moved some revenue responsibility from summer to non-summer months. The change was made to better align revenue collections with costs of service.
 Increase (Decrease)
 
Operating
revenues
 
Fuel and
purchased
power expenses
 Net change
 (dollars in millions)
Effects of weather$67
 $15
 $52
Changes in net fuel and purchased power costs, including off-system sales margins and related deferrals(53) (56) 3
Lower renewable energy regulatory surcharges, partially offset by operations and maintenance costs(7) 
 (7)
Refunds due to tax reform (Note 4)(9) 
 (9)
Lower retail revenue due to the impacts of energy efficiency, distributed generation and changes in customer usage patterns, including the impacts of COVID-19, partially offset by higher customer growth(15) 
 (15)
Miscellaneous items, net(2) (5) 3
Total$(19) $(46) $27

Operations and maintenance.  Operations and maintenance expenses decreased $59$33 million for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared with the prior-year period primarily because of:

A decrease of $26$15 million primarily related to public outreachan increased recovery from contributions of administrative and general costs at the parent company primarily associated with the ballot initiative in 2018;from Palo Verde owners;

A decrease of $19$9 million in fossil generation costs primarily due to lower planned outages and lower operating costs due to the Navajo Plant closure (see Note 4);

A decrease of $9 million primarily related to costs for renewable energy and similar regulatory programs, which isare partially offset byin operating revenues and purchased power;

A decrease of $16$6 million in fossil generation primarily duerelated to lower planned outages and other operatingconsulting costs;

A decrease of $7 million related to transmission, distribution and customer service costs;




A decrease of $6$3 million related to employee benefit costs;

An increase of $9$4 million for costs related to information technology;

An increase of $7$5 million related to consulting costs;customer bad debt expenses primarily related to the Summer Disconnection Moratorium and COVID-19 disconnect suspensions (see Note 4);



An increase of $9 million primarily related to personal protective equipment and other health and safety-related costs for COVID-19 response; and

A decrease of $1$9 million for corporate resources and other miscellaneous factors.

Depreciation and amortization.Depreciation and amortization expenses were $11 million higher for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019 compared with the prior-year period primarily related to increased plant in service.

Taxes other than income taxes. Taxes other than income taxes were $6 million higher for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 compared to the prior-year period primarily due to higher property values.increased plant in service of $22 million, partially offset by the regulatory deferrals for the Ocotillo modernization project and the Four Corners SCR project of $11 million.

Pension and other postretirement non-service credits, net. Pension and other postretirement non-service credits, net were $20$17 million lowerhigher for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared to the prior-year period primarily due to lowerhigher market returns.returns in 2019.

Interest charges, net of allowance for borrowed funds used during construction. Interest charges, net of allowance for borrowed funds used during construction were $6 million higher for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the prior-year period primarily due to higher debt balances in the current period.

Income taxes.  Income taxes were $55$2 million lowerhigher for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared with the prior-year period primarily due to higher pre-tax net income, partially offset by the amortization of excess deferred taxes (Note 4) and lower pretax income.(see Note 15).


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
Overview
 
Pinnacle West’s primary cash needs are for dividends to our shareholders and principal and interest payments on our indebtedness.  The level of our common stock dividends and future dividend growth will be dependent on declaration by our Board of Directors and based on a number of factors, including our financial condition, payout ratio, free cash flow and other factors.
 
Our primary sources of cash are dividends from APS and external debt and equity issuances.  An ACC order requires APS to maintain a common equity ratio of at least 40%.  As defined in the related ACC order, the common equity ratio is defined as total shareholder equity divided by the sum of total shareholder equity and long-term debt, including current maturities of long-term debt.  At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, APS’s common equity ratio, as defined, was 54%52%.  Its total shareholder equity was approximately $6.0$5.9 billion, and total capitalization was approximately $11.1$11.5 billion.  Under this order, APS would be prohibited from paying dividends if such payment would reduce its total shareholder equity below approximately $4.5$4.6 billion, assuming APS’s total capitalization remains the same.  This restriction does not materially affect Pinnacle West’s ability to meet its ongoing cash needs or ability to pay dividends to shareholders.
 
APS’s capital requirements consist primarily of capital expenditures and maturities of long-term debt.  APS funds its capital requirements with cash from operations and, to the extent necessary, external debt financing and equity infusions from Pinnacle West.

