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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20170914Application.pdfAvista Gorp. 1411 East Mission P.O. Box 3727 Spokane, Washington 99220-0500 Telephone 509489-0500 Toll Free 800-727-9170 September 14,2017 Diane Hanian Commission Secretary Idaho Public Utilities Commission 472W. Washington St. Boise, lD 83702 *vtsrfr Corp. AVU-g- l-7-ol Anu - G'tl -os- ifi i*) i ll-: fi1 RE: Joint Application of Hvdro One Limited and Avista Corporation for Order Authorizine Proposed Transaction Dct o 1' noctet Nos. avu-e- tz-6>{ anO RvU-C- tz-6X On July 19,2017, Avista Corporation announced that it had entered into a Merger Agreement with Hydro One Limited. Enclosed for filing with the Commission are an original and seven copies of the Joint Application of Avista Corporation and Hydro One Limited for an Order Authorizing the Proposed Transaction (the "Joint Application"). In support of the Joint Application, the applicants also included seven copies of pre-filed direct testimony and exhibits of: o Scott L. Morris, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Avista; o Mark Thies, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Avista; o Kevin Christie, Vice President of Customer Solutions of Avista; o Patrick Ehrbar, Director of Rates of Avista; o Mayo Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Office of Hydro One; o Christopher Lopez, Senior Vice President, Finance of Hydro One; and o Ferio Pugliese, Executive Vice President, Customer Care and Corporate Affairs of Hydro One. Applicants will be providing Protective Agreements to interested parties who intervene in order to facilitate discovery. As set foth in the Joint Application and supporting testimony, the applicants respectfully request that the Commission complete its review and issue an order approving the Proposed Transaction by August 14,2018, in order to consummate the Proposed Transaction by no later than September 30, 2018, as contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Page I of4 Avista Corp. 1411 East Mission P.O. Box 3727 Spokane, Washington 99220-0500 Telephone 509489-0500 TollFree 800-727-9170 Persons authorized on behalf of Avista to receive notices and communications with respect to this Joint Application are: {rusrfr Corp. Persons authorized on behalf of Hydro One to receive notices and communications with respect to this Joint Application are: David J. Meyer, Esq. Vice President and Chief Counsel for Regulatory & Governmental Affairs Avista Corp. P. O. Box3727 l4l1 E. Mission Avenue, MSC 27 Spokane, Wash ington 99220-37 27 Telephone: (509) 495-431 6 Facsimile: (509)495-8851 E-mai I : david.meyer@avistacorp.com Elizabeth Thomas, Partner Kari Vander Stoep, Partner K&L Gates LLP 925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900 Seattle, WA 98104-l158 Telephone: (206) 623-7 580 Facsimile: (206) 370-6190 E-mail : liz.thomas@kleates.com E-mail : kari.vanderstoep@kl gates.com Patrick Ehrbar Director of Rates State and Federal Regulation Avista Corp. P. O. Box3727 l4l I E. Mission Avenue, MSC 27 Spokane, Washington 99220 -37 27 Telephone: (509) 495-8620 Facsimile: (509)495-8851 E-mail: patrick.ehrbar@avistacorp.com James Scarlett Executive Vice President & Chief LegalOfficer Hydro One 483 Bay Street, 8th Floor, South Tower Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2P5 Telephone: (416) 345-1366 Facsimile : (41 6) 345 -697 2 E-mail : i scarlett@HydroOne.com Patrick Ehrbar Director of Rates State and Federal Regulation Avista Corp. P. O. Box3727 l4l I E. Mission Avenue, MSC 27 Spokane, Washington 99220 -37 27 Telephone: (509) 495-8620 Facsimile: (509)495-8851 E-mail : pat.ehrbar@avistacorp.com Data requests to the Joint Applicants should be addressed to the following For Avista: David J. Meyer, Esq. Vice President and Chief Counsel for Regulatory & Governmental Affairs Avista Corp. P. O.Box3727 l4l I E. Mission Avenue, MSC 27 Spokane, Washington 99220 -37 27 Telephone: (509) 495-4316 Facsimile: (509)495-8851 E-mai I : david.meyer@avistacom.com Page 2 of 4 Avista Corp.14ll East Mission P.O.Box3727 Spokane, Washington 99220-0500 Telephone 509489-0500 Toll Free 800-727-9170 frtnstt James Scarlett Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer Hydro One 483 Bay Street, 8th Floor, South Tower Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2P5 Telephone: (416) 345-1366 Facsimile : (41 6) 3 45 -697 2 E-mail : i scarlett@HydroOne.com S. Kyle Mersky, Senior Advisor Office of the President and CEO Hydro One Inc. 483 Bay Street, 8th Floor, South Tower Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2P5 Telephone: (416) 345-1369 E-mail: Kyle.Merskv@HydroOne.com Gory. For Hvdro One: Elizabeth Thomas, Partner Kari Vander Stoep, Partner K&L Gates LLP 925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900 Seattle, WA 98104-l158 Telephone: (206) 623-7 580 Facsimile: (206) 370-6190 E-mail : liz.thomas@kl gates.com E-mail: kari.vanderstoep@klqates.com Dirk Middents, Paralegal K&L Gates LLP 925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900 Seattle, WA 98104-l158 Telephone: (206) 623-7 580 E-mail: dirk.middents@klgates.com Hydro One and Avista have created an Electronic Document Room containing the documents listed in the Index provided as Appendix 3 to the Joint Application. These documents provide significant foundational information pertaining to both Avista and Hydro One. The Document Room contains documents such as the annual reports of both Avista and Hydro One for 2016, documents relating to debt and equity issuances, and financial reports. Provisions for access to the electronic Document Room can be arranged by contacting the following representatives of Hydro One: Ben Mayer, Associate, K&L Gates, ben.mayer@klgates.com,206- 370-8074; or Dirk Middents, K&L Gates, dirk.middents@klgates.com, 206-370-5705. Computer-readable copies of the Joint Application, testimony, and exhibits, required under Rule 231.05, are included on the enclosed compact disc. Attached to the Application is the form of Customer Notice and form of Press Release to be issued by the Applicants. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact David Meyer on behalf of Avista Corporation at 509-495-4316 or david.meyer@avistacorp.com or Elizabeth Thomas on behalf of Hydro One Limite d, at 206-370-7631 or liz.thomas@klgates.com or Kari Vander Stoep on behalf of Hydro One Lim ite d, at 206-370-7 804 or kari.vanderstoep@kl gates. com. Page 3 of4 Avlcta Gorp. 141{ East illrslon ?.O. Box3727 Spokane, Wrshlngton 99220-0500 Telephone 509.189-0500 Toll Free 800-727-9170 AhnsrfiW RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED this 'l,Ath day of Septembe\ 2017. K&L GATES, LLP AVISTA CORPORATION - Hill, Partner,No.6l75 ISB No. 8317 Elizabeth Thomas, Partner (pro hac vice application pending) Kari Vander Stoep, Partner (pro hac vice application pending) K&L Gates LLP On Behalf of Hydro One Limited Olympus Equity LLC 925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900 Seattle, WA 98104-1158 Teresa.hill@klgates.com Liz.thomas@klsates.com Kari. vanderstoep@kl eates.com Chief Counsel for Regulatory and Governmental Affairs Avista Corporation l41l E. Mission Ave., MSC-27 Spokane, WA 99220-3727 David.meyer@avistacorp.com cc: All parties to Avista's pending General Rate Case (AVU-E-17-01 and AVU-G-17-01) Page 4 of4 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that I have this 14fr day of September,2017, served the foregoing application, and Avista's Direct Testimony and Exhibits in Docket No. AVU-E-I7-0X and AVU-G-17-0X, upon the following parties, by mailing a copy thereof, properly addressed with postage prepaid to: Diane Hanian, Secretary ldaho Public Utilities Commission 472 W. Washington Street Boise, lD 83720-5983 diane. hanian@puc. idaho.oov Karl Klein Brandon Karpen Deputy Attomeys General ldaho Public Utilities Commission 472W. Washington Boise,,D 83720-AA74 karl.klein@ouc. idaho.gov brandon. karpen@puc. idaho.qov Marv Lewallen 28530 SW Canyon Creek Rd. - South Wilsonville, OR 97070 marv@malewallen.com Larry Crowley The Energy Strategies lnstitute, lnc. 5549 S. Cliffsedge Ave Boise, lD 83716 crowlevla@aol.com Travis Ritchie Staff Attorney Sierra Club 2101 Webster St., Suite 1300 Oakland, CA94612 Travis. ritch ie@sierraclub. oro Dean J. Miller, Lawyer 3620 E. Warm Springs Boise, lD 83716 deanimiller@cableone. net Brad M. Purdy Attorney at Law 2019 N 17th Street Boise, lD 83702 bmpurdv@hotmail.com Peter J. Richardson Greg M. Adams Richardson Adams PLLC 515 N. 27th Street Boise, lD 83702 peter@richardsonadams, com g,req @ richa rdsonsda ms. com Ronald L. Williams Williams Bradbury, P.C. P. O. Box 388 Boise, lD 83701 ron @wi I I ia m sbrad bu ry. com Dr. Don Reading 6070 Hill Road Boise, lD 83703 dreadinq@m i ndsorino.com ro? !/)t jl -_1 :3. O itt,-J irl rn Paul Kimball Sr. Regulatory Analyst Mafthew A. Nykiel/Ben Otto ldaho Conservation League P. O. Box 2308 102E. Euclid #207 Sandpoint, lD 83864 mnvkiel@idahoconservation. orq David J. Meyer Chief Counsel for Regulatory and Governmental Affairs Avista Corporation l4l I E. Mission Ave., MSC-27 Spokane, WA 99220-3727 David.meyer@avi stacom. com Teresa Hill, Partner Elizabeth Thomas, Partner Kari Vander Stoep, Partner K&L Gates LLP On Behalf of Hydro One Limited Olympus Equity LLC 925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900 Seattle, WA 98104-1158 Theresa.h i I l@kl gates.com Liz.thomas@klgates.com : kari.vanderstoep@klgates.com , t-J BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION In the Matter of the Joint Application of HYDRO ONE LIMITED (acting through its indirect subsidiary Olympus Equity LLC) and JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION AVISTA CORPORATION For an Order Authorizing Proposed Transaction I. INTRODUCTION Hydro One Limited ("Hydro One"), acting through Olympus Equity LLC an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary, and Avista Corporation ("Avista") (sometimes hereafterjointly referred to as "Joint Applicants" or the "companies") request an order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (the "Commission") authorizing the Proposed Transaction whereby Olympus Equity JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - I Avt - Elr-o3 CASE No. AUll - 6- lt - og I 2 LLC would acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Avista, and Avista would thereafter become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Olympus Equity LLC and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydro Onel (the combination of these transactions is hereafter "Proposed Transaction"). Appendix 1 depicts (i) a simplified chart of the current relationship of Hydro One and its primary operating subsidiaries (direct and indirect) that are referenced in this Joint Application, and (ii) the corporate structure that adds to the first chart the additional subsidiaries that will result from the consummation of the Proposed Transaction (post-closing). Hydro One, operating through its principal subsidiary, Hydro One Inc., is an investor- owned electric transmission and distribution utility headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Hydro One provides electric distribution service to more than 1.3 million retail end-use customers, as well as electric transmission service to many local distribution companies and large industrial customers. Avista is an investor-owned utility providing electric generation, transmission, and distribution services to approximately 378,000 retail customers in Washington, Idaho and Montana, and the distribution of natural gas to approximately 342,000 retail customers in Washington, Idaho and Oregon. Alaska Electric Light and Power ("AEL&P"), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Avista, also provides electric generation, transmission and distribution services to approximately 17,000 retail customers in the City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska. A table of contents for this Application is as follows: On July 19,2017, Avista, a Washington corporation, Hydro One, a Province of Ontario corporation, Olympus Holding Corp. (also referred to hereafter as "US Parent"), a Delaware corporation, and Olympus Corp. ("Merger Sub"), a Washington corporation and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of US Parent, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger. Following all approvals, at the effective time on the closing date, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Avista, and the separate existence of Merger Sub shall thereupon cease, and Avista will be the surviving corporation and will become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Olympus Equity LLC and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydro One. (See Appendix l) JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 2 3 I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. x. x. xt. XII. XIII. xv. XVI. XVII. INTRODUCTION JURISDICTION / LEGAL STANDARD................... REQUESTED APPROVAL DATE.... JOINT APPLICANTS' INFORMATION DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AVISTA'S REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION ........ HYDRO ONE'S REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION .5 .8 10 t4 t6OVERVIEW OF HYDRO ONE OVERVIEW OF AVISTA....23 POST-CLOSING CORPORATE STRUCTURE............. .,,,,,.....26 POST-CLOSTNG AVISTA GOVERNANCE, MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS. 28 BENEFITS TO CUSTOMERS FROM THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION .......,,........,29 PROTOCOL FOR DIRECT ASSIGNMENT OF COSTS BETWEEN AVISTA AND 32 oTHER REQUIRED APPROVALS ................35 JOINT APPLICANTS' WITNESSES SPONSORING TESTIMONY............................. 35 JOINT APPLICANTS' REQUEST 37 APPENDICES XIV. SATISFACTION OF THE PUBLIC TNTEREST AND COMMITMENTS BY JOINT I 4 5 APPENDIX 1 APPENDIX 2 APPENDIX 3 APPENDIX 4 APPENDIX 5 CORPORATE STRUCTURE _ PRE- AND POST-CLOSING MERGER AGREEMENT ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT ROOM - DOCUMENT LIST BAR CHART SHOWING RELATIVE SIZE OF INVESTOR OWNED UTILITIES DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO AVISTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 3 APPENDIX 6 APPENDIX 7 APPENDIX 8 APPENDIX 9 AVISTA'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (FORMS 1OK/lOQ) AND HYDRO ONE'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (2016 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2016 ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM) PROTOCOL FOR DIRECT ASSIGNMENT OF COSTS BETWEEN AVISTA AND HYDRO ONE MASTER LIST OF COMMITMENTS IDENTIFICATION OF HYDRO ONE AND AVISTA OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVES 4 II. JURISDICTION / LEGAL STANDARD This Application is filed pursuant to Idaho Code $ 6l-328, which requires authorization by order of the Commission before an electric public utility owning, controlling or operating any property located in ldaho used in the generation, transmission, distribution or supply of electric power or energy to the public may merge, sell, lease, assign or transfer, directly or indirectly, such property, or the operation, management or control thereof. Accordingly, the Commission has jurisdiction over this transaction pursuant to Idaho Code $ 6l-328. This section prohibits Hydro One from acquiring Avista without the written authorization of the Commission. Before authorizing such a transaction, the Commission must find that: (1) the transaction is consistent with the public interest; (2)the transaction will not cause the cost of or rates for supplying electrical service to increase; and (3) that Hydro One has the bona fide intent and financial ability to operate and maintain Avista's operations in ldaho. Idaho Code $ 6l-328. As explained below, Avista and Hydro One have proposed immediate financial net benefits for Avista's customers, as well as presenting the opportunity for longer-term benefits for customers JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 4 J 6 7 from efficiencies gained through best practices, technology and innovation. It is consistent with the public interest and the transaction will not cause the cost of or rate for supplying service to increase. III. REOUESTED APPROVAL DATE The Joint Applicants respectfully request approval of the Proposed Transaction on or before August 14,2018, and have made the same request in other state jurisdictions, in order to complete the Proposed Transaction on or before September 30,2018. The Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") among Hydro One, US Parent, Merger Sub and Avista permits Hydro One or Avista to terminate the Agreement if the merger has not been consummated by September 30, 2018, subject to extension if certain conditions to closing remain unfulfilled. A copy of the Merger Agreement is included as Appendix 2 to this Application. (See Section 7.1(b)) The Proposed Transaction is important for the customers, communities, employees, and shareholders of both companies. In order to mitigate both the duration and the effects of uncertainties during the approval process, the Joint Applicants respectfully request that the Commission schedule its review of the Application in a manner that will facilitate issuance of an order on or before August 14,2018. IV. JOINT APPLICANTS' INFORMATION The exact name and address of Hydro One's principal business office is as follows: Hydro One Limited 483 Bay Street 8th Floor Reception, South Tower Toronto, Ontario M5G 2P5 The exact name and address of Avista's principal business office is as follows: JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 5 8 9 10 Avista Corporation l41l East Mission Avenue P.O.Box3727 Spokane, Washington 99220-3727 Persons authorized on behalf of Avista to receive notices and communications with respect to this Joint Application are: il 12 13 David J. Meyer, Esq Vice President and Chief Counsel for Regulatory & Governmental Affairs Avista Corp. P. O.Box3727 1411 E. Mission Avenue, MSC 27 Spokane, Wash in gton 99220-37 27 Telephone: (509) 495-4316 Facsimile: (509)495-8851 E-mail : david.meyer@av istacorp.com Persons authorized on behalf respect to this Joint Application are: Elizabeth Thomas, Partner Kari Vander Stoep, Partner K&L Gates LLP 925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900 Seattle, WA 98104-l158 Telephone: (206) 623-7 580 Facsimile: (206) 370-6190 E-mail : I iz.thomas@klsates.com E-mail : kari.vanderstoep@klsates.com For Avista: David J. Meyer, Esq. Vice President and Chief Counsel for Regulatory & Govemmental Affairs Avista Corp. P. O.Box3727 l4l I E. Mission Avenue, MSC 27 Spokane, Washington 99220-37 27 Telephone: (509) 495-4316 Facsimile: (509)495-8851 E-mail : david.meyer@avistacom.com JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 6 Patrick D. Ehrbar Director of Rates Avista Corp. P. O. Box3727 l4l I E. Mission Avenue, MSC 27 Spokane, Washington 99220 -37 27 Telephone: (509) 495-8620 Facsimile: (509)495-8851 E-maiI: patrick.ehrbar@avistacorp.com ofH One to receive notices and communications with Data requests to the Joint Applicants should be addressed to the following: James Scarlett Executive Vice President & Chief LegalOfficer Hydro One 483 Bay Street, 8th Floor, South Tower Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2P5 Telephone: (416) 345-1366 Facsimile: (41 6) 345 -6972 E-mai I : i scarlett@HydroOne.com Patrick D. Ehrbar Director of Rates Avista Corp. P. O.Box3727 l4l I E. Mission Avenue, MSC 27 Spokane, Washin gton 99220 -37 27 Telephone: (509) 495-8620 Facsimile: (509)495-8851 E-mail: patrick.ehrbar@avistacorp.com For Hydro One: Elizabeth Thomas, Partner Kari Vander Stoep, Partner K&L Gates LLP 925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900 Seattle, WA 98104-l158 Telephone: (206) 623-7 580 Facsimile: (206) 370-6190 E-mail : liz.thomas@kleates.com E-mail : kari.vanderstoepl@klgates.com Dirk Middents, Paralegal K&L Gates LLP 925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900 Seattle, WA 98104-1158 Telephone: (206) 623-7 580 E-mail : dirk.middents@klgates.com James Scarlett Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer Hydro One 483 Bay Street, 8th Floor, South Tower Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2P5 Telephone: (416) 345-1366 Facsimile : (41 6) 345 -697 2 E-mail : i scarlett@HydroOne.com l4 t5 Electronic Document Room Hydro One and Avista have created an electronic Document Room containing the documents listed in the Index provided as Appendix 3 to this Joint Application. These documents provide significant foundational information pertaining to both Avista and Hydro One. The Document Room contains documents such as the annual reports of both Avista and Hydro One for 2016 and documents relating to debt and equity issuances. Provisions for access to the electronic Document Room can be arranged by contacting the following representatives of Hydro One: Ben Mayer, Associate, K&L Gates, ben.mayer@kleates.com, 206-370-8074; or Dirk Middents, K&L Gates, dirk.m iddents@.klgatelsam, 206-37 0 -57 0 5 . JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION . 7 S. Kyle Mersky, Senior Advisor Office of the President and CEO Hydro One Inc. 483 Bay Street, 8th Floor, South Tower Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2P5 Telephone: (416) 345-1396 E-mail : Kyle.Mersky@HydroOne.com 16 l7 18 V. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION On July 19, 2017, Hydro One, US Parent and Merger Sub entered into the Merger Agreement with Avista which provides for, among other things, the acquisition of Avista by Hydro One through the merger of Merger Sub with and into Avista, with Avista as the surviving corporation in the merger. The Proposed Transaction was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Following the receipt of all approvals and the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Avista will become a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Hydro One. At the close, Avista's common stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), and Avista will have one shareholder (i.e., Hydro One). Under the terms of the all-cash transaction, Avista shareholders will receive $53 per common share, representing a twenty-four percent (24%) premium to Avista's last sale price on July I 8, 2017 of $42.74 per share. The aggregate purchase price is approximately S5.3 billion, comprised of an equity purchase price of $3.4 billion and the indirect assumption of approximately $1.9 billion of debt. Hydro One's financing plan is designed to maintain a strong investment grade balance sheet following completion of the acquisition. Hydro One's regulated utility profile will remain intact with approximately ninety-eight percent (98%) of its earnings generated from rate- regulated activities. Hydro One will finance the Proposed Transaction through a combination of medium and long-term borrowings and the net proceeds from its previously completed issue of CS1.54 billion of convertible unsecured subordinated debentures, which will form the permanent equity component of the financing plan upon conversion at closing of the Proposed Transaction. Hydro One's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: H). JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 8 19 20 Following closing of the Proposed Transaction, Avista's customers and the communities Avista serves will see little or no change in Avista's operations. Avista will maintain its existing corporate headquarters in Spokane, Washington, and will continue to operate as a standalone utility in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Avista's subsidiary, AEL&P, will continue to operate as a standalone utility in Alaska. Avista will maintain office locations throughout its service areas, continue to operate under the same Avista name and seek to retain its existing employees and management team. All of these features together with other provisions embedded within the Merger Agreement are designed to ensure that Avista's customers will continue to receive the service they have come to expect from a company that has been a Pacific Northwest presence for more than 100 years. Avista will continue to have a local Board of Directors consisting primarily of either board members chosen by Avista, and/or members that reside in the Pacific Northwest. Moreover, the communities Avista serves will see increased charitable contributions and a continuation of the strong support Avista provides in economic development and innovation. Through this unique arrangement with Hydro One, Avista's customers can receive the benefits of scale that come with joining a larger organization while also avoiding the risk of a potential subsequent acquisition by another party that may not share Avista's culture and values. Avista and Hydro One believe this preservation of Avista's name and brand, its headquarters, its employees, its culture and its way of doing business is important to Avista's customers, in that customers can continue to expect and experience reliable service and a high level of customer satisfaction. Customers will see immediate financialbenefits in the form of proposed retail rate credits beginning upon the closing of the Proposed Transaction. ln addition, overtime the mergerwill JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 9 21 22 23 provide increased opportunities for innovation, research and development, and efficiencies by extending the use oftechnology, best practices, and business processes over a broader customer base and a broader set of infrastructure between the two companies. These immediate and longer- term benefits to Avista's customers are benefits that will otherwise not occur absent the Proposed Transaction. The Proposed Transaction is subject to receipt of Avista shareholder approval and certain regulatory and governmental approvals, including the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act, clearance of the Proposed Transaction by CFIUS, the approval by each of the WUTC, IPUC, OPUC, MPSC, RCA, FERC, and the FCC; and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.2 No additional approvals are required from Canadian authorities.3 The closing of the Proposed Transaction is currently expected to occur in the second half of 2018. VI. AVISTA'S REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION Avista's decision to enter into the Proposed Transaction with Hydro One was driven by the unique partnership that is possible with Hydro One. The merger with Hydro One will allow Avista and its customers to benefit from being part of a larger organization (the benefits of scale), while at the same time preserving local control of Avista, its commitment to community involvement, 2 HSR Act (Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976), CFIUS (Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States), WUTC (Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission), IPUC (Idaho Public Utilities Commission), OPUC (Public Utility Commission of Oregon), MPSC (Public Service Commission of the State of Montana), RCA (Regulatory Commission of Alaska), FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission), and FCC (Federal Communications Commission).3 The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) regulates the rates and practices of certain affiliates of Hydro One. Its approval is not required in order to effectuate this transaction. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 1O 25 and the retention of Avista's employees and management team, as well as its culture and its way of doing business. With regard to scale, the number of investor-owned electric and/or natural gas utilities in North America has decreased significantly over the years through consolidation. When comparing the size of investor-owned utilities from largest to smallest, Avista is one of the smallest investor- owned utilities remaining in North America.a A bar chart indicative of the investor-owned utilities in North America, from largest to smallest, is provided in Appendix 4. The merger of Avista and Hydro One will place the combined companies toward the middle of the range of investor-owned utilities, in terms of size. Through consolidation, larger utilities have the opportunity to spread costs, especially the costs ofnew technology, over a broader customer base and a broader set of infrastructure, which inures to the benefit of customers. Hydro One has more than 1.3 million electric distribution customers, and Avista has 378,000 electric customers and 342,000 natural gas customers. This combination will provide opportunities for efficiencies in the long-term through the sharing of best practices, technology and innovation. The merger will provide benefits to Avista's customers that otherwise would not occur. These benefits of scale will not occur in the near term following the closing of the merger, but are expected to occur over the long-term. After all approvals are received and the companies merge, both companies will work together to identifu, evaluate and execute on opportunities to reduce costs for both companies through, among other things, the sharing of technology, best practices, and business processes. The benefits from these cost savings will be flowed through to customers in future general rate cases. a As measured by equity value. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - I I 26 27 28 Avista chose to merge with Hydro One, under the specific provisions in the Merger Agreement, in paft, to preserve its culture and the way it does business for the long-term. This will enable Avista to continue to focus on providing reliable service to customers and high customer satisfaction at a reasonable cost. In addition, provisions in the Merger Agreement are designed to increase the level of support provided by Avista to the local communities it serves, including, among other things, charitable giving and continued support of economic development. The combination with Hydro One accomplishes all of these important goals for the indefinite future. Details of the agreements between Hydro One and Avista designed to protect and benefit Avista's customers were memorialized in Exhibits A ("Governance Requirements") and B ("Post- Closing Matters" and "Approval Requirements") to the Merger Agreement, hereafter collectively referred to as the "Delegation of Authority" (see Appendix 5 to this Application). Under the Delegation of Authority, Avista's Board of Directors retains its authority to review, authorize and approve certain specified matters related to Avista, without any obligation to obtain separate authorization or approval from the Hydro One Board. Among the matters retained by the Avista Board pursuant to the Merger Agreement are decisions to do the following: l. Keeping Avista's headquarters in Spokane; 2. Keeping Avista's brand the same; 3. Keeping Avista's office locations in each of its service areas, with no less of a significant presence in each location than that in place prior to the merger; 4. Preventing workforce reductions resulting from the Proposed Transaction; 5. Retaining Avista's existing management team; 6. Maintaining existing compensation and benefit practices; 7. Negotiating and entering into agreements with bargaining unit employees; JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - I2 Maintaining Avista's safety and reliability standards and policies and service quality measures in a manner that is substantially comparable to, or better than, those prior to the merger; Maintaining Avista's community involvement and support initiatives at levels equalto or greater than those prior to the merger; 10. Maintaining a $4.0 million annual budget for charitable contributions (funded by both Avista and the Avista Foundation) as compared to an approximate $2.5 million level prior to the merger; ll. Making a $2.0 million annual contribution to the Avista Foundation (following an initial contribution to the Foundation of $7.0 million at the time the merger closes); 12. Maintaining at least the level of economic development that existed prior to the merger, including the expenditure of funds to support regional economic development and related strategic opportunities consistent with past practices; 13. Maintaining existing levels of capital allocations for capital investment in strategic and economic development, including property acquisitions in the university district, support of local entrepreneurs and seed-stage investments; 14. Continued development and funding of Avista's existing and future innovation activities; and preserve reliable service and a high level of customer satisfaction for the benefit of Avista's customers. Changes to these provisions in the Merger Agreement require a two-thirds majority vote of the Avista board. In addition to the authority to effect these decisions and other commitments, the makeup of the Avista Board of Directors will further reinforce and preserve the way Avista currently does business, for the benefit of its customers. The Avista board will be a local board primarily consisting of either board members who are, or who are chosen by, Avista designees, and/or members who reside in the Pacific Northwest. Specifically, after closing, Avista will be governed by a nine member Board of Directors, with Avista's CEO Scott Morris serving as the Chairman of JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - I3 8 9 29 30 15. Maintaining dues paid by Avista to various industry trade groups and membership organizations. The Delegation of Authority is designed to ensure that local knowledge and control will 3t 32 the Board. Three additional board members will be chosen by Avista, and these three board members together with the CEO will be referred to as Avista designees. There will always be a total of four Avista designees, and these Avista Board members, as a group, will choose their successors. Of the five board members chosen by Hydro One, three of the five will reside in the Pacific Northwest. The remaining two board members will be executives of Hydro One or one of its subsidiaries. The Delegation of Authority included in the Merger Agreement and the makeup of the Avista Board of Directors is intended to ensure that Avista's culture and its way of doing business will continue for the long-term, inuring to the benefit of customers. The Proposed Transaction is not designed to target the elimination ofjobs, or cost cutting that may lead to a deterioration of customer service, customer satisfaction, safety, reliability, or a deterioration of charitable giving, economic development or innovation in the communities Avista serves. 5 vII.HYDRO ONE'S REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION For more than 100 years and untiljust two years ago, Hydro One, and its predecessor Ontario Hydro, was owned solely by the Province of Ontario. In 2015, Hydro One became a commercially operated investor owned utility. Over the years, Hydro One had acquired a number of local distribution companies in Ontario to increase its distribution footprint. Hydro One 5 On July 19,2017, S&P affirmed its ratings, including the 'BBB' issuer credit rating, on Avista and revised the outlook to positive from stable. The positive outlook reflects S&P's view of the potential for higher ratings on Avista if the merger is completed as proposed based on its view that Avista will be an important member of the Hydro One group, highly unlikely to be sold and integral to the overall group strategy and operations. In addition, on July 19,2017, Moody's affirmed the ratings of Avista's (i) issuer rating (Baal); (ii) multiple seniority medium- term note program ((P)A2); (iii) senior secured medium-term notes (A2); (iv) senior secured first mortgage bonds (A2); (v) senior secured medium-term note program ((P)A2); and (vi) senior unsecured medium-term note program ((P)Baal) and kept the outlook at stable. Moody's indicated that the stable rating outlook on Avista reflects its view that the merger will not materially affect the credit quality of Avista. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - I4 33 54 35 36 continues to pursue growth and the benefits that will accrue to its customers, communities and shareholders from that growth. Hydro One is a pure play transmission and distribution utility located solely within Ontario. It seeks diversification both in terms ofjurisdictions and service areas. The Proposed Transaction with Avista achieves both goals by expanding Hydro One into the U.S. Pacific Northwest and expanding its operations to natural gas distribution and electric generation. The Proposed Transaction with Avista will deliver the increased scale and benefits that come from being a larger player in the utility industry. The utility industry is changing dramatically, with the deployment of distributed generation and storage resources, and the ever increasing reliance on renewable generation. Avista and Hydro One acting separately will be challenged to participate in these innovations on a scale similar to the larger utilities due to the size of their balance sheets and customer bases. Combined, however, Avista and Hydro One will become more competitive by creating scale and cost efficiencies over time. Hydro One and Avista intend to continue investing in innovation. Together, with nearly two million customers, they can spread these costs over a larger base. Finally, Hydro One and Avista believe that the Proposed Transaction will deliver cost savings over the next five to ten years. While Hydro One and Avista cannot quantify those savings at this time, the companies should achieve savings through scale and collaboration in supply chain activity, IT development and implementation, innovation, and potentially other areas. Both Hydro One and Avista have similar cultures and values, including a strong commitment to their respective communities, which will enable a seamless integration. Both companies make customer service, high customer satisfaction, reliability, safety, respect for the environment, and reasonable retail rates a high priority. Because oftheir shared culture and values, JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - I5 37 38 both companies have high expectations that Avista's and Hydro One's reasons for the Proposed Transaction will be achieved. V[I. OVERVIEW OF HYDRO ONE Hydro One is an investor-owned electric transmission and distribution utility headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.6 Through its subsidiaries, Hydro One provides electric distribution service to more than 1.3 million retail end-use customers, as well as electric transmission service to many local distribution companies and large industrial customers. The operations of Hydro One originated in 1906 as the Ontario-owned Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario . In 1999, Ontario Hydro was restructured into five separate entities, including Hydro One Inc. as the successor to its transmission and distribution business, and Ontario Power Generation Inc., as the successor to its generation business. Hydro One Inc., Hydro One's wholly-owned subsidiary, was incorporated on December l, 1998 under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) as a separate corporation providing transmission and distribution services, with the Province of Ontario as its sole shareholder. Hydro One was incorporated by the Province of Ontario on August 31, 2015 under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). On October 30,2015 Hydro One's articles of incorporation were amended to authorize the creation of an unlimited number of Series I preferred shares and an unlimited number of Series 2 preferred shares, with the Series 1 preferred shares to be issued to the Province. On October 31,2015,atl of the issued and outstanding shares of Hydro One Inc. were acquired by Hydro One from the Province in exchange for the issuance to the Province of commons shares and Series 1 preferred 6 Please see Appendix 9 for identification ofthe officers, Executive Leadership Team and SVP ofFinance (acting in the capacity of CFO) of Hydro One. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION . I6 39 10 shares of Hydro One. On November 4,2015, the articles of Hydro One were amended to authorize the consolidation of its outstanding common shares such that 595,000,000 common shares of Hydro One were issued and outstanding. On November 5,2015, Hydro One completed its initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange by way of a secondary offering of common shares by the Province of Ontario, with the goal of 60Yo of the company being held by private investors. The Province of Ontario is a shareholder and pursuant to its governance agreement with Hydro One it does not hold or exercise any managerial oversight over Hydro One. As of July 31,2017, the Province owned 49.9% of Hydro One's shares with the remainder of shares held by private investors. Based on facts known today and assuming the Proposed Transaction is completed, the Province's level of ownership of Hydro One willdecline to below 45Yo. ln addition, the Ontario Electricity Act, 1998, restricts the Province from selling voting securities (including common shares of Hydro One) if it would own less than 40%6 ofthe outstanding number of voting securities of that class or series after the sale. If as a result of the issuance of additional voting securities of any class or series by Hydro One, the Province would own less than 40 percent of the outstanding number of voting securities of that class or series, then the Province shall, subject to certain requirements, take steps to acquire as many voting securities of that class or series of voting securities as are necessary to increase the Province's ownership to not less than 40 percent of the outstanding number of voting securities of that class or series. In order to assist the Province in meeting its ownership obligations under the Electricity Act, l99S,underthegovernanceagreementwiththeProvince,HydroOnehasgrantedtheProvince a pre-emptive right to subscribe for and purchase up to 45oh of any proposed issuance by Hydro One of voting securities or securities that are convertible or exchangeable into voting securities JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 17 4l 42 13 (other than certain specified excluded issuances). Any offered securities not subscribed for and purchased by the Province pursuant to its pre-emptive right may be issued to any other person pursuant to the proposed offering. Accordingly, the requirement of the Province to maintain a 407o ownership interest in Hydro One does not constrain Hydro One's ability to issue more equity. Hydro One is permitted to issue voting securities or securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for voting securities at any time, provided that it must first give the Province the opportunity to subscribe for the number of securities to which it is entitled pursuant to its pre- emptive right before offering them to others. Of Hydro One's 15 directors, all are independent of the Province within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, and, with the exception of the President and Chief Executive Officer, all of Hydro One's directors are independent of Hydro One. Hydro One connects generating facilities operated by Ontario Power Generation ("OPG"), Bruce Power Limited Partnership ("Bruce Power") and a number of other privately-owned companies to its transmission and distribution systems. OPG is a Crown corporation wholly-owned by the Province. OPG is responsible for approximately half of the electricity generation in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Sources of electricity include nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, gas and biomass. Hydro One purchases power from these generating sources and delivers the power to its retail customers. The costs of these power purchases are a "pass-through" to Hydro One's retail customers, i.e., these customers pay a commodity power cost equal to that paid by Hydro One. Hydro One's wholesale customers and its large-use customers that are market participants purchase commodity directly and do not rely on Hydro One to purchase commodity for them. Therefore, Hydro One has no material exposure to variations in the commodity cost of power. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - I8 45 46 47 Since 1998, Hydro One has successfully consolidated and integrated approximately 90 separate local distribution electric utilities with sensitivity and respect for the customers and communities it serves and the numerous employees which have joined Hydro One through these acquisitions. These customers are part of Hydro One's more than 1.3 million retail end-use customers. Hydro One is committed to the communities it serves, and has been rated as the top utility in Canada for its corporate citizenship, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. It is one of only four utility companies in Canada to achieve the Sustainable Energy Company designation from the Canadian Electrical Association. Hydro One has approximately 5,400 fulltime employees and 3,300 casual and temporary employees (not including extemal contractors) with total assets of C$25 billion, annual revenues over C$6.5 billion, and with a market capitalization of C$14 billion. Based on pro forma financial information at March 31,2017, following the merger, Hydro One's total assets will increase from approximately C$25.4 billion to approximately C$34.9 billion. Hydro One is the largest electricity transmission and distribution company in Ontario. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hydro One Inc., Hydro One owns and operates substantially all of Ontario's electricity transmission network with over 30,000 circuit kilometers (km) (approximately 19,000 miles) of high-voltage transmission lines, and approximately 123,000 circuit km (approximately 77,000 miles) of low-voltage distribution network. The pricing and terms and conditions of Hydro One's transmission and distribution operations (approximately 98%o of Hydro One's revenues) are regulated by the OEB. Hydro One has three business segments: (i) transmission; (ii) distribution; and (iii) other business. The following corporate organization chart depicts the current relationship of Hydro One JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZINC PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 19 18 and its primary operating subsidiaries (direct and indirect) that are referenced in this Joint Application. Hydro One Networks Inc. owns and operates the transmission and distribution systems. Hydro One Remote Communities Inc. and Hydro One Telecom Inc. will be briefly explained later. Illustration No. 1: Current Corporate Structure The diagram below depicts the current relationship of Hydro One Limited and its primarv operating subsidiaries that are referenced in the Joint Application. Public Company (TSX: H) 700%700% Public Debt lssuer 700%700% Rate Regulated Businesses (98% of Revenues) Non-Rate-Regulated Business Hydro One's transmission business consists of owning, operating and maintaining its transmission system, which accounts for approximately 98o/o of Ontario's transmission capacity. Hydro One's transmission business is a rate-regulated business that receives revenues from charging transmission rates approved by the OEB. Hydro One's transmission business accounted for approximately 5l%o of Hydro One's total assets on December 31, 2016, and approximately JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION . 20 700% 49 Hydro One Limited Hydro One lnc.2486267 Ontario lnc. Hydro One Networks I nc. Hydro One Remote Communities lnc. Hydro One Telecom I nc. 50 5lo/o of its total revenues, net of purchased power, in 2016. The following map depicts the transmission network: Illustration No.2: Electric Transmission Svstem Map Hydro One's distribution business consists of owning, operating and maintaining its distribution system. Hydro One's distribution system is the largest in Ontario, and principally serves rural communities. Hydro One's distribution business is a rate-regulated business that receives revenues by charging distribution rates that are approved by the OEB. Hydro One's distribution business accounted for approxim ately 37Yo of its total assets on Decemb er 31 , 2016, and approximately 47%o of its total revenues, net of purchased power, in 2016. The following map depicts the distribution footprint of Hydro One: JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 2I hydrofi" TmkrlmUrs !{iglrYofogImnirdmlim ll5tv - 230 tv - 500tv truiricr ft*rrtoorfioo l) Exirtirg 4 A r t trtr xtI{IIO8 ONTARIO ,/ qrhrc 7 rflNffi 77I-17 r{&ltr{ 71 M 51 52 Illustration No.3: Electric Distribution Svstem Map Through Hydro One Remote Communities Inc., Hydro One also operates and maintains the generation and distribution assets used to supply electricity to 2l communities across northern Ontario that are not connected to the Province's electricity grid, l5 of which are First Nations reserves.T Hydro One's other business segment consists principally of Hydro One's telecommunications business (Hydro One Telecom Inc.), as well as certain other corporate activities.s The telecommunications business provides telecommunications support for Hydro 7 The First Nations are the predominant Indigenous group of Canada south of the Arctic. There are currently 634 recognized First Nations govemments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia.8 Hydro One Telecom Inc. is not regulated by the OEB. lt is registered with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) as a non-dominant, facilities-based telecommunications carrier. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 22 hydrofi* os* 610.000 knzsice leriiory o H*, 0isrihutbn .5BftU IrElv Yo*( rcil lt$tHtscra r$CH|GAN Tfllo{l&rH d oufuc I m NTAR \** *l v- to t #-'o fiffi :fl ,. X%ffi fiM ttrcl d !o fiA} TOEJT 53 54 One's transmission and distribution businesses. The telecommunications business also offers communications and information technology solutions to organizations with broadband network requirements. On July 19,2017, Standard and Poors ("S&P") affirmed an'A'long-term corporate credit rating on both Hydro One and Hydro One Inc. On July 19,2017, Moody's affirmed the ratings of Hydro One Inc.'s: (i) senior unsecured regular bonds (A3); (ii) senior unsecured medium-note program ((P)A3); and (iii) senior unsecured commercial paper (P-2). On July 19,2017, the rating agency DBRS (originally known as Dominion Bond Rating) expressed its view that, should the merger be financed as contemplated in the announcement, it will have no impact on Hydro One Inc.'s credit profile. The recent financial statements of Hydro One are included in Appendix 6, including a copy of Hydro One's 2016 Annual Report and the 2016 Annual Information Form filed with Canadian Securities regulators. Avista Utilities, headquartered in Spokane, Washington, and an operating division of Avista (not a subsidiary), provides electric and natural gas service within a 30,000 square mile area of eastern Washington and northern ldaho.e Of Avista's approximate 378,000 electric and 342,000 natural gas customers (as of June30,2017),130,000 and 82,000, respectively, were ldaho customers. Avista also serves approximately 30 retail electric customers in western Montana, many of whom are Avista employees who operate Avista's Noxon Rapids generating facility. Avista also provides natural gas distribution service in southwestern and northeastern Oregon. In e Please see Appendix 9 for identification ofthe corporate officers ofAvista. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 23 IX. OVERVIEW OF AVISTA 55 56 57 2014, Avista acquired AEL&P, which serves electric power to approximately I 7,000 customers in the City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska. Avista operates a vertically-integrated electric system in Washington, Idaho, and western Montana. Avista's owned generating resource portfolio includes a mix of hydroelectric generation projects, base-load coal and base-load natural gas-fired thermal generation facilities, waste wood- fired generation, and natural gas-fired peaking generation. Avista-owned generation facilities have a total capacity of 1,925 MW, which includes 56Yo hydroelectric and 44oh thermal resources. Avista has approximately 18,300 miles of primary and secondary electric distribution lines, and has an electric transmission system of 685 miles of 230 kV lines and 1,534 miles of 115 kV lines. Avista owns and maintains a total of 7,650 miles of natural gas distribution lines, and is served off of the Williams Northwest and Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) pipelines. Avista is also one of the three original developers of the underground storage facility at Jackson Prairie, which is located near Chehalis, Washington. A map showing Avista's electric and natural gas service area in Washington, Idahoo Montana and Oregon is provided below in Illustration No.4. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 24 58 Illustration No. 4: On December 31,2016, Avista Utilities had total assets (electric and natural gas) of approximately $5.0 billion (on a system basis), with electric retail revenues of $760 million (system) and natural gas retail revenues of $294 million (system). In December 2016, the Utility had 1,742 employees. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 25 ! EloctricsenicrArca ffifl trratcrscniccAror I Ehctric.ld il.llnl G.s S!ruicrAr.t IDAHO ?-tl riltLr -1./ D I .t I OREGON Ja I t] aI , a 59 60 6l Avista's credit ratings, assigned by S&P and Moody's are as follows S&P Moody's Corporate Credit Rating BBB Baal Senior Secured Debt A-A2 Outlook Positive Stable The recent financial statements of Avista are included in Appendix 6, including a copy of Avista's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for the fiscal year ending December 31,2016, and a copy of Avista's Form l0-Q filed with the SEC for the quarterly period ending June30,2017. X. POST-CLOSINGCORPORATESTRUCTURE After the closing, Avista will be owned by Hydro One, through a series of wholly-owned subsidiaries, as depicted in Illustration No. 5 below: JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 26 Illustration No. 5: 62 Avista will continue to issue debt financing, as needed. Hydro One will provide equity to support Avista's capital structure that is designed to allow Avista access to debt financing under reasonable terms on a sustainable basis. Olympus Equity LLC is a debt-free, bankruptcy-remote entity. Following closing of the Proposed Transaction, all ofthe common stock of Avista will be owned by Olympus Equity LLC, a new Delaware limited liability company, and a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Hydro One. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 27 63 Hydro One lnc. Hydro One Limited (Ontario Corporation) (Ontario Hydro One Networks lnc, Hydro One Remote Communities lnc. Olympus Holding Corp. (Delaware Corporation) 2486267 Ontario lnc. Hydro One Telecom lnc. Olympus 1 LLC (Delaware Limited Liability Company) Olympus 2 LLC (Delaware Limited Liability Company) Olympus Equity LLC (Delaware Limited Liability Company) Avista Corporation (Washington Corporation) Avista Corporation Subsidiaries 64 65 66 As noted, Olympus Equity LLC will be established as a bankruptcy-remote special purpose entity, and will not have debt.lo XI. POST-CLOSING AVISTA GOVERNANCE. MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS As explained earlier, as a result of the merger, Avista's customers and the communities Avista serves will see little or no change in the operations of Avista, as compared to Avista's operations prior to the Proposed Transaction. Hydro One and Avista believe that the partnership they have forged will benefit customers in the years to come. Avista customers will see immediate financial benefits in the form of proposed retail rate credits (the "Rate Credits") beginning at the close of the Proposed Transaction, as well as opportunities for additional longer-term benefits from efficiencies gained through the sharing of best practices, technology and innovation. The communities Avista serves will see increased charitable contributions and a continuation of the strong support Avista provides in economic development and innovation. The Merger Agreement provides for the retention of Avista's existing employees and management team. Following the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Avista will be governed by a nine member Board of Directors, with Scott Morris as the Chairman of the Board. Three additional board members will be chosen by Avista. There will be a total of four Board members r0 The structure has been set up to provide segregation between the US rate regulated business and the Ontario rate regulated business, which is held through Hydro One Inc. Upon the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Avista will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Equity LLC, which will be a bankruptcy-remote entity with no debt. Together with the ring-fencing provisions described in Mr. Christopher Lopez's and Mr. Mark Thies's testimony, this structure insulates Avista and its customers from any potential financial weakness at Olympus Equity LLC or other entities up the chain from Olympus Equity LLC. Hydro One has created three intermediate subsidiaries between Avista / Olympus Equity LLC and the Can Sub. The entities are created for Canadian tax planning purposes and to manage intercorporate funds flows. This corporate structure will not result in any additional costs to be recovered from Avista customers. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 28 67 68 referred to as Avista designees, and these Avista Board members (Avista designees) will choose their successors. Of the five board members chosen by Hydro One, three of the five will reside in the Pacific Northwest. The remaining two board members will be executives of Hydro One or one of its subsidiaries. Therefore, the Avista Board will be a local board primarily consisting of either board members chosen by Avista, and/or members who reside in the Pacific Nofthwest. Retaining Avista's employees and management enables the combined company to satisfy its promises to Avista's customers by assuring continuity in its business and operations after the close of the Proposed Transaction. State regulators and other stakeholders will see a continued focus by Avista on providing safe and reliable service to customers, high customer satisfaction, and energy service at a reasonable cost. The various provisions of the Merger Agreement are designed to enable Avista to do so for the indefinite future. XII. BENEFITS TO CUSTOMERS FROM THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION There will be cost savings immediately following the close, such as reduced expenses associated with the fact that Avista will no longer have publicly traded common stock. Some savings will materialize with respect to filings with the SEC, including legal and accounting costs. In addition, the post-close Avista Board of Directors will have fewer non-employee members, which will result in lower costs. These cost savings are discussed in the testimony of Avista witness, Mr. Thies. The total estimated annual cost savings to customers, on a system basis, for Avista is approximately $1.7 million. Avista and Hydro One are proposing to flow through to Avista's retail customers in Washington, Idaho and Oregon a Rate Credit of $31 .5 million over a 1O-year period, beginning at JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 29 69 the time the merger closes.ll The Rate Credit consists of two components, and reflects an increased level of savings in years 6-10 as illustrated in the table below. Two-Step Rate Credit Prcposal Annual Crcdit Yean 1-5 Annual Crcdit Yean 6-10 70 71 Total Crcdit TotalCredit $2.65 Millbn $3.65 Millbn $31.50 Million Oftetable Credit $1.70 Millbn $2.70 Millbn 522.00 Million The total Rate Credit to customers for the first five years following the closing would be $2.65 million per year, and the credit would increase to $3.65 million per year for the last five years of the 1O-year period. During the 1O-year period, the financial benefits of the Rate Credit will flow through to customers either through a separate tariff schedule or through a reduction to the underlying cost of service as these benefits are reflected in the test period numbers used for ratemaking as described more fully below. At the time of the closing, the $2.65 million benefit will be provided to customers through a separate Rate Credit, as long as the reduction in costs is not already reflected in base retail rates for Avista's customers. A portion of the annual total Rate Credit would be offsetable, as indicated in the table above. To the extent Avista demonstrates in a future rate proceeding that cost savings, or benefits, rr The AEL&P operations in the City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska, operate substantially independent of Avista Utilities, and the costs from which the merger-related cost savings are derived, are currently not being charged to AEL&P. Therefore, there are no financial cost savings to flow through to AEL&P customers. For Avista's retail operations in Montana, Avista has approximately 30 retail customers and total retail revenue of approximately $74,000. Due to the very limited retail operations by Avista in Montana, for administrative efficiency the past practice by the Montana Public Service Commission has been to review the final rates recently filed and approved in the State of Idaho, and approve those for Avista's Montana customers, when a request is made by Avista. The date of the last approved retail rates in Montana for Avista was April 27 ,2011 . Since that time electric retail rates have increased in the State of Idaho, but Avista has not proposed similar increases for its Montana customers. Because Avista's current retail rates for its Montana customers are already below its cost of service, and for the sake of administrative efficiency, Avista and Hydro One are not proposing to flow through a financial benefit to Avista's Montana customers related to the Proposed Transaction. (lf a proportionate benefit to Montana customers were to be calculated based on the level of retail revenue, the total annual Rate Credit for all customers combined would be approximately $190.) JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 30 72 73 directly related to the Proposed Transaction are already being flowed through to customers through base retail rates, the separate Rate Credit to customers would be reduced by an amount up to the offsetable Rate Credit amount. The portion ofthe total Rate Credit that is not offsetable effectively represents acceptance by Hydro One of a lower rate of return during the lO-year period. The $31.5 million represents the "floor" of benefits that will be flowed through to Avista's customers, either through the Rate Credit or through benefits reflected in base retail rates. To the extent the identifiable benefits exceed the annual offsetable Rate Credit amounts, these additional benefits will be flowed through to customers in base retail rates in general rate cases as they occur. The increase in total Rate Credits foryears 6-10 will provide time forAvista and Hydro One to identify and capture over time an increased level of benefits, directly related to the Proposed Transaction, that can be flowed through to customers. As explained earlier, Avista and Hydro One believe additional efficiencies (benefits) will be realized over time from the sharing of best practices, technology and innovation between the two companies. Areas Hydro One and Avista expect to prioritize in evaluating opportunities for cost savings include: o Investing in innovation that could help both Hydro One and Avista to better meet their customers' growing expectations for choice of energy supply and tools to manage energy consumption and costs. Leveraging the innovation, research and development investments of both companies could accelerate their ability to bring the benefits of new ideas and technologies to their customers. o Exercising their purchasing power at greater scale for equipment and materials. . Providing mutual assistance during and after storm and emergency events. . Employment of common technology platforms for outage management, distribution management and other operations. It will take time to identify and capture these benefits. The level of annual net cost savings (and/or net benefits) will be tracked and reported on an annual basis, and compared against the offsetable level of savings. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 3I 71 75 76 Avista and Hydro One are not aware of any net increase in costs to Avista's customers related to the Proposed Transaction.l2 Therefore, the annual Rate Credits proposed by the companies represent an immediate net benefit to customers. Mr. Ehrbar explains in his testimony the manner in which the Rate Credit is proposed to be flowed through to Avista's electric and natural gas customers. In addition to providing net benefits to customers through rate credits, the merger also ensures there will be little to no change in the operations of Avista as a result of the Proposed Transaction, as compared to Avista's operations prior to the Proposed Transaction. As explained in previous sections, the Proposed Transaction does not target the elimination of jobs, or cost- cutting that could potentially lead to a deterioration of customer service, customer satisfaction, safety, or reliability. XIII. PROTOCOL FOR DIRECT ASSIGNMENT OF COSTS BETWEEN AVISTA AND HYDRO ONE Following closing of the Proposed Transaction, to the extent Avista employees dedicate time and incur costs related to the operations of Hydro One, those costs would be directly assigned and billed to Hydro One, and would not be borne by Avista's customers. Likewise, should Hydro One employees dedicate time and incur costs associated with Avista's operations, such costs would be directly assigned and billed to Avista. If a Hydro One employee's time and costs are related to Avista's regulated utility operations, the costs would be subject to review and approval by the Commission prior to being recovered in retail rates. r2 None of the costs associated with the Proposed Transaction will be flowed through to the customers of Avista or Hydro One. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 32 77 78 79 80 The protocol for the direct assignment of costs between the two companies, and the accounting treatment for the costs is included in the memorandum attached as Appendix 7. xIv SATISFACTION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND COMMITMENTS BY JOINT APPLICANTS Avista's choice to merge with Hydro One will allow Avista and its customers to benefit from being a part of a larger organization (the benefits of scale), while at the same time preserving local control of Avista, its culture and its way of doing business. As explained earlier, following closing of the Proposed Transaction, Avista will continue to have a local Board of Directors consisting primarily of either board members chosen by Avista, and/or members that reside in the Pacific Northwest. The Avista Board will have the authority to maintain Avista's headquarters in Spokane, Washington, to maintain its other office locations throughout its service areas, to continue to operate under the same Avista name, to retain its existing employees and management team (although CEO selection is subject to Hydro One approval), and to ensure that Avista's culture and its way of doing business will continue for the long-term. Following the close of the Proposed Transaction, Avista's customers and the communities it serves will see little or no change in the operations of Avista, as compared to Avista's operations prior to the Proposed Transaction. Customers, however, will see immediate financial benefits in the form of proposed retail Rate Credits beginning at the close of the Proposed Transaction, as well as opportunities for additional longer-term benefits from efficiencies gained through the sharing of best practices, technology and innovation. These immediate and longer-term benefits will not otherwise occur absent the Proposed Transaction. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 33 8t 82 8-i Following closing of the Proposed Transaction, the communities Avista serves will see increased charitable contributions and a continuation of the strong support Avista provides in economic development and innovation. Furthermore, Avista and Hydro One employees will see increased opportunities as the two companies pursue efficiencies and innovation through the use oftechnology, best practices and business processes. The Delegation of Authority (Appendix 5) and the make-up of the post-closing Avista Board of Directors ensure that Avista's culture and its way of doing business can continue for the indefinite future. Under the Delegation of Authority, Hydro One's Board of Directors acknowledges that Avista's Board will have the authority to review, authorize and approve certain specific matters related to Avista, without any obligation to obtain separate authorization or approval from the Hydro One Board. These operational matters are summarized in Section VI above and are also set fonh in Exhibit B to the Merger Agreement (Appendix 2 to this Application). Changes to these features of the Proposed Transaction require a two-thirds majority vote of the Avista Board. As part of this Joint Application for approval of the Proposed Transaction, Hydro One and Avista offer other commitments in addition to the Delegation of Authority (summarized in Section VI above). The commitments included in the Joint Application total 55 commitments offered by Hydro One and Avista related to approval of the Proposed Transaction. The 55 commitments are grouped together into the categories identified below. The master list of all 55 commitments is attached as Appendix 8. A. Reservation of Certain Authority to the Avista Board of Directors 1. Governance2. Business Operations 3. Local Presence/Community Involvement JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 34 81 85 B. Rate Commitments C. Regulatory Commitments D. Financial Integrity Commitments E. Ring-fencing Commitments F. Environmental, Renewable Energy, and Energy Efficiency Commitments G. Community and Low-lncome Assistance Commitments XV. OTHER REOUIRED APPROVALS The Proposed Transaction was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies and is expected to close in the second half 2018. The Proposed Transaction must be approved by Avista's shareholders. A proxy statement will be filed by Avista with the SEC in September 2017, in preparation for a vote of Avista's shareholders related to approval of the Proposed Transaction. Approvals are required by the WUTC, the IPUC, the OPUC, the MPSC, the RCA, and FERC. All ofthese filings requesting approval are expected to be made on or around the same date. A filing for approval from the FCC will be made related to Avista's radio licenses. In addition, clearance is required by the CFIUS, and compliance with applicable requirements under the HSR Act, as amended, and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. XVI. JOINT APPLICANTS' WITNESSES SPONSORING TESTIMONY For Avista: Scott L. Morris, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Avista, will, among other things, summarize the Proposed Transaction, the reasons why Avista chose to partner with Hydro One, and will describe why the Proposed Transaction is in the best interests of Avista's customers, communities, employees, and shareholders. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 35 86 87 88 89 91 92 90 Mark Thies, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Avista, will describe Avista from a financial perspective and will testify about the financial details of the Proposed Transaction. Mr. Thies will also describe the corporate and financial structure commitments that will be in place after completion of the Proposed Transaction, and how the Proposed Transaction provides protection for customers by "Ring-Fencing" Avista and its customers from Hydro One and its affiliates. Kevin Christie, Vice President of Customer Solutions, will provide testimony describing how the Proposed Transaction will be beneficial to Avista's customers. He will also explain Hydro One's commitment to increase funding for Avista's philanthropic initiatives and maintain the support of economic development initiatives, as well as a $2 million annual contribution to the Avista Foundation. Patrick Ehrbar, Director of Rates of Avista, will describe some of the regulatory commitments being offered by the Joint Applicants, including testimony regarding proposed Rate Credits that would be provided to customers if the Proposed Transaction is approved. He will also discuss the assignment of any costs between Avista and Hydro One before and after the Proposed Transaction, to prevent cross-subsidization. Finally, he will provide testimony related to the interaction of this application and the Proposed Transaction with the pending general rate case currently before the Commission. For Hydro One: Mayo Schmidt, President and Chief Executive Office of Hydro One, willdescribe Hydro One and its business platforms, with a specific focus on its utility business. He will describe the Proposed Transaction, explain the reasons for Hydro One's proposed purchase of Avista, and describe the corporate structure of Hydro One and Avista after closing. Mr. Schmidt will also explain why the Proposed Transaction is consistent with the public interest and provides a net benefit to Avista's customers, and will explain that Avista's operations, once the Proposed Transaction closes, will essentially be no different than Avista's current operations. ChristopherLopez, Senior Vice President, Finance of Hydro One, will provide details regarding Hydro One's corporate structure, Avista's place within that structure, Hydro One's capital structure, the financial and accounting aspects of the Proposed Transaction, how Avista will become a ring-fenced business under Hydro One, including the structural and financial commitments to be provided by Hydro One, to ensure that the Proposed Transaction will not expose Avista's customers to any risk of harm. Ferio Pugliese, Executive Vice President, Customer Care and Corporate Affairs will provide an overview of Hydro One from a customer care perspective, describing, among other things, the various customer initiatives Hydro One has put into place to provide and enhance service to its customers. JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 36 93 XVIL JOINTAPPLICANTS'REOUEST WHEREFORE, Applicants respectfully request that the Commission issue an order pursuant to Idaho Code $ 6l-328 authorizing Hydro One (through Olympus Equity LLC) to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Avista. DATED: September /Y ,2017. K&L GATES, LLP AVTSTA CORPORATION BY BY Partner,ISB t75 Meyer, ISB No. 8317 Elizabeth Thomas, Partner (pro hac vice application pending) Kari Vander Stoep, Partner (pro hac vice application pending) K&L Gates LLP On Behalf of Hydro One Limited Olympus Equity LLC 925 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2900 seattle, wA 98104-1158 Teresa. hi I l@kleates.com Liz.thomas@hleates.com kari.vanderstoep@kl gateg.Sm Chief Counsel for Regulatory and Govemmental Affairs Avista Corporation 1411 E. Mission Ave., MSC-27 Spokane, WA 99220-3727 Dav id. meyer@av i stacorp.com JOINT APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER AUTHORIZING PROPOSED TRANSACTION - 37 D DRAFT Hydro One and Avista File for Regulatory Approval of Merger On Sept. 14, 2017, Hydro One Limited and Avista Corporation filed a Joint Application with the ldaho Public Utilities Commission (Commission) requesting regulatory approval of the proposed merger of the two companies that was announced on July 19, 2017 . The Joint Application requested approval of the merger on or before Aug. 14,2019. If approved by the Commission, following closing of the merger, Avista's customers and the communities Avista serves will see little or no change in Avista's operations. Avista will maintain its existing corporate headquarters in Spokane, Washinglon, and will continue to operate as a standalone utility in ldaho, Washington, Oregon, and Montana. Avista will maintain office locations throughout its service areas, continue to operate under the same Avista name and seek to retain its existing employees and management team. All of these features together with other provisions embedded within the Merger Agreement are designed to ensure that Avista's customers will continue to receive the service they have come to expect from Avista. Please visit www.myavista.com for more information about the proposed merger and this filing. The Joint Application is a proposal, subject to public review and a Commission decision. A copy of the Joint Application is available for public review at the offices of both the Commission and Avist4 and on the Commission's website (www.puc.idaho.gov). Customers may file with the Commission written comments relatedto the Company's filing. Customers may also subscribe to the Commission's RSS feed (http://www.puc.idaho.gov/rssfeeds/rss.htm) to receive periodic updates via e-mail about the case. Copies of the filing are also available on our website, www.myavista.com/rates. The Commission will begin a comprehensive review of the Joint Application and will seek public input. If you would like to submit comments on the filing, you can do so by going to the Commission website or mailing comments to: Idaho Public Utilities Commission P. O. Box 83720 Boise, lD 83720-0074 AVA278i APPENDIX 1 .-_l.:) *=;a rT1 =l:3 -: .t) C,:i CORPORATE STRUCTURE - PRE. AND POST.CLOSE Current Corporate Structure The diagram below depicts the current relationship of Hydro One Limited and its primarv operatins subsidiaries that are referenced in the Joint Application. Public Company (TSX: H) 700%700% Public Debt lssuer 700%700% Rate Regulated Businesses (98% of Revenues) 100% Non-Rate-Regulated Business 2486267 Ontario lnc. Hydro One Networks I nc. Hydro One Remote Communities lnc. Hydro One Telecom I nc. Appendix 1 to Joint Application Page I of2 Hydro One Limited Hydro One lnc. Post-Closing Corporate Structu re Appendix I to Joint Application Page2 of2 Hydro One lnc. Hydro One Limited (Ontario Corporation) Can Hydro One Networks lnc. Hydro One Remote Communities lnc. (Ontario Olympus Holding Corp. (Delaware Corporation) Olympus 1 LLC (Delaware Limited Liability Company) Olympus 2 LLC (Delaware Limited Liability Company) Olympus Equity LLC (Delaware Limited Liability Company) Corporation) Avista Corporation Subsidiaries 2486267 Ontario lnc. Hydro One Telecom lnc. APPENDIX2 MERGERAGREEMENT EXECUTION VERSION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER Dated as of July 19,2017, by and among HYDRO ONE LIMITED, OLYMPUS HOLDING CORP.. OLYMPUS CORP. and AVISTA CORPORATION #5501530 r2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page I of70 Article I TABLE OF CONTENTS Page The Merger Closing Effective Time..... Effects of the Merger Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation Post-Merger Operations ................... Effect on Capital Stock.................. Exchange of Certifi cates ................ Treatment of Performance Awards Adjustments ................ Withholding Taxes...... .2 ,2 ,2 .2 .2 .2 .2 .J .3 .4 .6 .8 .8 Section 1 .l Section 1.2 Section 1.3 Section 1.4 Section 1.5 Section 1.6 Section 1.7 Article II Effect of the Merger on Capital Stock......... ..............3 Article III Representations and Warranties of the Company.. .....................8 Section 2.1 Section 2.2 Section 2.3 Section 2.4 Section 2.5 Section 3.1 Section 3.2 Section 3.3 Section 3.4 Section 3.5 Section 3.6 Section 3.7 Section 3.8 Section 3.9 Section 3.1 0 Section 3.1I Section 3.12 Section 3.13 Section 3.14 Section 3.15 Section 3.16 Section 3.17 Section 3.1 8 Section 3.19 Organization, Standing and Corporate Power ......... Capitalization .............. Authority; Non-contravention...... Governmental Approvals ................ Company SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities Absence of Certain Changes.... Legal Proceedings........ Compliance With Laws; Permits Tax Matters Employee Benefits Matters...... Environmental Matters. Intellectual Property ..... Takeover Statutes...... Real Property Contracts Labor......... Opinion of Financial Advisor Brokers and Other Advisors... ..9 .,9 l0ll lt l2 .... I 3 ....1 3 l3 .................1 4 ................. I 5 ................. I 6 .................1 6 ................. I 6 ............,,...17 t7 ............... I 8 ............... I 8 Article IV Representations and Warranties of Parent, US Parent and Merger Section 4.1 Organization, Standing and Corporate Power #5501 530. I 2 Company Shareholder Approval... .......................18 8 l8 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 2 of 70 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT'D) Authority; Non-contravention...... Governmental Approvals ................ Brokers and Other Advisors.... Ownership and Operations of Merger Sub Sufficient Funds Share Ownership.......... Legal Proceedings........ Non-Reliance on Company Estimates, Projections, Forecasts, Forward-Looking Statements and Business Plans Covenants Page Section 4.2 Section 4.3 Section 4.4 Section 4.5 Section 4.6 Section 4.7 Section 4.8 Section 4.9 .... I 9 .... I 9 .... I 9 ....20 ....20 ....20 ....20 Article V ....20 ......................21 ......................21 ...'..,.....,...,,....24 ,,......,,,,,......,..26 )s 34 ,'',,,'........34 ...................36 ...,.............,,37 Section 6.1 Section 6.2 Section 6.3 Section 6.4 Section 7.1 Section 7.2 Section 7.3 Section 8.1 Section 8.2 Section 8.3 #5501 530. I 2 Conduct of Business Preparation of the Proxy Statement; Shareholders Meeting No Solicitation; Change in Recommendation.. Reasonable Best Efforts Public Announcements ........... Access to Information; Confi dentiality..... Takeover Laws.......... Indemnification and Insurance... Transaction Litigation ...... Section I 6............... Employee Matters Merger Sub and Surviving Corporation No Control of Other Party's Business .. Termination Effect of Termination........ Termination Fees .............. No Survival of Representations and Warranties Fees and Expenses Amendment or Supplement ............. Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10 5.1 I 5.12 5.13 5.t4 5.15 3l 32 32 32 Advice of Changes .........37 Financing Cooperation ......................37 Article VI Conditions Precedent.18 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger.....................38 Conditions to Obligations of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub..............39 Conditions to Obligations of the Company .........40 Frustration of Closing Conditions............40 Article VII ..40 ,40 .42 .42 Article VIII Miscellaneous..............44 .44 .44 .44 Page 3 of70Appendix 2 to Joint Application ll Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section Section 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 8.10 8.1 I 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT'D) Page Specific Enforcement .46 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.,..... ,,,...46Notices ........47 Severability ....................48 Definitions.....48 Transfer Taxes ...............57 Interpretation . . ..57 E,XHIBITS EXHIBIT A - Governance Requirements EXHIBIT B - Post-Closing Matters #5s01 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application ill Page 4 of70 AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of July 19,2017 (this "Aglqem,enl"), is entered into by and among Hydro One Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario ("Parent"), Olympus Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation ("US Parent"), Olympus Corp., a Washington corporation and a wholly owned Subsidiary of US Parent ("Merger Sub"), and Avista Corporation, a Washington corporation (the "eernpgny"). Defined terms used herein have the respective meanings set forth in Section 8.13. WITNESSE TH WHEREAS, the parties hereto intend that, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub will, in accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act (the "WBCA"), merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation (the "Merger") on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement; WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company (the "@pA!y__Boald") has (a) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders for the Company to enter into this Agreement, (b) adopted the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement and approved the Company's execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the consummation of the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the WBCA) and (c) resolved to recommend that the shareholders of the Company approve this Agreement and the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement and directed that this Agreement be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for approval at a duly held meeting of such shareholders for such purpose; WHEREAS, the board of directors of each of Parent and US Parent has (a) determined that it is in the best interests ofeach ofParent and US Parent and their respective stockholders for each ofParent and US Parent to enter into this Agreement and (b) approved Parent's and US Parent's execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the consummation of the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the WBCA); WHEREAS, the board of directors of Merger Sub has (a) determined that it is in the best interests of Merger Sub and its sole shareholder for Merger Sub to enter into this Agreement, (b) adopted the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement and approved Merger Sub's execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the consummation of the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the WBCA) and (c) submitted this Agreement to US Parent, in its capacity as Merger Sub's sole shareholder, and recommended that US Parent, in such capacity, approve this Agreement and the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement; WHEREAS, US Parent, in its capacity as the sole shareholder of Merger Sub, has approved this Agreement and the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement by written consent; and WHEREAS, Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub and the Company desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements specified herein in connection with this Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and #ss01530.12 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 5 of70 sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub and the Company hereby agree as follows: ARTICLE I THE MERGER Section l.l The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the WBCA, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, and the separate existence of Merger Sub shall thereupon cease, and the Company shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger (the "Surviving Corporation") and shall become, as a result of the Merger, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Section 1.2 Closing. The consummation of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 655 Fifteenth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20005 at l0:00 a.m. (local time) on the date that is three (3) Business Days following the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) of the conditions set forth in Article VI (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions at such time), or on such other date and at such other time or place as is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to herein as the "el-q!.i-ng_D.ate." Section 1.3 Effective Time. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, on the Closing Date, the Company shall file with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington (the "Washington Secretary of State") articles of merger (the "A4!s.l_98_qf_14_9lggl") executed in accordance with, and containing such information as is required by, Section 238.11.050(l) of the WBCA and, on or after the Closing Date, shall make all other filings or recordings required under the WBCA to effectuate the Merger. The Merger shall become effective at such time as the Articles of Merger are duly filed with the Washington Secretary of State or at such later time as is permissible under the WBCA and is specified in the Articles of Merger (the time the Merger becomes effective being hereinafter referred to as the "Etle.gji.v.9_fim-9"). This Agreement together with the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be deemed the "plan of merger" under Chapter I I of the WBCA and shall be filed with the Articles of Merger pursuant to Section 238.11.050(1) of the WBCA. Section 1.4 Effects of the Merser. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement, the Articles of Merger and the applicable provisions of the WBCA. Section 1.5 Articles of Incorporation and Bvlaws of the Survivins Corporation. At the Effective Time, the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Company, in each case as amended to date and as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time (collectively, the "Company Charter Documents"), shall be amended as of the Effective Time to be in the form of (except with respect to the name of the Company (which shall remain "Avista Corporation") and any changes necessary so that they shall be in compliance with Section 5.8 and the requirements set forth on Exhibit A affached hereto) the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Merger Sub as of the date hereof and as so amended shall be the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided therein or by applicable Law (and subject to Section 5.8). Section 1.6 Directors and Officers of the Surviving Cornoration. (a) The directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation immediately following the Effective Time, to serve until their #ss0l 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 2 Page 6 of70 respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified (including in accordance with Section l 7 and Exhibit B attached hereto) or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation; provided, however, that within one (l) Business Day immediately following the Effective Time, Parent shall take, or shall cause US Parent and the Surviving Corporation to take, all such actions as are necessary to cause the board ofdirectors ofthe Surviving Corporation to consist of persons determined in accordance with the requirements set forth in Exhibit B aftached hereto, to serve until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation. (b) The officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation immediately following the Effective Time, to serve until their respective successors are duly appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation. Section 1.7 Post-Merser Operations. Parent hereby confirms that, subject to the occurrence of the Effective Time. it intends to, or intends to cause US Parent or the Surviving Corporation to, effectuate the matters set forth or described in Exhibit B attached hereto, subject to the approval requirements set forth therein. ARTICLE II EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK Section 2.1 Effect on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Company, Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub or any holder of any shares of common stock, no par value, of the Company ("Company Common Stock") or any shares of capital stock of Merger Sub: (a) Capital Stock of Merger Sub: Issuance of Common Stock by Surviving Corporation. Each issued and outstanding share of capital stock of Merger Sub shall be converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, no par value per share, of the Surviving Corporation. In consideration for US Parent paying, or causing to be paid the Merger Consideration as provided herein, the Surviving Corporation shall issue ten million (10,000,000) fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock, no par value per share, of the Surviving Corporation to US Parent or as otherwise directed by US Parent. (b) Cancellation of Parent-Owned Stock. Any shares of Company Common Stock that are owned by Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries, in each case immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be automatically cancelled and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor. (c) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Each issued and outstanding share of Company Common Stock (other than Dissenting Shareholder Shares and shares to be cancelled in accordance with Section 2.1(b)) shall thereupon be converted automatically into and shall thereafter represent solely the right to receive an amount in cash equal to 553.00, without interest (the "lVlgfggl Consideration"). As of the Effective Time, all such shares of Company Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and the holders immediately prior to the Effective Time of shares of Company Common Stock not represented by certificates ("Book-EnIry. Shares") and the holders of certificates that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented any such #5501 530. r 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 3 PageT of70 shares of Company Common Stock (each, a "Certificate") shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration to be paid in consideration therefor upon surrender of such Book-Entry Share or Certificate in accordance with Section 2.2(b) (subject to any withholding of applicable Tax in accordance with Section 2.5) and any "stub period" cash dividend declared in accordance with Section 5.1(aXiii). (d) Dissenters' Riehts. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Company Common Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time which are held by a shareholder who did not vote in favor of the Merger (or consent thereto in writing) and who is entitled to demand and properly demands payment of fair value of such shares pursuant to, and complies in all respects with, the provisions of Chapter 238.13 of the WBCA (the "Dissenting Shareholder Shares", and each shareholder holding Dissenting Shareholder Shares, a "Dissenli-lg Shareholder") shall not be converted into or be exchangeable for the right to receive the Merger Consideration, but instead such Dissenting Shareholder shall be entitled to receive such consideration as may be determined to be due to such Dissenting Shareholder pursuant to Chapter 238.13 of the WBCA (and at the Effective Time, such Dissenting Shareholder Shares shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and such Dissenting Shareholder shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the rights set forth in Chapter 238.13 of the WBCA), unless and until such Dissenting Shareholder shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost rights to demand for payment of fair value under Chapter 238.13 of the WBCA. If any Dissenting Shareholder shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost such right, such Dissenting Shareholder's shares of Company Common Stock shall thereupon be treated as if they had been converted into and become exchangeable for the right to receive, as of the Effective Time, the Merger Consideration for each such share of Company Common Stock, in accordance with Section 2.1(c), without any interest thereon and subject to any applicable withholding Tax. The Company shall give Parent (i) prompt notice of any written demands for payment of fair value of any shares of Company Common Stock, attempted withdrawals of such demands and any other written instruments served pursuant to the WBCA and received by the Company relating to shareholders' rights to demand payment of fair value and (ii) the opportunity to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for payment of fair value under the WBCA. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent, make any payment with respect to any such demands for payment of fair value or settle or offer to settle any such demands. Section 2.2 Exchanse of Certificates. (a) Paying Aeent: Investment by Paying Agent of Funds. