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EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - IPALCO ENTERPRISES, INC.ipalco10q20170930ex322.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - IPALCO ENTERPRISES, INC.ipalco10q20170930ex321.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - IPALCO ENTERPRISES, INC.ipalco10q20170930ex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - IPALCO ENTERPRISES, INC.ipalco10q20170930ex311.htm

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

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017

or
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 1-8644 
IPALCO ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Indiana
 
35-1575582
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
One Monument Circle
Indianapolis, Indiana
 
46204
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
 
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 317-261-8261

Indicate by check mark whether the 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. Yes ¨ No þ
(The registrant is a voluntary filer. The registrant has filed all applicable reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, 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). Yes þ 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:
Large accelerated filer ¨ 
Accelerated filer ¨   
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) þ
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 the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No þ



At November 1, 2017, 108,907,318 shares of IPALCO Enterprises, Inc. common stock were outstanding, of which 89,685,177 shares were owned by AES U.S. Investments, Inc. and 19,222,141 shares were owned by CDP Infrastructure Fund GP, a wholly-owned subsidiary of La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None.



IPALCO ENTERPRISES, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q 
For Quarter Ended September 30, 2017
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Item No.
 
Page No.
 
DEFINED TERMS
 
 
 
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
 
 
 
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
1.
Financial Statements
 
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
4.
Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
1.
Legal Proceedings
1A.
Risk Factors
2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
5.
Other Information
6.
Exhibits
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES

3


DEFINED TERMS
The following is a list of frequently used abbreviations or acronyms that are found in this Form 10-Q:
 
 
2016 Form 10-K
IPALCO’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as amended
2016 Rate Order
The order issued in March 2016 by the IURC authorizing IPL to increase its basic rates and charges by $30.8 million annually.

2018 IPALCO Notes
$400 million of 5.00% Senior Secured Notes due May 1, 2018
2020 IPALCO Notes
$405 million of 3.45% Senior Secured Notes due July 15, 2020
2024 IPALCO Notes
$405 million of 3.70% Senior Secured Notes due September 1, 2024
AES
The AES Corporation
AES U.S. Investments
AES U.S. Investments, Inc.
ARO
Asset Retirement Obligations
ASC
Accounting Standards Codification
ASU
Accounting Standards Update
CAA
U.S. Clean Air Act
CCGT
Combined Cycle Gas Turbine
CCR
Coal Combustion Residuals
CDPQ
CDP Infrastructure Fund GP, a wholly-owned subsidiary of La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
CO2

Carbon Dioxide
CPP
Clean Power Plan
Credit Agreement
$250 million Revolving Credit Facilities Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, by and among Indianapolis Power & Light Company, the Lenders Party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, PNC Capital Markets LLC, as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger, Fifth Third Bank, as Syndication Agent and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as Documentation Agent, Dated as of May 6, 2014, and as Amended under the First Amendment to Credit Agreement, Dated as of October 16, 2015.
CWA
U.S. Clean Water Act
DOE
U.S. Department of Energy
DSM
Demand Side Management
ELG
Effluent Limitation Guidelines
EPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FAC
Fuel Adjustment Clause
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Financial Statements
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of IPALCO in “Item 1. Financial Statements” included in Part I – Financial Information of this Form 10-Q
FTRs
Financial Transmission Rights
GAAP
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States
GHG
Greenhouse Gas
IPALCO
IPALCO Enterprises, Inc.
IPL
Indianapolis Power & Light Company
IURC
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
kWh
Kilowatt hours
MISO
Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.
MW
Megawatts
NAAQS
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NOV
Notice of Violation
NOx

Nitrogen Oxide
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NSPS
New Source Performance Standards
Pension Plans
Employees’ Retirement Plan of Indianapolis Power & Light Company and Supplemental Retirement Plan of Indianapolis Power & Light Company

4


PSD
Prevention of Significant Deterioration
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
Service Company
AES U.S. Services, LLC
Subscription Agreement
Subscription Agreement dated as of December 14, 2014, by and between IPALCO and CDPQ
SO2

Sulfur Dioxide
U.S.
United States of America
 

Throughout this document, the terms the Company, we, us, and our refer to IPALCO and its consolidated subsidiaries.

FORWARD‑LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, in particular, the statements about our plans, strategies and prospects under the heading “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part I – Financial Information of this Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements express an expectation or belief and contain a projection, plan or assumption with regard to, among other things, our future revenues, income, expenses or capital structure. Such statements of future events or performance are not guarantees of future performance and involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties. The words “could,” “may,” “predict,” “anticipate,” “would,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “project,” “objective,” “intend,” “continue,” “should,” “plan,” and similar expressions, or the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward-looking statements unless the context requires otherwise.
 
Some important factors that could cause our actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
 
fluctuations in customer growth and demand;
impacts of weather on retail sales and wholesale prices;
impacts of renewable energy generation, natural gas prices and other market factors on wholesale prices;
weather-related damage to our electrical system;
fuel, commodity and other input costs;
performance of our suppliers;
generating unit availability and capacity;
transmission and distribution system reliability and capacity, including natural gas pipeline system and supply constraints;
purchased power costs and availability;
availability and price of capacity;
regulatory action, including, but not limited to, the review of our basic rates and charges by the IURC;
federal and state legislation and regulations;
changes in our credit ratings or the credit ratings of AES;  
fluctuations in the value of pension plan assets, fluctuations in pension plan expenses and our ability to fund defined benefit pension plans;
changes in financial or regulatory accounting policies;
environmental matters, including costs of compliance with current and future environmental laws and requirements;
interest rates, inflation rates and other costs of capital;
the availability of capital;
the ability of subsidiaries to pay dividends or distributions to IPALCO;
level of creditworthiness of counterparties to contracts and transactions;
labor strikes or other workforce factors, including the ability to attract and retain key personnel;
facility or equipment maintenance, repairs and capital expenditures;
significant delays or unanticipated cost increases associated with large construction projects;
the availability and cost of funds to finance working capital and capital needs, particularly during periods when the time lag between incurring costs and recovery is long and the costs are material;
local economic conditions;
catastrophic events such as fires, explosions, cyber-attacks, terrorist acts, acts of war, pandemic events, or natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, severe winds, ice or snow storms, droughts, or other similar occurrences;
costs and effects of legal and administrative proceedings, audits, settlements, investigations and claims and the ultimate disposition of litigation;

5


industry restructuring, deregulation and competition;
issues related to our participation in MISO, including the cost associated with membership, allocation of costs, costs associated with transmission expansion, the recovery of costs incurred, and the risk of default of other MISO participants;
changes in tax laws and the effects of our strategies to reduce tax payments;
the use of derivative contracts; and
product development, technology changes, and changes in prices of products and technologies.

All of the above factors are difficult to predict, contain uncertainties that may materially affect actual results, and many are beyond our control. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in IPALCO’s 2016 Form 10-K for a more detailed discussion of the foregoing and certain other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in any forward-looking statements. Except as required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. If one or more forward-looking statements are updated, no inference should be drawn that additional updates will be made with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.


6


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

IPALCO ENTERPRISES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In Thousands)
 
Three Months Ended,
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2017
2016
 
2017
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
UTILITY OPERATING REVENUES
$
355,314

$
361,339

 
$
1,014,048

$
1,012,373

 
 
 
 
 
 
UTILITY OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel
77,061

80,451

 
210,521

200,115

Other operating expenses
62,776

59,548

 
188,288

178,991

Power purchased
44,470

39,464

 
141,058

132,333

Maintenance
29,706

25,918

 
96,032

92,919

Depreciation and amortization
52,711

54,876

 
156,099

166,027

Taxes other than income taxes
11,804

11,779

 
33,640

34,317

Income taxes - net
23,049

29,457

 
53,189

63,290

Total utility operating expenses
301,577

301,493

 
878,827

867,992

UTILITY OPERATING INCOME
53,737

59,846

 
135,221

144,381

 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME AND (DEDUCTIONS):
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for equity funds used during construction
6,628

7,077

 
19,576

20,454

Loss on early extinguishment of debt
(8,875
)

 
(8,875
)

Miscellaneous income and (deductions) - net
(185
)
(299
)
 
(728
)
(1,433
)
Income tax benefit applicable to nonoperating income
8,308

4,485

 
15,492

10,748

Total other income and (deductions) - net
5,876

11,263

 
25,465

29,769

 
 
 
 
 
 
INTEREST AND OTHER CHARGES:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on long-term debt
30,575

29,018

 
89,077

82,571

Other interest
466

367

 
1,263

1,730

Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction
(5,702
)
(6,549
)
 
(16,763
)
(18,007
)
Amortization of redemption premiums and expense on debt
1,081

1,017

 
3,241

3,123

Total interest and other charges - net
26,420

23,853

 
76,818

69,417

NET INCOME 
33,193

47,256

 
83,868

104,733

 
 
 
 
 
 
LESS: PREFERRED DIVIDENDS OF SUBSIDIARY
803

803

 
2,410

2,410

NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK
$
32,390

$
46,453

 
$
81,458

$
102,323

 
 
 
 
 
 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

7


IPALCO ENTERPRISES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands)
 
