grepcent / static financial knowledge base

PG&E Corp (PCG)

CIK: 0001004980. SIC: 4931 Electric & Other Services Combined. Latest 10-K as of: 2026-02-12.

SIC breadcrumb: Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services > Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services > SIC 4931 Electric & Other Services Combined

SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1004980. Latest filing source: 0001004980-26-000009.

Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.

Selected Fundamentals

MetricValueUnitFYFiled
Revenue24,935,000,000USD20252026-02-12
Net income2,703,000,000USD20252026-02-12
Assets141,611,000,000USD20252026-02-12

Financials

Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-12. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001004980.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.

Flow metrics use full-year FY periods from 10-K/10-K/A filings; balance-sheet metrics use FY-end instants. Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures. Missing metrics are omitted rather than fabricated.

Metric2013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Revenue17,666,000,00017,135,000,00016,759,000,00017,129,000,00018,469,000,00020,642,000,00021,680,000,00024,428,000,00024,419,000,00024,935,000,000
Net income1,407,000,0001,660,000,000-6,837,000,000-7,642,000,000-1,304,000,000-88,000,0001,814,000,0002,256,000,0002,512,000,0002,703,000,000
Operating income2,080,000,0002,905,000,000-9,700,000,000-10,094,000,0001,755,000,0001,883,000,0001,837,000,0002,671,000,0004,459,000,0004,749,000,000
Diluted EPS2.783.21-13.25-14.50-1.05-0.050.841.051.151.18
Operating cash flow4,409,000,0005,977,000,0004,752,000,0004,816,000,000-19,130,000,0002,262,000,0003,721,000,0004,747,000,0008,035,000,0008,716,000,000
Capital expenditures5,709,000,0005,641,000,0006,514,000,0006,313,000,0007,690,000,0007,689,000,0009,584,000,0009,714,000,00010,369,000,00011,787,000,000
Dividends paid782,000,000828,000,000856,000,000921,000,0001,021,000,0000.000.000.000.0086,000,000
Assets68,598,000,00068,012,000,00076,995,000,00085,196,000,00097,856,000,000103,327,000,000118,644,000,000125,698,000,000133,660,000,000141,611,000,000
Stockholders' equity17,940,000,00019,220,000,00012,651,000,0005,136,000,00021,001,000,00020,971,000,00022,823,000,00025,040,000,00030,149,000,00032,540,000,000
Cash and cash equivalents177,000,000449,000,0001,668,000,0001,570,000,000484,000,000291,000,000734,000,000635,000,000940,000,000713,000,000
Free cash flow-1,300,000,000336,000,000-1,762,000,000-1,497,000,000-26,820,000,000-5,427,000,000-5,863,000,000-4,967,000,000-2,334,000,000-3,071,000,000

Ratios

ROE and ROA use period-end equity/assets. Liabilities / equity uses total liabilities divided by stockholders' equity. Current ratio uses current assets divided by current liabilities when both are reported.

Metric2013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Net margin7.96%9.69%-40.80%-44.61%-7.06%-0.43%8.37%9.24%10.29%10.84%
Operating margin11.77%16.95%-57.88%-58.93%9.50%9.12%8.47%10.93%18.26%19.05%
Return on equity7.84%8.64%-54.04%-148.79%-6.21%-0.42%7.95%9.01%8.33%8.31%
Return on assets2.05%2.44%-8.88%-8.97%-1.33%-0.09%1.53%1.79%1.88%1.91%
Current ratio0.810.880.221.330.710.640.810.831.050.97

Financial Charts

Quarterly

Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-04-23. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001004980.json.

Flow metrics use discrete quarter-length periods from 10-Q/10-Q/A filings. Q4 revenue and net income are derived only when annual FY and nine-month YTD facts exist for the same fiscal year; derived Q4 values are labeled. EPS Q4 is not derived.

QuarterEnd DateRevenueNet IncomeDiluted EPSMethod
2022-Q22022-06-300.17reported discrete quarter
2022-Q32022-09-300.21reported discrete quarter
2023-Q12023-03-310.27reported discrete quarter
2023-Q22023-03-31572,000,000reported discrete quarter
2023-Q22023-06-305,290,000,0000.19reported discrete quarter
2023-Q32023-06-30410,000,000reported discrete quarter
2023-Q32023-09-305,888,000,0000.16reported discrete quarter
2023-Q42023-12-317,041,000,000923,000,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2024-Q12024-03-315,861,000,000735,000,0000.34reported discrete quarter
2024-Q22024-03-31735,000,000reported discrete quarter
2024-Q22024-06-305,986,000,0000.24reported discrete quarter
2024-Q32024-06-30524,000,000reported discrete quarter
2024-Q32024-09-305,941,000,0000.27reported discrete quarter
2024-Q42024-12-316,631,000,000674,000,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2025-Q12025-03-315,983,000,000634,000,0000.28reported discrete quarter
2025-Q22025-03-31634,000,000reported discrete quarter
2025-Q22025-06-305,898,000,0000.24reported discrete quarter
2025-Q32025-06-30549,000,000reported discrete quarter
2025-Q32025-09-306,250,000,0000.37reported discrete quarter
2025-Q42025-12-316,804,000,000670,000,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2026-Q12026-03-316,881,000,000885,000,0000.39reported discrete quarter

Quarterly Charts

Macro Cross-References

Latest quarter (10-Q)

Latest 10-Q source: 0001004980-26-000033.

Extracted structurally from real Item 2 body heading to real Item 3/4 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2026-04-23. Report date: 2026-03-31.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

This is a combined Form 10-Q of PG&E Corporation and the Utility and includes separate Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for each of these two entities. This combined MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1. It should also be read in conjunction with the 2025 Form 10-K.

Generally, PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s revenues vary based on the outcomes of ratemaking proceedings and the amount of pass-through costs incurred. See “Ratemaking Mechanisms” in Part I, Item 1: “Business” in the 2025 Form 10-K regarding how the Utility’s revenues are determined. Factors that cause costs to vary include the cost of purchased power and fuel; the costs of procurement, storage, and transportation of natural gas; weather; criminal, civil and regulatory charges for wildfires; the outcomes of ratemaking proceedings; and increases in interest expense as a result of additional debt issuances or changes in interest rates.

The discussions related to the results of operations and liquidity for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 are incorporated by reference to Part I, Item 2: “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s combined Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2025, which was filed with the SEC in April 2025.

Key Factors Affecting Financial Results

PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that their financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows may be materially affected by the following factors:

•The Uncertainties in Connection with Wildfires, Wildfire Mitigation, and Associated Cost Recovery. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows may be materially affected by the costs and effectiveness of the Utility’s wildfire mitigation initiatives; the extent of damages from wildfires that do occur; the financial impacts of wildfires; and PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s ability to mitigate those financial impacts with insurance, self-insurance, the Wildfire Fund, the Continuation Account, and regulatory recovery.

In response to the wildfire threat facing California, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have taken aggressive steps designed to mitigate the threat of catastrophic wildfires. The Utility’s wildfire mitigation initiatives include Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (“EPSS”), PSPS, vegetation management, asset inspections, system hardening, situational awareness tools, and ignition response. These initiatives reduce but do not eliminate the Utility’s wildfire risk.

Despite these extensive measures, the Utility’s equipment may still be involved in the ignition of future wildfires, including catastrophic wildfires. This risk is exacerbated by a variety of factors, including climate change and severe weather events (in particular, extended periods of seasonal dryness coupled with periods of high wind velocities and other storms), as well as infrastructure and vegetation conditions. Once an ignition has occurred, the Utility may be unable to control the extent of damages, which is determined primarily by environmental and vegetation conditions, third-party suppression efforts, and the location of the wildfire.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have and will continue to incur substantial expenditures in connection with these initiatives. For more information on incurred expenditures, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The extent to which the Utility will be able to recover these expenditures and other potential costs through rates is uncertain. The Utility could also face fines, penalties, enforcement action, or other adverse legal or regulatory consequences for noncompliance related to wildfire mitigation efforts.

The financial impact of past wildfires is significant. As of March 31, 2026, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have incurred significant liabilities for past wildfires (aggregate liability estimates of $1.325 billion for the 2019 Kincade fire, $2.15 billion for the 2021 Dixie fire, and $400 million for the 2022 Mosquito fire). These estimates do not include all categories of potential damages and losses.

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PG&E Corporation and the Utility may be able to mitigate the financial impact of future wildfires in excess of insurance coverage or self-insurance through the Wildfire Fund, the Continuation Account, or cost recovery through rates. Each of these mitigations involves uncertainties, and liabilities could exceed available recoveries. Recorded liabilities in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire and the 2021 Dixie fire have exceeded potential amounts recoverable under applicable insurance policies. See “Loss Recoveries” in Note 10 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1.

If the eligible claims for liabilities arising from wildfires were to exceed $1.0 billion in any Wildfire Fund or Continuation Account coverage year (“Coverage Year”), the Wildfire Fund or the Continuation Account, as applicable, may be available to reimburse the Utility such excess amount. The Utility’s ability to recover wildfire costs depends on the Wildfire Fund or the Continuation Account having sufficient remaining funds, and the Wildfire Fund or the Continuation Account may also be depleted more quickly than expected as a result of claims made by California’s other participating electric utility companies. Whether the Utility will be required to reimburse the Wildfire Fund or the Continuation Account depends on its ability to demonstrate to the CPUC that paid wildfire-related costs were just and reasonable.

Recoveries for the 2019 Kincade fire are also subject to a 40% limitation on the allowed amount of claims arising before emergence from bankruptcy. The Utility has recorded an aggregate Wildfire Fund receivable of $1.150 billion for the 2021 Dixie fire, of which it had received $892 million as of March 31, 2026.

With respect to the Wildfire Fund, PG&E Corporation and the Utility expect to re-evaluate the reasonableness of the currently estimated 20-year life and recognize accelerated amortization of the Wildfire Fund asset based on reliable, publicly available information. SCE has disclosed that a liability for the wildfire that began on January 7, 2025, in Eaton Canyon in Los Angeles County, California (the “Eaton fire”) is probable, but a range of losses that may be incurred is not reasonably estimable. SCE has also disclosed losses of $1.1 billion and a Wildfire Fund receivable of $134 million based on their recent settlement activity. As of March 31, 2026, PG&E Corporation and the Utility continue to use an estimated 20-year life and recognized accelerated amortization of $27 million (see Note 2 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1).

With respect to the Continuation Account, additional uncertainties include whether the Wildfire Fund administrator determines that the Continuation Account is necessary, whether the CPUC authorizes extending the non-bypassable charge, whether the administrator determines that additional contributions are needed and, if so, the timing of those contingent contributions.

The Utility will be permitted to recover its wildfire-related claims in excess of available insurance and legal fees through rates unless the CPUC or the FERC, as applicable, determines that the Utility has not met the applicable prudency standard. The revised prudency standard under AB 1054 has not been interpreted or applied by the CPUC, and it is possible that the CPUC could interpret the standard or apply it to the relevant facts differently from how the Utility has interpreted and applied the standard, in which case the Utility may not be able to recover some or all of the expenses that it has recorded as receivables. As of March 31, 2026, the Utility has recorded receivables for regulatory recovery of $636 million for the 2021 Dixie fire and $61 million for the 2022 Mosquito fire. See “2021 Dixie Fire” and “2022 Mosquito Fire” in Note 10 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 for more information.

•The Timing and Outcome of Ratemaking Proceedings, Other Proceedings, and Legislation. Regulatory ratemaking proceedings are a key aspect of the Utility’s business. The Utility’s revenue requirements consist primarily of a base amount set to enable the Utility to recover its reasonable operating expenses (e.g., maintenance, administrative and general expenses) and capital costs (e.g., depreciation and financing expenses). Although the Utility generally seeks to recover its recorded costs on a timely basis, greater memorandum and balancing account balances increase the Utility’s financing costs. Other proceedings that could impact the Utility’s business profile and financial results include actions by municipalities and other public entities to acquire the electric assets of the Utility within their respective jurisdictions. The outcome of regulatory proceedings can be affected by many factors, including intervening parties’ testimonies, potential rate impacts, the regulatory and political environments, and other factors. See Notes 3 and 11 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1, and “Regulatory Matters” below.

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There has been increased California state legislative activity and political dialogue in recent years regarding wildfires, energy affordability, and related topics. The substance and timing of any legislation or other executive or regulatory measures relating to these matters, if such measures are implemented or if there is a failure to act on wildfire matters, could have a material impact on PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s business, cash flows, results of operations, and financial condition.  If there is insufficient legislative action on wildfire matters, PG&E Corporation and the Utility could face persistent financial limitations and elevated risk, including challenges obtaining financing on acceptable terms or increased financing needs, which in turn may negatively impact their financial results and customer affordability. Without sufficient legislation, PG&E Corporation and the Utility may consider changes to their financial plan, including capital allocation priorities.

•PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Ability to Control Operating and Financing Costs. Under cost-of-service ratemaking, a utility’s earnings depend on its ability to manage costs within the amounts authorized for recovery in its ratemaking proceedings. The Utility has set a long-term goal to increase its capital investments to meet safety and climate goals, while also achieving operating cost savings. The Utility intends to achieve such savings by improving the planning and execution of its business through increased efficiencies, including waste elimination through the Lean operating system. PG&E Corporation and the Utility also work to reduce financing costs by identifying and executing on opportunities to efficiently finance the business, which depend on capital market conditions. Increased volatility in capital markets and continued elevated interest rates may impact PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms or raise the cost of financing, which in turn may negatively impact their financial results.

For more information about the risks that could materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows, or that could cause future results to differ materially from historical results, see Item 1A: “Risk Factor

[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]

Latest 10-K MD&A

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Published MD&A gate trimmed front/tail over-capture. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2026-02-12. Report date: 2025-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

This is a combined report of PG&E Corporation and the Utility and includes separate Consolidated Financial Statements for each of these two entities. This combined MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.

Generally, PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s revenues vary based on the outcomes of ratemaking proceedings and the amount of pass-through costs incurred. See “Ratemaking Mechanisms” in Item 1. Description of the Business regarding how the Utility’s revenues are determined. Factors that cause costs to vary include the cost of purchased power and fuel; the costs of procurement storage, transportation of natural gas; weather; criminal, civil and regulatory charges for wildfires; the outcomes of ratemaking proceedings; and increases in interest expense as a result of additional debt issuances.

The discussion related to the results of operations and liquidity for 2024 compared to 2023 is incorporated by reference to Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC in February 2025.

Key Factors Affecting Financial Results

PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that their financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows may be materially affected by the following factors:

•The Uncertainties in Connection with Wildfires, Wildfire Mitigation, and Associated Cost Recovery. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows may be materially affected by the costs and effectiveness of the Utility’s wildfire mitigation initiatives; the extent of damages from wildfires that do occur; the financial impacts of wildfires; and PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s ability to mitigate those financial impacts with insurance, self-insurance, the Wildfire Fund, the Continuation Account, and regulatory recovery.

In response to the wildfire threat facing California, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have taken aggressive steps designed to mitigate the threat of catastrophic wildfires. The Utility’s wildfire mitigation initiatives include EPSS, PSPS, vegetation management, asset inspections, system hardening, situational awareness tools, and ignition response. These initiatives reduce but do not eliminate the Utility’s wildfire risk.

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Despite these extensive measures, the Utility’s equipment may still be involved in the ignition of future wildfires, including catastrophic wildfires. This risk is exacerbated by a variety of factors, including climate change and severe weather events (in particular, extended periods of seasonal dryness coupled with periods of high wind velocities and other storms), as well as infrastructure and vegetation conditions. Once an ignition has occurred, the Utility may be unable to control the extent of damages, which is determined primarily by environmental and vegetation conditions, third-party suppression efforts, and the location of the wildfire.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have and will continue to incur substantial expenditures in connection with these initiatives. For more information on incurred expenditures, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The extent to which the Utility will be able to recover these expenditures and other potential costs through rates is uncertain. The Utility could also face fines, penalties, enforcement action, or other adverse legal or regulatory consequences for noncompliance related to wildfire mitigation efforts.

The financial impact of past wildfires is significant. As of December 31, 2025, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have incurred significant liabilities for past wildfires (aggregate liability estimates of $1.325 billion for the 2019 Kincade fire, $2.15 billion for the 2021 Dixie fire, and $350 million for the 2022 Mosquito fire). These estimates do not include all categories of potential damages and losses.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility may be able to mitigate the financial impact of future wildfires in excess of insurance coverage or self-insurance through the Wildfire Fund, the Continuation Account, or cost recovery through rates. Each of these mitigations involves uncertainties, and liabilities could exceed available recoveries. Recorded liabilities in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire and the 2021 Dixie fire have exceeded potential amounts recoverable under applicable insurance policies. See “Loss Recoveries” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8.

If the eligible claims for liabilities arising from wildfires were to exceed $1.0 billion in any Wildfire Fund or Continuation Account coverage year (“Coverage Year”), the Wildfire Fund or the Continuation Account, as applicable, may be available to reimburse the Utility such excess amount. The Utility’s ability to recover wildfire costs depends on the Wildfire Fund or the Continuation Account having sufficient remaining funds, and the Wildfire Fund or the Continuation Account may also be depleted more quickly than expected as a result of claims made by California’s other participating electric utility companies. Whether the Utility will be required to reimburse the Wildfire Fund or the Continuation Account depends on its ability to demonstrate to the CPUC that paid wildfire-related costs were just and reasonable.

With respect to the Wildfire Fund, SCE has disclosed that a liability for the wildfire that began on January 7, 2025, in Eaton Canyon in Los Angeles County, California (the “Eaton fire”) is probable but not reasonably estimable. PG&E Corporation and the Utility expect to reduce their 20-year estimated life of the Wildfire Fund and assess the Wildfire Fund asset for accelerated amortization based on reliable, publicly available information, including when and if SCE accrues a liability or a Wildfire Fund receivable, respectively (see Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8).

Recoveries for the 2019 Kincade fire are also subject to a 40% limitation on the allowed amount of claims arising before emergence from bankruptcy. The Utility has recorded an aggregate Wildfire Fund receivable of $1.150 billion for the 2021 Dixie fire, of which it had received $851 million as of December 31, 2025.

With respect to the Continuation Account, additional uncertainties include whether the Wildfire Fund administrator determines that the Continuation Account is necessary, whether the CPUC authorizes extending the non-bypassable charge, whether the administrator determines that additional contributions are needed and, if so, the timing of those contingent contributions.

The Utility will be permitted to recover its wildfire-related claims in excess of available insurance and legal fees through rates unless the CPUC or the FERC, as applicable, determines that the Utility has not met the applicable prudency standard. The revised prudency standard under AB 1054 has not been interpreted or applied by the CPUC, and it is possible that the CPUC could interpret the standard or apply it to the relevant facts differently from how the Utility has interpreted and applied the standard, in which case the Utility may not be able to recover some or all of the expenses that it has recorded as receivables. As of December 31, 2025, the Utility has recorded receivables for regulatory recovery of $632 million for the 2021 Dixie fire and $61 million for the 2022 Mosquito fire. See “2021 Dixie Fire” and “2022 Mosquito Fire” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 for more information.

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•The Timing and Outcome of Ratemaking Proceedings, Other Proceedings, and Legislation. Regulatory ratemaking proceedings are a key aspect of the Utility’s business. The Utility’s revenue requirements consist primarily of a base amount set to enable the Utility to recover its reasonable operating expenses (e.g., maintenance, administrative and general expenses) and capital costs (e.g., depreciation and financing expenses). Although the Utility generally seeks to recover its recorded costs on a timely basis, greater memorandum and balancing account balances increase the Utility’s financing costs. Other proceedings that could impact the Utility’s business profile and financial results include actions by municipalities and other public entities to acquire the electric assets of the Utility within their respective jurisdictions. The outcome of regulatory proceedings can be affected by many factors, including intervening parties’ testimonies, potential rate impacts, the regulatory and political environments, and other factors. See Notes 3 and 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, and “Regulatory Matters” below.

•There has been increased California state legislative activity and political dialogue in recent years regarding wildfires, energy affordability, and related topics. The substance and timing of any legislation or other executive or regulatory measures relating to these matters, if such measures are implemented, could have a material impact on PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s business, cash flows, results of operations, and financial condition.

•PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Ability to Control Operating and Financing Costs. Under cost-of-service ratemaking, a utility’s earnings depend on its ability to manage costs within the amounts authorized for recovery in its ratemaking proceedings. The Utility has set a long-term goal to increase its capital investments to meet safety and climate goals, while also achieving operating cost savings. The Utility intends to achieve such savings by improving the planning and execution of its business through increased efficiencies, including waste elimination through the Lean operating system. PG&E Corporation and the Utility also work to reduce financing costs by identifying and executing on opportunities to efficiently finance the business, which depend on capital market conditions. Increased volatility in capital markets and continued elevated interest rates may impact PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms or raise the cost of financing, which in turn may negatively impact their financial results.

For more information about the risks that could materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows, or that could cause future results to differ materially from historical results, see Item 1A: “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” above.

Tax Matters

PG&E Corporation had a U.S. federal net operating loss carryforward of approximately $38.3 billion and a California net operating loss carryforward of approximately $34.1 billion as of December 31, 2025.

Under Section 382 of the IRC, if a corporation (or a consolidated group) undergoes an “ownership change,” net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes may be subject to certain limitations (which could limit PG&E Corporation’s or the Utility’s ability to use these deferred tax assets to offset taxable income). In general, an ownership change occurs if the aggregate value of stock ownership of certain shareholders (generally five percent shareholders, applying certain look-through and aggregation rules) increases by more than 50% over such shareholders’ lowest percentage ownership during the testing period (generally three years). PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, each filed on June 22, 2020, and PG&E Corporation’s Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation, filed on May 24, 2022 (the “Amended Articles”), contain restrictions on the direct or indirect acquisition or accumulation of PG&E Corporation’s stock. These restrictions prevent any person or entity (including certain groups of persons) from acquiring or accumulating 4.75% or more of the combined value of PG&E Corporation’s stock, including common stock and mandatory convertible preferred stock prior to the Restriction Release Date (as defined in the Amended Articles) without approval by the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation.

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Shares of PG&E Corporation common stock held directly by the Utility are attributed to PG&E Corporation for income tax purposes and are therefore effectively excluded from the total number of outstanding equity securities when calculating a person’s Percentage Stock Ownership (as defined in the Amended Articles) for purposes of the 4.75% ownership limitation in the Amended Articles. Accordingly, although PG&E Corporation had 2,675,711,544 common shares outstanding as of February 4, 2026, only 2,197,967,954 common shares (the number of outstanding shares of common stock less the number of shares held directly by the Utility) count as outstanding for purposes of the ownership restrictions in the Amended Articles with the result that the ownership limitation based on the unadjusted outstanding stock of PG&E Corporation is lower than 4.75% and can vary based on the relative value of the common stock and mandatory convertible preferred stock on any particular date. For example, based on the closing prices of PG&E Corporation’s common stock and preferred stock as of February 4, 2026, a person’s effective Percentage Stock Ownership limitation for purposes of the Amended Articles as of February 4, 2026 was 3.92% of the combined value of PG&E Corporation’s outstanding common and preferred stock. The computation of the Percentage Stock Ownership is complex, and persons considering purchasing PG&E Corporation’s stock should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the ownership restrictions to their particular situation.

As of the date of this report, it is more likely than not that PG&E Corporation has not undergone an ownership change, and consequently, its net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes are not limited by Section 382 of the IRC.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion presents PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s operating results for 2025 and 2024.  See “Key Factors Affecting Financial Results” above for further discussion about factors that could affect future results of operations.

PG&E Corporation

The consolidated results of operations consist primarily of results related to the Utility, which are discussed in the “Utility” section below.  The following table provides a summary of income (loss) attributable to common shareholders:

(in millions)20252024Net ChangePercentage Change
Consolidated Total$2,593$2,475$1185%
PG&E Corporation(472)(223)(249)112%
Utility3,0652,69836714%

PG&E Corporation’s net loss primarily consists of interest expense on long-term debt.

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Utility

The table below shows the Utility’s Consolidated Statements of Income for 2025 and 2024.  In general, expenses the Utility is authorized to pass through directly to customers (such as costs to purchase electricity and natural gas, as well as costs to fund public purpose programs) and the corresponding amount of revenues collected to recover those pass-through costs do not impact Net income. The line items with significant net changes are described below.

Year Ended December 31,Net Change (1)Percentage Change
(in millions)20252024
Electric operating revenues$18,318$17,811$5073%
Natural gas operating revenues6,6176,6089%
Total operating revenues24,93524,4195162%
Cost of electricity2,6092,26134815%
Cost of natural gas1,1071,192(85)(7)%
Operating and maintenance11,33711,787(450)(4)%
SB 901 securitization charges, net353326%
Wildfire-related claims, net of recoveries1009466%
Wildfire Fund expense352383(31)(8)%
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning4,6344,18944511%
Total operating expenses20,17419,9392351%
Operating income4,7614,4802816%
Interest income509589(80)(14)%
Interest expense(2,713)(2,781)68(2)%
Other income, net32831993%
Income before income taxes2,8852,60727811%
Income tax benefit(194)(105)(89)85%
Net income3,0792,71236714%
Preferred stock dividend requirement1414%
Income Attributable to Common Stock$3,065$2,698$36714%

Operating Revenues

The Utility’s electric and natural gas operating revenues increased by $516 million, or 2%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The increase was primarily due to:

•approximately $650 million in revenues to recover the costs associated with extended operations at DCPP in 2025, with no comparable amount in 2024;

•approximately $500 million in interim rate relief authorized in the 2023 WMCE application (see “2023 WMCE Application” below) in 2025, as compared to 2024;

•approximately $380 million in revenue recognition authorized in the 2024 Transmission Revenue Requirement Reclassification Memo Account (“TRRRMA”) final decision in 2025, with no comparable amount in 2024; and

•$348 million in revenues to recover the cost of electricity procurement in 2025, as compared to 2024. These costs are passed through to customers and do not impact Net income,

partially offset by:

•approximately $540 million in interim rate relief authorized in the 2022 WMCE proceeding (see “2022 WMCE Application” below) in 2024, with no comparable amount 2025;

•approximately $430 million in revenues authorized in the 2021 WMCE proceeding (see “2021 WMCE Application” in the 2024 Form 10-K) in 2024, with no comparable amount in 2025;

•approximately $260 million less revenue recognized in 2025, as compared to 2024, authorized in the WGSC proceeding (see “Wildfire and Gas Safety Costs Recovery Application” below);

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•approximately $120 million less in revenues authorized in the General Office Sale Memorandum Account (“GOSMA”) petition for modification final decision in 2025, as compared to 2024; and

•$85 million less in revenues to recover the cost of natural gas in 2025, as compared to 2024. These costs are passed through to customers and do not impact Net income.

Cost of Electricity

The Utility’s Cost of electricity represents the cost of power and fuel used in the Utility’s generating facilities and purchased from third parties to serve customers. Cost of electricity includes fuel supplied to other third-party generating facilities, costs to comply with California’s cap-and-trade program, realized gains and losses on price risk management activities (see Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8), and net power purchases from and sales to the CAISO electricity markets and directly from third parties. The Cost of electricity increased by $348 million in 2025 as compared to 2024. This increase was primarily the result of higher procurement costs, including local RA contract costs, FERC approved transmission owner rate case settlement costs, and higher nuclear fuel amortization, partially offset by increased CAISO market net sales, increased sales of various RPS resources, and lower net costs associated with fuel for utility owned generation and contracted generation.

Cost of Natural Gas

The Utility’s Cost of natural gas includes the costs of procurement, storage and transportation of natural gas, costs to comply with California’s cap-and-trade program, and realized gains and losses on price risk management activities. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. The Cost of natural gas decreased by $85 million in 2025 as compared to 2024. This decrease was primarily the result of lower GHG emission volumes, favorable price risk management activity resulting from reduced natural gas market volatility, and a reduction in contracted transport capacity, partially offset by higher natural gas procurement costs attributed to increased prices and demand, along with additional contracted storage capacity.

Operating and Maintenance

The Utility’s Operating and maintenance expense decreased by $450 million, or 4%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily due to:

•approximately $560 million in previously deferred expenses authorized in the 2021 WMCE proceeding (see “2021 WMCE Application” in the 2024 Form 10-K) in 2024, with no comparable costs in 2025;

•approximately $540 million of previously deferred expenses authorized in the 2022 WMCE proceeding as part of interim rate relief (see “2022 WMCE Application” below) in 2024, with no comparable costs in 2025;

•approximately $260 million less expense recognized in 2025, as compared to 2024, authorized in the WGSC proceeding (see “Wildfire and Gas Safety Costs Recovery Application” below);

•approximately $210 million in costs related to a FERC order denying the capitalization of certain vegetation management costs and ordering the Utility to reclassify these costs to operating expense in 2024, with no comparable costs 2025; and

•approximately $150 million less expense recognized in 2025, as compared to 2024, authorized in the GOSMA petition for modification final decision,

partially offset by:

•approximately $570 million in costs associated with extended operations at DCPP in 2025, with no comparable costs in 2024;

•approximately $500 million more in previously deferred expenses in 2025, as compared to 2024, related to interim rate relief authorized in the 2023 WMCE proceeding (see “2023 WMCE Application” below); and

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•approximately $150 million in previously deferred expenses related to VMBA disallowances in the 2023 WMCE final decision (see “2023 WMCE Application” below) in 2025, with no comparable costs in 2024.

Depreciation, Amortization, and Decommissioning

The Utility’s Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning expenses increased by $445 million, or 11%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The increase was primarily due to the growth in plant balance from capital additions and the recognition of deferred depreciation expense.

Interest Income

The Utility’s Interest income decreased by $80 million, or 14%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in interest rates and a decrease in interest bearing account balances in 2025, compared to 2024.

Income Tax Benefit

The Utility’s Income tax benefit increased by $89 million, or 85%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The increase was primarily due to an increased tax repairs deduction and an additional deduction for certain costs attributable to electric generation.

The following table reconciles the income tax expense at the federal statutory rate to the income tax provision:

20252024
Federal statutory income tax rate21.0%21.0%
Increase (decrease) in income tax rate resulting from:
State income tax (net of federal benefit) (1)(0.6)%(0.8)%
Effect of regulatory treatment of fixed asset differences (2)(27.4)%(25.2)%
Nontaxable or nondeductible items1.1%0.4%
Tax credits(0.9)%(0.9)%
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits0.1%1.9%
Other, net%(0.4)%
Effective tax rate(6.7)%(4.0)%

(1) Includes the effect of state flow-through ratemaking treatment.

(2) Includes the effect of federal flow-through ratemaking treatment for certain property-related costs. For these temporary tax differences, the Utility recognizes the deferred tax impact in the current period and records offsetting regulatory assets and liabilities. Therefore, the Utility’s effective tax rate is impacted as these differences arise and reverse. The Utility recognizes such differences as regulatory assets or liabilities as it is probable that these amounts will be recovered from or returned to customers in future rates.

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Overview

PG&E Corporation and the Utility expect to be able to generate and obtain adequate cash to meet their cash requirements in the short term and in the long term.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility rely on access to debt and equity markets and credit facilities to finance their capital requirements and support their liquidity needs. The CPUC authorizes the Utility’s capital structure, the aggregate amount of long-term and short-term debt that the Utility may issue, and the revenue requirements the Utility is able to collect to recover its cost of service. The Utility generally utilizes retained earnings, equity contributions from PG&E Corporation and long-term debt issuances to maintain its CPUC-authorized long-term capital structure consisting of 52% common equity, 47.5% long-term debt, and 0.5% preferred equity and relies on short-term debt, including its revolving credit facilities, to fund temporary financing needs.

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PG&E Corporation’s ability to fund operations, make scheduled principal and interest payments, fund equity contributions to the Utility, and pay dividends depends on the level of cash on hand, cash received from the Utility, and PG&E Corporation’s access to the capital and credit markets. Generally, PG&E Corporation and the Utility expect that capital expenditures, debt maturities, and PG&E Corporation capital stock dividends will exceed operating cash flows. As a result, they expect to finance future cash needs in excess of operating cash flows primarily through the capital and credit markets.

Additionally, due to its existing tax attributes, PG&E Corporation does not expect to pay significant federal cash taxes until at least 2031. In 2024, California enacted a new law to suspend the use of net operating losses and limit the use of business credits for tax years 2024 to 2026. As a result, PG&E Corporation expects to pay state income taxes in 2026. See “Tax Matters” above for a discussion of events that could limit PG&E Corporation’s ability to use its net operating losses.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have various contractual commitments which impact cash requirements. These commitments are discussed in “Purchase Commitments” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8.

As of December 31, 2025, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had access to approximately $4.5 billion of total liquidity comprised of $353 million of the Utility’s Cash and cash equivalents, $360 million of PG&E Corporation’s Cash and cash equivalents, and $3.8 billion of availability under PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s revolving credit facilities.

Credit Ratings

Credit ratings impact the cost and availability of short-term borrowings, including credit facilities, and long-term debt costs. In addition, some of the Utility’s commodity contracts contain collateral posting provisions tied to the Utility’s unsecured credit rating from each of the major credit rating agencies. Contracts which may require collateral postings include the Utility's power and natural gas commodity, transportation, services, and environmental products agreements. Because the Utility’s unsecured credit rating remains below investment grade with one of the major credit rating agencies, the Utility generally does not receive unsecured credit from its energy procurement counterparties, and it may be required to increase its collateral postings if its credit rating is downgraded.

Restrictive Debt Covenants

PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s credit agreements and the DOE Loan Guarantee Agreement contain various restrictive financial covenants. One financial covenant requires that the ratio of total consolidated debt to total consolidated capitalization as of the end of each fiscal quarter be no more than 70% for PG&E Corporation and 65% for the Utility.

The failure to comply with the financial covenants contained in these financing arrangements could result in an event of default and the acceleration of the loans under the financing arrangements. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s various credit agreements and the DOE Loan Guarantee Agreement contain provisions that may result in an event of default if there was a failure to meet payment terms or observe other covenants under other financing arrangements that could result in an acceleration of payments due. Such provisions are referred to as “cross-default” provisions. As of December 31, 2025, PG&E Corporation and the Utility remain in compliance with all financial covenants.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  PG&E Corporation and the Utility maintain separate bank accounts and primarily invest their cash in money market funds. In addition to Cash and cash equivalents, the Utility holds Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents that primarily consist of AB 1054 and SB 901 fixed recovery charge collections that are to be used to service the associated bonds. As of December 31, 2025, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had cash and cash equivalents of $360 million and $353 million, respectively.

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Financial Resources

Equity Financings

PG&E Corporation does not expect to undertake any equity issuances through 2030. Factors that could affect PG&E Corporation’s planned equity issuances include liquidity and cash flow needs, capital expenditures, interest rates, its share price, its earnings, the timing and outcome of ratemaking proceedings, the timing and terms of other financings, and the outcome of the Wildfire-Related Securities Claims. See “Wildfire-Related Securities Litigation” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8.

Debt Financings, Credit Facilities, and Term Loans

The Utility generally issues first mortgage bonds and secured debt to meet its long-term funding requirements.

For more information, see “Credit Facilities and Term Loans” and “Long-Term Debt Issuances and Redemptions” in Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8.

DOE Loan Guarantee Agreement

As of the date of this report, the Utility has not borrowed any advances under the facility. While the Utility has continued to work with the DOE, the Utility is not able to predict the timing or amount of any funds it may receive from the facility in the future.

For more information about the DOE Loan Guarantee Agreement, see “Liquidity and Financial Resources” in Item 7: “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the 2024 Form 10-K.

Other Financings

Citizens Energy Corporation

On January 29, 2025, the Utility entered into an amended and restated agreement with Citizens Energy Corporation (“Citizens”) pursuant to which the Utility may lease to Citizens entitlements to certain transmission assets. A portion of the costs associated with each project that is expected to be subject to such a lease will be excluded from the Utility’s FERC transmission rates for the duration of the applicable lease. The Utility may offer Citizens up to five lease options over the term of the agreement, for a total investment by Citizens of up to $1.0 billion. If Citizens exercises and the parties close on a lease option, the Utility will receive an upfront payment as prepaid rent for that lease, which is expected to average approximately $200 million per lease, and the rate base associated with the leased entitlements will go into Citizens’ rate base, rather than the Utility’s, for 30 years. The transactions contemplated by the agreement are subject to FERC and CPUC approvals.

Dividends

PG&E Corporation has announced a dividend policy entailing consistent dividend increases targeting a dividend payout ratio of approximately 20% of core earnings by 2028. No dividend is payable unless and until declared by the applicable Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation retains authority to change the common stock dividend target and dividend payout ratio at any time. Future dividend decisions determined by the Board may be impacted by earnings, cash flows, credit metrics, and other business conditions.

For information on dividend declarations and payments, see Notes 6 and 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8.

Utility Cash Flows

PG&E Corporation’s consolidated cash flows consist primarily of cash flows related to the Utility. The following discussion presents the Utility’s cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.

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The Utility’s cash flows were as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)20252024
Net cash provided by operating activities$9,035$8,268
Net cash used in investing activities(12,316)(11,375)
Net cash provided by financing activities2,9153,348
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents$(366)$241

Operating Activities

The Utility’s cash flows from operating activities primarily consist of receipts from customers less payments of cash operating expenses. Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $767 million, or 9%, in 2025 compared to 2024. This increase was primarily due to:

•an increase in collections driven in part by recoveries related to DCPP extended operations;

•a decrease in non-wildfire related insurance costs; and

•a decrease in wildfire-related payments, net of recoveries.

Future cash flow from operating activities will be affected by various factors, including:

•the timing and amount of costs in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire, the 2021 Dixie fire, and the 2022 Mosquito fire and the timing and amount of any potential related insurance, Wildfire Fund, and regulatory recoveries;

•the timing and amount of costs in connection with future wildfires and the timing and amount of any potential related insurance, including funds available from self-insurance and the Wildfire Fund (see “Wildfire Fund Recoveries under AB 1054 and SB 254” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8);

•the timing and amount of costs in connection with the portion of the 2023-2025 WMP that are being recovered through rates and the portion of the costs previously incurred in connection with the 2021-2022 WMP that are not currently being recovered through rates (see “Regulatory Matters” below for more information);

•the timing and outcomes of the Utility’s pending and future ratemaking and regulatory proceedings, including the extent to which PG&E Corporation and the Utility are able to recover their costs through regulated rates as recorded in memorandum accounts or balancing accounts, or as otherwise requested; and

•the timing and amount of electric and natural gas commodity price volatility and differences between commodity costs and revenue collections.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on their financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources, other than those discussed under “Purchase Commitments” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8.

Investing Activities

The Utility’s investing activities primarily consist of the construction of new and replacement facilities necessary to provide safe and reliable electricity and natural gas services to its customers. Cash used in investing activities also includes the proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust, customer credit trust, and self-insurance investments which are partially offset by the amount of cash used to purchase new nuclear decommissioning trust, customer credit trust, and self-insurance investments.

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The following table summarizes changes in key components of the Utility’s investing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024.

(in millions)Year Ended December 31,
Cash used in investing activities - 2024$(11,375)
Capital expenditures(1,418)
Net purchases related to customer credit trust investments(186)
Net purchases related to self-insurance investment and other investing activities663
Net increase in cash used in investing activities(941)
Cash used in investing activities - 2025$(12,316)

Net cash used in investing activities increased by $0.9 billion, or 8%, in 2025 compared to 2024. This increase was primarily due to a $349 million payment for the purchase of the Oakland General Office, as discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, along with higher investments in new business, capacity projects, and distribution system hardening. These increases were partially offset by lower funding related to self‑insurance investments in 2025 compared to 2024.

Future cash flows used in investing activities are largely dependent on the timing and amount of capital expenditures.  The Utility estimates that it will invest $12.4 billion in capital expenditures in 2026.

Financing Activities

Cash provided by or used in financing activities is driven by the Utility’s financing needs, which depend on the level of cash provided by or used in operating activities, the level of cash provided by or used in investing activities, the conditions in the capital markets, and the maturity date or prepayment date of existing debt instruments. Additionally, the Utility’s future cash flows from financing activities will be affected by the timing and outcome of the Utility’s financings, dividend payments, and equity contributions from PG&E Corporation.

The following table summarizes changes in key components of the Utility’s financing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024.

(in millions)Year Ended December 31,
Cash provided by financing activities - 2024$3,348
Net borrowings under credit facilities6,574
Net borrowings under term loan2,675
Repayments of long-term debt, net of proceeds(1,113)
AB 1054 recovery bonds issuance(1,409)
Short-term debt issuance(1,999)
Dividend payments(325)
Proceeds from DWR loan(980)
Equity contributions from PG&E Corporation(3,785)
Other financing activities(71)
Net decrease in cash provided by financing activities(433)
Cash provided by financing activities - 2025$2,915

Net cash provided by financing activities decreased by $433 million, or 13%, during the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the same period in 2024. The decrease was primarily due to:

•$3.8 billion decrease in equity contributions received from PG&E Corporation;

•$1.1 billion increase in repayments of long-term debt, net of proceeds;

•$2.7 billion decrease in net borrowings under term loan;

•$1.4 billion of proceeds related to the issuance of senior secured recovery bonds under the AB 1054 securitization in 2024, with no similar transaction in 2025;

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•$2.0 billion decrease in proceeds related to short-term debt issuance;

•$980 million decrease in proceeds related to the DWR loan; and

•$325 million increase in dividend payments.

Partially offset by:

•$6.6 billion increase in net borrowings under credit facilities.

REGULATORY MATTERS

The Utility is subject to substantial regulation by the CPUC, the FERC, the OEIS, NRC, and other federal and state regulatory agencies. The resolutions of the proceedings described below and other proceedings may materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows. Except as otherwise noted, PG&E Corporation and the Utility are unable to predict the timing or outcome of the following proceedings.

Key updates to regulatory matters include the following:

•In February 2026, the CPUC issued a final decision in the Utility’s 2023 WMCE proceeding, approving recovery of $1.9 billion of costs.

•In February 2026, the OEIS issued a final decision approving the Utility’s 2026–2028 WMP. In December 2025, the Utility submitted its 2025 safety certificate request to OEIS.

•In December 2025, the CPUC issued a final decision in the Utility’s 2026 Cost of Capital proceeding that set the Utility’s ROE at 9.98% effective January 1, 2026 and approved a yield spread adjustment.

•In December 2025, the CPUC approved a resolution that updated CPUC guidelines for implementation of the SB 884 undergrounding program.

•In November 2025, the Utility filed the Kincade and Dixie AB 1054 Wildfire Cost Review and Recovery Proceeding application requesting recovery of approximately $1.59 billion of WEMA costs, review of costs drawn from the Wildfire Fund, and recovery of $314 million of CEMA costs.

•In August 2025, the FERC approved an all-party settlement in the Utility’s Transmission Owner Rate Case for 2024 (the “TO21” rate case).

•In August 2025, the CPUC issued a final decision that increases the cost cap for 2025 and 2026 by an aggregate $2.38 billion in connection with the Order Instituting Rulemaking (“OIR”) to Establish Energization Timelines.

•In September 2025, the CPUC issued a final decision approving $1.06 billion in cost recovery in the 2022 WMCE proceeding.

•In May 2025, the Utility filed its 2027 GRC application with the CPUC.

Cost Recovery Proceedings

Periodically, costs arise that could not have been anticipated by the Utility during CPUC GRC proceedings or that have been deliberately excluded from such proceedings. For instance, these costs may result from catastrophic events, changes in regulation, or extraordinary changes in operating practices. The Utility may seek authority to track incremental costs in a memorandum account and the CPUC may later authorize recovery of costs tracked in memorandum accounts if the costs are deemed incremental and prudently incurred. The CPUC may also authorize memorandum and balancing accounts with limitations or caps on cost recovery. These accounts, which include the CEMA, WEMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, among others, allow the Utility to track the costs associated with work related to disaster and wildfire response, other wildfire prevention-related costs, and certain third-party wildfire claims. While the Utility generally expects such costs to be recoverable, the CPUC may authorize the Utility to recover less than the full amount of its costs.

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In recent years, the Utility has recorded significant amounts to these accounts. Because rate recovery may require CPUC authorization of the costs in these accounts, there can be a delay between when the Utility incurs costs and when it may recover those costs. As of December 31, 2025, the Utility had recorded an aggregate amount of approximately $2.2 billion in costs for the CEMA, WEMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, and WMBA, substantially all of which was accounted for as long term. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8.

If the amount of the costs recorded in these accounts increases, or the delay between incurring and recovering costs lengthens, PG&E Corporation and the Utility may incur additional financing costs. If the Utility does not recover the full amount of its recorded costs, the difference between the recorded and recovered amounts would be written off as a non-cash disallowance. Such disallowances could materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.

For more information, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, and “Wildfire Mitigation and Catastrophic Events Cost Recovery Applications” and “Wildfire and Gas Safety Costs Recovery Application” below.

Key updates to the Utility’s cost recovery proceedings are summarized in the following table:

ProceedingRequest (1)Status
2022 WMCE$1.36 billion of cost recoveryFinal decision authorizing $1.06 billion of total cost recovery issued September 2025.
2023 WMCE$2.18 billion of cost recoveryFinal decision authorizing $1.9 billion of costs issued February 2026.
2024 WMCE$596 million of cost recoveryApplication filed November 2024.
2023 WGSC$2.5 billion of cost recoveryApplication filed June 2023. Decision authorizing $516 million of interim rate relief adopted March 2024.
Kincade and Dixie AB 1054Review of 2019 Kincade fire and 2021 Dixie fire costs, including recovery of approximately $1.9 billionApplication filed November 2025.

(1) The revenue requirement amounts requested do not include interest.

Wildfire Mitigation and Catastrophic Events Cost Recovery Applications

2022 WMCE Application

On December 15, 2022, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $1.36 billion of recorded expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.29 billion (the “2022 WMCE application”). The costs addressed in the 2022 WMCE application reflect costs related to wildfire mitigation and certain catastrophic events, as well as implementation of various customer-focused initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in 2021. The recorded expenditures consisted of $1.2 billion in expenses and $136 million in capital expenditures.

On September 26, 2025, the CPUC issued a final decision adopting the settlement agreement and authorizing total cost recovery for this matter of $1.06 billion. The final decision disallowed $217 million in VMBA costs.

2023 WMCE Application

On December 1, 2023, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $2.18 billion of recorded expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.86 billion (the “2023 WMCE application”). The costs addressed in the 2023 WMCE application reflect costs related to wildfire mitigation and certain catastrophic events, as well as implementation of various customer-focused initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in 2022.

The recorded expenditures consist of $1.6 billion in expenses and $559 million in capital expenditures. Of these amounts, approximately 15% of expense, or $239 million, and 30% of capital expenditures, or $167 million, relate to the Utility’s response to the 2022-2023 extreme winter storms CEMA event.

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On September 16, 2024, the CPUC issued a final decision on interim rate recovery that grants the Utility interim rate relief of $944 million, plus interest, subject to refund, to be recovered over at least 17 months starting October 1, 2024.

On February 5, 2026, the CPUC voted out a final decision, which approved recovery of $1.9 billion of costs. The final decision denied recovery of $173 million in vegetation management costs.

2024 WMCE Application

On November 21, 2024, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $596 million of recorded expenditures in the CEMA and other accounts, resulting in a revenue requirement of approximately $435 million (the “2024 WMCE application”). The costs addressed in the 2024 WMCE application include those incurred in connection with rebuild and restoration activities, certain catastrophic wildfire and weather events, and other programs supporting gas, customer, and climate initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in 2023.

The recorded expenditures consist of $80 million in expense and $516 million in capital expenditures. Of these amounts, approximately $50 million of expense and $396 million of capital expenditures relate to community rebuild and restoration activities and other catastrophic events included in the CEMA.

Wildfire and Gas Safety Costs Recovery Application

On June 15, 2023, the Utility filed a WGSC application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $2.5 billion of recorded expenditures related to wildfire mitigation costs and gas safety and electric modernization costs.

The recorded expenditures for wildfire mitigation consist of $726 million in expenses and $1.5 billion in capital expenditures and cover activities during the years 2020 to 2022. The recorded expenditures for gas safety and electric modernization efforts consist of $120 million in expenses and $118 million in capital expenditures and cover activities during the years 2017 to 2022. If approved, the requested cost recovery would result in an aggregate revenue requirement of $688 million. The costs addressed in the WGSC application are incremental to those previously authorized in the Utility’s 2020 GRC and other proceedings.

The Utility recorded these costs to the memorandum and balancing accounts as set forth in the following table:

(in millions)Recorded Costs
WMPMA$2,095
FRMMA165
Gas storage balancing account101
In line inspection memorandum account92
Other45
Total$2,498

In connection with the WGSC application, the Utility also requested interim rate relief of $583 million. The remaining $105 million would be recovered after the CPUC issues a final decision. On March 7, 2024, the CPUC approved a final decision authorizing the Utility to recover $516 million in interim rates to be recovered over at least 12 months starting April 1, 2024.

On June 12, 2025, the CPUC issued a decision extending the statutory deadline in the proceeding from June 30, 2025 to March 31, 2026.

Review and Recovery of Costs Associated with the 2019 Kincade Fire and 2021 Dixie Fire Under AB 1054 Proceeding Application

On November 14, 2025, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC seeking review and recovery of costs associated with the 2019 Kincade fire and 2021 Dixie fire. The application seeks (1) recovery of $1.59 billion of costs recorded to the WEMA and not covered through the Wildfire Fund or insurance, (2) review of the costs recorded to the WEMA and drawn from the Wildfire Fund, and (3) recovery of $314 million of costs recorded to the CEMA.

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The Utility had drawn approximately $674 million from the Wildfire Fund at the time of the application. This amount will increase as the Utility continues to resolve claims and draw from the Wildfire Fund. The CPUC may require the Utility to reimburse the Wildfire Fund to the extent that amounts drawn from the Wildfire Fund are determined not to be just and reasonable. See Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The scoping memo indicates that a PD will be issued by November 2026. That deadline could be extended by six months.

Forward-Looking Rate Cases

The Utility routinely participates in forward-looking rate case applications before the CPUC and the FERC. Those applications include GRCs, where the revenue required for general operations (“base revenue”) of the Utility is assessed and reset. In addition, the Utility is periodically involved in “cost of capital” proceedings to adjust its regulated return on rate base. The Utility’s future earnings will depend on the revenue requirements authorized in such rate cases.

Decisions in GRC proceedings have historically been expected prior to the commencement of the period to which the rates would apply. In recent decades, decisions in GRC proceedings have been delayed. Delayed decisions may cause the Utility to develop its budgets based on possible outcomes, rather than authorized amounts. When decisions are delayed, the CPUC typically provides rate relief to the Utility effective as of the commencement of the rate case period (not effective as of the date of the delayed decision). Nonetheless, the Utility’s spending during the period of the delay may exceed the authorized amount, without an ability for the Utility to seek cost recovery of such excess. If the Utility’s spending during the period of the delay is less than the authorized amount, the Utility could be exposed to operational and financial risks associated with the lower level of work achieved compared to that funded by the CPUC.

Key updates to the Utility’s forward-looking rate cases are summarized in the following table:

Rate CaseRequestStatus
2027 GRCRevenue requirement of $16.64 billion for 2027Filed May 2025. A PD is expected by March 2027 and a final decision by May 2027.
2026 Cost of CapitalIncrease ROE to 11.30% and cost of debt to 5.04%Final decision approving ROE of 9.98% and cost of debt of 5.04% issued December 2025.
Transmission Owner Rate Case for 2024 (TO21)Revenue requirement of $2.78 billion for 2024, subject to true-up and refundAccepted December 2023, except as to CAISO adder. All other issues resolved August 2025.

2027 General Rate Case

On May 15, 2025, the Utility filed its 2027 GRC application with the CPUC. In the 2027 GRC, the CPUC will determine the annual amount of revenue requirements that the Utility will be authorized to collect through rates from 2027 through 2030 to recover its anticipated costs for gas distribution, transmission and storage, electric distribution, and electric generation and to provide the Utility an opportunity to earn its authorized rate of return. On November 10, 2025, the Utility submitted errata to update its GRC opening testimony and revenue requirement request.

The table below compares the portion of CPUC jurisdictional revenue requirements and weighted-average rate base that are requested in the GRC proceeding, as updated, from 2027 through 2030 to the amounts adopted for 2026 in the 2023 GRC and other cost recovery proceedings:

YearRequested revenue requirement (in billions)Requested weighted-average GRC rate base
2026 (as adopted)$15.454.0
202716.667.0
202817.673.4
202918.779.4
203019.885.4

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In the 2027 GRC application, the Utility proposed various safety, resiliency, and clean energy investments. Among other things, the Utility proposed to invest a total of approximately $45.0 billion between 2027 and 2030 in CPUC-jurisdictional assets. The proposed investments would support wildfire safety (including undergrounding 307 miles of electrical lines in 2027 and 400 miles per year for 2028 through 2030 until a 10-year undergrounding plan is approved), grid modernization, gas system safety, clean energy, and resilience.

In addition, the Utility requested authorization to establish new balancing accounts for new business capital spend and employee medical expenses.

The Utility is not seeking recovery of compensation of PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s officers within the scope of 17 Code of Federal Regulations 240.3b-7.

On July 31, 2025, the CPUC issued a scoping memo that modifies the standard rate case plan schedule. The scoping memo indicates that the CPUC will issue a PD by March 2027 and a final decision by May 2027.

Cost of Capital Proceedings

2026 Cost of Capital Application

On March 20, 2025, the Utility (along with the other IOUs in California) submitted its 2026 Cost of Capital application.

On December 18, 2025, the CPUC issued a final decision and approved the following cost of capital rates, which went into effect beginning January 1, 2026:

CostWeightWeighted Cost
Return on Common Equity9.98%52.00%5.19%
Return on Preferred Equity5.52%0.50%0.03%
Return on Long-term debt5.04%47.50%2.39%

The decision approved a revenue credit to return the benefit of potential DOE loan draws to customers and a temporary yield spread adjustment to compensate the Utility for its actual cost of short-term debt above the commercial paper rate. The yield spread adjustment for 2026 is 125 basis points. The decision also continued the Cost of Capital mechanism pursuant to which the Utility’s ROE will be adjusted and the cost of debt will be trued up to the most recent recorded cost of debt upon a significant change in rates.

Transmission Owner Rate Case for 2024

On October 13, 2023, the Utility filed its TO21 rate case with the FERC. In the filing, the Utility forecasted a 2024 retail electric transmission revenue requirement of $2.83 billion. The Utility requested that FERC approve a 12.37% base ROE as well as a 0.5% adder for its participation in the CAISO. The TO21 filing also addresses the Utility’s capital structure and several new issues including wildfire self-insurance recovery from transmission customers.

On December 29, 2023, the FERC issued an order accepting the TO21 filing subject to refund, establishing a January 1, 2024 effective date, and establishing a settlement and hearing process, but denying the 0.5% ROE adder for participation in the CAISO, which results in a forecast transmission revenue requirement of $2.78 billion. On January 29, 2024, the Utility filed a request for rehearing of the FERC’s denial of the 0.5% ROE adder for participation in the CAISO. On June 12, 2024, the FERC issued an order denying the Utility’s request for rehearing. On June 18, 2024, the Utility and other California IOUs filed an appeal of the FERC’s order denying the Utility’s request for rehearing. On July 11, 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the utilities’ joint appeal. On August 20, 2025, the Utility and California IOUs sought en banc review from the Ninth Circuit. On September 15, 2025, the Ninth Circuit denied en banc review. On October 7, 2025, the Utility and California IOUs filed a petition for certiorari with the Supreme Court.

On March 21, 2025, the Utility filed with the FERC a settlement in the TO21 rate case. On August 5, 2025, the FERC issued a decision approving the settlement and resolving all contested issues in the proceeding, as well as specific wildfire cost recovery issues raised by stakeholders in prior proceedings related to the Utility’s TO tariff. The decision sets a base ROE of 10.38%, a fixed capital structure with common equity weighted at 50.0%, preferred equity at 0.3%, and long-term debt at 49.7%.

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On December 1, 2025, the Utility filed with the FERC the TO annual update for rate year 2026, which included the provisions of the TO21 settlement. The revenue requirement for rates that went into effect on January 1, 2026 is $2.6 billion, which represents a decrease from the 2025 revenue requirement of $2.9 billion.

Other Regulatory Proceedings

2026-2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plan

On April 4, 2025, the Utility submitted to the OEIS its 2026-2028 WMP, which it revised on July 28, 2025. The 2026-2028 WMP provides a comprehensive overview of the Utility’s wildfire mitigation strategy and incorporates lessons learned from previous years and emerging best practices. On February 5, 2026, the OEIS issued a final decision approving the Utility’s 2026–2028 WMP.

Extension of Diablo Canyon Operations

On September 2, 2022, SB 846 became law. SB 846 supports the extension of operations at DCPP through no later than 2030, with the potential for an earlier retirement date. Under the legislation, the Utility continues to operate DCPP on behalf of all CPUC-jurisdictional LSEs, and all customers of those LSEs are responsible for the cost of extended operations.

The key steps to continued operations are NRC license renewal and approvals from several California state agencies. As of December 31, 2025, the Utility has received all necessary state approvals except for approval from the Central Coast Region Water Quality Control Board. The CPUC’s approval is subject to the following conditions: (1) the NRC continues to authorize DCPP operations; (2) the loan agreement authorized by SB 846 is not terminated; and (3) the CPUC does not make a future determination that DCPP extended operations are imprudent or unreasonable.

On November 7, 2023, the Utility submitted an application for license renewal with the NRC. On December 19, 2023, the NRC deemed the application sufficient, which allows continued operations at DCPP past the plant’s current licenses until the relicensing review is complete. In June 2025, the NRC issued the final safety evaluation report and supplemental environmental impact statement.

SB 884 10-Year Distribution Undergrounding Program

On March 7, 2024, the CPUC approved a resolution that establishes an expedited utility distribution infrastructure undergrounding program pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 8388.5. The resolution addressed the process and requirements for the CPUC’s review of any large electrical corporation’s 10-year distribution infrastructure undergrounding plan and conditional approval of its related costs. On December 4, 2025, the CPUC approved a resolution that updated and refined the prior resolution and instructed the Utility to file a joint application with SCE and SDGE requesting approval of a proposal to resolve several cost recovery issues, including the benefit-cost ratio and audit methodologies, not addressed in the resolution. On February 9, 2026, the utilities submitted that filing.

On February 20, 2025, the OEIS adopted final program guidelines. The OEIS has indicated that it will issue separate compliance guidelines.

LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY INITIATIVES

SB 254

On September 19, 2025, SB 254 became law and became effective. Among other things, the law provides for the Continuation Account, which is designed to provide additional liquidity to reimburse catastrophic wildfire-related claims incurred by large electric corporations (as defined in SB 254), if the Wildfire Fund is depleted. Each of California’s large electric IOUs has elected to participate in the Continuation Account. The Continuation Account would be similar to the Wildfire Fund, except:

•The Continuation Account would provide up to $18 billion of liquidity. If the Wildfire Fund administrator determines that the Continuation Account is necessary prior to December 31, 2028, the CPUC will consider whether to extend the non-bypassable charge on customers from 2036 through 2045. If the CPUC extends the non-bypassable charge on customers, the participating utilities’ annual $300 million contributions will be extended from 2029 through 2045.

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The Wildfire Fund administrator is also authorized to determine if additional annual contributions are needed, in which case the participating utilities will contribute an additional $3.9 billion in equal installment payments over five years. If the administrator winds up and terminates the Continuation Account before the final installment payment is made, the utilities will return one-half of the unpaid installment payments as rate credits to customers.

The Utility’s allocation among the participating utilities for these contributions is 47.85%.

•If a utility is required to reimburse the Continuation Account, the amount of reimbursement will be reduced by the amount of contributions for which the utility has not claimed a reduction.

•The disallowance cap on reimbursements, which is equal to 20% of the equity portion of the utility’s electric transmission and distribution rate base, is determined based on the year of the ignition. This revised disallowance cap applies to fires occurring before or after the effective date of SB 254.

Assets in the Continuation Account are separate from the Wildfire Fund and are not available for fires ignited before the effective date of SB 254.

For fires that destroy 1,000 or more structures, SB 254 gives the participating utilities a right of first refusal over insurers’ transactions to sell their right of subrogation, reimbursement, or recovery.

SB 254 also prohibits the Utility from including in its equity rate base the first $2.9 billion that it first expends on fire risk mitigation capital expenditures approved by the CPUC on or after January 1, 2026. The Utility expects to finance this amount with securitization.

SB 254 requires the Wildfire Fund administrator to prepare a report by April 1, 2026 that evaluates and sets forth recommendations on new models or approaches that mitigate damage, accelerate recovery, and responsibly and equitably allocate the burdens from natural catastrophes, including catastrophic wildfires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, across stakeholders, including insurers, communities, homeowners, landowners, governments, large electrical corporations, and local publicly owned electric utilities, to complement or replace the Wildfire Fund.

LITIGATION AND OTHER MATTERS

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have significant contingencies arising from their operations, including contingencies related to matters described in Notes 14 and 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 and in “Regulatory Matters” above that are incorporated by reference herein. The outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material effect on PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

The Utility’s operations are subject to extensive federal, state, and local laws and permits relating to the protection of the environment and the safety and health of the Utility’s personnel and the public.  These laws and requirements relate to a broad range of the Utility’s activities, including the remediation of hazardous substances; the reporting and reduction of carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions; the discharge of pollutants into the air, water, and soil; the reporting of safety and reliability measures for natural gas storage facilities; and the transportation, handling, storage, and disposal of spent nuclear fuel. See Item 1A: “Risk Factors,” “Environmental Regulation” in Item 1 and “Environmental Remediation Contingencies” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

PG&E Corporation, mainly through its ownership of the Utility, and the Utility are exposed to risks associated with adverse changes in commodity prices, interest rates, and counterparty credit. The Utility actively manages market risk through risk management programs designed to support business objectives, discourage unauthorized risk-taking, reduce commodity cost volatility, and manage cash flows. The Utility uses derivative instruments only for non-trading purposes (i.e., risk mitigation) and not for speculative purposes.

