FE-3.31.2012-10Q


 
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 March 31, 2012

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___________________ to ___________________
Commission
 
Registrant; State of Incorporation;
 
I.R.S. Employer
File Number
 
Address; and Telephone Number
 
Identification No.
 
 
 
 
 
333-21011
 
FIRSTENERGY CORP.
 
34-1843785
 
 
(An Ohio Corporation)
 
 
 
 
76 South Main Street
 
 
 
 
Akron, OH 44308
 
 
 
 
Telephone (800)736-3402
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
000-53742
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
31-1560186
 
 
(An Ohio Corporation)
 
 
 
 
c/o FirstEnergy Corp.
 
 
 
 
76 South Main Street
 
 
 
 
Akron, OH 44308
 
 
 
 
Telephone (800)736-3402
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-2578
 
OHIO EDISON COMPANY
 
34-0437786
 
 
(An Ohio Corporation)
 
 
 
 
c/o FirstEnergy Corp.
 
 
 
 
76 South Main Street
 
 
 
 
Akron, OH 44308
 
 
 
 
Telephone (800)736-3402
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-3141
 
JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
 
21-0485010
 
 
(A New Jersey Corporation)
 
 
 
 
c/o FirstEnergy Corp.
 
 
 
 
76 South Main Street
 
 
 
 
Akron, OH 44308
 
 
 
 
Telephone (800)736-3402
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 þ No o
 
FirstEnergy Corp., FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company and Jersey Central Power & Light Company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes þ No o
 
FirstEnergy Corp., FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company and Jersey Central Power & Light Company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer þ
FirstEnergy Corp.
 
 
Accelerated Filer o
N/A
 
 
Non-accelerated Filer (Do not check
if a smaller reporting company)
þ
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company and Jersey Central Power & Light Company
 
 
Smaller Reporting Company o
N/A
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes o No þ
 
FirstEnergy Corp., FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company and Jersey Central Power & Light Company
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
 
 
OUTSTANDING
CLASS
 
AS OF APRIL 30, 2012
FirstEnergy Corp., $.10 par value
 
418,216,437

FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., no par value
 
7

Ohio Edison Company, no par value
 
60

Jersey Central Power & Light Company, $10 par value
 
13,628,447

FirstEnergy Corp. is the sole holder of FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company and Jersey Central Power & Light Company common stock.
This combined Form 10-Q is separately filed by FirstEnergy Corp., FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company and Jersey Central Power & Light Company. Information contained herein relating to any individual registrant is filed by such registrant on its own behalf. No registrant makes any representation as to information relating to any other registrant, except that information relating to any of the FirstEnergy subsidiary registrants is also attributed to FirstEnergy Corp.
FirstEnergy Web Site
Each of the registrants’ Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are also made available free of charge on or through FirstEnergy’s Internet web site at www.firstenergycorp.com.
These reports are posted on the web site as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with the SEC. Additionally, the registrants routinely post important information on FirstEnergy’s Internet web site and recognize FirstEnergy’s Internet web site as a channel of distribution to reach public investors and as a means of disclosing material non-public information for complying with disclosure obligations under SEC Regulation FD. Information contained on FirstEnergy’s Internet web site shall not be deemed incorporated into, or to be part of, this report.
OMISSION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., Ohio Edison Company and Jersey Central Power & Light Company meet the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and are therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format specified in General Instruction H(2) to Form 10-Q.
 




Forward-Looking Statements: This Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements based on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. These statements include declarations regarding management's intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms “anticipate,” “potential,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate” and similar words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
 
Actual results may differ materially due to:
The speed and nature of increased competition in the electric utility industry.
The impact of the regulatory process on the pending matters before FERC and in the various states in which we do business including, but not limited to, matters related to rates.
The status of the PATH project in light of PJM's direction to suspend work on the project pending review of its planning process, its re-evaluation of the need for the project and the uncertainty of the timing and amounts of any related capital expenditures.
The uncertainties of various cost recovery and cost allocation issues resulting from ATSI's realignment into PJM.
Economic or weather conditions affecting future sales and margins.
Changes in markets for energy services.
Changing energy and commodity market prices and availability.
Financial derivative reforms that could increase our liquidity needs and collateral costs.
The continued ability of our regulated utilities to collect transition and other costs.
Operation and maintenance costs being higher than anticipated.
Other legislative and regulatory changes, and revised environmental requirements, including possible GHG emission, water intake and coal combustion residual regulations, the potential impacts of any laws, rules or regulations that ultimately replace CAIR, including CSAPR which was stayed by the courts on December 30, 2011, and the effects of the EPA's MATS rules.
The uncertainty of the timing and amounts of the capital expenditures that may arise in connection with any litigation, including NSR litigation or potential regulatory initiatives or rulemakings (including that such expenditures could result in our decision to shut down or idle certain generating units).
The uncertainties associated with our plan to retire our older unscrubbed regulated and competitive fossil units, including the impact on vendor commitments, and PJM's review of our plans for, and the timing of, those retirements.
Adverse regulatory or legal decisions and outcomes with respect to our nuclear operations (including, but not limited to the revocation or non-renewal of necessary licenses, approvals or operating permits by the NRC or as a result of the incident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant).
Issues that could result from our continuing evaluation of the indications of cracking in the Davis-Besse Plant shield building imposed by the CAL issued by the NRC.
Adverse legal decisions and outcomes related to ME's and PN's ability to recover certain transmission costs through their transmission service charge riders.
The continuing availability of generating units and changes in their ability to operate at or near full capacity.
Replacement power costs being higher than anticipated or inadequately hedged.
The ability to comply with applicable state and federal reliability standards and energy efficiency mandates.
Changes in customers' demand for power, including but not limited to, changes resulting from the implementation of state and federal energy efficiency mandates.
The ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic goals.
Our ability to improve electric commodity margins and the impact of, among other factors, the increased cost of fuel and fuel transportation on such margins.
The ability to experience growth in the distribution business.
Changing market conditions that could affect the value of assets held in our NDTs, pension trusts and other trust funds, and cause us and our subsidiaries to make additional contributions sooner, or in amounts that are larger than currently anticipated.
The impact of changes to material accounting policies.
The ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financing plans, the cost of such capital and overall condition of the capital and credit markets affecting us and our subsidiaries.
Changes in general economic conditions affecting us and our subsidiaries.
Interest rates and any actions taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect us and our subsidiaries' access to financing, increased costs thereof, and increase requirements to post additional collateral to support outstanding commodity positions, LOCs and other financial guarantees.
The state of the national and regional economy and its impact on our major industrial and commercial customers.
Issues concerning the soundness of domestic and foreign financial institutions and counterparties with which we do business.
The risks and other factors discussed from time to time in our SEC filings, and other similar factors.





Dividends declared from time to time on FE's common stock during any annual period may in the aggregate vary from the indicated amount due to circumstances considered by FE's Board of Directors at the time of the actual declarations. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
The foregoing review of factors should not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergy's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The registrants expressly disclaim any current intention to update, except as required by law, any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.





TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Page
 
 
Part I. Financial Information
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FirstEnergy Corp. Management's Discussion of Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
 
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
 
 
Item 5. Other Information
 
 

i



GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The following abbreviations and acronyms are used in this report to identify FirstEnergy Corp. and its current and former subsidiaries:

AE
Allegheny Energy, Inc., a Maryland utility holding company that merged with a subsidiary of FirstEnergy on February 25, 2011
AE Supply
Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC, an unregulated generation subsidiary of AE
AET
Allegheny Energy Transmission, LLC, a subsidiary of AE, which is the parent of ATSI and TrAIL and has a joint venture in PATH
AGC
Allegheny Generating Company, a generation subsidiary of AE
Allegheny
Allegheny Energy, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries
ATSI
American Transmission Systems, Incorporated, formerly a direct subsidiary of FE that became a subsidiary of AET in April 2012, which owns and operates transmission facilities.
CEI
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, an Ohio electric utility operating subsidiary
FE
FirstEnergy Corp., a public utility holding company
FENOC
FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company, which operates nuclear generating facilities
FES
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., which provides energy-related products and services
FESC
FirstEnergy Service Company, which provides legal, financial and other corporate support services
FEV
FirstEnergy Ventures Corp., which invests in certain unregulated enterprises and business ventures
FGCO
FirstEnergy Generation Corp., a subsidiary of FES, which owns and operates non-nuclear generating facilities
FirstEnergy
FirstEnergy Corp., together with its consolidated subsidiaries
Global Holding
Global Mining Holding Company, LLC, a joint venture between FEV, WMB Marketing Ventures, LLC and Gunvor Group, Ltd. that owns Global Rail and Signal Peak
Global Rail
A joint venture between FEV, WMB Marketing Ventures, LLC and Gunvor Group, Ltd. that owns coal transportation operations near Roundup, Montana
JCP&L
Jersey Central Power & Light Company, a New Jersey electric utility operating subsidiary
ME
Metropolitan Edison Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary
MP
Monongahela Power Company, a West Virginia electric utility operating subsidiary of AE
NGC
FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation Corp., a subsidiary of FES, which owns nuclear generating facilities
OE
Ohio Edison Company, an Ohio electric utility operating subsidiary
Ohio Companies
CEI, OE and TE
PATH
Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline, LLC, a joint venture between Allegheny and a subsidiary of AEP
PATH-Allegheny
PATH Allegheny Transmission Company, LLC
PATH-VA
PATH Allegheny Virginia Transmission Corporation
PE
The Potomac Edison Company, a Maryland electric utility operating subsidiary of AE
PN
Pennsylvania Electric Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary
Penn
Pennsylvania Power Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary of OE
Pennsylvania Companies
ME, PN, Penn and WP
PNBV
PNBV Capital Trust, a special purpose entity created by OE in 1996
Shippingport
Shippingport Capital Trust, a special purpose entity created by CEI and TE in 1997
Signal Peak
A joint venture between FEV, WMB Marketing Ventures, LLC and Gunvor Group, Ltd. that owns mining operations near Roundup, Montana
TE
The Toledo Edison Company, an Ohio electric utility operating subsidiary
TrAIL
Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company, a subsidiary of AET, which owns and operates transmission facilities
Utilities
OE, CEI, TE, Penn, JCP&L, ME, PN, MP, PE and WP
WP
West Penn Power Company, a Pennsylvania electric utility operating subsidiary of AE
 
 
The following abbreviations and acronyms are used to identify frequently used terms in this report:
ALJ
Administrative Law Judge
Anker WV
Anker West Virginia Mining Company, Inc.
Anker Coal
Anker Coal Group, Inc.
AOCI
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
AEP
American Electric Power Company, Inc.
AREPA
Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Act
ARR
Auction Revenue Right
ASLB
Atomic Safety and Licensing Board

ii



GLOSSARY OF TERMS, Continued

BGS
Basic Generation Service
BMP
Bruce Mansfield Plant
CAA
Clean Air Act
CAL
Confirmatory Action Letter
CAIR
Clean Air Interstate Rule
CBP
Competitive Bid Process
CCB
Coal Combustion By-products
CDWR
California Department of Water Resources
CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
CO2
Carbon Dioxide
CSAPR
Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
CWA
Clean Water Act
DCPD
Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors
DCR
Delivery Capital Recovery Rider
DOE
United States Department of Energy
DOJ
United States Department of Justice
DSP
Default Service Plan
EDC
Electric Distribution Company
EDCP
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
EE&C
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
EGS
Electric Generation Supplier
EHB
Environmental Hearing Board
ENEC
Expanded Net Energy Cost
EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
ERO
Electric Reliability Organization
ESP
Electric Security Plan
FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Fitch
Fitch Ratings
FMB
First Mortgage Bond
FPA
Federal Power Act
FTR
Financial Transmission Right
GAAP
Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America
GHG
Greenhouse Gases
HCL
Hydrochloric Acid
ICG
International Coal Group Inc.
ILP
Integrated License Application Process
IRS
Internal Revenue Service
kV
Kilovolt
KWH
Kilowatt-hour
LBR
Little Blue Run
LOC
Letter of Credit
LSE
Load Serving Entity
LTIP
Long-Term Incentive Plan
MATS
Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
MDPSC
Maryland Public Service Commission
MISO
Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.
Moody’s
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
MTEP
MISO Regional Transmission Expansion Plan
MVP
Multi-value Project
MW
Megawatt
MWH
Megawatt-hour

iii



GLOSSARY OF TERMS, Continued

NCEA
NERC Compliance Enforcement Authority
NDT
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust
NEPA
National Environmental Policy Act
NERC
North American Electric Reliability Corporation
NJBPU
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
NNSR
Non-Attainment New Source Review
NOV
Notice of Violation
NOx
Nitrogen Oxide
NPDES
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NRC
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NSR
New Source Review
NUG
Non-Utility Generation
NYPSC
New York State Public Service Commission
NYSEG
New York State Electric and Gas
OCI
Other Comprehensive Income
OPEB
Other Post-Employment Benefits
OTTI
Other Than Temporary Impairments
OVEC
Ohio Valley Electric Corporation
PA DEP
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
PCRB
Pollution Control Revenue Bond
PJM
PJM Interconnection LLC
PM
Particulate Matter
POLR
Provider of Last Resort
PPUC
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
PSA
Power Supply Agreement
PSD
Prevention of Significant Deterioration
PUCO
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
PURPA
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
REC
Renewable Energy Credit
RFC
ReliabilityFirst
RFP
Request for Proposal
RGGI
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
ROE
Return on Equity
RTEP
Regional Transmission Expansion Plan
RTO
Regional Transmission Organization
S&P
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service
SB221
Amended Substitute Senate Bill 221
SBC
Societal Benefits Charge
SEC
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
SIP
State Implementation Plan(s) Under the Clean Air Act
SMIP
Smart Meter Implementation Plan
SO2
Sulfur Dioxide
SOS
Standard Offer Service
SREC
Solar Renewable Energy Credit
TDS
Total Dissolved Solid
TMDL
Total Maximum Daily Load
TMI-2
Three Mile Island Unit 2
TSC
Transmission Service Charge
VIE
Variable Interest Entity
VSCC
Virginia State Corporation Commission
WVDEP
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
WVPSC
Public Service Commission of West Virginia
 

iv



FIRSTENERGY CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
Electric utilities
 
$
2,554

 
$
2,332

Unregulated businesses
 
1,524

 
1,244

Total revenues*
 
4,078

 
3,576

 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Fuel
 
541

 
453

Purchased power
 
1,347

 
1,186

Other operating expenses
 
812

 
993

Provision for depreciation
 
285

 
225

Amortization of regulatory assets, net
 
75

 
132

General taxes
 
272

 
237

Total operating expenses
 
3,332

 
3,226

 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME
 
746

 
350

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
 
 
 
 
Investment income
 
11

 
21

Interest expense
 
(246
)
 
(231
)
Capitalized interest
 
17

 
18

Total other expense
 
(218
)
 
(192
)
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
 
528

 
158

 
 
 
 
 
INCOME TAXES
 
222

 
111

 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
306

 
47

 
 
 
 
 
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 
(5
)
 
 
 
 
 
EARNINGS AVAILABLE TO FIRSTENERGY CORP.
 
$
306

 
$
52

 
 
 
 
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.73

 
$
0.15

Diluted
 
$
0.73

 
$
0.15

 
 
 
 
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
418

 
342

Diluted
 
420

 
343

 
 
 
 
 
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
 
$
0.55

 
$
0.55


*
Includes excise tax collections of $121 million and $119 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


1



FIRSTENERGY CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
(In millions)
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
$
306

 
$
47

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:
 
 
 
 
Pensions and OPEB prior service costs
 
(53
)
 
(44
)
Amortized losses on derivative hedges
 
(2
)
 
(6
)
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities
 
10

 
9

Other comprehensive loss
 
(45
)
 
(41
)
Income tax benefits on other comprehensive loss
 
(24
)
 
(19
)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
(21
)
 
(22
)
 
 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
285

 
25

 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 
(5
)
 
 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AVAILABLE TO FIRSTENERGY CORP.
 
$
285

 
$
30


The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.



2



FIRSTENERGY CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In millions, except share amounts)
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
74

 
$
202

Receivables-
 
 
 
 
Customers, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $35 in 2012 and $37 in 2011
 
1,449

 
1,525

Other, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $8 in 2012 and $3 in 2011
 
286

 
269

Materials and supplies
 
927

 
811

Prepaid taxes
 
213

 
191

Derivatives
 
346

 
235

Other
 
182

 
122

 
 
3,477

 
3,355

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
 
 
 
 
In service
 
40,587

 
40,122

Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
 
12,086

 
11,839

 
 
28,501

 
28,283

Construction work in progress
 
2,065

 
2,054

 
 
30,566

 
30,337

INVESTMENTS:
 
 
 
 
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
 
2,135

 
2,112

Investments in lease obligation bonds
 
336

 
402

Other
 
1,011

 
1,008

 
 
3,482

 
3,522

DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
6,444

 
6,441

Regulatory assets
 
2,006

 
2,030

Other
 
1,716

 
1,641

 
 
10,166

 
10,112

 
 
$
47,691

 
$
47,326

LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION

 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
Currently payable long-term debt
 
$
1,772

 
$
1,621

Short-term borrowings
 
1,075

 

Accounts payable
 
918

 
1,174

Accrued taxes
 
442

 
558

Accrued compensation and benefits
 
258

 
384

Derivatives
 
299

 
218

Other
 
1,009

 
900

 
 
5,773

 
4,855

CAPITALIZATION:
 
 
 
 
Common stockholders’ equity-
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.10 par value, authorized 490,000,000 shares - 418,216,437 shares outstanding
 
42

 
42

Other paid-in capital
 
9,754

 
9,765

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
405

 
426

Retained earnings
 
3,122

 
3,047

Total common stockholders’ equity
 
13,323

 
13,280

Noncontrolling interest
 
16

 
19

Total equity
 
13,339

 
13,299

Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
 
15,527

 
15,716

 
 
28,866

 
29,015

NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
Accumulated deferred income taxes
 
5,904

 
5,670

Retirement benefits
 
2,240

 
2,823

Asset retirement obligations
 
1,522

 
1,497

Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction
 
917

 
925

Adverse power contract liability
 
458

 
469

Other
 
2,011

 
2,072

 
 
13,052

 
13,456

COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
 

 

 
 
$
47,691

 
$
47,326


The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


3



FIRSTENERGY CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
(In millions)
 
2012
 
2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
306

 
$
47

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
 
 
 
 
Provision for depreciation
 
285

 
225

Amortization of regulatory assets, net
 
75

 
132

Nuclear fuel and lease amortization
 
58

 
47

Deferred purchased power and other costs
 
(107
)
 
(58
)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
 
265

 
204

Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability
 
(23
)
 
(15
)
Stock based compensation
 
(29
)
 
(9
)
Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
 
(162
)
 
(53
)
Commodity derivative transactions, net
 
(64
)
 
(25
)
Pension trust contributions
 
(600
)
 
(157
)
Asset impairments
 
4

 
31

Cash collateral, net
 
(28
)
 
(28
)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
 
 
 
 
Receivables
 
59

 
164

Materials and supplies
 
(118
)
 
40

Prepayments and other current assets
 
(19
)
 
118

Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
(256
)
 
(90
)
Accrued taxes
 
(116
)
 
(182
)
Accrued interest
 
70

 
76

Other
 
(13
)
 
24

Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities
 
(413
)
 
491

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
New Financing-
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 

 
217

Short-term borrowings, net
 
1,075

 

Redemptions and Repayments-
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 
(16
)
 
(359
)
Short-term borrowings, net
 

 
(214
)
Common stock dividend payments
 
(230
)
 
(190
)
Other
 
(10
)
 
(4
)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
 
819

 
(550
)
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Property additions
 
(589
)
 
(449
)
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
 
251

 
969

Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
 
(266
)
 
(993
)
Cash investments
 
78

 
47

Cash received in Allegheny merger
 

 
590

Other
 
(8
)
 
(23
)
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
 
(534
)
 
141

 
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
(128
)
 
82

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
202

 
1,019

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
74

 
$
1,101

 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
Non-cash transaction: merger with Allegheny, common stock issued
 
$

 
$
4,354


The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


4



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
(In millions)
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
 
 
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
Electric sales to non-affiliates
 
$
1,332

 
$
1,044

Electric sales to affiliates
 
121

 
261

Other
 
63

 
86

Total revenues
 
1,516

 
1,391

 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Fuel
 
295

 
343

Purchased power from affiliates
 
117

 
69

Purchased power from non-affiliates
 
487

 
297

Other operating expenses
 
295

 
465

Provision for depreciation
 
63

 
69

General taxes
 
37

 
29

Impairment of long-lived assets
 

 
14

Total operating expenses
 
1,294

 
1,286

 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME
 
222

 
105

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
 
 
 
 
Investment income
 
6

 
6

Miscellaneous income
 
4

 
4

Interest expense — affiliates
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
Interest expense — other
 
(41
)
 
(53
)
Capitalized interest
 
9

 
10

Total other income (expense)
 
(24
)
 
(34
)
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
 
198

 
71

 
 
 
 
 
INCOME TAXES
 
76

 
26

 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
$
122

 
$
45

 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
$
122

 
$
45

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
 
 
 
 
Pensions and OPEB prior service costs
 
(5
)
 
(10
)
Amortized losses on derivative hedges
 
(5
)
 
(9
)
Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities
 
10

 
8

Other comprehensive loss
 

 
(11
)
Income taxes (benefits) on other comprehensive income (loss)
 
2

 
(6
)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
 
 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
$
120

 
$
40


The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


5



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In millions, except share amounts)
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
7

 
$
7

Receivables-
 
 
 
 
Customers, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $16 in 2012 and 2011
 
395

 
424

Affiliated companies
 
541

 
600

Other, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $3 in 2012 and 2011
 
122

 
61

Notes receivable from affiliated companies
 
12

 
383

Materials and supplies
 
551

 
492

Derivatives
 
322

 
219

Prepayments and other
 
24

 
38

 
 
1,974

 
2,224

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
 
 
 
 
In service
 
11,002

 
10,983

Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
 
4,214

 
4,110

 
 
6,788

 
6,873

Construction work in progress
 
1,173

 
1,014

 
 
7,961

 
7,887

INVESTMENTS:
 
 
 
 
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
 
1,240

 
1,223

Other
 
7

 
7

 
 
1,247

 
1,230

DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
Customer intangibles
 
120

 
123

Goodwill
 
24

 
24

Property taxes
 
43

 
43

Unamortized sale and leaseback costs
 
120

 
80

Derivatives
 
117

 
79

Other
 
171

 
129

 
 
595

 
478

 
 
$
11,777

 
$
11,819

LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
Currently payable long-term debt
 
$
905

 
$
905

Accounts payable-
 
 
 
 
Affiliated companies
 
483

 
436

Other
 
190

 
220

Accrued Taxes
 
75

 
227

Derivatives
 
281

 
189

Other
 
245

 
261

 
 
2,179

 
2,238

CAPITALIZATION:
 
 
 
 
Common stockholder's equity-
 
 
 
 
Common stock, without par value, authorized 750 shares- 7 shares outstanding
 
1,568

 
1,570

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
74

 
76

Retained earnings
 
2,053

 
1,931

Total common stockholder's equity
 
3,695

 
3,577

Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
 
2,797

 
2,799

 
 
6,492

 
6,376

NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction
 
917

 
925

Accumulated deferred income taxes
 
365

 
286

Asset retirement obligations
 
919

 
904

Retirement benefits
 
151

 
356

Lease market valuation liability
 
160

 
171

Other
 
594

 
563

 
 
3,106

 
3,205

COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
 

 

 
 
$
11,777

 
$
11,819


The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


6



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
(In millions)
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
122

 
$
45

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
 
 
 
 
Provision for depreciation
 
63

 
69

Nuclear fuel and lease amortization
 
57

 
47

Deferred rents and lease market valuation liability
 
(47
)
 
(39
)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
 
83

 
67

Asset impairments
 
3

 
19

Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
 
(10
)
 
(16
)
Pension trust contribution
 
(209
)
 

Commodity derivative transactions, net
 
(52
)
 
(35
)
Cash collateral, net
 
(25
)
 
(27
)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
 
 
 
 
Receivables
 
28

 
(76
)
Materials and supplies
 
(59
)
 
61

Prepayments and other current assets
 
14

 
8

Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
17

 
(18
)
Accrued taxes
 
(155
)
 
(3
)
Other
 
(8
)
 
(8
)
Net cash provided from (used for) operating activities
 
(178
)
 
94

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
New financing-
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 

 
150

Short-term borrowings, net
 

 
350

Redemptions and repayments-
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 

 
(332
)
Other
 
(3
)
 
(1
)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
 
(3
)
 
167

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Property additions
 
(181
)
 
(159
)
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
 
83

 
216

Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
 
(90
)
 
(231
)
Loans from (to) affiliated companies, net
 
371

 
(82
)
Other
 
(2
)
 
(7
)
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
 
181

 
(263
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 

 
(2
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
7

 
9

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
7

 
$
7


The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


7



OHIO EDISON COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
(In millions)
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
 
 
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
Electric sales
 
$
359

 
$
364

Excise and gross receipts tax collections
 
27

 
28

Total revenues
 
386

 
392

 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Purchased power from affiliates
 
52

 
93

Purchased power from non-affiliates
 
70

 
60

Other operating expenses
 
121

 
96

Provision for depreciation
 
24

 
23

Amortization of regulatory assets, net
 

 
1

General taxes
 
50

 
50

Total operating expenses
 
317

 
323

 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME
 
69

 
69

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
 
 
 
 
Investment income
 
4

 
5

Interest expense
 
(22
)
 
(22
)
Capitalized interest
 
1

 

Total other expense
 
(17
)
 
(17
)
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
 
52

 
52

 
 
 
 
 
INCOME TAXES
 
21

 
20

 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
$
31


$
32

 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
$
31

 
$
32

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:
 
 
 
 
Pensions and OPEB prior service costs
 
(10
)
 
(7
)
Other comprehensive loss
 
(10
)
 
(7
)
Income tax benefits on other comprehensive loss
 
(5
)
 
(4
)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
(5
)
 
(3
)
 
 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
$
26

 
$
29


The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


8



OHIO EDISON COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In millions, except share amounts)
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
26

Receivables-
 
 
 
 
Customers, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $4 in 2012 and 2011
 
154

 
163

Affiliated companies
 
72

 
86

Other
 
37

 
41

Notes receivable from affiliated companies
 
259

 
181

Prepayments and other
 
11

 
17

 
 
533

 
514

UTILITY PLANT:
 
 
 
 
In service
 
3,405

 
3,358

Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
 
1,280

 
1,267

 
 
2,125

 
2,091

Construction work in progress
 
85

 
91

 
 
2,210

 
2,182

OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
 
 
 
 
Investment in lease obligation bonds
 
162

 
163

Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
 
137

 
137

Other
 
92

 
90

 
 
391

 
390

DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
Regulatory assets
 
362

 
363

Pension assets
 
6

 
5

Property taxes
 
80

 
81

Unamortized sale and leaseback costs
 
24

 
25

Other
 
16

 
14

 
 
488

 
488

 
 
$
3,622

 
$
3,574

LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
Currently payable long-term debt
 
$
3

 
$
2

Accounts payable-
 
 
 
 
Affiliated companies
 
110

 
119

Other
 
34

 
35

Accrued taxes
 
88

 
88

Accrued interest
 
25

 
25

Other
 
102

 
79

 
 
362

 
348

CAPITALIZATION:
 
 
 
 
Common stockholder's equity-
 
 
 
 
Common stock, without par value, authorized 175,000,000 shares – 60 shares outstanding
 
747

 
747

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
49

 
54

Accumulated deficit
 
(53
)
 
(84
)
Total common stockholder's equity
 
743

 
717

Noncontrolling interest
 
5

 
5

Total equity
 
748

 
722

Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
 
1,156

 
1,155

 
 
1,904

 
1,877

NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
Accumulated deferred income taxes
 
791

 
787

Accumulated deferred investment tax credits
 
8

 
9

Retirement benefits
 
213

 
213

Asset retirement obligations
 
73

 
71

Other
 
271

 
269

 
 
1,356

 
1,349

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
 

 

 
 
$
3,622

 
$
3,574


The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


9



OHIO EDISON COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
(In millions)
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
31

 
$
32

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
 
 
 
 
Provision for depreciation
 
24

 
23

Amortization of regulatory assets, net
 

 
1

Amortization of lease costs
 
33

 
33

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
 
11

 
29

Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
 
(17
)
 
(13
)
Cash collateral, net
 
(2
)
 

Pension trust contributions
 

 
(27
)
Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
 
 
 
 
Receivables
 
27

 
82

Prepayments and other current assets
 
7

 
(23
)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
(10
)
 
(20
)
Accrued taxes
 
1

 
(10
)
Other
 
(5
)
 
(3
)
Net cash provided from operating activities
 
100

 
104

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Redemptions and Repayments-
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings, net
 

 
(39
)
Common stock dividend payments
 

 
(100
)
Other
 
(1
)
 

Net cash used for financing activities
 
(1
)
 
(139
)
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Property additions
 
(43
)
 
(37
)
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
 
37

 
8

Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
 
(38
)
 
(9
)
Loans to affiliated companies, net
 
(78
)
 

Other
 
(3
)
 
(2
)
Net cash used for investing activities
 
(125
)
 
(40
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
(26
)
 
(75
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
26

 
420

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$

 
$
345


The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


10



JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
(In millions)
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
 
 
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
Electric sales
 
$
478

 
$
634

Excise tax collections
 
10

 
13

Total revenues
 
488

 
647

 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Purchased power
 
264

 
370

Other operating expenses
 
81

 
80

Provision for depreciation
 
30

 
26

Amortization of regulatory assets, net
 
20

 
82

General taxes
 
15

 
18

Total operating expenses
 
410

 
576

 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME
 
78

 
71

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
 
 
 
 
Miscellaneous income
 
1

 
2

Interest expense
 
(31
)
 
(30
)
Total other expense
 
(30
)
 
(28
)
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
 
48

 
43

 
 
 
 
 
INCOME TAXES
 
22

 
20

 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
$
26

 
$
23

 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
$
26

 
$
23

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:
 
 
 
 
Pensions and OPEB prior service costs
 
(6
)
 
(6
)
Other comprehensive loss
 
(6
)
 
(6
)
Income tax benefits on other comprehensive loss
 
(4
)
 
(3
)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
(2
)
 
(3
)
 
 
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
$
24

 
$
20


The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


11



JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In millions, except share amounts)
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
Receivables-
 
 
 
 
Customers, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $3 in 2012 and $4 in 2011
 
$
202

 
$
235

Affiliated companies
 
35

 

Other
 
16

 
17

Prepaid taxes
 
39

 
33

Other
 
24

 
19

 
 
316

 
304

UTILITY PLANT:
 
 
 
 
In service
 
5,022

 
4,872

Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
 
1,759

 
1,743

 
 
3,263

 
3,129

Construction work in progress
 
119

 
227

 
 
3,382

 
3,356

OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS:
 
 
 
 
Nuclear fuel disposal trust
 
225

 
219

Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
 
195

 
193

Other
 
2

 
2

 
 
422

 
414

DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
1,811

 
1,811

Regulatory assets
 
384

 
408

Other
 
32

 
32

 
 
2,227

 
2,251

 
 
$
6,347

 
$
6,325

LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
Currently payable long-term debt
 
$
34

 
$
34

Short-term borrowings-
 
 
 
 
Affiliated companies
 
300

 
259

Accounts payable-
 
 
 
 
Affiliated companies
 
3

 
19

Other
 
94

 
101

Accrued compensation and benefits
 
33

 
41

Customer deposits
 
24

 
24

Accrued interest
 
30

 
18

Other
 
41

 
36

 
 
559

 
532

CAPITALIZATION:
 
 
 
 
Common stockholder's equity-
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $10 par value, authorized 16,000,000 shares, 13,628,447 shares outstanding
 
136

 
136

Other paid-in capital
 
2,011

 
2,011

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
36

 
39

Retained earnings
 
146

 
121

Total common stockholder's equity
 
2,329

 
2,307

Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
 
1,729

 
1,736

 
 
4,058

 
4,043

NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
Accumulated deferred income taxes
 
908

 
859

Power purchase contract liability
 
136

 
147

Nuclear fuel disposal costs
 
197

 
197

Retirement benefits
 
163

 
170

Asset retirement obligations
 
117

 
115

Other
 
209

 
262

 
 
1,730

 
1,750

COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
1


 

 
 
$
6,347

 
$
6,325


The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


12



JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
(In millions)
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
26

 
$
23

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities-
 
 
 
 
Provision for depreciation
 
30

 
26

Amortization of regulatory assets, net
 
20

 
82

Deferred purchased power and other costs
 
(69
)
 
(27
)
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net
 
52

 
28

Accrued compensation and retirement benefits
 
(22
)
 
(11
)
Cash collateral, net
 
6

 

Decrease (increase) in operating assets-
 
 
 
 
Receivables
 
(2
)
 
86

Prepaid taxes
 
(6
)
 
(2
)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities-
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
(22
)
 
(62
)
Accrued taxes
 
(5
)
 
13

Accrued interest
 
12

 
12

Other
 
9

 
14

Net cash provided from operating activities
 
29

 
182

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
New Financing-
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings, net
 
40

 

Redemptions and Repayments-
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 
(8
)
 
(7
)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
 
32

 
(7
)
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
Property additions
 
(56
)
 
(47
)
Loans to affiliated companies, net
 

 
(121
)
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
 
95

 
217

Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
 
(99
)
 
(222
)
Other
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
Net cash used for investing activities
 
(61
)
 
(175
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$

 
$


The accompanying Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


13



FIRSTENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note
Number
 
Page
Number
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regulatory Matters
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



14



COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms and abbreviations used herein have the meanings set forth in the accompanying Glossary of Terms.

FE is a diversified energy holding company that holds, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding common stock of its principal subsidiaries: OE, CEI, TE, Penn (a wholly owned subsidiary of OE), JCP&L, ME, PN, FENOC, AE and its principal subsidiaries (AE Supply, AGC, MP, PE, WP and AET), FES and its principal subsidiaries (FGCO and NGC), and FESC. AE merged with a subsidiary of FirstEnergy on February 25, 2011, with AE continuing as the surviving corporation and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy. Accordingly, consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011, include just one month of Allegheny results.

The consolidated financial statements of FE, FES, OE and JCP&L include the accounts of entities in which a controlling financial interest is held, after the elimination of intercompany transactions. A controlling financial interest is evidenced by either a voting interest greater than 50% or the result of an analysis that identifies FE or one of its subsidiaries as the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Investments in which a controlling financial interest is not held are accounted for under the equity or cost method of accounting.

These interim financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements and notes prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

The accompanying interim financial statements are unaudited, but reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make periodic estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The reported results of operations are not indicative of results of operations for any future period.

As described in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, FE's consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2011, were revised to reflect a purchase accounting measurement adjustment identified during the fourth quarter of 2011 that decreased goodwill and increased income tax expense by approximately $20 million.

As described in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, during the fourth quarter of 2011, FE elected to change its method of accounting relating to its defined benefit pension and OPEB plans to recognize the change in fair value of plan assets and net actuarial gains and losses immediately, and applied this change retrospectively. Generally, these gains and losses are measured annually as of December 31, and accordingly, will be recorded during the fourth quarter.

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

New Accounting Pronouncements

New accounting pronouncements not yet effective are not expected to have a material effect on the financial statements of FE or its subsidiaries.

2. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share of common stock are computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the relevant period as the denominator. The denominator for diluted earnings per share of common stock reflects the weighted average of common shares outstanding plus the potential additional common shares that could result if dilutive securities and other agreements to issue common stock were exercised. The following table reconciles basic and diluted earnings per share of common stock:


15



 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share of Common Stock
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding
 
418

 
342

Assumed exercise of dilutive stock options and awards(1)
 
2

 
1

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding
 
420

 
343

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Available to FirstEnergy Corp.
 
$
306

 
$
52

 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share of common stock
 
$
0.73

 
$
0.15

Diluted earnings per share of common stock
 
$
0.73

 
$
0.15

(1) 
The number of potentially dilutive securities not included in the calculation of diluted shares outstanding due to their antidilutive effect were not significant for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

3. PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
FirstEnergy provides noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all of its employees and non-qualified pension plans that cover certain employees. The plans provide defined benefits based on years of service and compensation levels. In addition, FirstEnergy provides a minimum amount of noncontributory life insurance to retired employees in addition to optional contributory insurance. Health care benefits, which include certain employee contributions, deductibles and co-payments, are also available upon retirement to certain employees, their dependents and, under certain circumstances, their survivors. FirstEnergy recognizes the expected cost of providing pensions and OPEB to employees and their beneficiaries and covered dependents from the time employees are hired until they become eligible to receive those benefits. FirstEnergy also has obligations to former or inactive employees after employment, but before retirement, for disability-related benefits.
FirstEnergy’s funding policy is based on actuarial computations using the projected unit credit method. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy made pre-tax contributions to its qualified pension plan of $600 million.
The components of the consolidated net periodic cost for pensions and OPEB costs (including amounts capitalized) were as follows:
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Credits)
 
Pensions
 
OPEB
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(In millions)
Service cost
 
$
40

 
$
29

 
$
3

 
$
3

Interest cost
 
97

 
84

 
12

 
11

Expected return on plan assets
 
(121
)
 
(102
)
 
(9
)
 
(10
)
Amortization of prior service cost
 
3

 
4

 
(51
)
 
(48
)
Other adjustments (settlements, curtailments, etc)
 

 
7

 

 

Net periodic costs (credits)
 
$
19

 
$
22

 
$
(45
)
 
$
(44
)

Pension and OPEB obligations are allocated to FE's subsidiaries employing the plan participants. The net periodic pension and OPEB costs (net of amounts capitalized) recognized in earnings by FE and its subsidiaries were as follows:
Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Credits)
 
Pensions
 
OPEB
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(In millions)
FE Consolidated
 
$
13

 
$
20

 
$
(30
)
 
$
(32
)
FES
 
10

 
7

 
(8
)
 
(7
)
OE
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
 
(6
)
JCP&L
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(3
)

4. INCOME TAXES

FirstEnergy accounts for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in its financial statements. Accounting guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a company's tax return. During the first quarter of 2012, the federal government issued further guidance


16



related to the tax accounting of costs to repair and maintain fixed assets. This guidance provided a safe harbor method of tax accounting for AE companies and allowed these companies to reduce their amount of unrecognized tax benefits by $21 million, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated deferred income taxes for this temporary tax item, with no resulting impact to FirstEnergy's effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2012. There were no other material changes to FirstEnergy's unrecognized income tax benefits during the first quarter of 2012 or 2011.

As of March 31, 2012, it is reasonably possible that approximately $45 million of unrecognized income tax benefits may be resolved within the next twelve months, of which approximately $10 million, if recognized, would affect FirstEnergy's effective tax rate. The potential decrease in the amount of unrecognized income tax benefits is primarily associated with issues related to the capitalization of certain costs and various state tax items.