September 30,
December 31,
 
2017
2016
ASSETS
 
 
UTILITY PLANT:
 
 
Utility plant in service
$
5,342,196

$
4,997,846

Less accumulated depreciation
2,110,899

2,030,497

Utility plant in service - net
3,231,297

2,967,349

Construction work in progress
703,231

898,330

Spare parts inventory
14,428

14,237

Property held for future use
1,002

1,002

Utility plant - net
3,949,958

3,880,918

OTHER ASSETS:
 

 

Nonutility property - at cost, less accumulated depreciation
504

512

Intangible assets - net
10,812

11,976

Other long-term assets
6,005

5,916

Other assets - net
17,321

18,404

CURRENT ASSETS:
 

 

Cash and cash equivalents
26,327

34,953

Accounts receivable and unbilled revenue (less allowance
 

 

for doubtful accounts of $2,842 and $2,365, respectively)
151,951

154,586

Fuel inventories - at average cost
34,162

30,237

Materials and supplies - at average cost
61,139

60,648

Regulatory assets
32,784

33,912

Prepayments and other current assets
30,964

33,504

Total current assets
337,327

347,840

DEFERRED DEBITS:
 

 

Regulatory assets
436,956

450,710

Miscellaneous
4,224

4,409

Total deferred debits
441,180

455,119

TOTAL
$
4,745,786

$
4,702,281

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
 
 
CAPITALIZATION:
 
 
Common shareholders' equity:
 
 
Paid in capital
$
597,296

$
596,810

Accumulated deficit
(19,645
)
(25,627
)
Total common shareholders' equity
577,651

571,183

Cumulative preferred stock of subsidiary
59,784

59,784

Long-term debt (Note 5)
2,477,051

2,474,840

Total capitalization
3,114,486

3,105,807

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
Short-term and current portion of long-term debt (Note 5)
120,500

74,650

Accounts payable
107,809

119,511

Accrued expenses
23,196

18,754

Accrued real estate and personal property taxes
21,951

18,930

Regulatory liabilities
5,181

7,704

Accrued income taxes
3,054


Accrued interest
35,492

32,541

Customer deposits
30,600

29,780

Other current liabilities
10,451

19,467

Total current liabilities
358,234

321,337

DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
 
 
Regulatory liabilities
690,363

670,294

Deferred income taxes - net
445,539

449,730

Non-current income tax liability
6,687

6,634

Unamortized investment tax credit
1,376

2,410

Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits
48,310

64,139

Asset retirement obligations
80,077

80,568

Miscellaneous
714

1,362

Total deferred credits and other long-term liabilities
1,273,066

1,275,137

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 8)


TOTAL
$
4,745,786

$
4,702,281




See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

8


IPALCO ENTERPRISES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In Thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
2017
2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS:
 
 
Net income
$
83,868

$
104,733

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
156,103

166,031

Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt premium
3,241

3,123

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credit adjustments - net
(14,546
)
15,680

Loss on early extinguishment of debt
8,875


Allowance for equity funds used during construction
(19,576
)
(20,125
)
Change in certain assets and liabilities:
 

 

Accounts receivable
2,635

(29,864
)
Fuel, materials and supplies
(4,626
)
31,705

Income taxes receivable or payable
5,143

12,163

Financial transmission rights
(788
)
(3,279
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(10,864
)
(1,306
)
Accrued real estate and personal property taxes
3,020

4,456

Accrued interest
2,951

11,354

Pension and other postretirement benefit expenses
(15,828
)
(23,573
)
Short-term and long-term regulatory assets and liabilities
21,183

(26,623
)
Prepaids and other current assets
156

(2,802
)
Other - net
(4,841
)
7,395

Net cash provided by operating activities
216,106

249,068

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
Capital expenditures - utility
(163,714
)
(516,895
)
Project development costs
(1,315
)
(852
)
Cost of removal, net of salvage
(7,523
)
(10,881
)
Other
(2,957
)
(1,525
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(175,509
)
(530,153
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 

 

Short-term debt borrowings
126,500

248,000

Short-term debt repayments
(80,650
)
(389,850
)
Long-term borrowings, net of discount
404,633

347,662

Retirement of long-term debt, including early payment premium
(408,152
)

Dividends on common stock
(75,476
)
(86,443
)
Issuance of common stock

134,276

Equity contributions from shareholders

78,738

Preferred dividends of subsidiary
(2,410
)
(2,410
)
Deferred financing costs paid
(3,652
)
(3,964
)
Payments for financed capital expenditures
(9,788
)
(14,990
)
Other
(228
)
(152
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(49,223
)
310,867

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(8,626
)
29,782

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
34,953

21,521

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
26,327

$
51,303




Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
Interest (net of amount capitalized)
$
70,395

$
54,911

Income taxes
$
47,100

$
24,700

 
As of September 30,
 
2017
2016
Non-cash investing activities:
 
 
Accruals for capital expenditures
$
33,184

$
37,357




See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

9


IPALCO ENTERPRISES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1. OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

IPALCO is a holding company incorporated under the laws of the state of Indiana. IPALCO, acquired by AES in March 2001, is owned by AES U.S. Investments (82.35%) and CDPQ (17.65%). AES U.S. Investments is owned by AES U.S. Holdings, LLC (85%) and CDPQ (15%). IPALCO owns all of the outstanding common stock of IPL. Substantially all of IPALCO’s business consists of generating, transmitting, distributing and selling of electric energy conducted through its principal subsidiary, IPL. IPL was incorporated under the laws of the state of Indiana in 1926. IPL has approximately 490,000 retail customers in the city of Indianapolis and neighboring cities, towns and communities, and adjacent rural areas all within the state of Indiana, with the most distant point being approximately forty miles from Indianapolis. IPL has an exclusive right to provide electric service to those customers. IPL owns and operates four generating stations, all within the state of Indiana. IPL’s largest generating station, Petersburg, is coal-fired. The second largest station, Harding Street, has converted its coal-fired units to natural gas and uses natural gas and fuel oil to power combustion turbines. In addition, IPL began the operation of a 20 MW battery energy storage unit at this location in May 2016, which provides frequency response. The third station, Eagle Valley, retired its coal-fired units in April 2016. The CCGT at Eagle Valley is expected to be completed in the first half of 2018 with a rated output of 671 MW. The fourth station, Georgetown, is a small peaking station that uses natural gas to power combustion turbines. As of September 30, 2017, IPL’s net electric generation capacity for winter is 2,996 MW and net summer capacity is 2,881 MW.

Principles of Consolidation
 
The accompanying Financial Statements include the accounts of IPALCO, IPL and Mid-America Capital Resources, Inc., a non-regulated wholly-owned subsidiary of IPALCO. All significant intercompany amounts have been eliminated. The accompanying Financial Statements are unaudited; however, they have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for annual fiscal reporting periods. In the opinion of management, all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for fair presentation have been included. The electric utility business is affected by seasonal weather patterns throughout the year and, therefore, the operating revenues and associated operating expenses are not generated evenly by month during the year. These unaudited Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies described in IPALCO’s 2016 Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction therewith.
 
Use of Management Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that management make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. The reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period may also be affected by the estimates and assumptions that management is required to make. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.


10



New Accounting Pronouncements

The following table provides a brief description of recent accounting pronouncements that had or may have a material impact on the Company’s Financial Statements. Accounting pronouncements not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have no material impact on the Company’s Financial Statements.
New Accounting Standards Adopted
ASU Number and Name
Description
Date of Adoption
Effect on the financial statements upon adoption
2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
The standard simplifies the following aspects of accounting for share-based payments awards: accounting for income taxes, classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, forfeitures, statutory tax withholding requirements, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification of employee taxes paid on statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes. Transition method: The recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies arising from vesting or settlement were applied retrospectively. The elimination of the requirement that excess tax benefits be realized before they are recognized was adopted on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative adjustment to the opening balance sheet.
January 1, 2017
The primary effect of adoption was the recognition of excess tax benefits in our provision for income taxes in the period when the awards vest or are settled, rather than in paid-in-capital in the period when the excess tax benefits are realized. We will continue to estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest in our determination of the related periodic compensation cost. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
New Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Effective
ASU Number and Name
Description
Date of Adoption
Effect on the financial statements upon adoption
2017-08, Receivables -
Nonrefundable Fees and
Other Costs (Subtopic
310-20): Premium
Amortization on
Purchased Callable Debt
Securities

This standard shortens the period of amortization of the premium on certain callable debt securities to the earliest call date. Transition method: modified retrospective.

January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted.
The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements.
2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
This standard changes the presentation of non-service cost expense associated with defined benefit plans and updates the guidance so that only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization. Transition method: Prospective for presentation of non-service cost expense. Retrospective for the change in capitalization.
January 1, 2018. Early adoption is permitted.
The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements and does not plan to early adopt.
2017-05, Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Topic 610-20)

This standard clarifies the scope and application of ASC 610-20 on the sale, transfer, and derecognition of nonfinancial assets and in substance nonfinancial assets to non-customers, including partial sales. It also clarifies that the derecognition of business is under scope of ASC 810. Transition method: full or modified retrospective.