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Commodity Price Risk

The Utility is exposed to commodity price risk as a result of its electricity and natural gas procurement activities, including the procurement of natural gas and nuclear fuel necessary for electricity generation and natural gas procurement for core customers. The Utility’s risk management activities include the use of physical and financial instruments such as forward contracts, futures, swaps, options, and other instruments and agreements. As long as the Utility can conclude that it is probable that its reasonably incurred wholesale electricity procurement costs and natural gas costs are recoverable, fluctuations in electricity and natural gas prices do not affect earnings. Such fluctuations, however, may impact cash flows. The Utility’s natural gas transportation and storage costs for core customers are also fully recoverable through a ratemaking mechanism.

The Utility does not have a balancing account for costs in excess of its revenue requirement for natural gas transportation and storage service to non-core customers. The Utility recovers these costs in its GRC through fixed reservation charges and volumetric charges from long-term contracts, resulting in price and volumetric risk. PG&E Corporation uses value-at-risk to measure its shareholders’ exposure to these risks. The value-at-risk was approximately $4 million and $5 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further discussion of price risk management activities.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk sensitivity analysis is used to measure interest rate risk by computing estimated changes in cash flows as a result of assumed changes in market interest rates. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, if interest rates changed by one percent for all PG&E Corporation and Utility variable rate long-term debt, short-term borrowings, and cash investments, the pre-tax impact on net income over the next 12 months would be $37 million and $6 million, respectively, based on net variable rate debt and other interest rate-sensitive instruments outstanding. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further discussion of interest rates.

Energy Procurement Credit Risk

The Utility conducts business with counterparties mainly in the energy industry to purchase electricity or gas and related services, including the CAISO market, other California IOUs, municipal utilities, energy trading companies, pipelines, financial institutions, electricity generation companies, and oil and natural gas production companies located in the United States and Canada. If a counterparty fails to perform on its contractual obligation to deliver electricity or gas and related services, then the Utility may find it necessary to procure electricity or gas at current market prices or seek alternate services, which may be higher than the contract prices.

The Utility manages credit risk associated with its counterparties by assigning credit limits based on evaluations of their financial conditions, net worth, credit ratings, and other credit criteria as deemed appropriate. Credit limits and credit quality are monitored periodically. The Utility executes many energy contracts under master commodity enabling agreements that may require security. Security may be in the form of cash or letters of credit. The Utility may accept other forms of performance assurance in the form of corporate guarantees of acceptable credit quality or other eligible securities (as deemed appropriate by the Utility). Security or performance assurance may be required from the Utility or counterparties when current net receivables or payables and exposure exceed contractually specified limits.

The following table summarizes the Utility’s energy procurement credit risk exposure to its counterparties:

Exposure (1) (in millions)Number of Wholesale Customers or Counterparties 10%Net Credit Exposure to Wholesale Customers or Counterparties 10% (in millions)
December 31, 2025$1,0484$714
December 31, 2024$1,1144$708

(1) Exposure is the positive exposure maximum that equals mark-to-market value on physically and financially settled contracts, plus net receivables (payables) where netting is contractually allowed minus collateral posted by counterparties and held by the Utility plus collateral posted by the Utility and held by the counterparties. For purposes of this table, parental guarantees are not included as part of the calculation. Exposure amounts reported above do not include adjustments for time value or liquidity.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP involves the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the recorded amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The accounting policies described below are considered to be critical accounting estimates due, in part, to their complexity and because their application is relevant and material to the financial position and results of operations of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, and because these policies require the use of material judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates and assumptions.

Contributions to the Wildfire Fund

PG&E Corporation and the Utility account for shareholder contributions to the Wildfire Fund by recognizing an asset, amortizing the asset ratably over the life of the fund based on an estimated period of coverage, and accelerating amortization of the asset when it is determined probable and estimable that the Wildfire Fund longevity has declined, as further described below.

AB 1054 did not specify a period of coverage; therefore, this accounting treatment is subject to significant accounting judgments and estimates. In estimating the longevity of the fund, PG&E Corporation and the Utility use a dataset with historical, publicly available fire-loss data caused by electrical equipment to create Monte Carlo simulations of expected loss. The simulation began with 12 years of publicly available fire-loss data, and PG&E Corporation and the Utility add an additional year of data each subsequent year. In addition to historical data, significant assumptions also include the estimated amount of Wildfire Fund claim payments, the number of years of fire-loss data, estimated costs of wildfire settlement claims from other participating utilities, CPUC’s determinations of whether costs were just and reasonable in cases of electric utility-caused wildfires and the amounts required to be reimbursed to the Wildfire Fund, and the effects of climate change. Due to the significant judgment required to estimate the life of the Wildfire Fund, there is a high degree of uncertainty for many of these assumptions, and so subsequent changes to the available information could materially impact the remaining estimated life of the fund. Based upon the outcome of newly run Monte Carlo simulations when known information becomes available, PG&E Corporation and the Utility may determine to increase or decrease, as applicable, the estimated life of the fund. For instance, in 2024, a re-evaluation in the estimate resulted in the Wildfire Fund life increasing from 15 to 20 years.

Estimates for the useful life of the Wildfire Fund and the accelerated amortization of the fund, respectively, are based on a variety of assumptions and are subject to uncertainty and change as additional information becomes publicly available. The estimated life of the Wildfire Fund reflects wildfire risk in the state, while accelerated amortization anticipates potential draw-downs of the Wildfire Fund. Both of these estimates have a high degree of uncertainty since they rely on a number of assumptions, such as potential wildfire claim payments, future wildfire activity, regulatory decisions, and any potential disclosed cost of wildfires caused by other participating electric utilities.

SCE has disclosed that a liability for the Eaton fire is probable but not reasonably estimable. PG&E Corporation and the Utility expect to reduce their 20-year estimated life of the Wildfire Fund and assess the Wildfire Fund asset for accelerated amortization based on reliable, publicly available information, including when and if SCE accrues a liability or a Wildfire Fund receivable, respectively. As a result, the Wildfire Fund asset could be amortized down to zero in the near future. For every $5 billion of Wildfire Fund receivables recorded by a participating utility, PG&E Corporation and the Utility expect that they would record approximately $1 billion of accelerated amortization.

As of December 31, 2025, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded $193 million in Other current liabilities, $377 million in Other noncurrent liabilities, $297 million in Current assets - Wildfire Fund asset, and $3.7 billion in Noncurrent assets - Wildfire Fund asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Utility recorded amortization and accretion expense of $352 million and $383 million, respectively. The amortization of the asset, accretion of the liability, and acceleration of the amortization of the asset is reflected in Wildfire Fund expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The period of historic fire-loss data and the effectiveness of mitigation efforts by the California electric utility companies are significant assumptions used to estimate the useful life. These assumptions along with the other assumptions below create a high degree of uncertainty related to the estimated useful life of the Wildfire Fund.

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The Monte Carlo simulation creates annual distributions of potential losses due to fires that could be attributed to the participating electric utilities. Initial use of five years of historical data, with average annual statewide claims or settlements of approximately $6.5 billion versus 12 years of historical data, with average annual statewide claims or settlements of approximately $2.9 billion, would have resulted in a six year amortization period. As of December 31, 2025, a 10% change to the assumption around current and future mitigation effort effectiveness would increase the amortization period by ten years assuming greater effectiveness and would decrease the amortization period by five years assuming less effectiveness.

Other assumptions used to estimate the useful life include the disclosed cost of wildfires caused by participating electric utilities, the amount at which wildfire claims would be settled, the likely adjudication of the CPUC in cases of electric utility-caused wildfires and determination of any amounts required to be reimbursed to the Wildfire Fund, the impacts of climate change, the level of future insurance coverage held by the electric utilities, the FERC-allocable portion of loss recovery, and the future transmission and distribution equity rate base growth of participating electric utilities. Significant changes in any of these estimates could materially impact the amortization period.

For more information, see “Contributions to the Wildfire Fund and the Continuation Account” in Note 2 and “Wildfire Fund Recoveries under AB 1054 and SB 254” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Loss Contingencies

PG&E Corporation and the Utility record an estimated liability when they determine that a loss is probable, and they can reasonably estimate the loss or a range of losses. As discussed below, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have recorded material estimated liabilities for various wildfire-related, enforcement, environmental remediation, and other legal matters. For more information about PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s accounting policies and sources of uncertainty in these estimates, see Notes 14 and 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are subject to various laws and regulations and, in the normal course of business, are named as parties in a number of claims and lawsuits. In addition, penalties may be incurred for failure to comply with federal, state, or local laws and regulations.

The assessment of whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. The process for estimating liabilities requires management to exercise significant judgment based on a number of assumptions and subjective factors, including negotiations (including those during mediations with claimants), discovery, settlements and payments, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter, and estimates based on currently available information and prior experience. As more information becomes available, including from potential claimants as litigation or resolutions progress, management estimates and assumptions regarding the potential financial impacts of wildfire events may change.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are subject to various laws and regulations and, in the normal course of business, are named as parties in a number of claims and lawsuits. In addition, penalties may be incurred for failure to comply with federal, state, or local laws and regulations.

With respect to environmental remediation, as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Utility’s estimated undiscounted gross environmental liabilities were $1.2 billion each. The Utility’s undiscounted future costs could increase to as much as $2.2 billion if the extent of contamination or necessary remediation is greater than anticipated or if the other potentially responsible parties are not financially able to contribute to these costs and could increase further if the Utility chooses to remediate beyond regulatory requirements. Although the Utility has provided for known environmental obligations that are probable and reasonably estimable, estimated costs may vary significantly from actual costs, and the amount of additional future costs may be material to results of operations in the period in which they are recognized.

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Loss Recoveries

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have recovery mechanisms available for wildfire liabilities including from insurance, through rates, and from the Wildfire Fund. The Utility has liability insurance from various insurers, which provides coverage for third-party claims arising before August 1, 2023. PG&E Corporation and the Utility record a receivable for a recovery when they determine that it is probable that they will recover a recorded loss, and they can reasonably estimate the amount or its range. The assessment of whether recovery is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the recovery or a range of recoveries is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. Loss recoveries are reviewed quarterly, and estimates are adjusted to reflect the impact of all known information, including contractual liability insurance policy coverage, advice of legal counsel, past experience with similar events, communications with the Wildfire Fund administrators, the CPUC and FERC, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. See “Loss Recoveries” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Regulatory Accounting

As a regulated entity, the Utility records regulatory assets and liabilities for amounts that are deemed probable of recovery from, or refund to, customers. The Utility continues to apply ASC 980, Regulated Operations. Refer to “Regulation and Regulated Operations” in Note 2 as well as Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. As of December 31, 2025, PG&E Corporation and the Utility reported regulatory assets (including current regulatory balancing accounts receivable) of $22.6 billion and regulatory liabilities (including current regulatory balancing accounts payable) of $24.3 billion.

Determining probability requires significant judgment by management and includes consideration of testimony presented in regulatory hearings, proposed regulatory decisions, final regulatory orders, and the strength or status of applications for rehearing or court appeals. For some of the Utility’s regulatory assets, including utility-retained generation, the Utility has determined that the costs are recoverable based on specific approval from the CPUC. The Utility also records a regulatory asset when a mechanism is in place to recover current expenditures and historical experience indicates that recovery of incurred costs is probable, such as the regulatory assets for pension benefits; deferred income tax; price risk management; and unamortized loss, net of gain, on reacquired debt. If the Utility determined that it is no longer probable that regulatory assets would be recovered or reflected in future rates, or if the Utility ceased to be subject to rate regulation, the regulatory assets would be charged against income in the period in which that determination was made. If regulatory accounting did not apply, the Utility’s future financial results could become more volatile as compared to historical financial results due to the differences in the timing of expense or revenue recognition.

A portion of the Utility’s regulatory asset balances relate to items which could not be anticipated by the Utility during CPUC GRC rate requests resulting from catastrophic events, changes in regulation, or extraordinary changes in operating practices. The Utility may seek authority to track incremental costs in a memorandum account, and the CPUC may authorize recovery of costs tracked in memorandum accounts if the costs are deemed incremental and prudently incurred. These accounts, which include the CEMA, WEMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, and MGMA among others, allow the Utility to track the costs associated with work related to disaster and wildfire response, and other wildfire prevention-related costs. While the Utility generally believes such costs are recoverable, rate recovery requires CPUC authorization in separate proceedings or through a GRC.

Additionally, SB 901 provides a mechanism for the CPUC to allow recovery in future rates, through a securitization mechanism, of wildfire-related costs found to be just and reasonable by the CPUC and, only for the 2017 Northern California wildfires, any amounts in excess of the customer harm threshold (“CHT”). SB 901 required the CPUC to establish the CHT to limit certain disallowances in the aggregate, so that they do not exceed the maximum amount that the Utility can pay without harming customers or materially impacting its ability to provide adequate and safe service. The Utility must evaluate the likelihood of recovery in future rates each period. In 2022, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded a regulatory asset associated with SB 901. As of December 31, 2025, the SB 901 regulatory asset was approximately $5.1 billion. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

In addition, regulatory accounting standards require recognition of a loss if it becomes probable that capital expenditures will be disallowed for ratemaking purposes and if a reasonable estimate of the amount of the disallowance can be made. Such assessments require significant judgment by management regarding probability of recovery, as described above, and the ultimate cost of construction of capital assets. The Utility records a loss to the extent capital costs are expected to exceed the amount to be recovered.  The Utility’s capital forecasts involve a series of complex judgments regarding detailed project plans, estimates included in third-party contracts, historical cost experience for similar projects, permitting requirements, environmental compliance standards, and a variety of other factors.

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Asset Retirement Obligations

PG&E Corporation and the Utility account for an ARO at fair value in the period during which the legal obligation is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value and its settlement date can be made. At the time of recording an ARO, the associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The Utility recognizes a regulatory asset or liability for the timing differences between the recognition of expenses and costs recovered through the ratemaking process. See Notes 2 and 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

To estimate its liability, the Utility uses a discounted cash flow model based upon significant estimates and assumptions about future decommissioning costs, escalation rates, credit-adjusted risk-free rates, and estimated decommissioning dates. The estimated future cash flows are discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate that reflects the risk associated with the decommissioning obligation. The Utility performs detailed cost studies of its nuclear generation facilities in conjunction with the NDCTP, most recently performed in 2021, and updates its nuclear AROs accordingly, unless circumstances warrant more frequent updates. The decommissioning cost estimates are based on the plant location and cost characteristics for the Utility’s nuclear power plant. Actual decommissioning costs may vary from these estimates as a result of changes in assumptions such as decommissioning dates; regulatory requirements; technology; and costs of labor, materials, and equipment.

At December 31, 2025, the Utility’s recorded ARO for the estimated cost of retiring these long-lived assets was approximately $5.4 billion. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the amount of the recorded ARO for these assets.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

PG&E Corporation and the Utility sponsor a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for eligible employees as well as contributory postretirement health care and medical plans for eligible retirees and their eligible dependents, and non-contributory postretirement life insurance plans for eligible employees and retirees. Adjustments to the pension and other benefit obligation are based on the differences between actuarial assumptions and actual plan results. These amounts are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and amortized into income on a gradual basis. The differences between pension benefit expense recognized in accordance with GAAP, and amounts recognized for ratemaking purposes are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities as amounts are probable of recovery through rates. To the extent the other benefits are in an overfunded position, the Utility records a regulatory liability. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

The pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are calculated using actuarial models as of the December 31 measurement date. The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining pension and other benefit obligations include the discount rate, the average rate of future compensation increases, the health care cost trend rate, and the expected return on plan assets. PG&E Corporation and the Utility review these assumptions on an annual basis and adjust them as necessary. While PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that the assumptions used are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience, plan changes or amendments, or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the recorded pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and future plan expenses. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

In establishing health care cost assumptions, PG&E Corporation and the Utility consider recent cost trends and projections from industry experts. This evaluation suggests that current rates of inflation are expected to continue in the near term. In recognition of continued high inflation in health care costs and given the design of PG&E Corporation’s plans, the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2026 was 7.0%, gradually decreasing to the ultimate trend rate of approximately 4.5% in 2036 and beyond.

Expected rates of return on plan assets were developed by estimating future stock and bond returns and then applying these returns to the target asset allocations of the employee benefit plan trusts, resulting in a weighted average rate of return on plan assets. Returns on fixed-income debt investments were projected based on real maturity and credit spreads added to a long-term inflation rate. Returns on equity investments were projected based on estimates of dividend yield and real earnings growth added to a long-term inflation rate. For the Utility’s defined benefit pension plan, the assumed return of 7.0% compares to a ten-year actual return of 5.7%.

The rate used to discount pension benefits and other benefits was based on a yield curve developed from market data of approximately 831 Aa-grade non-callable bonds at December 31, 2025. This yield curve has discount rates that vary based on the duration of the obligations. The estimated future cash flows for the pension and other postretirement benefit obligations were matched to the corresponding rates on the yield curve to derive a weighted average discount rate.

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The following reflects the sensitivity of pension costs and projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions:

(in millions)Increase (Decrease) in AssumptionIncrease in 2025 PensionCostsIncrease in ProjectedBenefit Obligation atDecember 31, 2025
Discount rate(0.50)%$13$1,148
Rate of return on plan assets(0.50)%82
Rate of increase in compensation0.50%35267

The following reflects the sensitivity of other postretirement benefit costs and accumulated benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions:

(in millions)Increase (Decrease) in AssumptionIncrease in 2025Other PostretirementBenefit CostsIncrease in AccumulatedBenefit Obligation atDecember 31, 2025
Health care cost trend rate0.50%$6$41
Discount rate(0.50)%689
Rate of return on plan assets(0.50)%12

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ISSUED BUT NOT YET ADOPTED

See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

MD&A history

Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.

FY 2024 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001004980-25-000010.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Published MD&A gate trimmed front/tail over-capture. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2025-02-13. Report date: 2024-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

This is a combined report of PG&E Corporation and the Utility and includes separate Consolidated Financial Statements for each of these two entities. This combined MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.

Generally, PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s revenues vary based on the outcomes of ratemaking proceedings and the amount of pass-through costs incurred. See “Ratemaking Mechanisms” in Item 1. Description of the Business regarding how the Utility’s revenues are determined. Factors that cause costs to vary include the cost of purchased power and fuel; the costs of procurement storage, transportation of natural gas; weather; criminal, civil and regulatory charges for wildfires; the outcomes of ratemaking proceedings; and increases in interest expense as a result of additional debt issuances.

The discussion related to the results of operations and liquidity for 2023 compared to 2022 is incorporated by reference to Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC in February 2024.

Key Factors Affecting Financial Results

PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that their financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows may be materially affected by the following factors:

•The Uncertainties in Connection with Wildfires, Wildfire Mitigation, and Associated Cost Recovery. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows may be materially affected by the costs and effectiveness of the Utility’s wildfire mitigation initiatives; the extent of damages from wildfires that do occur; the financial impacts of wildfires; and PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s ability to mitigate those financial impacts with insurance, self-insurance, the Wildfire Fund, and regulatory recovery.

In response to the wildfire threat facing California, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have taken aggressive steps to mitigate the threat of catastrophic wildfires. The Utility’s wildfire mitigation initiatives include EPSS, PSPS, vegetation management, asset inspections, and system hardening (such as undergrounding). The Utility’s wildfire mitigation efforts have also benefited in recent years from improved ignition response and situational awareness tools like weather stations and risk modeling. These initiatives have significantly reduced the number of CPUC-reportable ignitions and the number of acres burned from utility-related ignitions. The success of the Utility’s wildfire mitigation efforts depends on many factors, including whether the Utility can retain or contract for the workforce necessary to execute its wildfire mitigation actions.

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PG&E Corporation and the Utility have incurred and will continue to incur substantial expenditures in connection with these initiatives. For more information on incurred expenditures, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. The extent to which the Utility will be able to recover these expenditures and other potential costs through rates is uncertain. If additional requirements are imposed that go beyond current expectations, such requirements could have a substantial impact on the costs of the Utility’s wildfire mitigation initiatives.

The Utility is subject to a number of legal and regulatory requirements related to its wildfire mitigation efforts, which require periodic inspections of electric assets and ongoing reporting related to this work. Although the Utility believes that it has complied substantially with these requirements, it continually reviews and has identified instances of noncompliance. The Utility intends to update the CPUC and the OEIS as its review progresses. The Utility could face fines, penalties, enforcement action, or other adverse legal or regulatory consequences for noncompliance related to wildfire mitigation efforts.

Despite these extensive measures, the potential that the Utility’s equipment will be involved in the ignition of future wildfires, including catastrophic wildfires, is significant. This risk may be attributable to, and exacerbated by, a variety of factors, including climate (in particular, extended periods of seasonal dryness coupled with periods of high wind velocities and other storms), infrastructure, and vegetation conditions. Once an ignition has occurred, the Utility may be unable to control the extent of damages, which is primarily determined by environmental conditions (including weather and vegetation conditions), third-party suppression efforts, and the location of the wildfire.

The financial impact of past wildfires is significant. As of December 31, 2024, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had recorded aggregate liabilities of $1.225 billion, $1.925 billion, and $100 million for claims in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire, the 2021 Dixie fire, and the 2022 Mosquito fire, respectively, and in each case before available insurance, and, in the case of the 2021 Dixie fire and the 2022 Mosquito fire, other probable cost recoveries. These liability amounts correspond to the lower end of the range of reasonably estimable probable losses.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility may be able to mitigate the financial impact of future wildfires in excess of insurance coverage or self-insurance through the Wildfire Fund, or cost recovery through rates. Each of these mitigations involves uncertainties, and liabilities could exceed available recoveries. See “Loss Recoveries” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

As of December 31, 2024, the Utility has recorded insurance receivables of $430 million for the 2019 Kincade fire, $527 million for the 2021 Dixie fire, and $90 million for the 2022 Mosquito fire. Recorded liabilities in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire and the 2021 Dixie fire have exceeded potential amounts recoverable under applicable insurance policies.

If the eligible claims for liabilities arising from wildfires were to exceed $1.0 billion in any Wildfire Fund coverage year (“Coverage Year”), the Utility may be eligible to make a claim against the Wildfire Fund under AB 1054 for such excess amount. The Wildfire Fund is available to the Utility to pay eligible claims for liabilities arising from wildfires, provided that the Utility satisfies the conditions to the Utility’s ongoing participation in the Wildfire Fund set forth in AB 1054 and that the Wildfire Fund has sufficient remaining funds. However, the impact of AB 1054 on PG&E Corporation and the Utility is subject to numerous uncertainties, including the Utility’s ability to demonstrate to the CPUC that wildfire-related costs paid from the Wildfire Fund were just and reasonable and therefore not subject to reimbursement, and whether the benefits of participating in the Wildfire Fund ultimately outweigh its substantial costs. Finally, recoveries for the 2019 Kincade fire would be subject to a 40% limitation on the allowed amount of claims arising before emergence from bankruptcy. The Utility has recorded an aggregate Wildfire Fund receivable of $925 million for the 2021 Dixie fire, of which it had received $169 million as of December 31, 2024. See “Wildfire Fund under AB 1054” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

The Utility will be permitted to recover its wildfire-related claims in excess of available insurance and legal fees through rates unless the CPUC or the FERC, as applicable, determines that the Utility has not met the applicable prudency standard. The revised prudency standard under AB 1054 has not been interpreted or applied by the CPUC, and it is possible that the CPUC could interpret the standard or apply it to the relevant facts differently from how the Utility has interpreted and applied the standard, in which case the Utility may not be able to recover all or a portion of expenses that it has recorded as receivables. As of December 31, 2024, the Utility has recorded receivables for regulatory recovery of $602 million for the 2021 Dixie fire and $60 million for the 2022 Mosquito fire. See “2021 Dixie Fire,” and “2022 Mosquito Fire” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for more information.

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•The Timing and Outcome of Ratemaking and Other Proceedings. Regulatory ratemaking proceedings are a key aspect of the Utility’s business. The Utility’s revenue requirements consist primarily of a base amount set to enable the Utility to recover its reasonable operating expenses (e.g., maintenance, administrative and general expenses) and capital costs (e.g., depreciation and financing expenses). The CPUC also authorizes the Utility to collect revenues to recover costs that the Utility is allowed to pass through to customers, including its costs to procure electricity and natural gas for customers and to administer public purpose and customer programs. Although the Utility generally seeks to recover its recorded costs on a timely basis, in recent years, the amount of the costs recorded in memorandum and balancing accounts has increased. Other proceedings that could impact the Utility’s business profile and financial results include actions by municipalities and other public entities to acquire the electric assets of the Utility within their respective jurisdictions. The outcome of regulatory proceedings can be affected by many factors, including intervening parties’ testimonies, potential rate impacts, the regulatory and political environments, and other factors. See Notes 3 and 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, and “Regulatory Matters” below.

•PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Ability to Control Operating and Financing Costs. Under cost-of-service ratemaking, a utility’s earnings depend on its ability to manage costs within the amounts authorized for recovery in its ratemaking proceedings. The Utility has set a long-term goal to increase its capital investments to meet safety and climate goals, while also achieving operating cost savings. The Utility plans to achieve such savings by improving the planning and execution of its work through increased efficiencies, including waste elimination through the Lean operating system. PG&E Corporation and the Utility also work to minimize financing costs by identifying and executing on opportunities to efficiently finance the business, which depends on capital market conditions.

For more information about the risks that could materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows, or that could cause future results to differ from historical results, see Item 1A. Risk Factors and “Forward-Looking Statements” above for a list of some of the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially.

Tax Matters

PG&E Corporation had a U.S. federal net operating loss carryforward of approximately $33.7 billion and a California net operating loss carryforward of approximately $34.9 billion as of December 31, 2024.

Under Section 382 of the IRC, if a corporation (or a consolidated group) undergoes an “ownership change,” net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes may be subject to certain limitations. In general, an ownership change occurs if the aggregate value of stock ownership of certain shareholders (generally five percent shareholders, applying certain look-through and aggregation rules) increases by more than 50% over such shareholders’ lowest percentage ownership during the testing period (generally three years). PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, each filed on June 22, 2020, and for PG&E Corporation, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation, filed on May 24, 2022 (the “Amended Articles”) contain restrictions on the direct or indirect acquisition or accumulation of PG&E Corporation’s stock. These restrictions prevent any person or entity (including certain groups of persons) from acquiring or accumulating 4.75% or more of the combined value of PG&E Corporation’s stock, including common stock and mandatory convertible preferred stock prior to the Restriction Release Date (as defined in the Amended Articles) without approval by the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation. Shares of PG&E Corporation common stock held directly by the Utility are attributed to PG&E Corporation for income tax purposes and are therefore effectively excluded from the total number of outstanding equity securities when calculating a person’s Percentage Stock Ownership (as defined in the Amended Articles) for purposes of the 4.75% ownership limitation in the Amended Articles. Accordingly, although PG&E Corporation had 2,671,320,389 common shares outstanding as of February 5, 2025, only 2,193,576,799 common shares (the number of outstanding shares of common stock less the number of shares held directly by the Utility) count as outstanding for purposes of the ownership restrictions in the Amended Articles with the result that the ownership limitation based on the unadjusted outstanding stock of PG&E Corporation is lower than 4.75% and can vary based on the relative value of the common stock and mandatory convertible preferred stock on any particular date. For example, based on the closing prices of PG&E Corporation’s common stock and preferred stock as of February 5, 2025, a person’s effective Percentage Stock Ownership limitation for purposes of the Amended Articles as of February 5, 2025 was 3.92% of the combined value of PG&E Corporation’s outstanding common and preferred stock. The computation of the Percentage Stock Ownership is complex, and persons considering purchasing PG&E Corporation’s stock should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the ownership restrictions to their particular situation.

As of the date of this report, it is more likely than not that PG&E Corporation has not undergone an ownership change, and consequently, its net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes are not limited by Section 382 of the IRC.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion presents PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s operating results for 2024 and 2023.  See “Key Factors Affecting Financial Results” above for further discussion about factors that could affect future results of operations.

PG&E Corporation

The consolidated results of operations consist primarily of results related to the Utility, which are discussed in the “Utility” section below.  The following table provides a summary of income (loss) attributable to common shareholders:

(in millions)20242023
Consolidated Total$2,475$2,242
PG&E Corporation(223)(288)
Utility2,6982,530

PG&E Corporation’s net loss primarily consists of interest expense on long-term debt.

Utility

The table below shows the Utility’s Consolidated Statements of Income for 2024 and 2023.  In general, expenses the Utility is authorized to pass through directly to customers (such as costs to purchase electricity and natural gas, as well as costs to fund public purpose programs) and the corresponding amount of revenues collected to recover those pass-through costs do not impact Net income.

Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)20242023
Electric operating revenues$17,811$17,424
Natural gas operating revenues6,6087,004
Total operating revenues24,41924,428
Cost of electricity2,2612,443
Cost of natural gas1,1921,754
Operating and maintenance11,78711,913
SB 901 securitization charges, net331,267
Wildfire-related claims, net of recoveries9464
Wildfire Fund expense383567
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning4,1893,738
Total operating expenses19,93921,746
Operating income4,4802,682
Interest income589593
Interest expense(2,781)(2,485)
Other income, net319293
Income before income taxes2,6071,083
Income tax benefit(105)(1,461)
Net income2,7122,544
Preferred stock dividend requirement1414
Income Attributable to Common Stock$2,698$2,530

Operating Revenues

The Utility’s electric and natural gas operating revenues decreased by $9 million, or 0%, in 2024 compared to 2023. These decreases were primarily due to:

•a decrease in revenues to recover the cost of electricity procurement (which decreased by $182 million) and the cost of natural gas (which decreased by $562 million) and the cost of public purpose programs (which decreased by approximately $50 million) in 2024. These costs are passed through to customers and do not impact net income. (See “Cost of Electricity”, “Cost of Natural Gas”, and “Operating and Maintenance” below);

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•approximately $585 million in revenues authorized in the 2020 WMCE proceeding in 2023 with no similar amount in 2024;

•a decrease of approximately $345 million in revenues to recover insurance costs related to the Utility’s adoption of self-insurance in 2024;

•a decrease of approximately $310 million in revenues authorized in the 2021 WMCE proceeding (see “2021 WMCE Application” below); and

•a decrease of approximately $230 million in revenues to recover costs associated with a lower allowance for doubtful accounts from residential customers in 2024. (See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8).

Partially offset by:

•approximately $1.0 billion in increased base revenues authorized in the 2023 GRC;

•approximately $390 million in interim rate relief authorized in the WGSC proceeding (see “Wildfire and Gas Safety Costs Recovery Application” below) in 2024 with no similar amount in 2023;

•an increase of approximately $310 million in revenues authorized through the FERC formula rate;

•approximately $205 million in revenues authorized in the General Office Sale Memorandum Account (“GOSMA”) petition for modification final decision in 2024 with no similar amount in 2023;

•approximately $170 million in interim rate relief authorized in the 2023 WMCE application (see “2023 WMCE Application” below) in 2024 with no similar amount in 2023; and

•approximately $85 million related to the 2021 NDCTP final decision that ordered the Utility to issue a refund of the Non-Qualified Trust to customers in 2023 with no comparable refund in 2024.

Cost of Electricity

The Utility’s cost of electricity represents the cost of power and fuel used in the Utility’s generating facilities and purchased from third parties to serve customers. Cost of electricity includes fuel supplied to other third-party generating facilities, costs to comply with California’s cap-and-trade program, realized gains and losses on price risk management activities (see Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8), and net power purchases from and sales to the CAISO electricity markets and directly from third parties. The cost of electricity decreased by $182 million in 2024 as compared to 2023. These decreases were primarily the result of lower natural gas market prices included as fuels costs for applicable Utility or third-party generating facilities, partially offset by lower net CAISO market sales revenues.

Cost of Natural Gas

The Utility’s cost of natural gas includes the costs of procurement, storage and transportation of natural gas, costs to comply with California’s cap-and-trade program, and realized gains and losses on price risk management activities. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. The cost of natural gas decreased by $562 million in 2024 as compared to 2023. These decreases were primarily the result of lower natural gas procurement costs, partially offset by less favorable price risk management results, both of which were due to lower natural gas market prices for the period.

Operating and Maintenance

The Utility’s operating and maintenance expenses decreased by $126 million, or 1%, in 2024 compared to 2023. These decreases were primarily due to:

•the recognition of approximately $420 million in previously deferred expenses authorized in the 2020 WMCE proceeding in 2023 with no similar amount in 2024;

•a decrease of approximately $345 million in insurance costs related to the Utility’s adoption of self-insurance in 2024;

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•a decrease of approximately $230 million in costs associated with a lower allowance for doubtful accounts from residential customers in 2024. (See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8);

•a decrease of approximately $160 million in previously deferred expenses authorized in the 2021 WMCE proceeding (see “2021 WMCE Application” below) in 2023; and

•a decrease of approximately $50 million in pass-through costs related to public purpose programs in 2024. These costs are passed through to customers and do not impact net income (see “Operating Revenues” above).

Partially offset by:

•approximately $390 million in interim rate relief authorized in the WGSC proceeding (see “Wildfire and Gas Safety Costs Recovery Application” below) in 2024;

•approximately $210 million in costs related to a FERC order denying the capitalization of certain vegetation management costs and ordering the Utility to reclassify these costs to operating expense in 2024;

•approximately $175 million in revenues authorized in the GOSMA petition for modification final decision in 2024 with no similar amount in 2023;

•approximately $170 million in interim rate relief authorized in the 2023 WMCE application (see “2023 WMCE Application” below) in 2024 with no similar amount in 2023;

•the write-off of approximately $60 million of costs as a result of the CPUC’s final decision denying the Pacific Generation application in 2024; and

•an increase in labor and benefit costs in 2024.

SB 901 Securitization Charges, Net

The Utility’s SB 901 securitization charges, net decreased by $1.23 billion, or 97%, in 2024 compared to 2023. These decreases were due to the recognition of $1.27 billion in net SB 901 securitization charges, primarily representing the amounts that are refundable to ratepayers as a result of tax benefits realized within income tax expense related to the Fire Victim Trust’s sale of PG&E Corporation common stock in 2023, with no comparable activity in 2024. For more information, see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 below.

Wildfire-Related Claims, Net of Recoveries

Costs related to wildfires increased by $30 million, or 47%, in 2024 compared to 2023. The Utility recognized pre-tax charges of $425 million related to the 2021 Dixie fire offset by probable recoveries through the Wildfire Fund and WEMA and $100 million related to the 2019 Kincade fire in 2023. The Utility recognized pre-tax charges of $325 million related to the 2021 Dixie fire offset by probable recoveries through the Wildfire Fund and $100 million related to the 2019 Kincade fire in 2024. Additionally, in 2024, probable WEMA recoveries increased by approximately $30 million due to a reclassification between WEMA and FERC recoveries, which are recorded as a reduction to regulatory liabilities and are not captured in Wildfire-related claims.

Wildfire Fund Expense

The Utility’s Wildfire Fund expense decreased by $184 million, or 32%, in 2024 compared to 2023. These decreases were primarily due to less accelerated amortization of the Wildfire Fund asset and an increase in the estimated period of coverage of the Wildfire Fund from 15 to 20 years. See Note 2 and Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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Depreciation, Amortization, and Decommissioning

The Utility’s Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning expenses increased by $451 million, or 12%, in 2024 compared to 2023. These increases were primarily due to the growth in plant balance from capital additions and an increase in decommissioning expense due to the reversal of approximately $175 million in accrued nuclear decommissioning expense as a result of the 2021 NDCTP final decision in 2023.

Interest Income

There was no material change to Interest income in 2024 compared to 2023.

Interest Expense

The Utility’s Interest expense increased by $296 million, or 12%, in 2024 compared to 2023. These increases were primarily due to an increase in long-term debt and higher interest rates paid on regulatory balancing accounts.

Other Income, Net

There was no material change to Other income, net in 2024 compared to 2023.

Income Tax Benefit

The Utility’s Income tax benefit decreased by $1.4 billion, or 93%, in 2024 compared to 2023. These decreases were primarily due to a decrease in the tax benefit recognized related to the Fire Victim Trust’s sale of PG&E Corporation common stock as well as higher pre-tax income in 2024 compared to 2023.

The following table reconciles the income tax expense at the federal statutory rate to the income tax provision:

20242023
Federal statutory income tax rate21.0%21.0%
Increase (decrease) in income tax rate resulting from:
State income tax (net of federal benefit) (1)(0.8)%(34.4)%
Effect of regulatory treatment of fixed asset differences (2)(24.7)%(40.1)%
Tax credits(0.7)%(2.2)%
Fire Victim Trust (3)%(80.2)%
Other, net1.2%1.1%
Effective tax rate(4.0)%(134.8)%

(1) Includes the effect of state flow-through ratemaking treatment.

(2) Includes the effect of federal flow-through ratemaking treatment for certain property-related costs. For these temporary tax differences, the Utility recognizes the deferred tax impact in the current period and records offsetting regulatory assets and liabilities. Therefore, the Utility’s effective tax rate is impacted as these differences arise and reverse. The Utility recognizes such differences as regulatory assets or liabilities as it is probable that these amounts will be recovered from or returned to customers in future rates. These amounts also reflect the impact of the amortization of excess deferred tax benefits to be refunded to customers as a result of the TCJA.

(3) Includes the tax effect of the Fire Victim Trust’s sale of PG&E Corporation common stock in 2023.

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Overview

PG&E Corporation and the Utility expect to be able to generate and obtain adequate cash to meet their cash requirements in the short term and in the long term.

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PG&E Corporation and the Utility rely on access to debt and equity markets and credit facilities to finance their capital requirements and support their liquidity needs. The CPUC authorizes the Utility’s capital structure, the aggregate amount of long-term and short-term debt that the Utility may issue, and the revenue requirements the Utility is able to collect to recover its cost of service. The Utility generally utilizes retained earnings, equity contributions from PG&E Corporation and long-term debt issuances to maintain its CPUC-authorized long-term capital structure consisting of 52% common equity, 47.5% long-term debt, and 0.5% preferred equity and relies on short-term debt, including its revolving credit facilities, to fund temporary financing needs. The CPUC has granted the Utility a temporary waiver from compliance with its authorized regulatory capital structure until June 2025. The Utility is on track to comply with its authorized regulatory capital structure when the waiver terminates.

PG&E Corporation’s ability to fund operations, make scheduled principal and interest payments, fund equity contributions to the Utility, and pay dividends depends on the level of cash on hand, cash received from the Utility, and PG&E Corporation’s access to the capital and credit markets. Generally, PG&E Corporation and the Utility expect that capital expenditures, debt maturities, and PG&E Corporation capital stock dividends will exceed operating cash flows. As a result, they expect to finance future cash needs in excess of operating cash flows primarily through the capital and credit markets.

Additionally, due to its existing tax attributes, PG&E Corporation does not expect to pay significant federal cash taxes until at least 2029. In 2024, California enacted a new law to suspend the use of net operating losses and limit the use of business credits for tax years 2024 to 2026. As a result, PG&E Corporation expects to pay state income taxes in 2025 and 2026. See “Tax Matters” above and “Inflation Reduction Act” in Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives below for a discussion of events that could limit PG&E Corporation’s ability to use its net operating losses.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have various contractual commitments which impact cash requirements. These commitments are discussed in “Purchase Commitments” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

As of December 31, 2024, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had access to approximately $6.7 billion of total liquidity comprised of $705 million of the Utility’s Cash and cash equivalents, $235 million of PG&E Corporation’s Cash and cash equivalents and $5.8 billion of availability under PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s revolving credit facilities.

Credit Ratings

Credit ratings impact the cost and availability of short-term borrowings, including credit facilities, and long-term debt costs. In addition, some of the Utility’s commodity contracts contain collateral posting provisions tied to the Utility’s credit rating from each of the major credit rating agencies. Contracts which may require collateral postings include the Utility's power and natural gas commodity, transportation, services, and environmental products agreements. Because the Utility’s credit rating remains below investment grade, the Utility generally does not receive unsecured credit from its energy procurement counterparties and it may be required to increase its collateral postings if its credit rating is downgraded.

Restrictive Debt Covenants

PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s credit agreements and the DOE Loan Guarantee Agreement contain various restrictive financial covenants, including a financial covenant requiring PG&E Corporation and the Utility to maintain a total consolidated debt to total consolidated capitalization ratio of no more than 70% and 65% for PG&E Corporation and the Utility, respectively, as of the end of each fiscal quarter.

The failure to comply with the financial covenants contained in these financing arrangements could result in an event of default and the acceleration of the loans under the financing arrangements. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s various credit agreements and the DOE Loan Guarantee Agreement contain provisions that may result in an event of default if there was a failure to meet payment terms or observe other covenants under other financing arrangements that could result in an acceleration of payments due. Such provisions are referred to as “cross-default” provisions. As of December 31, 2024, PG&E Corporation and the Utility remain in compliance with all financial covenants.

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Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  PG&E Corporation and the Utility maintain separate bank accounts and primarily invest their cash in money market funds. In addition to Cash and cash equivalents, the Utility holds Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents that primarily consist of AB 1054 and SB 901 fixed recovery charge collections that are to be used to service the associated bonds. As of December 31, 2024, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had Cash and cash equivalents of $235 million and $705 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2024, the Utility had contributed $911 million to Pacific Energy Risk Solutions, LLC, its wholly-owned subsidiary and captive insurance company for the administration of wildfire liability self-insurance. As of December 31, 2024, $8 million was classified as Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents due to minimum capital and surplus requirements, and $905 million, measured at fair value, was classified as Wildfire self-insurance asset. For more information about wildfire liability self-insurance, see “Self-Insurance” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Financial Resources

Equity Financings

Common Stock Offering

On December 4, 2024, PG&E Corporation issued 55,961,070 shares of its common stock, no par value, for cash proceeds of $1.13 billion. The proceeds from this issuance are intended to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, to fund its five-year capital investment plan.

For more information, see Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock

On December 5, 2024, PG&E Corporation issued $1.6 billion of 6.000% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, no par value, with a dividend rate of 6.000% per annum on the liquidation preference of $50 per share (the “Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”) due December 2027. The Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock dividend is payable on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 of each year. The Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock ranks senior to PG&E Corporation’s common stock with respect to the payment of dividends. The proceeds from this issuance are intended to be used for general corporate purposes which may include, among other things, to fund its five-year capital investment plan.

For more information, see Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Factors that could affect PG&E Corporation’s planned equity issuances include liquidity and cash flow needs, capital expenditures, interest rates, its share price, its earnings, the timing and outcome of ratemaking proceedings, and the timing and terms of other financings.

Debt Financings

Utility

The Utility generally issues first mortgage bonds and secured debt to meet its long-term funding requirements.

On February 28, 2024, the Utility completed the sale of (i) $850 million aggregate principal amount of 5.550% First Mortgage Bonds due 2029, (ii) $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.800% First Mortgage Bonds due 2034 and (iii) $300 million aggregate principal amount of 6.750% First Mortgage Bonds due 2053. The Utility used the net proceeds for the repayment of borrowings outstanding under the Utility’s revolving credit facility pursuant to the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement.

On September 5, 2024, the Utility completed the sale of (i) $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Floating Rate First Mortgage Bonds due 2025 and (ii) $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.900% First Mortgage Bonds due 2054. The Utility used the net proceeds for the repayment of a portion of borrowings outstanding under its then-existing bridge term loan credit agreement.

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AB 1054 Securitization

On August 1, 2024, PG&E Recovery Funding LLC issued approximately $1.42 billion of senior secured recovery bonds in three tranches: (1) approximately $300 million with an interest rate of 4.838% due June 1, 2035, (2) approximately $373 million with an interest rate of 5.231% due June 1, 2042, and (3) approximately $746 million with an interest rate of 5.529% due June 1, 2051. The $1.41 billion net proceeds were used by the Utility to reimburse itself for previously incurred fire risk mitigation capital expenditures through the repayment of a portion of loans outstanding under the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement.

For more information, see “AB 1054 Securitization” in Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

PG&E Corporation

On September 11, 2024, PG&E Corporation completed the sale of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 7.375% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055. These notes will initially bear interest at the rate of 7.375% per annum, and beginning March 15, 2030 and every five year anniversary thereafter, the interest rate will be reset to an amount that is equal to the five-year U.S. Treasury rate plus 3.883% (but not below 7.375%). PG&E Corporation used the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including to prepay in full, all loans outstanding under its then-existing term loan agreement in an aggregate principal amount equal to $500 million.

On November 15, 2024, PG&E Corporation completed the sale of an additional $500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.375% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2055. These notes will initially bear interest at the rate of 7.375% per annum, and beginning March 15, 2030 and every five year anniversary thereafter, the interest rate will be reset to an amount that is equal to the five-year U.S. Treasury rate plus 3.883% (but not below 7.375%). PG&E Corporation used the net proceeds for general corporate purposes.

Facilities and Term Loans

As of December 31, 2024, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had $500 million and $3.8 billion available under their respective $500 million and $4.4 billion revolving credit facilities. The Utility also has access to the $1.5 billion Receivables Securitization Program, under which the Utility may borrow the lesser of the facility limit and the facility availability. Further, the facility availability may vary based on the amount of accounts receivable that the Utility owns that are eligible for sale to the SPV and the portion of those accounts receivable that are sold to the SPV that are eligible for advances by the lenders under the Receivables Securitization Program.

Utility

On April 16, 2024, the Utility amended its existing term loan agreement to combine its $400 million 2-year tranche loan maturing April 19, 2024 and its $125 million 364-day tranche loan maturing April 16, 2024 into a single loan of $525 million maturing April 15, 2025. The loan bears interest based on the Utility’s election of either (1) Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) (plus a 0.10% credit spread adjustment) plus an applicable margin of 1.375% or (2) the alternative base rate plus an applicable margin of 0.375%.

On June 26, 2024, the Utility amended its existing receivables securitization program to, among other things, extend the scheduled termination date from June 9, 2025 to June 26, 2026.

On June 28, 2024, the Utility amended its then-existing bridge term loan credit agreement to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date from August 15, 2024 to December 16, 2024, and (ii) modify the mandatory prepayment provision to require the Utility to prepay term loans outstanding under such credit agreement, subject to certain exceptions, with 100% of the net cash proceeds received by the Utility from the issuance of debt securities or incurrence of any debt under any bank credit facilities (excluding AB 1054 securitizations and the Utility’s revolving credit agreement). As of December 31, 2024, the bridge term loan was no longer outstanding.

On July 25, 2024, the Utility amended its existing revolving credit agreement to extend the maturity date for commitments representing $4.196 billion in the aggregate from June 22, 2028 to June 22, 2029 (subject to a one-year extension at the option of the Utility). The remaining $204 million of commitments will mature on June 22, 2028.

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PG&E Corporation

On July 25, 2024, PG&E Corporation amended its existing revolving credit agreement to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date from June 22, 2026 to June 22, 2027 (subject to a one-year extension at the option of PG&E Corporation), and (ii) remove the cash coverage ratio covenant.

For more information, see “Credit Facilities and Term Loans” in Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Other Financings

DOE Loan Guarantee Agreement

On January 17, 2025, the Utility entered into the following agreements: (1) the DOE Loan Guarantee Agreement; (2) a note purchase agreement dated as of January 17, 2025 (the “Note Purchase Agreement”), among the Utility, the Federal Financing Bank (“FFB”), and the DOE; and (3) a future advance promissory note dated January 17, 2025, made by the Utility to FFB (the “Note” and together with the Note Purchase Agreement, the “FFB Note Documents”).

The FFB Note Documents provide for a multi-advance term loan facility (the “Facility”), under which the Utility may make quarterly term loan borrowings through FFB, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. Proceeds of the advances under the Facility are to be used by the Utility to reimburse for “Eligible Project Costs” previously incurred and either expended or accrued by the Utility in connection with projects that DOE has determined to be “Eligible Projects” (each as defined in the DOE Loan Guarantee Agreement). The aggregate amount of advances under the Facility may not exceed $15 billion.

In connection with the DOE Loan Guarantee Agreement, the DOE agreed to guarantee the obligations of the Utility under the FFB Note Documents (the “Guaranteed Loan”). The Guaranteed Loan is made pursuant to the loan guarantee program established under Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, as amended (the “Title XVII Loan Guarantee Program”).

The Facility permits the Utility to borrow during the “Availability Period,” which continues until the earliest of: (1) the date the Guaranteed Loan reaches $15 billion; (2) September 15, 2031; (3) the occurrence of an event that causes the guarantee issued by DOE in favor of FFB pursuant to the FFB Note Purchase Agreement to cease to be in full force and effect (“Guarantee Trigger Event”); (4) the date of termination of obligations to disburse any undisbursed amounts of the Guaranteed Loan following the occurrence of any event of default; and (5) January 17, 2030 if the initial first advance has not occurred by that date

The Utility may request advances under the Facility during the Availability Period not more than once per calendar quarter by submission of an advance request to DOE with respect to the Eligible Project(s) and Eligible Project Costs subject to such advance. The aggregate amount of advances cannot exceed $10 billion in any calendar year other than calendar year 2028, during which the aggregate amount of advances cannot exceed $5 billion.

Advances are subject to the satisfaction of customary and non-customary conditions. Such conditions include: (1) approval by DOE in its sole discretion of the Eligible Project(s) subject to such advance; (2) compliance with the requirements of the Title XVII Loan Guarantee Program; (3) certification of the ongoing accuracy in all material respects of all representations and warranties; (4) evidence of compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931, as amended; (5) compliance with the Cargo Preference Act of 1954, as amended; (6) confirmation that the Utility’s long-term senior secured credit ratings are at least investment grade; (7) completion of the environmental review process pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, as amended, with respect to the Eligible Project(s) subject to such advance; and (8) other documentary conditions required by the DOE Loan Guarantee Agreement and the FFB Note Documents.

The final maturity date for each advance under the Facility will be the earlier of the interest payment date following the 22nd anniversary of the date of such advance or January 17, 2055.

As of the date of this report, the Utility has not borrowed any advances under the Facility. The Utility is not able to predict the timing or amount of any funds it may receive from the Facility in the future as a result of the January 20, 2025 executive order by President Trump entitled “Unleashing American Energy” regarding funds authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act.

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Citizens Energy Corporation

On January 29, 2025, the Utility entered into an amended and restated agreement with Citizens Energy Corporation (“Citizens”) pursuant to which the Utility may lease to Citizens entitlements to certain transmission assets. A portion of the costs associated with each project that is expected to be subject to such a lease will be excluded from the Utility’s FERC transmission rates for the duration of the applicable lease. The Utility may offer Citizens up to five lease options over the term of the agreement, for a total investment by Citizens of up to $1.0 billion. If Citizens exercises and the parties close on a lease option, the Utility will receive an upfront payment as prepaid rent for that lease, which is expected to average approximately $200 million per lease, and the rate base associated with the leased entitlements will go into Citizens’ rate base, rather than the Utility’s, for 30 years. The transactions contemplated by the agreement are subject to FERC and CPUC approval.

Dividends

Utility

On each of February 13, May 16, and September 19, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Utility declared dividends on its outstanding series of preferred stock totaling $3.5 million, which were paid on May 15, August 15, and November 15, 2024, respectively, to holders of record as of April 30, July 31, and October 31, 2024. On November 29, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Utility declared dividends on its outstanding series of preferred stock totaling $3.5 million, payable on February 15, 2025, to holders of record as of January 31, 2025.

On each of February 13, May 16, September 19, and November 29, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Utility declared common stock dividends of $450 million, $500 million, $500 million, and $575 million, which were paid to PG&E Corporation on March 25, June 3, September 20, and December 24, 2024. respectively.

PG&E Corporation

On each of February 13, May 16, and September 19, 2024, the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.01 per share, each declaration totaling $21 million, which were paid on April 15, July 15, and October 15, 2024, to holders of record as of March 28, June 28 and September 30, 2024, respectively. On November 29, 2024, the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation declared a new quarterly common stock dividend of $0.025 per share, totaling $55 million, which was paid on January 15, 2025, to holders of record as of December 31, 2024.

In December 2024, PG&E Corporation announced a new dividend policy entailing consistent dividend increases targeting a dividend payout ratio of approximately 20% of core earnings by 2028. No dividend is payable unless and until declared by the applicable Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation retains authority to change the common stock dividend target and dividend payout ratio at any time. Future dividend decisions determined by the Board may be impacted by earnings, cash flows, credit metrics and other business conditions.

On December 12, 2024, the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation declared a cash dividend in the amount of $0.7167 per mandatory convertible preferred share, to be payable on March 1, 2025, to holders of record as of February 14, 2025.

Utility Cash Flows

PG&E Corporation’s consolidated cash flows consist primarily of cash flows related to the Utility. The following discussion presents the Utility’s cash flows for 2024 and 2023.

The Utility’s cash flows were as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)20242023
Net cash provided by operating activities$8,268$5,097
Net cash used in investing activities(11,375)(9,162)
Net cash provided by financing activities3,3483,979
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents$241$(86)

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Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $3.2 billion, or 62%, in 2024 compared to 2023. The increases were primarily due to:

•an increase in collections through rates including as a result of the 2023 GRC final decision; and

•decrease in amounts paid for natural gas due to a decrease in natural gas commodity prices.

Partially offset by:

•an increase in climate credits issued to customers; and

•lower cash return for collateral posted in 2024 due to a decrease in the volatility of gas prices.

The Utility’s cash flows from operating activities primarily consist of receipts from customers less payments of cash operating expenses. The Utility’s receipts from customers are expected to increase primarily as a result of increases in the Utility’s rate base and from cost recovery applications (see “Cost Recovery Proceedings” below for more information).

Future cash flow from operating activities will be affected by various factors, including:

•the timing and amount of costs in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire, the 2021 Dixie fire, and the 2022 Mosquito fire and the timing and amount of any potential related insurance, Wildfire Fund, and regulatory recoveries;

•the timing and amount of costs in connection with future wildfires and the timing and amount of any potential related insurance, including funds available from self-insurance and the Wildfire Fund (see “Wildfire Fund under AB 1054” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8);

•the timing and amount of costs in connection with the 2023-2025 WMP and the portion of the costs previously incurred in connection with the 2020-2022 WMP that are not currently being recovered through rates (see “Regulatory Matters” below for more information);

•the timing and outcomes of the Utility’s pending and future ratemaking and regulatory proceedings, including the extent to which PG&E Corporation and the Utility are able to recover their costs through regulated rates as recorded in memorandum accounts or balancing accounts, or as otherwise requested; and

•the timing and amount of electric commodity price volatility and differences between commodity costs and revenue collections.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on their financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources, other than those discussed under “Purchase Commitments” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Investing Activities

The following table summarizes changes in key components of the Utility’s investing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023.

(in millions)Year Ended December 31,
Cash used in investing activities - 2023$(9,162)
Capital expenditures(655)
Net purchases related to customer credit trust investments(677)
Purchases of self-insurance investments(898)
Other investing activities17
Net increase in cash used in investing activities(2,213)
Cash used in investing activities - 2024$(11,375)

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Net cash used in investing activities increased by $2.2 billion, or 24%, in 2024 compared to 2023. The increases were primarily due to a $898 million increase in purchases of self-insurance investments in 2024, and a $677 million increase in net purchases of customer credit trust investments, net of proceeds from sales. In addition, capital expenditures increased by $655 million in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to increased customer connection energization and electric distribution pole replacement.

The Utility’s investing activities primarily consist of the construction of new and replacement facilities necessary to provide safe and reliable electricity and natural gas services to its customers. Cash used in investing activities also includes the proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust, customer credit trust, and self-insurance investments which are partially offset by the amount of cash used to purchase new nuclear decommissioning trust, customer credit trust, and self-insurance investments. The funds in the decommissioning trusts, along with accumulated earnings, are used exclusively for decommissioning and dismantling the Utility’s nuclear generation facilities. Pursuant to SB 901, the funds in the customer credit trust, along with accumulated earnings, are used exclusively to fund a monthly credit to customers.

Future cash flows used in investing activities are largely dependent on the timing and amount of capital expenditures.  The Utility estimates that it will incur $12.9 billion of capital expenditures in 2025. Additionally, future cash flows used in investing activities could be impacted by the timing and amount of contributions to the self-insurance captive (see “Self-Insurance” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8) and to the customer credit trust, including $650 million to be contributed by March 2025 (see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8).

Financing Activities

The following table summarizes changes in key components of the Utility’s financing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023.

(in millions)Year Ended December 31,
Cash provided by financing activities - 2023$3,979
Net borrowings under credit facilities(3,384)
Repayments under term loan credit facilities(4,200)
Issuance of long-term debt(2,484)
Issuance of short-term debt999
Repayments of long-term debt2,275
Proceeds from issuance of senior secured recovery bonds in AB 10541,409
Proceeds related to DWR loans980
Equity contribution from PG&E Corporation4,070
Other financing activities(296)
Net increase in cash provided by financing activities(631)
Cash provided by financing activities - 2024$3,348

Net cash provided by financing activities decreased by $631 million, or 16%, in 2024 compared to 2023. The decreases were primarily due to:

•$4.2 billion increase in net repayments under term loan credit facilities; and

•$3.4 billion decrease in net borrowings under credit facilities.

Partially offset by:

•$4.1 billion increase in equity contributions from PG&E Corporation;

•$1.4 billion in proceeds related to the issuance of senior secured recovery bonds in the AB 1054 securitization, with no similar transaction in 2023;

•$999 million in proceeds related to issuance of short-term debt, with no similar transaction in 2023; and

•$980 million in proceeds related to the DWR loan in 2024, with no similar transaction in 2023.

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Cash provided by or used in financing activities is driven by the Utility’s financing needs, which depend on the level of cash provided by or used in operating activities, the level of cash provided by or used in investing activities, the conditions in the capital markets, and the maturity date or prepayment date of existing debt instruments. Additionally, the Utility’s future cash flows from financing activities will be affected by the timing and outcome of the Utility’s financings, dividend payments, and equity contributions from PG&E Corporation. As of December 31, 2024, PG&E Corporation has completed the planned equity financing for its $63 billion 2024 through 2028 capital expenditure plan.

LITIGATION MATTERS

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have significant contingencies arising from their operations, including contingencies related to the enforcement and litigation matters described in Notes 14 and 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 and in “Regulatory Matters” below that are incorporated by reference herein. The outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material effect on PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.

REGULATORY MATTERS

The Utility is subject to substantial regulation by the CPUC, the FERC, the OEIS, the NRC, and other federal and state regulatory agencies. The resolutions of the proceedings described below and other proceedings may materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows. Except as otherwise noted, PG&E Corporation and the Utility are unable to predict the timing and outcome of the following proceedings.

During the year ended December 31, 2024 and through the date of this filing, key updates to regulatory and legislative matters were as follows:

•In December 2024, the CPUC issued a final decision in the 2021 WMCE proceeding approving a revenue requirement of $429 million associated with costs recorded to the VMBA.

•In December 2024, the CPUC issued a final decision approving $723 million out of the Utility’s request of $761 million for net recovery of the Utility’s costs to operate DCPP from 2023 through 2025.

•In November 2024, the OEIS issued a final decision approving the Utility’s 2025 WMP update, which the CPUC ratified on January 16, 2025. The OEIS issued a safety certificate for the Utility on December 11, 2024.

•In October 2024, the CPUC issued a final decision in the Utility’s 2023 Cost of Capital proceeding that changed the cost of capital adjustment mechanism and set the Utility’s ROE at 10.28% effective January 1, 2025.

•In September 2024, the CPUC issued a final decision on interim rate recovery in the Utility’s 2023 WMCE that grants the Utility interim rate relief of $944 million, plus interest, subject to refund.

•In August 2024, the FERC issued an order approving the Utility’s TO18 transmission rate case settlement.

•In July 2024, the CPUC issued a final decision for Phase 2 of the GRC that set a cumulative expenditure cap at $2.26 billion for the period of 2024 to 2026 and permits the Utility to revisit the 2025 and 2026 cap amounts.

•In March 2024, the CPUC granted the Utility’s request to delay $650 million of contributions to the customer credit trust from 2024 to 2025.

•In March 2024, the CPUC approved a final decision in the WGSC proceeding authorizing the Utility to recover $516 million in interim rates to be recovered over 12 months starting April 1, 2024.

•In February 2024, the CPUC issued a final resolution approving an Administrative Consent Order and Agreement between the SED and the Utility regarding the 2021 Dixie fire.

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Cost Recovery Proceedings

Periodically, costs arise that could not have been anticipated by the Utility during CPUC GRC proceedings or that have been deliberately excluded from such proceedings. For instance, these costs may result from catastrophic events, changes in regulation, or extraordinary changes in operating practices. The Utility may seek authority to track incremental costs in a memorandum account and the CPUC may later authorize recovery of costs tracked in memorandum accounts if the costs are deemed incremental and prudently incurred. The CPUC may also authorize balancing accounts with limitations or caps on cost recovery. These accounts, which include the CEMA, WEMA, FHPMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, and MGMA among others, allow the Utility to track the costs associated with work related to disaster and wildfire response, other wildfire prevention-related costs, and certain third-party wildfire claims. While the Utility generally expects such costs to be recoverable, the CPUC may authorize the Utility to recover less than the full amount of its costs.

In recent years, the amount of the costs recorded in these accounts has increased. Because rate recovery may require CPUC authorization of the costs in these accounts, there can be a delay between when the Utility incurs costs and when it may recover those costs. As of December 31, 2024, the Utility had recorded an aggregate amount of approximately $3.6 billion in costs for the CEMA, WEMA, FHPMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, and MGMA. Of these costs, approximately $1.2 billion was authorized for recovery and accounted for as current, and $2.4 billion was accounted for as long term as of December 31, 2024. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

If the amount of the costs recorded in these accounts continues to increase, or the delay between incurring and recovering costs lengthens, PG&E Corporation and the Utility may incur additional financing costs. If the Utility does not recover the full amount of its recorded costs, the difference between the recorded and recovered amounts would be written off as a non-cash disallowance. Such disallowances could materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.

For more information, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, and “Wildfire Mitigation and Catastrophic Events Cost Recovery Applications” and “Wildfire and Gas Safety Costs Recovery Application” below.

The Utility’s cost recovery proceedings for the costs described above that are pending, have pending appeals, or were completed during the year ended December 31, 2024 are summarized in the following table:

ProceedingRequest (1)Status
2021 WMCERevenue requirement of approximately $1.47 billionPartial settlement agreement to recover $721 million of revenue requirement approved August 2023. Decision authorizing $429 million of revenue requirement for the VMBA related costs adopted December 2024.
2022 WMCERevenue requirement of approximately $1.29 billionFiled December 2022. Decision authorizing $1.1 billion of interim rate relief adopted June 2023. Partial settlement filed December 2023.
2023 WMCERevenue requirement of approximately $1.86 billionApplication filed December 2023. Decision authorizing $944 million of interim rate relief adopted September 2024.
2024 WMCERevenue requirement of approximately $435 millionApplication filed November 2024.
2023 WGSCRevenue requirement of approximately $688 millionApplication filed June 2023. Decision authorizing $516 million of interim rate relief adopted March 2024.