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall designate a bank, trust company or nationally recognized financial institution or transfer services company reasonably acceptable to the Company (the "Payilg_4gen!") for the purpose of exchanging shares of Company Common Stock for the Merger Consideration and enter into an agreement reasonably acceptable to the Company with the Paying Agent relating to the services to be performed by the Paying Agent. Parent shall cause US Parent to and US Parent shall irrevocably deposit, or cause to be deposited (subject to Section 2.2(e)), the aggregate Merger Consideration with respect to all shares of Company Common Stock (other than Dissenting Shareholder Shares and shares to be cancelled in accordance with Section 2.1(b)) with the Paying Agent at or prior to the Effective Time. The aggregate Merger Consideration deposited with the Paying Agent shall, pending its disbursement to holders of shares of Company Common Stock and as reasonably directed by Parent (on behalf of US Parent), be invested by the Paying Agent in (i) short-term commercial paper obligations of issuers organized under the Laws of a state of the United States of America, rated A-l or P-l or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Ratings Service, respectively, or in certificates of deposit, bank repurchase agreements or bankers' acceptances of commercial banks with capital exceeding $10,000,000,000, or in mutual funds investing in such assets or (ii) short-term obligations for which the full faith and credit of the United States 4 #5501 530 I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 8 of70 of America is pledged to provide for the payment of principal and interest. Any interest and other income from such investments shall become part of the funds held by the Paying Agent for purposes of paying the Merger Consideration. No investment or investment losses resulting from such investment by the Paying Agent of the aggregate Merger Consideration shall relieve Parent, US Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent from making the payments required by this Article II, and Parent shall cause US Parent to and US Parent shall promptly replace any funds deposited with the Paying Agent lost through any investment made pursuant to this Section 2.2(a); provided that any interest and other income retained pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be used to replace such funds prior to determining Parent's obligation to replace or causing US Parent to replace such funds. No investment by the Paying Agent of the aggregate Merger Consideration shall have maturities that could prevent or delay payments to be made pursuant to this Agreement. Following the Effective Time, Parent agrees to make or cause to be made available to the Paying Agent, from time to time as needed, additional cash to pay the Merger Consideration as contemplated by this Article II without interest. (b) Payment Procedures. As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time (but in no event more than three (3) Business Days thereafter), the Surviving Corporation shall cause the Paying Agent to mail to each holder of record of shares of Company Common Stock (i) a letter of transmittal (which, in the case of shares of Company Common Stock represented by Certificates, shall speciff that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, orly upon delivery of the Certificates to the Paying Agent, and shall be in such form and have such other provisions as Parent and the Company may reasonably agree and shall be prepared prior to Closing) and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates or Book-Entry Shares in exchange for payment of the Merger Consideration. Upon surrender of Certificates for cancellation to the Paying Agent or, in the case of Book- Entry Shares, receipt of an "agent's message" by the Paying Agent (or such other evidence, if any, of transfer as the Paying Agent may reasonably request), together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions (and such other customary documents as may reasonably be required by the Paying Agent), the holder of such Certificates or Book-Entry Shares shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, subject to any required withholding Taxes, the Merger Consideration, for each share of Company Common Stock surrendered, and any Certificates surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. If payment of the Merger Consideration is to be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name the surrendered Certificate or Book-Entry Share in exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a condition of payment that (A) the Person requesting such exchange present proper evidence of transfer and (B) the Person requesting such payment shall have paid any transfer and other Taxes required by reason of the payment of the Merger Consideration to a Person other than the registered holder of such Certificate or Book-Entry Share surrendered or shall have established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such Tax either has been paid or is not applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.2, each Certificate and Book-Entry Share shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive the Merger Consideration as contemplated by this Article II. (c) Transfer Books: No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. The Merger Consideration paid in respect of shares of Company Common Stock upon the surrender for exchange in accordance with the terms of this Article II shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of Company Common Stock, and at the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed and thereafter there shall be no further registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the shares of Company Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. From and after the Effective Time, the holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares that evidenced ownership of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares of Company Common Stock other than the right to receive the Merger Consideration, except 5 #5501530 l2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 9 of70 as otherwise provided for herein or by applicable Law. If at any time after the Effective Time, Cerlificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation for any reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Article IL (d) Lost. Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving Corporation, the posting by such Person of a bond, in such reasonable amount as Parent (on behalf of US Parent) or US Parent may direct, as indemnity against any claim that may be made with respect to such Certificate, the Paying Agent will pay, in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate, the applicable Merger Consideration to be paid in respect of the shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificate, as contemplated by this Article II. (e) Termination of Fund. At any time following the first (lst) anniversary of the Closing Date, US Parent shall be entitled to require the Paying Agent to deliver to it or as directed by it any funds (including any interest received with respect thereto) that had been made available to the Paying Agent and which have not been disbursed in accordance with this Article II, and thereafter Persons entitled to receive payment pursuant to this Article II shall be entitled to look only to US Parent or the Surviving Corporation (subject to abandoned property, escheat or other similar Laws) as general creditors thereof with respect to the payment of any Merger Consideration that may be payable upon surrender of any Company Common Stock held by such holders, as determined pursuant to this Agreement, without any interest thereon. Any amounts remaining unclaimed by such holders at such time at which such amounts would otherwise escheat to or become property of any Governmental Authority shall become, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, the property of US Parent, free and clear of all claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto. (f) No Liabilitv. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, none of Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub, the Surviving Corporation, the Company or the Paying Agent shall be liable to any Person for Merger Consideration delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law. Section 2.3 Treatment of Performance Awards and RSUs. (a) Performance Awards. At the Effective Time, each Performance Award that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (including any Performance Award with respect to which the applicable performance period has ended, but which Performance Award has not been settled) shall be cancelled and the holder thereof shallthen become entitled to receive, in full satisfaction of such holder's rights with respect thereto, a lump-sum cash payment equal to the product of (i) the Performance Award Amount, and (ii) the Merger Consideration, subject to any withholding Taxes required by Law to bewithheldinaccordancewithSection2'5.ForpurposesofthisAgreement,..@aId Amount" means (A) with respect to any outstanding Performance Award for which the performance period has ended as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, (l) in the case of a share-settled Performance Award, the number of shares of Company Common Stock that would be delivered to the holder of such Performance Award, or (2) in the case of a cash-settled Performance Award, the number of shares of Company Common Stock that would be deemed deliverable to the holder for purposes of calculating the cash payment due under such Performance Award, in each case of the foregoing clauses ( I ) and (2), based on the actual achievement of the performance goals applicable to such Performance Award, as reasonably determined by the Board (or a committee thereof) prior to the Effective Time, and assuming the satisfaction of all other conditions to such delivery, and (B) with respect to any outstanding Performance Award for which the performance period has not ended as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, (l ) in the case 6 #5501 s30. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page l0 of70 of a share-settled Performance Award, the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Performance Award that would be delivered to the holder of such Performance Award, or (2) in the case of a cash-settled Performance Award, the number of shares of Company Common Stock that would be deemed deliverable to the holder for purposes of calculating the cash payment due under such Performance Award, in each case of the foregoing clauses (l) and (2), based on deemed satisfaction of the performance goals applicable to such Performance Award for such incomplete performance period at the target level, and in each case, assuming the satisfaction of all other conditions to such delivery. As of the Effective Time, all Accumulated Dividends, if any, accrued but unpaid with respect to Performance Awards shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of a holder thereof, automatically become fully vested and be paid to such holder. (b) Restricted Stock Units. At the Effective Time, each RSU that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and which by its terms would vest before the calendar year or in the calendar year in which the Effective Time occurs shall be cancelled and the holder thereof shall then become entitled to receive, in full satisfaction of such holder's rights with respect thereto, a lump-sum cash payment equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such cancelled RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) the Merger Consideration. As of the Effective Time, all Accumulated Dividends, if any, accrued but unpaid with respect to such cancelled RSUs shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of a holder thereof, automatically become fully vested and be paid to such holder. At the Effective Time, each RSU that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and which by its terms would vest in any calendar year following the calendar year in which the Effective Time occurs will be adjusted as necessary to provide that, at the Effective Time, each such RSU shall be converted into a restricted stock unit award, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time (including with respect to vesting, treatment upon employment termination, etc.), with respect to a number of shares of common stock of Parent determined by multiplying the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio, rounded up to the nearest whole share (a "Converted RSU"), and each such Converted RSU shall not be accelerated except as provided in the original related RSU agreement issued by the Company (the "RSU Agreement"). At the Effective Time, Parent shall assume all obligations of the Company with respect to the Company Stock Plans and each outstanding Converted RSU and the RSU Agreements evidencing the grants thereof. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall deliver to the holders of Converted RSUs appropriate notices setting forth such holders' rights, and the RSU Agreements evidencing the grants of such Converted RSUs shallcontinue in effect on the same terms and conditions (subject to the adjustments required by this Section 2.3 after giving effect to the Merger). The Converted RSUs will be settled in shares of common stock of Parent, which will not be subject to any Canadian hold period and may be resold by the holder of the Converted RSU on the TSX without any applicable U.S. restricted period having elapsed, or cash, as determined by Parent, and Parent shall take all corporate action necessary to effectuate the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the purpose of clarity, it is understood by Parent, the Company and the Surviving Corporation that the Converted RSUs shall be awarded and issued under Parent's equity-based long-term incentive compensation plan (the "EarcnL!-IIP"). For the avoidance of doubt, the terms and conditions applicable to such Converted RSUs shall be the same as the terms and conditions set forth in the Company Stock Plans and the RSU Agreements pursuant to which such Converted RSUs were granted, notwithstanding that the Converted RSUs will be issued under the Parent LTIP. (c) Funding. No later than the Effective Time, Parent shall provide, or shall cause to be provided, to the Surviving Corporation all funds necessary to fulfill the obligations under this Section 2.3. All payments required under this Section 2.3 shall be made through the Surviving Corporation's payroll not later than the later of (i) the first payroll date immediately following the Effective Time and (ii) five (5) Business Days following the Effective Time. 7 #5501530 12 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page I 1 of70 Section 2.4 Adiustments. If at any time during the period between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, any change in the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (or any other securities convertible or exchangeable therefor) shall occur as a result of any reclassification, stock split (including a reverse stock split) or combination, exchange or readjustment of shares, or any stock dividend or stock distribution with a record date during such period, or any similar event, the Merger Consideration shall be equitably adjusted; provided. however, that nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to permit or authorize any party hereto to effect any such change that such party is not otherwise authorized or permitted to undertake pursuant to this Agreement. Section 2.5 Withholdine Taxes. Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, Parent, US Parent, the Company, the Surviving Corporation and the Paying Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold (or cause to be deducted and withheld) from the amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement, such amounts as are required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payments under the Code, or under any applicable provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law. To the extent amounts are so withheld and timely paid over to the appropriate Governmental Authority, the withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made (excluding any such amounts required to be withheld under Canadian federal or provincial Law as a result of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries being resident in Canada (or any province thereof) for Canadian federal or provincial Tax purposes). IfParent, US Parent, the Company, the Surviving Corporation, or the Paying Agent determine that any amounts are required to be deducted or withheld (other than any deduction or withholding with respect to any payments constituting compensation for services), Parent, US Parent, the Company, the Surviving Corporation, or the Paying Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, prior to deducting or withholding any such amounts, notiff the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made and shall reasonably cooperate in good faith to establish or obtain any exemption from or reduction in the amount of any withholding that otherwise would be required; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Parent, US Parent, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold (or cause to be deducted and withheld) any amounts at the time it is required to so deduct and withhold under the Code or under any applicable provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law. ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY Except (a) as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Parent simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement (the "Companv Disclosu ") (which schedule sets forth, among other things, items the disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate either in response to an express disclosure requirement contained in a provision hereofor as an exception to one or more representations or warranties contained in this Article III, or to one or more of the Company's covenants contained in Article V, except that any information set forth in one section of the Company Disclosure Schedule will be deemed to apply to all other sections or subsections thereof to the extent it is reasonably apparent on the face ofsuch disclosure that it is applicable to such other section or subsection notwithstanding the omission of a reference or cross reference thereto) or (b) as set forth in any of the Company SEC Documents publicly available priorto the date hereof (excluding any disclosures set forth in any such Company SEC Documents under the headings "Risk Factors" or "Forward Looking Statements," or any disclosures set forth in any such Company SEC Documents in any other sections that are predictive or primarily cautionary in nature other than historical facts included therein), the Company represents and warrants to Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub as follows: #5501 530 I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 8 Page 12 of70 Section 3.1 Organization. Standing and Corporate Power. (a) The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the Laws of the State of Washington and has all requisite corporate power and authority necessary to own or lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it orthe character or location of the properties and assets owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company has made available to Parent true and complete copies of the Company Charter Documents as in effect on the date of this Agreement. (b) Section 3.1(bXi) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of the Subsidiaries of the Company and their jurisdictions of organization. Each Subsidiary of the Company is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (where applicable) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, except in each case as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each Subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and assets owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each Subsidiary of the Company have been validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and, except as set forth in Section 3-]1iD0D of the Company Disclosure Schedule, are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear ofall liens, pledges, security interests and transfer restrictions, except for such transfer restrictions as are contained in the articles of incorporation, bylaws and limited liability company agreements (or any equivalent constituent documents) of such Subsidiary of the Company or for such transfer restrictions of general applicability as may be provided under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "S-qg.utid-g!_A-91") and other applicable securities Laws. The Company has made available to Parent true and complete copies of the articles of incorporation, bylaws and limited liability agreements (or equivalent constituent documents) of each Subsidiary of the Company as in effect on the date of this Agreement. (c) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has all requisite entity power and authority to enable it to own, operate, lease or otherwise hold its properties and assets and to conduct its businesses as presently conducted, except where the failure to have such power or authority would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. (d) Section 3.1(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of the Company Joint Ventures, including the name of each entity and the Company's percentage ownership interest thereof. The Company has made available to Parent true and complete copies of the articles of incorporation, bylaws and limited liability agreements (or equivalent constituent documents) of each Company Joint Venture as in effect on the date of this Agreement. Section 3.2 Canitalization. (a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 200,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock ("Company Preferred Stock"). At the close of business on July I 8, 201 7, (a) 64,411,244 shares of Company Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (b) no shares of Company Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, (c) I 09,089 shares of Company Common Stock were subject to outstanding RSUs, and (d) 493,499 shares of Company Common Stock were subject to outstanding Performance Awards, based on achievement of applicable performance criteria at tar get levels. 9 #5501 530. l 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page l3 of70 (b) All outstanding shares of Company Common Stock are, and all shares of Company Common Stock that may be issued upon the settlement of RSUs and Performance Awards, will be, when issued, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to, or issued in violation of, any preemptive right. Except (i) as set forth in Section 3.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (ii) as set forth in Section 3.2(a), or (iii) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, as of the date hereof, there are not issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding, and there are not any outstanding obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, (A) any capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any securities of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of, or other equity interests in, the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or (B) any warrants, calls, options or other rights to acquire from the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, or any other obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, any capital stock or voting securities of, or other equity interests in, the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (the items specified in the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), collectively, "Equitv Securities"). Except pursuant to the Company Stock Plans, there are not any outstanding obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Equity Securities. There is no outstanding Indebtedness of the Company having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which shareholders ofthe Company may vote. No Subsidiary ofthe Company owns any shares of Company Common Stock. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company is a par:ty to any voting agreement with respect to the voting of any capital stock or voting securities of, or other equiry interests in, the Company. (c) Section 3.2(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of all RSUs and Performance Awards outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, including, with respect to each such award, the holder, the grant date, and the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject thereto (assuming the target level of attainment of the applicable performance conditions). Section3.3 Authoritv:Non-contravention. (a) The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the Company Shareholder Approval, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the Transactions. The Company Board, at a meeting duly called and held, unanimously adopted resolutions (i) determining that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders for the Company to enter into this Agreement, (ii) adopting the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement and approving the Company's execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions, and (iii) resolving to recommend that the shareholders of the Company approve this Agreement and the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement and directing that this Agreement be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for approval at a duly held meeting of such shareholders for such purpose (the "Company Board Recommendation"). As of the date of this Agreement, such resolutions have not been amended or withdrawn. Except for obtaining the Company Shareholder Approval, no other corporate action on the part of the Company is necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of, and performance by, the Company under this Agreement and the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement and the consummation by it of the Transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the other parties hereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability (A) may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws of general application affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and (B) is subject to general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity (the "Bankruptcy and Equ "). l0 #5501 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 14 of70 (b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company does not, and neither the consummation by the Company of the Transactions nor compliance by the Company with any of the terms or provisions hereof will, (i) assuming the Company Shareholder Approval is obtained, conflict with or violate any provision of the Company Charter Documents or the organizational documents of any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) assuming that each of the consents, authorizations and approvals referred to in Section 3.4 and the Company Shareholder Approval are obtained (and any condition precedent to any such consent, authorization or approval has been satisfied) and each ofthe filings referred to in Section 3.4 are made and any applicable waiting periods referred to therein have expired or been terminated, violate any Law applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) assuming that each of the consents and notices specified in Section 3.3(bXiii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule is obtained or given, as applicable, result in any breach of, or constitute a default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or right to any payment or loss of benefit under, any Company Material Contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or any Company Permit, or result in the creation of a Lien (other than any Permitted Lien), upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Section 3.4 Governmental Approvals. Except for (a) the filing with the SEC of a proxy statement, in preliminary and definitive form, relating to the Company Shareholders Meeting (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Plqxy_Slalgrn_gnI"), and other filings required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and the rules of the NYSE in connection with this Agreement and the Merger, (b) the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Washington Secretary of State pursuant to the WBCA, (c) approvals or filings required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, the IPUC, MPSC, OPUC, RCA, and WUTC, (d) the FERC Approval, (e) the FCC Approval, (f) the CFIUS Approval, and (g) filings required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, the HSR Act (such approvals and filings described in clauses (c) through (f) of this Section 3.4, (the "Required Statutorv Approvals"), no consents or approvals of, or filings, declarations or registrations with, any Governmental Authority are necessary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the Transactions, other than as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Section 3.5 Comnanv SEC Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities. (a) The Company has filed with or furnished to the SEC, on a timely basis, all registration statements, reports, proxy statements and other documents that the Company was required to file or fumish since January 1,2015 (collectively, and in each case including all exhibits and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, as such statements, reports and documents may have been amended since the date of their filing, the "Company SEC Documeffi"). As of their respective effective dates (in the case of Company SEC Documents that are registration statements filed pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act) and as of their respective filing dates (in the case of all other Company SEC Documents), or in the case of amendments thereto, as of the date of the last such amendment (but only amendments prior to the date of this Agreement in the case of any Company SEC Document with a filing or effective date prior to the date of this Agreement), the Company SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Securities Act or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act"), as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, applicable to such Company SEC Documents, and none of the Company SEC Documents as of such respective dates (or, if amended, the date of the filing of such amendment, with respect to the disclosures that are amended) contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to #s501 s30. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application ll Page 15 of70 state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. (b) Except to the extent updated, amended, restated or corrected by a subsequent Company SEC Document (but only updates, amendments, restatements or corrections prior to the date of this Agreement in the case of any Company SEC Document with a filing or effective date prior to the date of this Agreement), as of their respective dates of filing with the SEC, the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the Company SEC Documents (i) complied as to form in all material respects with all applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form I 0-Q of the SEC), (ii) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except (A) as may be indicated in the notes thereto or (B) as permitted by Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act) and (iii) present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows, as of each of the dates and for the periods shown, as applicable, in conformity with GAAP. (c) The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (e) and (f), respectively, of Rule l3a- l5 under the Exchange Act) as required by Rule I 3a- l5 under the Exchange Act. The Company's disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that all material information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or furnishes under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that all such material information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the certifications required pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Based on its most recent evaluation of its internal control over financial reporting prior to the date hereof, the Company has disclosed to its auditors and its audit committee (A) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of intemal control over financial reporting (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (e) and (f), respectively, of Rule I 3a- I 5 under the Exchange Act) which are reasonably likely to adversely affect its ability to record, process, summarize and report its consolidated financial information and (B) any known fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in its internal control over financial reporting. (d) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities which would be required to be reflected or reserved against on a consolidated balance sheet ofthe Company prepared in accordance with GAAP or the notes thereto, except for liabilities (i) reflected or reserved against on the balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of December 31,2016 (the "&Lance_S,bee!!ate") (including the notes thereto) included in the Company SEC Documents, (ii) incurred after the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business, (iii) as contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise arising in connection with the Transactions or (iv) as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. (e) All Regulatory Filings required to be made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries since January 1,2015 have been filed or furnished with the applicable Governmental Authority, and all such Regulatory Filings complied, as of their respective dates, with all applicable requirements of the applicable Laws, except, in each case, as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Section 3.6 Absence of Certain Chanses. From the Balance Sheet Date to the date of this Agreement, (a) except in connection with the Transactions, the business of the Company and its 12 #ssol 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page I 6 of70 Subsidiaries has been conducted in all material respects in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (b) there has not been any circumstance, development, change, event, occurrence or effect that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Section 3.7 Legal Proceedings. There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, Claim against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor is there any Judgment imposed upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, by or before any Governmental Authority, that would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Section 3.8 Compliance With Laws: Permits. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, rulings, and Judgments of Governmental Authorities (collectively, "Laws") applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for instances of non-compliance as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries hold, and are in compliance with, all licenses, franchises, permits, certificates, approvals, variances, orders, registrations and authorizations from Governmental Authorities required by Law for the conduct of their respective businesses as they are now being conducted (collectively, "Company Permits"), except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Section 3.9 Tax Matters. (a) Except for those matters that would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or as specified in the Company Disclosure Schedule: (i) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has timely filed, or has caused to be timely filed on its behalf (taking into account any extension of time within which to file), all Tax Returns required to be filed by it, and all such filed Tax Returns are true, correct and complete; (ii) all Taxes required to have been paid by the Company or its Subsidiaries (whether or not shown to be due on such Tax Returns) have been paid; (iii) no deficiency with respect to Taxes has been proposed, asserted or assessed against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which has not been fully paid or adequately reserved against in accordance with GAAP; (iv) no audit or other administrative or couft proceeding or Claim is pending before any Govemmental Authority with respect to Taxes of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and no written notice thereof has been received (other than in respect of any such proceeding that has been resolved); (v) each ofthe Company and its Subsidiaries has withheld and timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority all Taxes required to be withheld from amounts owing to any employee, creditor or third party and collected and paid all sales Taxes required to be withheld and paid; (vi) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has granted any waiver of any statute of limitations with respect to, or any extension of a period for the assessment of, any Tax which has not yet expired (excluding extensions of time to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course); (vi) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company had any liabilities for unpaid Taxes as ofthe Balance Sheet Date that had not been accrued or reserved on such balance sheet in accordance with GAAP; (vii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has any liability for Taxes of any Person (except for the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) arising from the application of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 or any analogous provision of state, local or foreign Law, as a transferee or successor or by contract; (viii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company is a party to or is otherwise bound by any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement or arrangement, except for such an agreement or arrangement exclusively between or among the Company and Subsidiaries of the Company or customary Tax provisions contained in commercial agreements the principal subject matter of which is not related to Taxes; (ix) within the past three (3) years, neither the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company has been a "distributing corporation" or a "controlled corporation" in a distribution intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code; (x) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has participated in any "listed transaction" as 13 #5501530.r2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 17 of70 defined in Treasury Regulations Section I .601 I -4 in any Tax year for which the statute of limitations has not expired; (xi) there are no Liens for Taxes on any of the assets of the Company or any or Subsidiary of the Company (except for any Liens described in clause (a) ofthe definition of Permitted Liens); (xii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has any Tax rulings, requests for rulings, closing agreements or other similar agreements in effect or filed with any Governmental Authority, and (xiii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has received any notice from a jurisdiction in which it does not file a Tax Return that it is required to file any Tax Return or pay any Taxes in such jurisdiction. This Section 3.9 (and so much of Section 3.10 as it relates to Taxes) constitutes the sole and exclusive representation and warranty of the Company regarding Tax matters. (b) For purposes of this Agreement: (i) "Taxes" shall mean all federal, state, local or foreign taxes, charges, imposts, levies or other assessments, including all income, gross receipts, business and occupation, franchise, estimated, altemative minimum, add-on minimum, sales, use, transfer, value added, excise, severance, stamp, customs, duties, real property, personal property, capital stock, social securify, unemployment, payroll, employee or other withholding, or other tax, including any interest, penalties or additions to tax imposed by any Governmental Authority in connection with any of the foregoing and (ii) ".IaX_B9IuIn!" shall mean any return, report, claim for refund, estimate, information return or statement or other similar document filed or required to be filed with any Governmental Authority with respect to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and any amendment thereof. Section 3.10 Emplovee Benefits Matters. (a) Section 3. l0(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list, as of the date of this Agreement, of each material Company Plan. The Company has made available to Parent copies of (i) the cuffent plan document for each Company Plan, (ii) the most recent annual reports on Form 5500 required to be filed with the Department of Labor with respect to each Company Plan (if any such report was required), (iii) the most recent summary plan description for each Company Plan for which such summary plan description is required and (iv) each trust agreement relating to any Company Plan. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, each Company Plan has been maintained and is in compliance with its terms and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and all other applicable Laws. There are no Claims pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened (other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course) with respect to any Company Plan that would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. All Company Plans that are "employee pension plans" (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that are intended to be tax qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code (each, a "Company Pension Ph") have received a favorable determination or opinion letter from the IRS or has filed a timely application therefor, or is in the form of a pre-approved document that is the subject of a favorable opinion letter from the IRS. The Company has made available to Parent a correct and complete copy of the most recent determination letter received with respect to each Company Pension Plan, as well as a correct and complete copy of each pending application for a determination letter, if any. (b) With respect to each Company Pension Plan that is subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 or 4971 of the Code, (i) the Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective ERISA Affiliates have complied with the minimum funding requirements under Section 412,430 and 431 of the Code and Sections 302,303 and 304 of ERISA, whether or not waived, (ii) no reportable event within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA for which the 30-day notice requirement has not been waived has occurred, (iii) all premiums required to be paid to the PBGC under 4007 of ERISA have been timely paid, (iv) no liability under Section 4062 through 4071 of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates (other than for premiums to the PBGC) and (v) proceedings to terminate any such Company Pension Plan have not been instituted under t4 #s501530.12 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page l8 of70 Sections 4041 or 4042 of ERISA except, in each case of clauses (i) - (v), as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. (c) Section 3.10(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists each Multiemployer Plan. Neither the Company, nor any of its ERISA Affiliates: (i) has incurred a withdrawal (either complete or partial) (as defined in Section 4203 or 4205 of ERISA) from any Multiemployer Plan, or (ii) has incurred a decline in contributions to any Multiemployer Plan such that, if the current rate of contributions continues, a seventy-percent decline in contributions (as defined in Section 4205 of ERISA) will occur within the next three plan years except, in each case of clauses (i) or (ii), as would not be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, (A) no event has occurred or circumstance exists that constitutes the termination or insolvency of any Multiemployer Plan (within the meanings of ERISA Sections 4041A and 4245, respectively) and (B) no Multiemployer Plan is a party to any pending merger or asset or liability transfer or is subject to any Claim brought by the PBGC, except, in each case of clauses (A) and (B), as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. (d) Except as set forth in Section 3.10(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as otherwise required by this Agreement, the consummation of the Transactions alone, or in combination with another event (including any termination of employment before, on or following the Effective Time) will not, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, (i) entitle any employee of the Company to severance pay or any other termination payment or benefit or (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or materially increase the amount of compensation or benefits due to, any such employee. (e) Except as set forth in Section 3.10(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no amounts payable under the Company Plans are reasonably expected to fail to be deductible for federal income tax purposes by virtue of Section 280G of the Code. Section 3.10(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists the directors, officers, employees and service providers entitled to a gross-up, or make whole or other payment as a result of the imposition of taxes under Section 280G, Section 4999 or Section 409A, of the Code pursuant to any agreement or arrangement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. (f) This Section 3.10 and Section 3.16 (to the extent related to pensions and employee benefits) constitute the sole and exclusive representation and warranty of the Company regarding pension and employee benefit or liabilities or obligations, or compliance with Laws relating thereto. Section 3.11 Environmental Matters. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance includes obtaining, maintaining or complying with all Company Permits required under Environmental Laws for the operation of their respective businesses, and (i) all such Company Permits are valid and in full force and effect, and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written communication from any Governmental Authority unilaterally seeking to modifu, revoke or terminate any such Environmental Permits in a manner that would be adverse to the Company; (b) there is no Claim relating to or arising under Environmental Laws (including relating to or arising from the Release, threatened Release or exposure to any Hazardous Material or alleging violation of any Company Permit) that is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (c) to the Company's Knowledge, there are and have been no Releases of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Material on, at, under or from any property currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, that would reasonably be expected to form the basis of any such Claim against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (d) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have transported or arranged for the transportation of any Hazardous Materials generated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any location which is listed on the National Priorities 15 #s50t 530 l 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page l9 of70 List under CERCLA, or any similar state list, or which is the subject of federal, state or local enforcement actions or other investigations that would reasonably be expected to form the basis of any Claim against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (e) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of, or entered into, any order, settlement, judgment, injunction or decree involving uncompleted, outstanding or unresolved liabilities or corrective or remedial obligations arising under Environmental Laws (including relating to or arising from the Release, threatened Release or exposure to any Hazardous Material). This Section 3.1 1 constitutes the sole and exclusive representation and warranty of the Company regarding environmental matters, including all matters arising under Environmental Laws. Section 3.12 Intellectual Propertv. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company MaterialAdverse Effect, (a) (i) the conduct of the Company's and its Subsidiaries'business as currently conducted is not infringing or otherwise violating any Person's Intellectual Properfy and (ii) there is no Claim of such infringement or other violation pending, or to the Knowledge of the Company, being threatened in writing, against the Company, and (b) (i) to the Knowledge of the Company, no Person is infringing or otherwise violating any Intellectual Property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) no Claims of such infringement or other violation are pending or, to the Knowledge ofthe Company, being threatened in writing against any Person by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. This Section 3.12 constitutes the sole and exclusive representation and warranty of the Company with respect to any Intellectual Property matters. Section 3.13 Takeover Statutes. Assuming that the representations and warranties of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub set forth in Section 4.7 are true and correct in all respects, the Transactions are not subject to the restrictions on business combinations contained in Chapter 238.19 of the WBCA, or any other similar anti-takeover Law (each, a ".I4ke.qvels.latule.") or any similar provision in the Company Charter Documents. Section 3.14 Real Pronerty. (a) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company owns and has either good and marketable title in fee or a valid leasehold interest, easement or other rights to the land, buildings, structures and other improvements thereon and fixtures thereto necessary to permit it to conduct its business as currently conducted, in each case free and clear of all Liens (except in all cases for Permitted Liens). Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect and except as may be limited by the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception, all leases, Rights of Way agreements or other agreements under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries lease. access or use any real property or real property interest are valid, binding and in full force and effect against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the Knowledge of the Company, the counterparties thereto, in accordance with their respective terms, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries are in default under any of such leases, Rights of Way or other agreements. (b) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has such consents, easements, rights of way, permits, licenses and other similar real property interests (collectively, "Rishts of Wav") from each person as are sufficient to conduct its business as currently conducted, except for such Rights of Way the absence of which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has fulfilled and performed all its material obligations with respect to such Rights of Way and conducts their business in a manner that does not violate any of the Rights of Way, and no event has occurred that would result in, or after notice or lapse of time would result in, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Rights of Way, except for such revocations, terminations and impairments that have not had and would t6 #5501 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 20 of70 not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. All pipelines owned or operated by the Company and its Subsidiaries are subject to Rights of Way, there are no encroachments or other encumbrances on the Rights of Way that materially affect the use thereof, there are no encroachments of improvements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries outside of the boundaries of such Rights of Way other than encroachments that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect and there are no gaps (including any gap arising as a result of any breach by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of the terms of any Rights of Way) in the Rights of Way other than gaps that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Section3.l5 Contracts. (a) For purposes of this Agreement, "Company Material Contract" means any Contract which is required to be filed or disclosed by the Company pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act as a "material contract" pursuant to Item 601(bXl0) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. (b) Each Company Material Contract is valid and binding on the Company and any of its Subsidiaries to the extent the Company or such Subsidiary is a party thereto, as applicable, and to the Knowledge of the Company, each other paffy thereto, and is in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception), except where the failure to be valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, has performed all obligations required to be performed by it under each Company Material Contract, except where such noncompliance would not reasonably be expected to have a Company MaterialAdverse Effect. Section 3.16 Labor. (a) Except as set forth in Section 3.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of the Company, since January 1,2015, no labor union or labor organization ("Union") has been certified as the exclusive bargaining representative of any employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries. To the Knowledge of the Company, no Union is currently seeking to organize Company Employees for the purpose of collective bargaining. Except for the CBAs as set forth in Section 3.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, nor have been since January 1,2015,aparry to,boundby,ornegotiatinganycollectivebargainingagreementorotherContract with a Union (the "CBAs") with respect to any of the respective employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries. There is not, nor has there been since January 1,2015, any labor strike, lockout or work stoppage, concerted refusal to work overtime or other labor dispute, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threat thereof, by or with respect to, any employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries, except where such strike, lockout, work stoppage, concerted refusal to work overtime or other labor dispute would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. (b) Except as set forth in Section 3.16ft) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no Claims pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened by or on behalf of any employee or former employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries or Union alleging violations of local, state or federal Laws relating to labor or employment practices, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. (c) Since January 1,2015, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in any action that required notifications under the WARN Act. t7 #5501 530 r 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page2l of70 (d) Section 3.8 and Section 3.10 (in each case, to the extent related to labor and employment matters) and this Section 3.16 constitute the sole and exclusive representation and warranty of the Company regarding labor or employment matters. Section 3.17 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company Board has received the opinion of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("BpIA_X4gqiL!_!yngh") dated as of the date of this Agreement, to the effect that, as of such date, and subject to the various assumptions and limitations set forth therein, the Merger Consideration to be received in the Merger by holders of the Company Common Stock is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of the Company Common Stock. Section3.l8 Brokers and Other Advisors. Except for BofA Merrill Lynch, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Section 3.19 Companv Shareholder Approval. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub set forth in Section 4.7, approval of this Agreement and the plan of merger set forth herein by the affirmative vote (in person or by proxy) of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock entitled to vote at the Company Shareholders Meeting (the "Company Shareholder Approval") is the only vote or approval of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company necessary to approve this Agreement and the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement and the Transactions. ARTICLE IV Except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by Parent to the Company simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement (the "Parent Disclosure Schedule") (which schedule sets forth, among other things, items the disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate either in response to an express disclosure requirement contained in a provision hereof or as an exception to one or more representations or warranties contained in this Article IV, or to one or more of Parent's, US Parent's or Merger Sub's covenants contained in Article V, except that any information set forth in one section of the Parent Disclosure Schedule will be deemed to apply to all other sections or subsections thereof to the extent it is reasonably apparent on the face ofsuch disclosure that it is applicable to such other section or subsection notwithstanding the omission of a reference or cross reference thereto), Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Company as follows: Section 4.1 Orsanization. Standing and Corporate Power. Parent is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the Laws of Province of Ontario, US Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware, and Merger Sub is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the Laws of the State of Washington. Each of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub has all requisite corporate power and authority necessary to own or lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Parent is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing (where such a concept exists) in each jurisdiction in which the nature ofthe business conducted by it or the character or location ofthe properties and assets owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. #5501 530 r 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 18 Page 22 of 70 Section4.2 Authoritv:Non-contravention. (a) Each of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform their respective obligations hereunder and to consummate the Transactions. The execution and delivery of and performance by Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub under this Agreement, and the consummation by Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub of the Transactions, have been duly authorized and approved by all necessary corporate action by Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub (including by the Parent Board, the board of directors of US Parent and the board of directors of Merger Sub) and approved by US Parent as the sole shareholder of Merger Sub, and no other corporate action on the part of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub is necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of, and performance by Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub under, this Agreement and the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement and the consummation by them of the Transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Company, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equiry Exception. No vote or approval of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of Parent is necessary to adopt or approve this Agreement and the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement and the Transactions. (b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub do not, and neither the consummation by Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub of the Transactions, nor compliance by Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub with any of the terms or provisions hereof, will, (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub, in each case, as in effect on the date of this Agreement or (ii) assuming that each of the consents, authorizations and approvals referred to in Section 4.3 is obtained (and any condition precedent to any such consent, authorization or approval has been satisfied), and each of the filings referred to in Section 4.3 are made and any applicable waiting periods referred to therein have expired or been terminated, violate any Law applicable to Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries or (iii) result in any breach of, or constitute a default (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) under, or give rise to any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or right to any payment or loss of benefit under, any Contract to which Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries is a party, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), as would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Section 4.3 Governmental Anprovals. Except for (a) the filing with the SEC of the Proxy Statement, and other filings required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, Canadian securities laws, the Exchange Act and the rules of the NYSE and the TSX in connection with this Agreement and the Merger, (b) the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Washinglon Secretary of State pursuant to the WBCA, (c) filings required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, the HSR Act and (d) Required Statutory Approvals, no consents or approvals of, or filings, declarations or registrations with, any Govemmental Authority are necessary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub and the consummation by Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub of the Transactions, other than as would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Section 4.4 Brokers and Other Advisors. Except for Moelis & Company LLC, the fees of which will be paid by Parent, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. l9 #5501530.12 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page23 of70 Section 4.5 Ownership and Operations of Merser Sub. As of the date hereof, and subject to the Restructuring, as of the Effective Time, (i) US Parent and one or more direct or indirect, wholly owned Subsidiaries of Parent willcollectively own beneficially and of record all of the outstanding capital stock of Merger Sub, and (ii) a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent owns and will own, beneficially and of record all of the outstanding capital stock of US Parent, in each case, all of which capital stock is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. US Parent, Merger Sub and any other direct or indirect, wholly owned Subsidiaries of Parent that own capital stock of Merger Sub were formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the Transactions. US Parent, Merger Sub and any other direct or indirect, wholly owned Subsidiaries of Parent that own capital stock of Merger Sub have no assets, liabilities or obligations and, since the date oftheir respective formations, have not engaged in any business activities or conducted any operations except, in each case, as arising from the execution of this Agreement and the performance of their covenants and agreements with respect to the Transactions. Section 4.6 Sufficient Funds. Parent shall have, and shall cause US Parent to have, available at or prior to the Effective Time, sufficient cash and cash equivalents and other sources of immediately available funds to deliver the aggregate Merger Consideration and make the payments required under Section 2.3, and any other amounts incurred or otherwise payable by Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub or the Surviving Corporation in connection with the Transactions, with no restriction on the use of such cash for such purposes. Parent has sufficient ability to access the capital markets such that Parent shall have, and shall cause US Parent to have, the financial resources and capabilities to fully perform their obligations under this Agreement. Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub acknowledge and agree that their obligations hereunder are not subject to any conditions regarding Parent's, Merger Sub's or any other Person's ability to obtain financing for the consummation of the Transactions. Section 4.7 Share Ownership. None of Parent, US Parent orMerger Sub is, individually or together with their respective "affiliates" and "associates" (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act), a "beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in Rule l3d-3 of the Exchange Act) of a number of shares of Company Common Stock equal to or greater than five percent (5%) of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock. Section 4.8 Lesal Proceedings. There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened, Claims against Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries, nor is there any Judgment imposed upon Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries, in each case, by or before any Governmental Authority, that would reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Section 4.9 Non-Reliance on Comnanv Estimates. Proiections. Forecasts. Forward- Looking Statements and Business Plans. In connection with the due diligence investigation of the Company by Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub and their Affiliates, Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub and their Affiliates have received and may continue to receive from the Company certain estimates. projections. forecasts and other forward-looking information, as well as certain business plans and forward-looking cost-related plan information, regarding the Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses and operations. Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub hereby acknowledge that there are uncertainties inherent in attempting to make such estimates, projections, forecasts and other forward-looking information, with which Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub are familiar, that Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub are making their own evaluation of the adequacy and accuracy of all estimates, projections, forecasts and other forward- looking information, as well as such business plans and forward-looking cost-related plans, furnished to them (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such estimates, projections, forecasts, forward-looking information, business plans or forward-looking cost-related plans), and that none of Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub has relied upon or will have any claim against the Company or any of its 20 #5501 530 l 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 24 of 70 Subsidiaries, or any of their respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, Affiliates, advisors, agents or representatives, or any other Person, with respect thereto. Accordingly, each of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub hereby acknowledges that neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, Affiliates, advisors, agents or representatives, nor any other Person, has made or is making any representation or warranty, express or implied, in respect of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective assets, liabilities, businesses or operations other than the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article III hereof or has or shall have any liability (whether pursuant to this Agreement, in tort or otherwise) with respect to such estimates, projections, forecasts, forward-looking information, business plans or cost-related plans (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such estimates, projections, forecasts, forward-looking information, business plans or cost-related plans) and none of Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub nor any Affiliate of Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub has relied upon the accuracy or completeness of any express or implied representation, waffanty, statement, or information of any nature made or provided by any Person (including in any data room, confidential information memorandum, management presentation or projections) on behalf of the Company, other than the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article III (it being understood that Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub and any Affiliate of Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub have only relied on such express representations and warranties). Each of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Affiliates, waives all rights and claims it or they may have against the Company, any of the Company's Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliateswith respect to the accuracy of, any omission or concealment of, or any misstatement with respect to, any potentially material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective assets, liabilities, businesses or operations, except as expressly set forth in Article III (including any certificates delivered pursuant to Section 6.2(c) with respect to same) hereof. ARTICLE V COVENANTS Section 5.1 Conduct of Business. (a) Except as contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, as required by applicable Laws, as contemplated by any of the matters set forth in Section 5.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or with the prior written consent of Parent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), during the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article VII, (x) the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, use its reasonable best efforts to conduct its business in all material respects in the ordinary course and to preserve intact its present lines of business, maintain its rights and franchises and preserve satisfactory relationships with Governmental Authorities, employees, customers and suppliers, and (y) the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to: #5501 s30. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page25 of70 (i) issue, sell or grant any shares ofits capital stock, or any securities or rights convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for, any shares of its capital stock, or any rights, warrants or options to purchase any shares of its capital stock, or any securities or rights convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for, any shares of its capital stock, except (A) for the issuance of any shares of Company Common Stock in settlement of RSUs and Performance Awards outstanding as of the date hereof or granted after the date hereof in accordance with Section 5.1(aXviii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, in each case, which are subject to settlement in accordance with their terms without regard to the Transactions, or (B) as set forth in Section 5.1(aXi) of the Company Disclosure Schedule; 21 (ii) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its outstanding shares of capital stock, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any shares of its capital stock, except (A) pursuant to Company Material Contracts set fofth in Section 5.1(aXii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule in effect as of the date hereof or (B) in connection with withholding of shares of Company Common Stock to satisfu Tax obligations with respect to RSUs and Performance Awards, or acquisitions in connection with the forfeiture of RSUs and Performance Awards; (iii) (A) declare, authorize, set aside for payment or pay any dividend on, or make any other distribution in respect of, any shares of its capital stock, other than (l) dividends paid by any Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, (2) quarterly cash dividends with respect to the Company Common Stock not to exceed the current annual per share dividend rate by more than $0.06 per year, with record dates and payment dates consistent with the Company's current dividend practice, or (3) a "stub period" dividend to holders of record of Company Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Effective Time equalto the product of (x) the number of days from the record date for payment of the last quarterly dividend paid by the Company prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (y) a daily dividend rate determined by dividing the amount of the last quarterly dividend prior to the Effective Time by ninety-one (91) or (B) adjust, split, combine, subdivide or reclassif, any shares of its capital stock; (iv) incur any Indebtedness in an outstanding principal amount in excess of 5250,000,000 in the aggregate, except for Indebtedness (l) incurred to replace, renew, extend, refinance or refund any existing Indebtedness in a principal amount not in excess ofthe principal amount of the existing Indebtedness that is the subject of such replacement, renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding, (2) for borrowed money incurred pursuant to (and up to the maximum amount permitted under) any Contract relating to Indebtedness as in effect as of the date of this Agreement or (3) among the Company and any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries or among any of such wholly owned Subsidiaries; (v) sell, pledge, dispose of, transfer, lease, license or encumber any of its properties or assets, except (A) dispositions as to which the sales price is not in excess of $25,000,000 in the aggregate in any calendar year, (B) pursuant to a Company Material Contract in effect as of on the date of this Agreement, (C) dispositions of inventory, equipment or other assets that are no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (D) transfers among the Company and its wholly owned Subsidiaries; (vi) make capital expenditures, except for an aggregate amount of capital expenditures in any calendaryear equal to the aggregate amount budgeted in the Company's current long term plan that was made available to Parent prior to the date hereof for such year (plus a l0% variance), excluding any acquisition expenditures permitted pursuant to Section 5.1(a)(vii); (vii) make any acquisition (including by merger) of, or investments in, the capital stock, equity securities, membership interests or a material portion of the assets of any other Person, for consideration in excess of$25,000,000 in the aggregate in any calendar year, excluding capital expenditures permitted pursuant to Section 5.I (aXvi); (viii) (l) increase the compensation or benefits of any of its directors, executive officers or Company Employees (gqytdgd that payments of bonuses and other grants and awards shall be made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), (2) grant to any director or Company Employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries any increase in change- 22 #5501 530. l 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 26 of 70 in-control, severance, retention or termination pay, or enter into or amend any change-in-control, severance, retention or termination agreement with any Company Employee, or (3) take any action to accelerate the time of vesting, funding or payment of any compensation or benefits under any Company Plan, except, in each case, (A) as required pursuant to applicable Law, (B) pursuant to the terms of Company Plans or CBAs set forth on Section 3.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or (C) for increases in salaries, wages and benefits of directors, executive officers or Company Employees made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (including in connection with general merit-based increases and in connection with promotions in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice); (ix) establish, adopt, amend or terminate any Company Plan (or any plan that would be a Company Plan if in existence on the date hereof) except (A) as required by Law or (B) for routine, immaterial or ministerial amendments; (x) make any material change to its methods of accounting, except as required by GAAP (or any interpretation thereof), Regulation S-X of the Exchange Act, as required by a Governmental Authority (including the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any similar organization) or as required by applicable Law; (xi) amend the Company Charter Documents or organizational documents of any Subsidiary of the Company (except for immaterial or ministerial amendments); (xii) adopt or consummate a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution; (xiii) enter into, modify or amend in any material respect, or terminate or waive any material right under, any Company Material Contract, except for (A) entry into or modification, amendment, termination or waiver of any Company Material Contract in the ordinary course of business or (B) a termination without material penalty to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (xiv) settle or compromise any material Claim against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than settlements or compromises that (A) with respect to the payment of monetary damages, involve only the payment of monetary damages by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries not exceeding $2,000,000 in the aggregate during any consecutive twelve-month period, and (B) except as contemplated by Section 5.9, with respect to any non-monetary terms and conditions therein, impose or require actions that would not reasonably be expected to be material and adverse to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (xv) make or change any material Tax election, change any material method of Tax accounting, amend any material Tax Return, settle or compromise any material Tax liability, surrender any claim for a refund of material Taxes, enter into any closing agreements relating to material Taxes or grant any waiver of any statute of limitations with respect to, or any extension of any period of assessment of, any material Taxes; (xvi) permit any material insurance policy to terminate or lapse without replacing such policy with substantially comparable coverage; (xvii) enter into any Derivative Transactions other than in the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with and in compliance with hedging policies and procedures #5501 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 23 Page27 of70 existing as of the date hereof, or materially change any of its energy price or interest rate risk management guidelines; (xviii) enter into any new material line of business; (xix) take any action that would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, interfere with or delay the consummation by the Company of the Transactions; or (xx) agree in writing to take any of the foregoing actions. (b) During the period from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub shall not, and Parent shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, take any action that would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, interfere with, or delay the consummation by Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub of the Transactions. (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company may, and may cause any of its Subsidiaries to, take reasonable actions in compliance with applicable Law with respect to any operational emergencies (including any restoration measures in response to any act of terrorism, hurricane, tornado, tsunami, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster or weather-related event, circumstance or development), equipment failures, outages or threat to the environment or the health or safety of natural Persons. (d) Between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) shall continue to make Regulatory Filings in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, including those filings described in Section 5.1(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (ii) may respond (after reasonable consultation with Parent) to Regulatory Filings made by other parties in which the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries is an interested pafi, and (iii) may take any other action contemplated by or described in any such state or federal filings or other submissions filed or submitted in connection with Regulatory Filings in the ordinary course of business; plovi_dgd, however, that, without in any way limiting the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries set forth in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section 5.1(d), the Company shall (A) keep Parent promptly informed of any material communications or meetings with any Govemmental Authority with respect to rate cases and shall provide copies of any written communications or materials submitted to or received from any Govemmental Authority in connection therewith, (B) consult with Parent and give Parent a reasonable opportunity, within the time constraints imposed in such rate cases, to comment on material written communications or materials submitted to any Govemmental Authority, in each case with respect to any rate cases, which the Company shall consider in good faith, and (C) at the request of Parent, provide Parent a reasonable opportunity to participate in any material meeting or communications related thereto. Parent shall have the opportunity to review and comment on all economic aspects of any rate case filing and shall have the right to approve (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) any settlement of any rate case and rate case filing insofar as it would reasonably be expected to result in an outcome for the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries that would be materially adverse to the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries after the Effective Time, taking into account the requests made by the Company to the applicable Governmental Authority in connection with such rate case and the resolution of similar recent rate cases by the Company. Section 5.2 Preparation of the Proxy Statement: Shareholders Meetins. (a) As promptly as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, but in any event within sixty (60) days, the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC the preliminary Proxy 24 #5501 530 l 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 28 of 70 Statement, and Parent shall cooperate with the Company in the preparation of the foregoing. The Company, with Parent's cooperation, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to and resolve all comments received from the SEC or its staff concerning the Proxy Statement. The Company agrees that (i) except with respect to any information supplied in writing to the Company by Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement, the Proxy Statementwill comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and (ii) none of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement will, on the date it is first mailed to shareholders of the Company and at the time of the Company Shareholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company will cause the definitive Proxy Statement to be mailed to the Company's shareholders, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the SEC confirms that it has no further comments on the Proxy Statement. No filing of, or amendment or supplement to, or correspondence with the SEC with respect to, the Proxy Statement will be made by the Company without providing Parent a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon; provided. however, that the foregoing shall not apply with respect to a Takeover Proposal, a Superior Proposal, a Company Adverse Recommendation Change or any matters relating thereto. Each of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub shall cooperate with the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of the Proxy Statement, including promptly fumishing to the Company in writing upon request any and all information relating to it as may be required to be set forth in the Proxy Statement under applicable Law. Each of the Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub agrees that such information supplied by it in writing for inclusion (or incorporation by reference) in the Proxy Statement will not, on the date it is first mailed to shareholders of the Company and at the time of the Company Shareholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Ii at any time prior to the Effective Time, any information relating to Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates, officers or directors, should be discovered by Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub which should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement so that the Proxy Statement would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, Parent (or US Parent or Merger Sub, as the case may be) shall promptly notiff the Company so that the Company may file with the SEC an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information and, to the extent required by Law, disseminate such amendment or supplement to the shareholders of the Company. lf, at any time prior to the Effective Time, any information relating to the Company or any of its respective Affiliates, officers or directors should be discovered by the Company which should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement so that the Proxy Statement would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the Company shall promptly notifu Parent and the Company shall file with the SEC an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information and, to the extent required by Law, disseminate such amendment or supplement to the shareholders of the Company. (b) The Company shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of the mailing of the definitive Proxy Statement to the Company's shareholders, in accordance with applicable Law, the Company Charter Documents and the NYSE rules, duly give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its shareholders to consider the approval of this Agreement and the plan of merger set forth herein and such other matters as may then be reasonably required (including any adjournment or postponement thereof, the "Company Sharehol@"); provided. however, that the Company shall be permitted to delay or postpone convening the Company Shareholders Meeting (i) with the consent of Parent, (ii) forthe absence of a quorum, (iii) to allow reasonable additional time for any supplemental or 25 #5501530 12 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 29 of70 amended disclosure which the Company has determined in good faith (after consultation with outside legal counsel) is necessary under applicable Law and for such supplemental or amended disclosure to be disseminated and reviewed by the Company's shareholders prior to the Company Shareholders Meeting as necessary under applicable Law or (iv) to allow additional solicitation of votes in order to obtain the Company Shareholder Approval. Except if there has been a Company Adverse Recommendation Change in accordance with Section 5.3(d), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to solicit and secure the Company Shareholder Approval. (c) Unless and until there has been a Company Adverse Recommendation Change in accordance with Section 5.3, the Company shall include the Company Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement. Section 5.3 No Solicitation: Chanse in Recommendation. (a) The Company agrees that it shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and its and its Subsidiaries respective directors, officers and employees to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its other Representatives to, immediately cease all existing discussions or negotiations with any Person conducted heretofore with respect to any Takeover Proposal. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the date, if any, on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.1, the Company shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and its and its Subsidiaries respective directors, officers and employees not to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its other Representatives not to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate any Takeover Proposal or the making or consummation thereof or (ii) enter into, or otherwise participate in any discussions (except to notifu such Person of the existence of the provisions of this Section 5.3) or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any Person any material non-public information in connection with, any Takeover Proposal. (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of its or their respective Representatives, receives an unsolicited written Takeover Proposal made after the date of this Agreement and prior to the receipt of the Company Shareholder Approval, the Company, the Company Board (or a duly authorized committee thereot) and the Company's Representatives may engage in negotiations and discussions with, or furnish any information and other access to, any Person making such Takeover Proposal and any ofits Representatives or potential sources of financing ifthe Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with the Company's outside legal and financial advisors, that such Takeover Proposal is or could reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal and that failure to take such actions would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law; provided that prior to engaging in any negotiations or discussions with, or fumishing any material non-public information to, any such Person or its Representatives, the Company and the Person making such Takeover Proposal shall have entered into an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement. The Company will promptly (and in any event within the later of twenty-four (24) hours and 5:00 p.m. Pacific time on the next Business Day) notifr Parent in writing of the receipt of such Takeover Proposal and the material terms and conditions of such Takeover Proposal, including the identity of the Person making such Takeover Proposal. The Company will keep Parent promptly informed in allmaterial respects (and in any event within the later of twenty-fow (24) hours and 5:00 p.m. Pacific time on the next Business Day) of material communications relating to such Takeover Proposal (including any change in the price or other material terms thereo{). The Company shall not terminate, amend, modifu, waive or fail to enforce any provision of any "standstill" or similar obligation of any Person unless the Company Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law. 26 #5501 530. l 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 30 of70 (c) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, neither the Company Board nor any committee thereof shall (i)(A) withdraw, change, quali$r, withhold or modifu in a manner adverse to Parent, or publicly propose to withdraw, change, qualifr, withhold or modift in a manner adverse to Parent, the Company Board Recommendation, (B) adopt, approve or recommend, or publicly propose to adopt, approve or recommend, any Takeover Proposal, (C) fail to include the Company Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement or (D) in the event a tender offer that constitutes a Takeover Proposal subject to Regulation l4D under the Exchange Act is commenced, fail to recommend against such Takeover Proposal in any solicitation or recommendation statement made on Schedule l4D-9 within ten (10) Business Days after Parent so requests reaffirmation in writing (revided that Parent shall be entitled to make such a written request for reaffirmation only once for each Takeover Proposal and once for each material amendment to such Takeover Proposal) (any action described in this clause (i) being referred to herein as a "golpp4ny Adverse Recommendation Change") or (ii) cause or permit the Company or any of its Affiliates to execute or enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, agreement or commitment (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement) constituting, or that would reasonably be expected to lead to a Takeover Proposal (a "Company Acquisition Agreement"). (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement: (i) at any time prior to obtaining the Company Shareholder Approval, if the Company has received a Superior Proposal other than as a result of a breach of this Section 5.3 (other than an immaterial breach), the Company Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) may make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change and, solely with respect to a Superior Proposal, terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(dXii), if (A) the Company Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change in response to the receipt of such Superior Proposal would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law and (B) (l ) the Company provides Parent prior wriften notice of its intent to make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change and terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7. I (dXii) at least four (4) Business Days prior to taking such action to the effect that, absent any modification to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company Board has resolved to effect a Company Adverse Recommendation Change and to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(dXii), which notice shall specifr the basis for such Company Adverse Recommendation Change and attach the most current draft of any Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to the Superior Proposal (or, if no such draft exists, a written summary of the material terms and conditions of such Superior Proposal) (a "Notice of Superio Recommendation Change") (it being understood that such Notice of Superior Proposal Recommendation Change shall not in itself be deemed a Company Adverse Recommendation Change and that any change in price or material revision or amendment to the terms of such Superior Proposal shall require a new notice to which the provisions of clauses (BXl), (2) and (3) of this Section 5.3(d)(i) shall apply mutatis mutandis except that, in the case of such a new notice, all references to four (4) Business Days in this Section 5.3(dXi) shall be deemed to be three (3) Business Days); (2) during such four (4) Business Day period following Parent's receipt of the Notice of Superior Proposal Recommendation Change, if requested by Parent, the Company shall make its Representatives reasonably available to negotiate in good faith with Parent and its Representatives regarding any modifications to the terms and conditions of this Agreement that Parent proposes to make; and (3) at the end of such four (4) Business Day period and taking into account any modifications to the terms of this Agreement proposed by Parent to the Company in a written, binding and irrevocable offer, the Company Board determines in good faith (after consultation with outside legal counsel) that the failure to make such a Company Adverse 27 #5501 530 r 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 31 of70 Recommendation Change would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law and that such Takeover Proposal still constitutes a Superior Proposal; and (ii) at any time prior to obtaining the Company Shareholder Approval, the Company Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) may make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change in response to the occurrence of a Company Intervening Event if (A) the Company Board (or a duly authorized commiffee thereof) determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change as a result of the occurrence of such Company Intervening Event would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law and (B) (l) the Company provides Parent prior written notice of its intent to make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change at least four (4) Business Days prior to taking such action to the effect that, absent any modification to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company Board has resolved to effect a Company Adverse Recommendation Change, which notice shall describe in reasonable detail the Company Intervening Event that is the basis for such Company Adverse Recommendation Change (a "Notice of Intervening Event Recommendation Change") (it being understood that such Notice of Intervening Event Recommendation Change shall not in itself be deemed a Company Adverse Recommendation Change); (2) during such four (4) Business Day period following Parent's receipt of the Notice of Intervening Event Recommendation Change, if requested by Parent, the Company shall make its Representatives reasonably available to negotiate in good faith with Parent and its Representatives regarding any modifications to the terms and conditions of this Agreement that Parent proposes to make; and (3) at the end of such four (4) Business Day period and taking into account any modifications to the terms of this Agreement proposed by Parent to the Company in a written, binding and irrevocable offer, the Company Board determines in good faith (after consultation with outside legal counsel) that the failure to make such a Company Adverse Recommendation Change would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law. (e) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit the Company or the Company Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) from (i) taking and disclosing to the shareholders of the Company a position contemplated by Rule l4e-2(a) under the Exchange Act or making a statement contemplated by Item l0l2(a) of Regulation M-A or Rule l4d-9 under the Exchange Act, (ii) making any disclosure to the shareholders of the Company if the Company Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to make such disclosure would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with applicable Law, (iii) informing any Person of the existence of the provisions contained in this Section 5.3 or (iv) making any "stop, look and listen" communication to the shareholders of the Company pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) under the Exchange Act (or any similar communication to the shareholders of the Company). No disclosures under this Section 5.3(e) shall be, in themselves, a breach of Section 5.3 or a basis for Parent to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Article VIL (f) As used in this Agreement, "Jakeever llqpel4l" shall mean any bonafide inquiry, proposal or offer from any Person (other than Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates) to purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, (i) assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including securities of Subsidiaries) that account for l5%o or more of the Company's consolidated assets or from which 15o/o or more of the Company's revenues or earnings on a consolidated basis are derived or (ii) l5% or more of the outstanding Company Common Stock pursuant to a merger, consolidation or other business combination, sale or issuance of shares of capital stock, tender offer, share exchange, recapitalization or similar transaction involving the Company, in each case other than the Merger; 28 #ss0l 530 I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 32 of70 (g) As used in this Agreement, "Superior Proposal" shall mean any unsolicited written Takeover Proposal on terms which the Company Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) determines in good faith, after consultation with the Company's outside legal counsel and independent financial advisors, to be more favorable to the holders of Company Common Stock than the Transactions (as may be revised pursuant to Section 5.3(dXi)), taking into account, to the extent applicable, the legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of such proposal and this Agreement that the Company Board considers relevant, including the prospects for receipt of any required regulatory approvals and taking into account the agreements set forth in Section 1.6(a), Section 1.7 and Exhibit B attached hereto with respect to the Transactions; provided that for purposes of the definition of Superior Proposal, the references to "150lo" in the definition of Takeover Proposal shall be deemed to be references to "50ol0." Section 5.4 Reasonable Best Efforts. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of the Company, Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub shall use its respective reasonable best efforts to (i) cause the Transactions to be consummated as soon as practicable, (ii) make promptly any required submissions and filings under applicable Antitrust Laws or to Governmental Authorities with respect to the Transactions, (iii) promptly furnish information required in connection with such submissions and filings to such Governmental Authorities or under such Antitrust Laws, (iv) keep the other parties reasonably informed with respect to the status of any such submissions and filings to such Governmental Authorities or under Antitrust Laws, including with respect to: (A) the receipt of any non-action, action, clearance, consent, approval or waiver, (B) the expiration or termination of any waiting period, (C) the commencement or proposed or threatened commencement of any investigation, litigation or administrative or judicial action or proceeding under Antitrust Laws or other applicable Laws, and (D) the nature and status of any objections raised or proposed or threatened to be raised under Antitrust Laws or other applicable Laws with respect to the Transactions and (v) obtain all actions or non-actions, clearances, approvals, consents, waivers, registrations, permits, authorizations and other confirmations from any Governmental Authority (including the Regulatory Approvals) necessary to consummate the Transactions as soon as practicable. For purposes hereof, "Antitrust Laws" means the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, the HSR Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and all applicable foreign Antitrust Laws and all other applicable Laws issued by a Governmental Authority that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or lessening of competition through merger or acquisition. (b) In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing:(i) each party hereto agrees to (A) make an appropriate filing of a Notification and Report Form pursuant to the HSR Act with respect to the Transactions as promptly as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, (B) furnish as soon as practicable any additional information and documentary material that may be required or requested pursuant to the HSR Act and (C) use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all other actions consistent with this Section 5.4 necessary to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act (including any extensions thereof) as soon as practicable and (ii) each party hereto agrees to (A) make or cause to be made the appropriate filings as soon as practicable with CFIUS, FCC, FERC, IPUC, MPSC, OPUC, RCA, and WUTC relating to the Merger, (B) supply as soon as practicable any additional information and documentary material that may be required or requested by CFIUS, FCC, FERC, IPUC, MPSC, OPUC, RCA, and WUTC, as applicable, in connection with the Regulatory Approvals and (C) use its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all other actions consistent with this Section 5.4 as necessary to obtain any necessary approvals, clearances, consents, waivers, registrations, permits, authorizations, confirmations or other actions or non-actions from CFIUS, FCC, FERC, IPUC, MPSC, OPUC, RCA, and WUTC, as applicable, in connection with the Regulatory Approvals as soon as practicable. 29 #5501 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 33 of70 (c) The Company, Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub shall, subject to applicable Law relating to the exchange of information: (i) promptly notify the other parties hereto of (and if in writing, furnish the other parties with copies of) any communication to such Person from a Governmental Authority regarding the filings and submissions described in Section 5.4(a) and permit the others to review and discuss in advance (and to consider in good faith any comments made by the others in relation to) any proposed written response to any communication from a Govemmental Authority regarding the filings and submissions described in Section 5.4(a), (ii) keep the others reasonably infomed of any developments, meetings or discussions with any Governmental Authority in respect of any filings, investigations, or inquiries concerning the Transactions and (iii) not independently participate in any meeting or discussions with a Governmental Authority in respect of any filings, investigations or inquiries conceming the Transactions without giving the other parfy or parties hereto prior notice of such meeting or discussions and, unless prohibited by such Govemmental Authority, the opportunity to attend or participate; provided, that the Company, Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub shall be permitted to redact any correspondence, filing, submission or communication prior to fumishing it to the other party or parties hereto to the extent such correspondence, filing, submission or communication contains competitively or commercially sensitive information, including information relating to the valuation of the Transactions. (d) In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, but subject to the other terms and conditions of this S-gclipnlj, Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub agree to take promptly any and all steps necessary to avoid, eliminate or resolve each and every impediment and obtain all clearances, consents, approvals and waivers under Antitrust Laws or other applicable Laws that may be required by any Governmental Authority (including any Regulatory Approvals), so as to enable the parties to close the Transactions as soon as practicable (and in any event no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the End Date), including committing to and effecting, by consent decree, hold separate orders, trust, or otherwise, (i) the sale, license, holding separate or other disposition of assets or businesses of Parent or the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries, (ii) terminating, relinquishing, modiffing, or waiving existing relationships, ventures, contractual rights, obligations or other arrangements of Parent or the Company or their respective Subsidiaries and (iii) creating any relationships, ventures, contractual rights, obligations or other arrangements of Parent or the Company or their respective Subsidiaries (each a "Remedial Action"); provided, however, that any Remedial Action may, at the discretion of the Company or Parent, be conditioned upon consummation of the Transactions. (e) In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, but subject to the other terms and conditions of this Section 5.4, inthe eventthatany litigation orotheradministrative orjudicial action or proceeding is commenced, threatened or is reasonably foreseeable challenging any of the Transactions and such litigation, action or proceeding seeks, or would reasonably be expected to seek, to prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the Transactions, Parent shall take or cause to be taken any and all action, including a Remedial Action, to avoid or resolve any such litigation, action or proceeding as promptly as practicable (and in any event shall commence such action no later than three (3) Business Days priorto the End Date). In addition, each of the Company, Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub shall cooperate with each other and use its respective reasonable best efforts to contest, defend and resist any such litigation, action or proceeding and to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any Judgment, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that is in effect and that prohibits, prevents, delays, interferes with or restricts consummation of the Transactions as promptly as practicable and in any event no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the End Date. (f) From the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time and the date this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article VII, neither Parent, US Parent nor Merger Sub shall, nor shall they permit their respective Subsidiaries to, acquire or agree to acquire any rights, assets, business, Person or division thereof (through acquisition, license, joint venture, collaboration or otherwise), if such 30 #5501530 l2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 34 of70 acquisition would reasonably be expected to materially increase the risk of not obtaining any applicable clearance, consent, approval or waiver under Antitrust Laws or other applicable Laws (including any Regulatory Approvals) with respect to the Transactions, or would reasonably be expected to prevent or prohibit, or materially impede, interfere with or delay, obtaining any applicable clearance, consent, approval or waiver under Antitrust Laws or other applicable Laws (including any Regulatory Approvals) with respect to the Transactions. (g) Notwithstanding the obligations set forth in this Agreement, Parent and its Affiliates shall not be required to, in connection with obtaining any actions or non-actions, clearances, approvals, consents, waivers, registrations, permits, authorizations and other confirmations from any Governmental Authority (including the Regulatory Approvals) in connection with this Agreement or the Transactions, offer or accept, or agree, commit to agree or consent to, any undertaking, term, condition, liability, obligation, commitment or sanction (including any Remedial Action), that constitutes a Burdensome Condition. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, in connection with obtaining any actions or non-actions, clearances, approvals, consents, waivers, registrations, permits, authorizations and other confirmations from any Governmental Authority (including the Regulatory Approvals) in connection with this Agreement or the Transactions, (x) offer to agree to any undertaking, term, condition, liability, obligation, commitment or sanction (including any Remedial Action) that would reasonably be expected to be material and adverse to Parent's ability to obtain the Regulatory Approvals on substantially the terms that Parent reasonably expects, or (y) accept, or agree, commit to agree or consent to, any undertaking, term, condition, liability, obligation, commitment or sanction (including any Remedial Action); provided, however, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall take any Remedial Action requested by Parent if such Remedial Action is conditioned upon the consummation of the Transactions, it being understood that the foregoing limitations on the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not in any manner impact the obligations of Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub pursuant to this Section 5.4. (h) Parent shall promptly notiff the Company and the Company shall notify Parent of any notice or other communication from any Governmental Authority alleging that such Governmental Authority's consent is or may be required in connection with or as a condition of the Merger. Section 5.5 Public Announcements. The initial press release with respect to the execution of this Agreement shall be a joint press release to be reasonably agreed upon by Parent and the Company. Following such initial press release, Parent and the Company shall consult with each other before issuing, and shall give each other the opportunity to review and comment upon, any press release or other public statement with respect to the Transactions (to the extent it contains information that is different than what is contained in the initial press release) and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation, except as such party may reasonably conclude may be required by applicable Law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with, or requirement of, any applicable securities exchange or securities quotation system (which shall include the NYSE in the case of the Company and the TSX in the case of Parent in respect of the obligations of Parent to such exchange) (and then only after as much advance notice and consultation as is feasible); provided" however, that the restrictions set forth in this Section 5.5 shall not apply to any release or public statement (a) made or proposed to be made by the Company in connection with a Takeover Proposal, a Superior Proposal or a Company Adverse Recommendation Change or any action taken pursuant thereto, (b) in connection with any dispute between the parties regarding this Agreement or the Transactions or (c) that is not inconsistent in any material respects with any prior public disclosures regarding the Transactions. #5501 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 3l Page 35 of70 Section 5.6 Access to Information: Confidentialitv. (a) Subject to applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information, from the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time or the date on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.1, the Company shall afford to Parent and its Representatives reasonable access (at Parent's sole cost and expense) during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice to the Company's properties (but excluding for the conduct of Phase II environmental assessments or testing), employees, books, Contracts and records and the Company shall furnish as promptly as reasonably practicable to Parent such information conceming its business, properties, contracts, assets and liabilities of the Company as Parent may reasonably request (other than any publicly available document filed by the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities Laws); Eovided that Parent and its Representatives shall conduct any such activities in such a manner as not to unreasonably interfere with the business or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries or Company Joint Ventures; plov.i-dg( fufther, (i) that the Company shall not be obligated to provide such access or information if the Company determines, in its reasonable judgment, that doing so would violate applicable Law or a Contract or obligation of confidentiality owing to a third parfy, jeopardize the protection of the attorney-client privilege, or expose such party to risk of liability for disclosure of sensitive or personal information and (ii) the conduct of such activities shall be subject to the rights and obligations of the Company referred to in the final proviso of the final sentence of Section 5.4(.c) hereof. Until the Effective Time, the information provided will be subject to the terms of the confidentiality agreement, dated as of May 31,2017 between Parent and the Company (as it may be amended from time to time, the "ConfidentialiY Agreement"), and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Parent and Company shall not, and Parent and Company shall cause their respective Representatives not to, use such information for any purpose unrelated to the consummation of the Transactions. (b) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.1, the Confidentiality Agreement shall automatically be deemed to be amended and restated such that (i) the "Standstill Period" for all purposes of the Confidentiality Agreement shall be the period of eighteen (18) months from the date of such termination, as if the parties hereto had never entered into this Agreement, and (ii) the other provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement shall remain in force and effect for a period of two (2) years after such termination, as if the parties hereto had never entered into this Agreement. Section 5.7 Takeover Laws. If any Takeover Statute becomes applicable to the Transactions, the Company and the Company Board will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that the Transactions may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to minimize the effect of such statute or regulation on the Transactions. Section 5.8 Indemnification and Insurance. (a) From and after the Effective Time, Parent shall, and shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, (i) indemnifu, defend and hold harmless each current and former director, officer and employee of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries and each person who served as a director, officer, member, trustee or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, pension or other employee benefit plan or enterprise if such service was at the request or for the benefit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each, an "lndemnitee" and, collectively, the "lndemnitees") against all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, judgments, fines, penalties, costs (including amounts paid in settlement or compromise) and expenses (including fees and expenses of legal counsel) in connection with any actual or threatened claim, suit, action, proceeding or investigation (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) (each, a "Claim"), whenever asserted, arising out of relating to or in connection with any action or omission relating to their position with the Company or its Subsidiaries occurring or alleged to 32 #s501 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 36 of70 have occurred before or at the Effective Time (including any Claim relating in whole or in parl to this Agreement or the Transactions), to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law and (ii) assume all obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries to the Indemnitees in respect of limitation of liability, exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses as provided in (A) the Company Charter Documents and the respective organizational documents of each of the Company's Subsidiaries as currently in effect and (B) any indemnification agreements with an Indemnitee (but only to the extent such indemnification agreement was made available to Parent prior to the date hereof or entered into after the date hereof in compliance with Section 5.1(a)), which shall in each case survive the Transactions and continue in full force and effect to the extent permitted by applicable Law. Without limiting the foregoing, at the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall, and Parent shall, and shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, cause the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation to include provisions for limitation of liabilities of directors and officers, indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation of the Indemnitees no less favorable to the Indemnitees than as set forth in the Company Charter Documents in effect on the date ofthis Agreement, which provisions shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified in a manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of the Indemnitees except as required by applicable Law. (b) From and after the Effective Time, Parent shall, and shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, pay and advance to an Indemnitee any expenses (including fees and expenses of legal counsel) in connection with any Claim relating to any acts or omissions covered under this Section 5.8 or the enforcement of an Indemnitee's rights under this Section 5.8 as and when incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, provided that the Indemnitee to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such expenses if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that such Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification for such matter (but only to the extent such repayment is required by applicable Law, the Company Charter Documents, the applicable organizational documents of any Subsidiary of the Company or applicable indemnification agreements). (c) For a period of six (6) years from the Effective Time, Parent shall cause to be maintained in effect coverage no less favorable than the coverage provided by the policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance in effect as of the date hereof maintained by the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to matters arising on or before the Effective Time either through the Company's existing insurance provider or another provider reasonably selected by Parent; provided, however, that, after the Effective Time, none of Parent, US Parent or the Surviving Corporation shallbe required to pay annual premiums in excess of 300% of the annualpremium currently paid by the Company in respect ofthe coverages required to be obtained pursuant hereto, but in such case shall purchase as much coverage as reasonably practicable for such amount; plovj_ded, further, that in lieu of the foregoing insurance coverage, the Company may purchase "tail" insurance coverage, at a cost no greater than the aggregate amount which Parent, US Parent or the Surviving Corporation would be required to spend during the six-year period provided for in this Section 5.8(c), that provides coverage no less favorable than the coverage described above to the insured persons than the directors' and officers' liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance coverage currently maintained by the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof with respect to matters arising on or before the Effective Time. (d) The provisions ofthis Section 5.8 are (i) intendedto be forthe benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnitee, his or her heirs and his or her representatives from and after the Effective Time, and (ii) in addition to, and not in substitution for or limitation oi any other rights to indemnification or contribution that any such Person may have by contract or otherwise. The obligations of Parent, US Parent and the Surviving Corporation under this Section 5.8 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect the rights of any Indemnitee to whom this Section 5.8 applies unless (A) such termination or modification is required by applicable Law or (B) the affected JJ #5501 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page37 of70 Indemnitee shall have consented in writing to such termination or modification (it being expressly agreed that the Indemnitees to whom this Section 5.8 applies shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section 5.8). (e) In the event that Parent, US Parent, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and is not the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all ofits properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Parent, US Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall assume all of the obligations thereof set forth in this Section 5.8. Section 5.9 Transaction Litisation. Each of Parent and the Company shall notifi the other promptly of the commencement of any shareholder litigation relating to this Agreement or the Transactions of which it has received notice ("Transaction Litigation"), and provide the other copies of any complaints and pleadings filed in connection therewith (to the extent the other is not a named party thereto). The Company shall give Parent the opportunity to participate in, but not control, and shall reasonably consult with Parent with respect to, the defense or settlement of any Transaction Litigation, and no settlement of any Transaction Litigation shall be agreed to by the Company without Parent's prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Section 5.10 Section 16. Prior to the Effective Time, each of the Company, Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub shall take all such steps reasonably necessary to cause any dispositions of Company Common Stock (including derivative securities with respect to Company Common Stock) directly resulting from the Merger by each individual who will be subject to the reporling requirements of Section l6(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time to be exempt under Rule l6b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Section 5.1I Emplovee Matters. (a) For a period of three (3) years following the Effective Time (the "fuli.nua1qjon, Period"), Parent or its Subsidiaries shall provide, or shall cause to be provided, to each individual who is employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries) immediately prior to the Effective Time (each, a "Company Employee"), annual base salary or hourly rate, as applicable, annual cash bonus and long-term incentive compensation opportunities (including target bonus amounts that are payable subject to the satisfaction of performance criteria in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time) and employee benefits, in each case, that are no less favorable than such annual base salary and base wages, annual cash bonus and long-term incentive compensation opportunities and employee benefitS provided to such Company Employee, in the aggregate, immediately prior to the Effective Time, for the period of time during the Continuation Period in which each such Continuing Employee is employed by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to equity based long-term incentive compensation, Paront or its Subsidiaries may provide equity based long-term incentive compensation to the Company Employees in accordance with (and in a manner no less favorable than) its incentive objectives with respect to Parent's and its Subsidiaries' employees, and any such equity based long-term incentive compensation shall be included in determining whether the long-term incentive compensation opportunities set forth above have been provided as required. (b) For all purposes (including purposes of vesting, eligibility to participate and level of benefits but not for purposes of defined benefit pension accrual) under the employee benefit plans of Parent and its Subsidiaries providing benefits to any Company Employee after the Effective Time (including the Company Plans) (the "New Plans"), each Company Employee shall be credited with his or her years of service with the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective predecessors before the 34 #5501 s30. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 38 of70 Effective Time, to the same extent as such Company Employee was entitled, before the Effective Time, to credit for such service under any Company Plan which is analogous to a New Plan and in which such Company Employee participated or was eligible to participate immediately prior to the Effective Time, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to the extent that its application would result in a duplication of benefits with respect to the same period of service. Furthermore, to the extent a Company Employee or a "Company Retired Employee" (as defined below) becomes eligible to participate in Parent's or its Subsidiaries' retiree medical plan, for all purposes (including purposes of vesting, eligibility to participate and level of benefits) under the retiree medical plan of Parent and its Subsidiaries, each (i) Company Employee and (ii) former employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whose employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries ended as a result of such former employee's retirement and who is eligible to participate in the Company's retiree medical plan as of the Effective Time (which, for the avoidance of doubt, will include any such individuals who waived participation in such retiree medical plan but are still eligible, pursuant to the terms of such retiree medical plan as in effect on the date hereof, to participate in such plan) (the "Company Retired Employees"), shall be credited with his or her years of service with the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective predecessors before the Effective Time, to the same extent as such Company Employee or Company Retired Employee was entitled, immediately before the Effective Time, to credit for such service under the Company's retiree medical plan as of the Effective Time. Parent shall, or shall cause an Affiliate to, provide postretirement medical benefits (including the employer contribution toward the cost of such postretirement medical benefits) to Eligible Retirees (as defined below) that (A) during the Continuation Period are no less favorable than those provided under the Company's postretirement medical program in effect as of the date of the Agreement (the "Company Retiree Health Plan") and (B) following the Continuation Period are no less favorable than those provided to similarly situated, as applicable, employees and retirees who participate in the post- retirement programs of Parent or its Subsidiaries (other than the Surviving Corporation). "Eli€liblgnglilgg!" means Company Retired Employees and Company Employees who are or become eligible to participate in the Company Retiree Health Plan as in effect on January 1,2016 during or after the Continuation Period. In addition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (1) Parent shall, or cause an Affiliate to, cause each Company Employee to be immediately eligible to participate, without any waiting time, in any and all New Plans to the extent coverage under such New Plan is replacing comparable coverage under a Company Plan in which such Company Employee participated immediately before the Effective Time (such plans, collectively, the "Old Plans"), and (2) for purposes of each New Plan providing medical, dental, pharmaceuti cal andlor vision benefits to any Company Employee, Parent shall cause (or, in the case of a New Plan that is insured by a third party insurance company, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such insurance company to cause) all pre-existing condition exclusions and actively-at-work requirements of such New Plan to be waived for such Company Employee and his or her covered dependents, to the extent such conditions were inapplicable or waived under the comparable Old Plans of the Company or its Subsidiaries in which such Company Employee participated immediately prior to the Effective Time. Parent shall, or cause an Affiliate to, cause (or, in the case of a New Plan that is insured by a third party insurance company, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such insurance company to cause) any eligible expenses incurred by any Company Employee and his or her covered dependents during the portion of the plan year ofthe Old Plan ending on the date such Company Employee's participation in the corresponding New Plan begins to be taken into account under such analogous New Plan for purposes of satisfring all deductible, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket requirements applicable to such Company Employee and his or her covered dependents for the applicable plan year as if such amounts had been paid in accordance with such New Plan. (c) Without limiting the generality of Section 5.ll(a), from and after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries to assume, honor, and continue all obligations under the Company Plans and compensation and severance affangements and agreements in accordance with their terms as in effect immediately before the Effective Time (including the Executive 35 #5501 530. l 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 39 of70 Change of Control Agreements), and the Transactions shall be deemed to constitute a "change in control," "change of control," "corporate transaction" or similar words to such effect under all such Company Plans, arrangements or agreements. (d) To the extent that the Effective Time occurs (i) in 2018 or (ii) following the end of the 2018 performance period with respect to the Company's Annual Incentive Plans or any other applicable annual bonus plan, but, in each case, prior to payment ofthe bonuses for such 2018 performance period, Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to pay to each Company Employee the bonus to which the Company Employee would be entitled for such 201 8 performance period based on actual performance, with such payment to occur no later than March 15,2019, consistent with past practice. In addition, in the event that the Effective Time occurs in 2019, Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to pay to each Company Employee any bonus that such Company Employee would be entitled to receive under the Company's Annual Incentive Plans and any other applicable annual bonus plan for the 2019 performance period based on such Company Employee's actual performance for such 2019 performance period, with such payment to occur no later than March 15,2020, consistent with past practice. (e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.1l, with respect to all employment terms and conditions affecting Company Employees covered by a CBA, as applicable, Parent shall or shall cause US Parent to: (l) assume any liabilities or obligations contained in the CBAs; and (2) provide, or shall cause to be provided, to such Company Employees terms and conditions of employment, including all compensation and benefits, as required by the applicable CBAs. (f) Effective as of the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to implement the executive retention program for the executives listed on Section 5.1l(fl of the Parent Disclosure Schedule on the terms set forth therein. (g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the provisions of this Section 5.I I are solely for the benefit of the parties to this Agreement, and no provision of this Section 5.1 I is intended to, or shall, constitute the establishment or adoption of or an amendment to any Company Plans, and no Company Employee or any other individual associated therewith shall be regarded for any purpose as a third-parry beneficiary of this Agreement or have the right to enforce the provisions hereof including in respect of continued employment (or resumed employment). Nothing contained herein shall alter the at- will employment relationship of any Company Employee. Section 5.12 Merser Sub and Survivine Cornoration. (a) Parent and US Parent shall take or cause to be taken all actions necessary to (i) cause Merger Sub and the Surviving Corporation to perform promptly their respective obligations under this Agreement and (ii) cause Merger Sub to consummate the Merger on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Prior to the Effective Time, US Parent and Merger Sub shall not engage in any activity of any nature except for activities related to or in furtherance of the Transactions or the Restructuring. (b) In the event that Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub determine to effect the Restructuring, the Company agrees to provide reasonable cooperation to Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub, upon request, in connection with the implementation of the Restructuring; provided that any obligation to cooperate shall be limited to the same extent provided under Section 5.15(b); provided, further, that in no event shall the failure to comply with this Section 5.I 2(b) give rise to a failure of the condition in Section 6.2(b\ to be satisfied. #ss0l s30. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 36 Page 40 of70 (c) Parent shall (i) promptly reimburse the Company for all reasonable and out-of- pocket costs or expenses (including reasonable and documented costs and expenses of counsel and accountants) incurred by the Company, the Subsidiaries of the Company and any of its or their Representatives in connection with any cooperation provided for in Section 5. I 2(b), and (ii) indemnifu and hold harmless the Company, the Subsidiaries of the Company and any of its and their Representatives against any claim, loss, damage, injury, liability, judgment, award, penalty, fine, cost (including cost of investigation), expense (including fees and expenses of counsel and accountants) or settlement payment incurred as a result of, or in connection with, any cooperation provided for in Section 5.12(b) and any information used in connection therewith, unless the Company acted in bad faith or with gross negligence and other than in the case offraud (d) At or prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall adopt the instrument set forth in Section 5.12 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, with regard to the matters set forth in Exhibit A and Exhibit B. Section 5.13 No Control of Other Party's Business. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to give Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the Company's or its Subsidiaries' operations prior to the Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its and its Subsidiaries' respective operations. Section 5.14 Advice of Chanees. From and after the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, each of Parent, US Parent and the Company will, to the extent not in violation of any applicable Law, promptly notiff the other of (a) any circumstance, development, change, event, occurrence or effect of which it has Knowledge that has had or that would reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect or a Company Material Adverse Effect, as the case may be, or (b) any material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement that would reasonably be expected to give rise to a failure ofany condition to the obligations ofthe other party or parties to effect the Merger set forth in Article VI to be satisfied, provided that (i) no such notification will affect the representations, warranties or covenants of the parties or the conditions to the obligations of the parties under this Agreement and (ii) in no event shall the failure to comply with this Section 5.14 give rise to a failure of any condition set forth in Article VI to be satisfied. Section 5.15 FinancinsCooperation. (a) Between the date hereof and the Effective Time, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use its commercially reasonable efforts to, and to cause the Representatives of the Company and its Subsidiaries to, provide to Parent and its Affiliates all cooperation requested by Parent and its Affiliates that is necessary, proper or advisable in connection with any financing transaction undertaken by Parent and its Affiliates in order to finance the payment of the Merger Consideration in connection with the Merger (or any other financing transaction undertaken by Parent or its Affiliates to the extent Parent or any such Affiliate is required by applicable Canadian securities laws to provide financial statement disclosure of the Company or its Subsidiaries) (the "Eilgrci!€t"), including: (i) participating in meetings, presentations and due diligence sessions as may be reasonably requested by Parent or its Affiliates in connection with the Financing; (ii) assisting with the preparation of any prospectuses, offering memorandums or other documentation required in connection with the Financing; (iii) furnishing Parent and its Affiliates with financial statements and related financial information for such periods as may be required in connection with the Financing, including any financial statements or other financial information that may be required to be included in any document filed under applicable Canadian securities Laws in connection therewith; (iv) fumishing Parent and its Affiliates such other information concerning the JI #5501 530.1 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 4l of70 Company and its Subsidiaries as may be reasonably necessary in order to give effect to the Financing; (v) using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain accountants' customary comfort letters and translation opinions if and as reasonably requested by Parent or its Affiliates (or banks, lenders or underwriters involved in any such financing); and (vi) taking all actions reasonably necessary and appropriate to permit the banks, lenders or underwriters involved in any such financing to complete customary pre-closing due diligence on the Company and its Subsidiaries as is customary for transactions of a similar nature. (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 5.15, nothing in this Section 5.15 shall require any such cooperation to the extent that it would (i) require the Company to pay any commitment or other fees, reimburse any expenses or otherwise incur any liabilities or give any indemnities prior to the Closing, (ii) unreasonably interfere with the ongoing business or operations of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries of the Company, (iii) require the Company or any of the Subsidiaries of the Company to enter into or approve any agreement or other documentation effective prior to the Closing or agree to any change or modification of any existing agreement or other documentation that would be effective prior to the Closing, (iv) require the Company or the Subsidiaries of the Company to preparc pro forma financial statements or proforma adjustments reflecting the Financing or the Transactions (plgyrdgd that the Company shall otherwise cooperate with the preparation of such pro forma financial statements andproforma adjustments prepared by Parent), (v) require the Company,any of the Subsidiaries of the Company or any of their respective boards of directors (or equivalent bodies) to approve or authorize the Financing, or (vi) require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to cause the delivery of (l) legal opinions or reliance letters or any certificate as to solvency or any other certificate necessary for the Financing, other than accountants' customary comfort letters as contemplated by clause (v) of Section 5.15(a), (2) any audited financial information or any financial information prepared in accordance with Regulation S-K or Regulation S-X underthe Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any financial information, in each case, in a form not customarily prepared by the Company with respect to any period (provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing clause (2) shall not be relied upon to prevent the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from delivering its year-end audited financial statements or quarterly unaudited financial statements to the extent Parent or any of its Affiliates is required by applicable Canadian securities laws to provide financial statement disclosure of the Company or its Subsidiaries) or (3) any financial information with respect to a month or fiscal period that has not yet ended or has ended less than forty-five (45) days, or sixty (60) days in the case ofan annual period, prior to the date ofsuch request. (c) Parent shall (i) promptly reimburse the Company for all reasonable and out-of- pocket costs or expenses (including reasonable and documented costs and expenses of counsel and accountants) incurred by the Company, the Subsidiaries of the Company and any of its or their Representatives in connection with any cooperation provided for in this Section 5.15, and (ii)indemnifu and hold harmless the Company, the Subsidiaries of the Company and any of its and their Representatives against any claim, loss, damage, injury, liability, judgment, award, penalty, fine, cost (including cost of investigation), expense (including fees and expenses of counsel and accountants) or settlement payment incurred as a result of, or in connection with, any cooperation provided for in this Section 5.15 or the Financing and any information used in connection therewith, unless the Company acted in bad faith or with gross negligence and other than in the case offraud. ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS PRECEDENT Section 6.1 Conditions to Each Party's Oblieation to Effect the Merger. The respective obligations of each party hereto to effect the Closing shall be subject to the satisfaction (or waiver, if permissible under applicable Law) on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions: 38 #5501 530 I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 42 of70 (a) Company Shareholder Approval. The Company Shareholder Approval shall have been obtained (b) Regulatory Approvals. All waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) applicable to the Merger under the HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall have expired and each of the Required Statutory Approvals shall have been obtained at or prior to the Effective Time (the termination or expiration of such waiting periods and extensions thereof, together with the obtaining of the Required Statutory Approvals, the "Bggul-alqry_Applqvab"), and such Regulatory Approvals shall have become Final Orders. (c) No Injunctions. No Law enacted, promulgated, issued, entered, amended or enforced by any Governmental Authority shall be in effect enjoining, restraining, preventing or prohibiting consummation of the Merger or making the consummation of the Merger illegal. Section 6.2 Conditions to Oblieations of Parent. US Parent and Mereer Sub. The obligations of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Closing are further subject to the satisfaction (or waiver, if permissible under applicable Law) on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions: (a) Representations and Warranties. (i) Each of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement (other than the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 3.2(a), Section 3.2(b), Section 3.3(a), Section 3.6(b) and Section 3.19) shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to "materiality" or "Company Material Adverse Effect" set forth therein), except where the failure to be true and correct has not had or would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; (ii) each of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 3.2(a) and Section 3.2(b) shall be true and correct, except where the failure of any such representation or warranty to be true and correct would be de minimis; (iii) each of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 3.3(a) and Section 3.19 shall be true and correct in all material respects; and (iv) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.6(b) shall be true and correct in all respects; in the case of each of clause (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), as of the Effective Time as though made at and as of the Effective Time (except to the extent that such representation and warranty is expressly made as of a specified date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as ofsuch specific date). (b) Performance of Covenants and Agreements of the Company. The Company shall have performed in all material respects all covenants and agreements required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date. (c) Officer's Certificate. Parent shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an executive officer of the Company certirying the satisfaction by the Company of the conditions set forth in Section 6.2(a) and Section 6.2(b). (d) Absence of Company Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, no circumstance, development, change, event, occurrence or effect that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, shall have occurred and be continuing. (e) Absence of Burdensome Condition. The Final Orders with respect to the Regulatory Approvals shall not impose or require any undertakings, terms, conditions, liabilities, obligations, commitments or sanctions (including any Remedial Actions) that, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a Burdensome Condition. #5501 530 I2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 39 Page 43 of70 Section 6.3 Conditions to Oblisations of the Companv. The obligation of the Company to effect the Closing is further subject to the satisfaction (or waiver, if permissible under applicable Law) on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions: (a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to "materiality" or "Parent Material Adverse Effect" set forth therein) as of the Effective Time with the same effect as though made on and as of the Effective Time (except to the extent that such representation and warranty is expressly made as of a specified date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as ofsuch specific date), except where the failure to be true and correct has not had or would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. (b) Performance of Covenants and Agreements of Parent. US Parent and Mereer Sub. Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub shall have performed in all material respects all covenants and agreements required to be performed by them under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date. (c) Officer's Certificate. The Company shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent by an executive officer of Parent certiffing the satisfaction by Parent and Merger Sub of the conditions set forth in Section 6.3(a) and Section 6.3(b). Section 6.4 Frustration of Closins Conditions. None of the Company, Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in Section 6.1, Section 6.2 or Section 6.3, as the case may be, to be satisfied if such failure was primarily caused by such party's breach of this Agreement. ARTICLE VII TERMINATION Section 7.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Transactions abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time: (a) by the mutual written consent of the Company and Parent; or (b) by either the Company or Parent: (i) if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before September 30, 2018 (the "End Date"); plqvjd_gd that if, prior to the End Date, all of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Article VI have been satisfied or waived, as applicable, or shall then be capable ofbeing satisfied (except for any condition set forth in Section 6.1(b), Section 6.1(c). or Section 6.2(e)), either the Company or Parent may, prior to 5:00 p.m. Pacific time on the End Date, extend the End Date to a date that is not later than six (6) months after the End Date (and if so extended, such later date shall then, for all purposes under this Agreement, be the "End Date"); plov_ldgd, further, that neither the Company nor Parent may terminate this Agreement or extend the End Date pursuant to this Section 7.1(bXi) if it (or, in the case of Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub) is in breach of this Agreement and such breach has primarily caused or resulted in either (l) the failure to satisfr the conditions to its obligations to consummate the Closing set forth in Article VI prior to the End Date or (2) the failure of the Closing to have occurred by the End Date; or #ss0l 530 1 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 40 Page 44 of 70 (ii) ifany Law having the effect set forth in Section 6.1(c) shall not have been reversed, stayed, enjoined, set aside, annulled or suspended and shall be in full force and effect and, in the case of any Judgment (each, a "Restraint"), shall have become final and non-appealable; provided. however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.1(bXii) shall not be available to the Company or Parent if the issuance of such final, non-appealable Restraint was primarily due to a breach by such party of any of its covenants or agreements under this Agreement, including pursuant to Section 5.4: or (iii) if the Company Shareholder Approval contemplated by this Agreement shall not have been obtained at the Company Shareholders Meeting duly convened (including any adjournments or postponements thereof); or (c) by Parent (i) if the Company shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b), respectively, and (B) cannot be cured by the Company by the End Date or, if capable of being cured, shall not have been cured within thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of written notice from Parent stating Parent's intention to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(cXi) and the basis for such termination; provided that Parent shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(cXi) if Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub is then in material breach of this Agreement; or (ii) if the Company Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) shall have effected a Company Adverse Recommendation Change; provided, however, that Parent shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.1(cXii) if the Company Shareholder Approval shall have been obtained; or (d) by the Company (i) if Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.3(a) or Section 6.3(b), respectively, and (B) cannot be cured by Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub by the End Date or, if capable of being cured, shall not have been cured within thirry (30) calendar days following receipt of written notice from the Company stating the Company's intention to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(dXi) and the basis for such termination; provided that, the Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(dXi) if the Company is then in material breach of this Agreement; or (ii) prior to the receipt of the Company Shareholder Approval, if the Company Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) shall have effected a Company Adverse Recommendation Change with respect to a Superior Proposal in accordance with Section 5.3 and shall have approved, and substantially concurrently with the termination hereunder, the Company shall have entered into, a Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal; provided that such termination pursuant to this Section 7.1(d)(ii) shall not be effective and the Company shall not enter into any such Company Acquisition Agreement, unless the Company has paid the Company Termination Fee to Parent or causes the Company Termination Fee to be paid to Parent substantially concurrently with such termination in accordance with Section 7.3; 4t #5501 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 45 of70 (plgyrdgd that Parent shall have provided wiring instructions for such payment or, if not, then such payment shall be paid promptly following delivery of such instructions). Section 7.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 7.1, written notice thereof shall be given to the other party or parties hereto, speciffing the provision hereof pursuant to which such termination is made, and this Agreement shall forthwith become null and void and have no further force or effect (other than Section 5.6(b), this Section 7.2, Section 7.3 and Article VIII, all of which shall survive termination of this Agreement), and there shall be no liability on the part of Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub or the Company or their respective directors, officers, other Representatives or Affiliates, whether arising before or after such termination, based on, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution, performance or subject matter hereof (whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, or whether at law (including at common law or by statute) or in equity); provided. however, that, subject to Section 7.3 (including the limitations on liability contained therein), no party hereto shall be relieved or released from any liabilities or damages arising out of any willful and material breach of this Agreement prior to such termination that gave rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Article VI. The Confidentiality Agreement shall survive in accordance with its terms following termination of this Agreement (as modified pursuant to_Sec!iod_6(b)). Without limiting the meaning of a willful and material breach, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any failure by a party hereto to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby after the applicable conditions to the Closing set forth in Article VI have been satisfied or waived (except for those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, which conditions would be capable of being satisfied at the time of such failure to consummate the Merger) shall constitute a willful and material breach of this Agreement. Section 7.3 Termination Fees. (a) In the event that this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 7.1(dxii), the Company shall pay or cause to be paid as directed by Parent the Company Termination Fee substantially concurrently with the termination of this Agreement. (b) In the event that this Agreement is terminated by Parent pursuant to Section 7.1(cXii), the Company shall pay or cause to be paid as directed by Parent the Company Termination Fee within two (2) Business Days of such termination. (c) In the event that (i) this Agreement is terminated (A) by Parent or the Company pursuant to Section 7.1 (bXi) or Section 7. l(bXiii) or (B) by Parent pursuant to Section 7.1(c)(i) (solely with respect to a breach or failure to perform a covenant), (ii) a Takeover Proposal shall have been publicly disclosed or made to the Company after the date hereof and not publicly withdrawn (x) in the case of termination pursuant to Section 7.1(bXi) or Section 7.1(c)(i), prior to the date of such termination, or (y) in the case of termination pursuant to Section 7.I(bXiii), prior to the date of the Company Shareholders Meeting, and (iii) within twelve (12) months of the date this Agreement is terminated, the Company enters into a Company Acquisition Agreement or consummates a Takeover Proposal (provided that for purposes of clause (iii) of this Section 7.3(c), the references to "15oZ" in the definition of Takeover Proposal shall be deemed to be references to "50o%"), then the Company shall pay or cause to be paid as directed by Parent the Company Termination Fee on the earlier of the date of entry into such Company Acquisition Agreement and the date of consummation of such transaction. (d) For purposes of this Agreement, "Company Termination Fee" shall mean an amount equal to S I 03,000,000. 42 #5501 530 l2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 46 of70 (e) Parent shall pay or cause to be paid to the Company a fee of $ 103,000,000 in cash (the "Parent Termination Fee") if: (i) this Agreement is terminated by Parent or the Company: (A) pursuant to Section 7.1(bXi) and, at the time of such termination, any ofthe conditions set forth in Section 6.1(b) or Section 6.1(c) (in the case of Section 6.1(c), if and only if the applicable Restraint giving rise to such termination arises in connection with the Regulatory Approvals), shall have not been satisfied; or (B) pursuant to Section 7.I(bXii) (if, and only if, the applicable Restraint giving rise to such termination arises in connection with the Regulatory Approvals); or (ii) this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 7.1(dXi) because of a failure by Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub to comply with their obligations under Section 5.4; plgyjdgd that, at the time of any such termination described in clause (i) or (ii) ofthis Section 7.3(e), the conditions to the Closing set forth in Section 6.1(a) and Section 6.2 (otherthan Section 6.2(c) and Section 6.2(e)) shall have been satisfied or waived (except for any such conditions that have not been satisfied as a result of a breach by Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub of its respective obligations under this Agreement). Parent shall pay or cause to be paid the Parent Termination Fee to the Company (to an account designated in writing by the Company) no later than two (2) Business Days after the date of the applicable termination. (0 Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Company be required to pay the Company Termination Fee on more than one occasion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree that if this Agreement is terminated under circumstances in which the Company is obligated to pay the Company Termination Fee under this Section 7.3 and the Company Termination Fee is paid, the payment ofthe Company Termination Fee and any costs, expenses and interest pursuant to Section 7.3(h) shall be the sole and exclusive remedy available to Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub with respect to this Agreement and the Transactions, and, upon payment of the Company Termination Fee pursuant to this Section 7.3 and any costs, expenses and interest pursuant to Section 7.3(h), the Company (and the Company's Affiliates and its and their respective directors, officers, employees, shareholders and other Representatives) shall have no further liability with respect to this Agreement or the Transactions to Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives. In no event shall Parent be required to pay or cause to be paid the Parent Termination Fee on more than one occasion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree that if this Agreement is terminated under circumstances in which Parent is obligated to pay or cause to be paid the Parent Termination Fee under this Section 7.3 and the Parent Termination Fee is paid, the payment of the Parent Termination Fee and any costs, expenses and interest pursuant to Section 7.3(h) shall be the sole and exclusive remedy available to the Company with respect to this Agreement and the Transactions, and, upon payment of the Parent Termination Fee pursuant to this Section 7.3 and any costs, expenses and interest pursuant to Section 7.3(h), Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub (and their Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, shareholders and other Representatives) shall have no further liability with respect to this Agreement or the Transactions to the Company or any of their respective Affi liates or Representatives. 43 #5501 530. r 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 47 of70 (g) Any amount that becomes payable pursuant to Section 7.3 shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Parent or the Company, as applicable, and shall be reduced by any amounts required to be deducted or withheld therefrom under applicable Law in respect ofTaxes. (h) Each ofthe parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that the agreements contained in this Section 7.3 are integral parts of the Transactions and that, without these agreements, Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, would not enter into this Agreement. Each of the parties hereto further acknowledges and agrees that payment of the Company Termination Fee and Parent Termination Fee, as applicable, if, as and when required pursuant to this Section 7.3, shall not constitute a penalty but rather will constitute liquidated damages, in a reasonable amount that will compensate the party hereto receiving such amount in the circumstances in which it is payable for the efforts and resources expended and opportunities foregone while negotiating this Agreement and in reliance on this Agreement and on the expectation of the consummation of the Transactions, which amount would otherwise be impossible to calculate with precision. Accordingly, (i) if Parent fails to pay the Parent Termination Fee pursuant to Section 7.3(e) when due, and, in order to obtain such payment, the Company commences a Claim that results in a judgment against Parent for the Parent Termination Fee, Parent shall pay to the Company, together with the Parent Termination Fee, the Company's costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) in connection with such Claim, and interest on the Parent Termination Fee from the date such payment was required to be made until the date of payment at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate in effect on the date such payment was required to be made, or (ii) if the Company fails to pay the Company Termination Fee pursuant to Section 7.3(a), Section 7.3ft) or Section 7.3(c) when due, and, in order to obtain such payment, Parent commences a Claim that results in a judgment against the Company for the Company Termination Fee, the Company shall pay to Parent, together with the Company Termination Fee, Parent's costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) in connection with such Claim, and interest on the Company Termination Fee from the date such payment was required to be made until the date of payment at a rale per annum equal to the Prime Rate in effect on the date such payment was required to be made. ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS Section 8.1 No Survival of Renresentations and Warranties. None of the representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time and all rights, claims and causes of action (whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, or whether at Law (including at common law or by statute) or in equity) with respect thereto shall terminate at the Effective Time. This Section 8.1 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties hereto that by its terms contemplates performance in whole or in part after the Effective Time. The Confidentialiry Agreement shall (a) survive termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms (as modified in Section 5.6(b)) or (b) terminate as of the Effective Time. Section 8.2 Fees and Exoenses. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.8, Section 7.3 and Section 8.14, whether or not the Transactions are consummated, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and this Agreement shall be paid by the party hereto incurring or required to incur such fees or expenses. Section 8.3 Amendment or Supplement. At any time prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement may be amended or supplemented in any and all respects, whether before or after receipt of the Company Shareholder Approval, by written agreement of the parties hereto and delivered by duly 44 #5501 530 r 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 48 of70 authorized officers of the respective parties; provided. however, that (a) following receipt of the Company Shareholder Approval, there shall be no amendment or change to the provisions hereof which by Law would require further approval by the shareholders of the Company without such approval and (b) after the Effective Time, this Agreement may not be amended or supplemented in any respect. Section 8.4 Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, any party hereto may, subject to applicable Law, (a) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of any other party hereto, (b) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or acts of any other party hereto or (c) waive compliance by any other parfy hereto with any of the agreements contained herein or, except as otherwise provided herein, waive any of such party's conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure or delay by the Company, Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right hereunder. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. Section 8.5 Assisnment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of Law or otherwise, by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any purported assignment not permitted under this Section 8.5 shall be null and void. Section 8.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, including by electronic means (each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement), and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered (by electronic communication, facsimile or otherwise) to the other parties hereto. Section 8.7 Entire Agreement: Third-Partv Beneficiaries. This Agreement, including the Company Disclosure Schedule, and any exhibits hereto, together with the other instruments referred to herein, including the Confidentiality Agreement (a) constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and (b) is not intended to and shall not confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder, except for (i) the rights of the Company's shareholders and holders of RSUs and Performance Awards to receive the Merger Consideration and payments pursuant to Article II, respectively, (ii) the right of the Company, on behalf of its shareholders, to pursue damages in the event of Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub's willful and material breach of this Agreement, in which event the damages recoverable by the Company for itself and on behalf of its shareholders (without duplication) shall be determined by reference to the total amount that would have been recoverable by the holders of the Company Common Stock (including "lost premium" and time value of money) if all such holders brought an action against Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub and were recognized as intended third party beneficiaries hereunder, which right is hereby acknowledged and agreed by Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub and (iii) the provisions of Section 5.8. Section 8.8 Governine Law: Jurisdiction. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any 45 #5501 530 I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 49 of70 jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware, except that matters related to the fiduciary obligations of the Company Board and matters that are specifically required by the WBCA in connection with the Transactions shall be governed by the laws of the State of Washinglon. (b) Each of the parties hereto (i) irrevocably submits itself to the personaljurisdiction of each state or federal court sitting in the State of Delaware, as well as to the jurisdiction of all courts to which an appeal may be taken from such courts. in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated herein, (ii) agrees that every such suit, action or proceeding shall be brought, heard and determined exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (pleytdgd that, in the event subject matter jurisdiction is unavailable in or declined by the Court of Chancery, then all such claims shall be brought, heard and determined exclusively in any other state or federal courl sitting in the State of Delaware), (iii) agrees that it shall not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from such couft, (iv) agrees not to bring any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the Transactions in any other couft, and (v) waives any defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any suit, action or proceeding so brought. (c) Each party hereto irrevocably consents to the service of process outside the territorial jurisdiction ofthe courts referred to in this Section 8.8 in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing copies thereof by registered or certified United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to its address as specified in or pursuant to this Article VIII. However, the foregoing shall not limit the right of aparty hereto to effect service of process on any other party hereto by any other legally available method. Section 8.9 Snecific Enforcement. The parties hereto agree that immediate, extensive and irreparable damage would occur for which monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy in the event that any ofthe provisions ofthis Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or are otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that, if for any reason Parent, US Parent, Merger Sub or the Company shall have failed to perform its obligations under this Agreement or otherwise breached this Agreement, then the party hereto seeking to enforce this Agreement against such nonperforming party under this Agreement shall be entitled to specific performance and the issuance of immediate injunctive and other equitable relief without the necessity of proving the inadequacy of money damages as a remedy, and the parties hereto further agree to waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with the obtaining of any such injunctive or other equitable relief, this being in addition to and not in limitation of any other remedy to which they are entitled at Law or in equiry. If any parfy hereto brings any Claim to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions of this Agreement when expressly available to such party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the End Date shall automatically be extended by the period of time between the commencement of such Claim and ten (10) Business Days following the date on which such Claim is fully and finally resolved. Section 8.10 WAMR OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAMS, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERIT{ITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANIY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS #5501 530. l 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 46 Page 50 of70 AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 8.I0. Section 8.11 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereto hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, facsimiled (which is confirmed), e-mail (provided, that the same is sent by overnight courier for delivery on the next succeeding Business Day, with acknowledgement of receipt requested) or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the parties hereto at the following addresses: If to Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub, to: Hydro One Limited 483 Bay Street South Tower, 8th Floor Toronto, Ontario M5G 2P5 Attention: James Scarlett, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Facsimile: (416) 345-1366 Emai I : jscarlett@hydroone.com with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: BracewellLLP l25l Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10020 Attention: John G. Klauberg Frederick J. Lark Elena V. Rubinov Facsimile: (800)404-3970 Email: john.klauberg@bracewell.com fritz.l ark@brac ewe I l. c o m el ena. rubinov@bracewel l.com If to the Company, to: Avista Corporation l4l I East Mission Avenue Spokane, Washington 99220 Attention: Marian Durkin, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer Facsimile: (509) 495-4361 Email: marian.durkin@avistacorp.com 47 #5501 530.1 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 5l of70 with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to Kirkland & Ellis LLP 655 Fifteenth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C.20005 Attention: George P. Stamas Alexander D. Fine Brendan J. Reed Facsimile: (202) 879-5200 Emails: gstamas@kirkland.com al exander. fi ne@kirkl and. com brendan.reed@ki rkland. com or such other address, e-mail or facsimile number as such party may hereafter speci$ by like notice to the other parties hereto. All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. in the place of receipt and such day is a Business Day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed not to have been received until the next succeeding Business Day in the place of receipt. Section 8.12 Severabilitv. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modifr this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in an acceptable manner to the end that the Transactions are fulfilled to the extent possible. Section 8.13 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below: "Acceptable Confidentialitv Agreement" shall mean a confidentiality agreement (which need not prohibit the making of a Takeover Proposal) that contains provisions that are not materially less favorable in the aggregate to the Company than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement. "Accumulated Dividends" shall mean all dividends declared by the Company with respect to shares of Company Common Stock, and all dividend equivalent payments, in each case, relating to RSUs and Performance Awards that have been accumulated or retained by the Company until the vesting or settlement of such awards. "Afi]iglq" shall mean, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For this purpose, "control" (including, with its correlative meanings, "controlled by" and "under common control with") shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise. "Aglgeru-qn1" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble. "Annual Incentive Plans" shall mean the Company's annual cash incentive compensation plans and arrangements, whether payable annually, quarterly or otherwise. 48 #5501 530. l 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 52 of70 "Antitrust Laws" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(a). "Articles of Merger" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.3. "B_alancejhset Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(d). "Bankruptcy and Equity Exception" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a). "BofA MerrillLynch" shallhave the meaning set forth in Section 3.17. "b,k-Enlry Shares" shallhave the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c). "Burdensome Condi " shall mean any undertakings, terms, conditions, liabilities, obligations, commitments or sanctions (including any Remedial Action) that, in the aggregate, would have or would be reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on the financial condition, businesses or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole and after giving effect to the Merger; provided that, for this purpose, Parent and its Subsidiaries (including the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries) shall be deemed to be a consolidated group of entities of the size and scale of a hypotheticalcompany that is 100% of the size and scale of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; and provided, further, that any such undertakings, terms, conditions, liabilities, obligations, commitments or sanctions shall not constitute or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or is such a material adverse effect to the extent such undertakings, terms, conditions, liabilities, obligations, commitments or sanctions are described in Section 1.6(a), Section 1.7 or Exhibit B attached hereto. "Business Day" shall mean a day except a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which the SEC or banks in Spokane, Washington are authorized or required by Law to be closed. "CBA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.16(a). "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. $ 9601 et seq., as amended. "eg4jlg3[g" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c). "gIfUS" means the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and each member agency thereofacting in such capacity. "CFIUS Approval" shall mean any ofthe following with respect to the Transactions: (a) the parties shall have received written notice from CFIUS that review under SectionT2l of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. $ 4565) ("Section 721") has been concluded and that either the Transactions do not constitute a "covered transaction" under SectionT2l orthere are no unresolved national security concerns; (b) an investigation shall have been commenced after the initial 30-day review period and CFIUS shall have determined to conclude all action under Section 721 without sending a report to the President of the United States (the "Plegi_den1"), and the parties shall have received notice from CFIUS that all action under Section 721 is concluded, and there are no unresolved national security concerns; or (c) CFIUS shall have sent a report to the President requesting the President's decision and the President shall have announced a decision not to take any action to suspend or prohibit the Transactions, or the time permitted by Section 721 for such action (15 days from the date the President received such report) shall have elapsed without the President taking any action to suspend or prohibit the Transactions. #5501 530 l 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 49 Page 53 of70 "Claim" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(a). "Clayton Act" shall mean the Clayton Act of 1914, as amended. "elpqi!.gi" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2. "Closing Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2. "Code" mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. (reglqpry" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble "Company Acquisition Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(c). "Companv Adverse Recommendation Change" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(c). "Company Board" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals. "Company Board Reco " shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a). "Company Charter Documents" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5. "Company Common Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 . "Company Disclosure Schedule" shall have the meaning set forth in the Article III. "Comoany Employee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 I (a). "Company Intervenin " shall mean any circumstance, development, change, event, occurrence or effect that (l) is unknown to or by the Company Board as of the date of this Agreement (or if known, the magnitude or material consequences of which are not known by the Company Board as of the date of this Agreement) and (2) becomes known to or by the Company Board prior to obtaining the Company Shareholder Approval; plqvidgd, however, that neither a Takeover Proposal nor any consequence thereof shall constitute a Company Intervening Event. "Company Joint Venture" shall mean any Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Company, in which the Company owns directly or indirectly an equity interest. "Comoany Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any circumstance, development, change, event, occurrence or effect that (a) has, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business, assets, properties, results of operations or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; @jidgd that none of the following shall constitute or be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred: (i) any circumstance, development, change, event, occurrence or effect in any of the industries or markets in which the Company or its Subsidiaries operates. including electric generation, transmission or distribution or natural gas distribution or transmission industries (including, in each case, any changes in the operations thereof or with respect to system-wide changes or developments in electric generation, transmission, or distribution or natural gas distribution or transmission systems); (ii) any enactment of, change in, or change in interpretation of, any Law or GAAP or governmental policy; (iii) general economic, regulatory or political conditions (or changes therein) or conditions (or changes therein) in the financial, credit or securities markets (including changes in interest or currency exchange rates) in any country or region in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries 50 #5501 530. l 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 54 of70 conducts business; (iv) any changes or developments in wholesale or retail electric power prices or any change in the price of natural gas or any other raw material, mineral or commodity used or sold by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or in the cost of hedges relating to such prices, any change in the price of interstate electricity or natural gas transportation services or any change in customer usage patterns or customer selection of third-party suppliers for natural gas or electricity; (v) any acts of God, natural disasters, terrorism, armed hostilities, sabotage, war or any escalation or worsening of acts of terrorism, armed hostilities or war; (vi) the announcement, pendency of or performance of the Transactions, including by reason of the identity of Parent or US Parent or any communication by Parent or US Parent regarding the plans or intentions of Parent with respect to the conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and including the impact of any of the foregoing on any relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, distributors, collaboration partners, joint venture partners, employees or regulators; (vii) any action taken by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is required or permitted by the terms of this Agreement or with the consent or at the direction of Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub (or any action not taken as a result ofthe failure ofParent to consent to any action requiring Parent's consent pursuant to Section 5.1); (viii) any change in the market price, or change in trading volume, of the capital stock of the Company (it being understood that the facts or occurrences giving rise or contributing to such change shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Company Material Adverse Effect); (ix) any failure by the Company or its Subsidiaries to meet internal, analysts' or other eamings estimates or financial projections or forecasts for any period, or any changes in credit ratings and any changes in any analysts recommendations or ratings with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (it being understood that the underlying facts or occurrences giving rise to such failure shall be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Company Material Adverse Effect if not otherwise falling within any of the exceptions set forth in clauses (a)(i) through (a)(viii) or (a)(x) through (a)(xii) of this proviso); (x) any change or effect arising from any rate cases directly related to the Company or any ofits Subsidiaries; (xi) any circumstance, development, change, event, occurrence or effect that results from any shutdown or suspension of operations at any third-party facilities (including with respect to electriciry, power plants) from which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries obtains natural gas or electricity and (xii) any pending, initiated or threatened Transaction Litigation, in the case of each of clauses (i) through (v), to the extent that such circumstance, development, change, event, occurrence or effect does not affect the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in a materially disproportionate manner relative to other similarly situated participants in the business and industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate; or (b) would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, interfere with or delay the consummation by the Company of the Transactions. "Company Material Contract" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.15(a). "Company Pension Plan" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.10(a). "Company Permits" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.8. "Company Plans" shall mean (a) each "employee benefit plan" (as such term is defined in section 3(3) of ERISA) that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries sponsors, participates in, is a parry or contributes to, or with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to have any material liability and (b) each other material employee benefit plan, program or arrangement, including any stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation right or other stock or stock-based incentive plan, cash bonus or incentive compensation arrangement, retirement or deferred compensation plan, profit sharing plan, unemployment or severance compensation plan, that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries sponsors, participates in, is a parry or contributes to, or with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to have any material liability, other than, in the case of (a) and (b), a Multiemployer Plan. 5l #5501530.12 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 55 of70 "Company Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a). 'Company netirea gmp " shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 l(b). ' Company netiree Hea " shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 I (b). "Company SEC Documents" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(a). "Company Shareholder Approval" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.19. "@" shallhave the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b), "e-e[pgly_Slqgk_PlAnl" shall mean the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, and any other equity compensation plan or arrangement of the Company. "@" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(d). "Confidentiality Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(a). "e-enltnuatj_qn J_gliod" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1l(a). ((Contract" means any contract, subcontract, agreement, commitment, note,, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, license, sublicense or other instrument, obligation or binding arrangement or understanding of any kind or character, whether oral or in writing. "Converted RSU" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b). "Dissenting Shareholder" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d). "Dissenting Shareh " shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d). "Effectivg Jj-me" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.3. "Eligible Retirees" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1l(b). "Encumbrances" shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, lease, license, restriction, hypothecation, option to purchase or lease or otherwise acquire any interest, right of first refusal or offer, conditional sales or other title retention agreement, adverse claim of ownership or use, easement, encroachment, right of way or other title defect, or encumbrance of any kind or nature; provided that a license of, or covenant with respect to, Intellectual Properfy shall not constitute an Encumbrance. s'End Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(bXi). "Environmental Laws" shall mean all Laws relating to workplace safety or health, safety in respect of the transportation, storage and delivery of natural gas, pollution or protection of the environment, natural resources or endangered or threatened species, including Laws imposing liability for, or standards of conduct with respect to, the exposure to, or Releases or threatened Releases of, hazardous materials, substances or wastes, as the foregoing are enacted or in effect on or prior to Closing. "Equitv Secudli-Qg" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(b). #5501 s30. l 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 52 Page 56 of70 "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. "ERISA Affiliate" shall mean each corporation or trade or business that is treated as a single employer with the Company pursuant to Section 4001(bXl) of ERISA or Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code. "Exchange Act" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.4. "Exchanse Ratio" means a fraction, the numerator of which is the Merger Consideration and the denominator of which is the closing price per share of common stock of Parent on the TSX on the Closing Date, converted into U.S. dollars using the reported Bank of Canada noon spot exchange rate on the Closing Date (or as reported by such other authoritative source mutually selected by the Company and Parent). "Executive Change of Control Agreements" means those certain Change of Control Agreements, by and between the Company and certain executive officers of the Company, as set forth in Section 8.l3(EC) of the Company Disclosure Schedule. "Eee" shall mean the Federal Communications Commission. "FCC Aporoval" shall mean FCC consent pursuant to Section 310 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, over the transfer of control of FCC licenses that would result from the Merger. "Federal Trade Commission Act" shall mean the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, as amended. "FERC" shall mean the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission "E\1Qlpryl" shall mean FERC authorization of the Merger pursuant to Section 203 of the Federal Power Act of 1935, as amended. "Final Order" shall mean a Judgment by the relevant Governmental Authority that (i) is not then reversed, stayed, enjoined, set aside, annulled or suspended and is in full force and effect, and (ii) with respect to which, if applicable, any mandatory waiting period prescribed by Law applicable to such Judgment before the Merger may be consummated has expired or been terminated, and (iii) as to which all conditions precedent to the consummation of the Merger expressly set forth in such Judgment have been satisfied. (!EjIA@" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.15(a). "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. "Govemmental Authori8" shall mean any U.S. or foreign federal, state or local, provincial or local governmental authority, court, government or self-regulatory organization, commission, tribunal or organization or any regulatory, administrative or other agency, or any political or other subdivision, department or branch of any of the foregoing, including any governmental, quasi-governmental or nongovemmental body administering, regulating or having general oversight over gas, electricity or financial markets or electric reliability, or any court arbitrator, arbitration panel or other similar judicial body. "Hazardous Materials" shall mean any materials or substances or wastes as to which liability or standards of conduct may be imposed under any Environmental Law. 53 #5501 530 I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page57 of70 "HSR Act" shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. "Indebtedness" shall mean, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money (other than intercompany indebtedness), (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities to the extent drawn upon by the counterparfy thereto, (d) all capitalized lease obligations of such Person and (e) all guarantees or other assumptions of liability for any of the foregoing. "@jlee(!)" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(a). "lntellectual Propefi" shall mean, in any and all jurisdictions throughout the world, but, in each case, only to the extent protectable under applicable Laws, all (a) patents and patent applications, (b) registered and material unregistered trademarks, service marks, logos, corporate names, internet domain names, and any applications forregistration of any of the foregoing, togetherwith all goodwill associated with each of the foregoing, (c) registered and material unregistered copyrights, including copyrights in computer software, mask works and databases and (d) trade secrets and other proprietary know-how. "lPIJC" shallmean the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. "lR$" shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. "Jgdg4g4" shall mean a judgment, injunction, order, decree, ruling, writ, assessment or arbitration award of a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction. "Knowledge" shall mean, (a) in the case of the Company, the actual knowledge after due inquiry, as of the date of this Agreement, of the individuals listed in Section 8.