FirstEnergy recognizes interest expense or income related to uncertain tax positions. That amount is computed by applying the applicable statutory interest rate to the difference between the tax position recognized and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken on the tax return. FirstEnergy includes net interest and penalties in the provision for income taxes. During the first quarter of 2012 and 2011, there were no material changes to the amount of accrued interest, except for a $6 million increase in accrued interest from the merger with AE in the first quarter of 2011. The net amount of interest accrued as of March 31, 2012 was $12 million, compared with $11 million as of December 31, 2011.

As a result of the non-deductible portion of merger transaction costs, FirstEnergy's effective tax rate was unfavorably impacted by $30 million in the first three months of 2011.

FirstEnergy has tax returns that are under review at the audit or appeals level by the IRS (2008-2010) and state tax authorities. FirstEnergy's tax returns for all state jurisdictions are open from 2008-2010, and additionally 2005-2007 for New Jersey. The IRS completed its audits of tax year 2008 in July 2010 and tax year 2009 in April 2011, with both tax years having one open item. Tax years 2010-2011 are under review by the IRS. Allegheny is currently under audit by the IRS for tax years 2007 and 2008. Allegheny has filed its 2009 and 2010 federal returns and such filings are subject to review. State tax returns for tax years 2008 through 2010 remain subject to review in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia for certain subsidiaries of AE. Management believes that adequate reserves have been recognized and final settlement of these audits is not expected to have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy's financial condition, results of operations, cash flow or liquidity.

5. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
FirstEnergy performs qualitative analyses to determine whether a variable interest gives FirstEnergy a controlling financial interest in a VIE. This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. FE and its subsidiaries consolidate a VIE when it is determined that it is the primary beneficiary
VIEs included in FirstEnergy’s consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of 2012 are: the PNBV and Shippingport capital trusts that were created to refinance debt originally issued in connection with sale and leaseback transactions; wholly owned limited liability companies of JCP&L created to sell transition bonds to securitize the recovery of JCP&L’s bondable stranded costs associated with the previously divested Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station and JCP&L's supply of BGS, of which $270 million was outstanding as of March 31, 2012; and special purpose limited liabilities companies of MP and PE created to issue environmental control bonds that were used to construct environmental control facilities, of which $504 million was outstanding as of March 31, 2012.
The caption noncontrolling interest within the consolidated financial statements is used to reflect the portion of the VIE that FirstEnergy consolidates, but does not wholly own. The change in noncontrolling interest within the Consolidated Balance Sheets during the three months ended March 31, 2012, was primarily due to a $3 million distribution to owners.
In order to evaluate contracts for consolidation treatment and entities for which FirstEnergy has an interest, FirstEnergy aggregated variable interests into the following categories based on similar risk characteristics and significance.
Mining Operations
On October 18, 2011, a subsidiary of Gunvor Group, Ltd. purchased a one-third interest in the Signal Peak joint venture in which FEV held a 50% interest. FEV retained a 33-1/3% equity ownership in the joint venture. Prior to the sale, FirstEnergy consolidated this joint venture since FEV was determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. As a result of the sale, FEV was no longer determined to be the primary beneficiary and its retained 33-1/3% interest is subsequently accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
PATH-WV
PATH was formed to construct, through its operating companies, the PATH Project, which is a high-voltage transmission line that was proposed to extend from West Virginia through Virginia and into Maryland, including modifications to an existing substation in


17



Putnam County, West Virginia, and the construction of new substations in Hardy County, West Virginia and Frederick County, Maryland as directed by PJM. PATH is a series limited liability company that is comprised of multiple series, each of which has separate rights, powers and duties regarding specified property and the series profits and losses associated with such property. A subsidiary of AE owns 100% of the Allegheny Series (PATH-Allegheny) and 50% of the West Virginia Series (PATH-WV), which is a joint venture with a subsidiary of AEP. FirstEnergy is not the primary beneficiary of PATH-WV, as it does not have control over the significant activities affecting the economics of the portion of the PATH Project to be constructed by PATH-WV.
Because of the nature of PATH-WV’s operations and its FERC approved rate mechanism, FirstEnergy’s maximum exposure to loss, through AE, consists of its equity investment in PATH-WV, which was $30 million as of March 31, 2012.
Power Purchase Agreements
FirstEnergy evaluated its power purchase agreements and determined that certain NUG entities may be VIEs to the extent that they own a plant that sells substantially all of its output to the applicable utilities if the contract price for power is correlated with the plant’s variable costs of production. FirstEnergy, through its subsidiaries JCP&L, ME, PN, PE, WP and MP, maintains 22 long-term power purchase agreements with NUG entities that were entered into pursuant to PURPA. FirstEnergy was not involved in the creation of, and has no equity or debt invested in, these entities.
FirstEnergy has determined that for all but three of these NUG entities, its subsidiaries do not have variable interests in the entities or the entities do not meet the criteria to be considered a VIE. JCP&L, PE and WP may hold variable interests in the remaining three entities; however, FirstEnergy applied the scope exception that exempts enterprises unable to obtain the necessary information to evaluate entities. One of JCP&L's NUG contracts, to which the scope exception was applied, expired during 2011.
Because JCP&L, PE and WP have no equity or debt interests in the NUG entities, their maximum exposure to loss relates primarily to the above-market costs incurred for power. FirstEnergy expects any above-market costs incurred by its subsidiaries to be recovered from customers, except as described further below. Purchased power costs related to the three contracts that may contain a variable interest that were held by FirstEnergy subsidiaries during the three months ended March 31, 2012, were $12 million, $32 million and $16 million for JCP&L, PE and WP, respectively. Purchased power costs related to the four contracts that may contain a variable interest that were held by JCP&L, PE and WP, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2011 were $65 million, $11 million, and $5 million, respectively.
In 1998 the PPUC issued an order approving a transition plan for WP that disallowed certain costs, including an estimated amount for an adverse power purchase commitment related to the NUG entity wherein WP may hold a variable interest, for which WP has taken the scope exception. As of March 31, 2012, WP’s reserve for this adverse purchase power commitment was $51 million, including a current liability of $11 million, and is being amortized over the life of the commitment.
Loss Contingencies
FirstEnergy has variable interests in certain sale and leaseback transactions. FirstEnergy is not the primary beneficiary of these interests as it does not have control over the significant activities affecting the economics of the arrangement.
FES, OE and other FE subsidiaries are exposed to losses under their applicable sale and leaseback agreements upon the occurrence of certain contingent events. The maximum exposure under these provisions represents the net amount of casualty value payments due upon the occurrence of specified casualty events. Net discounted lease payments would not be payable if the casualty loss payments were made. The following table discloses each company’s net exposure to loss based upon the casualty value provisions mentioned above as of March 31, 2012:
 
Maximum
Exposure
 
Discounted Lease
Payments, net(1)
 
Net
Exposure
 
(In millions)
FES
1,384

 
1,179

 
205

OE
583

 
426

 
157

Other FE Subsidiaries
643

 
383

 
260

(1) 
The net present value of FirstEnergy’s consolidated sale and leaseback operating lease commitments is $1.6 billion.

6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
RECURRING AND NONRECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

On January 1, 2012, FirstEnergy adopted an amendment to the authoritative accounting guidance regarding fair value measurements. The amendment was applied prospectively and expanded disclosure requirements for fair value measurements, particularly for Level 3 measurements, among other changes.

Authoritative accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This


18



hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 measurements and the lowest priority to Level 3 measurements. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy and a description of the valuation techniques for Level 2 and Level 3 are as follows:
Level 1
-
Quoted prices for identical instruments in active market
 
 
 
Level 2
-
Quoted prices for similar instruments in active market
 
-
Quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active
 
-
Model-derived valuations for which all significant inputs are observable market data

Models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures.

Level 3
-
Valuation inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement

FirstEnergy produces a long-term power and capacity price forecast annually with periodic updates as market conditions change. When underlying prices are not observable, prices from the long-term price forecast, which has been reviewed and approved by the Risk Policy Committee, are used to measure fair value. A more detailed description of FirstEnergy's valuation process for FTRs and NUGs are as follows.

FTRs are financial instruments that entitle the holder to a stream of revenues (or charges) based on the hourly day-ahead congestion price differences across transmission paths. FTRs are acquired by FirstEnergy in the annual, monthly and long-term RTO auctions and are initially recorded using the auction clearing price less cost. After initial recognition, FTRs' carrying values are subsequently adjusted to fair value using a mark-to-model methodology on a monthly basis, which approximates market. The primary inputs into the model, that are generally less observable from objective sources, are the most recent RTO auction clearing prices and the FTRs' remaining hours. The model calculates the fair value by multiplying the most recent auction clearing price by the remaining FTR hours less the prorated FTR cost. Generally, significant increases or decreases in inputs in isolation could result in a higher or lower fair value measurement. See Note 7, Derivative Instruments, for additional information regarding FirstEnergy's FTRs.

NUG contracts represent purchased power agreements with third-party non-utility generators that are transacted to satisfy certain obligations under PURPA. NUG contract carrying values are recorded at fair value using a mark-to-model methodology on a monthly basis, which approximates market. The primary unobservable inputs into the model are regional power prices and generation MWH. Monthly pricing for the NUG contracts is a combination of market prices for the current year and next three years based on observable data and internal models using historical trends and market data for the remaining years under contract. The internal models use forecasted energy purchase prices as an input when prices are not defined by the contract. Forecasted market prices are based on IntercontinentalExchange quotes and management assumptions. Generation MWH reflects data provided by contractual arrangements and historical trends. The model calculates the fair value by multiplying the prices by the generation MWH. Generally, significant increases or decreases in inputs in isolation could result in a higher or lower fair value measurement.
FirstEnergy primarily applies the market approach for recurring fair value measurements using the best information available. Accordingly, FirstEnergy maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs. There were no changes in valuation methodologies used as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The determination of the fair value measures takes into consideration various factors, including but not limited to, nonperformance risk, counterparty credit risk and the impact of credit enhancements (such as cash deposits, LOCs and priority interests). The impact of these forms of risk was not significant to the fair value measurements.
Transfers between levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period. There were no significant transfers between levels during the 2012 and 2011 periods. The following tables set forth the recurring and nonrecurring assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy.


19



FE CONSOLIDATED
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
March 31, 2012
December 31, 2011
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
(In millions)
Corporate debt securities
$
 
 
$
1,561
 
 
$
 
 
1,561

 
$
 
 
$
1,544
 
 
$
 
 
$
1,544

Derivative assets - commodity contracts
1
 
 
415
 
 
 
 
416

 
 
 
264
 
 
 
 
264

Derivative assets - FTRs
 
 
 
 
1
 
 
1

 
 
 
 
 
1
 
 
1

Derivative assets - NUG contracts(1)
 
 
 
 
42
 
 
42

 
 
 
 
 
56
 
 
56

Equity securities(2)
289
 
 
 
 
 
 
289

 
259
 
 
 
 
 
 
259

Foreign government debt securities
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
3
 
 
 
 
3

U.S. government debt securities
 
 
138
 
 
 
 
138

 
 
 
148
 
 
 
 
148

U.S. state debt securities
 
 
313
 
 
 
 
313

 
 
 
314
 
 
 
 
314

Other(3)
54
 
 
167
 
 
 
 
221

 
49
 
 
225
 
 
 
 
274

Total assets
344
 
 
2,594
 
 
43
 
 
2,981

 
308
 

2,498
 

57
 
 
2,863

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities - commodity contracts
(2
)
 
(347
)
 
 
 
(349
)
 
 
 
(247
)
 
 
 
(247
)
Derivative liabilities - FTRs
 
 
 
 
(15
)
 
(15
)
 
 
 
 
 
(23
)
 
(23
)
Derivative liabilities - NUG contracts(1)
 
 
 
 
(342
)
 
(342
)
 
 
 
 
 
(349
)
 
(349
)
Total liabilities
(2
)
 
(347
)
 
(357
)
 
(706
)
 
 
 
(247
)
 
(372
)
 
(619
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net assets (liabilities)(4)
$
342
 
 
$
2,247
 
 
$
(314
)
 
$
2,275

 
$
308
 
 
$
2,251
 
 
$
(315
)
 
$
2,244

(1) 
NUG contracts are generally subject to regulatory accounting and do not impact earnings.
(2) 
NDT funds hold equity portfolios whose performance is benchmarked against the Alerian MLP Index.
(3) 
Primarily consists of short-term cash investments.
(4) 
Excludes $2 million and $(52) million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, of receivables, payables, taxes and accrued income associated with financial instruments reflected within the fair value table.
Rollforward of Level 3 Measurements
The following table provides a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of NUG contracts held by the Utilities and FTRs held by FirstEnergy and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the periods ended March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
 
NUG Contracts
 
FTRs
 
Derivative Assets(1)
 
Derivative Liabilities(1)
 
Net(1)
 
Derivative Assets(1)
 
Derivative Liabilities(1)
 
Net(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
January 1, 2011 Balance
$
122

 
$
(466
)
 
$
(344
)
 
$
 
 
$
 
 
$
 
Realized gain (loss)

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss)
(58
)
 
(144
)
 
(202
)
 
2
 
 
(27
)
 
(25
)
Purchases

 

 

 
13
 
 
(4
)
 
9
 
Issuances

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements
(7
)
 
261

 
254

 
(14
)
 
20
 
 
6
 
Transfers in (out) of Level 3

 

 

 

 
 
(12
)
 
(12
)
December 31, 2011 Balance
$
57

 
$
(349
)
 
$
(292
)
 
$
1
 
 
$
(23
)
 
$
(22
)
Realized gain (loss)

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss)
(14
)
 
(65
)
 
(79
)
 
 
 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Purchases

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuances

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements
(1
)
 
72

 
71

 
 
 
11
 
 
11
 
Transfers in (out) of Level 3

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2012 Balance
$
42

 
$
(342
)
 
$
(300
)
 
$
1
 
 
$
(15
)
 
$
(14
)
(1) 
Changes in the fair value of NUG contracts are generally subject to regulatory accounting and do not impact earnings.


20




Level 3 Quantitative Information
The following table provides quantitative information for NUG contracts and FTRs that are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the period ended March 31, 2012:
 
 
Fair Value as of March 31, 2012 (In millions)
 
Valuation
Technique
 
Significant Input
 
Range
 
Weighted Average
 
Units
FTRs
 
$
(14
)
 
Model
 
RTO auction clearing prices
 
($4.18) to $9.81
 
$
1.51

 
Dollars/MWH
NUG Contracts
 
$
(300
)
 
Model
 
Generation
Power regional prices
 
500 to 6,809,000
$58.71 to $84.92
 
2,547,000
$66.77

 
MWH
Dollars/MWH

FES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
(In millions)
Corporate debt securities
$
 
 
$
1,017
 
 
$
 
 
$
1,017
 
 
$
 
 
$
1,010
 
 
$
 
 
$
1,010
 
Derivative assets - commodity contracts
1
 
 
391
 
 
 
 
392
 
 
 
 
248
 
 
 
 
248
 
Derivative assets - FTRs
 
 
 
 
1
 
 
1
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
 
1
 
Equity securities(1)
150
 
 
 
 
 
 
150
 
 
124
 
 
 
 
 
 
124
 
Foreign government debt securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3
 
 
 
 
3
 
U.S. government debt securities
 
 
5
 
 
 
 
5
 
 
 
 
7
 
 
 
 
7
 
U.S. state debt securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5
 
 
 
 
5
 
Other(2)
 
 
66
 
 
 
 
66
 
 
 
 
132
 
 
 
 
132
 
Total assets
151
 
 
1,479
 
 
1
 
 
1,631
 
 
124
 
 
1,405
 
 
1
 
 
1,530
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities - commodity contracts
(2
)
 
(340
)
 
 
 
(342
)
 
 
 
(234
)
 
 
 
(234
)
Derivative liabilities - FTRs
 
 
 
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
 
 
 
 
 
(7
)
 
(7
)
Total liabilities
(2
)
 
(340
)
 
(5
)
 
(347
)
 
 
 
(234
)
 
(7
)
 
(241
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net assets (liabilities)(3)
$
149
 
 
$
1,139
 
 
$
(4
)
 
$
1,284
 
 
$
124
 
 
$
1,171
 
 
$
(6
)
 
$
1,289
 
(1) 
NDT funds hold equity portfolios whose performance of which is benchmarked against the Alerian MLP Index.
(2) 
Primarily consists of short-term cash investments.
(3) 
Excludes $2 million and $(58) million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, of receivables, payables, taxes and accrued income associated with the financial instruments reflected within the fair value table.


21



Rollforward of Level 3 Measurements
The following table provides a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of FTRs held by FES and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the periods ended March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
 
 
Derivative Asset FTRs
 
Derivative Liability FTRs
 
Net FTRs
 
 
(In millions)
January 1, 2011 Balance
 
$
 
 
$
 
 
$
 
Realized gain (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss)
 
4
 
 
(8
)
 
(4
)
Purchases
 
2
 
 
(1
)
 
1
 
Issuances
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements
 
(5
)
 
2
 
 
(3
)
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2011 Balance
 
$
1
 
 
$
(7
)
 
$
(6
)
Realized gain (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss)
 
 
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Purchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuances
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements
 
 
 
4
 
 
4
 
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2012 Balance
 
$
1
 
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(3
)

Level 3 Quantitative Information
The following table provides quantitative information for FTRs held by FES that are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the period ended March 31, 2012:
 
 
Fair Value as of March 31, 2012 (In millions)
 
Valuation
Technique
 
Significant Input
 
Range
 
Weighted Average
 
Units
FTRs
 
$
(3
)
 
Model
 
RTO auction clearing prices
 
($4.18) to $8.03
 
$
0.76

 
Dollars/MWH

OE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
March 31, 2012
December 31, 2011
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
(In millions)
Corporate debt securities
$
 
 
$
 
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
3
 
U.S. government debt securities
 
 
133
 
 

 
133

 

 
132

 

 
132
 
Other(1)
 
 
3
 
 

 
3

 

 
2

 

 
2
 
Total assets(2)
$
 
 
$
136
 
 
$

 
$
136

 
$

 
$
137

 
$

 
$
137
 
(1) 
Primarily consists of short-term cash investments.
(2) 
Excludes $1 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, of receivables, payables, taxes and accrued income associated with the financial instruments reflected within the fair value table.


22



JCP&L
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
(In millions)
Corporate debt securities
$
 
 
$
148
 
 
$
 
 
$
148
 
 
$
 
 
$
144
 
 
$
 
 
$
144
 
Derivative assets - NUG contracts(1)
 
 
 
 
4
 
 
4
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
 
 
4
 
Equity securities(2)
31
 
 
 
 
 
 
31
 
 
30
 
 
 
 
 
 
30
 
U.S. government debt securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2
 
 
 
 
2
 
U.S. state debt securities
 
 
225
 
 
 
 
225
 
 
 
 
219
 
 
 
 
219
 
Other(3)
 
 
16
 
 
 
 
16
 
 
 
 
15
 
 
 
 
15
 
Total assets
31
 
 
389
 
 
4
 
 
424
 
 
30
 
 
380
 
 
4
 
 
414
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities - NUG contracts(1)
 
 
 
 
(136
)
 
(136
)
 
 
 
 
 
(147
)
 
(147
)
Total liabilities
 
 
 
 
(136
)
 
(136
)
 
 
 
 
 
(147
)
 
(147
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net assets (liabilities)(4)
$
31
 
 
$
389
 
 
$
(132
)
 
$
288
 
 
$
30
 
 
$
380
 
 
$
(143
)
 
$
267
 
(1) 
NUG contracts are subject to regulatory accounting and do not impact earnings.
(2) 
NDT funds hold equity portfolios whose performance is benchmarked against the Alerian MLP Index.
(3) 
Primarily consists of short-term cash investments.
(4) 
Excludes $2 million as of December 31, 2011 of receivables, payables, taxes and accrued income associated with the financial instruments reflected within the fair value table.
Rollforward of Level 3 Measurements
The following table provides a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of NUG contracts held by JCP&L and classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the periods ended March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
 
 
Derivative Asset NUG Contracts(1)
 
Derivative Liability NUG Contracts(1)
 
Net NUG Contracts(1)
 
 
(In millions)
January 1, 2011 Balance
 
$
6
 
 
(233
)
 
(227
)
Realized gain (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss)
 
(2
)
 
(11
)
 
(13
)
Purchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuances
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements
 
 
 
97
 
 
97
 
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2011
 
$
4
 
 
$
(147
)
 
$
(143
)
Realized gain (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss)
 
 
 
(6
)
 
(6
)
Purchases
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuances
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlements
 
 
 
17
 
 
17
 
Transfers in (out) of Level 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2012
 
$
4
 
 
$
(136
)
 
$
(132
)
(1) 
Changes in the fair value of NUG contracts are subject to regulatory accounting and do not impact earnings.



23



Level 3 Quantitative Information
The following table provides quantitative information for NUG contracts held by JCP&L that are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the period ended March 31, 2012:
 
 
 
Fair Value as of March 31, 2012 (In millions)
 
Valuation
Technique
 
Significant Input
 
Range
 
Weighted Average
 
Units
NUG Contracts
 
$
(132
)
Model
 
Generation
Power regional prices
 
69,000 to 736,000
$58.71 to $84.92
 
157,000
$68.65
 
MWH
Dollars/MWH
INVESTMENTS
All temporary cash investments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less are reported as cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at cost, which approximates their fair market value. Investments other than cash and cash equivalents include held-to-maturity securities and available-for-sale securities.
FE and its subsidiaries periodically evaluate their investments for other-than-temporary impairment. They first consider their intent and ability to hold an equity investment until recovery and then consider, among other factors, the duration and the extent to which the security's fair value has been less than cost and the near-term financial prospects of the security issuer when evaluating an investment for impairment. For debt securities, FE and its subsidiaries consider their intent to hold the security, the likelihood that they will be required to sell the security before recovery of their cost basis and the likelihood of recovery of the security's entire amortized cost basis.
Unrealized gains applicable to the decommissioning trusts of FES and OE are recognized in OCI because fluctuations in fair value will eventually impact earnings while unrealized losses are recorded to earnings. The decommissioning trusts of JCP&L are subject to regulatory accounting. Net unrealized gains and losses are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities because the difference between investments held in the trust and the decommissioning liabilities will be recovered from or refunded to customers.
The investment policy for the NDT funds restricts or limits the trusts' ability to hold certain types of assets including private or direct placements, warrants, securities of FirstEnergy, investments in companies owning nuclear power plants, financial derivatives, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common stock and securities of the trust funds' custodian or managers and their parents or subsidiaries.
Available-For-Sale Securities
FES, OE and JCP&L hold debt and equity securities within their NDT, nuclear fuel disposal trusts and NUG trusts. These trust investments are considered available-for-sale securities at fair market value. FES, OE and JCP&L have no securities held for trading purposes.
The following table summarizes the amortized cost basis, unrealized gains and losses and fair values of investments held in NDT, nuclear fuel disposal trusts and NUG trusts as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
 
 
March 31, 2012(1)
 
December 31, 2011(2)
 
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized Gains
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized Gains
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
Debt securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FE Consolidated
 
1,967
 
 
42
 
 
 
 
2,009

 
1,980

 
25

25



2,005

FES
 
1,001
 
 
21
 
 
 
 
1,022

 
1,012

 
13

 

 
1,025

OE
 
133
 
 
 
 
 
 
133

 
134

 

 

 
134

JCP&L
 
359
 
 
12
 
 
 
 
371

 
356

 
7

 

 
363

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FE Consolidated
 
246
 
 
42
 
 
 
 
288

 
222

 
36

 

 
258

FES
 
127
 
 
23
 
 
 
 
150

 
104

 
20

 

 
124

JCP&L
 
27
 
 
4
 
 
 
 
31

 
27

 
3

 

 
30

(1) 
Excludes short-term cash investments: FE Consolidated - $160 million; FES - $68 million; OE - $4 million; JCP&L - $19 million.
(2) 
Excludes short-term cash investments: FE Consolidated - $164 million; FES - $74 million; OE - $2 million; JCP&L - $19 million.


24



Proceeds from the sale of investments in available-for-sale securities, realized gains and losses on those sales and interest and dividend income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:
March 31, 2012
 
Sales Proceeds
 
Realized Gains
 
Realized Losses
 
Interest and
Dividend Income
 
 
(In millions)
FE Consolidated
 
$
251
 
 
$
19
 
 
$
(17
)
 
$
15
 
FES
 
83
 
 
12
 
 
(11
)
 
7
 
OE
 
37
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
JCP&L
 
95
 
 
1
 
 
(1
)
 
4
 
March 31, 2011
 
Sales Proceeds
 
Realized Gains
 
Realized Losses
 
Interest and Dividend Income
 
 
(In millions)
FE Consolidated
 
$
969
 
 
$
100
 
 
$
(29
)
 
$
24
 
FES
 
216
 
 
12
 
 
(15
)
 
15
 
OE
 
8
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
JCP&L
 
217
 
 
22
 
 
(4
)
 
4
 
Held-To-Maturity Securities
The following table provides the amortized cost basis, unrealized gains and approximate fair values of investments in held-to-maturity securities as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
 
 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized Gains
 
Fair Value
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized Gains
 
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
Debt Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FE Consolidated
 
336
 
 
41
 
 
377
 
 
402
 
 
50

 
452
 
OE
 
162
 
 
19
 
 
181
 
 
163
 
 
21

 
184
 
Investments in emission allowances, employee benefit trusts and cost and equity method investments totaling $689 million as of March 31, 2012, and $693 million as of December 31, 2011, are excluded from the amounts reported above.
LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
All borrowings with initial maturities of less than one year are defined as short-term financial instruments under GAAP and are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at cost, which approximates their fair market value, in the caption “Short-term borrowings.” The following table provides the approximate fair value and related carrying amounts of long-term debt and other long-term obligations, excluding capital lease obligations and net unamortized premiums and discounts, as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
 
(In millions)
FE Consolidated
$
17,130

 
$
19,321

 
$
17,165

 
$
19,320

FES
3,674

 
3,944

 
3,675

 
3,931

OE
1,158

 
1,469

 
1,157

 
1,434

JCP&L
1,770

 
2,071

 
1,777

 
2,080

The fair values of long-term debt and other long-term obligations reflect the present value of the cash outflows relating to those securities based on the current call price, the yield to maturity or the yield to call, as deemed appropriate at the end of each respective period. The yields assumed were based on securities with similar characteristics offered by corporations with credit ratings similar to those of FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries listed above. FirstEnergy classified short-term borrowings, long-term debt and other long-term obligations as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 


25



7. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
FirstEnergy is exposed to financial risks resulting from fluctuating interest rates and commodity prices, including prices for electricity, natural gas, coal and energy transmission. To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, FirstEnergy’s Risk Policy Committee, comprised of senior management, provides general management oversight for risk management activities throughout FirstEnergy. The Risk Policy Committee is responsible for promoting the effective design and implementation of sound risk management programs and oversees compliance with corporate risk management policies and established risk management practice. FirstEnergy also uses a variety of derivative instruments for risk management purposes including forward contracts, options, futures contracts and swaps.
FirstEnergy accounts for derivative instruments on its Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value unless they meet the normal purchases and normal sales criteria. Derivatives that meet those criteria are accounted for under the accrual method of accounting, and their effects are included in earnings at the time of contract performance. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that qualified and were designated as cash flow hedge instruments are recorded in AOCI. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedge instruments are recorded in net income on a mark-to-market basis. FirstEnergy has these contractual derivative agreements through December 2018.
Cash Flow Hedges
FirstEnergy has used cash flow hedges for risk management purposes to manage the volatility related to exposures associated with fluctuating interest rates and commodity prices. The effective portion of gains and losses on a derivative contract are reported as a component of AOCI with subsequent reclassification to earnings in the period during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.
In February 2011, FirstEnergy elected to dedesignate all outstanding cash flow hedge relationships, therefore, as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no commodity derivative contracts designated in cash flow hedging relationships. Total net unamortized gains included in AOCI associated with dedesignated cash flow hedges totaled $14 million and $19 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Since the forecasted transactions remain probable of occurring, these amounts will be amortized into earnings over the life of the hedging instruments. Reclassifications from AOCI into other operating expenses were $5 million of income and $5 million of loss during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Approximately $7 million is expected to be amortized to income during the next twelve months.
FirstEnergy has used forward starting swap agreements to hedge a portion of the consolidated interest rate risk associated with anticipated issuances of fixed-rate, long-term debt securities of its subsidiaries. These derivatives were treated as cash flow hedges, protecting against the risk of changes in future interest payments resulting from changes in benchmark U.S. Treasury rates between the date of hedge inception and the date of the debt issuance. As of March 31, 2012, no forward starting swap agreements were outstanding. Total unamortized losses included in AOCI associated with prior interest rate cash flow hedges totaled $77 million as of March 31, 2012. Based on current estimates, approximately $9 million will be amortized to interest expense during the next twelve months. Reclassifications from AOCI into interest expense totaled $2 million and $3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Fair Value Hedges
FirstEnergy has used fixed-for-floating interest rate swap agreements to hedge a portion of the consolidated interest rate risk associated with the debt portfolio of its subsidiaries. These derivative instruments were treated as fair value hedges of fixed-rate, long-term debt issues, protecting against the risk of changes in the fair value of fixed-rate debt instruments due to lower interest rates. As of March 31, 2012, no fixed-for-floating interest rate swap agreements were outstanding.
Unamortized gains included in long-term debt associated with prior fixed-for-floating interest rate swap agreements totaled $96 million as of March 31, 2012. Based on current estimates, approximately $23 million will be amortized to interest expense during the next twelve months. Reclassifications from long-term debt into interest expense totaled approximately $6 million and $5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Commodity Derivatives
FirstEnergy uses both physically and financially settled derivatives to manage its exposure to volatility in commodity prices. Commodity derivatives are used for risk management purposes to hedge exposures when it makes economic sense to do so, including circumstances where the hedging relationship does not qualify for hedge accounting.
Electricity forwards are used to balance expected sales with expected generation and purchased power. Natural gas futures are entered into based on expected consumption of natural gas primarily for use in FirstEnergy’s peaking units. Heating oil futures are entered into based on expected consumption of oil and the financial risk in FirstEnergy’s coal transportation contracts.
As of March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy’s net asset position under commodity derivative contracts was $66 million, which related to FES and AE Supply positions. Under these commodity derivative contracts, FES posted $44 million and AE Supply posted $1 million of collateral. Certain commodity derivative contracts include credit risk related contingent features that would require FES to post $16


26



million and AE Supply to post $3 million of additional collateral if the credit rating for its debt were to fall below investment grade.
Based on commodity derivative contracts held as of March 31, 2012, an adverse 10% change in commodity prices would decrease net income by approximately $2 million during the next twelve months.
FTRs
FirstEnergy holds FTRs that generally represent an economic hedge of future congestion charges that will be incurred in connection with FirstEnergy’s load obligations. FirstEnergy acquires the majority of its FTRs in an annual auction through a self-scheduling process involving the use of ARRs allocated to members of an RTO that have load serving obligations and through the direct allocation of FTRs from the PJM RTO. The PJM RTO has a rule that allows directly allocated FTRs to be granted to LSEs in zones that have newly entered PJM. For the first two planning years, PJM permits the LSEs to request a direct allocation of FTRs in these new zones at no cost as opposed to receiving ARRs. The directly allocated FTRs differ from traditional FTRs in that the ownership of all or part of the FTRs may shift to another LSE if customers choose to shop with the other LSE.
The future obligations for the FTRs acquired at auction are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and have not been designated as cash flow hedge instruments. FirstEnergy initially records these FTRs at the auction price less the obligation due to the RTO, and subsequently adjusts the carrying value of remaining FTRs to their estimated fair value at the end of each accounting period prior to settlement. Changes in the fair value of FTRs held by FirstEnergy’s unregulated subsidiaries are included in other operating expenses as unrealized gains or losses. Unrealized gains or losses on FTRs held by FirstEnergy’s regulated subsidiaries are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities. Directly allocated FTRs are accounted for under the accrual method of accounting, and their effects are included in earnings at the time of contract performance.
The following tables summarize the fair value of derivative instruments on FirstEnergy’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
Fair Value
 
 
Fair Value
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
(In millions)
 
 
(In millions)
Power Contracts
 
 
 
 
Power Contracts
 
 
 
Current Assets
$
300

 
$
185

 
Current Liabilities
$
(282
)
 
$
(196
)
Noncurrent Assets
115

 
79

 
Noncurrent Liabilities
(66
)
 
(51
)
FTRs
 
 
 
 
FTRs
 
 
 
Current Assets
1

 
1

 
Current Liabilities
(15
)
 
(22
)
Noncurrent Assets

 

 
Noncurrent Liabilities

 
(1
)
NUGs
42
 
56
 
NUGs
(342
)
 
(349
)
Other
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
Current Assets
1

 

 
Current Liabilities
(2
)
 

Noncurrent Assets

 

 
Noncurrent Liabilities

 

Total Derivatives Assets
$
459

 
$
321

 
Total Derivatives Liabilities
$
(707
)
 
$
(619
)

The following table summarizes the volumes associated with FirstEnergy’s outstanding derivative transactions as of March 31, 2012:
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Net
 
Units
 
(In millions)
Power Contracts
33

 
47

 
(14
)
 
MWH
FTRs
17

 

 
17

 
MWH
NUGs
23

 

 
23

 
MWH
Natural Gas Futures
11

 

 
11

 
Million British Thermal Units



27



The effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, are summarized in the following tables:
 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
Power
Contracts
 
FTRs
 
Other
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Derivatives in a Hedging Relationship
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion)
$
(5
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(5
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion)
$
(9
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(9
)
Effective Gain (Loss) Reclassified to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased Power Expense
16

 

 

 
16

Revenues
(12
)
 

 

 
(12
)
Fuel Expense

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives Not in a Hedging Relationship
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) Recognized in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased Power Expense
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Other Operating Expense
55

 
5

 
(2
)
 
58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized Gain (Loss) Reclassified to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased Power Expense
(117
)
 

 

 
(117
)
Revenues
112

 
6

 

 
118

Other Operating Expense

 
(24
)
 

 
(24
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) Recognized in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased Power Expense
$
29

 
$

 
$

 
$
29

Other Operating Expense
(20
)
 
1

 
1

 
(18
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized Gain (Loss) Reclassified to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased Power Expense
(37
)
 

 

 
(37
)
Revenue
10

 
3

 
(1
)
 
12

Other Operating Expense

 
(15
)
 

 
(15
)

The unrealized and realized gains (losses) on FirstEnergy’s NUG contracts and regulated FTRs not in a hedging relationship for the three months ended March 31, 2012 were ($7) million and $3 million, respectively. The unrealized and realized gains (losses) on FirstEnergy’s NUG contracts and other derivative contracts not in a hedging relationship for the three months ended March 31, 2011 were ($17) million and ($10) million, respectively. These unrealized and realized gains (losses) on NUG contracts and regulated FTRs are subject to regulatory accounting and do not impact earnings.


28



The following table provides a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of certain contracts that are deferred for future recovery from (or credit to) customers during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31
Derivatives Not in a Hedging Relationship with Regulatory Offset(1)
 
NUGs
 
Other
 
Total
 
 
(In millions)
Outstanding net asset (liability) as of January 1, 2012
 
$
(293
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(301
)
Additions/Change in value of existing contracts
 
(79
)
 
(1
)
 
(80
)
Settled contracts
 
72

 
4

 
76

Outstanding net asset (liability) as of March 31, 2012
 
$
(300
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(305
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding net asset (liability) as of January 1, 2011
 
$
(345
)
 
$
10

 
$
(335
)
Additions/Change in value of existing contracts
 
(89
)
 

 
(89
)
Settled contracts
 
72

 
(10
)
 
62

Outstanding net asset (liability) as of March 31, 2011
 
$
(362
)
 
$

 
$
(362
)
(1) 
Changes in the fair value of certain contracts are deferred for future recovery from (or credited to) customers.

8. REGULATORY MATTERS
    
STATE REGULATION

Each of the Utilities' retail rates, conditions of service, issuance of securities and other matters are subject to regulation in the states in which it operates - in Maryland by the MDPSC, in Ohio by the PUCO, in New Jersey by the NJBPU, in Pennsylvania by the PPUC, in West Virginia by the WVPSC and in New York by the NYPSC. The transmission operations of PE in Virginia are subject to certain regulations of the VSCC. In addition, under Ohio law, municipalities may regulate rates of a public utility, subject to appeal to the PUCO if not acceptable to the utility.

MARYLAND

PE provides SOS pursuant to a combination of settlement agreements, MDPSC orders and regulations, and statutory provisions. SOS supply is competitively procured in the form of rolling contracts of varying lengths through periodic auctions overseen by the MDPSC and a third party monitor. The settlements with respect to residential SOS for PE customers expire on December 31, 2012, but by statute service will continue in the same manner unless changed by order of the MDPSC. The settlement provisions relating to non-residential service have expired but, by MDPSC order, the terms of service remain in place unless PE requests or the MDPSC orders a change. PE recovers its costs plus a return for providing SOS.

On September 29, 2009, the MDPSC opened a proceeding to receive and consider proposals for construction of new generation resources in Maryland. In December 2009, Governor Martin O'Malley filed a letter in this proceeding in which he characterized the electricity market in Maryland as a “failure” and urged the MDPSC to use its existing authority to order the construction of new generation in Maryland, vary the means used by utilities to procure generation and include more renewables in the generation mix. In December 2010, the MDPSC issued an order soliciting comments on a model RFP for solicitation of long-term energy commitments by Maryland electric utilities. PE and numerous other parties filed comments, and subsequently the MDPSC issued an order requiring the utilities to issue the RFP crafted by the MDPSC. The RFPs were issued by the utilities as ordered by the MDPSC. The order, as amended, indicated that bids were due by January 20, 2012, and that the MDPSC would be the entity evaluating all bids. On April 12, 2012, the MDPSC issued an order requiring certain Maryland electric utilities, but not PE, to enter into a contract for differences, an electricity hedging arrangement, with respect to a 661 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle generation plant to be built in Charles County, Maryland.

The Maryland legislature in 2008 adopted a statute codifying the EmPOWER Maryland goals to reduce electric consumption by 10% and reduce electricity demand by 15%, in each case by 2015. In 2008, PE filed its comprehensive plans for attempting to achieve those goals, asking the MDPSC to approve programs for residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers, as well as a customer education program. The MDPSC ultimately approved the programs in August 2009 after certain modifications had been made as required by the MDPSC, and approved cost recovery for the programs in October 2009. Expenditures were estimated to be approximately $101 million for the PE programs for the period of 2009 to 2015 and would be recovered over that six-year period. Maryland law only allows for the utility to recover lost distribution revenue attributable to the energy efficiency or demand reduction programs through a base rate case proceeding, and to date such recovery has not been sought or obtained by PE. Meanwhile, after extensive meetings with the MDPSC Staff and other stakeholders, PE's plans for additional and improved programs for the period 2012-2014 were filed on August 31, 2011. The MDPSC held hearings on PE and the other utilities' plans in October 2011, and on December 22, 2011, issued an order approving PE's plan with various modifications and follow-up assignments.