(1) The revenue requirement request amounts do not include interest.

Wildfire Mitigation and Catastrophic Events Cost Recovery Applications

2021 WMCE Application

On September 16, 2021, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $1.6 billion of recorded expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.47 billion (the “2021 WMCE application”). The costs addressed in this application reflect costs related to wildfire mitigation and certain catastrophic events, as well as implementation of various customer-focused initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in 2020.

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The recorded expenditures consist of $1.4 billion in expenses and $197 million in capital expenditures. The Utility’s requested revenue requirement includes amounts recorded to the VMBA of $592 million, the CEMA of $535 million, the WMBA of $149 million, and other memorandum accounts.

On August 10, 2023, the CPUC approved a settlement agreement among the Utility and intervenors pursuant to which the Utility began collecting a revenue requirement of $721 million over 24 months beginning September 1, 2023. The settlement agreement did not address the Utility’s revenue requirement of $592 million associated with costs recorded to the VMBA.

On December 27, 2024, the CPUC issued a final decision approving a revenue requirement of $429 million associated with costs recorded to the VMBA. On January 27, 2025, the Utility filed an application for rehearing.

2022 WMCE Application

On December 15, 2022, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $1.36 billion of recorded expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.29 billion (the “2022 WMCE application”). The costs addressed in this application reflect costs related to wildfire mitigation and certain catastrophic events, as well as implementation of various customer-focused initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in 2021.

The recorded expenditures consist of $1.2 billion in expenses and $136 million in capital expenditures. On June 8, 2023, the CPUC adopted a final decision granting the Utility interim rate relief of $1.1 billion to be recovered over 12 months, which went into effect July 1, 2023. The remaining $224 million will be recovered to the extent it is approved after the CPUC issues a final decision. Cost recovery requested in this application is subject to the CPUC’s reasonableness review, which could result in some or all of the interim rate relief being subject to refund. See “2022 WMCE Interim Rate Relief Subject to Refund” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

On December 22, 2023, the Utility filed an unopposed joint settlement with intervenors for an additional $70 million revenue requirement, which is incremental to the previously approved interim rate relief. If the CPUC adopts the settlement agreement, it would resolve all costs recorded to accounts other than the VMBA and the WMBA. The settlement agreement did not address the Utility’s revenue requirement request of $916 million associated with costs recorded to the VMBA or the WMBA, for which cost recovery will be determined separately by the CPUC.

On December 19, 2024, the CPUC extended the statutory deadline to resolve the remaining issues in the proceeding to September 30, 2025.

2023 WMCE Application

On December 1, 2023, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $2.18 billion of recorded expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.86 billion (the “2023 WMCE application”). The costs addressed in this application reflect costs related to wildfire mitigation and certain catastrophic events, as well as implementation of various customer-focused initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in 2022.

The recorded expenditures consist of $1.6 billion in expenses and $559 million in capital expenditures. Of these amounts, approximately 15% of expense, or $239 million, and 30% of capital expenditures, or $167 million, relate to the Utility’s response to the 2022-2023 extreme winter storms CEMA event.

On September 16, 2024, the CPUC issued a final decision on interim rate recovery that grants the Utility interim rate relief of $944 million, plus interest, subject to refund, to be recovered over at least 17 months starting October 1, 2024. The remaining $914 million, plus interest, would be recovered to the extent it is approved after the CPUC issues a final decision. Cost recovery requested in this application is subject to the CPUC’s reasonableness review, which could result in some or all of the interim rate relief being subject to refund.

The CPUC’s procedural schedule indicates a final decision by the second quarter of 2025.

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2024 WMCE Application

On November 21, 2024, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $596 million of recorded expenditures in the CEMA and other accounts, resulting in a revenue requirement of approximately $435 million (the “2024 WMCE application”). The costs addressed in this application include those incurred in connection with rebuild and restoration activities, certain catastrophic wildfire and weather events, and other programs supporting gas, customer, and climate initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in 2023.

The recorded expenditures consist of $80 million in expense and $516 million in capital expenditures. Of these amounts, approximately $50 million of expense and $396 million of capital expenditures relate to community rebuild and restoration activities and other catastrophic events included in CEMA.

Wildfire and Gas Safety Costs Recovery Application

On June 15, 2023, the Utility filed a WGSC application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $2.5 billion of recorded expenditures related to wildfire mitigation costs and gas safety and electric modernization costs.

The recorded expenditures for wildfire mitigation consist of $726 million in expenses and $1.5 billion in capital expenditures and cover activities during the years 2020 to 2022. The recorded expenditures for gas safety and electric modernization consist of $120 million in expenses and $118 million in capital expenditures and cover activities during the years 2017 to 2022. If approved, the requested cost recovery would result in an aggregate revenue requirement of $688 million. The costs addressed in the WGSC application are incremental to those previously authorized in the Utility’s 2020 GRC and other proceedings.

The Utility recorded these costs to the memorandum and balancing accounts as set forth in the following table:

(in millions)Recorded Costs
WMPMA$2,095
FRMMA165
Gas storage balancing account101
In line inspection memorandum account92
Other45
Total$2,498

In connection with the WGSC application, the Utility also requested interim rate relief of $583 million. The remaining $105 million would be recovered after the CPUC issues a final decision. On March 7, 2024, the CPUC approved a final decision authorizing the Utility to recover $516 million in interim rates to be recovered over at least 12 months starting April 1, 2024.

The administrative law judge has adopted a schedule that would result in a proposed decision on the wildfire mitigation costs in the first half of 2025 and a final decision on the gas safety and electric modernization costs by June 2025.

Forward-Looking Rate Cases

The Utility routinely participates in forward-looking rate case applications before the CPUC and the FERC. Those applications include GRCs, where the revenue required for general operations (“base revenue”) of the Utility is assessed and reset. In addition, the Utility is periodically involved in “cost of capital” proceedings to adjust its regulated return on rate base. The Utility’s future earnings will depend on the revenue requirements authorized in such rate cases. The Utility also expects to file its SB 884 cost application with the CPUC after the OEIS approves guidelines. See “SB 884 10-Year Distribution Undergrounding Program” below.

Decisions in GRC proceedings have historically been expected prior to the commencement of the period to which the rates would apply. In recent decades, decisions in GRC proceedings have been delayed. Delayed decisions may cause the Utility to develop its budgets based on possible outcomes, rather than authorized amounts. When decisions are delayed, the CPUC typically provides rate relief to the Utility effective as of the commencement of the rate case period (not effective as of the date of the delayed decision). Nonetheless, the Utility’s spending during the period of the delay may exceed the authorized amount, without an ability for the Utility to seek cost recovery of such excess. If the Utility’s spending during the period of the delay is less than the authorized amount, the Utility could be exposed to operational and financial risks associated with the lower level of work achieved compared to that funded by the CPUC.

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The Utility’s forward-looking rate cases that are pending, have pending appeals, or were completed during the year ended December 31, 2024 are summarized in the following table:

Rate CaseRequestStatus
2023 GRCPhase 2: balancing account for additional energization costsFinal decision on Phase 2 issued July 2024 sets a cumulative expenditure cap at $2.26 billion for the period of 2024 to 2026.
2023 Cost of Capital, Phase 2Maintain cost of capital adjustment mechanismFinal decision issued October 2024, changing the cost of capital adjustment mechanism and setting the Utility’s ROE at 10.28% effective January 1, 2025.
TO18, TO19, and TO20See Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8Settlement approved by the FERC August 2024.
TO21Revenue requirement of $2.78 billion for 2024Accepted December 2023, except as to CAISO adder. Settlement in principle reached December 2024. Appeal of FERC’s order regarding CAISO adder filed June 2024 and remains pending.

2023 General Rate Case

Phase 1

On November 17, 2023, the CPUC issued a final decision on Phase 1.

The Utility is authorized to collect through rates the approved revenue requirement increases beginning January 1, 2024 and to amortize the incremental revenue increases related to 2023 for 24 months over the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025.

The final decision authorized the following:

YearRevenue Requirement (in billions)Rate Base (in billions)
2023$13.52$45.8
202414.2448.8
202514.6051.2
202614.8054.0

For more information, see “Regulatory Matters” in the 2023 Form 10-K.

Phase 2 and Energization Timelines Order Instituting Rulemaking

On September 15, 2023, the Utility served opening testimony proposing to recover energization costs incremental to the forecasts of the Utility’s Phase 1 2023 GRC. Energization activities include new business connections and capacity-related work to allow for the connections and reduce energization timelines. On July 16, 2024, the CPUC issued a final decision approving a memorandum account with interim rate relief, subject to annual caps and reasonableness review in the 2027 GRC application. The overall expenditure cap was set at $2.26 billion for the period of 2024 to 2026. The decision also provides the Utility the ability to request revisions to the 2025 and 2026 cap amounts under certain conditions. On October 4, 2024, the Utility filed a motion to increase the 2025 and 2026 cap amounts by an aggregate $3.1 billion, which reflects approximately $300 million originally included in 2024, for a net increase of $2.8 billion.

On October 18, 2024, the assigned commissioner issued an amended scoping memo providing for a final decision in spring 2025.

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Cost of Capital Proceedings

2023 Cost of Capital Application

On December 19, 2022, the CPUC issued a final decision adopting a new cost of capital, ROE, cost of preferred stock, and cost of debt for the Utility’s electric generation, electric distribution, natural gas distribution, and natural gas transmission and storage rate base beginning on January 1, 2023. On October 22, 2024, the CPUC issued the decision in Phase 2 modifying the Cost of Capital mechanism and setting new returns on equity effective January 1, 2025.

On November 6, 2024, the Utility submitted an advice letter with updated 2025 cost of capital rates. On December 4, 2024, the CPUC approved the advice letter and the following cost of capital rates, which went into effect beginning January 1, 2025:

CostWeightWeighted Cost
Return on Common Equity10.28%52.00%5.35%
Return on Preferred Equity5.52%0.50%0.03%
Return on Long-term debt4.80%47.50%2.28%

The Utility will file the next cost of capital application on March 20, 2025 for test year 2026.

Transmission Owner Rate Cases

Transmission Owner Rate Case for 2024 (the “TO21” rate case)

On October 13, 2023, the Utility filed its TO21 rate case with the FERC. In the filing, the Utility forecasted a 2024 retail electric transmission revenue requirement of $2.83 billion. The proposed amount reflects an approximately 11% decrease over the rate year 2023 retail revenue requirement of $3.18 billion, due in part to a refund to customers (see “Transmission Owner Rate Case Revenue Subject to Refund” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8) and the transaction to lease entitlements associated with certain transmission assets (see “Liquidity and Financial Resources - Other Financings” above). The Utility made investments of approximately $1.22 billion in 2023 and forecasts that it will make investments of approximately $1.43 billion in 2024 for various capital projects to be placed in service before the end of 2024. The Utility requested that FERC approve a 12.37% base ROE as well as a 0.5% adder for its participation in the CAISO. The TO21 filing also addresses the Utility’s capital structure and several new issues including wildfire self-insurance recovery from transmission customers.

On December 29, 2023, the FERC issued an order accepting the TO21 filing subject to refund, establishing a January 1, 2024 effective date, and establishing a settlement and hearing process, but denying the 0.5% ROE adder for participation in the CAISO, which results in a forecast transmission revenue requirement of $2.78 billion. On January 29, 2024, the Utility filed a request for rehearing of the FERC’s denial of the 0.5% ROE adder for participation in the CAISO. On June 12, 2024, the FERC issued an order denying the Utility’s request for rehearing. On June 18, 2024, the Utility and California IOUs filed an appeal of the FERC’s order denying the Utility’s request for rehearing. The utilities’ joint opening brief was filed on September 11, 2024 and reply brief was filed on December 17, 2024.

On December 18, 2024, the settlement judge issued a status report to the FERC stating that the Utility and the other parties have reached a settlement in principle on all issues in the TO21 rate case. The parties will draft an offer of settlement to be filed with the FERC for approval.

Other Regulatory Proceedings

2023-2025 Wildfire Mitigation Plan

On March 27, 2023, the Utility submitted the 2023-2025 WMP. The 2023-2025 WMP addresses the Utility’s wildfire safety programs and initiatives focused on reducing the potential for catastrophic wildfires related to electrical equipment and reducing the customer impact of EPSS and PSPS events. On December 29, 2023, the OEIS issued a final decision approving the Utility’s 2023-2025 WMP. On February 15, 2024, the CPUC ratified the OEIS’s approval. On January 8, 2024, the Utility filed a change order request to update some of the forecasted work in the WMP for 2024. On May 31, 2024, the OEIS issued a decision approving in part and denying in part the change order request.

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The Utility submitted an updated 2025 WMP on April 2, 2024, as directed by the OEIS. On November 19, 2024, the OEIS issued a final approval of the Utility’s 2025 WMP update. On January 16, 2025, the CPUC ratified the OEIS’s approval.

Extension of Diablo Canyon Operations

On September 2, 2022, SB 846 became law. SB 846 supports the extension of operations at DCPP through no later than 2030, with the potential for an earlier retirement date. Under the legislation, the Utility continues to operate DCPP on behalf of all CPUC-jurisdictional LSEs, and all customers of those LSEs are responsible for the cost of extended operations.

The key steps to continued operations are NRC license renewal and approvals from California state agencies, including the CPUC, CEC, California State Lands Commission, California Coastal Commission, and other state agencies. As set forth below, many of these approvals have been received.

On February 28, 2023, and in consultation with the CAISO and CPUC, the CEC determined that it is prudent to extend the operation of DCPP to support electric system reliability through 2030.

The Utility leases land from the state for the water intake structure, breakwaters, cooling water discharge channel, and other structures on state land associated with DCPP. On June 5, 2023, the California State Lands Commission approved an extension of the Utility’s lease at DCPP through October 31, 2030.

On August 15, 2023, the California State Water Resources Control Board approved the Utility’s plan for once-through cooling at DCPP.

On November 7, 2023, the Utility submitted an application for license renewal with the NRC. On December 19, 2023, the NRC deemed the application sufficient, which allows continued operations at DCPP past the plant’s current licenses until the relicensing review is complete. The NRC’s schedule indicates that it will issue a final safety evaluation report and supplemental environmental impact statement by June 2025.

On December 14, 2023, the CPUC approved extended operations at DCPP until October 31, 2029 for Unit 1 and October 31, 2030 for Unit 2. The approval is subject to the following conditions: (1) the NRC continues to authorize DCPP operations; (2) the loan agreement authorized by SB 846 is not terminated; and (3) the CPUC does not make a future determination that DCPP extended operations are imprudent or unreasonable.

On May 3, 2024, the CEC issued a report concluding that no suitable supply-side resources can be brought online as alternatives to DCPP’s energy and capacity output prior to the planned retirement dates in 2024 and 2025.

On December 19, 2024, the CPUC issued a final decision. As a result, the Utility will recover $711 million through rates (compared to its request of $761 million) for net recovery of its costs to operate DCPP from 2023 through 2025.

SB 884 10-Year Distribution Undergrounding Program

On March 7, 2024, the CPUC approved a resolution that establishes an expedited utility distribution infrastructure undergrounding program pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 8388.5. The resolution addresses the process and requirements for the CPUC’s review of any large electrical corporation’s 10-year distribution infrastructure undergrounding plan and conditional approval of its related costs.

The OEIS issued draft guidelines on May 8, 2024, revised guidelines on September 10, 2024, and second revised guidelines on January 7, 2025.

The Utility expects to submit its undergrounding plan to the OEIS after final guidelines are issued before submitting its cost application to the CPUC, as directed in Public Utilities Code Section 8388.5.

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LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY INITIATIVES

Inflation Reduction Act

In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act became law. The Inflation Reduction Act includes a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax on the AFSI of corporations with average AFSI exceeding $1.0 billion over a three-year period, effective January 1, 2023. The law also extends and modifies existing tax credits and creates new tax credits for qualifying investments on renewable and clean energy sources and energy storage. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS have broad authority to issue and have issued regulations and guidance to implement its provisions. PG&E Corporation and the Utility expect to pay corporate alternative minimum tax beginning in 2027, the amount of which may become substantial in future years. As of December 31, 2024, the law did not have a material impact on the PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

The Utility’s operations are subject to extensive federal, state, and local laws and permits relating to the protection of the environment and the safety and health of the Utility’s personnel and the public.  These laws and requirements relate to a broad range of the Utility’s activities, including the remediation of hazardous substances; the reporting and reduction of carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions; the discharge of pollutants into the air, water, and soil; the reporting of safety and reliability measures for natural gas storage facilities; and the transportation, handling, storage, and disposal of spent nuclear fuel. See Item 1A. Risk Factors, “Environmental Regulation” in Item 1 and “Environmental Remediation Contingencies” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

PG&E Corporation, mainly through its ownership of the Utility, and the Utility are exposed to risks associated with adverse changes in commodity prices, interest rates, and counterparty credit. The Utility actively manages market risk through risk management programs designed to support business objectives, discourage unauthorized risk-taking, reduce commodity cost volatility, and manage cash flows. The Utility uses derivative instruments only for non-trading purposes (i.e., risk mitigation) and not for speculative purposes.

Commodity Price Risk

The Utility is exposed to commodity price risk as a result of its electricity and natural gas procurement activities, including the procurement of natural gas and nuclear fuel necessary for electricity generation and natural gas procurement for core customers. The Utility’s risk management activities include the use of physical and financial instruments such as forward contracts, futures, swaps, options, and other instruments and agreements. As long as the Utility can conclude that it is probable that its reasonably incurred wholesale electricity procurement costs and natural gas costs are recoverable, fluctuations in electricity and natural gas prices do not affect earnings. Such fluctuations, however, may impact cash flows. The Utility’s natural gas transportation and storage costs for core customers are also fully recoverable through a ratemaking mechanism.

The Utility does not have a balancing account for costs in excess of its revenue requirement for natural gas transportation and storage service to non-core customers. The Utility recovers these costs in its GRC through fixed reservation charges and volumetric charges from long-term contracts, resulting in price and volumetric risk. PG&E Corporation uses value-at-risk to measure its shareholders’ exposure to these risks. The value-at-risk was approximately $5 million and $4 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further discussion of price risk management activities.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk sensitivity analysis is used to measure interest rate risk by computing estimated changes in cash flows as a result of assumed changes in market interest rates. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, if interest rates changed by one percent for all PG&E Corporation and Utility variable rate long-term debt, short-term borrowings, and cash investments, the pre-tax impact on net income over the next 12 months would be $6 million and $57 million, respectively, based on net variable rate debt and other interest rate-sensitive instruments outstanding. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further discussion of interest rates.

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Energy Procurement Credit Risk

The Utility conducts business with counterparties mainly in the energy industry to purchase electricity or gas and related services, including the CAISO market, other California IOUs, municipal utilities, energy trading companies, pipelines, financial institutions, electricity generation companies, and oil and natural gas production companies located in the United States and Canada. If a counterparty fails to perform on its contractual obligation to deliver electricity or gas and related services, then the Utility may find it necessary to procure electricity or gas at current market prices or seek alternate services, which may be higher than the contract prices.

The Utility manages credit risk associated with its counterparties by assigning credit limits based on evaluations of their financial conditions, net worth, credit ratings, and other credit criteria as deemed appropriate. Credit limits and credit quality are monitored periodically. The Utility executes many energy contracts under master commodity enabling agreements that may require security. Security may be in the form of cash or letters of credit. The Utility may accept other forms of performance assurance in the form of corporate guarantees of acceptable credit quality or other eligible securities (as deemed appropriate by the Utility). Security or performance assurance may be required from the Utility or counterparties when current net receivables or payables and exposure exceed contractually specified limits.

The following table summarizes the Utility’s energy procurement credit risk exposure to its counterparties:

Exposure (1) (in millions)Number of Wholesale Customers or Counterparties 10%Net Credit Exposure to Wholesale Customers or Counterparties 10% (in millions)
December 31, 2024$1,1144$708
December 31, 2023$9263$457

(1) Exposure is the positive exposure maximum that equals mark-to-market value on physically and financially settled contracts, plus net receivables (payables) where netting is contractually allowed minus collateral posted by counterparties and held by the Utility plus collateral posted by the Utility and held by the counterparties. For purposes of this table, parental guarantees are not included as part of the calculation. Exposure amounts reported above do not include adjustments for time value or liquidity.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP involves the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the recorded amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The accounting policies described below are considered to be critical accounting estimates due, in part, to their complexity and because their application is relevant and material to the financial position and results of operations of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, and because these policies require the use of material judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates and assumptions. These accounting estimates and their key characteristics are outlined below.

Contributions to the Wildfire Fund

The Wildfire Fund is expected to be capitalized with at least $21 billion through (i) a 15-year non-bypassable charge to customers, (ii) $7.5 billion in initial contributions from California’s three large electric IOUs, and (iii) $300 million in annual contributions paid by California’s three large electric IOUs for a 10-year period. The contributions from the IOUs will be effectively borne by their respective shareholders, as they will not be permitted to recover these costs through rates. The costs of the initial and annual contributions are allocated among the IOUs pursuant to a “Wildfire Fund allocation metric” set forth in AB 1054 based on land area in the applicable IOU’s service area classified as HFTDs and adjusted to account for risk mitigation efforts. The Utility’s Wildfire Fund allocation metric is 64.2% (representing an initial contribution of approximately $4.8 billion and annual contributions of approximately $193 million).

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On the Emergence Date, PG&E Corporation and the Utility contributed, in accordance with AB 1054, an initial contribution of approximately $4.8 billion and first annual contribution of approximately $193 million to the Wildfire Fund to secure participation of the Utility therein. The other large electric IOUs made their initial contributions to the Wildfire Fund in September 2019. In December 2023 and 2024, the Utility made its fifth and sixth annual contributions of $193 million each to the Wildfire Fund. As of December 31, 2024, the Utility has four remaining annual contributions of $193 million (based on the Wildfire Fund allocation metric). PG&E Corporation and the Utility account for contributions to the Wildfire Fund by capitalizing an asset, amortizing to periods ratably based on an estimated period of coverage, and incrementally adjusting for accelerated amortization as the level of coverage declines, as further described below.

As of December 31, 2024, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded $193 million in Other current liabilities, $564 million in Other noncurrent liabilities, $301 million in Current assets - Wildfire Fund asset, and $4.1 billion in Noncurrent assets - Wildfire Fund asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Utility recorded amortization and accretion expense of $383 million and $567 million, respectively. The amortization of the asset, accretion of the liability, and acceleration of the amortization of the asset is reflected in Wildfire Fund expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Expected contributions recorded in Wildfire Fund asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are discounted to the present value using the 10-year U.S. treasury rate at the date PG&E Corporation and the Utility satisfied all the eligibility requirements to participate in the Wildfire Fund. A useful life of 20 years is being used to amortize the Wildfire Fund asset.

AB 1054 did not specify a period of coverage; therefore, this accounting treatment is subject to significant accounting judgments and estimates. In estimating the period of coverage, PG&E Corporation and the Utility use a Monte Carlo simulation that began with 12 years of historical, publicly available fire-loss data from wildfires caused by electrical equipment, and subsequently plan to add an additional year of data each following year. The period of historic fire-loss data and the effectiveness of mitigation efforts by the California electric utility companies are significant assumptions used to estimate the useful life. These assumptions along with the other assumptions below create a high degree of uncertainty related to the estimated useful life of the Wildfire Fund. The simulation creates annual distributions of potential losses due to fires that could be attributed to the participating electric utilities. Initial use of five years of historical data, with average annual statewide claims or settlements of approximately $6.5 billion versus 12 years of historical data, with average annual statewide claims or settlements of approximately $2.9 billion, would have resulted in a six year amortization period. As of December 31, 2024, a 5% change to the assumption around current and future mitigation effort effectiveness would increase the amortization period by five years assuming greater effectiveness and would decrease the amortization period by five years assuming less effectiveness.

Other assumptions used to estimate the useful life include the disclosed cost of wildfires caused by participating electric utilities, the amount at which wildfire claims would be settled, the likely adjudication of the CPUC in cases of electric utility-caused wildfires and determination of any amounts required to be reimbursed to the Wildfire Fund, the impacts of climate change, the level of future insurance coverage held by the electric utilities, the FERC-allocable portion of loss recovery, and the future transmission and distribution equity rate base growth of participating electric utilities. Significant changes in any of these estimates could materially impact the amortization period.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility re-evaluate the estimated period of coverage annually and when additional information becomes available, and the expected life of the Wildfire Fund will be adjusted as required. The Wildfire Fund is available to other participating utilities in California and the amount of claims that a participating utility incurs is not limited to its individual contribution amount. PG&E Corporation and the Utility assess the Wildfire Fund asset for acceleration of the amortization of the asset in the event that a participating utility’s electrical equipment is found to be the substantial cause of a catastrophic wildfire. Timing of any such acceleration of the amortization of the asset could lag as the emergence of sufficient cause and claims information can take many quarters and could be limited to public disclosure of the participating electric utility, if ignition were to occur outside the Utility’s service area. There were fires in the Utility’s and other participating utilities’ service areas since July 12, 2019, including fires for which the cause is unknown, which may in the future be determined to be covered by the Wildfire Fund. PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded $72 million and $102 million of accelerated amortization, reflected in Wildfire Fund expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded $600 million and $156 million in Accounts receivable - other and Other noncurrent assets, respectively, for Wildfire Fund receivables related to the 2021 Dixie fire.

For more information, see “Contributions to the Wildfire Fund Established Pursuant to AB 1054” in Note 2 and “Wildfire Fund under AB 1054” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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Loss Contingencies

As discussed below, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have recorded material accruals for various wildfire-related, enforcement and legal matters, and environmental remediation liabilities. PG&E Corporation and the Utility have also recorded insurance receivables for third-party claims.

Wildfire-Related Liabilities

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are subject to potential liabilities related to wildfires.  PG&E Corporation and the Utility record a wildfire-related liability when they determine that a loss is probable, and they can reasonably estimate the loss or a range of losses. The provision is based on the lower end of the range, unless an amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount.

The process for estimating wildfire-related liabilities requires management to exercise significant judgment based on a number of assumptions and subjective factors, including the factors identified above and estimates based on currently available information and prior experience with wildfires.  See Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Enforcement and Litigation Matters

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are subject to various laws and regulations and, in the normal course of business, are named as parties in a number of claims and lawsuits. In addition, penalties may be incurred for failure to comply with federal, state, or local laws and regulations. PG&E Corporation and the Utility record a provision for a loss contingency when it is both probable that a loss has been incurred, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. PG&E Corporation and the Utility evaluate the range of reasonably estimated losses and record a provision based on the lower end of the range, unless an amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. Loss contingencies are reviewed quarterly, and estimates are adjusted to reflect the impact of all known information, such as negotiations, discovery, settlements and payments, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s provision for loss and expense excludes anticipated outside counsel costs, which are expensed as incurred. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates and assumptions. See Note 14 and Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Loss Recoveries

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have recovery mechanisms available for wildfire liabilities including from insurance, through rates, and from the Wildfire Fund. The Utility has liability insurance from various insurers, which provides coverage for third-party claims arising before August 1, 2023. PG&E Corporation and the Utility record a receivable for a recovery when they determine that it is probable that they will recover a recorded loss, and they can reasonably estimate the amount or its range. The assessment of whether recovery is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the recovery or a range of recoveries is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. Loss recoveries are reviewed quarterly, and estimates are adjusted to reflect the impact of all known information, including contractual liability insurance policy coverage, advice of legal counsel, past experience with similar events, communications with the Wildfire Fund administrators, the CPUC and FERC, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. See “Loss Recoveries” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Environmental Remediation Liabilities

The Utility is subject to loss contingencies pursuant to federal and California environmental laws and regulations that in the future may require the Utility to pay for environmental remediation at sites where it has been, or may be, a potentially responsible party. Such contingencies may exist for the remediation of hazardous substances at various potential sites, including former MGP sites, power plant sites, gas compressor stations, and sites used by the Utility for the storage, recycling, or disposal of potentially hazardous materials, even if the Utility did not deposit those substances on the site.

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The Utility generally commences the environmental remediation assessment process upon notification from federal or state agencies, or other parties, of a potential site requiring remedial action. (In some instances, the Utility may initiate action to determine its remediation liability for sites that it no longer owns in cooperation with regulatory agencies. For example, the Utility has a program related to certain former MGP sites.) Based on such notification, the Utility completes an assessment of the potential site and evaluates whether it is probable that a remediation liability has been incurred. The Utility records an environmental remediation liability when site assessments indicate remediation is probable and it can reasonably estimate the loss or a range of possible losses. Given the complexities of the legal and regulatory environment and the inherent uncertainties involved in the early stages of a remediation project, the process for estimating remediation liabilities is subjective and requires significant judgment. Key factors evaluated in developing cost estimates include the extent and types of hazardous substances at a potential site, the range of technologies that can be used for remediation, the determination of the Utility’s liability in proportion to other responsible parties, and the extent to which such costs are recoverable from third parties.

When possible, the Utility estimates costs using site-specific information, but also considers historical experience for costs incurred at similar sites depending on the level of information available. Estimated costs are composed of the direct costs of the remediation effort and the costs of compensation for employees who are expected to devote a significant amount of time directly to the remediation effort. These estimated costs include remedial site investigations, remediation actions, operations and maintenance activities, post remediation monitoring, and the costs of technologies that are expected to be approved to remediate the site. Remediation efforts for a particular site generally extend over a period of several years. During this period, the laws governing the remediation process may change, as well as site conditions, which could affect the cost of the remediation effort.

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Utility’s accruals for undiscounted gross environmental liabilities were $1.3 billion each. The Utility’s undiscounted future costs could increase to as much as $2.3 billion if the extent of contamination or necessary remediation is greater than anticipated or if the other potentially responsible parties are not financially able to contribute to these costs and could increase further if the Utility chooses to remediate beyond regulatory requirements. Although the Utility has provided for known environmental obligations that are probable and reasonably estimable, estimated costs may vary significantly from actual costs, and the amount of additional future costs may be material to results of operations in the period in which they are recognized.

Regulatory Accounting

As a regulated entity, the Utility records regulatory assets and liabilities for amounts that are deemed probable of recovery from, or refund to, customers. The Utility continues to apply ASC 980, Regulated Operations. These amounts would otherwise be recorded to expense or income under GAAP. Refer to “Regulation and Regulated Operations” in Note 2 as well as Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. As of December 31, 2024, PG&E Corporation and the Utility reported regulatory assets (including current regulatory balancing accounts receivable) of $23.0 billion and regulatory liabilities (including current regulatory balancing accounts payable) of $23.8 billion.

Determining probability requires significant judgment by management and includes consideration of testimony presented in regulatory hearings, proposed regulatory decisions, final regulatory orders, and the strength or status of applications for rehearing or court appeals. For some of the Utility’s regulatory assets, including utility-retained generation, the Utility has determined that the costs are recoverable based on specific approval from the CPUC. The Utility also records a regulatory asset when a mechanism is in place to recover current expenditures and historical experience indicates that recovery of incurred costs is probable, such as the regulatory assets for pension benefits; deferred income tax; price risk management; and unamortized loss, net of gain, on reacquired debt. If the Utility determined that it is no longer probable that regulatory assets would be recovered or reflected in future rates, or if the Utility ceased to be subject to rate regulation, the regulatory assets would be charged against income in the period in which that determination was made. If regulatory accounting did not apply, the Utility’s future financial results could become more volatile as compared to historical financial results due to the differences in the timing of expense or revenue recognition.

A portion of the Utility’s regulatory asset balances relate to items which could not be anticipated by the Utility during CPUC GRC rate requests resulting from catastrophic events, changes in regulation, or extraordinary changes in operating practices. The Utility may seek authority to track incremental costs in a memorandum account, and the CPUC may authorize recovery of costs tracked in memorandum accounts if the costs are deemed incremental and prudently incurred. These accounts, which include the CEMA, WEMA, FHPMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, and MGMA among others, allow the Utility to track the costs associated with work related to disaster and wildfire response, and other wildfire prevention-related costs. In addition, the RUBA tracks costs associated with customer protections, including higher uncollectible costs related to a moratorium on electric and gas service disconnections for residential customers. While the Utility generally believes such costs are recoverable, rate recovery requires CPUC authorization in separate proceedings or through a GRC.

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Additionally, SB 901 provides a mechanism for the CPUC to potentially allow recovery in future rates, through a securitization mechanism, of wildfire-related costs found to be just and reasonable by the CPUC and, only for the 2017 Northern California wildfires, any amounts in excess of the customer harm threshold (“CHT”). SB 901 required the CPUC to establish the CHT to limit certain disallowances in the aggregate, so that they do not exceed the maximum amount that the Utility can pay without harming customers or materially impacting its ability to provide adequate and safe service. The Utility must evaluate the likelihood of recovery in future rates each period. In 2022, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded a regulatory asset associated with SB 901. As of December 31, 2024, the SB 901 regulatory asset was approximately $5.2 billion. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

In addition, regulatory accounting standards require recognition of a loss if it becomes probable that capital expenditures will be disallowed for ratemaking purposes and if a reasonable estimate of the amount of the disallowance can be made. Such assessments require significant judgment by management regarding probability of recovery, as described above, and the ultimate cost of construction of capital assets. The Utility records a loss to the extent capital costs are expected to exceed the amount to be recovered.  The Utility’s capital forecasts involve a series of complex judgments regarding detailed project plans, estimates included in third-party contracts, historical cost experience for similar projects, permitting requirements, environmental compliance standards, and a variety of other factors.

Asset Retirement Obligations

PG&E Corporation and the Utility account for an ARO at fair value in the period during which the legal obligation is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value and its settlement date can be made. At the time of recording an ARO, the associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The Utility recognizes a regulatory asset or liability for the timing differences between the recognition of expenses and costs recovered through the ratemaking process. See Notes 2 and 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

To estimate its liability, the Utility uses a discounted cash flow model based upon significant estimates and assumptions about future decommissioning costs, inflation rates, and the estimated date of decommissioning. The estimated future cash flows are discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate that reflects the risk associated with the decommissioning obligation.

At December 31, 2024, the Utility’s recorded ARO for the estimated cost of retiring these long-lived assets was approximately $5.4 billion. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the amount of the recorded ARO for these assets.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

PG&E Corporation and the Utility sponsor a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for eligible employees as well as contributory postretirement health care and medical plans for eligible retirees and their eligible dependents, and non-contributory postretirement life insurance plans for eligible employees and retirees. Adjustments to the pension and other benefit obligation are based on the differences between actuarial assumptions and actual plan results. These amounts are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and amortized into income on a gradual basis. The differences between pension benefit expense recognized in accordance with GAAP, and amounts recognized for ratemaking purposes are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities as amounts are probable of recovery through rates. To the extent the other benefits are in an overfunded position, the Utility records a regulatory liability. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

The pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are calculated using actuarial models as of the December 31 measurement date. The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining pension and other benefit obligations include the discount rate, the average rate of future compensation increases, the health care cost trend rate, and the expected return on plan assets. PG&E Corporation and the Utility review these assumptions on an annual basis and adjust them as necessary. While PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that the assumptions used are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience, plan changes or amendments, or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the recorded pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and future plan expenses. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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In establishing health care cost assumptions, PG&E Corporation and the Utility consider recent cost trends and projections from industry experts. This evaluation suggests that current rates of inflation are expected to continue in the near term. In recognition of continued high inflation in health care costs and given the design of PG&E Corporation’s plans, the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2025 was 7.5%, gradually decreasing to the ultimate trend rate of approximately 4.5% in 2033 and beyond.

Expected rates of return on plan assets were developed by estimating future stock and bond returns and then applying these returns to the target asset allocations of the employee benefit plan trusts, resulting in a weighted average rate of return on plan assets. Returns on fixed-income debt investments were projected based on real maturity and credit spreads added to a long-term inflation rate. Returns on equity investments were projected based on estimates of dividend yield and real earnings growth added to a long-term inflation rate. For the Utility’s defined benefit pension plan, the assumed return of 6.4% compares to a ten-year actual return of 5.1%.

The rate used to discount pension benefits and other benefits was based on a yield curve developed from market data of approximately 858 Aa-grade non-callable bonds at December 31, 2024. This yield curve has discount rates that vary based on the duration of the obligations. The estimated future cash flows for the pension and other postretirement benefit obligations were matched to the corresponding rates on the yield curve to derive a weighted average discount rate.

The following reflects the sensitivity of pension costs and projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions:

(in millions)Increase (Decrease) in AssumptionIncrease in 2024 PensionCostsIncrease in ProjectedBenefit Obligation atDecember 31, 2024
Discount rate(0.50)%$(1)$1,093
Rate of return on plan assets(0.50)%85
Rate of increase in compensation0.50%30250

The following reflects the sensitivity of other postretirement benefit costs and accumulated benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions:

(in millions)Increase (Decrease) in AssumptionIncrease in 2024Other PostretirementBenefit CostsIncrease in AccumulatedBenefit Obligation atDecember 31, 2024
Health care cost trend rate0.50%$6$37
Discount rate(0.50)%678
Rate of return on plan assets(0.50)%12

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ISSUED BUT NOT YET ADOPTED

See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

FY 2023 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001004980-24-000014.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Published MD&A gate trimmed front/tail over-capture. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2024-02-22. Report date: 2023-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

This is a combined report of PG&E Corporation and the Utility and includes separate Consolidated Financial Statements for each of these two entities. This combined MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8. See “Ratemaking Mechanisms” in Item 1. Description of the Business regarding how the Utility’s revenues are determined.

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Key Factors Affecting Financial Results

PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that their financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows may be materially affected by the following factors:

•The Uncertainties in Connection with Wildfires, Wildfire Mitigation, and Associated Cost Recovery. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows may be materially affected by the costs and effectiveness of the Utility’s wildfire mitigation initiatives; the extent of damages from wildfires that do occur; the financial impacts of wildfires; and PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s ability to mitigate those financial impacts with insurance, the Wildfire Fund, and regulatory recovery.

In response to the wildfire threat facing California, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have taken aggressive steps to mitigate the threat of catastrophic wildfires. The Utility’s wildfire mitigation initiatives include EPSS, PSPS, vegetation management, asset inspections, and system hardening. In particular, in 2023, the Utility introduced or expanded its use of several measures including downed conductor detection, partial voltage force outs, and transmission operational controls. The Utility is also focused on undergrounding more lines each year while using economies of scale to make undergrounding more cost efficient. These initiatives have significantly reduced the number of CPUC-reportable ignitions and the number of acres burned. The success of the Utility’s wildfire mitigation efforts depends on many factors, including whether the Utility can retain or contract for the workforce necessary to execute its wildfire mitigation actions.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have incurred and will continue to incur substantial expenditures in connection with these initiatives. For more information on incurred expenditures, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. The extent to which the Utility will be able to recover these expenditures and other potential costs through rates is uncertain. If additional requirements are imposed that go beyond current expectations, such requirements could have a substantial impact on the costs of the Utility’s wildfire mitigation initiatives.

The Utility is subject to a number of legal and regulatory requirements related to its wildfire mitigation efforts, which require periodic inspections of electric assets and ongoing reporting related to this work. Although the Utility believes that it has complied substantially with these requirements, it continually reviews and has identified instances of noncompliance. The Utility intends to update the CPUC and the OEIS as its review progresses. The Utility could face fines, penalties, enforcement action, or other adverse legal or regulatory consequences for late inspections or other noncompliance related to wildfire mitigation efforts.

Despite these extensive measures, the potential that the Utility’s equipment will be involved in the ignition of future wildfires, including catastrophic wildfires, is significant. This risk may be attributable to, and exacerbated by, a variety of factors, including climate (in particular, extended periods of seasonal dryness coupled with periods of high wind velocities and other storms), infrastructure, and vegetation conditions. Once an ignition has occurred, the Utility is unable to control the extent of damages, which is primarily determined by environmental conditions (including weather and vegetation conditions), third-party suppression efforts, and the location of the wildfire.

The financial impact of past wildfires is significant. As of December 31, 2023, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had recorded aggregate liabilities of $1.125 billion, $400 million, $1.6 billion, and $100 million for claims in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire, the 2020 Zogg fire, the 2021 Dixie fire, and the 2022 Mosquito fire, respectively, and in each case before available insurance, and, in the case of the 2021 Dixie fire and the 2022 Mosquito fire, other probable cost recoveries. These liability amounts correspond to the lower end of the range of reasonably estimable probable losses, unless expressly noted otherwise, but do not include all categories of potential damages and losses.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility may be able to mitigate the financial impact of future wildfires in excess of insurance coverage through the Wildfire Fund, or cost recovery through rates. Each of these mitigations involves uncertainties, and liabilities could exceed available recoveries. See “Loss Recoveries” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Recorded liabilities in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire and the 2021 Dixie fire have already exceeded potential amounts recoverable under applicable insurance policies. As of December 31, 2023, the Utility has recorded insurance receivables of $430 million for the 2019 Kincade fire, $374 million for the 2020 Zogg fire, $526 million for the 2021 Dixie fire, and $63 million for the 2022 Mosquito fire.

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If the eligible claims for liabilities arising from wildfires were to exceed $1.0 billion in any Wildfire Fund coverage year (“Coverage Year”), the Utility may be eligible to make a claim against the Wildfire Fund under AB 1054 for such excess amount. The Wildfire Fund is available to the Utility to pay eligible claims for liabilities arising from wildfires, provided that the Utility satisfies the conditions to the Utility’s ongoing participation in the Wildfire Fund set forth in AB 1054 and that the Wildfire Fund has sufficient remaining funds. However, the impact of AB 1054 on PG&E Corporation and the Utility is subject to numerous uncertainties, including the Utility’s ability to demonstrate to the CPUC that wildfire-related costs paid from the Wildfire Fund were just and reasonable and therefore not subject to reimbursement, and whether the benefits of participating in the Wildfire Fund ultimately outweigh its substantial costs. Finally, recoveries for the 2019 Kincade fire would be subject to a 40% limitation on the allowed amount of claims arising before emergence from bankruptcy. As of December 31, 2023, the Utility has recorded a Wildfire Fund receivable of $600 million for the 2021 Dixie fire. See “Wildfire Fund under AB 1054” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

The Utility will be permitted to recover its wildfire-related claims in excess of insurance and legal fees through rates unless the CPUC or the FERC, as applicable, determines that the Utility has not met the applicable prudency standard. The revised prudency standard under AB 1054 has not been interpreted or applied by the CPUC, and it is possible that the CPUC could interpret the standard or apply it to the relevant facts differently from how the Utility has interpreted and applied the standard, in which case the Utility may not be able to recover all or a portion of expenses that it has recorded as receivables. As of December 31, 2023, the Utility has recorded receivables for regulatory recovery of $561 million for the 2021 Dixie fire and $60 million for the 2022 Mosquito fire. See “2021 Dixie Fire,” and “2022 Mosquito Fire” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for more information.

•The Timing and Outcome of Ratemaking and Other Proceedings. Regulatory ratemaking proceedings are a key aspect of the Utility’s business. The Utility’s revenue requirements consist primarily of a base amount set to enable the Utility to recover its reasonable operating expenses (e.g., maintenance, administrative and general expenses) and capital costs (e.g., depreciation and financing expenses). The CPUC also authorizes the Utility to collect revenues to recover costs that the Utility is allowed to pass through to customers, including its costs to procure electricity and natural gas for customers and to administer public purpose and customer programs. Although the Utility generally seeks to recover its recorded costs on a timely basis, in recent years, the amount of the costs recorded in memorandum and balancing accounts has increased. Other proceedings that could impact the Utility’s business profile and financial results include actions by municipalities and other public entities to acquire the electric assets of the Utility within their respective jurisdictions, and the Utility’s application to transfer its non-nuclear generation assets to Pacific Generation and potentially sell a minority interest in Pacific Generation. The outcome of regulatory proceedings can be affected by many factors, including intervening parties’ testimonies, potential rate impacts, the regulatory and political environments, and other factors. For more information, see “Jurisdictions may attempt to acquire the Utility’s assets through eminent domain, and third parties may attempt to acquire the Utility’s customers by bypassing the Utility’s electric infrastructure system” in Item 1A. Risk Factors, Notes 3 and 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, and “Regulatory Matters” below.

•PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Ability to Control Operating and Financing Costs. Under cost-of-service ratemaking, a utility’s earnings depend on its ability to manage costs within the amounts authorized for recovery in its ratemaking proceedings. The Utility has set a goal to increase its capital investments to meet safety and climate goals, while also achieving operating cost savings. The Utility plans to achieve such savings by improving the planning and execution of its work through increased efficiencies, including waste elimination through the Lean operating system. PG&E Corporation and the Utility also work to minimize financing costs by identifying and executing on opportunities to efficiently finance the business, which depends on capital market conditions.

For more information about the risks that could materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows, or that could cause future results to differ from historical results, see Item 1A. Risk Factors and see “Forward-Looking Statements” above for a list of some of the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially.

Tax Matters

PG&E Corporation had a U.S. federal net operating loss carryforward of approximately $32.9 billion and a California net operating loss carryforward of approximately $32.6 billion as of December 31, 2023.

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Under Section 382 of the IRC, if a corporation (or a consolidated group) undergoes an “ownership change,” net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes may be subject to certain limitations. In general, an ownership change occurs if the aggregate stock ownership of certain shareholders (generally five percent shareholders, applying certain look-through and aggregation rules) increases by more than 50% over such shareholders’ lowest percentage ownership during the testing period (generally three years). PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Amended Articles limit Transfers (as defined in the Amended Articles) that increase a person’s or entity’s (including certain groups of persons) ownership of PG&E Corporation’s equity securities to 4.75% or more prior to the Restriction Release Date (as defined in the Amended Articles) without approval by the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation (the “Ownership Restrictions”). As discussed below under “Update on Ownership Restrictions in PG&E Corporation’s Amended Articles,” shares of PG&E Corporation common stock held directly by the Utility are attributed to PG&E Corporation for income tax purposes and are therefore effectively excluded from the total number of outstanding equity securities when calculating a person’s Percentage Stock Ownership (as defined in the Amended Articles) for purposes of the 4.75% ownership limitation in the Amended Articles. As of the date of this report, it is more likely than not that PG&E Corporation has not undergone an ownership change, and consequently, its net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes are not limited by Section 382 of the IRC.

Furthermore, the activities of the Fire Victim Trust are treated as activities of the Utility for tax purposes. At various dates throughout 2022 and 2023, the Fire Victim Trust exchanged Plan Shares for an equal number of New Shares in the manner contemplated by the Share Exchange and Tax Matters Agreement; the Fire Victim Trust thereafter reported that it sold the applicable New Shares. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Fire Victim Trust’s sale of PG&E Corporation common stock in the aggregate amount of 247,743,590 shares resulted in an aggregate tax benefit of $1.2 billion recorded in PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Cumulatively through December 31, 2023, the Fire Victim Trust sold all of its 477,743,590 shares resulting in an aggregate tax benefit of approximately $2 billion recorded in PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Update on Ownership Restrictions in PG&E Corporation’s Amended Articles

Shares of PG&E Corporation common stock held directly by the Utility are attributed to PG&E Corporation for income tax purposes and are therefore effectively excluded from the total number of outstanding equity securities when calculating a person’s Percentage Stock Ownership (as defined in the Amended Articles) for purposes of the 4.75% ownership limitation in the Amended Articles. For example, although PG&E Corporation had 2,611,366,666 shares outstanding as of February 14, 2024, only 2,133,623,076 shares (the number of outstanding shares of common stock less the number of shares held directly by the Utility) count as outstanding for purposes of the ownership restrictions in the Amended Articles. As such, based on the total number of outstanding equity securities a person’s effective Percentage Stock Ownership limitation for purposes of the Amended Articles was 3.88% of the outstanding shares. As of February 14, 2024, the Fire Victim Trust reported having sold all of the shares of PG&E Corporation common stock it had owned and no longer owning any shares.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion presents PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s operating results for 2023 and 2022.  See “Key Factors Affecting Financial Results” above for further discussion about factors that could affect future results of operations.

See “Results of Operations” in Item 7 of the 2022 Form 10-K for discussion of results of operations for 2022 compared to 2021.

PG&E Corporation

The consolidated results of operations consist primarily of results related to the Utility, which are discussed in the “Utility” section below.  The following table provides a summary of net income (loss) available for common shareholders:

(in millions)20232022
Consolidated Total$2,242$1,800
PG&E Corporation(288)(412)
Utility2,5302,212

PG&E Corporation’s net loss primarily consists of income taxes and interest expense on long-term debt. The decrease in PG&E Corporation’s net loss is primarily due to losses recorded in connection with the Wildfire-Related Securities Claims in 2022, with no comparable charges in 2023.

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Utility

The table below shows the Utility’s Consolidated Statements of Income for 2023 and 2022.  In general, expenses the Utility is authorized to pass through directly to customers (such as costs to purchase electricity and natural gas, as well as costs to fund public purpose programs) and the corresponding amount of revenues collected to recover those pass-through costs do not impact net income.

Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)20232022
Electric operating revenues$17,424$15,060
Natural gas operating revenues7,0046,620
Total operating revenues24,42821,680
Cost of electricity2,4432,756
Cost of natural gas1,7542,100
Operating and maintenance11,9139,725
SB 901 securitization charges, net1,267608
Wildfire-related claims, net of insurance recoveries64237
Wildfire Fund expense567477
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning3,7383,856
Total operating expenses21,74619,759
Operating income2,6821,921
Interest income593162
Interest expense(2,485)(1,658)
Other income, net293595
Income before income taxes1,0831,020
Income tax benefit(1,461)(1,206)
Net income2,5442,226
Preferred stock dividend requirement1414
Income Attributable to Common Stock$2,530$2,212

Operating Revenues

The Utility’s electric and natural gas operating revenues increased by $2.7 billion, or 13%, in 2023 compared to 2022. These increases were primarily due to:

•approximately $1.5 billion in increased base revenues authorized in the 2023 GRC in 2023;

•approximately $740 million in revenues authorized in the 2021 WMCE proceeding (see “2021 WMCE Application” below) in 2023;

•approximately $585 million in revenues authorized in the 2020 WMCE proceeding in 2023;

•approximately $550 million in interim rate relief authorized in the 2022 WMCE proceeding (see “2022 WMCE Application” below) in 2023;

•an increase of approximately $360 million in revenues to recover the costs associated with RUBA in 2023. These revenues and associated costs are passed through to customers and do not impact net income. (See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8); and

•additional revenues as authorized through the FERC formula rate in 2023.

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Partially offset by:

•a decrease in revenues to recover the cost of electricity procurement (which decreased by approximately $310 million), the cost of natural gas (which decreased by approximately $350 million) and the cost of public purpose programs (which decreased by approximately $70 million). These costs are passed through to customers and do not impact net income. (See “Cost of Electricity” and “Operating and Maintenance” below);

•the recognition of approximately $310 million in revenues related to the settlement agreement for the 2018 CEMA application (see “2018 CEMA Application” in Regulatory Matters in the 2022 Form 10-K) in 2022;

•a decrease of approximately $270 million in revenues to recover the costs associated with RTBA in 2023. (See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8); and

•the recognition of approximately $180 million in revenues related to the final decision approving $356 million in revenue requirements for capital expenditures incurred in the period from 2011 through 2014 for its gas transmission and storage system (see “2015 Gas Transmission and Storage Rate Case” in Regulatory Matters in the 2022 Form 10-K) in 2022.

Cost of Electricity

The Utility’s cost of electricity includes the cost of power purchased from third parties (including renewable energy resources), fuel and associated transmission costs used in its own generation facilities, fuel and associated transmission costs supplied to other facilities under power purchase agreements, costs to comply with California’s cap-and-trade program, and realized gains and losses on price risk management activities. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Cost of electricity also includes net energy sales (Utility owned and third parties’ generation) in the CAISO electricity markets and directly with third parties. The Utility’s total purchased power is driven by customer demand, net CAISO electricity market activities (purchases or sales), the availability of the Utility’s own generation facilities (including Diablo Canyon and its hydroelectric plants), and the cost-effectiveness of each source of electricity.

(in millions)20232022
Cost of purchased power, net$1,812$2,283
Fuel used in own generation facilities631473
Total cost of electricity$2,443$2,756

The cost of electricity decreased by $313 million in 2023 as compared to 2022. This was primarily the result of decreased customer demand volumes for the Utility’s bundled electric services, lower purchased power quantities due to contract expirations and higher net energy sales. These decreases were partially offset by increased fuel costs due to higher natural gas prices occurring in early 2023.

Cost of Natural Gas

The Utility’s cost of natural gas includes the costs of procurement, storage and transportation of natural gas, costs to comply with California’s cap-and-trade program, and realized gains and losses on price risk management activities. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

(in millions)20232022
Cost of natural gas sold$1,589$1,957
Transportation cost of natural gas sold165143
Total cost of natural gas$1,754$2,100

The cost of natural gas decreased by $346 million in 2023 as compared to 2022. This was primarily due to favorable price risk management results during the high natural gas price period in early 2023. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in cap-and-trade program compliance costs in 2023.

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Operating and Maintenance

The Utility’s operating and maintenance expenses increased by $2.2 billion, or 22%, in 2023 compared to 2022. These increases were primarily due to:

•the recognition of approximately $485 million in previously deferred expenses as a result of the 2023 GRC in 2023;

•the recognition of approximately $720 million in previously deferred expenses authorized in the 2021 WMCE proceeding (see “2021 WMCE Application” below) in 2023;

•the recognition of approximately $420 million in previously deferred expenses authorized in the 2020 WMCE proceeding in 2023;

•the recognition of approximately $550 million in interim rate relief authorized in the 2022 WMCE proceeding (see “2022 WMCE Application” below) in 2023;

•an increase of approximately $360 million in costs associated with RUBA in 2023. These costs are passed through to customers and do not impact net income. (See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8); and

•the recognition of $50 million in expenses in 2023, related to the civil stipulated judgement filed on May 31, 2023, by the Utility and the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office (“Shasta D.A.”) for the Shasta D.A. to dismiss with prejudice all criminal charges against the Utility in connection with the 2020 Zogg fire.

Partially offset by:

•a decrease of approximately $350 million in insurance costs related to the Utility’s adoption of self-insurance;

•the recognition of approximately $310 million of previously deferred expenses, which were authorized by the settlement agreement for the 2018 CEMA application (see “2018 CEMA Application” in Regulatory Matters in the 2022 Form 10-K) in 2022;

•the recognition of $85 million in expenses related to the Kincade SED Settlement (as defined in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of the 2022 Form 10-K) in 2022;

•the recognition of $77 million in charges as a result of its voluntary separation program in 2022;

•the recognition of $55 million in expenses related to the Kincade Stipulation and the Dixie Stipulation (each as defined in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of the 2022 Form 10-K) in 2022;

•a decrease of approximately $70 million in pass-through costs related to public purpose programs in 2023. These costs are passed through to customers and do not impact net income (see “Operating Revenues” above); and

•increased operating cost efficiencies in 2023.

SB 901 Securitization Charges, Net

The Utility’s SB 901 securitization charges, net increased by $659 million, or 108%, in 2023 compared to 2022. These increases were due to the recognition of $1.3 billion in net SB 901 securitization charges, primarily representing the amounts that are refundable to ratepayers as a result of tax benefits realized within income tax expense related to the Fire Victim Trust’s sale of PG&E Corporation common stock in 2023, compared to charges of $608 million in 2022. For more information, see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 below.

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Wildfire-Related Claims, Net of Recoveries

Costs related to wildfires decreased by $173 million, or 73%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The Utility recognized pre-tax charges of $225 million related to the 2019 Kincade fire, $100 million related to the 2022 Mosquito fire, $25 million related to the 2021 Dixie fire, and $25 million related to the 2020 Zogg fire in 2022. These charges were partially offset by $95 million of probable recoveries through insurance and the WEMA related to the 2022 Mosquito fire and $25 million in probable recoveries through the Wildfire Fund related to the 2021 Dixie fire. The Utility recognized pre-tax charges of $425 million related to the 2021 Dixie fire and $100 million related to the 2019 Kincade fire in 2023. These charges were partially offset by $425 million of probable recoveries through the Wildfire Fund, insurance, and the WEMA related to the 2021 Dixie fire.

In addition to the probable wildfire-related recoveries noted above, the Utility has recorded $99 million of probable recoveries through FERC TO formula rates, which are recorded as a reduction to regulatory liabilities and are not captured in wildfire-related claims. See Item 1A. Risk Factors and Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Wildfire Fund Expense

The Utility’s Wildfire Fund expense increased by $90 million, or 19%, in 2023 compared to 2022. These increases were primarily due to accelerated amortization of the Wildfire Fund asset recorded in 2023 as a result of the $425 million Wildfire Fund receivable accrued in relation to the 2021 Dixie fire, with no similar amounts recorded in 2022. See Note 2 and Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Depreciation, Amortization, and Decommissioning

The Utility’s depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning expenses decreased by $118 million, or 3%, in 2023 compared to 2022. These decreases were primarily due to a reduction in nuclear and gas storage decommissioning expenses as a result of the 2021 NDCTP and 2023 GRC final decisions. Depreciation expense due to plant growth was mostly offset by lower depreciation rates authorized in the 2023 GRC final decision.

Interest Income

The Utility’s interest income increased by $431 million, or 266%, in 2023 compared to 2022. These increases were primarily due to higher interest rates earned on regulatory balancing accounts.

Interest Expense

The Utility’s interest expense increased by $827 million, or 50%, in 2023 compared to 2022. These increases were primarily due to the issuance of additional long-term debt, an increase in interest rates on variable-rate debt and an increase in interest rates associated with regulatory balancing accounts.

Other Income, Net

The Utility’s other income, net decreased by $302 million, or 51%, in 2023 compared to 2022. These decreases were primarily due to pension and other post-retirement benefit costs that fluctuate primarily from market and interest rate changes.

Income Tax Benefit

The Utility’s income tax benefit increased by $255 million, or 21%, in 2023 compared to 2022. These increases were primarily due to a benefit recognized related to the Fire Victim Trust’s sale of PG&E Corporation common stock in 2023.

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The following table reconciles the income tax expense at the federal statutory rate to the income tax provision:

20232022
Federal statutory income tax rate21.0%21.0%
Increase (decrease) in income tax rate resulting from:
State income tax (net of federal benefit) (1)(34.4)%(26.9)%
Effect of regulatory treatment of fixed asset differences (2)(40.1)%(49.2)%
Tax credits(2.2)%(1.3)%
Fire Victim Trust (3)(80.2)%(64.0)%
Other, net1.1%2.2%
Effective tax rate(134.8)%(118.2)%

(1) Includes the effect of state flow-through ratemaking treatment and the effect of the grantor trust election.

(2) Includes the effect of federal flow-through ratemaking treatment for certain property-related costs. For these temporary tax differences, the Utility recognizes the deferred tax impact in the current period and record offsetting regulatory assets and liabilities. Therefore, the Utility’s effective tax rate is impacted as these differences arise and reverse. The Utility recognizes such differences as regulatory assets or liabilities as it is probable that these amounts will be recovered from or returned to customers in future rates. The amounts also reflect the impact of the amortization of excess deferred tax benefits to be refunded to customers as a result of the TCJA.

(3) Includes the tax effect of the Fire Victim Trust’s sale of PG&E Corporation common stock. See “Tax Matters” above and Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Nuclear Operations

Capacity factors, which are significantly affected by the number and duration of refueling and non-refueling outages, reflect the availability of Diablo Canyon’s generation to the California electricity market and impact the Utility’s performance-based disbursements. For more information, see “Extension of Diablo Canyon Operations” below. Management analyzes capacity factors by comparing Diablo Canyon’s actual generation to forecasted annual capacity factors, which reflect planned refueling outages, curtailments for condenser cleaning, allowances for minor curtailments resulting from equipment issues, and curtailments for major ocean storms.

The Utility manages its scheduled refueling outages with the objective of minimizing their duration and maintaining high nuclear generating capacity factors, resulting in a stable generation base for the Utility’s wholesale and retail power marketing activities. During scheduled refueling outages, the Utility performs maintenance and equipment upgrades to minimize the occurrence of unplanned outages and to maintain safe, reliable operations. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Diablo Canyon achieved an average capacity factor of 90%.

In addition to the maintenance and equipment upgrades performed by the Utility during scheduled refueling outages, the Utility has extensive operating and security procedures in place to assure the safe operation of Diablo Canyon. The Utility also has extensive safety systems in place designed to protect the plant, personnel, and surrounding area in the unlikely event of an accident or other incident.

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Overview

PG&E Corporation and the Utility expect to be able to generate and obtain adequate cash to meet their cash requirements in the short-term and in the long-term.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility rely on access to debt and equity markets and credit facilities to finance their capital requirements and support their liquidity needs. The CPUC authorizes the Utility’s capital structure, the aggregate amount of long-term and short-term debt that the Utility may issue, and the revenue requirements the Utility is able to collect to recover its cost of service. The Utility generally utilizes retained earnings, equity contributions from PG&E Corporation and long-term debt issuances to maintain its CPUC-authorized long-term capital structure consisting of 52% common equity, 47.5% long-term debt, and 0.5% preferred equity and relies on short-term debt, including its revolving credit facilities, to fund temporary financing needs. The CPUC has granted the Utility a temporary waiver from compliance with its authorized regulatory capital structure until June 2025. The Utility is on track to comply with its authorized regulatory capital structure when the waiver terminates.

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PG&E Corporation’s ability to fund operations, make scheduled principal and interest payments, fund equity contributions to the Utility, and pay dividends depends on the level of cash on hand, cash received from the Utility, and PG&E Corporation’s access to the capital and credit markets. Generally, PG&E Corporation and the Utility expect that capital expenditures, debt maturities, and PG&E Corporation common stock dividends will exceed operating cash flows. As a result, they expect to finance future cash needs in excess of operating cash flows primarily through the capital and credit markets.

Additionally, due to its existing tax attributes, PG&E Corporation does not expect to be a significant federal cash taxpayer until at least 2029. See “Tax Matters” above and “Inflation Reduction Act” in Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives below for a discussion of events that could limit PG&E Corporation’s ability to use its net operating losses.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have various contractual commitments which impact cash requirements. These commitments are discussed in “Purchase Commitments” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

As of December 31, 2023, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had access to approximately $3.1 billion of total liquidity comprised of approximately $442 million of Utility’s cash and cash equivalents, $193 million of PG&E Corporation’s cash and cash equivalents and $2.5 billion of availability under PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s revolving credit facilities.