In September 2019, U.S. Treasury issued new proposed regulations which clarify bonus depreciation transition rules under the Tax Act for property placed in service by regulated public utilities after December 31, 2017. The proposed regulations provide that certain regulated public utility property which was under


construction prior to September 28, 2017 and placed in service between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 would continue to be eligible for bonus depreciation under the rules and bonus depreciation phase-downs in effect prior to enactment of the Tax Act. Taxpayers are able to rely on these proposed regulations for taxable years ending on or after September 28, 2017 and until final regulations are eventually issued.

Based on the September 2019 proposed regulations, the Company believes the continued availability of bonus depreciation for certain property under construction prior to September 28, 2017 and placed in service during 2019 or 2020 may generate $35-$50 million of bonus depreciation cash tax benefits. The cash generated by bonus depreciation is an acceleration of the tax benefits that APS would have otherwise received over 20 years and reduces rate base for ratemaking purposes. At Pinnacle West Consolidated, the continued availability of bonus depreciation is expected to delay until 2020 full cash realization of approximately $31 million of currently unrealized Investment Tax Credits and other tax credits, which are recorded as a deferred tax asset on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2019.

Summary of Cash Flows
 
The following tables present net cash provided by (used for) operating, investing and financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (dollars in millions):
 
Pinnacle West Consolidated
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 NetSix Months Ended
June 30,
 Net
2019 2018 Change2020 2019 Change
Net cash flow provided by operating activities$835
 $960
 $(125)$370
 $346
 $24
Net cash flow used for investing activities(832) (913) 81
(653) (528) (125)
Net cash flow provided by financing activities21
 4
 17
280
 178
 102
Net change in cash and cash equivalents$24
 $51
 $(27)$(3) $(4) $1

Arizona Public Service Company
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 NetSix Months Ended
June 30,
 Net
2019 2018 Change2020 2019 Change
Net cash flow provided by operating activities$830
 $988
 $(158)$378
 $335
 $43
Net cash flow used for investing activities(844) (906) 62
(656) (536) (120)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities38
 (31) 69
Net cash flow provided by financing activities274
 197
 77
Net change in cash and cash equivalents$24
 $51
 $(27)$(4) $(4) $
 
Operating Cash Flows
 
Nine-monthSix-month period ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared with nine-monthsix-month period ended SeptemberJune 30, 2018.2019. Pinnacle West’s consolidated net cash provided by operating activities was $835$370 million in 2020, compared to $346 million in 2019, compared to $960 million in 2018, a decreasean increase of $125$24 million in net cash provided by operating activities primarily due to lower pension contributions, operations and maintenance cost, income tax payments, property tax payments and interest expense, partially offset by lower cash receipts from electric revenuesrevenues. The difference between APS and higher pension contributions, partially offsetPinnacle West's net cash provided by operating activities primarily relates to APS's lower fuel and purchased power costs and operations and maintenance cost.income tax payments.

Retirement plans and other postretirement benefits. Pinnacle West sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan and a non-qualified supplemental excess benefit retirement plan for the employees of Pinnacle West and our subsidiaries.  The requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of


1974 ("ERISA") require us to contribute a minimum amount to the qualified plan.  We contribute at least the minimum amount required under ERISA regulations, but no more than the maximum tax-deductible amount.  The minimum required funding takes into consideration the value of plan assets and our pension benefit obligations.  Under ERISA, the qualified pension plan was 112%117% funded as of January 1, 20192020 and 117%112% as of January 1, 2018.2019.  Under GAAP, the qualified pension plan was 97% funded as of January 1, 2020 and 90% funded as of January 1, 2019 and 95% funded as of January 1, 2018.2019. See Note 5 for additional details. The assets in the plan are comprised of fixed-income, equity, real estate, and short-term investments.  Future year contribution amounts are dependent on plan asset performance and plan actuarial assumptions.  We have not made voluntary contributions of $150 million to our pension plan year-to-date in 2019.2020. The minimum required contributions for the pension plan are zero for the next three years. We expect to make voluntary contributions up to a total of $350$100 million per year during the 2019-20212020-2022 period. We do not expect to make any contributions over the next three years to our other postretirement benefit plans. In 2019, the Company was reimbursed $30 millionW for prior year retiree medical claims from thee continue to monitor COVID-19 and its impact on our retirement plans and other postretirement benefit plan trust assets.


postretirement benefits but we believe, due to our liability driven investment strategy, which helps to minimize the impact of market volatility on our plan’s funded status, our pension plan’s funded status is still above 90% funded as of June 30, 2020.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allows employers to defer payments of the employer share of Social Security payroll taxes that would have otherwise been owed from March 27, 2020 through December 31, 2020. We are deferring the cash payment of the employer's portion of Social Security payroll taxes for the period July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 that we expect will be in the range of $15 million to $20 million. We will pay half of this cash deferral by December 31, 2021 and the remainder by December 31, 2022.