Pursuant to a bill passed by the Maryland legislature, the MDPSC proposed rules, based on the product of a working group of


29



utilities, regulators, and other interested stakeholders, that create specific requirements related to a utility's obligation to address service interruptions, downed wire response, customer communication, vegetation management, equipment inspection, and annual reporting. The bill requires that the MDPSC consider cost-effectiveness, and provides that the MDPSC may adopt different standards for different utilities based on such factors as system design and existing infrastructure, geography, and customer density. Beginning in July 2013, the MDPSC is required to assess each utility's compliance with the new rules, and may assess penalties of up to $25,000 per day per violation. Further comments were filed regarding the proposed rules on March 26, 2012, and at a hearing on April 17, 2012, the MDPSC approved re-publication of the rules as final.

NEW JERSEY

JCP&L currently provides BGS for retail customers that do not choose a third party electric generation supplier and for customers of third party electric generation suppliers, that fail to provide the contracted service. The supply for BGS, which is comprised of two components, is provided through contracts procured through separate, annually held descending clock auctions, the results of which are approved by the NJBPU. One BGS component and auction, reflecting hourly real time energy prices, is available for larger commercial and industrial customers. The other BGS component and auction, providing a fixed price service, is intended for smaller commercial and residential customers. All New Jersey EDCs participate in this competitive BGS procurement process and recover BGS costs directly from customers as a charge separate from base rates. The most recent BGS auction results, for supply commencing June 1, 2012, were approved by the NJBPU on February 9, 2012.

On September 8, 2011, the Division of Rate Counsel filed a Petition with the NJBPU asserting that it has reason to believe that JCP&L is earning an unreasonable return on its New Jersey jurisdictional rate base. The Division of Rate Counsel requested that the NJBPU order JCP&L to file a base rate case petition so that the NJBPU may determine whether JCP&L's current rates for electric service are just and reasonable. JCP&L filed an answer to the Petition stating, inter alia, that the Division of Rate Counsel analysis upon which it premises its Petition contains errors and inaccuracies, that JCP&L's achieved return on equity is currently within a reasonable range, and that there is no reason for the NJBPU to require JCP&L to file a base rate case at this time. On November 30, 2011, the NJBPU ordered that the matter be assigned to the NJBPU President to act as presiding officer to, among other things, set and modify the schedule, decide upon motions, and otherwise control the conduct of this case, subject to subsequent NJBPU ratification. The schedule in the proceeding provides for briefs to be filed by the parties, the initial brief was filed by the parties on April 26, 2012. A decision is expected to be issued in June 2012. JCP&L is unable to predict the outcome of this matter or estimate any possible loss or range of loss.

Pursuant to a formal Notice issued by the NJBPU on September 14, 2011, public hearings were held to solicit comments regarding the state of preparedness and responsiveness of the EDCs prior to, during, and after Hurricane Irene, with additional hearings held in October 2011. Additionally, the NJBPU accepted written comments through October 31, 2011 related to this inquiry. On December 14, 2011, the NJBPU Staff filed a report of its preliminary findings and recommendations with respect to the electric utility companies' planning and response to Hurricane Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm. The NJBPU selected a consultant to further review and evaluate the New Jersey EDCs' preparation and restoration efforts with respect to Hurricane Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm, and the report of the consultant is due to be submitted to the NJBPU in July 2012. The NJBPU has not indicated what additional action, if any, may be taken as a result of information obtained through this process.

OHIO

The Ohio Companies operate under an ESP, which expires on May 31, 2014. The material terms of the ESP include:
generation supplied through a CBP commencing June 1, 2011;
a load cap of no less than 80%, so that no single supplier is awarded more than 80% of the tranches, which also applies to tranches assigned post-auction;
a 6% generation discount to certain low income customers provided by the Ohio Companies through a bilateral wholesale contract with FES (FES is one of the wholesale suppliers to the Ohio Companies);
no increase in base distribution rates through May 31, 2014; and
a new distribution rider, Rider DCR, to recover a return of, and on, capital investments in the delivery system.

The Ohio Companies also agreed not to recover from retail customers certain costs related to transmission cost allocations by PJM as a result of ATSI's integration into PJM for the longer of the five-year period from June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2016 or when the amount of costs avoided by customers for certain types of products totals $360 million dependent on the outcome of certain PJM proceedings, agreed to establish a $12 million fund to assist low income customers over the term of the ESP and agreed to additional matters related to energy efficiency and alternative energy requirements.

The Ohio Companies filed an application with the PUCO to essentially extend their current ESP for two more years. The Ohio Companies requested PUCO approval by May 2, 2012, so that they may bid megawatts of PJM-qualified energy efficiency and demand response resources into the May 7, 2012, PJM capacity auction for the 2015-2016 planning year or in the alternate by June 20, 2012, which would allow adequate time to implement changes to the bidding schedule to capture a greater amount of generation at historically lower prices for the benefit of customers. The PUCO has set an evidentiary hearing for May 21, 2012; therefore approval by May 2, 2012, is not expected.



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As proposed, the extended ESP would maintain the substantial benefits from the current ESP including:
Freezing current base distribution rates through May 31, 2016;
Continuing to provide economic development and assistance to low-income customers for the two-year extension period at the levels established in the existing ESP;
Providing Percentage of Income Payment Plan customers with a 6 percent generation rate discount;
Continuing to provide capacity to shopping and non-shopping customers at a market-based price set through an auction process; and
Continuing Rider DCR that allows continued investment in the distribution system for the benefit of customers.

As proposed, the extended ESP would provide additional new benefits, including:
Securing generation supply over a longer period of time to mitigate any potential price spikes for FirstEnergy Ohio utility customers who do not switch to a competitive generation supplier; and
Extending the recovery period for costs associated with purchasing renewable energy credits mandated by SB 221 through the end of the new ESP period. This will reduce the monthly renewable energy charge for all FirstEnergy Ohio utility customers.

The filing is supported by 19 parties including: Industrial Energy Users, Ohio Energy Group, PUCO Staff, the City of Akron, Ohio Manufacturers Association, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, and the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE).

Under the provisions of SB221, the Ohio Companies are required to implement energy efficiency programs that will achieve a total annual energy savings equivalent of approximately 166,000 MWH in 2009, 290,000 MWH in 2010, 410,000 MWH in 2011, 470,000 MWH in 2012 and 530,000 MWH in 2013, with additional savings required through 2025. Utilities were also required to reduce peak demand in 2009 by 1%, with an additional 0.75% reduction each year thereafter through 2018.

In December 2009, the Ohio Companies filed their three-year portfolio plan, as required by SB221, seeking approval for the programs they intend to implement to meet the energy efficiency and peak demand reduction requirements for the 2010-2012 period. The PUCO issued an Opinion and Order generally approving the Ohio Companies' three-year plan which provides for recovery of all costs associated with the programs, including lost revenues. The Ohio Companies are in the process of implementing those programs included in the plan, and requested that the PUCO amend the energy efficiency and peak demand reduction benchmarks. On May 19, 2011, the PUCO granted the request to reduce the 2010 energy efficiency and peak demand reductions to the level achieved in 2010 for OE, while finding that the issue was moot for CEI and TE. The Ohio Companies filed an application for rehearing, which was later denied. Failure to comply with the benchmarks or to obtain such an amendment may subject the Ohio Companies to an assessment of a penalty by the PUCO. Applications for Rehearing were filed by the Ohio Companies, Ohio Energy Group and Nucor Steel Marion, Inc. on April 22, 2011, regarding portions of the PUCO's decision related to the Ohio Companies' three year portfolio plan, including the method for calculating savings and certain changes made by the PUCO to specific programs. The PUCO denied those applications for rehearing, and in that entry included a new standard for compliance with the statutory energy efficiency benchmarks by requiring electric distribution companies to offer “all available cost effective energy efficiency opportunities” regardless of their level of compliance with the benchmarks as set forth in the statute. The Ohio Companies, the Industrial Energy Users - Ohio, and the Ohio Energy Group filed applications for rehearing, arguing that the PUCO's new standard is unlawful. The Ohio Companies also asked the PUCO to withdraw its amendment of CEI's and TE's 2010 energy efficiency benchmarks. The PUCO did not rule on the Applications for Rehearing within thirty days, thus denying them by operation of law. On December 30, 2011, the Ohio Companies filed a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio, challenging the PUCO's new standard. On March 2, 2012, the PUCO moved to dismiss the Companies' appeal. The Companies filed their Memorandum in Opposition to the PUCO's Motion, along with their merit brief on March 9, 2012. The PUCO filed its brief on April 27, 2012. The Company now has twenty days to file its reply brief. Oral arguments have not yet been scheduled.

Additionally, under SB221, electric utilities and electric service companies are required to serve part of their load in 2011 from renewable energy resources equivalent to 1.00% of the average of the KWH they served in 2008-2010; in 2012 from renewable energy resources equivalent to 1.50% of the average of the KWH they served in 2009-2011; and in 2013 from renewable energy resources equivalent to 2.00% of the average of the KWH they served in 2010-2012. In August and October 2009, the Ohio Companies conducted RFPs to secure RECs. The RECs acquired through these two RFPs were used to help meet the renewable energy requirements established under SB221 for 2009, 2010 and 2011. In August 2011, the Ohio Companies conducted two RFP processes to obtain RECs to meet the statutory benchmarks for 2011 and beyond. On September 20, 2011 the PUCO opened a new docket to review the Ohio Companies' alternative energy recovery rider. The PUCO selected auditors to perform a financial and a management audit, and final audit reports are currently scheduled to be filed with the PUCO by May 15, 2012. In March 2012, the Ohio Companies conducted an RFP process to obtain SRECs to help meet the statutory benchmarks for 2012 and beyond. With the successful completion of this RFP, the Ohio Companies have achieved their in-state solar compliance requirements for 2012.

PENNSYLVANIA

The Pennsylvania Companies currently operate under DSPs that expire May 31, 2013, and provide for the competitive procurement of generation supply for customers that do not choose an alternative electric generation supplier or for customers of alternative electric generation suppliers that fail to provide the contracted service. The default service supply is currently provided by wholesale suppliers through a mix of long-term and short-term contracts procured through descending clock auctions, competitive requests


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for proposals and spot market purchases. On November 17, 2011, ME, PN, Penn and WP filed a Joint Petition for Approval of their DSP that will provide the method by which the Pennsylvania Companies will procure the supply for their default service obligations for the period June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2015. A final order must be entered by the PPUC by August 17, 2012.

The PPUC entered an Order on March 3, 2010 that denied the recovery of marginal transmission losses through the TSC rider for the period of June 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008, and directed ME and PN to submit a new tariff or tariff supplement reflecting the removal of marginal transmission losses from the TSC. Pursuant to a plan approved by the PPUC, ME and PN began to refund those amounts to customers in January 2011, and the refunds are continuing over a 29 month period until the full amounts previously recovered for marginal transmission losses are refunded. In April 2010, ME and PN filed a Petition for Review with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania appealing the PPUC's March 3, 2010 Order. On June 14, 2011, the Commonwealth Court issued an opinion and order affirming the PPUC's Order to the extent that it holds that line loss costs are not transmission costs and, therefore, the approximately $254 million in marginal transmission losses and associated carrying charges for the period prior to January 1, 2011, are not recoverable under ME and PN TSC riders. ME and PN filed a Petition for Allowance of Appeal with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and also a complaint seeking relief in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which was subsequently amended. The PPUC filed a Motion to Dismiss ME and PN Amended Complaint on September 15, 2011 to which ME and PN responded and which remains pending. On February 28, 2012, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania denied the Petition for Allowance of Appeal.

In each of May 2008, 2009 and 2010, the PPUC approved ME's and PN's annual updates to their TSC rider for the annual periods between June 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010, including marginal transmission losses as approved by the PPUC, although the recovery of marginal transmission losses will be subject to the outcome of the proceeding related to the 2008 TSC filing as described above. The PPUC's approval in May 2010 authorized an increase to the TSC for ME's customers to provide for full recovery by December 31, 2010. Although the ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time, ME and PN believe that they should ultimately prevail through the judicial process and therefore expect to fully recover the approximately $254 million in marginal transmission losses for the period prior to January 1, 2011.

Pennsylvania adopted Act 129 in 2008 to address issues such as: energy efficiency and peak load reduction; generation procurement; time-of-use rates; smart meters; and alternative energy. Among other things, Act 129 required utilities to file with the PPUC an energy efficiency and peak load reduction plan (EE&C Plan) by July 1, 2009, setting forth the utilities' plans to reduce energy consumption by a minimum of 1% and 3% by May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2013, respectively, and to reduce peak demand by a minimum of 4.5% by May 31, 2013. Act 129 provides for potentially significant financial penalties to be assessed upon utilities that fail to achieve the required reductions in consumption and peak demand. The Pennsylvania Companies submitted a final report on November 15, 2011, in which they reported on their compliance with statutory May 31, 2011, energy efficiency benchmarks. ME, PN and Penn achieved the 2011 benchmarks; however WP has been unable to provide final results because several customers are still accumulating necessary documentation for projects that may qualify for inclusion in the final results. Preliminary numbers indicate that WP did not achieve its 2011 benchmark and it is not known at this time whether WP will be subject to a fine for failure to achieve the benchmark. WP is unable to predict the outcome of this matter or estimate any possible loss or range of loss.

On August 9, 2011, WP filed a petition to approve its Second Amended EE&C Plan. The proposed Second Revised Plan includes measures and a new program and implementation strategies consistent with the successful EE&C programs of ME, PN and Penn that are designed to enable WP to achieve the post-2011 Act 129 EE&C requirements. On January 6, 2012, a Joint Petition for Settlement of all issues was filed by the parties to the proceeding, and the ALJ's Recommended Decision was issued on April 19, 2012, recommending that the Joint Settlement be adopted as filed.

In addition, Act 129 required utilities to file a SMIP with the PPUC. In light of the significant expenditures that would be associated with its smart meter deployment plans and related infrastructure upgrades, as well as its evaluation of recent PPUC decisions approving less-rapid deployment proposals by other utilities, WP re-evaluated its Act 129 compliance strategy, including both its plans with respect to its previously approved smart meter deployment plan and certain smart meter dependent aspects of the EE&C Plan. WP proposed to decelerate its previously contemplated smart meter deployment schedule and to target the installation of approximately 25,000 smart meters in support of its EE&C Plan, based on customer requests, by mid-2012. WP also proposed to take advantage of the 30-month grace period authorized by the PPUC to continue WP's efforts to re-evaluate full-scale smart meter deployment plans. WP would be permitted to recover certain previously incurred and anticipated smart-meter related expenditures through a levelized customer surcharge, with certain expenditures amortized over a ten-year period. A joint settlement with all parties based on these terms, with one party retaining the ability to challenge the recovery of amounts spent on WP's original smart meter implementation plan, was approved by the PPUC on June 30, 2011. Additionally, WP would be permitted to seek recovery of certain other costs as part of its revised SMIP that it currently intends to file in June 2012, or in a future base distribution rate case.

In the PPUC Order approving the FirstEnergy and Allegheny merger, the PPUC announced that a separate statewide investigation into Pennsylvania's retail electricity market will be conducted with the goal of making recommendations for improvements to ensure that a properly functioning and workable competitive retail electricity market exists in the state. On April 29, 2011, the PPUC entered an Order initiating the investigation and requesting comments from interested parties on eleven directed questions concerning retail markets in Pennsylvania to investigate both intermediate and long term plans that could be adopted to further foster the competitive markets, and to explore the future of default service in Pennsylvania following the expiration of the upcoming DSPs on May 31, 2015. Following the issuance of a Tentative Order and comments filed by numerous parties, the PPUC entered a final order on


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December 16, 2011, providing recommendations for components to be included in upcoming DSPs, including: the duration of the programs and the length of associated energy contracts; a customer referral program; a retail opt-in auction; time-of-use rate options provided through contracts with electric generation suppliers; and periodic rate adjustments. Following the issuance of a Tentative Order and comments filed by various parties, the PPUC entered a final order on March 2, 2012 outlining an intermediate work plan. Several suggested models for long-range default service have been presented and were the topic of a March 2012 en banc hearing. It is expected that a tentative order will be issued for comment with a final long-range proposal.

The PPUC issued a Proposed Rulemaking Order on August 25, 2011, which proposed a number of substantial modifications to the current Code of Conduct regulations that were promulgated to provide competitive safeguards to the competitive retail electric market in Pennsylvania. The proposed changes include, but are not limited to: an EGS may not have the same or substantially similar name as the EDC or its corporate parent; EDCs and EGSs would not be permitted to share office space and would need to occupy different buildings; EDCs and affiliated EGSs could not share employees or services, except certain corporate support, emergency, or tariff services (the definition of "corporate support services" excludes items such as information systems, electronic data interchange, strategic management and planning, regulatory services, legal services, or commodities that have been included in regulated rates at less than market value); and an EGS must enter into a trademark agreement with the EDC before using its trademark or service mark. The Proposed Rulemaking Order was published on February 11, 2012, and comments were filed by ME, PN, Penn, WP and FES on March 27, 2012. If implemented these rules could require a significant change in the ways FES, ME, PN, Penn and WP do business in Pennsylvania, and could possibly have an adverse impact on their results of operations and financial condition.

WEST VIRGINIA

In April 2010, MP and PE filed with the WVPSC a Joint Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement reached with the other parties in a proceeding for an annual increase in retail rates that provided for:

$40 million annualized base rate increases effective June 29, 2010;
Deferral of February 2010 storm restoration expenses over a maximum five-year period;
Additional $20 million annualized base rate increase effective in January 2011;
Decrease of $20 million in ENEC rates effective January 2011, providing for deferral of related costs for later recovery in 2012; and
Moratorium on filing for further increases in base rates before December 1, 2011, except under specified circumstances.

The WVPSC approved the Joint Petition and Agreement of Settlement in June 2010.

In January 2011, MP and PE filed an application with the WVPSC seeking to certify three facilities as Qualified Energy Resource Facilities for purposes of compliance with their approved plan pursuant to AREPA. The application was approved and the three facilities are capable of generating renewable credits which will assist the companies in meeting their combined requirements under the AREPA. Further, in February 2011, MP and PE filed a petition with the WVPSC seeking an order declaring that MP is entitled to all alternative and renewable energy resource credits associated with the electric energy, or energy and capacity, that MP is required to purchase pursuant to electric energy purchase agreements between MP and three NUG facilities in West Virginia. The City of New Martinsville and Morgantown Energy Associates, each the owner of one of the contracted resources, have participated in the case in opposition to the petition. The WVPSC issued an order granting ownership of all RECs produced by the facilities to MP. The WVPSC order was appealed, and the order was stayed pending the outcome of the appeal. Oral arguments were heard at the West Virginia Supreme Court on April 10, 2012. Should MP be unsuccessful in the appeal, it will have to procure the requisite RECs to comply with AREPA from other sources. MP expects to recover such costs from customers.

The City of New Martinsville and Morgantown Energy Associates have also filed complaints at FERC. On April 24, 2012, the FERC ruled that the FERC-jurisdictional contracts are intended to pay only for electric energy and capacity (and not for RECs), and that state law controlled on the issues of determining which entity owns RECs and how they are transferred between entities. The FERC declined to act on the complaints and instead noted that the City of New Martinsville and Morgantown Energy Associates could file complaints in the U.S. District Court. MP is evaluating whether to seek rehearing of the FERC's order.
    
RELIABILITY MATTERS

Federally-enforceable mandatory reliability standards apply to the bulk electric system and impose certain operating, record-keeping and reporting requirements on the Utilities, FES, AE Supply, FGCO, FENOC, ATSI and TrAIL. The NERC is the ERO designated by FERC to establish and enforce these reliability standards, although NERC has delegated day-to-day implementation and enforcement of these reliability standards to eight regional entities, including RFC. All of FirstEnergy's facilities are located within the RFC region. FirstEnergy actively participates in the NERC and RFC stakeholder processes, and otherwise monitors and manages its companies in response to the ongoing development, implementation and enforcement of the reliability standards implemented and enforced by RFC.

FirstEnergy believes that it is in compliance with all currently-effective and enforceable reliability standards. Nevertheless, in the course of operating its extensive electric utility systems and facilities, FirstEnergy occasionally learns of isolated facts or circumstances that could be interpreted as excursions from the reliability standards. If and when such items are found, FirstEnergy


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develops information about the item and develops a remedial response to the specific circumstances, including in appropriate cases “self-reporting” an item to RFC. Moreover, it is clear that the NERC, RFC and FERC will continue to refine existing reliability standards as well as to develop and adopt new reliability standards. The financial impact of complying with future new or amended standards cannot be determined at this time; however, 2005 amendments to the FPA provide that all prudent costs incurred to comply with the future reliability standards be recovered in rates. Any future inability on FirstEnergy's part to comply with the reliability standards for its bulk power system could result in the imposition of financial penalties that could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

On December 9, 2008, a transformer at JCP&L's Oceanview substation failed, resulting in an outage on certain bulk electric system (transmission voltage) lines out of the Oceanview and Atlantic substations resulting in customers losing power for up to eleven hours. On March 31, 2009, NERC initiated a Compliance Violation Investigation in order to determine JCP&L's contribution to the electrical event and to review any potential violation of NERC Reliability Standards associated with the event. NERC has submitted first and second Requests for Information regarding this and another related matter. JCP&L is complying with these requests. On March 22, 2012, NERC concluded the investigation of the matter and forwarded it to NCEA for further review. NCEA is currently evaluating the findings of the investigation. JCP&L is not able to predict what actions, if any, NERC may take with respect to this matter.

In 2011, RFC performed routine compliance audits of parts of FirstEnergy's bulk-power system and generally found the audited systems and processes to be in full compliance with all audited reliability standards. RFC will perform additional audits in 2012.

FERC MATTERS

PJM Transmission Rate

PJM and its stakeholders have been debating the proper method to allocate costs for new transmission facilities - the matter is contentious because costs for facilities built in one transmission zone often are allocated to customers in other transmission zones. During recent years, the debate has focused on the question of the methodology for determining the transmission zones and customers who benefit from a given facility and, if so, whether the methodology can determine the pro rata share of each zone's benefit. While FirstEnergy and other parties argue for a traditional "beneficiary pays" approach, others advocate for “socializing” the costs on a load-ratio share basis - each customer in the zone would pay based on its total usage of energy within PJM. This debate is framed by regulatory and court decisions. In 2007, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit found that FERC had not supported a prior FERC decision to allocate costs for new 500 kV and higher voltage facilities on a load ratio share basis and, based on that finding, remanded the rate design issue to FERC. In an order dated January 21, 2010, FERC set this matter for a “paper hearing” and requested parties to submit written comments. FERC identified nine separate issues for comment and directed PJM to file the first round of comments. PJM filed certain studies with FERC on April 13, 2010, which demonstrated that allocation of the cost of high voltage transmission facilities on a beneficiary pays basis results in certain load serving entities in PJM bearing the majority of the costs. Subsequently, numerous parties filed responsive comments or studies on May 28, 2010 and reply comments on June 28, 2010. FirstEnergy and a number of other utilities, industrial customers and state utility commissions supported the use of the beneficiary pays approach for cost allocation for high voltage transmission facilities. Other utilities and state utility commissions supported continued socialization of these costs on a load ratio share basis. On March 30, 2012, FERC issued an order on remand reaffirming its prior decision that costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at 500 kV or higher are to be collected from all transmission zones throughout the PJM footprint by means of a postage-stamp rate based on the amount of load served in a transmission zone and concluding that such methodology is just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential. On April 30, 2012, FirstEnergy requested rehearing of FERC's March 30, 2012 order.

RTO Realignment

On June 1, 2011, ATSI and the ATSI zone transferred from MISO to PJM. The move was performed as planned with no known operational or reliability issues for ATSI or for the wholesale transmission customers in the ATSI zone. While most of the matters involved with the move have been resolved, the question of ATSI's responsibility for certain costs for the “Michigan Thumb” transmission project continues to be disputed; the details of which dispute are discussed below in the "MISO Multi-Value Project Rule Proposal." In addition, FERC denied certain exit fees of ATSI's transmission rate until such time as ATSI submits a cost/benefit analysis that demonstrates net benefits to customers from the move. ATSI has asked for rehearing of FERC's orders that address the Michigan Thumb transmission project, and the exit fee issue.

ATSI's filings and requests for rehearing on these matters, as well as the pleadings submitted by parties that oppose ATSI's position are currently pending before FERC. Finally, a negotiated agreement that requires ATSI to pay a one-time charge of $1.8 million for long term firm transmission rights that - according to the MISO - were payable upon ATSI's exit, is pending before FERC.

The final outcome of those proceedings that address the remaining open issues related to ATSI's move into PJM and their impact, if any, on FirstEnergy cannot be predicted at this time.

MISO Multi-Value Project Rule Proposal

In July 2010, MISO and certain MISO transmission owners (not including ATSI or First Energy) jointly filed with FERC a proposed


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cost allocation methodology for certain new transmission projects. The new transmission projects - described as MVPs - are a class of transmission projects that are approved via the MISO's MTEP process. Under MISO's proposal, the costs of “Michigan Thumb” MVP projects that were approved by MISO's Board prior to the June 1, 2011 effective date of FirstEnergy's integration into PJM would continue to be allocated to and charged to ATSI. MISO estimated that approximately $15 million in annual revenue requirements associated with the Michigan Thumb Project would be allocated to the ATSI zone upon completion of project construction.

FirstEnergy has filed pleadings in opposition to the MISO's efforts to “socialize” the costs of the Michigan Thumb Project onto ATSI or onto ATSI's customers that assert legal, factual and policy arguments. To date, FERC has responded in a series of orders that require ATSI to absorb the charges for the Michigan Thumb Project.

On October 31, 2011, FirstEnergy filed a Petition of Review of certain of the FERC's orders with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Other parties also filed appeals of those orders and, in November 2011, the cases were consolidated for briefing and disposition in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

On February 27, 2012, FERC issued its most recent order (February 2012 Order) regarding the Michigan Thumb Project, in which FERC accepted the MISO's proposed Schedule 39 tariff, subject to hearings and potential refund of MVP charges to ATSI. MISO's Schedule 39 tariff is the vehicle through which the MISO plans to charge the Michigan Thumb project costs to ATSI. In the February 2012 Order, FERC directed that settlement negotiations occur. On March 28, 2012, FirstEnergy filed for clarification and rehearing of the February 2012 Order, and such request is pending before the FERC.

FirstEnergy cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

PJM Underfunding FTR Complaint

On December 28, 2011, FES and AE Supply filed a complaint with FERC against PJM challenging the ongoing underfunding of FTR contracts, which exist to hedge against transmission congestion in the day-ahead markets. The underfunding is a result of PJM's practice of using the funds that are intended to pay the holders of FTR contracts to pay instead for congestion costs that occur in the real time markets. Underfunding of the FTR contracts resulted in losses of approximately $35 million to FES and AE Supply in the 2010-2011 Delivery Year. Losses for the 2011-2012 Delivery Year, through March 31, 2012, are estimated to be approximately $6 million.

On January 13, 2012, PJM filed comments describing changes to the PJM tariff that, if adopted, should remedy the underfunding issue. Many parties also filed comments supporting FES' and AE Supply's position. Other parties, generally representatives of end-use customers who will have to pay the charges, filed in opposition to the complaint. On March 2, 2012, FERC dismissed the complaint without prejudice, pending PJM's publication for stakeholder review and discussion, a report on the causes of the FTR underfunding and potential improvements, including modeling, which could be made to minimize the revenue inadequacy. On March 30, 2012, FES and AE Supply requested rehearing and reconsideration of the March 2, 2012 order, arguing that FERC erred in dismissing the complaint because the root cause of the FTR underfunding is irrelevant to the relief requested in the complaint. That request remains pending before FERC.

FTR Allocation Complaint

On March 26, 2012, FES and AE Supply filed a complaint with FERC against PJM challenging PJM's FTR allocation rules. PJM allocates FTRs to load-serving entities in an annual allocation process, up to each LSE's peak load, based on the expected transmission capability for the upcoming planning year. If a transmission facility is scheduled to be out of service for a significant part of the year, it can result in LSEs' FTR allocations being reduced in the annual allocation. When these transmission facilities return to service during the year PJM will create monthly FTRs to reflect the increased transmission capability during that month. However, instead of allocating these new monthly FTRs to the LSEs that were unable to obtain their full allocation of FTRs in the annual allocation process, PJM's rules instead require PJM to auction off these new monthly FTRs in the market. The complaint seeks a change to the PJM rules such that the new FTRs created each month by transmission lines returning to service would first be allocated to those LSEs that were denied a full allocation of their FTR entitlement in the annual allocation process before they are auctioned off in the market. On April 16, 2012, PJM filed its answer to the complaint. Also, on that date, Exelon Corporation filed a protest to, and several parties filed comments on, FES' and AE Supply's complaint, which remains pending before FERC. On April 30, 2012, FES and AE Supply filed a motion for leave to answer and answer to the various pleadings filed on April 16, 2012.

California Claims Matters

In October 2006, several California governmental and utility parties presented AE Supply with a settlement proposal to resolve alleged overcharges for power sales by AE Supply to the California Energy Resource Scheduling division of the CDWR during 2001. The settlement proposal claims that CDWR is owed approximately $190 million for these alleged overcharges. This proposal was made in the context of mediation efforts by FERC and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in pending proceedings to resolve all outstanding refund and other claims, including claims of alleged price manipulation in the California energy markets during 2000 and 2001. The Ninth Circuit has since remanded one of those proceedings to FERC, which arises out of claims previously filed with FERC by the California Attorney General on behalf of certain California parties against various sellers


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in the California wholesale power market, including AE Supply (the Lockyer case). In March 2010, the judge assigned to the case entered an opinion that granted the motions to dismiss filed by AE Supply and other sellers and dismissed the claims of the California Parties. On May 4, 2011, FERC affirmed the judge's ruling. On June 3, 2011, the California parties requested rehearing of the May 4, 2011 order. The request for rehearing remains pending.

In June 2009, the California Attorney General, on behalf of certain California parties, filed a second complaint with FERC against various sellers, including AE Supply (the Brown case), again seeking refunds for trades in the California energy markets during 2000 and 2001. The above-noted trades with CDWR are the basis for including AE Supply in this new complaint. AE Supply filed a motion to dismiss the Brown complaint that was granted by FERC on May 24, 2011. On June 23, 2011, the California Attorney General requested rehearing of the May 24, 2011 order. That request for rehearing also remains pending. FirstEnergy cannot predict the outcome of either of the above matters or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

PATH Transmission Project

The PATH Project is comprised of a 765 kV transmission line that was proposed to extend from West Virginia through Virginia and into Maryland, modifications to an existing substation in Putnam County, West Virginia, and the construction of new substations in Hardy County, West Virginia and Frederick County, Maryland.

PJM initially authorized construction of the PATH Project in June 2007. In December 2010, PJM advised that its 2011 Load Forecast Report included load projections that are different from previous forecasts and that may have an impact on the proposed in-service date for the PATH Project. As part of its 2011 RTEP, and in response to a January 19, 2011, directive by a Virginia Hearing Examiner, PJM conducted a series of analyses using the most current economic forecasts and demand response commitments, as well as potential new generation resources. Preliminary analysis revealed the expected reliability violations that necessitated the PATH Project had moved several years into the future. Based on those results, PJM announced on February 28, 2011, that its Board of Managers had decided to hold the PATH Project in abeyance in its 2011 RTEP and directed FirstEnergy and AEP, as the sponsoring transmission owners, to suspend current development efforts on the project, subject to those activities necessary to maintain the project in its current state, while PJM conducts more rigorous analysis of the need for the project as part of its continuing RTEP process. PJM stated that its action did not constitute a directive to FirstEnergy and AEP to cancel or abandon the PATH Project. PJM further stated that it will complete a more rigorous analysis of the PATH Project and other transmission requirements and its Board will review this comprehensive analysis as part of its consideration of the 2011 RTEP. On February 28, 2011, affiliates of FirstEnergy and AEP filed motions or notices to withdraw applications for authorization to construct the project that were pending before the WVPSC, the VSCC and MDPSC. Withdrawal was deemed effective upon filing the notice with the MDPSC. The WVPSC and VSCC have granted the motions to withdraw.

Yards Creek

The Yards Creek Pumped Storage Project is a 400 MW hydroelectric project located in Warren County, New Jersey. JCP&L owns an undivided 50% interest in the project, and operates the project. PSEG Fossil, LLC, a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group, owns the remaining interest in the plant. The project was constructed in the early 1960s, and became operational in 1965. FERC issued a license for authorization to operate the project. The existing license expires on February 28, 2013.

In February 2011, JCP&L and PSEG filed a joint application with FERC to renew the license for an additional forty years. The companies are pursuing relicensure through FERC's ILP. Under the ILP, FERC will assess the license applications, issue draft and final Environmental Assessments/Environmental Impact Studies (as required by NEPA), and provide opportunities for intervention and protests by affected third parties. FERC may hold hearings during the five-year ILP licensure process. FirstEnergy expects FERC to issue the new license before February 28, 2013. To the extent, however, that the license proceedings extend beyond the February 28, 2013 expiration date for the current license, the current license will be extended yearly as necessary to permit FERC to issue the new license.

Seneca

The Seneca Pumped Storage Project is a 451 MW hydroelectric project located in Warren County, Pennsylvania owned and operated by FGCO. FGCO holds the current FERC license that authorizes ownership and operation of the project. The current FERC license will expire on November 30, 2015. FERC's regulations call for a five-year relicensing process. On November 24, 2010, and acting pursuant to applicable FERC regulations and rules, FGCO initiated the relicensing process by filing its notice of intent to relicense and related documents in the license docket.

On November 30, 2010, the Seneca Nation filed its notice of intent to relicense and related documents necessary for the Seneca Nation to submit a competing application. Section 15 of the FPA contemplates that third parties may file a "competing application" to assume ownership and operation of a hydroelectric facility upon (i) relicensure and (ii) payment of net book value of the plant to the original owner/operator. Nonetheless, FGCO believes it is entitled to a statutory “incumbent preference” under Section 15.

The Seneca Nation and certain other intervenors have asked FERC to redefine the “project boundary” of the hydroelectric plant to include the dam and reservoir facilities operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. On May 16, 2011, FirstEnergy filed a Petition for Declaratory Order with FERC seeking an order to exclude the dam and reservoir facilities from the project. The Seneca Nation,


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the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the U.S. Department of Interior each submitted responses to FirstEnergy's petition, including motions to dismiss FirstEnergy's petition. The “project boundary” issue is pending before FERC.

On September 12, 2011, FirstEnergy and the Seneca Nation each filed “Revised Study Plan” documents. These documents describe the parties' respective proposals for the scope of the environmental studies that should be performed as part of the relicensing process. On October 11, 2011, FERC Staff issued a letter order that addressed the Revised Study Plans. In the order, FERC Staff approved FirstEnergy's Revised Study Plan, subject to a finding that the Project is located on “aboriginal lands” of the Seneca Nation. Based on this finding, FERC Staff directed FirstEnergy to consult with the Seneca Nation and other parties about the data set, methodology and modeling of the hydrological impacts of project operations. In March of 2012, FirstEnergy hosted a meeting as part of the consultation process. In that meeting, FirstEnergy reviewed its proposed methodology for conducting the hydrological impacts study and answered questions from third parties about the methodology. On April 11, 2012, the Seneca Nation and other parties filed comments on the proposed hydrologic impacts study. The study processes, including the discrete hydrological impacts study, will extend through approximately November 2013.

FirstEnergy cannot predict the outcome of this matter or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

9. COMMITMENTS, GUARANTEES AND CONTINGENCIES
GUARANTEES AND OTHER ASSURANCES
As part of normal business activities, FirstEnergy enters into various agreements on behalf of its subsidiaries to provide financial or performance assurances to third parties. FirstEnergy guarantees energy and energy-related payments of its subsidiaries involved in energy commodity activities principally to facilitate or hedge normal physical transactions involving electricity, gas, emission allowances and coal. FirstEnergy also provides credit support to various providers for the financing or refinancing by subsidiaries of costs related to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment. These agreements include provisions for parent guarantees, surety bonds and/or LOCs to be issued by FirstEnergy on behalf of one or more of its subsidiaries. Additionally, certain contracts may contain collateral provisions that are contingent upon either FirstEnergy's or its subsidiaries’ credit ratings.
As of March 31, 2012, outstanding guarantees and other assurances aggregated approximately $4.1 billion, consisting of parental guarantees ($0.9 billion), subsidiaries' guarantees ($2.5 billion), and other guarantees ($0.7 billion).
Most of FirstEnergy’s surety bonds are backed by various indemnities common within the insurance industry. Surety bonds and related guarantees of $151 million provide additional assurance to outside parties that contractual and statutory obligations will be met in a number of areas including construction contracts, environmental commitments and various retail transactions.
While the types of guarantees discussed above are normally parental commitments for the future payment of subsidiary obligations, subsequent to the occurrence of a senior unsecured credit rating downgrade to below S&P's BBB- and Moody's Baa3 and lower, or a “material adverse event,” the immediate posting of collateral or accelerated payments may be required of the subsidiary. As of March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy’s exposure to additional credit contingent contractual obligations was $671 million, as shown below:
Collateral Provisions
 
FES
 
AE Supply
 
Utilities
 
Total
 
 
(In millions)
Credit rating downgrade to below investment grade (1)
 
$
439

 
$
8

 
$
59

 
$
506

Material adverse event (2)
 
91

 
60

 
14

 
165

Total
 
$
530

 
$
68

 
$
73

 
$
671

(1) 
Includes $222 million and $40 million that are also considered accelerations of payment or funding obligations for FES and the Utilities, respectively.
(2) 
Includes $42 million that is also considered an acceleration of payment or funding obligation for FES.

Certain bilateral non-affiliate contracts entered into by the Competitive Energy Services segment contain margining provisions that require posting of collateral. Based on FES' and AE Supply's power portfolio exposures as of March 31, 2012, FES and AE Supply have posted collateral of $84 million and $1 million, respectively. Depending on the volume of forward contracts and future price movements, higher amounts for margining could be required.

Not included in the preceding information is potential collateral arising from the PSAs between FES or AE Supply and affiliated utilities in the Regulated Distribution Segment. As of March 31, 2012, neither FES nor AE Supply had any collateral posted with their affiliates. In the event of a senior unsecured credit rating downgrade to below S&P's BB- or Moody's Ba3, FES and AE Supply would be required to post $54 million and $18 million, respectively.