Credit Ratings

PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s credit ratings may be affected by the ultimate outcome of pending enforcement and litigation matters. Credit rating downgrades may impact the cost and availability of short-term borrowings, including credit facilities, and long-term debt costs. In addition, some of the Utility’s commodity contracts contain collateral posting provisions tied to the Utility’s credit rating from each of the major credit rating agencies. Contracts which may require collateral postings include the Utility's power and natural gas commodity, transportation, services, and environmental products agreements. Because the Utility’s credit rating remains below investment grade, the Utility generally does not receive unsecured credit from its energy procurement counterparties and it may be required to increase its collateral postings if its credit rating is downgraded.

Restrictive Debt Covenants

PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s credit agreements contain various financial covenants. PG&E Corporation and the Utility must maintain a total consolidated debt to total consolidated capitalization ratio of no more than 70% and 65% for PG&E Corporation and the Utility, respectively, as of the end of each fiscal quarter. In addition, if revolving loans are outstanding under the Corporation Revolving Credit Agreement as of the last day of a fiscal quarter, PG&E Corporation must comply with a fixed charge coverage covenant.

The failure to comply with the financial covenants contained in these financing arrangements could result in an event of default and the acceleration of the loans under the financing arrangements. As of December 31, 2023, PG&E Corporation and the Utility remain in compliance with all financial covenants.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  PG&E Corporation and the Utility maintain separate bank accounts and primarily invest their cash in money market funds. In addition to cash and cash equivalents, the Utility holds restricted cash that primarily consists of AB 1054 and SB 901 fixed recovery charge collections that are to be used to service the associated bonds.

As of December 31, 2023, the Utility had contributed $340 million to its wholly-owned subsidiary and captive insurance company for the administration of wildfire liability self-insurance, of which approximately $8 million was classified as Restricted cash due to minimum capital and surplus requirements (see “Self-Insurance” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8).

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Financial Resources

Equity Financings

PG&E Corporation does not plan to issue any equity in 2024, except for employee compensation purposes. PG&E Corporation and the Utility are pursuing the potential sale of a minority interest in Pacific Generation. (See “Application with Pacific Generation for Approval to Transfer Non-Nuclear Generation Assets” below.) Factors that could affect PG&E Corporation’s planned equity issuances include liquidity and cash flow needs, capital expenditures, interest rates, its share price, its earnings, the timing and outcome of ratemaking proceedings, and the timing and terms of other financings, including the potential sale of a minority interest in Pacific Generation.

Debt Financings

The Utility generally issues first mortgage bonds and secured debt to meet its long-term debt funding requirements.

On January 6, 2023, the Utility completed the sale of (i) $750 million aggregate principal amount of 6.150% First Mortgage Bonds due 2033 and (ii) $750 million aggregate principal amount of 6.750% First Mortgage Bonds due 2053. The net proceeds were used for the repayment of borrowings outstanding under the Utility’s revolving credit facility pursuant to the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement.

On March 30, 2023, the Utility completed the sale of $750 million aggregate principal amount of 6.70% First Mortgage Bonds due 2053. The Utility intends to disburse or allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds to finance or refinance, in whole or in part, new or existing eligible green projects and eligible social projects. Pending full disbursement or allocation of an amount equal to the net proceeds from this offering to finance or refinance eligible projects, the Utility expects to use the net proceeds for the repayment of borrowings outstanding under the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement.

On June 5, 2023, the Utility completed the sale of (i) $850 million aggregate principal amount of 6.100% First Mortgage Bonds due 2029, (ii) $1.15 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.400% First Mortgage Bonds due 2033, and (iii) $500 million aggregate principal amount of 6.750% First Mortgage Bonds due 2053. The net proceeds were used for the repayment of $375 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% First Mortgage Bonds due June 15, 2023 and for general purposes, including for the repayment of borrowings outstanding under the Utility’s revolving credit facility pursuant to the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement. The Utility used the remaining net proceeds to repay the $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% First Mortgage Bonds due August 1, 2023 at maturity.

On November 8, 2023, the Utility completed the sale of $800 million aggregate principal amount of 6.950% First Mortgage Bonds due 2034. The Utility used the net proceeds to repay a portion of the $900 million aggregate principal amount of 1.70% First Mortgage Bonds due November 15, 2023 at maturity.

Credit Facilities and Term Loans

As of December 31, 2023, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had $500 million and $2.0 billion available under their respective $500 million and $4.4 billion revolving credit facilities. The Utility also has access to the Receivables Securitization Program, under which the Utility may borrow the lesser of the facility limit and the facility availability. The facility limit fluctuates between $1.25 billion and $1.5 billion depending on the periods set forth in the transaction documents. Further, the facility availability may vary based on the amount of accounts receivable that the Utility owns that are eligible for sale to the SPV and the portion of those accounts receivable that are sold to the SPV that are eligible for advances by the lenders under the Receivables Securitization Program.

Utility

On April 18, 2023, the Utility amended its existing term loan agreement to extend the maturity of the $125 million 364-day tranche loan thereunder from April 19, 2023 to April 16, 2024. The 364-day tranche loan bears interest based on the Utility’s election of either (1) Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) (plus a 0.10% credit spread adjustment) plus an applicable margin of 1.375%, or (2) the alternate base rate plus an applicable margin of 0.375%.

On June 9, 2023, the Utility entered into an amendment to the Receivables Securitization Program to, among other things, extend the scheduled termination date from September 30, 2024 to June 9, 2025 and increase the low end of the facility limit from $1.0 billion to $1.25 billion.

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On June 22, 2023, the Utility amended its existing revolving credit agreement to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date to June 22, 2028 (subject to two one-year extensions at the option of the Utility), (ii) increase the maximum letter of credit sublimit to $2.0 billion, and (iii) increase the uncommitted incremental facility to up to $1.0 billion.

On November 15, 2023, the Utility entered into a Bridge Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Bridge Term Loan Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the lenders made available to the Utility term loans in the aggregate principal amount equal to $2.1 billion (the “Term Loans”). The Utility borrowed the entire amount of the Term Loans on November 15, 2023. The Term Loans have a maturity date of August 15, 2024. The Utility is required to prepay loans outstanding under the Bridge Term Loan Credit Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, with 100% of the net cash proceeds received by the Utility from the issuance or incurrence of any debt by its subsidiary, Pacific Generation. Borrowings under the Bridge Term Loan Credit Agreement bear interest based on the Utility’s election of either (1) Term SOFR (as defined in the Bridge Term Loan Credit Agreement) (plus a 0.10% credit spread adjustment) plus an applicable margin of 1.25% or (2) the alternate base rate plus an applicable margin of 0.25%.

PG&E Corporation

On June 22, 2023, PG&E Corporation amended its existing revolving credit agreement to, among other things, extend the maturity date to June 22, 2026 (subject to two one-year extensions at the option of PG&E Corporation).

On December 8, 2023, PG&E Corporation entered into an amendment to its existing term loan agreement to, among other things, extend the maturity date from June 23, 2025 to June 23, 2027, and reduce the applicable margin from 300 basis points to 250 basis points. The term loan bears interest based on Adjusted Term SOFR plus an applicable margin of 2.50%.

On December 4, 2023, PG&E Corporation used the net proceeds from the Convertible Notes, together with cash on hand, to prepay $2.15 billion of aggregate principal amount of the term loans under the term loan agreement. See “Convertible Notes” below. In addition, on December 8, 2023, PG&E Corporation used other available funds to prepay $11 million of aggregate principal amount of the term loans under the term loan agreement. As a result of the early extinguishment of these term loans, PG&E Corporation recognized $26 million of unamortized discount and issuance costs in Interest expense in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. The outstanding aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding after giving effect to these prepayments and the amendment to the term loan agreement is $500 million.

For more information, see “Credit Facilities and Term Loans” in Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Convertible Notes

On December 4, 2023, PG&E Corporation issued $2.15 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Convertible Senior Secured Notes due December 1, 2027 (the “Convertible Notes”). The Convertible Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.25% with interest payable semiannually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on June 1, 2024. The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $2.12 billion, after deducting the Initial Purchasers’ discounts and commissions and PG&E Corporation’s offering expenses. PG&E Corporation used the net proceeds to prepay $2.15 billion outstanding under its term loan agreement.

For more information, see “Convertible Notes” in Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Other Financings

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are pursuing additional financing sources in order to more efficiently finance their operations.

The Utility is seeking financing through the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment category of the DOE’s Clean Energy Financing Program to help fund California’s clean energy transition.

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On February 20, 2024, the Utility entered into an agreement with Citizens Energy Corporation (“Citizens”) pursuant to which the Utility may lease to Citizens entitlements to certain transmission assets to be constructed or otherwise not yet in service. The Utility may offer Citizens up to five lease options over the term of the agreement, for a total investment by Citizens of up to $1.0 billion. If Citizens exercises and the parties close on a lease option, the Utility will receive an upfront payment as prepaid rent for that lease, which is expected to average approximately $200 million per lease, and the rate base associated with the leased entitlements will go into Citizens’ rate base, rather than the Utility’s, for 30 years. The transactions contemplated by the agreement are subject to FERC and CPUC approval.

Dividends

Utility

On each of December 15, 2022, February 16, 2023, May 18, 2023, September 14, 2023, and December 13, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Utility declared dividends on its outstanding series of preferred stock totaling $3.5 million, which were paid on February 15, 2023, May 15, 2023, August 15, 2023, November 15, 2023, and February 15, 2024, respectively. In addition, on February 14, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Utility declared dividends on its outstanding series of preferred stock, payable on May 15, 2024, to holders of record as of April 30, 2024.

On each of February 16, May 18, September 14, and December 13, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Utility declared common stock dividends of $425 million, $450 million, $450 million, and $450 million, which were paid to PG&E Corporation on February 28, June 21, September 29, and December 20, 2023, respectively.

PG&E Corporation

On November 27, 2023, the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.01 per share, totaling $21 million, which was paid by January 16, 2024, to holders of record as of December 29, 2023.

On February 14, 2024, the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.01 per share, payable on April 15, 2024, to holders of record as of March 28, 2024.

Utility Cash Flows

PG&E Corporation’s consolidated cash flows consist primarily of cash flows related to the Utility. The following discussion presents the Utility’s cash flows for 2023 and 2022.

See “Liquidity and Financial Resources” in Item 7 of the 2022 Form 10-K for discussion of the Utility’s cash flows for 2022 compared to 2021.

The Utility’s cash flows were as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)20232022
Net cash provided by operating activities$5,097$3,831
Net cash used in investing activities(9,162)(10,069)
Net cash provided by financing activities3,9796,879
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$(86)$641

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $1.3 billion, or 33%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The increases were primarily due to wildfire insurance premium payments of $778 million and a payment made to the Fire Victim Trust of $592 million in 2022, with no similar payments made in 2023.

The Utility’s cash flows from operating activities primarily consist of receipts from customers less payments of operating expenses, other than expenses such as depreciation and amortization that do not require the use of cash. The Utility’s receipts from customers are expected to increase primarily as a result of increases in the Utility’s rate base.

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Future cash flow from operating activities will be affected by various factors, including:

•the timing and amount of costs in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire, the 2021 Dixie fire, and the 2022 Mosquito fire and the timing and amount of any potential related insurance, including funds available from self-insurance (see “2023 General Rate Case” in the “Regulatory Matters” section below for more information), the Wildfire Fund, and regulatory recoveries;

•the timing and amount of costs in connection with future wildfires and the timing and amount of any potential related insurance, including funds available from self-insurance and the Wildfire Fund (see “Wildfire Fund under AB 1054” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8);

•the timing and amount of costs in connection with the 2020-2022 and 2023-2025 WMPs and the costs previously incurred in connection with the 2019 WMP that are not currently being recovered through rates (see “Regulatory Matters” below for more information);

•the timing and outcomes of the Utility’s pending and future ratemaking and regulatory proceedings, including the extent to which PG&E Corporation and the Utility are able to recover their costs through regulated rates as recorded in memorandum accounts or balancing accounts, or as otherwise requested; and

•the timing and amount of electric commodity price volatility and differences between commodity costs and revenue collections.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on their financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources, other than those discussed under “Purchase Commitments” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investing Activities

The following table summarizes changes in key components of the Utility’s investing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to December 31, 2022.

(in millions)Year Ended December 31
Cash used in investing activities - 2022$(10,069)
Capital expenditures(130)
Net sales related to customer credit trust investments1,328
Other investing activities(291)
Net decrease in cash used in investing activities$907
Cash used in investing activities - 2023$(9,162)

Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $907 million, or 9%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a $1.3 billion decrease in purchases, net of proceeds, related to customer credit trust investments in 2023. This decrease was partially offset by a $145 million intercompany loan repayment in 2022, with no similar transaction in 2023, and a $130 million increase in capital expenditures, primarily due to new customer connections and responses to winter storm events.

The Utility’s investing activities primarily consist of the construction of new and replacement facilities necessary to provide safe and reliable electricity and natural gas services to its customers. Cash used in investing activities also includes the proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust and customer credit trust investments which are partially offset by the amount of cash used to purchase new nuclear decommissioning trust and customer credit trust investments. The funds in the decommissioning trusts, along with accumulated earnings, are used exclusively for decommissioning and dismantling the Utility’s nuclear generation facilities. Pursuant to SB 901, the funds in the customer credit trust, along with accumulated earnings, are used exclusively to fund a monthly credit to customers.

Future cash flows used in investing activities are largely dependent on the timing and amount of capital expenditures.  The Utility estimates that it will incur $10.4 billion of capital expenditures in 2024. Additionally, future cash flows used in investing activities could be impacted by the timing and amount of contributions to the self-insurance captive (see “Self-Insurance” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8) and to the customer credit trust, including $1.0 billion to be contributed in 2024 (see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8).

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Financing Activities

The following table summarizes changes in key components of the Utility’s financing cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to December 31, 2022.

(in millions)Year Ended December 31
Cash provided by financing activities - 2022$6,879
Net borrowings under credit facilities(245)
Repayments of short-term and long-term debt3,166
Issuance of long-term debt1,212
Borrowings under term loan credit facilities2,100
Proceeds from issuance of AB 1054 and SB 901 bonds(8,436)
Repayments related to AB 1054 and SB 901 bonds(117)
Proceeds related to DWR Loans(312)
Common and preferred stock dividend payments(444)
Equity contributions from parent296
Other financing activities(120)
Net decrease in cash provided by financing activities$(2,900)
Cash provided by financing activities - 2023$3,979

Net cash provided by financing activities decreased by $2.9 billion, or 42%, in 2023 compared to 2022. The decreases were primarily due to:

•$8.4 billion in proceeds from AB 1054 and SB 901 recovery bonds in 2022, with no similar transactions in 2023;

•$312 million in proceeds related to the DWR loan in 2022, with no similar transaction in 2023; and

•a $245 million decrease in net borrowing under credit facilities.

Partially offset by:

•a $3.2 billion decrease in repayments related to short-term and long-term debt;

•a $1.2 billion increase in borrowings related to long-term debt; and

•a $2.1 billion increase in borrowings under term loan credit facilities.

Cash provided by or used in financing activities is driven by the Utility’s financing needs, which depend on the level of cash provided by or used in operating activities, the level of cash provided by or used in investing activities, the conditions in the capital markets, and the maturity date or prepayment date of existing debt instruments (see “Contractual Repayment Schedule” in Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8). Additionally, the Utility’s future cash flows from financing activities will be affected by the timing and outcome of the potential sale of a minority interest in Pacific Generation to one or more investors to be identified, dividend payments, and equity contributions from PG&E Corporation.

LITIGATION MATTERS

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have significant contingencies arising from their operations, including contingencies related to the enforcement and litigation matters described in Notes 14 and 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 and in “Regulatory Matters” below that are incorporated by reference herein. The outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material effect on PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.

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REGULATORY MATTERS

The Utility is subject to substantial regulation by the CPUC, the FERC, the NRC, and other federal and state regulatory agencies. The resolutions of the proceedings described below and other proceedings may materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows. Except as otherwise noted, PG&E Corporation and the Utility are unable to predict the timing and outcome of the following applications.

During year ended December 31, 2023 and through the date of this filing, key updates to regulatory and legislative matters were as follows:

•In February 2024, the CPUC issued a final resolution approving an Administrative Consent Order and Agreement between the SED and the Utility regarding the 2021 Dixie fire.

•In December 2023, the NRC deemed the Utility’s application for license renewal sufficient, which allows continued operations at Diablo Canyon past the plant’s current licenses, and the CPUC approved extended operations at Diablo Canyon.

•In December 2023, the OEIS issued a final decision approving the Utility’s 2023-2025 WMP, which the CPUC ratified in February 2024. The OEIS issued a safety certificate for the Utility in January 2024.

•In December 2023, the CPUC approved the Utility’s advice letter indicating that the cost of capital adjustment mechanism had been triggered and increased the Utility’s ROE from 10.0% to 10.7% and its cost of long-term debt from 4.31% to 4.66%.

•In November 2023, the CPUC issued a final decision in the Utility’s 2023 GRC, which authorized the Utility’s base revenues for the period of 2023 through 2026. For 2023, the revenue requirement was $13.52 billion, excluding self-insurance.

•Since January 2023, the Utility has filed cost recovery applications requesting aggregate cost recovery of approximately $4.7 billion of recorded expenditures. In terms of interim rate relief, the CPUC has issued a PD for $516 million and a final decision for $1.1 billion. In terms of final cost recovery, the CPUC has authorized aggregate revenue requirements of $1.76 billion, which does not include costs that remain to be addressed.

Cost Recovery Proceedings

Periodically, costs arise that could not have been anticipated by the Utility during CPUC GRC proceedings or that have been deliberately excluded from such requests. For instance, these costs may result from catastrophic events, changes in regulation, or extraordinary changes in operating practices. The Utility may seek authority to track incremental costs in a memorandum account and the CPUC may authorize recovery of costs tracked in memorandum accounts if the costs are deemed incremental and prudently incurred. The CPUC may also authorize balancing accounts with limitations or caps on cost recovery. These accounts, which include the CEMA, WEMA, FHPMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, RTBA, and MGMA among others, allow the Utility to track the costs associated with work related to disaster and wildfire response, other wildfire prevention-related costs, certain third-party wildfire claims, and insurance costs. While the Utility generally expects such costs to be recoverable, the CPUC may authorize the Utility to recover less than the full amount of its costs.

In recent years, the amount of the costs recorded in these accounts has increased. Because rate recovery may require CPUC authorization for these accounts, there can be a delay between when the Utility incurs costs and when it may recover those costs. As of December 31, 2023, the Utility had recorded an aggregate amount of approximately $4.8 billion in costs for the CEMA, WEMA, FHPMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, RTBA, and MGMA. Of these costs, approximately $1.2 billion was authorized for recovery and accounted for as current, and $3.6 billion was accounted for as long term as of December 31, 2023. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

If the amount of the costs recorded in these accounts continues to increase or the delay between incurring and recovering costs lengthens, PG&E Corporation and the Utility may incur additional financing costs. If the Utility does not recover the full amount of its recorded costs, the difference between the recorded and recovered amounts would be written off as a non-cash disallowance. Such disallowances could materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.

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For more information, see Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, and “Wildfire Mitigation and Catastrophic Events Cost Recovery Applications” below.

The Utility’s cost recovery proceedings for the costs described above that are pending, have pending appeals, or were completed during the year ended December 31, 2023 are summarized in the following table:

ProceedingRequest (1)Status
2020 WMCERevenue requirement of approximately $1.28 billionSettlement agreement to recover $1.04 billion of revenue requirement approved February 2023.
2021 WMCERevenue requirement of approximately $1.47 billionPartial settlement agreement to recover $721 million of revenue requirement approved August 2023.
2022 WMCERevenue requirement of approximately $1.29 billionFiled December 2022. Decision authorizing $1.1 billion of interim rate relief adopted June 2023. Partial settlement filed December 2023.
2023 WMCERevenue requirement of approximately $1.86 billionApplication filed December 2023.
2023 WGSCRevenue requirement of approximately $688 millionApplication filed June 2023. PD for $516 million of interim rate relief issued February 2024.

(1) The revenue requirement request amounts do not include interest.

Wildfire Mitigation and Catastrophic Events Cost Recovery Applications

2021 WMCE Application

On September 16, 2021, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $1.6 billion of recorded expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.47 billion (the “2021 WMCE application”). The costs addressed in this application reflect costs related to wildfire mitigation and certain catastrophic events, as well as implementation of various customer-focused initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in 2020.

The recorded expenditures consist of $1.4 billion in expenses and $197 million in capital expenditures. The Utility’s requested revenue requirement includes amounts recorded to the VMBA of $592 million, the CEMA of $535 million, the WMBA of $149 million, and other memorandum accounts.

On August 10, 2023, the CPUC approved a settlement agreement among the Utility and intervenors pursuant to which the Utility began collecting a revenue requirement of $721 million over 24 months beginning September 1, 2023. The settlement agreement did not address the Utility’s revenue requirement of $592 million associated with costs recorded to the VMBA, for which cost recovery will be determined separately by the CPUC.

2022 WMCE Application

On December 15, 2022, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $1.36 billion of recorded expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.29 billion (the “2022 WMCE application”). The costs addressed in this application reflect costs related to wildfire mitigation and certain catastrophic events, as well as implementation of various customer-focused initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in 2021.

The recorded expenditures consist of $1.2 billion in expenses and $136 million in capital expenditures. On June 8, 2023, the CPUC adopted a final decision granting the Utility’s interim rate relief of $1.1 billion to be recovered over 12 months, which went into effect July 1, 2023. The remaining $224 million will be recovered to the extent it is approved after the CPUC issues a final decision. See “2022 WMCE Interim Rate Relief Subject to Refund” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

On December 22, 2023, the Utility filed an unopposed joint settlement with intervenors for an additional $70 million revenue requirement, which is incremental to the previously approved interim rate relief. If the CPUC adopts the settlement agreement, it would resolve all costs recorded to accounts other than the VMBA and the WMBA. The settlement agreement did not address the Utility’s revenue requirement request of $916 million associated with costs recorded to the VMBA or the WMBA, for which cost recovery will be determined separately by the CPUC.

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On June 23, 2023, the ALJ revised the procedural schedule to indicate that a PD would be issued by the second quarter of 2024.

2023 WMCE Application

On December 1, 2023, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $2.18 billion of recorded expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.86 billion (the “2023 WMCE application”). The costs addressed in this application reflect costs related to wildfire mitigation and certain catastrophic events, as well as implementation of various customer-focused initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in 2022.

The recorded expenditures consist of $1.6 billion in expenses and $559 million in capital expenditures. Of these amounts, approximately 15% of expense, or $239 million and 30% of capital expenditures, or $167 million, relate to the Utility’s response to the 2022-2023 extreme winter storms CEMA event.

In connection with the 2023 WMCE application, the Utility also requested interim rate relief of $1.46 billion to be recovered over 12 months beginning March 1, 2024. The remaining $399 million would be recovered after the CPUC issues a final decision. On January 29, 2024, the Utility filed a supplemental motion for interim rate relief based on an agreement with the Public Advocates Office of the CPUC. Under the supplemental motion, the Utility would recover $944 million over 17 months, at least $500 million of which would be recovered in 2024. Following the 17-month period, the Utility would recover the remaining $515 million amount up to $1.46 billion.

The Utility has requested a final decision in the proceeding by the end of 2024 or, if the supplemental motion for interim rate relief is granted, the second quarter of 2025.

Wildfire and Gas Safety Costs Recovery Application

On June 15, 2023, the Utility filed a WGSC application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $2.5 billion of recorded expenditures related to wildfire mitigation costs and gas safety and electric modernization costs.

The recorded expenditures for wildfire mitigation consist of $726 million in expenses and $1.5 billion in capital expenditures and cover activities during the years 2020 to 2022. The recorded expenditures for gas safety and electric modernization consist of $120 million in expenses and $118 million in capital expenditures and cover activities during the years 2017 to 2022. If approved, the requested cost recovery would result in an aggregate revenue requirement of $688 million. The costs addressed in the WGSC application are incremental to those previously authorized in the Utility’s 2020 GRC and other proceedings.

The Utility recorded these costs to the memorandum and balancing accounts as set forth in the following table:

Recorded Costs (in millions)
WMPMA$2,095
FRMMA165
Gas storage balancing account101
In line inspection memorandum account92
Other45
Total$2,498

In connection with the WGSC application, the Utility also requested interim rate relief of $583 million. The remaining $105 million would be recovered after the CPUC issues a final decision. On February 1, 2024, the CPUC issued a PD that would authorize the Utility to recover $516 million in interim rates to be recovered over 12 months.

The ALJ has adopted a schedule that would result in a final decision on the wildfire mitigation costs by November 2024 and a final decision on the gas safety and electric modernization costs by June 2025.

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Forward-Looking Rate Cases

The Utility routinely participates in forward-looking rate case applications before the CPUC and the FERC. Those applications include GRCs, where the revenue required for general operations (“base revenue”) of the Utility is assessed and reset. In addition, the Utility is periodically involved in “cost of capital” proceedings to adjust its regulated return on rate base. The Utility’s future earnings will depend on the revenue requirements authorized in such rate cases. The Utility also expects to file its SB 884 cost application with the CPUC after the OEIS and the CPUC approve guidelines (see “SB 884 10-Year Distribution Undergrounding Program” below).

Decisions in GRC proceedings have historically been expected prior to the commencement of the period to which the rates would apply. In recent years, decisions in GRC proceedings have been delayed. Delayed decisions may cause the Utility to develop its budgets based on possible outcomes, rather than authorized amounts. When decisions are delayed, the CPUC typically provides rate relief to the Utility effective as of the commencement of the rate case period (not effective as of the date of the delayed decision). Nonetheless, the Utility’s spending during the period of the delay may exceed the authorized amount, without an ability for the Utility to seek cost recovery of such excess. If the Utility’s spending during the period of the delay is less than the authorized amount, the Utility could be exposed to operational and financial risk associated with the lower level of work achieved compared to that funded by the CPUC.

The Utility’s forward-looking rate cases that are pending, have pending appeals, or were completed during the year ended December 31, 2023 are summarized in the following table:

Rate CaseRequestStatus
2023 GRCRevenue requirement of $15.82 billion for 2023Final decision issued November 2023 authorizing revenue requirement of $13.52 billion for 2023.
2023 Cost of CapitalIncrease ROE to 11% and cost of debt to 4.31%Final decision issued December 2022, adopting a 10% ROE. Intervenor application for rehearing denied in August 2023. Intervenor petition for modification filed December 2023.
Cost of Capital Adjustment MechanismIncrease ROE to 10.7% and cost of debt to 4.66%Approved December 2023.
TO18, TO19, and TO20See Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8Settlement in principle reached February 2024.
TO21Revenue requirement of $2.83 billion for 2024Accepted except as to CAISO adder December 2023. Request for rehearing filed January 2024.

2023 General Rate Case

Phase 1

On June 30, 2021, the Utility filed its 2023 GRC application with the CPUC. The 2023 GRC combined what had historically been separated into the GRC and GT&S. In the 2023 GRC, the CPUC determined the annual amount of base revenues that the Utility will be authorized to collect from customers from 2023 through 2026 (the “GRC period”) to recover its anticipated costs for gas distribution, gas transmission and storage, electric distribution, and electric generation and to provide the Utility an opportunity to earn its authorized rate of return. The Utility’s revenue requirements for other portions of its operations, such as electric transmission, and electricity, natural gas and power purchases, are authorized in other regulatory proceedings overseen by the CPUC or the FERC. In the application, the Utility proposed a series of safety, resiliency, and clean energy investments to further reduce wildfire risk and deliver safe, reliable, and clean energy service. Between August 2021 and December 2022, the Utility served various updates to its 2023 GRC testimony.

On January 12, 2023, the CPUC approved a settlement agreement among the Utility and two parties to the proceeding pursuant to which the Utility’s wildfire liability insurance will be entirely based on self-insurance beginning in 2023. For more information, see Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

On November 17, 2023, the CPUC issued a final decision on Phase 1, Tracks 1 and 2.

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Track 1

The Utility is authorized to collect through rates the approved revenue requirement increases beginning January 1, 2024 and to amortize the incremental revenue increases related to 2023 for 24 months over the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025.

The following table compares the Track 1 revenue requirements authorized in the final decision with the revenue requirement authorized for 2022 in the 2020 GRC and 2019 GT&S proceedings and the revenue requirement requested in the Utility’s application as amended and updated:

Revenue Requirement (in billions)
YearRequest (1)Final DecisionDifference Between Final Decision and Request
2022 (as adopted)$12.21$$
202315.4113.52(1.89)
202416.3414.24(2.10)
202516.9814.60(2.38)
202617.4314.80(2.63)

(1) Request has been adjusted to exclude amounts related to self-insurance.

The final decision also grants 50% of the Utility’s requested increase in escalation rates.

Track 2

On July 22, 2022, the Utility submitted a request for Track 2 of the GRC proceeding, requesting cost recovery of recorded expenditures related primarily to the safety and reliability of the Utility’s gas transmission and storage system incurred from January 2015 to December 2021. The recorded expenditures consist of $209 million in expenses and $129 million in capital expenditures. On January 6, 2023, the Utility and the Public Advocates Office of the CPUC filed a motion for approval of a settlement agreement for all amounts at issue in the second track of the proceeding. In the motion, the parties requested that the CPUC approve $183 million in expense and $127 million of capital expenditures for recovery through rates.

The final decision approved the settlement agreement in Track 2 of the proceeding. The settlement agreement results in a revenue requirement of $221 million to be recovered over 2023 and 2024.

Rate Base and Capital Additions

The following table compares the weighted-average GRC rate base that the final decision authorizes with the weighted-average GRC rate base requested in the Utility’s application as amended and updated:

Rate Base (in billions)
YearRequestFinal DecisionDifference Between Final Decision and Request
2023$50.4$45.8$(4.6)
202455.448.8(6.6)
202559.551.2(8.3)
202663.654.0(9.6)

The final decision authorizes funding for 1,230 miles of undergrounding and 778 miles of covered conductor for the GRC period. The Utility most recently had requested 2,000 miles of undergrounding and 320 miles of covered conductor for the GRC period.

The final decision denies cost recovery through this GRC for a number of costs but gives the Utility an opportunity to seek recovery of these costs in future proceedings to the extent they are eligible for cost recovery: capital costs of $0.9 billion associated with moving the Utility’s corporate headquarters to Oakland, California; capital costs of $1.2 billion for rebuilding electric and gas infrastructure following the 2018 Camp fire; capital costs of $1.3 billion tracked in certain wildfire mitigation and other memorandum accounts; and capital costs of $0.7 billion for the gas advanced metering infrastructure module replacement project. These costs and the corresponding rate base have been removed from the final decision.

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Additional Capacity Phase

On September 15, 2023, the Utility served opening testimony proposing to establish a balancing account consistent with SB 410 to record and recover costs of electric distribution capacity additions and new non-residential electric distribution extension work incremental to the forecasts of the Utility’s Phase 1 2023 GRC. The Utility proposed to record to the balancing account actual capital expenditures for these programs, with recorded costs for a given year to be recovered through the following year’s rates and subject to reasonableness review in the 2027 GRC application. Costs recorded to the account would be subject to an annual cap, which is designed to effectuate an electric distribution average rate impact of no more than 2.5%, calculated based on the Utility’s adopted GRC electric distribution revenue requirement for the applicable year beginning in 2024. Based on the final decision on Phase 1, the cap would equate to approximately $183 million of revenue requirement and incremental capital expenditures of approximately $1.26 billion. A PD on the balancing account proposal is expected in the second quarter of 2024.

Cost of Capital Proceedings

2023 Cost of Capital Application

On December 19, 2022, the CPUC issued a final decision adopting a new cost of capital including ratemaking capital structure (i.e., the relative weightings of common equity, preferred equity, and debt for ratemaking), ROE, cost of preferred stock, and cost of debt for the Utility’s electric generation, electric distribution, natural gas distribution, and natural gas transmission and storage rate base beginning on January 1, 2023. On January 10, 2023, the CPUC issued a decision correcting certain typographical errors in the final decision. On December 14, 2023, certain intervenors filed a petition for modification requesting that the 2023 Cost of Capital decision be modified to, among other things, suspend application of the cost of capital adjustment mechanism pending further CPUC decision. On January 16, 2024, the Utility submitted its response.

The 2023 cost of capital application also requested that the CPUC approve an upward adjustment above the three-month commercial paper rate for interest on the Utility’s balancing and memorandum accounts to reflect the Utility’s actual cost of short-term debt. The Utility requested that the adjustment be set on an annual basis effective January 1 of each year based on the average difference between the three-month commercial paper rate and the Utility’s actual cost of short-term debt over the preceding twelve-month period from November through October. The decision deferred consideration of the proposal to a second phase of the proceeding. On September 20, 2023, the assigned ALJ issued a ruling identifying the remaining issues to be addressed in the second phase of the proceeding and outlining a proposed process and schedule to resolve the remaining issues.

Cost of Capital Adjustment Mechanism

On October 13, 2023, the Utility filed an advice letter indicating that the cost of capital adjustment mechanism had been triggered and requesting to increase the Utility’s ROE from 10.0% to 10.7% and its cost of long-term debt from 4.31% to 4.66%. On December 22, 2023, the CPUC approved the Utility’s advice letter. As a result, the Utility is authorized to collect a revenue requirement of $328 million, based on the 2023 GRC rate base, effective January 1, 2024. On January 12, 2024, several intervenors submitted a request for the CPUC to review the approval.

The Utility’s annual cost of capital adjustment mechanism provides that in any year during the applicable cost of capital period in which the difference between (i) the average Moody’s Baa utility bond rates (as measured in the 12-month period from October of the prior year through September of the year in which the mechanism could trigger (the “Index”)) and (ii) 4.37% (based on the 2023 Cost of Capital decision) exceeds 100 basis points, the Utility’s ROE will be adjusted by one-half of such difference, and the cost of debt will be trued up to the most recent recorded cost of debt. The Utility is to initiate this adjustment mechanism by filing an advice letter on or before October 15 of the year in which the mechanism is triggered, to become effective on January 1 of the next year. For the period from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023, the Index averaged 141 basis points above the Utility’s cost of capital benchmark rate of 4.37%, triggering the adjustment mechanism for the rest of the Cost of Capital period. Starting on January 1, 2024, the Utility’s authorized ROE increased from 10.0% to 10.7%, its authorized cost of long-term debt increased from 4.31% to 4.66%, and the benchmark has been updated to 5.78%.

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Transmission Owner Rate Cases

Transmission Owner Rate Case for 2024 (the “TO21” rate case)

On October 13, 2023, the Utility filed its TO21 rate case with the FERC. In the filing, the Utility forecasts a 2024 retail electric transmission revenue requirement of $2.83 billion. The proposed amount reflects an approximately 11% decrease over the current rate year 2023 retail revenue requirement of $3.18 billion, due in part to a refund to customers (see “Transmission Owner Rate Case Revenue Subject to Refund” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8) and the transaction to lease entitlements associated with certain transmission assets (see “Liquidity and Financial Resources - Other Financings” above). The Utility made investments of approximately $1.22 billion in 2023 and forecasts that it will make investments of approximately $1.43 billion in 2024 for various capital projects to be placed in service before the end of 2024. The Utility has requested that FERC approve a 12.37% base ROE as well as a 0.5% adder for its participation in the CAISO. The TO21 filing also addresses the Utility’s capital structure and several new issues including wildfire self-insurance recovery from transmission customers. On December 29, 2023, the FERC issued an order accepting the TO21 filing subject to refund, establishing a January 1, 2024 effective date, and establishing a settlement and hearing process, but rejecting the 0.5% ROE adder for participation in the CAISO. On January 29, 2024, the Utility filed a request for rehearing of the FERC’s rejection of the 0.5% ROE adder.

Other Regulatory Proceedings

2020-2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plans

On February 26, 2023, the OEIS issued its final Annual Report on Compliance (“ARC”) for the Utility’s 2020 WMP. In the final ARC, the OEIS found that the Utility undertook significant efforts to reduce its wildfire risk and, in many instances, achieved its stated objectives and targets, but did not substantially comply with the WMP during the 2020 compliance period. On March 24, 2023, the Utility filed a writ in the California superior court seeking judicial review of the OEIS ARC on the grounds that the OEIS failed to utilize the compliance evaluation criteria adopted by the CPUC. If the court sustains the ARC’s finding that the Utility did not substantially comply with the WMP during the 2020 compliance period, the CPUC is required to issue penalties for the finding of noncompliance. PG&E Corporation and the Utility cannot reasonably estimate whether they will incur a loss in connection with the ARC or the amount of any such loss, as the writ is pending in state court and because any penalty issued by the CPUC depends upon various factors.

2023-2025 Wildfire Mitigation Plan

On March 27, 2023, the Utility submitted the 2023-2025 WMP. The 2023-2025 WMP addresses the Utility’s wildfire safety programs and initiatives focused on reducing the potential for catastrophic wildfires related to electrical equipment and reducing the customer impact of EPSS and PSPS events. On June 22, 2023, the OEIS issued a revision notice requiring the Utility to address eight critical issues. The Utility submitted the response to the revision notice on August 7, 2023. On September 27, 2023, the Utility submitted additional information on the revision notice response to the OEIS. On December 29, 2023, the OEIS issued a final decision approving the Utility’s 2023-2025 WMP. On February 15, 2024, the CPUC ratified the OEIS’s approval.

The Utility expects to submit updates to the WMP for 2025 on April 1, 2024, as directed by the OEIS.

OIR to Revisit Net Energy Metering Tariffs

On December 19, 2022, the CPUC issued a final decision in the rulemaking proceeding to develop a successor to the NEM tariffs. The final decision will reduce the NEM subsidy by, in large part, reducing the bill credits for exported energy to avoided cost levels for new customers interconnecting under the successor tariff established by the final decision. For new non-CARE customers interconnecting under the successor tariff, the subsidy is reduced by about 60% for standalone solar and about 45% for solar-paired storage. The decision will also reduce the subsidy for new commercial customers interconnecting under the successor tariff by about 35%. The decision declined to adopt a charge to recover grid and infrastructure costs for new or existing customers and, instead, deferred this issue to the ongoing Demand Flexibility OIR, which is considering income-based fixed charges for residential electric customers. The decision does, however, clarify that fixed charges adopted in the Demand Flexibility OIR will apply to NEM and successor tariff customers. The final decision does not reform the legacy period for existing NEM customers.

On January 18, 2023, intervenors filed an application for rehearing. On June 30, 2023, the CPUC denied the application.

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On May 4, 2023, intervenors filed in the California Court of Appeal a petition for writ of review of the CPUC’s decision. On December 20, 2023, the appellate court affirmed the CPUC’s decision.

Application with Pacific Generation for Approval to Transfer Non-Nuclear Generation Assets

On September 28, 2022, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC regarding the separation of the Utility’s non-nuclear generation assets into a newly formed, stand-alone Utility subsidiary, Pacific Generation. The application, which was filed jointly with Pacific Generation, seeks to establish Pacific Generation as a separate, rate-regulated utility subject to regulation by the CPUC and contemplates the potential sale of a minority interest in Pacific Generation to one or more investors to be identified. The application proposes that the negotiated transaction documents would be submitted to the CPUC via an advice letter.

On December 13, 2022, the Utility and Pacific Generation filed an application with a similar request with the FERC and also filed a related application with the FERC requesting the transfer of certain hydro licenses to Pacific Generation. On May 31, 2023, the FERC issued an order approving the transfer of FERC-jurisdictional assets from the Utility to Pacific Generation.

Self-Reports to the CPUC

The Utility self-reports potential violations of certain requirements to the CPUC. The Utility could face penalties, enforcement actions, or other adverse legal or regulatory consequences for these potential violations, including under the EOEP. For more information about the EOEP, see “PG&E Corporation and the Utility are subject to the Enhanced Oversight and Enforcement Process” in Item 1A. Risk Factors. The Utility is unable to predict the likelihood and the amount of potential fines or penalties, if any, related to these matters.

Electric Asset Inspections

The Utility has notified the CPUC of various errors relating to inspections and maintenance of its electric assets or implementation of WMP initiatives. These notices include missed inspections or the inability to locate records evidencing performance of inspections required under CPUC GOs 95 and 165 and errors regarding reporting meeting targets set by the Utility’s 2020 WMP. In these notices, the Utility describes the failures and corrective actions the Utility is taking to remediate these issues and to prevent recurrence. Among other corrective measures, the Utility has developed short-term and longer-term systemic corrective actions to address these errors, including performing enhanced inspections for poles with outdated or incomplete GO 165 inspection records and strengthening the Utility’s asset registry, as well as corrective actions regarding reporting on the progress toward WMP targets.

On October 26, 2022, the Utility notified the CPUC that the Utility’s procedure for wood pole replacements did not comply with CPUC requirements for replacement of poles under certain conditions and, in some instances, the Utility failed to replace wood poles with safety factors below the required minimum. Among other short- and longer-term corrective measures, the Utility is replacing identified poles on a risk prioritized basis and revising its wood pole replacement procedures in alignment with CPUC requirements. On December 22, 2022 and February 1, 2024, the Utility submitted updates to the CPUC explaining the Utility had identified a population of wood poles that had not received intrusive inspections in accordance with GO 165’s deadlines due to legacy issues, which should no longer be an issue due to changes in Utility procedures.

The Utility continues to evaluate whether there are additional failures to comply with GO 95 and 165, beyond those identified in submitted self-reports. The Utility intends to update the CPUC upon completion of its reviews and to address any issues it identifies.

Extension of Diablo Canyon Operations

On September 2, 2022, SB 846 became law. SB 846 supports the extension of operations at Diablo Canyon through no later than 2030, with the potential for an earlier retirement date. Under the legislation, the Utility would continue to operate Diablo Canyon on behalf of all CPUC-jurisdictional LSEs, and all customers of those LSEs would be responsible for the cost of extended operations.

The key steps to continued operations are NRC license renewal and approvals from California state agencies, including the CPUC, CEC, California State Lands Commission, California Coastal Commission, and other state agencies. As set forth below, many of these approvals have been received, but if any such approval is not received, the Utility would retire Unit 1 in 2024 and Unit 2 in 2025 as previously approved by the CPUC.

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On February 28, 2023, and in consultation with the CAISO and CPUC, the CEC determined that it is prudent to extend the operation of Diablo Canyon to support electric system reliability through 2030.

The Utility leases land from the state for the water intake structure, breakwaters, cooling water discharge channel, and other structures on state land associated with Diablo Canyon. On June 5, 2023, the California State Lands Commission approved an extension of the Utility’s lease at Diablo Canyon through October 31, 2030.

On August 15, 2023, the California State Water Resources Control Board approved the Utility’s plan for once-through cooling at Diablo Canyon.

On September 26, 2023 the CEC issued a draft report concluding that no suitable supply-side resources can be brought online as alternatives to Diablo Canyon’s energy and capacity output prior to the planned retirement dates in 2024 and 2025.

On November 7, 2023, the Utility submitted an application for license renewal with the NRC. On December 19, 2023, the NRC deemed the application sufficient, which allows continued operations at Diablo Canyon past the plant’s current licenses.

On December 14, 2023, the CPUC approved extended operations at Diablo Canyon until October 31, 2029 for Unit 1 and October 31, 2030 for Unit 2. The approval is subject to the following conditions: (1) the NRC continues to authorize Diablo Canyon operations; (2) the loan agreement authorized by SB 846 is not terminated; and (3) the CPUC does not make a future determination that Diablo Canyon extended operations are imprudent or unreasonable.

Application for Third AB 1054 Securitization Transaction

AB 1054 provides that the first $5.0 billion expended in the aggregate by California’s three large electric IOUs on fire risk mitigation capital expenditures included in their respective approved WMPs will be excluded from their respective equity rate bases. The $5.0 billion of capital expenditures has been allocated among the large electric IOUs in accordance with their Wildfire Fund allocation metrics. The Utility’s allocation is $3.21 billion. AB 1054 contemplates that such capital expenditures may be financed using a structure that securitizes a dedicated customer charge.

On August 10, 2023, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC seeking authorization for a third transaction to use securitization to finance the recovery of up to $1.38 billion of fire risk mitigation capital expenditure amounts that have been or would be incurred by the Utility from August 1, 2019 through the first quarter of 2024, which it subsequently extended through the second quarter of 2024. The $1.38 billion reflected $187 million of recorded capital expenditure amounts that were approved by the CPUC in the 2020 GRC, $350 million capital expenditure amounts that were approved by the CPUC in the 2020 WMCE proceeding, and up to $843 million forecasted capital expenditure amounts approved in the 2023 GRC. These amounts were not included in the first or second securitization transactions. The final amount to be financed using securitization would be based on actual recorded and authorized capital expenditures incurred by the Utility prior to the securitization transaction and not to exceed the remaining $1.38 billion of the Utility’s AB 1054 allocation. If approved, the Utility anticipates the transaction will result in the last securitization of AB 1054 capital expenditure amounts subject to the equity rate base exclusion.

The application requested that the CPUC issue a financing order authorizing one or more series of recovery bonds, determine that the issuance of the bonds and collection through fixed recovery charges is just and reasonable, consistent with the public interest, would reduce rates on a present-value basis compared to traditional utility financing mechanisms, and authorize the Utility to collect a non-bypassable charge sufficient to pay debt service on the recovery bonds. The application also requested that the CPUC exclude the securitized debt from the Utility’s ratemaking capital structure and adjust the Utility’s 2020 GRC, 2020 WMCE proceeding, and 2023 GRC revenue requirements following the issuance of the recovery bonds.

The Utility has requested a financing order to be issued within 180 days after the filing of the application on August 10, 2023. On November 22, 2023, the Utility filed opening briefs to update the capital expenditures forecast for the 2023 GRC final decision and extend the forecast capex period through the second quarter of 2024. On February 15, 2024, the CPUC issued a final decision approving the Utility’s application.

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SB 884 10-Year Distribution Undergrounding Program

On November 9, 2023, the Safety and Policy Division of the CPUC issued a resolution which, if adopted, would establish an expedited utility distribution infrastructure undergrounding program pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 8388.5. The resolution addresses the process and requirements for the CPUC's review of any large electrical corporation’s 10-year distribution infrastructure undergrounding plan and conditional approval of its related costs. The draft resolution is currently on the CPUC’s March 7, 2024 meeting agenda.

On December 13, 2023, the OEIS issued a request for comments as part of its ongoing process to develop guidelines for its program. The Utility and other stakeholders submitted comments on January 8, 2024 and reply comments on January 18, 2024.

The Utility anticipates that the OEIS and the CPUC will issue final guidelines in early 2024. The Utility expects to submit its undergrounding plan to the OEIS in mid-2024 before submitting its cost application to the CPUC, as directed in Public Utilities Code Section 8388.5.

LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY INITIATIVES

Inflation Reduction Act

In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act became law. The Inflation Reduction Act includes a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax on the adjusted financial statement income (“AFSI”) of corporations with average AFSI exceeding $1.0 billion over a three-year period, effective January 1, 2023. The law also extends and modifies existing tax credits and creates new tax credits for qualifying investments on renewable and clean energy sources and energy storage. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS have broad authority to issue and have issued regulations and guidance to implement its provisions. PG&E Corporation and the Utility continue to evaluate the totality of the law, the regulations issued in connection with it, and its impact on qualifying investments. As of December 31, 2023, the law did not have a material impact on the PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Revenue Procedure 2023-15

On April 14, 2023, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2023-15, which provides a safe harbor method for determining natural gas repairs deductions for income tax purposes. PG&E Corporation and the Utility are continuing to evaluate the impact of the revenue procedure.

Senate Bill 410

On October 7, 2023, SB 410 became law. SB 410 authorizes electrical corporations to request, and requires the CPUC to approve, a ratemaking mechanism to recover distribution line, substation capacity, and new business investments that exceed the GRC annual authorized revenue requirements, up to an annual cap. Amounts recorded to the related balancing account would be reviewed for reasonableness in the following GRC. See “Regulatory Matters - 2023 General Rate Case” above for more information.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

The Utility’s operations are subject to extensive federal, state, and local laws and permits relating to the protection of the environment and the safety and health of the Utility’s personnel and the public.  These laws and requirements relate to a broad range of the Utility’s activities, including the remediation of hazardous substances; the reporting and reduction of carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions; the discharge of pollutants into the air, water, and soil; the reporting of safety and reliability measures for natural gas storage facilities; and the transportation, handling, storage, and disposal of spent nuclear fuel. See Item 1A. Risk Factors, “Environmental Regulation” in Item 1 and “Environmental Remediation Contingencies” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

PG&E Corporation, mainly through its ownership of the Utility, and the Utility are exposed to risks associated with adverse changes in commodity prices, interest rates, and counterparty credit. The Utility actively manages market risk through risk management programs designed to support business objectives, discourage unauthorized risk-taking, reduce commodity cost volatility, and manage cash flows. The Utility uses derivative instruments only for non-trading purposes (i.e., risk mitigation) and not for speculative purposes.

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Commodity Price Risk

The Utility is exposed to commodity price risk as a result of its electricity and natural gas procurement activities, including the procurement of natural gas and nuclear fuel necessary for electricity generation and natural gas procurement for core customers. The Utility’s risk management activities include the use of physical and financial instruments such as forward contracts, futures, swaps, options, and other instruments and agreements. As long as the Utility can conclude that it is probable that its reasonably incurred wholesale electricity procurement costs and natural gas costs are recoverable, fluctuations in electricity and natural gas prices do not affect earnings. Such fluctuations, however, may impact cash flows. The Utility’s natural gas transportation and storage costs for core customers are also fully recoverable through a ratemaking mechanism.

The Utility does not have a balancing account for costs in excess of its revenue requirement for natural gas transportation and storage service to non-core customers. The Utility recovers these costs in its GRC through fixed reservation charges and volumetric charges from long-term contracts, resulting in price and volumetric risk. The Utility uses value-at-risk to measure its shareholders’ exposure to these risks. The Utility’s value-at-risk was approximately $4 million and $3 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further discussion of price risk management activities.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk sensitivity analysis is used to measure interest rate risk by computing estimated changes in cash flows as a result of assumed changes in market interest rates. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, if interest rates changed by one percent for all PG&E Corporation and Utility variable rate long-term debt, short-term debt, and cash investments, the pre-tax impact on net income over the next 12 months would be $57 million and $54 million, respectively, based on net variable rate debt and other interest rate-sensitive instruments outstanding. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further discussion of interest rates.

Energy Procurement Credit Risk

The Utility conducts business with counterparties mainly in the energy industry to purchase electricity or gas and related services, including the CAISO market, other California IOUs, municipal utilities, energy trading companies, pipelines, financial institutions, electricity generation companies, and oil and natural gas production companies located in the United States and Canada. If a counterparty fails to perform on its contractual obligation to deliver electricity or gas and related services, then the Utility may find it necessary to procure electricity or gas at current market prices or seek alternate services, which may be higher than the contract prices.

The Utility manages credit risk associated with its counterparties by assigning credit limits based on evaluations of their financial conditions, net worth, credit ratings, and other credit criteria as deemed appropriate. Credit limits and credit quality are monitored periodically. The Utility executes many energy contracts under master commodity enabling agreements that may require security. Security may be in the form of cash or letters of credit. The Utility may accept other forms of performance assurance in the form of corporate guarantees of acceptable credit quality or other eligible securities (as deemed appropriate by the Utility). Security or performance assurance may be required from the Utility or counterparties when current net receivables or payables and exposure exceed contractually specified limits.

The following table summarizes the Utility’s energy procurement credit risk exposure to its counterparties:

Exposure (1) (in millions)Number of Wholesale Customers or Counterparties 10%Net Credit Exposure to Wholesale Customers or Counterparties 10% (in millions)
December 31, 2023$9263$457
December 31, 2022$8141$162

(1) Exposure is the positive exposure maximum that equals mark-to-market value on physically and financially settled contracts, plus net receivables (payables) where netting is contractually allowed minus collateral posted by counterparties and held by the Utility plus collateral posted by the Utility and held by the counterparties. For purposes of this table, parental guarantees are not included as part of the calculation. Exposure amounts reported above do not include adjustments for time value or liquidity.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP involves the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the recorded amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The accounting policies described below are considered to be critical accounting estimates due, in part, to their complexity and because their application is relevant and material to the financial position and results of operations of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, and because these policies require the use of material judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates and assumptions. These accounting estimates and their key characteristics are outlined below.

Contributions to the Wildfire Fund

The Wildfire Fund is expected to be capitalized with (i) $10.5 billion of proceeds of bonds supported by a 15-year extension of the DWR charge to customers, (ii) $7.5 billion in initial contributions from California’s three large electric IOUs, and (iii) $300 million in annual contributions paid by California’s three large electric IOUs for a 10-year period. The contributions from the IOUs will be effectively borne by their respective shareholders, as they will not be permitted to recover these costs through rates. The costs of the initial and annual contributions are allocated among the IOUs pursuant to a “Wildfire Fund allocation metric” set forth in AB 1054 based on land area in the applicable IOU’s service area classified as HFTDs and adjusted to account for risk mitigation efforts. The Utility’s Wildfire Fund allocation metric is 64.2% (representing an initial contribution of approximately $4.8 billion and annual contributions of approximately $193 million).

On the Emergence Date, PG&E Corporation and the Utility contributed, in accordance with AB 1054, an initial contribution of approximately $4.8 billion and first annual contribution of approximately $193 million to the Wildfire Fund to secure participation of the Utility therein. The other large electric IOUs made their initial contributions to the Wildfire Fund in September 2019. In December 2022 and 2023, the Utility made its fourth and fifth annual contributions of $193 million each to the Wildfire Fund. As of December 31, 2023, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have five remaining annual contributions of $193 million (based on the current Wildfire Fund allocation metric). PG&E Corporation and the Utility account for contributions to the Wildfire Fund by capitalizing an asset, amortizing to periods ratably based on an estimated period of coverage, and incrementally adjusting for accelerated amortization as the level of coverage declines, as further described below.

As of December 31, 2023, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded $193 million in Other current liabilities, $750 million in Other noncurrent liabilities, $450 million in Current assets - Wildfire Fund asset, and $4.3 billion in Noncurrent assets - Wildfire Fund asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Utility recorded amortization and accretion expense of $567 million and $477 million, respectively. The amortization of the asset, accretion of the liability, and acceleration of the amortization of the asset is reflected in Wildfire Fund expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Expected contributions recorded in Wildfire Fund asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are discounted to the present value using the 10-year U.S. treasury rate at the date PG&E Corporation and the Utility satisfied all the eligibility requirements to participate in the Wildfire Fund. A useful life of 15 years is being used to amortize the Wildfire Fund asset.

AB 1054 did not specify a period of coverage; therefore, this accounting treatment is subject to significant accounting judgments and estimates. In estimating the period of coverage, PG&E Corporation and the Utility use a Monte Carlo simulation that began with 12 years of historical, publicly available fire-loss data from wildfires caused by electrical equipment, and subsequently plan to add an additional year of data each following year. The period of historic fire-loss data and the effectiveness of mitigation efforts by the California electric utility companies are significant assumptions used to estimate the useful life. These assumptions along with the other assumptions below create a high degree of uncertainty related to the estimated useful life of the Wildfire Fund. The simulation creates annual distributions of potential losses due to fires that could be attributed to the participating electric utilities. Initial use of five years of historical data, with average annual statewide claims or settlements of approximately $6.5 billion versus 12 years of historical data, with average annual statewide claims or settlements of approximately $2.9 billion, would have resulted in a six year amortization period. As of December 31, 2023, a 5% change to the assumption around current and future mitigation effort effectiveness would increase the amortization period by five years assuming greater effectiveness and would decrease the amortization period by four years assuming less effectiveness.

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Other assumptions used to estimate the useful life include the estimated cost of wildfires caused by participating electric utilities, the amount at which wildfire claims would be settled, the likely adjudication of the CPUC in cases of electric utility-caused wildfires and determination of any amounts required to be reimbursed to the Wildfire Fund, the impacts of climate change, the level of future insurance coverage held by the electric utilities, the FERC-allocable portion of loss recovery, and the future transmission and distribution equity rate base growth of participating electric utilities. Significant changes in any of these estimates could materially impact the amortization period.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility re-evaluate the estimated period of coverage annually and as required by additional information, and the expected life of the Wildfire Fund will be adjusted as required. The Wildfire Fund is available to other participating utilities in California and the amount of claims that a participating utility incurs is not limited to their individual contribution amounts. PG&E Corporation and the Utility assess the Wildfire Fund asset for acceleration of the amortization of the asset in the event that a participating utility’s electrical equipment is found to be the substantial cause of a catastrophic wildfire. Timing of any such acceleration of the amortization of the asset could lag as the emergence of sufficient cause and claims information can take many quarters and could be limited to public disclosure of the participating electric utility, if ignition were to occur outside the Utility’s service area. There were fires in the Utility’s and other participating utilities’ service areas since July 12, 2019, including fires for which the cause is unknown, which may in the future be determined to be covered by the Wildfire Fund. PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded $102 million and $6 million of accelerated amortization, reflected in Wildfire Fund expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded $325 million and $275 million in Accounts receivable - other and Other noncurrent assets, respectively, for Wildfire Fund receivables related to the 2021 Dixie fire.

For more information, see “Contributions to the Wildfire Fund Established Pursuant to AB 1054” in Note 2 and “Wildfire Fund under AB 1054” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Loss Contingencies

As discussed below, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have recorded material accruals for various wildfire-related, enforcement and legal matters, and environmental remediation liabilities. PG&E Corporation and the Utility have also recorded insurance receivables for third-party claims.

Wildfire-Related Liabilities

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are subject to potential liabilities related to wildfires.  PG&E Corporation and the Utility record a wildfire-related liability when they determine that a loss is probable and they can reasonably estimate the loss or a range of losses. The provision is based on the lower end of the range, unless an amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount.

The process for estimating wildfire-related liabilities requires management to exercise significant judgment based on a number of assumptions and subjective factors, including the factors identified above and estimates based on currently available information and prior experience with wildfires.  See Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Enforcement and Litigation Matters

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are subject to various laws and regulations and, in the normal course of business, are named as parties in a number of claims and lawsuits. In addition, penalties may be incurred for failure to comply with federal, state, or local laws and regulations. PG&E Corporation and the Utility record a provision for a loss contingency when it is both probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. PG&E Corporation and the Utility evaluate the range of reasonably estimated losses and record a provision based on the lower end of the range, unless an amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. Loss contingencies are reviewed quarterly, and estimates are adjusted to reflect the impact of all known information, such as negotiations, discovery, settlements and payments, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s provision for loss and expense excludes anticipated legal costs, which are expensed as incurred. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates and assumptions. See Note 14 and Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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Loss Recoveries

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have recovery mechanisms available for wildfire liabilities including from insurance, through rates, and from the Wildfire Fund. The Utility has liability insurance from various insurers, which provides coverage for third-party claims arising before August 1, 2023. PG&E Corporation and the Utility record a receivable for a recovery when they determine that it is probable that they will recover a recorded loss and they can reasonably estimate the amount or its range. The assessment of whether recovery is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the recovery or a range of recoveries is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. Loss recoveries are reviewed quarterly, and estimates are adjusted to reflect the impact of all known information, including contractual liability insurance policy coverage, advice of legal counsel, past experience with similar events, conversations with the Wildfire Fund administrators, the CPUC and FERC, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. See “Loss Recoveries” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Environmental Remediation Liabilities

The Utility is subject to loss contingencies pursuant to federal and California environmental laws and regulations that in the future may require the Utility to pay for environmental remediation at sites where it has been, or may be, a potentially responsible party. Such contingencies may exist for the remediation of hazardous substances at various potential sites, including former MGP sites, power plant sites, gas compressor stations, and sites used by the Utility for the storage, recycling, or disposal of potentially hazardous materials, even if the Utility did not deposit those substances on the site.

The Utility generally commences the environmental remediation assessment process upon notification from federal or state agencies, or other parties, of a potential site requiring remedial action. (In some instances, the Utility may initiate action to determine its remediation liability for sites that it no longer owns in cooperation with regulatory agencies. For example, the Utility has a program related to certain former MGP sites.) Based on such notification, the Utility completes an assessment of the potential site and evaluates whether it is probable that a remediation liability has been incurred. The Utility records an environmental remediation liability when site assessments indicate remediation is probable and it can reasonably estimate the loss or a range of possible losses. Given the complexities of the legal and regulatory environment and the inherent uncertainties involved in the early stages of a remediation project, the process for estimating remediation liabilities is subjective and requires significant judgment. Key factors evaluated in developing cost estimates include the extent and types of hazardous substances at a potential site, the range of technologies that can be used for remediation, the determination of the Utility’s liability in proportion to other responsible parties, and the extent to which such costs are recoverable from third parties.

When possible, the Utility estimates costs using site-specific information, but also considers historical experience for costs incurred at similar sites depending on the level of information available. Estimated costs are composed of the direct costs of the remediation effort and the costs of compensation for employees who are expected to devote a significant amount of time directly to the remediation effort. These estimated costs include remedial site investigations, remediation actions, operations and maintenance activities, post remediation monitoring, and the costs of technologies that are expected to be approved to remediate the site. Remediation efforts for a particular site generally extend over a period of several years. During this period, the laws governing the remediation process may change, as well as site conditions, which could affect the cost of the remediation effort.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Utility’s accruals for undiscounted gross environmental liabilities were $1.3 billion each. The Utility’s undiscounted future costs could increase to as much as $2.4 billion if the extent of contamination or necessary remediation is greater than anticipated or if the other potentially responsible parties are not financially able to contribute to these costs and could increase further if the Utility chooses to remediate beyond regulatory requirements. Although the Utility has provided for known environmental obligations that are probable and reasonably estimable, estimated costs may vary significantly from actual costs, and the amount of additional future costs may be material to results of operations in the period in which they are recognized.

Regulatory Accounting

As a regulated entity, the Utility records regulatory assets and liabilities for amounts that are deemed probable of recovery from, or refund to, customers. The Utility continues to apply ASC 980, Regulated Operations. These amounts would otherwise be recorded to expense or income under GAAP. Refer to “Regulation and Regulated Operations” in Note 2 as well as Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. As of December 31, 2023, PG&E Corporation and the Utility reported regulatory assets (including current regulatory balancing accounts receivable) of $23.1 billion and regulatory liabilities (including current regulatory balancing accounts payable) of $22.3 billion.