The Company is in the process of identifying contracts that would not be completed as of January 1, 2018. Based on the assessment of contracts already executed as of September 30, 2017, the contracts that may require any type of assessment under the new standard is limited.


January 1, 2018. Earlier application is permitted only as of January 1, 2017.

The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements. The Company will adopt the standard on January 1, 2018 and plans to use the modified retrospective approach.

2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)
This standard requires that a statement of cash flows explain the
change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and
amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash
equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted
cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash
and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. Transition method: retrospective.

January 1, 2018 Early adoption is permitted.
The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements.
2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory
This standard requires that an entity recognizes the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Transition method: modified retrospective.
January 1, 2018 Early adoption is permitted.
The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements.
2016-13, Financial Instruments -Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
The standard updates the impairment model for financial assets measured at amortized cost to an expected loss model rather than an incurred loss model. It also allows for the presentation of credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities as an allowance rather than a write down. Transition method: various.
January 1, 2020 Early adoption is permitted only as of January 1, 2019.
The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements.

11



2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)
This standard requires lesses to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases but recognize expenses in a manner similar to today's accounting. For lessors, the guidance modifies the lease classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. The guidance also eliminates today’s real estate-specific provisions. Transition method: modified retrospective at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements (January 1, 2017).

The Company has established a task force focused on the identification of contracts that would be under the scope of the new standard and on the assessment and measurement of the right-of-use asset and related liability. The implementation team is in the process of evaluating changes to our business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard.
January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted.
The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements. The Company intends to adopt the standard as of January 1, 2019.
2014-09, 2015-14, 2016-08,
2016-10, 2016-12, 2016-20, 2017-13, Revenue from Contracts
with Customers (Topic
606)

See discussion of this ASU below:


January 1, 2018. Earlier application is permitted only as of January 1, 2017.
The Company will adopt the standard on January 1, 2018; see below for the evaluation of the impact of its adoption on the consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2014-09 and its subsequent corresponding updates provide the principles an entity must apply to measure and recognize revenue. The core principle is that an entity shall recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Amendments to the standard were issued that provide further clarification of the principle and to provide certain transition expedients. The standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP.

In 2016, the Company established a cross-functional implementation team and is in the process of evaluating and implementing changes to our business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. At this time, we do not expect any significant impact on our financial systems or a material change to controls as a result of the implementation of the new revenue recognition standard.
The Company is assessing the standard on a contract-by-contract basis and is in the process of completing the contract assessments by applying the interpretations issued during 2017 on key issues. These issues include the application of the practical expedient for measuring progress towards satisfaction of a performance obligation, when variable quantities would be considered variable consideration versus an option to acquire additional goods and services and how to allocate variable consideration to one or more, but not all, distinct goods or services promised in a series of distinct goods or services that forms part of a single performance obligation. Additionally, the Company is working on the application of the standard to contracts that are under the scope of Service Concession Arrangements (Topic 853) and assessing the gross versus net presentation for spot energy sale and purchases. Through this assessment to date, the Company has not identified any situations where revenue recognized under ASC 606 could differ from that recognized under ASC 605 or where the presentation of sales to and purchases from the spot markets will change. The Company will continue its work to complete the assessment of the full population of contracts and determine the overall impact to the consolidated financial statements.
The standard requires retrospective application and allows either a full retrospective adoption in which all periods are presented under the new standard or a modified retrospective approach in which the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance is recognized at the date of initial application. Although we had previously been working toward adopting the standard using the full retrospective method, given the limited situations we have thus far determined where revenue recognized under ASC 606 differs from that recognized under ASC 605, we now expect to use the modified retrospective approach. However, the Company will continue to assess this conclusion which is dependent on the final impact to the Financial Statements.
We are continuing to work with various non-authoritative industry groups, and monitoring the FASB and Transition Resource Group activity, as we finalize our accounting policy on these and other industry specific interpretative issues, which is expected in 2017.

12



2. REGULATORY MATTERS
 
Basic Rates and Charges

In March 2016, the IURC issued the 2016 Rate Order authorizing IPL to increase its basic rates and charges by $30.8 million annually. The order also authorized IPL to collect, over a ten year period, $117.7 million of previously deferred regulatory assets related to IPL’s participation in the regional transmission organization known as MISO. Such deferred costs are amortized to expense over ten years. Accordingly, $11.8 million of IPL’s long-term MISO regulatory asset is included within current regulatory assets on the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The rate order also authorized an increase in IPL’s depreciation rates of $24.3 million annually compared to the twelve months ended June 30, 2014, which is the period upon which the rate increase was calculated. IPL also received approval to implement three new rate riders for current recovery from customers of ongoing MISO costs and capacity costs, and for sharing with customers 50% of wholesale sales margins above and below the established annual benchmark of $6.3 million. Additionally, the capacity rider provides that IPL will share with customers 50% of any capacity sales. The order approved recovery of IPL’s pension expenses and a return on IPL’s discretionary pension fundings. While the IURC noted in the order that they found IPL’s Service Company cost allocations to be reasonable, IPL was directed to request the FERC to review its Service Company allocations. In September 2017, the FERC completed its review, authorizing the Service Company’s allocation of costs of non-power goods and services to IPL. In the 2016 Rate Order, the IURC also closed their investigation into IPL’s underground network.

Some of the intervening parties in the IURC rate case filed petitions for reconsideration of the IURC’s 2016 Rate Order with respect to certain issues. These petitions were subsequently denied by the IURC. In addition, certain intervening parties filed notices of appeal of the order. On April 5, 2017, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the IURC’s 2016 Rate Order.

In May 2014, IPL received an order from the IURC granting approval to build a 644 to 685 MW CCGT at Eagle Valley. The costs to build and operate the CCGT, other than fuel costs, will not be recoverable by IPL through rates until the conclusion of a base rate case proceeding with the IURC after construction is completed.

On December 22, 2016, IPL filed a petition with the IURC for authority to increase its basic rates and charges primarily to recover the cost of the new CCGT. The CCGT was previously expected to be completed in the first half of 2017, but is now expected to be completed in the first half of 2018. To address this change, on February 24, 2017, IPL filed a motion to withdraw the case without prejudice or alternatively amend the petition and case-in-chief at a later date. On March 15, 2017, the IURC dismissed the rate case without prejudice. IPL expects to file a new base rate case with the IURC to coincide with the completion of the CCGT.

CCR

On April 26, 2017, the IURC approved IPL’s CCR compliance request to install a bottom ash dewatering system at its Petersburg generating station and to recover 80% of qualifying costs through a rate adjustment mechanism with the remainder recorded as a regulatory asset for recovery in a subsequent rate case. The approved capital cost of the CCR compliance plan is approximately $47 million.

NAAQS

On April 26, 2017, the IURC approved IPL’s request for NAAQS SO2 compliance at its Petersburg generation station with 80% of qualifying costs recovered through a rate adjustment mechanism and the remainder recorded as a regulatory asset for recovery in a subsequent rate case. The approved capital cost of the NAAQS SO2 compliance plan is approximately $29 million.


13


3. FAIR VALUE
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
ASC 820 defined and established a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements for financial assets and liabilities that are adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis and/or financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, which have been adjusted to fair value during the period. In accordance with ASC 820, we have categorized our financial assets and liabilities that are adjusted to fair value, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, following the three-level fair value hierarchy prescribed by ASC 820 as follows:
 
Level 1 - unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market; 
 
Level 2 - inputs from quoted prices in markets where trading occurs infrequently or quoted prices of instruments with similar attributes in active markets; and 
 
Level 3 - unobservable inputs reflecting management’s own assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability.
 
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, all of IPALCO’s financial assets or liabilities adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis (excluding pension assets – see Note 7, “Benefit Plans”) were considered Level 3, based on the above fair value hierarchy. These primarily consisted of FTRs, which are used to offset MISO congestion charges. Because the benefit associated with FTRs is a flow-through to IPL’s jurisdictional customers, IPL records a regulatory liability matching the value of the FTRs. In addition, IPALCO had one financial asset, a nonutility investment accounted for using the cost method of accounting, which is measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, again using Level 3 measurements. All of these financial assets and liabilities were not material to the Financial Statements in the periods covered by this report, individually or in the aggregate.
 
Whenever possible, quoted prices in active markets are used to determine the fair value of our financial instruments. Our financial instruments are not held for trading or other speculative purposes. The estimated fair value of financial instruments has been determined by using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
 
ASC 410 “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations” addresses financial accounting and reporting for legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from acquisition, construction, development and/or normal operation. A legal obligation for purposes of ASC 410 is an obligation that a party is required to settle as a result of an existing law, statute, ordinance, written or oral contract or the doctrine of promissory estoppel. IPL’s ARO liabilities relate primarily to environmental issues involving asbestos-containing materials, ash ponds, landfills and miscellaneous contaminants associated with its generating plants, transmission system and distribution system. We use the cost approach to determine the fair value of IPL’s ARO liabilities, which is estimated by discounting expected cash outflows to their present value at the initial recording of the liabilities. Cash outflows are based on the approximate future disposal costs as determined by market information, historical information or other management estimates. These inputs to the fair value of the ARO liabilities would be considered Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, ARO liabilities were $80.1 million and $80.6 million, respectively. 