FES' debt obligations are generally guaranteed by its subsidiaries, FGCO and NGC, and FES guarantees the debt obligations of each of FGCO and NGC. Accordingly, present and future holders of indebtedness of FES, FGCO and NGC would have claims against each of FES, FGCO and NGC, regardless of whether their primary obligor is FES, FGCO or NGC.

Signal Peak and Global Rail are borrowers under a $350 million syndicated two-year senior secured term loan facility due in October


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2012. FirstEnergy, together with WMB Loan Ventures LLC and WMB Loan Ventures II LLC, the entities that originally shared ownership in the borrowers with FEV, have provided a guaranty of the borrowers' obligations under the facility. Following the sale of a portion of FEV's ownership interest in Signal Peak and Global Rail in the fourth quarter of 2011, FirstEnergy, WMB Loan Ventures, LLC and WMB Loan Ventures II, LLC, together with Global Mining Group, LLC and Global Holding, continue to guarantee the borrowers' obligations until either the facility is replaced with non-recourse financing (no later than June 30, 2012) or replaced with appropriate recourse financing no earlier than September 4, 2012, that provides for separate guarantees from each owner in proportion with each equity owner's percentage ownership in the joint venture. In addition, FEV, Global Mining Group, LLC and Global Holding, the entities that own direct and indirect equity interests in the borrowers, have pledged those interests to the lenders under the current facility as collateral. In March 2012, after an evaluation of its current operations, business plan and market conditions, the Global Rail Board of Managers opted to focus first on extending its current senior secured term loan facility due in October 2012, before replacing that facility with non-recourse financing. There can be no assurance that the term loan facility will be extended on satisfactory terms or at all.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Various federal, state and local authorities regulate FirstEnergy with regard to air and water quality and other environmental matters. Compliance with environmental regulations could have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy's earnings and competitive position to the extent that FirstEnergy competes with companies that are not subject to such regulations and, therefore, do not bear the risk of costs associated with compliance, or failure to comply, with such regulations.

CAA Compliance

FirstEnergy is required to meet federally-approved SO2 and NOx emissions regulations under the CAA. FirstEnergy complies with SO2 and NOx reduction requirements under the CAA and SIP(s) by burning lower-sulfur fuel, combustion controls and post-combustion controls, generating more electricity from lower or non-emitting plants and/or using emission allowances.

In July 2008, three complaints representing multiple plaintiffs were filed against FGCO in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking damages based on air emissions from the coal-fired Bruce Mansfield Plant. Two of these complaints also seek to enjoin the Bruce Mansfield Plant from operating except in a “safe, responsible, prudent and proper manner.” One complaint was filed on behalf of twenty-one individuals and the other is a class action complaint seeking certification as a class with the eight named plaintiffs as the class representatives. FGCO believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself against the allegations made in these complaints.

In December 2007, the states of New Jersey and Connecticut filed CAA citizen suits in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania alleging NSR violations at the coal-fired Portland Generation Station against GenOn Energy, Inc. (formerly RRI Energy, Inc. and the current owner and operator), Sithe Energy (the purchaser of the Portland Station from ME in 1999) and ME. Specifically, these suits allege that “modifications” at Portland Units 1 and 2 occurred between 1980 and 2005 without preconstruction NSR permitting in violation of the CAA's PSD program, and seek injunctive relief, penalties, attorney fees and mitigation of the harm caused by excess emissions. The Court dismissed New Jersey's and Connecticut's claims for injunctive relief against ME, but denied ME's motion to dismiss the claims for civil penalties. The parties dispute the scope of ME's indemnity obligation to and from Sithe Energy. In February 2012, GenOn announced its plans to retire the Portland Station in January 2015 citing EPA emissions limits and compliance schedules to reduce SO2 air emissions by approximately 81% at the Portland Station by January 6, 2015. FirstEnergy is unable to predict the outcome of this matter or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

In January 2009, the EPA issued a NOV to GenOn Energy, Inc. alleging NSR violations at the coal-fired Portland Generation Station based on “modifications” dating back to 1986. The NOV also alleged NSR violations at the Keystone and Shawville coal-fired plants based on “modifications” dating back to 1984. ME, JCP&L and PN, as former owners of the facilities, are unable to predict the outcome of this matter or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

In January 2011, the U.S. DOJ filed a complaint against PN in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking injunctive relief against PN based on alleged “modifications” at the coal-fired Homer City generating plant between 1991 to 1994 without preconstruction NSR permitting in violation of the CAA's PSD and Title V permitting programs. The complaint was also filed against the former co-owner, NYSEG, and various current owners of Homer City, including EME Homer City Generation L.P. and affiliated companies, including Edison International. In addition, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the states of New Jersey and New York intervened and have filed separate complaints regarding Homer City seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties. In October 2011, the Court dismissed all of the claims with prejudice of the U.S. and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the states of New Jersey and New York against all of the defendants, including PN. In December 2011, the U.S., the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the states of New Jersey and New York all filed notices appealing to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. PN believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself against the allegations made in these complaints, but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter or estimate the loss or possible range of loss. The parties dispute the scope of NYSEG's and PN's indemnity obligation to and from Edison International.

In August 2009, the EPA issued a Finding of Violation and NOV alleging violations of the CAA and Ohio regulations, including the PSD, NNSR and Title V regulations, at the Eastlake, Lakeshore, Bay Shore and Ashtabula coal-fired plants. The EPA's NOV alleges equipment replacements during maintenance outages dating back to 1990 triggered the pre-construction permitting requirements


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under the PSD and NNSR programs. In June 2011, EPA issued another Finding of Violation and NOV alleging violations of the CAA and Ohio regulations, specifically opacity limitations and requirements to continuously operate opacity monitoring systems at the Eastlake, Lakeshore, Bay Shore and Ashtabula coal-fired plants. FGCO intends to comply with the CAA but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

In August 2000, AE received an information request pursuant to section 114(a) of the CAA from the EPA requesting that it provide information and documentation relevant to the operation and maintenance of the following ten coal-fired plants, which collectively include 22 electric generation units: Albright, Armstrong, Fort Martin, Harrison, Hatfield's Ferry, Mitchell, Pleasants, Rivesville, R. Paul Smith and Willow Island to determine compliance with the NSR provisions under the CAA, which can require the installation of additional air emission control equipment when a major modification of an existing facility results in an increase in emissions. In September 2007, AE received a NOV from the EPA alleging NSR and PSD violations under the CAA, as well as Pennsylvania and West Virginia state laws at the coal-fired Hatfield's Ferry and Armstrong plants in Pennsylvania and the coal-fired Fort Martin and Willow Island plants in West Virginia. FirstEnergy intends to vigorously defend against these CAA matters, but cannot predict their outcomes or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

In June 2005, the PA DEP and the Attorneys General of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland filed suit against AE, AE Supply, MP, PE and WP in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania alleging, among other things, that Allegheny performed major modifications in violation of the PSD provisions of the CAA and the Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act at the coal-fired Hatfield's Ferry, Armstrong and Mitchell Plants in Pennsylvania. A non-jury trial on liability only was held in September 2010. The parties are awaiting a decision from the District Court, but there is no deadline for that decision. FirstEnergy is unable to predict the outcome or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

The EPA's CAIR requires reductions of NOx and SO2 emissions in two phases (2009/2010 and 2015), ultimately capping SO2 emissions in affected states to 2.5 million tons annually and NOx emissions to 1.3 million tons annually. In 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia decided that CAIR violated the CAA but allowed CAIR to remain in effect to “temporarily preserve its environmental values” until the EPA replaces CAIR with a new rule consistent with the Court's decision. In July 2011, the EPA finalized CSAPR, to replace CAIR, requiring reductions of NOx and SO2 emissions in two phases (2012 and 2014), ultimately capping SO2 emissions in affected states to 2.4 million tons annually and NOx emissions to 1.2 million tons annually. CSAPR allows trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances between power plants located in the same state and interstate trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances with some restrictions. On February 21, 2012, the EPA revised certain CASPR state budgets (for Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin and new unit set-asides in Arkansas and Texas), certain generating unit allocations (for some units in Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee) for NOx and SO2 emissions and delayed from 2012 to 2014 certain allowance penalties that could apply with respect to interstate trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances. On December 30, 2011, CSAPR was stayed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit pending a decision on legal challenges argued before the Court on April 13, 2012. The Court ordered EPA to continue administration of CAIR until the Court resolves the CSAPR appeals. Depending on the outcome of these proceedings and how any final rules are ultimately implemented, FGCO's and AE Supply's future cost of compliance may be substantial and changes to FirstEnergy's operations may result.

Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions

On December 21, 2011, the EPA finalized the MATS imposing emission limits for mercury, PM, and HCL for all existing and new coal-fired electric generating units effective in April 2015 with averaging of emissions from multiple units located at a single plant. Under the CAA, state permitting authorities can grant an additional compliance year through April 2016, as needed, including instances when necessary to maintain reliability where electric generating units are being closed. In addition, an EPA enforcement policy document contemplates up to an additional year to achieve compliance, through April 2017, under certain circumstances for reliability critical units. On January 26, 2012 and February 8, 2012, FGCO, MP and AE Supply announced the retirement by September 1, 2012 (subject to a reliability review by PJM) of nine coal-fired power plants (Albright, Armstrong, Ashtabula, Bay Shore except for generating unit 1, Eastlake, Lake Shore, R. Paul Smith, Rivesville and Willow Island) with a total capacity of 3,349 MW (generating, on average, approximately ten percent of the electricity produced by the companies over the past three years) due to MATS and other environmental regulations. Depending on how the MATS are ultimately implemented, FirstEnergy's future cost of compliance with MATS may be substantial and other changes to FirstEnergy's operations may result.

On March 8, 2012, FGCO filed an application for a feasibility study with PJM to install and interconnect to the transmission system approximately 800 megawatts of new combustion turbine peaking generation at its existing Eastlake Plant in Eastlake, Ohio, to help ensure reliable electric service in the region. On April 25, 2012, PJM concluded its initial analysis of the reliability impacts from our previously announced plant retirements and requested Reliability Must-Run arrangements for Eastlake 1-3, Ashtabula 5 and Lake Shore 18. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy recognized pre-tax severance expense of approximately $7 million (including $4 million by FES) as a result of the closures.

On March 9, 2012, to assist the WVPSC with inquiries from public officials and the public, MP provided information to the WVPSC in the form of a closed entry filing in the ENEC case related to the plant deactivations. On April 2, 2012, the WVPSC issued an order requesting additional information from MP related to the Albright, Rivesville and Willow Island plant deactiviation


39



announcements. On April 30, 2012, MP provided the WVPSC with additional information regarding the plant deactivations. We anticipate deactivating these units by September 1, 2012.

Climate Change

There are a number of initiatives to reduce GHG emissions under consideration at the federal, state and international level. At the federal level, members of Congress have introduced several bills seeking to reduce emissions of GHG in the United States, and the House of Representatives passed one such bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, in June 2009. Certain states, primarily the northeastern states participating in the RGGI and western states led by California, have coordinated efforts to develop regional strategies to control emissions of certain GHGs.

In September 2009, the EPA finalized a national GHG emissions collection and reporting rule that required FirstEnergy to measure and report GHG emissions commencing in 2010. In December 2009, the EPA released its final “Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act.” The EPA's finding concludes that concentrations of several key GHGs increase the threat of climate change and may be regulated as “air pollutants” under the CAA. In April 2010, the EPA finalized new GHG standards for model years 2012 to 2016 passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles and clarified that GHG regulation under the CAA would not be triggered for electric generating plants and other stationary sources until January 2, 2011, at the earliest. In May 2010, the EPA finalized new thresholds for GHG emissions that define when NSR preconstruction permits would be required including an emissions applicability threshold of 75,000 tons per year of CO2 equivalents for existing facilities under the CAA's PSD program.

At the international level, the Kyoto Protocol, signed by the U.S. in 1998 but never submitted for ratification by the U.S. Senate, was intended to address global warming by reducing the amount of man-made GHG, including CO2, emitted by developed countries by 2012. A December 2009 U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen did not reach a consensus on a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol, but did take note of the Copenhagen Accord, a non-binding political agreement that recognized the scientific view that the increase in global temperature should be below two degrees Celsius; includes a commitment by developed countries to provide funds, approaching $30 billion over three years with a goal of increasing to $100 billion by 2020; and establishes the “Green Climate Fund” to support mitigation, adaptation, and other climate-related activities in developing countries. To the extent that they have become a party to the Copenhagen Accord, developed economies, such as the European Union, Japan, Russia and the United States, would commit to quantified economy-wide emissions targets from 2020, while developing countries, including Brazil, China and India, would agree to take mitigation actions, subject to their domestic measurement, reporting and verification. A December 2011 U.N. Climate Change Conference in Durban, Africa, established a negotiating process to develop a new post-2020 climate change protocol, called the “Durban Platform for Enhanced Action”. This negotiating process contemplates developed countries, as well as developing countries such as China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, to undertake legally binding commitments post-2020. In addition, certain countries agreed to extend the Kyoto Protocol for a second commitment period, commencing in 2013 and expiring in 2018 or 2020.

FirstEnergy cannot currently estimate the financial impact of climate change policies, although potential legislative or regulatory programs restricting CO2 emissions, or litigation alleging damages from GHG emissions, could require significant capital and other expenditures or result in changes to its operations. The CO2 emissions per KWH of electricity generated by FirstEnergy is lower than many of its regional competitors due to its diversified generation sources, which include low or non-CO2 emitting gas-fired and nuclear generators.

Clean Water Act

Various water quality regulations, the majority of which are the result of the federal CWA and its amendments, apply to FirstEnergy's plants. In addition, the states in which FirstEnergy operates have water quality standards applicable to FirstEnergy's operations.

In 2004, the EPA established new performance standards under Section 316(b) of the CWA for reducing impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures at certain existing electric generating plants. The regulations call for reductions in impingement mortality (when aquatic organisms are pinned against screens or other parts of a cooling water intake system) and entrainment (which occurs when aquatic life is drawn into a facility's cooling water system). In 2007, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit invalidated portions of the Section 316(b) performance standards and the EPA has taken the position that until further rulemaking occurs, permitting authorities should continue the existing practice of applying their best professional judgment to minimize impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures. In April 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed one significant aspect of the Second Circuit's opinion and decided that Section 316(b) of the CWA authorizes the EPA to compare costs with benefits in determining the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact at cooling water intake structures. On March 28, 2011, the EPA released a new proposed regulation under Section 316(b) of the CWA to reduce fish impingement to a 12% annual average and determine site-specific controls, if any, to reduce entrainment of aquatic life following studies to be provided to permitting authorities. On July 19, 2011, the EPA extended the public comment period for the new proposed Section 316(b) regulation by 30 days but stated its schedule for issuing a final rule remains July 27, 2012. FirstEnergy is studying various control options and their costs and effectiveness, including pilot testing of reverse louvers in a portion of the Bay Shore power plant's water intake channel to divert fish away from the plant's water intake system. Depending on the results of such studies and the EPA's further rulemaking and any final action taken by the states exercising best professional judgment, the future costs of compliance with these standards may require material capital expenditures.


40




In April 2011, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Cleveland, Ohio advised FGCO that it is no longer considering prosecution under the CWA and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for three petroleum spills at the Edgewater, Lakeshore and Bay Shore plants which occurred on November 1, 2005, January 26, 2007 and February 27, 2007. On February 1, 2012, FirstEnergy executed a tolling agreement with the EPA extending the statute of limitations for civil liability claims for those petroleum spills to July 31, 2012. FGCO does not anticipate any losses resulting from this matter to be material.

In late 2008, the PA DEP imposed water quality criteria for certain effluents, including TDS and sulfate concentrations in the Monongahela River, on new and modified sources, including the scrubber project at the coal-fired Hatfield's Ferry Plant. These criteria are reflected in the NPDES water discharge permit issued by PA DEP for that project. In January 2009, AE Supply appealed the PA DEP's permitting decision to the EHB, due to estimated costs in excess of $150 million in order to install technology to meet TDS and sulfate limits in the NPDES permit. Environmental Integrity Project and Citizens Coal Council also appealed the NPDES permit seeking to impose more stringent technology-based effluent limitations. In April 2012, a joint motion was filed by the parties informing the EHB of a proposed settlement and seeking the lifting of a portion of the EHB's stay of certain terms of the Hatfield's Ferry Plant's NPDES permit. The joint motion was granted by the EHB on April 27, 2012. The parties intend to memorialize the settlement in a Consent Decree to be lodged with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. The Consent Decree, if entered by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, will resolve the disputes concerning the Hatfield's Ferry Plant NPDES permit, including TDS and sulphate limits.

The PA DEP recommended, and in August 2010, the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board issued, a final rule imposing end-of-pipe TDS effluent limitations. FirstEnergy could incur significant costs for additional control equipment to meet the requirements of this rule, although its provisions do not apply to electric generating units until the end of 2018, and then would apply only if the EPA has not promulgated TDS effluent limitation guidelines applicable to such units.

In December 2010, PA DEP submitted its CWA 303(d) list to the EPA with a recommended sulfate impairment designation for an approximately 68 mile stretch of the Monongahela River north of the West Virginia border. In May 2011, the EPA agreed with PA DEP's recommended sulfate impairment designation. PA DEP's goal is to submit a final water quality standards regulation, incorporating the sulfate impairment designation for EPA approval by May 2013. PA DEP will then need to develop a TMDL limit for the river, a process that will take approximately five years. Based on the stringency of the TMDL, FirstEnergy may incur significant costs to reduce sulfate discharges into the Monongahela River from the coal-fired Hatfield's Ferry and Mitchell Plants in Pennsylvania and the coal-fired Fort Martin Plant in West Virginia.

In October 2009, the WVDEP issued an NPDES water discharge permit for the Fort Martin Plant, which imposes TDS, sulfate concentrations and other effluent limitations for heavy metals, as well as temperature limitations. Concurrent with the issuance of the Fort Martin NPDES permit, WVDEP also issued an administrative order that sets deadlines for MP to meet certain of the effluent limits that are effective immediately under the terms of the NPDES permit. MP has appealed, and a stay of certain conditions of the NPDES permit and order have been granted pending a final decision on the appeal and subject to WVDEP moving to dissolve the stay. The Fort Martin NPDES permit could require an initial capital investment in excess of the capital investment that may be needed at Hatfield's Ferry in order to install technology to meet the TDS and sulfate limits, which technology may also meet certain of the other effluent limits. Additional technology may be needed to meet certain other limits in the Fort Martin NPDES permit. MP intends to vigorously pursue these issues but cannot predict the outcome of these appeals or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

In May 2011, the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, and the Sierra Club filed a CWA citizen suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia alleging violations of arsenic limits in the NPDES water discharge permit for the fly ash impoundments at the Albright Station seeking unspecified civil penalties and injunctive relief. The MP filed an answer on July 11, 2011, and a motion to stay the proceedings on July 13, 2011. On January 3, 2012, the Court denied MP's motion to dismiss or stay the CWA citizen suit but without prejudice to re-filing in the future. In April 2012, the parties reached a settlement requiring MP to resolve these CWA citizen suit claims for an immaterial amount. If approved by the Court, a Consent Decree will be entered by the Court to resolve these claims. MP is currently seeking relief from the arsenic limits through WVDEP agency review.

In June 2011, the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, and the Sierra Club served a 60-day Notice of Intent required prior to filing a citizen suit under the CWA for alleged failure to obtain a permit to construct the fly ash impoundments at the Albright Plant.

FirstEnergy intends to vigorously defend against the CWA matters described above but, except as indicated above, cannot predict their outcomes or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

Regulation of Waste Disposal

Federal and state hazardous waste regulations have been promulgated as a result of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, and the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Certain fossil-fuel combustion residuals, such as coal ash, were exempted from hazardous waste disposal requirements pending the EPA's evaluation of the need for future regulation.



41



In December 2009, in an advance notice of public rulemaking, the EPA asserted that the large volumes of coal combustion residuals produced by electric utilities pose significant financial risk to the industry. In May 2010, the EPA proposed two options for additional regulation of coal combustion residuals, including the option of regulation as a special waste under the EPA's hazardous waste management program which could have a significant impact on the management, beneficial use and disposal of coal combustion residuals. The LBR CCB impoundment is expected to run out of disposal capacity for disposal of CCBs from the BMP between 2016 and 2018. BMP is pursuing several CCB disposal options.

FirstEnergy's future cost of compliance with any coal combustion residuals regulations that may be promulgated could be substantial and would depend, in part, on the regulatory action taken by the EPA and implementation by the EPA or the states. Compliance with those regulations could have an adverse impact on FirstEnergy's results of operations and financial condition.

Certain of our utilities have been named as potentially responsible parties at waste disposal sites, which may require cleanup under the CERCLA. Allegations of disposal of hazardous substances at historical sites and the liability involved are often unsubstantiated and subject to dispute; however, federal law provides that all potentially responsible parties for a particular site may be liable on a joint and several basis. Environmental liabilities that are considered probable have been recognized on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2012, based on estimates of the total costs of cleanup, FE's and its subsidiaries' proportionate responsibility for such costs and the financial ability of other unaffiliated entities to pay. Total liabilities of approximately $106 million (including $70 million applicable to JCP&L) have been accrued through March 31, 2012. Included in the total are accrued liabilities of approximately $63 million for environmental remediation of former manufactured gas plants and gas holder facilities in New Jersey, which are being recovered by JCP&L through a non-bypassable SBC. FirstEnergy or its subsidiaries could be found potentially responsible for additional amounts or additional sites, but the possible losses or range of losses cannot be determined or reasonably estimated at this time.
OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Nuclear Plant Matters

Under NRC regulations, FirstEnergy must ensure that adequate funds will be available to decommission its nuclear facilities. As of March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy had approximately $2 billion invested in external trusts to be used for the decommissioning and environmental remediation of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley, Perry and TMI-2. As required by the NRC, FirstEnergy annually recalculates and adjusts the amount of its parental guarantee, as appropriate. The values of FirstEnergy's NDT fluctuate based on market conditions. If the value of the trusts decline by a material amount, FirstEnergy's obligation to fund the trusts may increase. Disruptions in the capital markets and their effects on particular businesses and the economy could also affect the values of the NDT. FirstEnergy Corp. currently maintains a $95 million parental guaranty in support of the decommissioning of nuclear facilities.

In August 2010, FENOC submitted an application to the NRC for renewal of the Davis-Besse operating license for an additional twenty years, until 2037. By an order dated April 26, 2011, a NRC ASLB granted a hearing on the Davis-Besse license renewal application to a group of petitioners. The NRC subsequently narrowed the scope of admitted contentions in this proceeding to a challenge to the computer code used to model source terms in FENOC's Severe Accident Mitigation Alternatives analysis. On January 10, 2012, intervenors petitioned the ASLB for a new contention on the cracking of the Davis-Besse shield building discussed below. The ASLB scheduled a May 18, 2012, oral argument on the petitioner's request for a new contention, but has yet to rule on the admission of this contention.

On October 1, 2011, Davis-Besse was safely shut down for a scheduled outage to install a new reactor vessel head and complete other maintenance activities. The new reactor head, which replaced a head installed in 2002, enhances safety and reliability, and features control rod nozzles made of material less susceptible to cracking. On October 10, 2011, following opening of the building for installation of the new reactor head, a sub-surface hairline crack was identified in one of the exterior architectural elements on the shield building. These elements serve as architectural features and do not have structural significance. During investigation of the crack at the shield building opening, concrete samples and electronic testing found similar sub-surface hairline cracks in most of the building's architectural elements. FENOC's investigation also identified other indications. Included among them were sub-surface hairline cracks in the upper portion of the shield building (above elevation 780') and in the vicinity of the main steam line penetrations. A team of industry-recognized structural concrete experts and Davis-Besse engineers has determined these conditions do not affect the facility's structural integrity or safety.

On December 2, 2011, the NRC issued a CAL which concluded that FENOC provided "reasonable assurance that the shield building remains capable of performing its safety functions." The CAL imposed a number of commitments from FENOC including, submitting a root cause evaluation and corrective actions to the NRC by February 28, 2012, and further evaluations of the shield building. On February 27, 2012, FENOC sent the root cause evaluation to the NRC. Finally, the CAL also stated that the NRC was still evaluating whether the current condition of the shield building conforms to the plant's licensing basis. On December 6, 2011, the Davis-Besse plant returned to service.

By letter dated August 25, 2011, the NRC made a final significance determination (white) associated with a violation that occurred during the retraction of a source range monitor from the Perry reactor vessel. The NRC also placed Perry in the degraded cornerstone column (Column 3) of the NRC's Action Matrix governing the oversight of commercial nuclear reactors. As a result, the NRC staff will conduct several supplemental inspections, culminating in an inspection using Inspection Procedure 95002 to determine if the


42



root cause and contributing causes of risk significant performance issues are understood, the extent of condition has been identified, whether safety culture contributed to the performance issues, and if FENOC's corrective actions are sufficient to address the causes and prevent recurrence.

On March 12, 2012, the NRC Staff issued orders requiring safety enhancements at U.S. reactors based on recommendations from the lessons learned Task Force review of the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. These orders require additional mitigation strategies for beyond-design-basis external events, and enhanced equipment for monitoring water levels in spent fuel pools. The NRC also requested that licensees including FENOC: re-analyze earthquake and flooding risks using the latest information available; conduct earthquake and flooding hazard walkdowns at their nuclear plants; assess the ability of current communications systems and equipment to perform under a prolonged loss of onsite and offsite electrical power; and assess plant staffing levels needed to fill emergency positions. These and other NRC requirements adopted as a result of the accident at Fukushima Daiichi are likely to result in additional material costs from plant modifications and upgrades at FENOC's nuclear facilities.

On February 16, 2012, the NRC issued a request for information to the licensed operators of 11 nuclear power plants, including Beaver Valley Power Station Units 1 and 2, with respect to the modeling of fuel performance as it relates to "thermal conductivity degradation," which is the potential in higher burn up fuel for reduced capacity to transfer heat that could potentially change its performance during various accident scenarios, including loss of coolant accidents. The request for information indicated that this phenomenon has not been accounted for adequately in performance models for the fuel developed by the fuel manufacturer and that the NRC might consider imposing restrictions on reactor operating limits. On March 16, 2012, FENOC submitted its response to the NRC demonstrating that the NRC requirements are being met. FENOC also agreed to submit to the NRC revised large break loss of coolant accident analyses by December 15, 2016, that further consider the effects of fuel pellet thermal conductivity degradation.

ICG Litigation

On December 28, 2006, AE Supply and MP filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania against ICG, Anker WV, and Anker Coal. Anker WV entered into a long term Coal Sales Agreement with AE Supply and MP for the supply of coal to the Harrison generating facility. Prior to the time of trial, ICG was dismissed as a defendant by the Court, which issue can be the subject of a future appeal. As a result of defendants' past and continued failure to supply the contracted coal, AE Supply and MP have incurred and will continue to incur significant additional costs for purchasing replacement coal. A non-jury trial was held from January 10, 2011 through February 1, 2011. At trial, AE Supply and MP presented evidence that they have incurred in excess of $80 million in damages for replacement coal purchased through the end of 2010 and will incur additional damages in excess of $150 million for future shortfalls. Defendants primarily claim that their performance is excused under a force majeure clause in the coal sales agreement and presented evidence at trial that they will continue to not provide the contracted yearly tonnage amounts. On May 2, 2011, the court entered a verdict in favor of AE Supply and MP for $104 million ($90 million in future damages and $14 million for replacement coal / interest). On August 25, 2011, the Allegheny County Court denied all Motions for Post-Trial relief and the May 2, 2011 verdict became final. On August 26, 2011, ICG posted bond and filed a Notice of Appeal. Briefing on the Appeal is concluded with oral argument scheduled for May 16, 2012. AE Supply and MP intend to vigorously pursue this matter through appeal.

Other Legal Matters

In February 2010, a class action lawsuit was filed in Geauga County Court of Common Pleas against FirstEnergy, CEI and OE seeking declaratory judgment and injunctive relief, as well as compensatory, incidental and consequential damages, on behalf of a class of customers related to the reduction of a discount that had previously been in place for residential customers with electric heating, electric water heating, or load management systems. The reduction in the discount had been approved by the PUCO. In March 2010, the named-defendant companies filed a motion to dismiss the case due to the lack of jurisdiction. The court granted the motion to dismiss and the plaintiffs appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals of Ohio. The Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of the Complaint by the Court of Common Pleas on all counts except for one relating to an allegation of fraud which it remanded to the trial court. The Companies timely filed a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio on December 5, 2011, challenging this one aspect of the Court of Appeals opinion. The Supreme Court of Ohio agreed to hear the appeal.

There are various lawsuits, claims (including claims for asbestos exposure) and proceedings related to FirstEnergy's normal business operations pending against FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries. The other potentially material items not otherwise discussed above are described under Note 8, Regulatory Matters to the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

FirstEnergy accrues legal liabilities only when it concludes that it is probable that it has an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. In cases where FirstEnergy determines that it is not probable, but reasonably possible that it has a material obligation, it discloses such obligations and the possible loss or range of loss and if such estimate can be made. If it were ultimately determined that FirstEnergy or its subsidiaries have legal liability or are otherwise made subject to liability based on any of the matters referenced above, it could have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy's or its subsidiaries' financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 


43



10. SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR INFORMATION
In 2007, FGCO completed a sale and leaseback transaction for its 93.825% undivided interest in Bruce Mansfield Unit 1. FES has fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed all of FGCO’s obligations under each of the leases. The related lessor notes and pass through certificates are not guaranteed by FES or FGCO, but the notes are secured by, among other things, each lessor trust’s undivided interest in Unit 1, rights and interests under the applicable lease and rights and interests under other related agreements, including FES’ lease guaranty. This transaction is classified as an operating lease under GAAP for FES and FirstEnergy and as a financing for FGCO.
The Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, Consolidating Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 for FES (parent and guarantor), FGCO and NGC (non-guarantor) are presented below. Investments in wholly owned subsidiaries are accounted for by FES using the equity method. Results of operations for FGCO and NGC are, therefore, reflected in FES’ investment accounts and earnings as if operating lease treatment was achieved. The principal elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions and the entries required to reflect operating lease treatment associated with the 2007 Bruce Mansfield Unit 1 sale and leaseback transaction.



44



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
 
FES
 
FGCO
 
NGC
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REVENUES
 
$
1,490

 
$
542

 
$
394

 
$
(910
)
 
$
1,516


OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel
 

 
240

 
55

 

 
295

Purchased power from affiliates
 
965

 

 
62

 
(910
)
 
117

Purchased power from non-affiliates
 
487

 

 

 

 
487

Other operating expenses
 
76

 
92

 
116

 
11

 
295

Provision for depreciation
 
1

 
30

 
34

 
(2
)
 
63

General taxes
 
20

 
10

 
7

 

 
37

Total operating expenses
 
1,549

 
372

 
274

 
(901
)
 
1,294

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
 
(59
)
 
170

 
120

 
(9
)
 
222


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income
 
1

 
4

 
5

 
(4
)
 
6

Miscellaneous income, including net income from equity investees
 
258

 

 

 
(254
)
 
4

Interest expense — affiliates
 
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
4

 
(2
)
Interest expense — other
 
(23
)
 
(26
)
 
(7
)
 
15

 
(41
)
Capitalized interest
 

 
1

 
8

 

 
9

Total other income (expense)
 
232

 
(22
)
 
5

 
(239
)
 
(24
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
 
173

 
148

 
125

 
(248
)
 
198


INCOME TAXES (BENEFITS)
 
51

 
(1
)
 
23

 
3

 
76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
$
122

 
$
149

 
$
102

 
$
(251
)
 
$
122

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
$
122

 
$
149

 
$
102

 
$
(251
)
 
$
122

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pensions and OPEB prior service costs
 
(5
)
 
(4
)
 

 
4

 
(5
)
Amortized loss on derivative hedges
 
(5
)
 

 

 

 
(5
)
Change in unrealized gain on available for sale securities
 
10

 

 
10

 
(10
)
 
10

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 

 
(4
)
 
10

 
(6
)
 

Income taxes (benefits) on other comprehensive income (loss)
 
2

 
(2
)
 
4

 
(2
)
 
2

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
6

 
(4
)
 
(2
)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
$
120

 
$
147

 
$
108

 
$
(255
)
 
$
120



45



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
 
FES
 
FGCO
 
NGC
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REVENUES
 
$
1,366

 
$
743

 
$
469

 
$
(1,187
)
 
$
1,391


OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel
 
1

 
294

 
48

 

 
343

Purchased power from affiliates
 
1,185

 
2

 
69

 
(1,187
)
 
69

Purchased power from non-affiliates
 
297

 

 

 

 
297

Other operating expenses
 
162

 
111

 
180

 
12

 
465

Provision for depreciation
 
1

 
32

 
38

 
(2
)
 
69

General taxes
 
10

 
11

 
8

 

 
29

Impairment of long-lived assets
 

 
14

 

 

 
14

Total operating expenses
 
1,656

 
464

 
343

 
(1,177
)
 
1,286

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
 
(290
)
 
279

 
126

 
(10
)
 
105

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income
 
1

 

 
5

 

 
6

Miscellaneous income, including net income from equity investees
 
242

 
1

 

 
(239
)
 
4

Interest expense — affiliates
 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
Interest expense — other
 
(24
)
 
(28
)
 
(17
)
 
16

 
(53
)
Capitalized interest
 

 
5

 
5

 

 
10

Total other income (expense)
 
218

 
(22
)
 
(7
)
 
(223
)
 
(34
)

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 
(72
)
 
257

 
119

 
(233
)
 
71

INCOME TAXES (BENEFITS)
 
(117
)
 
96

 
45

 
2

 
26

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

NET INCOME
 
$
45

 
$
161

 
$
74

 
$
(235
)
 
$
45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
$
45

 
$
161

 
$
74

 
$
(235
)
 
$
45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pensions and OPEB prior service costs
 
(10
)
 
(4
)
 
(6
)
 
10

 
(10
)
Amortized loss on derivative hedges
 
(9
)
 

 

 

 
(9
)
Change in unrealized gain on available for sale securities
 
8

 

 
8

 
(8
)
 
8

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(11
)
 
(4
)
 
2

 
2

 
(11
)
Income taxes (benefits) on other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(6
)
 
(2
)
 
1

 
1

 
(6
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
(5
)
 
(2
)
 
1

 
1

 
(5
)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
$
40

 
$
159

 
$
75

 
$
(234
)
 
$
40



46



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
As of March 31, 2012
 
FES
 
FGCO
 
NGC
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
7

 
$

 
$

 
$
7

Receivables-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customers
 
395

 

 

 

 
395

Affiliated companies
 
472

 
439

 
241

 
(611
)
 
541

Other
 
50

 
19

 
53

 

 
122

Notes receivable from affiliated companies
 
81

 
1,369

 
44

 
(1,482
)
 
12

Materials and supplies, at average cost
 
62

 
283

 
206

 

 
551

Derivatives
 
322

 

 

 

 
322

Prepayments and other
 
7

 
17

 
1

 
(1
)
 
24

 
 
1,389

 
2,134

 
545

 
(2,094
)
 
1,974

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In service
 
84

 
5,614

 
5,689

 
(385
)
 
11,002

Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
 
29

 
1,843

 
2,524

 
(182
)
 
4,214

 
 
55

 
3,771

 
3,165

 
(203
)
 
6,788

Construction work in progress
 
31

 
171

 
971

 

 
1,173

 
 
86

 
3,942

 
4,136

 
(203
)
 
7,961

INVESTMENTS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
 

 

 
1,240

 

 
1,240

Investment in affiliated companies
 
5,956

 

 

 
(5,956
)
 

Other
 

 
7

 

 

 
7

 
 
5,956

 
7

 
1,240

 
(5,956
)
 
1,247

DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated deferred income tax benefits
 

 
274

 

 
(274
)
 

Customer intangibles
 
120

 

 

 

 
120

Goodwill
 
24

 

 

 

 
24

Property taxes
 

 
20

 
23

 

 
43

Unamortized sale and leaseback costs
 

 
21

 

 
99

 
120

Derivatives
 
117

 

 

 

 
117

Other
 
123

 
111

 
2

 
(65
)
 
171

 
 
384

 
426

 
25

 
(240
)
 
595

 
 
$
7,815

 
$
6,509

 
$
5,946

 
$
(8,493
)
 
$
11,777

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currently payable long-term debt
 
$
1

 
$
411

 
$
514

 
$
(21
)
 
$
905

Short-term borrowings-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Affiliated companies
 
1,413

 
69

 

 
(1,482
)
 

Accounts payable-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Affiliated companies
 
663

 
175

 
256

 
(611
)
 
483

Other
 
69

 
121

 

 

 
190

Accrued Taxes
 
31

 
33

 
24

 
(13
)
 
75

Derivatives
 
281

 

 

 

 
281

Other
 
38

 
111

 
24

 
72

 
245

 
 
2,496

 
920

 
818

 
(2,055
)
 
2,179

CAPITALIZATION:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total equity
 
3,695

 
3,244

 
2,697

 
(5,941
)
 
3,695

Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
 
1,482

 
1,903

 
641

 
(1,229
)
 
2,797

 
 
5,177

 
5,147

 
3,338

 
(7,170
)
 
6,492

NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction
 

 

 

 
917

 
917

Accumulated deferred income taxes
 
18

 

 
532

 
(185
)
 
365

Asset retirement obligations
 

 
28

 
891

 

 
919

Retirement benefits
 
31

 
120

 

 

 
151

Lease market valuation liability
 

 
160

 

 

 
160

Other
 
93

 
134

 
367

 

 
594

 
 
142

 
442

 
1,790

 
732

 
3,106

 
 
$
7,815

 
$
6,509

 
$
5,946

 
$
(8,493
)
 
$
11,777



47



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
As of December 31, 2011
 
FES
 
FGCO
 
NGC
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
7

 
$

 
$

 
$
7

Receivables-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customers
 
424

 

 

 

 
424

Affiliated companies
 
476

 
643

 
262

 
(781
)
 
600

Other
 
28

 
20

 
13

 

 
61

Notes receivable from affiliated companies
 
155

 
1,346

 
69

 
(1,187
)
 
383

Materials and supplies, at average cost
 
60

 
232

 
200

 

 
492

Derivatives
 
219

 

 

 

 
219

Prepayments and other
 
11

 
26

 
1

 

 
38

 
 
1,373

 
2,274

 
545

 
(1,968
)
 
2,224

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In service
 
84

 
5,573

 
5,711

 
(385
)
 
10,983

Less — Accumulated provision for depreciation
 
28

 
1,813

 
2,449

 
(180
)
 
4,110

 
 
56

 
3,760

 
3,262

 
(205
)
 
6,873

Construction work in progress
 
29

 
195

 
790

 

 
1,014

 
 
85

 
3,955

 
4,052

 
(205
)
 
7,887

INVESTMENTS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nuclear plant decommissioning trusts
 