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Determining probability requires significant judgment by management and includes, but is not limited to, consideration of testimony presented in regulatory hearings, proposed regulatory decisions, final regulatory orders, and the strength or status of applications for rehearing or court appeals. For some of the Utility’s regulatory assets, including utility retained generation, the Utility has determined that the costs are recoverable based on specific approval from the CPUC. The Utility also records a regulatory asset when a mechanism is in place to recover current expenditures and historical experience indicates that recovery of incurred costs is probable, such as the regulatory assets for pension benefits; deferred income tax; price risk management; and unamortized loss, net of gain, on reacquired debt. If the Utility determined that it is no longer probable that regulatory assets would be recovered or reflected in future rates, or if the Utility ceased to be subject to rate regulation, the regulatory assets would be charged against income in the period in which that determination was made. If regulatory accounting did not apply, the Utility’s future financial results could become more volatile as compared to historical financial results due to the differences in the timing of expense or revenue recognition.

A portion of the Utility’s regulatory asset balances relate to items which could not be anticipated by the Utility during CPUC GRC rate requests resulting from catastrophic events, changes in regulation, or extraordinary changes in operating practices. The Utility may seek authority to track incremental costs in a memorandum account, and the CPUC may authorize recovery of costs tracked in memorandum accounts if the costs are deemed incremental and prudently incurred. These accounts, which include the CEMA, WEMA, FHPMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, RTBA, and MGMA among others, allow the Utility to track the costs associated with work related to disaster and wildfire response, and other wildfire prevention-related costs. In addition, the CPPMA and RUBA accounts track costs incurred to implement the CPUC’s Emergency Authorization and Order Directing Utilities to Implement Emergency Customer Protections to Support California Customers During the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Utility generally believes such costs are recoverable, rate recovery requires CPUC authorization in separate proceedings or through a GRC.

Additionally, SB 901 provides a mechanism for the CPUC to potentially allow recovery in future rates, through a securitization mechanism, of wildfire-related costs found to be just and reasonable by the CPUC and, only for the 2017 Northern California wildfires, any amounts in excess of the CHT. The Utility must evaluate the likelihood of recovery in future rates each period. In 2022, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded a regulatory asset associated with SB 901. As of December 31, 2023, the SB 901 regulatory asset was approximately $5.2 billion. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

In addition, regulatory accounting standards require recognition of a loss if it becomes probable that capital expenditures will be disallowed for ratemaking purposes and if a reasonable estimate of the amount of the disallowance can be made. Such assessments require significant judgment by management regarding probability of recovery, as described above, and the ultimate cost of construction of capital assets. The Utility records a loss to the extent capital costs are expected to exceed the amount to be recovered.  The Utility’s capital forecasts involve a series of complex judgments regarding detailed project plans, estimates included in third-party contracts, historical cost experience for similar projects, permitting requirements, environmental compliance standards, and a variety of other factors.

Asset Retirement Obligations

PG&E Corporation and the Utility account for an ARO at fair value in the period during which the legal obligation is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value and its settlement date can be made. At the time of recording an ARO, the associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The Utility recognizes a regulatory asset or liability for the timing differences between the recognition of expenses and costs recovered through the ratemaking process. See Notes 2 and 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

To estimate its liability, the Utility uses a discounted cash flow model based upon significant estimates and assumptions about future decommissioning costs, inflation rates, and the estimated date of decommissioning. The estimated future cash flows are discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate that reflects the risk associated with the decommissioning obligation.

At December 31, 2023, the Utility’s recorded ARO for the estimated cost of retiring these long-lived assets was approximately $5.5 billion. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the amount of the recorded ARO for these assets.

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

PG&E Corporation and the Utility sponsor a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for eligible employees as well as contributory postretirement health care and medical plans for eligible retirees and their eligible dependents, and non-contributory postretirement life insurance plans for eligible employees and retirees. Adjustments to the pension and other benefit obligation are based on the differences between actuarial assumptions and actual plan results. These amounts are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and amortized into income on a gradual basis. The differences between pension benefit expense recognized in accordance with GAAP, and amounts recognized for ratemaking purposes are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities as amounts are probable of recovery through rates. To the extent the other benefits are in an overfunded position, the Utility records a regulatory liability. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

The pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are calculated using actuarial models as of the December 31 measurement date. The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining pension and other benefit obligations include the discount rate, the average rate of future compensation increases, the health care cost trend rate, and the expected return on plan assets. PG&E Corporation and the Utility review these assumptions on an annual basis and adjust them as necessary. While PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that the assumptions used are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience, plan changes or amendments, or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the recorded pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and future plan expenses. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

In establishing health care cost assumptions, PG&E Corporation and the Utility consider recent cost trends and projections from industry experts. This evaluation suggests that current rates of inflation are expected to continue in the near term. In recognition of continued high inflation in health care costs and given the design of PG&E Corporation’s plans, the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2024 was 6.3%, gradually decreasing to the ultimate trend rate of approximately 4.5% in 2031 and beyond.

Expected rates of return on plan assets were developed by estimating future stock and bond returns and then applying these returns to the target asset allocations of the employee benefit plan trusts, resulting in a weighted average rate of return on plan assets. Returns on fixed-income debt investments were projected based on real maturity and credit spreads added to a long-term inflation rate. Returns on equity investments were projected based on estimates of dividend yield and real earnings growth added to a long-term inflation rate. For the Utility’s defined benefit pension plan, the assumed return of 6.0% compares to a ten-year actual return of 5.3%.

The rate used to discount pension benefits and other benefits was based on a yield curve developed from market data of approximately 858 Aa-grade non-callable bonds at December 31, 2023. This yield curve has discount rates that vary based on the duration of the obligations. The estimated future cash flows for the pension and other postretirement benefit obligations were matched to the corresponding rates on the yield curve to derive a weighted average discount rate.

The following reflects the sensitivity of pension costs and projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions:

(in millions)Increase (Decrease) in AssumptionIncrease in 2023 PensionCostsIncrease in ProjectedBenefit Obligation atDecember 31, 2023
Discount rate(0.50)%$2$1,123
Rate of return on plan assets(0.50)%80
Rate of increase in compensation0.50%28228

The following reflects the sensitivity of other postretirement benefit costs and accumulated benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions:

(in millions)Increase (Decrease) in AssumptionIncrease in 2023Other PostretirementBenefit CostsIncrease in AccumulatedBenefit Obligation atDecember 31, 2023
Health care cost trend rate0.50%$6$39
Discount rate(0.50)%686
Rate of return on plan assets(0.50)%11

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NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

FY 2022 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001004980-23-000029.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Published MD&A gate trimmed front/tail over-capture. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2023-02-23. Report date: 2022-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

This is a combined report of PG&E Corporation and the Utility and includes separate Consolidated Financial Statements for each of these two entities. This combined MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.

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Key Factors Affecting Financial Results

PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that their financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows may be materially affected by the following factors:

•The Uncertainties in Connection with Wildfires, Wildfire Mitigation, and Associated Cost Recovery. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows may be materially affected by the costs and effectiveness of the Utility’s wildfire mitigation initiatives; the extent of damages from wildfires that do occur; the financial impacts of wildfires; and PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s ability to mitigate those financial impacts with insurance, the Wildfire Fund, and regulatory recovery.

In response to the wildfire threat facing California, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have taken aggressive steps to mitigate the threat of catastrophic wildfires. The Utility’s wildfire mitigation initiatives include EPSS, PSPS, vegetation management, asset inspections, and system hardening. In particular, in 2022 the Utility expanded the EPSS program to all high fire risk areas. The Utility is also focused on undergrounding more lines each year while using economies of scale to make undergrounding more cost efficient. These initiatives significantly reduced the number of CPUC-reportable ignitions and the number of acres burned. The success of the Utility’s wildfire mitigation efforts depends on many factors, including whether the Utility is able to retain or contract for the workforce necessary to execute its wildfire mitigation actions.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have incurred and will continue to incur substantial expenditures in connection with these initiatives. For more information on incurred expenditures, see Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. The extent to which the Utility will be able to recover these expenditures and other potential costs through rates is uncertain. If additional requirements are imposed that go beyond current expectations, such requirements could have a substantial impact on the costs of the Utility’s wildfire mitigation initiatives.

The Utility is subject to a number of legal and regulatory requirements related to its wildfire mitigation efforts, which require periodic inspections of electric assets and ongoing reporting related to this work. Although the Utility believes that it has complied substantially with these requirements, it is undertaking a review and has identified instances of noncompliance. The Utility intends to update the CPUC and OEIS as its review progresses. The Utility could face fines, penalties, enforcement action, or other adverse legal or regulatory consequences for the late inspections or other noncompliance related to wildfire mitigation efforts. See “Self-Reports to the CPUC” in “Regulatory Matters” below.

Despite these extensive measures, the potential that the Utility’s equipment will be involved in the ignition of future wildfires, including catastrophic wildfires, is significant. This risk may be attributable to, and exacerbated by, a variety of factors, including climate (in particular extended periods of seasonal dryness coupled with periods of high wind velocities and other storms), infrastructure, and vegetation conditions. Once an ignition has occurred, the Utility is unable to control the extent of damages, which is primarily determined by environmental conditions (including weather and vegetation conditions), third-party suppression efforts, and the location of the wildfire.

The financial impact of past wildfires is significant. As of December 31, 2022, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had recorded aggregate liabilities of $1.025 billion, $400 million, $1.175 billion, and $100 million for claims in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire, the 2020 Zogg fire, the 2021 Dixie fire, and the 2022 Mosquito fire, respectively, and in each case before available insurance, and, in the case of the 2021 Dixie fire and the 2022 Mosquito fire, other probable cost recoveries. These liability amounts correspond to the lower end of the range of reasonably estimable probable losses but do not include all categories of potential damages and losses.

On September 24, 2021, the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office charged the Utility with 31 counts in connection with the 2020 Zogg fire, of which the court has dismissed 20 counts. If the Utility were to be convicted of any of the remaining charges, the Utility could be subject to material fines, penalties, and restitution, as well as non-monetary remedies such as oversight requirements. Accordingly, depending on which charges the Utility were to be convicted of, its total losses associated with the 2020 Zogg fire could materially exceed the $400 million of aggregate liability that PG&E Corporation and the Utility have recorded.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility may be able to mitigate the financial impact of future wildfires in excess of insurance coverage through the Wildfire Fund, or cost recovery through rates. Each of these mitigations involves uncertainties, and liabilities could exceed available recoveries. See “Loss Recoveries” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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Recorded liabilities in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire and the 2021 Dixie fire have already exceeded potential amounts recoverable under applicable insurance policies. As of December 31, 2022, the Utility has recorded insurance receivables of $430 million for the 2019 Kincade fire, $370 million for the 2020 Zogg fire, $530 million for the 2021 Dixie fire, and $45 million for the 2022 Mosquito fire. Additionally, the Utility does not expect that any of its liability insurance would cover restitution payments, if such payments were ordered by the court presiding over the criminal proceeding in connection with the 2020 Zogg fire.

If the eligible claims for liabilities arising from wildfires were to exceed $1.0 billion in any Wildfire Fund coverage year (“Coverage Year”), the Utility may be eligible to make a claim against the Wildfire Fund under AB 1054 for such excess amount. The Wildfire Fund is available to the Utility to pay eligible claims for liabilities arising from wildfires, provided that the Utility satisfies the conditions to the Utility’s ongoing participation in the Wildfire Fund set forth in AB 1054 and that the Wildfire Fund has sufficient remaining funds. However, the impact of AB 1054 on PG&E Corporation and the Utility is subject to numerous uncertainties, including the Utility’s ability to demonstrate to the CPUC that wildfire-related costs paid from the Wildfire Fund were just and reasonable and therefore not subject to reimbursement, and whether the benefits of participating in the Wildfire Fund ultimately outweigh its substantial costs. Finally, recoveries for the 2019 Kincade fire would be subject to a 40% limitation on the allowed amount of claims arising before emergence from bankruptcy. As of December 31, 2022, the Utility has recorded a Wildfire Fund receivable of $175 million for the 2021 Dixie fire. See “Wildfire Fund under AB 1054” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

The Utility will be permitted to recover its wildfire-related claims and legal fees through rates only if the CPUC or the FERC, as applicable, determines that the Utility has met the prudency standard. The revised prudency standard under AB 1054 has not been interpreted or applied by the CPUC, and it is possible that the CPUC could interpret the standard or apply it to the relevant facts differently from how the Utility has interpreted and applied the standard, in which case the Utility may not be able to recover all or a portion of expenses that it has recorded as receivables. As of December 31, 2022, the Utility has recorded receivables for regulatory recovery of $503 million for the 2021 Dixie fire and $60 million for the 2022 Mosquito fire. See “2021 Dixie Fire,” and “2022 Mosquito Fire” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for more information.

•The Timing and Outcome of Ratemaking and Other Proceedings. Regulatory ratemaking proceedings are a key aspect of the Utility’s business. The Utility’s revenue requirements consist primarily of a base amount set to enable the Utility to recover its reasonable operating expenses (e.g., maintenance, administrative and general expenses) and capital costs (e.g., depreciation and financing expenses). In addition, the CPUC authorizes the Utility to collect revenues to recover costs that the Utility is allowed to pass through to customers (referred to as “Utility Revenues and Costs that did not Impact Earnings” below), including its costs to procure electricity and natural gas for customers and to administer public purpose and customer programs. Although the Utility generally seeks to recover its recorded costs on a timely basis, in recent years, the amount of the costs recorded in memorandum and balancing accounts has increased. The Utility has also applied to transfer its non-nuclear generation assets to Pacific Generation and potentially sell a minority interest in Pacific Generation. The outcome of regulatory proceedings can be affected by many factors, including intervening parties’ testimonies, potential rate impacts, the regulatory and political environments, and other factors. See Notes 4 and 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 and “Regulatory Matters” below.

•The Outcome of Other Enforcement, Litigation, and Regulatory Matters, and Other Government Proposals. The Utility is subject to enforcement, litigation, and regulatory matters, including those described above, the Safety Culture OII, EOEP proceedings, and actions in connection with the Utility’s WMP, and safety and other self-reports. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. In addition, the Utility’s business profile and financial results could be impacted by the outcome of recent calls for municipalization of part or all of the Utility’s businesses, actions by municipalities and other public entities to acquire the electric assets of the Utility within their respective jurisdictions and calls for state intervention, including the possibility of a state takeover of the Utility. See “Jurisdictions may attempt to acquire the Utility’s assets through eminent domain” in Item 1A. Risk Factors for more information. These matters could result in penalties, additional regulatory requirements, or changes to the Utility’s operations. PG&E Corporation and the Utility seek to limit these matters by implementing a robust compliance program and by delivering excellent customer experiences.

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•PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Ability to Control Operating Costs. Under cost-of-service ratemaking, a utility’s earnings depend on its ability to manage costs within the amounts authorized for recovery in its ratemaking proceedings. The Utility has set a goal to increase its capital investments to meet safety and climate goals, while also reducing non-fuel Operating and maintenance costs by two percent per year. The Utility’s ability to meet this goal depends on whether the Utility can improve the planning and execution of its work by continuing to implement the Lean operating system.

For more information about the risks that could materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows, or that could cause future results to differ from historical results, see Item 1A. Risk Factors.  In addition, this annual report contains forward-looking statements that are necessarily subject to various risks and uncertainties.  These statements reflect management’s judgment and opinions that are based on current estimates, expectations, and projections about future events and assumptions regarding these events and management’s knowledge of facts as of the date of this report.  See “Forward-Looking Statements” above for a list of some of the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially.  PG&E Corporation and the Utility are unable to predict all the factors that may affect future results and do not undertake an obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events, or otherwise.

Tax Matters

PG&E Corporation had a U.S. federal net operating loss carryforward of approximately $26.6 billion and California net operating loss carryforward of approximately $25.2 billion as of December 31, 2022.

Under Section 382 of the IRC, if a corporation (or a consolidated group) undergoes an “ownership change,” net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes may be subject to certain limitations. In general, an ownership change occurs if the aggregate stock ownership of certain shareholders (generally five percent shareholders, applying certain look-through and aggregation rules) increases by more than 50% over such shareholders’ lowest percentage ownership during the testing period (generally three years). PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Amended Articles limit Transfers (as defined in the Amended Articles) that increase a person’s or entity’s (including certain groups of persons) ownership of PG&E Corporation’s equity securities to 4.75% or more prior to the Restriction Release Date (as defined in the Amended Articles) without approval by the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation (the “Ownership Restrictions”). As discussed below under “Update on Ownership Restrictions in PG&E Corporation’s Amended Articles,” due to the election to treat the Fire Victim Trust as a grantor trust for income tax purposes, the calculation of Percentage Stock Ownership (as defined in the Amended Articles) will effectively be based on a reduced number of shares outstanding, namely the total number of outstanding equity securities less the number of equity securities held by the Fire Victim Trust, the Utility, and ShareCo. As of the date of this report, it is more likely than not that PG&E Corporation has not undergone an ownership change, and consequently, its net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes are not limited by Section 382 of the IRC.

Furthermore, the activities of the Fire Victim Trust are treated as activities of the Utility for tax purposes. Accordingly, PG&E Corporation will recognize income tax benefits and the corresponding DTA as the Fire Victim Trust sells shares of PG&E Corporation common stock, and the amounts of such benefits and assets will be impacted by the price at which the Fire Victim Trust sells the shares, rather than the price at the time such shares were transferred to the Fire Victim Trust. At various dates throughout 2022, the Fire Victim Trust exchanged Plan Shares for an equal number of New Shares in the manner contemplated by the Share Exchange and Tax Matters Agreement; in each case, the Fire Victim Trust thereafter reported that it sold the applicable New Shares. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Fire Victim Trust’s sale of PG&E Corporation common stock in the aggregate amount of 230,000,000 shares resulted in an aggregate tax benefit of $870 million recorded in PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Update on Ownership Restrictions in PG&E Corporation’s Amended Articles

As a result of the grantor trust election, shares of PG&E Corporation common stock owned by the Fire Victim Trust are treated as held by the Utility and, in turn, attributed to PG&E Corporation for income tax purposes. Consequently, any shares of PG&E Corporation common stock owned by the Fire Victim Trust, along with any shares owned by the Utility directly, are effectively excluded from the total number of outstanding equity securities when calculating a person’s Percentage Stock Ownership (as defined in the Amended Articles) for purposes of the 4.75% ownership limitation in the Amended Articles. Shares owned by ShareCo are also effectively excluded because ShareCo is a disregarded entity for income tax purposes. For example, although PG&E Corporation had 2,466,208,388 shares outstanding as of February 16, 2023, only 1,800,721,208 shares (the number of outstanding shares of common stock less the number of shares held by the Fire Victim Trust, the Utility, and ShareCo) count as outstanding for purposes of the ownership restrictions in the Amended Articles. As such, based on the total number of outstanding equity securities and taking into account the shares of PG&E Corporation common stock known to have been sold by the Fire Victim Trust as of February 16, 2023, a person’s effective Percentage Stock Ownership limitation for purposes of the Amended Articles as of February 16, 2023 was 3.46% of outstanding shares. As of February 16, 2023, to the knowledge of PG&E Corporation, the Fire Victim Trust had sold 290,000,000 shares of PG&E Corporation common stock in the aggregate.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion presents PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s operating results for 2022 and 2021.  See “Key Factors Affecting Financial Results” above for further discussion about factors that could affect future results of operations.

See “Results of Operations” in Item 7 of the 2021 Form 10-K for discussion of results of operations for 2021 compared to 2020.

PG&E Corporation

The consolidated results of operations consist primarily of results related to the Utility, which are discussed in the “Utility” section below.  The following table provides a summary of net income (loss) available for common shareholders:

(in millions)20222021
Consolidated Total$1,800$(102)
PG&E Corporation(412)(226)
Utility2,212124

PG&E Corporation’s net loss primarily consists of income taxes and interest expense on long-term debt. The increase in PG&E Corporation’s net loss for 2022, as compared to 2021, is primarily due to increased interest rates on long-term debt.

Utility

The table below shows certain items from the Utility’s Consolidated Statements of Income for 2022 and 2021.  The table separately identifies the revenues and costs that impacted earnings from those that did not impact earnings.  In general, expenses the Utility is authorized to pass through directly to customers (such as costs to purchase electricity and natural gas, as well as costs to fund public purpose programs) and the corresponding amount of revenues collected to recover those pass-through costs do not impact earnings.

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Revenues that impact earnings are primarily those that have been authorized by the CPUC and the FERC to recover the Utility’s costs to own and operate its assets and to provide the Utility an opportunity to earn its authorized rate of return on rate base.  Expenses that impact earnings are primarily those that the Utility incurs to own and operate its assets.

20222021
Revenues and Costs:Revenues and Costs:
(in millions)That Impacted EarningsThat Did Not Impact EarningsTotal UtilityThat Impacted EarningsThat Did Not Impact EarningsTotal Utility
Electric operating revenues$10,357$4,703$15,060$9,542$5,589$15,131
Natural gas operating revenues3,9392,6816,6203,7531,7585,511
Total operating revenues14,2967,38421,68013,2957,34720,642
Cost of electricity2,7562,7563,2323,232
Cost of natural gas2,1002,1001,1491,149
Operating and maintenance6,7372,9889,7256,8203,37410,194
SB 901 securitization charges, net608608
Wildfire-related claims, net of insurance recoveries237237258258
Wildfire Fund expense477477517517
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning3,8563,8563,4033,403
Total operating expenses11,9157,84419,75910,9987,75518,753
Operating income (loss)2,381(460)1,9212,297(408)1,889
Interest income1621622222
Interest expense(1,658)(1,658)(1,373)(1,373)
Other income, net135460595104408512
Reorganization items, net(12)(12)
Income before income taxes$1,020$$1,020$1,038$$1,038
Income tax provision (benefit) (1)(1,206)900
Net income2,226138
Preferred stock dividend requirement (1)1414
Income Attributable to Common Stock$2,212$124

(1) These items impacted earnings.

Utility Revenues and Costs that Impacted Earnings

The following discussion presents the Utility’s operating results for 2022 and 2021, focusing on revenues and expenses that impacted earnings for these periods.

Operating Revenues

The Utility’s electric and natural gas operating revenues that impacted earnings increased by $1.0 billion, or 8%, in 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to the recognition of approximately $310 million in revenues related to the settlement agreement for the 2018 CEMA application (see “2018 CEMA Application” below), the recognition of approximately $180 million in revenues related to the final decision approving $356.3 million in revenue requirements for capital expenditures incurred in the period from 2011 through 2014 for its GT&S system (see “2015 Gas Transmission and Storage Rate Case” below), increased base revenues authorized in the 2020 GRC, and additional revenues as authorized through the FERC formula rate. In addition, the Utility recognized approximately $113 million in nuclear decommissioning revenues in 2022 with no comparable revenues in 2021. This is consistent with the 2018 NDCTP final decision that authorized no decommissioning revenues for 2021 and $113 million in revenues in 2022. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of approximately $180 million of previously deferred revenues recognized in conjunction with interim rate relief collected in 2021 associated with the 2020 WMCE application (see “2020 WMCE Application” below).

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Operating and Maintenance

The Utility’s operating and maintenance expenses that impacted earnings decreased by $83 million, or 1%, in 2022 compared to 2021, as a result of operating cost efficiencies and decreases in the recognition of previously deferred costs including $90 million related to residential uncollectibles and approximately $180 million recognized in conjunction with interim rate relief associated with the 2020 WMCE application (see “2020 WMCE Application” below). In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2021, the Utility recorded a $124 million charge related to the September 21, 2021 joint motion for approval of settlement agreement associated with the 2020 WMCE filing, with no comparable charge in the same period in 2022. These decreases were partially offset by the recognition of approximately $310 million of previously deferred expenses, which were authorized by the settlement agreement for the 2018 CEMA application (see “2018 CEMA Application” below) in the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021.

SB 901 Securitization Charges, Net

SB 901 securitization charges, net, that impacted earnings increased by $608 million, or 100%, in 2022 compared to 2021. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Utility recorded $608 million in net SB 901 securitization charges, for inception of the regulatory asset and liability pursuant to the CHT decision, as well as tax benefits realized within income tax expense in the current year related to the Fire Victim Trust’s sale of PG&E Corporation common stock, with no comparable charges in 2021. For more information, see Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 below.

Wildfire-Related Claims, Net of Recoveries

Costs related to wildfires that impacted earnings decreased by $21 million, or 8%, in 2022 compared to 2021. The Utility recognized pre-tax charges of $225 million related to the 2019 Kincade fire, $100 million related to the 2022 Mosquito fire, $25 million related to the 2021 Dixie fire, and $25 million related to the 2020 Zogg fire in the year ended December 31, 2022. These charges were partially offset by $95 million of probable recoveries through insurance and the WEMA related to the 2022 Mosquito fire and $25 million in probable recoveries through the Wildfire Fund related to the 2021 Dixie fire. The Utility recognized pre-tax charges of $1.15 billion related to the 2021 Dixie fire, $175 million related to the 2019 Kincade fire, and $100 million related to the 2020 Zogg fire in the year ended December 31, 2021, partially offset by $1.06 billion of probable recoveries through insurance, the WEMA, and the Wildfire Fund related to the 2021 Dixie fire and $100 million of probable insurance recoveries related to the 2020 Zogg fire in the year ended December 31, 2021. See “Loss Recoveries” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 below.

In addition to the probable wildfire-related recoveries noted above, the Utility has recorded $125 million of probable recoveries through FERC TO formula rates, which are recorded as a reduction to regulatory liabilities and are not captured in wildfire-related claims.

See Item 1A. Risk Factors and Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Wildfire Fund Expense

Wildfire Fund expense that impacted earnings decreased by $40 million, or 8%, in 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to accelerated amortization of the Wildfire Fund asset recorded in 2021 as a result of the Wildfire Fund receivable accrued in relation to the 2021 Dixie fire, with no material amounts recorded in 2022.

See Notes 3 and 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Depreciation, Amortization, and Decommissioning

The Utility’s depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning expenses increased by $453 million, or 13%, in 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to an increase in net capital additions and an increase in decommissioning expense beginning in January 2022 primarily as a result of the final 2018 NDCTP decision.

Interest Income

The Utility’s interest income that impacted earnings increased by $140 million, or 636%, in 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to higher interest rates earned on regulatory balancing accounts.

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Interest Expense

Interest expense that impacted earnings increased by $285 million, or 21%, in 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to the issuance of additional long-term debt and an increase in interest rates on variable-rate debt.

Other Income, Net

Changes to Other income, net that impact earnings are primarily driven by fluctuations in the balance of construction work in progress that impact the equity component of AFUDC, and gains and losses on equity securities held by the customer credit trust.

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

Income tax benefit increased by $2.1 billion in 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to a write-off of a DTA associated with the grantor trust election for the Fire Victim Trust in the year ended December 31, 2021 and a benefit recognized related to the sale of shares in the Fire Victim Trust in the year ended December 31, 2022.

The following table reconciles the income tax expense at the federal statutory rate to the income tax provision:

20222021
Federal statutory income tax rate21.0%21.0%
Increase (decrease) in income tax rate resulting from:
State income tax (net of federal benefit) (1)(26.9)%24.1%
Effect of regulatory treatment of fixed asset differences (2)(49.2)%(51.6)%
Tax credits(1.3)%(1.2)%
Fire Victim Trust (3)(64.0)%91.9%
Other, net2.2%2.6%
Effective tax rate(118.2)%86.8%

(1) Includes the effect of state flow-through ratemaking treatment and the effect of the grantor trust election.

(2) Includes the effect of federal flow-through ratemaking treatment for certain property-related costs. For these temporary tax differences, the Utility recognizes the deferred tax impact in the current period and record offsetting regulatory assets and liabilities. Therefore, the Utility’s effective tax rate is impacted as these differences arise and reverse. The Utility recognizes such differences as regulatory assets or liabilities as it is probable that these amounts will be recovered from or returned to customers in future rates. The amounts also reflect the impact of the amortization of excess deferred tax benefits to be refunded to customers as a result of the Tax Act.

(3) Includes the tax benefit of the sale of shares by the Fire Victim Trust in 2022 and the tax effect of the grantor trust election for the Fire Victim Trust in 2021. See “Tax Matters” above and Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Utility Revenues and Costs that did not Impact Earnings

Fluctuations in revenues that did not impact earnings are primarily driven by procurement costs. See below for more information.

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Cost of Electricity

The Utility’s cost of electricity includes the cost of power purchased from third parties (including renewable energy resources), fuel and associated transmission costs used in its own generation facilities, fuel and associated transmission costs supplied to other facilities under power purchase agreements, costs to comply with California’s cap-and-trade program, and realized gains and losses on price risk management activities. Cost of electricity also includes net sales (Utility owned generation and third parties) in the CAISO electricity markets. See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. The Utility’s total purchased power is driven by customer demand, net CAISO electricity market activities (purchases or sales), the availability of the Utility’s own generation facilities (including Diablo Canyon and its hydroelectric plants), and the cost-effectiveness of each source of electricity. The cost of electricity decreased in 2022 as compared to 2021. This was primarily due to decreased customer demand and higher energy sales to the CAISO, partially offset by higher fuel prices.

(in millions)20222021
Cost of purchased power, net$2,283$2,883
Fuel used in own generation facilities473349
Total cost of electricity$2,756$3,232

Cost of Natural Gas

The Utility’s cost of natural gas includes the costs of procurement, storage and transportation of natural gas, costs to comply with California’s cap-and-trade program, and realized gains and losses on price risk management activities. See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. The cost of natural gas increased in 2022 as compared to 2021 due to increased customer demand and higher market prices. This was driven primarily by below-normal winter temperatures and prolonged drought conditions, resulting in lower California and Pacific Northwest hydro-electric generation output and higher demand from natural-gas fired generation. Lower natural gas storage levels and regional pipeline constraints also contributed to higher natural gas prices.

(in millions)20222021
Cost of natural gas sold$1,957$1,010
Transportation cost of natural gas sold143139
Total cost of natural gas$2,100$1,149

Operating and Maintenance Expenses

The Utility’s operating expenses that did not impact earnings include certain costs that the Utility is authorized to recover as incurred.  If the Utility were to spend more than authorized amounts, these expenses could have an impact on earnings.

Other Income, Net

The Utility’s other income, net that did not impact earnings includes pension and other post-retirement benefit costs that fluctuate primarily from market and interest rate changes.

Nuclear Operations

Capacity factors, which are significantly affected by the number and duration of refueling and non-refueling outages, reflect the availability of Diablo Canyon’s generation to the California electricity market. Management analyzes capacity factors by comparing Diablo Canyon’s actual generation to forecasted annual capacity factors, which reflect planned refueling outages, curtailments for condenser cleaning, allowances for minor curtailments resulting from equipment issues, and curtailments for major ocean storms.

Apart from cost-of-service ratemaking and beginning on September 2, 2022, the Utility is entitled to receive a monthly performance-based disbursement. For more information, see “Extension of Diablo Canyon Operations” below.

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The Utility manages its scheduled refueling outages with the objective of minimizing their duration and maintaining high nuclear generating capacity factors, resulting in a stable generation base for the Utility’s wholesale and retail power marketing activities. During scheduled refueling outages, the Utility performs maintenance and equipment upgrades to minimize the occurrence of unplanned outages and to maintain safe, reliable operations. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, Diablo Canyon achieved an average capacity factor of 90% and 84%, respectively. As previously disclosed, Diablo Canyon Unit 2 experienced five outages between July 2020 and April 2021, each due or related to excessive vibrations within the main generator.

In addition to the maintenance and equipment upgrades performed by the Utility during scheduled refueling outages, the Utility has extensive operating and security procedures in place to assure the safe operation of Diablo Canyon. The Utility also has extensive safety systems in place designed to protect the plant, personnel, and surrounding area in the unlikely event of an accident or other incident.

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Overview

PG&E Corporation and the Utility expect to have sufficient liquidity to fund their present and future commitments.

The Utility’s ability to fund operations, finance capital expenditures, make scheduled principal and interest payments, and make distributions to PG&E Corporation depends on the levels of its operating cash flows and access to the capital and credit markets. The CPUC authorizes the Utility’s capital structure, the aggregate amount of long-term and short-term debt that the Utility may issue, and the revenue requirements the Utility is able to collect to recover its cost of capital. The Utility generally utilizes retained earnings, equity contributions from PG&E Corporation and long-term debt issuances to maintain its CPUC-authorized long-term capital structure consisting of 52% equity and 48% debt and preferred stock and relies on short-term debt, including its revolving credit facilities, to fund temporary financing needs. On May 28, 2020, the CPUC approved a final decision in the Chapter 11 Proceedings OII, which, among other things, grants the Utility a temporary, five-year waiver from compliance with its authorized capital structure for the financing in place upon the Utility’s emergence from Chapter 11.

PG&E Corporation’s ability to fund operations, make scheduled principal and interest payments, and fund equity contributions to the Utility depends on the level of cash on hand, cash received from the Utility, and PG&E Corporation’s access to the capital and credit markets.

PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s credit ratings may be affected by the ultimate outcome of pending enforcement and litigation matters. Credit rating downgrades may impact the cost and availability of short-term borrowings, including credit facilities, and long-term debt costs. In addition, some of the Utility’s commodity contracts contain collateral posting provisions tied to the Utility’s credit rating from each of the major credit rating agencies. The collateral posting provisions for some of the Utility’s power and natural gas commodity, and transportation and service agreements state that if the Utility’s credit ratings were to fall below investment grade, the Utility would be required to post additional cash immediately to fully collateralize some or all of its net liability positions.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have various contractual commitments which impact cash requirements. These commitments are discussed in “Purchase Commitments” in Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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Arrearages Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows have been and could continue to be significantly affected by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence of variant strains of the virus (including Delta and Omicron), and the resulting economic conditions and government orders have had and will continue to have a significant adverse impact on the Utility’s customers and, as a result, these circumstances have impacted and will continue to impact the Utility for an indeterminate period of time. In particular, the Utility continues to experience increased arrearages. The principal areas of near-term impact include liquidity, financial results and business operations, stemming primarily from the ongoing economic hardship of the Utility’s customers, an annual cap set by the CPUC on the number of service disconnections for residential customers, and the CPUC’s “Emergency Authorization and Order Directing Utilities to Implement Emergency Customer COVID-19 Protections.” The Utility resumed non-residential and residential service disconnections as of October 13, 2022. The Utility’s accounts receivable balances over 30 days outstanding as of December 31, 2022, were approximately $1.1 billion, or $890 million higher as compared to the balance as of December 31, 2019. The Utility is unable to estimate the portion of the increase directly attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of December 31, 2022, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had access to approximately $2.9 billion of total liquidity comprised of approximately $609 million of Utility cash, $125 million of PG&E Corporation cash and $2.2 billion of availability under PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s revolving credit facilities. The 2022 cost of capital application was filed off-cycle based on the extraordinary event of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government response. See “Cost of Capital Proceedings” below for more information.

The Utility established the CPPMA for tracking costs related to the CPUC’s emergency authorization and order for the period the CPPMA was in effect. As of December 31, 2022, the CPPMA totaled $26 million and is reflected in Long-term regulatory assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition to the $26 million recorded to the CPPMA, the Utility recorded approximately $126 million of under-collections from residential customers from March 4, 2020 to December 31, 2022 to the RUBA, which has been approved by the CPUC and is reflected in Regulatory balancing accounts receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

On June 30, 2022, the Governor of California signed AB 205, which included authorization for additional incremental CAPP funding of $958 million for California IOUs. The Utility received approximately $200 million in November 2022 to reduce the amounts owed by customer accounts in arrears. The amount of funding was determined by the California Department of Community Services and Development, which is the agency responsible for administering the CAPP.

Because electric rates have been set using a sales forecast that has been adjusted for impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, PG&E Corporation and the Utility do not expect significant variances between the forecast of electric usage and actual electric usage due to COVID-19 in 2023. Consequently, PG&E Corporation and the Utility do not expect the COVID-19 pandemic to result in undercollections.

The COVID-19 pandemic may continue to impact PG&E Corporation and the Utility financially, and PG&E Corporation and the Utility will continue to monitor the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  PG&E Corporation and the Utility maintain separate bank accounts and primarily invest their cash in money market funds. In addition to cash and cash equivalents, the Utility holds restricted cash that primarily consists of AB 1054 and SB 901 fixed recovery charge collections that are to be used to service the associated bonds.

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Financial Resources

Equity Financings

On April 30, 2021, PG&E Corporation entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with the Agents, the Forward Sellers and the Forward Purchasers (each as defined in “At the Market Equity Distribution Program” in Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8), establishing an at the market equity distribution program, pursuant to which PG&E Corporation, through the Agents, may offer and sell from time to time shares of PG&E Corporation’s common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $400 million. The Equity Distribution Agreement provides that, in addition to the issuance and sale of shares of common stock by PG&E Corporation to or through the Agents, PG&E Corporation may enter into Forward Sale Agreements (as defined in “At the Market Equity Distribution Program” in Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8) with the Forward Purchasers. On October 31, 2022, PG&E Corporation suspended the At the Market Equity Distribution Program until further notice. As of the suspension date for this program, PG&E Corporation had not sold any shares pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility plan to meet their capital requirements for 2023 through internally generated funds and the issuance of long-term debt, short-term debt, and the potential sale of a minority interest in Pacific Generation. (See “Application with Pacific Generation LLC for Approval to Transfer Non-Nuclear Generation Assets” below.) PG&E Corporation does not plan to issue any equity securities in 2023 or 2024. Factors that could affect PG&E Corporation’s planned equity issuances include liquidity and cash flow needs, capital expenditures, interest rates, the timing and outcome of ratemaking proceedings, and the timing and terms of other financings, including the potential sale of a minority interest in Pacific Generation.

Debt Financings

On February 18, 2022, the Utility completed the sale of (i) $1 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.25% First Mortgage Bonds due 2024, (ii) $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.20% First Mortgage Bonds due 2029, (iii) $450 million aggregate principal amount of 4.40% First Mortgage Bonds due 2032 and (iv) $550 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% First Mortgage Bonds due 2052. The proceeds were used for the prepayment of a portion of the 18-month tranche loans pursuant to an existing term loan credit agreement (the “2020 Utility Term Loan Credit Agreement”), in an amount equal to $1.0 billion, and for general corporate purposes.

On June 8, 2022, the Utility issued $450 million aggregate principal amount of 4.950% First Mortgage Bonds due June 8, 2025, $450 million aggregate principal amount of 5.450% First Mortgage Bonds due June 15, 2027, and $600 million aggregate principal amount of 5.90% First Mortgage Bonds due June 15, 2032. The proceeds were used for the repayment of borrowings outstanding under the Utility’s revolving credit facility pursuant to the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement.

On January 6, 2023, the Utility completed the sale of (i) $750 million aggregate principal amount of 6.150% First Mortgage Bonds due 2033 and (ii) $750 million aggregate principal amount of 6.750% First Mortgage Bonds due 2053. The proceeds were used for the repayment of a portion of the loans outstanding under the Utility’s revolving credit facility pursuant to the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement.

SB 901 Securitization

On May 10, 2022, PG&E Wildfire Recovery Funding LLC issued $3.6 billion aggregate principal amount of senior secured recovery bonds (the “Series 2022-A Recovery Bonds”). The Series 2022-A Recovery Bonds were issued in five tranches:

TrancheAmountInterest RateFinal Maturity Date
A-1$540,000,0003.594%June 1, 2032
A-2$540,000,0004.263%June 1, 2038
A-3$360,000,0004.377%June 3, 2041
A-4$1,260,000,0004.451%December 1, 2049
A-5$900,000,0004.674%December 1, 2053

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The net proceeds were used to fund the redemption of all $500 million aggregate principal amount of the Utility’s Floating Rate First Mortgage Bonds due June 16, 2022 on May 16, 2022 and the redemption of all $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of the Utility’s 1.75% First Mortgage Bonds due June 16, 2022 on May 16, 2022. The Utility used the remaining proceeds from the issuance of the Series 2022-A Recovery Bonds for the repayment of a portion of loans outstanding under the Utility’s revolving credit facility pursuant to the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement.

On July 20, 2022, PG&E Wildfire Recovery Funding LLC issued $3.9 billion aggregate principal amount of senior secured recovery bonds (the “Series 2022-B Recovery Bonds”). The Series 2022-B Recovery Bonds were issued in five tranches:

TrancheAmountInterest RateFinal Maturity Date
B-1$613,080,0004.022%June 1, 2033
B-2$600,000,0004.722%June 1, 2039
B-3$500,040,0005.081%June 3, 2043
B-4$1,149,960,0005.212%December 1, 2049
B-5$1,036,920,0005.099%June 1, 2054

The net proceeds were used to fund (1) the redemption of all $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of the Utility’s 1.367% First Mortgage Bonds due March 10, 2023 on July 25, 2022, (2) the prepayment of all $500 million of loans outstanding under the 2022A Utility Term Loan Credit Agreement as defined below, and (3) the repayment of a portion of loans outstanding under the Utility’s revolving credit facility pursuant to the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement. The Utility also intends to use a portion of the remaining proceeds to fund the redemption of all $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the Utility’s 3.25% First Mortgage Bonds due 2024.

AB 1054 Securitization

On November 30, 2022, PG&E Recovery Funding LLC issued approximately $983 million of Series 2022-A Senior Secured Recovery Bonds. The senior secured recovery bonds were issued in three tranches: (1) approximately $215 million with an interest rate of 5.045% due July 15, 2034, (2) approximately $200 million with an interest rate of 5.256% due January 15, 2040, and (3) approximately $568 million with an interest rate of 5.536% due July 15, 2049. The net proceeds were used by the Utility to fund fire risk mitigation capital expenditures that were incurred by the Utility from the period beginning October 2021 through October 2022.

For more information, see “AB 1054” in Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Credit Facilities

As of December 31, 2022, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had $500 million and $1.5 billion available under their respective $500 million and $4.4 billion revolving credit facilities. The Utility also has access to the Receivables Securitization Program, under which the Utility may borrow the lesser of the facility limit and the facility availability. The facility limit fluctuates between $1.0 billion and $1.5 billion depending on the periods set forth in the amendment. Further, the facility availability may vary based on the amount of accounts receivable that the Utility owns that are eligible for sale to the SPV and the portion of those accounts receivable that are sold to the SPV that are eligible for advances by the lenders under the Receivables Securitization Program from time to time.

Utility

On March 31, 2022, the Utility prepaid in full the remaining portion of the 18-month tranche loans pursuant to the 2020 Utility Term Loan Credit Agreement, in a principal amount equal to $298 million. As a result of such prepayment, the 2020 Utility Term Loan Credit Agreement was terminated and is no longer outstanding.

On April 4, 2022, the Utility entered into a term loan credit agreement (the “2022A Utility Term Loan Credit Agreement”), comprised of 364-day tranche loans in the aggregate principal amount of $500 million (the “364-Day 2022A Tranche Loans”). On July 21, 2022, the 364-Day 2022A Tranche Loans were prepaid in full with a portion of the proceeds from issuance of the Series 2022-B Recovery Bonds. As a result of such prepayment, the 2022A Utility Term Loan Credit Agreement was terminated and is no longer outstanding.

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On April 20, 2022, the Utility entered into a term loan credit agreement (the “2022B Utility Term Loan Credit Agreement”), comprised of 364-day tranche loans in the aggregate principal amount of $125 million (the “364-Day 2022B Tranche Loans”) and two-year tranche loans in the aggregate principal amount of $400 million (the “2-Year 2022B Tranche Loans”). The 364-Day 2022B Tranche Loans have a maturity date of April 19, 2023 and the 2-Year 2022B Tranche Loans have a maturity date of April 19, 2024. The 364-Day 2022B Tranche Loans and the 2-Year 2022B Tranche Loans bear interest based on the Utility’s election of either (1) the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (plus a 0.10% credit spread adjustment) plus an applicable margin of 1.25%, or (2) the base rate plus an applicable margin of 0.25%. The Utility borrowed the entire amount of the 364-Day 2022B Tranche Loans and the 2-Year 2022B Tranche Loans on April 20, 2022.

On April 20, 2022, the Utility entered into an amendment to the Receivables Securitization Program to, among other things, add an uncommitted incremental facility which, subject to certain conditions precedent, allows the SPV to request an increase in the facility limit by an additional $500 million to an aggregate amount of $1.5 billion. On August 12, 2022, the SPV made such a request to increase the facility limit, and the facility limit was subsequently increased to $1.5 billion on August 22, 2022. On September 30, 2022, the Utility entered into an amendment to the Receivables Securitization Program to, among other things, (i) extend the scheduled termination date to September 30, 2024 and (ii) implement a seasonal facility limit. After giving effect to the amendment, the facility limit fluctuates between $1.0 billion and $1.5 billion based on the periods set forth in the amendment.

On July 1, 2020, the Utility entered into the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement, which it subsequently amended. On October 4, 2022, the Utility further amended the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement to, among other things, (i) increase the aggregate commitments provided by the lenders to $4.4 billion and (ii) extend the maturity date of such agreement to June 22, 2027 (subject to a one-year extension at the option of the Utility).

PG&E Corporation

On July 1, 2020, PG&E Corporation entered into the Corporation Revolving Credit Agreement, which it subsequently amended. On October 4, 2022, PG&E Corporation further amended the Corporation Revolving Credit Agreement to, among other things, extend the maturity date of such agreement to June 22, 2025 (subject to a one-year extension at the option of PG&E Corporation).

For more information, see “Credit Facilities” in Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Intercompany Note Payable

On August 11, 2021, PG&E Corporation borrowed $145 million from the Utility under an interest bearing 364-day intercompany note due August 10, 2022. On June 17, 2022, this loan was repaid in full.

Dividends

On December 20, 2017, the Boards of Directors of PG&E Corporation and the Utility suspended quarterly cash dividends on both PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s common stock, beginning the fourth quarter of 2017, as well as the Utility’s preferred stock, beginning the three-month period ending January 31, 2018.

On February 8, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Utility authorized the payment of all cumulative and unpaid dividends on the Utility’s preferred stock as of January 31, 2022 totaling $59.1 million, which was paid on May 13, 2022, to holders of record on April 29, 2022. In addition to the dividends paid in arrears, the Utility paid approximately $11 million of dividends on redeemable preferred stock during the year ended December 31, 2022. On December 15, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Utility declared dividends on its outstanding series of preferred stock totaling $3.5 million, which was paid on February 15, 2023, to holders of record on January 31, 2023.

On June 15, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Utility also reinstated the dividend on the Utility’s common stock and declared a common stock dividend of $425 million that was paid to PG&E Corporation on June 17, 2022. On September 15, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Utility declared a common stock dividend of $425 million that was paid to PG&E Corporation on September 16, 2022. On December 15, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Utility declared a common stock dividend of $425 million that was paid to PG&E Corporation on December 20, 2022. No dividend is payable until declared by the Board of Directors of the Utility.

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Subject to the dividend restrictions described in Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, any decision to declare and pay dividends on PG&E Corporation’s common stock in the future will be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, contractual restrictions of PG&E Corporation, and other factors that the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation may deem relevant. Pursuant to the Confirmation Order, PG&E Corporation may not pay dividends on shares of its common stock until it recognizes $6.2 billion in Non-GAAP Core Earnings following the Emergence Date. “Non-GAAP Core Earnings” means GAAP earnings adjusted for certain non-core items as described in the Plan. PG&E Corporation is unable to predict when it will commence the payment of dividends on its common stock.

Utility Cash Flows

PG&E Corporation’s consolidated cash flows consist primarily of cash flows related to the Utility. The following discussion presents the Utility’s cash flows for 2022 and 2021.

See “Liquidity and Financial Resources” in Item 7 of the 2021 Form 10-K for discussion of the Utility’s cash flows for 2021 compared to 2020.

The Utility’s cash flows were as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)20222021
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$3,831$2,448
Net cash used in investing activities(10,069)(7,050)
Net cash provided by financing activities6,8794,379
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$641$(223)

Operating Activities

The Utility’s cash flows from operating activities primarily consist of receipts from customers less payments of operating expenses, other than expenses such as depreciation that do not require the use of cash.  During 2022, net cash provided by operating activities increased by $1.4 billion compared to the same period in 2021.  This increase was partially due to an increase in base revenues authorized in the 2020 GRC and additional revenues as authorized through the FERC formula rate and a decrease in operating and maintenance expense as a result of operating cost efficiencies. In addition, during 2022, the Utility made a payment to the Fire Victim Trust of $592 million as compared to a payment of $758 million in the same period in 2021.

Future cash flow from operating activities will be affected by various factors, including:

•the timing and amount of costs in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire, the 2020 Zogg fire, the 2021 Dixie fire, and the 2022 Mosquito fire and the timing and amount of any potential related insurance, Wildfire Fund, and regulatory recoveries;

•the timing and amounts of costs, including fines and penalties, that may be incurred in connection with current and future enforcement, litigation, and regulatory matters (see “Wildfire-Related Securities Class Action” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 and “Regulatory Matters” below for more information);

•the severity, extent and duration of the global COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Utility’s service area, the ability of the Utility to collect on its customer receivables, the ability of the Utility’s customers to pay their utility bills in full and in a timely manner, the ability of the Utility to offset these effects, including with spending reductions, and the ability of the Utility to recover through rates any losses incurred in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the availability or cost of financing;

•the timing and amounts of available funds to pay eligible claims for liabilities arising from future wildfires;

•the timing and amount of substantially increasing costs in connection with the 2020-2022 WMP and the costs previously incurred in connection with the 2019 WMP that are not currently being recovered through rates (see “Regulatory Matters” below for more information);

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•the timing and amounts of available funds collected for self-insurance (see “2023 General Rate Case” in the Regulatory Matters section of Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis for more information);

•the timing of the gain to be returned to customers from the sale of the SFGO and transmission tower wireless licenses and the amounts incurred related to the move to and the leasing of the Lakeside Building; and

•the timing and outcomes of the Utility’s pending and future ratemaking and regulatory proceedings, including the extent to which PG&E Corporation and the Utility are able to recover their costs through regulated rates as recorded in memorandum accounts or balancing accounts, or as otherwise requested.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on their financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources, other than those discussed under “Purchase Commitments” in Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased by $3.0 billion during 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021. This increase was primarily driven by a $1.9 billion increase in capital expenditures, including additional system hardening and emergency response work performed in 2022. Additionally, the Utility purchased $1.0 billion of investments as part of the creation of the customer credit trust, with no similar purchases in 2021.

The Utility’s investing activities primarily consist of the construction of new and replacement facilities necessary to provide safe and reliable electricity and natural gas services to its customers. Cash used in investing activities also includes the proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust and customer credit trust investments which are partially offset by the amount of cash used to purchase new nuclear decommissioning trust and customer credit trust investments. The funds in the decommissioning trusts, along with accumulated earnings, are used exclusively for decommissioning and dismantling the Utility’s nuclear generation facilities. Pursuant to SB 901, the funds in the customer credit trust, along with accumulated earnings, are used exclusively to fund a monthly credit to customers that is anticipated to equal the fixed recovery charges such that the SB 901 securitization is designed to be rate neutral to customers.

Future cash flows used in investing activities are largely dependent on the timing and amount of capital expenditures.  The Utility estimates that it will incur between $7.9 billion and $11.2 billion in 2023. Additionally, future cash flows used in investing activities will be impacted by the timing and amount related to the intended purchase of the Lakeside Building, and the timing and amount of contributions to the customer credit trust, including shareholder tax benefits, and $1.0 billion of cash to be contributed in 2024.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities increased by $2.5 billion during 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021. The increase was primarily due to the issuance of $7.5 billion of SB 901 recovery bonds and a decrease of $850 million in net repayments of short-term debt. These increases were partially offset by a $5.9 billion increase in amounts paid to satisfy long-term debt outstanding in 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.

Cash provided by or used in financing activities is driven by the Utility’s financing needs, which depend on the level of cash provided by or used in operating activities, the level of cash provided by or used in investing activities, the conditions in the capital markets, and the maturity date or prepayment date of existing debt instruments.  Additionally, the Utility’s future cash flows from financing activities will be affected by the timing and outcome of future AB 1054 securitization transactions, the timing and outcome of the potential sale of a minority interest in Pacific Generation to one or more investors to be identified, dividend payments, and equity contributions from PG&E Corporation.

LITIGATION MATTERS

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have significant contingencies arising from their operations, including contingencies related to the enforcement and litigation matters described in Note 2, Note 15, and 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 that are incorporated by reference herein. The outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material effect on PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.

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REGULATORY MATTERS

The Utility is subject to substantial regulation by the CPUC, the FERC, the NRC, and other federal and state regulatory agencies. The resolutions of the proceedings described below and other proceedings may materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.

During the year ended December 31, 2022 and through the date of this filing, the Utility has continued to make progress on regulatory and legislative matters.

•In February 2023, the CPUC approved a final decision, adopting without modification the Utility’s settlement agreement in its 2020 WMCE proceeding, pursuant to which the Utility will recover a revenue requirement of $1.04 billion. In January 2023, the Utility submitted a partial settlement regarding the 2021 WMCE application pursuant to which the Utility would receive a revenue requirement of $720.7 million. In December 2022, the Utility filed the 2022 WMCE application requesting cost recovery of approximately $1.36 billion of recorded expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.29 billion.

•In December 2022, OEIS issued the Utility’s 2022 safety certification.

•In December 2022, the CPUC approved a resolution authorizing the Utility’s exit from the EOEP.

•In December 2022, the CPUC issued a final decision in the Utility’s 2023 cost of capital proceeding, which sets the Utility’s ROE for 2023 at 10%.

•In November 2022, OEIS issued its final decision approving the Utility’s 2022 WMP, which the CPUC ratified in December.

•In November 2022, the CPUC issued a final decision in the Utility’s 2022 cost of capital proceeding. The decision retains the Utility’s cost of capital previously authorized in the 2020 cost of capital proceeding.

•In September 2022, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC regarding the separation of its non-nuclear generation assets into a stand-alone Utility subsidiary and the potential sale of a minority interest in the newly-formed subsidiary to one or more investors to be identified.

•In September 2022, the Governor of California signed SB 884, which authorizes and expedites OEIS and CPUC review of a 10-year undergrounding plan.

•In September 2022, the Governor of California signed SB 846, which supports the extension of operations at Diablo Canyon until 2030. In October 2022, the Utility executed a loan agreement with the DWR for up to $1.4 billion. In November, the DOE conditionally selected the Utility to receive funding of up to $1.1 billion as part of the Civil Nuclear Credit Program.

•In August 2022, the CPUC issued a final decision approving the securitization of up to approximately $1.4 billion of fire risk mitigation capital expenditures, and in November 2022, PG&E Recovery Funding LLC issued approximately $983 million aggregate principal amount of Series 2022-A Senior Secured Recovery Bonds. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

•In March 2022, the CPUC approved a settlement agreement for the Utility’s 2018 CEMA application approving a total revenue requirement of $683 million plus interest for its expenses and capital costs, which is approximately 90% of the Utility’s total cost recovery request.

•In February 2022, a CPUC decision finding $7.5 billion of stress test costs eligible for securitization pursuant to SB 901 and a financing order authorizing the issuance of up to $7.5 billion of recovery bonds became final and non-appealable. PG&E Wildfire Recovery Funding LLC issued $3.6 billion aggregate principal amount of Series 2022-A Recovery Bonds in May and $3.9 billion aggregate principal amount of Series 2022-B Recovery Bonds in July. See Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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•In February 2022, the Utility served supplemental testimony for its 2023 GRC to reflect the Utility’s integrated wildfire mitigation strategy, including the Utility’s proposals for the initial phase of undergrounding 10,000 miles of electric distribution powerlines. In September 2022, the Utility submitted testimony updating the revenue requirement to reflect updates for escalation rates and federal tax law and guidance. As amended and updated, the Utility’s application requests revenue requirements of $15.82 billion and a weighted-average GRC rate base of $50.41 billion for its 2023 test year. In January 2023, the Utility filed a motion for approval of a settlement agreement for all amounts at issue in the second track of the proceeding, for $183 million in expense and $127 million of capital expenditures. Also in January 2023, the CPUC approved a settlement pursuant to which the Utility’s wildfire liability insurance will be entirely based on self-insurance beginning in 2023.

Cost Recovery Proceedings

Periodically, costs arise that could not have been anticipated by the Utility during CPUC GRC proceedings or that have been deliberately excluded from such requests. These costs may result from catastrophic events, changes in regulation, or extraordinary changes in operating practices. The Utility may seek authority to track incremental costs in a memorandum account and the CPUC may authorize recovery of costs tracked in memorandum accounts if the costs are deemed incremental and prudently incurred. The CPUC may also authorize balancing accounts with limitations or caps to cost recovery. These accounts, which include the CEMA, WEMA, FHPMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, and RTBA among others, allow the Utility to track the costs associated with work related to disaster and wildfire response, other wildfire prevention-related costs, certain third-party wildfire claims, and insurance costs. While the Utility generally expects such costs to be recoverable, there can be no assurance that the CPUC will authorize the Utility to recover the full amount of its costs.

In recent years, the amount of the costs recorded in these accounts has increased. Because rate recovery may require CPUC authorization for these accounts, there can be a delay between when the Utility incurs costs and when it may recover those costs. As of December 31, 2022, the Utility had recorded an aggregate amount of approximately $6.2 billion in costs for the CEMA, WEMA, FHPMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, MGMA, and RTBA. Of these costs, approximately $856 million was authorized for recovery and accounted for as current, and $5.3 billion was accounted for as long term as of December 31, 2022. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

If the amount of the costs recorded in these accounts continues to increase or the delay between incurring and recovering costs lengthens, PG&E Corporation and the Utility may incur additional financing costs. If the Utility does not recover the full amount of its recorded costs, the difference between the recorded and recovered amounts would be written off as a non-cash disallowance. Such disallowances could materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.

Except as otherwise noted, the Utility is unable to predict the timing and outcome of the following applications. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows could be materially affected if the Utility is unable to timely recover costs included in these applications.

For more information, see Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Wildfire Mitigation and Catastrophic Events Cost Recovery Applications,” and “Catastrophic Event Memorandum Account Application” below.

The Utility’s cost recovery proceedings for the costs described above that are pending, have pending appeals, or were completed during the year ended December 31, 2022 are summarized in the following table:

ProceedingRequestStatus
2020 WMCERevenue requirement of approximately $1.28 billionSettlement agreement to recover $1.04 billion of revenue requirement approved February 2023.
2021 WMCERevenue requirement of approximately $1.47 billionPartial settlement agreement to recover $721 million of revenue requirement filed January 2022. Settlement excludes VMBA’s $591 million revenue requirement.
2022 WMCERevenue requirement of approximately $1.36 billionFiled December 15, 2022.
2018 CEMARevenue requirement of $763 millionSettlement agreement to recover $683 million plus interest approved March 2022.

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Wildfire Mitigation and Catastrophic Events Cost Recovery Applications

2020 WMCE Application

On September 30, 2020, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of recorded expenditures related to wildfire mitigation and certain catastrophic events (the “2020 WMCE application”). The recorded expenditures, which excluded amounts disallowed as a result of the CPUC’s decision in the OII into the multiple wildfires that began on October 8, 2017 and spread through Northern California, including Napa, Sonoma, Butte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Nevada and Yuba Counties, as well as in the area surrounding Yuba City (the “2017 Northern California wildfires”), and the 2018 Camp fire, consisted of $1.18 billion in expense and $801 million in capital expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.28 billion.

The costs addressed in the 2020 WMCE application cover activities mainly during the years 2017 to 2019 and were incremental to those previously authorized in the Utility’s 2017 GRC and other proceedings. The majority of costs addressed in this application reflected work necessary to mitigate wildfire risk and to respond to catastrophic events occurring during the years 2017 to 2019. The Utility’s requested revenue included amounts for the FHPMA of $293 million, the FRMMA and the WMPMA of $740 million, and the CEMA of $251 million.

On September 21, 2021, the Utility and certain parties filed a motion with the CPUC seeking approval of a settlement agreement that would resolve all of the issues raised by the settling parties in the 2020 WMCE application. The settlement agreement proposes that the Utility recover a revenue requirement of $1.04 billion. The settlement agreement authorizes the Utility to recover a revenue requirement of $591 million over a 24-month amortization period beginning March 2023, which is in addition to the interim rate relief of $447 million that was approved by an earlier CPUC decision. On February 2, 2023, the CPUC approved a final decision adopting the settlement agreement without modifications.

2021 WMCE Application

On September 16, 2021, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $1.6 billion of recorded expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.47 billion (the “2021 WMCE application”). The costs addressed in this application reflect costs related to wildfire mitigation and certain catastrophic events, as well as implementation of various customer-focused initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in 2020.

The recorded expenditures consist of $1.4 billion in expenses and $197 million in capital expenditures. The costs addressed in the 2021 WMCE application are incremental to those previously authorized in the Utility’s 2017 GRC, 2020 GRC, and other proceedings. The majority of the Utility’s proposed revenue requirement would be collected over a two-year period beginning in January 2023.

The Utility’s requested revenue requirement includes amounts recorded to the VMBA of $592 million, the CEMA of $535 million, the WMBA of $149 million, and other memorandum accounts. On November 18, 2021, the Utility filed updates to the application, increasing total costs by $19.4 million. On December 30, 2021, the Utility filed supplemental testimony reducing the cost recovery request of the COVID-19 CEMA costs by $12.2 million. The $12.2 million reduction was a result of costs, such as employee business travel expenses and in-person training costs, that the Utility was able to avoid due to the pandemic.

On January 18, 2023, the Utility, TURN, and Cal Advocates filed a joint motion for approval of a settlement agreement, pursuant to which the Utility would receive a revenue requirement of $720.7 million. The settlement agreement does not address $591.9 million recorded to the VMBA, for which cost recovery will be determined separately by the CPUC.

2022 WMCE Application

On December 15, 2022, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $1.36 billion of recorded expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.29 billion (the “2022 WMCE application”). The costs addressed in this application reflect costs related to wildfire mitigation and certain catastrophic events, as well as implementation of various customer-focused initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in 2021.

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The recorded expenditures consist of $1.2 billion in expenses and $136 million in capital expenditures. The costs addressed in the 2022 WMCE application are incremental to those previously authorized in the Utility’s 2020 GRC and other proceedings. In connection with the 2022 WMCE application, the Utility also requested interim rate relief of $1.1 billion to be recovered over 12 months beginning June 1, 2023. The remaining $224 million would be recovered after the CPUC issues a final decision.

