grepcent public filings, reorganized for comparison

PG&E Corp (PCG) FY 2024 MD&A

Verbatim Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis from PG&E Corp's 10-K for fiscal year 2024. Filing date: 2025-02-13. Report date: 2024-12-31. Accession: 0001004980-25-000010.

This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.

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.

Company profile: PCG · All MD&A years: index · Previous year: FY 2023 · Next year: FY 2025

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.

61

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.

62

•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.

63

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);

64

•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;

65

•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.

66

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.

67

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.

68

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.

69

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.

70

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.

71

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)

72

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)

73

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.

74

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.

75

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.

76

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.

77

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.

78

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.

79

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.

80

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.

81

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.

82

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).

83

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.

84

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.

85

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.

86

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.

87

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.

Back to the PCG company profile or the MD&A index.