Investing Cash Flows
 
Nine-monthSix-month period ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared with nine-monthsix-month period ended SeptemberJune 30, 2018.2019. Pinnacle West’s consolidated net cash used for investing activities was $832$653 million in 2020, compared to $528 million in 2019, compared to $913 million in 2018, a decreasean increase of $81$125 million primarily related to decreasedincreased capital expenditures and active union employee medical claim reimbursements (See Note 12). The difference between APS and Pinnacle West's net cash used for investing activities primarily relates to Pinnacle West's investing cash activity related to 4CA.expenditures.
 
Capital Expenditures.  The following table summarizes the estimated capital expenditures for the next three years:

Capital Expenditures
(dollars in millions) 
Estimated for the Year Ended
December 31,
Estimated for the Year Ended
December 31,
2019 2020 20212020 2021 2022
APS 
  
  
 
  
  
Generation: 
  
  
 
  
  
Clean:          
Nuclear Fuel$71
 $63
 $64
Nuclear Generation70
 68
 67
$129
 $123
 $123
Renewables (a)23
 18
 3
New Resources (b)3
 118
 387
Renewables and Energy Storage Systems ("ESS") (a)121
 490
 671
Environmental29
 47
 53
45
 53
 44
New Gas Generation16
 
 
Other Generation156
 137
 118
141
 154
 121
Distribution515
 530
 402
556
 444
 446
Transmission205
 190
 236
181
 201
 205
Other (c)149
 160
 142
Other (b)158
 185
 115
Total APS$1,237
 $1,331
 $1,472
$1,331
 $1,650
 $1,725

(a)Primarily APS Solar Communities program,


(b)Projected future generation resources, which may include energy storage, renewable projects, and other clean energy projects
(c)(b)Primarily information systems and facilities projects

 Generation capital expenditures are comprised of various additions and improvements to APS’s clean resources, including nuclear plants, renewables and projected future new resources.ESS. Generation capital expenditures also include improvements to existing fossil plants. Examples of the types of projects included in the forecast of generation capital expenditures are additions of roof top solar systems, new clean resources,renewable and energy storage, and upgrades and capital replacements of various nuclear and fossil power plant equipment, such as turbines, boilers and environmental equipment.  We are monitoring the status of environmental matters, which, depending on their final outcome, could require modification to our planned environmental expenditures.



Distribution and transmission capital expenditures are comprised of infrastructure additions and upgrades, capital replacements, and new customer construction.  Examples of the types of projects included in the forecast include power lines, substations, and line extensions to new residential and commercial developments.

Capital expenditures will be funded with internally generated cash and external financings, which may include issuances of long-term debt and Pinnacle West common stock.

Financing Cash Flows and Liquidity
 
Nine-monthSix-month period ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared with nine-monthsix-month period ended SeptemberJune 30, 2018.2019. Pinnacle West’s consolidated net cash provided by financing activities was $21$280 million in 2020, compared to $178 million in 2019, compared to $4 million in 2018, an increase of $17$102 million in net cash provided.  The increase in net cash provided by financing activities includes $500$592 million in higher issuances of long-term debt partially offset by higher long-term debt repayments of $418$300 million, and a net decrease in short termshort-term borrowings of $52$179 million. The difference between APS and Pinnacle West's

APS’s consolidated net cash provided by financing activities primarily relateswas $274 million in 2020, compared to $197 million in 2019, an increase of $77 million in net cash provided.  The increase in net cash provided by financing activities includes $95 million in higher issuances of long-term debt and lower long-term debt repayments of $150 million, partially offset by a net decrease in short-term borrowings and repayments at Pinnacle West on behalf of 4CA.$157 million.

Significant Financing Activities.  On October 23, 2019,June 17, 2020, the Pinnacle West Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.7825 per share of common stock, payable on December 2, 2019September 1, 2020 to shareholders of record on November 4, 2019. This represents an increase in the indicated annual dividend from $2.95 per share to $3.13 per share.