Financial Instruments not Measured at Fair Value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Debt
 
The fair value of our outstanding fixed-rate debt has been determined on the basis of the quoted market prices of the specific securities issued and outstanding. In certain circumstances, the market for such securities was inactive and therefore the valuation was adjusted to consider changes in market spreads for similar securities. Accordingly, the purpose of this disclosure is not to approximate the value on the basis of how the debt might be refinanced.


14


The following table shows the face value and the fair value of fixed-rate and variable-rate indebtedness (Level 2) for the periods ending:  
 
September 30, 2017
December 31, 2016
 
Face Value
Fair Value
Face Value
Fair Value
 
(In Millions)
Fixed-rate
$
2,418.8

$
2,609.3

$
2,438.5

$
2,543.5

Variable-rate
210.5

210.5

140.0

140.0

Total indebtedness
$
2,629.3

$
2,819.8

$
2,578.5

$
2,683.5

 
The difference between the face value and the carrying value of this indebtedness represents the following:

unamortized deferred financing costs of $24.8 million and $22.2 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively; and

unamortized discounts of $6.9 million and $6.8 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

4. EQUITY
 
On March 1, 2016, IPALCO issued and sold 7,403,213 shares of IPALCO’s common stock to CDPQ for $134.3 million under the Subscription Agreement. After completion of these transactions, CDPQ’s direct and indirect interests in IPALCO total approximately 30%. On June 1, 2016, IPALCO received equity capital contributions of $64.8 million from AES U.S. Investments and $13.9 million from CDPQ. IPALCO then made the same investments in IPL. The proceeds were primarily used for funding needs related to IPL’s environmental and replacement generation projects. The capital contributions on June 1, 2016 were made on a proportional share basis and, therefore, did not change CDPQ’s or AES’ ownership interests in IPALCO.

 

15


5. DEBT
 
Long-Term Debt
 
The following table presents our long-term debt:
 
 
September 30,
December 31,
Series
Due
2017
2016
 
 
(In Thousands)
IPL first mortgage bonds:
 
 
5.40% (1)
August 2017
$

$
24,650

3.875% (2)
August 2021
55,000

55,000

3.875% (2)
August 2021
40,000

40,000

3.125% (2)
December 2024
40,000

40,000

6.60%
January 2034
100,000

100,000

6.05%
October 2036
158,800

158,800

6.60%
June 2037
165,000

165,000

4.875%
November 2041
140,000

140,000

4.65%
June 2043
170,000

170,000

4.50%
June 2044
130,000

130,000

4.70%
September 2045
260,000

260,000

4.05%
May 2046
350,000

350,000

Unamortized discount – net

(6,384
)
(6,477
)
Deferred financing costs
 
(16,275
)
(16,736
)
Total IPL first mortgage bonds
1,586,141

1,610,237

IPL unsecured debt:




Variable (3)
December 2020
30,000

30,000

Variable (3)
December 2020
60,000

60,000

Deferred financing costs

(372
)
(456
)
Total IPL unsecured debt
 
89,628

89,544

Total Long-term Debt – IPL
1,675,769

1,699,781

Long-term Debt – IPALCO:
 

 

5.00% Senior Secured Notes
May 2018

400,000

3.45% Senior Secured Notes
July 2020
405,000

405,000

3.70% Senior Secured Notes
September 2024
405,000


Unamortized discount – net

(559
)
(273
)
Deferred financing costs
 
(8,159
)
(5,018
)
Total Long-term Debt – IPALCO
801,282

799,709

Total Consolidated IPALCO Long-term Debt
2,477,051

2,499,490

Less: Current Portion of Long-term Debt

24,650

Net Consolidated IPALCO Long-term Debt
$
2,477,051

$
2,474,840


(1)
First mortgage bonds issued to the city of Petersburg, Indiana, to secure the loan proceeds from various tax-exempt bonds issued by the city. IPL repaid these first mortgage bonds on August 1, 2017.
(2)
First mortgage bonds issued to the Indiana Finance Authority, to secure the loan of proceeds from tax-exempt bonds issued by the Indiana Finance Authority.
(3)
Unsecured notes issued to the Indiana Finance Authority by IPL to facilitate the loan of proceeds from various tax-exempt notes issued by the Indiana Finance Authority. The notes have a final maturity date of December 2038, but are subject to a mandatory put in December 2020.




16


IPALCO’s Senior Secured Notes

In August 2017, IPALCO completed the sale of the $405 million 2024 IPALCO Notes pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The 2024 IPALCO Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture dated August 22, 2017, by and between IPALCO and U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee. The 2024 IPALCO Notes were priced to the public at 99.901% of the principal amount. Net proceeds to IPALCO were approximately $399.3 million after deducting underwriting costs and estimated offering expenses. These costs are being amortized to the maturity date using the effective interest method. We used the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand, to redeem the $400 million 2018 IPALCO Notes on September 21, 2017, and to pay certain related fees, expenses and make-whole premiums. A loss on early extinguishment of debt of $8.9 million for the 2018 IPALCO Notes is included as a separate line item within Other Income and (Deductions) in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The 2024 IPALCO Notes are secured by IPALCO’s pledge of all of the outstanding common stock of IPL. The lien on the pledged shares is shared equally and ratably with IPALCO’s existing senior secured notes. IPALCO has also agreed to register the 2024 IPALCO Notes under the Securities Act by filing an exchange offer registration statement or, under specified circumstances, a shelf registration statement with the SEC pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement that IPALCO entered into with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and PNC Capital Markets LLC, as representatives of the initial purchasers of the 2024 IPALCO Notes, dated August 22, 2017.

Line of Credit

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, IPL had $120.5 million and $50.0 million in outstanding borrowings on the committed line of credit, respectively. 

6. INCOME TAXES
 
IPALCO’s effective combined state and federal income tax rates were 31.3% and 31.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as compared to 35.0% and 33.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rates versus the comparable periods was primarily due to the manufacturer’s production deduction (Internal Revenue Code Section 199) that had been previously limited due to a Net Operating Loss carryover, and the allowance for equity funds used during construction as a percentage of pretax income.
 

17


7. BENEFIT PLANS
 
The following table (in thousands) presents information for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, relating to the Pension Plans:
Net unfunded status of plans:
 

Net unfunded status at December 31, 2016, before tax adjustments
$
(57,395
)
Net benefit cost components reflected in net unfunded status during first quarter:
 

   Service cost
(1,836
)
   Interest cost
(6,327
)
   Expected return on assets
11,167

   Actuarial valuation adjustment
80

   Employer contributions
7,211

Net unfunded status at March 31, 2017, before tax adjustments
$
(47,100
)
Net benefit cost components reflected in net unfunded status during second quarter:
 

   Service cost
(1,836
)
   Interest cost
(6,326
)
   Expected return on assets
11,168

Net unfunded status at June 30, 2017, before tax adjustments
$
(44,094
)
Net benefit cost components reflected in net unfunded status during third quarter:
 

   Service cost
(1,836
)
   Interest cost
(6,326
)
   Expected return on assets
11,168

Net unfunded status at September 30, 2017, before tax adjustments
$
(41,088
)



Regulatory assets related to pensions(1):


Regulatory assets at December 31, 2016, before tax adjustments
$
223,705

Amount reclassified through net benefit cost: 
 

   Amortization of prior service cost
(1,060
)
   Amortization of net actuarial loss
(3,300
)
   Settlements(2)
(146
)
   Actuarial valuation adjustment
(80
)
Regulatory assets at March 31, 2017, before tax adjustments
$
219,119

Amount reclassified through net benefit cost: 
 

   Amortization of prior service cost
(1,060
)
   Amortization of net actuarial loss
(3,299
)
Regulatory assets at June 30, 2017, before tax adjustments
$
214,760

Amount reclassified through net benefit cost: 
 

   Amortization of prior service cost
(1,060
)
   Amortization of net actuarial loss
(3,298
)
Regulatory assets at September 30, 2017, before tax adjustments
$
210,402




(1)
Amounts that would otherwise be charged/credited to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss upon application of ASC 715, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits,” are recorded as a regulatory asset or liability because IPL has historically recovered and currently recovers pension and other postretirement benefit expenses in rates. These are unrecognized amounts not yet recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs.
(2)
The settlement loss of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was the result of a lump sum distribution paid out of the Supplemental Retirement Plan.


18


Pension Expense
 
The following table presents net periodic benefit cost information relating to the Pension Plans combined:
 
For the Three Months Ended,
For the Nine Months Ended,
 
September 30,
September 30,
 
2017
2016
2017
2016
 
(In Thousands)
(In Thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
1,836

$
1,754

$
5,508

$
5,263

Interest cost
6,326

6,454

18,979

19,362

Expected return on plan assets
(11,168
)
(10,873
)
(33,503
)
(32,620
)
Amortization of prior service cost
1,060

1,296

3,180

3,888

Amortization of actuarial loss
3,298

3,474

9,897

10,422

Settlements


146


Net periodic benefit cost
$
1,352

$
2,105

$
4,207

$
6,315


In addition, IPL provides postretirement health care benefits to certain active or retired employees and the spouses of certain active or retired employees. These postretirement health care benefits and the related unfunded obligation of $7.3 million and $6.8 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, were not material to the Financial Statements in the periods covered by this report.