The Utility has proposed a schedule that would call for a final decision by the CPUC in December 2023.

Catastrophic Event Memorandum Account Application

The CPUC allows utilities to recover the reasonable, incremental costs of responding to catastrophic events that have been declared a disaster or state of emergency by competent federal or state authorities. The Utility has historically sought such costs through standalone CEMA applications. More recently, the Utility has sought to recover CEMA-eligible costs through its WMCE applications.

In addition to the Utility’s responsibilities in responding to catastrophic events, in 2014, the CPUC directed the Utility to perform additional fire prevention and vegetation management work in response to the severe drought in California. Through 2019, the costs associated with this work were tracked in the CEMA. In the 2020 GRC decision, the CPUC required the Utility to track these costs in the VMBA for the period beginning January 1, 2020.

2018 CEMA Application

On March 30, 2018, the Utility submitted to the CPUC its 2018 CEMA application requesting cost recovery of $183 million in connection with seven catastrophic events that included fire and storm declared emergencies from mid-2016 through early 2017, as well as $405 million related to work performed in 2016 and 2017 to cut back or remove dead or dying trees that were exposed to years of drought conditions and bark beetle infestation. The Utility filed three revisions to this application, resulting in a total cost recovery request of $763 million.

On April 25, 2019, the CPUC approved the Utility’s request for interim rate relief, allowing for recovery of $373 million of costs as requested by the Utility at that time. The interim rate relief was implemented, commencing on October 1, 2019.

On March 17, 2022, the CPUC approved a settlement agreement authorizing the Utility to collect a total of $683 million plus interest for the 2018 CEMA application. As noted above, $373 million of the total amount had already been collected in interim rates. The interim rates became final and are no longer subject to refund. The remainder of the authorized revenue requirement will be amortized over a 12-month period, which began on June 1, 2022.

Forward-Looking Rate Cases

The Utility routinely participates in forward-looking rate case applications before the CPUC and the FERC. Those applications include GRCs, where the revenue required for general operations (“base revenue”) of the Utility is assessed and reset. In addition, the Utility is periodically involved in “cost of capital” proceedings to adjust its regulated return on rate base. The Utility’s future earnings will depend on the revenue requirements authorized in such rate cases.

Decisions in GRC proceedings have historically been expected prior to the commencement of the period to which the rates would apply. In recent years, decisions in GRC proceedings have been delayed. Delayed decisions may cause the Utility to develop its budgets based on approved revenue requirements and possible outcomes, rather than authorized amounts. When decisions are delayed, the CPUC typically provides rate relief to the Utility effective as of the commencement of the rate case period (not effective as of the date of the delayed decision). Nonetheless, the Utility’s spending during the period of the delay may exceed the authorized amount, without an ability for the Utility to seek cost recovery of such excess. If the Utility’s spending during the period of the delay is less than the authorized amount, the Utility could be exposed to operational and financial risk associated with the lower level of work achieved compared to that funded by the CPUC.

Except as otherwise noted, the Utility is unable to predict the timing and outcome of the following applications. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows could be materially affected depending on the outcomes of these applications.

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The Utility’s forward-looking rate cases that are pending, have pending appeals, or were completed during the year ended December 31, 2022 are summarized in the following table:

Rate CaseRequestStatus
2023 GRCRevenue requirement of $15.82 billion for 2023A decision is scheduled for the third quarter of 2023.
2022 Cost of CapitalLeave cost of capital components at pre-2022 levels for 2022Final decision issued November 2022, leaving the cost of capital components at pre-2022 levels for 2022. Intervenors filed application for rehearing in December 2022.
2023 Cost of CapitalIncrease ROE to 11% and cost of debt to 4.31%Final decision issued December 2022, adopting a 10% ROE. Intervenor filed application for rehearing in January 2023.
2015 GT&SRevenue requirement of $416 million related to 2011-2014 capital expenditures subject to auditFinal decision issued July 2022 approving settlement to recover $356 million of revenue requirements.

2023 General Rate Case

On June 30, 2021, the Utility filed its 2023 GRC application with the CPUC (“the Original Application”). The 2023 GRC combined what had historically been separated into the GRC and GT&S rate cases. In a GRC, the CPUC approves annual revenue requirements for the first year (a “test year”) of the GRC period and typically authorizes the Utility to receive annual increases in revenue requirements for the subsequent years of the GRC period (known as “attrition years”). In the 2023 GRC, the CPUC will determine the annual amount of base revenues that the Utility will be authorized to collect from customers from 2023 through 2026 to recover its anticipated costs for gas distribution, gas transmission and storage, electric distribution, and electric generation and to provide the Utility an opportunity to earn its authorized rate of return. The Utility’s revenue requirements for other portions of its operations, such as electric transmission, and electricity, natural gas and power purchases, are authorized in other regulatory proceedings overseen by the CPUC or the FERC. In the Original Application, the Utility proposed a series of safety, resiliency, and clean energy investments to further reduce wildfire risk and deliver safe, reliable, and clean energy service.

Between August 2021 and January 2022, the Utility served various updates to its 2023 GRC testimony. On February 25, 2022 and February 28, 2022, the Utility served supplemental testimony for its 2023 GRC to reflect the Utility’s integrated wildfire mitigation strategy, including the Utility’s proposals for the initial phase of undergrounding 10,000 miles of electric distribution powerlines in high fire risk areas throughout the Utility’s service area, the EPSS program, and its EVM program. On March 10, 2022, the Utility filed an amended application that revised and superseded the revenue requirement request in the Original Application. On September 6, 2022, the Utility submitted testimony updating the revenue requirement request in its 2023 GRC proceeding. The testimony reflected updates for escalation rates and federal tax law and guidance since the filing of the Original Application. On December 9, 2022, the Utility submitted a post-hearing reply brief. In the reply brief, the Utility updated the revenue requirement request due to the wildfire insurance settlement dated October 7, 2022 discussed below, stipulations with the parties regarding several disputed issues, and a reduction to the Utility’s forecast for wildfire system hardening mileage targets over the 2023 to 2026 rate case period.

As amended and updated, the Utility’s application requests revenue requirements of $15.82 billion and a weighted-average GRC rate base of $50.41 billion for its 2023 test year. The tables below compare the requested revenue requirements and rate base for the GRC period from 2023 through 2026 to those adopted for 2022 in the 2020 GRC and 2019 GT&S proceedings:

(in billions)2022 (as adopted)2023202420252026
Requested revenue requirement$12.21$15.82$16.74$17.18$17.43
Requested weighted-average GRC rate base39.2150.4155.3959.5663.68

Over the GRC period of 2023 through 2026, the Utility plans to make average annual capital investments of approximately $9.69 billion in gas distribution, transmission and storage, electric distribution, and electric generation infrastructure, and to improve safety, reliability, and customer service.

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On July 22, 2022, the Utility submitted a request for the second track of this proceeding, requesting cost recovery of recorded expenditures related primarily to the safety and reliability of the Utility’s gas transmission and storage system incurred from January 2015 to December 2021. The recorded expenditures consist of $206 million in expenses and $129 million in capital expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $241 million, most of which is proposed to be collected over a two-year period beginning August 1, 2023. On January 6, 2023, the Utility and the Public Advocates Office of the CPUC filed a motion for approval of a settlement agreement for all amounts at issue in the second track of the proceeding. In the motion, the parties requested that the CPUC approve $183 million in expense and $127 million of capital expenditures for recovery through rates.

On January 12, 2023, the CPUC approved a settlement agreement among the Utility and two parties to the proceeding pursuant to which the Utility’s wildfire liability insurance will be entirely based on self-insurance beginning in 2023. The self-insurance will be funded through CPUC-jurisdictional rates at $400 million for test year 2023 and subsequent years until $1.0 billion of unimpaired self-insurance is reached. If losses are incurred, the settlement agreement contains an adjustment mechanism designed to adjust customer funded self-insurance based on the amount of wildfire related liabilities incurred in the previous year. For 2024, 2025, and 2026, if the estimated claims for wildfire events from the immediately preceding year exceed the amount collected for self-insurance in that same year, the self-insurance amount to be collected in rates during the following year would increase by 50% of the difference between the self-insurance amount collected and estimated claims for events in the immediately preceding year. As a result, the Utility could collect the self-insurance amounts over a longer period than it makes wildfire-related payments. The settlement agreement includes a five percent deductible, capped at a maximum of $50 million, on claims that are incurred each year. The settlement agreement prohibits the Utility from purchasing additional wildfire liability insurance from the commercial insurance market.

The Utility does not seek recovery of compensation of PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s officers within the scope of 17 Code of Federal Regulations 240.3b-7.

The CPUC’s schedule indicated a final decision on the first two tracks of this proceeding would be issued in the third quarter of 2023.

Cost of Capital Proceedings

2020 and 2022 Cost of Capital Applications

On December 19, 2019, the CPUC approved a final decision in the 2020 cost of capital application (the “2020 cost of capital application”), maintaining the Utility’s ROE at the 2019 level of 10.25% for the three-year period beginning January 1, 2020. The decision maintained the common equity component of the Utility’s capital structure (i.e., the relative weightings of common equity, preferred equity, and debt for ratemaking) at 52% and reduced its preferred stock component from 1% to 0.5%. The decision also approved the cost of debt requested by the Utility.

On August 23, 2021, the Utility filed an off-cycle 2022 cost of capital application with the CPUC. The Utility also concurrently filed a motion requesting that the revenue requirement for the 2022 cost of capital be recorded in memorandum accounts to be trued-up following a final decision in this proceeding. On October 28, 2021, the CPUC ruled that the Utility was required to comply with the cost of capital mechanism for 2022.

On November 3, 2022, the CPUC issued a final decision, finding that an extraordinary event occurred, and that the cost of capital adjustment mechanism should not be implemented for 2022. The final decision retains the cost of capital for 2022 previously authorized in the 2020 cost of capital proceeding, as adjusted, and closes this proceeding. On December 5, 2022, intervenors filed an application for rehearing. On December 20, 2022, the Utility filed a response to the application for rehearing.

For more information regarding this proceeding, see Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

2023 Cost of Capital Application

On April 20, 2022, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting that the CPUC authorize the Utility’s cost of capital for its electric generation, electric distribution, natural gas distribution, and natural gas transmission and storage rate base beginning on January 1, 2023 (the “2023 cost of capital application”).

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In its 2023 cost of capital application, the Utility requested that the CPUC approve the Utility’s proposed ratemaking capital structure (i.e., the relative weightings of common equity, preferred equity, and debt for ratemaking), ROE, cost of preferred stock, and cost of debt.

On December 19, 2022, the CPUC issued a final decision adopting a new cost of capital. On January 10, 2023, the CPUC issued a decision correcting certain typographical errors in the final decision.

The following table compares the currently authorized capital structure and rates of return with those adopted in the final decision for 2023, as corrected.

2022 authorized by the 2022 Cost of Capital Application2023 Cost of Capital decision
CostCapital structureWeighted costCostCapital structureWeighted cost
Common equity10.25%52.00%5.33%10.00%52.00%5.20%
Preferred stock5.52%0.50%0.03%5.52%0.50%0.03%
Long-term debt4.17%47.50%1.98%4.31%47.50%2.05%
Weighted average cost of capital100.00%7.34%100.00%7.28%

For 2023, the Utility expects that the newly-adopted cost of capital will result in revenue requirement decreases of approximately $23 million for electric generation and distribution and $10 million for gas distribution operations, assuming 2022 authorized rate base amounts from the 2020 GRC decision. The revenues for the gas transmission and storage operations will decrease by approximately $7 million, assuming 2022 authorized rate base amounts from the 2019 GT&S decision. Actual revenue requirement changes resulting from the Utility’s requested ROE for the period beyond 2022 may differ from the amounts reflected above, pending the outcome of the 2023 GRC.

The 2023 cost of capital application also requested that the CPUC approve an upward adjustment above the three-month commercial paper rate for interest on the Utility’s balancing and memorandum accounts to reflect the Utility’s actual cost of short-term debt. The Utility requested that the adjustment be set on an annual basis effective January 1 of each year based on the average difference between the three-month commercial paper rate and the Utility’s actual cost of short-term debt over the preceding twelve-month period from November through October. The Utility included an illustrative calculation using the period March 2021 to February 2022 with an adjustment to increase the rate by 153 basis points, which would result in an estimated $69 million increase in recovery of short-term financing costs associated with its recent balancing and memorandum account balances. The actual revenue requirement impact of the short-term debt proposal would differ depending on the final adjustment set each year and the recorded balances in the balancing and memorandum accounts. The decision deferred consideration of the proposal to a second phase of the proceeding.

The cost of capital that is approved in this proceeding is expected to be effective until December 31, 2025, unless the cost of capital adjustment mechanism is triggered. (For more information on the cost of capital adjustment mechanism, see Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.)

On January 18, 2023, an intervenor filed an application for rehearing of the final decision. On February 2, 2023, the Utility filed a response to the application for rehearing.

2015 Gas Transmission and Storage Rate Case

On June 23, 2016, the CPUC approved a final phase one decision in the Utility’s 2015 GT&S rate case. The phase one decision excluded from rate base $696 million of 2011 to 2014 capital spending in excess of the amount adopted in the prior GT&S rate case. The decision permanently disallowed $120 million of that amount and ordered that the remaining $576 million be subject to an audit overseen by the CPUC staff, with the possibility that the Utility may seek recovery in a future proceeding. The audit report was released June 2, 2020 and did not recommend any additional disallowances. The 2015 GT&S decision authorized the Utility to seek recovery, through a separate application, of those costs not recommended for disallowance by the audit.

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On July 31, 2020, the Utility filed an application seeking recovery of $416 million in 2015 to 2022 revenue associated with $512 million of recorded capital expenditures. On July 7, 2021, the Utility filed a joint motion to adopt a settlement agreement reached with the active parties in the proceeding. On July 14, 2022, the CPUC approved a final decision approving the settlement agreement, which resolved all issues in this proceeding and authorized a $356 million revenue requirement for the period of 2015 through 2022. Of this amount, $313 million of revenues for the period 2015 through 2021 will be amortized in rates over 60 months and $43 million associated with 2022 will be amortized in rates over 12 months beginning August 1, 2022. Going forward, the as-yet undepreciated capital plant associated with this application was included in test year 2023 rate base in the Utility’s consolidated 2023 GRC.

Transmission Owner Rate Cases

Transmission Owner Rate Cases for 2015 and 2016 (the “TO16” and “TO17” rate cases, respectively)

On January 8, 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion granting an appeal of the FERC’s decisions in the TO16 and TO17 rate cases that had granted the Utility a 50-basis point ROE incentive adder for its continued participation in the CAISO. If the FERC concluded on remand that the Utility should no longer be authorized to receive the 50-basis point ROE incentive adder, the Utility would incur a refund obligation of $1 million and $8.5 million for TO16 and TO17, respectively. Those rate case decisions were remanded to the FERC for further proceedings consistent with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ opinion.

On July 18, 2019, the FERC issued its order on remand reaffirming its prior grant of the Utility’s request for the 50-basis point ROE adder.

On March 17, 2020, the FERC issued its order denying requests for rehearing that were previously filed by several parties. On May 11, 2020, the CPUC and a number of other parties filed a petition for review of the FERC’s orders in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

On March 17, 2022, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the FERC’s order granting the Utility the 50-basis point ROE incentive adder for CAISO participation. The order would extinguish the Utility’s refund obligations that might have been required under the TO16 and TO17 rate cases had the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals not found in the FERC’s favor. On May 2, 2022, the CPUC filed a petition for panel rehearing of the order. On May 25, 2022, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision denying the request for rehearing and the request for a rehearing en banc.

Transmission Owner Rate Case for 2017 (the “TO18” rate case)

On July 29, 2016, the Utility filed its TO18 rate case with the FERC requesting a 2017 retail electric transmission revenue requirement of $1.72 billion, a $387 million increase over the 2016 revenue requirement of $1.33 billion.  The forecasted network transmission rate base for 2017 was $6.7 billion.  The Utility sought a ROE of 10.9%, which included an incentive component of 50-basis points for the Utility’s continuing participation in the CAISO.

On October 15, 2020, the FERC issued an order that, among other things, rejected the Utility’s direct assignment of common plant to FERC and required the allocation of all common plant between CPUC and FERC jurisdiction be based on operating and maintenance labor ratios. The order reopened the record for the limited purpose of allowing the participants to the proceeding an opportunity to present written evidence concerning the FERC’s revised ROE methodology adopted in FERC Opinion No. 569-A, issued on May 21, 2020.

On December 17, 2020 and June 17, 2021, the FERC issued orders denying requests for rehearing submitted by the Utility and intervenors. In 2021, the Utility filed four appeals. The appeals related to two issues: (1) impact of the Tax Act on TO18 rates in January and February 2018 and (2) aspects of the rehearing order other than the Tax Act. The appeals have been consolidated and are being held in abeyance until the FERC addresses the ROE issue on rehearing.

As a result of an order denying rehearing on the common plant allocation, the Utility increased its regulatory liabilities for amounts previously collected during the TO18, TO19, and TO20 rate case periods from 2017 through 2022 by approximately $416 million. A portion of these common plant costs are expected to be recovered at the CPUC in a separate application and as a result, as of December 31, 2022, the Utility had recorded approximately $258 million to Regulatory assets.

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On March 17, 2022, the FERC issued a further order in the TO18 rate case proceeding finding that 9.26% is the just and reasonable base ROE for the Utility. With the incentive component of 50-basis points for the Utility’s continuing participation in the CAISO, the resulting ROE would be 9.76%. As a result, the Utility increased its regulatory liability for the potential refund for TO18 by $30 million in 2022. On April 18, 2022, the Utility sought rehearing of the FERC’s determination of the base ROE finding. On May 16, 2022 and May 31, 2022, the Utility filed a compliance filing and a refund report describing the adjustments made to the transmission revenue requirement, adjusted rates, and the calculation and mechanism of the refunds. On May 19, 2022, the FERC denied all parties’ rehearing requests. The Utility has filed an appeal in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, as have the other parties that sought rehearing. The appeal is being held in abeyance until the FERC issues a substantive order on rehearing on the ROE issue.

Aside from the ultimate outcome of the ROE rehearing request and the common plant allocation, the FERC’s orders in the TO18 proceeding are not expected to result in a material impact on the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows. Some of the issues that will be decided in a final and unappealable TO18 decision, including the common plant allocation, will also be incorporated into the Utility’s TO19 and TO20 rate cases. The ROE rehearing request will not impact the TO20 rate case. See “Transmission Owner Rate Case Revenue Subject to Refund” in Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Transmission Owner Rate Case for 2018 (the “TO19” rate case)

On July 27, 2017, the Utility filed its TO19 rate case with the FERC. On December 20, 2018, the FERC issued an order approving an all-party settlement filed by the Utility. As part of the settlement, the TO19 revenue requirement will be set at 98.85% of the revenue requirement for TO18 that will be determined upon the issuance of a final, non-appealable TO18 decision. On March 17, 2022, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the FERC’s order granting the Utility the 50-basis point ROE incentive adder for CAISO participation and eliminating the refund obligation, and so the Utility was not obligated to make a refund to customers based on this matter. See “Transmission Owner Rate Cases for 2015 and 2016” above for a discussion of the incentive adder. As a result of the potential reduction to the TO18 revenue requirement, the Utility increased its regulatory liability for the potential refund for TO19 by $32 million in the first quarter of 2022. On April 18, 2022, the Utility sought rehearing of the FERC’s determination of the base ROE finding.

Transmission Owner Rate Case for 2019 (the “TO20” rate case)

On October 1, 2018, the Utility filed its TO20 rate case with the FERC requesting approval of a formula rate for the costs associated with the Utility’s electric transmission facilities. On November 30, 2018, the FERC issued an order accepting the Utility’s October 2018 filing, subject to hearings and refund, and established May 1, 2019 as the effective date for rate changes. The FERC also ordered that the hearings be held in abeyance pending settlement discussions among the parties.

On March 31, 2020, the Utility filed a partial settlement with the FERC, which the FERC approved on August 17, 2020. On October 15, 2020, the Utility filed a settlement with the FERC resolving all of the remaining issues in the formula rate proceedings, including the Utility’s ROE, capital structure, depreciation rates, as well as certain other aspects of the Utility’s formula rate. Specifically, the settlement established an all-in ROE of 10.45%; a fixed capital structure of 49.75% common stock, 49.75% debt, and 0.5% preferred stock; and fixed depreciation rates for various categories of transmission facilities (represented by individual FERC accounts). The term of the settlement continues until December 31, 2023 and the Utility will be required to file a replacement rate filing by October 18, 2023 to be effective on January 1, 2024.

On December 30, 2020, the FERC approved the settlement without modification.

Some of the issues that will be decided in a final and unappealable TO18 decision, including the common plant allocation, will also be incorporated into the Utility’s TO20 rate case.

Under its formula rate, the Utility submits an annual update to the FERC each December for rates to go into effect on January 1 of the following year. Parties have protested the Utility’s annual updates, and these protests are pending before the FERC.

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Other Regulatory Proceedings

Enhanced Oversight and Enforcement Process

In the OII to Consider PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Plan of Reorganization final decision, the CPUC adopted an EOEP designed to provide a roadmap for how the CPUC will monitor the Utility’s operational performance on an ongoing basis. The EOEP contains six steps that are triggered by specific events and includes enhanced reporting requirements and additional monitoring and oversight. These trigger events include failure to obtain an approved WMP, failure to comply with regulatory reporting requirements in the WMP, insufficient progress toward approved safety or risk-driven investments and failure to comply with or demonstrate sufficient progress toward certain metrics. The EOEP also contains provisions for the Utility to cure and permanently exit the EOEP if it can satisfy specific criteria. If the Utility is placed into the EOEP, actions taken would occur in coordination with the CPUC’s existing formal and informal reporting requirements and procedures. The EOEP does not replace or limit the CPUC’s regulatory authority, including the authority to issue Orders to Show Cause and OIIs and to impose fines and penalties. The EOEP requires the Utility to report the occurrence of a triggering event to the CPUC’s executive director no later than five business days after the date on which any member of senior management of the Utility becomes aware of the occurrence of a triggering event.

The Utility is unable to predict whether fines or penalties may be imposed, or other regulatory actions may be taken.

Vegetation Management

The CPUC placed the Utility into step 1 of the EOEP on April 15, 2021 and imposed additional reporting requirements on the Utility. The CPUC’s resolution states that a step 1 triggering event had occurred because the Utility had “made insufficient progress toward approved safety or risk-driven investments related to its electric business.” The resolution found that, based on the CPUC’s evaluation of the Utility’s EVM work in 2020, the Utility was “not sufficiently prioritizing its Enhanced Vegetation Management (“EVM”) based on risk” and was “not making risk-driven investments.” The resolution also found that “less than five percent of the EVM work” the Utility completed in 2020 “was on the 20 highest risk power lines according to its own risk rankings.”

As required by the CPUC’s resolution, the Utility submitted a corrective action plan to the CPUC’s Executive Director on May 6, 2021, which was designed to correct or prevent recurrence of the step 1 triggering event, or otherwise mitigate any ongoing safety risk or impact, as soon as practicable, among other things. The corrective action plan addressed the EVM situation that occurred in 2020 and provided a risk-informed EVM work plan for 2021. The Utility was required to update the information contained in the corrective action plan every 90 days, which it did.

On December 1, 2022, the CPUC issued a resolution authorizing the Utility’s exit from the EOEP.

Application for Post-Emergence SB 901 Securitization Transaction

SB 901, signed into law on September 21, 2018, requires the CPUC to establish a CHT, directing the CPUC to limit certain disallowances in the aggregate so that they do not exceed the maximum amount that the Utility can pay without harming customers or materially impacting its ability to provide adequate and safe service. SB 901 also authorizes the CPUC to issue a financing order that permits recovery, through the issuance of recovery bonds (also referred to as “securitization”), of wildfire-related costs found to be just and reasonable by the CPUC and, only for the 2017 Northern California wildfires, any amounts in excess of the CHT.

Pursuant to SB 901 and the CPUC’s methodology adopted in the CHT OIR, on April 30, 2020, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC seeking authorization for a post-emergence transaction to recover $7.5 billion of 2017 wildfire claims costs through securitization that is designed to be rate neutral to customers through the creation of a corresponding customer credit trust, with the proceeds used to pay or reimburse the Utility for the payment of wildfire claims costs associated with the 2017 Northern California wildfires. Among other uses, as a result of the proposed transaction, the Utility would retire $6.0 billion of Utility debt. Specifically, the application requested administration of the stress test methodology approved in the CHT OIR and a determination that $7.5 billion in 2017 catastrophic wildfire costs and expenses are stress test costs and eligible for securitization. In this context, a “securitization” refers to a financing transaction where a special purpose financing vehicle issues new debt that is secured by the proceeds of a new recovery charge to Utility customers. The application also proposed a customer credit designed to equal the bond charges over the life of the bonds, which would insulate customers from the charge on customer bills associated with the bonds.

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On April 23, 2021, the CPUC issued a decision finding that $7.5 billion of the Utility’s 2017 catastrophic wildfire costs and expenses are stress test costs that may be financed through the issuance of recovery bonds pursuant to Public Utilities Code sections 850 et seq. and approving a structure for the transaction. As requested, the decision authorized the Utility to establish a customer credit trust funded by PG&E Corporation’s shareholders, that will provide a monthly credit to customers that is anticipated to equal the securitized charges such that the securitization is designed to be rate neutral to customers. Subject to retention of the CPUC’s existing jurisdiction, the decision adopted a transaction structure comprised of four elements: (1) an initial shareholder contribution of $2.0 billion, $1.0 billion of which was contributed in 2022 and $1.0 billion to be contributed in 2024; (2) up to $7.59 billion of additional contributions funded by certain shareholder tax benefits; (3) a single CPUC review of the balance of the customer credit trust in 2040, with a single contingent supplemental shareholder contribution, if needed, up to $775 million in 2040; and (4) sharing with customers 25% of any surplus of shareholder assets in the customer credit trust at the end of the life of the trust.

In addition, on January 6, 2021, the Utility filed an additional application requesting that the CPUC issue a financing order authorizing the issuance of one or more series of recovery bonds in connection with the post-emergence transaction to finance, using securitization, the $7.5 billion of claims associated with the 2017 Northern California wildfires, which the CPUC subsequently granted on May 11, 2021.

On February 28, 2022, the decision finding $7.5 billion of stress test costs eligible for securitization and the financing order authorizing the issuance of up to $7.5 billion of recovery bonds became final and non-appealable. The financing order authorized the issuance of bonds through the end of 2022. PG&E Wildfire Recovery Funding LLC issued $3.6 billion aggregate principal amount of Series 2022-A Recovery Bonds on May 10, 2022 and $3.9 billion aggregate principal amount of Series 2022-B Recovery Bonds on July 20, 2022. See Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Application for Second AB 1054 Securitization Transaction

AB 1054 provides that the first $5.0 billion expended in the aggregate by California’s three large electric IOUs on fire risk mitigation capital expenditures included in their respective approved WMPs will be excluded from their respective equity rate bases. The $5.0 billion of capital expenditures has been allocated among the large electric IOUs in accordance with their Wildfire Fund allocation metrics. The Utility’s allocation is $3.21 billion. AB 1054 contemplates that such capital expenditures may be financed using a structure that securitizes a dedicated customer charge. Pursuant to an earlier financing order issued by the CPUC authorizing the Utility’s initial application for AB 1054 securitization transaction, on November 12, 2021, PG&E Recovery Funding LLC issued approximately $860 million of senior secured recovery bonds. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

On March 11, 2022, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC seeking authorization for a second transaction to securitize up to $1.7 billion of fire risk mitigation capital expenditure amounts that have been or would be incurred by the Utility from 2019 through 2022. The $1.7 billion reflected $212 million recorded and $1.16 billion forecasted capital expenditure amounts that were approved by the CPUC in the 2020 GRC and up to $350 million capital expenditure amounts pending in the 2020 WMCE proceeding. On May 4, 2022, the $350 million of capital expenditure amounts were removed because the CPUC extended the schedule in the 2020 WMCE proceeding such that a final decision approving such capital expenditure amounts in that proceeding was no longer expected prior to the issuance of a financing order authorizing the second AB 1054 securitization transaction.  The final amount to be securitized would be based on actual recorded capital expenditures incurred by the Utility prior to the securitization transaction.

The application requested that the CPUC issue a financing order authorizing one or more series of recovery bonds, determine that the issuance of the bonds and collection through fixed recovery charges is just and reasonable, consistent with the public interest, would reduce rates on a present-value basis compared to traditional utility financing mechanisms, and authorize the Utility to collect a non-bypassable charge sufficient to pay debt service on the recovery bonds.  The application also requested that the CPUC exclude the securitized debt from the Utility’s ratemaking capital structure and adjust the Utility’s 2020 GRC revenue requirements following the issuance of the recovery bonds.

On August 5, 2022, the CPUC issued a final decision approving the securitization of up to approximately $1.4 billion of fire risk mitigation capital expenditures, which was the amount requested in the application less the $350 million then pending in the 2020 WMCE proceeding.

On November 30, 2022, PG&E Recovery Funding LLC issued approximately $983 million aggregate principal amount of Series 2022-A Senior Secured Recovery Bonds.

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2020-2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plan

The Utility’s 2022 WMP was submitted on February 25, 2022. The 2022 WMP addressed the Utility’s wildfire safety programs and initiatives focused on reducing the potential for catastrophic wildfires related to electrical equipment, reducing the potential for fires to spread, and reducing the impact of PSPS events. On November 10, 2022, OEIS approved the Utility’s 2022 WMP. On December 15, 2022, the CPUC ratified OEIS’s approval.

On December 5, 2022, OEIS issued its draft Annual Report on Compliance (“ARC”) for the Utility’s 2020 WMP. In the draft ARC, OEIS found that the Utility undertook significant efforts to reduce its wildfire risk and, in many instances, achieved its stated objectives and targets but found that the Utility failed to meet targets highly correlated with risk, failed to achieve critical stated objectives, and failed to sufficiently address risk on its system. Consequently, OEIS found the Utility did not substantially comply with the WMP during the 2020 compliance period. The Utility submitted comments on the draft ARC in December 2022. If the OEIS final ARC report maintains the finding that the Utility failed to substantially comply with its 2020 WMP, the Utility may seek judicial review. If the ARC finds that the Utility did not substantially comply with the WMP during the 2020 compliance period, the CPUC is required to issue penalties for the finding of noncompliance. PG&E Corporation and the Utility cannot reasonably estimate at this time whether they will incur a loss in connection with the ARC or the amount of any such loss, as OEIS has not issued the final ARC and because any penalty issued by CPUC depends upon a number of factors.

Electric Integrated Resource Planning and Related Procurement

On November 13, 2019, the CPUC issued a decision that takes a number of steps to address the potential for system RA shortages beginning in 2021. The decision required incremental procurement of system-level qualifying RA capacity of 3,300 MWs by all LSEs operating within the CAISO’s balancing area for the period from 2021 to 2023, of which the Utility is responsible for 716.9 MWs for its bundled customer portion. The decision required that at least 50% of LSEs resource responsibilities come online by August 1, 2021, at least 75% by August 1, 2022, and the remaining by August 1, 2023. Additionally, the decision directed the IOUs to act as the backstop procurement agent for CCAs and energy service providers that choose not to voluntarily self-procure or that fail to meet their procurement responsibilities after electing to self-provide their assigned MWs of system RA capacity under the decision.

On June 30, 2021, the CPUC issued a mid-term reliability decision to address incremental electric system reliability needs between 2024 and 2026 due to, in part, the pending retirement of once-through-cooling natural gas plants in Southern California and the possible retirement of Diablo Canyon by requiring at least 11,500 MW of additional net qualifying capacity to be procured by LSEs. See “Extension of Diablo Canyon Operations” below. The decision set procurement requirements of 2,000 MW by 2023, an additional 6,000 MW by 2024, an additional 1,500 MW by 2025, and an additional 2,000 MW by 2026. The decision set the Utility’s share of the procurement at 2,302 MW of incremental net qualifying capacity.

On April 21, 2022, the CPUC approved a group of nine long-term RA agreements to meet a portion of the Utility’s procurement requirements under the CPUC’s mid-term reliability decision. The agreements are each for a term of 15 years and collectively expected to supply 1,598.7 MW of lithium-ion energy storage capacity with some projects expected to be operational in 2023 and others in 2024.

OIR to Revisit Net Energy Metering Tariffs

On August 17, 2020, the CPUC initiated a rulemaking proceeding to develop a successor to the existing NEM tariffs. The successor tariff is being developed pursuant to the requirements of AB 327. Under AB 327, the successor to the existing NEM tariffs should provide customer-generators with credit or compensation for electricity generated by their renewable facilities based on the value of that generation to all customers and allow customer-sited renewable generation to grow sustainably among different types of customers.

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On November 10, 2022, the CPUC withdrew a previously-issued PD and issued a new PD. On December 19, 2022, the CPUC issued a final decision. The final decision will reduce the NEM subsidy by, in large part, reducing the bill credits for exported energy to avoided cost levels for new customers interconnecting under the successor tariff established by the final decision. For new non-CARE customers interconnecting under the successor tariff, the subsidy is reduced by about 60% for standalone solar and about 45% for solar-paired storage. The decision will also reduce the subsidy for new commercial customers interconnecting under the successor tariff by about 35%. The decision declined to adopt a charge to recover grid and infrastructure costs for new or existing customers and, instead, defers to the ongoing Demand Flexibility OIR, which is considering income-based fixed charges for all customers. The decision does, however, clarify that charges adopted in the Demand Flexibility OIR will apply to NEM and successor tariff customers. The final decision does not reform the legacy period for existing NEM customers.

On January 18, 2023, intervenors filed an application for rehearing. On February 2, 2023, the Utility filed a response to the application for rehearing.

Application with Pacific Generation LLC for Approval to Transfer Non-Nuclear Generation Assets

On September 28, 2022, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC regarding the separation of the Utility’s non-nuclear generation assets into a newly formed, stand-alone Utility subsidiary, Pacific Generation. The application, which was filed jointly with Pacific Generation, seeks to establish Pacific Generation as a separate, rate-regulated utility subject to regulation by the CPUC and contemplates the potential sale of a minority interest in Pacific Generation to one or more investors to be identified. The application proposes that the negotiated transaction documents would be submitted to the CPUC via an advice letter.

On December 13, 2022, the Utility filed applications with a similar request with the FERC and also filed a related application with the FERC requesting the transfer of certain hydro licenses to Pacific Generation.

On January 20, 2023, the CPUC issued a scoping memo pursuant to which a PD would be issued by November 2023.

Self-Reports to the CPUC

The Utility self-reports potential violations of certain requirements to the CPUC. The Utility could face penalties, enforcement actions, or other adverse legal or regulatory consequences for these potential violations, including under the EOEP. The Utility is unable to predict the likelihood and the amount of potential fines or penalties, if any, related to these matters.

Electric Asset Inspections

The Utility has notified the CPUC of various errors relating to inspections and maintenance of its electric assets or implementation of WMP initiatives. These notices include missed inspections or the inability to locate records evidencing performance of inspections required under CPUC GOs 95 and 165 and errors regarding reporting meeting targets set by the Utility’s 2020 WMP. In these notices, the Utility describes the failures and corrective actions the Utility is taking to remediate these issues and to prevent recurrence. Among other corrective measures, the Utility has developed short-term and longer-term systemic corrective actions to address these errors, including performing enhanced inspections for poles with outdated or incomplete GO 165 inspection records and strengthening the Utility’s asset registry, as well as corrective actions regarding reporting on the progress toward WMP targets.

On October 26, 2022, the Utility notified the CPUC that the Utility’s procedure for wood pole replacements did not comply with CPUC requirements for replacement of poles under certain conditions and, accordingly, in some instances, the Utility failed to replace wood poles with safety factors below the required minimum. Among other short- and longer-term corrective measures, the Utility is replacing identified poles on a risk prioritized basis and revising its wood pole replacement procedures in alignment with CPUC requirements. On December 22, 2022, the Utility submitted an update to the CPUC explaining the Utility had identified a population of wood poles that had not received intrusive inspections in accordance with GO 165’s deadlines due to legacy issues, which should no longer be an issue due to changes in Utility procedures. In addition to its plan to complete the intrusive tests by September 30, 2023, the Utility is performing an end-to-end assessment of the wood pole test and treat program to proactively identify and address potential issues.

The Utility continues to evaluate whether there are additional failures to comply with GO 95 and 165, beyond those identified in submitted self-reports. The Utility intends to update the CPUC upon completion of its reviews and to address any issues it identifies.

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Order Instituting an Investigation into PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Safety Culture

On August 27, 2015, the CPUC began a formal investigation into whether the organizational culture and governance of PG&E Corporation and the Utility prioritize safety and adequately direct resources to promote accountability and achieve safety goals and standards (the “Safety Culture OII”). The CPUC directed the SED to evaluate the Utility’s and PG&E Corporation’s organizational culture, governance, policies, practices, and accountability metrics in relation to the Utility’s record of operations, including its record of safety incidents.

On June 18, 2019, the CPUC issued a ruling requesting comments from parties on four proposals that it stated may improve the safety culture of PG&E Corporation and the Utility. The four proposals are: separating the Utility into gas and electric utilities (including, as one possibility, sale of the gas assets to a third party); establishing periodic review of the Utility’s certificate of convenience and necessity; modifying or eliminating PG&E Corporation’s holding company structure; and linking the Utility’s rate of return or ROE to safety performance metrics.

On September 4, 2020, the administrative law judge issued a ruling updating case status, which states that the proceeding will remain open as a vehicle to monitor the progress of the Utility in improving its safety culture and to address any relevant issues that arise, with the CPUC’s consultant continuing in a monitoring role. The ruling states that additional issues may be raised in the proceedings by parties or the CPUC.

Extension of Diablo Canyon Operations

On September 2, 2022, the Governor of California signed SB 846, which supports the extension of operations at Diablo Canyon through no later than 2030, with the potential for an earlier retirement date. Under the legislation, the Utility would continue to operate Diablo Canyon on behalf of all CPUC-jurisdictional LSEs, and all customers of those LSEs would be responsible for the cost of extended operations. Additionally, the State of California has authorized a loan of up to $1.4 billion pursuant to SB 846 to the Utility from the DWR to support the extension of plant operations, which is in addition to the amount discussed in “Assembly Bill 180”, below. SB 846 further directs the Utility to take steps to secure funds from the DOE’s Civil Nuclear Credit Program, and any other potentially available federal funding, to repay the loan. The loan may be forgiven under certain circumstances. On October 18, 2022, the Utility executed the loan agreement with the DWR.

On September 2, 2022, the Utility applied for federal funding through the DOE’s Civil Nuclear Credit Program. On November 17, 2022, the DOE conditionally selected the Utility to receive funding of up to $1.1 billion as part of the program. Final terms are subject to negotiation and finalization by the DOE. SB 846 provides that within 180 days of the filing of the DOE application, the CEC, in consultation with the CAISO and the CPUC, shall make a determination in a public process of whether the state’s electricity forecasts for the calendar years from 2024 through 2030 show potential for reliability deficiencies if Diablo Canyon operations are not extended beyond 2025 and whether extending operations of Diablo Canyon until 2030 is prudent to ensure reliability in light of any potential for supply deficiency. During the quarter ended December 31, 2022, the Utility adjusted the ARO to reflect extended operations of Diablo Canyon through 2030. However, the Utility’s ARO could be materially impacted if the Utility does not receive the required federal and state licenses, permits, and approvals.

During the period prior to extended operations, the bill authorizes a monthly performance-based disbursement equal to $7 for each MWh generated by Diablo Canyon. The performance-based disbursement will be paid from the loan proceeds authorized by SB 846 and is contingent upon the Utility’s ongoing pursuit of extension of the operating period and continued safe and reliable Diablo Canyon operations. The performance-based disbursement cannot be realized as shareholder profits or paid out as dividends.

During the period of extended operations and in lieu of the traditional rate-based return on investment, the bill provides for a fixed payment of $50 million, in 2022 dollars, for each of Diablo Canyon’s Unit 1 and Unit 2 for each year of extended operations to be recovered from customers of all CPUC-jurisdictional LSEs, which is potentially subject to adjustment downward in the event of extended unplanned outages. In addition, the bill authorizes a volumetric payment totaling $13, in 2022 dollars, for each MWh generated by Diablo Canyon during the period of extended operations, with the first half recovered from all CPUC-jurisdictional LSEs and the second half from customers in the Utility’s service area. The amount of the fixed and volumetric payments will be adjusted annually by the CPUC using CPUC-approved escalation methodologies and adjustment factors. The volumetric payment cannot be realized as shareholder profits or paid out as dividends, to the extent it is not needed for Diablo Canyon. The legislation includes language that limits use of the volumetric payment to investments in the system and for customers that address critical state priorities.

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The CPUC has initiated a rulemaking proceeding in January 2023 to develop a new mechanism to recover costs from customers of all CPUC-jurisdictional LSEs for the continued operation of Diablo Canyon and to address other issues associated with continued operation, including cost responsibility if Diablo Canyon is unable to operate. The legislation also established a $300 million Liquidated Damages Balancing Account (“LDBA”) to be funded over time by all CPUC-jurisdictional customers. The LDBA provides a source for paying for replacement power costs, if incurred, due to unplanned outages at Diablo Canyon as a result of the Utility’s failure to meet the CPUC’s reasonable-manager standard.

The key remaining steps to continued operations include NRC license renewal and approval from California state agencies. If either is not received, the Utility would retire Unit 1 in 2024 and Unit 2 in 2025 as previously approved by the CPUC. On October 31, 2022, the Utility requested that the NRC resume its review of a license renewal application the Utility voluntarily withdrew and terminated in 2018 or else grant an exemption to permit operations to continue at Diablo Canyon after the expiration of each of its current operating licenses and until the NRC completes its review of the license renewal application. On January 24, 2023, the NRC staff declined to resume its review of the previously-withdrawn application and directed the Utility to submit a new application for license renewal, which the Utility expects to do by the end of 2023. The NRC staff has stated that it will provide a response to the Utility’s request for an exemption in March 2023. Consistent with SB 846, the CPUC, the CEC, California State Lands Commission, California Coastal Commission, and other state agencies will need to determine that extended operations represent an appropriate path to meet California’s reliability, affordability, and environmental goals.

LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY INITIATIVES

Assembly Bill 180

On June 30, 2022, the Governor of California signed AB 180, which authorized the DWR to use up to $75 million to support contracts with the owners of electric generating facilities pending retirement, such as Diablo Canyon, to fund, reimburse or compensate the owner for any costs, expenses or financial commitments incurred to retain the future availability of such generating facilities pending further legislation.

Assembly Bill 205

On June 30, 2022, the Governor of California signed AB 205, which included authorization for additional incremental CAPP funding of $958 million for California IOUs. The Utility received approximately $200 million in November 2022 to reduce the amounts owed by customer accounts in arrears. The amount of funding was determined by the California Department of Community Services and Development, which is the agency responsible for administering the CAPP.

Senate Bill 846

On September 2, 2022, the Governor of California signed SB 846, which supports the extension of operations at Diablo Canyon through no later than 2030, with the potential for an earlier retirement date. For more information, see “Extension of Diablo Canyon Operations” above.

Senate Bill 884

On September 30, 2022, the Governor of California signed SB 884, which authorizes and expedites OEIS and CPUC review of a 10-year undergrounding plan. Under SB 884, large electrical corporations may submit 10-year plans for undergrounding distribution infrastructure in Tier 2 or 3 HFTDs or rebuild areas to OEIS. The plan must include an evaluation of project costs, projected economic benefits over the life of the assets, and any cost-containment assumptions, including the economies of scale necessary to reduce wildfire risk and mitigation costs and establish a sustainable supply chain. OEIS will have up to nine months to review and approve or deny the plan, and then the CPUC will have up to nine months to review and approve or deny the plan, including its costs.

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Inflation Reduction Act

On August 16, 2022, the President of the United States signed the Inflation Reduction Act. The Inflation Reduction Act includes a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) on the adjusted financial statement income (“AFSI”) of corporations with average AFSI exceeding $1.0 billion over a three-year period, effective January 1, 2023. The law also extends and modifies existing tax credits and creates new tax credits for renewable and clean energy sources. Many aspects of the Inflation Reduction Act, including the CAMT, remain uncertain and the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have been granted broad authority to enact regulations implementing its provisions. Depending on the guidance issued, PG&E Corporation and the Utility’s federal income tax liability could increase substantially. PG&E Corporation and the Utility continue to evaluate the impact of the law and its potential implications.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

The Utility’s operations are subject to extensive federal, state, and local laws and permits relating to the protection of the environment and the safety and health of the Utility’s personnel and the public.  These laws and requirements relate to a broad range of the Utility’s activities, including the remediation of hazardous substances; the reporting and reduction of carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions; the discharge of pollutants into the air, water, and soil; the reporting of safety and reliability measures for natural gas storage facilities; and the transportation, handling, storage, and disposal of spent nuclear fuel. See Item 1A. Risk Factors, “Environmental Regulation” in Item 1. and “Environmental Remediation Contingencies” in Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

PG&E Corporation, mainly through its ownership of the Utility, and the Utility are exposed to risks associated with adverse changes in commodity prices, interest rates, and counterparty credit. The Utility actively manages market risk through risk management programs designed to support business objectives, discourage unauthorized risk-taking, reduce commodity cost volatility, and manage cash flows.  The Utility uses derivative instruments only for non-trading purposes (i.e., risk mitigation) and not for speculative purposes.

Commodity Price Risk

The Utility is exposed to commodity price risk as a result of its electricity and natural gas procurement activities, including the procurement of natural gas and nuclear fuel necessary for electricity generation and natural gas procurement for core customers. The Utility’s risk management activities include the use of physical and financial instruments such as forward contracts, futures, swaps, options, and other instruments and agreements. As long as the Utility can conclude that it is probable that its reasonably incurred wholesale electricity procurement costs and natural gas costs are recoverable, fluctuations in electricity and natural gas prices do not affect earnings. Such fluctuations, however, may impact cash flows. The Utility’s natural gas transportation and storage costs for core customers are also fully recoverable through a ratemaking mechanism.

The Utility’s current authorized revenue requirement for natural gas transportation and storage service to non-core customers is not balancing account protected. The Utility recovers these costs in its GRC through fixed reservation charges and volumetric charges from long-term contracts, resulting in price and volumetric risk. The Utility uses value-at-risk to measure its shareholders’ exposure to these risks. The Utility’s value-at-risk was approximately $3 million and $5 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further discussion of price risk management activities.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk sensitivity analysis is used to measure interest rate risk by computing estimated changes in cash flows as a result of assumed changes in market interest rates. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, if interest rates changed by one percent for all PG&E Corporation and Utility variable rate long-term debt, short-term debt, and cash investments, the pre-tax impact on net income over the next 12 months would be $54 million and $76 million, respectively, based on net variable rate debt and other interest rate-sensitive instruments outstanding. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for further discussion of interest rates.

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Energy Procurement Credit Risk

The Utility conducts business with counterparties mainly in the energy industry to purchase electricity or gas and related services, including the CAISO market, other California IOUs, municipal utilities, energy trading companies, pipelines, financial institutions, electricity generation companies, and oil and natural gas production companies located in the United States and Canada. If a counterparty fails to perform on its contractual obligation to deliver electricity or gas and related services, then the Utility may find it necessary to procure electricity or gas at current market prices or seek alternate services, which may be higher than the contract prices.

The Utility manages credit risk associated with its counterparties by assigning credit limits based on evaluations of their financial conditions, net worth, credit ratings, and other credit criteria as deemed appropriate. Credit limits and credit quality are monitored periodically. The Utility executes many energy contracts under master commodity enabling agreements that may require security. Security may be in the form of cash or letters of credit. The Utility may accept other forms of performance assurance in the form of corporate guarantees of acceptable credit quality or other eligible securities (as deemed appropriate by the Utility). Security or performance assurance may be required from the Utility or counterparties when current net receivables or payables and exposure exceed contractually specified limits.

The following table summarizes the Utility’s energy procurement credit risk exposure to its counterparties:

Exposure (1) (in millions)Number of Wholesale Customers or Counterparties 10%Net Credit Exposure to Wholesale Customers or Counterparties 10% (in millions)
December 31, 2022$8141$162
December 31, 2021$5701$63

(1) Exposure is the positive exposure maximum that equals mark-to-market value on physically and financially settled contracts, plus net receivables (payables) where netting is contractually allowed minus collateral posted by counterparties and held by the Utility plus collateral posted by the Utility and held by the counterparties. For purposes of this table, parental guarantees are not included as part of the calculation. Exposure amounts reported above do not include adjustments for time value or liquidity.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP involves the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the recorded amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The accounting policies described below are considered to be critical accounting estimates due, in part, to their complexity and because their application is relevant and material to the financial position and results of operations of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, and because these policies require the use of material judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates and assumptions. These accounting estimates and their key characteristics are outlined below.

Contributions to the Wildfire Fund

The Wildfire Fund is expected to be capitalized with (i) $10.5 billion of proceeds of bonds supported by a 15-year extension of the DWR charge to customers, (ii) $7.5 billion in initial contributions from California’s three large electric IOUs, and (iii) $300 million in annual contributions paid by California’s three large electric IOUs for a 10-year period. The contributions from the IOUs will be effectively borne by their respective shareholders, as they will not be permitted to recover these costs through rates. The costs of the initial and annual contributions are allocated among the IOUs pursuant to a “Wildfire Fund allocation metric” set forth in AB 1054 based on land area in the applicable IOU’s service area classified as HFTDs and adjusted to account for risk mitigation efforts. The Utility’s Wildfire Fund allocation metric is 64.2% (representing an initial contribution of approximately $4.8 billion and annual contributions of approximately $193 million).

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On the Emergence Date, PG&E Corporation and the Utility contributed, in accordance with AB 1054, an initial contribution of approximately $4.8 billion and first annual contribution of approximately $193 million to the Wildfire Fund to secure participation of the Utility therein. The other large electric IOUs made their initial contributions to the Wildfire Fund in September 2019. On December 30, 2021 and 2022, the Utility made its third and fourth annual contributions of $193 million each to the Wildfire Fund. As of December 31, 2022, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have six remaining annual contributions of $193 million (based on the current Wildfire Fund allocation metric). PG&E Corporation and the Utility account for contributions to the Wildfire Fund by capitalizing an asset, amortizing to periods ratably based on an estimated period of coverage, and incrementally adjusting for accelerated amortization as the level of coverage declines, as further described below.

As of December 31, 2022, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded $193 million in Other current liabilities, $935 million in Other non-current liabilities, $460 million in current assets - Wildfire Fund asset, and $4.8 billion in non-current assets - Wildfire Fund asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Utility recorded amortization and accretion expense of $477 million and $517 million, respectively. The amortization of the asset, accretion of the liability, and acceleration of the amortization of the asset is reflected in Wildfire Fund expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Expected contributions recorded in Wildfire Fund asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are discounted to the present value using the 10-year U.S. treasury rate at the date PG&E Corporation and the Utility satisfied all the eligibility requirements to participate in the Wildfire Fund. A useful life of 15 years is being used to amortize the Wildfire Fund asset.

AB 1054 did not specify a period of coverage; therefore, this accounting treatment is subject to significant accounting judgments and estimates. In estimating the period of coverage, PG&E Corporation and the Utility use a Monte Carlo simulation that began with 12 years of historical, publicly available fire-loss data from wildfires caused by electrical equipment, and subsequently plan to add an additional year of data each following year. The period of historic fire-loss data and the effectiveness of mitigation efforts by the California electric utility companies are significant assumptions used to estimate the useful life. These assumptions along with the other assumptions below create a high degree of uncertainty related to the estimated useful life of the Wildfire Fund. The simulation creates annual distributions of potential losses due to fires that could be attributed to the participating electric utilities. Initial use of five years of historical data, with average annual statewide claims or settlements of approximately $6.5 billion versus 12 years of historical data, with average annual statewide claims or settlements of approximately $2.9 billion, would have resulted in a six year amortization period. As of December 31, 2022, a 5% change to the assumption around current and future mitigation effort effectiveness would increase the amortization period by five years assuming greater effectiveness and would decrease the amortization period by four years assuming less effectiveness.

Other assumptions used to estimate the useful life include the estimated cost of wildfires caused by participating electric utilities, the amount at which wildfire claims would be settled, the likely adjudication of the CPUC in cases of electric utility-caused wildfires and determination of any amounts required to be reimbursed to the Wildfire Fund, the impacts of climate change, the level of future insurance coverage held by the electric utilities, the FERC-allocable portion of loss recovery, and the future transmission and distribution equity rate base growth of participating electric utilities. Significant changes in any of these estimates could materially impact the amortization period.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility evaluate all assumptions quarterly and upon claims being made from the Wildfire Fund for catastrophic wildfires, and the expected life of the Wildfire Fund will be adjusted as required. The Wildfire Fund is available to other participating utilities in California and the amount of claims that a participating utility incurs is not limited to their individual contribution amounts. PG&E Corporation and the Utility assess the Wildfire Fund asset for acceleration of the amortization of the asset in the event that a participating utility’s electrical equipment is found to be the substantial cause of a catastrophic wildfire. Timing of any such acceleration of the amortization of the asset could lag as the emergence of sufficient cause and claims information can take many quarters and could be limited to public disclosure of the participating electric utility, if ignition were to occur outside the Utility’s service area. There were fires in the Utility’s and other participating utilities’ services territories since July 12, 2019, including fires for which the cause is unknown, which may in the future be determined to be covered by the Wildfire Fund. As of December 31, 2022, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded $175 million in Other noncurrent assets for Wildfire Fund receivables related to the 2021 Dixie fire. PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded $6 million and $43 million of accelerated amortization, reflected in Wildfire Fund expense for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

For more information, see “Contributions to the Wildfire Fund Established Pursuant to AB 1054” in Note 3 and “Wildfire Fund under AB 1054” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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Loss Contingencies

As discussed below, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have recorded material accruals for various wildfire-related, enforcement and legal matters, and environmental remediation liabilities. PG&E Corporation and the Utility have also recorded insurance receivables for third-party claims.

Wildfire-Related Liabilities

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are subject to potential liabilities related to wildfires.  PG&E Corporation and the Utility record a wildfire-related liability when they determine that a loss is probable and they can reasonably estimate the loss or a range of losses. The provision is based on the lower end of the range, unless an amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount.

Potential liabilities related to wildfires depend on various factors, including negotiations and settlements or the cause of each fire, contributing causes of the fires (including alternative potential origins, weather and climate related issues), the number, size and type of structures damaged or destroyed, the contents of such structures and other personal property damage, the number and types of trees damaged or destroyed, attorneys’ fees for claimants, the nature and extent of any personal injuries, including the loss of lives, the extent to which future claims arise, the amount of fire suppression and clean-up costs, other damages the Utility may be responsible for if found negligent, and the amount of any penalties or fines that may be imposed by governmental entities. There are a number of unknown facts and legal considerations that may impact the amount of any potential liability, including the total scope and nature of claims that may be asserted against PG&E Corporation or the Utility. For example, the Utility’s wildfire-related accruals have changed in the past as new facts and information became available to the Utility, including the availability of new evidence and additional information about the scope and nature of damages.

The process for estimating wildfire-related liabilities requires management to exercise significant judgment based on a number of assumptions and subjective factors, including the factors identified above and estimates based on currently available information and prior experience with wildfires.  See Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Enforcement and Litigation Matters

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are subject to various laws and regulations and, in the normal course of business, are named as parties in a number of claims and lawsuits. In addition, penalties may be incurred for failure to comply with federal, state, or local laws and regulations. PG&E Corporation and the Utility record a provision for a loss contingency when it is both probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. PG&E Corporation and the Utility evaluate the range of reasonably estimated losses and record a provision based on the lower end of the range, unless an amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. Loss contingencies are reviewed quarterly, and estimates are adjusted to reflect the impact of all known information, such as negotiations, discovery, settlements and payments, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s provision for loss and expense excludes anticipated legal costs, which are expensed as incurred. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates and assumptions. See Note 15 and Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Loss Recoveries

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have recovery mechanisms available for wildfire liabilities including from insurance, through rates, and from the Wildfire Fund. The Utility has liability insurance from various insurers, which provides coverage for third-party claims. PG&E Corporation and the Utility record a receivable for a recovery when it is deemed probable that recovery of a recorded loss will occur and they can reasonably estimate the amount or its range.  The assessment of whether recovery is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the recovery or a range of recoveries is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events.  Loss recoveries are reviewed quarterly, and estimates are adjusted to reflect the impact of all known information, including contractual liability insurance policy coverage, advice of legal counsel, past experience with similar events, conversations with the Wildfire Fund administrators, the CPUC and FERC, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. See “Loss Recoveries” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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Environmental Remediation Liabilities

The Utility is subject to loss contingencies pursuant to federal and California environmental laws and regulations that in the future may require the Utility to pay for environmental remediation at sites where it has been, or may be, a potentially responsible party. Such contingencies may exist for the remediation of hazardous substances at various potential sites, including former MGP sites, power plant sites, gas compressor stations, and sites used by the Utility for the storage, recycling, or disposal of potentially hazardous materials, even if the Utility did not deposit those substances on the site.

The Utility generally commences the environmental remediation assessment process upon notification from federal or state agencies, or other parties, of a potential site requiring remedial action. (In some instances, the Utility may initiate action to determine its remediation liability for sites that it no longer owns in cooperation with regulatory agencies. For example, the Utility has a program related to certain former MGP sites.) Based on such notification, the Utility completes an assessment of the potential site and evaluates whether it is probable that a remediation liability has been incurred. The Utility records an environmental remediation liability when site assessments indicate remediation is probable and it can reasonably estimate the loss or a range of possible losses. Given the complexities of the legal and regulatory environment and the inherent uncertainties involved in the early stages of a remediation project, the process for estimating remediation liabilities is subjective and requires significant judgment. Key factors evaluated in developing cost estimates include the extent and types of hazardous substances at a potential site, the range of technologies that can be used for remediation, the determination of the Utility’s liability in proportion to other responsible parties, and the extent to which such costs are recoverable from third parties.

When possible, the Utility estimates costs using site-specific information, but also considers historical experience for costs incurred at similar sites depending on the level of information available. Estimated costs are composed of the direct costs of the remediation effort and the costs of compensation for employees who are expected to devote a significant amount of time directly to the remediation effort. These estimated costs include remedial site investigations, remediation actions, operations and maintenance activities, post remediation monitoring, and the costs of technologies that are expected to be approved to remediate the site. Remediation efforts for a particular site generally extend over a period of several years. During this period, the laws governing the remediation process may change, as well as site conditions, thereby possibly affecting the cost of the remediation effort.

As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Utility’s accruals for undiscounted gross environmental liabilities were $1.3 billion each. The Utility’s undiscounted future costs could increase to as much as $2.3 billion if the extent of contamination or necessary remediation is greater than anticipated or if the other potentially responsible parties are not financially able to contribute to these costs and could increase further if the Utility chooses to remediate beyond regulatory requirements. Although the Utility has provided for known environmental obligations that are probable and reasonably estimable, estimated costs may vary significantly from actual costs, and the amount of additional future costs may be material to results of operations in the period in which they are recognized.

Regulatory Accounting

As a regulated entity, the Utility records regulatory assets and liabilities for amounts that are deemed probable of recovery from, or refund to, customers. Despite the ongoing losses related to wildfires (see Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8), there is no actual or anticipated change in the cost-of-service regulation of the Utility’s operations. Therefore, the Utility continues to apply the accounting ASC 980, Regulated Operations. These amounts would otherwise be recorded to expense or income under GAAP. Refer to “Regulation and Regulated Operations” in Note 3 as well as Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. As of December 31, 2022, PG&E Corporation and the Utility reported regulatory assets (including current regulatory balancing accounts receivable) of $20.0 billion and regulatory liabilities (including current regulatory balancing accounts payable) of $20.4 billion.

Determining probability requires significant judgment by management and includes, but is not limited to, consideration of testimony presented in regulatory hearings, proposed regulatory decisions, final regulatory orders, and the strength or status of applications for rehearing or state court appeals. For some of the Utility’s regulatory assets, including utility retained generation, the Utility has determined that the costs are recoverable based on specific approval from the CPUC. The Utility also records a regulatory asset when a mechanism is in place to recover current expenditures and historical experience indicates that recovery of incurred costs is probable, such as the regulatory assets for pension benefits; deferred income tax; price risk management; and unamortized loss, net of gain, on reacquired debt. If the Utility determined that it is no longer probable that regulatory assets would be recovered or reflected in future rates, or if the Utility ceased to be subject to rate regulation, the regulatory assets would be charged against income in the period in which that determination was made. If regulatory accounting did not apply, the Utility’s future financial results could become more volatile as compared to historical financial results due to the differences in the timing of expense or revenue recognition.

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A portion of the Utility’s regulatory asset balances relate to items which could not be anticipated by the Utility during CPUC GRC rate requests resulting from catastrophic events, changes in regulation, or extraordinary changes in operating practices. The Utility may seek authority to track incremental costs in a memorandum account, and the CPUC may authorize recovery of costs tracked in memorandum accounts if the costs are deemed incremental and prudently incurred. These accounts, which include the CEMA, WEMA, FHPMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, and RTBA among others, allow the Utility to track the costs associated with work related to disaster and wildfire response, and other wildfire prevention-related costs. In addition, the CPPMA and RUBA accounts track costs incurred to implement the CPUC’s Emergency Authorization and Order Directing Utilities to Implement Emergency Customer Protections to Support California Customers During the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Utility generally believes such costs are recoverable, rate recovery requires CPUC authorization in separate proceedings or through a GRC. For more information, see “Regulatory Matters - Application for Recovery of Costs Recorded in the Wildfire Expense Memorandum Account” and “Regulatory Matters - Catastrophic Event Memorandum Accounts and Applications” above.

Additionally, SB 901 provides a mechanism for the CPUC to potentially allow recovery in future rates, through a securitization mechanism, of wildfire-related costs found to be just and reasonable by the CPUC and, only for the 2017 Northern California wildfires, any amounts in excess of the CHT. The Utility must evaluate the likelihood of recovery in future rates each period. In 2022, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded a regulatory asset associated with SB 901. As of December 31, 2022, the SB 901 regulatory asset was approximately $5.4 billion.