On February 26, 2019, APS entered into a $200 million term loan agreement that matures August 26,3, 2020. APS used the proceeds to repay existing indebtedness. Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at LIBOR plus 0.50% per annum.

On February 28, 2019, APS issued $300 million of 4.25% unsecured senior notes that mature on March 1, 2049. The net proceeds from the sale, together with funds made available from the term loan described above, were used to repay existing indebtedness.

On March 1, 2019, APS repaid at maturity $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.75% senior notes.

On August 19, 2019, APS issued $300 million of 2.6% unsecured senior notes that mature on August 15, 2029. The net proceeds from the sale were used to repay short-term indebtedness, consisting of commercial paper borrowings, and to replenish cash used to fund capital expenditures.


Available Credit FacilitiesPinnacle West and APS maintain committed revolving credit facilities in order to enhance liquidity and provide credit support for their commercial paper programs, to finance indebtedness, and other general corporate purposes.
 
On May 9, 2019,5, 2020, Pinnacle West entered intorefinanced its 364-day $50 million term loan agreement that would have matured on May 7, 2020 with a $50new 364-day $31 million term loan agreement that matures May 7, 2020. Pinnacle West used the proceeds to refinance indebtedness under and terminate a prior $150 million revolving credit facility.4, 2021. Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at LIBOREurodollar Rate plus 0.55%1.40% per annum. At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, Pinnacle West had $41$31 million in outstanding borrowings under the current agreement.

On June 17, 2020, Pinnacle West issued $500 million of 1.3% unsecured senior notes that mature June 15, 2025. The net proceeds from the sale were used to repay early its $150 million term loan facility set to mature on December 21, 2020, to repay short-term indebtedness consisting of commercial paper and replenish cash incurred or used to fund capital expenditures, to redeem prior to maturity our $300 million, 2.25% senior notes due November 30, 2020, and for general corporate purposes.

At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, Pinnacle West had a $200 million revolving credit facility that matures in July 2023. Pinnacle West has the option to increase the amount of the facility up to a maximum of $300 million upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and with the consent of the lenders. Interest rates are based on Pinnacle West's senior unsecured debt credit ratings. The facility is available to support Pinnacle West's $200 million commercial paper program, for bank borrowings or for issuances of letters of credits. At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, Pinnacle West had no outstanding borrowings under its credit facility, no letters of credit outstanding and $13$41 million in commercial paper borrowings.



On January 15, 2020, APS repaid at maturity the remaining $150 million of the $250 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.2% Senior Notes.

On May 22, 2020, APS issued $600 million of 3.35% unsecured senior notes that mature May 15, 2050. The net proceeds from the sale were used to repay early its $200 million term loan facility, and to repay short-term indebtedness, consisting of commercial paper borrowings.and revolver borrowings, and to replenish cash used to fund capital expenditures.

At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, APS had two revolving credit facilities totaling $1 billion, including a $500 million credit facility that matures in June 2022 and a $500 million facility that matures in July 2023.  APS may increase the amount of each facility up to a maximum of $700 million, for a total of $1.4 billion, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and with the consent of the lenders.  Interest rates are based on APS’s senior unsecured debt credit ratings. These facilities are available to support APS’s $500 million commercial paper program, for bank borrowings or for issuances of letters of credit.  At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, APS had $3 million of commercial paper outstanding and no outstanding borrowings or letters of credit under its revolving credit facilities.facilities, no letters of credit outstanding, and $220 million in commercial paper borrowings.

On November 27, 2018, the ACC issued a financing order in which, subject to specified parameters and procedures, it approved APS’s short-term debt authorization equal to a sum of (i) 7% of APS’s capitalization, and (ii) $500 million (which is required to be used for costs relating to purchases of natural gas and power) and a long-term debt authorization of $5.9 billion. On March 27, 2020, APS filed an application with the ACC to increase the long-term debt limit from $5.9 billion to $7.5 billion and to continue its authorization of short-term debt granted in the 2018 financing order.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in mid-March 2020 the commercial paper markets failed to function normally and we were unable to utilize commercial paper as our primary method of acquiring short-term capital, which resulted in us drawing on our revolving credit facilities during the first quarter of 2020.  In mid-April 2020, we were again able to utilize the commercial paper market and we have paid down the revolving credit facilities completely.  We do not believe this will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

See "Financial Assurances" in Note 8 for a discussion of separate outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds.
 