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Legal Loss Contingencies
 
IPALCO and IPL are involved in litigation arising in the normal course of business. While the results of such litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that the final outcome will not have a material adverse effect on IPALCO’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Amounts accrued or expensed for legal or environmental contingencies collectively during the periods covered by this report have not been material to the Financial Statements.
 
Environmental Loss Contingencies
 
We are subject to various federal, state, regional and local environmental protection and health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other things, the generation, storage, handling, use, disposal and transportation of hazardous materials; the emission and discharge of hazardous and other materials into the environment; and the health and safety of our employees. These laws and regulations often require a lengthy and complex process of obtaining and renewing permits and other governmental authorizations from federal, state and local agencies. Violation of these laws, regulations or permits can result in substantial fines, other sanctions, permit revocation and/or facility shutdowns. We cannot be certain that we have been or will be at all times in full compliance with such laws, regulations and permits.
 
New Source Review and Other CAA NOVs
 
In October 2009, IPL received a NOV and Finding of Violation from the EPA pursuant to the CAA Section 113(a). The NOV alleges violations of the CAA at IPL’s three primarily coal-fired electric generating facilities at the time, dating back to 1986. The alleged violations primarily pertain to the PSD and nonattainment New Source Review requirements under the CAA. In addition, on October 1, 2015, IPL received a NOV from the EPA pursuant to CAA Section 113(a) alleging violations of the CAA, the Indiana SIP, and the Title V operating permit related to alleged particulate matter and opacity violations at IPL Petersburg Unit 3. Also, on February 5, 2016, the EPA issued a NOV pursuant to CAA Section 113(a) alleging violations of New Source Review and other CAA regulations, the Indiana SIP, and the Title V operating permit at Petersburg Generating Station. Since receiving the letters, IPL management has met with the EPA staff regarding possible resolutions of the NOVs. Settlements and litigated outcomes of similar New Source Review cases have required companies to pay civil penalties, install additional pollution control technology on coal-fired electric generating units, retire existing generating units, and invest in additional environmental projects. A similar outcome in these cases could have a material impact on our business. It is too early to determine whether these NOVs could have a material impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. We would seek recovery of any operating or capital expenditures, but not fines or penalties, related to air pollution control
technology to reduce regulated air emissions; however, there can be no assurances that we would be successful in this regard. IPL has recorded a contingent liability related to these New Source Review cases and other CAA NOV matters.

9. SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
Operating segments are components of an enterprise that engage in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, for which separate financial information is available, and is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in assessing performance and deciding how to allocate resources. Substantially all of our business consists of the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electric energy conducted through IPL which is a vertically integrated electric utility. IPALCO’s reportable business segment is its utility segment, with all other nonutility business activities aggregated separately. The nonutility category primarily includes the 2018 IPALCO Notes, the 2020 IPALCO Notes and the 2024 IPALCO Notes; approximately $9.2 million and $8.3 million of cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively; long-term investments of $4.9 million and $5.2 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively; and income taxes and interest related to those items. All other assets represented less than 1% of IPALCO’s total assets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Net income for the utility segment was $105.5 million and $122.0 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $43.8 million and $51.9 million for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The accounting policies of the identified segment are consistent with those policies and procedures described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Intersegment sales, if any, are generally based on prices that reflect the current market conditions.
 




19


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in “Item 1. Financial Statements” included in Part I – Financial Information of this Form 10-Q. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from the results suggested by these forward-looking statements. Please see “Forward–Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Form 10-Q.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The electric utility business is affected by seasonal weather patterns throughout the year and, therefore, operating revenues and associated expenses are not generated evenly by month during the year. 
 
Comparison of three months ended September 30, 2017 and three months ended September 30, 2016
 
Utility Operating Revenues
 
Utility operating revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2017 decreased by $6.0 million compared to the same period in 2016, which resulted from the following changes (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
Percentage
 
2017
2016
Change
Change
Utility operating revenues:
 
 
 
 
Retail revenues
$
347,533

$
350,356

$
(2,823
)
(0.8)%
Wholesale revenues
1,530

4,603

(3,073
)
(66.8)%
Miscellaneous revenues
6,251

6,380

(129
)
(2.0)%
Total utility operating revenues
$
355,314

$
361,339

$
(6,025
)
(1.7)%
 
 
 
 
 
Heating degree days:
 
 
 
 
Actual
31

26

5

19.2%
30-year average
67

66

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cooling degree days:
 
 
 
 
Actual
772

1,003

(231
)
(23.0)%
30-year average
761

781

 
 
 
The decrease in retail revenues of $2.8 million was primarily due to a 6% decrease in the volume of kWh sold ($17.8 million); partially offset by a net increase in the weighted average price per kWh sold ($15.0 million). The $17.8 million decrease in the volume of kWh sold was primarily due to milder weather in our service territory during the third quarter of 2017 versus the comparable period (as demonstrated by the 23% decrease in cooling degree days, as shown above). The $15.0 million increase in the weighted average price of retail kWh sold was primarily due to: (i) a $5.3 million increase in billings for the MISO, Capacity, and Off System Sales riders, which took effect as part of the 2016 Rate Order (see Note 2, “Regulatory Matters” to the Financial Statements), (ii) a $5.4 million increase in fuel revenues and (iii) favorable block rate and other retail rate variances; partially offset by (iv) a $3.3 million decrease in DSM program rate adjustment mechanism revenues. The favorable block rate variances are mostly attributed to our declining block rate structure, which generally provides for residential and commercial customers to be charged a higher per kWh rate at lower consumption levels. Therefore, as volumes decrease, the weighted average price per kWh increases.

The decrease in wholesale revenues of $3.1 million was primarily due to a 71% decrease in the quantity of kWh sold as IPL’s generation units were called upon by MISO to produce electricity less often during the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016, largely due to unfavorable prices, unit availability and increased outages. We made 38.2 million kWh in wholesale sales during the third quarter of 2017 compared to 131.9 million kWh during the third quarter of 2016. Our ability to

20


be dispatched in the MISO market is primarily driven by the locational marginal price of electricity and variable generation costs. The amount of electricity available for wholesale sales is impacted by our retail load requirements, generation capacity and unit availability. Currently, 50% of IPL’s wholesale margins above and below an established annual benchmark of $6.3 million are shared with our retail customers through a rate rider.

Utility Operating Expenses
 
The following table illustrates our primary operating expense changes from the three months ended September 30, 2016 to the three months ended September 30, 2017 (dollars in millions):
Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2016
$
301.5

Decrease in income taxes - net
(6.4
)
Increase in power purchased
5.0

Increase in maintenance expenses
3.8

Decrease in fuel costs
(3.4
)
Other miscellaneous variances - individually immaterial
1.1

Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017
$
301.6

 
The $6.4 million decrease in income taxes - net was primarily due to (i) the tax effect of the decrease in pretax net operating income, (ii) the manufacturer’s production deduction (Internal Revenue Code Section 199) that had been previously limited due to a Net Operating Loss carryover and (iii) the allowance for equity funds used during construction as a percentage of pretax income.

The $5.0 million increase in purchased power costs was primarily due to (i) a 17% increase in the volume of power purchased during the period ($5.8 million) and (ii) an increase in deferred capacity expense ($1.6 million), partially offset by (iii) a 9% decrease in the market price of purchased power ($3.1 million). The volume of power we purchase each period is primarily influenced by our retail demand, generating unit capacity and outages, and the fact that at times it is less expensive for us to buy power in the market than to produce it ourselves. The market price of purchased power is influenced primarily by changes in the market price of delivered fuel (primarily natural gas), the price of environmental emissions allowances, the supply of and demand for electricity, and the time of day in which power is purchased. Similar to fuel and purchased power costs described herein, we are generally permitted to recover underestimated capacity expenses to serve our retail customers in future rates through regulatory proceedings. These variances are deferred when incurred and amortized into expense in the same period that our rates are adjusted to reflect these variances.

Maintenance expenses increased $3.8 million versus the comparable period primarily due to the timing and duration of planned outages (including a 45-day scheduled outage at our 529 MW Petersburg Generating Station Unit 4 that was in progress during the third quarter of 2017). We had no such extended outages in the third quarter of 2016.

The $3.4 million decrease in fuel costs was primarily due to (i) a $13.5 million decrease in the quantity of fuel consumed versus the comparable period and (ii) a $2.5 million decrease due to the lower price of coal we consumed versus the comparable period; partially offset by (iii) an $11.2 million increase in deferred fuel costs and (iv) a $1.2 million increase due to the higher price of natural gas we consumed versus the comparable period. We are generally permitted to recover underestimated fuel and purchased power costs to serve our retail customers in future rates through quarterly FAC proceedings. These variances are deferred when incurred and amortized into expense in the same period that our rates are adjusted to reflect these variances.