In addition, regulatory accounting standards require recognition of a loss if it becomes probable that capital expenditures will be disallowed for ratemaking purposes and if a reasonable estimate of the amount of the disallowance can be made. Such assessments require significant judgment by management regarding probability of recovery, as described above, and the ultimate cost of construction of capital assets. The Utility records a loss to the extent capital costs are expected to exceed the amount to be recovered.  The Utility’s capital forecasts involve a series of complex judgments regarding detailed project plans, estimates included in third-party contracts, historical cost experience for similar projects, permitting requirements, environmental compliance standards, and a variety of other factors.

Asset Retirement Obligations

PG&E Corporation and the Utility account for an ARO at fair value in the period during which the legal obligation is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value and its settlement date can be made. At the time of recording an ARO, the associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The Utility recognizes a regulatory asset or liability for the timing differences between the recognition of expenses and costs recovered through the ratemaking process. See Notes 3 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

To estimate its liability, the Utility uses a discounted cash flow model based upon significant estimates and assumptions about future decommissioning costs, inflation rates, and the estimated date of decommissioning. The estimated future cash flows are discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate that reflects the risk associated with the decommissioning obligation.

At December 31, 2022, the Utility’s recorded ARO for the estimated cost of retiring these long-lived assets was approximately $5.9 billion. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the amount of the recorded ARO for these assets.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

PG&E Corporation and the Utility sponsor a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for eligible employees as well as contributory postretirement health care and medical plans for eligible retirees and their eligible dependents, and non-contributory postretirement life insurance plans for eligible employees and retirees. Adjustments to the pension and other benefit obligation are based on the differences between actuarial assumptions and actual plan results. These amounts are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and amortized into income on a gradual basis. The differences between pension benefit expense recognized in accordance with GAAP, and amounts recognized for ratemaking purposes are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities as amounts are probable of recovery through rates. To the extent the other benefits are in an overfunded position, the Utility records a regulatory liability. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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The pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are calculated using actuarial models as of the December 31 measurement date. The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining pension and other benefit obligations include the discount rate, the average rate of future compensation increases, the health care cost trend rate, and the expected return on plan assets. PG&E Corporation and the Utility review these assumptions on an annual basis and adjust them as necessary. While PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that the assumptions used are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience, plan changes or amendments, or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the recorded pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and future plan expenses. See Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

In establishing health care cost assumptions, PG&E Corporation and the Utility consider recent cost trends and projections from industry experts. This evaluation suggests that current rates of inflation are expected to continue in the near term. In recognition of continued high inflation in health care costs and given the design of PG&E Corporation’s plans, the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2023 was 6.5%, gradually decreasing to the ultimate trend rate of approximately 4.5% in 2031 and beyond.

Expected rates of return on plan assets were developed by estimating future stock and bond returns and then applying these returns to the target asset allocations of the employee benefit plan trusts, resulting in a weighted average rate of return on plan assets. Returns on fixed-income debt investments were projected based on real maturity and credit spreads added to a long-term inflation rate. Returns on equity investments were projected based on estimates of dividend yield and real earnings growth added to a long-term inflation rate. For the Utility’s defined benefit pension plan, the assumed return of 6.1% compares to a ten-year actual return of 5.8%.

The rate used to discount pension benefits and other benefits was based on a yield curve developed from market data of approximately 848 Aa-grade non-callable bonds at December 31, 2022. This yield curve has discount rates that vary based on the duration of the obligations. The estimated future cash flows for the pension and other postretirement benefit obligations were matched to the corresponding rates on the yield curve to derive a weighted average discount rate.

The following reflects the sensitivity of pension costs and projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions:

(in millions)Increase (Decrease) in AssumptionIncrease in 2022 PensionCostsIncrease in ProjectedBenefit Obligation atDecember 31, 2022
Discount rate(0.50)%$5$1,038
Rate of return on plan assets(0.50)%108
Rate of increase in compensation0.50%44207

The following reflects the sensitivity of other postretirement benefit costs and accumulated benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions:

(in millions)Increase (Decrease) in AssumptionIncrease in 2022Other PostretirementBenefit CostsIncrease in AccumulatedBenefit Obligation atDecember 31, 2022
Health care cost trend rate0.50%$8$38
Discount rate(0.50)%1181
Rate of return on plan assets(0.50)%15

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

FY 2021 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001004980-22-000009.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Published MD&A gate trimmed front/tail over-capture. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2022-02-10. Report date: 2021-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

This is a combined report of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, and includes separate Consolidated Financial Statements for each of these two entities. This combined MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.

Summary of Changes in Net Income and Earnings per Share

PG&E Corporation’s net loss attributable to common shareholders was $102 million in 2021, compared to $1.3 billion in 2020. In the year ended December 31, 2021, PG&E Corporation recorded a $1.3 billion charge, net of tax as a result of the grantor trust election, with no similar amount in 2020. This amount is partially offset by increases in base revenues authorized in the 2020 GRC and previously deferred costs associated with various regulatory proceedings in the year ended December 31, 2021. In the year ended December 31, 2020, PG&E Corporation recognized $1.1 billion of expense related to the Backstop Commitment Premium Shares and $452 million of expense related to the Additional Backstop Premium Shares, with no similar amounts in 2021.

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Key Factors Affecting Financial Results

PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that their financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows may be materially affected by the following factors:

•The Uncertainties in Connection with Any Future Wildfires, Wildfire Insurance, and AB 1054. While PG&E Corporation and the Utility cannot predict the occurrence, timing or extent of damages in connection with future wildfires, factors such as environmental conditions (including weather and vegetation conditions) and the efficacy of wildfire risk mitigation initiatives are expected to influence the frequency and severity of future wildfires. To the extent that future wildfires occur in the Utility’s service territory, the Utility may incur costs associated with the investigations of the causes and origins of such fires, even if it is subsequently determined that such fires were not caused by the Utility’s facilities. The financial impact of future wildfires could be mitigated through insurance, the Wildfire Fund or other forms of cost recovery. However, the Utility may not be able to obtain sufficient wildfire insurance coverage at a reasonable cost, or at all, and any such coverage may include limitations that could result in substantial uninsured losses depending on the amount and type of damages resulting from covered events, including coverage limitations applicable to different insurance layers. The Utility will not be able to obtain any recovery from the Wildfire Fund for wildfire-related losses in any Wildfire Fund coverage year (“Coverage Year”) that do not exceed the greater of $1.0 billion in the aggregate and the amount of insurance coverage required under AB 1054. In addition, the policy reforms contemplated by AB 1054 are likely to affect the financial impact of future wildfires on PG&E Corporation and the Utility should any such wildfires occur. The Wildfire Fund is available to the Utility to pay eligible claims for liabilities arising from wildfires and serves as an alternative to traditional insurance products, provided that the Utility satisfies the conditions to the Utility’s ongoing participation in the Wildfire Fund set forth in AB 1054 and that the Wildfire Fund has sufficient remaining funds. See “Loss Recoveries” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

However, the impact of AB 1054 on PG&E Corporation and the Utility is subject to numerous uncertainties, including the Utility’s ability to demonstrate to the CPUC that wildfire-related costs paid from the Wildfire Fund were just and reasonable and therefore not subject to reimbursement, and whether the benefits of participating in the Wildfire Fund ultimately outweigh its substantial costs. Finally, even if the Utility satisfies the ongoing eligibility and other requirements set forth in AB 1054, for eligible claims against the Utility arising from wildfires that occurred between July 12, 2019 and the Utility’s emergence from Chapter 11 on July 1, 2020, the availability of the Wildfire Fund to pay such claims would be capped at 40% of the allowed amount of such claims. See “Wildfire Fund under AB 1054” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

•The Costs, Effectiveness, and Execution of the Utility’s Wildfire Mitigation Initiatives. In response to the wildfire threat facing California, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have taken aggressive steps to mitigate the threat of catastrophic wildfires, the spread of wildfires should they occur and the impact of PSPS events.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility incurred substantial expenditures in 2020 and 2021 in connection with the 2020-2022 WMP. For more information, see Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. The Utility expects that its wildfire mitigation initiatives will continue to involve substantial and ongoing expenditures. The extent to which the Utility will be able to recover these expenditures and potential other costs through rates is uncertain.

The Utility has implemented operational changes and investments that reduce wildfire risk, including the EPSS, PSPS, vegetation management, asset inspection, and system hardening programs. These programs, particularly the PSPS and EPSS programs, have been the subject of significant scrutiny and criticism by various stakeholders, including the California governor, the CPUC and the court that oversaw the Utility’s probation. The PSPS and EPSS programs have had an adverse impact on PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s reputation with customers, regulators and policymakers, and future PSPS events may increase these negative perceptions. See “OII to Examine the Late 2019 Public Safety Power Shutoff Events” in “Regulatory Matters” below.

The Utility is subject to a number of legal and regulatory requirements related to its wildfire mitigation efforts, which require periodic inspections of electric assets and ongoing reporting related to this work. Although the Utility believes that it has complied substantially with these requirements, it is undertaking a review and has identified instances of noncompliance. The Utility intends to update the CPUC and OEIS as its review progresses. The Utility could face fines, penalties, enforcement action, or other adverse legal or regulatory consequences for the late inspections or other noncompliance related to wildfire mitigation efforts. See “Self-Reports to the CPUC” in “Regulatory Matters” below.

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While PG&E Corporation and the Utility are committed to taking aggressive wildfire mitigation actions, if additional requirements are imposed that go beyond current expectations, such requirements could have a substantial impact on PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows. The success of the Utility’s wildfire mitigation efforts depends on many factors, including on whether the Utility is able to retain or contract for the workforce necessary to execute its wildfire mitigation actions. See “Order Instituting Investigation into the 2017 Northern California Wildfires and the 2018 Camp Fire” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

•The Timing and Outcome of Ratemaking Proceedings. The Utility’s financial results may be impacted by the timing and outcome of its FERC TO18 rate case and the resulting impact on the TO19 and TO20 rate cases, 2023 GRC, WMCE applications, and its ability to timely recover costs not currently in rates, including costs already incurred and future costs tracked in its CEMA, WEMA, WMPMA, FRMMA, CPPMA, VMBA, WMBA, and RTBA. The outcome of regulatory proceedings can be affected by many factors, including intervening parties’ testimonies, potential rate impacts, the regulatory and political environments, and other factors. See Notes 4 and 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 and “Regulatory Matters” below.

•The Impact of Wildfires. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s liabilities for the 2019 Kincade fire, the 2020 Zogg fire, or the 2021 Dixie fire, are significant and may be excluded from any potential amounts recoverable under applicable insurance policies, the WEMA, FERC TO rates, or the Wildfire Fund under AB 1054. Recorded liabilities in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire and the 2021 Dixie fire have already exceeded potential amounts recoverable under applicable insurance policies. Liabilities in excess of recoverable amounts for these wildfires could have a material impact on PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.

As of December 31, 2021, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had recorded an aggregate liability of $800 million, $375 million, and $1.15 billion for claims in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire, the 2020 Zogg fire, and the 2021 Dixie fire, respectively, and in each case before available insurance and other probable cost recoveries in the case of the 2021 Dixie fire. These liability amounts correspond to the lower end of the range of reasonably estimable probable losses, but do not include all categories of potential damages and losses. Claims related to the 2019 Kincade fire that were not satisfied in full as of the Emergence Date were not discharged in connection with emerging from Chapter 11.

On April 6, 2021, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office charged the Utility with five felonies and 28 misdemeanors in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire, and on January 28, 2022, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office filed the Kincade Amended Complaint, which replaced two felonies with five different felonies and dropped six misdemeanor counts. On September 24, 2021, the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office charged the Utility with 11 felonies and 20 misdemeanors in connection with the 2020 Zogg fire and three other fires. If the Utility were to be convicted of certain charges in the Kincade Amended Complaint or the Zogg Complaint, the Utility could be subject to material fines, penalties, and restitution, as well as non-monetary remedies such as oversight requirements, and accordingly the Utility currently believes that, depending on which charges it were to be convicted of, its total losses associated with the 2019 Kincade fire or the 2020 Zogg fire would materially exceed the $800 million or $375 million, respectively, of aggregate liability that PG&E Corporation and the Utility have recorded.

If the eligible claims for liabilities arising from wildfires were to exceed $1.0 billion in any Coverage Year, the Utility may be eligible to make a claim to the Wildfire Fund under AB 1054 for such excess amount, except that recoveries for the 2019 Kincade fire would be subject to the 40% limitation on the allowed amount of claims arising before emergence from bankruptcy, and recoveries for each of these fires would also be subject to the other limitations and requirements under AB 1054. As of December 31, 2021, the Utility had recorded insurance receivables of $430 million for the 2019 Kincade fire, $337 million for the 2020 Zogg fire, and $563 million for the 2021 Dixie fire. The Utility had recorded regulatory recovery and Wildfire Fund receivables of $448 million and $150 million, respectively, for the 2021 Dixie fire. However, there can be no assurance that such amounts will ultimately be recovered, and the Utility does not expect that any of its liability insurance would cover restitution payments ordered by the courts presiding over the criminal proceedings. See “2019 Kincade Fire,” “2020 Zogg Fire,” and “2021 Dixie Fire” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for more information.

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•The Outcome of Other Enforcement, Litigation, and Regulatory Matters, and Other Government Proposals. The Utility’s financial results may continue to be impacted by the outcome of other current and future enforcement, litigation, and regulatory matters, including those described above as well as the outcome of the Safety Culture OII, and potential penalties in connection with the Utility’s WMP and safety and other self-reports. See Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. In addition, the Utility’s business profile and financial results could be impacted by the outcome of recent calls for municipalization of part or all of the Utility’s businesses, offers by municipalities and other public entities to acquire the electric assets of the Utility within their respective jurisdictions and calls for state intervention, including the possibility of a state takeover of the Utility. PG&E Corporation and the Utility cannot predict the nature, occurrence, timing or extent of any such scenario, and there can be no assurance that any such scenario would not involve significant ownership or management changes to PG&E Corporation or the Utility, including by the state of California. Further, certain parties filed notices of appeal with respect to the Confirmation Order, including provisions related to the injunction contained in the Plan that channels certain pre-petition fire-related claims to trusts to be satisfied from the trusts’ assets. There can be no assurance that any such appeal will not be successful and, if successful, that any such appeal would not have a material adverse effect on PG&E Corporation and the Utility.

•The Uncertainties in Connection with the Enhanced Oversight and Enforcement Process. On April 15, 2021, the CPUC placed the Utility in step 1 of the EOEP. As a result, the Utility is subject to additional reporting requirements, monitoring, and oversight by the CPUC. See “Enhanced Oversight and Enforcement Process” in “Enforcement and Litigation Matters” below.

•The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows have been and could continue to be significantly affected by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The principal areas of near-term impact include liquidity, financial results and business operations, stemming primarily from the ongoing economic hardship of the Utility’s customers, the moratorium on service disconnections, and an observed reduction in non-residential electrical load. The Utility continues to monitor the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the Utility expects a significant impact on monthly cash collections as long as current circumstances persist. PG&E Corporation and the Utility expect additional financial impacts in the future as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. Other impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on PG&E Corporation and the Utility have included operational disruptions, workforce disruptions, both in personnel availability (including a reduction in contract labor resources) and deployment, delays in production and shipping of materials used in the Utility’s operations, higher credit spreads and borrowing costs and could potentially also include a reduction in revenue due to the cost of capital adjustment mechanism and incremental financing needs. For more information on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on PG&E Corporation and the Utility, see “PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows have been and could continue to be significantly affected by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.” in Item 1A Risk Factors and “COVID-19” in Liquidity and Financial Resources below.

For more information about the risks that could materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows, or that could cause future results to differ from historical results, see Item 1A. Risk Factors.  In addition, this annual report contains forward-looking statements that are necessarily subject to various risks and uncertainties.  These statements reflect management’s judgment and opinions that are based on current estimates, expectations, and projections about future events and assumptions regarding these events and management’s knowledge of facts as of the date of this report.  See “Forward-Looking Statements” above for a list of some of the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially.  PG&E Corporation and the Utility are unable to predict all the factors that may affect future results and do not undertake an obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events, or otherwise.

Tax Matters

PG&E Corporation had a U.S. federal net operating loss carryforward of approximately $21.1 billion and California net operating loss carryforward of $18.9 billion at the end of 2021.

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Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, if a corporation (or a consolidated group) undergoes an “ownership change,” net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes may be subject to certain limitations. In general, an ownership change occurs if the aggregate stock ownership of certain shareholders (generally five percent shareholders, applying certain look-through and aggregation rules) increases by more than 50% over such shareholders’ lowest percentage ownership during the testing period (generally three years). PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Amended Articles limit Transfers (as defined in the Amended Articles) that increase a person’s or entity’s (including certain groups of persons) ownership of PG&E Corporation’s equity securities to 4.75% or more prior to the Restriction Release Date (as defined in the Amended Articles) without approval by the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation (the “Ownership Restrictions”). As discussed below under “Update on Ownership Restrictions in PG&E Corporation’s Amended Articles,” due to the election to treat the Fire Victim Trust as a grantor trust for income tax purposes, the calculation of Percentage Stock Ownership (as defined in the Amended Articles) will effectively be based on a reduced number of shares outstanding, namely the total number of outstanding equity securities less the number of equity securities held by the Fire Victim Trust, the Utility and ShareCo. As of the date of this report, it is more likely than not that PG&E Corporation has not undergone an ownership change, and consequently, its net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes are not limited by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

On July 8, 2021, PG&E Corporation, the Utility, ShareCo and the Fire Victim Trust entered into the Share Exchange and Tax Matters Agreement, pursuant to which PG&E Corporation and the Utility made a grantor trust election for the Fire Victim Trust effective retroactively to the inception of the Fire Victim Trust.

As a result of the benefits of a grantor trust election, the Utility’s tax deductions occur when the Fire Victim Trust pays the fire victims, rather than when the Utility transferred cash and other property (including PG&E Corporation common stock) to the Fire Victim Trust. Therefore, $5.4 billion of cash and $4.54 billion of PG&E Corporation common stock, in the aggregate $10.0 billion, that were transferred to the Fire Victim Trust in 2020, will not be deductible for tax purposes by the Utility until the Fire Victim Trust pays the fire victims.

Furthermore, the activities of the Fire Victim Trust are treated as activities of the Utility for tax purposes. PG&E Corporation’s net operating loss has decreased by approximately $10.0 billion which will be offset by payments made by the Fire Victim Trust to the fire victims (which totaled approximately $1.67 billion in 2021) and the net activities of the Fire Victim Trust. Additionally, there was a $1.3 billion charge, net of tax, decreasing net DTAs for the payment made to the Fire Victim Trust in PG&E Corporation common stock on its Consolidated Financial Statements for activity through December 31, 2020. PG&E Corporation will recognize income tax benefits and the corresponding DTA as the Fire Victim Trust sells shares of PG&E Corporation common stock, and the amounts of such benefits and assets will be impacted by the price at which the Fire Victim Trust sells the shares, rather than the price at the time such shares were transferred to the Fire Victim Trust. As of December 31, 2021, to the knowledge of PG&E Corporation, the Fire Victim Trust had not sold any shares of PG&E Corporation common stock, resulting in no tax impact on PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2021. On January 31, 2022, the Fire Victim Trust initiated an exchange of 40,000,000 Plan Shares for an equal number of New Shares in the manner contemplated by the Share Exchange and Tax Matters Agreement and announced that it had entered into a transaction for the sale of these shares.

Update on Ownership Restrictions in PG&E Corporation’s Amended Articles

As a result of the grantor trust election, shares of PG&E Corporation common stock owned by the Fire Victim Trust are treated as held by the Utility and, in turn, attributed to PG&E Corporation for income tax purposes. Consequently, any shares of PG&E Corporation common stock owned by the Fire Victim Trust, along with any shares owned by the Utility directly, are effectively excluded from the total number of outstanding equity securities when calculating a person’s Percentage Stock Ownership (as defined in the Amended Articles) for purposes of the 4.75% ownership limitation in the Amended Articles. Shares owned by ShareCo are also effectively excluded because ShareCo is a disregarded entity for income tax purposes. For example, although PG&E Corporation had 2,463,891,104 shares outstanding as of February 4, 2022, only 1,548,403,924 shares (the number of outstanding shares of common stock less the number of shares held by the Fire Victim Trust, the Utility and ShareCo) count as outstanding for purposes of the ownership restrictions in the Amended Articles. As such, based on the total number of outstanding equity securities and assuming the Fire Victim Trust has not sold any shares of PG&E Corporation common stock, a person’s effective Percentage Stock Ownership limitation for purposes of the Amended Articles as of February 4, 2022 was 2.98% of outstanding shares. As of December 31, 2021, to the knowledge of PG&E Corporation, the Fire Victim Trust had not sold any shares of PG&E Corporation common stock. On January 31, 2022, the Fire Victim Trust initiated an exchange of 40,000,000 Plan Shares for an equal number of New Shares in the manner contemplated by the Share Exchange and Tax Matters Agreement and announced that it had entered into a transaction for the sale of these shares.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion presents PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s operating results for 2021, 2020, and 2019.  See “Key Factors Affecting Financial Results” above for further discussion about factors that could affect future results of operations.

PG&E Corporation

The consolidated results of operations consist primarily of results related to the Utility, which are discussed in the “Utility” section below.  The following table provides a summary of net income (loss) available for common shareholders:

(in millions)202120202019
Consolidated Total$(102)$(1,318)$(7,656)
PG&E Corporation(226)(1,715)(20)
Utility124397(7,636)

PG&E Corporation’s net loss decreased in 2021, as compared to 2020 and primarily consists of income taxes, interest expense on long-term debt, and reorganization items, net. PG&E Corporation’s net loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 included $1.5 billion in expense related to the Backstop Commitment Premium Shares and Additional Backstop Premium Shares, which is not deductible for tax purposes.

Utility

The table below shows certain items from the Utility’s Consolidated Statements of Income for 2021, 2020, and 2019.  The table separately identifies the revenues and costs that impacted earnings from those that did not impact earnings.  In general, expenses the Utility is authorized to pass through directly to customers (such as costs to purchase electricity and natural gas, as well as costs to fund public purpose programs) and the corresponding amount of revenues collected to recover those pass-through costs, do not impact earnings.

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Revenues that impact earnings are primarily those that have been authorized by the CPUC and the FERC to recover the Utility’s costs to own and operate its assets and to provide the Utility an opportunity to earn its authorized rate of return on rate base.  Expenses that impact earnings are primarily those that the Utility incurs to own and operate its assets.

202120202019
Revenues and Costs:Revenues and Costs:Revenues and Costs:
(in millions)That Impacted EarningsThat Did Not Impact EarningsTotal UtilityThat Impacted EarningsThat Did Not Impact EarningsTotal UtilityThat Impacted EarningsThat Did Not Impact EarningsTotal Utility
Electric operating revenues$9,542$5,589$15,131$8,979$4,879$13,858$8,634$4,106$12,740
Natural gas operating revenues3,7531,7585,5113,4601,1514,6113,2591,1304,389
Total operating revenues13,2957,34720,64212,4396,03018,46911,8935,23617,129
Cost of electricity3,2323,2323,1163,1163,0953,095
Cost of natural gas1,1491,149782782734734
Operating and maintenance6,8203,37410,1946,3992,3088,7077,1671,5838,750
Wildfire-related claims, net of insurance recoveries25825825125111,43511,435
Wildfire fund expense517517413413
Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning3,4033,4033,4693,4693,2333,233
Total operating expenses10,9987,75518,75310,5326,20616,73821,8355,41227,247
Operating income (loss)2,297(408)1,8891,907(176)1,731(9,942)(176)(10,118)
Interest income222239398282
Interest expense(1,373)(1,373)(1,111)(1,111)(912)(912)
Other income, net10440851229417647063176239
Reorganization items, net(12)(12)(310)(310)(320)(320)
Income (loss) before income taxes$1,038$$1,038$819$$819$(11,029)$$(11,029)
Income tax provision (benefit) (1)900408(3,407)
Net income (loss)138411(7,622)
Preferred stock dividend requirement (1)141414
Income (loss) Attributable to Common Stock$124$397$(7,636)

(1) These items impacted earnings.

Utility Revenues and Costs that Impacted Earnings

The following discussion presents the Utility’s operating results for 2021, 2020, and 2019, focusing on revenues and expenses that impacted earnings for these periods.

Operating Revenues

The Utility’s electric and natural gas operating revenues that impacted earnings increased by $856 million, or 7%, in 2021 compared to 2020, primarily due to increased base revenues authorized in the 2020 GRC and FERC formula rates.

The Utility’s electric and natural gas operating revenues that impacted earnings increased by $546 million, or 5%, in 2020 compared to 2019, primarily due to increased base revenues authorized in the 2020 GRC and 2019 GT&S rate cases, additional revenues recorded pursuant to the TO20 rate case, and CEMA interim rate relief.

Operating and Maintenance

The Utility’s operating and maintenance expenses that impacted earnings increased by $421 million, or 7%, in 2021 compared to 2020, primarily due to increases in labor and insurance costs as well as a $135 million charge related to wildfire response and mitigation regulatory matters, including the 2020 WMCE settlement. These increases were partially offset by $298 million in previously deferred CEMA costs recorded in conjunction with interim rate relief in 2020, with no comparable costs in 2021.

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The Utility’s operating and maintenance expenses that impacted earnings decreased by $768 million, or 11%, in 2020 compared to 2019, primarily due to a reduction in accelerated transmission inspection and repair costs of approximately $460 million. Additionally, in 2019 the Utility recorded $398 million related to the Wildfires OII settlement and $237 million in disallowed costs for previously incurred capital expenditures in excess of adopted amounts in the 2019 GT&S rate case in 2019, with no similar charges in 2020. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $223 million in previously deferred CEMA costs recorded in conjunction with interim rate relief (see “2018 CEMA Application” below) (the Utility amortized $298 million in deferred CEMA costs in 2020, compared to $75 million amortized in 2019). The Utility also experienced increased insurance premium costs in the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to 2019.

Wildfire-Related Claims, Net of Recoveries

Costs related to wildfires that impacted earnings increased by $7 million, or 3%, in 2021 compared to 2020. The Utility recognized pre-tax charges of $1.15 billion related to the 2021 Dixie fire, offset by $563 million of probable insurance recoveries, $347 million of probable recoveries through the WEMA, and $150 million of probable recoveries from the Wildfire Fund in 2021, with no comparable charges and recoveries in 2020. The Utility recognized pre-tax charges of $175 million related to the 2019 Kincade fire in the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $625 million, partially offset by $430 million of probable insurance recoveries in the year ended December 31, 2020. Additionally, the Utility recognized pre-tax charges of $100 million related to the 2020 Zogg fire, fully offset by $100 million of probable insurance recoveries, in the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to pre-tax charges of $275 million, partially offset by $219 million of probable insurance recoveries in the year ended December 31, 2020.

In addition to the probable wildfire-related recoveries noted above, in 2021, the Utility recorded $101 million of probable recoveries through FERC TO formula rates, which are recorded as a reduction to regulatory liabilities and are not captured in wildfire-related claims, which along with the items noted above, fully offset the $1.15 billion charge related to the 2021 Dixie fire.

Costs related to wildfires that impacted earnings decreased by $11.2 billion, or 98%, in 2020 compared to 2019. The Utility recognized pre-tax charges of $625 million related to the 2019 Kincade fire, partially offset by $430 million of probable insurance recoveries, and pre-tax charges of $275 million related to the 2020 Zogg fire, partially offset by $219 million of probable insurance recoveries in 2020. The Utility recognized charges of $11.4 billion in 2019, for wildfire-related claims primarily associated with the 2018 Camp fire and 2017 Northern California wildfires.

See Item 1A. Risk Factors and Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Wildfire Fund Expense

Wildfire fund expense that impacted earnings increased by $104 million, or 25%, in 2021 compared to 2020. Due to the Chapter 11 Cases, the Utility’s participation in the Wildfire Fund was limited to 40% for the period from July 12, 2019 to June 30, 2020. Additionally, the Utility recorded $43 million of accelerated amortization as a result of the Wildfire Fund receivable accrued in relation to the 2021 Dixie fire.

Wildfire fund expense that impacted earnings increased by $413 million, or 100%, in 2020 compared to 2019. In 2020, the Utility became eligible to participate in the Wildfire Fund and as a result recorded amortization and accretion expense related to the Wildfire Fund coverage received from the effective date of AB 1054 through December 31, 2020.

See Notes 3 and 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Depreciation, Amortization, and Decommissioning

The Utility’s depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning expenses decreased by $66 million, or 2%, in 2021 compared to 2020, primarily due to a reduction in decommissioning expense that was recorded as a result of the final 2018 Nuclear Decommissioning Cost Triennial Proceeding decision.

The Utility’s depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning expenses increased by $236 million, or 7%, in 2020 compared to 2019, primarily due to capital additions and an increase in depreciation rates associated with the TO20 decision.

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Interest Income

The Utility’s interest income that impacted earnings decreased by $17 million, or 44%, in 2021 compared to 2020. Interest income decreased by $43 million, or 52%, in 2020 compared to 2019. The Utility’s interest income is primarily affected by changes in regulatory balancing accounts and changes in interest rates.

Interest Expense

Interest expense that impacted earnings increased by $262 million, or 24%, in 2021 compared to 2020, primarily due to the issuance of additional long-term debt.

The Utility’s interest expense that impacted earnings increased by $199 million, or 22%, in 2020 compared to 2019, primarily due to the issuance of new debt in 2020 in connection with the emergence from Chapter 11.

Other Income, Net

Changes to Other income, net that impact earnings are primarily driven by fluctuations in the balance of construction work in progress that impact equity AFUDC.

Reorganization Items, Net

Reorganization items, net that impacted earnings decreased by $298 million, or 96%, in 2021 compared to 2020, primarily due to the Utility’s emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases on July 1, 2020.

There was no material change to reorganization items, net that impacted earnings in 2020 compared to 2019.

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

Income tax expense increased by $492 million in 2021 compared to 2020, primarily due to a DTA write-off associated with the grantor trust election for the Fire Victim Trust in 2021, as compared to a smaller DTA write-off associated with the decline in value of PG&E Corporation common stock contributed into a Fire Victim Trust in the same period in 2020.

The Utility’s income tax benefit increased by $3.8 billion in 2020 compared to 2019, primarily due to a pre-tax loss in 2019 compared to pre-tax income in 2020. Additionally, there was a $619 million adjustment from the measurement of the DTA associated with the difference between the liability recorded related to the TCC RSA and the ultimate value of PG&E Corporation stock contributed to the Fire Victim Trust in 2020.

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The following table reconciles the income tax expense at the federal statutory rate to the income tax provision:

202120202019
Federal statutory income tax rate21.0%21.0%21.0%
Increase (decrease) in income tax rate resulting from:
State income tax (net of federal benefit) (1)24.1%19.1%7.5%
Effect of regulatory treatment of fixed asset differences (2)(51.6)%(44.9)%2.8%
Tax credits(1.2)%(1.7)%0.1%
Fire Victim Trust (3)91.9%51.7%%
Bankruptcy and emergence%2.4%%
Other, net (4)2.6%2.2%(0.5)%
Effective tax rate86.8%49.8%30.9%

(1) Includes the effect of state flow-through ratemaking treatment and the effect of the grantor trust election.

(2) Includes the effect of federal flow-through ratemaking treatment for certain property-related costs. For these temporary tax differences, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recognize the deferred tax impact in the current period and record offsetting regulatory assets and liabilities. Therefore, PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s effective tax rates are impacted as these differences arise and reverse. PG&E Corporation and the Utility recognize such differences as regulatory assets or liabilities as it is probable that these amounts will be recovered from or returned to customers in future rates. In 2021 and 2020, the amounts also reflect the impact of the amortization of excess deferred tax benefits to be refunded to customers as a result of the Tax Act passed in December 2017.

(3) Includes the effect of the grantor trust election as discussed in Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

(4) These amounts primarily represent the impact of tax audit settlements and non-tax deductible penalty costs in 2021 and 2020.

Utility Revenues and Costs that did not Impact Earnings

Fluctuations in revenues that did not impact earnings are primarily driven by procurement costs. See below for more information.

Cost of Electricity

The Utility’s cost of electricity includes the cost of power purchased from third parties (including renewable energy resources), fuel and associated transmission costs used in its own generation facilities, fuel and associated transmission costs supplied to other facilities under power purchase agreements, costs to comply with California’s cap-and-trade program, and realized gains and losses on price risk management activities. Cost of electricity also includes net sales (Utility owned generation and third parties) in the CAISO electricity markets. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. The Utility’s total purchased power is driven by customer demand, net CAISO electricity market activities (purchases or sales), the availability of the Utility’s own generation facilities (including Diablo Canyon and its hydroelectric plants), and the cost-effectiveness of each source of electricity.

(in millions)202120202019
Cost of purchased power, net$2,883$2,854$2,809
Fuel used in own generation facilities349262286
Total cost of electricity$3,232$3,116$3,095

Cost of Natural Gas

The Utility’s cost of natural gas includes the costs of procurement, storage and transportation of natural gas, costs to comply with California’s cap-and-trade program, and realized gains and losses on price risk management activities. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. The Utility’s cost of natural gas is impacted by the market price of natural gas, changes in the cost of storage and transportation, and changes in customer demand.

(in millions)202120202019
Cost of natural gas sold$1,010$648$622
Transportation cost of natural gas sold139134112
Total cost of natural gas$1,149$782$734

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Operating and Maintenance Expenses

The Utility’s operating expenses that did not impact earnings include certain costs that the Utility is authorized to recover as incurred.  If the Utility were to spend more than authorized amounts, these expenses could have an impact to earnings.

Other Income, Net

The Utility’s other income, net that did not impact earnings includes pension and other post-retirement benefit costs that fluctuate primarily from market and interest rate changes.

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Overview

The Utility’s ability to fund operations, finance capital expenditures, make scheduled principal and interest payments, and make distributions to PG&E Corporation depends on the levels of its operating cash flows and access to the capital and credit markets. The CPUC authorizes the Utility’s capital structure, the aggregate amount of long-term and short-term debt that the Utility may issue, and the revenue requirements the Utility is able to collect to recover its cost of capital. The Utility generally utilizes retained earnings, equity contributions from PG&E Corporation and long-term debt issuances to maintain its CPUC-authorized long-term capital structure consisting of 52% equity and 48% debt and preferred stock and relies on short-term debt, including its revolving credit facilities, to fund temporary financing needs. On May 28, 2020, the CPUC approved a final decision in the Chapter 11 Proceedings OII, which, among other things, grants the Utility a temporary, five-year waiver from compliance with its authorized capital structure for the financing in place upon the Utility’s emergence from Chapter 11.

PG&E Corporation’s ability to fund operations, make scheduled principal and interest payments, and fund equity contributions to the Utility depends on the level of cash on hand, cash received from the Utility, and PG&E Corporation’s access to the capital and credit markets.

PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s credit ratings may be affected by the ultimate outcome of pending enforcement and litigation matters. Credit rating downgrades may impact the cost and availability of short-term borrowings, including credit facilities, and long-term debt costs. In addition, some of the Utility’s commodity contracts contain collateral posting provisions tied to the Utility’s credit rating from each of the major credit rating agencies. The collateral posting provisions for some of the Utility’s power and natural gas commodity, and transportation and service agreements state that if the Utility’s credit ratings were to fall below investment grade, the Utility would be required to post additional cash immediately to fully collateralize some or all of its net liability positions. The Utility’s credit ratings fell below investment grade in January 2019, at which time the Utility was required to post additional collateral under its commodity purchase agreements. A further downgrade would not materially impact the collateral postings for procurement activity. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have various contractual commitments which impact cash requirements. These commitments are discussed in “Recognition of Lease Assets and Liabilities” in Note 3, Note 5, Note 12, and “Purchase Commitments” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

COVID-19

PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows have been and could continue to be significantly affected by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence of variant strains of the virus (including Delta and Omicron), and the resulting economic conditions and government orders have had and will continue to have a significant adverse impact on the Utility’s customers and, as a result, these circumstances have impacted and will continue to impact the Utility for an indeterminate period of time. The principal areas of near-term impact include liquidity, financial results and business operations, stemming primarily from the ongoing economic hardship of the Utility’s customers, the moratorium on service disconnections for residential and small business customers and for eligible medium and large commercial and industrial customers that expired on September 30, 2021, the CPUC’s “Emergency Authorization and Order Directing Utilities to Implement Emergency Customer COVID-19 Protections” and an observed reduction in non-residential electrical load. The Utility’s accounts receivable balances over 30 days outstanding as of December 31, 2021, were approximately $1.1 billion, or $832 million higher as compared to the balance as of December 31, 2019. The Utility is unable to estimate the portion of the increase directly attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Utility expects to continue experiencing an impact on monthly cash collections for as long as current COVID-19 circumstances persist.

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On April 16, 2020, the CPUC adopted a resolution ordering utilities to implement a number of emergency customer protections, including a moratorium on service disconnections for residential and small business customers, beginning on March 4, 2020, which it subsequently extended through June 30, 2021. The CPUC authorized utilities to establish memorandum accounts to track incremental costs associated with complying with the resolution. On April 19, 2021, the CPUC issued a final decision to implement a temporary moratorium on service disconnection for medium and large commercial and industrial customers. Although the moratorium on service disconnections ended on September 30, 2021, the Utility does not anticipate resuming service disconnections until 2022. If the moratorium on service disconnections were to be reinstated, it could have a material impact on results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows of PG&E Corporation and the Utility.

Although the Utility is seeking further regulatory relief to mitigate the impact of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, there can be no assurance as to the amount or timing of such relief. On July 16, 2021, the California governor signed into law AB 135, which provides financing assistance to customer accounts in arrears. See “Assembly Bill 135” below for more information. AB 135 allocates roughly $300 million in relief funding to the Utility’s customers and the amount was paid on January 27, 2022.

As of December 31, 2021, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had access to approximately $2.2 billion of total liquidity comprised of approximately $165 million of Utility cash, $126 million of PG&E Corporation cash and $1.9 billion of availability under PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s revolving credit facilities. The 2022 cost of capital application was filed off-cycle based on the extraordinary event of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government response. See “Cost of Capital Proceedings” below for more information.

The Utility has established the CPPMA memorandum accounts for tracking costs related to the CPUC’s emergency authorization and order, which, as of December 31, 2021, totaled $49 million and is reflected in Long-term regulatory assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition to the $49 million recorded to the CPPMA that is subject to CPUC approval, the Utility has recorded approximately $127 million of undercollections from residential customers from June 11, 2020 to December 31, 2021 to the RUBA, which has been approved by the CPUC and is reflected in Regulatory balancing accounts receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the quarter ended December 31, 2021, there was an adjustment to the RUBA current balancing accounts receivable of $180 million as a result of the expected CAPP funding, which was received on January 27, 2022. For more information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on PG&E Corporation and the Utility, see “PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows have been and could continue to be significantly affected by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic” in Item 1A. Risk Factors in Part I of this 2021 Form 10-K.

The COVID-19 pandemic may continue to impact PG&E Corporation and the Utility financially, and PG&E Corporation and the Utility will continue to monitor the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.  PG&E Corporation and the Utility maintain separate bank accounts and primarily invest their cash in money market funds.

Financial Resources

Equity Financings

On April 30, 2021, PG&E Corporation entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with the Agents, the Forward Sellers and the Forward Purchasers (each as defined in “At the Market Equity Distribution Program” in Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8), establishing an at the market equity distribution program, pursuant to which PG&E Corporation, through the Agents, may offer and sell from time to time shares of PG&E Corporation’s common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $400 million. The Equity Distribution Agreement provides that, in addition to the issuance and sale of shares of common stock by PG&E Corporation to or through the Agents, PG&E Corporation may enter into Forward Sale Agreements (as defined in “At the Market Equity Distribution Program” in Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8) with the Forward Purchasers.

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As of December 31, 2021, there was $400 million available under PG&E Corporation’s at the market equity distribution program for future offerings. During the year ended December 31, 2021, PG&E Corporation has not sold any shares pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement or any Forward Sale Agreement.

Debt Financings

In March 2021, the Utility issued (i) $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.367% First Mortgage Bonds due March 10, 2023, (ii) $450 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% First Mortgage Bonds due June 1, 2031, and (iii) $450 million aggregate principal amount of 4.20% First Mortgage Bonds due June 1, 2041. The proceeds were used for (i) the prepayment of all of the $1.5 billion 364-day term loan facility (maturing June 30, 2021) outstanding under the Utility Term Loan Credit Agreement, (ii) the repayment of all of the borrowings outstanding under the Utility’s revolving credit facility pursuant to the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement, and (iii) general corporate purposes.

In June 2021, the Utility issued $800 million aggregate principal amount of 3.0% First Mortgage Bonds due June 15, 2028. The proceeds were used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of borrowings under the Utility’s revolving credit facility pursuant to the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement.

On November 15, 2021, the Utility completed the sale of (i) $300 million aggregate principal amount of Floating Rate First Mortgage Bonds due November 14, 2022, (ii) $900 million aggregate principal amount of 1.70% First Mortgage Bonds due November 15, 2023 and (iii) an additional $550 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% First Mortgage Bonds due June 1, 2031 (the “2031 Bonds”). The 2031 Bonds are part of the same series of debt securities issued by the Utility in March 2021. The proceeds were used for the repayment of the $1.45 billion aggregate principal amount of the Utility’s Floating Rate First Mortgage Bonds due November 15, 2021. The Utility used the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of approximately $300 million of borrowings outstanding under the Utility’s revolving credit facility pursuant to the Utility Revolving Credit Agreement.

For more information, see “Recovery Bonds” below and “Long-Term Debt” in Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Credit Facilities

As of December 31, 2021, PG&E Corporation and the Utility had $500 million and $1.4 billion available under their respective $500 million and $6.4 billion credit facilities, including the Utility’s term loan credit facility and Receivables Securitization Program. The amount the Utility may borrow under the Receivables Securitization Program is limited to the lesser of the facility limit and the facility availability. The facility availability may vary based on the amount of accounts receivable that the Utility owns that are eligible for sale to the SPV and the portion of those accounts receivable that are sold to the SPV that are eligible for advances by the lenders under the Receivables Securitization Program from time to time.

For more information, see “Credit Facilities” in Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Intercompany Note Payable

On August 11, 2021, PG&E Corporation borrowed $145 million from the Utility under an interest bearing 364-day intercompany note due August 10, 2022. The intercompany note includes usual and customary provisions for notes of this type. The interest rate on the loan is a variable rate equal to the interest rate applicable to loans under the Corporation Revolving Credit Agreement. Interest is due on the last business day of each month, commencing on August 31, 2021. The proceeds were borrowed to fund debt service obligations of PG&E Corporation. As of December 31, 2021, the intercompany note is reflected in Accounts receivable - other on the Utility’s Consolidated Balance Sheet and is eliminated upon consolidation of PG&E Corporation’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Recovery Bonds

On November 12, 2021, PG&E Recovery Funding LLC, a bankruptcy remote, limited liability company wholly owned by the Utility, issued approximately $860 million of senior secured recovery bonds. The recovery bonds were issued in three tranches: (1) approximately $266 million with an interest rate of 1.46% and is due July 15, 2033, (2) approximately $160 million with an interest rate of 2.28% and is due January 15, 2038, and (3) approximately $434 million with an interest rate of 2.82% and is due July 15, 2048. The net proceeds were used to fund fire risk mitigation capital expenditures that have been incurred by the Utility and incurred by PG&E Corporation on behalf of the Utility in 2020 and 2021.

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For more information, see “AB 1054” in Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Dividends

On December 20, 2017, the Boards of Directors of PG&E Corporation and the Utility suspended quarterly cash dividends on both PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s common stock, beginning the fourth quarter of 2017, as well as the Utility’s preferred stock, beginning the three-month period ending January 31, 2018.

On March 20, 2020, PG&E Corporation and the Utility filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court that includes a dividend restriction for PG&E Corporation. According to the dividend restriction, PG&E Corporation “will not pay common dividends until it has recognized $6.2 billion in non-GAAP core earnings following the Effective Date” of the Plan. The Bankruptcy Court entered the order approving the motion on April 9, 2020.

In addition, the Corporation Revolving Credit Agreement requires that PG&E Corporation (1) maintain a ratio of total consolidated debt to consolidated capitalization of no greater than 70% as of the end of each fiscal quarter and (2) if revolving loans are outstanding as of the end of a fiscal quarter, a ratio of adjusted cash to fixed charges, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, of at least 150% prior to the date that PG&E Corporation first declares a cash dividend on its common stock and at least 100% thereafter.

Under the Utility’s Articles of Incorporation, the Utility cannot pay common stock dividends unless all cumulative preferred dividends on the Utility’s preferred stock have been paid. As of January 31, 2022, there were $59.1 million of such cumulative and unpaid dividends on the Utility’s preferred stock. Additionally, the CPUC requires the Utility to maintain a capital structure composed of at least 52% equity on average. On May 28, 2020, the CPUC approved a final decision in the Chapter 11 Proceedings OII, which, among other things, grants the Utility a temporary, five-year waiver from compliance with its authorized capital structure for the financing in place upon the Utility’s emergence from Chapter 11.

Subject to the foregoing restrictions, any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of the Boards of Directors and will depend on, among other things, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Boards of Directors may deem relevant. On February 8, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Utility authorized the payment of all cumulative and unpaid dividends on the Utility’s preferred stock as of January 31, 2022 totaling $59.1 million, payable on May 13, 2022, to holders of record on April 29, 2022 and declared a dividend on the Utility’s preferred stock totaling $3.5 million that will be accrued during the three-month period ending April 30, 2022, payable on May 15, 2022, to holders of record on April 29, 2022. It is uncertain as to when PG&E Corporation and the Utility will commence the payment of dividends on their common stock.

Utility Cash Flows

The Utility’s cash flows were as follows:

Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)202120202019
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$2,448$(19,047)$4,810
Net cash used in investing activities(7,050)(7,748)(6,378)
Net cash provided by financing activities4,37926,0701,395
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$(223)$(725)$(173)

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Operating Activities

The Utility’s cash flows from operating activities primarily consist of receipts from customers less payments of operating expenses, other than expenses such as depreciation that do not require the use of cash.  During 2021, net cash provided by operating activities increased by $21.5 billion compared to the same period in 2020.  This increase was primarily due to the payment of $18.8 billion in satisfaction of pre-petition wildfire-related claims in 2020 as compared to the payment of $758 million to the Fire Victim Trust in 2021. Additionally, the Utility made initial and first annual contributions to the Wildfire Fund of $5.2 billion during the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the $193 million contribution made during the year ended December 31, 2021. Lastly, the Utility paid approximately $260 million more in interest in satisfaction of pre-petition claims during the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to 2021. The increase was partially offset by wildfire-related insurance reimbursements of $2.2 billion received in 2020 as compared to $0.1 billion in 2021.

During 2020, net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $23.9 billion compared to 2019. This decrease was primarily due to the payment of $18.8 billion in satisfaction of pre-petition wildfire-related claims (including claims associated with the 2018 Camp fire, the 2017 Northern California wildfires, and the 2015 Butte fire), and the initial, first, and second annual contributions made to the Wildfire Fund of $5.2 billion, with no similar payments made in 2019.

Future cash flow from operating activities will be affected by various factors, including:

•the timing and amount of costs in connection with the 2019 Kincade fire, the 2020 Zogg fire, and the 2021 Dixie fire, and the timing and amount of any potential related insurance, Wildfire Fund, and regulatory recoveries;

•the timing and amounts of costs, including fines and penalties, that may be incurred in connection with current and future enforcement, litigation, and regulatory matters (see “Wildfire-Related Securities Class Action” in Note 14 and “Enforcement Matters” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 and “Regulatory Matters” below for more information);

•the severity, extent and duration of the global COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Utility’s service territory, the ability of the Utility to collect on its customer invoices, the ability of the Utility’s customers to pay their utility bills in full and in a timely manner, the ability of the Utility to offset these effects, including with spending reductions, and the ability of the Utility to recover through rates any losses incurred in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the availability or cost of financing;

•the timing and amounts of available funds to pay eligible claims for liabilities arising from future wildfires;

•the timing and amount of substantially increasing costs in connection with 2020-2022 WMPs and the costs previously incurred in connection with the 2019 WMP that are not currently being recovered through rates (see “Regulatory Matters” below for more information);

•the timing and amount of premium payments related to wildfire insurance (see “Insurance Coverage” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for more information);

•the timing of the gain to be returned to customers from the sale of the SFGO and transmission tower wireless licenses and the amounts incurred related to the move to and the leasing of the Lakeside Building; and

•the timing and outcomes of the Utility’s pending and future ratemaking and regulatory proceedings, including the extent to which PG&E Corporation and the Utility are able to recover their costs through regulated rates as recorded in memorandum accounts or balancing accounts, or as otherwise requested.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on their financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources, other than those discussed under “Purchase Commitments” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $698 million during 2021 as compared to the same period in 2020. The decrease was primarily due to the sale of the SFGO, which resulted in net proceeds received of $749 million in September 2021, with no similar receipts in 2020. See “Application to Sell General Office Complex” below for more information.

Net cash used in investing activities increased by $1.4 billion during 2020 as compared to 2019 partially due to the payment of pre-petition vendor payables for capital expenditures as a result of emerging from the Chapter 11 Cases. The Utility’s investing activities primarily consist of the construction of new and replacement facilities necessary to provide safe and reliable electricity and natural gas services to its customers. Cash used in investing activities also includes the proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust investments which are largely offset by the amount of cash used to purchase new nuclear decommissioning trust investments.  The funds in the decommissioning trusts, along with accumulated earnings, are used exclusively for decommissioning and dismantling the Utility’s nuclear generation facilities.

Future cash flows used in investing activities are largely dependent on the timing and amount of capital expenditures.  The Utility estimates that it will incur between $7.8 billion and $8.9 billion in 2022. Additionally, future cash flows used in investing activities will be impacted by the timing and amount related to the intended purchase of the Lakeside Building.

Financing Activities

During 2021, net cash provided by financing activities decreased by $21.7 billion as compared to 2020. This decrease was primarily due to PG&E Corporation making a cash equity contribution to the Utility of approximately $13.0 billion in 2020, with no similar activity in 2021. Additionally, during 2021, the Utility issued approximately $3.3 billion less of long-term debt, net of repayments, as compared to the same period in 2020. In addition, the Utility had net borrowings of $4.6 billion under its credit facilities during the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to net repayments of $246 million during the same period in 2021. The Utility had net borrowings of short-term debt of $1.4 billion during the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to net repayments of short-term debt of $1.2 billion during the same period in 2021. The decrease was partially offset by $1.5 billion of net repayments of debtor-in-possession credit facilities in 2020, with no similar payments in 2021. Lastly, the Utility received $370 million of proceeds in 2021 in connection with the Transaction Agreement between the Utility and SBA, with no similar receipts in 2020. For more information, see “Sale of Transmission Tower Wireless Licenses” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

During 2020, net cash provided by financing activities increased by $24.7 billion as compared to 2019. This increase was primarily due to PG&E Corporation making a cash equity contribution to the Utility of approximately $13.0 billion, and the Utility receiving $10.4 billion in proceeds from the issuance of short-term and long-term first mortgage bonds, with no similar activities in 2019. Additionally, the Utility had net borrowings of $4.6 billion under its credit facilities during the year ended December 31, 2020, with no similar activity in 2019 due to the Utility entering into the facilities in 2020. These increases were partially offset by net repayments of $1.5 billion on the debtor-in-possession facilities in 2020, as compared to net borrowings of $1.5 billion on the debtor-in-possession facilities in 2019.

Cash provided by or used in financing activities is driven by the Utility’s financing needs, which depend on the level of cash provided by or used in operating activities, the level of cash provided by or used in investing activities, the conditions in the capital markets, and the maturity date or prepayment date of existing debt instruments.  Additionally, future cash flows from financing activities will be affected by the timing and outcome of the Utility’s applications for a post-emergence securitization transaction and for an AB 1054 securitization transaction. See “Application for Post-Emergence Securitization Transaction” and “Application for AB 1054 Securitization Transaction” below for more information.

ENFORCEMENT AND LITIGATION MATTERS

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have significant contingencies arising from their operations, including contingencies related to the enforcement and litigation matters described in Notes 14 and 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. that are incorporated by reference herein. The outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material effect on PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.

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U.S. District Court Matters and Probation

On August 9, 2016, the jury in the federal criminal trial against the Utility in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, in San Francisco, found the Utility guilty on one count of obstructing a federal agency proceeding and five counts of violations of pipeline integrity management regulations of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act. On January 26, 2017, the court imposed a sentence on the Utility in connection with the conviction. The court sentenced the Utility to a five-year corporate probation period, oversight by the Monitor for a period of five years, with the ability to apply for early termination after three years, a fine of $3 million to be paid to the federal government, certain advertising requirements, and community service.

In the course of 2021, the court entered numerous other orders, including in connection with the Utility’s vegetation management, the Utility’s PSPS program, the 2018 Camp fire, the 2019 Kincade fire, the 2020 Zogg fire and the 2021 Dixie fire.

On January 25, 2022, the period of probation expired and the Monitor’s oversight of the Utility ended.

Enhanced Oversight and Enforcement Process

In the OII to Consider PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Plan of Reorganization final decision, the CPUC adopted an EOEP designed to provide a roadmap for how the CPUC will monitor the Utility’s operational performance on an ongoing basis. The EOEP contains six steps that are triggered by specific events and includes enhanced reporting requirements and additional monitoring and oversight. These trigger events include failure to obtain an approved WMP, failure to comply with regulatory reporting requirements in the WMP, insufficient progress toward approved safety or risk-driven investments and failure to comply with or demonstrate sufficient progress toward certain metrics (some of which will be determined in an ongoing regulatory proceeding). The EOEP also contains provisions for the Utility to cure and permanently exit the EOEP if it can satisfy specific criteria. If the Utility is placed into the EOEP, actions taken would occur in coordination with the CPUC’s existing formal and informal reporting requirements and procedures. The EOEP does not replace or limit the CPUC’s regulatory authority, including the authority to issue Orders to Show Cause and Orders Instituting Investigations and to impose fines and penalties. The EOEP requires the Utility to report the occurrence of a triggering event to the CPUC’s executive director no later than five business days after the date on which any member of senior management of the Utility becomes aware of the occurrence of a triggering event.

The Utility is unable to predict whether additional fines or penalties may be imposed, or other regulatory actions may be taken.

On August 18, 2021, the President of the CPUC informed the Utility that the CPUC staff intends to conduct a fact-finding review regarding a pattern of self-reported missed inspections and other self-reported safety incidents to determine whether a recommendation to advance the Utility further within the EOEP is warranted.

Vegetation Management

The CPUC placed the Utility into step 1 of the EOEP on April 15, 2021 and imposed additional reporting requirements on the Utility. The CPUC’s resolution states that a step 1 triggering event had occurred because the Utility “has made insufficient progress toward approved safety or risk-driven investments related to its electric business.” The resolution finds that, based on the CPUC’s evaluation of the Utility’s EVM work in 2020, the Utility “is not sufficiently prioritizing its Enhanced Vegetation Management (“EVM”) based on risk” and “is not making risk-driven investments.” The resolution also finds that “less than five percent of the EVM work” the Utility completed in 2020 “was on the 20 highest risk power lines according to [its] own risk rankings.”

As required by the CPUC’s resolution, the Utility submitted a corrective action plan to the CPUC’s Executive Director on May 6, 2021, which is designed to correct or prevent recurrence of the step 1 triggering event, or otherwise mitigate any ongoing safety risk or impact, as soon as practicable, among other things. The corrective action plan addresses the EVM situation that occurred in 2020 and provides a risk-informed EVM workplan for 2021. The Utility is required to update the information contained in the corrective action plan every 90 days. The Utility will remain in step 1 of the EOEP until the CPUC determines that the Utility has met the conditions of the corrective action plan. If the Utility does not adequately meet such conditions within the timeframe approved by the CPUC, the CPUC may place the Utility into a higher step of the EOEP, or the Utility may remain in step 1 of the EOEP if it demonstrates sufficient progress towards meeting such conditions.

The Utility is unable to predict the outcome of this regulatory process.

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Order Instituting an Investigation into PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s Safety Culture

On August 27, 2015, the CPUC began a formal investigation into whether the organizational culture and governance of PG&E Corporation and the Utility prioritize safety and adequately direct resources to promote accountability and achieve safety goals and standards (the “Safety Culture OII”). The CPUC directed the SED to evaluate the Utility’s and PG&E Corporation’s organizational culture, governance, policies, practices, and accountability metrics in relation to the Utility’s record of operations, including its record of safety incidents.

On June 18, 2019, the CPUC issued a ruling requesting comments from parties on four proposals that it stated may improve the safety culture of PG&E Corporation and the Utility. The four proposals are: separating the Utility into gas and electric utilities (including, as one possibility, sale of the gas assets to a third party); establishing periodic review of the Utility’s certificate of convenience and necessity; modifying or eliminating PG&E Corporation’s holding company structure; and linking the Utility’s rate of return or ROE to safety performance metrics.

On September 4, 2020, the administrative law judge issued a ruling updating case status, which states that the proceeding will remain open as a vehicle to monitor the progress of the Utility in improving its safety culture, and to address any relevant issues that arise, with the CPUC’s consultant NorthStar Consulting Group, Inc. continuing in a monitoring role. The ruling states that additional issues may be raised in the proceedings by parties or the CPUC.

REGULATORY MATTERS

The Utility is subject to substantial regulation by the CPUC, the FERC, the NRC, and other federal and state regulatory agencies. The resolutions of the proceedings described below and other proceedings may materially affect PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows.

During 2021, the Utility continued to make progress on regulatory matters.

•In June, the Utility filed its 2023 GRC application. The application requests a revenue requirement of $15.46 billion for the 2023 test year.

•In August, the CPUC approved the Utility’s agreement to sell the SFGO. In September, the sale closed.

•In September, OEIS issued a final decision statement approving the Utility’s 2021 WMP, and in October the CPUC ratified the OEIS’ approval.

•In September, the Utility filed a motion seeking CPUC approval of a settlement agreement for its 2020 WMCE application. Under the settlement agreement, the Utility would recover a revenue requirement of $1.04 billion, or 81% of the requested $1.28 billion.

•In September, the Utility filed its 2021 WMCE application, requesting cost recovery of approximately $1.6 billion of recorded expenditures related to wildfire mitigation, certain catastrophic events, and a number of other activities, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.47 billion.

•In October, the CPUC approved the settlement agreement among the Utility and other parties that authorizes the Utility to recover $445.5 million in incremental insurance costs in its WEMA that were incurred for the period of July 26, 2017 through December 31, 2019.

•In November, the Utility filed a motion seeking CPUC approval of a settlement agreement for its 2018 CEMA application. Under the settlement agreement, the Utility would recover approximately $683 million plus interest, compared to the requested $763 million.

In addition, on January 31, 2022, the OEIS issued the Utility’s 2021 safety certification, which will be valid for 12 months or until a timely request for a new safety certification is acted upon, whichever occurs later.

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Cost Recovery Proceedings

Periodically, costs arise that could not have been anticipated by the Utility during CPUC GRC rate requests or that have been deliberately excluded therefrom. These costs may result from catastrophic events, changes in regulation, or extraordinary changes in operating practices. The Utility may seek authority to track incremental costs in a memorandum account and the CPUC may authorize recovery of costs tracked in memorandum accounts if the costs are deemed incremental and prudently incurred. The CPUC also authorized balancing accounts with limitations or caps to cost recovery. These accounts, which include the CEMA, WEMA, FHPMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, and RTBA among others, allow the Utility to track the costs associated with work related to disaster and wildfire response, other wildfire prevention-related costs, certain third-party wildfire claims, and insurance costs. While the Utility generally expects such costs to be recoverable, there can be no assurance that the CPUC will authorize the Utility to recover the full amount of its costs.

In recent years, the amount of the costs recorded in these accounts has increased. As of December 31, 2021, the Utility had recorded an aggregate amount of approximately $5.4 billion in costs not otherwise being recovered in existing revenue requirements, if any, for the CEMA, WEMA, FHPMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, MGMA, and RTBA. Because rate recovery may require CPUC authorization for these accounts, there is a delay between when the Utility incurs costs and when it may recover those costs.

If the amount of the costs recorded in these accounts continues to increase, the delay between incurring and recovering costs lengthens, or the Utility does not recover the full amount of its costs, PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows could be materially affected.

Except as otherwise noted, the Utility is unable to predict the timing and outcome of the following applications. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows could be materially affected if the Utility is unable to timely recover costs included in these applications.

For more information, see Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8., “Regulatory Matters - Wildfire Mitigation and Catastrophic Events Costs Recovery Applications,” “Regulatory Matters - Application for Recovery of Costs Recorded in the Wildfire Expense Memorandum Account,” and “Regulatory Matters - Catastrophic Event Memorandum Accounts and Applications” below.

Wildfire Mitigation and Catastrophic Events Cost Recovery Applications

2020 WMCE Application

On September 30, 2020, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of recorded expenditures related to wildfire mitigation and certain catastrophic events (the “2020 WMCE application”). The recorded expenditures, which exclude amounts disallowed as a result of the CPUC’s decision in the OII into the 2017 Northern California wildfires and the 2018 Camp fire, consist of $1.18 billion in expense and $801 million in capital expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.28 billion.

The costs addressed in the 2020 WMCE application cover activities mainly during the years 2017 to 2019 and are incremental to those previously authorized in the Utility’s 2017 GRC and other proceedings. The Utility’s request includes amounts from the FHPMA of $293 million, the FRMMA and the WMPMA of $740 million, and the CEMA of $251 million.

Given the CPUC’s prior approval of $447 million in interim rate relief (which includes interest), the Utility proposed to recover the remaining $868 million revenue requirement over a one-year period (following the conclusion of interim rate relief recovery). Cost recovery requested in this application is subject to the CPUC’s reasonableness review, which could result in some or all of the interim rate relief being subject to refund.

On September 21, 2021, the Utility and certain parties filed a motion with the CPUC seeking approval of a settlement agreement that would resolve all of the issues raised by the settling parties in the 2020 WMCE application. The settlement agreement proposes that the Utility recover a revenue requirement of $1.04 billion. The settlement agreement would authorize the Utility to continue to recover the interim revenue requirement of $447 million over a 17-month amortization period, followed by an additional revenue requirement of $591 million over a 24-month amortization period. On September 23, 2021, the CPUC extended the statutory deadline for a PD in this matter to April 1, 2022.