Other Financing Matters. See Note 7 for information related to the change in our margin and collateral accounts.

Debt Provisions
 
Pinnacle West’s and APS’s debt covenants related to their respective bank financing arrangements include maximum debt to capitalization ratios.  Pinnacle West and APS comply with this covenant.these covenants.  For both Pinnacle West and APS, this covenant requiresthese covenants require that the ratio of consolidated debt to total consolidated capitalization not exceed 65%.  At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, the ratio was approximately 50%54% for Pinnacle West and 46%49% for APS.  Failure to comply with such covenant levels would result in an event of default which, generally speaking, would require the immediate repayment of the debt subject to the covenants and could "cross-default" other debt.  See further discussion of "cross-default" provisions below.

Neither Pinnacle West’s nor APS’s financing agreements contain "rating triggers" that would result in an acceleration of the required interest and principal payments in the event of a rating downgrade.  However,


our bank credit agreements contain a pricing grid in which the interest rates we pay for borrowings thereunder are determined by our current credit ratings.
 
All of Pinnacle West’s loan agreements contain "cross-default" provisions that would result in defaults and the potential acceleration of payment under these loan agreements if Pinnacle West or APS were to default under certain other material agreements.  All of APS’s bank agreements contain "cross-default" provisions that would result in defaults and the potential acceleration of payment under these bank agreements if APS were to


default under certain other material agreements.  Pinnacle West and APS do not have a material adverse change restriction for credit facility borrowings.

On November 27, 2018, the ACC issued a financing order that, subject to specified parameters and procedures, increased APS’s long-term debt limit from $5.1 billion to $5.9 billion, and authorized APS’s short-term debt limit equal to a sum of (i) 7% of APS’s capitalization, and (ii) $500 million (which is required to be used for costs relating to purchases of natural gas and power). On March 27, 2020, APS filed an application with the ACC to increase the long-term debt limit from $5.9 billion to $7.5 billion and to continue its authorization of short-term debt granted in the 2018 financing order. If the ACC does not approve this

application by December 31, 2020, this could impact APS’s ability to enter into new long-term debt
obligations.
 
Credit Ratings
 
The ratings of securities of Pinnacle West and APS as of October 31, 2019August 2, 2020 are shown below.  We are disclosing these credit ratings to enhance understanding of our cost of short-term and long-term capital and our ability to access the markets for liquidity and long-term debt.  The ratings reflect the respective views of the rating agencies, from which an explanation of the significance of their ratings may be obtained.  There is no assurance that these ratings will continue for any given period of time.  The ratings may be revised or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies if, in their respective judgments, circumstances so warrant.  Any downward revision or withdrawal may adversely affect the market price of Pinnacle West’s or APS’s securities and/or result in an increase in the cost of, or limit access to, capital.  Such revisions may also result in substantial additional cash or other collateral requirements related to certain derivative instruments, insurance policies, natural gas transportation, fuel supply, and other energy-related contracts.  At this time, we believe we have sufficient available liquidity resources to respond to a downward revision to our credit ratings.

 Moody’s Standard & Poor’s Fitch
Pinnacle West     
Corporate credit ratingA3 A- A-
Senior unsecuredA3 BBB+ A-
Commercial paperP-2 A-2 F2
OutlookStableNegative Stable Negative
      
APS     
Corporate credit ratingA2 A- A-
Senior unsecuredA2 A- A
Commercial paperP-1 A-2 F2
OutlookStableNegative Stable Negative
 


Off-Balance Sheets Arrangements
 
See Note 6 for a discussion of the impacts on our financial statements of consolidating certain VIEs.
 
Contractual Obligations

During 2019 our fuel and purchased power commitments have increased from the information provided in our 2018 10-K. The increase is primarily due to new purchased power commitmentsAs of approximately $260 million. The majority of the changes relate to 2024 and thereafter.



During 2019 our coal reclamation commitments have decreased from the information provided in our 2018 10-K by approximately $100 million. The decrease is primarily due to a new coal reclamation cost study for Four Corners. The majority of the changes relate to 2024 and thereafter.