Other Income and Deductions

Other income and deductions decreased $5.4 million, from income of $11.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, to income of $5.9 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease was primarily due to an $8.9 million loss on early extinguishment of debt from the redemption of $400 million of the 2018 IPALCO Notes during the third quarter of 2017. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in the income tax benefit of $3.8 million, which was primarily due to the change in pretax nonoperating income during the comparable periods.


21


Interest and Other Charges
 
Interest and other charges increased $2.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to higher interest on long-term debt of $1.6 million due to the 2024 IPALCO Notes issued in August 2017 and the redemption of 2018 IPALCO Notes in September 2017.

Comparison of nine months ended September 30, 2017 and nine months ended September 30, 2016
 
Utility Operating Revenues
 
Utility operating revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 increased by $1.7 million compared to the same period in 2016, which resulted from the following changes (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
Percentage
 
2017
2016
Change
Change
Utility operating revenues:
 
 
 
 
Retail revenues
$
990,574

$
986,229

4,345

0.4%
Wholesale revenues
5,904

8,391

(2,487
)
(29.6)%
Miscellaneous revenues
17,570

17,753

(183
)
(1.0)%
Total utility operating revenues
$
1,014,048

$
1,012,373

$
1,675

0.2%
 
 
 
 
 
Heating degree days:
 
 
 
 
Actual
2,590

2,997

(407
)
(13.6)%
30-year average
3,350

3,316

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cooling degree days:
 
 
 
 
Actual
1,088

1,404

(316
)
(22.5)%
30-year average
1,096

1,124

 
 
 
The increase in retail revenues of $4.3 million was primarily due to a net increase in the weighted average price per kWh sold ($34.0 million), partially offset by a 5% decrease in the volume of kWh sold ($25.9 million) and the one-time impact in the prior period of recognizing in IPL’s unbilled revenue calculation the increase in IPL’s base rates relating to revenues that were previously charged through IPL’s environmental cost recovery rate adjustment mechanism, or rider ($3.8 million). While billed through a rider, such revenues relating to environmental cost recovery were not includable in our unbilled calculation. The $34.0 million increase in the weighted average price of retail kWh sold was primarily due to: (i) a $16.1 million increase in billings for the MISO, Capacity, and Off System Sales riders, which took effect as part of the 2016 Rate Order, (ii) a $5.2 million increase related to environmental rate adjustment mechanism revenues, (iii) a $4.2 million increase in fuel revenues, (iv) the impact of implementing the 2016 Rate Order (see Note 2, “Regulatory Matters” to the Financial Statements) and (v) favorable block rate and other retail rate variances. The favorable block rate variances are mostly attributed to our declining block rate structure, which generally provides for residential and commercial customers to be charged a higher per kWh rate at lower consumption levels. Therefore, as volumes decrease, the weighted average price per kWh increases. The majority of the increases in environmental rate adjustment mechanism revenues are offset by increased operating expenses, including depreciation and amortization. The $25.9 million decrease in the volume of kWh sold was primarily due to milder weather in our service territory during the first nine months of 2017 versus the comparable period (as demonstrated by the 14% decrease in heating degree days and 23% decrease in cooling degree days, as shown above).

The decrease in wholesale revenues of $2.5 million was primarily due to a 30% decrease in the quantity of kWh sold as IPL’s generation units were called upon by MISO to produce electricity less often during the first nine months of 2017 compared to the first nine months of 2016, largely due to unfavorable prices, unit availability and increased outages. We made 179.3 million kWh in wholesale sales during the first nine months of 2017 compared to 257.1 million kWh during the first nine months of 2016. Our ability to be dispatched in the MISO market is primarily driven by the locational marginal price of electricity and variable generation costs. The amount of electricity available for wholesale sales is impacted by our retail load requirements,

22


generation capacity and unit availability. Currently, 50% of IPL’s wholesale margins above and below an established annual benchmark of $6.3 million are shared with our retail customers through a rate rider.

Utility Operating Expenses
 
The following table illustrates our primary operating expense changes from the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (dollars in millions):
Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016
$
868.0

Increase in non-purchased power MISO costs
12.2

Increase in fuel costs
10.4

Decrease in income taxes - net
(10.1
)
Decrease in depreciation and amortization costs
(9.9
)
Increase in power purchased
8.7

Other miscellaneous variances - individually immaterial
(0.5
)
Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017
$
878.8

 
MISO non-purchased power costs increased $12.2 million, which includes both current period costs and the amortization of previously deferred costs, which were included in IPL’s customer billing rates beginning April 1, 2016. Such costs were deferred as a regulatory asset prior to April 1, 2016, and are now being amortized to expense over a ten-year period.

The $10.4 million increase in fuel costs was primarily due to (i) a $26.4 million increase in deferred fuel costs, which includes the one-time favorable impact of $14.2 million in the prior period of recognizing in IPL’s deferred fuel calculation the increase in base rates relating to fuel revenues that were previously charged through a rate adjustment mechanism or rider, and (ii) an $8.2 million increase due to the higher price of natural gas we consumed versus the comparable period; partially offset by (iii) a $16.6 million decrease in the quantity of fuel consumed versus the comparable period and (iv) a $7.4 million decrease due to the lower price of coal we consumed versus the comparable period. We are generally permitted to recover underestimated fuel and purchased power costs to serve our retail customers in future rates through quarterly FAC proceedings. These variances are deferred when incurred and amortized into expense in the same period that our rates are adjusted to reflect these variances.

The $10.1 million decrease in income taxes - net was primarily due to (i) the tax effect of the decrease in pretax net operating income, (ii) the manufacturer’s production deduction (Internal Revenue Code Section 199) that had been previously limited due to a Net Operating Loss carryover and (iii) the allowance for equity funds used during construction as a percentage of pretax income.

The decrease in depreciation and amortization costs of $9.9 million was primarily due to an $8.3 million decrease in regulatory deferrals and amortization related to environmental projects, and the impact of the retirements of coal assets at our Eagle Valley and Harding Street locations during the second quarter of 2016.

The $8.7 million increase in purchased power costs was primarily due to a (i) a 6% increase in the market price of purchased power ($9.7 million), (ii) an increase in deferred capacity expense ($4.3 million) and (iii) an increase in MISO non-fuel market participation costs ($4.0 million); partially offset by (iv) a 7% decrease in the volume of power purchased during the period ($8.8 million). The volume of power we purchase each period is primarily influenced by our retail demand, generating unit capacity and outages, and the fact that at times it is less expensive for us to buy power in the market than to produce it ourselves. The market price of purchased power is influenced primarily by changes in the market price of delivered fuel (primarily natural gas), the price of environmental emissions allowances, the supply of and demand for electricity, and the time of day in which power is purchased. The MISO non-fuel market participation costs, which include both current period costs and amortization of previously deferred costs, were included in IPL’s customer billing rates beginning April 1, 2016. Such costs were deferred as a regulatory asset prior to April 1, 2016, and are now being amortized to expense over a ten-year period. Similar to fuel and purchased power costs described above, we are generally permitted to recover underestimated capacity expenses to serve our retail customers in future rates through regulatory proceedings. These variances are deferred when incurred and amortized into expense in the same period that our rates are adjusted to reflect these variances.

Other Income and Deductions

Other income and deductions decreased $4.3 million, from income of $29.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, to income of $25.5 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease was primarily due to an $8.9 million loss on early

23


extinguishment of debt from the redemption of $400 million of the 2018 IPALCO Notes during the third quarter of 2017. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in the income tax benefit of $4.7 million, which was primarily due to the change in pretax nonoperating income during the comparable periods.

Interest and Other Charges
 
Interest and other charges increased $7.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to higher interest on long-term debt of $6.5 million mostly as a result of IPL’s first mortgage bonds debt issuance of $350 million (4.05% Series, due May 2046) in May 2016 and, to a lesser extent, IPALCO’s debt issuance of $405 million 2024 IPALCO Notes in August 2017 and the redemption of 2018 IPALCO Notes in September 2017.

KEY TRENDS AND UNCERTAINTIES

During the remainder of 2017 and beyond, we expect that our financial results will be driven primarily by retail demand, weather, generating unit availability, outage costs and, to a lesser extent, wholesale prices. In addition, IPL’s financial results will likely be driven by many other factors including, but not limited to, the following:

rate case outcomes;
the timely completion of major construction projects and recovery of capital expenditures through base rate growth; and
the passage of new legislation, implementation of regulations or other changes in regulation.

If favorable outcomes related to these factors do not occur, or if the challenges described below and elsewhere in this section impact us more significantly than we currently anticipate, or if commodities move unfavorably, then these adverse factors (or other adverse factors unknown to us) may impact our operating margin, net income and cash flows. We continue to monitor our operations and address challenges as they arise. For a discussion of the risks related to our business, see “Item 1. Business” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” as described in IPALCO’s 2016 Form 10-K.