 

 
1,223

 

 
1,223

Investment in affiliated companies
 
5,716

 

 

 
(5,716
)
 

Other
 

 
7

 

 

 
7

 
 
5,716

 
7

 
1,223

 
(5,716
)
 
1,230

DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated deferred income tax benefits
 
10

 
307

 

 
(317
)
 

Customer intangibles
 
123

 

 

 

 
123

Goodwill
 
24

 

 

 

 
24

Property taxes
 

 
20

 
23

 

 
43

Unamortized sale and leaseback costs
 

 
5

 

 
75

 
80

Derivatives
 
79

 

 

 

 
79

Other
 
89

 
99

 
3

 
(62
)
 
129

 
 
325

 
431

 
26

 
(304
)
 
478

 
 
$
7,499

 
$
6,667

 
$
5,846

 
$
(8,193
)
 
$
11,819

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currently payable long-term debt
 
$
1

 
$
411

 
$
513

 
$
(20
)
 
$
905

Short-term borrowings-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Affiliated companies
 
1,065

 
89

 
32

 
(1,186
)
 

Accounts payable-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Affiliated companies
 
777

 
228

 
211

 
(780
)
 
436

Other
 
99

 
121

 

 

 
220

Accrued Taxes
 
84

 
42

 
110

 
(9
)
 
227

Derivatives
 
189

 

 

 

 
189

Other
 
62

 
141

 
16

 
42

 
261

 
 
2,277

 
1,032

 
882

 
(1,953
)
 
2,238

CAPITALIZATION:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stockholder’s equity
 
3,593

 
3,097

 
2,587

 
(5,700
)
 
3,577

Long-term debt and other long-term obligations
 
1,483

 
1,905

 
641

 
(1,230
)
 
2,799

 
 
5,076

 
5,002

 
3,228

 
(6,930
)
 
6,376

NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred gain on sale and leaseback transaction
 

 

 

 
925

 
925

Accumulated deferred income taxes
 
12

 

 
510

 
(236
)
 
286

Asset retirement obligations
 

 
28

 
876

 

 
904

Retirement benefits
 
56

 
300

 

 

 
356

Lease market valuation liability
 

 
171

 

 

 
171

Other
 
78

 
134

 
350

 
1

 
563

 
 
146

 
633

 
1,736

 
690

 
3,205

 
 
$
7,499

 
$
6,667

 
$
5,846

 
$
(8,193
)
 
$
11,819




48



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
 
FES
 
FGCO
 
NGC
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
$
(419
)
 
$
66

 
$
175

 
$

 
$
(178
)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Financing-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings, net
 
347

 

 

 
(347
)
 

Redemptions and Repayments-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings, net
 

 
(20
)
 
(32
)
 
52

 

Other
 

 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(3
)
Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
 
347

 
(22
)
 
(33
)
 
(295
)
 
(3
)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property additions
 
(2
)
 
(18
)
 
(161
)
 

 
(181
)
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
 

 

 
83

 

 
83

Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
 

 

 
(90
)
 

 
(90
)
Loans to affiliated companies, net
 
74

 
(23
)
 
25

 
295

 
371

Other
 

 
(3
)
 
1

 

 
(2
)
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
 
72

 
(44
)
 
(142
)
 
295

 
181


Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 

 
7

 

 

 
7

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$

 
$
7

 
$

 
$

 
$
7



49



FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
 
FES
 
FGCO
 
NGC
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
$
(215
)
 
$
267

 
$
42

 
$

 
$
94


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Financing-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 

 
90

 
60

 

 
150

Short-term borrowings, net
 
322

 
28

 

 

 
350

Redemptions and Repayments-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 
(131
)
 
(141
)
 
(60
)
 

 
(332
)
Other
 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
Net cash used for financing activities
 
190

 
(23
)
 

 

 
167

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property additions
 
(3
)
 
(40
)
 
(116
)
 

 
(159
)
Sales of investment securities held in trusts
 

 

 
216

 

 
216

Purchases of investment securities held in trusts
 

 

 
(231
)
 

 
(231
)
Loans to affiliated companies, net
 
28

 
(200
)
 
90

 

 
(82
)
Customer acquisition costs
 

 

 

 

 

Other
 

 
(6
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(7
)
Net cash provided from (used for) investing activities
 
25

 
(246
)
 
(42
)
 

 
(263
)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 

 
(2
)
 

 

 
(2
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 

 
9

 

 

 
9

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$

 
$
7

 
$

 
$

 
$
7



50



11. SEGMENT INFORMATION
FirstEnergy has three reportable operating segments — Regulated Distribution, Regulated Independent Transmission and Competitive Energy Services.
Financial information for each of FirstEnergy’s reportable segments is presented in the tables below, which includes financial results for Allegheny subsidiaries beginning February 25, 2011. FES, OE and JCP&L do not have separate reportable operating segments.
The Regulated Distribution segment distributes electricity through FirstEnergy’s ten utility operating companies, serving approximately 6 million customers within 65,000 square miles of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and New York, and purchases power for its POLR, SOS and default service requirements in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. This segment also includes the transmission operations of JCP&L, ME, PN, WP, MP and PE and the regulated electric generation facilities in West Virginia and New Jersey which MP and JCP&L, respectively, own or contractually control. Its results reflect the commodity costs of securing electric generation and the deferral and amortization of certain fuel costs.
The Regulated Independent Transmission segment transmits electricity through transmission lines and its revenues are primarily derived from formulaic rates that recover costs and provide a return on investment for capital expenditures in connection with TrAIL, PATH and other projects and revenues from providing transmission services to electric energy providers, power marketers and revenues from operating a portion of the FirstEnergy transmission system. Its results reflect the net transmission expenses related to the delivery of the respective generation loads.
The Competitive Energy Services segment, through FES and AE Supply, supplies electricity to end-use customers through retail and wholesale arrangements, including competitive retail sales to customers primarily in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and Maryland and the provision of partial POLR and default service for some utilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland, including the Utilities. This business segment controls approximately 17,000 MWs of capacity (excluding approximately 2,700 MWs from unregulated plants expected to be closed by September 1, 2012 (see Note 8, Regulatory Matters of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and also purchases electricity to meet sales obligations. The segment’s net income is primarily derived from electric generation sales less the related costs of electricity generation, including purchased power and net transmission (including congestion) and ancillary costs charged by PJM and MISO (prior to June 1, 2011) to deliver energy to the segment’s customers.
Other/Corporate contains corporate items and other businesses that are below the quantifiable threshold for separate disclosure as a reportable segment. Reconciling adjustments primarily consist of elimination of intersegment transactions.



51



Segment Financial Information
Three Months Ended
 
Regulated Distribution
 
Competitive Energy Services
 
Regulated Independent Transmission
 
Other/Corporate
 
Reconciling Adjustments
 
Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
March 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External revenues
 
$
2,383

 
$
1,607

 
$
109

 
$
(24
)
 
$
1

 
$
4,076

Internal revenues
 

 
268

 

 

 
(266
)
 
2

Total revenues
 
2,383

 
1,875

 
109

 
(24
)
 
(265
)
 
4,078

Depreciation and amortization
 
234

 
100

 
18

 
8

 

 
360

Investment income
 
24

 
6

 

 

 
(19
)
 
11

Net interest charges
 
142

 
54

 
12

 
21

 

 
229

Income taxes
 
108

 
83

 
20

 
(16
)
 
27

 
222

Net income
 
183

 
141

 
34

 
(28
)
 
(24
)
 
306

Total assets
 
27,551

 
17,187

 
2,452

 
501

 

 
47,691

Total goodwill
 
5,551

 
893

 

 

 

 
6,444

Property additions
 
301

 
243

 
28

 
17

 

 
589

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External revenues
 
$
2,268

 
$
1,254

 
$
67

 
$
(23
)
 
$
(22
)
 
$
3,544

Internal revenues
 

 
343

 

 

 
(311
)
 
32

Total revenues
 
2,268

 
1,597

 
67

 
(23
)
 
(333
)
 
3,576

Depreciation and amortization
 
250

 
88

 
13

 
6

 

 
357

Investment income
 
25

 
6

 

 

 
(10
)
 
21

Net interest charges
 
131

 
68

 
9

 
19

 
(14
)
 
213

Income taxes
 
64

 
9

 
7

 

 
31

 
111

Net income
 
109

 
15

 
12

 
(55
)
 
(34
)
 
47

Total assets
 
27,766

 
17,399

 
2,486

 
914

 

 
48,565

Total goodwill
 
5,551

 
956

 

 

 

 
6,507

Property additions
 
177

 
214

 
27

 
31

 

 
449




52



Item 2.        Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Registrant and Subsidiaries

FIRSTENERGY CORP.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
Earnings Available to FirstEnergy Corp. in the first quarter of 2012 were $306 million, or basic and diluted earnings of $0.73 per share of common stock, compared with $52 million, or basic and diluted earnings of $0.15 per share of common stock in the first quarter of 2011. The principal reasons for the changes in basic earnings per share are summarized below.
Change In Basic Earnings Per Share From Prior Year
 
Three Months Ended March 31
Basic Earnings Per Share - First Quarter 2011
 
$
0.15

Segment operating results(1) -
 
 
Regulated Distribution
 
(0.03
)
Competitive Energy Services
 
0.04

Regulated Independent Transmission
 
0.01

Regulatory charges
 
(0.01
)
Income Tax Charge – retiree prescription drug subsidy
 
(0.02
)
Merger-related costs
 
0.37

Impact of non-core asset sales/impairments
 
0.03

Mark-to-market adjustments
 
0.08

Merger accounting — commodity contracts
 
(0.01
)
Plant closing costs
 
(0.05
)
Net merger accretion(1)(2)
 
0.17

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized
 
0.02

Investment Income
 
(0.01
)
Other
 
(0.01
)
Basic Earnings Per Share - First Quarter 2012
 
$
0.73

(1) 
Excludes amounts that are shown separately
(2) 
Includes dilutive effect of shares issued in connection with the Allegheny merger, and 3 months of Allegheny results in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 1 month during the same period of 2011.
Financial Matters
On April 2, 2012, FGCO and NGC refinanced $52.1 million and $29.5 million, respectively, of PCRBs. The bonds were converted from a fixed-rate mandatory put mode to a variable-rate mode enhanced with a 3-year LOC. Additionally, on April 2, 2012, FGCO and NGC remarketed $146.7 million and $315 million of PCRBs, respectively, in a variable rate mode enhanced with a LOC.

On April 16, 2012, WP issued $100 million of FMBs through a private placement at a rate of 3.34%. These bonds have a maturity date of April 15, 2022, and the proceeds were used in part to retire $80 million of 6.625% medium term notes that matured on April 16, 2012.

On April 16, 2012, AE Supply retired $503.2 million of 8.25% medium term notes at maturity.

Operational Matters

Request for New Generation

On March 8, 2012, FGCO filed an application for a feasibility study with PJM Interconnection to install and interconnect to the transmission system approximately 800 MW of new combustion turbine peaking generation at its existing Eastlake Plant in Eastlake, Ohio, to help ensure reliable electric service in the region. On April 25, 2012, PJM concluded its initial analysis of the reliability impacts from our previously announced plant retirements and requested Reliability Must-Run arrangements for Eastlake 1-3, Ashtabula 5 and Lake Shore 18.



53



Root Cause Analysis Completed for Davis-Besse

On February 28, 2012, FENOC announced it completed its Root Cause Analysis Report regarding the hairline cracks identified in portions of the Davis-Besse Shield Building during the fall 2011 reactor head replacement outage. The report was submitted to the NRC and concluded that based on extensive evaluation, the structural integrity of the shield building remains intact and the building is able to perform its safety function.

Regulatory Matters

Ohio Utilities File to Extend Electric Security Plan

FE's Ohio Companies filed an application with the PUCO to essentially extend their current ESP for two more years. If approved by the PUCO, the extension would allow the Ohio Companies to establish electricity prices for their customers through May 31, 2016. The Ohio Companies requested PUCO approval by May 2, 2012, so that they may bid megawatts of PJM-qualified energy efficiency and demand response resources into the May 7, 2012, PJM capacity auction for the 2015-2016 planning year or in the alternate by June 20 which would be too late to bid a portion of the demand resources into the May 7, 2012, PJM capacity auction but would allow adequate time to implement changes to the bidding schedule to capture a greater amount of generation at historically lower prices for the benefit of customers. The PUCO has set an evidentiary hearing for May 21, 2012; therefore approval by May 2, 2012, is not expected.

As proposed, the extended ESP would maintain the substantial benefits from the current ESP including:

Freezing current base distribution rates through May 31, 2016;
continuing to provide economic development and assistance to low-income customers for the two-year extension period at the levels established in the existing ESP;
providing Percentage of Income Payment Plan customers with a 6 percent generation rate discount;
continuing to provide capacity to shopping and non-shopping customers at a market-based price set through an auction process; and
continuing Rider DCR that allows continued investment in the distribution system for the benefit of customers.

As proposed, the extended ESP would provide additional new benefits, including:

Securing generation supply over a longer period to mitigate any potential price spikes for FirstEnergy Ohio utility customers who do not switch to a competitive generation supplier; and
extending the recovery period for costs associated with purchasing renewable energy credits mandated by SB221 through the end of the new ESP period. This will reduce the monthly renewable energy charge for all of the FirstEnergy Ohio utility customers.

The filing is supported by 19 parties including: Industrial Energy Users, Ohio Energy Group, PUCO Staff, the City of Akron, Ohio Manufacturers Association, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, and the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE).

FIRSTENERGY’S BUSINESS
FirstEnergy has three reportable operating segments — Regulated Distribution, Regulated Independent Transmission and Competitive Energy Services.
Financial information for each of FirstEnergy’s reportable segments is presented in the tables below, which includes financial results for the Allegheny subsidiaries beginning February 25, 2011. FES, OE and JCP&L do not have separate reportable operating segments.
The Regulated Distribution segment distributes electricity through FirstEnergy’s ten utility operating companies, serving approximately 6 million customers within 65,000 square miles of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and New York, and purchases power for its POLR, SOS and default service requirements in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. This segment also includes the transmission operations of JCP&L, ME, PN, WP, MP and PE and the regulated electric generation facilities in West Virginia and New Jersey which MP and JCP&L, respectively, own or contractually control. Its results reflect the commodity costs of securing electric generation and the deferral and amortization of certain fuel costs.
The Regulated Independent Transmission segment transmits electricity through transmission lines and its revenues are primarily derived from formulaic rates that recover costs and provide a return on investment for capital expenditures in connection with TrAIL, PATH and other projects and revenues from providing transmission services to electric energy providers, power marketers and revenue from operating a portion of the FirstEnergy transmission system. Its results reflect the net transmission expenses related to the delivery of the respective generation loads.
The Competitive Energy Services segment, through FES and AE Supply, supplies electricity to end-use customers through retail and wholesale arrangements, including competitive retail sales to customers primarily in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan,


54



New Jersey and Maryland and the provision of partial POLR and default service for some utilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland, including the Utilities. This business segment controls approximately 17,000 MWs of capacity (excluding approximately 2,700 MWs from unregulated plants expected to be closed by September 1, 2012, (see Note 8, Regulatory Matters, of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and also purchases electricity to meet sales obligations. The segment’s net income is primarily derived from electric generation sales less the related costs of electricity generation, including purchased power and net transmission (including congestion) and ancillary costs charged by PJM and MISO (prior to June 1, 2011) to deliver energy to the segment’s customers.
Other and Reconciling Adjustments contains corporate items and other businesses that are below the quantifiable threshold for separate disclosure as a reportable segment as well as reconciling adjustments for the elimination of intersegment transactions. See Note 11, Segment Information, of the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on FirstEnergy's reportable operating segments.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The financial results discussed below include revenues and expenses from transactions among FirstEnergy’s business segments. Results from the pre-merged companies (FE and its subsidiaries prior to the merger) have been segregated from the Allegheny companies for variance reporting and analysis. Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011, include only one month of Allegheny results. In addition, Allegheny's results were affected by many of the same factors that influenced the operating results of the pre-merged companies. A reconciliation of segment financial results is provided in Note 11, Segment Information, to the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Earnings available to FirstEnergy by business segment were as follows:

 
Three Months
Ended March 31
 
2012
 
2011
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
(In millions, except per share data)
Earnings (Loss) By Business Segment:
 
 
 
 
 
Regulated Distribution
$
183

 
$
109

 
$
74

Competitive Energy Services
141

 
15

 
126

Regulated Independent Transmission
34

 
12

 
22

Other and reconciling adjustments*
(52
)
 
(84
)
 
32

Earnings available to FirstEnergy Corp.
$
306

 
$
52

 
$
254

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
$
0.73

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.58

Diluted Earnings Per Share
$
0.73

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.58

*
Consists primarily of interest expense related to holding company debt, corporate support services revenues and expenses, noncontrolling interests and the elimination of intersegment transactions.


55



Summary of Results of Operations — First Quarter 2012 Compared with First Quarter 2011
Financial results for FirstEnergy’s business segments in the first quarter of 2012 and 2011 were as follows:
First Quarter 2012 Financial Results
 
Regulated Distribution
 
Competitive
Energy Services
 
Regulated
Independent Transmission
 
Other and
Reconciling Adjustments
 
FirstEnergy Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric
 
$
2,270

 
$
1,531

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,801

Other
 
113

 
76

 
109

 
(23
)
 
275

Internal
 

 
268

 

 
(266
)
 
2

Total Revenues
 
2,383

 
1,875

 
109

 
(289
)
 
4,078

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel
 
39

 
502

 

 

 
541

Purchased power
 
1,082

 
531

 

 
(266
)
 
1,347

Other operating expenses
 
427

 
409

 
15

 
(39
)
 
812

Provision for depreciation
 
159

 
100

 
18

 
8

 
285

Amortization of regulatory assets, net
 
75

 

 

 

 
75

General taxes
 
192

 
61

 
10

 
9

 
272

Total Operating Expenses
 
1,974

 
1,603

 
43

 
(288
)
 
3,332

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
409

 
272

 
66

 
(1
)
 
746

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income (Expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income
 
24

 
6

 

 
(19
)
 
11

Interest expense
 
(145
)
 
(65
)
 
(12
)
 
(24
)
 
(246
)
Capitalized interest
 
3

 
11

 

 
3

 
17

Total Other Expense
 
(118
)
 
(48
)
 
(12
)
 
(40
)
 
(218
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Before Income Taxes
 
291

 
224

 
54

 
(41
)
 
528

Income taxes
 
108

 
83

 
20

 
11

 
222

Net Income
 
183

 
141

 
34

 
(52
)
 
306

Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 

 

Earnings Available to FirstEnergy Corp.
 
$
183

 
$
141

 
$
34

 
$
(52
)
 
$
306



56



First Quarter 2011 Financial Results
 
Regulated Distribution
 
Competitive
Energy Services
 
Regulated
Independent Transmission
 
Other and
Reconciling Adjustments
 
FirstEnergy Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric
 
$
2,175

 
$
1,162

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,337

Other
 
93

 
92

 
67

 
(45
)
 
207

Internal
 

 
343

 

 
(311
)
 
32

Total Revenues
 
2,268

 
1,597

 
67

 
(356
)
 
3,576

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel
 
24

 
429

 

 

 
453

Purchased power
 
1,179

 
318

 

 
(311
)
 
1,186

Other operating expenses
 
360

 
632

 
18

 
(17
)
 
993

Provision for depreciation
 
121

 
88

 
10

 
6

 
225

Amortization of regulatory assets, net
 
129

 

 
3

 

 
132

General taxes
 
176

 
44

 
8

 
9

 
237

Total Operating Expenses
 
1,989

 
1,511

 
39

 
(313
)
 
3,226

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
279

 
86

 
28

 
(43
)
 
350

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income (Expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income
 
25

 
6

 

 
(10
)
 
21

Interest expense
 
(132
)
 
(78
)
 
(9
)
 
(12
)
 
(231
)
Capitalized interest
 
1

 
10

 

 
7

 
18

Total Other Expense
 
(106
)
 
(62
)
 
(9
)
 
(15
)
 
(192
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Before Income Taxes
 
173

 
24

 
19

 
(58
)
 
158

Income taxes
 
64

 
9

 
7

 
31

 
111

Net Income
 
109

 
15

 
12

 
(89
)
 
47

Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 
(5
)
 
(5
)
Earnings Available to FirstEnergy Corp.
 
$
109

 
$
15

 
$
12

 
$
(84
)
 
$
52



57



Changes Between First Quarter 2012 and First Quarter 2011 Financial Results
Increase (Decrease)
 
Regulated Distribution
 
Competitive
Energy Services
 
Regulated
Independent Transmission
 
Other and
Reconciling Adjustments
 
FirstEnergy Consolidated
 
 
(In millions)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric
 
$
95

 
$
369

 
$

 
$

 
$
464

Other
 
20

 
(16
)
 
42

 
22

 
68

Internal
 

 
(75
)
 

 
45

 
(30
)
Total Revenues
 
115

 
278

 
42

 
67

 
502

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel
 
15

 
73

 

 

 
88

Purchased power
 
(97
)
 
213

 

 
45

 
161

Other operating expenses
 
67

 
(223
)
 
(3
)
 
(22
)
 
(181
)
Provision for depreciation
 
38

 
12

 
8

 
2

 
60

Amortization of regulatory assets, net
 
(54
)
 

 
(3
)
 

 
(57
)
General taxes
 
16

 
17

 
2

 

 
35

Total Operating Expenses
 
(15
)
 
92

 
4

 
25

 
106

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
130

 
186

 
38

 
42

 
396

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income (Expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income
 
(1
)
 

 

 
(9
)
 
(10
)
Interest expense
 
(13
)
 
13

 
(3
)
 
(12
)
 
(15
)
Capitalized interest
 
2

 
1

 

 
(4
)
 
(1
)
Total Other Expense
 
(12
)
 
14

 
(3
)
 
(25
)
 
(26
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Before Income Taxes
 
118

 
200

 
35

 
17

 
370

Income taxes
 
44

 
74

 
13

 
(20
)
 
111

Net Income
 
74

 
126

 
22

 
37

 
259

Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 
5

 
5

Earnings Available to FirstEnergy Corp.
 
$
74

 
$
126

 
$
22

 
$
32

 
$
254




58



Regulated Distribution — First Quarter 2012 Compared with First Quarter 2011
Net income increased by $74 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011, primarily due to earnings from the Allegheny companies and lower merger-related costs, partially offset by decreased weather-related customer usage in the first quarter of 2012.
Revenues —
The increase in total revenues resulted from the following sources:
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
 
Increase
Revenues by Type of Service
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Pre-merger companies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution services
 
$
766

 
$
909

 
$
(143
)
Generation sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
 
696

 
873

 
(177
)
Wholesale
 
49

 
116

 
(67
)
Total generation sales
 
745

 
989

 
(244
)
Transmission
 
84

 
37

 
47

Other
 
42

 
58

 
(16
)
Total pre-merger companies
 
1,637

 
1,993

 
(356
)
Allegheny companies(1)
 
746

 
275

 
471

Total Revenues
 
$
2,383

 
$
2,268

 
$
115

(1) 
Allegheny results include 3 months in 2012 and 1 month in 2011.

The decrease in distribution services revenue for the pre-merger companies primarily reflects lower distribution revenues due to lower distribution deliveries (described below), the suspension of Ohio's deferred distribution rider in September 2011, and an NJBPU-approved rate reduction that became effective March 1, 2011, for all of JCP&L's customer classes, partially offset by Ohio's Demand Side Energy Rider that was effective in May 2011. Distribution deliveries (excluding the Allegheny companies) decreased by 3.6% in the first quarter of 2012 from the same period of 2011. Distribution deliveries by customer class are summarized in the following table:
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
 
Increase
Electric Distribution MWH Deliveries
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Pre-merger companies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
 
9,794

 
10,638

 
(7.9
)%
Commercial
 
7,801

 
7,929

 
(1.6
)%
Industrial
 
8,820

 
8,841

 
(0.3
)%
Other
 
123

 
130

 
(4.9
)%
Total pre-merger companies
 
26,538

 
27,538

 
(3.6
)%
Allegheny companies(1)
 
10,659

 
3,540

 
201.1
 %
Total Electric Distribution MWH Deliveries
 
37,197

 
31,078

 
19.7
 %
(1) 
Allegheny results include 3 months in 2012 and 1 month in 2011.

Lower deliveries to residential and commercial customers for the pre-merged companies reflect decreased weather-related usage resulting from heating degree days that were 25% below 2011 levels, slightly offset by load growth in first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011. In the industrial sector, MWH deliveries decreased by 2% to petroleum customers, 5% to chemical customers and 6% to electrical equipment customers, partially offset by an increase of 3% to steel customers.


59



The following table summarizes the price and volume factors contributing to the $244 million decrease in generation revenues for the pre-merger companies in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011:
Source of Change in Generation Revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Retail:
 
 
Effect of decrease in sales volumes
 
$
(206
)
Change in prices
 
29

 
 
(177
)
Wholesale:
 

Effect of decrease in sales volumes
 
(46
)
Change in prices
 
(21
)
 
 
(67
)
Net Decrease in Generation Revenues
 
$
(244
)

The decrease in retail generation sales volume was primarily due to increased customer shopping in the service territories of the pre-merger companies in the first quarter of 2012, compared with the same period of 2011. Total generation provided by alternative suppliers as a percentage of total MWH deliveries increased to 77% from 73% for the Ohio Companies and to 59% from 42% for ME’s, PN’s and Penn's service areas.
The decrease in wholesale generation revenues of $67 million in the first quarter of 2012 was a result of the expiration of a NUG contract in August 2011 and lower PJM market prices.
Transmission revenues increased $47 million primarily due to the implementation of Ohio's non-market based (NMB) transmission rider in June of 2011, which recovers network integration transmission service charges as described below.
The Allegheny companies added $471 million in revenues for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter of 2011, including $142 million from distribution services, $305 million from generation sales and $17 million from transmission services.
Operating Expenses —
Total operating expenses decreased by $15 million due to the following:

Purchased power costs, excluding the Allegheny companies, were $338 million lower in the first quarter of 2012 due primarily to a decrease in volumes required resulting from warmer than normal weather. Additionally, increased customer shopping decreased purchased power requirements. The Allegheny companies added $241 million in purchased power costs in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011.
Source of Change in Purchased Power
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Pre-merger companies:
 
 
Purchases from non-affiliates:
 
 
Change due to decreased unit costs
 
$
(43
)
Change due to decreased volumes
 
(182
)
 
 
(225
)
Purchases from FES:
 
 
Change due to decreased unit costs
 
(15
)
Change due to decreased volumes
 
(93
)
 
 
(108
)
Increase in costs deferred
 
(5
)
Total pre-merger companies
 
(338
)
Purchases by Allegheny companies
 
241

Net Decrease in Purchased Power Costs
 
$
(97
)
Transmission expenses increased $57 million during the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011. The increase is primarily due to network integration transmission service expenses that, prior to June 2011, were incurred by


60



the generation supplier, and are now being recovered through the NMB transmission rider discussed above.
Amortization expense decreased $65 million due to the following:
The suspension of the rider recovering deferred distribution costs in September 2011,
The completion of JCP&L's NUG deferred cost recovery,
Partially offset by the recovery in Ohio of residential generation credits for electric heating discounts, which began in September 2011.
Energy Efficiency program costs, which are recovered through rates, increased by $27 million.
The absence of a provision for excess and obsolete material of $13 million that was recognized in the first quarter of 2011 relating to revised inventory practices adopted in conjunction with the Allegheny merger.
Merger-related costs decreased $55 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011.
The inclusion of Allegheny resulted in the following net increase in operating expenses in the first quarter of 2012:
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
 
Increase
Operating Expenses - Allegheny(1)
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Purchased power
 
$
383

 
$
143

 
$
241

Fuel
 
39

 
24

 
15

Transmission
 
26

 
12

 
14

Amortization of regulatory assets, net
 

 
(11
)
 
11

Other operating expenses
 
80

 
32

 
48

General taxes
 
34

 
12

 
22

Depreciation expense
 
49

 
16

 
33

Total Operating Expenses
 
$
611

 
$
228

 
$
384

(1) 
Allegheny results include 3 months in 2012 and 1 month in 2011.
Other Expense —
Other expense increased $12 million in the first quarter of 2012 primarily due to interest expense on debt of the Allegheny companies.
Regulated Independent Transmission — First Quarter 2012 Compared with First Quarter 2011
Net income increased by $22 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011 primarily due to earnings associated with TrAIL and PATH acquired in the Allegheny merger.
Revenues —
Total revenues increased by $42 million principally due to revenues from TrAIL and PATH.
Revenues by transmission asset owner are shown in the following table:
Revenues by
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
 
Increase
Transmission Asset Owner
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
ATSI
 
$
53

 
$
52

 
$
1

TrAIL(1)
 
51

 
14

 
37

PATH(1)
 
5

 
1

 
4

Total Revenues
 
$
109

 
$
67

 
$
42

(1) 
Allegheny results include 3 months in 2012 and 1 month in 2011.


61



Operating Expenses —
Total operating expenses increased by $4 million principally due to the addition of TrAIL and PATH operating expenses for a full quarter in 2012 ($7 million), partially offset by the completion in May 2011 of ATSI deferred vegetation management cost recovery ($3 million).
Other Expense —
Other expense increased $3 million in the first quarter of 2012 due to higher interest expense, principally associated with debt of TrAIL.

Competitive Energy Services — First Quarter 2012 Compared with First Quarter 2011
Net income increased by $126 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, due to higher retail revenues, lower operating expenses and the inclusion of the results of the Allegheny companies for a full quarter.
Revenues —
Total revenues increased by $278 million in the first quarter of 2012 primarily due to growth in combined direct and governmental aggregation sales and the inclusion of the Allegheny companies for a full quarter, partially offset by a net decline in POLR and structured sales.
The increase in total revenues resulted from the following sources:
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
 
Increase
Revenues by Type of Service
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Direct and Governmental Aggregation
 
$
1,007

 
$
840

 
$
167

POLR and Structured Sales
 
231

 
374

 
(143
)
Wholesale(1)
 
160

 
91

 
69

Transmission
 
31

 
26

 
5

RECs
 
5

 
32

 
(27
)
Other
 
21

 
41

 
(20
)
Allegheny Companies(2)
 
420

 
193

 
227

Total Revenues
 
$
1,875

 
$
1,597

 
$
278

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allegheny Companies(2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct and Governmental Aggregation
 
$
23

 
$
9

 
$
14

POLR and Structured Sales
 
149

 
68

 
81

Wholesale(1)
 
224

 
91

 
133

Transmission
 
16

 
12

 
4

Other
 
8

 
13

 
(5
)
Total Revenues
 
$
420

 
$
193

 
$
227

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes $55 million in intra-segment sales by AE Supply to FES
(2) Allegheny results include 3 months in 2012 and 1 month in 2011.


62



 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
 
Increase
MWH Sales by Type of Service
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Direct
 
12,391

 
9,671

 
28.1
 %
Governmental Aggregation
 
5,186

 
4,310

 
20.3
 %
POLR and Structured Sales
 
4,030

 
5,843

 
(31.0
)%
Wholesale
 
21

 
985

 
(97.9
)%
Allegheny Companies(1)
 
6,520

 
2,636

 
147.3
 %
Total Sales
 
28,148

 
23,445

 
20.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allegheny Companies(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct and Governmental Aggregation
 
388

 
145

 
167.6
 %
POLR
 
2,459

 
812

 
202.8
 %
Structured Sales
 
156

 
303

 
(48.5
)%
Wholesale
 
3,517

 
1,376

 
155.6
 %
Total Sales
 
6,520

 
2,636

 
147.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Allegheny results include 3 months in 2012 and 1 month in 2011.

The increase in combined direct and governmental aggregation revenues of $167 million resulted from the acquisition of new commercial and industrial customers as well as new governmental aggregation contracts with communities in Ohio and Illinois that provided generation to approximately 1.9 million residential and small commercial customers as of March 2012, compared to approximately 1.5 million as of March 2011. These increases were partially offset by lower sales to residential and small commercial customers as a result of weather that was 25% warmer this year in the markets served compared to 2011.
The decrease in combined POLR and structured revenues of $143 million was due primarily to lower sales volumes to the Ohio Companies, ME and PN. Revenues were also adversely impacted by lower unit prices which were partially offset by increased structured sales. The decline in POLR sales reflects our continued focus on other sales channels.
Wholesale revenues increased $69 million due to a $55 million gain on financially settled contracts and a $43 million increase in capacity revenues. These increases were partially offset by decreased short-term (net hourly positions) transactions in MISO.
The following tables summarize the price and volume factors contributing to changes in revenues (excluding the Allegheny companies):
Source of Change in Direct and Governmental Aggregation
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Direct Sales:
 
 
Effect of increase in sales volumes
 
$
159

Change in prices
 
(43
)
 
 
116

Governmental Aggregation:
 
 
Effect of increase in sales volumes
 
55

Change in prices
 
(4
)
 
 
51

Net Increase in Direct and Governmental Aggregation Revenues
 
$
167


Source of Change in POLR and Structured Revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
POLR and Structured:
 
 
Effect of decrease in sales volumes
 
$
(116
)
Change in prices
 
(27
)
 
 
$
(143
)


63



Source of Change in Wholesale Revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Wholesale:
 
 
Effect of decrease in sales volumes
 
$
(28
)
Change in prices
 
(1
)
Gain on settled contracts
 
55

Capacity revenue
 
43

 
 
$
69


Transmission revenues increased by $5 million primarily due to higher PJM congestion and ancillary revenue. The revenues derived from the sale of RECs decreased by $27 million in the first quarter of 2012.
Operating Expenses —
Total operating expenses increased by $92 million in the first quarter of 2012. Excluding the results of the Allegheny companies, operating expenses decreased $54 million due to the following:
Purchased power costs increased $191 million due to higher volumes ($103 million), loss on settled contracts ($106 million) and capacity expense ($54 million), partially offset by lower unit prices ($72 million). The increase in purchased power volumes primarily relates to the overall increase in sales volumes and economic purchases.
Fuel costs decreased $33 million primarily due to lower volumes consumed ($83 million), partially offset by higher unit prices ($50 million). Volumes decreased due to lower fossil generation, partially offset by higher generation from the nuclear units.
Fossil operating costs decreased by $7 million due primarily to lower contractor and materials and equipment costs resulting from a decrease in planned and unplanned outages, partially offset by higher labor costs.
Nuclear operating costs decreased by $28 million due primarily to lower labor, contractor and materials and equipment costs, as there were no refueling outages this quarter while the first quarter of the previous year included the Beaver Valley Unit 2 refueling outage.
Transmission expenses decreased $62 million due primarily to decreases of $68 million from lower congestion, network and line loss costs in MISO. These decreases were partially offset by increases in PJM of $6 million from higher network costs, partially offset by lower congestion and line loss expenses.
General taxes increased by $6 million due to an increase in revenue-related taxes.
Depreciation expense decreased $11 million primarily due to credits resulting from a settlement with the DOE regarding the storage of spent nuclear fuel.
Other operating expenses decreased by $110 million primarily due to favorable mark-to-market adjustments on commodity contract positions ($28 million) and reduced corporate-related costs associated with the merger ($14 million). In addition, 2011 expenses included a $54 million provision for excess and obsolete material relating to revised inventory practices adopted in connection with the Allegheny merger and a $13 million impairment charge related to non-core assets.


64



The inclusion of the Allegheny companies’ operations for three months in 2012 and one month in 2011 contributed $357 million and $211 million to operating expenses in 2012 and 2011, respectively, as shown in the following table:
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
 
Increase
Operating Expenses (Credits) - Allegheny(1)
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Fuel
 
$
188

 
$
82

 
$
106

Purchased power
 
43

 
21

 
22

Fossil generation
 
45

 
27

 
18

Transmission
 
32

 
24

 
8

Other operating expenses
 
16

 
8

 
8

Mark-to-market adjustments
 
(16
)
 
34

 
(50
)
General taxes
 
15

 
4

 
11

Depreciation
 
34

 
11

 
23

Total Operating Expense
 
$
357

 
$
211

 
$
146

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Allegheny results include 3 months in 2012 and 1 month in 2011.
Other Expense —
Total other expense in the first quarter of 2012 was $14 million lower than the first quarter of 2011, primarily due to a decrease in net interest expense resulting from debt reductions in 2011 ($6 million) and credits related to the settlement with the DOE regarding the storage of spent nuclear fuel ($7 million).

Other — First Quarter of 2012 Compared with First Quarter of 2011
Financial results from other operating segments and reconciling items, including interest expense on holding company debt and corporate support services revenues and expenses, resulted in a $32 million increase in earnings available to FirstEnergy in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011. The increase resulted primarily from operating income ($42 million) due to lower merger-related costs, partially offset by decreased capitalized interest resulting from completed construction projects ($4 million) and decreased investment income ($9 million).

Regulatory Assets
Regulatory assets represent incurred costs that have been deferred because of their probable future recovery from customers through regulated rates. Regulatory liabilities represent amounts that are expected to be credited to customers through future regulated rates or amounts collected from customers for costs not yet incurred. FirstEnergy and the Utilities net their regulatory assets and liabilities based on federal and state jurisdictions. The following tables provide information about the composition of net regulatory assets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and the changes during the quarter:
Regulatory Assets by Source
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Regulatory transition costs
 
$
642

 
$
608

 
$
34

Customer receivables for future income taxes
 
479

 
508

 
(29
)
Nuclear decommissioning and spent fuel disposal costs
 
(215
)
 
(210
)
 
(5
)
Asset removal costs
 
(251
)
 
(240
)
 
(11
)
Deferred transmission costs
 
376

 
340

 
36

Deferred generation costs
 
329

 
382

 
(53
)
Deferred distribution costs
 
258

 
267

 
(9
)
Other
 
388

 
375

 
13

Total
 
$
2,006

 
$
2,030

 
$
(24
)

FirstEnergy had $413 million of net regulatory liabilities as of March 31, 2012 that are primarily related to asset removal costs.
Regulatory assets that do not earn a current return totaled approximately $292 million as of March 31, 2012. JCP&L had $119 million of regulatory assets not earning a current return, which include certain storm damage costs and pension and OPEB benefits that are expected to be recovered by 2026. The remaining $173 million of regulatory assets include certain PJM transmission and regulatory transition costs, which are expected to be recovered by 2020.