Other than the items described above,June 30, 2020, there have been no material changes as of September 30, 2019, outside the normal course of business in contractual obligations from the information provided in our 20182019 Form 10-K. See Note 3 for discussion regarding changes in our short-term and long-term debt obligations.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
In preparing the financial statements in accordance with GAAP, management must often make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period.  Some of those judgments can be subjective and complex, and actual results could differ from those estimates.  There have been no changes to our critical accounting policies since our 20182019 Form 10-K.  See "Critical Accounting Policies" in Item 7 of the 20182019 Form 10-K for further details about our critical accounting policies.


OTHER ACCOUNTING MATTERS

On January 1, 20192020 we adopted new lease accounting guidance, ASU 2016-02, and related amendments. See Note 16. On July 1, 2019 we early adopted, ASU 2018-15, relating to accounting for cloud computing implementation costs. We are currently evaluating the impacts of the pending adoption of ASU 2016-13, and related amendments, pertaining to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. This new credit loss standard is effective for us on January 1, 2020. See Note 13 for additional information related to new accounting standards.


MARKET AND CREDIT RISKS

Market Risks

Our operations include managing market risks related to changes in interest rates, commodity prices, investments held by our nuclear decommissioning trust,Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts, other special use funds and benefit plan assets.

Interest Rate and Equity Risk

We have exposure to changing interest rates.  Changing interest rates will affect interest paid on variable-rate debt and the market value of fixed income securities held by our nuclear decommissioning trust,Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts, other special use funds (see Note 11 and Note 12), and benefit plan assets.  The nuclear decommissioning trust,Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts, other special use funds and benefit plan assets also have risks associated with the changing market value of their equity and other non-fixed income investments.  Nuclear decommissioning and benefit plan costs are recovered in regulated electricity prices.




Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations in the commodity price and transportation costs of electricity and natural gas.  Our risk management committee, consisting of officers and key management personnel, oversees company-wide energy risk management activities to ensure compliance with our stated energy risk management policies.  We manage risks associated with these market fluctuations by utilizing various commodity instruments that may qualify as derivatives, including futures, forwards, options and swaps.  As part of our risk management program, we use such instruments to hedge purchases and sales of electricity and fuels.  The changes in market value of such contracts have a high correlation to price changes in the hedged commodities.

The following table shows the net pretax changes in mark-to-market of our derivative positions for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (dollars in millions):
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2019 20182020 2019
Mark-to-market of net positions at beginning of period$(59) $(91)$(71) $(59)
Decrease (Increase) in regulatory asset(13) 12
1
 (22)
Recognized in OCI:      
Mark-to-market losses realized during the period1
 2
1
 1
Change in valuation techniques
 

 
Mark-to-market of net positions at end of period$(71) $(77)$(69) $(80)

The table below shows the fair value of maturities of our derivative contracts (dollars in millions) at SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 by maturities and by the type of valuation that is performed to calculate the fair values, classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  See Note 1, "Derivative Accounting" and "Fair Value Measurements," in Item 8 of our 20182019 Form 10-K and Note 11 for more discussion of our valuation methods.
Source of Fair Value 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 
Total 
Fair 
Value
 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 
Total 
Fair 
Value
Observable prices provided by other external sources $(15) $(30) $(16) $(7) $
 $(68) $(35) $(6) $(11) $(7) $
 $(59)
Prices based on unobservable inputs 
 
 
 
 (2) (2) (6) 
 
 
 (4) (10)
Total by maturity $(15) $(30) $(16) $(7) $(2) $(70) $(41) $(6) $(11) $(7) $(4) $(69)




The table below shows the impact that hypothetical price movements of 10% would have on the market value of our risk management assets and liabilities included on Pinnacle West’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (dollars in millions):

September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
Gain (Loss) Gain (Loss)Gain (Loss) Gain (Loss)
Price Up 10% Price Down 10% Price Up 10% Price Down 10%Price Up 10% Price Down 10% Price Up 10% Price Down 10%
Mark-to-market changes reported in: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Regulatory asset (a) 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Electricity$
 $
 $1
 $(1)$1
 $(1) $
 $
Natural gas39
 (39) 44
 (44)50
 (50) 55
 (55)
Total$39
 $(39) $45
 $(45)$51
 $(51) $55
 $(55)

(a)These contracts are economic hedges of our forecasted purchases of natural gas and electricity.  The impact of these hypothetical price movements would substantially offset the impact that these same price movements would have on the physical exposures being hedged.  To the extent the amounts are eligible for inclusion in the PSA, the amounts are recorded as either a regulatory asset or liability.