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and (b) in the case of Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub, the actual knowledge after due inquiry, as of the date of this Agreement, of the individuals listed in Section 8.13(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule. 6'La\ils" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.8. !'LjEn!" shall mean any pledges, liens, charges, Encumbrances, options to purchase or lease or otherwise acquire any interest, and security interests ofany kind or nature whatsoever. "MgIgpI" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals. "Merger Consideration" shall have the meaning set forlh in Section 2.1(c). "Merger Sub" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble "MPSC" shall mean the Public Service Commission of the State of Montana. "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean any plan defined in Sections 3(37) and 00l(a)(3) of ERISA subject to Title IV of ERISA to which Company or its ERISA Affiliates makes contributions. "W!lgn!" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.11(b). "Notice of Interven " shall have the meaning set forth in Section s.3(dxii). 54 #5501 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 58 of70 "Notice of Superio " shall have the meaning set forth in Section s.3(d)(i). "NYSE" shall mean the New York Stock Exchange. r'Old Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 I (b). "OPfJC" shall mean the Public Utility Commission of Oregon. "Parent" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble. "EArenlBoArd" shall mean the board of directors of Parent. "Parent Disclosur " shall have the meaning set forlh in Article IV. "@n!I-TIB" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b). "Parent Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any change, circumstance, development, event, occurrence or effect that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material and adverse effect on the ability of Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub to consummate, or that would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, interfere with or delay the consummation by Parent, US Parent or Merger Sub, of the Transactions. "Parent Termination Fee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(e). "Payinq Asent" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a). "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. "Performance Award" shall mean a performance award outstanding under the Company Stock Plans that represents the right to receive a payment in cash or shares of Company Common Stock. "Performance Award Amount" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a). "Permitted Encumbrances" shall mean (a) zoning, building codes and other state and federal land use Laws regulating the use or occupancy of such real property or the activities conducted thereon which are imposed by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such real property and (b) easements, rights-of-way, encroachments, restrictions, covenants, conditions and other similar Encumbrances that (i) are not substantial in character, amount or extent in relation to the applicable real properry and (ii) do not materially and adversely impact the Company's current or contemplated use, utility or value of the applicable real property or otherwise materially and adversely impair the Company's present or contemplated business operations at such location. "Permitted Liens" shall mean (a) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other charges by Governmental Authorities not yet due and payable or the amount or validity of which is being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, (b) mechanics', materialmen's, carriers', workmen's, warehouseman's, repairmen's, landlord's and similar Liens granted or which arise in the ordinary course of business, (c) Liens reflected in the Company SEC Documents, (d) Permitted Encumbrances, (e) Liens permitted under or pursuant to any Contracts relating to Indebtedness and (f) such other Liens that would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect. #5501 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 55 Page 59 of70 'rPerson" shall mean an individual, corporation, limited liability company, paftnership, association, trust, unincorporated organization, other entity or group (as defined in the Exchange Act or the securities laws of Canada), including a Governmental Authority. "Prim-g_Ba1g" shall mean, as of any determination date, the rate per annum published in the The Wall Street Journal as the prime lending rate prevailing as of such date. "Proxy Statement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.4. "RCA', shall mean the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. 'BegUlAIgIy Apggygls" shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1(b). "Regulatory Filings" shall mean any filings under applicable state or federal Laws specifically governing the regulation of public utilities, dam safety or pipeline safety. "Release" shall mean any spill, emission, discharge, leaking, pumping. injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, dumping, leaching or migration into or through the environment of any Hazardous Materials. "Bemedigl44i-qn" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(d). "Representatives" shall mean, with respect to any Person, the professional (including financial) advisors, attorneys, accountants, consultants or other representatives (acting in such capacity) retained by such Person or any of its controlled Affiliates, together with directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives ofsuch Person and its Subsidiaries. "Required Statutory Approvals" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.4. "Restraint" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.I (bXii). 'BCSltUgtq[g" shall mean the transactions relating to the restructuring of the ownership of Merger Sub such that it will become an indirect, wholly owned Subsidiary of US Parent, as further described in Section 4.5 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, and, with the written consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld), such othertransactions relating to the restructuring of the ownership of Merger Sub as Parent may reasonably request in order to facilitate Parent's internal financing arrangements associated with the Transactions. "Rights of Way" shallhave the meaning set forth in Section 3.14(.b). "BSU" shall mean a restricted stock unit outstanding under any Company Stock Plan that represents the right to receive a payment in cash or shares of Company Common Stock. "RSU,_AgIeemen!" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.30). "Sarbanes-Oxley Act" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(a). "SEC" shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission "Securities Act" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b). "Sherman Act" shall mean the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 56 #5501 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 60 of70 "Slblidj4ry." when used with respect to any party hereto, shall mean any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, trust or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity and more than 50% of the ordinary voting power (or, in the case of a limited partnership, more than 50Yo of the general partnership interests) are, as of such date, owned by such party or one or more Subsidiaries of such party or by such party and one or more Subsidiaries of such party. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company Joint Ventures are not Subsidiaries of the Company. "Sufgliel_P1glpSal" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(g). 'Sg1yly14glglpel4!g!" shall have the meaning set forth in Section l L "Takeover Proposal" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(fl. "Takeover Statute" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.13. "TAx_BeIUre" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(b). "Taxes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(b). "Tl4n9egl!-qn_Ljli&U_qn" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9. "Transactions" refers collectively to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger and the Financing. "TSX" shall mean the Toronto Stock Exchange. "Un!on" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.16(a). "IJS Parent" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble. "Washington Secretary of State" shall have the meaning set forth in Section l 3. "WARN Act" shall mean the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, and similar state or local laws related to plant closings or mass layoffs. "\ irBCA" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals. "Ue" shall mean the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. Section 8.14 Transfer Taxes. All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other similar Taxes and fees (including penalties and interest) incurred in connection with the Transactions shall be paid by Parent, US Parent and Merger Sub when due and shall not be a liability of holders of Company Common Stock. Section 8.15 Interpretation. (a) Time Periods. When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, (i) the date that is the reference date in calculating such period shall be excluded and (ii) ifthe last day ofsuch period is a not a Business Day, the period in question shall end on the next succeeding Business Day. 57 #ss01 530 I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 61 of70 (b) Dollars. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, any reference herein to S means U.S. dollars. (c) Gender and Number. Any reference herein to gender shall include all genders, and words imparting the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa. (d) Articles. Sections and Headings. When a reference is made herein to an Article or a Section, such reference shall be to an Article or a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. (e) Include. Whenever the words "include", "includes" or "including" are used herein, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without limitation." (f) Hereof: Defined Terms. The words "hereof," "hereto," "hereby," "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar import when used herein shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. (i) Exhibits and Disclosure Schedules. Any exhibits to this Agreement and the Company Disclosure Schedule are hereby incorporated and made a part hereof. The Company may include in the Company Disclosure Schedule items that are not material in order to avoid any misunderstanding, and such inclusion, or any references to dollar amounts herein or in the Company Disclosure Schedule, shall not be deemed to be an acknowledgement or representation that such items are material, to establish any standard of materiality or to define furlher the meaning of such terms for purposes of this Agreement or otherwise. Any capitalized term used in any exhibit or any Company Disclosure Schedule but not otherwise defined therein shall have the meaning given to such term herein. O Construction. Each of the parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as jointly drafted by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any par} hereto by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. (k) Actions of the Surviving Corporation After the Effective Time. For the purposes of this Agreement, any covenant or agreement by Parent or US Parent to cause the Surviving Corporation to take any action, refrain from taking any action, or otherwise make any decision or determination following the Effective Time, shall mean that Parent and US Parent shall have an obligation to cause the Parent Affiliate that is the sole shareholder of the Surviving Corporation to exercise its rights as the sole shareholder of the Surviving Corporation, to the extent consistent with the organizational documents of the Surviving Corporation, to approve or otherwise support the taking of such action, the refraining from taking such action or the making of such decision or determination, but not to ultimately #5501530.t2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 58 Page 62 of 70 (g) Contracts: Laws. Any Contract or Law defined or referred to herein means such Contract or Law as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, unless otherwise specifi cally indicated. (h) Persons. References to a Person are also to its successors and permitted assigns. cause the taking of such action, the refraining from taking such action or the making of such decision or determination. fSi gnat ur e p age fo I low sl #5s01 530. I 2 Appendix 2 to Joint Application 59 Page 63 of70 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written. AVISTA CORPORATION By:t}+ Name: Scott Morris Title: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer HYDRO ONE LIMITED By: OLYMPI"]S CORP By: Name:Mayo Schmidt Title: President and Chief Executive Officer OLYMPUS HOLDING CORP Name:Mayo Schmidt Title: President and Chief Executive Officer Name: Mayo Schmidt Title: President and Chief Executive Officer By: Appendix 2 to Joint Application lSignature Page to Merger Agreementj Page 64 of 70 IN WTNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written. AVISTA CORPORATION By Name: Scott Moris Title: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer HYDRO ONE LIMITED By: Schmidt Title: President and Chief Executive Officer OLYMPUS HOLDING CORP. By: Schmidt Title: President and Chief Executive Officer OLYMPUS CORP. Schmidt President and Chief Executive Officer Appendix 2 to Joint Application lSignature Page to Merger Agreementl Page 65 of70 By: EXHIBIT A GOVERNANCE REOUIREMENTS The articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, as may be amended from time to time, shall provide for the following: 1. the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation (the "Subsidiary Board") shall consist of nine (9) members, determined as follows: (i) two (2) directors designated by the sole shareholder of the Surviving Corporation ("Sole Shareholder") who are executives of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) three (3) directors who are not officers, employees or directors (other than as an independent director of the Surviving Corporation) of Parent or any of its Affiliates and who are residents of the Pacific Northwest region, to be designated by Sole Shareholder (collectively, the directors designated in clauses (i) and (ii) hereof, the "Sole Shareholder Desiqnees"); (iii) three (3) directors who as of immediately prior to the Effective Time are members of the Board of Directors of the Company, including the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (if such person is different fi'om the Chief Executive Officer of the Surviving Corporation); and (iv) the Chief Executive Officer of the Surviving Corporation (collectively, the directors designated in clauses (iii) and (iv) hereof, the "Company Designees"), and (x) the initial Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company as of the time immediately prior to the Effective Time for a one year term and (y) if any Company Designee resigns, retires or otherwise ceases to serve as a director of the Surviving Corporation for any reason, the remaining Company Designees shall have the sole right to nominate a replacement director to fill such vacancy, and such person shall thereafter become a Company Designee; 2. Sole Shareholder shall have the unfettered right to designate, rcmove and replace the Sole Shareholder Designees as directors of the Surviving Corporation with or without cause or notice at its sole discretion, subject to the requirement that (i) two (2) of such directors are executives of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) three (3) of such directors are not officers, employees or directors (other than as an independent director of the Surviving Corporation) of Parent or any of its Affiliates and who are residents of the Pacific Northwest region, while such requirement is in effect (subject in the case of clause (ii) hereof to Sole Shareholder determining, in good faith, that it is not able to appoint a non-employee resident of the Pacific Northwest region in a timely manner, in which case Sole Shareholder may replace any such director with an employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries on an interim basis, not exceeding six months, after which time Sole Shareholder shall replace such interim director with a non-employee resident of the Pacific Northwest region); 3 . following the initial one year term of the Chairman of the Board of the Surviving Corporation, Sole Shareholder shall have the right to designate the Chairman of the Board of the Surviving Corporation, including electing to continue the term of the initial Chairman of the Board of the Surviving Corporation; 4. at all times, the chief executive officers of the Surviving Corporation and Parent shall be members of the Subsidiary Board, unless otherwise determined by Sole Shareholder; #55093 14.6Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 66 of70 5. not less than three (3) business days' notice shall be required to call a meeting of the Subsidiary Board and such notice shall include an agenda of all items of business to be addressed or subject to decision at such meeting of the Subsidiary Board, unless such notice requirement or agenda requirement is expressly waived by Sole Shareholder in writing; and 6. a quorum of the Subsidiary Board shall require (i) at least five (5) directors and (ii) that the number of Sole Shareholder Designees in attendance be equal to or greater than the number of Company Designees in attendance, and shall include at least one Parcnt Designee who is an executive of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. #s5093 14.6Appendix 2 to Joint Application a-L- Page67 of70 EXHIBIT B POST-CLOSING MATTERS Operational C ommitments l. Maintain (a) the Surviving Corporation's headquarters in Spokane, Washington; (b) the Surviving Corporation's office locations in each of its other service territories, and (c) no less of a significant presence in the immediate location of each of such office locations than what the Company and its subsidiaries maintained immediately prior to the Effective Time; 2. maintain the Surviving Corporation's and its Subsidiaries' brand and establish the plan for the operation of the business of the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries; 3. maintain at least the Surviving Corporation's and its Subsidiaries' existing levels prior to the Effective Time of community involvement and support initiatives in the existing service teruitories of the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries' 4. maintain a $4,000,000 annual budget for charitable contributions by the Surviving Corporation, make a $7,000,000 initial contribution to the Surviving Corporation's charitable foundation at or promptly following the Effective Time and make a $2,000,000 annual contribution to the Surviving Corporation's charitable foundation; 5. maintain at least the Surviving Corporation's and its Subsidiaries' existing levels of economic development as of the Effective Time, including the ability of the Surviving Corporation to spend operations and maintenance funds to support regional economic development and related strategic opportunities in a manner consistent with the past practices of the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries; 6, maintain the Surviving Corporation's and its Subsidiaries' existing levels as of the Effective Tirne of capital allocations for capital investment in strategic and economic development items, including property acquisitions in the university district, support of local entrepreneurs and seed-stage investments; 7. continue development and funding of the Surviving Corporation's and its Subsidiaries' existing and future irurovation activities; and 8. maintain the Surviving Corporation's and its Subsidiaries' safety and reliability standards and policies and service quality measures in a manner that is substantially comparable to, or better than, those curently maintained as of the Effective Time by the Company and its Subsidiaries. #55093 13.6Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 68 of70 Governance Matters 1. Retain the Surviving Corporation's existing executive management team to manage the Surviving Corporation' s business; 2. cause the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation (the "Eubddiagf Eoafd") to consist of nine (9) members, determined as follows: (i) two (2) directors designated by the sole shareholder of the Surviving Corporation ("Sqlg ShAlghqldgl') who are executives of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) three (3) directors who are not officers, employees or directors (other than as an independent director of the Surviving Corporation) of Parent or any of its Affiliates and who are residents of the Pacific Northwest region, to be designated by Sole Shareholder (collectively, the directors designated in clauses (i) and (ii) hereof, the "$q!e Shareholder Designees"); (iii) three (3) directors who as of immediately prior to the Effective Time are members of the Board of Directors of the Company, including the Chairman of the Board of Director's of the Company (if such person is different from the Chief Executive Officer of the Surviving Corporation); and (iv) the Chief Executive Officer of the Surviving Corporation (collectively, the directors designated in clauses (iii) and (iv) hereof, the "Company Designees"), and (x) the initial Chairman ofthe Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company as of the time immediately prior to the Effective Time for a one year term and (y) if any Company Designee resigns, retires or otherwise ceases to serve as a director of the Surviving Corporation for any reason, the remaining Company Designees shall have the sole right to nominate a replacement director to fill such vacancy, and such person shall thereafter become a Company Designee; and 3. maintain the composition of the Subsidiary Board (including regional representation) and the appointment of the Chairman of the Subsidiary Board in accordance with paragraph 2 immediately above. Additional Matters Negotiate, enter into, modiff, atnend, terminate or agree to changes in any collective bargaining agreement or any other Company Material Contract with any labor organizations, union employees or their representatives; 2. maintain compensation and benefits related practices consistent with the requirements of the Merger Agreement; and 3. maintain the dues paid by the Surviving Corporation to various industry trade groups and membership organizations. The authority of the Subsidiary Board to make decisions with respect to the foregoing matters includes the authority to amend the foregoing commitments if the Subsidiary Board determines by special resolution requiring the approval of 2/3 of the directors that an amendment would be in the best interest of the Surviving Corporation, taking into account relevant regulatory considerations. app.ndfiol'l8ulo int Appl ication -2- Page 69 of70 APPROVAL REOUIREMENTS Operational Mqtters Approval of Sole Shareholder shall be required for any decision to: 1. enter into any agreement with respect to, or otherwise enter into any merger, consolidation, amalgamation, share purchase or other business combination transaction, or any sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Surviving Corporation; 2. take any action that would reasonably be expected to lead to or result in (i) a material change in the nature of the business of the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) the carrying out by the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries of any business other than its curent business as of the Effective Time; 3. take any steps to wind up, terminate or dissolve the corporate existence of the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries; 4. declare, pay or withhold any distribution or dividend; 5. make any change to director, officer or employee compensation or any aspects thereof, such as amount, mix, form, timing etc., that would be inconsistent with current market standards and practices; and 6. make any commitment or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing Governance and Organizat ional Mqtter s l. repeal, replace or amend in any respect the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or other organizational documents of the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries; 2. increase or otherwise amend or change the authorized or issued capital of the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries; 3. make any change to the number of directors that constitute the full board of directors of the Surviving Corporation; 4. hire, dismiss or replace the Chief Executive Officer of the Surviving Corporation; and 5. make any commitment or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing. #s5093 I3.6Appendix 2 to Joint Application Page 70 of70 ra '.ji i-l ;7 l_\a Lj i.:: i': .*- (..":) {fI ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT ROOM - APPENDIX 3 DOCUMENT LIST 1.0 2.0 Appendix 3 Hydro One Limited Electronic Data Room lndex Corporate Records 1.a Articles of lncorporation 1.a.1 Hydro One Limited - Articles of Amendment - November 4,2015 1.a.2 Hydro One Limited - Articles of Amendment - October 30, 2015 1.a.3 Hydro One Limited - Articles of lncorporation - August 31, 2015 1.b Bylaws 1.b.1 Hydro One Limited - By-Law No. 1 - August 31,2015 1.c OrganizationCharts 1.c.1 Hydro One Limited and Hydro One lnc. - Executive Team Org Chart - August 24,2017 1.c.2 Appendix 1 - Hydro One Limited Corporate Structure (Pre- and Post- Closing) 1.d Merger Agreement 1.d.1 Hydro One Limited and Avista - Agreement and Plan of Merger - July 19, 2017 1.e Annual Report to Stockholders 1.e.1 Hydro One Limited - Annual Report -2016 1.e.2 Hydro One Limited - Annual Report -2015 1.e.3 Hydro One Limited - Cover Letter_Filing of Amended Annual Report - March 10,2016 Financial Documents 2.a lndentures 2.a.1 Hydro One Limited - Trust lndenture - August 9,2017 2.b Other Financial Documents 2.b.1 Hydro One Limited - lnstalment Receipt and Pledge Agreement - August 9,2017 2.b.2 Hydro One Limited - UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT for Convertible Debentures - July 25,2017 2.b.3 Hydro One Limited - UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT for Secondary Offering of Common Shares by Shareholder - May 10,2017 2.b.4 Hydro One Limited - UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT for Secondary Offering of Common Shares by Shareholder - April 7,2016 2.b.5 Hydro One Limited and Hydro One lnc. - Underwriting Agreement - October 29,2015 2.b.6 Hydro One Limited - Secondary Offering Short Form Prospectus - August 1,2017 2.b.7 Hydro One Limited - Preliminary Short Form Prospectus - July 25,2017 2.b.8 Hydro One Limited - PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT to Short Form Base Shelf Prospectus dated March 30 2016 - May 10,2017 2.b.9 Hydro One Limited - Final Short Form Base Shelf Prospectus - March 30, 2016 Appendix 3 to Joint Application Page 1 of 10 2.b.10 2.b.11 2.b.12 2.b.13 2.b.14 2.b.15 2.b.16 2.b.17 2.b.18 2.b.19 2.b.20 2.b.21 2.b.22 2.b.23 2.b.24 2.b.25 2.b.26 2.b.27 2.b.28 2.b.29 2.b.30 2.b.31 2.b.32 2.b.33 Appendix 3 Hydro One Limited Electronic Data Room lndex Hydro One Limited - Preliminary Short Form Prospectus - March 23,2016 Hydro One Limited - Secondary Offering Supplemented Prep Prospectus - October 29,2015 Hydro One Limited - Secondary Offering IPO Prospectus - October 29, 2015 Hydro One Limited - BASE PREP PROSPECTUS - October 28,2015 Hydro One Limited - AMENDED AND RESTATED PRELIMINARY BASE PREP PROSPECTUS - October 9, 2015 Hydro One Limited - PRELIMINARY BASE PREP PROSPECTUS - September 17 ,2015 Hydro One Limited - Debentures Term Sheet - July 19, 2017 Hydro One Limited - Secondary Offering of Common Shares Term Sheet - May 8,2017 Hydro One Limited - Management Report and Audited Financial Statements ending December 31 2016 and 2015 Hydro One Limited - Management Report and Audited Financial Statements ending December 31,2015 and2014 Hydro One Limited - MD&A ending June 30 2017 and2016 Hydro One Limited - MD&A ending March 312017and2016 Hydro One Limited - MD&A ending December 31 2016 and 2015 Hydro One Limited - MD&A ending September 30 2016 and 2015 Hydro One Limited - MD&A ending June 30 2016 and2015 Hydro One Limited - MD&A ending March 30 2016 and 2015 Hydro One Limited - MD&A ending December 312015 and2014 Hydro One Limited - CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ending June 30 2017 and2016 Hydro One Limited - CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ending March 312017 and 2016 Hydro One Limited - CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ending September 30 2016 and 2015 Hydro One Limited - CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ending June 30 2016 and 2015 Hydro One Limited - Balance Sheets Unaudited September 30 2015 and August 31 2015 Hydro One Limited - CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ending March 31 2016 and 2015 Hydro One Limited - Business Acquisition Report - January 14,2016 Appendix 3 to Joint Application Page 2 oI 10 3.0 4.0 Appendix 3 Hydro One Limited Electronic Data Room lndex Regulatory Documents 3.a Distribution and Transmission Maps 3.a.1 Hydro One Distribution Map 3.a.2 Hydro One Transmission Map 3.b Ontario Energy Board Licenses 3.b. 1 OEB_ED-2003-0043_Hydro One Networks I nc._Electricity Distribution License - Amended August 3,2017 3.b.2 OEB_EB-2003-0035_Hydro One Networks I nc._Electricity Transmission License Amended - November 26,2015 Others 4.a Securities Filings 4.a.1 Hydro One Limited - ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS REPORT OF VOTING RESULTS - ltlay 4,2017 4.a.2 Hydro One Limited - ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS REPORT OF VOTING RESULTS - May 31,2016 4.a.3 Hydro One Limited - CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 44-101 - July 25,2017 4.a.4 Hydro One Limited - CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 44-101 AND 44-102 - March 23,2016 4.a.5 Hydro One Limited - CFO Cert CLASS 1 REPORTING ISSUERS AND CLASS 38 REPORTING ISSUERS Participation Fee - February 10,2017 4.a.6 Hydro One Limited - CFO Cert CLASS 1 REPORTING ISSUERS AND CLASS 38 REPORTING ISSUERS Participation Fee - February 12,2016 4.a.7 Hydro One Limited - Undertaking re Final Short Form Prospectus of the lssuer - August 1,2017 4.a.8 Hydro One Limited - Undertaking re Final Base PREP Prospectus - March 30, 2016 4.a.9 Hydro One Limited - Undertaking re Final Base PREPR Prospectus - October 28,2015 4.a.10 Hydro One Limited - CFO Certification Form 52-109F'l - March 27,2017 4.a.11 Hydro One Limited - CFO Certification Form 52-109F1 - March 22,2016 4.a.12 Hydro One Limited - CFO Certification Form 52-109F2 - August 8,2017 4.a.13 Hydro One Limited - CFO Certification Form 52-109F2 - May 6, 2016 4.a.14 Hydro One Limited - CFO Certification Form 52-109F2 - May 4,2017 4.a.15 Hydro One Limited - CFO Certification Form 52-109F2 - November 11, 2016 4.a.16 Hydro One Limited - CFO Certification Form 52-109F2 - August 12,2016 4.a.17 Hydro One Limited - CFO Certification Form 52-109F2 - March22,2016 4.a.18 Hydro One Limited - President and CEO Certification Form 52-109F2 - August 8,2017 4.a.19 Hydro One Limited - President and CEO Certification Form 52-109F2 - May 4,2017 Appendix 3 to Joint Application Page 3 of 10 Appendix 3 Hydro One Limited Electronic Data Room lndex 4.a.20 Hydro One Limited - President and CEO Certification Form 52-109F1 - March 27,2017 4.a.21 Hydro One Limited - President and CEO Certification Form 52-109F2 - November 11,2016 4.a.22 Hydro One Limited - President and CEO Certification Form 52-109F2 - August 12,2016 4.a.23 Hydro One Limited - President and CEO Certification Form 52-109F2 - May 6, 2016 4.a.24 Hydro One Limited - Form 51-102F3 - Material Change ReportAvista Acquisition and Debentures - July 19,2017 4.a.25 Hydro One Limited - Form 13-501F6 Subsidiary Exemption Notice for Hydro One lnc. to Alberta Securities Commission - February 10,2017 4.a.26 Hydro One Limited - Form 13-502F6 Subsidiary Exemption Notice for Hydro One lnc. to Ontario Securities Commission - February 10,2017 4.a.27 Hydro One Limited - Form 13-502F6 Subsidiary Exemption Notice for Hydro One lnc. to Ontario Securities Commission - February 12,2016 4.a.28 Hydro One Limited - Form 62-103F1 - Required Disclosure under the Early Warning Requirements - May 17,2017 4.a.29 Hydro One Limited - Notice of 2016 Annual General Meeting - February 17,2017 4.a.30 Hydro One Limited - NOTICE DECLARING INTENTION TO BE QUALIFIED Nl 44-101 - March 9,2016 4.a.31 Hydro One Limited - Schedule 14A Hydro One Limited and Avista Slide Deck on Acquisition 4.a.32 Hydro One Limited - Schedule 14A Press Release Hydro One Limited to Acquire Avista 4.a.33 Hydro One Limited - Schedule 14A Hydro One Limited and Avista Joint Conference Call on Acquisition Annual lnformation Forms 4.b.1 Hydro One Limited - 2016 Annual lnformation Form 4.b.2 Hydro One Limited - 2015 Annual lnformation Form Representative Consents 4.c.1 Hydro One Limited - Counsel Consent Long Form Prospectus - October 28,2017 4.c.2 Hydro One Limited - Auditors Consent Short Form Prospectus Debentures - August 1,2017 4.c.3 Hydro One Limited - Auditors Consent Short Form Prospectus Debentures re Avista - August 1,2017 4.c.4 Hydro One Limited - Counsel Consent Short Form Prospectus Debentures - August 1,2017 4.c.5 Hydro One Limited - Underuvriters Legal Counsel Consent Short Form Prospectus Debentures - August 1,2017 4.b 4.c Appendix 3 to Joint Application Page 4 of 10 Appendix 3 Hydro One Limited Electronic Data Room lndex 4.c.6 Hydro One Limited - Counsel Consent Short Form Prospectus Supplement - May 10, 2017 4.c.7 Hydro One Limited - Underwriters LegalCounselConsent ShortForm Prospectus Supplement - May 10,2017 4.c.8 Hydro One Limited - Auditors Consent Short Form Prospectus - May 10, 2017 4.c.9 Hydro One Limited - Counsel Consent Prospectus Supplement - April 7, 2016 4.c.10 Hydro One Limited - Underwriters Counsel Consent Prospectus Supplement - April 7,2016 4.c.11 Hydro One Limited - Underuvriters Counsel Consent Final Long Form Prospectus - October 28,2015 4.c.12 Hydro One Limited - Auditors Consent Long Form Prospectus - October 28,2015 News Releases 4.d.1 News Release - Hydro One Limited Announces Closing of $1.54 Billion Bought Deal Offering of Convertible Debentures - August 9,2017 4.d.2 News Release - Hydro One Limited Reports Second Quarter Results - August 8,2017 4.d.3 News Release - Hydro One to Acquire Avista to Create Growing North American Utility Leader with C$31.2 Billion in Enterprise Value - July 2017 4.d.4 News Release - Hydro One Limited Announces $1.4 Billion Bought Deal Offering of Convertible Debentures - July 19,2017 4.d.5 News Release - Province of Ontario Reports Hydro One Limited Share Ownership Pursuant to Section 5.2 - May 17,2017 4.d.6 News Release - HYDRO ONE LIMITED ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF SECONDARY OFFERING - May 17,2017 4.d.7 News Release - HYDRO ONE LIMITED ANNOUNCES SECONDARY OFFERING OF COMMON SHARES BY THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO - May 8,2017 4.d.8 News Release - Hydro One Limited Announces Voting Results from Annual Meeting of Shareholders - May 4,2017 4.d.9 News Release - Hydro One Limited Reports First Quarter Results and lncreases Shareholder Dividend - May 4,2017 4.d.10 News Release - Hydro One Limited CFO Accepts New Role - April 26, 2017 4.d.11 News Release - Hydro One Limited Chief Financial Officer accepts new role - April 26,2017 4.d.12 News Release - Hydro One Networks Files Five Year Distribution Rate Application - March 31,2017 4.d Appendix 3 to Joint Application Page 5 of 10 Appendix 3 Hydro One Limited Electronic Data Room lndex 4.d.13 News Release - Hydro One Limited Reports Positive Fourth Quarter Revenue and Operating Cost Trends - February 10,2017 4.d.14 News Release - Hydro One Limited Reports Growing Third Quarter Revenue and Earnings - November 11,2016 4.d.15 News Release - Hydro One Limited Concludes RegulatoryApproval Process for Great Lakes Power Acquisition - October 13,2016 4.d.16 News Release - Hydro One Limited Executive Appointments - August 22, 2016 4.d.17 News Release - Hydro One Limited Reports Second Quarter with Revenue, Efficiencies and Earnings allTrending Positively - August 12, 2016 4.d.18 News Release - Hydro One Limited First Quarter, Building Momentum and an Operating Metrics Focus - May 6,2016 4.d.19 News Release - Hydro One Limited ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF CLOSING OF OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION - April 29,2016 4.d.20 News Release - Hydro One Limited ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF SECONDARY OFFERING OF COMMON SHARES BY PROVINCE - April 14, 2016 4.d.21 News Release - Province of Ontario Reports Hydro One Limited Share Ownership Pursuant to OSC Rule 62-504 - April 14,2016 4.d.22 News Release - Hydro One Limited ANNOUNCES SECONDARY OFFERING OF COMMON SHARES BY PROVINCE - AprilS,2016 4.d.23 News Release - HYDRO ONE LIMITED REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER 2015 RESULTS - February 12,2016 4.d.24 News Release - Executive Departure S Struthers - February 3,2016 4.d.25 News Release - Hydro One Limited Announces Closing of IPO Over- Allotment Option - November 12,2015 4.d.26 News Release - Closing of Hydro One Limited IPO - November 5,2015 4.d.27 News Release - Province of Ontario Reports Hydro One Limited Share Ownership - November 5,2015 4.d.28 News Release - Hydro One Limited Announces Pricing of Secondary Offering of Common Shares - October 29,2015 4.d.29 News Release - Hydro One Limited Files AmRe Preliminary Prospectus in Canada for Secondary Offering of Common Shares - October 9,2015 Miscellaneous 4.e.1 Hydro One Code of Conduct 4.e.2 Hydro One Limited - Management lnformation Circular for May 4,2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders 4.e.3 Hydro One Limited - Form of Proxy - May 4,2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders 4.e.4 Hydro One Limited - Notice of 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders - March 23,2017 4.e Appendix 3 to Joint Application Page 6 of 10 4.e.5 4.e.6 4.e.7 4.e.8 4.e.9 4.e.10 4.e.11 4.e.12 4.e.13 4.e.14 4.e.15 4.e.16 4.e.17 4.e.18 4.e.19 4.e.20 4.e.21 4.e.22 4.e.23 4.e.24 Appendix 3 to Joint Application Appendix 3 Hydro One Limited Electronic Data Room lndex Hydro One Limited - Management lnformation Circular for May 31, 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Hydro One Limited - Form of Proxy - May 31, 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Hydro One Limited - Notice of 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders - April 15, 2016 Hydro One - Marketing Materials for Avista Acquisition - July 19,2017 Hydro One Limited - Marketing Materials for Secondary Offering of Common Shares Term Sheet - April 5,2016 Hydro One Limited - Marketing Materials for IPO of Common Shares by way of Secondary Offering Term Sheet - October 29,2015 Hydro One Limited - Marketing Materials for IPO of Common Shares by way of Secondary Offering Term Sheet - October 9,2015 Hydro One Limited - Marketing Materials IPO Slide Deck - October 9, 2015 Hydro One Limited - NON-ISSUER FORM OF SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION AND APPOINTMENT OF AGENT - August 1,2017 Hydro One Limited - NON-ISSUER FORM OF SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION AND APPOINTMENT OF AGENT - lt/arch 30, 2016 Hydro One Limited - NON-ISSUER FORM OF SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION AND APPOINTMENT OF AGENT - September 28,2015 Hydro One Limited - Ontario Securities Commission Receipt for Prospectus Debentures - August 1,2017 Hydro One Limited - Ontario Securities Commission Receipt for Preliminary Prospectus for Debentures - July 25,2017 Hydro One Limited - Ontario Securities Commission Receipt for Prospectus - March 31,2016 Hydro One Limited - Ontario Securities Commission Receipt for Preliminary Prospectus - March 23,2016 Hydro One Limited - Ontario Securities Commission Receipt for Prospectus - October 29,2015 Hydro One Limited - Ontario Securities Commission Receipt for Preliminary Prospectus - October 9, 2015 Hydro One Limited - Ontario Securities Commission Receipt for Preliminary Prospectus - September 18,2015 Hydro One Limited - Governance Agreement - November 5, 2015 Hydro One Limited - Registration Rights Agreement - November 5,2015 Page 7 of 10 1.0 Appendix 3 Corporate Records 1.a Articles of lncorporation 1 .a.1 Avista Corporation - Articles of lncorporation - June 6, 2012 1.b Bylaws 1.b.1 Avista Corporation - By-Law - August 17,2016 1.c OrganizationCharts 1.c.1 Avista Corporation Current Corporate Structure 1.d GovernanceGuidelines 1 .d.1 Avista Corporation Governance Guidelines - May 2015 1.e Annual Report to Stockholders 1.e.1 Avista Corporation - Annual Report -2016 Financial Documents 2.a Credit Agreements 2.a.1 Avista Corporation - Credit Agreement - February 11,2017 2.a.2 Avista Corporation - First Amendment to Credit Agreement andWaiver Thereunder - December 14,2011 2.a.3 Avista Corporation - Union Bank Margin Change - February 5,2014 2.a.4 Avista Corporation - Second Amendment to Credit Agreement - April 18, 2014 2.a.5 Avista Corporation - Extension of Expiration Date of Credit Facility, MUFG Union Bank - May 16, 2016 2.b Security and Exchange Commission Filings 2.b.1 Avista Corporation - 10-K's 2.b.1.4 Annual Report - December 31 ,2016 2.b.2 Avista Corporation - 1O-Q's 2.b.2.A Quarterly Report - June 30,2017 2.b.2.8 Quarterly Report - March 31,2017 2.b.2.C Quarterly Report - September 30,2016 2.b.2.D Quarterly Report - June 30, 2016 2.b.3 Avista Corporation - 8-K's 2.b.3.A 8-t(A Amendment to August 14,2017 8-K - Augusl28,2017 2.b.3.8 Form B-K Current Report - August 14,2017 2.b.3.C Form 8-K Current Report - August 2,2017 2.b.3.D Form 8-K Current Report - July 19,2017 2.b.3.E Form 8-K Current Report - June 9,2017 2.b.3.F Form 8-K Current Report - May 31,2017 2.b.3.G Form 8-K Current Report - May 26,2017 2.0 Appendix 3 to Joint Application Page 8 of 10 Avista Corporation Electronic Data Room lndex Appendix 3 Avista Corporation Electronic Data Room lndex 2.b.4 2.b.3.H Form 8-K Current Report - May 19,2017 2.b.3.1 Form 8-K Current Report - May 11,2017 2.b.3.J Form 8-K Current Report - May 3,2017 2.b.3.K Form 8-K Current Report - March 22,2017 2.b.3.L Form 8-K Current Report - February 27,2017 2.b.3.M Form 8-K Current Report - February 22,2017 2.b.3.N Form 8-K Current Report - December 23,2016 2.b.3.O Form 8-K Current Report - December 16,2016 2.b.3.P Form 8-K Current Report - December 15,2016 2.b.3.Q Form 8-K Current Report - December 12,201 2.b.3.R Form 8-K Current Report - November 1,2016 2.b.3.S Form 8-K Current Report - October 24,2016 2.b.3.T Form 8-K Current Report - August 17,2016 2.b.3.U Form 8-K Current Report - August 10, 2016 2.b.3.V Form 8-K Current Report - August 3,2016 Other Securities Filings 2.b.4.4 Form S-8/A - Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement for The lnvestment and Employee Stock Ownership Plan of Avista Corporation - February 26,2015 2.b.4.8 Form 10/A - Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form 10- General Form for Registration of Securities - February 26,2015 2.b.4.C Form S-3 - Prospectus of Avista Corporation Common Stock - February 25,2016 2.b.4.D 42485 - Prospectus Supplement to February 25,2016 Prospectus of Avista Corporation Common Stock -March 2, 2016 Other Regulatory Filings 3.a lntegrated Resource Plan (lRP) 3.a.1 Electric lntegrated Resource Plan (lRP) and Appendices -20173.a.2 Natural Gas lntegrated Resource Plan (lRP) and Appendices -20163.a.3 Natural Gas lntegrated Resource Plan (lRP) Work Plan - 2018 3.b Avista Corporation - State Filings 3.b.1 Washington 3.b.1.A Affiliated lnterests Annual Report - April 28,2017 3.b.1.8 Annual and Biennial Conservation Reports - June 2016 3.b.1.C Service Quality Measures Annual Report -2016 3.b.1.D Low-lncome Rate Assistance Program (LIRAP) Annual Report - December 28,2016 - WA and OR 3.b.1.E Annual Conservation Plan - November2016 3.b.1.F Renewable Target Compliance - |-937/RPS Report - June 1, 2017 3.0 Appendix 3 to Joint Application Page 9 of 10 4.0 Appendix 3 Avista Corporation Electronic Data Room lndex 3.b.1.F.i Revised Renewable Target Compliance-l-937/RPS Report - July 11,2017 3.b.2 ldaho 3.b.2.A 2017 Demand Side Management (DSM) Business Plan 3.b.3 Oregon 3.b.3.A Affiliated lnterests Annual Report - May 25,2017 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 3.c.1 FERC Form 1 -2016 3.c.1.A Washington ElectricAnnualReport - 2016 3.c.1.B ldaho ElectricAnnual Report -2016 3.c.1.C Montana Electric Utility Annual Report - 2016 3.c.2 FERC Form2 -2016 3.c.2.A Washington Natural Gas AnnualReport -2016 3.c.2.8 ldaho Natural Gas Annual Report - 2016 3.c.2.C Oregon State Supplemental Form 695 - 2016 Hart-Scott-Rodino Act Filing - To Be Provided Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Filing - To Be Provided Avista Corporation Securities Filings 4.a.1 Avista Corporation - Proxy - To Be Provided 4.a.2 Avista Corporation - Proxy Statement and Notice of May 11,2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders - To Be Provided 4.a.3 Avista Corporation - Minutes of Annual Meeting of Shareholders- May 11,2017 - To Be Provided 3.c 3.d 3.e Others 4.a Appendix 3 to Joint Application Page 10 of 10 i;L -,-) : /-: ---7 fJ :) C-) ;,; rJl 7 t-:-'l(f APPENDIX 4 BAR CHART SHOWING RELATIVE SIZE OF INVESTOR OWNED UTILITIES G+rUI olHI*rltalqrl EI EI(al trn (Fulto o ll; trerN ^F',vv SrnN WNd ]H t'rv HTS uod NDV vot )A now 190 srv vwl 'rg/v\Anv IN t9n l.NI gf,S /nNd H dNf, swf, VAV+H llv urrrr/dx9 ll UI:l u9v su lro sl J:I'N 9ld 'EX o3 xtl 'tdd lus drv 9)d f,xl os o rno llN e -(!Pti'= +oCoo E' - OJ o Fl a -\S o ttiE€sN:3Eri\ q>x.Spo'uS o;e E:Bi; ,il reii,iEs .9 oEo- o $ .xE oo-o- oooclho oooo ooc6 0 ooo-o ooo6 + oooo 0 ooo.66 ooo-o+o E Ev! ,N G(, o(,i-]L -'trE..L8g tJl .g.= f EoC =o o tJlo C C(o(J t-o E oz o o (o od. of (1J .=f5 IJ.J o .NVI 1Ao .=PIo CLIttL-oo- PoV -So .9 -lt =o. olF{l ulqrld\.ttrl\fl nlt i;.1 :::) ua frrn ra fl1 APPENDIX 5 DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO AVISTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXHIBIT A GOVERNANCE REOUIREMENTS The articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, as may be amended frorn time to time, shall provide for the following: 1. the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation (the "Subsidiary Board") shall consist of nine (9) members, determined as follows: (i) two (2) directors designated by the sole shareholder of the Surviving Corporation ("Sole Shareholder") who are executives of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) three (3) directors who are not officers, employees or directors (other than as an independent director of the Surviving Corporation) of Parent or any of its Affiliates and who are residents of the Pacific Northwest region, to be designated by Sole Shareholder (collectively, the directors designated in clauses (i) and (ii) hereof, the "Sole Shareholder Desisnees"); (iii) three (3) directors who as of irnmediately prior to the Effective Time are members of the Board of Directors of the Company, including the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (if such person is different fi'om the Chief Executive Officer of the Surviving Corporation); and (iv) the Chief Executive Officer of the Surviving Corporation (collectively, the directors designated in clauses (iii) and (iv) hereof, the "eqgpg&y_Dggiguggg"), and (x) the initial Chairman ofthe Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company as of the time immediately prior to the Effective Time for a one year term and (y) if any Company Designee resigns, retires or otherwise ceases to serve as a director of the Surviving Corporation for any reason, the remaining Company Designees shall have the sole right to nominate a replacement director to fill such vacancy, and such person shall thereafter become a Company Designee; 2. Sole Shareholder shall have the unfettered right to designate, remove and replace the Sole Shareholder Designees as directors of the Surviving Corporation with or without cause or notice at its sole discretion, subject to the requirement that (i) two (2) of such directors are executives of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) three (3) of such directors are not officers, employees or directors (other than as an independent director of the Surviving Corporation) of Parent or any of its Affiliates and who are residents of the Pacific Northwest region, while such requirement is in effect (subject in the case of clause (ii) hereof to Sole Shareholder determining, in good faith, that it is not able to appoint a non-employee resident of the Pacific Northwest region in a timely manner, in which case Sole Shareholder may replace any such director with an employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries on an interim basis, not exceeding six months, after which time Sole Shareholder shall replace such interim director with a non-employee resident of the Pacific Northwest region); 3. following the initial one year term of the Chairman of the Board of the Surviving Corporation, Sole Shareholder shall have the right to designate the Chairman of the Board of the Surviving Corporation, including electing to continue the term of the initial Chairman of the Board of the Surviving Corporation; 4. at all times, the chief executive officers of the Surviving Corporation and Parent shall be members of the Subsidiary Board, unless otherwise determined by Sole Shareholder; fl ss09314.6Appendix 5 to Joint Application Page 1 of5 5. not less than three (3) business days' notice shall be required to call a meeting of the Subsidiary Board and such notice shall include an agenda of all items of business to be addressed or subject to decision at such meeting of the Subsidiary Board, unless such notice requirement or agenda requirement is expressly waived by Sole Shareholder in writing; and 6. a quorum of the Subsidiary Board shall require (i) at least five (5) directors and (ii) that the number of Sole Shareholder Designees in attendance be equal to or greater than the number of Company Designees in attendance, and shall include at least one Parent Designee who is an executive of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. #5s093 14.5Appendix 5 to Joint Application Page 2 of 5 EXIIIBIT B POST-CLOSING MATTERS Operational Commitments l. Maintain (a) the Sulviving Corporation's headquarters in Spokane, Washington; (b) the Surviving Corporation's office locations in each of its other service territories, and (c) no less of a significant presence in the immediate location of each of such office locations than what the Company and its subsidiaries maintained immediately prior to the Effective Time; 2. maintain the Surviving Corporation's and its Subsidiaries' brand and establish the plan for the operation of the business of the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries; 3. maintain at least the Surviving Corporation's and its Subsidiaries' existing levels prior to the Effective Time of community involvement and support initiatives in the existing service territories of the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries; 4. maintain a $4,000,000 annual budget for charitable contributions by the Surviving Corporation, make a $7,000,000 initial contribution to the Surviving Corporation's charitable foundation at or promptly following the Effective Time and make a $2,000,000 annual contribution to the Surviving Corporation's charitable foundation; 5. maintain at least the Surviving Corporation's and its Subsidiaries' existing levels of economic development as of the Effective Time, including the ability of the Surviving Corporation to spend operations and maintenance funds to support regional economic development and related strategic opportunities in a manner consistent with the past practices of the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries; 6. maintain the Surviving Corporation's and its Subsidiaries' existing levels as of the Effective Tirne of capital allocations for capital investment in strategic and economic development items, including property acquisitions in the university district, support of local entrepreneurs and seed-stage investments; 7. continue development and funding of the Surviving Corporation's and its Subsidiaries' existing and future innovation activities; and 8. maintain the Surviving Corporation's and its Subsidiaries' safety and reliability standards and policies and service quality measures in a manner that is substantially comparable to, or better than, those curently maintained as of the Effective Time by the Company and its Subsidiaries. #55093 13.6Appendix 5 to Joint Application Page 3 of5 Governance Matters 1. Retain the Surviving Corporation's existing executive management team to manage the Surviving Corporation's business; 2. cause the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation (the "Subsidiary Board") to consist of nine (9) members, determined as follows: (i) two (2) directors designated by the sole shareholder of the Surviving Corporation ("Sole Shareholder") who are executives of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) three (3) directors who are not officers, employees or directors (other than as an independent director of the Surviving Corporation) of Parent or any of its Affiliates and who are residents of the Pacific Northwest region, to be designated by Sole Shareholder (collectively, the directors designated in clauses (i) and (ii) hereof, the "Sq!s Shareholder Desienees"); (iii) three (3) directors who as of immediately prior to the Effective Time are members of the Board of Directors of the Company, including the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (if such person is different from the Chief Executive Officer of the Surviving Corporation); and (iv) the Chief Executive Offrcer of the Surviving Corporation (collectively, the directors designated in clauses (iii) and (iv) hereof, the "Company Designees"), and (x) the initial Chairman ofthe Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company as of the time immediately prior to the Effective Time for a one year term and (y) if any Company Designee resigns, retires or otherwise ceases to serve as a director of the Surviving Corporation for any reason, the remaining Company Designees shall have the sole right to nominate a replacement director to fill such vacancy, and such person shall thereafter become a Company Designee; and 3. maintain the composition of the Subsidiary Board (including regional representation) and the appointment of the Chairman of the Subsidiary Board in accordance with parugraph 2 immediately above. Additional Matters l. Negotiate, enter into, modiff, amend, terminate or agree to changes in any collective bargaining agreement or any other Company Material Conh'act with any labor organizations, union employees or their representatives; 2. maintain compensation and benefits related practices consistent with the requirements of the Merger Agreement; and 3. maintain the dues paid by the Surviving Corporation to various industry trade groups and membership organizations. The authority of the Subsidiary Board to make decisions with respect to the foregoing matters includes the authority to amend the foregoing commitments if the Subsidiary Board determines by special resolution requiring the approval of 2/3 of the directors that an amendment would be in the best interest of the Surviving Corporation, taking into account relevant regulatory considerations. app"rdiiYtluro int A pp I ication -2- Page 4 of5 APPROVAL REOUIREMENTS Operational Matters Approval of Sole Shareholder shall be required for any decision to enter into any agreement with respect to, or otherwise enter into any merger, consolidation, amalgamation, share purchase or other business combination transaction, or any sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Surviving Corporation; 2. take any action that would reasonably be expected to lead to or result in (i) a material change in the nature of the business of the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) the carrying out by the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries of any business other than its cument business as of the Effective Time; 3, take any steps to wind up, terminate or dissolve the corporate existence of the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries; 4. declare, pay or withhold any distribution or dividend; 5. make any change to director, officer or employee compensation or any aspects thereof, such as amount, mix, form, timing etc., that would be inconsistent with current market standards and practices; and 6. make any commitment or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing. Governance and Or ganizational Matter s 1. repeal, replace or amend in any respect the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or other organizational documents of the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries; 2. increase or otherwise amend or change the authorized or issued capital of the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries; 3. make any change to the number of directors that constitute the full board of directors of the Surviving Corporation; 4. hire, dismiss or replace the Chief Executive Officer of the Surviving Corporation; and 5. make any commitment or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing, #5s093 13.6Appendix 5 to Joint Application Page 5 of5 APPENDIX 6 '-ifi C) :rl.1" : 1,*) i-;l; ttr'(f, U c,-1 AVISTA' S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (FORMS 10K/10Q) AND HYDRO ONE LIMITED'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (2016 Annual Report & 2016 Annual Information Form) UNITED STATES SE C URIT"' q1.P,T":,T}IT9P C OMMIS S ION Form 10-K (Mark One) E ANNUAL REPORTPT]RSUANTTOSECTION13 ORIs(d)OFTHE SECI]RITIESEXCHANGEACT OFT934 FoR rHE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DsgElL20!.6 oR tr TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECIJ'RJTIES EXCTIANGE ACT OF 1934 FORTHETRANSITIONPERIODFROM TO Commission Iile number l-3701 AVISTA CORPORATION @xact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Washington (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 914462470 (I.RS. Employer Identification No.) l4l l East Mission Avenue, Spokane, Washington 99202-2600 (Address ofprincipal executive oflices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 509-489{500 Web site: http://rrrmu.avistacorp.com Securities registered pursuant to Section I 2(b) of the Act: Title of Class Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered Common Stock, no parvalue New York Stock Exchange Securities registered pursuant to Section I 2(g) ofthe Act: Title of Class Preferred Stock, Cumulative, Without Par Value Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuet as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes E No tr Indicate by check mark ifthe registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section I 3 or I 5(d) ofthe Act. Yes tr No E Indicate by check mark whether the registrant ( I ) has fi led all reports required to be filed by Section I 3 or I 5(d) of the Securities Ex change Act of I 934 during thc preceding I 2 months (or for such shortcr period that thc Registrant was rcquired to file such rcports), and (2) has bccn subjcct to such filing requirementsforthepast90days: Yes E No E Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, ifany, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 ofRegulation S-T ($232.405 ofthis chapter) during the preceding I 2 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes E No E Indicate by check mark ifdisclosure ofdelinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 ofRegulation S-K ($ 229.405 ofthis chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best ofRegistrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III ofthis Form I 0-K or any amcndment to this Form 10-K. tr Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of"large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller repo(ing company" in Rule I 2b-2 ofthe Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accclcrated filer E Non-accelerated filer E (Do not check ifa smallerreporting company) Accclcrated filcr Smaller reporting company Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 1 of 414 IndicatebycheckmarkwhethcrtheRcgistrantisashcll company(asdcfincdinRulc l2b-2oftheExchangcAct): Yes tr No E The aggregate market value ofthe Registrant's outstanding Common Stock, no par value (the only class ofvoting stock), held by non-affiliates is $2,853,952,416 based on the last reported sale price thereofon the consolidated tape on June 30,2016. As of January 3l ,2017 ,64,311 ,891 shares of Registrant's Common Stock, no par value (the only class of common stock), were outstanding. Documents Incorporated Bv Reference Partof Form 10-Kinto Which proxy Statemen, ro r. o,"affiI",ion with the annual meeting ofshareholders to be held on May 11,2017. Prior to such filing, the Proxy Statement filed in connection with the annual meeting ofshareholders held on May 12,2016. Document is Incorporated Part III, Items 10, I I, I 2, l3 and l4 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 2 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Item No. INDEX Acronvms and Terms Forward-Lookin q Statements Available Information Part I I Business Comoanv Overview Avista Utilities General Electric Ooerations Electric Requirements Electric Resources Hvdroelectric Licenses Future Resource Needs Natural Gas Ooerations Regulatory Issues Federal Laws Relatcd to W}olcsalc Comoetition Reqional Transmission Organizations Regional Transmission Planning Reeional Enersy Markets Reliability Standards Avista t Jtilities Oneratins Statistics Alaska Electric Lisht and Power Comoanv Alaska Electric Light and Power Companl, Operatins Statistics Other Businesses lA. Risk Factors lB. UnrcsolvedStaffComments 2 Prooerties Avista Utilities Alaska Electric Li8ht and Powcr Comoany 3 Leqal Proceedinqs 4 Mine Safew Disclosures Part II 5 Market for Registrant's Common Equity. Related Stockholder Matten and lssuer Purchases of Equity Securities 6 SelectedFinancialData 7 Manaqement's Dscussion and Anal),sis ofFinancial Condition and Results of Operations Business Segments Executive Level Summar,v Regglatory Matters Results ofOperations - Overall Results of Operations - Avista Utilities Results of Ooerations - Alaska Electric Light and Power Companv Results ofOocrations - Ecova - Discontinucd Operations Results ofOperations - Other Businesses Accounting Standards to Be Adooted in 201 7 Critical Accountine Policies and Estimates Liouidity and Capital Resources Overall Liouidity Review ofConsolidated Cash Flow Statement Caoital Resources Capital Exoenditures Off-Balance Sh eet Arran gements Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page No. iii L 4. 4. 4. 4_ !_ 4. 5 5 E E 2 .LL l2 l2 It l3 -LL t4 t7 l8 D. 20 26 27u )q 22 29 ,o 31 7,) 32 2. 33 40 43 55 55 55 56 55 t2 59 60 62 @_ 65 Page 3 of 414 Pension Plan Credit Ratings Dividends Contractual Oblisations 6t 65 66 66 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 4 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION 74. Competition Economic Conditions and Utility Load Growth Environmental Issues and Other Contingencies Enterprise Risk Manaeement Ouantitative and Oualitative Disclosures about Mar*et Risk Financial Statements and Supplementarv Data Reoort oflndependent Registered Public Accounting Firm Financial Statemcnts Consolidated Statements of Income Consolidated Statements ofComprehensive Income Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statcmcnts ofCash Flows Consolidated Statements of Eouitv and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note l. Summary ofSiqnificant Accountins Policies Note 2. New Accounting Standards Note 3. Variable lnterest Entities Note 4. Business Acouisitions Note 5. Discontinued Onerations Note 6, Derivatives and Risk Manasement Notc 7. Jointly Owncd Elcctric Facilities Note 8. Prooerty. Plant and Eouioment Note 9. Asset Retirement Obliqations Note 1 0. Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Notc I I . Accounting for Incomc Taxcs Note I 2. Enerqv Purchase Contracts Note t3. Committed Lines of Credit Note I 4. Lons-Term Debt and Canital Leases Note 15. Lonr-Term Debt to Afllliated Trusts Note 16. FairValue Note 17. Common Stock Note I 8. Eaminqs oer Common Share Attributable to Avista Comoration Shareholden Note 19. Commitments and Continqencies Notc 20. Rcaulatorv Mattcrs Note 2l . Information by Business Segments Note 22. Selected Ouarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Changes in and Disaereernents with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Controls and Proccdurcs Other Information Part III Directors- Executive Officers and Coroorate Govemance Executive Compensation Security Ownership of Certain BeneficiaI Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Certain Relationshios and Related Transactions. and Directorlndeoendence Princioal Accountins Fees and Services parr ry Exhibits. FinanciaI Staternent Schedules Signaturcs Exhibit Index 67 68 69 30 80 E.L 82 82 84 85 EZ 89 9l 91 t00 t02 102 104 105 109 lt0 110 111 tt7 118 I l9 t2t 123 124 128 t29 130 132 136 137 t39 139 t4t t4l 142 142 t43 t4f 144 145 14',7 8. 10. I l. 12. 13. 14. 9. 94. 98. l5 Appendix 6 to Joint Application * : not an applicable item in the 20 I 6 calendar year for Avista Corp. Page 5 of 414 ii Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Acronvm/Term aMW AEL&P AERC AFTJDC AM&D ASC ASU Avista Capital Avista Corp. Avista Energy Avista Utilities BPA Capacity Cabinet Gorge CIAC Colstrip Coyotc Springs 2 CT Deadband or ERM deadband Dekatherm Ecology Ecova EIM Encrgy EPA ERM FASB FCA FERC GAAP GHG GS ACRO}[Y']V{S AND TERMS (The following acronyms and terms are found in multiple locations within the document) Memin s _ Average Megawatt - a measure ofthe average rate at which a particular generating source produces energy over a period of time - Alaska Electric Light and Power Company, the primary operating subsidiary of AERC, which provides electric services in Juneau, Alaska - Alaska Energy and Resources Company, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary based in Juneau, Alaska Allowance for Funds Used During Construction; represents the cost ofboth the debt and equity funds used to finance utility plant additions during the construction period - Advanced Manufacturing and Development, does business as METALII - AccountingStandardsCodification - AccountingStandardsUpdate - Parent company to the Company's non-utility businesses - Avista Corporation, the Company _ Avista Energy, Inc., an inactive electricity and natural gas marketing, trading and resource management business, subsidiary of Avista Capital _ Operating division ofAvista Corp. (not a subsidiary) comprising the regulated utility operations in the Pacific Northwest - Bonneville Power Administration - The ratc at which a particular gencrating sourcc is capablc ofproducing energy, measured in KW or MW - The Cabinet Gorge Hydroelectric Generating Project, located on the Cla* Fork River in Idaho - Contribution in aid ofconstruction - The coal-fired Colstrip Generating Plant in southeastem Montana - Thc natural gas-fired combincd-cycle Coyotc Springs 2 Gcncrating Plant locatcd ncarBoardman, Orcgon - Combustion turbine The first $4.0 million in annual power supply costs above or below the amount included in base retail rates in Washington under the ERM in the state of Washington Unit ofmeasurement for natural gas; a dekatherm is equal to approximately one thousand cubic feet (volume) or- 1,000,000 BTUs (energy) - The state ofWashington's Department of Ecology Ecova, Inc., a provider offacility information and cost managemcnt scrvices for multi-site customers and cncrgy - efficiency program management for commercial enterprises and utilities throughout North America, subsidiary of Avista Capital. Ecova was sold on June 30,2014. - Encrgy Imbalance Market The amount of electricity produced or consumed over a period of time, measured in KWh or MWh. Also, refers to natural gas consumed and is measured in dekatherms. - Environmental Protection Agency - The Energy Recovery Mechanism, a mechanism for accounting and rate recovery ofcertain power supply costs accepted by the utility commission in the state of Washington - Financial Accounting Standards Board - Fixed Cost Adjustment, the clcctric and natural gas decoupling mechanism in Idaho. - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission - Generally Accepted Accounting Principles - Creenhouse gas - Generating station lll Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 6 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION IPUC IRP Jackson Prairie Juneau KV KW,KWh Lancaster Plant LNG MPSC MW,MWh NERC Noxon Rapids OPUC PCA Idaho Public Utilities Commission Integmted Resource Plan Jackson Prairie Natural Gas Storage Project, an underground natural gas storage field located near Chehalis, Washington The City and Borough ofJuneau, Alaska Kilovolt (1 000 volts): a measure ofcapacity on transmission lines Kilowatt ( I 000 watts): a measure ofgenerating output or capability. Kilowatt-hour (l 000 watt hours): a measure of cnergy produccd A natural gas-fired combined cycle combustion turbine plant located in Idaho Liquefied Natural Gas Public Service Commission of the State of Montana Megawatt: I 000 KW. Megawatt-hour: I 000 KWh North American Electricity Reliability Corporation The Noxon Rapids Hydroelectric Generating Project, located on the Cla* Fork River in Montana The Public Utility Commission of Oregon The Power Cost Adjustment mechanism, a procedure for accounting and rate recovery ofcertain power supply costs accepted by the utility commission in the state ofldaho Purchased Gas Adjustment Power Purchase Agreernent Public Utility District The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act ofl 978, as amended The Regulatory Commission of Alaska Renewable energy credit Salix, Inc., a subsidiary of Avista Capital, launched in 2014 to explore markets that could be served with LNG, primarily in westem North America. Spokane Energy, LLC (dissolved in the third quarter of20 I 5), a special purpose limited liability company and all ofits membership capital was owncd by Avista Corp. Unit ofmeasurement for natural gas; a therm is equal to approximately one hundred cubic feet (volume) or I 00,000 BTUs (energy) Washin gton Util ities and Transportation Cornmission Unit ofmeasurement for electricity; a watt is equal to the rate ofwork represented by a current ofone ampere under a pressure ofone volt iv PGA PPA PUD PURPA RCA REC Salix Spokane Energy Thcrm IJTC Watt Appendix 6 to Joint Application PageT of4l4 Table 0f Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Forward-Looking Statements From time-to-timc, wc make forwardJooking statcments such as statemcnts regarding projcctcd or futurc: ' financial performance; . cash flows; . capital expenditures; . dividends; . capital structure; . otherfinancial items; . strategic goals and objectives; ' business environment; and . plans for operations. These statements are based upon underlying assumptions (many ofwhich are based, in tum, upon furtherassumptions). Such statements are made both in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of I 934, as amcnded (including this Annual Report on Form 1 0-K), and elscwhcre. ForwardJooking statements are all statements except those ofhistorical fact including, without limitation, those that are identified by the use ofwords that include "will," ForwardJooking statements (including those made in this Annual Report on Form I 0-K) are subject to a variety ofrisks and uncertainties and other factors. Most ofthese factors are beyond our control and may have a significant effect on our operations, results ofoperations, financial condition or cash flows, which could cause actual results to diflermaterially from those anticipated in our statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: Financial Risk weather conditions (temperatures, prccipitation lcvels and wind pattcms), including thosc from Iong-term climate changc, which affcct both energy demand and electric generating capability, including the effect ofprecipitation and temperature on hydroelectric resources, the effect ofwind pattems on wind-generated power, weather-sensitive customer demand, and similar effects on supply and demand in the wholesale energy markets; our ability to obtain financing through thc issuancc ofdcbt and/or cquity sccuritics, which can be affcctcd by various factors including our credit ratings, interest rates and other capital market conditions and the global economy; changes in interest rates that affect borrowing costs, our ability to eflectively hedge interest rates for anticipated debt issuances, variable interest rate borrowing and the extent to which we recover interest costs through retail rates collected from custorlers; changes in actuarial assumptions, interest rates and the actual retum on plan assets for our pension and other postretirernent benefit plans, which can affect future funding obligations, pension and other postretirement benefit expense and the related liabilities; deterioration in the creditworthiness ofour customers; the outcome oflegal proceedings and other contingenciesl economic conditions in ourservice areas, including the economy's effects on customerdemand forutility services; declining energy demand related to customer energy efficiency and/or conservation measures; Utility Regulatory Risk state and federal regulatory decisions or related judicial decisions that affect our ability to recover costs and eam a reasonable retum including, but not limited to, disallowance or delay in the recovery ofcapital investments, operating costs, financing costs and commodity costs and regulatory discretion over authorized retum on investment; possibility that our integrated resource plans for electric and natural gas will not be acknowledged by the state commissions; the eflect on any or all ofthe foregoing, resulting from changes in general economic or political factors; Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 8 of414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Energy Commodity Risk . volatility and iltiquidity in wholesale energy markets, including the availability ofwilling buyers and sellers, changes in wholesale energy prices that can affect operating income, cash requircmcnts to purclrase elcctricity and natural gas, value reccived forwholesalc salcs, collatcral requircd of us by counterparties in wholesale energy transactions and credit risk to us from such transactions, and the market value ofderivative assets and liabilities; . default or nonperformance on the part ofany parties from whom we purchase and/or sell capacity or energy; . potcntial cnvironmental rcgulations affecting our ability to utilizc or rcsulting in the obsolcscence ofour powcr supply rcsources; Operational Risk . severe weather or natural disasters, including, but not limited to, avalanches, wind storms, wildfires, earthquakes, snow and ice storms, that can disrupt energy generation, transmission and distribution, as well as the availability and costs ofmaterials, equipment, supplies and suppon services; . explosions, fires, accidents, mechanical breakdowns or other incidents that may impair assets and may disrupt operations ofany ofour generation facilitics, transmission, and electric and natural gas distribution systcms or othcr operations and may rcquire us to purchasc rcplacemcnt powcr; . wildfires, including those caused by our transmission or electric distribution systems that may result in public injuries or property damage; . public injuries or damage arising from or allegedly arising from our operations; . blackouts ordisruptions ofinterconnected transmission systems (the regional powergrid); . terrorist attacks, cyber attacks or other malicious acts that may disrupt or cause damage to our utility assets or to the national or regional economy in general, including any effects ofterrorisrn, cyber attacks or vandalism that darnage or disrupt information technology systerns; . work force issues, including changes in collective bargaining unit agreements, strikes, work stoppages, the loss ofkey executives, availability of workers in a variety ofskill areas, and our ability to recruit and retain employees; . increasing costs ofinsurance, more restnctive coverage terms and our ability to obtain insurance; . delays or changes in construction costs, and/or our ability to obtain required permits and materials for present or prospective facilities; . increasing health care costs and cost ofhealth insurance provided to ouremployees and retirees; . third party construction of buildings, billboand signs, towers or other structures within our rights of way, or placement of fuel receptacles within close proximity to our transformers or other equipment, including overtuild atop natural gas distribution lines; . thc loss ofkcy suppliers for matcrials or serviccs or disruptions to thc supply chain; . advcrse impacts to our Alaska opcrations that could result from an cxtcnded outagc ofits hydroelectric generating resourccs or their inability to deliver energy, due to their lack ofinterconnectivity to any other electrical grids and the extensive cost ofreplacement power (diesel); . changing river regulation at hydroelectric facilities not owned by us, which could impact our hydroelectric facilities downstream; Compliance Risk . compliance with extensive federal, state and local legislation and regulation, including numerous environmental, health, safety, infrastructure protection, reliability and other laws and regulations that affect our opcrations and costs; . the ability to comply with the terms ofthe licenses and permits for our hydroelectric or thermal generating facilities at cost-effective levels; Technology Risk . cyber attacks on us or our vendors or other potential lapses that result in unauthorized di sclosure ofprivate information, wh ich could result in liabilities against us, costs to investigate, remediate and defend, and damage to ourreputation; z Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 9 of 414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION . disruption to or breakdowns ofinformation systems, automated controls and other technologies that we rely on for our operations, communications and customer scrvicc; . changcs in costs tlrat impcde ourability to effectively implcment new information technology systcms orto operatc and maintain ourcurcnt production technology; . changes in technologies, possibly making some ofthe current technology we utilize obsolete or the introduction ofnew technology that may create new cyber security risk; . insufficicnt technology skills, which could lead to thc inability to develop, modifu or maintain our information systems; Strategic Risk . growth or decline ofour customer base and the extent to which new uses for our services may maleialize or existing uses may decline, including, but not limited to, the effect ofthe trend toward distributed generation at customer sites; . potential difficulties in integrating acquired opemtions and in realizing expected opportunities, diversions ofmanagement resources, loss ofkey employees, challcnges with respcct to operating ncw busincsses and othcr unanticipated risks and liabilities; . the potential effects ofnegative publicity regarding business practices, whether true or not, which could result in litigation or a decline in our common stock price; . changes in our strategic business plans, which may be affected by any or all ofthe foregoing, including the entry into new businesses and/or the exit from cxisting busincsscs and the cxtcnt ofour busincss dcvclopment cfforts whcrc potential futurc business is unccrtain; . non-rcgulated activitics may incrcasc camings volatility; External Mandates Risk . changes in environmental laws, regulations, decisions and policies, including present and potential environmental remediation costs and our compliance with these matters; . the potential effects of legislation or administrative rulemaking at the federal, state or local levels, including possible effects on our generating rcsourccs ofrestrictions on greenhousc gas cmissions to mitigate conccms ovcr global climatc changes; . political pressures or regulatory practices that could constrain or place additional cost burdens on our distribution systems through accelerated adoption ofdistributed generation or electric-powered transportation or on our energy supply sources, such as campaigns to halt coal-fired power generation and opposition to other thermal generation, wind turtines or hydroelectric facilities; . wholcsale and rctail compctition including altemative cnergy sourccs, growth in customcr-owned powcrrcsourcc tcchnologics that displacc utility- supplied energy or that may be sold back to the utility, and altemative energy suppliers and delivery arrangements; . failure to identifo changes in legislation, taxation and regulatory issues which are detrimental or beneficial to our overall business, . policy and/or legislative changes resulting from the new presidential administration in various regulated areas, including, but not limited to, potential tax reform, environmental regulation and healthcare regulations; and . thc risk ofmunicipalization in any ofour scwice territorics. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith. We believe they are reasonably based on, without limitation, an examination of historical operating trends, our reconds and other information available from thirrd parties. However, there can be no assurance that our expectations, beliefs or projections will be achieved or accomplished. Furthermore, any forward-looking statement speaks only as ofthe date on which such statement is made. We undertake no obligation to update any forwardJooking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence oiunanticipated events. New risks, unce(ainties and other factors emerge liom time-to-time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors, nor can we assess the effect ofeach such factor on our business or the extent that any such factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differmaterially from those contained in any forwardJooking statement. 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page l0of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Available Information Our website address is www.avistacorp.com. We make annual, quarterly and current reports available on our website as soon as practicable after electronically filing these reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Information contained on our website is not part of this report. PART I ITEM I. BUSINESS COMPANYOVERVIEW Avista Corp., incorporated in the territory ofWashington in I 889, is primarily an electric and natural gas utility with certain other business ventures. As of December 3 1, 20 I 6, we employed 1,742 people in our Pacific Northwest utility operations (Avista Utilities) and 240 people in our subsidiary businesses (including our Juneau, Alaska utility operations). Our corporate headquarters are in Spokane, Washington, the secondJargest city in Washington. Spokane serves as the business, transportation, medical, industrial and cultural hub ofthe Inland Northwest region (eastem Washington and northem Idaho). Regional services include government and higher education, medical services, retail trade and finance. Through our subsidiary AEL&P, we also provide electric utility services in Juneau, Alaska. As ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6, we have two reportable business segments as follows: . Avista Utilities - an operating division ofAvista Corp. (not a subsidiary) that comprises ourregulated utility operations in the Pacific Northwest. Avista Utilities generates, transmits and distributes electricity and distributes natural gas, serving electric and natural gas customers in eastem Washington and northem Idaho and natural gas customers in parts of Oregon. We also supply electricity to a small number of customers in Montana, most ofwhonr are our employees who operate our Noxon Rapids generating facility. Avista Utilities also engages in wholesale purchases and sales ofelectricity and natural gas as an integral part ofenergy resource management and our load-serving obligation. . AEL&P - a utility providing electric services in Juneau, Alaska that is a wholly-ou,rned subsidiary and the primary operating subsidiary of AERC. We acquired AERC on July I , 2014, and as of that date, AERC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avista Corp. See "Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for further discussion regarding this acquisition. Wc lravc other busincsscs, including shcct mctal fabrication, vcnture fund investments, rcal cstatc invcstmcnts, a company that cxplorcs markcts that could be served with LNG, as well as certain other investments ofAvista Capital, which is a drrect, wholly owned subsidiary ofAvista Co4r. These activities do not represent a reportable business segrnent and are conducted by various direct and indirect subsidiaries ofAvista Corp., including AM&D, doing business as METALI}. Total Avista Corp. shareholders' equity was $ 1,648.7 million as of December 3 l, 2016, of which $60.7 million represented our investment in Avista Capital and $ l0l .1 million represented our investment in AERC. See "Item 6. Selected Financial Data" and "Note 2 I ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for information with respect to the operating performance ofeach business segment (and other subsidiaries). A\TSTA UTILITIES General At the end of20l 6, Avista Utilities supplied retail electric service to 377,000 customers and retail natural gas service to 340,000 customers across its service territory. Avista Utilities' service territory covers 30,000 square miles with a population of I .6 million. See "Item 2. Properties" for further information on our utility assets. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis ofFinancial Condition and Results ofOperations - Economic Conditions and Utility Load Growth" for information on economic conditions in our service territory. Electric Operafions Q34g[ Avista Utilitics generatcs, transmits and distributes clcctricity, scrving electric customers in castcm Washington, northcm Idaho and a small numbcr of customers in Montana. Avrsta Utilities generates electricity llom facilities that we own and purchases capacity, energy and fuel for generation under long-term and short-term contracts to meet customer load obligations. We also sell electric capacity and energy, as well as surplus fuel in the wholesale market in connection with our resource optimization activities as described below. 4 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page11of414 Tabk of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION As part ofAvista Utilities'resource procurement and management operatrons in the electric business, we engage in an ongoing process ofresource optimization, which involves the economic selection ofenergy resources fforr those available to serve our load obligations and the capture ofadditional economic value through market transactions. We engage in transactions in the wholesale markets by selling and purchasing electric capacity and energy, fuel for electric generation, and derivative instruments related to capacity, energy, fuel and fuel transpofiation. Such transactions are part ofthe process of matching available rcsourccs with load obligations and hcdging the relatcd financial risks. Thcsc transactions rangc from tcrms ofintra-hour up to multiplc years. We make continuing projections ot . electric loads at various points in time (ranging from intra-hourto multiple years) based on, among otherthings, estimates ofcustomer usage and weather, historical data and contract terms, and . rcsource availability at thesc points in timc bascd on, among other things, fuel choiccs and fucl markcts, estimatcs ofstreamflows, availability ofgenerating units, historic and forward market information, contract terms and experience. On the basis ofthese projections, we make purchases and sales ofelectric capacity and energy, fuel for electric generation, and related derivative instruments to match expected resources to expected electric load requirements and reduce our exposure to electricity (or fuel) market price changes. Resource optimization involvcs scheduling and dispatching availablc rcsourccs as wcll as the followrng: ' purchasing fuel forgeneration, . when economical, selling fuel and substituting wholesale electric purchases, and . otherwholesale transactions to capture the value ofgenerating resources, transmission contract rights and fuel delivery (transport) capacity contracts. This optimization process includes entering into hedging transactions to manage risks. Transactions include both physical energy contracts and related dcrivativc instrumcnts. Avista Utilities'generation assets are interconnected through the regional transmission system and are operated on a coordinated basis to enhance load- serving capability and reliability. Avista acquires both long-term and short-term transmission capacity to facilitate all ofour energy and capacity transactions. We provide transmission and ancillary services in eastem Washington, northem Idaho and westem Montana. Electric Requirements Avista Utilities' peak electric native load requirement for 20 I 6 was I ,65 5 MW, which occurred on December 17 ,2016.In 20 I 5, our peak electric native load was 1,638 MW, which occurred during the summer, and in20l4, it was 1,715 MW, which occurred during the winter. Electric Resources Avista Utilities has a diverse electric resource mix ofCompany-owned and contracted hydroelectric, thermal and wind generation facilities, and other contracts for powcr purchascs and cxchangcs. At the end of 201 6, our Company-owned facilities had a total net capability of I ,862 MW, of which 5 5 percent was hydroelectric and 45 percent was thermal. See "Item 2. hoperties" for detailed information on generating facilities. Hydroelectric Resources Avista Utilities owns and opcratcs six hydroclectric projects on tlre Spokanc River and two hydroelectric projects on thc Clark Fork River. Hydroelectric generation is typically our lowest cost source per MWh ofelectric energy and the availability ofhydroelectric generation has a significant effect on total power supply costs. Under normal streamflow and operating conditions, we estimate that we would be able to meet approximately one-halfofour total average electric requirements (both retail and long-term wholesale) with the combination ofour hydroelectric generation and long-term hydroelectric purchase contracts with certain PUDs in the state ofWashington. Ourestimate ofnormal annual hydroelectric generation for2OlT (including rcsourccs purchascd undcrlong-tcrm hydroclcctric contracts with certain PLIDs) is 538 aMW (or4.7 rnillion MWhs). 5 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 12 of 414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION {.1le 5.:-5f,r -r.5(,x) j.7i0 i.o(x) 1 aifl 1.50n 75tl Hydroelectric Generation 1.777 :0lo lI l: S tIl{r r 0 :il lJ f Noson Rapids f Cabinet Corge I Spokane Rir,er Pro;ects Lun{-tcrnr hldrot'lectrrc colltracts \uth Pt I Ds Nonrtal hvrlroeleclrrc gelreratldn I I I The following shows Avista Utilities'thousands o the ended December 3 I (l ) Normal hydroelectric generation is determined by applying an upstrcam dam regulation calculation to median natural water flow information. Natural water flow is the flow ofthe rivers without the influence ofdams, whereas regulated water flow takes into account any water flow changes from upstream dams due to releasing or holding back water. The calculation ofnormal varies annually due to the timing ofupstream dam regulation throughout the year. Thermal Resources Avista Utilities owns the following thermal generating resources: . the combined cycle CT natural gas-fired Coyote Springs 2 located nearBoardman, Oregon, I 5 percent interest in a twin-unit, coal-fired boiler generating facility, Colstrip 3 & 4, located in southeastem Montana, . a wood waste-fired boilcr generating facility known as thc Kettle Falls Generating Station (Kettle Falls GS) in northeastcm Washington, . a two-unit natural gas-fired CT generating facility, located in northeastem Spokane (Northeast CT), . a two-unit natural gas-fired CT generating facility in northem Idaho (Rathdrum CT), and . two small natural gas-fired generating facilities (Boulder Park GS and Kettle Falls CT). Coyote Springs 2, which is operated by Portland General Electric Company, is supplied with natural gas undera combination ofterm contracts and spot market purchases, including transportation agreements with bilateral renewal rights. Colstrip, which is operated by Talen Energy LLC, is supplied with fuel from adjacent coal resewes under coal supply and transportation agreements in effect through 20 I 9. During 20 I 6, Talen Energy LLC provided notice to the Colstrip owners that it no longer plans to operate units 3 & 4 after May 20 I 8. The Colstrip owners arc searching for a replacement operator for units 3 & 4. In addition, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis, Environmental Issues and Contingencies" for further discussion regarding environmental issues surrounding Colstrip. 6 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page l3of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The primary fuel for the Kettle Falls GS is wood waste generated as a by-product and delivered by trucks from forest industry operations within 100 miles of the plant. A combination oflong-term contracts and spot purchases has provided, and is expected to meet, fuel requirements for the Kettle Falls GS. The Northeast CT, Rathdrum CT, Boulder Park GS and Kettle Falls CT generating units are primarily used to meet peaking electric requirements. We also operate these facilities when marginal costs are belowprevailing wholesale electric prices. These generating facilities have access to natural gas supplies that are adequate to meet their respective operating needs. See "Item 2. Prope(ies - Avista Utilities - Generation Properties" forthe nameplate rating and present generating capabilities ofthe above thermal resources. We have the exclusive rights to all the capacity ofthe Lancaster Plant, a 270 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle combustion turbine plant located in northem Idaho, owned by an unrelated third-party. All ofthe output from the Lancaster Plant is contracted to us through 2026 under a PPA. Under the terms ofthe PPA, we make the dispatch decisions, provide all natural gas fuel and receive all ofthe electric energy output from the Lancaster Plant; therefore, we consider this plant in our baseload resources. See "Note 3 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for further discussion ofthis PPA. The following graph shows Avista Utilities' thermal generation (in thousands of MWhs) during the year ended December 3 I : Thernral Generation 6.0m s.?J0 4.500 3,750 3.0m 3.350 |.500 ?50 0 :-508 {.{.17 I (b1ote Springs ! = a : Colsrrip I Kcttlc liulls ( iS Nrrrtheixt CT. Rathdruu ('T. Bouldcr Par[ GS rnd Kettle Falls CT l.:rlrc:rsl*r Pl;rnt PI'..\ :(! l(,:ttl::il ll Wind Resources We have exclusive rights to all the capacity of Palouse Wind, a wind generation project developed, owned and managed by an unrelated third-party and locatcd in Whitman County, Washington. Wc have a PPA that expircs in 2042 and allows us to acquire all of thc power and rcncwable attributes produced by the project at a fixed price per MWh with a fixed escalation ofthe price over the term ofthe agreement. The project has a nameplate capacity of 105 MW. Generation from Palouse Wind was 349,771 MWhs in 2016,293,563 MWhs in 2015 and335,291 MWhs in 2014. We have an annual option to purchase the wind project beginning in December 2022. The purchase price per the PPA is a fixed price per KW ofin-service capacity with a fixed decline in the price per KW over the remaining 2O-year term ofthe agreement. Under the terms ofthe PPA, we do not have any input into the day-today operation ofthe projcct, including maintenancs dccisions. All such rights arc hcld by thc owner. Other Purchases. Exchanges and Sales In addition to the resources described above, we purchase and sell power under various long-term contracts, and we also enter into short-term purchases and sales. Further, pursuant to PURPA, as amended, we are required to purchase generation from quali'lying facilities. This includes, among other resources, hydroelectric projects, cogeneration projects and wind generation projects at rates approved by the UTC and the IPUC. 7 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 14 of4l4 t.