65




CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
As of March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy had $74 million of cash and cash equivalents and available liquidity of approximately $3.9 billion. FirstEnergy expects its existing sources of liquidity to remain sufficient to meet its anticipated obligations and those of its subsidiaries. FirstEnergy’s business is capital intensive, requiring significant resources to fund operating expenses, construction expenditures, scheduled debt maturities and interest and dividend payments. In addition to internal sources to fund liquidity and capital requirements for 2012 and beyond, FirstEnergy expects to rely on external sources of funds. Short-term cash requirements not met by cash provided from operations are generally satisfied through short-term borrowings. Long-term cash needs may be met through the incurrence of long-term debt or access to capital markets. FirstEnergy expects that borrowing capacity under credit facilities will continue to be available to manage working capital requirements along with continued access to long-term capital markets.
As of March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy’s net deficit in working capital (current assets less current liabilities) was principally due to currently payable long-term debt, which, as of March 31, 2012, included the following:
Currently Payable Long-term Debt
(In millions)
PCRBs supported by bank LOCs (1)
$
632

Unsecured notes
733

Unsecured PCRBs (1)
270

Collateralized lease obligation bonds
67

Sinking fund requirements
53

Other notes
17

 
$
1,772

(1) 
These PCRBs are classified as currently payable long-term debt because the applicable interest rate mode permits individual debt holders to put the respective debt back to the issuer prior to maturity.
Short-Term Borrowings
FirstEnergy had approximately $1 billion of short-term borrowings as of March 31, 2012, and no significant short-term borrowings as of December 31, 2011. FirstEnergy’s available liquidity as of March 31, 2012, is summarized in the following table:
Company
 
Type
 
Maturity
 
Commitment
 
Available Liquidity
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
FirstEnergy(1)
 
Revolving
 
June 2016
 
$
2,000

 
$
895

FES / AE Supply
 
Revolving
 
June 2016
 
2,500

 
2,498

TrAIL
 
Revolving
 
Jan. 2013
 
450

 
450

AGC
 
Revolving
 
Dec. 2013
 
50

 

 
 
 
 
Subtotal
 
$
5,000

 
$
3,843

 
 
 
 
Cash
 

 
54

 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
5,000

 
$
3,897

(1) 
FirstEnergy Corp. and the Utilities.
Revolving Credit Facilities
FirstEnergy and FES/AE Supply Facilities
FE and certain of its subsidiaries participate in two five-year syndicated revolving credit facilities with aggregate commitments of $4.5 billion (Facilities). The Facilities consist of a $2 billion aggregate FirstEnergy Facility and a $2.5 billion FES/AE Supply Facility, that are each available until June 17, 2016, unless the lenders agree, at the request of the applicable borrowers, to up to two additional one-year extensions. Generally, borrowings under each of the Facilities are available to each borrower separately and mature on the earlier of 364 days from the date of borrowing or the commitment termination date, as the same may be extended. Each of the Facilities contains financial covenants requiring each borrower to maintain a consolidated debt to total capitalization ratio of no more than 65%, measured at the end of each fiscal quarter. FirstEnergy is negotiating amendments to the FirstEnergy and FES/AE Supply Facilities to, among other things, extend their commitment dates by one year. However, FirstEnergy cannot provide any assurance that the Facilities will be amended and extended on satisfactory terms or at all.


66



The following table summarizes the borrowing sub-limits for each borrower under the Facilities, the limitations on short-term indebtedness applicable to each borrower under current regulatory approvals and applicable statutory and/or charter limitations, as well as the debt to total capitalization ratios (as defined under each of the Facilities) as of March 31, 2012:

Borrower
 
FirstEnergy Revolving
Credit Facility
Sub-Limit
 
FES/AE Supply Revolving
Credit Facility
Sub-Limit
 
Regulatory and
Other Short-Term Debt Limitations
 
 
Debt to Capitalization
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
FE
 
 
$
2,000

 
 
$

 
 
$

(1) 
 
58.8%
FES
 
 

 
 
1,500

 
 

(2) 
 
50.6%
AE Supply
 
 

 
 
1,000

 
 

(2) 
 
43.6%
OE
 
 
500

 
 

 
 
500

 
 
62.4%
CEI
 
 
500

 
 

 
 
500

 
 
61.0%
TE
 
 
500

 
 

 
 
500

 
 
63.1%
JCP&L
 
 
425

 
 

 
 
411

(3) 
 
43.9%
ME
 
 
300

 
 

 
 
300

(3) 
 
55.8%
PN
 
 
300

 
 

 
 
300

(3) 
 
60.5%
WP
 
 
200

 
 

 
 
200

(3) 
 
53.2%
MP
 
 
150

 
 

 
 
150

(3) 
 
55.3%
PE
 
 
150

 
 

 
 
150

(3) 
 
55.6%
ATSI
 
 
100

 
 

 
 
100

 
 
48.5%
Penn
 
 
50

 
 

 
 
33

(3) 
 
41.9%
(1) 
No limitations.
(2) 
No limitation based upon blanket financing authorization from the FERC under existing open market tariffs.
(3) 
On April 11, 2012, a joint application was filed with FERC seeking authorization to incur short-term debt in the amount of $600 million for JCP&L, $500 million for ME, $150 million for MP, $150 million for PE, $300 million for PN, $50 million for Penn, $400 million for TrAIL and $200 million for WP during the period June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2014.
 
As of March 31, 2012, FE and its subsidiaries could issue additional debt of approximately $5.6 billion, or recognize a reduction in equity of approximately $3.0 billion, and remain within the limitations of the financial covenants required by the Facilities.
The entire amount of the FES/AE Supply Facility and $700 million of the FirstEnergy Facility, subject to each borrower’s sub-limit, is available for the issuance of LOCs expiring up to one year from the date of issuance. The stated amount of outstanding LOCs will count against total commitments available under each of the Facilities and against the applicable borrower’s borrowing sub-limit.
The Facilities do not contain provisions that restrict the ability to borrow or accelerate payment of outstanding advances in the event of any change in credit ratings of the borrowers. Pricing is defined in “pricing grids,” whereby the cost of funds borrowed under the Facilities are related to the credit ratings of the company borrowing the funds. Additionally, borrowings under each of the Facilities are subject to the usual and customary provisions for acceleration upon the occurrence of events of default, including a cross-default for other indebtedness in excess of $100 million.
AGC and TrAIL Revolving Credit Facilities
Separate revolving credit facilities are available to TrAIL ($450 million) and AGC ($50 million) until January 2013 and December 2013, respectively.
Under the terms of these credit facilities, outstanding debt of AGC may not exceed 65% of the sum of its debt and equity as of the last day of each calendar quarter and outstanding debt for TrAIL may not exceed 65% of the sum of its debt and equity as of the last day of each calendar quarter. These provisions limit debt levels of these subsidiaries and also limit the net assets of each subsidiary that may be transferred to AE. As of March 31, 2012, the debt to total capitalization ratios for TrAIL and AGC (as defined under each of their credit facilities) were 46% and 51%, respectively.

As of March 31, 2012, TrAIL could issue additional debt of approximately $243 million and AGC could issue additional debt of approximately $43 million and remain within the limitations of the financial covenants under their credit facilities.
New Transmission Revolving Credit Facility     

FirstEnergy is in the process of negotiating a new $1 billion five-year revolving credit facility with a group of lenders. The borrowers under such facility are expected to be AET, and two of its direct subsidiaries, ATSI, which became a subsidiary of AET in April 2012,


67



and TrAIL. ATSI is expected to have a $100 million sublimit and TrAIL is expected to have a $200 million sublimit. Once this facility is in place, it is expected that the current $450 million facility for TrAIL discussed above will be terminated and the $100 million sublimit for ATSI under the existing $2 billion FirstEnergy Facility will be eliminated. FirstEnergy cannot provide any assurance that the new revolving credit facility will be completed on satisfactory terms or at all.
FirstEnergy Money Pools
FirstEnergy’s regulated companies also have the ability to borrow from each other and the holding company to meet their short-term working capital requirements. A similar but separate arrangement exists among FirstEnergy’s unregulated companies. FESC administers these two money pools and tracks surplus funds of FirstEnergy and the respective regulated and unregulated subsidiaries, as well as proceeds available from bank borrowings. Companies receiving a loan under the money pool agreements must repay the principal amount of the loan, together with accrued interest, within 364 days of borrowing the funds. The rate of interest is the same for each company receiving a loan from their respective pool and is based on the average cost of funds available through the pool. The average interest rate for borrowings in the first quarter of 2012 was 0.85% per annum for the regulated companies’ money pool and 1.22% per annum for the unregulated companies’ money pool.
Pollution Control Revenue Bonds
As of March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy’s currently payable long-term debt included approximately $632 million ($558 million applicable to FES) of variable interest rate PCRBs, the bondholders of which are entitled to the benefit of irrevocable direct pay bank LOCs. The interest rates on the PCRBs are reset daily or weekly. Bondholders can tender their PCRBs for mandatory purchase prior to maturity with the purchase price payable from remarketing proceeds or, if the PCRBs are not successfully remarketed, by drawings on the irrevocable direct pay LOCs. The subsidiary obligor is required to reimburse the applicable LOC bank for any such drawings or, if the LOC bank fails to honor its LOC for any reason, must itself pay the purchase price.
The LOCs for FirstEnergy's variable interest rate PCRBs were issued by the following banks as of March 31, 2012:
LOC Bank
 
Aggregate LOC Amount(1)
 
LOC Termination Date
 
Reimbursements of LOC Draws Due
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
UBS
 
$
272

 
April 2014
 
April 2014
CitiBank N.A.
 
165

 
June 2014
 
June 2014
Wachovia Bank
 
153

 
March 2014
 
March 2014
The Bank of Nova Scotia
 
49

 
April 2014
 
Multiple dates(2)
Total
 
$
639

 
 
 
 
(1) 
Includes approximately $7 million of applicable interest coverage.
(2) 
Earlier of 6 months from drawing or the LOC termination date.
On April 2, 2012, FGCO and NGC refinanced $52.1 million and $29.5 million, respectively, of PCRBs. The bonds were converted from a fixed-rate mandatory put mode to a variable-rate mode enhanced with a 3-year LOC. Additionally, on April 2, 2012, FGCO and NGC remarketed $146.7 million and $315 million of PCRBs, respectively, in a variable rate mode enhanced with a LOC.
Other Financings
On April 16, 2012, WP issued $100 million of FMBs through a private placement at a rate of 3.34%. These bonds have a maturity date of April 15, 2022, and the proceeds were used in part to retire $80 million of 6.625% medium term notes that matured on April 16, 2012.

On April 16, 2012, AE Supply retired $503.2 million of 8.25% medium term notes at maturity.
Long-Term Debt Capacity
As of March 31, 2012, the Ohio Companies and Penn had the aggregate capacity to issue approximately $2.7 billion of additional FMBs on the basis of property additions and retired bonds under the terms of their respective mortgage indentures. The issuance of FMBs by the Ohio Companies is also subject to provisions of their senior note indentures generally limiting the incurrence of additional secured debt, subject to certain exceptions that would permit, among other things, the issuance of secured debt (including FMBs) supporting pollution control notes or similar obligations, or as an extension, renewal or replacement of previously outstanding secured debt. In addition, these provisions would permit OE and CEI to incur additional secured debt not otherwise permitted by a specified exception of up to $134 million and $1 million, respectively. As a result of the indenture provisions, TE cannot incur any additional secured debt. ME and PN had the capability to issue secured debt of approximately $380 million and $391 million, respectively, under provisions of their senior note indentures as of March 31, 2012. In addition, based upon their net earnings and available bondable property additions as of March 31, 2012, MP, PE and WP had the capacity to issue approximately $1.5 billion of additional FMBs in the aggregate under the terms of their FMB indentures. These companies may be further limited by the financial covenants of the Facilities and may be subject to regulatory approvals and applicable statutory and/or charter limitations.


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The Ohio Companies intend to file an application with the PUCO for a financing order under the recent Ohio securitization legislation, which is expected to assist the Ohio Companies in their planned debt reductions.
Based upon FGCO’s net earnings and available bondable property additions under its FMB indentures as of March 31, 2012, FGCO had the capacity to issue $1.8 billion of additional FMBs under the terms of that indenture. Based upon NGC’s net earnings and available bondable property additions under its FMB indenture as of March 31, 2012, NGC had the capacity to issue $2 billion of additional FMBs under the terms of that indenture.
FE's and its subsidiaries' access to capital markets and costs of financing are influenced by the credit ratings of their securities. On January 18, 2012, Moody's upgraded the Senior Unsecured ratings for TrAIL to A3 from Baa2. The following table displays FE’s and its subsidiaries’ debt credit ratings as of March 31, 2012:
 
 
Senior Secured
 
Senior Unsecured
Issuer
 
S&P
 
Moody’s
 
Fitch
 
S&P
 
Moody’s
 
Fitch
FE
 
 
 
 
BB+
 
Baa3
 
BBB
FES
 
 
 
 
BBB-
 
Baa3
 
BBB
AE Supply
 
 
 
 
BBB-
 
Baa3
 
BBB-
AGC
 
 
 
 
BBB-
 
Baa3
 
BBB
ATSI
 
 
 
 
BBB-
 
Baa1
 
A-
CEI
 
BBB
 
Baa1
 
BBB
 
BBB-
 
Baa3
 
BBB-
JCP&L
 
 
 
 
BBB-
 
Baa2
 
BBB+
ME
 
BBB
 
A3
 
A-
 
BBB-
 
Baa2
 
BBB+
MP
 
BBB+
 
Baa1
 
A-
 
BBB-
 
Baa3
 
BBB+
OE
 
BBB
 
A3
 
BBB+
 
BBB-
 
Baa2
 
BBB
PN
 
BBB
 
A3
 
BBB+
 
BBB-
 
Baa2
 
BBB
Penn
 
BBB+
 
A3
 
BBB+
 
 
 
PE
 
BBB+
 
Baa1
 
A-
 
BBB-
 
Baa3
 
BBB+
TE
 
BBB
 
Baa1
 
BBB
 
 
 
TrAIL
 
 
 
 
BBB-
 
A3
 
A-
WP
 
BBB+
 
A3
 
A-
 
BBB-
 
Baa2
 
BBB+
Changes in Cash Position
As of March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy had $74 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to $202 million of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2011. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, FirstEnergy had approximately $67 million and $79 million, respectively, of restricted cash included in other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
FirstEnergy’s consolidated net cash from operating activities was provided primarily by its regulated distribution, regulated independent transmission and competitive energy services businesses (see Results of Operations above). Net cash used for operating activities was $413 million during the first three months of 2012 compared with $491 million being provided from operating activities during the first three months of 2011, as summarized in the following table:
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
 
Increase
Operating Cash Flows
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Net income
 
$
306

 
$
47

 
$
259

Non-cash charges
 
366

 
504

 
(138
)
Pension trust contributions
 
(600
)
 
(157
)
 
(443
)
Working capital and other
 
(485
)
 
97

 
(582
)
 
 
$
(413
)
 
$
491

 
$
(904
)

The decrease in non-cash charges and other adjustments is primarily due to decreased accrued compensation and retirement benefits ($109 million) due in part to higher performance-related incentive compensation payments during the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011.



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The $582 million decrease in cash flows from working capital and other is primarily due to the following:

$105 million from lower collections from customers during the first quarter of 2012 as a result of the effects of milder weather described in Results of Operations above.
$158 million from increased materials and supplies balances as a result of increased coal inventories and the absence in 2012 of the $67 million non-cash inventory valuation adjustment recorded in connection with the merger.
$137 million reflecting the absence of income tax refunds received during the first quarter of 2011 due to cash benefits realized on bonus depreciation and settlements with the IRS on certain prior year returns.
$166 million from lower accounts payable balances as a result of the timing of payments to vendors during the first quarter of 2012 as compared to the same period of 2011.
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
In the first three months of 2012, cash provided from financing activities was $819 million compared to $550 million of net cash used for financing activities during the first three months of 2011. The following tables summarize new debt financing (net of any discounts) and redemptions:

 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
Securities Issued or Redeemed / Retired
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(In millions)
New Issues
 
 
 
 
PCRBs
 
$

 
$
150

Long-term revolving credit
 

 
60

Unsecured Notes
 

 
7

 
 
$

 
$
217


Redemptions / Retirements
 
 
 
 
PCRBs
 
$

 
$
(200
)
Long-term revolving credit
 

 
(20
)
Senior secured notes
 
(16
)
 
(109
)
Unsecured notes
 

 
(30
)
 
 
$
(16
)
 
$
(359
)
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings, net
 
$
1,075

 
$
(214
)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Cash used for investing activities in the first three months of 2012 principally represented cash used for property additions. The following table summarizes investing activities for the first three months of 2012 and the comparable period of 2011:
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
 
Increase
Cash Used for (Provided from) Investing Activities
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Property Additions:
 
 
 
 
 


  Regulated distribution
 
$
301

 
$
177

 
$
124

  Competitive energy services
 
243

 
214

 
29

  Regulated independent transmission
 
28

 
27

 
1

  Other and reconciling adjustments
 
17

 
31

 
(14
)
Cash received in Allegheny merger
 

 
(590
)
 
590

Investments
 
(63
)
 
(23
)
 
(40
)
Other
 
8

 
23

 
(15
)
 
 
$
534

 
$
(141
)
 
$
675


Net cash used for investing activities during the first three months of 2012 increased by $675 million compared to the same period of 2011. The increase was principally due to the absence in 2012 of cash acquired in the Allegheny merger ($590 million) and


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increased property additions ($140 million), partially offset by a decrease in net purchases of investment securities ($9 million) and additional restricted cash investments ($31 million).
During the remainder of 2012, capital requirements for property additions and capital leases are estimated to be approximately $1.8 billion, including approximately $212 million for nuclear fuel.

GUARANTEES AND OTHER ASSURANCES
As part of normal business activities, FirstEnergy enters into various agreements on behalf of its subsidiaries to provide financial or performance assurances to third parties. FirstEnergy guarantees energy and energy-related payments of its subsidiaries involved in energy commodity activities principally to facilitate or hedge normal physical transactions involving electricity, gas, emission allowances and coal. FirstEnergy also provides credit support to various providers for the financing or refinancing by subsidiaries of costs related to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment. These agreements include provisions for parent guarantees, surety bonds and/or LOCs to be issued by FirstEnergy on behalf of one or more of its subsidiaries. Additionally, certain contracts may contain collateral provisions that are contingent upon either FirstEnergy's or its subsidiaries’ credit ratings.
As of March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy’s maximum exposure to potential future payments under outstanding guarantees and other assurances approximated $4.1 billion, as summarized below:
Guarantees and Other Assurances
 
Maximum Exposure
 
 
(In millions)
FirstEnergy Guarantees on Behalf of its Subsidiaries
 
 
Energy and Energy-Related Contracts(1)
 
$
273

LOC (long-term debt) - interest coverage(2)
 
5

OVEC obligations
 
300

Other(3)
 
299

 
 
877


Subsidiaries’ Guarantees
 
 
Energy and Energy-Related Contracts
 
137

LOC (long-term debt) - interest coverage(2)
 
2

FES’ guarantee of NGC’s nuclear property insurance
 
79

FES’ guarantee of FGCO’s sale and leaseback obligations
 
2,286

Other
 
12

 
 
2,516

Signal Peak & Global Rail facility
 
350

Surety Bonds
 
151

LOCs(4)
 
185

 
 
686

Total Guarantees and Other Assurances
 
$
4,079

(1) 
Issued for open-ended terms, with a 10-day termination right by FirstEnergy.
(2) 
Reflects the interest coverage portion of LOCs issued in support of floating rate PCRBs with various maturities. The principal amount of floating-rate PCRBs of $632 million is reflected in currently payable long-term debt on FirstEnergy's consolidated balance sheets.
(3) 
Includes guarantees of $95 million for nuclear decommissioning funding assurances, $161 million supporting OE’s sale and leaseback arrangement, and $34 million for railcar leases.
(4) 
Includes $32 million issued for various terms pursuant to LOC capacity available under FirstEnergy’s revolving credit facilities, $116 million pledged in connection with the sale and leaseback of Beaver Valley Unit 2 by OE and $37 million pledged in connection with the sale and leaseback of Perry by OE.
Most of FirstEnergy’s surety bonds are backed by various indemnities common within the insurance industry. Surety bonds and related guarantees of $151 million provide additional assurance to outside parties that contractual and statutory obligations will be met in a number of areas including construction contracts, environmental commitments and various retail transactions.
While the types of guarantees discussed above are normally parental commitments for the future payment of subsidiary obligations, subsequent to the occurrence of a senior unsecured credit rating downgrade to below S&P's BBB- and Moody's Baa3 and lower, or a “material adverse event,” the immediate posting of collateral or accelerated payments may be required of the subsidiary. As of March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy’s exposure to additional credit contingent contractual obligations was $671 million, as shown below:



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Collateral Provisions
 
FES
 
AE Supply
 
Utilities
 
Total
 
 
(In millions)
Credit rating downgrade to below investment grade (1)
 
$
439

 
$
8

 
$
59

 
$
506

Material adverse event (2)
 
91

 
60

 
14

 
165

Total
 
$
530

 
$
68

 
$
73

 
$
671

(1) 
Includes $222 million and $40 million that are also considered accelerations of payment or funding obligation for FES and the Utilities, respectively.
(2) 
Includes $42 million that is also considered an acceleration of payment or funding obligation for FES.

Certain bilateral non-affiliate contracts entered into by the Competitive Energy Services segment contain margining provisions that require posting of collateral. Based on FES' and AE Supply's power portfolios exposure as of March 31, 2012, FES and AE Supply have posted collateral of $84 million and $1 million, respectively. Depending on the volume of forward contracts and future price movements, higher amounts for margining could be required.

Not included in the preceding information is potential collateral arising from the PSAs between FES or AE Supply and certain of the Utilities in the Regulated Distribution Segment. As of March 31, 2012, neither FES nor AE Supply had any collateral posted with their affiliates. In the event of a senior unsecured credit rating downgrade to below S&P's BB- or Moody's Ba3, FES and AE Supply would be required to post $54 million and $18 million, respectively.

FES' debt obligations are generally guaranteed by its subsidiaries, FGCO and NGC, and FES guarantees the debt obligations of each of FGCO and NGC. Accordingly, present and future holders of indebtedness of FES, FGCO and NGC would have claims against each of FES, FGCO and NGC, regardless of whether their primary obligor is FES, FGCO or NGC.

Signal Peak and Global Rail are borrowers under a $350 million syndicated two-year senior secured term loan facility due in October 2012. FirstEnergy, together with WMB Loan Ventures LLC and WMB Loan Ventures II LLC, the entities that originally shared ownership in the borrowers with FEV, have provided a guaranty of the borrowers' obligations under the facility. Following the sale of a portion of FEV's ownership interest in Signal Peak and Global Rail in the fourth quarter of 2011, FirstEnergy, WMB Loan Ventures, LLC and WMB Loan Ventures II, LLC, together with Global Mining Group, LLC and Global Holding, continue to guarantee the borrowers' obligations until either the facility is replaced with non-recourse financing (no later than June 30, 2012) or replaced with appropriate recourse financing no earlier than September 4, 2012, that provides for separate guarantees from each owner in proportion with each equity owner's percentage ownership in the joint venture. In addition, FEV, Global Mining Group, LLC and Global Holding, the entities that own direct and indirect equity interests in the borrowers, have pledged those interests to the lenders under the current facility as collateral. In March 2012, after an evaluation of its current operations, business plan and market conditions, the Global Holding Board of Managers opted to focus first on extending its current senior secured term loan facility due in October 2012, before replacing that facility with non-recourse financing. There can be no assurance that the term loan facility will be extended on satisfactory terms or at all.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
FES and certain of the Ohio Companies have obligations that are not included on their Consolidated Balance Sheets related to sale and leaseback arrangements involving the Bruce Mansfield Plant, Perry Unit 1 and Beaver Valley Unit 2, which are satisfied through operating lease payments. The total present value of these sale and leaseback operating lease commitments, net of trust investments, was $1.6 billion as of March 31, 2012, of which $118 million is applicable to the 1987 Bruce Mansfield Plant leases, which may be terminated pursuant to an early buyout option. In March 2012, FGCO, as assignee, provided notice of its irrevocable election of the early buyout option of the 1987 Bruce Mansfield Plant leases. The purchase price to be paid by FGCO will be equal to the higher of the special termination value under the applicable facility leases (in the aggregate approximately $435 million covering both debt and equity under the leases) and the fair market value. An appraisal process to determine such fair market value has been invoked by certain of the parties.

MARKET RISK INFORMATION
FirstEnergy uses various market risk sensitive instruments, including derivative contracts, primarily to manage the risk of price and interest rate fluctuations. FirstEnergy’s Risk Policy Committee, comprised of members of senior management, provides general oversight for risk management activities throughout the company.
Commodity Price Risk
FirstEnergy is exposed to financial risks resulting from fluctuating interest rates and commodity prices, including prices for electricity, natural gas, coal and energy transmission. FirstEnergy's Risk Management Committee is responsible for promoting the effective design and implementation of sound risk management programs and oversees compliance with corporate risk management policies and established risk management practice. FirstEnergy uses a variety of derivative instruments for risk management purposes including forward contracts, options, futures contracts and swaps.
The valuation of derivative contracts is based on observable market information to the extent that such information is available. In


72



cases where such information is not available, FirstEnergy relies on model-based information. The model provides estimates of future regional prices for electricity and an estimate of related price volatility. FirstEnergy uses these results to develop estimates of fair value for financial reporting purposes and for internal management decision making (see Note 6, Fair Value Measurements of the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Sources of information for the valuation of commodity derivative contracts assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2012 are summarized by year in the following table:

Source of Information-
Fair Value by Contract Year
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
 
(In millions)
Prices actively quoted(1)
 
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(2
)
Other external sources(2)
 
(158
)
 
(49
)
 
(28
)
 
(25
)
 

 

 
(260
)
Prices based on models
 
(14
)
 

 

 

 
1

 
27

 
14

Total(3)
 
$
(174
)
 
$
(49
)
 
$
(28
)
 
$
(25
)
 
$
1

 
$
27

 
$
(248
)
(1) 
Represents exchange traded New York Mercantile Exchange futures and options.
(2) 
Primarily represents contracts based on broker and IntercontinentalExchange quotes.
(3) 
Includes $(305) million in non-hedge commodity derivative contracts that are primarily related to NUG contracts. NUG contracts are generally subject to regulatory accounting and do not materially impact earnings.
FirstEnergy performs sensitivity analyses to estimate its exposure to the market risk of its commodity positions. Based on derivative contracts held as of March 31, 2012, an adverse 10% change in commodity prices would decrease net income by approximately $2 million during the next 12 months.
Equity Price Risk
FirstEnergy provides noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all of its employees and non-qualified pension plans that cover certain employees. The plans provide defined benefits based on years of service and compensation levels.
FirstEnergy provides a portion of non-contributory pre-retirement basic life insurance for employees who are eligible to retire. Health care benefits, which include certain employee contributions, deductibles and co-payments, are also available upon retirement to certain employees, their dependents and, under certain circumstances, their survivors. FirstEnergy also has obligations to former or inactive employees after employment, but before retirement, for disability-related benefits.
The benefit plan assets and obligations are remeasured annually using a December 31 measurement date or as significant triggering events occur. As of March 31, 2012, the FirstEnergy pension plan was invested in approximately 24% of equity securities, 51% of fixed income securities, 17% of absolute return strategies, 5% of real estate, 2% of private equity and 1% of cash. A decline in the value of pension plan assets could result in additional funding requirements. FirstEnergy’s funding policy is based on actuarial computations using the projected unit credit method. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy made pre-tax contributions to its qualified pension plans of $600 million.
NDT funds have been established to satisfy NGC’s, OE's, JCP&L's and other FE subsidiaries' nuclear decommissioning obligations. As of March 31, 2012, approximately 80% of the funds were invested in fixed income securities, 13% of the funds were invested in equity securities and 7% were invested in short-term investments, with limitations related to concentration and investment grade ratings. The investments are carried at their market values of approximately $1,699 million, $288 million and $146 million for fixed income securities, equity securities and short-term investments, respectively, as of March 31, 2012, excluding $2 million of net receivables, payables and accrued income. A hypothetical 10% decrease in prices quoted by stock exchanges would result in a $29 million reduction in fair value as of March 31, 2012. JCP&L's decommissioning trust is subject to regulatory accounting, with unrealized gains and losses recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities, since the difference between investments held in trust and the decommissioning liabilities will be recovered from or refunded to customers. NGC and OE recognized in earnings the unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities held in their NDT as OTTI. A decline in the value of FirstEnergy’s NDT or a significant escalation in estimated decommissioning costs could result in additional funding requirements. FENOC has submitted a $95 million parental guarantee to the NRC relating to a short-fall in nuclear decommissioning funding for Beaver Valley Unit 1 and Perry.

CREDIT RISK
Credit risk is defined as the risk that a counterparty to a transaction will be unable to fulfill its contractual obligations. FirstEnergy evaluates the credit standing of a prospective counterparty based on the prospective counterparty's financial condition. FirstEnergy may impose specified collateral requirements and use standardized agreements that facilitate the netting of cash flows. FirstEnergy monitors the financial conditions of existing counterparties on an ongoing basis. An independent risk management group oversees credit risk.
Wholesale Credit Risk
FirstEnergy measures wholesale credit risk as the replacement cost for derivatives in power, natural gas, coal and emission


73



allowances, adjusted for amounts owed to or due from counterparties for settled transactions. The replacement cost of open positions represents unrealized gains, net of any unrealized losses, where FirstEnergy has a legally enforceable right of set-off. FirstEnergy monitors and manages the credit risk of wholesale marketing, risk management and energy transacting operations through credit policies and procedures, which include an established credit approval process, daily monitoring of counterparty credit limits, the use of credit mitigation measures such as margin, collateral and the use of master netting agreements. FirstEnergy manages the quality of its portfolio of energy contracts, currently having a weighted average risk rating for energy contract counterparties of BBB (S&P).
Retail Credit Risk
FirstEnergy is exposed to retail credit risk through competitive electricity activities, which serve residential, commercial and industrial companies. Retail credit risk results when customers default on contractual obligations or fail to pay for service rendered. This risk represents the loss that may be incurred due to the nonpayment of customer accounts receivable balances, as well as the loss from the resale of energy previously committed to serve customers.
Retail credit risk is managed through established credit approval policies, monitoring customer exposures and the use of credit mitigation measures such as deposits in the form of LOCs, cash or prepayment arrangements.
Retail credit quality is affected by the economy and the ability of customers to manage through unfavorable economic cycles and other market changes. If the business environment were to be negatively affected by changes in economic or other market conditions, FirstEnergy's retail credit risk may be adversely impacted.

OUTLOOK

STATE REGULATION

Each of the Utilities' retail rates, conditions of service, issuance of securities and other matters are subject to regulation in the states in which it operates - in Maryland by the MDPSC, in Ohio by the PUCO, in New Jersey by the NJBPU, in Pennsylvania by the PPUC, in West Virginia by the WVPSC and in New York by the NYPSC. The transmission operations of PE in Virginia are subject to certain regulations of the VSCC. In addition, under Ohio law, municipalities may regulate rates of a public utility, subject to appeal to the PUCO if not acceptable to the utility.

MARYLAND

PE provides SOS pursuant to a combination of settlement agreements, MDPSC orders and regulations, and statutory provisions. SOS supply is competitively procured in the form of rolling contracts of varying lengths through periodic auctions overseen by the MDPSC and a third party monitor. The settlements with respect to residential SOS for PE customers expire on December 31, 2012, but by statute service will continue in the same manner unless changed by order of the MDPSC. The settlement provisions relating to non-residential service have expired but, by MDPSC order, the terms of service remain in place unless PE requests or the MDPSC orders a change. PE recovers its costs plus a return for providing SOS.

On September 29, 2009, the MDPSC opened a proceeding to receive and consider proposals for construction of new generation resources in Maryland. In December 2009, Governor Martin O'Malley filed a letter in this proceeding in which he characterized the electricity market in Maryland as a “failure” and urged the MDPSC to use its existing authority to order the construction of new generation in Maryland, vary the means used by utilities to procure generation and include more renewables in the generation mix. In December 2010, the MDPSC issued an order soliciting comments on a model RFP for solicitation of long-term energy commitments by Maryland electric utilities. PE and numerous other parties filed comments, and subsequently the MDPSC issued an order requiring the utilities to issue the RFP crafted by the MDPSC. The RFPs were issued by the utilities as ordered by the MDPSC. The order, as amended, indicated that bids were due by January 20, 2012, and that the MDPSC would be the entity evaluating all bids. On April 12, 2012, the MDPSC issued an order requiring certain Maryland electric utilities, but not PE, to enter into a contract for differences, an electricity hedging arrangement, with respect to a 661 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle generation plant to be built in Charles County, Maryland.

The Maryland legislature in 2008 adopted a statute codifying the EmPOWER Maryland goals to reduce electric consumption by 10% and reduce electricity demand by 15%, in each case by 2015. In 2008, PE filed its comprehensive plans for attempting to achieve those goals, asking the MDPSC to approve programs for residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers, as well as a customer education program. The MDPSC ultimately approved the programs in August 2009 after certain modifications had been made as required by the MDPSC, and approved cost recovery for the programs in October 2009. Expenditures were estimated to be approximately $101 million for the PE programs for the period of 2009 to 2015 and would be recovered over that six-year period. Maryland law only allows for the utility to recover lost distribution revenue attributable to the energy efficiency or demand reduction programs through a base rate case proceeding, and to date such recovery has not been sought or obtained by PE. Meanwhile, after extensive meetings with the MDPSC Staff and other stakeholders, PE's plans for additional and improved programs for the period 2012-2014 were filed on August 31, 2011. The MDPSC held hearings on PE and the other utilities' plans in October 2011, and on December 22, 2011, issued an order approving PE's plan with various modifications and follow-up assignments.



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Pursuant to a bill passed by the Maryland legislature, the MDPSC proposed rules, based on the product of a working group of utilities, regulators, and other interested stakeholders, that create specific requirements related to a utility's obligation to address service interruptions, downed wire response, customer communication, vegetation management, equipment inspection, and annual reporting. The bill requires that the MDPSC consider cost-effectiveness, and provides that the MDPSC may adopt different standards for different utilities based on such factors as system design and existing infrastructure, geography, and customer density. Beginning in July 2013, the MDPSC is required to assess each utility's compliance with the new rules, and may assess penalties of up to $25,000 per day per violation. Further comments were filed regarding the proposed rules on March 26, 2012, and at a hearing on April 17, 2012, the MDPSC approved re-publication of the rules as final.

NEW JERSEY

JCP&L currently provides BGS for retail customers that do not choose a third party electric generation supplier and for customers of third party electric generation suppliers, that fail to provide the contracted service. The supply for BGS, which is comprised of two components, is provided through contracts procured through separate, annually held descending clock auctions, the results of which are approved by the NJBPU. One BGS component and auction, reflecting hourly real time energy prices, is available for larger commercial and industrial customers. The other BGS component and auction, providing a fixed price service, is intended for smaller commercial and residential customers. All New Jersey EDCs participate in this competitive BGS procurement process and recover BGS costs directly from customers as a charge separate from base rates. The most recent BGS auction results, for supply commencing June 1, 2012, were approved by the NJBPU on February 9, 2012.

On September 8, 2011, the Division of Rate Counsel filed a Petition with the NJBPU asserting that it has reason to believe that JCP&L is earning an unreasonable return on its New Jersey jurisdictional rate base. The Division of Rate Counsel requested that the NJBPU order JCP&L to file a base rate case petition so that the NJBPU may determine whether JCP&L's current rates for electric service are just and reasonable. JCP&L filed an answer to the Petition stating, inter alia, that the Division of Rate Counsel analysis upon which it premises its Petition contains errors and inaccuracies, that JCP&L's achieved return on equity is currently within a reasonable range, and that there is no reason for the NJBPU to require JCP&L to file a base rate case at this time. On November 30, 2011, the NJBPU ordered that the matter be assigned to the NJBPU President to act as presiding officer to, among other things, set and modify the schedule, decide upon motions, and otherwise control the conduct of this case, subject to subsequent NJBPU ratification. The schedule in the proceeding provides for briefs to be filed by the parties, the initial brief was filed by the parties on April 26, 2012. A decision is expected to be issued in June 2012. JCP&L is unable to predict the outcome of this matter or estimate any possible loss or range of loss.

Pursuant to a formal Notice issued by the NJBPU on September 14, 2011, public hearings were held to solicit comments regarding the state of preparedness and responsiveness of the EDCs prior to, during, and after Hurricane Irene, with additional hearings held in October 2011. Additionally, the NJBPU accepted written comments through October 31, 2011 related to this inquiry. On December 14, 2011, the NJBPU Staff filed a report of its preliminary findings and recommendations with respect to the electric utility companies' planning and response to Hurricane Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm. The NJBPU selected a consultant to further review and evaluate the New Jersey EDCs' preparation and restoration efforts with respect to Hurricane Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm, and the report of the consultant is due to be submitted to the NJBPU in July 2012. The NJBPU has not indicated what additional action, if any, may be taken as a result of information obtained through this process.

OHIO

The Ohio Companies operate under an ESP, which expires on May 31, 2014. The material terms of the ESP include:
generation supplied through a CBP commencing June 1, 2011;
a load cap of no less than 80%, so that no single supplier is awarded more than 80% of the tranches, which also applies to tranches assigned post-auction;
a 6% generation discount to certain low income customers provided by the Ohio Companies through a bilateral wholesale contract with FES (FES is one of the wholesale suppliers to the Ohio Companies);
no increase in base distribution rates through May 31, 2014; and
a new distribution rider, Rider DCR, to recover a return of, and on, capital investments in the delivery system.

The Ohio Companies also agreed not to recover from retail customers certain costs related to transmission cost allocations by PJM as a result of ATSI's integration into PJM for the longer of the five-year period from June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2016 or when the amount of costs avoided by customers for certain types of products totals $360 million dependent on the outcome of certain PJM proceedings, agreed to establish a $12 million fund to assist low income customers over the term of the ESP and agreed to additional matters related to energy efficiency and alternative energy requirements.

The Ohio Companies filed an application with the PUCO to essentially extend their current ESP for two more years. The Ohio Companies requested PUCO approval by May 2, 2012, so that they may bid megawatts of PJM-qualified energy efficiency and demand response resources into the May 7, 2012, PJM capacity auction for the 2015-2016 planning year or in the alternate by June 20, 2012, which would allow adequate time to implement changes to the bidding schedule to capture a greater amount of generation at historically lower prices for the benefit of customers. The PUCO has set an evidentiary hearing for May 21, 2012; therefore approval by May 2, 2012, is not expected.



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As proposed, the extended ESP would maintain the substantial benefits from the current ESP including:
Freezing current base distribution rates through May 31, 2016;
Continuing to provide economic development and assistance to low-income customers for the two-year extension period at the levels established in the existing ESP;
Providing Percentage of Income Payment Plan customers with a 6 percent generation rate discount;
Continuing to provide capacity to shopping and non-shopping customers at a market-based price set through an auction process; and
Continuing Rider DCR that allows continued investment in the distribution system for the benefit of customers.