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2021 WMCE Application

On September 16, 2021, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting cost recovery of approximately $1.6 billion of recorded expenditures, resulting in a proposed revenue requirement of approximately $1.47 billion (the “2021 WMCE application”). The costs addressed in this application reflect costs related to wildfire mitigation and certain catastrophic events, as well as implementation of various customer-focused initiatives. These costs were incurred primarily in 2020.

The recorded expenditures consist of $1.4 billion in expenses and $197 million in capital expenditures. The costs addressed in the 2021 WMCE application are incremental to those previously authorized in the Utility’s 2017 GRC, 2020 GRC, and other proceedings. The majority of the Utility’s proposed revenue requirement would be collected over a two-year period starting in January 2023.

The Utility’s requested revenue requirement includes amounts recorded to the VMBA of $592 million, the CEMA of $535 million, the WMBA of $149 million, and other memo accounts. On November 18, 2021, the Utility filed updates to the application, increasing total costs by $19.4 million. On December 30, 2021, the Utility filed supplemental testimony reducing the cost recovery ask of the COVID-19 CEMA costs by $12.2 million. The $12.2 million reduction is a result of identified avoided costs, such as employee business travel expenses and in-person training costs, due to the pandemic.

The scoping memo shows a schedule with the CPUC issuing a PD in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Wildfire Expense Memorandum Account Application

On February 7, 2020, the Utility filed an application requesting cost recovery of $499 million of insurance premiums paid by the Utility between July 26, 2017 through December 31, 2019, which were recorded in the WEMA. These costs are incremental to the insurance costs authorized in the 2017 GRC. These incremental costs are not associated with any specific wildfire event. The application does not seek recovery of wildfire claims or associated legal costs eligible for recording to the WEMA. On October 21, 2021, the CPUC adopted a final decision approving a settlement agreement among the Utility and the other active parties that authorizes the Utility to recover $445.5 million over a 12-month period beginning January 1, 2022.

Catastrophic Event Memorandum Account Application

The CPUC allows utilities to recover the reasonable, incremental costs of responding to catastrophic events that have been declared a disaster or state of emergency by competent federal or state authorities. The Utility has historically sought such costs through standalone CEMA applications. More recently, the Utility has sought CEMA-eligible costs through its WMCE applications.

In addition to the Utility’s responsibilities in responding to catastrophic events, in 2014, the CPUC directed the Utility to perform additional fire prevention and vegetation management work in response to the severe drought in California. Through 2019, the costs associated with this work were tracked in the CEMA. In the 2020 GRC decision, the CPUC required the Utility to track these costs in the VMBA beginning January 1, 2020.

2018 CEMA Application

On March 30, 2018, the Utility submitted to the CPUC its 2018 CEMA application requesting cost recovery of $183 million in connection with seven catastrophic events that included fire and storm declared emergencies from mid-2016 through early 2017, as well as $405 million related to work performed in 2016 and 2017 to cut back or remove dead or dying trees that were exposed to years of drought conditions and bark beetle infestation. The Utility filed three revisions to this application, resulting in a total cost recovery request of $763 million.

On April 25, 2019, the CPUC approved the Utility’s request for interim rate relief, allowing for recovery of $373 million of costs as requested by the Utility at that time. The interim rate relief was implemented, commencing on October 1, 2019. Costs included in the interim rate relief are subject to audit and refund.

On November 2, 2021, the Utility filed with the CPUC a settlement agreement with the active parties in the matter. The settlement agreement, if approved by the CPUC, would authorize the Utility to collect a total of $683 million plus interest for the 2018 CEMA application. As noted above, $373 million of the total amount has already been collected in interim rates. The interim rates would become final and no longer subject to refund. The remainder of the authorized revenue requirement that has yet to be collected would be amortized over a 12-month period.

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Forward-Looking Rate Cases

The Utility routinely participates in forward-looking rate case applications before the CPUC and the FERC. Those applications include GRCs, where the revenue required for general operations (“base revenue”) of the Utility is assessed and reset. In addition, the Utility is periodically involved in proceedings to adjust its regulated return on rate base.

Decisions in GRC proceedings are generally expected prior to the commencement of the period to which the rates would apply. However, delayed decisions in the Utility’s GRCs may cause the Utility to develop its budgets based on possible outcomes, rather than authorized amounts. When decisions are delayed, the CPUC typically provides rate relief to the Utility effective as of the commencement of the rate case period (not effective as of the date of the delayed decision). Nonetheless, the Utility’s spending during the period of the delay may exceed the authorized amount, without an ability for the Utility to seek cost recovery of such excess. If the Utility’s spending during the period of the delay is less than the authorized amount, the Utility could be exposed to operational and financial risk associated with the lower level of work achieved compared to that funded by the CPUC.

Except as otherwise noted, the Utility is unable to predict the timing and outcome of the following applications. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows could be materially affected depending on the outcomes of these applications.

The Utility’s rate cases that are pending, have pending appeals, or were completed in 2021 are summarized in the following table:

Rate CaseRequestStatus
2023 GRCRevenue requirement of $15.28 billion for 2023Filed June 2021. A decision on the initial track of the proceeding is expected in the second quarter of 2023.
2019 GT&SRemoval of $39.4 million of disallowanceApproved January 2022.
2022 Cost of CapitalLeave cost of capital components at pre-2022 levels for 2022Filed August 2021. Briefing is expected to be completed by March 2022.
2015 GT&SRevenue requirement of $416 millionSettlement agreement to recover $356 million of revenue requirement filed July 2021.

2023 General Rate Case

On June 30, 2021, the Utility filed its 2023 GRC application with the CPUC. The 2023 GRC combined what had historically been separated into the GRC and GT&S rate cases. In the 2023 GRC, the CPUC will determine the annual amount of base revenues that the Utility will be authorized to collect from customers from 2023 through 2026 to recover its anticipated costs for gas distribution, gas transmission and storage, electric distribution, and electric generation and to provide the Utility an opportunity to earn its authorized rate of return. The Utility’s revenue requirements for other portions of its operations, such as electric transmission, and electricity and natural gas purchases, are authorized in other regulatory proceedings overseen by the CPUC or the FERC.

In a GRC, the CPUC approves annual revenue requirements for the first year (a “test year”) of the GRC period and typically authorizes the Utility to receive annual increases in revenue requirements for the subsequent years of the GRC period (known as “attrition years”). For its 2023 test year, the Utility has requested revenue requirements of $15.46 billion, an increase of $3.56 billion over the adopted 2020 GRC and 2019 GT&S revenue requirements for 2022 of $11.90 billion. The GRC application further states that the Utility’s requested 2023 revenue requirements represent a 9.6% increase over its total revenue requirements for 2022 (including both amounts that are authorized and that are requested outside of the GRC and remain subject to the regulatory process). The requested weighted-average GRC rate base for 2023 is approximately $48.52 billion, which corresponds to an increase of $9.35 billion over the authorized rate base for 2022 of $39.17 billion. The Utility also requested that the CPUC establish a ratemaking mechanism that would increase the Utility’s authorized GRC revenues in 2024, 2025, and 2026 by $930 million, $590 million, and $381 million, respectively. The Utility estimated its proposed revenue requirements for 2024, 2025, and 2026 would result in revenue requirement increases of 2.4%, 1.9%, and 1.5%, compared to its total estimated revenue requirements for 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively. Over the 2023-2026 GRC period, the Utility plans to make average annual capital investments of approximately $7.75 billion in gas distribution, transmission and storage, electric distribution, and electric generation infrastructure, and to improve safety, reliability, and customer service.

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The following table compares the Utility’s initial requested revenue requirements for 2023 with the comparable revenue requirements currently authorized for 2022, by both line of business and cost category:

Line of Business (1)Amounts requested in the 2023 GRC applicationAmounts currently authorized for 2022 (2)Requested increase compared to currently authorized amounts
(in millions)
Gas distribution$2,870$2,321$550
Gas transmission and storage1,9891,662327
Electric distribution8,1715,5142,657
Electric generation2,4312,40426
Total revenue requirements$15,461$11,901$3,560

(1) May not sum due to rounding.

(2) These amounts include revenues from Decision (“D.”) 20-12-005 (the Utility’s 2020 GRC), D.19-09-025 (the Utility’s 2019 GT&S) adjusted for D.19-12-056 and Advice Letter (“AL”) 4275-G/5887-E (Cost of Capital changes adopted for Long Term Debt and Common Stock) and AL 4367-G/6062-E (Excess Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes Pursuant to the 2017 Tax Act). Also included are the 2022 adopted revenue requirements associated with the following previously separately-funded projects: AL 5322-E (Energy Storage), D.16-12-065 (Electric Vehicle Charging Network Phase I), D.14-03-021 (Mobile Home Park to the Meter), D.20-11-035 (2019 CEMA), AL 4392-G/6100-E (WMBA and VMBA), AL 4444-G/6210-E (RTBA).

In the 2023 GRC application, the Utility proposed a series of safety, resiliency, and clean energy investments to further reduce wildfire risk and deliver safe, reliable, and clean energy service. Among other things, the Utility proposed to invest a total of approximately $31 billion between 2023 and 2026 to reduce wildfire risk; improve gas and electric system safety, reliability, and resiliency; increase the use of new, innovative technologies; and expand its clean energy infrastructure.

In addition to coverage that may be available from the private insurance market, the Utility also proposed to use self-insurance as part of its wildfire insurance program as follows: (1) the Utility’s recommended approach, a new self-insurance structure whereby the Utility would seek customer-funded self-insurance in the amount of $250 million annually and traditional private insurance procurement for amounts between the accumulated self-insurance balance and $1.0 billion; or, alternatively (2) continuing the currently authorized mechanism whereby the Utility seeks procurement of wildfire liability insurance instruments through the private insurance market and is authorized to use any unspent authorized revenue requirements on self-insurance.

In addition, the Utility requested authorization to establish one new balancing account and one new memorandum account as follows:

•Catastrophic Events Straight-Time Labor Balancing Account, a two-way account which would recover straight-time labor costs associated with catastrophic events. These costs are currently recovered through the Catastrophic Events Memorandum Account process.

•Helms Capacity Memorandum Account, which would allow the Utility to track and recover the actual costs associated with upgrading the Helms Pumped Storage Facility through a future application.

The Utility did not seek recovery of compensation of PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s officers within the scope of 17 Code of Federal Regulations 240.3b-7.

On October 1, 2021, the CPUC issued a scoping memo indicating that the CPUC will issue a decision on an initial track of the proceeding in the second quarter of 2023. The scoping memo also established a second track of the 2023 GRC to consider costs incurred from 2019 to 2021 that are recorded in balancing or memorandum accounts for, among other work, wildfire mitigation and gas system safety improvements. The second track will review more than $500 million in capital and $160 million in expense included in the Utility’s initial 2023 GRC application for the period from 2019 to 2020, plus additional costs recorded in memorandum and balancing accounts in 2021. The scoping memo indicated that the CPUC will issue a decision on the second track in the third quarter of 2023. The scoping memo also directed the Utility to file an update for its

undergrounding program in February 2022.

On November 5, 2021, the Utility filed a motion to revise the proceeding schedule.

Between August 2021 and January 2022, the Utility served updates to its 2023 GRC testimony that would, if approved, reduce the requested revenue requirement in 2023 by approximately $181 million in the aggregate.

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2020 General Rate Case

On December 3, 2020, the CPUC approved the final decision for the Utility’s 2020 GRC.

Revenue Requirements and Attrition Year Revenues

The final decision approved a 2020 authorized revenue requirement of $9.102 billion, effective January 1, 2020. The CPUC also approved the revenue requirements for 2021 and 2022 as follows: an additional increase of $316 million in 2021 over the authorized 2020 revenue requirement, or a 3.5% increase, and an additional increase of $364 million in 2022, or a 3.9% increase. The Utility is authorized to collect in rates the difference between the revenue requirement in effect and the 2020 GRC decision-authorized revenue requirement for the period of January 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 over the period of March 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022.

The final decision also allows the Utility to recover the annual cost of excess liability insurance for coverage of up to $1.4 billion. An advice letter is required for recovery of excess liability insurance costs for coverage exceeding $1.4 billion. The final decision also approved wildfire mitigation capital expenditures in the Community Wildfire Safety Program of $603 million in 2020, $931 million in 2021 and $1.15 billion in 2022. In addition, the final decision requires a reasonableness review and recovery of WMBA costs or unit costs for system hardening in excess of 115% of the adopted amounts and VMBA costs in excess of 120% of the adopted amounts through an application.

Rate Base and Capital Additions

The CPUC also adopted a rate base of $31.0 billion in 2021, or a 5.4% increase over 2020; and $33.0 billion in 2022, or a 6.3% increase over 2021. Consistent with AB 1054, the decision provides for a total of $2.83 billion in forecast capital spend without an equity return for the period of August 2019 to December 2022, which includes $931 million for 2021 and $1.15 billion for 2022.

Over the 2020-2022 GRC period, the decision provided average annual capital investments of approximately $4.5 billion in electric distribution, natural gas distribution and electric generation infrastructure.

2019 Gas Transmission and Storage Rate Case

As previously disclosed, on September 12, 2019, the CPUC approved the final decision in the 2019 GT&S rate case of the Utility. The CPUC adopted revenue requirements of $1.516 billion for 2021 and $1.580 billion for 2022, compared to the Utility’s request of $1.693 billion for 2021 and $1.679 billion for 2022.

On October 23, 2019, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC requesting the rehearing of the final decision. Specifically, issues identified by the Utility include the adopted disallowance associated with vintage pipe replacement, reduction in the Utility’s expense forecast for in-line inspections, and establishment of a memo account for Internal Corrosion Direct Assessment. On November 19, 2021, the CPUC issued a decision denying the Utility’s application for rehearing but allowing the Utility to file an advice letter to remove the 2015 portion of the capital vintage pipe replacement disallowance. The advice letter was approved by the CPUC on January 21, 2022.

Removing the 2015 value of $39.4 million from the disallowance reduced the total disallowed amount from $237.3 million to $197.9 million.

Cost of Capital Proceedings

On December 19, 2019, the CPUC approved a final decision in the 2020 cost of capital application (the “2020 cost of capital application”), maintaining the Utility’s return on common equity at the 2019 level of 10.25% for the three-year period beginning January 1, 2020. The decision maintained the common equity component of the Utility’s capital structure at 52% and reduced its preferred stock component from 1% to 0.5%. The decision also approved the cost of debt requested by the Utility.

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The Utility’s annual cost of capital adjustment mechanism, which allows for changes in the Utility’s authorized ROE and cost of debt, also remained unchanged by the final 2020 cost of capital application decision. The mechanism provides that in any year in which the difference between (i) the average Moody’s utility bond rates (as measured in the 12-month period from October through September (the index)) and (ii) 4.5% (the benchmark) exceeds 100 basis points, the Utility’s ROE will be adjusted by one-half of such difference, and the cost of debt will be trued up to the most recent recorded cost of debt. The Utility is to initiate this adjustment mechanism by filing an advice letter on or before October 15 of the year in which the mechanism triggered, to become effective on January 1 of the next year.

On August 23, 2021, the Utility filed an off-cycle 2022 cost of capital application with the CPUC based on the extraordinary event of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government response, which has decreased interest rates but has not reduced the cost of capital for electric utilities in general, and the Utility in particular, to the same extent as the overall financial markets (the “2022 cost of capital application”). The 2022 cost of capital application requested that the CPUC authorize the Utility's cost of capital for its electric generation, electric distribution, natural gas distribution, and natural gas transmission and storage rate base beginning on January 1, 2022 for 2022, 2023, and 2024. The Utility requested that the CPUC approve the Utility’s proposed ratemaking capital structure (i.e., the relative weightings of common equity, preferred equity, and debt for ratemaking), ROE, cost of preferred stock, and cost of debt. The Utility proposed to establish a cost of long-term debt of 4.14%, a return on preferred stock of 5.52%, a ROE of 11%, and to retain the existing capital structure. The Utility also concurrently filed a motion requesting that the revenue requirement for the 2022 cost of capital be recorded in memorandum accounts to be trued-up following a final decision in this proceeding.

In September 2021, the cost of capital adjustment mechanism was triggered because the index was 117 basis points below the benchmark. As the 2022 cost of capital application was pending, the Utility did not file the October 15, 2021 advice letter to adjust rates. Subsequently, on October 28, 2021, the CPUC ruled that the 2022 cost of capital application did not suspend the adjustment mechanism as requested by the application. The ruling also required that the Utility comply with the cost of capital mechanism by filing the information that would have been included in the October 15, 2021 advice letter in the 2022 cost of capital application proceeding on November 8, 2021, which the Utility did.

On December 17, 2021, the CPUC issued a final decision authorizing the Utility’s request to establish memorandum accounts to track revenue requirement changes starting on January 1, 2022 and leaving the cost of capital rates at current levels, subject to true-up based on the CPUC’s decision on the 2022 cost of capital application.

On December 24, 2021, the CPUC issued a scoping memo in the 2022 cost of capital application limiting the scope of the Utility’s 2022 cost of capital application to the 2022 cost of capital only. The scoping memo also affirmed that the Utility is to file a 2023 cost of capital application in April 2022 for the 2023 test year.

To set the 2022 cost of capital, the CPUC will consider (i) whether there are extraordinary circumstances that warrant a departure from the cost of capital mechanism for 2022; and (ii) if so, whether to leave the cost of capital components at pre-2022 levels for the year 2022, or open a second phase to consider alternative cost of capital proposals for the year 2022. The Utility’s position is that there are extraordinary circumstances that warrant a departure from the cost of capital mechanism for 2022 and that the CPUC should leave the cost of capital components at pre-2022 levels for 2022.

If the CPUC determines that the 2022 cost of capital application establishes extraordinary circumstances that warrant a departure from the cost of capital mechanism for 2022 and leaves the Utility’s cost of capital components at pre-2022 levels for 2022, the cost of long-term debt would be 4.17%, the return on preferred stock would be 5.52%, and the ROE would be 10.25%. If the CPUC opens a second phase of the proceeding, the CPUC would set the cost of capital for 2022 based on alternative cost of capital proposals that would address the technical cost of capital material included within the Utility’s 2022 cost of capital application.

If the CPUC determines that there are not extraordinary circumstances that warrant a departure from the cost of capital mechanism for 2022, the cost of capital adjustment mechanism would operate and the cost of long-term debt would be 4.15%, the return on preferred stock would be 5.52%, and the ROE would be 9.67%. The resulting decrease in the CPUC jurisdictional gas and electric revenue requirement would be approximately $163 million ($99 million electric and $64 million gas).

The scoping memo called for briefing to be completed by March 25, 2022 but did not indicate timing for a PD or final decision.

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2015 Gas Transmission and Storage Rate Case

On June 23, 2016, the CPUC approved a final phase one decision in the Utility’s 2015 GT&S rate case. The phase one decision excluded from rate base $696 million of 2011 to 2014 capital spending in excess of the amount adopted in the prior GT&S rate case. The decision permanently disallowed $120 million of that amount and ordered that the remaining $576 million be subject to an audit overseen by the CPUC staff, with the possibility that the Utility may seek recovery in a future proceeding. For more information regarding this proceeding, see Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Transmission Owner Rate Cases

Transmission Owner Rate Cases for 2015 and 2016 (the “TO16” and “TO17” rate cases, respectively)

As previously disclosed, on January 8, 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion granting an appeal of the FERC’s decisions in the TO16 and TO17 rate cases that had granted the Utility a 50-basis point ROE incentive adder for its continued participation in the CAISO. If the FERC concluded on remand that the Utility should no longer be authorized to receive the 50 basis point ROE incentive adder, the Utility would incur a refund obligation of $1 million and $8.5 million for TO16 and TO17, respectively. Those rate case decisions were remanded to the FERC for further proceedings consistent with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ opinion.

On July 18, 2019, the FERC issued its order on remand reaffirming its prior grant of the Utility’s request for the 50-basis point ROE adder.

On March 17, 2020, the FERC issued its order denying requests for rehearing that were previously filed by several parties. On May 11, 2020, the CPUC and a number of other parties filed a petition for review of the FERC’s orders in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral argument was held on April 16, 2021.

Transmission Owner Rate Case for 2017 (the “TO18” rate case)

As previously disclosed, on July 29, 2016, the Utility filed its TO18 rate case with the FERC requesting a 2017 retail electric transmission revenue requirement of $1.72 billion, a $387 million increase over the 2016 revenue requirement of $1.33 billion.  The forecasted network transmission rate base for 2017 was $6.7 billion.  The Utility sought a ROE of 10.9%, which included an incentive component of 50 basis points for the Utility’s continuing participation in the CAISO.

On October 15, 2020, the FERC issued an order that, among other things, rejected the Utility’s direct assignment of common plant to FERC and required the allocation of all common plant between CPUC and FERC jurisdiction be based on operating and maintenance labor ratios. The order reopened the record for the limited purpose of allowing the participants to the proceeding an opportunity to present written evidence concerning the FERC’s revised ROE methodology adopted in FERC Opinion No. 569-A, issued on May 21, 2020. Initial briefs and testimony were filed on December 14, 2020 and responses were filed on February 12, 2021.

On December 17, 2020 and June 17, 2021, the FERC issued orders denying requests for rehearing submitted by the Utility and intervenors. In 2021, the Utility filed four appeals. The appeals related to two issues: (1) impact of the Tax Act on TO18 rates in January and February 2018 and (2) aspects of the rehearing order other than the Tax Act. The appeals have been consolidated and are currently being held in abeyance until the FERC addresses the ROE issue.

As a result of an order denying rehearing on the common plant allocation, the Utility increased its Regulatory liabilities for amounts previously collected during the TO18, TO19, and TO20 rate case periods from 2017 through the fourth quarter of 2021 by approximately $324 million. A portion of these common plant costs are expected to be recovered at the CPUC in a separate application and as a result, as of December 31, 2021, the Utility has recorded approximately $197 million to Regulatory assets.

Aside from the ultimate outcome of the common plant allocation, which is subject to further appellate briefing and a further FERC decision on ROE, that order is not expected to result in a material impact on the Utility’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and cash flows. Some of the issues that will be decided in a final and unappealable TO18 decision, including the common plant allocation, will also be incorporated into the Utility’s TO19 and TO20 rate cases. See “Transmission Owner Rate Case Revenue Subject to Refund” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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Transmission Owner Rate Case for 2018 (the “TO19” rate case)

As previously disclosed, on July 27, 2017, the Utility filed its TO19 rate case with the FERC. On December 20, 2018, the FERC issued an order approving an all-party settlement filed by the Utility. As part of the settlement, the TO19 revenue requirement will be set at 98.85% of the revenue requirement for TO18 that will be determined upon the issuance of a final, non-appealable TO18 decision. Additionally, if the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals were to determine that the Utility was not entitled to the 50 basis point incentive adder for the Utility’s continued CAISO participation, then the Utility would be obligated to make a refund to customers of approximately $25 million. See “Transmission Owner Rate Cases for 2015 and 2016” above for a discussion of the incentive adder. On December 20, 2018, the FERC issued an order approving the all-party settlement.

Transmission Owner Rate Case for 2019 (the “TO20” rate case)

As previously disclosed, on October 1, 2018, the Utility filed its TO20 rate case with the FERC requesting approval of a formula rate for the costs associated with the Utility’s electric transmission facilities. On November 30, 2018, the FERC issued an order accepting the Utility’s October 2018 filing, subject to hearings and refund, and established May 1, 2019 as the effective date for rate changes. The FERC also ordered that the hearings be held in abeyance pending settlement discussions among the parties.

On March 31, 2020, the Utility filed a partial settlement with the FERC, which the FERC approved on August 17, 2020. On October 15, 2020, the Utility filed a settlement with the FERC resolving all of the remaining issues in the formula rate proceedings, including the Utility’s ROE, capital structure, depreciation rates, as well as certain other aspects of the Utility’s formula rate. Specifically, the settlement establishes an all-in ROE of 10.45%; a fixed capital structure of 49.75% common stock, 49.75% debt, and 0.5% preferred stock; and fixed depreciation rates for various categories of transmission facilities (represented by individual FERC accounts). The term of the settlement continues until December 31, 2023 and the Utility will be required to file a replacement rate filing to be effective on January 1, 2024.

On December 30, 2020, the FERC approved the settlement without modifications.

Some of the issues that will be decided in a final and unappealable TO18 decision, including the common plant allocation, will also be incorporated into the Utility’s TO19 and TO20 rate cases.

Other Regulatory Proceedings

Application to Sell General Office Complex

On September 30, 2020, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC to sell the SFGO located at 25 Beale Street, 45 Beale Street, 77 Beale Street, 50 Main Street, 215 Market Street and 245 Market Street in downtown San Francisco, and to recover costs to relocate its staff at the SFGO to a new headquarters at the Lakeside Building, and for appropriate ratemaking treatment of those transactions.

On May 21, 2021, the Utility entered into a purchase agreement with HNG Atlas US LP, to sell the SFGO for $800 million.

On May 26, 2021, the Utility filed an amended settlement agreement with the CPUC. Under the amended settlement, the parties agreed that (1) the Utility’s headquarters strategy, including the move to the Lakeside Building, the sale of the SFGO, and the terms of the agreement to lease and the option to purchase the Lakeside Building, is reasonable, (2) all of the net gain on sale of the SFGO will be distributed to customers over five years, beginning in 2022, and (3) the costs associated with the Utility’s move to the Lakeside Building and development will be considered at later stages of the proceeding through a petition for modification of the final decision in the proceeding.

The CPUC issued a final decision approving the purchase agreement and the ratemaking treatment proposed under the parties’ settlement on August 19, 2021, and the sale closed on September 17, 2021. The final decision defers, until the petition for modification, determinations as to the amount of the Utility’s cost recovery in connection with the anticipated purchase of the Lakeside Building and operating and capital expenses related to the transition to the Lakeside Building.

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Application for Post-Emergence Securitization Transaction

On April 30, 2020, the Utility filed an application with the CPUC seeking authorization for a post-emergence transaction to recover $7.5 billion of 2017 wildfire claims costs through securitization that is designed to be rate neutral to customers, with the proceeds used to pay or reimburse the Utility for the payment of wildfire claims costs associated with 2017 Northern California wildfires. Among other uses, as a result of the proposed transaction, the Utility would retire $6.0 billion of Utility debt. Specifically, the application requested administration of the stress test methodology approved in the CHT OIR and a determination that $7.5 billion in 2017 catastrophic wildfire costs and expenses are stress test costs and eligible for securitization. In this context, a securitization refers to a financing transaction where a special purpose financing vehicle issues new debt that is secured by the proceeds of a new recovery charge to Utility customers. The application also proposed a customer credit designed to equal the bond charges over the life of the bonds, which would insulate customers from the charge on customer bills associated with the bonds.

On April 23, 2021, the CPUC issued a decision finding that $7.5 billion of the Utility’s 2017 catastrophic wildfire costs and expenses are stress test costs that may be financed through the issuance of recovery bonds pursuant to Public Utilities Code sections 850 et seq. and approving a structure for the transaction. As requested, the decision authorizes the Utility to establish a customer credit trust funded by PG&E Corporation’s shareholders, that will provide a monthly credit to customers that is anticipated to equal the securitized charges such that the securitization is designed to be rate neutral to customers. Subject to retention of the CPUC’s existing jurisdiction, the decision adopts a transaction structure comprised of four elements (1) an initial shareholder contribution of $2.0 billion, with $1.0 billion to be contributed in 2022 and $1.0 billion to be contributed in 2024; (2) up to $7.59 billion of additional contributions funded by certain shareholder tax benefits; (3) a single CPUC review of the balance of the customer credit trust in 2040, with a single contingent supplemental shareholder contribution, if needed, up to $775 million in 2040; and (4) sharing with customers 25% of any surplus of shareholder assets in the customer credit trust at the end of the life of the trust. Three parties filed applications for rehearing of the decision on May 3, 2021, and the Utility filed a response to those applications on May 14, 2021. On August 12, 2021, the CPUC issued a decision denying the applications for rehearing.

Separately, on January 6, 2021, the Utility filed an additional application requesting that the CPUC issue a financing order authorizing the issuance of one or more series of recovery bonds in connection with the post-emergence transaction to finance, using securitization, the $7.5 billion of claims associated with the 2017 Northern California wildfires. On May 11, 2021, the CPUC issued a decision granting the Utility’s January 2021 application for a financing order authorizing the issuance of $7.5 billion of recovery bonds in connection with the rate neutral securitization proceeding. Two parties filed applications for rehearing of the financing order, and the Utility filed a response to those applications for rehearing on June 4, 2021. On August 12, 2021, the CPUC issued a decision denying the applications for rehearing.

On September 10, 2021, TURN filed a petition for writ of review of the decision and financing order in state court. Responses to the petition were filed on October 15, 2021. TURN filed a reply in support of the petition on November 9, 2021.

Application for AB 1054 Securitization Transaction

AB 1054 provides that the first $5.0 billion expended in the aggregate by California’s three large electric IOUs on fire risk mitigation capital expenditures included in their respective approved WMPs will be excluded from their respective equity rate bases. The $5.0 billion of capital expenditures has been allocated among the large electric IOUs in accordance with their Wildfire Fund allocation metrics. The Utility’s allocation is $3.21 billion. (See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.) AB 1054 contemplates that such capital expenditures may be financed using a structure that securitizes a dedicated customer charge.

On February 24, 2021 the Utility filed an application with the CPUC seeking authorization for a transaction to finance, using securitization, up to $1.19 billion of fire risk mitigation capital expenditures that were or will be incurred by the Utility in 2020 and 2021, with the final amount to be financed based on recorded 2020 and 2021 Community Wildfire Safety Program capital expenditures incurred by the Utility prior to the securitization transaction.

The application requested that the CPUC issue a financing order authorizing one or more series of recovery bonds, determine that the issuance of the bonds and collection through fixed recovery charges is just and reasonable, consistent with the public interest and would reduce rates on a present value basis compared to traditional utility financing mechanisms, and authorize the Utility to collect a non-bypassable charge sufficient to pay debt service on the recovery bonds.  The application also requested to exclude the securitized debt from the Utility’s ratemaking capital structure and to adjust its 2020 GRC revenue requirement following the issuance of the recovery bonds.

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On June 24, 2021, the CPUC issued a decision granting the Utility’s application and authorizing the Utility to issue up to approximately $1.2 billion of recovery bonds. On July 6, 2021, the financing order became final and non-appealable. On November 12, 2021, PG&E Recovery Funding LLC issued approximately $860 million of senior secured recovery bonds. The recovery bonds were issued in three tranches: (1) approximately $266 million with an interest rate of 1.46% and is due July 15, 2033, (2) approximately $160 million with an interest rate of 2.28% and is due January 15, 2038, and (3) approximately $434 million with an interest rate of 2.82% and is due July 15, 2048.

2020-2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plan

As previously disclosed, on February 7, 2020, the Utility submitted its 2020 WMP and the related utility survey. The Utility’s 2020 WMP describes the Utility’s wildfire safety programs, which are focused on three key areas: reducing the potential for fires to be started by electrical equipment, reducing the potential for fires to spread, and minimizing the frequency, scope and duration of PSPS events, as well as providing historical data. The Utility’s 2020 WMP covers a three-year period from 2020 to 2022 but is updated annually.

The Utility’s 2021 WMP was submitted on February 5, 2021. The 2021 WMP updated the 2020 WMP and addressed the Utility’s wildfire safety programs focused on reducing the potential for catastrophic wildfires related to electrical equipment, reducing the potential for fires to spread and reducing the impact of PSPS events.

On September 22, 2021, OEIS issued a final action statement approving the Utility’s 2021 WMP and on October 21, 2021, the CPUC ratified OEIS’s approval.

In 2021, the Utility notified the CPUC that it had missed inspections and other targets subject to the 2020 WMP. The Utility is undertaking a review of its electric asset inspections. For more information, see “Electric Asset Inspections” below.

On December 16, 2021, the CPUC closed the WMP proceeding, noting that OEIS is now responsible for review and approval of the WMP.

OII to Examine the Late 2019 Public Safety Power Shutoff Events

On November 13, 2019, the CPUC issued an OII to determine “whether California’s IOUs prioritized safety and complied with the CPUC’s regulations and requirements with respect to their PSPS events in late 2019.”

On June 7, 2021, the CPUC issued a final decision in the case that found each of the large electric IOUs to be noncompliant with CPUC-required guidelines in certain of their 2019 PSPS events. The decision included a financial remedy and a number of corrective actions. The financial remedy consists of forgoing collection of revenues from customers associated with electricity not sold during future PSPS events until it can be demonstrated that the utilities have made improvements in assessing public harm when determining whether to initiate a PSPS event. The corrective actions involve the Utility’s processes, reporting, and other aspects of its PSPS program. On July 7, 2021, the Acton Town Council filed an application to rehear the decision. Responses to the application for rehearing were filed on July 22, 2021.

Integrated Resource Planning Procurement

On November 13, 2019, the CPUC issued a decision that takes a number of steps to address the potential for system RA shortages beginning in 2021. The decision requires incremental procurement of system-level qualifying RA capacity of 3,300 MWs by all LSEs operating within the CAISO’s balancing area for the period 2021-2023, of which the Utility is responsible for 716.9 MWs for its bundled customer portion. The decision requires that at least 50% of LSE resource responsibilities come online by August 1, 2021, at least 75% by August 1, 2022, and the remaining by August 1, 2023. Additionally, the decision directs the IOUs to act as the backstop procurement agent for CCAs and energy service providers that choose not to voluntarily self-procure or that fail to meet their procurement responsibilities after electing to self-provide their assigned MWs of system RA capacity under the decision.

The Utility procured its required RA capacity for the August 1, 2021 milestone from third parties through CPUC-approved contracts for lithium-ion battery energy storage resources with terms ranging from 10-15 years. On December 22, 2020, the Utility filed an advice letter seeking CPUC approval of an additional group of similar contracts that would satisfy the balance of the Utility’s procurement obligations for the August 1, 2022 and August 1, 2023 milestones. On April 15, 2021, the CPUC approved the contracts.

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On June 24, 2021, the CPUC adopted a mid-term reliability decision to address incremental electric system reliability needs between 2024 and 2026 due to, in part, the pending retirements of Diablo Canyon and once-through-cooling natural gas plants in Southern California by requiring at least 11,500 MW of additional net qualifying capacity to be procured by LSEs subject to the CPUC’s integrated resource planning authority. The decision sets procurement requirements of 2,000 MW by 2023, an additional 6,000 MW by 2024, an additional 1,500 MW by 2025, and an additional 2,000 MW by 2026. The decision sets the Utility’s share of the procurement at 2,302 MW of incremental net qualifying capacity.

On January 21, 2022, the Utility filed an advice letter with the CPUC seeking approval of a group of nine long-term RA agreements to meet a portion of its procurement requirements under the CPUC’s mid-term reliability decision. The agreements are each for a term of 15 years and collectively supply 1,598.7 MW of lithium-ion energy storage capacity with some projects expected to be operational in 2023 and others in 2024.

OIR to Further Develop a Risk-Based Decision-Making Framework for Electric and Gas Utilities

On July 20, 2020, the CPUC initiated a rulemaking proceeding to consider ways to strengthen the risk-based decision-making framework that energy utilities use to assess, manage, mitigate and minimize safety risks.

On November 4, 2021, the CPUC issued a final decision adopting 32 safety and operational metrics, which can serve as triggering events in the EOEP and requiring the Utility to report on performance against these metrics on a semi-annual basis. The Utility is required to submit the first report by March 31, 2022. The Utility will propose one- and five-year targets for each metric in such report.

OIR to Revisit Net Energy Metering Tariffs

On August 17, 2020, the CPUC initiated a rulemaking proceeding to develop a successor to the existing NEM tariffs. The successor tariff is being developed pursuant to the requirements of AB 327. Under AB 327, the successor to the existing NEM tariffs should provide customer-generators with credit or compensation for electricity generated by their renewable facilities based on the value of that generation to all customers and allow customer-sited renewable generation to grow sustainably among different types of customers.

On December 13, 2021, the CPUC issued a PD that would reduce the compensation for new non-CARE NEM customers by about 80 percent for standalone solar and about 60 percent for solar-paired storage. Commercial customer NEM compensation would be reduced by about 35 percent. Additionally, the PD would reduce the legacy period for existing non-CARE NEM customers from 20 years to 15 years after which such customers would transition to the successor tariff. Comments and reply comments on the PD were filed in January 2022. The PD has not yet been scheduled to be voted on by the CPUC.

OIR to Address Energy Utility Customer Debt Accumulated during the COVID-19 Pandemic

On February 11, 2021, the CPUC initiated a rulemaking proceeding to consider arrearage relief for utility customers with outstanding utility bills when the moratorium on service disconnections ended. The OIR will evaluate a more global program beyond the currently approved arrearage management program focused on low-income residential customers that is funded by the Utility’s customers. The OIR may consider various funding approaches for this expanded debt forgiveness proposal, which could include shareholder funding.

On June 30, 2021, the CPUC issued a final decision directing the Utility and other IOUs to automatically enroll residential customers and small business customers more than 60 days in arrears in payment plans. The decision also extended the moratorium on service disconnections for residential and small business, as well as medium and large commercial and industrial customers, through September 30, 2021.

On November 19, 2021, the CPUC issued a decision authorizing IOUs to allocate payments made on past-due electric utility bills proportionally between utilities and CCAs through September 2024.

Self-Reports to the CPUC

The Utility self-reports certain errors and omissions to the CPUC. The Utility could face penalties, enforcement actions, or other adverse legal or regulatory consequences for these errors or omissions, including under the EOEP. The Utility is unable to predict the likelihood and the amount of potential fines or penalties, if any, related to these matters.

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Electric Asset Inspections

The Utility has notified the CPUC of various errors relating to inspections and maintenance of its electric assets or implementation of WMP initiatives. These notices include missed inspections or the inability to locate records evidencing performance of inspections required under CPUC GOs 95 and 165 (including failure to perform inspections in compliance with GO 165 of approximately 55,000 poles in 2020) and errors regarding reporting meeting targets set by the Utility’s 2020 WMP. In these notices, the Utility describes the failures and corrective actions the Utility is taking to remediate these issues and to prevent recurrence in the future. Among other corrective measures, the Utility has developed short-term and longer-term systemic corrective actions to address these errors, including performing enhanced inspections for poles with outdated or incomplete GO 165 inspection records and strengthening the Utility’s asset registry, as well as corrective actions regarding reporting on the progress toward WMP targets.

The Utility continues to evaluate whether there are additional failures to comply with GOs 95 and 165 and the 2020 WMP, beyond those identified in submitted self-reports. The Utility intends to update the CPUC upon completion of its reviews.

On November 21, 2021, the SED issued two citations to the Utility in relation to the Utility’s self-reports. One citation was for incomplete inspections performed on distribution poles as required under GO 165, and the other citation was for the Utility’s failure to adequately inspect a transmission line. The citations resulted in penalties of $2.5 million and $5 million, respectively, which the Utility paid in full on December 22, 2021.

Subsurface Electric Ducts

On October 21, 2021, the Utility notified the CPUC of inconsistent application of the requirements to locate and mark empty subsurface electric ducts in accordance with Government Code section 4216(k), 4216(s) and 4216.3(a)(1)(A).

LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY INITIATIVES

Assembly Bill 242

Assembly Bill 242, which was signed into law on September 23, 2021, expanded the definition of a “covered wildfire” from AB 1054 to also include those wildfires determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be caused by an electrical corporation, and those wildfires asserted to have been caused by an electrical corporation that result in a court-approved dismissal resulting from the settlement of third-party damage claims.

Assembly Bill 135

On July 16, 2021, the California governor approved AB 135, which established the CAPP. CAPP enables the IOUs to apply for a statewide total of approximately $695 million to offset customer arrearages incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Utility received approximately $300 million in January 2022 to reduce the amounts owed by customer accounts in arrears. The amount of funding was determined by the California Department of Community Services and Development, which is the agency responsible for administering the CAPP.

Vaccine Mandates

On September 9, 2021, President Biden issued an EO that would require certain COVID-19 precautions for government contractors and their subcontractors, including mandatory employee vaccination. The requirements under the EO is currently stayed pending the outcome of ongoing litigation. The ultimate implementation of the EO could result in workplace disruptions, employee attrition, and difficulty securing future labor needs.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

The Utility’s operations are subject to extensive federal, state, and local laws and permits relating to the protection of the environment and the safety and health of the Utility’s personnel and the public.  These laws and requirements relate to a broad range of the Utility’s activities, including the remediation of hazardous wastes; the reporting and reduction of carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions; the discharge of pollutants into the air, water, and soil; the reporting of safety and reliability measures for natural gas storage facilities; and the transportation, handling, storage, and disposal of spent nuclear fuel.  See Item 1A. Risk Factors, “Environmental Regulation” in Item 1. and “Environmental Remediation Contingencies” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

PG&E Corporation, mainly through its ownership of the Utility, and the Utility are exposed to risks associated with adverse changes in commodity prices, interest rates, and counterparty credit. The Utility actively manages market risk through risk management programs designed to support business objectives, discourage unauthorized risk-taking, reduce commodity cost volatility, and manage cash flows.  The Utility uses derivative instruments only for non-trading purposes (i.e., risk mitigation) and not for speculative purposes.

Commodity Price Risk

The Utility is exposed to commodity price risk as a result of its electricity and natural gas procurement activities, including the procurement of natural gas and nuclear fuel necessary for electricity generation and natural gas procurement for core customers. The Utility’s risk management activities include the use of physical and financial instruments such as forward contracts, futures, swaps, options, and other instruments and agreements. As long as the Utility can conclude that it is probable that its reasonably incurred wholesale electricity procurement costs and natural gas costs are recoverable, fluctuations in electricity and natural gas prices do not affect earnings. Such fluctuations, however, may impact cash flows. The Utility’s natural gas transportation and storage costs for core customers are also fully recoverable through a ratemaking mechanism.

The Utility’s current authorized revenue requirement for natural gas transportation and storage service to non-core customers is not balancing account protected. The Utility recovers these costs in its GRC through fixed reservation charges and volumetric charges from long-term contracts, resulting in price and volumetric risk. The Utility uses value-at-risk to measure its shareholders’ exposure to these risks. The Utility’s value-at-risk was approximately $5 million and $14 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. for further discussion of price risk management activities.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk sensitivity analysis is used to measure interest rate risk by computing estimated changes in cash flows as a result of assumed changes in market interest rates. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, if interest rates changed by one percent for all PG&E Corporation and Utility variable rate long-term debt, short-term debt, and cash investments, the pre-tax impact on net income over the next 12 months would be $76 million and $89 million, respectively, based on net variable rate debt and other interest rate-sensitive instruments outstanding. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. for further discussion of interest rates.

Energy Procurement Credit Risk

The Utility conducts business with counterparties mainly in the energy industry to purchase electricity or gas and related services, including the CAISO market, other California IOUs, municipal utilities, energy trading companies, pipelines, financial institutions, electricity generation companies, and oil and natural gas production companies located in the United States and Canada. If a counterparty fails to perform on its contractual obligation to deliver electricity or gas and related services, then the Utility may find it necessary to procure electricity or gas at current market prices or seek alternate services, which may be higher than the contract prices.

The Utility manages credit risk associated with its counterparties by assigning credit limits based on evaluations of their financial conditions, net worth, credit ratings, and other credit criteria as deemed appropriate. Credit limits and credit quality are monitored periodically. The Utility executes many energy contracts under master commodity enabling agreements that may require security. Security may be in the form of cash or letters of credit. The Utility may accept other forms of performance assurance in the form of corporate guarantees of acceptable credit quality or other eligible securities (as deemed appropriate by the Utility). Security or performance assurance may be required from the Utility or counterparties when current net receivables/payables and exposure exceed contractually specified limits.

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The following table summarizes the Utility’s energy procurement credit risk exposure to its counterparties:

Exposure (1) (in millions)Number of Wholesale Customers or Counterparties 10%Net Credit Exposure to Wholesale Customers or Counterparties 10% (in millions)
December 31, 2021$5701$63
December 31, 2020$2502$57

(1) Exposure is the positive exposure maximum that equals mark-to-market value on physically and financially settled contracts, plus net receivables (payables) where netting is contractually allowed minus collateral posted by counterparties and held by the Utility plus collateral posted by the Utility and held by the counterparties. For purposes of this table, parental guarantees are not included as part of the calculation. Exposure amounts reported above do not include adjustments for time value or liquidity.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP involves the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the recorded amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The accounting policies described below are considered to be critical accounting estimates due, in part, to their complexity and because their application is relevant and material to the financial position and results of operations of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, and because these policies require the use of material judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates and assumptions. These accounting estimates and their key characteristics are outlined below.

Contributions to the Wildfire Fund

The Wildfire Fund is expected to be capitalized with (i) $10.5 billion of proceeds of bonds supported by a 15-year extension of the Department of Water Resources charge to customers, (ii) $7.5 billion in initial contributions from California’s three large electric IOUs, and (iii) $300 million in annual contributions paid by California’s three large electric IOUs for a 10-year period. The contributions from the IOUs will be effectively borne by their respective shareholders, as they will not be permitted to recover these costs through rates. The costs of the initial and annual contributions are allocated among the IOUs pursuant to a “Wildfire Fund allocation metric” set forth in AB 1054 based on land area in the applicable IOU’s service territory classified as HFTDs and adjusted to account for risk mitigation efforts. The Utility’s Wildfire Fund allocation metric is 64.2% (representing an initial contribution of approximately $4.8 billion and annual contributions of approximately $193 million).

On the Emergence Date, PG&E Corporation and the Utility contributed, in accordance with AB 1054, an initial contribution of approximately $4.8 billion and first annual contribution of approximately $193 million to the Wildfire Fund to secure participation of the Utility therein. The other large electric IOUs made their initial contributions to the Wildfire Fund in September 2019. On December 30, 2020 and 2021, the Utility made its second and third annual contributions of $193 million each to the Wildfire Fund. As of December 31, 2021, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have seven remaining annual contributions of $193 million (based on the current Wildfire Fund allocation metric). PG&E Corporation and the Utility account for the contributions to the Wildfire Fund similarly to prepaid insurance with expense being allocated to periods ratably based on an estimated period of coverage.

As of December 31, 2021, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded $193 million in Other current liabilities, $1.1 billion in Other non-current liabilities, $461 million in current assets - Wildfire fund asset, and $5.3 billion in non-current assets - Wildfire fund asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Utility recorded amortization and accretion expense of $517 million and $413 million, respectively. The amortization of the asset, accretion of the liability, and acceleration of the amortization of the asset is reflected in Wildfire Fund expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Expected contributions recorded in Wildfire Fund asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are discounted to the present value using the 10-year U.S. treasury rate at the date PG&E Corporation and the Utility satisfied all the eligibility requirements to participate in the Wildfire Fund. A useful life of 15 years is being used to amortize the Wildfire Fund asset.

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AB 1054 did not specify a period of coverage; therefore, this accounting treatment is subject to significant accounting judgments and estimates. In estimating the period of coverage, PG&E Corporation and the Utility use a Monte Carlo simulation that began with 12 years of historical, publicly available fire-loss data from wildfires caused by electrical equipment, and subsequently plan to add an additional year of data each following year. The period of historic fire-loss data and the effectiveness of mitigation efforts by the California electric utility companies are significant assumptions used to estimate the useful life. These assumptions along with the other assumptions below create a high degree of uncertainty related to the estimated useful life of the Wildfire Fund. The simulation creates annual distributions of potential losses due to fires that could be attributed to the participating electric utilities. Starting with a five-year period of historical data, with average annual statewide claims or settlements of approximately $6.5 billion, compared to approximately $2.9 billion for the 12-year historical data, would have decreased the amortization period to six years. As of December 31, 2021, a 10% change to the assumption around current and future mitigation effort effectiveness would increase the amortization period by three years assuming greater effectiveness and would decrease the amortization period by two years assuming less effectiveness.

Other assumptions used to estimate the useful life include the estimated cost of wildfires caused by other electric utilities, the amount at which wildfire claims would be settled, the likely adjudication of the CPUC in cases of electric utility-caused wildfires and determination of any amounts required to be reimbursed to the Wildfire Fund, the impacts of climate change, the level of future insurance coverage held by the electric utilities, the FERC-allocable portion of loss recovery, and the future transmission and distribution equity rate base growth of other electric utilities. Significant changes in any of these estimates could materially impact the amortization period.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility evaluate all assumptions quarterly and upon claims being made from the Wildfire Fund for catastrophic wildfires, and the expected life of the Wildfire Fund will be adjusted as required. The Wildfire Fund is available to other participating utilities in California and the amount of claims that a participating utility incurs is not limited to their individual contribution amounts. PG&E Corporation and the Utility assess the Wildfire Fund asset for acceleration of the amortization of the asset in the event that a participating utility’s electrical equipment is found to be the substantial cause of a catastrophic wildfire. Timing of any such acceleration of the amortization of the asset could lag as the emergence of sufficient cause and claims information can take many quarters and could be limited to public disclosure of the participating electric utility, if ignition were to occur outside the Utility’s service territory. There were fires in the Utility’s and other participating utilities’ services territories since July 12, 2019, including fires for which the cause is currently unknown, which may in the future be determined to be covered by the Wildfire Fund. As of December 31, 2021, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded $150 million in Other noncurrent assets for Wildfire Fund receivables related to the 2021 Dixie fire and $43 million of accelerated amortization, reflected in Wildfire Fund expense.

For more information, see “Initial and Annual Contributions to the Wildfire Fund Established Pursuant to AB 1054” in Note 3 and “Wildfire Fund under AB 1054” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Loss Contingencies

As discussed below, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have recorded material accruals for various wildfire-related, enforcement and legal matters, and environmental remediation liabilities. PG&E Corporation and the Utility have also recorded insurance receivables for third-party claims.

Wildfire-Related Liabilities

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are subject to potential liabilities related to wildfires.  PG&E Corporation and the Utility record a wildfire-related liability when they determine that a loss is probable and they can reasonably estimate the loss or a range of losses. The provision is based on the lower end of the range, unless an amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount.

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Potential liabilities related to wildfires depend on various factors, including negotiations and settlements or the cause of each fire, contributing causes of the fires (including alternative potential origins, weather and climate related issues), the number, size and type of structures damaged or destroyed, the contents of such structures and other personal property damage, the number and types of trees damaged or destroyed, attorneys’ fees for claimants, the nature and extent of any personal injuries, including the loss of lives, the extent to which future claims arise, the amount of fire suppression and clean-up costs, other damages the Utility may be responsible for if found negligent, and the amount of any penalties or fines that may be imposed by governmental entities. There are a number of unknown facts and legal considerations that may impact the amount of any potential liability, including the total scope and nature of claims that may be asserted against PG&E Corporation or the Utility. For example, the Utility’s wildfire-related accruals have changed in the past as new facts and information became available to the Utility, including the availability of new evidence and additional information about the scope and nature of damages.

The process for estimating wildfire-related liabilities requires management to exercise significant judgment based on a number of assumptions and subjective factors, including the factors identified above and estimates based on currently available information and prior experience with wildfires.  See Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Enforcement and Litigation Matters

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are subject to various laws and regulations and, in the normal course of business, are named as parties in a number of claims and lawsuits. In addition, penalties may be incurred for failure to comply with federal, state, or local laws and regulations. PG&E Corporation and the Utility record a provision for a loss contingency when it is both probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. PG&E Corporation and the Utility evaluate the range of reasonably estimated losses and record a provision based on the lower end of the range, unless an amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. Loss contingencies are reviewed quarterly and estimates are adjusted to reflect the impact of all known information, such as negotiations, discovery, settlements and payments, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. PG&E Corporation’s and the Utility’s provision for loss and expense excludes anticipated legal costs, which are expensed as incurred. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates and assumptions. See Note 14 and “Enforcement and Litigation Matters” in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Loss Recoveries

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have recovery mechanisms available for wildfire liabilities including from insurance, through rates, and from the Wildfire Fund. The Utility has liability insurance from various insurers, which provides coverage for third-party claims. PG&E Corporation and the Utility record a receivable for a recovery when it is deemed probable that recovery of a recorded loss will occur and they can reasonably estimate the amount or its range.  The assessment of whether recovery is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the recovery or a range of recoveries is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events.  Loss recoveries are reviewed quarterly and estimates are adjusted to reflect the impact of all known information, including contractual liability insurance policy coverage, advice of legal counsel, past experience with similar events, conversations with the Wildfire Fund administrators, the CPUC and FERC, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. See “Loss Recoveries” in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Environmental Remediation Liabilities

The Utility is subject to loss contingencies pursuant to federal and California environmental laws and regulations that in the future may require the Utility to pay for environmental remediation at sites where it has been, or may be, a potentially responsible party. Such contingencies may exist for the remediation of hazardous substances at various potential sites, including former MGP sites, power plant sites, gas compressor stations, and sites used by the Utility for the storage, recycling, or disposal of potentially hazardous materials, even if the Utility did not deposit those substances on the site.

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The Utility generally commences the environmental remediation assessment process upon notification from federal or state agencies, or other parties, of a potential site requiring remedial action. (In some instances, the Utility may initiate action to determine its remediation liability for sites that it no longer owns in cooperation with regulatory agencies. For example, the Utility has a program related to certain former MGP sites.) Based on such notification, the Utility completes an assessment of the potential site and evaluates whether it is probable that a remediation liability has been incurred. The Utility records an environmental remediation liability when site assessments indicate remediation is probable and it can reasonably estimate the loss or a range of possible losses. Given the complexities of the legal and regulatory environment and the inherent uncertainties involved in the early stages of a remediation project, the process for estimating remediation liabilities is subjective and requires significant judgment. Key factors evaluated in developing cost estimates include the extent and types of hazardous substances at a potential site, the range of technologies that can be used for remediation, the determination of the Utility’s liability in proportion to other responsible parties, and the extent to which such costs are recoverable from third parties.

When possible, the Utility estimates costs using site-specific information, but also considers historical experience for costs incurred at similar sites depending on the level of information available. Estimated costs are composed of the direct costs of the remediation effort and the costs of compensation for employees who are expected to devote a significant amount of time directly to the remediation effort. These estimated costs include remedial site investigations, remediation actions, operations and maintenance activities, post remediation monitoring, and the costs of technologies that are expected to be approved to remediate the site. Remediation efforts for a particular site generally extend over a period of several years. During this period, the laws governing the remediation process may change, as well as site conditions, thereby possibly affecting the cost of the remediation effort.

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Utility’s accruals for undiscounted gross environmental liabilities were $1.3 billion each. The Utility’s undiscounted future costs could increase to as much as $2.2 billion if the extent of contamination or necessary remediation is greater than anticipated or if the other potentially responsible parties are not financially able to contribute to these costs, and could increase further if the Utility chooses to remediate beyond regulatory requirements. Although the Utility has provided for known environmental obligations that are probable and reasonably estimable, estimated costs may vary significantly from actual costs, and the amount of additional future costs may be material to results of operations in the period in which they are recognized.

Regulatory Accounting

As a regulated entity, the Utility records regulatory assets and liabilities for amounts that are deemed probable of recovery from, or refund to, customers. Despite the ongoing losses related to wildfires (see Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.), there is no actual or anticipated change in the cost of service regulation of the Utility’s operations. Therefore, the Utility continues to apply the accounting ASC 980, Regulated Operations. These amounts would otherwise be recorded to expense or income under GAAP. Refer to “Regulation and Regulated Operations” in Note 3 as well as Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. As of December 31, 2021, PG&E Corporation and the Utility reported regulatory assets (including current regulatory balancing accounts receivable) of $12.7 billion and regulatory liabilities (including current regulatory balancing accounts payable) of $13.8 billion.

Determining probability requires significant judgment by management and includes, but is not limited to, consideration of testimony presented in regulatory hearings, proposed regulatory decisions, final regulatory orders, and the strength or status of applications for rehearing or state court appeals. For some of the Utility’s regulatory assets, including utility retained generation, the Utility has determined that the costs are recoverable based on specific approval from the CPUC. The Utility also records a regulatory asset when a mechanism is in place to recover current expenditures and historical experience indicates that recovery of incurred costs is probable, such as the regulatory assets for pension benefits; deferred income tax; price risk management; and unamortized loss, net of gain, on reacquired debt. If the Utility determined that it is no longer probable that regulatory assets would be recovered or reflected in future rates, or if the Utility ceased to be subject to rate regulation, the regulatory assets would be charged against income in the period in which that determination was made. If regulatory accounting did not apply, the Utility’s future financial results could become more volatile as compared to historical financial results due to the differences in the timing of expense or revenue recognition.

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A portion of the Utility's regulatory asset balances relate to items which could not be anticipated by the Utility during CPUC GRC rate requests resulting from catastrophic events, changes in regulation, or extraordinary changes in operating practices. The Utility may seek authority to track incremental costs in a memorandum account and the CPUC may authorize recovery of costs tracked in memorandum accounts if the costs are deemed incremental and prudently incurred. These accounts, which include the CEMA, WEMA, FHPMA, FRMMA, WMPMA, VMBA, WMBA, and RTBA among others, allow the Utility to track the costs associated with work related to disaster and wildfire response, and other wildfire prevention-related costs. In addition, the CPPMA and RUBA accounts track costs incurred to implement the CPUC’s Emergency Authorization and Order Directing Utilities to Implement Emergency Customer Protections to Support California Customers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. While the Utility generally believes such costs are recoverable, rate recovery requires CPUC authorization in separate proceedings or through a GRC. For more information, see “Regulatory Matters - Application for Recovery of Costs Recorded in the Wildfire Expense Memorandum Account” and “Regulatory Matters - Catastrophic Event Memorandum Accounts and Applications” above.

Additionally, SB 901 provides a mechanism for the CPUC to potentially allow recovery in future rates, through a securitization mechanism, of wildfire-related costs found to be just and reasonable by the CPUC and, only for the 2017 Northern California wildfires, any amounts in excess of the CHT. The Utility must evaluate the likelihood of recovery in future rates each period. If the criteria are met at a later date, the Utility would recognize a regulatory asset and a related gain in the consolidated income statement in the period in which it is determined that the likelihood of recovery is probable.

In addition, regulatory accounting standards require recognition of a loss if it becomes probable that capital expenditures will be disallowed for ratemaking purposes and if a reasonable estimate of the amount of the disallowance can be made. Such assessments require significant judgment by management regarding probability of recovery, as described above, and the ultimate cost of construction of capital assets. The Utility records a loss to the extent capital costs are expected to exceed the amount to be recovered.  The Utility’s capital forecasts involve a series of complex judgments regarding detailed project plans, estimates included in third-party contracts, historical cost experience for similar projects, permitting requirements, environmental compliance standards, and a variety of other factors.

Asset Retirement Obligations

PG&E Corporation and the Utility account for an ARO at fair value in the period during which the legal obligation is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value and its settlement date can be made. At the time of recording an ARO, the associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The Utility recognizes a regulatory asset or liability for the timing differences between the recognition of expenses and costs recovered through the ratemaking process. See Notes 3 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

To estimate its liability, the Utility uses a discounted cash flow model based upon significant estimates and assumptions about future decommissioning costs, inflation rates, and the estimated date of decommissioning. The estimated future cash flows are discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate that reflects the risk associated with the decommissioning obligation.

At December 31, 2021, the Utility’s recorded ARO for the estimated cost of retiring these long-lived assets was approximately $5.3 billion. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the amount of the recorded ARO for these assets.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

PG&E Corporation and the Utility sponsor a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for eligible employees as well as contributory postretirement health care and medical plans for eligible retirees and their eligible dependents, and non-contributory postretirement life insurance plans for eligible employees and retirees. Adjustments to the pension and other benefit obligation are based on the differences between actuarial assumptions and actual plan results. These amounts are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and amortized into income on a gradual basis. The differences between pension benefit expense recognized in accordance with GAAP and amounts recognized for ratemaking purposes are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities as amounts are probable of recovery through rates. To the extent the other benefits are in an overfunded position, the Utility records a regulatory liability. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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The pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are calculated using actuarial models as of the December 31 measurement date. The significant actuarial assumptions used in determining pension and other benefit obligations include the discount rate, the average rate of future compensation increases, the health care cost trend rate and the expected return on plan assets. PG&E Corporation and the Utility review these assumptions on an annual basis and adjust them as necessary. While PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that the assumptions used are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience, plan changes or amendments, or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the recorded pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and future plan expenses. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

In establishing health care cost assumptions, PG&E Corporation and the Utility consider recent cost trends and projections from industry experts. This evaluation suggests that current rates of inflation are expected to continue in the near term. In recognition of continued high inflation in health care costs and given the design of PG&E Corporation’s plans, the assumed health care cost trend rate for 2022 was 6.0%, gradually decreasing to the ultimate trend rate of approximately 4.5% in 2028 and beyond.

Expected rates of return on plan assets were developed by estimating future stock and bond returns and then applying these returns to the target asset allocations of the employee benefit plan trusts, resulting in a weighted average rate of return on plan assets. Returns on fixed-income debt investments were projected based on real maturity and credit spreads added to a long-term inflation rate. Returns on equity investments were projected based on estimates of dividend yield and real earnings growth added to a long-term inflation rate. For the Utility’s defined benefit pension plan, the assumed return of 5.5% compares to a ten-year actual return of 9.6%.

The rate used to discount pension benefits and other benefits was based on a yield curve developed from market data of approximately 817 Aa-grade non-callable bonds at December 31, 2021. This yield curve has discount rates that vary based on the duration of the obligations. The estimated future cash flows for the pension and other postretirement benefit obligations were matched to the corresponding rates on the yield curve to derive a weighted average discount rate.

The following reflects the sensitivity of pension costs and projected benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions:

(in millions)Increase (Decrease) in AssumptionIncrease in 2021 PensionCostsIncrease in ProjectedBenefit Obligation atDecember 31, 2021
Discount rate(0.50)%$111$1,872
Rate of return on plan assets(0.50)%103
Rate of increase in compensation0.50%51403

The following reflects the sensitivity of other postretirement benefit costs and accumulated benefit obligation to changes in certain actuarial assumptions:

(in millions)Increase (Decrease) in AssumptionIncrease in 2021Other PostretirementBenefit CostsIncrease in AccumulatedBenefit Obligation atDecember 31, 2021
Health care cost trend rate0.50%$9$58
Discount rate(0.50)%12138
Rate of return on plan assets(0.50)%15

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.