()j j tr Table of Conteots AVISTA CORPORATION See "Avista Utilities Electric Operating Statistics - Electric Operations" for annual quantities ofpurchased power, wholesale power sales and power from exchanges in 2016,2015 and 20 I 4. See "Electric Operations" above for additional information with respect to the use ofwholesale purchases and sales as part ofour resource optimization process and also see "Future Resource Needs" below for the magnitude ofthese power purchase and sales contracts in future periods. Hydroelectric Licenses Avista Corp. is a licensee under the Federal Power Act (FPA) as administered by the FERC, which includes regulatron ofhydroelectric generation resources. Excluding the Little Falls Hydroelectric Generating Project (Little Falls), our other seven hydroelectric plants are regulated by the FERC through two project licenses. The licensed projects are subject to the provisions ofPart I ofthe FPA. These provisions include payment for headwater benefits, condemnation of licensed projects upon payment ofjust compensation, and take-over by the federal govemment ofsuch projects after the expiration ofthe license upon paymcnt oftlre lesscr of"net invcstmcnt" or "fair value" ofthe project, in either case, plus scverance damages. In thc unlikely cvent that a take-over occurs, it could lead to either the decommissioning ofthe hydroelectric project or offering the project to another party (likely through sale and transfer ofthe license). Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids are under one 45-year FERC license issued in March 200 1 . See "Cabinet Gorge Total Dissolved Gas Abatement Plan" in "Note I 9 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for discussion ofdissolved atmospheric gas levels that exceed state ofldaho and federal numeric watcr quality standards downstream ofCabinct Gorge during periods when we must divert cxccss river flows ovcr thc spillway, as well as our mitigation plans and efforts. Five ofour six hydroelectric projects on the Spokane River (Long Lake, Nine Mile, Upper Falls, Monroe Street and Post Falls) are under one 50-year FERC license issued in June 2009 and are referred to collectively as the Spokane River Project. The sixth, Little Falls, is operated under separate Congressional authority and is not licensed by the FERC. Future Resource Needs Avista Utilities has operational strategies to provide sufficient resources to meet our energy requirements under a range ofoperating conditions. These operational strategies consider the amount ofenergy needed, which varies widely because ofthe factors that influence demand over intra-hour, hourly, daily, monthly and annual durations. Our average hourly load was 1,033 aMW in 2016,1,047 aMW in 2015 and 1,062 aMW in 2014. The following graph shows our forecast ofour average annual energy requirerrents and our available resources for 2017 through 2020: Forecasted Electric Energy Requirements and Resources I.O00 Rc.tuarrnrnlI I Slsrcm lord I Conractfuporrrr sales tlt Rotl)urrtr r,558 t.5ll 1.5(x)II /.1.0(X) 500 ('onrFalt {rr trcd ild conroal hr dro gcrcralron l!t { onrJurl +rr ncd ud contrst thr'md gsot'ratiur t -tI (}hcr contrxts for poncr prrchlxs r\ddrtmt rr rrLrblt r'nr.rgrr{l 8 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Pagel5of4l4 r.5:e l..ure l-10 r^r:s t.t06 : I I ^$\^t^P'^$ Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION (l )The contracts for power sales decrease due to certain contncts expiring in each ofthese years. We are evaluating the future plan for the additional resources made available due to the expiration ofthese contracts. The forecast assumes near normal hydroelectric generation. lncludes the Lancaster Plant PPA. Excludes Boulder Park GS, Kettle Falls CT, Northeast CT and Rathdrum CT, as these are considered peaking facilities and are generally not used to meet our base load requirements. The combined maximum capacity of Boulder Park GS, Kettle Falls CT, Northeast CT and Rathdrum CT is 278 MW, witlt estimated available energy production as indicated ior each year. (2) (3) (4) In August 2015, we filed our 2015 Electric IRP with the UTC and the IPUC. The UTC and IPUC review the IRPs and give the public the opportunity to comment. The UTC and IPUC do not approve or disapprove ofthe content in the IRPs; rather they acknowledge that the IRPs were prepared in accordance with applicable standards ifthat is the case. Thc IRP dctails projcctcd groMh in demand for cnergy and the new resources needcd to scrve customcrs ovcr thc next 20 years. We regard the IRP as a tool for resource evaluation, rather than an acquisition plan for a particular project. Highlights ofthe 20 I 5 IRP include the following expectations and projections: . We will have adequate resources between ourowned and contractually controlled generation, combined with conservation and market purclrases, to meet customer needs through 2020. . 565 MW ofadditional generation capacity is required for the period 2020 through 2034. . We will meet or exceed the renewable energy requirements of the Washington state Energy Independence Act through the 2O-year IRP time frame with a combination of qualifting hydroelectric upgrades, the 30-year PPA with Palouse Wind, the Kettle Falls GS and selective REC purchases. . Load gro*h will be approx imately 0.6 percent, a decline from the growth of 1 .0 percent forecasted in 2 0l 3. This delays the need for a new natural gas-fired resource by one year. The decrease in expected load growth is primarily due to energy efficiency programs (using less energy to perform activities) employed by our customem over the next 20 years and the load impacts ofincreased prices. See "ltem 7. Managcmcnt Discussion and Analysis - Economic Conditions and Utility Load Growth" for furthcr discussion rcgarding utility customcr growth, load growth, and the general economic conditions in our service territory. The estimates of future load growth in the IRP and at "ltern 7. Management Discussion and Analysis - Economic Conditions and Utility Load Growth' differ slightly due to the timing ofwhen the tv/o estimates were prepared and due to the time period that each estimate is focused on. . Colstrip will remain a cost effective and reliable source of power to meet filture customer needs. . Energy efficiency will offset more than half of projected load growth through the 20-year IRP time frame. Demand response (temporarily reducing the demand for energy) was eliminated from the Preferred Resource Strategy due to higher estimated costs. We are required to file an IRP every two years, with the next IRP expected to be filed during the third quarter of20l 7. Our resource strategy may change from the 20 I 5 IRP based on market, lcgislative and rcgulatory dcvclopments. We are subject to the Washington state Energy Independence Act, which requires us to obtain a portion of our electricity from qualifoing renewable resources or through purchase ofRECs and acquiring all cost effective conservation measures. Future generation resource decisions will be impacted by legislation for restrictions on GHG emissions and renewable energy requirements. See "ltem 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis ofFinancial Condition - Environmental Issues and Contrngencies" for information related to existing laws, as well as potcntial legislation that could influcncc our future clcctric rcsource mix. Natural Gas Operations General Avista Utilities provides natural gas distribution services to retail customers in parts ofeastem Washington, northem ldaho, and northeastem and southwestem Oregon. Market prices for natural gas, like otlrer comrnodities, can be volatile. Our natural gas procurement strategy is to provide a reliable supply to our customers with some level of price certainty. We procure natural gas from various supply basins and overvarying time periods. The resulting portfolio is a diversified mix offorward fixed price purchases, index and spot market purchases, utilizrng physical and financial derivative instruments. We also use natural gas storagc to support high demand pcriods and to procure natuml gas whcn priccs may bc lower. Sccuring prices throughout thc ycar and even into subsequcnt years provides a level ofprice certainty and can mitigate price volatility to customers between years. 9 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page l6of414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Weather is a key component ofour natural gas customer load. This load is highly variable and daily natural gas loads can differ significantly from the monthly forecasted load projections. We make continuing projections ofour natural gas loads and assess available natural gas resources. On the basis ofthese projections, we plan and execute a series oftransactions to hedge a portion ofour customers'projected natural gas requirements through forward market transactions and derivative instruments. These transactions may extend formultiple years into the future. We also leave a portion of ournatural gas supply requircmcnts unhcdged for purchase in thc short-term spot markets. Our purchase of natural gas supply is govcmcd by our procuremcnt plan and is rcvicwcd and approvcd annually by thc Risk Managcmcnt Committee (RMC), which is comprised ofcertain officers and other management personnel. Once approval is received, the plan is implemented and monitored by our gas supply and risk managelnent groups. The plan's progress is also presented to the UTC and IPUC staffin semi-annual meetings, and updates are given to the OPUC staffquartedy. Other stakcholdcrs, such as the Public Counsel Unit of tlrc Officc of the Attomey Gencral or the Citizcn Utility Board, arc invitcd to participate. Thc RMC is provided with an update on plan results and changes in their monthly meetings. These activities provide transparency for the natural gas supply procurement plan. Any material changes to the plan are documented and communicated to RMC members. As part ofthe process ofbalancing natural gas retail load requirements with resources, we engage in tlre wholesale purchase and sale ofnatural gas. We plan for sufficient natural gas delivery capacity to serve our retail customers for a theoretical peak day event. As such, we generally have more pipeline and storage capacity than what is needed during periods other than a peak day. We optimize our natural gas resources by using market opportunities to generate economic value that helps mitigate fixed costs. Wrolesale sales are delivered through wholesale market facilities outside of our natural gas distribution system. Natural gas resource optimization activities include, but are not limited to: . wholesale market sales ofsurplus natural gas supplies, . purchases and sales ofnatural gas to optimize use ofpipeline and storage capacity, and . participation in the transportation capacity release market. We also provide distribution transportation service to qualified, large commercial and industrial natural gas customers who purchase natural gas through third-party marketers. For these customers, we receive their purchased natural gas from such third-party marketers into our distribution system and deliver it to the customers' premise. Optimization transactions that we engage in throughout the year are included in our annual purchased gas cost adjustment filings with the various commissions and they are subject to review for prudence during this process. Natural Gas Supply Avista Utilities purchases all of its natural gas in wholesale markets. We are connected to multiple supply basins in the westem United States and Canada through firm capacity transportation rights on six different pipeline networks. Access to this diverse portfolio ofnatural gas resources allows us to make natural gas procurement decisions that benefit our natural gas customers. These interstate pipeline transportation rights provide the capacity to serve approximately 25 percent ofpeak natural gas customer demands fiom domestic sources and 75 percent from Canadian sourced supply. Natural gas prices in the Pacific Northwest are affected by global energy markets, as well as supply and demand factors in other regions ofthe United States and Canada. Future prices and delivery constraints may cause our resource mix to vary. Natural Gas Storage Avista Utilities owns a one-third interest in Jackson Prairie, an underground aquifer natural gas storage field located near Chehalis, Washington. Jackson Prairie has a total peak day deliverability of l2 million therms, with a total working natural gas capacity of 256 million therms. As an owncr, our sharc is onc-third ofthe pcak day dcliverability and total working capacity. Wc also contract for additional storage capacity and dclivcry at Jackson Prairie from Northwest Pipeline for a portion oftheir one-third share ofthe storage project. We optimize our natural gas storage capacity throughout the year by executing transactions that capture favorable market price spreads. Natural gas buyers identify opportunities to purchase lower cost natural gas in the immediate term to inject into storage, and then sell the gas in a forward market to be withdrawn at a later time. The reverse ofthis type oftransaction also occurs. These transactions lock in incremental value for customers. Jackson Prairie is also used as a variable peaking resource, and to protect fiom extreme daily price volatility during cold weather or other events affecting the market. Future Resource Needs In August 201 6, we filed our 201 6 Natural Gas IRP with the UTC, IPUC and the OPUC. The natural gas IRPs are similar in nature to the electric IRPs and the process for preparation and review by the state commissions ofboth the electric and natural gas IRPs is similar. The IRP details projected growth in demand for energy and the new resources l0 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page l7 of414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION needed to serve customers over the next 20 years. We regard the IRP as a tool for resource evaluation, rather than an acquisition plan for a particular project. Highlights ofthe 20 1 6 natural gas IRP include the following expectations and projections: . We will have sufficient natural gas transportation resources well into the future with resource needs not occurring during the 20-year planning horizon in Washington, Idaho, or Oregon. . Natural gas commodity prices will continue to be relatively stable due to robust North American supplies led by shale gas development. . Futurc custome r groMh in our scrvicc tcrritory \rrill increasc slightly comparcd to thc 2014 IRP. Thcre will bc increasing intercst from customers to utilize natural gas due to its abundant supply and subsequent low cost. We anticipate that increased demand in the region will primarily come fiom power generation as natural gas is increasingly being used to back up solar and wind technology, as well as replace retired coal plants. There is also potential for increased usage in other markets, such as transportation and as an industrial feedstock. . The availability of natural gas in North America will continue to change global LNG dynamics. Existing and new LNG facilities will look to export low cost North American natural gas to the higher priced Asian and European markets. This could alter the price ofnatural gas and/ortransportation, constrain cxisting pipclinc nctworks, stimulate dcvclopment ofnewpipclinc resourccs, and changc flows ofnatural gas across North America. Since forecasted demand is relatively flat, we will monitor actual demand for signs ofincreased growth which could accelerate resource needs. Our resource strategy in our 20 I 8 IRP may change fiom the 20 I 6 IRP based on market, legislative and regulatory developments. Regulatory Issues General As a public utility, Avista Corp. is subject to regulation by state utility commissions for prices, accounting, the issuance ofsecurities and other matters. The retail electric and natural gas operations are subject to the jurisdiction ofthe UTC, IPUC, OPUC and MPSC. Approval ofthe issuance of securities is not required from the MPSC. We are also subject to thejurisdiction ofthe FERC for licensing ofhydroelectric generation resources, and for clcctric transmission scrviccs and wholesale salcs. Since Avista Corp. is a "holding company" (in addition to being itselfan operating utility), we are also subject to the jurisdiction ofthe FERC under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, which imposes cerlain repo(ing and other requirements. We, and all of our subsidiaries (whether or not engaged in any energy related business), are required to maintain books, accounts and other records in accordance with the FERC regulations and to make them available to the FERC and the state utility commissions. In addition, upon the request ofanyjurisdictional state utility commission, or ofAvista Corp., the FERC would have the authority to review assignment ofcosts ofnon-power goods and administrative services among us and our subsidiaries. The FERC has the authority generally to require that rates subject to itsjurisdiction bejust and reasonable and in this context would continue to be able to, among other things, review transactions of any affiliated company. Our rates for retail electric and natural gas services (other than specially negotiated retail rates for industrial or large commercial customers, which are subject to regulatory review and approval) are generally detennined on a "cost ofservice" basis. Rates are designed to provide an opportunity for us to recover allowable operating expenses and eam a retum ofand a reasonable retum on "rate base." Rate base is generally determined by reference to the original cost (net ofaccumulated depreciation) ofutility plant in service, subject to various adjustments for deferred income taxes and other items. Over time, rate base is increased by additions to utility plant in service and reduced by depreciation and retirement of utility plant and write-offs as authorized by the utility commissions. Our operating expenses and rate base are allocated or directly assigned to five regulatory jurisdictions: electric in Washington and Idaho, and natural gas in Washington,Idaho and Oregon.ln general,requests fornewretail ratesaremade on the basis ofrevenues, operating expenses and net investment for a test year that ended prior to the date ofthe request, subject to possible adjustments, which diffcr among thc various jurisdictions, designed to rcflcct thc cxpcctcd rcvenucs, operating cxpcnscs and nct invcstmcnt during thc pcriod ncw rctail ratcs will be in effect. The retail rates approved by the state commissions in a rate proceeding may not provide sufficient revenues to provide recovery ofcosts and a reasonable retum on investment for a number ofreasons, including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in revenues, expenses and investment following the time new retail rates are requested in the rate proceeding, the denial by the commission l1 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page l8 of414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION of recovery, or timely recovery, of certain expenses or investment and the limitation by the comrrission of the authorized retum on investment. Our rates for wholesale electric and natural gas transmission services are based on either "cost ofservice" principles or tnarket-based rates as set forth by the FERC. See "Notes 'l and 20 ofthe Notes to Con sol i dated Financial Statements" for additional informati on about regulation, depreciation and deferred income taxes. General Rate Cases Avista Utilities regularly reviews the need for electric and natural gas rate changes in each state in which we provide service. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis - Regulatory Matters - General Rate Cases" for infomation on general rate case aclivity. Power Cost Deferrals Avista Utilities defers the recognition in the income statement ofcertain power supply costs that vary liorr the level currently recovered from our retail customers as authorized by the UTC and the IPUC. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis - Regulatory Matters - PowerCost Deferrals and Recovery Mechanisms" and "Note 20 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for information on powercost deferrals and rccovcry mcchanisms in Washington and Idaho. Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) Under established regulatory pnrctices in each state, Avista Utilities defers the recognition in the income statement of the natural gas costs that vary from the level currently recovered from our retail customers as authorized by each ofourjurisdictions. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis - Regulatory Matters - Purchased Gas Adjustments" and "Note 20 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for information on natural gas cost deferrals and rccovcry mechanisms in Washington, Idaho and Oregon. Decouplins and Earninss Sharing Mechanisms Decoupling is a mechanism designed to sever the link between a utility's revenues and consumers' energy usage. In eaclr ofAvista Utilities'jurisdictions, each month Avista Utilities'electric and natural gas revenues are adjusted so as to reflect revenues based on the number ofcustomers in certain customer rate classes, rather than kilowatt hour and therm sales. The difference between revenues based on the number of customers and revenues based on actual usage is deferred, and either surcharged orrebated to customers beginning in the following year. In conjunction with the dccoupling mcchanisms, Washington includes an after-thc-fact camings test. At thc end ofeach calcndar ycar, camings calculations are madc for thc prior calendaryearand a portion ofany eamings above a certain threshold are deferred and laterretumed to customers. Oregon also has an annual eamings review, not directly associated with the decoupling mechanisrn, where eamings above a certain threshold are deferred and later retumed to customers. See "ltem 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis - Regulatory Matters - Decoupling and Eamings Sharing Mechanisms" for further discussion of these mechanisms. Federal Laws Related to Wholesale Competition Fedcral law promotcs practiccs that foster competition in thc clcctric wholesalc energy markct. The FERC rcquires clcctric utilities to transmit powcr and energy to or for wholesale purchasers and sellen, and requires electric utilities to enhance or construct transmission lacilities to create additional transmission capacity for the purpose ofproviding these services. Public utilities (through subsidiaries or affiliates) and otlter entities may participate in the development ofindependent electric generating plants for sales to wholesale customers. Public utilities operating under the FPA are required to provide open and nondiscriminatory access to their transmission systems to third parties and establish an Open Access Same-Time Information System to provide an electronic means by which transmission customers can obtain information about available transmission capacity and purchase transmission access. The FERC also requires each public utility subject to the rules to operate its transmission and wholesale power merchant operating functions separately and to comply wilh standards ofconduct designed to ensure that all wholesale users, including the public utility's power merchant operations, have equal access to the public utility's transmission system. Our compliance with these standards has not had any substantive impact on the operation, maintenance and marketing ofour transmission system or our ability to provide service to customers. See "Itcm 7. Managcmcnt's Discussion and Analysis - Compctition" for furthcr information. Regional Transmission Organizations Beginning with FERC Order No. 888 and continuing with subsequent rulemakings and policies, the FERC has encouraged better coordination and opcrational consistcncy aimcd to capturc efficiencies that might othcrwise bc gained through the formation ofa Regional Transmission Organization or an independent system operator (ISO). t2 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Pagel9of4l4 Tible of Cont€rts AVISTA CORPORATION Regional Transmission Planning Avista Utilities meets its FERC requirements to coordinate transmission planning activities r /ith other regional entities through ColumbiaGrid. ColumbiaGrid is a Washington nonprofit membership corporation with an independent board formed to improve the operational efficiency, reliability, and planned expansion of the transmission grid in the Pacific Northwest. We became a member of ColumbiaGrid in 2006 during its lormation. ColumbiaGrid is not an ISO, but performs those functions that its members rcquest from time to time. Currently, ColumbiaGrid filts thc role of facilitating our regional transmission planning as required in FERC Order No. I 000 and other clarifting FERC Orders. ColumbiaGrid and its members also work with other westem organizations to address transmission planning, including WestConnect and the Northem Tier Transmission Group (NTTG). In 201 I , we became a registered Planning Participant of the NTTG. We will continue to assess the benefits of entering into other functional agreements with ColumbiaGrid and/or participating in other forums to attain operational efficiencies and to meet FERC policy objectives. Regional Energy Markets The Califomia lndependent System Operator (CAISO) recently implemented an EIM in the westem United States. Most investor-owned utilities in the Pacific Northwest are either particrpants in the CAISO EIM or plan to integrate into the market in the near future, which could reduce bilateral market liquidity and opportunitics for wholcsalc transactions in thc Pacific Northwest. Avista Utilitics will continuc to monitor the CAISO EIM cxpansion and the associatcd impacts. As market fundamentals and our business needs evolve, we will weigh the advantages and disadvantages ofjoining the CAISO EIM or other organized energy markets in the future. Reliability Standards Among its other provisions, the U.S. Energy Policy Act provides for the implementation ofmandatory reliability standards and authorizes the FERC to assess penalties for non-compliance with these standards and other FERC regulations. The FERC certified the NERC as the single Electric Reliability Organization authorized to establish and enforce reliability standards and delegate authority to regional entities for the purpose ofestablishing and enforcing reliability standards. The FERC approved the NERC Reliability Standards, including westem region standards, rnaking up the set oflegally enforceable standards for the United States bulk electric system. The first ofthese reliability standards became effective in 2007. We are required to self-certi! our compliance with these standards on an annual basis and undergo regularly scheduled periodic reviews by the NERC and its regional entity, the Westem Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). Our failure to comply with these standards could result in financial penalties ofup to S I million per day per violation. Annual self-certification and audit processes to date have demonstrated our substantial compliance with these standards. Requirements relating to cyber security are continually evolving. Our compliance with version 5 of the NERC's Critical Infi'astructure Protection standard continues to drive several physical security initiatives at our generating stations and substations. We do not expect the costs ofthese physical security initiatives to have a material impact on our financial results. l3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 20 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION AI'ISTA UTILITIES ELECTRIC OPERATING STATISTICS 2016 Years Ended December 3 I 201 5 2014 ELECTRJC OPERATIONS OPERATING REVENIJES (Dollars in Thousands): Residential Commercial Industrial Public street and highway lighting Total retail Wholesale Sales of fuel Other Decoupling Provision for eamings sharing Total electric operating revenues ENERGY SALES (Thousands of MWhs): Residential Commercial Industrial Public street and highway lighting Total retail Wholesale Total electric energy sales ENERGY RESOURCES (Thousands of MWhs): Hydro generation (from Company facilities) Thermal generation (from Company facilities) Purchased power Powcr cxchangcs Total power resources Energy losses and Company use Total energy resources (net oflosses) NUMBER OF RETAIL CUSTOMERS (Average for Period): Residcntial Commercial lndustrial Public street and highway lighting Total electric retail customers RESIDENTIAL SERVICE AVERAGES : Annual use per customer (KWh) (1) Revenue per KWh (in cents) Annual revenue per customer AVERAGE HOURLY LOAD (aMW) $339,210 $ 305,613 t07,296 7.662 335,552 $ 308,210 l t l,770 7,277 338,697 300,1 09 I10,7'15 7,549 7 59,7 8t 't 12,071 78,334 28,492 t7,349 932 762,809 127,253 82,853 25,839 4,740 (s,62t) 7 57 ,130 138,162 83,732 27,467 (7,s03) $ 996,959 $ 997,873 S 998,988 3,528 3,1 83 1,7 63 z3 3.57 1 1 tq7 1,812 23 3,694 3,1 89 i,868 25 8497 2,998 8,603 3.t45 8,77 6 3,686 I I ,495 1t,748 12,462 3,836 3.626 4.597 (6) 3,434 3,9 83 4,899 (2) 4,143 1r{, 5,6t5 (2s) 12,053 (5s8) 12,314 (566) 12,985 (s23) 12,462I 1,495 I1,7 48 330,699 4l ,785 I,342 558 327,057 41,296 1,353 529 324,1 88 40,9 8 8 1,385 531 374,384 370,235 367,092 S 10,667 9.62 I ,025.74 $ 1,033 10,827 9.40 1,017 .2t $ 1,047 I 1,394 9.17 I ,044.7 6 1,062 Appendix 6 to Joint Application 14 Page 2l of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION AVISTA UTILITIES ELECTRIC OPERATING STATISTICS Years Dcccmber 2016 2015 20t4 Winter 1,655 |,529 1,715 COOLINGDEGREE DAYS: Actual 474 805 631 ok of average 1290h 241%| 600/o WA Historical 6,482 6A9t 6,820 (l ) There has been a trending decline in use per customer during the three-year period primarily due to weather fluctuations but also due in part to energy efficiency measures adopted by customers.(2) Cooling degree days are the measure ofthe warmness ofweatherexperienced, based on the extent to which the average ofhigh and lowtemperatures for a day excecds 65 dcgrces Fahrenhcit (annual degree days above historic indicatc warmcr than avcrage tempcrdtures). In 20 1 5, we switched to a rolling 2O-year average for calculating cooling degree days, whereas in prior years we used a 30-year rolling average.(3) Heating degree days are the measure ofthe coldness ofweather experienced, based on the extent to which the average ofhigh and low temperatures for a day falls below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (annual degree days below historic indicate warmer than average temperatures). In 20 1 5, we switched to a rolling 2O-year average for calculating heating degree days, whereas in prior years we used a 3O-year rolling average. l5 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 22 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION AVISTA I,ITILITIES NATI,]RAL GAS OPERATING STATISTICS 2016 Years Ended December 3 l. 20t5 2014 NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS OPERATING REVENUES (Dollars in Thousands): Residential Commercial Intemrptible Industrial Total retail Wholesale Transportation Other Decoupling Provision for earnings sharing Total narural gas operaring revenues THERMS DELN'ERED (Thousands of Therms): Residential Commercial lntemrptible Industrial Total retail Wirolesale Transportation Interdepartmental and Company use Total therms delivered NUMBER OF RETAIL CUSTOMERS (Average forPeriod): Residential Commcrcial lntemrptible Industrial Total natural gas retail customers RESIDENTIAL SERVICE AVERAGES: Annual use per customer (therms) Revenue per therm (in dollars) Annual revenue per customer HEATING DEGREE DAYS: (I ) Spokane, WA (t ) (2\ $193,825 96,7 5t 2,782 3,792 $203,373 r 03,1 79 2,792 4,1 58 297,t50 204,289 7,988 5,5 78 6,004 (221) $ 470,894 i_____l?1492_$ 556,664 195.2'7 5 92,978 2,179 3,348 s 293,780 153,446 8,339 5,'787 t2,309 (2,767 ) 3 13,502 228,187 7,735 7,461 I 86,565 112,686 5,700 5,234 176.6t3 107,894 4,708 5,070 t90,t7 t | 16,7 48 5,033 5,648 310,185 684,317 178,377 378 294,285 809,1 32 164,679 335 317,600 545,620 162,311 411 1,173,257 1,268,43t t,025,942 300,883 34,868 37 255 296,005 34,229 35 261 291,928 34,047 37 264 336,043 330.530 326.276 $ $ 620 l 05 649.01 593 l l0 65 0.8 3 651 1.07 696.66 s $ $ $ Actual 5,790 5,614 6,215 Historical average (2) 6,482 6,491 6,820 Voofaverage 89% 86% 9l% Medford, OR Actual 3,637 3,534 3,382 Historical average (2) 4,129 4,150 4,539 %o ofaverage 88o/o 85% 75% Heating degree days are the measure ofthe coldness ofweather experienced, based on the extent to which the average ofhigh and low temperatures for a day falls below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (annual degree days below historic indicate warmer than average temperatures). In 20 I 5, we switched to a rolling 2O-year average for calculating heating degree days, whereas rn pnor years we used a 30-year rolling average. Appendix 6 to Joint Application l6 Page 23 of 414 Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION ALASKA ELECTRIC LIGHT AI\D POWER COMPAIYY AEL&P is the primary opcrating subsidiary of AERC. AEL&P is the solc utility providing clcctrical encrgy in Juneau, Alaska. Juncau is a geographically isolated community with no electric interconnections with the transmission facilities ofother utilities and no pipeline access to natural gas or other fuels. Juneau's economy is primarily driven by govemment activities, tourism, commercial fishing, and mining, as well as activities as the commercial hub of southeast Alaska. AEL&P owns and operatcs clcctric gcncration, transmission and distribution facilitics locatcd in Juncau. AEL&P opcratcs five hydroclcctric generation facilities with I 02.7 MW of hydroelectric generation capacity as of December 3 1 ,2016. AEL&P owns four of these generation facilities (totaling 24.5 MW of capacity) and has a PPA f,or the output ofthe Snettisham hydroelectric project (totaling 78.2 MW ofcapacity). The Snettisham hydroelectric project is owned by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), a public corporation ofthe State of Alaska. AEL&P has a PPA and operating and maintenance agreement with the AIDEA to operate and maintain the facility. This PPA is a take-or-pay obligation expiring in December2038, to purchase all ofthe output ofthe project. For accounting purposes, this PPA is treated as a capital lease and as ofDecember 3 1, 20 1 6, the capital lease obligation was $62.2 million. Snettisham Electric Company, a non-operating subsidiary ofAERC, has the option to purchase the Snettisham project at any time for a price equal to the principal amount ofthe bonds outstanding at that time. See "Note I 4 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Staternents" for further discussion ofthe Snettisham capital lease obligation. As of December 31,2016, AEL&P also had 107.5 MW of diesel generating capacity from four facilities to provide back-up sewice to firm customers when necessary. The following graph shows AEL&P's hydroelectric generation (in thousands of MWhs) during the time periods indicated below: Hydroelectric Generation c € C 450 400 350 300 150 :00 t50 t00 50 0 I Snettisham I LakeDororhy I Salnron Crcek I Annex Creek t cold creek - Norrnalhvdroelectrrc+ Beilerstion ( I I lOl(r :ol 5 :(llJ Secorxl hrlf ol'l(ll{ (l) Normal hydroelectric generation is defined as the energy output ofthe plant during a yearwith average inflows to the reservoir. Only thc hydroelectric gencration for thc sccond half of 201 4 in the graph abovc was included in Avista Corp.'s ovcral I rrsults for 201 4. Th c full I 2 months of20 I 4 in the graph above is presented for information purposes only. As of December 3 l, 2016, AEL&P sewed approximately I 7,000 customers. Its primary customers include city, state and federal govemmental entities located in Juneau, as well as a mine located in the Juneau area. Most of AEL&P's customers are 17 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 24 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION served on a firm basis while certain ofits customers, including its largest customer, are served on an interruptible sales basis. AEL&P maintains separate rate tariffs for each ofits customer classes, as well as seasonal rates. AEL&P's operations are subject to regulation by the RCA with respect to rates, standard ofservice, facilities, accounting and certain other matters, but not \ rith respect to the issuance ofsecurities. Rate adjustments for AEL&P's customers require approval by the RCA pursuant to RCA regulations. AEL&P filed an electric general rate case during 2016. See "ltern 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis - Regulatory Matters" for further discussion of this general rate case filing, including the proposed capital structure. AEL&P is also subject to the jurisdiction ofthe FERC conceming the permits and licenses necessary to operate certain ofits hydroelectric facilities. One of these licenses (for the Salmon Creek and Annex Creek hydroelectric projects) expires in 201 8, but AEL&P plans to extend this license. Since AEL&P has no electric interconnection with other utilities and makes no wholesale sales, it is not subject to general FERC jurisdiction, other than the reporting and other requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 as an Avista Corp. subsidiary. The Sncttisham hydroclcctric project is subjcct to regulation by thc Statc ofAlaska with rcspcct to dam safety and ccrtain aspects ofits opcrations. In addition, AEL&P is subject to regulation with respect to air and water quality, land use and other environmental matters under both federal and state laws. AEL&P ELECTRIC OPERATING STATISTICS Ycars Ended Dcccmbcr 3 I 2016 201 5 Second half of 20t4 ELECTRIC OPERATIONS OPERATING REVENUES (Dollars in Thousands): Residential CommerciaI and govemrnent Public street and highway lighting Total retail Other Total electric operating revenues ENERGY SALES (Thousands of MWhs): Residcntial Commercial and govemment Public street and highway lighting Total electric energy sales NUMBER OF RETAIL CUSTOMERS (Average forPeriod): Residential Commercial and govemment Public street and highway lighting Total electric retail customers RESIDENTIAL SERMCE AVERAGES: Annual use pcr customer (KWh) Revenue per KWh (in cents) Annual revenue per customer }IEATING DEGREE DAYS: (I ) Juneau, AK Actual Historical average %o ofaverage (l) $18,207 )1 '1)) 266 I 8,01 7 26^049 215 8,283 12,948 150 $s 45,795 481 44,281 497 21,381 263 $ 46,276 $44.778 $ 21,644 139 253 I 139 258 I 63 125 I 393 398 189 14,448 2,181 2tt 14,285 2,179 210 14,121 2,148 213 r 6.840 16,67 4 t6,482 $ 9,621 t 3.10 1 ,260.17 9,7 30 12.96 1,261 .25 4,461 r 3.15 586.57ss 7,301 8,351 87% 7,395 8,35 l 89% 3,381 3,771 9t% Heating degree days are the measure ofthe coldness ofweather experienced, based on the extent to which the average ofhigh and low temperatures for a day falls below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (annual heating degree days below historical average indicate warmer than average tempemtures). Appendix 6 to Joint Application l8 Page 25 of 4l4 Tabl€ of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION OTHERBUSINESSES The following table shows ourassets related to ourotherbusinesses, excluding intracompany amounts as ofDecember3 1,2016 and 201 5 (dollars in thousands): Entiry and Asset Type 20\6 201 5 Avista Capital Salix - wholly owned subsidiary Equity investments Other assets Avista Development Equity investments Real estate Notes rcceivablc and othcr assets METAL& - wholly owned subsidiary Alaska companies (AERC and AJT Mining) Total I 1,530 I I.359 5,444 I 1,568 8,390 5,107 6.718 951 12.779 8,084 $3,842 $ 3.000 123 2,500 3,039 28 ss,256 $39,206 Avista Capital . Salix is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avista Capital that explores markets that could be serrred with LNG. . Equity investments arc primarily in an emerging technology venture capital fund. Avista Development Equity investmcnts arc primarily in cmcrging technology vcnturc capital funds and companics, including an invcstmcnt in a tcchnology company that delivers scalable smart grid solutions to global partners and customers, and a predictive data science company. Real estate consists primarily ofmixed use commercial and retail office space. Notes receivable and other assets are primarily long-term notes receivable made to a company focused on spuning economic development throughout Washin gton State. AM&D doing business as METALfi performs custom sheet metal fabrication of electronic enclosures, parts and systems for the computer, construction, telecom, renewable energy and medical industries. The asset balance above excludes an intercompany loan from METALfi to Avista Corp. The loan balance was $4.0 million as ofDecember3l,20l6 and $1.0 million as ofDecember3l,20l5. Alaska companies . lncludes AERC and AJT Mining, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary ofAERC and is an inactive mining company holding certain properties. Ovcr timc as opportunities arise, we dispose ofinvestments and phase out operations that do not fit with our overall corporate strategy. Howevcr, we may invest incremental funds to protect our existing investments and invest in new businesses that we believe fit with our overall corporate strategy. Juneau Local Distribution Company (LDC) Project We continue to evaluate opponunities to grow our presence in Alaska beyond our current AEL&P operations. We have been focused on exploring the viability ofbuilding a natural gas LDC in Juneau to bring this energy option to residents. The opportunity has been challenged by difficult economic conditions in Alaska (which are largely caused by low oil prices), relatively low heating oil prices and customer equipment conversion costs. At this time, due to a combination ofunfavorable factors, we have suspended ourwork on this project forthe foreseeable future. Ifconditions change favorably in the future, wc may proceed with thc regulatory process to rcquest authority to build and opcrate a gas utility in Juneau. 19 $ Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 26 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Salix LNG Project In early 20 I 6, Salix was selected as the prcferred respondent to a request for proposal (RFP) issued by AIDEA that sought a qualified candidate to develop a ncw LNG thcility to servc tlrc Fairbanks, Alaska area as part of the Intcrior Energy hoject (IEP). Commcrcial discussions in latc 2016 lcd Salix and AIDEA to enter into an agreement that concluded Salix's involvement in the IEP. ITEM TA. RISK FACTORS RISK FACTORS The following factors could have a significant impact on our operations, results ofoperations, financial condition or cash flows. These factors could cause future results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in our reports filed with the SEC (including this Annual Report on Form l0-K), and elsewhere. Please also see "Forward-Looking Statements" for additional factors which could have a significant impact on our operations, results of opcrations, financial condition or cash flows and could cause actual rcsults to diffcr matcrially from thosc anticipatcd in such statcments. Finsncial Risk Factors Weather (temperatures, precipitation levels, wind patterns and storms) has a significant effect on our results ofoperations, linancial condition and cash flows. Weather impacts are described in the following subtopics: . certain retail electricity and natural gas sales, ' the cost ofnatural gas supply, and ' the cost ofpower supply. Certain retail electricity and natural gas sales volumes vary directly with changes in temperatures. We normally have our highest retail (electric and natural gas) energy sales during the winter heating season in the first and fourth quarters ofthe year. We also have high electricity demand for air conditioning during thc surnmer (third quartcr) in the Pacific Northwcst. In gencral, warmer weatlrer in thc heating scason and cooler weathcr in thc cooling season will reduce our customers' energy demand and retail operating revenues. The revenue and eamings impact ofweather fluctuations is somewhat mitigated by our decoupling mechanisms; however, we could experience liquidity constraints during the period between when decoupling revenue is eamed and when it is subsequently collected from customers through retail rates. The cost ofnaturat gas supply tends to increase with higher demand during periods ofcold weather. Increased costs adversely affect cash flows when we purchase natural gas for retail supply at prices above the amount then allowed for recovery in retail rates. We defer differences between actual natural gas supply costs and the amount currently recovered in retail rates and we are generally allowed to recover substantially all ofthese differences after regulatory review. However, these deferred costs require cash outflows from the time ofnatural gas purchases until the costs are later recovered through retail sales. Inter-regional natural gas pipelines and competition for supply can allow demanddriven price volatility in otherregions ofNorth America to affect prices in our region, even though there may be less extreme weather conditions in our area. The cost of power supply can be significantly affccted by wcathcr. Prccipitation (consisting ofsnowpack, its vr'atcr contcnt and mclting pattcm plus rainfall) and other streamflow conditions (such as regional water storage operations) significantly affect hydroelectric generation capability. Variations in hydroelectric generation inversely affect our reliance on market purchases and thermal generation. To the extent that hydroelectric generation is less than normal, significantly more costly power supply resources must be acquired and the ability to realize net benefits from surplus hydroelectric wholesale sales is reduced. Wholesale prices also vary based on wind patterns as wind generation capacity is material in ourregion but its contribution to supply is inconsistent. The price ofpower in the wholesale energy markets tends to be higher during periods ofhigh regional demand, such as occurs with temperature extremes. We may need to purchase power in the wholesale market during peak price periods. The price ofnatural gas as fuel for natural gas-fired electric generation also tends to increase during periods ofhigh demand which are often related to temperature extremes. We may need to purchase natural gas fuel in these periods of high prices to meet electric demands. The cost ofpower supply during peak usage periods may be higher than the retail sales price or the amount allowed in retail rates by our regulators. To the extent that power supply costs are above the amount allowed currently in retail rates, the difference is partially absorbed by the Company in current expense and it is partially defened or shared with customers through regulatory mechanisms. 20 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page27 of414 Table 0f Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The price ofpower tends to be lower during periods with excess supply, such as the spring when hydroelectric conditions are usually at their maximum and various facilities are required to operate to meet environmental mandates. Oversupply can be exaceltated when intermittent resources suclr as wind generation are producing output that may be supported by price subsidies. In extreme situations,we may be required to sell excess energy at negative prices. As a result ofthese combined factors, our net cost ofpower supply - the difference between our costs ofgeneration and market purchases, reduced by our revenue from wholesale sales - varies significantly because ofweather. We rely on regular access to financial markets but ne cannot assure favorable or reasonable financing terms will be available when we need them. Access to capital markets is critical to our operations and our capital structure. We have significant capital requirements that we expect to fund, in part, by accessing capital markets. As such, the state offinancial markets and credit availability in the global, United States and regional econorries impacts our financial condition. We could experience increased borrowing costs or limited access to capital on reasonable terms. We access long-tcrm capital markcts to financc capital cxpcnditures, repay maturing long+crm dcbt and obtain additional working capital from timc-to-time. Our ability to access capital on reasonable terms is subject to numerous factors and market conditions, many ofwhich are beyond our control. Ifwe are unable to obtain capital on reasonable terms, it rnay limit or prohibit our ability to finance capital expenditures and repay maturing long-tenn debt. Our liquidity needs could exceed our short-term credit availability and lead to defaults on various financing arrangements. We would also likely be prohibited llom payrng divtdends on ourcommon stock. Performance ofthe financial markets could also result in significant declines in the market values ofassets held by our pension plan and/or a significant incrcase in thc pcnsion liability (which impacts the fundcd status ofthe plan) and could increasc futurc funding obligations and pension expcnsc. We rely on credit from Iinancial institutions for short-term borrowings. We need adequate levels of credit with financial institutions for short- term liquidity. We have a $400.0 million committed line of credit that expires in April 2021. Our subsidiary AEL&P has a $25.0 million committed line of credit that expires in November 20 I 9. There is no assurance that we will have access to credit beyond these expiration dates. The committed line ofcredit agrccments contain customary covcnants and default provisions. Any default on thc lines ofcredit or othcr financing an-angcmcnts ofAvista Corp. or any ofour "significant subsidiarics," ifany, could rcsult in cross-dcfaults to other agreements ofsuch entity, and/or to the line ofcredit or other financing arrangements ofany other ofsuch entities. Any defaults could also induce vendors and othercounterparties to demand collateral. In the event ofany such default, it would be difficult forus to obtain financing on reasonable terms to pay creditors or fund operations. We would also likely be prohibited from paying dividends on our cornmon stock. We hedge a portion of our interest rate risk with financial derivative instruments, which may include interest rate swap derivatives and U,S. Treasury lock agreements. Ifmarket interest rates decrease below the interest rates we have locked in, this will result in a liability related to our interest rate swap derivatives, which can be significant. As ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6, we lrad a net interest rate swap derivative liability of$60.9 million, reflecting a decline in interest rates since the time we entered into the agreements. We did not have any U.S. Treasury lock agreements outstanding as of December 3 I , 201 6. We may be requrred to post cash or letters ofcredit as collateral depending on fluctuations in the fair value ofthe derivative instruments. Settlement ofinterest mtc swap dcrivativc instruments in a liability position could rcquire a significant amount of cash, which could ncgativcly impact our liquidity and short-term credit availability and increase interest expense over the term ofthe associated debt. Downgrades in our credit ratings could impede our ability to obtain financing, adversely affect the terms offinancing and impact our ability to transact for or hedge energy resources. Ifwe do not maintain our investment grade credit rating with the major credit rating agencies, we could expect increased debt service costs, limitations on our ability to access capital markets or obtain other financing on reasonable terms, and requirements to provide collateral (in the form ofcash or letters ofcredit) to lenders and counterparties. In addition, credit rating downgrades could reduce the number of counterpartics willing to do busincss with us or result in thc tcrmination ofoutstanding regulatory authorizations for ccrtain financing activitics. 2t Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 28 of 414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION Credit risk may be affected by industry concentration and geographic concentration. We have concentrations ofsuppliers and customers in the electric and natural gas industries including: . electric and natural gas utilities, . electric generators and transmission providers, . oil and natural gas producers and pipelines, . financial institutions including commodity clearing exchanges and related parties, and . energy marketing and trading companies. We have concentrations ofcredit risk related to our geographic location in the westem United States and westem Canada energy markets. These concentrations ofcounterpartics and conccntrations ofgeographic location may affcct our overall cxposure to credit risk bccausc thc countcrparties may bc similarly aflected by changes in conditions. U-tilitv Repulatorv Risk Foclors Regulators may not grant rates that provide timely or sulficient recovery ofour costs or allow a reasonable rate ofreturn for our shareholders. Avista Utilities' annual operating expenses and the costs associated with incremental investments in utility assets continue to grow at a faster rate than revenue growth. Our ability to recover these expenses and capital costs depends on the amount and timeliness ofretail rate changes allowed by regulatory agencies. We expect to periodically file for rate increases with regulatory agencies to recover our expenses and capital costs and provide an opportunity to eam a reasonable rate ofretum for shareholders. Ifregulators do not grant rate increases or grant substantially lower rate increases than our requests in the future or ifrecovery ofdeferred expenses is disallowed, it could have a negative effect on our operating revenues, net income and cash flows. During Decembcr 20 I 6, the UTC dcnicd our most rcccnt clcctric and natural gas gcneral ratc rcquests and granted zcro rate relicf. Pending bcforc thc UTC is our petition for reconsideration and altemately for rehearing (Petition) ofour 20 I 6 general rate cases to arrive at new electric and natural gas rates. The UTC has provided notice that it expects to rule on the Petition on or before March I 6, 20 I 7. Ifour efforts to obtain rates that are fair,just, reasonable and sufficient are not successful, our 20 I 7 eamings are expected to decrease by $0.20 to $0.3 0 per diluted share as compared to 201 6 actual results. See further discussion in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis - Regulatory Matters." In the future, we may no longer meet the criteria for continued application ofregulatory accounting practices for all or a portion ofour regulated operations. Ifwe could no longer apply regulatory accounting, we could be: . required to write offour regulatory assets, and . precluded from the future deferral ofcosts ordecoupled revenues not recovered through rates at the time such amounts are incurred, even ifwe are expected to recover these amounts from customers in the future. See furthcr discussion at '\lotc I ofthc Notcs to Consolidated Financial Statcments - Rcgulatory Dcfcned Chargcs and Crcdits." Enerpv Commodilv Risk Factors Energy commodity price changes affect our cash flows and results ofoperations. Energy commodity prices can be volatile. We rely on energy markets and other counterparties for energy supply, surplus and optimization transactions and commodity pricc hcdging. A combination offactors exposes our opcrations to commodity price risks, including: . our obligation to serve ourretail customers at rates set through the regulatory process - we cannot change retail rates to reflect current energy prices unless and until we receive regulatory approval, . customer demand, which is beyond our control because ofweather, customer choices, prevailing economic conditions and other factors, . some ofour energy supply cost is fixed by the nature ofthe energy-producing assets or through contractual arrangements (however, a significant portion ofour encrgy rcsource costs arc not fixed), and 22 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 29 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION . the potential non-performance by commodity counterparties, vr'hich could lead to replacement ofthe scheduled energy ornatural gas at highcr priccs. Because we urust supply the amount ofenergy dernanded by our customers and we must sell it at fixed rates and only a portion ofour energy supply costs are fixed, we are subject to the risk ofbuying energy at higherprices in wholesale energy markets (and the risk ofselling energy at lowerprices ifwe are in a surplus position). Electricity and natural gas in wholesale markets are commodities with historically high price volatility. Changes in wholesale energy prices affect, among other things, the cash requirements to purchase electricity and natural gas for retail customers or wholesale obligations and the market value of derivative assets and liabilities. When we enter into fixed price energy commodity transactions for future delivery, we are subject to credit terms that may require us to provide collateral to wholesale counterparties related to the difference between current prices and the agreed upon fixed prices. These collateral requirements can place significant demands on our cash flows or borrowing arangements. Price volatility can cause collateral requirements to change quickly and significantly. Cash flow deferrals related to energy commodities can be significant. We are permitted to collect from customers only amounts approved by regulatory commissions. However, our costs to provide energy service can be much higher or lower than the amounts currently billed to customers. We are permitted to defer income staternent recognition and recovery from customers for some oftlrese differences, which are recorded as deferred charges with the opportunity for future recovery through retail rates. These deferred costs are subject to review for prudence and potential disallowance by regulators, who have discretion as to the extent and timing offuture recovery orrefund to customers. Power and natural gas costs higher than those recovered in retail rates reduce cash flows. Amounts that are not allowed for deferral or which are not approved to becomc part ofcustomer rates affect our rcsults ofopcrations. Even ifour regulators ultimately allow us to recover deferred power and natural gas costs, our operating cash flows can be negatively affected until these costs are recovered from customers. Fluctuating energy commodity prices and volumes in relation to our energy risk management process can cause volatility in our cash flows and results ofoperations. We engage in active hedging and resource optimization practices to reduce energy cost volatility and economic exposure related to commodity price fluctuations. We routinely cntcr into contracts to hcdge a portion ofour purchasc and sale commitmcnts for electricity and natural gas, as well as forecasted excess or deficit energy positions and inventories ofnatural gas. We use physical energy contracts and derivative instruments, such as forwards, futures, swaps and options traded in the over-the-counter markets or on exchanges. We do not attempt to fully hedge our energy resource assets or our forecasted net positions for various time horizons. To the extent we have positions that are not hedged, or ifhedging positions do not fully match the corresponding purchase or sale, fluctuating commodity prices could have a material effect on our operating revenues, resource costs, derivative assets and liabilitics, and opcrating cash flows. In addition, actual loads and rcsources typically vary from forccasts, sometimes to a significant dcgrcc, which rcquirc additional transactions or dispatch decisions that impact cash flows. The hedges we enter into are reviewed for prudence by our various regulators and any deferred costs (including those as a result ofour hedging transactions) are subject to review for prudence and potential disallowance by regulators. Generation plants may become obsolete. We rely on a variety of generation and energy commodity market sources to fulfill our obligation to serve customcrs and mcct the dcmands ofour countcrparty agreements. Thcre is the potcntial that some ofour gcneration sourccs, such as coal, may becomc obsolete. This could result in higher commodity costs to replace the lost generation, as well as higher costs to retire the generation source before the end ofits expected life. 0p erational Risk Factors We are subject to various operational and event risks. Our operations are subject to operational and event risks that include: severe weather or natural disasters, including, but not limited to, avalanches, wind storms, wildfires, eanhquakes, snow and ice storms, which can disrupt energy generation, transmission and distribution, as well as the availability and costs ofmaterials, equipment, supplies support services and general business operations, blackouts or disruptions ofinterconnected transmission systems (the regional power grid), unplanned outages at generating plants, 23 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 30 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION . fuel cost and availability, including delivery constraints, . explosions, fires, accidents, or mechanical breakdowns that may occur while operating and maintaining our generation, transmission and distributi on systems, . damage or injuries to third parties caused by our generation, transmission and distribution systems, . natural disasters that can disrupt energy generation, transmission and distribution, and general business opemtions, and . terrorist attacks or other malicious acts that may disrupt or cause damage to our utilrty assets or the vendors we utilize. Disasters may affect the general economy, financial and capital markets, specific industries, or our ability to conduct business. As protection against operational and event risks, we maintain business continuity and disaster recovery plans, maintain insurance coverage against some, but not all, potential losses and wc seek to ncgotiate indcmnification arrangcmcnts with contractors for certain cvent risks- Howcvcr, insurancc or indcmnification agreemcnts may not be adequate to protect us against liability, extra expenses and operating disruptions fiom all ofthe operational and event risks described above. In addition, we are subject to the risk that insurers and/or other parties will dispute or be unable to perform on their obligations to us. Damage to facilities may be caused by severe weather, such as snow, ice, wind storms or avalanches. The cost to irnplement rapid or any repair to such facilities can be significant. Overhead electric lines are most susceptible to damage caused by severe weather. Adverse impacts may occur at our Alaska operations that could result from an extended outage oftheir hydroelectric generating resources or its inability to deliver energy, due to their lack ofinterconnectivity to any other electrical grids and the extensive cost ofreplacement power (diesel). AEL&P operates several hydroelectric power generation facilities and has diesel generating capacity llom multiple facilities to provide backup sewice to firm customers when necessary; however, a single hydroelectric power generation facility, the Snettisham hydroelectric project, provides approximately two- thirds ofAEL&P's hydroelectric power generation. Any issues that negatively aflect AEL&P's abi lity to generate or transmit power or any decrease in the dernand for the power generated by AEL&P could negatively affect our results ofoperations, financial condition and cash flows. Comoliance Risk Factors There have been numerous changes in Iegislation, related administrative rulemakings, and Executive Orders, including periodic audits ofcompliance with such rules, which may adversely affect our operational and financial performance. Wc cxpect to continuc to be affcctcd by legislation at thc national, state and local lcvcl, as well as by administrative rulcs and requircments publislrcd by govemment agencies, including but not limited to the FERC, the EPA and state regulators. We are also subject to NERC and WECC reliability standards. The FERC, the NERC and the WECC perfonn periodic audits of the Company. Failure to comply with the FERC, the NERC, or the WECC requirements can result in financial penalties ofup to $ I million per day per violation. Future lcgislation or administrativc rules could havc a material advcrse effcct on our opcrations, rcsults ofopcrations, financial condition and cash flows. Actions or limitations to address concerns over the long-term global and our utilities' service area climate changes may alfect our operations and financial performance. Legislative, regulatory and advocacy efforts at the state, national and intemational levels conceming climate change and other environmental issues could have significant impacts on our operations. The electric and natural gas utility industries are fiequently affected by proposals to curb greenhouse gas and other air emissions. Various regulatory and legislative proposals have been made to limit or further restrict byproducts ofcombustion, including that resulting from the use ofnatural gas by our customers. Such proposals, ifadopted, could restrict the operation and raise the costs ofour power generation rcsources as wcll as the distribution ofnatural gas to our customcrs. We expect continuing activity in the future and we are evaluating the extent to which potential changes to environmental laws and regulations may: . incrcase the opcrating costs ofgencrating plants, . incrcasc the lead time and capital costs for the construction ofnew gcncrating plants, . require modification ofourexisting generating plants, 24 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 3l of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION . require existing generating plant operations to be curtailed orshut down, . reduce the amount ofenergy available from our generating plants, . restrict the types ofgenerating plants that can be built orcontracted with, . require construction ofspecific types ofgeneration plants at higher cost, and . increase the cost ofdistributing natural gas to customers. We have contingent liabilities, including certain matters related to potential environmental liabilities, and cannot predict the outcome of these matters. In the normal course ofour business, we have matters that are the subject ofongoing litigation, mediation, investigation and/or negotiation. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome orpotential impact ofany particular issue, including the extent, ifany, ofinsurance coverage or that amounts payable by us may be recoverable through the ratemaking process. We are subject to environmental regulation by federal, state and local authorities related to our past, present and future operations. See "Note I 9 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for further details ofthese matters. Technologv Risk Factors Cyber attacks, terrorism or other malicious acts could disrupt our businesses and have a negative impact on our results of operations and cash flows. In the course ofour operations, we rely on interconnected technology systems for operation ofour generating plants, electric transmission and distribution systems, natural gas distribution systems, customer billing and customer service, accounting and other administrative processes and compliance with various regulations. In addition, in the ordinary course ofbusiness, we collect and retain sensitive information including personal information about our customers and employees. There are various risks associated with technology systems such as hardware or software failure, comrnunications failure, data distortion or destruction, unauthorized access to data, misuse ofproprietary or confidential data, unauthorized control through electronic means, programming mistakes and other deliberate or inadvertent human enors. In particular, cyber attacks, terrorism or other malicious acts could damage, destroy or drsrupt these systems. Additionally, thc facilities and systcms ofclicnts, suppliers and third party scrvice providcrs could bc vulnerablc to thcse same risks and, to thc cxtcnt of interconnection to our technology, may impact us. Any failure, unexpected, orunauthorized use oftechnology systems could result in the unavailability of suclr systems, and could result in a loss ofoperating revenues, an increase in operating expenses and costs to repair or replace damaged assets. Any ofthe above could also result in the loss or release ofconfidential customer and/or employee information or other proprietary data that could adversely affect our reputation and competitiveness, could result in costly litigation and negatively impact our results ofoperations. As these potential cyber attacks become morc common and sophisticatcd, wc could bc rcquircd to incur costs to strcngthen our systcms and rcspond to emcrging concems. Terrorist attacks could also be directed at physical electric and natural gas facilities, as well as technology systems. We may be adversely affected by our inability to successfully implement certain technology projects. Wc arc currcntly planning to rcplacc all of our clcctric mctcr infrastructurc in Waslrington statc with two-way communication advanccd mctcring infrastructure (AMI). There is the risk that regulators will not allow the full recovery of new AMI. In addition, there are inherent risks associated with replacing and changing these types ofsystems, such as incorrect ornonfunctioning metering and/ordelayed or inaccurate customerbills orunplanned outages, which could have a material adverse effect on ourresults ofoperations, financial condition and cash flows. Finally, there is the risk that we ultimately do not complete the project and will incur contract cancellation or other costs, which could be significant. Strutesic Risk Factors Our strategic business plans, which may be affected by any or all ofthe foregoing, may change, including the entry into new businesses and/or the exit from existing businesses and the extent ofour business development efforts where potential future business is uncertain. Our strategic business plans could be affected by or result in any ofthe following: . disruptive innovations in the marketplace may outpace our ability to compete or manage our risk, . potential difliculties in integrating acquired operations and in realizing expected opportunities, diversions ofmanagement resources and losses of key employees, challenges with respect to operating new businesses and other unanticipated risks and liabilities, 25 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 32 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION . market or other conditions may adversely affect our operations or require changes to our business strategy, which could result in a non+ash goodwill impairmcnt chargc that would rcduce asscts and rcduce our net income, and . potcntial rcputational risk arising from repcatcd gencral ratc case filings, degradation in thc quality ofscrvicc, or from failcd stratcgic invcstments and opportunities, which could erode shareholdet customer and community satisfaction with our Company. External Mandates Risk Factors Extemal mandate risk involves forces outside the Company, which rray include significant changes in customer expectations, disruptive technologies that result in obsolescence of our business model and govemment action that could impact our Company. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis - Environmental Issues and Contingencies" and "Forwand-Looking Statements" for discussion ofor reference to extemal mandates which could have a material adverse effect on our results ofoperations, financial condition and cash flows. ITEM IB. T]NRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS As of thc filing date of this Annual Rcport on Form l0-I! wc have no unresolvcd comments from thc staffof thc SEC. 26 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 33 of 414 Tabk of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION ITEM 2. PROPERTIES AVISTAUTILITIES Substantially all ofAvista Utilities'properties are subject to the lien ofAvista Corp.'s mortgage indenture. Ourutility electric pmperties, located in the states ofWashington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon, include the following: Genere6on Properties No. of Units Hydroelcctric Gencrating Stations (River) Washington: Long Lake (Spokane) Little Falls (Spokane) Mne Mile (Spokane) (3) Uppcr Falls (Spokanc) Monroe Street (Spokane) Idaho: Cabinet Gorge (Clark Fork) ( ) Post Falls (Spokanc) Montana: Noxon Rapids (Clark Fork) Total Hydroelectric Thermal Generating Stations (cycle, fuel source) Washington: Kettle Falls GS (combined-cycle, wood waste) (5) Kettle Falls CT (combined-cycle, natural gas) (5) Northeast CT (simple-cycle, natural gas) Boulder Park GS (simplc-cycle, natural gas) Idaho: Rathdrum CT (simple-cycle, natural gas) Montana: Colstrip Units 3 & 4 (simple-cycle, coal) (6) Oregon: Coyote Springs 2 (combined-cycle, natural gas) Total Thermal Total Generation Properties (l ) (2) (3) (4) Namcplate Rating (M!\') ( r ) Prcsnt Capability (Mrl) (2) 4 4 4 I I 4 6 5 I I 2 6 2 2 70.0 32.0 36.8 10.0 14.8 88.0 35.6 29.0 10.2 I 5.0 265.0 14.8 27).0 15.4 487.8 562.4 50.7 7.2 6l .8 24.6 53.5 6.9 64.8 24.6 931.2 166.5 233.4 295.0 t,028.6 166.5 222.0 295.0 839.2 833.3 1.770.4 I,861 .9 Nameplate rating, also referred to as "installed capacity," is the manufacturer's assigned power capability under specified conditions. Present capability is the maximum capacity ofthe plant under standard test conditions without exceeding specified lirnits oftemperature, stress and environmental conditions. Information is provided as ofDecember 3 1 ,2016. The project to replace Units I and 2 was completed during 20 I 6. The present capability shoum is the maximum plant generation we have seen given thc watcr we havc had available, because wc lrave not yct had pcak watcr conditions sincc Units I and 2 wcnt into scrvice. As conditions change, wc will test plant capability and revise this number accordingly. For Cabinet Gorge, we have water rights pennitting generation up to 265 MW. However, if natural stream flows will allow for generation above our water rights, we are able to generate above our water rights. If natural stream flows only allow for generation at or below 265 MW, we are limited to generation of265 MW. The present capability disclosed above represents the capability based on maximum stream flow conditions when we are allowed to generate above our water rights. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 27 Page 34 of 414 (5) (6) Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION These generating stations can operate as separate single-cycle plants or combined-cycle with the natural gas plant providing exhaust heat to the wood boiler to increase efliciency. Jointly owned; data refers to our l5 percent interest. Electric Distribution and Transmission Plant Avista Utilities owns and operates approximately 19,000 miles of primary and secondary electric distribution lines providing service to retail customers. We have an clcctric transmission systcm of 685 milcs of 230 kV line and 1,565 milcs of I 15 kV line. We also own an I I perccnt intcrest in approximatcly 500 miles of a 500 kV line between Colstrip, Montana and Townsend, Montana. Our transmission and distribution systems also include numerous substations with transfonners, switches, monitoring and metering devices, and other equipment. The 230 kV lines are the backbone ofour transmission grid and are used to transmit power from generation resources, including Noxon Rapids, Cabinet Gorgc and thc Mid-Columbia hydroclcctric projects, to thc major load centcrs in our scrvicc arca, as wcll as to transfer powcr bctween points of interconnection with adjoining electric transmission systems. These lines interconnect at various locations with the BPA, Grant County PUD, PacifiCorp, NorthWestem Energy and Idaho Power Company and serve as points ofdelivery for power Ilom generating facilities outside ofour service area, including Colstrip, Coyote Springs 2 and the Lancaster Plant. These lines also provide a lneans for us to optimize resources by entering into short-term purchases and sales ofpower with entities within and outside ofthe Pacific Northwest. The I I 5 kV lines provide for transmission ofenergy and the integration ofsmaller generation facilities with our service-area load centers, including the Spokane River hydroelectric projects, the Kettle Falls projects, Rathdrum CT, Boulder Park GS and the Northeast CT. These lines interconnect with the BPA, Chelan County PUD, the Grand Coulee Project Hydroelectric Authority, Grant County PUD, NorthWestem Energy, PacifiCorp and Pend Oreille County PUD. Both the I I 5 kV and 230 kV interconnections with the BPA are used to transfer energy to facilitate service to each other's customers that are connected through thc othcr's transmission systcm. We hold a long-tcrm transmission agrccmcnt with thc BPA that allows us to scruc our rlativc load customcrs that arc connected through the BPA's transmission system. Natural Gas Plant Avista Utilities has natural gas distnbution mains of approximately 3,400 miles in Washington,2,000 miles in Idaho and 2,300 miles in Oregon. We have natural gas transmission mains of approximately 75 miles in Washington and 50 miles in Oregon. Our natural gas system includes numerous regulator stations, scrvicc distribution Iines, monitoring and metering devices, and othcr cquipmcnt. Wc own a onc-third intcrcst in Jackson Prairic, an underground natural gas storagc ficld locatcd near Chchalis, Washington. Scc "Part I - Itcm l. Busincss - Avista Utilities - Natural Gas Operations" for further discussion of Jackson Prairie. 28 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 35 of 414 Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION ALASKA ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY Substantially all of AEL&P's utility properties are subject to the lien of the AEL&P mortgage indenture. AEL&P's utility electric properties, located in Alaska include the following: Generation Properties and Transmission and Distribution Lines Hydroelectric Generating Stations Snettisham (3) Lake Dorothy Salmon Creek Annex Creek Gold Creek Total Hydroelectric Diesel Genemting Stations Lcmon Creek Auke Bay Gold Creek Industrial Blvd. Plant Total Dicsel TotaI Generation Properties No. of Units Nameplatc Rating (Mw)(l) Present Capability(M!\) (2) J I I 2 3 78.2 14.3 8.4 4.1 1.6 78.2 14.3 5.0 3.6 t.6 t 06.6 102.7 lt 3 5 I 61.4 28.4 8.2 23.5 51.8 25.2 7 23.5 t2t.5 107.5 210.2 (l ) Nameplate rating, also rcferrcd to as "installed capacity," is the manufacturer's assigned power capability under specified conditions.(2) Present capability is the maximum capacity ofthe plant under standard test conditions without exceeding specified limits oftemperature, stress and environmental conditions. Information is provided as ofDecember 3 I ,2016.(3) AEL&P does not own this generating facility but has a PPA under which it has the right to purchase, and the obligation to pay for (whether or not energy is received), all ofthe capacity and energy ofthis facility. See further information at "Part I . Item I . Business - Alaska Electric Light and Power Company." In addition to the generation properties above, AEL&P owns approximately 6l miles of transmission lines, which are primarily comprised of 69 kV line, and approximately 184 miles of distribution lines. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS See "Note I 9 ofNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for information with respect to legal proceedings. ITEM 4. MII{E SAFETY DISCLOSURES Not applicable. PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FORREGISTRANT'S COMMONEOTIITY.RELATED STOCKHOLDERMATTERSANDISSUERPURCHASES OF EOUITY SECURITIES Avista Corp. Market Information and Dividend Policy Avista Corp.'s cornmon stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "AVA." As of January 3 I , 201 7, there were 8y' I 0 registered shareholders ofour common stock. Avista Corp.'s Board of Drectors considers the level of dividends on our common slock on a regular basis, taking into account numerous factors including, without limitation: . ourresults ofoperations, cash flows and financial condition, the success ofour business strategies, and general economic and competitive conditions. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 29 Page 36 of 414 228.1 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Avista Corp.'s net income available for dividends is generally derived from our regulated utility operations (Avista Utilities and AEL&P). The payment ofdividends on corilnon stock could be limited by: . certain covenants applicable to the Company's outstanding long-term debt and committed line ofcredit agreements (see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis - Capital Resources" for compliance with these covenants), . the hydroelectric licensing requirements ofsection I 0(d) ofthe FPA (see "Note I ofNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements"), . ccrtain requirements under the OPUC approval of the AERC acquisition in 2014. Thc OPUC's AERC acquisition ondcr requircs Avista Utilities to maintain a capital structure of no less than 40 percent common equity (inclusive of short+erm debt). This limitation may be revised upon request by the Company with approval from the OPUC, and . certain covenants applicable to preferred stock (when outstanding) contained in the Company's Restated Articles oflncorporation, as amended (currently there are no preferred shares outstanding). On February 3, 2017, Avista Corp.'s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.3575 per share on the Company's common stock. This was an increase of$0.0 I 50 per share, or 4.4 percent from the previous quarterly dividend of$0.3425 per share. For additional information, see "Notes I , 1 7 and I 8 ofNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements." The following table prEsents quarterly high and low stock prices as reported on the consolidated reporting system, as well as dividend information: Three Months Ended March 3l June 30 September December 3l30 201 6 Dividends paid per common share Trading price range per common share: High Low 201 5 Dividends paid per common share Trading price range per common slrare: High Low $0.3425 $0.3425 $0.3425 S 44.80 $ 38.70 $ 0.33 $ 34.25 $ 30.41 $ 44.97 S 40.43 $ 0.33 $ 0.3425 42.63 39.1I 0.33 36.06 32.86 0.33 $ 38.30 $ 32.22 S $ $ $ $ 4t.12 $ 34.67 $ $ 33.99 $ 29.93 $ For information with respect to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, see "ltem I 2. Security Ownership ofCertain Beneficial Ownen and Management and Related Stockholder Matters." 30 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page37 of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (in thouunds, except per share data and ratios) Operating Revenues: Avista Utilities AEL&P Other Intersegment eliminations Total lncome (Loss) from Operatious (pre-tax): Avista Utilities AEL&P Other Total Net income from continuing operations Net income from discontinued operations Years Ended December 3 I , 2016 201 5 2014 2013 2012 s r,372,638 $ 46,276 23,569 l,4 t 1,863 $ 44,778 28,685 (ss0) |,413,499 S 21,644 39,219 (r,800) 1,403,995 $ l,3s4,l8s 39,549 (1,800) 3 8,95 3 (l,800) !____1113i!l_ s 2'7',7.070 15,434 (2.701) 241,228 S 14,072 (2,086) 239,976 $ 6,221 6,391 $l 77651,472,562$1,441,744$1,391,338 232,572 $ 188,778 (1,483)(1,680) $ 289,803 $ 253,214 $ 252,588 $ 231,089 $ 187.098 $ $ 137,316 $ll8,l70 $ 5,147 104,333 $ 7,961 I 19,866 72,411 $76,803 I,997 Net income S Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests $ Net Income (Loss) attributable to Avista Corporation shareholders: Avista Utilities $ AEL&P Ecova - Discontinued operations Other 137,316 $ (88) S 132,490 S 7,968 (3,230) 123,317 s (e0) s t 13,360 $ 6,641 5,147 0,921) t92,2'77 $ (236) $ 112.294 $ (1,217) $ 7,129 (4,650) 7 8,8 00 (se0) 1,825 (s,3 l 9) t13,263 $ 3,152 72,390 3,236 108,598 $ 81,704 NetincomeattributabletoAvistaCorp.shareholdcrs $ 137,228 $ 123,227 $ 192,041 $ lll,077 $ 78,210 Average common shares outstanding, basic 63,508 Average common shares outstanding, diluted 63,920 Common shares outstanding at year-end 64,1 88 Eamings per cornmon share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders. basic: Eamings pcr common share from continuing opcrations $ 2.16 $ Eamings per common share from discontinued operations Total eamings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders, basic 1.90 $ 0.08 r.94 S l.l8 t.74 S 0.1I 62,301 62,708 62,313 61,632 6r,887 62,243 59,960 59,997 60,077 59,028 5 9,201 59,813 1.30 0.02 $2.16 $1.98 $3.12 $1.85 $1.32 Eamings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders. diluted: Eamings per common share from continuing operations $ 2.1 5 S Eamings per common share from discontinued operations Total eamings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders, diluted 3l I.89 s 0.08 1.93 t .17 1.74 $ 0.1I s 1.30 0.02 2.ts $\.9'.7 $3.10 $1.85 $1.32 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 38 of4l4 $ Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION (in thousands, except per share data and ratios) Dividends declared per common share Book value per common share Total Assets at Year-End: Avista Utilities AEL&P Othcr Total (l) Avista Utilities AEL&P Ecova - Discontinued operations (l ) Other Net income attributable to Avista Corporation slrareholders $ 1.37 $ 1.32 $ 1.27 $ 1.22 $ 25.69 $ 24.53 $ 23.84 $ 2t.61 $ 4,975,555 $ 4,601,708 S 4,357,760 $ 3,930,251 273,770 265,735 263,070 60,430 39,206 80,141 81,282 Years Ended December 3 I 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 $ s l.t 6 2t.06 $ 3,883,602 95,6 3 8 $ 3,979,240s 5,309,7ss $ 4,906,649 $ 4,700,971 $ 4,0r r,533 Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases (including current portion) $ 1,682,004 $ 1,573,278 $ 1.487,126 $ 1,262,036 S 1,217,520 Nonrecoune Long-Term Debt ofSpokane Energy (including currentportion) $ - $ - S 1,431 S 17,838 $ 32,803 Long-TermDebttoAffiliatedTrusts S 51,547 S 51,547 S 51,547 $ 51.547 $ 51,547 Total AvistaCorp.Shareholders'Equity S 1,648,727 $ 1,528,626 $ 1,483,671 $ 1,298,266 S 1,259,477 Ratio of Eamings to Fixed Charges (2) 3.32 3.13 3.39 3.02 2.48 (l) Thetotal assetsatyear-endfortheyears20l3and20l2 excludethetotal assetsassociatedwithEcovaof$339.6rnillion andS322.7 million, respectively. (2) See Exhibit I 2 forcomputations. ITEM 7, MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION ANTD ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Business Sesments As of December 3 1 , 201 6, we have two reportable business segments, Avista Utilities and AEL&P. We also have other businesses which do not represent a rcportablc busincss scgmcnt and arc conductcd by various dircct and indircct subsidiarics ofAvista Corp. Scc "Part I. Item I . Busincss - Company Overvicw't lor funher discussion ofour business segments. The following table presents net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders for each ofour business segments (and the other businesses) for the year ended December 3 I (dollars in thousands): 20t6 201 5 2014 s 132.490 $ 7,968 (3,230) l 13,360 $ 6,641 5,147 (1,921) I t3,263 3,152 72,390 3,236 $ 137,228 S 123,227 S t92,04t (l) TheresultsfortheyearendedDecember3l,20l4includethenetgainonsaleofEcovaof$69.7million. Execudve Level Summarv Overall Results Net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholden was $ l3 7.2 million for 2016, an increase from $ I 23.2 million for 201 5. Avista Utilities' eamings incrcased primarily duc to an increase in electric and natural gas gross margin as a result ofgcneral ratc incrcascs and the implementation ofdecoupling mechanisms in Idaho and Orrgon. See "Re sults of Operations - Avista Utilities - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for further discussion of gross margin. Also, there was a reduction in the electric provision for eamings sharing (which is an o{fset to revenue). Retail electric loads decreased as compared to prior year and retail natural gas loads increased as compared to prior year, but the impact ofchanges in load as compared to normal for electric and natural gas was mostly offset by decoupling mechanisms. In addition to the fluctuations in gross margin, there were increases in other operating expenses, depreciation, and interest expense. There was also an increase in eamings at AEL&P offset by an increase in the net loss at the otherbusinesses. More detailed explanations ofthe fluctuations are provided in the results ofoperations and business segment discussions (Avista Utilities, AEL&P, and the other businesses) that follow this section. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 5Z Page 39 of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION 201 6 llashington General Rate Cases In Dcccmber 20 I 6, thc UTC issucd an ordcr related to our Washington clcctric and natural gas gcncral ratc cascs that wcre originally filcd with the UTC in February 20 I 6. The UTC order denied the Company's proposed electric and natural gas rate increase requests totaling $43.0 million. Accordingly, our current electric and natural gas retail rates will remain unchanged in Washington State. In Dcccmbcr 201 6, wc filcd a Pctition for Re consideration or, in thc altcmative, Rehearing (Pctition) with thc UTC. Thc UTC providcd noticc inviting partios to respond to our Petition, stating th at it expects to rule on the Petition on or before March I 6, 2 0 I 7. If our eflorts to obtain rates th at are fair, just, reasonable and sufficient are not successfirl, our 20 I 7 eamings will suffer a significant adverse impact. We believe the UTC order will not allow us to eam a reasonable letum on investments that we have already made in our infrastructure. ln addition, the order will provide no opportunity for us to eam the retum on equity authorized by the UTC or a fair retum for shareholders. In the order, the UTC did not specifically disallow any ofour capital projects, and we continue to believe these investments are necessary and will be recoverable in rates in the future. In 20 I 7, we expcct our operating costs to continuc to grow along thc same trcnd we have becn cxpcricncing reccntly; howcvcr, ifour currcnt Washington rates remain in effect, we expect to eam below our currently authorized retum on equity (ROE). The order will result in regulatory lag, and, accordingly, we expect to experience eamings contraction in 201 7 of$0.20 to $0.30 perdiluted share as compared to 201 6 actual results. See "ltern 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis - Regulatory Matters" for additional discussion surrounding this general rate case and all ofour other outstanding general rate cases. Alaska Energy and Resources Company Acquisition On July l,20l4,we acquired AERC, based in Juneau, Alaska. The completion ofthistransaction limitsthecomparability ofthe financial resultsfor20l6 and 201 5 to those for20l4 since the first halfof20l4 does not contain any financial results from AERC. This transaction resulted in the recording of$52.4 million in goodwill. For additional information regarding the AERC transaction, including pro forma financial comparisons, see "Note 4 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements." Ecova Disposition On June 30, 20 I 4, Avista Capital completed the sale ofits interest in Ecova for a sales price of533 5.0 million in cash, less the payment ofdebt and other customary closing adjustmcnts. Thc salc ofEcova provided total caslr proceeds to Avista Corp., nct ofdcbt, paymcnt to option and minority holdcrs, income taxes and transaction expenses, of $ I 43.7 million and resulted in a net gain of $74.8 million. Most of the net gain was recognized in 20 | 4 with some minor true-ups during 20 I 5. Thc complction ofthis transaction limits the comparability ofthe financial results for 20 I 6 and 20 I 5 to thosc for 2014 since the first halfof2O I 4 contains the financial results ofEcova (in discontinued operations) and 20 I 5 and 20 I 6 do not have any material results from Ecova. For additional information regarding the Ecova disposition, see "Note 5 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements." Resulatorv Matters General Rate Cases We regularly review the need for electric and natural gas rate changes in each state in which we provide service. We will continue to file for rate adjustments to: . seek recovery ofoperating costs and capital investments, and . seek the opportunity to eam reasonable retums as allowed by regulaton. With regards to the timing and plans for future filings, the asscssmcnt of our need for rate relief and thc dcvclopmcnt of rate case plans takcs into consideration short-term and long-term needs, as well as specific factors that can affect the timing ofrate filings. Such factors include, but are not limited to, in-service dates ofmajor capital investments and the timing ofchanges in major revenue and expense items. Avista Utilities ll/ashington General Rate Cases 20 I 4 General Rale Cases In Novernber20l4, the UTC approved an all-party settlement agreement related to ourelectric and natural gas general rate cases filed in February 2014 and new rates became effective on January I , 20 I 5. The settlement was designed to increase annual electric base revenues by $ 1 2.3 million, or 2.5 percent. The settlement was designed to increase annual natural gas base JJ Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 40 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION revenues by S8.5 million, or 5.6 percent. The settlement agreement also included the implementation ofdecoupling mechanisms for electric and natural gas and a related after-the-fact eamings test. See "Decoupling and Eamings Sharing Mechanisms" below for further discussion of these mechanisms. Specific capital structure ratios and the cost ofcapital components were not agreed to in the settlement agreement. The revenue increases in the settlement were not tied to the 7.32 percentrate ofretum on rate base (ROR) used in conjunction with the a{ter-the fact eamings test discussed under "Decoupling and Eamings Sharing Mcchanisms" bclow. Thc clcctric and natural gas rcvcnuc incrcascs wcrc ncgotiatcd numbcrs, with cach pafty using its own set of assumptions underlying its agreement to the revenue increases. The parties agreed that the 7 .32 percent ROR will be used to calculate the AFUDC and will be used for other purposes. 