Regulatory and Environmental

Please see Note 2, “Regulatory Matters” to the Financial Statements for an update on regulatory matters. We also are subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We face certain risks and uncertainties related to these environmental laws and regulations, including existing and potential GHG legislation or regulations, and actual or potential laws and regulations pertaining to water discharges, waste management (including disposal or beneficial reuse of CCR) and certain air emissions, such as SO2, NOx, particulate matter and mercury. Such risks and uncertainties could result in increased capital expenditures or other compliance costs which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations. Please see Note 8, “Commitments and Contingencies” to the Financial Statements for a description of certain environmental matters. In addition, the following discussion of the impact of environmental laws and regulations on the Company updates the discussion provided in “Item 1. Business - Regulatory Matters” and “Item 1. Business - Environmental Matters” in IPALCO’s 2016 Form 10-K.

Climate Change Legislation and Regulation

We refer to the discussion in “Item 1. Business - Environmental Matters - Climate Change Legislation and Regulation” in our 2016 Form 10-K for a discussion of certain recent developments in environmental laws and regulations, including the EPA’s CO2 emissions rules for new electric generating units, or GHG NSPS, as well as the CO2 emissions rules for existing power plants, called the CPP. Both the GHG NSPS and the CPP are being challenged by several states and industry groups in the D.C. Circuit Court. The challenges to the CPP have been fully briefed and argued but oral arguments have not yet taken place on the GHG NSPS. Challenges to both rules are currently being held in abeyance. Additionally, by order of the U.S. Supreme Court, the CPP has been stayed pending resolution of the challenges to the rule. On October 16, 2017, the EPA published a proposed rule to repeal the CPP in its entirety on the legal basis that the rule exceeds the EPA’s statutory authority. The EPA will accept comments until December 15, 2017.

Due to the future uncertainty of the CPP, we cannot at this time determine the impact on our operations or consolidated financial results, but we believe the cost to comply with the CPP, should it be upheld and implemented in its current or a substantially similar form, could be material. The GHG NSPS remains in effect at this time, and, absent further action from the EPA that rescinds or substantively revises the NSPS, it could impact our plans to construct and/or modify or reconstruct electric

24


generating units in some locations, which may have a material impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Environmental Wastewater Requirements

As further discussed in “Item 1. Business - Environmental Matters - Environmental Wastewater Requirements” in IPALCO’s 2016 Form 10-K, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers jointly published a final rule in June 2015 defining federal jurisdiction over waters of the United States. This rule, which became effective in August 2015, may expand or otherwise change the number and types of waters or features subject to federal permitting. In October 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (the “Sixth Circuit”) issued an order to temporarily stay the “Waters of the United States” rule nationwide. The Sixth Circuit’s stay remains in place pending the outcome of various legal challenges, including a challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court that will determine whether the Sixth Circuit has jurisdiction over the rule. On June 27, 2017, the EPA proposed a rule that would rescind the “Waters of the U.S.” rule and re-codify the definition of “Waters of the United States” that existed prior to the 2015 rule. We cannot predict the outcome of this judicial or regulatory process, but if the “Waters of the United States” rule is ultimately implemented in its current or substantially similar form and survives the legal challenges, it could have a material impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

In November 2015, the EPA published its final ELG rule to reduce toxic pollutants discharged into waterways by power plants. In addition to the wastewater treatment technologies being installed and operated for compliance with the requirements of the October 2012 NPDES permit described above, the final ELG rule will require closed loop or dry bottom ash handling at Petersburg. The compliance date may be as early as November 2018 or as late as December 2023, and is subject to the discretion of IDEM. IPL plans to install a dry bottom ash handling system in response to the CCR rule described below in advance of the ELG compliance date. As such, the impact of the ELG rule is not expected to be material. Industry groups have filed challenges to the ELG rule, which are pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (the “Fifth Circuit”). Environmental groups have moved to intervene in these cases on behalf of the EPA. On April 24, 2017, the Fifth Circuit granted the EPA’s request to hold these challenges in abeyance during review of the rule and possible rulemaking. The Trump administration issued a stay of certain compliance deadlines in the ELG rule, which was published in the Federal Register on April 25, 2017. On May 3, 2017, environmental groups filed legal challenges to the stay. On September 18, 2017, EPA published a final rule in the Federal Register delaying certain compliance dates of the ELG and withdrew the stay issued by the Trump Administration on April 25, 2017.

CCR

The EPA’s final CCR rule became effective on October 19, 2015. Generally, the rule regulates CCR as nonhazardous solid waste and establishes national minimum criteria for existing and new CCR landfills and existing and new CCR surface impoundments (ash ponds), including location restrictions, design and operating criteria, groundwater-monitoring and corrective action, and closure requirements and post closure care. On September 13, 2017, EPA indicated that it would reconsider certain provisions of the CCR Rule in response to two petitions it received to reconsider the final rule. It is too early to determine whether this may have a material impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Please see Note 2, “Regulatory Matters” to the Financial Statements for further details.

NAAQS

On September 27, 2017, the State of Maryland filed a complaint against EPA for failing to address its November 2016 CAA petition for such federal agency to determine that 36 electric generating units in five upwind states, including two Petersburg units, emit pollutants that contribute to non-attainment of NAAQS for ozone in Maryland, as described further in IPALCO’s 2016 Form 10-K. If this petition is granted, our Petersburg Generating Station Unit 2 and 3 could be subject to additional requirements. We would seek recovery of any resulting capital expenditures; however, there is no guarantee we would be successful in this regard.

Please see Note 2, “Regulatory Matters” to the Financial Statements for further details.

Other

In response to Executive Orders, the EPA is currently evaluating various existing regulations to be considered for repeal, replacement, or modification. We cannot predict at this time the likely outcome of the EPA’s review of other existing regulations or what impact it may have on our business.


25


The DOE issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making on September 29, 2017, which directed the FERC to exercise its authority to set just and reasonable rates that recognize the resiliencyvalue provided by generation plants with certain characteristics, including having 90-days or more of on-site fuel and operating in markets where they do not receive rate base treatment through state ratemaking. Nuclear and coal-fired generation plants are most likely to be able to meet the requirements. As proposed, the DOE would value resiliency through rates that recover compensable costs that are defined to include the recovery of operating and fuel expenses, debt service and a fair return on equity. The FERC is proceeding on an expedited basis, as requested by the DOE, but the timing and outcome of the proposed rule, including effects on wholesale energy markets, remains uncertain.

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
 
Overview

As of September 30, 2017, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $26.3 million and available borrowing capacity of $129.5 million under our $250 million unsecured revolving credit facility after accounting for outstanding borrowings and existing letters of credit. All of IPL’s long-term borrowings must first be approved by the IURC and the aggregate amount of IPL’s short-term indebtedness must be approved by the FERC. We have approval from FERC to borrow up to $500 million of short-term indebtedness outstanding at any time through July 27, 2018. In December 2015, we received an order from the IURC granting us authority through December 31, 2018 to, among other things, issue up to $650 million in aggregate principal amount of long-term debt and refinance up to $196.5 million in existing indebtedness. As of September 30, 2017, we have $106.5 million of total debt issuance authority remaining under this order. This order also grants us authority to have up to $500 million of long-term credit agreements and liquidity facilities outstanding at any one time, of which $250 million remains available under the order as of September 30, 2017. As an alternative to the sale of all or a portion of $65 million in principal of the long-term debt mentioned above, we have the authority to issue up to $65 million of new preferred stock, all of which authority remains available under the order as of September 30, 2017. We also have restrictions on the amount of new debt that may be issued due to contractual obligations of AES and by financial covenant restrictions under our existing debt obligations. We do not believe such restrictions will be a limiting factor in our ability to issue debt in the ordinary course of prudent business operations.

We believe that existing cash balances, cash generated from operating activities and borrowing capacity on our committed credit facility will be adequate for the foreseeable future to meet anticipated operating expenses, interest expense on outstanding indebtedness, recurring capital expenditures and to pay dividends to AES U.S. Investments and CDPQ. Sources for principal payments on outstanding indebtedness and nonrecurring capital expenditures are expected to be obtained from: (i) existing cash balances; (ii) cash generated from operating activities; (iii) borrowing capacity on our committed credit facility; and (iv) additional debt financing. From time to time, we may elect to repurchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise when management believes such repurchases are favorable to make. The amounts involved in any such repurchases may be material.

IPALCO’s Senior Secured Notes

In August 2017, IPALCO completed the sale of the 2024 IPALCO Notes pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. For further discussion, please see Note 5, “Debt - IPALCOs Senior Secured Notes” to the Financial Statements.