As proposed, the extended ESP would provide additional new benefits, including:
Securing generation supply over a longer period of time to mitigate any potential price spikes for FirstEnergy Ohio utility customers who do not switch to a competitive generation supplier; and
Extending the recovery period for costs associated with purchasing renewable energy credits mandated by SB 221 through the end of the new ESP period. This will reduce the monthly renewable energy charge for all FirstEnergy Ohio utility customers.

The filing is supported by 19 parties including: Industrial Energy Users, Ohio Energy Group, PUCO Staff, the City of Akron, Ohio Manufacturers Association, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, and the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE).

Under the provisions of SB221, the Ohio Companies are required to implement energy efficiency programs that will achieve a total annual energy savings equivalent of approximately 166,000 MWH in 2009, 290,000 MWH in 2010, 410,000 MWH in 2011, 470,000 MWH in 2012 and 530,000 MWH in 2013, with additional savings required through 2025. Utilities were also required to reduce peak demand in 2009 by 1%, with an additional 0.75% reduction each year thereafter through 2018.

In December 2009, the Ohio Companies filed their three-year portfolio plan, as required by SB221, seeking approval for the programs they intend to implement to meet the energy efficiency and peak demand reduction requirements for the 2010-2012 period. The PUCO issued an Opinion and Order generally approving the Ohio Companies' three-year plan which provides for recovery of all costs associated with the programs, including lost revenues. The Ohio Companies are in the process of implementing those programs included in the plan, and requested that the PUCO amend the energy efficiency and peak demand reduction benchmarks. On May 19, 2011, the PUCO granted the request to reduce the 2010 energy efficiency and peak demand reductions to the level achieved in 2010 for OE, while finding that the issue was moot for CEI and TE. The Ohio Companies filed an application for rehearing, which was later denied. Failure to comply with the benchmarks or to obtain such an amendment may subject the Ohio Companies to an assessment of a penalty by the PUCO. Applications for Rehearing were filed by the Ohio Companies, Ohio Energy Group and Nucor Steel Marion, Inc. on April 22, 2011, regarding portions of the PUCO's decision related to the Ohio Companies' three year portfolio plan, including the method for calculating savings and certain changes made by the PUCO to specific programs. The PUCO denied those applications for rehearing, and in that entry included a new standard for compliance with the statutory energy efficiency benchmarks by requiring electric distribution companies to offer “all available cost effective energy efficiency opportunities” regardless of their level of compliance with the benchmarks as set forth in the statute. The Ohio Companies, the Industrial Energy Users - Ohio, and the Ohio Energy Group filed applications for rehearing, arguing that the PUCO's new standard is unlawful. The Ohio Companies also asked the PUCO to withdraw its amendment of CEI's and TE's 2010 energy efficiency benchmarks. The PUCO did not rule on the Applications for Rehearing within thirty days, thus denying them by operation of law. On December 30, 2011, the Ohio Companies filed a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio, challenging the PUCO's new standard. On March 2, 2012, the PUCO moved to dismiss the Companies' appeal. The Companies filed their Memorandum in Opposition to the PUCO's Motion, along with their merit brief on March 9, 2012. The PUCO filed its brief on April 27, 2012. The Company now has twenty days to file its reply brief. Oral arguments have not yet been scheduled.

Additionally, under SB221, electric utilities and electric service companies are required to serve part of their load in 2011 from renewable energy resources equivalent to 1.00% of the average of the KWH they served in 2008-2010; in 2012 from renewable energy resources equivalent to 1.50% of the average of the KWH they served in 2009-2011; and in 2013 from renewable energy resources equivalent to 2.00% of the average of the KWH they served in 2010-2012. In August and October 2009, the Ohio Companies conducted RFPs to secure RECs. The RECs acquired through these two RFPs were used to help meet the renewable energy requirements established under SB221 for 2009, 2010 and 2011. In August 2011, the Ohio Companies conducted two RFP processes to obtain RECs to meet the statutory benchmarks for 2011 and beyond. On September 20, 2011 the PUCO opened a new docket to review the Ohio Companies' alternative energy recovery rider. The PUCO selected auditors to perform a financial and a management audit, and final audit reports are currently scheduled to be filed with the PUCO by May 15, 2012. In March 2012, the Ohio Companies conducted an RFP process to obtain SRECs to help meet the statutory benchmarks for 2012 and beyond. With the successful completion of this RFP, the Ohio Companies have achieved their in-state solar compliance requirements for 2012.

PENNSYLVANIA

The Pennsylvania Companies currently operate under DSPs that expire May 31, 2013, and provide for the competitive procurement of generation supply for customers that do not choose an alternative electric generation supplier or for customers of alternative electric generation suppliers that fail to provide the contracted service. The default service supply is currently provided by wholesale


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suppliers through a mix of long-term and short-term contracts procured through descending clock auctions, competitive requests for proposals and spot market purchases. On November 17, 2011, ME, PN, Penn and WP filed a Joint Petition for Approval of their DSP that will provide the method by which the Pennsylvania Companies will procure the supply for their default service obligations for the period June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2015. A final order must be entered by the PPUC by August 17, 2012.

The PPUC entered an Order on March 3, 2010 that denied the recovery of marginal transmission losses through the TSC rider for the period of June 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008, and directed ME and PN to submit a new tariff or tariff supplement reflecting the removal of marginal transmission losses from the TSC. Pursuant to a plan approved by the PPUC, ME and PN began to refund those amounts to customers in January 2011, and the refunds are continuing over a 29 month period until the full amounts previously recovered for marginal transmission losses are refunded. In April 2010, ME and PN filed a Petition for Review with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania appealing the PPUC's March 3, 2010 Order. On June 14, 2011, the Commonwealth Court issued an opinion and order affirming the PPUC's Order to the extent that it holds that line loss costs are not transmission costs and, therefore, the approximately $254 million in marginal transmission losses and associated carrying charges for the period prior to January 1, 2011, are not recoverable under ME and PN TSC riders. ME and PN filed a Petition for Allowance of Appeal with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and also a complaint seeking relief in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which was subsequently amended. The PPUC filed a Motion to Dismiss ME and PN Amended Complaint on September 15, 2011 to which ME and PN responded and which remains pending. On February 28, 2012, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania denied the Petition for Allowance of Appeal.

In each of May 2008, 2009 and 2010, the PPUC approved ME's and PN's annual updates to their TSC rider for the annual periods between June 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010, including marginal transmission losses as approved by the PPUC, although the recovery of marginal transmission losses will be subject to the outcome of the proceeding related to the 2008 TSC filing as described above. The PPUC's approval in May 2010 authorized an increase to the TSC for ME's customers to provide for full recovery by December 31, 2010. Although the ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time, ME and PN believe that they should ultimately prevail through the judicial process and therefore expect to fully recover the approximately $254 million in marginal transmission losses for the period prior to January 1, 2011.

Pennsylvania adopted Act 129 in 2008 to address issues such as: energy efficiency and peak load reduction; generation procurement; time-of-use rates; smart meters; and alternative energy. Among other things, Act 129 required utilities to file with the PPUC an energy efficiency and peak load reduction plan (EE&C Plan) by July 1, 2009, setting forth the utilities' plans to reduce energy consumption by a minimum of 1% and 3% by May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2013, respectively, and to reduce peak demand by a minimum of 4.5% by May 31, 2013. Act 129 provides for potentially significant financial penalties to be assessed upon utilities that fail to achieve the required reductions in consumption and peak demand. The Pennsylvania Companies submitted a final report on November 15, 2011, in which they reported on their compliance with statutory May 31, 2011, energy efficiency benchmarks. ME, PN and Penn achieved the 2011 benchmarks; however WP has been unable to provide final results because several customers are still accumulating necessary documentation for projects that may qualify for inclusion in the final results. Preliminary numbers indicate that WP did not achieve its 2011 benchmark and it is not known at this time whether WP will be subject to a fine for failure to achieve the benchmark. WP is unable to predict the outcome of this matter or estimate any possible loss or range of loss.

On August 9, 2011, WP filed a petition to approve its Second Amended EE&C Plan. The proposed Second Revised Plan includes measures and a new program and implementation strategies consistent with the successful EE&C programs of ME, PN and Penn that are designed to enable WP to achieve the post-2011 Act 129 EE&C requirements. On January 6, 2012, a Joint Petition for Settlement of all issues was filed by the parties to the proceeding, and the ALJ's Recommended Decision was issued on April 19, 2012, recommending that the Joint Settlement be adopted as filed.

In addition, Act 129 required utilities to file a SMIP with the PPUC. In light of the significant expenditures that would be associated with its smart meter deployment plans and related infrastructure upgrades, as well as its evaluation of recent PPUC decisions approving less-rapid deployment proposals by other utilities, WP re-evaluated its Act 129 compliance strategy, including both its plans with respect to its previously approved smart meter deployment plan and certain smart meter dependent aspects of the EE&C Plan. WP proposed to decelerate its previously contemplated smart meter deployment schedule and to target the installation of approximately 25,000 smart meters in support of its EE&C Plan, based on customer requests, by mid-2012. WP also proposed to take advantage of the 30-month grace period authorized by the PPUC to continue WP's efforts to re-evaluate full-scale smart meter deployment plans. WP would be permitted to recover certain previously incurred and anticipated smart-meter related expenditures through a levelized customer surcharge, with certain expenditures amortized over a ten-year period. A joint settlement with all parties based on these terms, with one party retaining the ability to challenge the recovery of amounts spent on WP's original smart meter implementation plan, was approved by the PPUC on June 30, 2011. Additionally, WP would be permitted to seek recovery of certain other costs as part of its revised SMIP that it currently intends to file in June 2012, or in a future base distribution rate case.

In the PPUC Order approving the FirstEnergy and Allegheny merger, the PPUC announced that a separate statewide investigation into Pennsylvania's retail electricity market will be conducted with the goal of making recommendations for improvements to ensure that a properly functioning and workable competitive retail electricity market exists in the state. On April 29, 2011, the PPUC entered an Order initiating the investigation and requesting comments from interested parties on eleven directed questions concerning retail markets in Pennsylvania to investigate both intermediate and long term plans that could be adopted to further foster the competitive markets, and to explore the future of default service in Pennsylvania following the expiration of the upcoming DSPs on May 31,


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2015. Following the issuance of a Tentative Order and comments filed by numerous parties, the PPUC entered a final order on December 16, 2011, providing recommendations for components to be included in upcoming DSPs, including: the duration of the programs and the length of associated energy contracts; a customer referral program; a retail opt-in auction; time-of-use rate options provided through contracts with electric generation suppliers; and periodic rate adjustments. Following the issuance of a Tentative Order and comments filed by various parties, the PPUC entered a final order on March 2, 2012 outlining an intermediate work plan. Several suggested models for long-range default service have been presented and were the topic of a March 2012 en banc hearing. It is expected that a tentative order will be issued for comment with a final long-range proposal.

The PPUC issued a Proposed Rulemaking Order on August 25, 2011, which proposed a number of substantial modifications to the current Code of Conduct regulations that were promulgated to provide competitive safeguards to the competitive retail electric market in Pennsylvania. The proposed changes include, but are not limited to: an EGS may not have the same or substantially similar name as the EDC or its corporate parent; EDCs and EGSs would not be permitted to share office space and would need to occupy different buildings; EDCs and affiliated EGSs could not share employees or services, except certain corporate support, emergency, or tariff services (the definition of "corporate support services" excludes items such as information systems, electronic data interchange, strategic management and planning, regulatory services, legal services, or commodities that have been included in regulated rates at less than market value); and an EGS must enter into a trademark agreement with the EDC before using its trademark or service mark. The Proposed Rulemaking Order was published on February 11, 2012, and comments were filed by ME, PN, Penn, WP and FES on March 27, 2012. If implemented these rules could require a significant change in the ways FES, ME, PN, Penn and WP do business in Pennsylvania, and could possibly have an adverse impact on their results of operations and financial condition.

WEST VIRGINIA

In April 2010, MP and PE filed with the WVPSC a Joint Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement reached with the other parties in a proceeding for an annual increase in retail rates that provided for:

$40 million annualized base rate increases effective June 29, 2010;
Deferral of February 2010 storm restoration expenses over a maximum five-year period;
Additional $20 million annualized base rate increase effective in January 2011;
Decrease of $20 million in ENEC rates effective January 2011, providing for deferral of related costs for later recovery in 2012; and
Moratorium on filing for further increases in base rates before December 1, 2011, except under specified circumstances.

The WVPSC approved the Joint Petition and Agreement of Settlement in June 2010.

In January 2011, MP and PE filed an application with the WVPSC seeking to certify three facilities as Qualified Energy Resource Facilities for purposes of compliance with their approved plan pursuant to AREPA. The application was approved and the three facilities are capable of generating renewable credits which will assist the companies in meeting their combined requirements under the AREPA. Further, in February 2011, MP and PE filed a petition with the WVPSC seeking an order declaring that MP is entitled to all alternative and renewable energy resource credits associated with the electric energy, or energy and capacity, that MP is required to purchase pursuant to electric energy purchase agreements between MP and three NUG facilities in West Virginia. The City of New Martinsville and Morgantown Energy Associates, each the owner of one of the contracted resources, have participated in the case in opposition to the petition. The WVPSC issued an order granting ownership of all RECs produced by the facilities to MP. The WVPSC order was appealed, and the order was stayed pending the outcome of the appeal. Oral arguments were heard at the West Virginia Supreme Court on April 10, 2012. Should MP be unsuccessful in the appeal, it will have to procure the requisite RECs to comply with AREPA from other sources. MP expects to recover such costs from customers.

The City of New Martinsville and Morgantown Energy Associates have also filed complaints at FERC. On April 24, 2012, the FERC ruled that the FERC-jurisdictional contracts are intended to pay only for electric energy and capacity (and not for RECs), and that state law controlled on the issues of determining which entity owns RECs and how they are transferred between entities. The FERC declined to act on the complaints and instead noted that the City of New Martinsville and Morgantown Energy Associates could file complaints in the U.S. District Court. MP is evaluating whether to seek rehearing of the FERC's order.

RELIABILITY MATTERS

Federally-enforceable mandatory reliability standards apply to the bulk electric system and impose certain operating, record-keeping and reporting requirements on the Utilities, FES, AE Supply, FGCO, FENOC, ATSI and TrAIL. The NERC is the ERO designated by FERC to establish and enforce these reliability standards, although NERC has delegated day-to-day implementation and enforcement of these reliability standards to eight regional entities, including RFC. All of FirstEnergy's facilities are located within the RFC region. FirstEnergy actively participates in the NERC and RFC stakeholder processes, and otherwise monitors and manages its companies in response to the ongoing development, implementation and enforcement of the reliability standards implemented and enforced by RFC.

FirstEnergy believes that it is in compliance with all currently-effective and enforceable reliability standards. Nevertheless, in the course of operating its extensive electric utility systems and facilities, FirstEnergy occasionally learns of isolated facts or


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circumstances that could be interpreted as excursions from the reliability standards. If and when such items are found, FirstEnergy develops information about the item and develops a remedial response to the specific circumstances, including in appropriate cases “self-reporting” an item to RFC. Moreover, it is clear that the NERC, RFC and FERC will continue to refine existing reliability standards as well as to develop and adopt new reliability standards. The financial impact of complying with future new or amended standards cannot be determined at this time; however, 2005 amendments to the FPA provide that all prudent costs incurred to comply with the future reliability standards be recovered in rates. Any future inability on FirstEnergy's part to comply with the reliability standards for its bulk power system could result in the imposition of financial penalties that could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

On December 9, 2008, a transformer at JCP&L's Oceanview substation failed, resulting in an outage on certain bulk electric system (transmission voltage) lines out of the Oceanview and Atlantic substations resulting in customers losing power for up to eleven hours. On March 31, 2009, NERC initiated a Compliance Violation Investigation in order to determine JCP&L's contribution to the electrical event and to review any potential violation of NERC Reliability Standards associated with the event. NERC has submitted first and second Requests for Information regarding this and another related matter. JCP&L is complying with these requests. On March 22, 2012, NERC concluded the investigation of the matter and forwarded it to NCEA for further review. NCEA is currently evaluating the findings of the investigation. JCP&L is not able to predict what actions, if any, NERC may take with respect to this matter.

In 2011, RFC performed routine compliance audits of parts of FirstEnergy's bulk-power system and generally found the audited systems and processes to be in full compliance with all audited reliability standards. RFC will perform additional audits in 2012.

FERC MATTERS

PJM Transmission Rate

PJM and its stakeholders have been debating the proper method to allocate costs for new transmission facilities - the matter is contentious because costs for facilities built in one transmission zone often are allocated to customers in other transmission zones. During recent years, the debate has focused on the question of the methodology for determining the transmission zones and customers who benefit from a given facility and, if so, whether the methodology can determine the pro rata share of each zone's benefit. While FirstEnergy and other parties argue for a traditional "beneficiary pays" approach, others advocate for “socializing” the costs on a load-ratio share basis - each customer in the zone would pay based on its total usage of energy within PJM. This debate is framed by regulatory and court decisions. In 2007, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit found that FERC had not supported a prior FERC decision to allocate costs for new 500 kV and higher voltage facilities on a load ratio share basis and, based on that finding, remanded the rate design issue to FERC. In an order dated January 21, 2010, FERC set this matter for a “paper hearing” and requested parties to submit written comments. FERC identified nine separate issues for comment and directed PJM to file the first round of comments. PJM filed certain studies with FERC on April 13, 2010, which demonstrated that allocation of the cost of high voltage transmission facilities on a beneficiary pays basis results in certain load serving entities in PJM bearing the majority of the costs. Subsequently, numerous parties filed responsive comments or studies on May 28, 2010 and reply comments on June 28, 2010. FirstEnergy and a number of other utilities, industrial customers and state utility commissions supported the use of the beneficiary pays approach for cost allocation for high voltage transmission facilities. Other utilities and state utility commissions supported continued socialization of these costs on a load ratio share basis. On March 30, 2012, FERC issued an order on remand reaffirming its prior decision that costs for new transmission facilities that are rated at 500 kV or higher are to be collected from all transmission zones throughout the PJM footprint by means of a postage-stamp rate based on the amount of load served in a transmission zone and concluding that such methodology is just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential. On April 30, 2012, FirstEnergy requested rehearing of FERC's March 30, 2012 order.

RTO Realignment

On June 1, 2011, ATSI and the ATSI zone transferred from MISO to PJM. The move was performed as planned with no known operational or reliability issues for ATSI or for the wholesale transmission customers in the ATSI zone. While most of the matters involved with the move have been resolved, the question of ATSI's responsibility for certain costs for the “Michigan Thumb” transmission project continues to be disputed; the details of which dispute are discussed below in the "MISO Multi-Value Project Rule Proposal." In addition, FERC denied certain exit fees of ATSI's transmission rate until such time as ATSI submits a cost/benefit analysis that demonstrates net benefits to customers from the move. ATSI has asked for rehearing of FERC's orders that address the Michigan Thumb transmission project, and the exit fee issue.

ATSI's filings and requests for rehearing on these matters, as well as the pleadings submitted by parties that oppose ATSI's position are currently pending before FERC. Finally, a negotiated agreement that requires ATSI to pay a one-time charge of $1.8 million for long term firm transmission rights that - according to the MISO - were payable upon ATSI's exit, is pending before FERC.

The final outcome of those proceedings that address the remaining open issues related to ATSI's move into PJM and their impact, if any, on FirstEnergy cannot be predicted at this time.



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MISO Multi-Value Project Rule Proposal

In July 2010, MISO and certain MISO transmission owners (not including ATSI or First Energy) jointly filed with FERC a proposed cost allocation methodology for certain new transmission projects. The new transmission projects - described as MVPs - are a class of transmission projects that are approved via the MISO's MTEP process. Under MISO's proposal, the costs of “Michigan Thumb” MVP projects that were approved by MISO's Board prior to the June 1, 2011 effective date of FirstEnergy's integration into PJM would continue to be allocated to and charged to ATSI. MISO estimated that approximately $15 million in annual revenue requirements associated with the Michigan Thumb Project would be allocated to the ATSI zone upon completion of project construction.

FirstEnergy has filed pleadings in opposition to the MISO's efforts to “socialize” the costs of the Michigan Thumb Project onto ATSI or onto ATSI's customers that assert legal, factual and policy arguments.

To date, FERC has responded in a series of orders that require ATSI to absorb the charges for the Michigan Thumb Project.

On October 31, 2011, FirstEnergy filed a Petition of Review of certain of the FERC's orders with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Other parties also filed appeals of those orders and, in November 2011, the cases were consolidated for briefing and disposition in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

On February 27, 2012, FERC issued its most recent order (February 2012 Order) regarding the Michigan Thumb Project, in which FERC accepted the MISO's proposed Schedule 39 tariff, subject to hearings and potential refund of MVP charges to ATSI. MISO's Schedule 39 tariff is the vehicle through which the MISO plans to charge the Michigan Thumb project costs to ATSI. In the February 2012 Order, FERC directed that settlement negotiations occur. On March 28, 2012, FirstEnergy filed for clarification and rehearing of the February 2012 Order, and such request is pending before the FERC.

FirstEnergy cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

PJM Underfunding FTR Complaint

On December 28, 2011, FES and AE Supply filed a complaint with FERC against PJM challenging the ongoing underfunding of FTR contracts, which exist to hedge against transmission congestion in the day-ahead markets. The underfunding is a result of PJM's practice of using the funds that are intended to pay the holders of FTR contracts to pay instead for congestion costs that occur in the real time markets. Underfunding of the FTR contracts resulted in losses of approximately $35 million to FES and AE Supply in the 2010-2011 Delivery Year. Losses for the 2011-2012 Delivery Year, through March 31, 2012, are estimated to be approximately $6 million.

On January 13, 2012, PJM filed comments describing changes to the PJM tariff that, if adopted, should remedy the underfunding issue. Many parties also filed comments supporting FES' and AE Supply's position. Other parties, generally representatives of end-use customers who will have to pay the charges, filed in opposition to the complaint. On March 2, 2012, FERC dismissed the complaint without prejudice, pending PJM's publication for stakeholder review and discussion, a report on the causes of the FTR underfunding and potential improvements, including modeling, which could be made to minimize the revenue inadequacy. On March 30, 2012, FES and AE Supply requested rehearing and reconsideration of the March 2, 2012 order, arguing that FERC erred in dismissing the complaint because the root cause of the FTR underfunding is irrelevant to the relief requested in the complaint. That request remains pending before FERC.

FTR Allocation Complaint

On March 26, 2012, FES and AE Supply filed a complaint with FERC against PJM challenging PJM's FTR allocation rules. PJM allocates FTRs to load-serving entities in an annual allocation process, up to each LSE's peak load, based on the expected transmission capability for the upcoming planning year. If a transmission facility is scheduled to be out of service for a significant part of the year, it can result in LSEs' FTR allocations being reduced in the annual allocation. When these transmission facilities return to service during the year PJM will create monthly FTRs to reflect the increased transmission capability during that month. However, instead of allocating these new monthly FTRs to the LSEs that were unable to obtain their full allocation of FTRs in the annual allocation process, PJM's rules instead require PJM to auction off these new monthly FTRs in the market. The complaint seeks a change to the PJM rules such that the new FTRs created each month by transmission lines returning to service would first be allocated to those LSEs that were denied a full allocation of their FTR entitlement in the annual allocation process before they are auctioned off in the market. On April 16, 2012, PJM filed its answer to the complaint. Also, on that date, Exelon Corporation filed a protest to, and several parties filed comments on, FES' and AE Supply's complaint, which remains pending before FERC. On April 30, 2012, FES and AE Supply filed a motion for leave to answer and answer to the various pleadings filed on April 16, 2012.

California Claims Matters

In October 2006, several California governmental and utility parties presented AE Supply with a settlement proposal to resolve alleged overcharges for power sales by AE Supply to the California Energy Resource Scheduling division of the CDWR during 2001. The settlement proposal claims that CDWR is owed approximately $190 million for these alleged overcharges. This proposal


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was made in the context of mediation efforts by FERC and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in pending proceedings to resolve all outstanding refund and other claims, including claims of alleged price manipulation in the California energy markets during 2000 and 2001. The Ninth Circuit has since remanded one of those proceedings to FERC, which arises out of claims previously filed with FERC by the California Attorney General on behalf of certain California parties against various sellers in the California wholesale power market, including AE Supply (the Lockyer case). In March 2010, the judge assigned to the case entered an opinion that granted the motions to dismiss filed by AE Supply and other sellers and dismissed the claims of the California Parties. On May 4, 2011, FERC affirmed the judge's ruling. On June 3, 2011, the California parties requested rehearing of the May 4, 2011 order. The request for rehearing remains pending.

In June 2009, the California Attorney General, on behalf of certain California parties, filed a second complaint with FERC against various sellers, including AE Supply (the Brown case), again seeking refunds for trades in the California energy markets during 2000 and 2001. The above-noted trades with CDWR are the basis for including AE Supply in this new complaint. AE Supply filed a motion to dismiss the Brown complaint that was granted by FERC on May 24, 2011. On June 23, 2011, the California Attorney General requested rehearing of the May 24, 2011 order. That request for rehearing also remains pending. FirstEnergy cannot predict the outcome of either of the above matters or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

PATH Transmission Project

The PATH Project is comprised of a 765 kV transmission line that was proposed to extend from West Virginia through Virginia and into Maryland, modifications to an existing substation in Putnam County, West Virginia, and the construction of new substations in Hardy County, West Virginia and Frederick County, Maryland.

PJM initially authorized construction of the PATH Project in June 2007. In December 2010, PJM advised that its 2011 Load Forecast Report included load projections that are different from previous forecasts and that may have an impact on the proposed in-service date for the PATH Project. As part of its 2011 RTEP, and in response to a January 19, 2011, directive by a Virginia Hearing Examiner, PJM conducted a series of analyses using the most current economic forecasts and demand response commitments, as well as potential new generation resources. Preliminary analysis revealed the expected reliability violations that necessitated the PATH Project had moved several years into the future. Based on those results, PJM announced on February 28, 2011, that its Board of Managers had decided to hold the PATH Project in abeyance in its 2011 RTEP and directed FirstEnergy and AEP, as the sponsoring transmission owners, to suspend current development efforts on the project, subject to those activities necessary to maintain the project in its current state, while PJM conducts more rigorous analysis of the need for the project as part of its continuing RTEP process. PJM stated that its action did not constitute a directive to FirstEnergy and AEP to cancel or abandon the PATH Project. PJM further stated that it will complete a more rigorous analysis of the PATH Project and other transmission requirements and its Board will review this comprehensive analysis as part of its consideration of the 2011 RTEP. On February 28, 2011, affiliates of FirstEnergy and AEP filed motions or notices to withdraw applications for authorization to construct the project that were pending before the WVPSC, the VSCC and MDPSC. Withdrawal was deemed effective upon filing the notice with the MDPSC. The WVPSC and VSCC have granted the motions to withdraw.

Yards Creek

The Yards Creek Pumped Storage Project is a 400 MW hydroelectric project located in Warren County, New Jersey. JCP&L owns an undivided 50% interest in the project, and operates the project. PSEG Fossil, LLC, a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group, owns the remaining interest in the plant. The project was constructed in the early 1960s, and became operational in 1965. FERC issued a license for authorization to operate the project. The existing license expires on February 28, 2013.


In February 2011, JCP&L and PSEG filed a joint application with FERC to renew the license for an additional forty years. The companies are pursuing relicensure through FERC's ILP. Under the ILP, FERC will assess the license applications, issue draft and final Environmental Assessments/Environmental Impact Studies (as required by NEPA), and provide opportunities for intervention and protests by affected third parties. FERC may hold hearings during the five-year ILP licensure process. FirstEnergy expects FERC to issue the new license before February 28, 2013. To the extent, however, that the license proceedings extend beyond the February 28, 2013 expiration date for the current license, the current license will be extended yearly as necessary to permit FERC to issue the new license.

Seneca

The Seneca Pumped Storage Project is a 451 MW hydroelectric project located in Warren County, Pennsylvania owned and operated by FGCO. FGCO holds the current FERC license that authorizes ownership and operation of the project. The current FERC license will expire on November 30, 2015. FERC's regulations call for a five-year relicensing process. On November 24, 2010, and acting pursuant to applicable FERC regulations and rules, FGCO initiated the relicensing process by filing its notice of intent to relicense and related documents in the license docket.

On November 30, 2010, the Seneca Nation filed its notice of intent to relicense and related documents necessary for the Seneca Nation to submit a competing application. Section 15 of the FPA contemplates that third parties may file a "competing application" to assume ownership and operation of a hydroelectric facility upon (i) relicensure and (ii) payment of net book value of the plant to


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the original owner/operator. Nonetheless, FGCO believes it is entitled to a statutory “incumbent preference” under Section 15.

The Seneca Nation and certain other intervenors have asked FERC to redefine the “project boundary” of the hydroelectric plant to include the dam and reservoir facilities operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. On May 16, 2011, FirstEnergy filed a Petition for Declaratory Order with FERC seeking an order to exclude the dam and reservoir facilities from the project. The Seneca Nation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the U.S. Department of Interior each submitted responses to FirstEnergy's petition, including motions to dismiss FirstEnergy's petition. The “project boundary” issue is pending before FERC.

On September 12, 2011, FirstEnergy and the Seneca Nation each filed “Revised Study Plan” documents. These documents describe the parties' respective proposals for the scope of the environmental studies that should be performed as part of the relicensing process. On October 11, 2011, FERC Staff issued a letter order that addressed the Revised Study Plans. In the order, FERC Staff approved FirstEnergy's Revised Study Plan, subject to a finding that the Project is located on “aboriginal lands” of the Seneca Nation. Based on this finding, FERC Staff directed FirstEnergy to consult with the Seneca Nation and other parties about the data set, methodology and modeling of the hydrological impacts of project operations. In March of 2012, FirstEnergy hosted a meeting as part of the consultation process. In that meeting, FirstEnergy reviewed its proposed methodology for conducting the hydrological impacts study and answered questions from third parties about the methodology. On April 11, 2012, the Seneca Nation and other parties filed comments on the proposed hydrologic impacts study. The study processes, including the discrete hydrological impacts study, will extend through approximately November 2013.
FirstEnergy cannot predict the outcome of this matter or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Various federal, state and local authorities regulate FirstEnergy with regard to air and water quality and other environmental matters. Compliance with environmental regulations could have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy's earnings and competitive position to the extent that FirstEnergy competes with companies that are not subject to such regulations and, therefore, do not bear the risk of costs associated with compliance, or failure to comply, with such regulations.

CAA Compliance

FirstEnergy is required to meet federally-approved SO2 and NOx emissions regulations under the CAA. FirstEnergy complies with SO2 and NOx reduction requirements under the CAA and SIP(s) by burning lower-sulfur fuel, combustion controls and post-combustion controls, generating more electricity from lower or non-emitting plants and/or using emission allowances.

In July 2008, three complaints representing multiple plaintiffs were filed against FGCO in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking damages based on air emissions from the coal-fired Bruce Mansfield Plant. Two of these complaints also seek to enjoin the Bruce Mansfield Plant from operating except in a “safe, responsible, prudent and proper manner.” One complaint was filed on behalf of twenty-one individuals and the other is a class action complaint seeking certification as a class with the eight named plaintiffs as the class representatives. FGCO believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself against the allegations made in these complaints.

In December 2007, the states of New Jersey and Connecticut filed CAA citizen suits in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania alleging NSR violations at the coal-fired Portland Generation Station against GenOn Energy, Inc. (formerly RRI Energy, Inc. and the current owner and operator), Sithe Energy (the purchaser of the Portland Station from ME in 1999) and ME. Specifically, these suits allege that “modifications” at Portland Units 1 and 2 occurred between 1980 and 2005 without preconstruction NSR permitting in violation of the CAA's PSD program, and seek injunctive relief, penalties, attorney fees and mitigation of the harm caused by excess emissions. The Court dismissed New Jersey's and Connecticut's claims for injunctive relief against ME, but denied ME's motion to dismiss the claims for civil penalties. The parties dispute the scope of ME's indemnity obligation to and from Sithe Energy. In February 2012, GenOn announced its plans to retire the Portland Station in January 2015 citing EPA emissions limits and compliance schedules to reduce SO2 air emissions by approximately 81% at the Portland Station by January 6, 2015. FirstEnergy is unable to predict the outcome of this matter or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

In January 2009, the EPA issued a NOV to GenOn Energy, Inc. alleging NSR violations at the coal-fired Portland Generation Station based on “modifications” dating back to 1986. The NOV also alleged NSR violations at the Keystone and Shawville coal-fired plants based on “modifications” dating back to 1984. ME, JCP&L and PN, as former owners of the facilities, are unable to predict the outcome of this matter or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

In January 2011, the U.S. DOJ filed a complaint against PN in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeking injunctive relief against PN based on alleged “modifications” at the coal-fired Homer City generating plant between 1991 to 1994 without preconstruction NSR permitting in violation of the CAA's PSD and Title V permitting programs. The complaint was also filed against the former co-owner, NYSEG, and various current owners of Homer City, including EME Homer City Generation L.P. and affiliated companies, including Edison International. In addition, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the states of New Jersey and New York intervened and have filed separate complaints regarding Homer City seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties. In October 2011, the Court dismissed all of the claims with prejudice of the U.S. and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the states of New Jersey and New York against all of the defendants, including PN. In December 2011, the U.S., the Commonwealth


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of Pennsylvania and the states of New Jersey and New York all filed notices appealing to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. PN believes the claims are without merit and intends to defend itself against the allegations made in these complaints, but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter or estimate the loss or possible range of loss. The parties dispute the scope of NYSEG's and PN's indemnity obligation to and from Edison International.

In August 2009, the EPA issued a Finding of Violation and NOV alleging violations of the CAA and Ohio regulations, including the PSD, NNSR and Title V regulations, at the Eastlake, Lakeshore, Bay Shore and Ashtabula coal-fired plants. The EPA's NOV alleges equipment replacements during maintenance outages dating back to 1990 triggered the pre-construction permitting requirements under the PSD and NNSR programs. In June 2011, EPA issued another Finding of Violation and NOV alleging violations of the CAA and Ohio regulations, specifically opacity limitations and requirements to continuously operate opacity monitoring systems at the Eastlake, Lakeshore, Bay Shore and Ashtabula coal-fired plants. FGCO intends to comply with the CAA but, at this time, is unable to predict the outcome of this matter or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

In August 2000, AE received an information request pursuant to section 114(a) of the CAA from the EPA requesting that it provide information and documentation relevant to the operation and maintenance of the following ten coal-fired plants, which collectively include 22 electric generation units: Albright, Armstrong, Fort Martin, Harrison, Hatfield's Ferry, Mitchell, Pleasants, Rivesville, R. Paul Smith and Willow Island to determine compliance with the NSR provisions under the CAA, which can require the installation of additional air emission control equipment when a major modification of an existing facility results in an increase in emissions. In September 2007, AE received a NOV from the EPA alleging NSR and PSD violations under the CAA, as well as Pennsylvania and West Virginia state laws at the coal-fired Hatfield's Ferry and Armstrong plants in Pennsylvania and the coal-fired Fort Martin and Willow Island plants in West Virginia. FirstEnergy intends to vigorously defend against these CAA matters, but cannot predict their outcomes or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

In June 2005, the PA DEP and the Attorneys General of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland filed suit against AE, AE Supply, MP, PE and WP in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania alleging, among other things, that Allegheny performed major modifications in violation of the PSD provisions of the CAA and the Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act at the coal-fired Hatfield's Ferry, Armstrong and Mitchell Plants in Pennsylvania. A non-jury trial on liability only was held in September 2010. The parties are awaiting a decision from the District Court, but there is no deadline for that decision. FirstEnergy is unable to predict the outcome or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

The EPA's CAIR requires reductions of NOx and SO2 emissions in two phases (2009/2010 and 2015), ultimately capping SO2 emissions in affected states to 2.5 million tons annually and NOx emissions to 1.3 million tons annually. In 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia decided that CAIR violated the CAA but allowed CAIR to remain in effect to “temporarily preserve its environmental values” until the EPA replaces CAIR with a new rule consistent with the Court's decision. In July 2011, the EPA finalized CSAPR, to replace CAIR, requiring reductions of NOx and SO2 emissions in two phases (2012 and 2014), ultimately capping SO2 emissions in affected states to 2.4 million tons annually and NOx emissions to 1.2 million tons annually. CSAPR allows trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances between power plants located in the same state and interstate trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances with some restrictions. On February 21, 2012, the EPA revised certain CASPR state budgets (for Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin and new unit set-asides in Arkansas and Texas), certain generating unit allocations (for some units in Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee) for NOx and SO2 emissions and delayed from 2012 to 2014 certain allowance penalties that could apply with respect to interstate trading of NOx and SO2 emission allowances. On December 30, 2011, CSAPR was stayed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit pending a decision on legal challenges argued before the Court on April 13, 2012. The Court ordered EPA to continue administration of CAIR until the Court resolves the CSAPR appeals. Depending on the outcome of these proceedings and how any final rules are ultimately implemented, FGCO's and AE Supply's future cost of compliance may be substantial and changes to FirstEnergy's operations may result.

Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions

On December 21, 2011, the EPA finalized the MATS imposing emission limits for mercury, PM, and HCL for all existing and new coal-fired electric generating units effective in April 2015 with averaging of emissions from multiple units located at a single plant. Under the CAA, state permitting authorities can grant an additional compliance year through April 2016, as needed, including instances when necessary to maintain reliability where electric generating units are being closed. In addition, an EPA enforcement policy document contemplates up to an additional year to achieve compliance, through April 2017, under certain circumstances for reliability critical units. On January 26, 2012 and February 8, 2012, FGCO, MP and AE Supply announced the retirement by September 1, 2012 (subject to a reliability review by PJM) of nine coal-fired power plants (Albright, Armstrong, Ashtabula, Bay Shore except for generating unit 1, Eastlake, Lake Shore, R. Paul Smith, Rivesville and Willow Island) with a total capacity of 3,349 MW (generating, on average, approximately ten percent of the electricity produced by the companies over the past three years) due to MATS and other environmental regulations. Depending on how the MATS are ultimately implemented, FirstEnergy's future cost of compliance with MATS may be substantial and other changes to FirstEnergy's operations may result.

On March 8, 2012, FGCO filed an application for a feasibility study with PJM to install and interconnect to the transmission system approximately 800 megawatts of new combustion turbine peaking generation at its existing Eastlake Plant in Eastlake, Ohio, to


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help ensure reliable electric service in the region. On April 25, 2012, PJM concluded its initial analysis of the reliability impacts from our previously announced plant retirements and requested Reliability Must-Run arrangements for Eastlake 1-3, Ashtabula 5 and Lake Shore 18. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy recognized pre-tax severance expense of approximately $7 million (including $4 million by FES) as a result of the closures.