201 5 General Rate Cases ln January 20 1 6, we rcccivcd an ordcr (Ordcr 05) that concludcd our elcctric and natural gas general ratc cascs that wcrc originally filcd with the UTC in February 201 5. New electric and natural gas rates were effective on January I 1,2016. The UTC-approved rates are designed to provide a I .6 percent, or $8. I million decrease in electric base revenue, and a7 .4 percent, or $ I 0.8 million increase in natural gas base revenue. The UTC also approved an ROR of7.29 percent, with a cornmon equity ratio of48.5 percent and a 9.5 percent ROE. UTC Order Denying Industrial Customers of Northwest Uilities / Public Counsel Joint Motion.for Clarification, WC Staff Motion to Reconsider and WC Staff Molion to Reope n Record On January 19, 201 6, the lndustrial Customers of Northwest Utilities (ICNU) and the Public Counsel Unit of the Washington State Office of the Attomey General (PC) filed a Joint Motion for Clarification with the UTC. In the Motion for Clarification, ICNU and PC requested that the UTC clarif,thecalculationoftheelectricattritionadjustmentandtheend-resultrevenuedecreaseof$8.1 rnillion.ICNUandPCprovidedtheirown calculations in their Motion, and suggested that the revenue decrease should have been $ I 9.8 mil lion based on their reading ofthe UTC's Order. On January 19, 2 0 I 6, the LITC Staff, which is a separate party in the general rate case proceedings from the UTC Advisory Staff, filed a Motion to Reconsiderwith the UTC. In its Motion to Reconsider, the Staffprovided calculations and explanations that suggested that the electric revenue dccrcaseshouldhavebeenarcvcnucdecreaseofS2T.4 millioninstcadof$8.1 million,basedonitsrcadingofthcUTC'sOrder.Furthcr,onFcbruary 4,2O16,the UTC Stafffiled a Motion to Reopen Record forthe Limited Purpose of Receiving into Evidence Instruction on Use and Application of Stafl's Attrition Model, and sought to supplement the record "to incorporate all aspects of the Company' Power Cost Update." Within this Motion, UTC Staffupdated its suggested electric revenue decrease to $ I 9.6 million. Nonc of the partics in their Motions raiscd issucs with the UTC's dccision on thc natural gas rcvcnuc incrcase of $ I 0.8 million. On February l9,20l6,theUTC issued an order(Order06)denying the Motionssurnmarized above and affirmed Order05 including an $8.1 million decrease in electric base revenue. PC Petitionfor Judicial Review On March 18,2016, PC filed in Thurston County Supcrior Coun a Pctition for Judicial Review of thc UTC's Ordcr 05 and Ordcr 06 described abovc that concluded our 20 I 5 electric and natural gas general rale cases. In its Petition for Judicial Review, PC seeks judicial review offive aspects of Order 05 and Order 06, alleging, among other things, that (1 ) the UTC exceeded its statutory authority by setting rates for our natural gas and electnc services based on amounts for utility plant and facilities that are not "used and useful" in providing utility service to customers; (2) the UTC acted arbitrarily and capriciously in granting an attrition adjustment for our electric operations after finding that the we did not meet the newly articulated standard regarding attrition adjustmcnts; (3) thc UTC ened in applying thc "cnd rcsults test" to sct ratcs for our clcctric opcrations that are not supported by the record; (4) the UTC did not correct its calculation ofour electric rates after significant errors were brought to its attention; and (5) the UTC's calculation ofour electric rates lacks substantial evidence. PC is requesting that the Court (l ) vacate or set aside portions ofthe UTC's orders; (2) identifu the errors contained in the UTC's orders; (3) find that thc ratcs approvcd in Order 05 and rcaffirmed in Ordcr 06 arc unlawful and not fair, just and reasonablc; (4) rcmand the mattcr to thc UTC for furthcr proceedings consistent with these rulings, including a determination ofour revenue requirement for electric and natural gas services; and (5) find the customers are entitled to a refund. 34 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 4l of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION On April I 8, 20 I 6, PC filed an application with the Thurston County Superior Court to certify this matter for review directly by the Court ofAppeals, anintermediateappellatecourtintheStateofWashington.Aflerbnefingandargument,thematterwascertifiedon Apil29,2016 andacceptedby the Court of Appeals on July 29,2016. The parties are providing briefs to the Court, after which the Court wi ll set the matter for argument. A decision from the Court is not expected until late 2017,at the earliest. The ncw ratcs cstablishcd by Order 05 will continuc in cffect whilc thc Pctition for Judicial Rcvicw is being considcrcd. Wc bclicvc thc UTC's Ordcr 05 and Order 06 frnalizing the electric and natural gas general rate cases provide a reasonable end result for all parties. Ifthe outcome ofthe judicial review were to result in an electric rate reduction greater than the decrease ordered by the UTC, it may not provide us with a reasonable opportunity to eam the rate ofretum authorized by the UTC. 20 I 6 General Rate Cases On December I 5, 20 I 6, the UTC issued an order related to our Washington electric and natural gas general rate cases that were originally filed with the UTC in February 2016. The UTC order denied the Company's proposed electric and natural gas rate increase requests of $3 8.6 million and $4.4 million, respectively. Accordingly, our current electric and natural gas retail rates will remain unchanged in Washington State. Our original requests were based on a proposed ROR of 7.64 percent with a common equity ratio of 48.5 percent and a 9.9 percent ROE. On December 23, 20 I 6 we filed a Petition for Reconsideration or, in the altemative, Rehearing (Petition) with the UTC related to our 201 6 general rate cases. TIre WC's Order and Avista Corp.'s Response The primary rcason given by the UTC in reaching its conclusion is that, in our rcqucst, wc did not follow an "appropriatc mcthodology" to show thc existence ofattrition, as between historical data and current and projected data. Further, the order states that, among other things, we did not demonstrate, as a necessary condition to being allowed an attrition adjustment, that we have suffered from chronic under-eaming caused by circumstances beyond our ability to control. We disagree with the UTC as to various questions offact and law. In support ofits decision, the UTC stated that we did not demonstrate that our current revenue is insufficient for covering costs and providing the opportunity to eam a reasonable retum during the 20 I 7 rate period. The UTC also stated that we did not demonstrate that our capital expenditures and increased operating costs are both necessary and immediate. Our Petition responding to the UTC's order points to evidence in the case that demonstrates, contrary to the UTC's findings, the following: . Current retail rates are not sufficient for the 20 I 7 rate period, and therefore a revenue increase is necessary. In previously filed testrmony, UTC Staffagreed that current rates were not sufficient. . Thc costs associatcd with thc growth in ratc base and opcrating expcnscs arc growing at a fasterpacc than rcvcnuc from rctail salcs, and therefore a revenue adjustment is necessary to close this gap. The revenue adjustment to close this gap is sometimes called an attrition adjustrnent. In previously filed testimony, UTC Staffagreed that a revenue adjustment is necessary to close this gap. . All ofthe capital projccts and opcrating expenscs we includcd in thc casc are neccssary in the timc frame proposcd in order for us to continuc to provide safe, reliable service to customers. No party in the case identified a single capital project that should not be completed in the time frame we proposed (otherthan Public Counsel's general opposition to AMI). . We presented all of the studies and analyses in this case, consistent with ourprevious filings with the UTC, and the UTC Staffacknowledged in previously filed testimony, that we provided such studies. . We earned close to our allowed retum on equity during each of the years 201 3 through 20 I 5, and into 20 I 6. This opportunity was possible only with the revenue increases related to attrition adjustrnents, and an attrition adjustment is also necessary for 2Ol7 . In previously filed testimony, the UTC Staffsupported electric and natural gas revenue increases totaling $28.4 million. Commissioner Jones dissented and did not support the decision. In his dissent, Commissioner Jones supported an electric rcvenue increase of$26.0 million, and a natural gas increasc of$2.4 million, based on UTC Staffs analysis. 35 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 42 of 414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION In response to our Petition, on December 27, 20 I 6 the UTC issued a "Notice ofOpportunity to File Answers to Petition for Reconsideration or Rchcaring." In its Noticc thc UTC rcqucsted partics to thc case to filc writtcn answcrs to our Pctition and all intercstcd partics filcd writtcn answcrs to the Petition in January 2017 .The UTC's notice indicated that it expects to enter an order resolving the Petition no later than March I 6, 20 I 7. In UTC Staff s Answer to our Petition, UTC Staffessentially abandoned its previous recommendations to the UTC, and suppo(ed no electric and natural gas revenue increases. In our Motion to Respond, and Response Comments, to the Answers ofthe parties, filed January 20, 20 I 7, we noted the inappropriateness ofUTC Staffs changed position, which was without any basis in new or changed facts or circumstances. The other parties generally supported the UTC decision in their Answers to our Petition. Future General Rate Case Filings We plan to file new electric and natural gas general rate cases in Washington in the second quarter of 201 7. We will address the issues raised by the UTC in the most recent rate order, including, but not limited to, multi-year rate plans to address the concems over frequency offilings, the necessity ofan attrition adjustment forthe opportunity to eam ourallowed retum in a period when growth rates in investment in plant and operating expenses outpace growth in cncrgy sales, and whethcr our current spending lcvcls are both nccessary and immcdiate to provide safe and reliablc scrvice to our customels. We may also seek an order from the UTC allowing for the deferral for later recovery of ongoing costs associated with AMI. Accounting Order to DeJbr Existing Washington Electric Meters In March 20 I 6, the UTC granted our Petition for an Accounting Order to defer and include in a regulatory asset the undepreciated value ofour existing Washington electric meters for the opportunity for later recovery. This accounting treatment is related to our plans to replace approximately 253,000 of our cxisting elcctric metcrs )r/ith new two-way digital metcrs and thc rclatcd softwarc and support serviccs through ourAMI projcct in Washington State. Replacement ofthe meters is expected to begin in the second halfof20 I 7. The prudence ofthe overall AMI project and ultimate recovery ofthe regulatory assets and the costs ofthe new meters will be addressed in a future regulatory proceeding. The undepreciated value estimated for the existing meters is approxirnately $ I 9.1 rnillion. For ratemaking purposes, the existing electric meters won't be recorded as regulatory assets until they are physically removed from service, but for GAAP purposes, they are regulatory assets upon the commitment by management to retire the meters. Idoho General Rate Cases 20 I 5 Generul Rale Cases In Dccembcr 20 I 5, the IPUC approvcd a settlcmcnt agrccmcnt bctwccn Avista Utilities and all intcrcsted partics relatcd to our elcctric and natural gas gcncral rate cases, wh ich were originally fi led with the IPUC on June I , 20 I 5. New rates were effective on January I , 20 I 6. The settlement agreement is designed to increase annual electric base revenues by $ I .7 million or 0.7 percent and annual natural gas base revenues by $2.5 million or 3.5 percent. The settlement is based on an ROR of 7.42 percent with a common equity ratio of 50 percent and a 9.5 percent ROE. Thc scttlemcnt agreement also rcflccts the following: . the discontinuation ofthe after-the-fact eamings test Orovision for eamings sharing) that was originally agreed to as part ofthe settlement of our 20 I 2 electric and natural gas general rate cases, and . the implementation ofelectric and natural gas Fixed Cost Adjustment mechanisms, as discussed below. 20 1 6 General Rate Cases In Decernber 20 I 6, the IPUC approved a settlement agreement between us and other parties in our electric general rate case, concluding our Idaho electric general rate case originally filed in May 20 I 6. New rates took efltct on January I , 201 7 under the settlement agreement. We did not fi le a natural gas general rate case in 20 I 6. The settlement agreement increases annual electric base rates by 2.6 percent (designed to increase annual electric revenues by $6.3 million). The settlement revenue increase is based on a ROR of7.58 percent with a common equity ratio of50 percent and a 9.5 percent ROE. 36 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 43 of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION In addition to the agreed upon increase in electric revenues to recover costs primarily driven by our increased capital investments in infrastructure to serve customcrs, the scttlcmcnt agrecmcnt includcs thc continucd rccovery ofapproximatcly $4.1 million in costs related to thc Palousc Wind Projcct through thc PCA mechanism rather than through base rates. In our original request we reguested an overall increase in base electric rates of6.3 percent (designed to increase annual electric revenues by $ I 5.4 million), effective January l,2Ol7 . Ouroriginal request was based on a proposed ROR of7.78 percent with a colnmon equity ratio of50 percent and a 9.9 percent ROE. Oregon General Rate Cases 20 I 3 General Rate Case In January 20l4,thc OPUC approvcda settlementagreemcnt in ournatural gas gencral mtc case (originally filed in August20l3). Asagrccd to in the settlement, new rates were implemented in two phases: February I , 20 l4 and November I , 20 14. Effective February I , 20 14, rates increased for Oregon natural gas customers on a billed basis by an overall 4.4 percent (designed to increase annual revenues by $3.8 million). Effective November I , 201 4, rates for Oregon natural gas customers were to increase on a billed basis by an overall I .6 percent (designed to increase annual revenues by $ I .4 million). The billed rate increase on November I , 20 I 4 was dependent upon the completion ofProject Compass and the actual costs incurred through September 3 0, 20 I 4, and the actual costs incurred through June 30,2014 related to the Company's Aldyl A distribution pipeline replacement program. Project Compass was completed in February 201 5. The November I , 2014 rate increase was reduced from $ I .4 million to $0.3 million due to the delay of Project Compass. The approved settlement agreement provided an authorized ROR of7.47 percent, with a common equity ratio of48 percent and a 9.65 percent ROE. 20 I 4 General Rilte Case In March 2015,we filed an all-party settlement agreementwith the OPUC related to ournalural gasgeneral rate case,which wasoriginally filed in September 20 I 4. Tlre settlement agreement was designed to increase base natural gas revenues by $5.3 million. Included in this base rate increase is $0.3 million in base revenues that we were already receiving Aom customers through a separate rate adjustment. Therefore, the net increase in base revenues was $5.0 million, or 4.9 percent on a billed basis. The parties requested that new retail rates become effective on April 16,2015 . On April 9,2015, the OPUC issued an Order approving the settlcment agreemcnt as filed. This settlement agreement provided for an overall authorized ROR of7.5 I 6 percent with a common equity ratio of5 I percent and a 9.5 percent ROE. 201 5 General Rate Case On February 29,2016, the OPUC issued a preliminary order (and a final order on March I 5, 201 6) concluding our natural gas general rate case, which was originally filed with OPUC in May 201 5. The OPUC orderapproved rates designed to increase overall billed natural gas rates by 4.9 percent (designed to increase annual natural gas revenues by $4.5 million). New rates went into effect on March 1, 20 I 6. The final OPUC order incorporated two partial settlement agreements which were entered into during November 20 I 5 and January 20 I 6. The OPUC order provided an authorized ROR of 7.46 percent with a common equity ratio of 50 percent and a 9.4 percent ROE. The November 201 5 partial settlement agreement, approved by the OPUC, included a provision for the implementation of a decoupling mechanism, similar to the Washington and Idaho mechanisms describcd bclow. Scc furthcr dcscription and a summary of the balanccs rccorded undcr this mechanism below. 201 6 General Rate Case On November 30, 20 I 6 we filed a natural gas general rate case with the OPUC. We have requested an overall increase in base natural gas rates of I 4.5 percent (designed to increase annual natural gas revenues by $8.5 mitlion). Our request is based on a proposed ROR of7.83 percent with a common equity ratio of50 pcrccnt and a 9.9 pcrccnt ROE. Thc OPUC has up to I 0 months to revicw our request and issue a dccision. Alaska Electric Lipht and Power Comoany Alaska General Rate Case In Septcmber 2016, AEL&P filed an elcctric gcneral rate casc with the RCA. AEL&P was granted a refundable intcrim basc rate incrcase of 3.86 percent (designed to increase electric revenues by $ I .3 million), that took effect in November 20 I 6. 37 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 44 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION AEL&P has also requested a permanent base rate increase of an additional 4.24 percent (designed to increase electric revenues by $ I .5 million), which, if approvcd, could take effect in Fcbruary 201 8. This represents a combined total ratc increase of8.1 pcrcent (designcd to increasc clectric revenues by $2.8 million). Included in the general rate case are additional annual revenues of$2.9 mitlion from the Greens Creek Mine, which offsets a portion ofthe rate increase to retail customers that would otherwise occur. The RCA must rule on permanent rate increase requests within 450 days (approximately l5 months) from the date of filing, unless othcrwise cxtcnded by consent ofthe parties. The statutory timeline for the AEL&P GRC, with the consent ofthe pa(ies, has been extended to February 8, 20 I 8. The rate request is based largely on the addition ofa new backup generation plant (Industrial Blvd. Plant) to rate base. Avistu afiUfies Purchased Gas Adjustuents PGAs are designed to pass through changes in natural gas costs to Avista Utilities'customers with no change in gross margin (operating revenues less resource costs) or net income. ln Oregon, we absorb (cost or benefit) I 0 percent ofthe difference between actual and projected natural gas costs included in retail ratcs for supply that is not hcdged. Total nct dcfcred natural gas costs among all jurisdictions wcre a liability of$30.8 million as ofDecembcr 3 l, 20 I 6 and a liability of$ I 7.9 million as ofDecember 3 l, 201 5, and these deferred natural gas costs balances represent amounts due to customers. The following PGAs went into effect in our various jurisdictions during 2014,2015 and 20 I 6: Jurisdiction PGA Effcctivc Datc Percentage Increase / (Decrease) in Billcd Rates Washington Novcmbcrl,20l4 Novemberl,20l5 Novemberl,20l6 1.2% (15.0)% (8.0)% Idaho Novemberl,20l4 Novemberl.20l5 Novemberl,20l6 (2.1)% (t45)% (7.8)% Oregon Novemberl,20l4 Novemberl.20l5 83% (t 4.1)% November I 2016 Power Cost Deferrals and Recovery Mechanisms The ERM is an accounting method used to track certain differences between Avista Utilities' actual power supply costs, net ofwholesale sales and sales of fuel, and the amount included in base retail rates for our Washington customers. Total net deferred power costs under the ERM were a liability of$2 I .3 millionasofDecember3l,20l6comparedtoaliability$lS.0millionasofDecember3l,20l5,andthesedeferredpowercostbalancesrrpresentamounts due to customers. The difference in net power supply costs under the ERM primarily results from changes in: . short-term wholesale market prices and sales and purchase volumes, . the level and availability ofhydroelectric gcneration, . the level and availability ofthermal generation (including changes in fuel prices), and . retail loads. Undcr the ERM, Avista Utilities absorbs the cost or receives the benefit from the initial amount ofpower supply costs in excess ofor below the lcvcl in rctail rates, which is referred to as the deadband. The annual (calendaryear) deadband amount is $4.0 million. 38 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 45 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following is a summary of the ERM: Annual Power Sunolv Cost VariabiliN within +/- $0 to $4 million (deadband) higher by $4 million to $ l0 million lowerby $4 million to $10 million higher or lower by over $ I 0 million Dcfoled for Futurc Surcharge or Rebate to Customers Expense or Benefit to the Compily 0% 50% 75% 90% 100% 500/, ) <o/^ t0% Under the ERM, Avista Utilities makes an annual filing on or before April I of each year to provide the opportunity for the UTC staffand other interested parties to review the prudence of and audit the ERM deferred power cost transactions for the prior calendar year. We made our annual filing on March 3 I , 20 I 6. The ERM provides for a 90-day review period for the filing; however, the period may be extended by agreement ofthe parties or by UTC onder. The 20 I 5 ERM defened power costs transactions were approved by an order from the UTC. Avista Utilities has a PCA mechanism in Idaho that allows us to modiS electric rates on October I ofeach year with IPUC approval. Under the PCA mechanism, we defer 90 percent ofthe difference between certain actual net power supply expenses and the amount included in base retail rates for our Idaho customcrs. The Octobcr I rate adjustmcnts recover or rcbatc power supply costs deferred during the preccding July-June twclve-month pcriod. Total nct power supply costs deferred under the PCA mechanism were a liability of $2.2 million as of December 3 I , 201 6 compared to an asset of $0.2 million as of December3l,2015. Decoupling and Earnings Sharing Mechanisms Decoupling is a mechanism designed to severthe link between a utility's revenues and consumers'energy usage. In each ofAvista Utilities'jurisdictions, each month Avista Utilities' electric and natural gas revenues are adjusted so as to be based on the number ofcustomers in ce(ain customer rate classes, rather than kilowatt hour and therm sales. The difference between revenues based on the number ofcustomers and revenues based on actual usage is deferred and either surcharged or rebated to customers beginning in the following year. Washingtorr Decoupling and Earnings Sharing In Washington, the UTC approved our decoupl ing mechanisms for electric and natural gas for a five-year period beginning January I , 20 I 5. Electric and natural gas decoupling surcharge rate adjustments to customers are limited to 3 percent on an annual basis, with any remaining surcharge balance carried lorward forrecovery in a future period. There is no limit on the level ofrebate rate adjustments. The decoupling mechanisms each include an after-the-fact eamings test. At the end ofeach calendaryear, separate electric and natural gas eamings calculations are made forthe priorcalendaryear. These eamings tests reflect actual decoupled r€venues, norrnalized powersupply costs and other normalizing adjustments. . IfwehaveadecouplingrebatebalancefortheprioryearandeaminexcessoftheauthorizedROR(7.32percentfor20l5 and7.29 percentfor20l6),the rebate to customers would be increased by 50 percent ofthe eamings in excess ofthe authorized ROR. . Ifwe have a decoupling rebate balance forthe prioryearand oureamings are equal to orless than the authorized ROR, only the base amount ofthe rebate to customen would be made. . Ifwe have a decoupling surcharge balance for the prior year and eam in excess ofthe authorized ROR, the surcharge to customers would be reduced by 50 percent ofthe eamings in excess ofthe authorized ROR (or eliminated). If50 percent ofthe eamings in excess ofthe authorized ROR exceeds the decoupling surcharge balance, the dollar amount that exceeds the surcharge balance would create a rebate balance for customers. . Ifwe have a decoupling surcharge balance for the prior year and our eamings are equal to or less than the autlrorized ROR, the base amount ofthe surcharge to customers would be made. See below for a sumrnary ofcumulative balances under the decoupling and eamings sharing mechanisms. Idaho FCA and Eamings Sharing Mechanisms ln ldaho, the IPUC approved the implementation ofFCAs for electric and natural gas (similar in operation and effect to the Washington decoupling mechanisms) for an initial term of three yean, beginning January I , 201 6. 39 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 46 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION For the period 20 I 3 through 20 1 5, we had an after-the-fact eamings test, such that ifAvista Corp., on a consolidated basis for electric and natural gas operations in Idaho, eamed morc than a 9.8 perccnt ROE, wc werc required to share with customers 50 pcrccnt of any camings abovc thc 9.8 pcrccnt. Thcrc was no provision for a surcharge to customers ifour ROE was less than 9.8 percent. This after+he-fact eamings test was discontinued as part ofthe settlement ofour 20 I 5 Idaho electric and natural gas general rates cases (discussed in further detail above). See below for a summary of cumulative balanccs undcr thc dccoupling and eamings sharing mcchanisms. Oregon Decoupling Mechanism In February 2016, the OPUC approved the implementation of a decoupling mechanism fornatuml gas, similarto the Washington and Idaho mechanisms described above. The decoupling mechanism became effective on March I , 201 6. There wil I be an opportunity for interested parties to review th e mechanism and recommend changes, ifany,by September20l9. Ar eamingsreviewis conducted on an annual basis,which is filed by uswith the OPUC on orbefore June I of each year for the prior calendar year. In the annual eamings review, if we eam more than I 00 basis points above our allowed retum on equity, one- third ofthe eamings above the I 00 basis points would be deferred and later retumed to customers. See below for a summary ofcumulative balances under the decoupling and camings sharing mechanisms. Cumulative Decoupling and Earnings Sharing Mechanism Balances AsofDecember3l,20l6andDecember3l,20l5,wehadthefollowingcumulativebalancesoutstandingrelatedtodecouplingandeamingssharing mechanisms in ourvarious jurisdictions (dollars in thousands): December 3 l, 2016 December 3 l, 201 5 Washington Decouplingsurcharge $ 30,408 $ 10,933 Provision for eamings sharing rebate (5,1 13) (3,422) Idaho Decoupling surclrarge $ 8,292 nla Provision forcamings sharing rebatc (5,184) (8,814) Oregon Decoupling surcharge $ 2,021 nla Provision for eamings sharing rebate (n/a) This mechanism did not exist during this time period. See "Results ofOperations - Avista Utilities" for further discussion ofthe amounts recorded to operating revenues in 20 I 5 and 20 I 6 related to the decoupling and eamings sharing mechanisms. Resulb of 0nerations - Overall The following provides an overview ofchanges in our Consolidated Statements oflncome. More detailed explanations are provided, particularly for operating revenues and operating expenses, in the business seglnent discussions (Avista Utilities, AEL&P, Ecova - Discontinued Operations and the other businesses) that lollow this section. As discussed in "Executive Level Summary," Ecova was disposed of as of June 30, 201 4. As a result, in accordance with CAAP, all of Ecova's operating results were removed from each line item on the Consolidated Statements oflncorne and reclassified into discontinued operations for all periods presented. The discussion ofcontinuing operations below does not include any Ecova amounts. For our discussion ofdiscontinued operations and Ecova, see "Ecova - Discontinued Operations." The balances included below for utility operations reconcile to the Consolidated Statements oflncorne. Beginning on July I , 20 I 4, AEL&P is included in the overall utility results. 40 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page47 of414 Tabl€ of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION 201 6 compared to 201 5 ThefollowinggraphshowsthetotalchangeinnetincomefromcontinuingoperationsfortheyearendedDecember3l,20l5totheyearendedDecember3l, 20 I 6, as well as the various factors that causcd such change (dollars in millions): s105 5 s19 1 $15.1)s{10.5)s(7-e)s112.5)S117.0) s3.9 s(37,2) L ility Rwnu6 OtherTotal Change in - Na{ lnromafrom Contnuing Oparatlons Lrtility Rgdrce UtilityoFntng UtiLV N6-utility ltrm. T.xCods &pelg DapEdllbh &d OF.ting &p.ne Aldizaton ErFltg.nd Dcredtuoh ed Arudtsation No{tlily Rc6ucs Utility revenues decreased due to a decrease at Avista Utilities, partially offset by a slight increase in AEL&P's revenues. Avista Utilities'electric revenues decreased primarily due to lower retail electric loads caused by weather fluctuations throughout the period, a general rate decrease in Washington and lower wholesale revenues resulting from lower volumes and lower wholesale prices. These revenue decreases were partially offset by a general rate increase in Idaho, the expiration ofthe ERM rebate to customers in Washington, increased decoupling revenues and a lowerprovision foreamings sharing. Natural gas revenues decreased primarily due to a decrease in wholesale activity (both a decrease in volumes and prices) and lower retail revenues due to lower prices. partially offset by higher natural gas heating volumes. The decreases in natural gas revenues were partially offset by general rate increases and higher decoupling rcvenues. Non-utility revenues decreased due to the long-tem fixed nte electric capacity contract that was previously held by Spokane Energy being transferred to Avista Corp. during thc sccond quarter of20 I 5. Thc capacity rcvcnue from this contract was includcd in non-utility rcvcnues whcn it was held by Spokanc Energy during the fint quarter of20 I 5. After the transfer, the revenue is included in Avista Utilities' revenues. The contract expired during December 20'l 6. Utility resource costs decreased due to a decrease at Avista Utilities. Avista Utilities'electric resource costs decreased primarily due to a decrease in purchased power (from lowcr volumes purchased and lower wholcsale prices) and a dccrcase in fucl for gencration (due in part to increased hydroelectric gcneration). Natural gas resource costs decreased due to a decrease in natural gas purchased resulting from lower volumes and lower prices. Utility operating expenses increased due to an increase at Avista Utilities and a slight increase at AEL&P. Avista Utilities'portion ofother operating cxpenses increascd duc to an incrcase in mcdical costs of$3.0 million, electric generation operating and maintcnance expcnses of$6.8 million, natural gas distribution expenses of$2.2 million and otherpostretirement benefit expenses of$2.0 million. Utility depreciation and amortization increased $ I 7.0 million driven by additions to utility plant. Income tax expense increased primarily due to an increase in income before income taxes, partially oflset by excess tax benefits of$ I .6 million during 20 I 6 rclating to the settlemcnt ofsharc-based payment awards. See 'Notc 2 ofthe Notes to Consolidatcd Financial Statements" for furthcr discussion ofthc cxccss tax benefits. Our effective tax rate was 36.3 percent for both 20 I 6 and 20 I 5. Other was primarily related to an increase in interest expense, due to additional debt being outstanding during 20 1 6 as compared to 20 I 5 and partially due to an increase in the overall interest rate. AIso, tlrcre wcrc losses on invcstments at our subsidiaries, mainly due to initial organization costs and managemcnt fees associated with a new investment. 4t tl't oo lt o mo,1f gor} (Do, (D o 'Io,1 =. Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 48 of 414 Tabl€ of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION 2015 compared to 2014 ThefollowinggraphshowsthetotalchangeinnetincomefromcontinuingoperationsfortheyearendedDecember3l,20l4totheyearendedDecember3l, 201 5, as well as thc various factors that causcd such change (dollars in millions): 572.1 s21.3 S{1.7} $(10.s)s{10.5) s(13.e) s4.8 So.8 Other &pcn* Utility revenues increased due to an increase at AEL&P, partially offset by a decrease at Avista Utilities. AEL&P's revenues increased $23.1 million due to a full year of AEL&P results in 2015 as compared to six months in 2014. Avista Utilities'electric revenues decreased due to lower loads from warmer weather, which were partially offset by the decoupling mechanism in Washington, a general rate increase in Washington and a decrease in the provision for eamings sharing (which is an offset to revenue). Avista Utilities'natural gas revenues decreased due to lower heating loads from significantly wanner weather that was partially offset by the decoupling mechanism in Washington and general rate increases. Other non-utility revenues decreased primarily due to the long-term fixed rate electric capacity contract that was previously held by Spokane Energy being transferred to Avista Corp. during the second quarter of20 I 5. The capacity revenue fiom this contract was included in non-utility revenues when it was held by Spokanc Energy. After tlrc transfcr, the rcvcnue is included in Avista Utilities'rcvenues. Utility resource costs decreased due to a decrease at Avista Utilities, parti ally offset by an increase at AEL&P. AEL&P's resource costs increased $6. I mi llion due to a full year of AEL&P results in 2015 as compared to six months in 2014. Avista Utilities' electric resource costs decreased primarily due to a decrease in purchased power (from lower volumes purchascd, partially offset by higher wholcsale priccs) and a decrease in othcr fuel costs. Natural gas resourcc costs decreased due to a decrease in natural gas purchased resulting from lower prices, partially offset by higher volumes. Utility operating expenses increased due to an increase at Avista Utilities and at AEL&P. Avista Utilities'portion ofother operating expenses increased $ I I . I million and AEL&P's other operating cxpcnscs incrcascd $5.3 million duc to a full ycar of AEL&P rcsults in 201 5 as compared to six months in 2014. Avista Utilities incurred increased generation, transmission and distribution operating expenses of$5.7 million, increased administrative and general wages of$9.8 million and increased pension and other post-retirement benefit expenses of$ 1 0.0 million. In addition, Avista Utilities incurred incremental storm restoration costs associated with the November 20 I 5 wind storm ofapproximately $2.9 million. These increases were partially offset by decreases in outside services and generation maintenance of $7.8 million. Utility depreciation and amortization increased due to additions to utility plant and the inclusion ofa full year ofAEL&P depreciation as compared to only six months ofAEL&P in 2014. Income tax expense decreased and our effective tax rate was 36.3 percent for 20 I 5 compared to 37.6 percent for 2014. The decrease in expense was primarily due to a decrease in income before income taxes. Other was primarily related to an increase in interest expense, due to additional debt being outstanding during 20 I 5 as compared to 2O14. Also, there were losses on investments at our subsidiaries. 42 Tot.l chang. ln' ilat ln@hrfrom Contm,ng Opcrations s(16.'rl l,rlility 8drnu6 ilo.ljliliv t tllfty Eeurc. t tilityopc6tni UtilltyFa@83 Co5t3 ErpanG Oapndltlfi &d Amr6latia No-Utility Or6ating Expans and Dcprcciation !nd Amdizrfion 16come Tax mor a 5atoo0o o (]o6 oo) o o mo, =. Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 49 of 414 Ieus-ql-esucnls AVISTA CORPORATION Non-GAAP Finencial Measures The following discussion for Avista Utilities includes two financial measures that are considered "non-GAAP financial measures," electric gross margin and natural gas gross margin. In the AEL&P section, we include a discussion of electric gross margin, which is also a non-GAAP financial measure. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure ofa company's financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included (excluded) in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The presentation ofelectric gross margin and natural gas gross margin is intended to supplement an understanding ofoperating performance. We use these measures to determine whether the appropriate amount ofrevenue is being collected from our customers to allow for the recovery ofenergy resource costs and opcrating costs, as wcll as to analyze how changes in loads (duc to weatheq cconomic or othcr conditions), rates, supply costs and other factors impact our results ofoperations. In addition, we present electric and natural gas gross margin separately below for Avista Utilities since each business has different cost sources, cost recovery mechanisms andjurisdictions, such that separate analysis is beneficial. These measures are not intended to replace income from operations as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator ofoperating performance. The calculations ofelectric and natural gas gross margins are presented below. Results of Ooerations - Avista Utilities 201 6 compared to 201 5 The following table presents Avista Utilities' operating revenues, resource costs and resulting gross margin for the years ended Decernber 3 I (dollars in millions): Electric Natural Gu Intracompany Total 20 t6 201 5 2016 201 5 2016 201 5 2016 201 5 Operating revenues S Resource costs 996,9s9 $ 3 60,591 ('9s,2ts) $ (9s,2t s) (107,020) $ (l 07,020) 1,372,638 $ 539.352 Gross margin $ 636,368 $ 596,963 $ 470,894 $ 521,010 273,916 35l,r0l $ 196,9r8 $ r69,909 997 ,87 3 400,91 0 $ $$$ 833,2 86 S 7 66,87 2 The gross margin on electric sales increased $39.4 million and the gross margin on natural gas sales increased $27.0 million. The increase in electric gross margin was primarily due to general rate increases, lowerresource costs, the implementation ofdecoupling in Idaho and a $6.6 million decrease in the provision for camings sharing (which is an offset to rcvcnue ), partially offset by lower electric loads. Thc wcather was warmer than thc prior ycar in April and May (which decreased electric heating loads) and cooler than the prior year June through August (which decreased electric cooling loads). This was partially o{Iset by the effect ofweather that was cooler than the prior year in the first and fourth quarters (which increased electric heating loads). Overall, weather was warmer than normal for most ofthe year. Retail electric loads decreased as compared to prior year and the impact as compared to normal was mostly offset by decoupling mechanisms. See the table below for a comparison ofthe amounts recorded for decoupling by jurisdiction. For 20 I 6, we recognized a pre-tax bencfit of $5.1 million undcr thc ERM in Washington compared to a benefit of $6.3 million for 201 5. The increase in natura! gas gross margin was primarily due to general rate increases in each ofourjurisdictions, lower natural gas resources costs, the implementation ofdecoupling mechanisms in Idaho and Oregon, and higher natural gas retail loads. Weather was cooler in the first quarter (which increased natural gas heating loads), warmer in April and May (which reduced naturdl gas heating loads) and cooler in the fourth quarter (which increased natural gas heating loads) as compared to the prior year. The period June through September typically does not have significant natural gas retail loads. Overall, retail natural gas loads increased as compared to prior year and the irnpact as compared to normal (lower loads) was mostly offset by decoupling mechanisms. See the table below for a comparison ofthe amounts recorded for decoupling by jurisdiction. Intracompany revenues and resource costs represent purchases and sales ofnatural gas between our natural gas distribution operations and our electric generation operations (as fuel for our generation plants). These transactions are eliminated in the presentation oftotal results for Avista Utilities and in the condcnscd consolidated financial statemcnts but arc included in thc separate rcsults for clcctric and natural gas presentcd below. 43 Appendix 6 to Joint Application 1,411,863 644,991 Page 50 of 414 Tabl€ of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following graphs present Avista Utilities' electric operating revenues and megawatt-hour (MWh) sales for the years ended December 3 I (dollars in millions and MWhs in thousands): Electric Operating Revenues \ii!r tir!n \l,ii, \il,ll !lr? 1 Slll l{$ l: t '\':l III II \_[ : \\: "\i.l.lII \l-'I I 1re;t&tnrr$ e rrrrrr't\c{i\r$ trr.\uslrr$ $t.'oNt''N s,;r\ct ,'i l$c\ (lr\rcr \\'t I :016 :0r5 (1) Othcrclcctricrevcnucsinthcgraphabovcincludcspublicstrcctandhighwaylighting,whichisconsidcredpartofrctailelectricrcvcnucs. Electric Energy lllWh Sales i.il!t i.t?t \a*tNtt"$Co*arercr'il \t 'Irr$tr$rlftt'\c:IS I :olo I :(rl5 44 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 5l of4l4 tr i. lr{i .i. lr)7 i. r{::'ft\ l.?r'.i t.xtl Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following table presents Avista Utilities' decoupling and customer eamings sharing mechanisms by jurisdiction that are included in utility electric operating revenues for the yean ended December 3 1 (dollars in thousands): Electric Operating Rcvcnues 2016 201 5 Washington Decouplingsurcharge $ 11,324 $ 4,740 Provision for eamings sharing (1) 221 Q,423) Idaho Decoupling surcharge $ 6,025 nla Provision foreamings sharing (2) 7ll (2,198) (1 ) The provision for eamings sharing in Washington in 201 6 resulted from a $2.5 mill ion reduction in the 20 I 5 provision for eamings sharing (which increased 20 1 6 revenues) oilset by a $2.3 million provision for eamings sharing for 20 I 6 electric operations. (2) The provision for eamings sharing in Idaho in 20 I 6 resulted from a reduction in the 20 I 5 provision for eamings sharing (which increased 20 I 6 revenues). Beginning in 20 I 6 there is no longer an eamings sharing mechanism in ldaho. (n/a) This mechanism did not exist during this time period. Total electric revenues decreased $0.9 million for2016 as compared to 2015, affected by the following: . a $3.0 million decrease in retail electric revenues due to a decrease in total MWhs sold (decreased revenues $9.5 million), partially offset by an increase in revenue per MWh (increased revenues $6.5 million). . The increase in revenue per MWh was primarily due to a general rate increase in Idaho and the expiration of the ERM rebate to customers in Washington, partially offset by a general rate decrease in Washington. . The decrease in total retail MWhs sold was the result of weather that was cooler in the first quarter (higher electric heating loads), warmer in April and May (ower electric heating loads), cooler June through August (lower electric cooling loads) and cooler in the founh quarter (higher electric heating loads) as compared to the prior year (which overall decreased electric loads). Compared to 20 I 5, residential electric use per customer decreased I percent and commercial use per customer decreased I percent. Heating degree days in Spokane were I I percent below normal and 3 pcrcent above 20 I 5. The impact from incrcased heating loads was offset by decrcased cooling loads in the summer. 20 I 6 cooling degree days were 29 percent above normal (mostly in June). However, cooling degree days were 4 I percent below the prior year. The overall decrease in use per customer was partially offset by growth in the number ofcustomers. " There has been a decline in residential use per customer during the last three years and is primarily due to weather fluctuations but also due in part to energy efliciency measures adopted by customers. See "Item I . Business - Avista Utilities Operating Statistics" for the three-year summary of residential use per customer. . a $ 1 5.2 million decrease in wholesale electric revenues due to a decrease in sales volumes (decreased revenues $5.5 million) and a decrease in sales prices (decreased revenues $9.7 million). The fluctuation in volumes and prices was primarily the result ofour optimization activities. . a $4.6 million decrease in sales offuel due to a decrease in sales ofnatural gas fuel as part ofthermal generation resource optimization activities. For 20 I 6, 544.0 million ofthese sales were made to our natural gas operations and are included as intracompany revenues and r€source costs. For 20 I 5, $50.0 million of these sales were made to our natural gas operations. . a $l 2.6 million increase in electric rcvenue due to decoupling, which reflected the implementation ofa decoupling mechanism in Idaho effective January 1,2016 and lowerretail revenues in 2016 as compared to 2015. . a $6.6 million decrease in the electric provision for eamings sharing (which increases revenues) due to a $2.5 million reduction in the 201 5 provision for eamings sharing in Washington and a $0.7 million reduction in the 201 5 provision for eamings sharing in Idaho recorded in 201 6. For 201 6 electric operations, we recorded a 52.3 million provision for eamings sharing. 45 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 52 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following graphs present Avista Utilities'natural gas operating revenues and therms delivered for the years ended December 3'l (dollars in millions and therms in thousands): Natural Cns Operating Revenues yei i tlr:i lr $:o{ i tr ii.l l,i-: {r 1,x'.tII tle: st(l III frcr'lc\tlt$C or$srercrg\\\\!N$''ic Or\rcr \\\ I l0lrr I :015 (l) Othcrnatural gas rcvcnues in thc graph above includcs intcmrptiblc and industrial revcnues, which arc considercd part ofretail natural gas revenucs. Therms Delivered rlt!J, I i: {,fi,.[. i I 7 lli(r,J{r! l7('.nlj I8.}.(dtJ l7{.})l I l:.(rs(' 117.!t,,.1 Bcs'$cr'rt$Clrnlrrrcftt$$$o\csi{r'0$\cr 3016 I tors 46 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 53 of 414 tr Tible of Contenls AVISTA CORPORATTON The following table presents Avista Utilities'decoupling and customer eamings sharing mechanisms by jurisdiction that are included in utility natural gas operating revenues for the years ended December 3 I (dollars in thousands): Nanrral Gas Operating Revenues 2016 201 5 Washington Decoupling surcharge $ 8,191 $ 6,004 Provision for eamings sharing (2,7 67) Idaho Decoupling surcharge $ 2,206 nla Provision for eamings sharing n/a Oregon Decoupling surcharge 1,912 nla Provision for eamings sharing (n/a) This mechanism did not exist during this time period. Totalnatural gasrevenuesdecreased$50.1 millionfor20l6ascomparedto20l5duetothefollowing: . a 53.4 million decrease in retail natural gas revenues due to lower retail rates (decreased revenues $ I 8.4 rnillion), partially offset by an increase in volumes (increased revenues $15.0 million). " Lower retail rates were due to PGAs, which passed through lower costs ofnatural gas, partially offset by general rate increases. " We sold more retail natural gas in 20 I 6 as compared to 201 5 primarily due to cooler weather in the first and fourth quarters, as well as customcr groMh. Comparcd to 20 I 5, rcsidcntial usc pcr customcr incrcascd 5 perccnt and commcrcial usc pcr customcr incrcascd 3 pcrcent. Heati ng degree days i n Spokan e were I I percent below histori cal average lor 20 I 6, and 3 percent above 20 I 5. Heating degree days i n Medford were I 2 percent below historical average for 20 I 6, and 3 percent above 20 I 5. . a $50.8 million decrease in wholesale natural gas revenues due to a decrease in prices (decreased revenues $22.8 million) and a decrease in volumes (decreased revenues $28.0 million). In 2016,$51.2 million ofthese saleswere made to ourelectric generation operations and are included as intracompany revenues and resource costs. [n 20 I 5, S57.0 million ofthese sales were made to our electric generation operations. Differences between revenues and costs from sales ofresources in excess ofretail load requirements and llom resource optimization are accounted for through the PGA mechanrsms. . a $6.3 million increase fornatural gas decoupling revenues due primarily to the implementation ofdecoupling mechanisms in ldaho and Oregon, as wcll as an incrcasc in thc dccoupling surchargc in Washington. . a $2.8 million increase in the provision for eamings sharing (which decreases revenues) representing the 20 I 6 provision for Washington natural gas opemtions. The following table presents Avista Utrlities'average number ofelectric and natural gas retail customers for the years ended December 3 I : Electric Customcrs Namral Gas Customcrs 2016 201 5 2016 20t5 Residential Commercial Intemrptible Industrial Public street and highway Iighting Total retail customers 330,699 4t ,7 85 1,342 558 327,057 4t,296 1,353 529 300,883 34,868 37 255 296.005 34,229 35 261 374,384 370,235 336,O43 330,530 47 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 54 of 414 Table 0f Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION The following graphs present Avista Utilities' resource costs for the years ended December 3 I (dollars in rnillions): Electric Resource Costs tlt6 6 f,t.il s !ll{' rl tt:il t{ y{.,t7:.+II $1,.,:1.lt III \'ot*$' psrchascu gcntrtrron it\ti i,(\sti O$\t( fuPt lor ()r\1ct I :r)th I trl5 Natural Gas Resource Costs tjil 5 sI( L.l t:: {'il.,6 Ncturll gas purcltasctl l)thcr lol6 :o! 5 Total resource costs in the graphs above include intracompany resource costs of$95.2 million and $ I 07.0 million for 20 I 6 and 20 I 5, respectively. Total electric resource costs decreased $40.3 million for 20 I 6 as compared to 20 I 5 due to the following: . a $26.1 million decreasc in power purchased due to a decrease in the volumc of power purchascs (decrcascd costs $9.3 million) and a dccrease in wholesale prices (decreased costs $ I 6.8 million). The fluctuation in volumes and prices was primarily the result ofour optimization activities. . a $14.8 million decrease in fuel forgeneration primarily due to a decrease in thermal generation (due in part to increased hydroelectric generation) and a dccrcasc in natural gas fuel priccs. . a $7.5 million decrease in other fuel costs. . a $3.0 million decrease from amortizations and deferrals ofpowercosts. . a 55.6 million increase in other electric rcsource costs primarily due to a benefit that was recorded during 20 I 5 related Appendix 6 to Joint Application 48 Page 55 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION to a capacity contract of Spokane Energy. This benefit was mostly deferred for probable future benefit to customers through the ERM and PCA. . a $5.4 million increase in otherregulatory amortizations. Total natural gas resource costs decreased $ 77.1 million for 201 6 as compared to 201 5 duc to following: . an $80.1 million decrease in natural gas purchased due to a decrease in the price ofnatural gas (decreased costs $52.6 million) and a decrease in total therms purchased (decreased costs $27.5 million). Total therms purchased decreased due to a decrease in wholesale sales, partially oflset by an incrcase in retail sales. . a $ 1.6 million decrease from amortizations and deferrals ofnatural gas costs. This reflects lower natural gas prices and the deferral oflower costs for future rebate to customers, as well as current rebates to customers through PGAs. . a $4.6 million increase in otherregulatory amortizations. 201 5 compared to 2014 The following graphs presents Avista Utilities' operating revenues, rcsource costs and resulting gross margin for the years ended December 3 I (dollars in millions): Electric Natural Gas Intracompany Total 2015 2014 2015 2014 20t5 2014 201 5 20t4 Opcrating revcnues g 997,873 S 400,91 0 998,988 $ s2r,0l0 418,541 35l,l0l $ s56,664 $ 395.956 $ (142,1s3) $ (142,153) | ,411 ,863 S 644,991 (l 07,020) ( l 07,020 ) t ,413,499 672,344Resource costs Gross margin $ 596,963 $ 580,447 $ 169,909 $ 160,708 $$$ '766.872 $ 741,155 The gross margin on electric sales increased $ I 6.5 million and the gross margin on natural gas sales increased $9.2 million. The increase in electric gross margin was primarily due to a general rate increase in Washington, lower net power supply costs and a $ I .9 million decrease in the provision for eamings sharing (which is an offset to revenue). We experienced weather that was significantly wanner than normal and warmer than the prioryear, which decreased heating loads in the first quarter and increased cooling loads in the second quarter. Loads in the third quater were slightly higher than the prior yeat. Loads for the fourth quarter were lower than the prior year, particularly for residential and industrial customers. For 20 I 5, the decoupling mechanism in Washington had a positive effect on each ofelectric revenues and gross margin as did the decrease in the overall provision for eamings sharing (see the details by jurisdiction in the table below). For 201 5, we recognized a pre-tax benefit of $6.3 million under the ERM in Washington compared to a benefit of $5.4 million for 20 I 4. This change represents a decrease in net power supply costs prirnarily due to lower natural gas fuel and purchased power prices in 20 I 5, partially offset by lowerhydroelectric generation (due to warm and dry conditions in the second and third quarters). The increase in natural gas gross margin was primarily due to a decrease in natural gas resource costs and a decrease in the provision for eamings sharing, partially offset by a decrease in natural gas revenues. The decrease in natural gas rcvenues resulted from lower heating loads primarily from significantly warmcr weathcr that was partially offset by general ratc incrcascs. The eamings impact ofthc decrease in hcating loads was partially offsct by thc decoupling mechanism in Washington, which had a positive effect on natural gas revenues and gross margin (see the details by jurisdiction in the table below). Intracompany revenues and resource costs represent purchases and sales ofnatural gas between our natural gas distribution operations and our electric gcncration opcrations (as fucl for our gencration plants). These transactions arc climinated in the prescntation oftotal rcsults for Avista Utilitics and in thc consolidated financial statements but are reflected in the presentation ofthe separate results for electric and natural gas below. 49 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 56 of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION ThefollowinggraphspresentAvistaUtilities'electricoperatingrevenuesandmegawatt-hour(MWh)salesfortheyearsendedDecember3l (dollarsin millions and MWrs in thousands): Electric Operating Revenues \i ii r. \i il' Slll lt sllr'x !it:i r $lill:II II \\:" \si'II tr: I s:.l Jf- sc$i&rrtt$\ Ccrooercto\ \oAotot"\ gfis\eec\c SSeso{fue\ o{ner $\ l0t 5 :l rl .l (1) Othcrelectricrcvcnucsinthcgraphabovcincludespublicstreetandhighwaylighting,whichisconsideredparlofretailclcctricrevenucs. Electric Energy lllWh Sales r.!7t i.6u.t l.6Mr 3- l,)7 :r t$r}i. t{5 l.xtl I li6:,a gcstNrttd Crrorsrercra\\adrr*trrtf \ri\a\nt$'$e :tll 5 :0t{ 50 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 57 of 414 tr tr Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION The following table presents Avista Utilities' decoupling and customer eamings sharing mechanisms by jurisdiction that are included in utility electric operating revenues for the years ended December 3 I (dollars in thousands): Elcctric Operating Revenues 201 5 2014 Washington Decoupling $ 4,74O nla Provision for eamings sharing (3.423) nla Idaho Decoupling nla n/a Provision for eamings sharing (2,198) (7,503) (n/a) This mechanism did not exist during this time period. Total clcctric revcnucs decrcascd $ I .l million for 2 01 5 as comparod to 20 14, affcctcd by thc following: . a $5.7 million increase in retail electric revenues due to an increase in revenue per MWh (increased revenues $2 I .0 million), partially offset by a decrease in total MWhs sold (decreased revenues $ 15.3 million). The increase in revenue per MWh was primarily due to a general rate increase in Washington. Thc dccrcasc in total MWhs sold was primarily thc rcsult of weathcr that was significantly warmcr than normal and warmcr than thc pnoryear,which decreased the electricheating Ioad in the firstquarter. Compared to 20l4,residential electric use percustomerdecreased 5 percent and commercial use per custolner decreased 2 percent. Heating degree days in Spokane were I 4 percent below normal and I 0 percent below 20 I 4. The impact from reduced heating loads was partially offset by increased coohng loads in the summer. Year-to-date cooling degree days were 1 4 I percent above normal and 28 percent above the prior year. . a S I 0.9 million decrease in wholesale electric revenues due to a decrease in sales volumes (decreased revenues $2 I .9 million), partially offset by an increase in sales prices (increased revenues $ 1 1 .0 million). The fluctuation in volumes and prices was prirnarily the result ofour optimization activities. . a $0.9 million decrease in sales offuel due to a decrease in sales ofnatural gas fuel as part ofthermal generation resource optimizatron activities. For 20 I 5, $50.0 million ofthcsc salcs wcrc made to our natural gas opcrations and arc includcd as intracompany rcvenucs and rcsourcc costs. For 20 I 4, $67.4 million of these sales were made to ournatural gas operations. . a 54.7 million increase in electric revenue due to decoupling, which reflected decreased heating Ioads in the first and fourth quarters, partially offset by incrcascd cooling loads in thc sccond and third quaftcrs. . a $ I .9 mi llion decrease in the provision for eamings sharing, primarily due to a decrease of $5.3 million for our Idaho electric operations, partially oftetby an increase of $3.4 million forourWashington electnc operations. In 20l4,we recorded aprovision foreamings sharing of $7.5 million for Idahoclcctnccustomcrswith55.6millionrcprescntingourcstimatcfor20l4andSl.9millionrcpresentinganadjustmcnttoour20l3cstimatc. 5l Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 58 of 414 Tabl€ of Contctrts AVISTA CORPORATION ThefollowinggraphspresentAvistaUtilities'naturalgasoperatingrevenuesandthermsdeliveredfortheyearsendedDecember3l (dotlarsinmillionsand therms in thousands): Natural Gas Operating Revenues t::x: 5lr.i l.tltt-l 1 $:lu: sx,.8 $!1r3.:I I S:(. I ti:t e II Ba"$t"tttt\C crrrrsrtrct'*$\ttt\ei'rtr 0{\c{ I t{}15 I0t1 (1) Othcrnaturalgasrcvcnucsinthcgraphabovcincludcsintcmiptibleandindustrialrcvcnues,whichareconsidcrcdpartofrctailnaturalgasrcvcnucs. Therms Delivered r{{r), l:: !li.ri:0 l76.6li lro.lTl t7.t.Dl 17.i.{{rilr)7,$r){ I 16.7-}tl BcslNnrl:$C rrrrrrrrertl$ri\rtr\tiJe ()t\tl I :ori I :{}l{ 52 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 59 of4l4 &fuEs.EleEs AVISTA CORPORATION The following table presents Avista Utilities'decoupling and customer eamings sharing mechanisms by jurisdiction that are included in utility natural gas operating revenues for the years ended December 3 I (dollan in thousands): Natural Gas Opcrating Rcvcnues 20r5 20 t4 Washington Decoupling $ 6,004 nla Provision for eamings sharing nla Idaho Decoupling nla Provision for eamings sharing (221) (n/a) This rnechanism did not exist during this time period. Total natural gas rcvcnucs dccrcascd $35.7 million for 20 I 5 as comparcd to 20 I 4 duc to the following: . a $ I 6.4 mill ion decrease in retail natural gas revenues due to a decrease in volumes (decreased revenues $23.6 million), partial ly oIIset by higher retail rates (increased revenues $7.2 million). Higher retail rates were due to PGAs implemented in November 20 I 4, which passed through higher costs ofnatural gas, and gcncral ratc cases. This was partially offsct by PGA mte decrcasss implcmcntcd in Novcmbcr 20 I 5, which passcd through lower costs. We sold less retail natural gas in 201 5 as compared to 2014 primarily due to weather that was warmer than normal and warmer than the prior year. Compared to 20 I 4, residential use per customer decreased 9 percent and commercial use per customer decreased 9 percent. Heating degree days in Spokane were I 4 percent belorv historical average for 20 I 5, and I 0 percent below 20 14. Heating degree days in Medfbrd were 1 5 percent below historical average for 20 I 5, and 4 percent above 20 I 4. . a S23.9 million decrease in wholesale natural gas revenues due to a decrease in prices (decreased revenues $90.4 rnillion), padially offset by an increase in volumes (increased revenues $66.5 million). In 20 I 5, $5 7.0 million ofthese sales were made to our electric generation operations and are included as intracompany revenues and resource costs. In 2014,$74.7 million ofthese sales were made to our electric generation opemtions. Differences between revenues and costs from sales ofresources in excess ofretail load requirements and from resource optilnization are accounted for through the PGA mechanisms. . a 56.0 million increase for natural gas decoupling revenues due primarily to significantly warmer than normal weather and the impact on heating loads. The following table presents Avista Utilities' average number ofelectric and natural gas retail custorners for the years ended December 3 I : Elcctric Customers Natural Gas Customers 2015 2014 201 5 2014 Residential Commercial hrtcmrptible Industri al Public street and highway lighting Total retail customers 327,057 4t,296 324,1 88 40.988 296,005 7A ))O 35 261 291,928 34,047 5t 2641,353 529 t,385 531 370,235 367,092 330,530 326,276 53 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 60 of 414 Tabl€ of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION ThefollowinggraphspresentAvistaUtilities'resourcecostsfortheyearsendedDecember3l (dollarsinrnillions): Electric Resource (losts iltS tr t'lor'(, Sl:o.,{ 1 lr,.l t?1.{trr: {II vrr 1.1,1 7IN to.*I^ .ef\€$llorr a$(chssEu t.rprtor n i.\$co6s !)r\rct ottcr lt,l i :0 l{ Naturnl G*s Resource Costs lrrT 7 liil r $lu o -t'l 7 Naturrl gls purchrserl ( )lltcr :ots I :or{ Total resource costs in the graphs above include intracompany resource costs of$ I 07.0 million and $ I 42.2 million for 20 I 5 and 20 I 4, respectively. Total electric resource costs decreased $ 1 7.6 mitlion for 201 5 as compared to 20 I 4 due to the following: . an $ 1 8.3 million dccreasc in power purchased due to a decrease in the volumc of power purchascs (decreased costs $23.6 mi Ilion), partially offset by an increase in wholesale prices (increased costs $5.3 million). The fluctuation in volumes and prices was primarily the result ofour overall optimization activities. . a $4.4 million incrcasc in fuel forgeneration primarily due to an increase in thcrmal generation (due in part to dccrcased hydroclcctric generation), partially offset by a decrease in natural gas fuel prices. . a $ I 0.0 million decrease in other fuel costs. a $ I 4.2 million increase from amortizations and deferrals ofpower costs. a $7.7 million decrease in other electric resource costs primarily due to the benefit from a capacity contract ofSpokane Appendix 6 to Joint Application 54 Page 6l of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Energy, which was mostly defened for probable future benefit to customers through the ERM and PCA. Total natural gas resource costs decreased $44.9 rnillion for20l 5 as compared to 2014 due to the following: . a $66.1 million decreasc in natural gas purchascd duc to a dccreasc in the pricc of natural gas (decrcascd costs $ I 3 8.3 million), partially offset by an increase in total therms purchased (increased costs $72.2 million). Total therms purchased increased due to an increase in wholesale sales, partially offset by a decrease in retail sales. . a $2 I .8 million incrcasc from amortizations and deferrals ofnatural gas costs. This rcflccts lowcr natural gas priccs and thc deferral oflower costs for future rebate to customers. Results ofOperations - Alaska Electric Liqht and Power Company AEL&P was acquired on July I , 201 4 and on ly the results for the second half of 2014 are included in th e actual overall results of Avista Corp. The discussion below is only for AEL&P's eamings that were included in Avista Corp.'s overall eamings. 201 6 compared to 201 5 Nct incomc for AEL&P was $8.0 million for the year cnded Deccmber 3 I , 2016, comparcd to $6.6 million for 201 5. Thc increase in camings for 2016 was primarily due to an increase in gross margin and an increase in equity-related AFUDC (increased eamings) due to the construction ofan additional back-up generation plant which was completed during the fourth quarter of20 I 6. Thc increasc in gross margin was primarily rclated to a dccreasc in costs associatcd with thc Snettisham hydroclcctric projcct (due to a rcfinancing tmnsaction during the second halfof20 I 5 which lowered interest costs under the take-or-pay power purchase agreement), as well as an interim rate increase effective in November 20 I 6. These were partially offset by a slight decrease in sales volumes to commercial and govemment customers and an increase in other resource costs. AEL&P has a relatively stable load profile as it does not have a large population ofcustomers in its service territory with electric heating and cooling requirements; therefore, its revenues are not as sensitive to weather fluctuations as Avista Utilities. However, AEL&P does have higher winter rates for its customers during the peak period ofNovember through May ofeach year, which drives higher revenues during those periods. 2015 compared to 2014 Net income for AEL&P was $6.6 million for the year ended December 3 I , 201 5, compared to 53.2 million for the second half of 201 4. Since AEL&P was acquiredonJulyl,20l4,theresultsfor20l5arenotcomparableto20l4as20l4onlyincludesresultsforthesecondhalfoftheyear. Results ofOperations - Ecova - Discontinued Operations Ecova was disposed ofas ofJune 30, 20 I 4. As a result, in accordance with GAAP, all ofEcova's operating results were removed from each line item on the Consolidated Statements oflncome and reclassified into discontinued operations for all periods presented. In addition, since Ecova was a subsidiary of Avista Capital, the net gain recognized on the sale ofEcova was attnbutable to our other businesses. However, in accordance with GAAP, this gain is included in discontinucd operations; thcrcforc, we included the analysis ofthc gain in thc Ecova discontinucd operations scction rather than in the othcr businesses section. 20 I 6 compared to 20 I 5 and 20 I 4 There was zero net income or loss for 201 6. Ecova's net income was $ 5.1 mi llion fot 20 I 5, compared to net income of $72.4 mil lion for 2014. The net incotne for 20 I 5 was primarily related to a tax benefit during 20 I 5 that resulted from the reversal ofa valuation allowance against net operating losses at Ecova because the net operating losses were deemed realizable under the current tax code. Additionally, there were some minor true-ups to the gain recognized on the sale due to the settlement oftheworking capital and indemnification escrowaccounts during 2015. The resultsfor20l4 included $69.7 million ofthe net gain recognized on the sale ofEcova. Results of Ooerations - Other Businesses 2016 compared to 2015 The net loss from these operations was $3.2 million for 2016 compared to a net loss of $ I .9 million for 201 5. Net losses for 2016 were primarily related an increase in losses on investments due to initial organization costs and management fees associated with a new investment, as well as an impairment recorded on a building we own. This was partially offset by a slight decrease in corporate costs (including costs associated with exploring strategic opportunities) and a slight increase in net income at METALIi for the year-todate. 55 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 62 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION 2015 compared to 2014 Thenetlossfromtheseoperationswas$1.9rnillionfor20l5comparedtonetincomeof$3.2millionfor20l4.Thedecreaseinnetincomecornparedto20l4 was primarily due to the sefilement of the Califomia power markets litigation in 201 4, where Avista Energy received settlement proceeds fiom a litigation with various Califomia parties related to the prices paid forpowerin the Califomia spot markets during the years 2000 and 2001. This settlement resulted in an incrcasc in prc-tax eamings ofapproximatcly $15.0 million. Thiswaspartially offsctby aprc-tax contribution of $6.4 million ofthc proceedsto the Avista Foundation. In addition, the decrease in eamings for 201 5 related to an increase in net losses on investmenls, partially offset by an increase in net income at METALII and a slight dccrcase in corporatc costs, including costs associatcd with cxploring stratcgic opportunitics. Accounting Standards to be Adopted in 2017 At this time, we are not expecting the adoption ofaccounting standards to have a material impact on our financial condition, results ofoperations and cash flows in 201 7. However, we will be adopting ASU No. 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)" rn 201 8 upon its effective date. This is a significant ncw accounting standard that rcquircs an extensivc amount oftimc and cffort to implcmcnt. We currently cxpcct to use a modificd retrospcctivc method of adoption, which would require a cumulative adjustment to opening retained eamings, as opposed to a full retrospective application. The Company is not far enough along in the adoption process to determine the amount, ifany, ofcumulative adjustment necessary. Since the vast majority ofAvista Corp.'s revenue is from rate regulated sales ofelectricity and natural gas to retail customers and revenue is recognized as energy is delivered to these customers, we do not expect a significant change in operating revenues or net income due to adopting this standard. The Company is in the process ofreviewing and analyzing certain contracts with customers (most ofwhich are related to wholesale sales ofpowerand natural gas) but has not yet idcntificd any significant diffcrcnces in rcvcnuc rccognition bctwcen currcnt GAAP and the ncw rcvcnue recognition standard. There are unresolved issues associated with implementing this standard, including the presentation ofCIACs, the presentation ofutility taxes on a gross basis and determining collectibility of sales to low income customers. We are monitoring utility industry implementation guidance as it relates to unresolved issues to determine ifthere will be an industry consensus regarding accounting and presentation ofthese items. For information on accounting standards adopted in 20 I 6 and accounting standards expected to be adopted in future periods, see "Note 2 oftlre Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements." Critical Accountins Policies and Estimates The preparation ofour consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts repo(ed in the consolidated financial statements. Changes in these estimates and assumptions are considered reasonably possible and may have a material cffect on our consolidated financial statemcnts and thus actual rcsults could diffcr from the amounts rcported and discloscd herein. Thc following accounting policies represent those that our management believes are particularly important to the consolidated financial statements and require the use ofestimates and assumptions: Regulatory accounting,which requires that certain costs and/or obligations be reflected as deferred charges on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not reflected in our Consolidated Statements oflncome until the period during which matching revenues are recognized. We also have decoupling revenue deferrals. As opposed to cost deferrals which are not recognized in the Consolidated Statements oflncome until they are included in rates, decoupling revenue is recognized in the Consolidated Statements oflncome during the period in which it occurs (i.e. during the period ofrevenue shortfall orexcess due to fluctuations in customerusage), subject to certain limitations, and a regulatory asset/liability is established which will be surcharged or rebated to customers in future periods. GAAP requires that for any altemative regulatory revenue program, likc dccoupling, thc rcvcnue must bc cxpcctcd to be collectcd from customcrs within 24 months ofthe deferral to qualify for rccognition in thc current period Consolidated Statement oflncome. Any amounts included in the Company's decoupling program that are not expected to be collected from customers within 24 months are not recorded in the financial statements until the period in which revenue recognition criteria are met. This could ultimately result in more decoupling revenue being collected from customers over the life ofthe decoupling program than what is defened and recognized in the current period financial statements. We make estimates regarding the amount ofrevenue that will be collected within 24 months ofdefcnal. We also make thc assumption that there are regulatory precedcnts for many ofour rcgulatory items and that we will be 56 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 63 of 414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION allowed recovery ofthese costs via retail rates in future periods. Ifwe were no longer allowed to apply regulatory accounting or no longer allowed recovery oftlrese costs, we could be required to recognize significant write-offs ofregulatory assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See 'T.,lotes I and 20 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for further discussion of our regulatory accounting policy. Utility energy commodity derivative asset and liability accounting, where we estimate the fair value of outstanding commodity derivatives and we offset energy commodity derivative assets or liabilities with a regulatory asset or lrability. This accounting treatment is intended to defer the rccognition ofmark-to-markct gains and losses on encrgy commodity transactions until thc pcriod ofdclivcry. This accounting trcatment is supported by accounting orders issued by the UTC and IPUC. Ifwe were no longer allowed to apply regulatory accounting or no longer allowed recovery ofthese costs, we could be required to recognize significant changes in fair value ofthese energy cornmodity derivatives on a regular basis in the Consolidated Statements oflncome, which could lead to significant fluctuations in net income. See "Notes I and 6 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for further discussion ofour energy derivative accountrng policy. Intercsl rate sb,ap derivative asset and liability accounting, where we estimate the fair value ofoutstanding interest rate swap derivatives, and U.S. Treasury lock agreements and offset the derivative asset or liability with a regulatory asset or liability. This is similar to the treatrnent ofenergy commodity derivatives described above. Upon settlement ofinterest rate swap derivatives, the regulatory asset or liability is amortized as a component ofinterest expense over the term ofthe associated debt. Ifwe no longer applied regulatory accounting or were no longer allowed rccovcry ofthese costs, we could bc rcquircd to recognizc significant changcs in fair valuc ofthcsc interest ratc swap derivativcs on a rcgular basis in the Consolidated Statements oflncome, which could lead to significant fluctuations in net income. Pension Plqns and Other Postretirement Benefit Plazs, discussed in further detail below. Contingencies, related to unresolved regulatory, legal and tax issues for which there is inherent uncertainty for the ultimate outcome ofthe respective matter. We accrue a loss contingency ifit is probable that an asset is impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount ofthe loss or impairmcnt can bc rcasonably estimatcd. We also disclosc losses that do not mcet these conditions for accrual, ifthcrc is a rcasonablc possibility that a potential loss may be incurred. For all material contingencies, we have made a judgment as to the probability ofa loss occurring and as to whether or not the amount ofthe loss can be reasonably estimated. Ifthe loss recognition criteria are met, liabilities are accrued or assets are reduced. However, no assurance can be given to the ultimate outcome ofany particular contingency. See "Notes I and I 9 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for further discussion ofour commitments and contingencies. Pension Plcns and Aher Postrctirement Beneft Plans - Avista Utilities We have a defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all regular full+ime employees at Avista Utilities that were hired prior to January l, 20l4.For substantially all regular non-union full-time employees at Avista Utilities who were hired on or after January I ,2014, a defined contribution 40 I (k) plan replaced the defined benefit pension plan. The Finance Committee ofthe Boand ofDirectors approves investment policies, objectives and strategies that seek an appropriate retum for the pension plan and it reviews and approves changes to the investment and funding policies. We have contracted with an independent investment consultant who is responsible for managing/monitoring the individual investment managers. The investment managen' performance and related individual fund performance is reviewed at least quarterly by an intemal benefits committee and by the Finance Committee to monitor compliance with our established investment policy objectives and strategies. Ourpension plan assets are invested in debt securities and mutual funds, trusts and partnerships that hold marketable debt and equity securities, real estate and absolute retum funds. In seeking to obtain the desired retum to fund the pension plan, tlre investment consultant recommends allocation percentages by asset classes. These recommendations are reviewed by the intemal benefits committee, which then recommends their adoption by the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee has established target investment allocation percentages by asset classes and also investment ranges lor each asset class. The target invcstmcnt allocation pcrccntagcs arc typically thc midpoint ofthc cstablishcd rangc. During 20 I 6, wc revised thc targct investment allocation perccntagcs. See "Note I 0 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for the target investment allocation percentages and fu(her discussion ofthe revision. 57 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 64 of 414 I4@I-&!!9E!! AVISTA CORPORATION We also have a Supplemental Executive Retirement PIan (SERP) that provides additional pension benefits to our executive officers and others whose benefits under the pension plan are reduced due to the application ofSection 4 I 5 ofthe Intemal Revenue Code of I 986 and the deferral ofsalary under deferred compensation plans. Pension costs (including the SERP) were $26.8 million for2016,52'1 .l million for20l5 and $14.6 million for20l4. Of ourpension costs, approximately 60 percent are expensed and 40 percent are capitalized consistent with labor charges. The costs related to the SERP are expensed. Our costs for the pension plan are determined in part by actuarial formulas that are dependent upon numerous factors resulting from actual plan expcrience and assumptions offuture experience. Pension costs are affected by among other things: . employee demographics (including age, compensation and length ofservice by employees), . the amount ofcash contributions we make to the pension plan, ' the actual retum on pension plan assets, ' expected retum on pension plan assets, . discount rate used in determining the projected benefit obligation and pension costs, . assumed rate ofincrease in employee compensation, . life expectancy ofparticipants and otherbeneficiaries, and . expected method ofpayment (lump sum or annuity) ofpension benefits. Any changes in pension plan obligations associated with tlrese factors may not be immediately recognized as pension costs in our Consolidated Statement of Income, but we generally recognize the change in future years over the remaining average service period ofpension plan participants. As such, our costs recorded in any period may not reflect the actual level ofcash benefits provided to pension plan participants. We revise the key assumption ofthe discount rate each year. In selecting a discount rate, we consider yield rates at the end ofthe year for highly rated corporate bond portfolios with cash flows from interest and maturities similar to that ofthe expected payout ofpension benefits. In 20 I 6, the pension plan discount rate (exclusive of the SERP) was 4.26 percent compared to 4.5 8 percent in 2015 and 4.21 percent in 20 I 4. These changes in the discount rate increased the projected benefit obligation (exclusive ofthe SERP) by approximately $27.7 million in 20 I 6 and decreased the obligation by 53 I .0 million in 2015. The expected long-term rate ofretum on plan assets is reset or confirmed annually based on past performance and economic forecasts for the types of investments held by ourplan. We used an expected long-term rate ofretum of5.40 percent in 201 6, 5.30 percent in 201 5 and 6.60 percent in 2014. This change decreased pension costs by approximately $0.5 million in 201 6. The actual retum on plan assets, net offees, was a gain of$43.2 million (or 8.1 percent) for2016, a loss of$4.3 million (or0.8 percent) for20l5 and a gain of$56.0 million (or 1 1.6 percent)for20l4. The following chart rcflects the scnsitivities associated with a change in certain actuarial assumptions by the indicatcd perccntagc (dollars in thousands): Chmgc in Assumption Et'f'ect on Projected Benefit Obligation Efl'ect on Pension CostActuarial Assumption Expected long-term retum on plan assets Expcctcd long-tcrm rctum on plan assets Discount rate Discount rate (0.5)% 0.5 % (0.s\% 0.5 % 47,738 (42,462) $*$2,551 (2,ss1) 3,842 (3,44t) * Changes in the expected retum on plan assets would not affect ourprojected benefit obligation. We provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for substantially all of our retired employees. We accrue the estimated cost of postretirement benefit obligations during the years that employees provide service. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for our postretirement plans. A one-perccntage-point increase in thc assumed health care cost trcnd rate for cach year would increase our accumulated postretirement benefitobligationasofDecember3l,20l6by$8.6millionandtheserviceandinterestcostby$l.0million.Aone-percentage-pointdecreaseintheassumed health 58 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 65 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION care cost trend rate for each year would decrease our accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6 by $6.7 million and the service and interest cost by $0.7 million. Liouiditr and Caoital Resources Overall Liouiditv Avista Corp.'s consolidated operating cash flows are primarily derived from the operations ofAvista Utilities. The primary source ofoperating cash flows for Avista Utilities is revenues frorn sales ofelectricity and natural gas. Significant uses ofcash flows from Avista Utilities include the purchase ofpower, fuel and natural gas, and payment ofother operating expenses, taxes and interest, with any excess being available for other corporate uses such as capital expenditures and dividends. We design operating and capital budgets to control operating costs and to direct capital expenditures to choices that support immediate and long-term strategies, particularly for our regulated utility operations. In addition to operating expenses, we have continuing commitments for capital expenditures for construction and improvement ofutility facilities. Our annual net cash flows from operating activities usually do not fully support the amount required for annual utility capital expenditures. As such, from time-to-time, we need to access long-term capital markets in order to fund these needs as well as fund maturing debt. See further discussion at "Capital Resources." We periodically file for rate adjustments for recovery ofoperating costs and capital investments and to seek the opportunity to eam reasonable retums as allowed by regulators. ln December 20 I 6, the UTC issued an order related to our Washington electric and natural gas general rate cases that were originally filed with the UTC in February 2016. The UTC order denied the Company's proposed electric and natural gas rate increase requests totaling $43.0 million. If this order is not changcd as a rcsult ofrcconsidcration, rchearing orjudicial revicw, we expcct it will havc a ncgative impact on our net incomc in 20 I 7. Scc furtherdetails in the section "Regulatory Matters." For Avista Utilities, when power and natural gas costs exceed the levels currently recovered fiom retail customers, net cash flows are negatively affected. Factors that could cause purchased power and natural gas costs to exceed the levels cunently recovered from our customers include, but are not limited to, higher prices in wholesale markets when we buy energy or an increased need to purchase power in the wholesale markets, and a lack ofregulatory approval for higher authorized net power supply costs through general rate case decisions. Factors beyond our control that could result in an increased need to purchase power in the wholesale markets include, but are not limited to: . increases in demand (due to either weather or customer growth), . low availability ofstreamflows for hydroelectric generation, . unplanned outages at generating facilities, and . failure ofthird parties to deliver on energy or capacity contracts. Avista Utilities has regulatory mechanisms in place that provide for the deferral and recovery ofthe rnajority ofpower and natural gas supply costs. However, ifprices rise above the level currently allowed in retarl rates in periods when we are buying energy, deferral balances would increase, negatively affecting our cash flow and liquidity until such time as these costs, with interest, are recovered from customers. In addition to the above, Avista Utilities enters into derivative instruments to lredge our exposure to certain risks, including fluctuations in commodity market prices, foreign exchange rates and interest rates (forpurposes ofissuing long-term debt in the future). These derivative instruments often require collateral (in the form ofcash or letters ofcredit) or other credit enhancements, or reductions or terminations ofa portion ofthe contract through cash scttlcmcnt, in thc cvent ofa downgrade in the Company's credit ratings or changcs in markct priccs. In pcriods ofpricc volatility, thc lcvcl ofcxposure can change significantly. As a result, sudden and significant demands may be made against the Company's credit facilities and cash. See "Enterprise Risk Management - Demands for Collateral" below. We monitor the potential liquidity impacts of changes to energy cornmodity prices and other increased operating costs for our utility operations. We believe that we have adequate liquidity to meet such potential needs through our committed lines ofcredit. As of December 3 I , 2016, we had $245.6 million of available liquidity under the Avista Corp. committed line of credit and $25.0 million under the AEL&P committed line of credit. With our $400.0 million credit facility that expires in April202l and AEL&P's $25.0 million credit facility that expires in Novcmbcr 20 1 9, we believe that we havc adequate liquidity to mcct our nccds for thc next 1 2 months. 59 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 66 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Review of Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Overall During 20 I 6, cash flows from operating activities were $35 8.3 rnillion, proceeds Aom the issuance oflong-term debt were $245.0 million (including a $70.0 million bridge loan that was repaid in December 2016), net proceeds from our committed line of credit were $ 15.0 million and we received $67.0 million from the issuance ofcommon stock. Cash requirements included utility capital expenditures of$406.6 million, the payment oflong+erm debt of$ I 63.2 million (including the $70.0 million bridge loan), dividends of$87.2 million and cash paid for the settlement ofinterest rate swap derivatives of$54.0 million. 201 6 compored to 201 5 Consolidated Ooerating Activities Netcash providcd by opcrating activiticswas$358.3 million for20l6 compared to $375.6 million for20l5. The decrease in nctcash provided by opcrating activities was primarily related to the cash settlement of interest rate swap derivatives in the third quarter of20 I 6 totaling $54.0 million. The interest rate swap derivatives were settled in connection with the pricing offirst mortgage bonds that were issued in Decernber 20 I 6. In addition, our accounts receivable balances increased during 20 1 6 (which reduces operating cash flow), due to higher sales during the fourth quarter of20 I 6 due to colder weather as compared to the fourth quarter of20l 5 and due to the timing ofcollections. The cash flow decreases were partially offset by higher net income after non-cash adj ustments of$446.4 million in 20 I 6, compared to $392.3 million in 20r5. There was also a decrease in collateral posted for derivative instruments in 20 I 6 (primarily due to an increase in the fair value ofoutstanding energy commodity derivatives, which required less collateral) as compared to an increase in collateral posted during 20 I 5. Pension contributions were $ 12.0 million for both 201 6 and 201 5. Net cash received ftom income tax refunds increased to $13.5 million for20l6 compared to $10.0 million for20l5. In addition, the income tax receivable increased $33.9 rnillion in 2016. We are in a refund position with regards to incorne taxes because the Company generated a net operating loss for tax purposes in 20 I 6 primarily due to bonus depreciation on utility plant placed in service during the year and the settlement ofinterest rate swaps. The Company intends to carryback the net operating loss against prior year tax retums and expects the net operating loss to be fully utilized through the carryback. Additionally, the Company generated $19.4 million of federal investment income tax credits in 2016; $9.6 rnillion will be carried back against a priortax retum with the remaining 59.8 million to be carried forward to future federal tax periods. The provision fordefened income taxeswas S124.5 million for20l6,compared to $51.8 million for20l5. The change in theprovision fordeferred income taxes was primarily related to deferred taxes on property, plant and equipment, investrnent tax credits associated with our capital projects, deferred taxes on the decoupling regulatory assets and deferred taxes on interest rate swap derivatives. Consolidated Investing Activities Nct cashuscd in invcsting activiticswas$432.5 mitlion for20l6,an incrcase comparcd to $387.8 million for20l5. During 20l6,wepaid $406.6 million for utilitycapitalexpenditures,comparedto$393.4millionfor20l5. Inaddition,during20l6,oursubsidiariesdisbursed$10.1 millionfornotesreceivableto third parties and received $5.0 rnillion in repayments on these notes receivable. Our subsidiaries also made $7.8 million in investments and purchased buildings and other property as investments for $5.3 million. During 20 1 5, wc rcccived cash procccds (rclatcd to thc scttlcment ofthc escrow accounts) ofS I 3.9 million from the salc ofEcova. Consolidated Financing Activities Netcash provided by financing activitieswas$72.2 million for20l6 compared to netcash provided of$0.5 million for20l5.ln 2016 wehad the following signifi cant transactions: . borrowing of $70.0 million pursuant to a term loan agreement in August, which was used to repay a portion of the $90.0 million in first mortgage bonds that matured in August 20 I 6, 60 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 67 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION issuance and sale of$ I 75.0 million ofAvista Corp. first mortgage bonds in December 20 I 6, the proceeds ofwhich were used to repay the $70.0 million term loan, with the remainder being used to pay down a portion of our committed line of credit, payment of $ I 63.2 million for the redemption and maturity of long+erm debt (including the $70.0 million term loan), increase in cash dividendspaid to $87.2 miltion (or$1.37 pershare)for20l6 from$82.4 million (or$1.32 pershare) for20l5, $ 15.0 million net incrcasc in the balance of our committed linc of crcdit, and issuance of$67.0 million ofcommon stock (net ofissuance costs). See bclow for a list ofsignificant financing transactions occurring in 20 I 5. 2015 compared to 2014 Consolidated Ooeratins Activities Net cash provided by operating activities was $375.6 million for 201 5 compared to $267.3 million for 2014. The increase in cash provided by operating activitieswasdue to highernet income afternon-cash adjustments of$392.3 million in 2015, compared to $348.2 million in 2014. Tlregross gain on the sale ofEcova of$0.8 million for20l 5 is deducted in reconciling net income to net cash provided by operating activities. The cash proceeds from the sale (which includes the gross gain) is included in investing activities. This is compared to the gross gain recognized in 20 I 4 ofS I 60.6 million. Net cash used by certain current assets and liabilities was $4.1 million for 201 5, compared to net cash used of $50.0 mi llion for 20 I 4. The net cash used during 201 5 primarily reflects cash outflows from changes in accounts payable, collateral posted for derivative instruments and accounts receivable. This was partially offset by inflows from changes in natural gas stored and income taxes receivable. The provision for deferred income taxes was $5 I .8 million for 2015 compared to $ 144.3 million for 20 14. The decrease in 20 I 5 was primarily due to the combination ofimplementation by the Company ofupdated federal tax tangible property regulations and increased deductions related to bonus depreciation in 2014. Contributions to our defined benefit pension plan were $ 12.0 million for 201 5 compared to $32.0 million in 2014. Net cash received for income taxes was $ 10.0 million for 201 5 compared to net cash paid of $45.4 million for 2014. Consolidated lnvestins Activities Net cash used in investing activitieswas $387.8 million for20l5,an increase compared to $103.7 million for20l4. During 20l5,we received cash proceeds (relatcd to thc settlcment of ths cscrow accounts) of $ I 3.9 million for the salc of Ecova. Wc reccivcd thc majority of thc proceeds ($229.9 million) from the sale ofEcova duing2014. The proceeds received in 2014 were used to pay offthe balance ofEcova's long-term borrowings and make payments to option holders and noncontrolling interests (included in financing activities). We also used a portion ofthese proceeds to pay our$74.8 million tax Iiability associated with the gain on sale and to fund common stock repurchases. Utility property capital expenditures increased by S67.9 million for 20 1 5 as compared to 2014. During 2014, we received $ I 5.0 million in cash (net of cash paid) related to the acquisition of AERC. Consolidated Financins Activities Netcash provided by financing activitieswas$0.5 million for20l5 compared to net cash used of$224.0 million for20l4. In 2015 we had the following signifi cant transactions: . issuance and sale of $ I 00.0 million of Av ista Corp. first mortgage bonds in December 201 5, . payment of $2.9 million for the rcdcmption and maturity of long-tcrm debt, . cashdividendspaidincreasedto$82.4million(or$l.32pershare)for20l5from$78.3million(or$1.27pershare)for20l4, . issuance of$1.6 million ofcommon stock (net ofissuance costs), and . repurchase of $2.9 million of our common stock. In 20 I 4, we had the following significant transactions: 6l Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 68 of 414 Table 0f Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION . issuance of $ t 50.0 million of long-term debt ($60.0 million of Avista Corp. first mortgage bonds, $75.0 million of AEL&P first mortgage bonds and a $ 15.0 million AERC unsecured note representing a term loan), . a decrease of $66.0 million in short-term borrowings on Avista Corp.'s committed line of credit, . a decrease of $46.0 million on Ecova's committed line of credit with $6.0 million in payments throughout the year and $40.0 million related to the close ofthe Ecova sale, . payment of $40.0 million for the redemption and maturity of long-term debt (primarily related to AEL&P paying offits existing debt), . cash payments of$54.2 million to noncontrolling interests and $20.9 million to stock option holders and redeemable noncontrolling interests of Ecova related to the Ecova salein2014, . issuance of 54.l million of common stock (net of issuance costs) excluding issuances related to the acquisition of AERC. We issued $150.1 million ofcommon stock to AERC shareholders, and this is reflected as a non-cash financing activity, . repurchase of$79.9 million ofour common stock during 2014 using the proceeds from our sale ofEcova, and . a $ I 6.2 million incrcasc in cash related to the fluctuation in the balance of customer fund obligations at Ecova. Caoital Resources Our consolidated capital structure, including the current portion oflong-term debt and short+erm bonowings, and excluding noncontrolling interests, consisted ofthe following as ofDecember 3 1,2016 and20l 5 (dotlars in thousands): December3l,20l6 December3l,2015 Amount Percent of total Amount Percent of total Current portion oflong-term debt and capital leases Short-term borrowings Long-term debt to affiliated trusts Long{erm debt and capital leases Total debt Total Avista Corporation shareholden' equity Total $3,287 120,000 51,547 t,6'78,717 0.1% $ 3.4% l.5o/o 4',7.9% 93,167 105,000 51,547 I,480,1 I I 2.9o/o 3.2% 1.6% 45.4% 1,853,55r |,648,727 52.9% 47.lyo 1,729,825 1,528,626 53.1% 46.9% $100.0% s 3.258,451 100.0% Our shareholders' equity increased $ I 20.1 million during 20 I 6 primarily due to net income, the issuance ofcommon stock and stock compensation net of minimum tax withholdings, partially offset by dividends. We need to finance capital expenditures and acquire additional funds for operations from time to time. The cash requirements needed to service out indebtedness, both short-term and long-term, reduce the amount ofcash flow available to fund capital expenditures, purchased power, fuel and natural gas costs, dividends and other requirements. Conmitted Lines of Credit Avista Corp. has a committed line of credit with various financial institutions in the total amount of $400.0 million. We exercised a two-year option in May 2016 to extend the maturity of the credit facility agreement to April 2021 . As of December 3 l, 201 6, we had $245.6 million of available liquidity under this line ofcredit. The Avista Corp. credit facility contains customary covenants and default provisions, including a covenant which does not permit our ratio of"consolidated total debt" to "consolidated total capitalization" to be greater than 65 percent at any time. As ofDecember 3 1, 20 1 6, we were in compliance with this covenant with a ratio of52.9 pcrccnt. AEL&P has a $25.0 million committed line of credit that expires in November 20 I 9. As of December 3 I , 201 6, there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding under this credit facility. The AEL&P credit facility contains customary covenants and default provisions including a covenant which does not permit the ratio of"consolidated total debt at AEL&P" to "consolidated total capitalization at AEL&P," (including the impact ofthe Snettisham obligation) to be greater than 67.5 percent at any time. As of December 31,2016, AEL&P was in compliance with this covenant with a ratio of 55.6 percent. 