Credit Risk

We are exposed to losses in the event of non-performance or non-payment by counterparties.  See Note 7 for a discussion of our credit valuation adjustment policy.


Item 3.        QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
See "Key Financial Drivers" and "Market and Credit Risks" in Item 2 above for a discussion of quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks.
 
Item 4.         CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
(a)                                Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The term "disclosure controls and procedures" means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to a company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Pinnacle West’s management, with the participation of Pinnacle West’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of Pinnacle West’s disclosure controls and procedures as of SeptemberJune 30, 2019.2020.  Based on that evaluation, Pinnacle West’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of that date, Pinnacle West’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.



APS’s management, with the participation of APS’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of APS’s disclosure controls and procedures as of SeptemberJune 30, 2019.2020.  Based on that evaluation, APS’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of that date, APS’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
(b)                                Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
The term "internal control over financial reporting" (defined in SEC Rule 13a-15(f)) refers to the process of a company that is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
 
No change in Pinnacle West’s or APS’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fiscal quarter ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Pinnacle West’s or APS’s internal control over financial reporting.



PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.                   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
See "Business of Arizona Public Service Company — Environmental Matters" in Item 1 of the 20182019 Form 10-K with regard to pending or threatened litigation and other disputes.
 
See Note 4 for ACC and FERC-related matters.
 
See Note 8 for information regarding environmental matters and Superfund-related matters.

Item 1A.                RISK FACTORS
 
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A — Risk Factors in the 20182019 Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A of the 2020 1st Quarter 10-Q, which could materially affect the business, financial condition, cash flows or future results of Pinnacle West and APS.  The risks described in the 20182019 Form 10-K and the 2020 1st Quarter 10-Q are not the only risks facing Pinnacle West and APS.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the business, financial condition, cash flows and/or operating results of Pinnacle West and APS. 

The risk factor below is an update to our 2019 Form 10-K and 2020 1st Quarter 10-Q.

The outbreak of the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic could negatively affect our business. 

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 is a rapidly developing situation around the globe that has led to economic disruption and volatility in the financial markets. The continued spread of COVID-19 and efforts to contain the virus could decrease demand for energy, lower economic growth, impact our employees and contractors, cause disruptions in our supply chain, increase certain costs, further increase volatility in the capital markets (and result in increases in the cost of capital or an inability to access the capital markets or draw on available credit facilities), delay the completion of capital or other construction projects and other operations and maintenance activities, delay payments or increase uncollectable accounts or cause other unpredictable events, each of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, from March through July 2020, we have experienced a decrease in demand from commercial and industrial customers and an increase in demand from residential customers which has resulted in a net decrease in weather normalized retail electricity sales as compared to 2019. APS is also experiencing an increase in bad debt expense associated with the COVID-19 pandemic that has resulted in a negative impact to our 2020 operating results. In mid-March 2020, we drew on our revolving credit facilities as a result of the commercial paper markets failing to function normally due to COVID-19, but we were subsequently able to utilize the commercial paper market in April 2020 and we have paid down the revolving credit facilities completely. We are also experiencing increased operations and maintenance expenses due to the need for personal protective equipment and other health and safety-related costs related to COVID-19.

Despite our efforts to manage the impacts, the degree to which the COVID-19 pandemic and related actions ultimately impact our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows will depend on factors beyond our control including the duration, spread and severity of the outbreak, the actions taken to contain COVID-19 and mitigate its public health effects, the impact on the U.S. and global economies and demand for energy, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions resume.



Item 5.                OTHER INFORMATION

Modification to CompensationNone.

On November 4, 2019, the Human Resources Committee (“HRC”) of the Pinnacle West Board of Directors approved the following compensation arrangement for Jeffrey B. Guldner, the President of APS and Executive Vice President Public Policy of Pinnacle West that is effective on November 15, 2019 when Mr. Guldner becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle West and APS:

Mr. Guldner’s base salary increases to $1,100,000 (“CEO Base Salary”);
Equity awards are expected to be granted in February 2020 with a grant date fair value of $3,250,000, under the regular long-term incentive program applicable to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice Presidents, and, subject to the normal approval process by the HRC;
The award opportunities for Mr. Guldner under the APS 2019 Annual Incentive Award Plan (the “APS Plan”) will continue to be tied to his services as President of APS and Executive Vice President Public Policy of Pinnacle West from January 1, 2019 until November 15, 2019. From November 15, 2019 until December 31, 2019, Mr. Guldner will continue to participate in the APS Plan but the award opportunities will be based 50% on the achievement of specified 2019 Pinnacle West earnings levels and 50% on the achievement of performance goals established for business units of APS in the functional areas of customer service, transmission and distribution, fossil generation, corporate resources and the Palo Verde Generating Station and Mr. Guldner’s target award opportunity under the APS Plan will be 110% of his CEO Base Salary.  Mr. Guldner may earn less or more than the target amount, up to a maximum award opportunity of 200% of target, depending on the achievement of the earnings and business unit performance goals separately or in combination.

