8-KFinancial EventsRegulation FD

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER CO INC 8-K Report, Material Impairment (Jan 11, 2024)

Filed January 11, 2024For Securities:AEP

Summary

American Electric Power Company (AEP) announced a material impairment related to regulatory disallowances from the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (WVPSC). The WVPSC's final order will result in AEP recording a pre-tax, non-cash disallowance of approximately $222 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. This disallowance stems from under-recovered Expanded Net Energy Cost (ENEC) regulatory asset balances for Appalachian Power Company (APCo) and Wheeling Power Company (WPCo). While a significant portion of the ENEC balance was disallowed, the companies will be permitted to recover the remaining $321 million over a ten-year period starting September 1, 2024. Importantly, AEP has stated that this disallowance will be excluded from its 2023 Operating Earnings (a non-GAAP measure). Furthermore, AEP is reaffirming its previously issued financial guidance for 2024 Operating Earnings, its long-term earnings growth rate projection of 6%-7%, and its FFO/Debt target of 14%-15%, indicating confidence in its ongoing operational and financial targets despite this regulatory setback.

Key Highlights

  • 1AEP to record a pre-tax, non-cash disallowance of approximately $222 million due to WVPSC order.
  • 2The disallowance is related to under-recovered ENEC regulatory asset balances for APCo and WPCo.
  • 3Remaining $321 million of ENEC balance to be recovered over ten years, starting September 2024.
  • 4Disallowance will be excluded from AEP's 2023 Operating Earnings (non-GAAP).
  • 5AEP reaffirms its 2024 Operating Earnings guidance.
  • 6AEP reaffirms its projected long-term earnings growth rate of 6%-7%.
  • 7AEP reaffirms its projected FFO/Debt target of 14%-15%.

Frequently Asked Questions

AEP anticipates recording a pre-tax, non-cash disallowance of approximately $222 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. This amount is attributable to Appalachian Power Company ($127 million) and Wheeling Power Company ($95 million).

No, AEP has stated that this disallowance will be excluded from its 2023 Operating Earnings, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. This means it will not impact the earnings figure that investors typically focus on for operational performance.

Despite the regulatory disallowance, AEP is reaffirming its previously issued financial guidance. This includes its forecast for 2024 Operating Earnings, its projected long-term earnings growth rate of 6%-7%, and its target FFO/Debt ratio of 14%-15%. This suggests management believes the company's core operations and financial health remain strong.

ENEC stands for Expanded Net Energy Cost. Regulatory asset balances, in this context, represent costs incurred by the utility companies that they have sought to recover from customers through rates. The WVPSC's decision disallowed a portion of these requested cost recoveries.