62 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 69 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Balances outstanding and interest rates ofborrowings (excluding letters ofcredit) under Avista Corp.'s committed line ofcredit were as follows as ofand for the year ended December 3 I (dollan in thousands): 2016 20t5 2014 Balance outstanding at end ofyear $ 120,000 $ 105,000 $ 105,000 Letters ofcredit outstanding at end ofyear $ 34,353 $ 44,595 $ 32,5'79 Maximum balance outstanding during the year $ 280,000 $ I 80,000 $ I 7l ,000 Average balance outstanding during the year $ I 7 I ,090 $ 95,573 $ 62,088 Average interest rate during the year 1 .26% 0.98% 1.01% Average intcrest rate at end of year 1 .50% 1.18% 0.93% As ofDecember 3 t, 20 I 6, Avista Corp. and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all ofthe covenants oftheir financing agreements, and none ofAvista Corp.'s subsidiaries constituted a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Avista Corp.'s committed line of credit. Long-Term Debl Borrowings In August 2016, we entered into a term loan agreement with a commercial bank in the amount of $70.0 million with a maturity date of December30,20l6. We bonowed the entire $70.0 million available underthis agreement, which was used to repay a portion ofthe $90.0 million of first mortgage bonds that matured in August 2016. We repaid this term loan in its entirety in December using the proceeds from first mortgage bonds that were issued in December 20t6. InDecembcr20l6,weissuedandsold$lT5.0mitlionof3.54pcrccntfirstmortgagebondsduein205l punuanttoabondpurchaseagrccmcntwith institutional investors in the private placement market. In connection with the pricing ofthe first mortgage bonds in August 201 6, the Company cash-settled seven interest rate swap derivatives (notional aggregate amount of$ I 25.0 million) and paid a total of$54.0 million, which will be amortized as a component ofinterest expense over the life ofthe debt. The effective interest rate ofthe first mortgage bonds is 5.6 percent, including the effects ofthe settled interest rate swap derivatives and estimated issuance costs. The total net proceeds from the sale ofthe new bonds was used to repay the $70.0 million term loan and to repay a portion ofthe borrowings outstanding under our $400.0 million committed line of credit. Equity Transactions Sto ck Repurchase Programs During 20 1 4 and 20 1 5, Avista Corp.'s Board ofDirectors approved programs to repurchase shares ofour outstanding cortmon stock. The number ofshares repurchased and the total cost ofrepurchases are disclosed in the Consolidated Statements ofEquity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests. The average repurchase price was $3 I .57 in 20 I 4 and $32.66 in 20 1 5. All repurchased shares revcrted to the status ofauthorized but unissued shares. We did not repurchase any ofour outstanding common stock during 201 6. Equity Issuances In March 20 1 6, we entered into four separate sales agency agreements underwhich Avista Corp.'s sales agents may offer and sell up to 3.8 million new shares of Avista Corp.'s common stock, no par value, from time to time. The sales agency agreements expire on February 29,2020.In 2016, 1 .6 million shares were issued under thcse agreements resulting in total net proceeds of$65.3 million, leaving 2.2 million slrarcs rcmaining to be issued. In 20 I 6, we also issued $ I .7 million (net ofissuance costs) ofcorffnon stock undcr the employee plans. 2 0 1 7 Liq uidity Exp ectatio ns In the second half of 2017, we expect to issue approximately $ I 10.0 million of long-term debt and up to $70.0 million of common stock in order to fund planned capital expenditures and maintain an appropriate capital structure. AAer considering the expected issuances oflong-term debt and common stock during 2017 ,we expect net cash flows from operating activities, together with cash available under our committed line ofcredit agreements, to provide adequate resources to fund capital expenditures, dividends, and other contractual commitments. 63 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 70 of 414 Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION Limilations on Issuances ofPrefened Stock and First Mortgage Bonds We are restricted under our Restated Articles oflncorporation, as amended, as to the additional prefened stock we can issue. As ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6, we could issuc $1.5 billion ofadditional prefened stock at an assumed dividend rate of6.3 percent. Wc arc not planning to issue prcfcrrcd stock. Under the Avista Corp. and the AEL&P Mortgages and Deeds of Trust securing Avista Corp.'s and AEL&P's first mortgage bonds (including Secured Medium-Term Notes), respectively, each entity may issue additional first mortgage bonds in an aggregate principal amount equal to the sum of: . 66-2/3 percent ofthe cost or fair value (whichever is lower) ofproperty additions ofthat entity which have not previously been made the basis ofany application under that entityrs Mortgage, or . an equal principal amount ofretired fint mortgage bonds ofthat entity which have not previously been made the basis ofany application under that entity's Moftgage, or . deposit ofcash. However, Avista Corp. and AEL&P may not individually issue any additional first mortgage bonds (with certain exceptions in the case ofbonds issued on the basis ofretired bonds) unless the particular entity issuing the bonds has "net eamings" (as defined in the respective Mortgages) for any period of I 2 consccutive calcndar months out ofthc prcceding I 8 calcndar months that werc at least tur'icc thc annual intcrcst requirements on that cntity's mortgage securities at the time outstanding, including the first mortgage bonds to be issued, and on all indebtedness ofprior rank. As ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6, property additions and retired bonds would have allowed, and the net eamings test would not have prohibited, the issuance of$ I .2 billion in aggregate principal amount of additional first mortgage bonds at Avista Corp. and $20.8 million at AEL&P. We believe that we have adequate capacity to issue first mortgage bonds to meet our financing needs over the next several yean. Caoital Exoenditures We are making capital investments in generation, transmission and distribution systems to preserve and enhance service reliability for our customers and replace aging infrastructure. The following table summarizes our actual and expected capital expenditures as ofand for the year ended December 3 I , 20 I 6 (in thousands): Avista Utilities AEL&P 2016 Actual capital expenditures Capital cxpcnditures (pcr thc Consolidatcd Statcmcnt ofCash Flows) (l )3 90,690 t 5,954 Expected total annual capital expenditures (by year) 20t7 201 8 2019 405,000 405,000 405,000 6,900 6,700 12,900 (l) ActualannualcapitalexpenditurespertheConsolidatedStatementofCashFlowsmaydifferfromourexpectedannualaccrual-basiscapitalexpenditures due to the timing ofcash payments, the capital expenditure amounts accrued in accounts payable at the end ofeach period and the inclusion ofAFUDC in our expected amounts, but excluded from the cash flow amounts. Most ofthe capital expenditures at Avista Utilities are for upgrading our existing facilities and technology, and not for construction ofnew facilities. 64 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 7l of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following graph shows the Avista Utilities' capital budget for 20 I 7: Capitel Budgel forAvisln Utililie$ for20l7 (dollars in millions) Other: S{l Environruenlll $l l Transnrrssion & Distnlrutir'rn Slli? Naturrrl Cas ${9 (icncratron 5i,) lnfornr at ron 1o'Snqrlo$!' $50 Custnnrer Crou'tlr $J7 These estimates ofcapital expenditures are subject to continuing review and adjustment. Actual capital expenditures may vary from our estimates due to factors such as changes in business conditions, construction schedules and environmental requirements. OIf-Balance Sheet Arransements As of December 31 , 2016, we had $34.4 million in letters of credit outstanding under our $400.0 million comrnitted line of credit, compared to $44.6 million asofDecember3l,20l5. Pension Plan Wecontributed $12.0 million to the pension plan in 2016. We expectto contribute atotal of$110.0 million to thepension plan in theperiod 2017 through 202 I , with an annual contribution of$22.0 million over that period. The final determination ofpension plan contributions for future periods is subject to multiple variables, most ofwhich are beyond our control, including changes to the fairvalue ofpension plan assets, changes in actuarial assumptions (in particularthe discount rate used in determining the benefit obligation), or changes in federal legislation. We may change our pension plan contributions in the future depending on changes to any variables, including those listed above. See 'Note l 0 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for additional information regarding the pension plan. Credit Ratinss Our access to capital markets and our cost ofcapital are directly affected by our credit ratings. In addition, many ofour contracts for the purchase and sale of energy commodities contain terms dependent upon our credit ratings. See "Enterprise Risk Management - Credit Risk Liquidity Considerations" and "Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements." The following table summarizes our credit ratings as of February 2l ,2017: Standard & Poor's (l)Moody's (2) Corporate/Issuer ratin g Senior secured debt Senior unsecured debt BBB BBB Baal A2 Baal (l ) (2) Standard & Poor's lowest "investment grade" credit rating is BBB-. Moody's lowest "investment grade" credit rating is Baa3. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 65 Page 72 of 414 Table 0f Contents AVISTA CORPORATION A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Each security rating is subject to revision or wrthdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization. Each security rating agency has its own methodology forassigning ratings, and, accordingly, each rating should be considered in the context ofthe applicable methodology, independent ofall othermtings. The rating agencies provide ratings at the request ofAvista Corp. and charge fees for their sewices. Dividends On February 3, 2017, Avista Corp.'s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.35 75 per share on the Company's common stock. This was an increase of$0.015 pershare, or4.4 percent from the previous quarterly dividend of$0.3425 pershare. See "ltem 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stocklrolder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities" for a detailed discussion of our dividend policy and the factors which could limit the payment ofdividends. Contractual Oblisations The following table provides a summary of our future contractual obligations as of December 3 I , 201 6 (dollars in millions): 2017 201 8 201 I 2020 2021 Thereafter Avista tltilities: Long-tem debt maturities Long-term debt to affiliated trusts lnterest payments on long{erm debt (l ) Short+erm borrowings Energy purchase contracts (2) Operating lease obligations (3) Othcr obligations (4) Information technology contracts (5) Pension plan funding (6) Unsettled interest rate swap derivatives (7) $$273$90$ 228 s2s 1,124 52 836 I,125 2 189 $ 80 t20 298 I 34 2 22 t2 252 I 29 I 22 54 l6 70 l6 22 (3) 3l 58 l5l 22 (2) l5 4 126 l5 (l ) 295 5663 2',7 22 3233 AERC (consolidated) total contractual commitments (8) Avista Capital (consolidated) total contractual commitments (e) Total contractual obligations 8 8 7 4 $s93 g 726 $ 471 $ 332 $ 247 S 3,626 (l ) Represents our estimate ofinterest payments on long-term debt, which is calculated based on the assumption that all debt is outstanding until maturity. lnterest on variable ratc debt is calculatcd using tlre ratc in effect at Dcccmber 3 I , 20 I 6.(2) Energy purchase contracts were entered into as part ofthe obligation to serve our retail electric and natural gas customers' energy requirements. As a result, costs are generally recovered either through base retail rates or adjustments to retail rates as part ofthe power and natural gas cost adjustment mechanisms.(3) Includes the interest component ofthe lease obligation.(4) Rcpresents operational agreemcnts, settlemcnts and other contractual obligations for our gcncration, transmission and distribution facilities. These costs are generally recovered through base retail rates.(5) Includes information service contracts which are recorded to other operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements oflncome.(6) Represents our estimated cash contributions to pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans through 202 I . We cannot reasonably estimate pension plan contributions beyond 202 1 at this time and have excluded them from the table above.(7) Rcpresents tlre nct mark-to-markct fair valuc of outstanding unscttled interest ratc svr'ap derivativcs as of Deccmbcr 3 I , 201 6. Negative values in the table above represent contractual amounts that are owed to Avista Corp. by the counterparties. The values in the table above will change each period depending on fluctuations in market interest rates and could become either assets or liabilities. Also, the amounts in the table above are not reflective ofcash collateral of$34.9 million and letters ofcredit of53.6 million that are already posted with counterparties against the outstanding interest rate swap derivatives. Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 73 of 414 66 (8) (e) Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Prirnarily relates to long-term debt and capital lease maturities and the related interest. AERC contractual commitments also include contractually required capital project funding and operating and maintenance costs associated with the Snettisham hydroelectric project. These costs are generally recovered through base retail rates. Primarily relates to operating lease commitments and a cornmitment to fund a limited liability company in exchange for equity ownership, made by a subsidiary of Avista Capital. The above contractual obligations do not include income tax payments. Also, asset retirement obligations are not included above and payments associated with these have historically been less than $ I million per year. There are approx irnately $ I 5.5 rnillion rernaining asset retirement obl igations as of December3l,20l6. In addition to the contractual obligations disclosed above, we will incur additional operating costs and capital expenditures in future periods for which we are not contractually obligated as part ofour normal business operations. Comoetition Our utility electric and natural gas distribution business has historically been recognized as a natural monopoly. In each regulatory jurisdiction, our rates for retail electric and natural gas services (other than specially negotiated retail rates for industrial or large commercial customerc, which are subject to regulatory review and approval) are generally determined on a "cost ofservice" basis. Rates are designed to provide, after recovery ofallowable operating expenses and capital invcstments, an opportunity forus to cam a reasonable retum on invcstment as allowcd by ourrcgulators. In retail markets, we compete with various rural electric cooperatives and public utility districts in and adjacent to our service territories in the provision of service to new electric customers. Altemative energy technologies, including customer-sited solat wind or geothermal generation, may also compete with us for sales to existing customers. While the risk is currently small in our service territory given the small numbers of customers utilizing these technologies. advances in power generation, encrgy cfficicncy, energy storage and other altcmative cncrgy technologics could Icad to morc wide-spread usage ofthcsc technologies, thereby reducing customer demand for the energy supplied by us. This reduction in usage and demand would reduce our revenue and negatively impact our financial condition including possibly leading to our inability to fully recover our investments in generation. transmission and distribution assets. Similarly, our natural gas distribution operations compete with other energy sources including heating oi l, propane and other fuels. Certain natural gas customers could bypass our natural gas system, reducing both revenues and recovery offixed costs. To reduce the potential for such bypass, we price natural gas services, including transportation contracts, competitively and have varying degrees offlexibility to price transportation and dclivcry rates by mcans ofindividual contracts. These individual contracts arc subject to statc rcgulatory rcview and approval. Wc havc long-tcrm transportation contracts with several ofour largest industrial customers under which the customer acquires its own commodity while using our infrastructure for delivery. Such contracts reduce the risk of these customers bypassing our system in the foreseeable future and minimizes the impact on our eamings. Also, non-utility businesses are developing new technologies and services to help energy consumers manage energy in new ways that may improve productivity and could alter demand forthe cncrgy we sell. In wholesale markets, competition for available electric supply is influenced by the: . localized and system-wide demand forenergy, . type, capacity, location and availability ofgeneration resources, and . variety and circumstances ofmarket participants. These wholesale markets are regulated by the FERC, which requires electric utilities to: . transmit power and energy to or for wholesale purchasers and sellers, . enlarge or construct additional transmission capacity for the purpose ofproviding these services, and . transparently price and offertransmission services without favorto any party, including the merchant functions ofthe utility. Participants rn the wholesale energy markets include: . otherutilities, . federalpowermartetingagencies, . energy marketing and trading companies, 67 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 74 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION independent power producers, fi nancial institutions, and commodity brokers. Economic Conditions and Utility Load Growth The general economic data, on both national and local levels, contained in this section is based, in part, on independent govemment and industry publ ications, reports by market research firms or other independent sources. While we believe that these publications and other sources are reliable, we have not independently verified such data and can make no representation as to its accuracy. Avisla Utilities We track multiple economic indicaton affecting the three largest metropolitan statistical areas in our Avista Utilities sewice area: Spokane, Washington, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and Medford, Oregon. Several key indicaton are employment change, unemployment rates and foreclosure rates. On a year-over-year basis, December 20 I 6 showed positive job growth and lower unemployment rates in all three metropolitan areas. However, the unemployment rates in Spokane and Medford are still above the national avemge. Except for Medford, foreclosure rates are in line with or below the U.S rate in all areas, and key leading indicators, initial unemployment claims and residential building pennits signal continued growth over the next I 2 months. Therefore, in 20 I 7, we expect economic growth in our service area to be somewhat stronger than the U.S. as a whole. Nonfarm employment (seasonally adjusted) in our eastem Washington, northem Idaho, and southwestem Oregon metropolitan service areas exhibited moderate growth between December20l5 and December20l6. In Spokane, Washington employment groMh was 3.6 percent with gains in all majorsectors except manufacturing and leisure and hospitality. Employment increased by 2.5 percent in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, reflecting gains in all major sectorc except mining and logging and professional and business services. In Medford, Oregon, employment growth was 3.8 percent, with gains in all major sectors except mining and logging. U.S. nonfarm scctor jobs grcw by I .5 pcrccnt in thc samc l2-month pcriod. Scasonally adjustcd uncmploymcnt rates went down in Dcccmbcr 20 I 6 from thc year carlicr in Spokanc, Coeur d'Alcnc, and Mcdford. In Spokanc the ratc was 6.5 percent in December20l5 and declined to 6.3 percent in December20l6; in Coeurd'Alene the ratewent from4.9 percentto 4.5 percent; and in Medford the rate declined from 6.7 percent to 5.3 percent. The U.S. rate declined from 5.0 percent to 4.7 percent in the same period. Except for the Medford area, the housing market in our Avista Utilities service area continues to experience foreclosure rates in line with the national average. The December 201 6 national rate was 0.07 percent, compared to 0.07 percent in Spokane County, Washington; 0.02 percent in Kootenai County (Coeur d'AIene), Idaho; and 0.13 percent in Jackson County (Medford), Oregon. Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Our AEL&P service area is centered in Juneau. Although Juneau is Alaska's state capital, it is not a metropolitan statistical area. This means breadth and fiequency ofeconomic data is more limited. Therefore, the dates ofJuneau's economic data may significantly lag the period ofthis filing. The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages for Juneau shows employment declined I .2 percent between secon d quarter 201 5 and second quarter 20 I 6. The employment decline was centered in govemment; construction; manufacturing; financial activities; and professional and business services. Govemment (including active duty military personnel) accounts for approximately 37 percent oftotal employment. Employment declines also occurred in natural resources and mining; education and health services; and other services. Between December 20 I 5 and December 20 I 6 the non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.7 percent to 4.5 percent. The Juncau forcclosurc rate is below the U.S. ratc. Thc Decembcr 20 I 6 mtc was 0.02 pcrccnt comparcd to 0.07 perccnt for the U.S. Forecasled Customer and Load Growth Bascd on ourforccast for2017 through 2020 for Avista Utilitics'servicc arca, wc expect annual elcctric customer groMh to avcragc l.l perccnt, within a forecast range of0.7 percent to 1.5 percent. We expect annual natural gas customergrowth to average 1.3 percent, within a forecast range of0.8 percent to 1.8 percent. We anticipate retail electric load growth to average 0.6 percent, within a forecast range of0.3 percent and 0.9 percent. We expect natural gas load grofih to average 1 .2 percent, within a forecast range of0.7 percent and I .7 percent. The forecast ranges reflect (1 ) the inherent uncertainty associated with the economic assumptions on which forecasts are based and (2) the historic variability ofnatural gas customer and load growth. 68 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 75 of 414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION In AEL&P's service area, we expect residential customer gromh near 0 percent (no residential customer growth) for 201 7 through 2020. We also expect no significant groMh in commcrcial and govemmcnt customcrs ovcr thc same period. We anticipate avcragc annual total load growth will bc in a narrow range around 0.3 percent, with residential load growth averaging 0.6 percent, commercial growth near 0 percent (no load growth); and govemment growth near 0 percent. The forwardJooking statements set forth above regarding retail load growh are based, in part, upon purchased economic forecasts and publicly available population and demographic studies. The expectations regarding retail load growth are also based upon various assumptions, including: . assumptions relating to weatherand economic and competitive conditions, . intemal analysis ofcompany-specific data, such as energy consumption pattems, . intemal business plans, . an assumption that we will incur no material loss ofretail customers due to self-generation or retail wheeling, and . an assumption that demand for electricity and natural gas as a fuel for mobility will for now be immaterial. Changes in actual experience can vary significantly from our projections. See also "Competition" above for a discussion ofcompetitive factors that could affect our results ofoperations in the future. Envi ronmental Issues and Contingencies We are subject to environmental regulation by federal, state and local authorities. The generation, transmission, distribution, service and storage facilities in which we have ownership interests are designed and operated in compliance with applicable environmental laws. Furthermore, we conduct periodic reviews and audits ofpertinent facilities and operations to ensure compliance and to respond to or anticipate emerging environmental issues. The Company's Board ofDirectors has established a committee to oversee environmental issues. We monitor legislative and regulatory developments at all levels of govemment for environmental issues, particularly those with the potential to impact the operation and productivity ofour generating plants and other assets. Environmental laws and regulations may: . increase the operating costs ofgenerating plants; . increase the lead time and capital costs for the construction ofnew generating plants; . requirc modification ofour cxisting gcnerating plants; . require cxisting generating plant opcmtions to bc curtailed or shut dowr; . reduce the amount ofenergy available from our generating plants; . restrict the types ofgenerating plants that can be built or contracted with; . require construction ofspecific types ofgeneration plants at highercost; and . increase costs of,distributing natural gas. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations could result in increases to capital expenditures and operating expenses. We intend to seek recovery of any such costs through the ratemaking process. Clean Air Act (CAA) We must comply with the requirements under the CAA in operating our thermal generating plants. The CAA cunently requires a Title V operating pennit for Colstrip (expires in 2017), Coyote Springs 2 (expires in 201 8), the Kettle Falls GS (application has been made for a new permit), and the Rathdrum CT (application has been made for a new permit). Boulder Park GS, Northeast CT, and other activities only require minor source operating or registration permits based on their lirnited operation and emissions. The Title V operating permits are renewed every five years and updated to include newly applicable CAA requirements. We actively monitor legislative, regulatory and program developments within the CAA that may impact our facilities. On March 6, 2013, the Sierra Club and Montana Environmental Information Center, filed a Complaint (Complaint) in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Billings Division, against the owners of Colstrip. The Complaint alleged certain violations of the Clean Air Act. On July I 2, 20 I 6, all of the parties to this action filed a Consent Decree with the 69 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 76 of 414 Table of Contents Court settling all claims contained in the Complaint. See "Sierra Club and Montana Environmental Information CenterLitigation" in "Note l9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for further information on this matter. Hazardous Air Pollutanls (HAPs) The EPA regulates hazardous air pollutants from a published list ofindustrial sources referred to as "source categories" which must meet control technology requirements ifthey emit one or more ofthe pollutants in significant quantities. In 2012, the EPA finalized the Mercury Air Toxic Standards (MATS) for thc coal and oil-fircd source catcgory. At thc timc of issuancc in 2012, wc cxamincd thc existing cmission control systems of Colstrip Units 3 & 4, the only units in which we are a minority owner, and concluded that the existing emission control systems should be sufficient to meet mercury limits. For the rernaining portion ofthe rule that utilized Particulate Matter as a surrogate for air toxics (including rnetals and acid gases), the Colstrip owners reviewed recent stack testing data and expected that no additional emission control systems would be needed for Units 3 & 4 MATS compliance. Regional Haze Program The EPA set a national goal ofeliminating man-made visibility degradation in Class I areas by the year 2064. States are expected to take actions to make "reasonable progress" through I O-year plans, including application ofBest Available Retrofit Technology (BART) requirements. BART is a retrofit program applicd to large emission sourccs, including clcctric generating units built bctween I 962 and 1977 . In the case whcrc a Statc opts out of implementing the Regional Haze program, the EPA may act directly. On September 18,2012, the EPA finalized the Regional Haze federal implementation plan (FIP) for Montana. The FIP includes both emission limitations and pollution controls forColstrip Units I & 2. Colstrip Units 3 & 4, the only units ofwhich we are a minority owner, are not curently affected, but will be evaluated for Reasonable Progress at the next review period. We do not anticipate any material impacts on Units 3 & 4 at this time. C o a I A sh M a nag em e nt/Disp o s a I On April I 7, 20 I 5, the EPA pub Iished a final rule regarding coal combustion residuals (CCRs), also termed coal combustion byproducts or coal ash in the FcdcralRcgister,andthisrulebccameeffcctivconOctoberl5,20l5.Colstrip,ofwhichwcareal5pcrccntowncrofUnits3&4,produccsthisbyproduct. The rule establishes technical requirements for CCR landfills and surface impoundments under Subtitle D ofthe Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the nation's primary law for regulating solid waste. We, in conjunction with the otlrer owners, are developing a multi-year compliance plan to strategically address the new CCR requirements and existing state obligations while maintaining operational stability. During 20 1 5, the operator ofColstrip provided an initial cost estimate of the expected retirement costs associated with complying with the new CCR rule and based on the initial assessments, Avista Corp. recorded an increase to its asset retirement obl igations of$ I 2.5 million with a corresponding increase in the cost basis ofthe utility plant. During 20 I 6, due to additional information and updated estimates, we increased the asset retirement obligation (ARO) to $13.6 million (including accretion of $0.7 million). See "Note 9 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for additional information regarding AROs. In addition to an increase to our ARO, it is expected that there will be significant compliance costs at Colstrip in the future, both operating and capital costs, due to a series of incremental infrastructure improvements which are separate from the ARO. Due to the preliminary nature of available data, we cannot reasonably estimate the future compliance costs; however, we will update our ARO and compliance cost estimates when data becomes available. The actual asset retirement costs and future compliance costs related to the CCR Rule requirements may vary substantially from the estimates used to record the increased ARO due to unceftainty about thc compliancc stratcgies that will be uscd and the prcliminary naturc ofavailablc data used to cstimate costs, such as the quantity ofcoal ash present at certain sites and the volume offill that will be needed to cap and cover certain impoundments. We will coordinate with the plant operators and continue to gather additional data in future periods to make decisions about compliance strategies and the timing ofclosure activities. As additional information becomes available, we will update the ARO and future nonretirement compliance costs for these changes in estimates, which could be material. We expect to seek recovery of any increased costs related to complying with the new rule through customer rates. Climate Change Concems about long-term global climate changes could have a significant effect on our business. Our operations could also be affected by changes in laws and regulations intended to mitigate the risk o( or alter global climate changes, including restrictions on the operation ofour power generation resources and obligations imposed on the sale ofnatural gas. Changing temperatures and precipitation, including snowpack conditions, affect the availability and timing ofstreamflows, which impact hydroelectric generation. Extreme weather events could increase service intemrptions, outages and maintenance costs. Changing temperatures could also increase or decrease customer demand. 70 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page77 of4l4 AVISTA CORPORATION Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Our Climate Policy Council (an interdisciplinary team ofmanagement and other employees): . facilitates intemal and extemal communications regarding climate change issues, . analyzes policy effects, anticipates opportunities and evaluates strategies forAvista Corp., and . develops recommendations on climate related policy positions and action plans. Climate Change - Federal Regulatory Aclions The EPA released the final rules for the Clean Power Plan (Final CPP) and the Carbon Pollution Standards (Final CPS) on August 3, 20 I 5. The Final CPP and the Final CPS are both intended to reduce the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from certain coal-fired and natural gas electric generating units (EGUs). These rules were published in the Federal Register on October 23, 201 5 and were immediately challenged via lawsuits by other parties. The Final CPP was promulgated punuant to Section I I I (d) of the CAA and applies to C02 emissions from existing EGUs. The Final CPP is intended to rcduce national CO2 cmissions by approximatcly 32 pcrccnt below 2005 lcvcls by 2030. Thc Final CPS mlc was issucd pursuant to Scction I I I (b) ofthc CAA and applies to the emissions ofnew, modified and reconstructed EGUs. The two rules are the fint rules ever adopted by the U.S. federal govemment to comprehensively control and reduce CO2 emissions from the power sector. The EPA also issued a proposed Federal Implementation Plan (Proposed FIP) for the Final CPP. The Final FIP that the EPA adopts could be imposed on states by the EPA, should a state decide not to develop its own plan. The Final CPP establishes individual state emission reduction goals based upon the assumed potential for (l ) heat rate improvements at coal-fired units, (2) increased utilization ofnatural gas-fired combined cycle plants, and (3) increased utilization oflow or zero carbon emitting generation resources. As expressed in the final rule, states had until September 20 I 6 to submit state compliance plans, with a potential for two-year extensions. A stay granted by the U.S. Supreme Court, and described below, pushed this date out pending the results ofthe case. Avista Corp. owns two EGUs that are subject to the Final CPP: its portion (l 5 percent ofUnits 3 & 4) ofColstrip in Montana and Coyote Springs 2 in Oregon. States rnay adopt rate-based or mass-based plans, and may choose to focus compliance on specific EGUs or adopt broader measures to reduce carbon emissions from this sector. The states in which Avista Utilities generates or delivers electricity, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon, are at diflering stages ofevaluating options for developing state plans, which will define compliance approaches and obligations. Alaska was exempted in the Final CPP. The EPA may consider rulemaking for Alaska and Hawaii, both states which lack regional grid connections in the future. In a separate but related rulemaking, the EPA finalized CO2 new source performance standards (NSPS) for new, modified and reconstructed fossil fuel- fircd EGUs undcr CAA scction I I I (b). Thcsc EGUs fall into thc samc two catcgorics ofsources rcgulatcd by thc Final CPP: stcam gcncrating units (also known as "utility boilers and IGCC units"), which primarily bum coal, and stationary combustion turbines, which primarily bum natural gas. GHG emission standards could result in significant compliance costs. Such standards could also preclude us from developing, operating or contracting with certain types of generating plants. Additionally, the Climate Action Plan requirernents related to preparing the U.S. for the impacts of climate change could affect us and others in the industry as transmission system modifications to improve resiliency may be needed in order to meet those requirements. The promulgated and proposed GHG rulemakings mentioned above have been legally challenged in multiple venues. On February 9, 201 6, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a request for stay, halting implementation ofthe CPP. Given this development and related ongoing legal challenges, we cannot fully predict the outcome or estimate the extent to which our facilities may be impacted by these regulations at this time. We intend to seek recovery of any costs related to compliance with these requirements through the raternaking process. Climate Change - State Legislation and State Regulatory Activities Thc states ofWashington and Oregon havc adopted non-binding targcts to reducc GHG emissions. Both states cnacted their targcts with an cxpcctation ofreaching the targets through a combination ofrenewable energy standards, and assorted "complementary policies," but no specific reductions are mandated. Washington and Oregon apply a GHG emissions performance standard (EPS) to electric generation facilities used to serve retail loads in their jurisdictions. Thc EPS prcvcnts utilitics from constructing or purchasing gcneration facilities, or cntcring into power purchasc agrccmcnts offive ycars or longer duration to purchase energy produced by plants, that in any case, have emission levels higher than I ,l 00 pounds of GHG per MWh. The Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated a procass to adopt a lower emissions performance standard in 2012; any new standard will be appticable until at least 201 7. Commerce published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on January I 6, 7l Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 78 of 414 Table of Cont€nts AVISTA CORPORATION 2013 with a new EPS of 970 pounds of GHG per MWh. We will engage in the next process to revise the EPS, which should occur in 2017 llashington Energy Independence Act @lA) The EIA in Washington requires electric utilities with over 25,000 customers to acquire qualified renewable energy resources and/or renewable energy credits equal to I 5 percent of the utility's total retai I load in Washington in 2020. I-93 7 also requires these uti lities to meet bienn ial energy conservation targcts beginnin g in 2012. Thc rcnewablc cncrgy standard increased from three pcrccnt in 20 I 2 to nine perccnt in 20 I 6. Failure to comply with renewable energy and efficiency standards could result in penalties of 550 per MWh or greater assessed against a utility for each MWh it is deficient in meeting a standard. We have met, and will continue to meet, the requirernents ofEIA through a variety ofrenewable energy generating means, including, but not limited to, some combination ofhydro upgrades, wind, biomass and renewable energy credits. In 20 I 2, EIA was amended in such a way that our Kettle Falls GS and certain other biomass energy facilities, which commenced operation before March 3l ,1999, are considered resources that may be uscd to mcet thc rcnewable cncrgy standards. Clean Air Rule In Scptembcr 201 6, the Washington Statc Dcpartmcnt of Ecology @cology) adoptcd the Clean Air Rule (CAR) to cap and rcduce GHG cmissions across the State ofwashington in pursuit of the State's GHG goals, which were enacted in 2008 by the Washington State Legislature (Legislature). The CAR applies to sources ofannual GHG emissions in excess of I 00,000 tons for the first compliance period of20 I 7 through 20 I 9; this threshold incrementally decreases to 70,000 metric tons beginning in 2035. The rule affects stationary sources and transportation fuel suppliers, as well as natural gas distribution companies. Ecology has identified approximately 30 entities that would be regulated under the CAR. Parties covered by the regulation must reduce emissions by l 7 percent annually until 2035. Cornpliance can be demonstrated by achieving emission reductions and/or surrendering Ernission Reduction Units (ERU), which are generated by parties that achieve reductions greater than required by the rule. ERUs can also take the form of renewable energy credits from renewable resources located in Washington, carbon emission offsets, and allowances acquired from an organized cap and trade market, such as that operating in Califomia. In addition to the CAR'S applicability to our buming of fuel as an electric utility, the CAR applies to us as a natural gas distribution company, for the emissions associated with the use ofthe natural gas we provide our customers who are not already covered under the regulation. In Scptembcr 201 6, Avista Corp., Cascadc Natural Gas Corp., NW Natural and Pugct Sound Encrgy @SE) (collcctivcly, Petitioncrs) jointly filcd an action in the U.S. District Court for the Eastem District of Washington challenging Ecology's recently promulgated CAR. The four companies also filed litigation in Thurston County Superior Court. Petitioners believe that the reduction ofGHG emissions is a matter that needs to be addressed, but the CAR is not the solution. Each utility represented in this case provided feedback and public comment to improve the rule, but ideas put forward were not incorporated in the final rule. They are asking the U.S Dstrict Court and the Thurston County Superior Court to find that the CAR is invalid. In their State clairn, Petitioners assert that: . Ecology lacks statutory authority to rcgulate natural gas utilitics bccausc thc CAR holds thcm rcsponsiblc for the indircct emissions oftheir customers; . Ecology does not have the authority to create an emission reduction trading program (ERUs); . Ecology failed to comply with the requirements of the State Environrnental Policy Act; and . thc CAR is arbitrary and capricious. Petitioners'Federal claim asserts that the CAR violates the dormant Commerce Clause ofthe U.S. Constitution by discriminating against interstate commerce, regulating extraterritorially and unduly burdening interstate commerce by restricting the use ofERU's (allowances) generated from outside Washington State for compliance purposes. The case in U.S. District Court has been tolled while the state court case proceeds, with oral arguments scheduled for the spring of2017 . Initiotiye I-732 An Initiative to the Legislature (I-732) to impose a carton tax on fossil-fueled generation and natural gas distribution, as well as on transportation fuels, was submitted to the Legislature in January 20 I 6. The Legislature failed to act upon the 72 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 79 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATTON measure and I-732 was referred to the November 20 I 6 General Election ballot, where it failed to gain enough votes for enactment. Colstrip 3 &4 Considerations On February 6,2014, the UTC issued a letter finding that PSE's 20 I 3 Electric Integrated R esource Plan meets the requirements of the R evised Code of Washington and the Washington Administrative Code. In its letter, however, the UTC expressed concem regarding the continued operation ofthe Colstrip plant as a resource to scrvc retail customcrs. Although tlre UTC rccognizcd that thc results ofthe analyses prcscnted by PSE "diffcred significantlybetween[Colstrip] Unitsl&2andUnits3&4,"theUTCdidnotlimititsconcemssolelytoColstripUnitsl&2.TheUTCrecommended that PSE "consult with UTC staffto consider a Colstrip Proceeding to determine the prudency of any new investment in Colstrip before it is made or, altematively, a closure or partial-closure plan." As part of the Sierra Club litigation that was settled in 201 6, Un its 1 & 2 are scheduled to close by July 2022. See "Note I 9 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for further discussion ofthe Sierra Club litigation. As a I 5 percent owner of Colstrip Units 3 & 4, wc cannot cstimate thc cffect ofsuch procceding, should it occur, on the futurc owncrship, operation and opcrating costs ofour share ofColstrip Units 3 & 4. Ourremaining investment in Colstrip Units 3 & 4 as ofDecember3l,20l6 was $131.0 million. In Orcgon, lcgislation was enactcd in 20 I 6 which rcquires Portland Gcncral Elcctric and PacifiCorp to removc coal-fircd gencration from their Orcgon rate base by 2030. This legislation does not directly relate to Avista Corp. because Avista Corp. is not an electric utility in Oregon. However, because these two utilities, along with Avista Corp., hold rninority interests in Colstrip, the legislation could indirectly impact Avista Corp., though specific impacts cannot be identified at this time. While the legislation requires Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp to eliminate Colstrip frorn their rates, they would be permitted to sell the output oftheir shares ofColstrip into the wholesale market or, as is the case with PacifiCorp, reallocate the plant to other states. We cannot predict the eventual outcome ofactions arising from this legislation at this time or estimate the effect thereofon Avista Corp.; however, we will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process! ofall operating and capitalized costs related to our generation assets. Threatened and Endangered Species and WildlW A number ofspecies offish in the Northwest are listed as threatened or endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Efforts to protect these and other species lrave not significantly impacted generation levels at any ofour hydroelectric facilities, nor operations ofour thermal plants or electrical distribution and transmission system. We are implementing fish protection measures at our hydroelectric project on the Clark Fork River under a 45-year FERC operating license for Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids (issued March 2001 ) that incorporates a comprehensive settlement agreement. The restoration ofnativc salmonid fish, including bull trout, is a kcy part ofthc agrccmcnt. The result is a collaborativc nativc salmonid rcstoration program with thc U.S. Fish and Wildlife Sewice, Native American tribes and the slates of ldaho and Montana on the lower Clark Fork River, consistent with requirements of the FERC license. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service issued an updated Critical Habitat Designation forbull trout in 2010 that includesthe lowerClark Fork Riveq as well as portions ofthe Coeur d'Alene basin within our Spokane River Project area, and issued a final Bull Trout Recovery Plan under the ESA. Issues related to these activities are expected to be resolved through the ongoing collaborative effort ofour Clart Fork and Spokane River FERC licenses. See "Fish Passagc at Cabinct Gorgc and Noxon Rapids" in "Notc I 9 ofthc Notes to Consolidated Financial Statcmcnts" for further information. Various statutory authorities, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, have established penalties for the unauthorized take ofmigratory birds. Because we operate facilities that can pose risks to a variety ofsuch birds, we have developed and follow an avian protection plan. We are also aware ofother threatened and endangered species and issues related to them that could be impacted by our operations and we make every effort to comply with all laws and regulations relating to these threatened and endangered species. We expect all costs associated with these compliance efforts to be rccovercd through the future ratemaking prccess. Other For othcr cnvironmcntal issucs and othcr contingencies scc "Note I 9 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statcmcnts." EnterDrise Risk Manaeement The material risks to our businesses are discussed in "Item 1 A. Risk Factors," "Forward-Looking Statements," as well as "Environmental Issues and Contingencies." The following discussion focuses on our mitigation processes and procedures to address these risks. Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 80 of4l4 Tabl€ of C'ontents AVISTA CORPORATION We consider the management ofthese risks an integral part ofmanaging our core businesses and a key element ofour approach to corporate govemance. Risk management includes identiffing and measuring various forms ofrisk that may affect the Company. We have an enterprise risk management process for managing risks throughout our organization. Our Board ofDirectors and its Committees take an active role in the oversight ofrisk affecting the Company. Our risk management d€partment facilitates the collection ofrisk information across the Company, providing senior management with a consolidated view of the Company's major risks and risk mitigation measurcs. Each arca identifics risks and implcmcnts the rclatcd mitigation mcasurcs. Thc cnterprisc risk process supports management in identifuing, assessing, quantiSing, managing and mitigating the nsks. Despite all risk mitigatron measures, however, risks are not eliminated. Ourprimary identified categories ofrisk exposure are: . Financial . Utility rcgulatory . Energy commodity . Operational Financial Risk Financial risk is any risk that could have a direct material impact on the financial performance or financial viability ofthe Company. Broadly, financial risks involve variation ofeamings and liquidity. Underlying risks include, but are not limited to, those described in "ltem I A. Risk Factors." We mitigate financial risk in a variety ofways including through oversight from the Finance Committee of our Board of Directors and from senior management. Our Regulatory department is also critical in risk mitigation as they have regular communications with state commission regulators and staff and they monitor and devclop ratc strategies for the Company. Rate stratcgies, such as dccoupling, hclp mitigate thc impacts ofrcvenuc fluctuations duc to weather, conservation or the economy. We also have a Treasury depatment that monitors our daily cash position and future cash flow needs, as well as monitoring market conditions to determine the appropriate course ofaction for capital financing and/or hedging strategies. Weather Risk To partially mitigate the risk offinancial underperfonnance due to weather-related factors, we developed decoupling rate mechanisms that were approved by the Washington, Idaho and Oregon commissions. Decoupling mechanisms are designed to break the link between a utility's revenues and consumers'energy usage and instead provide revenue based on the number ofcustomers, thus mitigating a large portion ofthe risk associated with lower customer loads. See "Rcgulatory Mattcrs" for further discussion of our dccoupling mcchanisms. Access to Capital Markets Our capital requirements rely to a significant degree on regular access to capital markets. We actively engage with rating agencies, banks, investors and state public utility commissions to understand and address the factors that support access to caprtal markets on reasonable terms. We manage our capital structure to maintain a financial risk profile that we bclicvc thcsc partics will decm pmdcnt. We forccast cash rcquircmcnts to dctcrminc liquidity nccds, including sources and variability ofcash flows that may arise from our spending plans or from extemal forces, such as changes in energy prices or interest rates. Our financial and operating forecasts consider various metrics that affect credit ratings. Ourregulatory strategies include working with state public utility commissions and filing for rate changes as appropriate to meet financial performance expectations. Interest Rate Risk Uncertainty about future interest rates causes risk related to a portion ofour existing debt, our future borowing requirements, and our pension and other post- retirement benefit obligations. We manage debt interest rate exposure by limiting our variable rate debt to a percentage oftotal capitalization ofthe Company. We hedge a portion of our interest rate risk on forecasted debt issuances with financial derivative instruments, which may include interest rate swaps and U.S. Treasury lock agreements. The Finance Committee ofour Board ofDirectors periodically reviews and discusses interest rate risk management processcs and thc stcps managcmcnt has undcrtaken to control intcrest ratc risk. Our RMC also revicws our intcrcst ratc risk managemcnt plan. Additionally, interest rate risk is managed by monitoring market conditions when timing the issuance oflong-term debt and optional debt redemptions and establishing fixed rate long-term debt with varying maturities. Our interest rate swap derivatives are considered economic lredges against the future forecasted interest rate payments ofour long+erm debt. Interest rates on our long-term debt are generally set based on underlying U.S. Treasury rates plus credit 74 . Compliance . Tcchnology . Strategic . External Mandates Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 8l of 414 Tabk of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION spreads, which are based on our credit ratings and prevailing market prices for debt. The interest rate swap derivatives hedge against changes in the U.S. Treasury rates but do not hedge the credit spread. Evcn though wc work to manage our exposurc to intcrcst ratc risk by locking in ce(ain long-tcrm intercst ratcs through interest rate swap derivatives, if market interest rates decrease below the interest rates we have locked in, this will result in a liability related to our interest rate swap derivatives, which can be significant. However, through our regulatory accounting practices similar to our energy cornmodity derivatives, any interim mark-to-market gains or losses are offset by regulatory assets and liabilities. Upon settlement ofinterest rate swap derivatives, the regulatory asset or liability is amortized as a component of interest expense over the term ofthe associated debt. ThefollowingtablesummarizesourinterestrateswapderivativesoutstandingasofDecember3l,20l6andDecernber3l,20l5(dollaninthousands): December 3 I 20t6 December 3l 2015 Numbcr of agrccments Notional amount Mandatory cash settlement dates Short+erm derivative assets (l ) Long-tcrm dcrivative assets (l ) Short{erm derivative liability (l) (2) Long-term derivative liability (l ) (2) $ $ JJ 500,000 s 201? to2O22 3,393 $ 5,357 (6,02s) (28,705) 23 45 5,000 2016 to 2O22 23 (19,264) (30,67e) (l) ThereareoffsettingregulatoryassetsandliabilitiesfortheseitemsontheConsolidatedBalanceSheetsinaccordancewithregulatoryaccounting practices. (2) ThebalanceasofDecember3l,20l6andDecember3l,20l5reflectstheollsettingof$34.9millionand$34.0million,respectively,ofcashcollateral against the net derivative positions where a legal right ofoffset exists. We estrmate that a l0-basis-point increase in forward LIBOR interest rates as ofDecember3l,20l6 would decrease the interest rate swap derivative net liability by $ I 0.4 million, while a I O-basis-point decrcase would incrcase the interest rate swap derivative net liability by $ I 0.7 million. We estimated that a l0-basis-point increase in forward LIBOR interest rates as ofDecember3l,20l5 would have decreased the interest rate swap derivative net liability by $9.8 million, while a I O-basis-point decrease would increase the interest rate swap derivative net liability by $ I 0.1 million. The interest rate on $5 1 .5 million oflong-term debt to affiliated trusts is adjusted quarterly, reflecting current market rates. Amounts borrowed under our committed line ofcredit agreements have variable interest rates. The following table shows our long{erm debt (including cunent portion) and related weighted-average interest rates, by expected maturity dates as of December 3 l, 20 I 6 (dollars in thousands): 2017 201 8 2019 2020 2021 Thcrcaftcr Total Fair Valuc Fixed rate long-term debt(l)$-$272,500$105,000$52,000$-$1,t98,500$1,628,000$1,723,912 Wcightcd-avcragc interest rate 6.07% 5.22% 3.89% 4.91% 5.09% Variable rate long-term debt to affiliatedtrusts $ 5l,547 $ 51,547 $ 38,660 Weighted-average intcrcst ratc 1.81% 1.81% (l ) Thcsc balances includc the fixcd rate long-tcrm dcbt of Avista Corp., AEL&P and AERC. Our pension plan is exposed to interest rate risk because the value ofpension obligations and other post-retirement obligations vary directly with changes in the discount rates, which are derived from end-ofyear market interest rates. In addition, the value ofpension investments and potential income on pension investments is partially affected by interest rates because a portion ofpension investments are in fixed income securities. The Finance Committee ofthe Board of Directors approves investment Appendix 6 to Joint Application 75 Page 82 of 414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION policies, objectives and strategies that seek an appropriate retum forthe pension plan and it revrews and approves changes to the investment and funding policies. Wc manage intcrcst ratc risk associatcd with our pcnsion and othcr post-rctircmcnt bencfit plans by investing a targeted amount ofpension plan assets in fixed income investments that have maturities with similar profiles to future projected benefit obligations. See "Note l0 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for further discussion ofour investment policy associated with the pension assets. Credit Risk C ou n t e rp a rty N o n-P etfo rma n ce R isk Counterparty non-performance risk relates to potential losses that we would incur as a result ofnon-performance ofcontractual obligations by counterparties to deliverenergy ormake financial settlements. Changes in market prices may dramatically alter the size ofcredit risk with counterparties, even when we establish conservative credit limits. Should a counterparty fail to perform, we may be required to honor the underlying commitment or to replace existing contBcts with contracts at then-current market prices. We enter into bilateral transactions with various counterparties. We also trade energy and related derivative instruments through clearinghouse exchanges. We seek to mitigate credit risk by: . transactingthroughclearinghouseexchanges, . entering into bilateral contracts that speciff credit terms and protections against default, . applying crcdit limits and duration criteria to cxisting and prospcctivc counterpartics, . actively monitoring current crcdit cxposurcs, . asserting our collateral rights with counterparties, and . carrying out transaction settlements timely and effectively. The extent oftransactions conducted through exchanges has increased as many market participants have shown a preference toward exchange trading and have reduced bilateral transactions. We actively monitor the collateral required by such exchanges to eilectively manage our capital requirements. Counterparties' credit exposure to us is dynamic in normal markets and may change significantly in more volatile markets. The amount ofpotential default risk to us from cach countcrparty dcpcnds on thc cxtent offonvard contracts, unscttlcd transactions, intcrcst rates and markct prices. Thcrc is a risk that wc do not obtain sufficient additional collateral from counterparties that are unable or unwilling to provide it. C red it R isk Liq u id i ty C o n sid era t io ns To address the impact on our operations ofenergy market price volatility, our hedging practices for electricity (including fuel for generation) and natural gas extend beyond the current operating year. Executing this extended hedging program may increase credit risk and demands for collateral. Our credit risk managemcnt proccss is designcd to mitigatc such credit risks through limit sctting, contract protections and countcrparty diversification, among other practices. Credit risk affects demands on our capital. We are subject to limits and credit terms that counterparties may assert to allow us to enter into transactions with them and maintain acceptable credit exposures. Many ofour counterparties allow unsecured credit at Iimits prescribed by agreements or their discretion. Capital requirements for certain transaction types involve a combination ofinitial margin and market value margins without any unsecured credit threshold. Counterparties may seek assurances ofperformance fiom us in the form ofletters ofcredit, prepayment or cash deposits. Credit exposure can change significantly in periods ofcommodity price and interest rate volatility. As a result, sudden and significant demands may be made against our credit facilities and cash. We actively monitor the exposure to possible collateral calls and take steps to minimize capital requirements. As of December 3 1 , 201 6, we had cash deposited as collateral of $ I 7.1 million and letters of credit of $24.4 mill ion outstanding related to our energy derivative contracts. Price movements and/or a downgrade in our credit ratings could impact further the amount ofcollateral required. See "Credit Ratings" for further information. For example, in addition to limiting our ability to conduct transactions, ifour credit ratings were lowered to below "investment grade" based on our positions outstanding at December 3 I , 20 I 6, we would potentially be required to post additional collateral ofup to $6.0 million. This amount is 76 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 83 of414 Table of Contctrts AVISTA CORPORATION diflerent from the amount disclosed in "Note 6 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" because, while this analysis includes contracts that are not considered derivatives in addition to the contracts considered in Note 6, this analysis also takes into account contractual threshold limits that are not considered in Note 6. Without contractual threshold limits, we would potentially be required to post additional collateral of $8.2 million. Under the terms ofinterest mte swap derivatives that we enter into periodrcally, we may be required to post cash or letters ofcredit as collateral depending on fluctuations in thc fair valuc ofthc instrumcnt. As ofDcccmber 3 I , 20 I 6, we had intcrcst ratc svr'ap agrccments outstanding with a notional amount totaling $500.0 million and we had deposited cash in the amount of$34.9 million and letters ofcredit of$3.6 million as collateral forthese interest rate swap derivatives. Ifour credit ratings were lowered to below "investment grade" based on our interest rate swap derivatives outstanding at December 3 I , 20 I 6, we would have to post $2 l.l million ofadditional collateral. Foreign Currency Risk A significant portion ofourutility natural gas supply (including fuel forelectric generation) is obtained from Canadian sources. Most ofthose transactions are executed in U.S. dollars, which avoids foreign currency risk. A portion ofour short-term natural gas transactions and long-term Canadian transportation contracts are committcd bascd on Canadian cunency prices. Thc short+crm natural gas transactions are typically settlcd within sixty days with U.S. dollars. We economically hedge a portion ofthe foreign cuffency risk by purchasing Canadian currency exchange contracts when such commodity transactions are initiated. This risk has not had a material effect on our financial condition, results ofoperations or cash flows and these differences in cost related to currency fluctuations are included with natural gas supply costs forratemaking. Further information for derivatives and fair values is disclosed at "Note 6 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" and "Note I 6 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements." Utilitv Resulatorv Risk Because we are primarily a regulated utility, we face the risk that regulators may not grant rates that provide timely or sufficient recovery ofour costs or allow a reasonable rate ofretum for our shareholders. This includes costs associated with our investment in rate base, as well as commodity costs and other operating and financing expenses. During December 20 I 6, the UTC denied our most recent electric and natural gas general rate requests and granted zero rate relief. We are currently in the process ofpursuing remedies toward a reasonable end result. Ifour efforts to obtain rates that are fair, just, reasonable and su{ficient are not successful, we expect our 201 7 eamings will be adversely impacted. See further discussion at "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Regulatory Matters." We mitigate regulatory risk through oversight from our Board of Directorc and from senior management. We have a separate regulatory group which communicates with commission regulaton and staffregarding the Company's business plans and concems. The regulatory group also considers the rcgulator's prioritics and ratc policics and makcs recommendations to scnior managcment on regulatory stratcgy for thc Company. Sce "Rcgulatory Mattcrs" for further discussion ofregulatory matters affecting our Company. Enersv Commoditv Risk Energy commodity risks are associated with fulfilling our obligation to serye customers, managing variability of energy facilities, rights and obligations and fulfilling the terms of our energy commodity agreements with counterparties. These risks include, arnong otherthings, those described in "Item l A. Risk Factors." We mitigate energy commodity risk primarily through our energy resources risk policy, which includes oversrght from the RMC and oversight from the Audit Cornmittee and the Environmental, Technology and Operations Committee ofour Board ofDirectors. In conjunction with the oversight comrnittees, our management team develops hedging strategies, detailed resource procurement plans, resource optimization strategies and long-term integrated resource planning to mitigate some ofthe risk associated with energy commodities. The various plans and strategies are monitored daily and developed wrth quantitativc methods. Our energy resources risk policy includes our wholesale energy markets credit policy and control procedures to manage energy commodity price and credit risks. Nonetheless, adverse changes in commodity prices, generating capacity, customer loads, regulation and other factors may result in losses ofeamings, cash flows and/or fair values. We measure the volume ofmonthly, quarterly and annual energy imbalances between projected power loads and resources. The measurernent process is based on expected loads at fixed prices (including those subject to retail rates) and expected resources to the extent that costs are essentially fixed by virtue of known fuel supply costs or projected hydroelectric conditions. To the extent that expected costs are not fixed, either because ofvolume mismatches between loads and rcsourccs or bccause fuel cost is not locked in through fixed price contracts or dcrivative instrumcnts, our risk policy guides thc process to managc this open 77 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 84 of4l4 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION forward position over a period of time. Normal operations result in seasonal mismatches between power loads and available resources. We are able to vary the operation ofgenerating resources to match parts ofintra-hour, hourly, daily and weekly load fluctuations. We use the wholesale power ma*ets, including the natural gas market as it relates to power generation fuel, to sell projected resource surpluses and obtain resources when deficits are projected. We buy and sell fuel for thermal generation facilities based on comparative power market prices and marginal costs offueling and operating available generating facilities and the relativc economics ofsubstitute market purchascs for generating plant opcration. To address the impact on our operations ofcncrgy market price volatility, our hedging practices for elcctricity (including fuel for generation) and natural gas extend beyond the current operating year. Executing this extended hedging program may increase our credit risks. Our credit risk management process is designed to mitigate such credit risks through limit setting, contract protections and counterparty diversification, among other practices. Our projected retail natural gas loads and resources are regularly reviewed by operating management and the RMC. To manage the impacts ofvolatile natural gas priccs, wc seek to procure natural gas through a divcrsified mix ofspot markct purchascs and forward fixed pricc purchases from various supply basins and time periods. We have an active hedging program that extends into future years with the goal ofreducing price volatility in our natural gas supply costs. We use natural gas storage capacity to support high demand periods and to procure natural gas when price spreads are favorable. Securing prices throughout the year and even into subsequent years mitigates potential adverse impacts ofsignificant purchase requirements in a volatile price environment. The following table presents energy commodity derivative fair values as a net asset or (liability) as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6 that are expected to settle in each respective year (dollars in thousands): Purchases Sales Electric Derivatives Gas Derivatives Electric Derivatives Gas Derivatives Year 2017 201 8 2019 2020 202t Thcrcaftcr Physical (l) Financial (l) Physical (l) Financial (l) Physical (l) Financial (l) Physical (l) Financial (l) $(4,274) $ (s,5 98) (3,123) t,939 $e7$ (23s) (266) 576 $ 854 975 (2,036) $ (e l0) (927) (1,288) (86e) 709 103 (4,005) s (2,170) (3,732\ (3 70) (22s) $ (33) (40) (3,440) The following table presents energy commodity derivative fair values as a net asset or (liability) as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 5 that were expected to settle in each respective year (dollars in thousands): Purchases Sales Electric Derivatives Gas Derivatives Electric Derivatives Gas Derivatives Year Physical ( I ) 2016 $ (6,928) $ (14,e88) $ (5,895) $ (41,006) $ 82 $ 28,857 $ t73 $ 22,44s 2017 (6,403) 36 (l ,0s0) (e,473) (23) 3,971 (l ,l 25) 3 I 3 2018 (5,614) (3,ss4) (50) (1.t72) (162) 20te (3,072') (22) (1,e64) (44) (t,220) 2020 3s (r8) (t,130) Thereafter - 1679) - (l ) Physical transactions represent commodity transactions where we will take delivery ofeither electricity or natural gas and financial transactions represent derivative instruments with no physical delivery, such as futures, swaps, options, or forward contracts. The above electric and natural gas derivative contracts will be included in either power supply costs or natural gas supply costs during the period they are delivered and wrll be included in the various recovery mechanisms (ERM, PCA, and PGAs), or in the general rate case process, and are expected to eventually bc collccted through rctail rates from customcrs. Scc "ltem l. Business- Elcctric Opcrations," "ltcm 1. Busincss-Natural GasOpcrations," and "Item lA. Risk Factors" foradditional discussion ofthc risks associated with Energy Commoditres. 78 Physical ( | )Financial(l) Physical(l) Finmcial(l)Financial (l) Physical (l) Financial (l) Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 85 of 414 AVISTA CORPORATION Operational Risk Operational risk involves potential disruption, losses, or excess costs arising from extemal events or inadequate or failed intemal processes, people and systems. Our operations are subject to operational and event risks that include, but are not limited to, those described in "Item I A. Risk Factors." To manage operational and event risks, we maintain emergency operating plans, business continuity and disasterrecovery plans, maintain insurance coverage against some, but not all, potential losses and seek to negotiate indemnification arrangements with contractors for certain event risks. In addition, we design and follow detailed vegetation management and asset management inspection plans, which help mitigate wildfire and storm event risks, as well as identiff utility assets which may bc failing and in nccd of rcpair or replacement. Wc also have an Emergency Opcrating Ccntcr, whiclr is a tcam of cmployccs that plan for and train to deal with potential emergencies or unplanned outages at our facilities, resulting from natural disasters or other events. To prevent unauthorized access to our facilities, we have both physical and cyber security in place. To address the risk related to fuel cost, avaitabitity and delivery restraints, we have an energy resources risk policy, which includes our wholesale energy markets credit policy and control procedures to manage energy comrnodity price and credit risks. Development ofthe energy resources risk policy includes planning for sufficient capacity to meet our customer and wholesale energy delivery obligations. See further discussion ofthe energy resources risk policy above. Oversight ofthe operational risk management process is perfonned by the Environmental, Technology and Operations Committee ofour Board ofDirectors and from senior management with input from each operating department. Comnliance Risk Compliance risk is the potential consequences oflegal or regulatory sanctions or penalties arising from the failure ofthe Company to comply with requirements of applicable laws, rules and regulations. We have extensive compliance obligations. Our primary compliance risks and obligations include, among othcrs, thosc dcscribcd in "Itcm I A. Risk Factors." We mitigate compliance risk through oversight from the Environmental, Technology and Operations Committee and the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and liom senior management. We also have separate Regulatory and Environmental Compliance departments that monitor legislation, regulatory orders and actions to detennine the overall potential itnpact to our Company and develop strategies for complying with the various rules and regulations. We also engage outside attomeys, and consultants, when necessary, to help ensure compliance with laws and regulations. See "Item l. Business, Regulatory Issues" through "ltem l. Business, Reliability Standards" and "Environmental Issues and Contingencies" for further discussion ofcornpliance issues that impact our Company. Technolosv Risk Our prirnary technology risks are described in "Item I A. Risk Factors." We mitigatc tcchnology risk through trainings and cxcrciscs at all levels of the Company. The Environmcntal, Tcchnology and Opcrations Committcc of our Board ofDirectors along with senior management are regularly briefed on security policy, programs and incidents. Annual cyber and physical training and testing ofemployees are included in our enterprise security program as are business continuity testing and data breach response exercises. Technology govemance is led by senior management, which includes new technology strategy, risk planning and major project planning and approval. The technology project management office and enterprise capital planning group provide project cost, timeline and schedule oversight. In addition, there are independent third party audits ofour critical infrastructure security program and our business risk security controls. We have a Technology department dedicated to securing, maintaining, evaluating and developing our information technology syslems. There are regular training sessions for the technology and security team. This group also evaluates the Company's technology for obsolescence and makes recommendations forupgrading or rcplacing systcms as ncccssary. Additionally, this group monitors for intrusion and sccurity cvcnts that may includc a data brcach. Stratesic Risk Stmtegic risk relates to thc potcntial impacts rcsulting from incorrect assumptions about extemal and intemal factors, inappropriatc busincss plans, ineffective business strategy execution, or the failure to respond in a timely manner to changes in the regulatory, macroeconomic or competitive environments. Our primary strategic risks include, among others, those described in "Item I A. Risk Factors." 79 Page 86 of 414 Table 0f Contents Appendix 6 to Joint Application Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION We mitigate strategic risk through detailed oversight from the Board of Directors and from senior management. We also have a Chief Strategy Officer that lcads strategic initiativcs, to scarch for and cvaluatc opportunitics for thc Company and makcs rccommcndations to scnior managcmcnt. Wc not only focus on whether opportunities are financially viable, but also consider whether these opportunities fall within our core policies and our core business strategies. We mitigate our reputational risk primarily through a focus on adherence to our core policies, including our Code ofConduct, maintaining an appropnate Company culture and tone at the top, and through communication and engagement ofour extemal stakeholders. External Mandates Risk Extemal mandate risk involves forces outside the Company, which may include significant changes in customer expectations, disruptive technologies that result in obsolescence ofour business model and govemment action that could impact the Company. See "Environmental Issues and Contingencies" and "Forward-Looking Statements" for a discussion ofor reference to our extemal mandates risks. We mitigate extemal mandate risk through detailed oversight from the Environmental, Technology and Operations Committee of our Board of Directors and ffom senior management. We have a Climate Council which meets intemally to assess the potential impacts of climate policy to our business and to identify strategies to plan for changc. Wc also havc cmployecs dcdicatcd to actively engagc and monitor federal, statc and local govcmmcnt positions and legislativc actions that may affect us or our customers. To prevent the threat ofmunicipalization, we work to build strong relationships with the communities we serve through, among other things: . communication and involvement with local business leaders and community organizations, . providing customers with a multitude of limited income initiatives, including energy fairs, senior outreach and low income workshops, mobile outrcach stratcgy and a Low Incomc Ratc Assistance Plan, . tailoring our intcmal company initiativcs to focus on choices for our customers, to incrcase thcir ovcrall satisfaction with thc Company, and . engaging in tlre legislative process in a manner that fosters the interests ofour customers and the communities we serve. ITEM 7A. OUANTITATIVE AN'D OUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK The information required by this item is set forth in the Enterprise Risk Management section of "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis" and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AN'D SI.]PPLEMENTARY DATA The Report oflndependent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Financial Statements begin on the next page 80 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 87 of 414 Table ol Contcnts REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PI,tsLIC ACCOI]NTING FIRM To the Board ofDirectors and Shareholders of Avista Corporation Spokane, Washington We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets ofAvista Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as ofDecember 3 l, 20 I 6 and 20 I 5, and the related consolidated statements ofincome, comprehensive income, equity and redeemable noncontrolling interests, and cash flows for each ofthe thrce years in the pcriod endcd Dcccmbcr3l,20l6. These financial statements arc the rcsponsibility ofthe Company's management. Our rcsponsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards ofthe Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (Jnited States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whetherthe financial statements are free ofmaterial misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In ouropinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position ofAvista Corporation and subsidiaries at December3l,20l6and20l5,andtheresultsoftheiroperationsandtheircashflowsforeachofthetlrreeyearsintheperiodendedDecember3l,20l6,in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ofAmerica. We havc also audited, in accordancc with thc standards of thc Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (Unitcd Statcs), the Company's intemal control over financial reporting as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6, based on the criteria established in Inlernal Control - Integrated Framev,ork (20,/3) issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations ofthe Treadway Comrnission, and our report, dated February 21,2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's intemal control over financial reporting. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Seattle, Washington February 2l,2017 8l Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 88 of 414 Trble of Contents CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Avisla Corporation For thc Years Ended Dcccmbcr 3 I Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts 2016 201 5 2014 Utility revenues $l t4$l 1$l Total revenues 1,442,483 1,484,776 1,472,562 Other Taxes other than income taxes 315,795 98,73 5 303,221 97,657 286,832 94,300 25,501 29,526 30,41 8 Total operating expenses Interest interest lncome from continuing operations before income taxes 215.402 I 85,619 t92,106 Net income from continuing operations Net income Net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders 137.316 192,277 $ 137,228 $ 123,227 $ I 92,041 The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part ofThese Stalements- 82 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 89 of 414 t.152,680 I,231,562 I ,2t9,97 4 289,803 86,496 634 (2,65 l) (r 0,078) )\1 )ta 79,968 473 (3,546) (9,300) 252,588 7 5,302 450 (3,924) (1 1,346) t37,316 I I {i,170 5.t 47 I 19,866 72,4n 123,317 (e0) IeDJwf-@teEE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (continued) Avista Corporatiotr For thc Years Ended Decembcr 3 I Dollan in thousands, except per share amounts 20t6 201 5 20t4 Net income from $ t37,228 $ 118,080 $ 1 Net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders s l 92,041 common shares dilutcd 61,887 common share from Total eamings per cornmon share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders, basic $ 2.16 $1.90 $1.94 2.16 $1.98 S 3.12 per common share from Total eamings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders, diluted $ 2.t5 $ 2.15 S 1.89 $ t.97 $ 1.93 3.10 The Accompanying Noles are an Integral Part ofThese Statements. 83 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 90 of414 $ t37,228 $ 63,508 63,920 s 62,301 62,708 0.08 S 1.37 $1.32 $1.27 Tabl€ of Contents CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPRE}IENSIVE INCOME Avista Corporation For the Years Ended December 3 I Dollars in thousands 2016 201 5 2014 Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): Reclassification adjustment forrealized gains on investment securities included in net incomc - net oftaxcs of$0, $0 and $(l ), Change in unfunded benefit obligation for pension and other postretirement benefit plans - net oftaxes $667 and $(1,967),(e l8)r,238 Comprehensive income Comprehensive income attributable to Avista Corporation shareholders 190,208 s 136,310 $ 124,465 S t89,972 The Accompanying Notes arc an Integral Part ofThese Statements. 84 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 9l of 414 $ 137,316 $ 123,317 S 192,277 1,126 (2) 462 (3,6s 5 ) (91 8)1,238 (2,069) 136,398 (8 8) 124,555 (e0) Table of Contetrts CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SMETS Avisla Corporatiorr As ofDecember 3 I Dollars in thousands 2016 201 5 Current Assets: Accounts and notes receivable-less allowances of55,026 and $4,530, Materials fuel stock and stored natural Other current assets 180,265 53,314 49,625 t69,413 54,t48 30,620 Construction work in Less: Accumulated Other Non-current Assets: and amortization 1,509,473 Goodwill Other and investments-net and other non-current assets Deferred Charges: asscts for 240,1t4 235,009 asset for interest rate l 6l ,508 83,973 Othcr Total assets $ 5,309,755 S 4,906,649 The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part ofThese Statements. 85 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 92 of 414 $ 35t,341 306.046 5,506,499 150,47 4 5,129,t92 202,683 5,331,875 1 ,433,286 4,147,500 3,898,5 89 11,547 57,672 1) ))l I I ,547 57,672 14,694 59,7 33 141,443 143,646 669,4',7 |558.368 Table of Contents CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued) Avista Dollars in thousands 2016 2015 Current Liabilities: Current debt and leases 93,167 derivative liabilities 14,268 Accrued taxes than income taxes and other benefits Total cuncnt liabilitics debt to affiliated trusts Pensions and bcncfits Non-current interest rdte derivative Total liabilities 78,362 Common stock, no par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized:64,187,934 and 62,312,651 shares issued and Retained as ofDecember 3 2016 andDecember3l The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part ofThese Statements. 1,004,336 58r,014 530,940 $ 5,3 09,755 $ 4,906,649 Intcrcsts Total liabilities and equity 86 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 93 of414 $l 15,545 $ 3,287 120,000 7 0'15 t 5,869 33,37 4 30,820 t0,994 70,604 407,528 I ,67I,717 5t,547 273,983 226,552 840,928 28,705 153,319 474,680 I,480,r I I 51,547 26t,594 201,453 747,471 30,679 130,821 3,661,279 1,648,',727 (25 r) |,528,626 (33e) t,648,476 1,528,287 Trble of Contents CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Avista Corporatiott For the Years Ended December 3 I Dollars in thousands Opcrating Activities: Net income Non-cash items included in net income: Depreciation and amortization Provision for deferred income taxes Power and natural gas cost amortizations (deferrals), net Amortization of debt expense Amortization ofinvestment in exchange power Stock-based compensation expense Equity-relatcd AFUDC Pension and other postretirement benefit expense Amortization of Spokane Energy contract Gain on sale ofEcova Othcr rcgulatory assets and liabilitics and dcfcrrcd dcbits and credits Change in decoupling regulatory deferral Other Contributions to defined benefit pension plan Cash paid for settlement ofinterest rate swap derivatives Changes in certain current assets and liabilities: Accounts and notes receivable Materials and supplies, fuel stock and stored natural gas Collateral posted for derivative instruments Income taxes rcceivablc Other current assets Accounts payable Other current Iiabilities Nct cash providcd by opcrating activities lnvesting Activities: Utility property capital expenditures (excluding equity-related AFUDC) Other capital expenditures Cash received (paid) in acquisition, net Issuancc ofnotcs rcccivablc at subsidiarics Repayments from notes receivable at subsidiaries Investments made by subsidiaries Increase in funds held for clients Purchasc ofsccuritics availablc for sale Sale and maturity ofsecurities available for sale Proceeds from sale ofEcova, net ofcash sold Other Net cash used in investing activities 2016 201 5 2014 $ 137,3 16 $ 123,3 17 S t92,277 164,925 124,543 r 6,835 3,477 2,450 7,891 (8,47 s) 3 8,786 14,694 (26,24s) (29,789) s 55? ( l 2,000) (5 3,966) (11,170) 834 10.7 t2 (33,923) (3,e07) 5,17 6 10,546 | 47 ,835 5l ,801 2l ,358 15r6 2,450 6,9t4 (8,33r) 3 7,05 0 13,508 (777) 4,569 (10,933 ) (517) (12,000) (10,538) 12,208 (13,30r) t9,772 2,338 (8,1 38) (6,471) 138,337 144,269 (14,821) 3,692 2,450 8,1 l4 (8,8 0 8) 22,943 12,417 (160,612) 7,906 1,103 (32,000) 16,425 (l e,3e4) (23,3 0 l ) (36,1 10) (7 ,t t7) (12,s62) 32,060 358,267 375,640 267,268 (406,644) (353) (10,094) 5,000 (r 3,097) (3e3,42s) (88s ) (es) (2,307) (t,944') 13,856 (3,027\ (325,5 r 6) (6,427) t 5,007 (l,2oo) (t,072\ (r 8,93 l ) (12,267) 14,612 229,903 2,155(7,278) $ (432,466) $ (38? ,827) $ (103,736) The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part ofThese Statemerrts. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 87 Page 94 of 414 Tebl€ of Contetrts CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued) Dollars in thousands 2016 201 5 2014 Net increase committed line of credit 15,000 $$ (66,000) Proceeds liom issuance ofcommon stock debt 245.000 100,000 (2,920) l 50,000 debt lncrease in client fund 16,216 to option holders and redeemable interests for sale ofEcova (20,871 Net caslr by (uscd actlvrtres 1) )11 Cash and cash Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Interest 86,319 S 79,673 $ 73,526 Non-cash activities: Valuation for rcdeemablc Non-cash stock issuance for acquisition ofAERC lnterests (l 5,873 150,1 l9 The Accompanying Notes are on Integral Parl of These Slatemenls. 88 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 95 of 414 66,953 (87,1 s4) (4,410)(l 1,379) 528 (223.963) (t,e77) 10,484 (l 1,659) 22,143 (60,431) 82,57 4 s 8,507 $10,484 $ 22,143 S 30,252 35,248 Table of Contents CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQIJITY AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS Avista For Years Ended December 3 I Dollars in thousands Common Stock, Shares: Shares outstanding at beginning ofyear Shares issued through equity compensation plans Shares issued through Employee Investment Plan (401 -K) Shares issued through Dividend Reinvestment Plan Shares issued through sales agency agreements Sharcs issucd for acquisition Shares repurchased Shares outstanding at end ofyear Common Stock, Amount: Balance at beginning ofyear Equity compcnsation cxpcnsc Issuance ofcommon stock through equity compensation plans Issuance ofcommon stock through Employee Investment Plan (40 l -K) Issuance of common stock through Dividend Reinvestment Plan Issuance ofcommon stock through sales agency agreements, net ofissuance costs Issuance ofcommon stock for acquisition, net ofissuance costs Payment of minimum tax withholdings for share-based payment awards Repurchase of common stock Equity transactions of consolidated subsidiaries Payment to option holders and redeemablc noncontrolling interests for sale ofEcova Excess tax benefits Balance at end ofyear Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss: Balance at beginning ofyear Other comprehensive income (loss) Balance at end ofyear Retained Eamings: Balance at beginning ofyear Nct incomc attributable to Avista Corporation sharcholdcrs Cash dividends paid (common stock) Repurchase of common stock Valuation adjustments and other noncontrolling interests activity Balance at end ofyear Total Avista Corporatioll sharchol dcrs' equity The Accompanying Noles are an Inlegral Parl ofThese Statements. 581.014 530,940 491,599 $ 1,648.727 $ 1,528,626 $ 1,483,671 62,312,651 203,727 26,556 62,243,374 125,620 3 3,05 7 201 6 201 5 2014 60,076,752 51,127 33,1 68 l r 0,501 1,645.000 (89,400) 4 ^501 ,44t (2,s29,615) 64,18'.7,934 62,312,651 62,243,374 $r,004,336 7,065 624 I ,061 65,267 (3,o72) 999,960 $ 6,035 462 t,099 896,993 7,676 108 1,005 3,441 149.625 (40,486) (r,062) (20,87 t) 3,53 r $ (r,832) (1,43r) 43 1,075,281 1,004,336 999,960 (6,650) (e l8) (7,888) 1,238 (s,819) (2,069) (7,s68)(6,6s0)(7,888) 530,940 137,228 (87,1 s4) 491,599 1)1 ))1 (82,397) ( r ,489) 407,092 192,041 (78,314) (39,370) t 0,1 50 89 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 96 of 414 Table of Cont€nts CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQIJITY AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (continued) Avista Corporation For the Years Ended December 3 I Dollan in thousands 20t6 201 5 20 l4 Balance at $ 20,001 Deconsolidation ofnoncontrolling interests related to sale ofEcova Balance at end ofyear Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests: Nct incomc attributablc to interests Valuation (l s,873) The Accompanying Notes arc an Inlegral Parl ofThese Statements. 90 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page97 of4l4 $ s $(33e) $ (2sr)(33e)(42e) $ 1 ,648,47 6 $ r.528,287 $ 1,483,242 $S 15.889 $s 9088 (4) (12) Table of C-ontents AVISTA CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE I. ST]MMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOT]NTING POLICIES Nuture ofBusiness Avista Corp. is primarily an electric and natural gas utility with certain other business ventures. Avista Utilities is an operating division ofAvista Corp., comprising the regulatcd utility operations in the Pacific Northwest. Avista Utilitics providcs clcctric distribution and transrnission, and natural gas distribution services in parts ofeastem Washington and northem Idaho. Avista Utilities also provides natural gas distribution service in parts ofnortheastem and southwestem Oregon. Avista Utilities has electric generating facilities in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. Avista Utilities also supplies electricity to a small number of customers in Montana, most of whom are employees who operate Avista Utilities'Noxon Rapids generatrng facility. AERC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avista Corp. The primary subsidiary of AERC is AEL&P, which comprises Avista Corp.'s regulated utility operations in Alaska. AERC was acquired by Avista Corp. on July l,2014 and there are no AERC eamings included in the overall results ofAvista Corp. priorto that date. See Note 4 for information regarding the acquisition of AERC. Avista Capital, a wholly owned non-regulated subsidiary of Avista Corp., is the parent company of all of the subsidiary companies in the non-utility businesses, with the exception of AJT Mining Properties, which is a subsidiary of AERC. During the first half of 2014 and prior, Avista Capital's subsidiaries included Ecova, which was an 80.2 percent oumed subsidiary prior to its disposition on June 3 0, 20 14. See Note 5 for information regarding the disposition ofEcova and Note 2l for business segment information. Basis of Reporting The consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses ofthe Company and its subsidiaries and other majority owned subsidiarics and variablc interest entities for whiclt thc Company or its subsidiarics arc thc primary bencficiarics. Ecova's rcvcnues and cxpcnses are includcd in the Consolidated Statements oflncome in discontinued operations; however, as ofJune 30,2014 and for all subsequent reporting periods there are no balance sheet amounts included for Ecova. All tables throughout the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements that present information related to the Consolidated Statements oflncome were revised to include only the amounts from continuing operations. Intercompany balances were eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the Company's proportionate share ofutility plant and related operations rcsulting from its intercsts in jointly owncd plants (scc Notc 7). Use of Estimates The prcparation ofthe consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP rcquircs managcmcnt to makc cstimatcs and assumptions that affcct thc amounts reported for assets and liabilities and the disclosure ofcontingent assets and liabilities at the date ofthe financial statements and the reported amounts ofrevenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include: . determining the market value ofenergy commodity derivative assets and liabilities, . pcnsion and otherpostrctirement bencfit plan obligations, . contingent liabilities, . goodwill impairment testing. . recoverability ofregulatory assets, and . unbilled revenues. Changes in these estimates and assumptions are considered reasonably possible and may have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements and thus actual results could differ from the amounts reported and disclosed herein. System ofAccounts The accounting records ofthe Company's utility operations are maintained in accordance with the uniform system ofaccounts prescribed by the FERC and adoptcd by the state rcgulatory commissions in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Alaska. 