Consulting Services Agreement

On November 4, 2019, the HRC of the Pinnacle West Board of Directors approved a Consulting Services Agreement with Donald E. Brandt, the Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle West and the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of APS that is effective


November 15, 2019 (the “Agreement”). For a period of 12 months, Mr. Brandt will consult and advise on matters as requested by the Board of Directors, including without limitation, assisting Pinnacle West and its Board of Directors in the transition of the responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer to Mr. Guldner. In particular, Mr. Brandt will provide advice and support regarding the transition of oversight of the Palo Verde Generating Station.

Mr. Brandt may receive a total consulting fee of up to $1.75 million that will be payable as $25,000 per month for the first 11 months and the balance of the consulting fee will be paid at the end of the term of the Agreement, subject to an evaluation by the HRC and the Corporate Governance Committee of the Pinnacle West Board of Directors that Mr. Brandt has performed the duties in the Agreement. Mr. Brandt is subject to certain restrictions and covenants in the Agreement, including confidentiality, non-compete and non-solicitation provisions.

The foregoing description of the terms of the Agreement does not purport to be complete, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text thereof, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 10-Q, and incorporated herein by reference.


Item 6.                 EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit No. Registrant(s) Description
     
10.1Pinnacle West
31.1 Pinnacle West 
     
31.2 Pinnacle West 
     
31.3 APS 
     
31.4 APS 
     
32.1* Pinnacle West 
     
32.2* APS 
     
101.INS 
Pinnacle West
APS
 XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.
     
101.SCH 
Pinnacle West
APS
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL 
Pinnacle West
APS
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB 
Pinnacle West
APS
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE 
Pinnacle West
APS
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF 
Pinnacle West
APS
 XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document
     
104 
Pinnacle West
APS
 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

*Furnished herewith as an Exhibit.



In addition, Pinnacle West and APS hereby incorporate the following Exhibits pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 12b-32 and Regulation §229.10(d) by reference to the filings set forth below:
 
Exhibit No. Registrant(s) Description Previously Filed as Exhibit(1) Date Filed
         
3.1
 Pinnacle West  3.1 to Pinnacle West/APS February 28, 201725, 2020 Form 8-K Report, File Nos. 1-8962 and 1-4473 2/28/201725/2020
         
3.2
 Pinnacle West  3.1 to Pinnacle West/APS June 30, 2008 Form 10-Q Report, File Nos. 1-8962 and 1-4473 8/7/2008
         
3.3
 APS Articles of Incorporation, restated as of May 25, 1988 4.2 to APS’s Form S-3 Registration Nos. 33-33910 and 33-55248 by means of September 24, 1993 Form  8-K Report, File No. 1-4473 9/29/1993
         
3.4
 APS  3.1 to Pinnacle West/APS May 22, 2012 Form 8-K Report, File Nos. 1-8962 and 1-4473 5/22/2012
         
3.5
 APS  3.4 to Pinnacle West/APS December 31, 2008 Form 10-K, File Nos. 1-8962 and 1-4473 2/20/2009

(1)  Reports filed under File Nos. 1-4473 and 1-8962 were filed in the office of the Securities and Exchange Commission located in Washington, D.C.


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
   PINNACLE WEST CAPITAL CORPORATION
   (Registrant)
     
     
Dated:November 7, 2019August 6, 2020 By:/s/ James R. HatfieldTheodore N. Geisler
    James R. HatfieldTheodore N. Geisler
    ExecutiveSenior Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial Officer and
    Officer Duly Authorized to sign this Report)
     
     
   ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
   (Registrant)
    
     
Dated:November 7, 2019August 6, 2020 By:/s/ James R. HatfieldTheodore N. Geisler
    James R. HatfieldTheodore N. Geisler
    ExecutiveSenior Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial Officer and
    Officer Duly Authorized to sign this Report)


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