26


Cash Flows

The following table provides a summary of our cash flows (in thousands):

 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
2017
2016
 
$ Change
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
216,106

$
249,068

 
$
(32,962
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(175,509
)
(530,153
)
 
354,644

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(49,223
)
310,867

 
(360,090
)
     Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
(8,626
)
29,782

 
(38,408
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
34,953

21,521

 
13,432

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
26,327

$
51,303

 
$
(24,976
)
 
 
 
 
 
 

Operating Activities:

The following table summarizes the key components of our consolidated operating cash flows (in thousands):
 
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
2017
2016
 
$ Change
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
83,868

$
104,733

 
$
(20,865
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
156,103

166,031

 
(9,928
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt premium
 
3,241

3,123

 
118

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credit adjustments
 
(14,546
)
15,680

 
(30,226
)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 
8,875


 
8,875

Allowance for equity funds used during construction
 
(19,576
)
(20,125
)
 
549

     Net income, adjusted for non-cash items
 
217,965

269,442

 
(51,477
)
Net change in operating assets and liabilities
 
(1,859
)
(20,374
)
 
18,515

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
216,106

$
249,068

 
$
(32,962
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
The net change in operating assets and liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was driven by changes in the following (in thousands):
Increase from short-term and long-term regulatory assets and liabilities primarily due to the collection of deferred MISO expenses
$
47,806

Decrease from fuel, materials and supplies primarily due to higher coal purchases
(36,331
)
Increase from accounts receivable due to higher collections
32,499

Decrease from accounts payable and accrued expenses due to timing of payments
(9,558
)
Decrease from accrued interest due to higher payments
(8,403
)
Decrease from income taxes receivable or payable due to higher payments
(7,020
)
Other - net
(478
)
Net change in operating assets and liabilities
$
18,515



27


Investing Activities

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, net cash used in investing activities was primarily related to capital expenditures of $163.7 million (which excludes $9.8 million of payments for financed capital expenditures).

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, net cash used in investing activities was primarily related to capital expenditures of $516.9 million (which excludes $15.0 million of payments for financed capital expenditures).

Financing Activities

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, net cash used in financing activities primarily relates to dividends to shareholders of $75.5 million and payments for financed capital expenditures of $9.8 million; partially offset by net borrowings of $42.3 million.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, net cash provided by financing activities primarily relates to net borrowings of $205.8 million and equity capital contributions of $213.0 million from shareholders for funding needs related to IPL’s environmental and replacement generation projects; partially offset by dividends to shareholders of $86.4 million and payments for financed capital expenditures of $15.0 million.

Capital Requirements
 
Capital Expenditures
 
Our construction program is composed of capital expenditures necessary for prudent utility operations and compliance with environmental laws and regulations, along with discretionary investments designed to replace aging equipment or improve overall performance. Construction expenditures during the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 were financed primarily with internally generated cash provided by operations, borrowings on our credit facility, long-term borrowings and equity capital contributions.

Our capital expenditure program, including development and permitting costs, for the three-year period from 2017 through 2019 is currently estimated to cost approximately $550 million (excluding environmental compliance and replacement generation costs). It includes approximately $314 million for additions, improvements and extensions to transmission and distribution lines, substations, power factor and voltage regulating equipment, distribution transformers and street lighting facilities. The capital expenditure program also includes approximately $171 million for power plant-related projects and $65 million for other miscellaneous equipment.

IPL also plans to spend a total of $655 million (of which $601 million has been expended through September 30, 2017) on replacement generation costs through 2018 as a result of the retirement of existing facilities not equipped with advanced environmental control technologies required to comply with existing and expected regulations. The balance of $54 million is projected to be expended in 2017 and 2018. Please see “Item 1. Business - Environmental Matters - Unit Retirements and Replacement Generation” as described in IPALCO’s 2016 Form 10-K for more details.

Other environmental expenditures include costs for compliance with the NPDES permit program under the CWA. The costs for NPDES at our Petersburg station for 2017 are expected to be $27 million (of which $16 million has been expended through September 30, 2017). IPL plans to spend a total of $224 million for this project (of which $203 million has been expended through September 30, 2017). The remaining costs are projected to be expended in 2017 and 2018. Please see “Item 1. Business - Environmental Matters - Environmental Wastewater Requirements” as described in IPALCO’s 2016 Form 10-K for more details.

IPL also has projects underway related to environmental compliance for CCR and NAAQS SO2. The costs for these projects in the 2017 through 2019 forecast are expected to be $42 million. IPL plans to spend a total of $76 million for these projects (of which $45 million has been expended through September 30, 2017). Please see “Item 1. Business - Environmental Matters - Waste Management and CCR” and “Item 1. Business - Environmental Matters - NAAQS” as described in IPALCO’s 2016 Form 10-K for more details.

Other environmental capital spending for the period 2017 through 2019 includes spending for studies related to cooling water intake requirements in sections 316(a) and 316(b) of the CWA, NAAQS Ozone and Office of Surface Mining totaling $24 million. Please see “Item 1. Business - Environmental Matters - Cooling Water Intake Regulations” as described in IPALCO’s 2016 Form 10-K for more details.

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Credit Ratings

Our ability to borrow money or to refinance existing indebtedness and the interest rates at which we can borrow money or refinance existing indebtedness are affected by our credit ratings. In addition, the applicable interest rates on IPL’s Credit Agreement and other unsecured notes (as well as the amount of certain other fees in the Credit Agreement) are dependent upon the credit ratings of IPL. Downgrades in the credit ratings of AES could result in IPL’s and/or IPALCO’s credit ratings being downgraded. Any reduction in our debt or credit ratings may adversely affect the trading price of our outstanding debt securities.

The following table presents the debt ratings and credit ratings (issuer/corporate rating) and outlook for IPALCO and IPL, along with the dates each rating was effective or affirmed.
Debt ratings
 
IPALCO
 
IPL
 
Outlook
 
Effective or Affirmed
Fitch Ratings
 
BB+ (a)
 
BBB+ (b)
 
Stable
 
December 2016
Moody's Investors Service
 
Baa3 (a)
 
A2 (b)
 
Stable
 
October 2016
S&P Global Ratings
 
BB+ (a)
 
BBB+ (b)
 
Stable
 
April 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit ratings
 
IPALCO
 
IPL
 
Outlook
 
Effective or Affirmed
Fitch Ratings
 
BB+
 
BBB-
 
Stable
 
December 2016
Moody's Investors Service
 
 
Baa1
 
Stable
 
October 2016
S&P Global Ratings
 
BBB-
 
BBB-
 
Stable
 
April 2016
(a)
Ratings relate to IPALCOs Senior Secured Notes
(b)
Ratings relate to IPLs Senior Secured Bonds.

We cannot predict whether our current debt and credit ratings or the debt and credit ratings of IPL will remain in effect for any given period of time or that one or more of these ratings will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Such ratings may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.

Dividend Distributions
 
All of IPALCO’s outstanding common stock is held by AES U.S. Investments and CDPQ. During the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, IPALCO paid $75.5 million and $86.4 million, respectively, in dividends to its shareholders. Future distributions to our shareholders will be determined at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend primarily on dividends received from IPL. Dividends from IPL are affected by IPL’s actual results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, capital requirements, regulatory considerations, and such other factors as IPL’s Board of Directors deems relevant.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK 
 
There have been no material changes to our quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk as previously disclosed in the 2016 Form 10-K.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15-d-15(e)), as required by paragraph (b) of the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15, as of September 30, 2017. Our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, is engaged in a comprehensive effort to review, evaluate and improve our controls; however, management does not expect that our

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disclosure controls or our internal controls over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. In addition, any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls is subject to risks that those internal controls may become inadequate in future periods because of changes in business conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures deteriorates. We have interests in certain unconsolidated entities. As we do not control or manage these entities, our disclosure controls and procedures with respect to such entities is generally more limited than those we maintain with respect to our consolidated subsidiaries. 
 
Based upon the controls evaluation performed, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that as of September 30, 2017, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
Changes in Internal Controls
 
In the course of our evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, management considered certain internal control areas in which we have made and are continuing to make changes to improve and enhance controls. Based upon that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.


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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
In the normal course of business, we are subject to various lawsuits, actions, claims, and other proceedings. We are also from time to time involved in other reviews, investigations and proceedings by governmental and regulatory agencies regarding our business, certain of which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief. We have accrued in our Financial Statements for litigation and claims where it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We believe the amounts provided in our Financial Statements, as prescribed by GAAP, for these matters are adequate in light of the probable and estimable contingencies. However, there can be no assurances that the actual amounts required to satisfy alleged liabilities from various legal proceedings, claims and other matters (including those matters noted below), and to comply with applicable laws and regulations will not exceed the amounts reflected in our Financial Statements. As such, costs, if any, that may be incurred in excess of those amounts provided for in our Financial Statements cannot be reasonably determined, but could be material.

Please see Note 2, “Regulatory Matters” and Note 8, “Commitments and Contingencies” to the Financial Statements included in Part I - Financial Information of this Form 10-Q for a summary of certain legal proceedings involving us. In addition, our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 and Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2017, and June 30, 2016, and the Notes to the Financial Statements included therein, contain descriptions of certain legal proceedings in which we are or were involved. The information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this Item 1 to Part II should be read in conjunction with such Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
 
There have been no material changes to the risk factors as previously disclosed in the 2016 Form 10-K. 
 
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
None.
 
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
 
None. 
 
ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.
 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
Document
 
 
4.1
4.2
4.3

31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document (filed herewith as provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T)
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (filed herewith as provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T)
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (filed herewith as provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T)
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (filed herewith as provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T)
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (filed herewith as provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T)
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (filed herewith as provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T)
 
 
 

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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
IPALCO ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
 
November 1, 2017
 
/s/ Craig L. Jackson
 
 
 
 
Craig L. Jackson
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer) 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
 
November 1, 2017
 
/s/ Kurt A. Tornquist
 
 
 
 
Kurt A. Tornquist
 
 
 
 
Controller
 
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)

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