On March 9, 2012, to assist the WVPSC with inquiries from public officials and the public, MP provided information to the WVPSC in the form of a closed entry filing in the ENEC case related to the plant deactivations. On April 2, 2012, the WVPSC issued an order requesting additional information from MP related to the Albright, Rivesville and Willow Island plant deactiviation announcements. On April 30, 2012, MP provided the WVPSC with additional information regarding the plant deactivations. We anticipate deactivating these units by September 1, 2012.

Climate Change

There are a number of initiatives to reduce GHG emissions under consideration at the federal, state and international level. At the federal level, members of Congress have introduced several bills seeking to reduce emissions of GHG in the United States, and the House of Representatives passed one such bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, in June 2009. Certain states, primarily the northeastern states participating in the RGGI and western states led by California, have coordinated efforts to develop regional strategies to control emissions of certain GHGs.

In September 2009, the EPA finalized a national GHG emissions collection and reporting rule that required FirstEnergy to measure and report GHG emissions commencing in 2010. In December 2009, the EPA released its final “Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases under the Clean Air Act.” The EPA's finding concludes that concentrations of several key GHGs increase the threat of climate change and may be regulated as “air pollutants” under the CAA. In April 2010, the EPA finalized new GHG standards for model years 2012 to 2016 passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles and clarified that GHG regulation under the CAA would not be triggered for electric generating plants and other stationary sources until January 2, 2011, at the earliest. In May 2010, the EPA finalized new thresholds for GHG emissions that define when NSR preconstruction permits would be required including an emissions applicability threshold of 75,000 tons per year of CO2 equivalents for existing facilities under the CAA's PSD program.

At the international level, the Kyoto Protocol, signed by the U.S. in 1998 but never submitted for ratification by the U.S. Senate, was intended to address global warming by reducing the amount of man-made GHG, including CO2, emitted by developed countries by 2012. A December 2009 U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen did not reach a consensus on a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol, but did take note of the Copenhagen Accord, a non-binding political agreement that recognized the scientific view that the increase in global temperature should be below two degrees Celsius; includes a commitment by developed countries to provide funds, approaching $30 billion over three years with a goal of increasing to $100 billion by 2020; and establishes the “Green Climate Fund” to support mitigation, adaptation, and other climate-related activities in developing countries. To the extent that they have become a party to the Copenhagen Accord, developed economies, such as the European Union, Japan, Russia and the United States, would commit to quantified economy-wide emissions targets from 2020, while developing countries, including Brazil, China and India, would agree to take mitigation actions, subject to their domestic measurement, reporting and verification. A December 2011 U.N. Climate Change Conference in Durban, Africa, established a negotiating process to develop a new post-2020 climate change protocol, called the “Durban Platform for Enhanced Action”. This negotiating process contemplates developed countries, as well as developing countries such as China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, to undertake legally binding commitments post-2020. In addition, certain countries agreed to extend the Kyoto Protocol for a second commitment period, commencing in 2013 and expiring in 2018 or 2020.

FirstEnergy cannot currently estimate the financial impact of climate change policies, although potential legislative or regulatory programs restricting CO2 emissions, or litigation alleging damages from GHG emissions, could require significant capital and other expenditures or result in changes to its operations. The CO2 emissions per KWH of electricity generated by FirstEnergy is lower than many of its regional competitors due to its diversified generation sources, which include low or non-CO2 emitting gas-fired and nuclear generators.

Clean Water Act

Various water quality regulations, the majority of which are the result of the federal CWA and its amendments, apply to FirstEnergy's plants. In addition, the states in which FirstEnergy operates have water quality standards applicable to FirstEnergy's operations.

In 2004, the EPA established new performance standards under Section 316(b) of the CWA for reducing impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures at certain existing electric generating plants. The regulations call for reductions in impingement mortality (when aquatic organisms are pinned against screens or other parts of a cooling water intake system) and entrainment (which occurs when aquatic life is drawn into a facility's cooling water system). In 2007, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit invalidated portions of the Section 316(b) performance standards and the EPA has taken the position that until further rulemaking occurs, permitting authorities should continue the existing practice of applying their best professional judgment to minimize impacts on fish and shellfish from cooling water intake structures. In April 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed one significant aspect of the Second Circuit's opinion and decided that Section 316(b) of the CWA authorizes the EPA to compare costs with benefits in determining the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impact at cooling water intake structures. On March


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28, 2011, the EPA released a new proposed regulation under Section 316(b) of the CWA to reduce fish impingement to a 12% annual average and determine site-specific controls, if any, to reduce entrainment of aquatic life following studies to be provided to permitting authorities. On July 19, 2011, the EPA extended the public comment period for the new proposed Section 316(b) regulation by 30 days but stated its schedule for issuing a final rule remains July 27, 2012. FirstEnergy is studying various control options and their costs and effectiveness, including pilot testing of reverse louvers in a portion of the Bay Shore power plant's water intake channel to divert fish away from the plant's water intake system. Depending on the results of such studies and the EPA's further rulemaking and any final action taken by the states exercising best professional judgment, the future costs of compliance with these standards may require material capital expenditures.

In April 2011, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Cleveland, Ohio advised FGCO that it is no longer considering prosecution under the CWA and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for three petroleum spills at the Edgewater, Lakeshore and Bay Shore plants which occurred on November 1, 2005, January 26, 2007 and February 27, 2007. On February 1, 2012, FirstEnergy executed a tolling agreement with the EPA extending the statute of limitations for civil liability claims for those petroleum spills to July 31, 2012. FGCO does not anticipate any losses resulting from this matter to be material.

In late 2008, the PA DEP imposed water quality criteria for certain effluents, including TDS and sulfate concentrations in the Monongahela River, on new and modified sources, including the scrubber project at the coal-fired Hatfield's Ferry Plant. These criteria are reflected in the NPDES water discharge permit issued by PA DEP for that project. In January 2009, AE Supply appealed the PA DEP's permitting decision to the EHB, due to estimated costs in excess of $150 million in order to install technology to meet TDS and sulfate limits in the NPDES permit. Environmental Integrity Project and Citizens Coal Council also appealed the NPDES permit seeking to impose more stringent technology-based effluent limitations. In April 2012, a joint motion was filed by the parties informing the EHB of a proposed settlement and seeking the lifting of a portion of the EHB's stay of certain terms of the Hatfield's Ferry Plant's NPDES permit. The joint motion was granted by the EHB on April 27, 2012. The parties intend to memorialize the settlement in a Consent Decree to be lodged with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. The Consent Decree, if entered by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, will resolve the disputes concerning the Hatfield's Ferry Plant NPDES permit, including TDS and sulphate limits.

The PA DEP recommended, and in August 2010, the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board issued, a final rule imposing end-of-pipe TDS effluent limitations. FirstEnergy could incur significant costs for additional control equipment to meet the requirements of this rule, although its provisions do not apply to electric generating units until the end of 2018, and then would apply only if the EPA has not promulgated TDS effluent limitation guidelines applicable to such units.

In December 2010, PA DEP submitted its CWA 303(d) list to the EPA with a recommended sulfate impairment designation for an approximately 68 mile stretch of the Monongahela River north of the West Virginia border. In May 2011, the EPA agreed with PA DEP's recommended sulfate impairment designation. PA DEP's goal is to submit a final water quality standards regulation, incorporating the sulfate impairment designation for EPA approval by May 2013. PA DEP will then need to develop a TMDL limit for the river, a process that will take approximately five years. Based on the stringency of the TMDL, FirstEnergy may incur significant costs to reduce sulfate discharges into the Monongahela River from the coal-fired Hatfield's Ferry and Mitchell Plants in Pennsylvania and the coal-fired Fort Martin Plant in West Virginia.

In October 2009, the WVDEP issued an NPDES water discharge permit for the Fort Martin Plant, which imposes TDS, sulfate concentrations and other effluent limitations for heavy metals, as well as temperature limitations. Concurrent with the issuance of the Fort Martin NPDES permit, WVDEP also issued an administrative order that sets deadlines for MP to meet certain of the effluent limits that are effective immediately under the terms of the NPDES permit. MP has appealed, and a stay of certain conditions of the NPDES permit and order have been granted pending a final decision on the appeal and subject to WVDEP moving to dissolve the stay. The Fort Martin NPDES permit could require an initial capital investment in excess of the capital investment that may be needed at Hatfield's Ferry in order to install technology to meet the TDS and sulfate limits, which technology may also meet certain of the other effluent limits. Additional technology may be needed to meet certain other limits in the Fort Martin NPDES permit. MP intends to vigorously pursue these issues but cannot predict the outcome of these appeals or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

In May 2011, the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, and the Sierra Club filed a CWA citizen suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia alleging violations of arsenic limits in the NPDES water discharge permit for the fly ash impoundments at the Albright Station seeking unspecified civil penalties and injunctive relief. The MP filed an answer on July 11, 2011, and a motion to stay the proceedings on July 13, 2011. On January 3, 2012, the Court denied MP's motion to dismiss or stay the CWA citizen suit but without prejudice to re-filing in the future. In April 2012, the parties reached a settlement requiring MP to resolve these CWA citizen suit claims for an immaterial amount. If approved by the Court, a Consent Decree will be entered by the Court to resolve these claims. MP is currently seeking relief from the arsenic limits through WVDEP agency review.

In June 2011, the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, and the Sierra Club served a 60-day Notice of Intent required prior to filing a citizen suit under the CWA for alleged failure to obtain a permit to construct the fly ash impoundments at the Albright Plant.



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FirstEnergy intends to vigorously defend against the CWA matters described above but, except as indicated above, cannot predict their outcomes or estimate the possible loss or range of loss.

Regulation of Waste Disposal

Federal and state hazardous waste regulations have been promulgated as a result of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, and the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Certain fossil-fuel combustion residuals, such as coal ash, were exempted from hazardous waste disposal requirements pending the EPA's evaluation of the need for future regulation.

In December 2009, in an advance notice of public rulemaking, the EPA asserted that the large volumes of coal combustion residuals produced by electric utilities pose significant financial risk to the industry. In May 2010, the EPA proposed two options for additional regulation of coal combustion residuals, including the option of regulation as a special waste under the EPA's hazardous waste management program which could have a significant impact on the management, beneficial use and disposal of coal combustion residuals. The LBR CCB impoundment is expected to run out of disposal capacity for disposal of CCBs from the BMP between 2016 and 2018. BMP is pursuing several CCB disposal options.

FirstEnergy's future cost of compliance with any coal combustion residuals regulations that may be promulgated could be substantial and would depend, in part, on the regulatory action taken by the EPA and implementation by the EPA or the states. Compliance with those regulations could have an adverse impact on FirstEnergy's results of operations and financial condition.

Certain of our utilities have been named as potentially responsible parties at waste disposal sites, which may require cleanup under the CERCLA. Allegations of disposal of hazardous substances at historical sites and the liability involved are often unsubstantiated and subject to dispute; however, federal law provides that all potentially responsible parties for a particular site may be liable on a joint and several basis. Environmental liabilities that are considered probable have been recognized on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2012, based on estimates of the total costs of cleanup, FE's and its subsidiaries' proportionate responsibility for such costs and the financial ability of other unaffiliated entities to pay. Total liabilities of approximately $106 million (including $70 million applicable to JCP&L) have been accrued through March 31, 2012. Included in the total are accrued liabilities of approximately $63 million for environmental remediation of former manufactured gas plants and gas holder facilities in New Jersey, which are being recovered by JCP&L through a non-bypassable SBC. FirstEnergy or its subsidiaries could be found potentially responsible for additional amounts or additional sites, but the possible losses or range of losses cannot be determined or reasonably estimated at this time.
OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Nuclear Plant Matters

Under NRC regulations, FirstEnergy must ensure that adequate funds will be available to decommission its nuclear facilities. As of March 31, 2012, FirstEnergy had approximately $2 billion invested in external trusts to be used for the decommissioning and environmental remediation of Davis-Besse, Beaver Valley, Perry and TMI-2. As required by the NRC, FirstEnergy annually recalculates and adjusts the amount of its parental guarantee, as appropriate. The values of FirstEnergy's NDT fluctuate based on market conditions. If the value of the trusts decline by a material amount, FirstEnergy's obligation to fund the trusts may increase. Disruptions in the capital markets and their effects on particular businesses and the economy could also affect the values of the NDT. FirstEnergy Corp. currently maintains a $95 million parental guaranty in support of the decommissioning of nuclear facilities.

In August 2010, FENOC submitted an application to the NRC for renewal of the Davis-Besse operating license for an additional twenty years, until 2037. By an order dated April 26, 2011, a NRC ASLB granted a hearing on the Davis-Besse license renewal application to a group of petitioners. The NRC subsequently narrowed the scope of admitted contentions in this proceeding to a challenge to the computer code used to model source terms in FENOC's Severe Accident Mitigation Alternatives analysis. On January 10, 2012, intervenors petitioned the ASLB for a new contention on the cracking of the Davis-Besse shield building discussed below. The ASLB scheduled a May 18, 2012, oral argument on the petitioner's request for a new contention, but has yet to rule on the admission of this contention.

On October 1, 2011, Davis-Besse was safely shut down for a scheduled outage to install a new reactor vessel head and complete other maintenance activities. The new reactor head, which replaced a head installed in 2002, enhances safety and reliability, and features control rod nozzles made of material less susceptible to cracking. On October 10, 2011, following opening of the building for installation of the new reactor head, a sub-surface hairline crack was identified in one of the exterior architectural elements on the shield building. These elements serve as architectural features and do not have structural significance. During investigation of the crack at the shield building opening, concrete samples and electronic testing found similar sub-surface hairline cracks in most of the building's architectural elements. FENOC's investigation also identified other indications. Included among them were sub-surface hairline cracks in the upper portion of the shield building (above elevation 780') and in the vicinity of the main steam line penetrations. A team of industry-recognized structural concrete experts and Davis-Besse engineers has determined these conditions do not affect the facility's structural integrity or safety.

On December 2, 2011, the NRC issued a CAL which concluded that FENOC provided "reasonable assurance that the shield building remains capable of performing its safety functions." The CAL imposed a number of commitments from FENOC including, submitting


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a root cause evaluation and corrective actions to the NRC by February 28, 2012, and further evaluations of the shield building. On February 27, 2012, FENOC sent the root cause evaluation to the NRC. Finally, the CAL also stated that the NRC was still evaluating whether the current condition of the shield building conforms to the plant's licensing basis. On December 6, 2011, the Davis-Besse plant returned to service.

By letter dated August 25, 2011, the NRC made a final significance determination (white) associated with a violation that occurred during the retraction of a source range monitor from the Perry reactor vessel. The NRC also placed Perry in the degraded cornerstone column (Column 3) of the NRC's Action Matrix governing the oversight of commercial nuclear reactors. As a result, the NRC staff will conduct several supplemental inspections, culminating in an inspection using Inspection Procedure 95002 to determine if the root cause and contributing causes of risk significant performance issues are understood, the extent of condition has been identified, whether safety culture contributed to the performance issues, and if FENOC's corrective actions are sufficient to address the causes and prevent recurrence.

On March 12, 2012, the NRC Staff issued orders requiring safety enhancements at U.S. reactors based on recommendations from the lessons learned Task Force review of the accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. These orders require additional mitigation strategies for beyond-design-basis external events, and enhanced equipment for monitoring water levels in spent fuel pools. The NRC also requested that licensees including FENOC: re-analyze earthquake and flooding risks using the latest information available; conduct earthquake and flooding hazard walkdowns at their nuclear plants; assess the ability of current communications systems and equipment to perform under a prolonged loss of onsite and offsite electrical power; and assess plant staffing levels needed to fill emergency positions. These and other NRC requirements adopted as a result of the accident at Fukushima Daiichi are likely to result in additional material costs from plant modifications and upgrades at FENOC's nuclear facilities.

On February 16, 2012, the NRC issued a request for information to the licensed operators of 11 nuclear power plants, including Beaver Valley Power Station Units 1 and 2, with respect to the modeling of fuel performance as it relates to "thermal conductivity degradation," which is the potential in higher burn up fuel for reduced capacity to transfer heat that could potentially change its performance during various accident scenarios, including loss of coolant accidents. The request for information indicated that this phenomenon has not been accounted for adequately in performance models for the fuel developed by the fuel manufacturer and that the NRC might consider imposing restrictions on reactor operating limits. On March 16, 2012, FENOC submitted its response to the NRC demonstrating that the NRC requirements are being met. FENOC also agreed to submit to the NRC revised large break loss of coolant accident analyses by December 15, 2016, that further consider the effects of fuel pellet thermal conductivity degradation.

ICG Litigation

On December 28, 2006, AE Supply and MP filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania against ICG, Anker WV, and Anker Coal. Anker WV entered into a long term Coal Sales Agreement with AE Supply and MP for the supply of coal to the Harrison generating facility. Prior to the time of trial, ICG was dismissed as a defendant by the Court, which issue can be the subject of a future appeal. As a result of defendants' past and continued failure to supply the contracted coal, AE Supply and MP have incurred and will continue to incur significant additional costs for purchasing replacement coal. A non-jury trial was held from January 10, 2011 through February 1, 2011. At trial, AE Supply and MP presented evidence that they have incurred in excess of $80 million in damages for replacement coal purchased through the end of 2010 and will incur additional damages in excess of $150 million for future shortfalls. Defendants primarily claim that their performance is excused under a force majeure clause in the coal sales agreement and presented evidence at trial that they will continue to not provide the contracted yearly tonnage amounts. On May 2, 2011, the court entered a verdict in favor of AE Supply and MP for $104 million ($90 million in future damages and $14 million for replacement coal / interest). On August 25, 2011, the Allegheny County Court denied all Motions for Post-Trial relief and the May 2, 2011 verdict became final. On August 26, 2011, ICG posted bond and filed a Notice of Appeal. Briefing on the Appeal is concluded with oral argument scheduled for May 16, 2012. AE Supply and MP intend to vigorously pursue this matter through appeal.

Other Legal Matters

In February 2010, a class action lawsuit was filed in Geauga County Court of Common Pleas against FirstEnergy, CEI and OE seeking declaratory judgment and injunctive relief, as well as compensatory, incidental and consequential damages, on behalf of a class of customers related to the reduction of a discount that had previously been in place for residential customers with electric heating, electric water heating, or load management systems. The reduction in the discount had been approved by the PUCO. In March 2010, the named-defendant companies filed a motion to dismiss the case due to the lack of jurisdiction. The court granted the motion to dismiss and the plaintiffs appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals of Ohio. The Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of the Complaint by the Court of Common Pleas on all counts except for one relating to an allegation of fraud which it remanded to the trial court. The Companies timely filed a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio on December 5, 2011, challenging this one aspect of the Court of Appeals opinion. The Supreme Court of Ohio agreed to hear the appeal.

There are various lawsuits, claims (including claims for asbestos exposure) and proceedings related to FirstEnergy's normal business operations pending against FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries. The other potentially material items not otherwise discussed above are described under Note 8, Regulatory Matters to the Combined Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.



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FirstEnergy accrues legal liabilities only when it concludes that it is probable that it has an obligation for such costs and can reasonably estimate the amount of such costs. In cases where FirstEnergy determines that it is not probable, but reasonably possible that it has a material obligation, it discloses such obligations and the possible loss or range of loss and if such estimate can be made. If it were ultimately determined that FirstEnergy or its subsidiaries have legal liability or are otherwise made subject to liability based on any of the matters referenced above, it could have a material adverse effect on FirstEnergy's or its subsidiaries' financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.



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FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FES is a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy. FES provides energy-related products and services to wholesale and retail customers, and through its principal subsidiaries, FGCO and NGC, owns or leases, operates and maintains FirstEnergy’s fossil and hydroelectric generation facilities (excluding the Allegheny facilities), and owns, through its subsidiary, NGC, FirstEnergy’s nuclear generation facilities. FENOC, a wholly owned subsidiary of FirstEnergy, operates and maintains the nuclear generating facilities. FES purchases the entire output of the generation facilities owned by FGCO and NGC, as well as the output relating to leasehold interests of OE and TE in certain of those facilities that are subject to sale and leaseback arrangements with non-affiliates, and pursuant to full output, cost-of-service PSAs.
FES’ revenues are derived from sales to individual retail customers, sales to communities in the form of governmental aggregation programs, and participation in affiliated and non-affiliated POLR auctions. FES’ sales are primarily concentrated in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and Maryland.
The demand for electricity produced and sold by FES, along with the price of that electricity, is principally impacted by conditions in competitive power markets, global economic activity, economic activity and weather conditions in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
For additional information with respect to FES, please see the information contained in FirstEnergy’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the following subheadings, which information is incorporated by reference herein: Overview, Capital Resources and Liquidity, Guarantees and Other Assurances, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Market Risk Information, Credit Risk and Outlook.
Results of Operations
Net income increased by $77 million in the first three months of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011. The increase was primarily due to higher revenues and other income partially offset by higher operating expenses.
Revenues
Total revenues increased $125 million, or 9%, in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, primarily due to growth in combined direct and governmental aggregation sales and wholesale sales partially offset by a net decline in POLR and structured sales.
The increase in total revenues resulted from the following sources:
 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
 
Increase
Revenues by Type of Service
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Direct and Governmental Aggregation
 
$
1,007

 
$
840

 
$
167

POLR and Structured Sales
 
231

 
374

 
(143
)
Wholesale
 
215

 
91

 
124

Transmission
 
31

 
26

 
5

RECs
 
5

 
32

 
(27
)
Other
 
27

 
28

 
(1
)
Total Revenues
 
$
1,516

 
$
1,391

 
$
125


 
 
Three Months
Ended March 31
 
Increase
MWH Sales by Type of Service
 
2012
 
2011
 
(Decrease)
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
Direct
 
12,391

 
9,671

 
28.1
 %
Governmental Aggregation
 
5,186

 
4,310

 
20.3
 %
POLR and Structured Sales
 
4,030

 
5,843

 
(31.0
)%
Wholesale
 
21

 
985

 
(97.9
)%
Total Sales
 
21,628

 
20,809

 
3.9
 %


89




The increase in combined direct and governmental aggregation revenues of $167 million resulted from the acquisition of new commercial and industrial customers as well as new governmental aggregation contracts with communities in Ohio and Illinois that provided generation to approximately 1.9 million residential and small commercial customers as of March 2012 compared to approximately 1.5 million as of March 2011. These increases were partially offset by lower sales to residential and small commercial customers primarily as a result of weather that was 25% warmer this year in the markets served compared to 2011.
The decrease in combined POLR and structured revenues of $143 million was due primarily to lower sales volumes to the Ohio Companies, ME and PN. Revenues were also adversely impacted by lower unit prices which were partially offset by increased structured sales. The decline in POLR sales reflects our continued focus on other sales channels.
Wholesale revenues increased by $124 million due to a $110 million gain on financially settled contracts and a $43 million increase in capacity revenues. These increases were partially offset by decreased short-term (net hourly positions) transactions in MISO.

The following tables summarize the price and volume factors contributing to changes in revenues:
Source of Change in Direct and Governmental Aggregation
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Direct Sales:
 
 
Effect of increase in sales volumes
 
$
159

Change in prices
 
(43
)
 
 
116

 
 
 
Governmental Aggregation:
 
 
Effect of increase in sales volumes
 
55

Change in prices
 
(4
)
 
 
51

 
 
$
167

Source of Change in POLR and Structured Revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
POLR and Structured:
 
 
Effect of decrease in sales volumes
 
$
(116
)
Change in prices
 
(27
)
 
 
$
(143
)
 
 
 
Source of Change in Wholesale Revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Wholesale:
 
 
Effect of decrease in sales volumes
 
$
(28
)
Change in prices
 
(1
)
Gain on settled contracts
 
110

Capacity revenue
 
43

 
 
$
124


Transmission revenues increased by $5 million due primarily to higher PJM congestion and ancillary revenue. The revenues derived from the sale of RECs decreased $27 million in the first quarter of 2012.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased by $8 million in the first three months of 2012, compared with the same period of 2011.


90



The following table summarizes the factors contributing to the changes in fuel and purchased power costs in the first three months of 2012 compared with the same period last year:
 
Increase
Source of Change in Fuel and Purchased Power
(Decrease)
 
(In millions)
Fossil Fuel:
 
Change due to increased unit costs
$
9

Change due to volume consumed
(64
)
 
(55
)
 
 
Nuclear Fuel:
 
Change due to increased unit costs
2

Change due to volume consumed
5

 
7

 
 
Non-affiliated Purchased Power:
 
Change due to decreased unit costs
(73
)
Change due to volume purchased
103

Loss on settled contracts
106

Capacity expense
54

 
190

 
 
Affiliated Purchased Power:
 
Change due to decreased unit costs
(25
)
Change due to volume purchased
18

Loss on settled contracts
55

 
48

Net Increase in Fuel and Purchased Power Costs
$
190


Total fuel costs decreased by $48 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, as a result of reduced generation by the fossil units, partially offset by higher unit prices. Nuclear fuel expenses increased primarily due to higher generation.
Non-affiliated purchased power costs increased by $190 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, due to higher volumes purchased, loss on settled contracts and capacity expense, partially offset by lower unit prices. The increase in volumes primarily relates to the overall increase in sales volumes and economic purchases. Affiliated purchased power costs increased by $48 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, due to higher volumes purchased and loss on settled contracts, partially offset by lower unit prices.
Other operating expenses decreased by $170 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011 due to the following:

Transmission expenses decreased $62 million due primarily to decreases of $68 million from lower congestion, network and line loss costs in MISO. These decreases were partially offset by increases in PJM of $6 million from higher network costs, partially offset by lower congestion and line loss expenses.
Nuclear operating costs decreased by $28 million due primarily to lower labor, contractor and materials and equipment costs as there were no refueling outages this year while the previous year included the Beaver Valley Unit 2 refueling outage.
Fossil operating costs decreased by $7 million due primarily to lower contractor and materials and equipment costs resulting from a decrease in planned and unplanned outages, partially offset by higher labor costs.
Other operating expenses decreased by $73 million as the expenses in the previous year included a $54 million provision for excess and obsolete material relating to revised inventory practices adopted in connection with the Allegheny merger and favorable net mark-to-market adjustments of $28 million on commodity contract positions, partially offset by higher agent commission costs of $9 million from increased retail sales.


91



Impairment charges on long-lived assets decreased by $14 million due to last year's charge related to non-core peaking facilities that were subsequently sold in 2011.
General taxes increased by $8 million due to an increase in revenue-related taxes.
Depreciation expense decreased by $6 million primarily due to credits resulting from a settlement with the DOE regarding the storage of spent nuclear fuel.
Other Expense
Total other expense decreased by $10 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, primarily due to lower interest expense of $10 million resulting from debt reductions in 2011 and credits related to the settlement with the DOE noted above.



92



OHIO EDISON COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OE is a wholly owned electric utility subsidiary of FE. OE engages in the distribution and sale of electric energy to communities in a 7,000 square mile area of central and northeastern Ohio and, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Penn, 1,100 square miles in western Pennsylvania. OE and Penn conduct business in portions of Ohio and Pennsylvania, by providing regulated electric distribution services for their customers as well as generation procurement services for customers who have not selected an alternative supplier. The areas served by OE and Penn have populations of approximately 2.3 million and 0.4 million, respectively.
For additional information with respect to OE, please see the information contained in FE’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the following subheadings, which information is incorporated by reference herein: Overview, Results of Operations - Regulatory Assets, Capital Resources and Liquidity, Market Risk Information, Credit Risk and Outlook.
Results of Operations
Net income decreased by $1 million for the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011. The decrease was primarily due to lower revenues and higher other operating expenses, partially offset by lower purchased power costs.
Revenues
Revenues decreased by $6 million, or 2%, in the first three months of 2012, compared with the same period of 2011, due to a decrease in distribution and wholesale generation revenues, partially offset by higher retail generation revenues.
Distribution revenues decreased by $10 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, due to lower MWH deliveries to the residential and commercial customer classes, partially offset by higher MWH deliveries to the industrial customer class. Lower MWH deliveries to the residential and commercial classes were driven primarily by lower weather-related usage. The increase in distribution deliveries to industrial customers was principally due to improving economic conditions in OE’s and Penn’s service territories.
Changes in distribution MWH deliveries and revenues in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, are summarized in the following tables:
Distribution MWH Deliveries
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 
Residential
 
(7.2
)%
Commercial
 
(1.7
)%
Industrial
 
3.2
 %
Net Decrease in Distribution Deliveries
 
(2.4
)%
Distribution Revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Residential
 
$
(14
)
Commercial
 
1

Industrial
 
3

Net Decrease in Distribution Revenues
 
$
(10
)

Retail generation revenues increased by $4 million primarily due to higher average prices in the residential customer class, offset by a decrease in MWH sales from increased customer shopping and warmer weather. Higher average prices for residential customers were primarily due to the implementation of Ohio's non-market based (NMB) transmission rider in June 2011, which recovers network integration transmission service charges described below. Lower MWH sales were primarily due to lower weather-related usage resulting from heating degree days that were 26% below 2011 levels and an increase in customer shopping levels to 71% compared to 67% in the same quarter of last year. Retail generation revenues are attributable to non-shopping customers and are satisfied by generation procured through full-requirements auctions. OE and Penn defer the difference between retail generation revenues and purchased power costs, resulting in no material effect to current period earnings.


93



Changes in retail generation MWH sales and revenues in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, are summarized in the following tables:

Retail Generation MWH Sales
 
Decrease
 
 
 
Residential
 
(14.3
)%
Commercial
 
(22.6
)%
Industrial
 
(15.6
)%
Decrease in Retail Generation Sales
 
(15.9
)%
Retail Generation Revenues
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Residential
 
$
19

Commercial
 
(10
)
Industrial
 
(5
)
Net Increase in Retail Generation Revenues
 
$
4


Wholesale generation revenues decreased by $2 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, due to lower revenues from sales to NGC from OE’s leasehold interests in Perry Unit 1 and Beaver Valley Unit 2.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses decreased by $6 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011. The following table presents changes from the prior period by expense category:
Operating Expenses - Changes
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Purchased power costs
 
$
(31
)
Other operating expenses
 
25

Provision for depreciation
 
1

Amortization of regulatory assets, net
 
(1
)
Net Decrease in Operating Expenses
 
$
(6
)

Purchased power costs decreased in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, due to lower MWH purchases resulting from reduced generation sales requirements from warmer than normal weather and increased customer shopping. The increase in other operating expenses for the first three months of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011, was principally due to expenses associated with network integration transmission service charges that, prior to June 2011, were incurred by generation suppliers and are being recovered through the NMB transmission rider discussed above.



94



JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY

MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
JCP&L is a wholly owned, electric utility subsidiary of FE. JCP&L conducts business in New Jersey, by providing regulated electric transmission and distribution services in 3,200 square miles of northern, western and east central New Jersey. The area it serves has a population of approximately 2.7 million. JCP&L also has an ownership interest in a hydroelectric generating facility. JCP&L procures electric supply to serve its BGS customers through a statewide auction process approved by the NJBPU.
For additional information with respect to JCP&L, please see the information contained in FE’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the following subheadings, which information is incorporated by reference herein: Overview, Results of Operations - Regulatory Assets, Capital Resources and Liquidity, Market Risk Information, Credit Risk and Outlook.
Results of Operations
Net income increased by $3 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, resulting from decreased purchased power costs and amortization of regulatory assets, net, partially offset by lower revenues.
Revenues
Revenues decreased by $159 million, or 25%, in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011. The decrease in revenues was due to lower distribution, retail generation and wholesale generation revenues.
Distribution revenues decreased by $51 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, primarily due to lower MWH deliveries and an NJBPU-approved rate reduction that became effective March 1, 2012, for all customer classes. Lower MWH deliveries were principally from residential customers, reflecting decreased weather-related usage in the first three months of 2012.
Decreases in distribution MWH deliveries and revenues in the first three months of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011 are summarized in the following tables:
Distribution MWH Deliveries
 
Decrease
 
 
 
Residential
 
(8.8
)%
Commercial
 
(0.3
)%
Industrial
 
(1.1
)%
Decrease in Distribution Deliveries
 
(4.3
)%
Distribution Revenues
 
Decrease
 
 
(In millions)
Residential
 
$
(27
)
Commercial
 
(18
)
Industrial
 
(6
)
Decrease in Distribution Revenues
 
$
(51
)

Retail generation revenues decreased by $63 million due to lower retail generation MWH sales in all customer classes primarily due to lower weather-related usage resulting from heating degree days that were 23% below 2011 levels and an increase in customer shopping levels to 48% compared to 41% in the same quarter of last year. Retail generation obligations are attributable to non-shopping customers and are satisfied by generation procured through full-requirements auctions. JCP&L defers the difference between retail generation revenues and purchased power costs, resulting in no material effect on earnings.


95



Decreases in retail generation MWH sales and revenues in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, are summarized in the following tables:
Retail Generation MWH Sales
 
Decrease
 
 
 
Residential
 
(16.2
)%
Commercial
 
(14.6
)%
Industrial
 
(26.6
)%
Decrease in Retail Generation Sales
 
(16.1
)%
Retail Generation Revenues
 
Decrease
 
 
(In millions)
Residential
 
$
(45
)
Commercial
 
(14
)
Industrial
 
(4
)
Decrease in Retail Generation Revenues
 
$
(63
)

Wholesale generation revenues decreased by $43 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011, primarily due to a decrease in PJM spot market energy sales, reflecting less volume available for sale as a result of the expiration of a NUG contract in August, 2011.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses decreased by $166 million in the first three months of 2012, compared to the same period of 2011. The following table presents changes from the prior period by expense category:
Operating Expenses - Changes
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
(In millions)
Purchased power costs
 
$
(106
)
Other operating expenses
 
1

Provision for depreciation
 
4

Amortization of regulatory assets, net
 
(62
)
General taxes
 
(3
)
Net Decrease in Operating Expenses
 
$
(166
)

Purchased power costs decreased by $106 million in the first three months of 2012 due to the expiration of a NUG contract and a decrease in volumes required, resulting from warmer than normal weather and increased customer shopping. Amortization of regulatory assets, net, decreased by $62 million primarily due to the completion of the NJBPU-approved NUG deferred cost recovery.



96



ITEM 3.        QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Market Risk Information” in Item 2 above.

ITEM 4.        CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The management of each registrant, with the participation of each registrant’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of each registrant have concluded that each respective registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
(b) CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, there have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, FirstEnergy’s, FES’, OE’s and JCP&L’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.        LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Information required for Part II, Item 1 is incorporated by reference to the discussions in Notes 8 and 9 of the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS
For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, there have been no material changes to the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

ITEM 2.        UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
(c) FirstEnergy
The table below includes information on a monthly basis regarding purchases made by FirstEnergy of its common stock during the first quarter of 2012.
 
Period
 
January
 
February
 
March
 
First Quarter
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased(1)
163,030

 
165,753

 
1,325,407

 
1,654,190

Average Price Paid per Share
$
42.26

 
$
43.60

 
$
44.59

 
$
44.26

Total Number of Shares Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs

 

 

 

Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs

 

 

 

(1) 
Share amounts reflect purchases on the open market to satisfy FirstEnergy’s obligations to deliver common stock for some or all of the following: 2007 Incentive Plan, DCPD, EDCP, Savings Plan, Director Compensation, Allegheny Energy, Inc. 1998 LTIP, Allegheny Energy, Inc. 2008 LTIP, Allegheny Energy, Inc., Non-Employee Director Stock Plan, Allegheny Energy, Inc., Amended and Restated Revised Plan for Deferral of Compensation of Directors, and Stock Investment Plan.

ITEM 3.        DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4.        MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable

ITEM 5.        OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable


97



ITEM 6.        EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number
 
 
 
 
 
FirstEnergy
 
(A)(B)
10.1
 
Employment Agreement between FirstEnergy Corp. and Anthony J. Alexander, dated March 20, 2012.
 
3.1
 
Amendment to the Amended Code of Regulations (Incorporated by reference to Appendix 1 to FirstEnergy's Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 1, 2011).
(A)
12
 
Fixed charge ratio
(A)
31.1
 
Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
(A)
31.2
 
Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
(A)
32
 
Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
101
*
The following materials from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of FirstEnergy Corp. for the period ended March 31, 2012, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Income and Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) related notes to these financial statements tagged as blocks of text and (v) document and entity information.
 
 
 
 
FES
 
(A)
4.1
(g)
Seventh Supplemental Indenture of FGCO, dated as of February 14, 2012.
(A)
4.2
(d)
Fourth Supplemental Indenture of NGC, dated as of February 14, 2012.
(A)(C)
10.1
 
First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2012, between the Ohio Water Development Authority, as issuer, and FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation Corp.
(A)(D)
10.2
 
First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2012, between the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, as issuer, and FirstEnergy Generation Corp.
(A)
31.1
 
Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
(A)
31.2
 
Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
(A)
32
 
Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
101
*
The following materials from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. for the period ended March 31, 2012, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) related notes to these financial statements tagged as blocks of text and (v) document and entity information.
 
 
 
 
OE
 
(A)
31.1
 
Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
(A)
31.2
 
Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
(A)
32
 
Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
101
*
The following materials from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ohio Edison Company. for the period ended March 31, 2012, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) related notes to these financial statements tagged as blocks of text and (v) document and entity information.
 
 
 
 
JCP&L
 
(A)
31.1
 
Certification of chief executive officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
(A)
31.2
 
Certification of chief financial officer, as adopted pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)
(A)
32
 
Certification of chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
101
*
The following materials from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Jersey Central Power & Light Company. for the period ended March 31, 2012, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) related notes to these financial statements tagged as blocks of text and (v) document and entity information.
 
 
 
 
(A)
 
 
Provided herein in electronic format as an exhibit.
(B)
 
 
Management contract or compensatory plan contract or arrangement filed pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
(C)
 
 
This is an amendment to a Form of Waste Water Facilities and Solid Waste Facilities Loan Agreement between Ohio Water Development Authority and FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation Corp., dated as of December 1, 2005.
(D)
 
 
This is an amendment to a Form of Waste Water Facilities and Solid Waste Facilities Loan Agreement between Ohio Air Quality Development Authority and FirstEnergy Generation Corp. dated as of December 1, 2006.
*
Users of this data are advised in accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T promulgated by the SEC that this Interactive Data Files of FES, OE and JCP&L are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
Pursuant to paragraph (b)(4)(iii)(A) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, neither FirstEnergy, FES, OE nor JCP&L have filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-Q any instrument with respect to long-term debt if the respective total amount of securities authorized thereunder does not exceed 10% of its respective total assets, but each hereby agrees to furnish to the SEC on request any such documents.


98



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
May 1, 2012
 
FIRSTENERGY CORP.
 
Registrant
 
 
 
FIRSTENERGY SOLUTIONS CORP.
 
Registrant
 
 
 
OHIO EDISON COMPANY
 
Registrant
 
 
 
/s/ Harvey L. Wagner
 
Harvey L. Wagner 
 
Vice President, Controller
and Chief Accounting Officer 
 
 
 
JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
 
Registrant
 
 
 
/s/ Marlene A. Barwood
 
Marlene A. Barwood
 
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer) 



99