9t Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 98 of 414 Table 0f Conterts AVISTA CORPORATION Regulation The Company is subject to state regulation in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Alaska. The Company is also subject to federal regulation primarily by the FERC, as wcll as various other federal agencies with rcgulatory ovcrsight ofparticular aspects ofits operations. Utility Revenues Utility revenues relatcd to the sale ofcncrgy arc recorded when service is rendered or energy is deliveted to customcrs. Revenues and resourcc costs from Avista Utilities' settled energy contracts that are "booked out" (not physically delivered) are reported on a net basis as part ofutility revenues. AEL&P does not have booked out transactions. The determination ofthe energy sales to individual customen is based on the reading oftheir meters, which occurs on a systematic basis throughout the month. At the end ofeach calendar month, the amount ofenergy delivered to customers since the date ofthe last meter reading is estimated and the corresponding unbilled revenue is estimated and recorded. Our estimate ofunbilled revenue is based on: . the numberofcustomers, . current rates, ' meter reading dates, ' actual native load forelectricity, ' actual throughput fornatural gas, and . electric line losses and natural gas system losses. Any diffcrence bctween actual and estimatcd revenue is automatically corrected in thc following month when the actual meter rcading and customer billing occurs. Accounts receivable includes unbilled energy revenues ofthe following amounts as ofDecember 3 I (dollars in thousands): 201 6 201 5 Unbilled accounts receivable 72,377 $ 62,003 0t her Non-Utility Reve nues' Revenues from the otherbusinesses are primarily derived from the operations of AM&D, doing business as METALfi<, and are recognized when the risk of loss transfers to the customer, which occurs when products are shipped. In addition, prior to Spokane Energy's dissolution in 20 I 5, there were revenues at Spokane Energy related to a long-term fixed rate electric capacity contract. This contract was transferred to Avista Corp. during the second quarter of20 I 5 and the revenues frorn this contract subsequent to the transfer are included in utility revenues. Depreciation For utility operations, depreciation expense is estimated by a method ofdepreciation accounting utilizing composite rates for utility plant. Such rates are designed to provide for retirements ofproperties at the expiration oftheir service lives. For utility operations, the ratio ofdepreciation provisions to average depreciable property was as follows for the years ended December 3 1 : 2016 2015 2014 Avista Utilities Ratio ofdepreciation to average depreciable property Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Ratio ofdepreciation to average depreciable property 92 $ 3.t1% 2.390/o 3.09% 2.42% 2.97o/o 2.43% Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 99 of414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The average service lives for the following broad categories ofutility plant in sewice are (in years): Electric thermal/other producti on Hydroelectric production Electric transmission Elcctric distribution Natural gas distribution property Other shorterlived general plant Utility related taxes Propcrty taxcs Other taxes Total $ Avista Utilities Alaska Electric Light and Powcr Company 4t 78 57 35 45 9 4t 42 4t 40 N/A l5 Taxes Aher Than Income Taxes Taxes otherthan income taxes include state excise taxes, city occupational and franchise taxes, real and personal property taxes and certain othertaxes not based on income. These taxes are generally based on revenues or the value ofproperty. Utility related taxes collected from customers (primarily state excise taxes and city utility taxes) arc reconded as operating revenue and expense. Taxes other than income taxes consisted ofthe foltowing items for the yean ended December 3 I (dollars in thousands): 20t6 201 5 2014 57.745 $ 3 8.5 05 2,485 59,t73 $ 3 5,948 2,536 s8,250 11q1' 2,118 s 98,735 $97,657 $94,300 Allowance for Funds Used During Construction AFUDC represents the cost ofboth the debt and equity funds used to finance utility plant additions during the construction period. As prescribed by regulatory authorities, AFUDC is capitalized as a part ofthe cost ofutility plant. The debt component ofAFUDC is credited against total interest expense in the Consolidatcd Statements oflncome in thc line item "capitalizcd interest." The equity component ofAFUDC is includcd in thc Consolidatcd Statement of Income in the line item "other income-net." The Company is permitted, under established regulatory rate practices, to recover the capitalized AFUDC, and a reasonable retum thereon, through its inclusion in rate base and the provision for depreciation after the related utility plant is placed in service. Cash inflow related to AIUDC does not occur until the related utility plant is placed in service and included in rate base. The effective AFUDC rate was the following for the years ended December 3 I : 2016 2015 20t4 Avista Utilities Effective AFUDC rate Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Effective AFUDC rate 7.29%7.32o/o 7.64% 9.40%9.31%10.37% Income Taxes Deferred income tax assets represent future income tax deductions the Company expects to utilize in future tax retums to reduce taxable income. Deferred income tax liabilities represent future taxable income the Company expects to recognize in future tax retums. Deferred tax assets and liabilities arise when thcrc are temporary differenccs resulting from differing trcatmcnt ofitcms for tax and accounting purposcs (such as dcprcciation). A dcfcrrcd income tax assct or liability is determined based on the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when the temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax basis ofexisting assets and liabilities are expected to be reported in the Company's consolidated income tax retums. The deferred income tax expense for the period is equal to the net change in the deferred income tax asset and liability accounts from the beginning to the end ofthe period. The effect on deferred income taxes liom a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date unless a regulatory order spccifics deferral ofthe cffcct ofthc changc in tax ratcs over a longcr period oftimc. The Company establishes a valuation allowancc when it is more likcly than not that all, or a portion, ofa deferred tax asset will not be realized. Deferred income tax liabilities and regulatory assets are established for income tax benefits flowed through to customers. The Company did not incur any penalties on income tax 93 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 100 of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION positions in 2016,2015 or2Ol4. The Company would recognize interest accrued related to income tax positions as interest expense and any penalties incurred as other operating expense. Sto c k-B ase d C o mp e nsati o n The Company currently issues three types ofstock-based compensation awards - restricted shares, market-based awards and performance-based awards. Historically, these stock compensation awands have not been material to the Company's overall financial results. Compensation cost relating to share-based paymcnt transactions is rccognized in thc Company's financial statemcnts based on thc fair value ofthe cquity or liability instruments issued and rccorded over the requisite service period. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense (included in other operating expenses) and income tax benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Income ofthe following amounts for the years ended Decernber 3 I (dollars in thousands): 20t6 201 5 2014 Stock-based compensation expense $ 7,891 $ 6,914 $ 6,007 lncome tax benefits (l) 4,359 2,420 2,102 (l) Incometaxbenefitsfor20l6include$l.6millionassociatedwithexcesstaxbenefitsonsettledshare-basedemployeepayments.Theexcesstaxbenefits wererecognized in the Statement oflncome for20l6 due to theadoption ofASU20l6-09,effective January 1,2016. SeeNote 2 forfurtherdiscussion. Restricted share awards vest in equal thirds each yearovera three-yearperiod and are payable in Avista Corp. common stock at the end ofeach yearifthe service condition is mct. In addition to thc scrvice condition, the Company must mcct a return on cquity target in order for thc Chicf Executive Officcr's restricted shares to vest. Restricted stock is valued at the close ofmarket ofthe Company's common stock on the grant date. Total Shareholder Retum (TSR) awards are market-based awards and Cumulative Eamings Per Share (CEPS) awards are performance awards. CEPS awards were first granted in 2014. Botlr types ofawards vest after a period ofthree years and are payable in cash or Avista Corp. common stock at the end ofthe three-year period. The method ofsettlement is at the discretion ofthe Company and historically the Company has settled these awands through issuance of Avista Corp. common stock and intends to continue this practice. Both types ofawards entitle the recipients to dividend equivalent rights, are subject to forfeiture under ccrtain circumstanccs, and are subject to mccting specific market or pcrformance conditions. Based on thc lcvcl ofattainmcnt oftlre market or performance conditions, the amount ofcash paid or common stock issued will range from 0 to 200 percent ofthe initial awards granted. Dividend equivalent rights are accumulated and paid out only on shares that eventually vest and have met the market and performance conditions. For both the TSR awards and the CEPS awards, the Company accounts for them as cquity awards and compensation cost for thcsc awards is recognizcd ovcr the requisite service period, provided that the requisite service period is rendered. For TSR awards, ifthe market condition is not met at the end ofthe three- year sewice period, there will be no change in the cumulative amount ofcompensation cost recognized, since the awards are still considered vested even though the market metric was not met. For CEPS awards, at the end ofthe three-year service period, if the intemal performance metric of cumulative eamings per share is not met, all compensation cost for these awards is reversed as these awards are not considered vested. The fairvalue ofeach TSR award is estimated on the date ofgrant using a statistical model that incorporates the probability ofmeeting the market targets based on historical rctums relative to a pecr group. The estimated fair value ofthc cquity component ofCEPS awards was cstimated on the date ofgrant as the share price ofAvista Corp. common stock on the date ofgrant, less the net present value ofthe estimated dividends over the three-year period. 94 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 101 of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following table summarizes the number ofgrants, vested and unvested shares, eamed shares (based on market metrics), and other pertinent information rclated to the Company's stock compensation awards for the years ended December 3 I : 2016 20t5 20t4 Restricted Shares Shares granted during the year Shares vested during the year Unvested shares at end ofyear Unrecognized compensation cxpcnse at cnd ofyear (in thousands) TSR Awards TSR shares granted during the year TSR shares vested during the year TSR shares eamed based on market metrics Unvested TSR shares at end ofyear Unrecognized compensation expense (in thousands) CEPS Awards CEPS shares granted during the year CEPS shares vested during the year CEPS shares eamed based on market metrics Unvested CEPS shares at end ofyear Unrecognized compensation expense (in thousands) 58,259 59,025 $ $ $ 58,61 0 (52,385) t 09,806 1,853 $ 5 8,3 02 (60,379) 106,091 1,705 $ 62,075 (52,899) I t2,042 1,349 I 17,550 (l 67,s84) 9'.7,199 287,834 2,833 58,017 t,577 t 16,435 (l r 1,665) I 32,887 f f f 1f a 3,409 $ 5'.7,521 (ss,83s) 90,460 110,452 t ,671 $ tt6A3s (r71,334) 222,734 223,697 3,219 $ I I 1,887 l,840 s Outstanding TSR and CEPS share awards include a dividend component that is paid in cash. This component ofthe share grants is accounted for as a liability award. Thesc liability awards are rcvalued on a quartcrly basis taking into account the numbcr ofawards outstanding, historical dividend ratc, the change in the value of the Company's common stock relative to an extemal benchmark (TSR awards only) and the amount of CEPS eamed to date compared to estimated CEPS over the performance period (CEPS awards only). Over the life ofthese awards, the cumulative amount ofcompensation expense recognized will match the actual cash paid. As ofDecember 3 1, 20 I 6 and 20 I 5, the Company had recognized cumulative compensation expense and a liability of$ I .5 million, respectively, related to the dividend component on the outstanding and unvested share grants. Aher Income - Net Other Income - net consisted ofthe following items for the years ended December 3 I (dollars in thousands): 2016 20t5 20l4 Interest income Intcrcst on rcgulatory dcfcnals Equity-related AIUDC Net gain (loss) on investments Other income Total $ 9,300 $I t,346 t,823 $ 1,308 8A7s (2,1s2) 624 653 S 48 8,331 (637) 905 987 220 8,808 276 1,055 s r 0,078 $ Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 02 of 414 Earnings per Common Share Attributable to Avista Corporation Shareholders Basic eamings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders is computed by dividing net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders by the weighted-average number ofco[lmon shares outstanding for the period. Diluted eamings per comrnon share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders is calculated by dividing net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders (adjusted for the effect ofpotentially dilutive securities issued to noncontrolling interests by the Company's subsidiaries) by diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period, including comrnon stock equivalent shares outstanding using the treasury stock method, unless such shares are antidilutive. Common stock equivalent shares include shares issuable upon exercise ofstock options and contingent stock awards. See Note I 8 for eamings per corunon share calculations. 95 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Cash and Cash Equivalents For the purposes ofthe Consolidated Statements ofCash Flows, the Company considers ail temporary investments with a maturity ofthree months or less when purchascd to be cash equivalcnts. A I I o wanc e lo r Do ubtful Ac c o unts Thc Company maintains an allowancc for doubtful accounts to provide for estimated and potential losses on accounts rcccivable. Thc Company dctermincs the allowance for utility and other customer accounts receivable based on historical write-offs as compared to accounts receivable and operating rcvenues. Additionally, the Company establishes specific allowances for certain individual accounts. The following table presents the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the years ended December 3 I (dollars in thousands): 20t6 2015 2014 Allowance as ofthe beginning ofthe year Additions expensed during the year Net deductions (l ) Allowancc as ofthe cnd ofthe vcar 5,026 $4,s30 $4,888 s 4.s30 $ 6,05 3 (s.s s 7) 4,888 $ 5,802 (6,1 60) 44,309 5,296 (44.717) $ Materials and supplies Fucl stock Stored natural gas Total $40,700 $ 4,5 85 8,029 37,1 0 I 4,27 3 12,77 4 $53,314 $54,148 Utility Plant in Service The cost ofadditions to utility plant in service, including an allowance for funds used during construction and replacements ofunits ofproperty and improvements, is capitalized. The cost ofdepreciable units ofproperty retired plus the cost ofremoval less salvage is charged to accumulated depreciation. A sset Reti rement Ob lig atio ns The Company records the fair value of a liability for an ARO in the period in which it is incuned. Wren the liability is initially recorded, the associated costs ofthe ARO are capitalized as part ofthe carrying amount ofthe related longJived asset. The liability is accreted to its present value each period and the related capitalized costs are depreciated over the useful life ofthe related asset. In addition, ifthere are changes in the estimated timing or estimated costs of the AROs, adjustments are recorded during the period new information becornes available as an increase or decrease to the liability, with the offset recorded to the related long-lived asset. Upon retirement ofthe asset, the Company either settles the ARO for its recorded amount or incurs a gain or loss. The Company records regulatory assets and liabilities for the difference between asset retirement costs currently recovered in rates and AROs recorded since asset retirement costs are recovered through rates charged to customers (see Note 9 for further discussion ofthe Company's asset retirement obligations). 96 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 103 of4l4 (l) During20l4,theCompanyreceived$l5.0millioningrossproceedsrelatedtothesettlementofitsCalifomiawholesalepowermarketslitigation.The gross proceeds cffectivcly scttled all outstanding rcccivables and payablcs at Avista Energy (which had bcen fully rcsewed against since 200 I ). As a result ofthe settlement, the Company reversed $ I 5.0 million ofthe allowance, which was recorded as a reduction to non-utility other operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements oflncome, and the remainder ofthe receivables, payables and allowance of$24.5 million were removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets (and had no effect on net income). Materials and Supplies, Fuel Stock and Stored Natural Gas Inventories ofmaterials and supplies, fuel stock and stored natural gas are recorded at average cost for our regulated operations and the lower ofcost or marketforournon-regulatedoperationsandconsistedofthefollowingasofDecember3l (dollarsinthousands): 20 I 6 2015 Tablc of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The Company recovers certain asset retirement costs through rates charged to customers as a portion ofits depreciation expense for which the Company has not recorded asset retirement obligations. The Company has recorded the amount ofestimated retirement costs collected from customers (that do not represent legal or contractual obligations) and included them as a regulatory liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the following amounts as of December 3 I (dollars in thousands): 2016 2015 Rcgulatory liability for utility plant retirement costs $ 273,983 $ 261 ,594 Goodwill Goodwill arising from acquisitions represents the future economic benefit arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment using a qualitative analysis (Step 0) forAEL&P and a combination ofdiscounted cash flow models and a market approach for the other subsidiaries on at least an annual basis or more Iiequently ifimpairment indicators arise. The Company completed its annual evaluation ofgoodwill for potential impairment as ofNovember 30, 20 I 6 and determined that goodwill was not impaired at that time. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows (dollars in thousands): Accumulated AEL&P orher 'tfftT;* Totar Balance as ofJanuary l, 201 5 Adjustmcnts Balance as ofthe December 3 1 , 20 I 5 Balance as ofthe December 3 I , 20 I 6 s 52,730 S (304) 12.979 $(7,733) S 57 ,97 6 (3 04) 52,426 12,979 (7,733t 57,672 $52,426 $12,979 $(7,733\ $ s7,672 Accumulated impairment losses are attributable to the othcl businesscs. The goodwitl adjustments recorded during 20 1 5 relate to the final true-up ofincome taxes associated v/ith the acquisition of AERC, which occurred on July I , 201 4. See Note 4 for information regarding this business acquisition and Note 2 I regarding the Company's reportable segments. Derivative Assets and Liabilities Derivatives are recorded as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets measured at estimated fair value. The UTC and the IPUC issued accounting orders authorizing Avista Corp. to offset energy commodity derivative assets or liabilities with a regulatory asset or liability. This accounting treatment is intended to defer the recognition ofmark-to-market gains and losses on energy commodity transactions until the period ofdelivery. Realized benefits and costs result in adjustments to retail rates through PGAs, the ERM in Washington, the PCA rnechanism in Idaho, and periodic general rates cases. The resulting regulatory assets have been concluded to be probable ofrecovery through future rates. Substantially all forward contracts to purchasc or scll powcr and natural gas are recorded as dcrivative assets or liabilities at cstimated fair value with an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. Contracts that are not considered derivatives are accounted for on the accrual basis until they are settled or realized unless there is a decline in the fair value oftlre contract that is determined to be other-than-temporary. For interest rate swap derivatives, Avista Corp. records all mark-to-market gains and losses in each accounting period as assets and liabilities, as well as offsetting regulatory assets and liabilities, such that there is no income statement impact. The interest rate swap derivatives are risk management tools similar to energy commodity derivatives. Upon settlement ofinterest rate swap derivatives, the regulatory asset or liability is amortized as a component ofinterest expense overthe term ofthe associated debt. The Company records an offset ofinterest rate swap derivative assets and liabilities with regulatory assets and liabilities, based on the priorpractice ofthe commissions to provide recovery through the ratemaking process. As of December 3 l, 201 6, the Company has multiple master netting agreements with a variety of entities that allow for cross-commodity netting of derivative agreements with the same counterparty (i.e. power derivatives can be netted with natural gas derivatives). In addition, some master netting agreements allow for the netting ofcommodity derivatives and interest rate swap derivatives for the same counterparty. The Company does not have any agreements which allow for cross-affiliate netting among multiple affiliated legal entities. The Company nets all derivative instruments when allowed by the agreement for prcscntation in the Consolidatcd Balancc Shccts. 97 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 104 of4l4 EEte!!.Contclts AVISTA CORPORATION Fair Value Measurements Fair value represents the price that would be received when selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at thc mcasurcmcnt datc. Energy commodity dcrivative asscts and liabilities, dcfcrted compcnsation asscts, as well as derivativcs related to interest rate swap derivatives and foreign currency exchange derivatives, are reported at estimated fairvalue on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note I 6 for the Company's fair value disclosures. Regulatory Deferred Charges and Credits The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with regulatory accounting practices because: . rates for regulated services are established by or subject to approval by independent third-party regulators, . the regulated rates are designcd to recovcrthe cost ofproviding the regulated serviccs, and . in vicw ofdemand for the regulated serviccs and thc lcvel ofcompetition, it is reasonable to assume that ratcs can bc charged to and collected fiom customers at levels that will recover costs. Regulatory accounting practices require that certain costs and/or obligations (such as incurred power and natural gas costs not currently included in rates, but expected to be recovered or refunded in the future), are reflected as defened charges or credits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These costs and/or obligations are not reflected in the Consolidated Statements oflncome until the period during which matching revenues are recognized. The Company also has decoupling revenue deferrals. Decoupling revenue deferrals are recognized in the Consolidated Statements oflncome during the period they occur (i.e. during the period ofrcvcnue shortfall or exccss due to fluctuations in customerusage), subjcct to certain limitations, and a rcgulatory assct/liability is established which will be surcharged or rebated to customers in future periods. GAAP requires that for any altemative regulatory revenue program, like decoupling, the rcvenue must be expected to be collected from customers within 24 months ofthe deferral to qualif for recognition in the current period Consolidated Statement oflncome. Any amounts included in the Company's decoupling program that are not expected to be collected from customers within 24 months are not recorded in the financial statements until the period in which revenue recognition criteria are met. This could ultimately result in dccoupling rcvenue being recognizcd in a futurc period. Ifat some point in the future the Corrpany determines that it no longer meets the criteria for continued application ofregulatory accounting practices for all or a portion ofits regulated operations, the Company could be: . required to write offits regulatory assets, and . precluded from the future deferral ofcosts or decoupled revenues not recovered through rates at the time such amounts are incurred, even if the Company expected to recover these amounts from customers in the future. See Note 20 for further details ofregulatory assets and liabilities. Unamortized Debt Expense Unamortized debt expense includes debt issuance costs that are amortized over the life ofthe related debt. These costs are recorded as an offset to Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unamortized Debl Repurchase Cosls For the Company's Washington regulatory jurisdiction and for any debt repurchases beginning in 2007 in all jurisdictions, premiums paid to repurchase debt are amortized over the remaining life ofthe original debt that was repurchased or, ifnew debt is issued in connection with the repurchase, these costs are amortized ovcr the life ofthe new dcbt. In thc Company's other rcgulatory jurisdictions, prcmiums paid to repurchase debt prior to 2007 arc being amortized over the average remaining maturity ofoutstanding debt when no new debt was issued in connection with the debt repurchase. These costs are recovered through retail rates as a cornponent ofinterest expense. Accumulated (hher Comprehensive Loss Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net oftax, consisted ofthe following as ofDecember 3 I (dollars in thousands): 2016 2015 Unfunded benefit obligation for pensions and other postretirernent benefit plans - net oftaxes of$4,075 and $3,580, respectively $7,568 s 6,650 98 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 105 of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following table details the reclassifications out ofaccumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the years ended December 3 I (dollars in thousands): Amounts Reclmified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Los Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components 2016 201 5 2014 Affcctcd Linc ltcm in Statcmcnt of Incqme Realized gains on inveshnent securities Real ized losses on investrnent securities Amortization ofdefined benefit pension items Arnortization ofnet prior service cost Amortization of net loss Adjustment due to effects ofregulation (l,l 7l) $ (7,602) 7,360 3l $ 2,623 (7 4e) $s $(3) 735 (a) (a) Total before tax Tax expense (a) Net of tax 732 (272) $$s 460 (1,0e4) (b) (83,301) (b) 78,773 (b) (1,413) 495 1,905 (667) (5,622) Total before tax 1.96'1 Tax benefit (expense) (el 8) $t,238 $(3,655) Net of tax (a) These amounts wcre included as part ofnct incomc from discontinued opcrations for all periods presentcd (see Notc 5 for additional dctaits). (b) These accumulated other comprchensive loss components arc included in the computation ofnet periodic pension cost (see Note I 0 for additional details). Approprtakd Retained Earnings Inaccondancewiththehydroelectriclicensingrequirementsofsection l0(d)oftheFederalPowerAct(FPA),theCompanymaintainsanappropriatedretained eamings account for any eamings in excess ofthe specified rate ofretum on the Company's investment in the licenses for its various hydroelectric projects. Per section I 0(d) ofthe FPA, the Company must maintain these excess eamings in an appropriated retained eamings account until the termination ofthe licensing agreements or apply them to reduce the net investment in the licenses ofthe hydroelectric projects at the discretion ofthe FERC. The Company typically calculates the eamings in excess ofthe specified rate ofretum on an annual basis, usually during the second quarter. In addition to the hydroclectric projcct licenscs identificd above for Avista Utilities, the rcquiremcnts ofsection I 0(d) ofthe FPA also apply to the AEL&P licenses for Lake Dorothy and Annex Creek/Salmon Creek (combined). The appropriated retained eamings amounts included in retained eamings were as follows as of December 3l (dollars in thousands): 20t6 2015 Appropriated retained eamings $ 25,564 $ 21,030 Operating Leases The Company has multiple lease arrangements involving various assets, with minimum terms ranging from I to 45 years. Future minimum lease payments required under operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess ofone year were not rnaterial as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6. Capital Leases The Company has two capital leases, one at Avista Corp. and one at AEL&P. The capital lease at Avista Corp. expires in 20 I 8 and is not material to the financial statements as ofDccember 3 l, 20 I 6. The capital lease at AEL&P is a PPA (treated as a lcase for accounting purposes) related to the Snettisham Hydroelectric Project that expires in 2034. While the two leases are treated as capital leases for accounting purposes, for ratemaking purposes these agreements are treated as operating leases with a constant level ofannual rental expense (straight line expense). Because ofthis regulatory treatment, any difference between the operating lease expense for ratemaking purposes and the expenses recognized under capital lease treatment (interest and depreciation ofthe capital lease asset) is recorded as a regulatory asset and amortized during the later years ofthe lease when 99 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 106 of4l4 $ $ Table of Conlents AVISTA CORPORATION the capital lease expense is less than the operating lease expense included in base rates. See Note I 4 for further discussion ofthe Snettisham capital lease. Conlingencies The Company has unresolved regulatory, legal and tax issues which have inherently uncertain outcomes. The Company accrues a loss contingency ifit is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount ofthe loss or impairment can be reasonably estimated. The Company also discloses losses that do not meet these conditions for accrual, ifthere is a reasonable possibility that a material loss may be incurred. As ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6, the Company has not recorded any significant amounts related to unresolved contingencies. See Note I 9 for further discussion ofthe Company's commitments and contingencies. NOTE 2. NEWACCOUNTING STANDARDS ASU No. 20 1 4-09, "Revenue from Contracts rtith Cuslomers (Topic 606)" In May 2014, thc FASB issucd ASU No. 201449, which outlines a single comprchensivc modcl for cntitics to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle ofthe revenue model is that an entity should identi$ tlre various performance obligations in a contract, allocate the transaction price among the performance obligations and recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies each performance obligation. This ASU was originally effective for periods beginning affer December 1 5,2016 and early adoption was not permitted. ln August 20 1 5, the FASB issued ASU No. 20 1 5-1 4, "Revenue fiom Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Defenal ofthe Effective Date," which defened the effective date ofASU No. 2014-09 for one year, with adoption as ofthe original date permitted. The Company has fonned a revenue recognition standard implementation team that is working through several implementation issues described below. The Company has evaluated this standard and is planning to adopt this standard in 201 8 upon its eflective date. The Company is currently expecting to use a modified retrospective method ofadoption, which would require a cumulative adjustment to opening retained eamings, as opposed to a full retrospective application. Thc Company is not far enough along in thc adoption proccss to dctcrmine thc amount, ifany, ofcumulativc adjustmcnt necessary. Sincc the vast majority ofAvista Corp.'s rcvenue is from rate-regulatcd sales ofclcctricity and natural gas to retail customers and rcvcnue is rccognized as energy is delivered to these customers, the Company does not expect a significant change in operating revenues or net income. The Company is in the process ofreviewing and analyzing certain contracts with customers (most ofwhich are related to wholesale sales ofpower and natural gas), but has not yet identified any significant differences in revenue recognition between current GAAP and ASU 2014-09. During the implcmentation proccss, thc Company has idcntified scvcral unrcsolvcd issucs, thc most significant ofwhiclr are as follows based on our current assessment: Contributions in Aid ol Construction - There is the potential that CIACs could be recognized as revenue upon the adoption ofASU 20 I 4{9. Under current GAAP, CIACs are accounted for as an offset to the cost ofutility plant in service. Utilitv Related Taxes Collected lrom Customers - There are questions on the presentation ofutility related taxes collected from customers (primarily state excise taxes and city utility taxes) on a gross basis. Under current GAAP, the Company is allowed to record these utility related taxes on a gross basis in revenue when billed to customers with an offset included in taxes other than income taxes in operating expenses. The Company is evaluating whether this presentation is appropriate under ASU 20 I 4-09 or whether they should be presented on a net basis. To quali! for gross presentation under the new guidance, the Company must perform an analysis to determine ifit is the principal or the agent in regards to utility related taxes. Collectibilitv -Thcre arc qucstions rcgarding thc rcquircment that collcction ofa salc be probablc and how, or il utilitics should consider bad dcbt collection mechanisms (riders, base rate adjustments, etc.) in assessing probability of collectron on sales to low income customers. Within the utility industry, there is support for and against considering these recovery mechanisms when assessing collectibility ofa sale. Ifthe bad debt recovery mechanisms cannot be considered, there is the potential that certain sales to low income customers cannot be recognized as revenue until payment is received from the customers, which could result in revenues being recognized in periods other than when the energy was delrvered to customers or not recognized at all. The Company is monitoring utility industry implementation guidance as it relates to unresolved issues to determine if there will be an industry consensus regarding accounting and presentation ofthese items. 100 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 07 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION ASU No. 201 5-02, "Consolidation (Topic 8 1 0): Amendments to the Consolidalion Analysis" In February 20 I 5, the FASB issued ASU No. 201 5-02. This ASU changes the consolidation analysis required under GAAP, including the identification of variable interest entities (VIE). The ASU also removes the deferral of the VIE analysis related to investments in certain investment funds, which results in a different consolidation evaluation for these types ofinvestments. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 20 I 6. The adoption ofthis standard resulted in the identification of several Avista Corp. investments in limited partnerships (or a functional equivalent) that are now considered MEs undcr the new standard. Consolidation ofthcsc VIEs by Avista Corp. is not rcquired bccausc the Company does not have majority ownership in any ofthe entities, it does not have the power to direct any activities ofthe entities and it does not have the power to appoint executive leadership (including the board of directors). Avista Corp.'s total investment in these entities is not material and it does not have any additional commitments to these VIEs beyond the initial investment. See Note 3 for additional discussion ofVIEs. ASU No. 20 1 6-02 "Leases (Topic 842)." In Fcbruary 20 I 6, thc FASB issucd ASU No. 2016-02. This ASU introduccs a ncw lesscc model that rcquircs most lcascs to bc capitalized and shoriln on thc balance sheet with corresponding lease assets and liabilities. The standard also aligns certain ofthe underlying principles ofthe new lessor model with those in Topic 606, the FASB's new revenue recognition standard. Furthermore, this ASU addresses other issues that arise under the current lease model; for exarnple, eliminating the required use ofbright-line tests in current GAAP for determining lease classification (operating leases versus capital leases). This ASU also includes enhanced disclosures surrounding leases. This ASU is effective for periods beginning on or after December I 5, 20 I 8; however, early adoption is permitted. Upon adoption, this ASU rnust be applied using a modified retrospective approach to the earliest period presented, which will likely require restatements ofpreviously issued financial statements. The modified retrospective approach includes a number ofoptional practicaI expedients that entities uray elect to apply. The Company evaluated this standard and determined that it will most likely not early adopt this standard before its effective date in 20 1 9. The Company has formed a lease standard implementation team that is working through the implementation process. The most significant implementation challenge identified thus far relates to identifting a complete population ofleases and potential leases under the new lease standard. Also, the Company is rnonitoring utility industry implementation guidance as it relates to several unresolved issues to determine ifthere will be an industry consensus, including whether right-of-ways are considered leases. The Company cannot, at this time, estimate the potential impact on its future financial condition, results ofoperations and cash flows. ASUNo.20l6-09 "Compensation-StockCompensalion (Topic 718): Improt'ements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accorrnting." In March 20 1 6, the FASB issued ASU No. 20 I 6-09. This ASU simplifies several aspects ofthe accounting for employee share-based payment transactions including: . allowing excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies to be recognized as income tax benefits or expenses in the Consolidated Statements oflncome rather than in Additional Paid in Capital (APIC), . excess tax benefits no longer represent a financing cash inflow on the Consolidated Statements ofCash Flows and instead will be included as an operating activity, . excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies will be excluded from the calculation ofdiluted eamings per share, whereas under current accounting guidance, these arnounts must be estimated and included in the calculation, . allowing forfeitures to bc accountcd foras they occur, instead ofcstirnating forfcitures, and . changing the statutory tax withholding requirements for share-based payments. This ASU is effective for periods beginning affer December 15,2016 and early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted this standard during the second quarter of20 I 6, with a retrospective effective date ofJanuary l, 20 I 6. The adoption ofthis standard resulted in a recognized income tax benefit of $ I .6 million in 20 I 6 associated with excess tax bcncfits on scttled sharc-bascd cmploycc payments. In addition, the Consolidatcd Statcment ofCash Flows for 20 I 6 included the excess tax benefits as an operating activity rather than as a financing activity. Periods prior to 20 I 6 were not restated for the adoption ofthis accounting standard as the Company has adopted this standard on a prospective basis beginning January | , 20 I 6. l0l Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 108 of414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION NOTE 3. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES Lanc a st er Power Purc ha se A g reement The Cornpany has a PPA for the purchase ofall the output ofthe Lancaster Plant, a 270 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle combustion turbine plant located in Kootenai County, Idaho, owned by an unrelated third-party (Rathdrum Power LLC), through 2026. Avista Corp. has a variable intercst in the PPA. Accordingly, Avista Corp. madc an evaluation ofwhich intcrest holdcrs havc thc powcr to dircct thc actrvitics that most significantly impact the economic performance ofthe entity and which interest holders have the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could be significant to the entity. Avista Corp. pays a fixed capacity and operations and maintenance payment and certain monthly variable costs under the PPA. Under the terms ofthe PPA, Avista Corp. makes the dispatch decisions, provides all natural gas fuel and receives all ofthe electric energy output ftom the Lancaster Plant. However, Rathdrum Power LLC (the owner) controls the daily operation ofthe Lancaster Plant and makes operating and maintenance dccisions. Rathdrum Power LI-C controls all ofthe rights and obligations oftlre Lancastcr Plant after thc expiration ofthc PPA in 2026 and Avista Corp. docs not have any further obligations after the expiration. It is estimated that the plant will have I 5 to 25 years of useful life after that time. Rathdrum Power LLC bears the maintenance risk ofthe plant and will receive the residual value ofthe Lancaster Plant. Avista Corp. has no debt or equity investments in the Lancaster Plant and does not provide financial support through liquidity arrangements or other commitments (other than the PPA). Based on its analysis, Avista Corp. does not consider itselfto be the primary beneficiary ofthe Lancaster Plant. Accordingly, neither the Lancaster Plant nor Rathdrum Power LLC is includcd in Avista Corp.'s consolidated financial statemcnts. The Company has a futurc contractual obligation ofapproximatcly $283.6 million undcr thc PPA (representing the fixed capacity and operations and maintenance payments through 2026) and believes this would be its maximum exposure to loss. However, the Company believes that such costs will be recovered through retail rates. Limited Partnerships and Similar Entities The Company adopted ASU No. 2015-02 effective January l, 201 6. As a result ofthe adoption ofthis ASU, the Company evaluated all ofits existing investmcnts to dctcrmine ifany cntities would bc considcrcd VIEs undcr thc ncw guidancc and whcthcr consolidation would bc rcquired. Undcr thc ASU, a limited partnemhip or similar legal entity that is the functional equivalent of a limited partnership would be considered a ME regardless of whether it otherwise qualifies as a voting interest entity unless a simple majority or lower threshold ofthe "unrelated" limited partners (i.e., parties other than the general partner, entities under common control with the general pa(ner, and other parties acting on behalfofthe general partner) have substantive kick-out rights (including liquidation rights) or participating rights. The Company has six investments in limited partnerships (or the functional equivalent) where Avista Corp. is a limited partner investor in an investment fund where the general partner makes all ofthe investment and operating decisions with regards to the partnership and fund. To remove the general partner from any of the funds, approval from greater than a simple majonty of the limited partners is required. As such, the limited partners do not have substantive kick- out rights and these investments are considered MEs. Consolidation of these VIEs by Avista Corp. is not required because the Company does not have majority ownership in any ofthe funds, it does not have the power to direct any activities ofthe funds, and it does not have the power to appoint executive leadership, including the board ofdirectors. Avista Corp. participates in profits and losses ofthe investment funds based on its ownership percentage and its losses are capped at its total initial investment in the funds. For five of the six MEs, Avista Corp. does not have any additional commitrnents beyond its initial investment. For the sixth VIE. AvistaCorp.hasuptoa$25.0milliontotalcommitment,andasofDecember3l,20l6,hasinvested$2.1 million,leaving$22.9millionremainingtobe invested. In addition, the Company is not allowed to withdraw any capital contributions from the investment funds until aftet the funds'expiration dates and all liabilities ofthe funds are scttlcd. Thc cxpiration datcs rangc from 201 7 to 2032, with onc investmcnt lraving no termination datc (as it is pcrpctual). As of December 31,2016, the Company has a total carrying amount in these investment funds of $7.0 million. NOTE 4. BUSINESS ACQUSITIONS Alaska Energy and Resources Company On July I , 2014, the Company acquired AERC, based in Juneau, Alaska, and as of that date, AERC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avista Corp. The primary subsidiary ofAERC is AEL&P, a regulated utility which provides electric services to approximately I 7,000 customers in Juneau, Alaska. In addition to the regulated utility, AERC owns AJT Mining, which is an inactive mining company holding certain properties. t02 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 09 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The purpose ofthe acquisition was to expand and diversify Avista Corp.'s energy assets and deliver long-term value to its customers, communities and investors. ln connection with the closing, Avista Corp. issued 4,50 1,44 I new shares ofcorffnon stock to the shareholders ofAERC based on a contractual formula that resulted in a price of$32.46 per share, reflecting a purchase price of$ I 70.0 million, plus acquired cash, less outstanding debt and other closing adjustments. Avista Corp. also paid $4.8 million in cash. Thc total fairvalue of all consideration transferrcd was $154.9 million and resultcd in goodwill of $52.4 million, which is not deductible for tax purposes. The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of July I , 2014 (after consideration of a working capital adjustment and income tax true-ups during the second quarter of20 I 5) were as follows (in thousands): July l,2014 Assets acquired: Current Assets: Cash Accounts receivable - gross totals $3,928 Materials and supplies Other currcnt asscts Total current assets Utility Property: Utility plant in sewice Utility property under long-term capital lease Construction work in progress Total utility propeny Other Non-current Assets: Non-utility propefiy Electric plant held for future usc Goodwill (l ) Other deferred charges and non-current assets Total other non-current assets Total assets 700 3,773 2,807 $19.'.704 3,851 2,017 999 26,571 | 13,964 7 t ,00'7 3440 188,41 I 6,660 3,711 52,426 5,368 68,1 65 283,147 Liabilities Assumed: Cunent Liabilities: Accounts payable Current portion oflong-term debt and capital lease obligations Other current liabilities (l ) Total current liabilities Long-term debt Capital lease obligations Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits (l ) Total liabilities t28,236 Total net assets acquired I 54,91 I (l) Duringthesecondquarterof20l5,theCompanyrecondedareductiontogoodwillofapproximately$0.3mitlionduetoincometaxrelatedadjustments. The majority ofAERC's operations are subject to the rate-setting authority ofthe RCA and are accounted forpursuant to GAAP, including the accounting guidance for regulated operations. Thc rate-sctting and cost recovery provisions currently in place for AERC's rcgulated opcrations provide revenucs derived from costs, including a retum on investment, ofassets and $ $ 7,280 37,227 68,840 14,889 $ $ Appendix 6 to Joint Application 103 Page 1 l0 of4l4 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION liabilities included in rate base. Due to this regulation, the fair values ofAERC's assets and liabilities subject to these rat.e-setting provisions were assumed to approximatc their carrying values. Thcrc wcrc not any idcntifiable intangible asscts associatcd with this acquisition. The cxccss ofthc purchase consideration over the estimated fair values ofthe assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recognized as goodwill at the acquisition date. The goodwill reflects the value paid for the expected continued growth ofa rate-regulated business located in a defined service area with a constructive regulatory environment, the attractiveness ofstable, growing cash flows, as well as providing a platform for potential future growth outside ofthe rate-regulated electric utility in Alaska and potential additional utili(y investmenl. The following table summarizes the supplemental pro forma information for the years ended December 3l related to the acquisition of AERC as if the acquisition had occurred on January I , 20 I 3 (dollars in thousands - unaudited): 2016 201 5 2014 Actual Avista Corp. revenues from continuing operations (excluding AERC) Supplemcntal pro forma AERC rcvcnucs (l ) Total pro forma revenues Actual AERC revenues included in Avista Corp. revenues ( I ) Actual Avista Corp. net income liom continu'ing opemtions attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders (excluding AERC) Actual Avista Corp. net income from discontinued operatrons attributable to Avista Corp. shareho I ders Adjushnent to Avista Corp.'s net income for acquisition costs (net oftax) (2) Supplemental pro forma AERC net income (l) Total pro forma net income Actual AERC net incomc includcd in Avista Corp. nct income (1) s 1,395,989 $ 46,494 t,439,807 $ 44,969 I ,450,91 8 46,467 1,442.483 1,484.776 1.497,385 46,494 44,969 21,644 129,505 111,7'12 I 16,665 7,723 5,t47 22 6,3 08 12,224 870 8,806 t37.228 t23,249 198,565 $ 7,723 $ 6,308 $ 3,1s2 (l ) AIRC was acquired on July I , 20 I 4; therefore, all the revenues and net income for the second half of 201 4 through 201 6 are actual amounts that are included in Avista Corp.'s overall results. All revenue and net income amounts prior to July I , 2014 are supplemental pro forma amounts and are excluded from Avista Corp.'s overall results. (2) This adjustmcnt is to trcat all transaction costs as ifthcy occurrcd on January 1,2013 and to removc thcm frorn thc periods in which thcy actually occurred. The transaction costs were expensed and presented in the Consolidated Statements oflncome in other operating expenses within utility operating expenses. Since the start ofthe transaction through December3l,2016, Avista Corp. lras expensed $3.0 million (pre-tax) in total transaction fees. In addition to the amounts expensed, through December 3 1,2016, Avista Corp. has included $0.4 million in fees associated with the issuance of common stock for the transaction as a reduction to common stock. These fees do not impact the supplemental pro forma information above. NOTE 5. DISCONTIIITJED OPERATIONS On June 30,2014, Avista Capital, completed the sale of its interest in Ecova to Cofely USA Inc., an unrelated party to Avista Corp. The sales price was $33 5.0 million in cash, less the payment ofdebt and other customary closing adjustments. At the closing ofthe transaction on June 30, 20 I 4, Ecova became a wholly-owned subsidiary ofCofely USA Inc. and the Company has not had and will not have any further involvement with Ecova after such date. The purchase price of$335.0 million, as adjusted, was divided among all the security holders ofEcova pro rata based on ownership. After consideration ofall escrow amounts received, the sales transaction provided cash proceeds to Avista Corp., net ofdebt, payfrent to option and minority holders, incorne taxes and transaction expenses, of $ 143.7 million, and resulted in a net gain of $74.8 million. Almost all of the net gain was recognized in 2014 with some true-ups during 20 I 5. t04 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 1 11 of 414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION Prior to the completion ofthe sales transaction, Ecova was a reportable business segment. The following table presents amounts that were included in discontinucdoperationsfortheycarsendedDcccmber3l,20l5and20l4(dollarsinthousands): 201 5 2014 Revenues Gain on salc ofEcova (l ) Transaction expenses and accelerated employee benefits (2) Gain on sale ofEcova, net oftransaction expenses lncomc beforc incomc taxcs Income tax expense Oenefit) (3) Net income from discontrnued operations Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income fforn discontinued operations attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders $$87,534 160,612 9,062 777 7t 706 706 (444t\ 151,550 t56,025 83,614 5,147 72,41I (1 87) $5,147 $72,224 (l ) This represents the gross gain recorded to discontinued operations. The total gain net oftaxes and transactions expenses was $74.8 rnillion, ofwhich $69.7 million was recognized during 2014. (2) Avista Corp.'s portion of the total transaction expenses was $9.1 million (including amounts which were withheld from the transaction net proceeds). All transaction expenses paid on the Ecova sale (including Avista Corp.'s portion and the portion attributable to the minority interest holders ofEcova) were $ I I .1 mil lion, of which $5.5 mil lion was withheld from the net proceeds and the rcmaindcr was paid during 20 14. The transaction cxpenses wcre for legal, accounting and other consulting fees, and the accelerated employee benefits related to employee stock options which were settled in accordance with the Ecova equity plan. (3) Thetaxbenefitduring20l5primarilyresultedfromthereversalofavaluationallowanceagainstnetoperatinglossesatEcovabecausethenetoperating losses were deemed realizable after further evaluation. NOTE 6. DERIVATII'ES AND RISK MANAGEMENT E nergy C o mmo dity Derivatives Avista Utilities is exposed to market risks relating to changes in electricity and natural gas commodity prices and certain other fuel prices. Market risk is, in gcncral, thc risk offluctuation in the market pricc ofthe commodity bcing tradcd and is influcnced primarily by supply and dcmand. Markct risk includes thc fluctuation in the market price of associated derivative commodity instruments. Avista Utilities utilizes derivative instruments, such as forwards, futures, swaps and options in order to manage the various risks relating to these commodity price exposures. The Company has an energy resources risk policy and control procedures to manage these risks. As part ofthe Company's resource procurement and management operations in the electric business, the Company engages in an ongoing process ofresource optimization, which involves the economic selection from available energy resources to sewe the Company's load obligations and the use ofthese resources to capture available economic value. The Company transacts in wholesale markets by selling and purchasing electric capacity and energy, fuel for electric generation, and derivative contracts related to capacity, energy and fuel. Such transactions are part ofthe process ofmatching resources with load obligations and hedging the related financial risks. These transactions range from terms ofintra-hour up to multiple years. As part ofits resource procurement and rnanagement ofits natural gas business, the Company makes continuing projections ofits natural gas loads and assesses available natural gas resources including natural gas storage availability. Natural gas resource planning typically includes peak requirements, low and average monthly requirements and delivery constraints from natural gas supply locations to the Company's distribution system. However, daily variations in natural gas demand can bc significantly diffcrcnt than monthly demand projcctions. On thc basis ofthcse projcctions, thc Company plans and executes a series oftransactions to hedge a portion ofits projected natural gas requirements through forward market transactions and derivative instruments. These transactions may extend as much as four natural gas operating years (November through October) into the future. Avista Corp. also leaves a significant portion ofits natural gas supply requirements unhedged for purchase in short-term and spot markets. The Company is required to plan for sufficient natural gas delivery capacity to serve its retail customers for a theoretical peak day event. The Company generally has more pipeline and storage capacity than what is needed during periods other than a peak 105 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 12 of 414 Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION day. The Company optimizes its natural gas resources by using ma*et opportunities to generate economic value that helps mitigate fixed costs. Avista Utilities also optimizes its natural gas storage capacity by purchasing and storing natural gas when prices are traditionally lower, typically in the summer, and withdrawing during higherpriced months, typically during the winter. However, ifmarket conditions and prices indicate that the Company should buy or sell natural gas during other times in the year, the Company engages in optimization transactions to capture value in the marketplace. Natural gas optimization activities include, but are not limited to, wholcsale market sales ofsurplus natural gas supplies, purchases and sales ofnatural gas to optimizc use ofpipcline and storage capacity, and pa(icipation in the transportation capacity release market. The following table presents the underlying energy commodity derivative volumes as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6 that are expected to be settled in each respective year (in thousands of MWhs and mrnBTUs): Purchass Sales Electric Dcrivatives Gas Dcrivatives Elccfic Dcrivativcs Cas Dcrivatives Physical(l) Financial(l) Physical(l) MWh MWh mnrBTUs 510 397 235 907 15.47 5 1.552 t,244 982 73.1 I 0 l5,lr3 4,020 Finmcial ( I ) mmBTUs Physical ( I ) MWh Finucial ( I ) MWh Physical ( I ) mmBTUs Financial (l ) mmBTUsYear 2017 20t 8 2019 2020 202t Thereafter I 10,380 5) 755 29,475 141< 316 286 158 4.165 1,360 1.345 l,430 l,060 610 910 The following table presents the underlying energy commodity derivative volumes as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 5 that werc expected to be settled in each respective year (in thousands of MWhs and mmBTUs): Purchms Sales Electric Derivatives Gas Derivatives Electric Derivatives Gas Derivatives Physical ( I ) MWh Financial (l ) Physical (1 ) MWh mmBTUs Financial ( I ) mmBTUs Physical (1) MWh Financial ( 1 ) MWh Physical ( I ) mmBTUs Financial (1 ) mmBTUsYear 2016 2017 201 8 20t9 2020 Thereafter 1,954 97 t7,252 675 142,693 49,200 l5,l l8 6,93 5 905 2,656 483 3,1 82 l,360 1,360 1,345 1,430 1,060 112,233 26,965 2,738 280 255 286 158305 455 ( I ) Physical tmnsactions represent commodity transactions in which Avista Utilities will take or make delivery of either electricity or natural gas; financial transactions rcpresent derivative instruments with delivery ofcash in the amount ofbenefit or cost but with no physical delivery ofthe comrnodity, such as futures, swaps, options, or forward contracts. The electric and natural gas derivative contracts above will be included in either power supply costs or natural gas supply costs during the period they are settled and will be included in the various recovery mechanisms (ERM, PCA, and PGAs), or in the general rate case process, and are expected to be collected through retaiI rates from customers. Any transactions that result in gains will be used to reduce retail rates charged to customers in the future. Foreign Currency Exchange Derivalives A significant portion ofAvista Utilities' natural gas supply (including fuel for power generation) is obtained liom Canadian sources. Most ofthose transactions are executed in U.S. dollars, which avoids foreign currency risk. A portion ofAvista Utilities' short-term natural gas transactions and long-term Canadian transportation contracts are committed based on Canadian currency prices and settled within 60 days with U.S. dollars. Avista Utilities hedges a portion ofthe foreign currency risk by purchasing Canadian currency exchange derivatives when such commodity transactions are initiated. The foreign curency exchange derivatives and the unhedged foreign currency risk have not had a material effbct on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows and these diflerences in cost related to currency fluctuations are included with natural gas supply costs for ratemaking. 106 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 1 13 of4l4 407 397 397 235 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following table summarizes the foreign currency hedges that the Company has entered into as ofDecember 3 I (dollars in thousands): 2016 Number ofcontracts Notional amount (in Unitcd Statcs dollars) Notional amount (in Canadian dollars) 75,000 275,000 70,000 20,000 60,000 201 5 $ 2l 2,819 $ 3,7 54 24 I,463 2,002 Interest Rale Swap Derivatives Avista Corp. is affected by fluctuating interest rates related to a portion ofits existing debt, and future borrowing requirements. The Company hedges a portion ofits interest rate risk with financial derivative instruments, which may include interest rate swap derivatives and U.S. Treasury lock agreements. Thcsc interest rate swap derivativcs and U.S. Trcasury lock agreements are considered cconomic hedgcs against fluctuations in future cash flows associated with anticipated debt issuances. The following table summarizes the unsettled interest rate swap derivatives that the Company has outstanding as ofthe balance sheet date indicated below (dollars in thousands): Balance Shect Date Number of Contracts Notional Amount Mandatory Cash Settlemcnt Date December3l,20l6 6 t4 6 2 5 2017 201 8 2019 2020 2022 December31,2015 I 1 5.000 45,000 245,000 3 0,000 20,000 2016 2011 201 8 2019 2022 6 3 ll 2 I During the third quarter 20 1 6, in connection with the execution ofa purchase agreement for bonds that the Company issued in December 20 I 6, the Company cash-settled seven interest rate swap derivatives (notional aggregate amount of$ I 25.0 million) and paid a total of$54.0 million. The interest rate swap derivatives were settled in connection with the pricing of $ I 75.0 million of Avista Corp. first mortgage bonds that were issued in December 2016 (see Note I 4). Upon settlement ofinterest rate swap derivatives, the cash payments made or received are recorded as a regulatory asset or liability and are subsequently amortized as a component ofinterest expense over the life ofthe associated debt. The settled interest rate swap derivatives are also included as a part ofthe Company's cost ofdcbt calculation for ratcmaking purposcs. Thc fairvaluc ofoutstanding intcrcst rate swap derivativcs can vary significantly from period to period dcpending on the total notional amount ofswaps outstanding and fluctuations in ma*et interest rates compared to the interest rates fixed by the swaps. The Company would be required to make cash payments to settle the interest rate swap derivatives ifthe fixed rates are lrigher than prevailing market rates at the date ofsettlernent. Conversely, the Company receives cash to settle its interest rate swap derivatives when prevailing market rates at the time ofsettlement exceed the fixed swap rates. Summary of Outstanding Derivalive Instrumenls TheamountsrecordedontheConsolidatedBalanceSheetasofDecember3l,20l6andDecember3l,20l5reflecttheoffsettingofderivativeassetsand liabilities where a legal right ofoffset exists. 107 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 14 of 414 I4Els.lt,t.esllcr! AVISTA CORPORATION The following table presents the fair values and locations ofderivative instruments recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6 (in thousands): Fair Value Nel. Asset Gross Collatcral Netting (Liability) f)erivative arrd Balance Sheet Location Liability in Balance Sheet Gros Asset Forei gn currency exchange derivatives Other cunent liabilities Interest rate swap derivatives Other current assets Other property and investments-net and other non-current assets Other current liabilities Non-current interest rate swap derivative liabilities Energy commodity derivatives Other current assets Current energy commodity derivative liabilities Other non-current liabilities, regulatory liabilities and deferred credits Total dcrivative instruments rccordcd on thc balancc shcct Derivative and Baluce Sheet Location $ 3,393 5.7 54 3,951 18,682 16,335 13,071 (28) $ (3e7\ ( l 5,756) (57,825) (16,7 87 ) (29,5 98) (29,990) 9,731 25,t69 6,228 3,63 0 (23) 3,3 93 5,35'7 (6,025 ) (28,705) 1,895 (7,03 5 ) (l 3,2 8e) s$$ $ 61,191 $ (150,38r) $ 44,758 $ (44,432) The following table presents the fair values and locations ofderivative instruments recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 5 (in thousands): Fair Value Gross Asst Gros Liability Collateral Netting Net Asset (Liability) in Balance Sheet Foreign currency exchange derivatives Other cunent liabilities Interest rate swap derivatives Other property and investments-net and other non-current assets Other current liabilities Non-current interest rate swap derivative liabilities Energy commodity derivatives Othcr currcnt asscts Current energy commodity derivative liabitities Other non-current liabi lities, regulatory liabilities and deferred credits Total derivative instruments recorded on the balance sheet $ 23 I l8 I,407 1,236 6'1 466 6,613 (re) $ (23,262) (62,236) (ss3) (8s,409) (39,033 ) 3,880 30,1 50 3,675 t 0,85 I (t7) 23 (19,264) (30,679) 683 (14,268) (21,569) 2$$ $ 76,86s S (2 l 0,s l 2) S 48,ss6 $ (8s,09 l ) Exposure to Demands for Collateral The Company's derivative contracts often require collateral (in the form ofcash or Ietters ofcredit) or other credit enhancements, or reductions or terminations ofa portion ofthc contract through cash settlcment, in the evcnt ofa downgrade in the Company's crcdit ratings or changcs in markct priccs. In pcriods of price volatility, the level ofexposure can change significantly. As a result, sudden and significant demands may be made against the Company's credit lacilities and cash. The Company actively monitors tlre exposure to possible collateral calls and takes steps to mitigate capital requirements. t08 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 1 15 of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following table presents the Company's collateral outstanding related to its derivative instruments as of as of December 3 I (in thousands): 2016 Energy commodity derivatives Cash collateral posted Letters of crcdit outstanding Balance sheet offsetting (cash collateral against net derivative posrtions) s Interest rate swap derivatives Cash collateral posted Letters of credit outstanding Balance sheet offsetting (cash collateral against net derivative positions) 34,900 3,600 34,900 1,124 $ 1,046 20t5 17,134 S 24,400 9,858 28,7 t 6 28,200 | 4,526 34,030 9,600 34.030 Certain of the Company's derivative instruments contain provisions that require the Company to maintain an "investment grade" credit rating from the major crcdit rating agcncies. Ifthe Company's crcdit ratings were to fall bclow "invcstment gmde," it would be in violation ofthese provisions, and thc counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions. Thc following table presents the aggrcgatc fair valuc ofall dcrivativc instrumcnts with credit-risk-relatcd contingcnt features that are in a liability position andtheamountofadditionalcollateraltheCompanycouldberequiredtopostasofDecember3l (inthousands): 20t6 201 5 Energy commodity derivatives Liabilities with credit-risk-related contingent features Additional collateral to post Interest rate swap derivatives Liabilities with credit-risk-related contingent features 73,978 85,498 Additional collatcral to post 2 I ,l 00 I 8,750 NOTE 7. JOINTLY OWNED ELECTRIC FACILITIES The Company has a I 5 percent ownership interest in a twin-unit coal-fired generating facility, Colstrip, located in southeastem Montana, and provides financing for its ownership interest in the project. The Company's share ofrelated fuel costs as well as operating expenses for plant in service are included in the corresponding accounts in the Consolidated Statements oflncome. The Company's share ofutility plant in service for Colstrip and accurnulated depreciation(inclusiveoftheAROassetsandaccumulatedamortization)wereasfollowsasofDecember3l (dollarsinthousands): 2016 201 5 $7,090 6,980 Utility plant in service Accumulated depreciation See Note 9 for further discussion of AROs. $380,406 $ \249,359) 362,199 (243,363) 109 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 16 of 414 Tabl€ of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION NOTE 8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT The balances ofthe major classifications ofproperty, plant and equipment are detailed in the following table as ofDecember 3 I (dollars in thousands): 2016 2015 Avista Utilities: Elcctric production Electric transmission Electric distribution Electric construction work-in-progress (CWIP) and other Elcctric total Natural gas underground storage Natural gas distribution Natural gas CWIP and other Natural gas total Common plant (including CWIP) Total Avista Utilities AEL&P: Electric production Electric transmission Electric distribution Electric production held under long-term capital lease Electric CWIP and other Electric total Common plant Total AEL&P Other (l ) Total $1,346,332 $ 682,529 I ,525,17 5 296,912 1,217 ,t79 640,586 1,468,t57 358,846 3,850,948 3,684,768 44,6't2 954,298 57,601 I ,056,5'71 43,080 878,982 62,024 984,086 527 As8 456,796 5,434,977 94,839 20,252 20,057 7 t,007 7,190 5,125,650 72,292 18,8t7 19,005 7 t ,007 16,97 I 2t3,345 8,651 198,092 8,1 33 221,996 30,764 206.225 25,7 09 s 5,687 ,737 s 5 157 ,584 (l )Included in other property and investments-net and other non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accumulated depreciation was $l1.2 million as of December3l,20l6 and $10.6 million as ofDecember3l,20l5 forthe otherbusinesses. NOTE 9. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS The Company has recorded liabilities for future AROs to: . restore coal ash containment ponds at Colstrip, ' cap a landfill at the Kettle Falls Plant, . remove plant and restore the land at the Coyote Springs 2 site at the termination ofthe land lease, and ' dispose of PCBs in certain transformers. Due to an inability to estimate a range ofsettlement dates, the Company cannot estimate a liability for the: . removal and disposal ofcertain transmission and distribution assets, and . abandonment and decommissioning ofcertain hydroelectric generation and natural gas storage facilities. On April I 7, 20 I 5, the EPA published a final rule regarding coal combustion residuals (CCR), also termed coal combustion byproducts or coal ash, in the Federal Register,and thisrule became effective on October 15,2015. Colstrip, ofwhich Avista Corp. is a l5 percent ownerofunits 3 &4,produces this byproduct. The rule established technical requirements for CCR landfills and surface impoundments under Subtitle D ofthe Resource Conservation and Rccovery Act, the nation's primary law for regulating solid waste. The Company, in conjunction with the othcr Colstrip owners, dcvelopcd a multi-ycar compliance plan to strategically address the CCR requirements and existing state obligations while maintaining operational stability. During 20 I 5, the operator ofColstrip provided an initial cost estimate ofthe expected retirement costs associated with complying with Appendix 6 to Joint Application 110 Page I 17 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION the new CCR rule. Based on the initial assessments, Avista Corp. recorded an increase to its ARO of $ 12.5 million during 201 5 with a corresponding increase in the cost basis ofthe utility plant. During 20 I 6, due to additional information and updated estimates, the ARO increascd to $ I 3.6 million (including accretion of $0.7 million). The actual asset retirement costs related to the CCR rule requirements may vary substantially from the estimates used to record the increased ARO due to uncertainty about the compliance strategies that will be used and the preliminary nature ofavailable data used to estimate costs, such as the quantity ofcoal ash present at certain sites and the volume offill that will be needed to cap and cover certain impoundments. Avista Corp. will coordinate with the plant operator and continue to gather additional data in future periods to make decisions about compliance strategies and the timing ofclosure activities. As additional information bccomes availablc, Avista Corp. will update the ARO for these changes in cstimates, which could bc material. The Company cxpccts to seek recovery of any increased costs related to complying with the newrule through customerrates. The following table documents the changes in the Company's asset retirement obligation during the years ended December 3 I (dollars in thousands): 2016 2015 2014 Asset retirement obligation at beginning ofyear Liabilities incurred Liabilities settled Accretion expense Asset retirement obligation at end ofyear $| 5,997 $ 430 (1.s29) 617 3,028 $ 12,539 (2e) 459 2,859 (41) 210 $ 15,515 $ 15,997 S 3,028 NOTE IO. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BEII-EFIT PLANS The pension and other postretirement benefit plans described below only relate to Avista Utilities. AEL&P (not discussed below) participates in a defined contribution multiemploycr plan for its union workers and a defincd contribution moncy purchasc pcnsion plan for its nonunion workers. METAL& (not discussed below) has a defined contribution 40 I (k) savings plan. None ofthe subsidiary retirement plans, individually or in the aggregate, are significant to Avista Corp. Avista Utilities The Company has a defined benefit pension plan covering the majority of all regular full-time employees at Avista Utilities that were hired prior to January l, 20 I 4. Individual benefits under this plan are based upon the employee's years ofservice, date ofhire and average compensation as specified in the plan. Non- union cmployees hircd on or aftcr January l, 20 I 4 participate in a dcfined contribution 40 I (k) plan in lieu ofa defined bcnefit pcnsion plan. Thc Company's funding policy is to contribute at least the minimum amounts that are required to be funded under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, but not more than the maximum amounts that are currently deductible for income tax purposes. The Company contributed $ 12.0 rnillion in cash to the pension plan in2016, $12.0 million in 2015 and $32.0 million in 2014. The Company expects to contribute $22.0 million in cash to the pension plan in 2017. The Company also has a SERP that providcs additional pcnsion bencfits to exccutive officers and ccrtain kcy cmployccs ofthe Company. The SERP is intended to provide benefits to individuals whose benefits underthe defined benefit pension plan are reduced due to the application ofSection 41 5 ofthe Intemal Revenue Code of I 986 and the deferral ofsalary under deferred compensation plans. The liability and expense for this plan are included as pension benefits in the tables included in this Note. The Company expects that benefit payments under the pension plan and the SERP will total (dollars in thousands): 20t7 2018 2019 2020 Expected benefi t payments 2021 Total 2022-2026 The expected long-term rate ofretum on plan assets is based on past performance and economic forecasts for the types ofinvestments held by the plan. In selecting a discount rate, the Company considers yield rates for highly rated corporate bond portfolios with maturities similar to that ofthe expected term of pension benefits. TheCompanyprovidescertainhealthcareandlifeinsurancebenefitsforeligibleretiredemployeesthatwerehiredpriortoJanuary l,20l4.TheCompany accrucs the estimated cost ofpostrctirement benefit obligations during the years that employees provide serviccs. The liability and cxpensc ofthis plan arc included as other postretirement benefits. Non-union employees hired on or after January I , 20 I 4, wi ll have access to the retiree medical plan upon retirement; however, Avista Corp. will no longerprovide a contribution toward their medical premium. $ 30,971 $ 32,014 $ 33,047 $ 34,s4s $ 3s,892 $ 196,322 lll Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I l8 of4l4 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION The Company has a Health Reimbursement Arangement (HRA) to provide employees with tax-advantaged funds to pay for allowable medical expenses upon retirement. The amount eamed by the employee is fixed on the retirement date based on the employee's years of service and the ending salary. The liability and expense ofthe HRA are included as other postretirement benefits. The Company provides death benefits to beneficiaries ofexecutive officers who die during their term ofoffice or after retirement. Under the plan, an executive officer's designated beneficiary will receive a payment equal to twice the executive omcer's annual base salary at the time ofdeath (or ifdeath occurs after rctirement, a payment cqual to twicc the exccutive officcr's total annual pension benefit). The liability and cxpensc for this plan are included as other postretirement benefi ts. The Company expects that benefit payments under other postretirement benefit plans will total (dollan in thousands): 2O]l'1 2018 2019 2020 2021 Tota12022-2026 Expected benefi t payments 34,704$ 6,991 $ 7,302 $ 7,s80 $ 6,479 S 6,675 $ The Company expects to contribute $7.0 million to other postretirement benefit plans in 20 I 7, representing expected benefit payments to be paid during the year excluding the Medicare Part D subsidy. The Company uses a December 3 I measurement date for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The following table sets forth the pension and other postretirement benefit plan disclosures as ofDecember 3 1,201 6 and 201 5 and the components ofnet periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 3 1 ,2016,2015 and,2014 (dollars in thousands): Pension Benefits Other Post- retirement Benefib 20t6 20r5 20t6 201 5 Change in benefit obligation: Bcnefit obligation as ofbcginning ofyear Service cost Interest cost Actuarial (gain/loss Plan change Cumulative adjustment to reclassify liability Benefits pard Benefit obligation as ofend ofyear Change in plan assets: Fair value ofplan assets as ofbeginning ofyear Actual retum on plan assets Employer contributions Benefits paid Fair value ofplan assets as ofend ofyear Fundcd status Unrecognized net actuarial loss Unrecognized prior service cost Prepaid (accrued ) benefit cost Additional liability Accrued bcnefi t liability Accumulated pension benefit obligation Accumulated postretirement benefi t obligation : For retirees For fu lly eligible employees $ (32,874)(3 r ,061 ) $ 33,365 $30,868 $ $ (125,558) $ (96,269) $ (103,088) $ (107,927) For other participants 65,652 34,498 38,645 6l 3,503 $ 18,302 27,544 1q qq7 634,67 4 $ 19,7 91 26,t l7 (3s,7e0) (228) l 3 8,795 $ 3,205 6,1t0 (3,648) (1,042) (6,967) 127,989 2,925 5,158 12,668 (1,000) (1,s21) (7,424) s 666,472 $ 613,503 $ 136,453 S 138,795 517,234 $ 43,212 12,000 (3 1,s32) 539,31 r $ (4,30s) 12,000 (2e.772) 30,868 $ 2,497 31,3t2 (444) $ 540,914 $ 51',7,234 $ (r 2s,s58) s 178,783 t5 (96,269\ $ 162,961 25 ( l 03,08 8) $ 8t,979 (8,e8 | ) (107.e27) 92,433 (r 0,r 80) 53,248 ( l 78,806) 66,7 t7 (l 62.986) (30,090) (72,998) (25,67 4) (82.25 3 ) $ 583,498 $ 542,209 $ $ 60,670 s 34A2e $ 41,354 $$ Appendix 6 to Joint Application tt2 Page I 19 of 414 Tabl€ of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Pcnsion Bcncfits other Post- retirement Benefits 2016 2015 2016 2015 Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) (net oftax): Unrecognized prior service cosl Unrecognized net actuarial Ioss Total Lcss rcgulatory assct Accumulated other comprehensive loss for unfunded benefit obligation for pensions and other postretirement benefit plans Weighted-average assumptions as of I)ecember 3l : Discount ratc for bencfit obligation Discount rate for annual expense Expected long-tem retum on plan assets Rate of compensation increase Mcdical cost trend prc-agc 65 - initial Medical cost trend pre-age 65 - ultimate Ultimate medical cost trend year pre-age 65 Medical cost trend post-age 65 - initial Medical cost trend post-age 65 - ultimate Ultimate medical cost trend year post-age 65 Ponsion Benefits $ls $ t16,209 16 $ 105,925 (5,854) $ 51 101 (6,6 r7) 60,081 I | 6,224 (l 08,903) I 05,941 (99,414) 47,449 (47,202) 53,464 (53,341) $7,321 S 6,527 $247 $t23 Pension Benefits Other Post- retirement Benefits 20t6 201 5 2016 2015 4.260/o 4.57% 5.40% 4.78% 457% 4.21% 5.30% 4.87% 4.23% 4.57% 6.03% 7.00% 5.00% 2023 7.00% 5.00% 2024 Other Post-retirement Benefits 4.57% 4.1 60/o 6.36% 7.00% 5.00% 2077 7.00% 5.00% 2023 2016 201 5 2014 2016 2015 2014 Components ofnet periodic benefit cost: Scrvice cost Interest cost Expected retum on plan assets Amortization of prior sewice cost Net loss recognition Net periodic benefit cost $18,302 $ 27,544 (27,547\ 2 8,51 I 15,7 57 $ 26,224 (32,r31) 22 4,73t 2,92s $ 5,1 58 (r,99r) (1,199) 5,095 t9,79t $ 26,117 (28,299) 2 eAst 3,205 $ 6,1 l0 (l ,861 ) (r,208) 5,',728 1,844 s.226 (1,903) (r,l l 6) 4,289 $ 26,812 $ 27,062 $ 14,603 S 11,974 $ 9,988 $ 8,340 Plan Assets The Financc Committcc ofthe Company's Board ofDircctors approves invcstment policics, objectives and strategies that seek an appropriatc rctum for thc pension plan and other postretirement benefit plans and reviews and approves changes to the investment and funding policies. The Company has contracted with investment consultants who are responsible for managing/monitoring the individual investment managers. The investment managers' perlormance and related individual fund performance is periodically reviewed by an intemal benefits committee and by the Finance Committee to monitor compliance with investmcnt policy objectivcs and stratcgics. Pcnsion plan assets arc invested in mutual funds, trusts and partncrships that hold markctable dcbt and equity securitics, real estatc, absolute rctum and commodity funds. In seeking to obtain the desired retum to fund the pension plan, the investment consultant recommends allocation percentages by asset classes. These recomrnendations are reviewed by the intemal benefits committee, which then recommends their adoption by the Finance Cornmittee. The Finance Committee has established target Appendix 6 to Joint Application ll3 Page 120 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION investment allocation percentages by asset classes and also investment ranges for each asset class. The target investment allocation percentages are typically the midpoint ofthe established range. The target investment allocation percentages by asset classes are indicated in the table below: 2016 2015 Equity sccuritics Debt securities Real estate Absolute retum 37% 4s% 8% 'lOVo 410 / 58o/o 6% 9% The 20 I 6 target investment allocation percentages were revised in the fourth quarter of20 I 6 and the pension plan assets were subsequently reinvested during the fourth quarter of20 I 6 and first quarter of20 I 7 to move toward the new target investment allocation percentages. The target asset allocation percentages were modified to better align the asset allocations with the funded status ofthe pension plan. Future contributions to the plan will also be increased to improve the funded status ofthe plan. The fair value ofpension plan assets invested in debt and equity securities was based primarily on fair value (market prices). The fair value ofinvestment securities traded on a national securities exchange is determined based on the reported last sales price; securities traded in the over-tlre-counter market are valued at the last reported bid price. Investment securities for which martet prices are not readily available or for which market prices do not represent the value at the time ofpricing, the investment manager estimates fair value based upon other inputs (including valuations ofsecurities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity and industry). lnvestments in common/collective trust funds are presented at estimated fair value, which is determined based on the unit value of the fund. Unit value is determined by an independent trustee, which sponsors the fund, by dividing the fund's net assets by its units outstanding at the valuation date. The Company's investments in common/collective trusts have redemption limitations that permit quarterly redemptions following notice requirements of45 to 60 days. The fair values ofthe closely held investments and partnership interests are based upon the allocated share ofthe fair value ofthe underlying assets as well as the allocated share ofthe undistributed profits and losses, including realized and unrealized gains and losses. Most ofthe Company's investments in closely held investments and partnership interests have redemption limitations that range from bi-monthly to semi-annually following redemption notice requirements of60 to 90 days. One investment in a partnership has a lock-up forredemption cunently expiring in 2022 and is subject to extension. The fair value ofpension plan assets invested in real estate was determined by the investment manager based on three basic approaches: . properties are extemally appraised on an annual basis by independent appraisers, additional appraisals may be performed as warranted by specific asset or market conditions, . property valuations are reviewed quarterly and adjusted as necessary, and ' loans are reflected at fairvalue. The fair value ofpension plan assets was determined as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6 and 20 I 5. Pension plan other postretirement plan assets whose fair values are measured using net asset value (NAV) are excluded from the fair value hierarchy and are included as reconciling items in the tables below. ll4 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 121 of 414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION The following table discloses by level within the fair value hierarchy (see Note I 6 for a description ofthe fair value hierarchy) ofthe pension plan's assets measured and reported as ofDecember 3 I ,2016 at fair value (dollars in thousands): Levell Level2 Level3 Total Cash equivalcnts Fixed income securities: U.S. govemment issues Corporate issues Intemational issues Municipal issucs Mutual funds: U.S. equity securities Intemational equity securities Absolute retum (l ) Plan assets measured at NAV (not subject to hierarchy disclosure) Common/collective trusts: Real estate Intemational equity securities Pannership/closely held investments: Absolute retum (l ) Private equity funds (2) Real estate Total $s 10,179 $ 30,919 t93,563 34,145 18,888 s 1 0,1 79 30,91 9 I 93,563 34,145 18,888 l 20,856 30,025 6,622 19,779 29,t 40 39,0'17 72 '7,649 I 20,856 30,025 6,622 $ 15 7,s03 $ 287 .694 $$ s40,9 t 4 The following table di scloses by level within the fair value hierarchy (see Note I 6 for a description of the fair value hi erarchy) of the pension plan's assets measured and reported as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 5 at fair value (dollars in thousands): Lcvcl I Level 2 Level 3 Total Cash equivalents Fixed income securities: U.S. govemment issues Corporate issues Intemational issues Municipal issues Mutual funds: U.S. equity securities lntemational equity securiti es Absolute retum (l ) Plan assets measured at NAV (not subject to hierarchy disclosure) Cornmon/collective trusts: Real estate Partnership/closely held investments: Absolute retum (l ) Private equity funds (2) Real estate Total s 86 $ 10.64r $$10,727 47,845 187,308 34,458 22,416 87,678 40,343 13,996 24.t47 3 8,3 02 73 9.94t 47,845 187,308 344s8 22,416 87,678 40,343 13,996 $ 5 17,234 This category invests in multiple strategies to diversif risk and reduce volatility. The strategies include: (a) event driven, relative value, convertible, and fixed income arbitrage, (b) distressed investments, (c) long/short equity and fixed income, and (d) market neutral strategies. This category includes private equity funds that invest primarily in U.S. companies. $ 142,103 $302,668 $ (l) (2) Appendix 6 to Joint Application I l5 Page 122 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The fair value ofother postretirement plan assets invested in debt and equity securities was based primarily on market prices. The fair value ofinvestment securities traded on a national securities exchange is detennined based on the last reported sales price; securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last reported bid price. Investment securities for which market prices are not readily available are fair-valued by the investment manager based upon other inputs (including valuations ofsecurities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity and industry). The target asset allocation was 60 percent cquity securitics and 40 percent dcbt securitics in both 20 1 6 and 20 1 5. The fair valuc ofothcr postretircment plan asscts was dctcrmined as ofDeccmber 3 I , 20 I 6 and 20 I 5. The following table discloses by level within the fair value hierarchy (see Note I 6 for a description ofthe fair value hierarchy) ofother postretirement plan assets measured and reported as ofDecember 3 I ,2016 at fair value (dollan in thousands): Level I Level2 Level 3 Total Cash equivalents Mutual funds: Balanced index fund (l) Total $$6$$6 33,3 5 933,359 $ 33,359 $6$$33,365 ( I ) The balanced index fund is a single mutual fund that includes a percentage ofU.S. equity securities, fixed income securities and Intemational securities. The following table discloses by level within the fairvalue hierarchy (see Note l6 fora description ofthe fairvalue hierarchy) ofotherpostretirement plan assets measurcd and rcported as ofDcccmbcr 3 I ,2015 at fair valuc (dollars in thousands): Level I Levcl 2 Levcl 3 Total Cash equivalents Mutual funds: Fixed income securities U.S. equity securities Intcmational equity securitics Total $$$99$ 12,000 13,224 5 61{ 12,000 t3,224 5.63 5 s 30,8s9 $9$$ 30,868 Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate for each year would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as ofDecember 3 I ,2016 by $8.6 million and the service and interest cost by $ I .0 million. A one-percentage-point decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate for each year would decrease the accumulated postretiremcnt bcncfit obligation as of Dcccmber 3 1, 2016 by $6.7 million and the scwice and intcrest cost by $0.7 million. 401 (k) Plans and Executive Deferral Plan Avista Utilities and METALfiT have salary deferral 40 I (k) plans that are defined contribution plans and cover substantially all employees. Ernployees can make contributions to their respective accounts in the plans on a pre-tax basis up to the maximum amount permitted by law. The respective company matches a portion ofthe salary deferred by each participant according to the schedule in the respective plan. Employer matching contributions were as follows for the years ended December 3 1 (dollars in thousands): 2016 201 5 2014 Employer 40 I (k) matching contributions s 8,7r0 $8,01 r $6,862 The Company has an Executive Deferral Plan. This plan allows executive oflicers and other key employees the opportunity to defer until the earlier oftheir retirement, termination, disability or death, up to 75 percent oftheir base salary and/or up to 1 00 percent oftheir incentive payments. Defened compensation funds are held by the Company in a Rabbi Trust. I 16 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 123 of 414 Table of Conteots AVISTA CORPORATION There were deferred compensation assets included in other property and investments-net and corresponding deferred compensation liabilities included in other non-current liabilities and defened credits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets ofthe following amounts as ofDecember 3 I (dollars in thousands): 20t6 2015 Dcferred cornpensation assets and I iabilities s 7,679 $8,093 NOTE I I. ACCOTJNTING FOR INCOME TAXES IncometaxexpenseconsistedofthefollowingfortheyearsendedDecember3l (dollarsinthousands): 20t6 201 5 2014 Current income tax expense Oenefit) Deferred income tax expense Total income tax expense $(46,4s7) $ 124,543 12,2t2 $ 55,237 (67,059) 139,299 $78,086 $ 67.449 g 72.240 State income taxes do not represent a significant portion oftotal income tax expense on the Consolidated Statements oflncome for any periods presented. A reconciliation offederal income taxes derived from statutory federal tax rates (35 percent in 2016,2015 and 2014) applied to income before income taxes as set forth in the accompanying Consolidated Statements oflncome is as follows for the years ended December 3 I (dollars in thousands): 20t6 2015 2014 Federal income taxes at statutory rates Increase (decrease) in tax resulting from: Tax effect ofregulatory treatment ofutility plant differcnces State income tax expense Settlement ofprior year tax retums and adjustment oftax reserves Manufacturin g deducti on Settlement of equity awards Other Total income tax expense 4,008 l3 (6e8) (0.4)(446) (0.2) $ 78,086 36.3 % $ 67,449 36.3 % $ 72,240 37.60/o $ 75,391 35.0 % $ 64,967 35.0 % $ 67,237 35.0% 3,297 1,3 l6 1.5 0.6 (0.7) (0.1 ) 4,358 1,0t2 (ee2) (l,re8) 506 2.1 o.2 (0.s) (0.6) l,l 04 (l 6e) 0.6 (0 1) (1,597) (334) tt7 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 124 of 414 2.3 0.5 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Defened income taxes reflect the net tax effects oftemporary differences between the carrying amounts ofassets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes and tax credit carryforwards. The total net deferred income tax liability consisted ofthe following as of December 3 I (dollarc in thousands): 201 6 201 5 Deferred income tax assetsi Unfu nded benefi t obli gation Derivatives Regulatory dcferrcd tax crcdits Tax credits Power and natural gas deferrals Deferred compensation Other Total gross deferred income tax assets Valuation allowances lor deferred tax assets Total deferred income tax assets aftervaluation allowances Deferred income tax Iiabilities: Dfferences between book and tax basis of utility plant Regulatory asset on utility, property plant and equiprnent Regulatory asset for pensions and other postretirement benefits Utility energy commodity derivatives Long-term debt and borrowing costs Scttlcmcnt with Cocur d'Alcnc Tribe Other regulatory assets Other Total deferred income tax liabilities Net long+erm deferred income tax liability Regulatory assets for deferred income taxes Regulatory liabilities lor defered income taxes $80,230 $ 31.872 | 5,192 27,931 19,415 l l.l4l ,o < ra 7 5,716 47,009 I 5,01 I 12,866 t 0,354 29,47 | 215,293 (7,e46) 190,427 (2,862) 207,347 187,565 812.916 37,301 84,040 3 t,871 3l,955 I l,7l I 30,1 83 8,298 7 23,661 36,917 82,253 47,010 14,027 12,084 I I ,691 7,399 1,048,275 935.042 $ 840,928 $ 747,477 The realization ofdefened income tax assets is dependent upon the ability to generate taxable income in future periods. The Company evaluated available evidcnce supporting thc rcalization ofits defcncd incomc tax assets and determincd it is morc likcly than not that dcferrcd income tax asscts will bc rcalizcd. As of December 3 I , 201 6, the Company had $ I 7.1 million of state tax credit carryforwards of which it is expected $7.9 million may expire unused; the Company has reflected the net amount of$9.2 million as an asset at December 3 I , 20 I 6. State tax credits expire from 20 I 9 to 2028. The Company and its eligible subsidiaries file consolidated federal income tax retums. The Company also files state income tax retums in certain jurisdictions, including Idaho, Oregon and Montana. Subsidiaries are charged or credited with the tax effects oftheir operations on a stand-alone basis. The Intcmal Revcnue Service (IRS) has completed its examination ofall tax years through 201 I and all issues were rcsolved relatcd to thcsc years. Thc statute of limitations for the IRS to review the 2012 tax year has expired, leaving the 20 I 3 through 20 I 5 tax years still open for review. The Company believes that any open tax years for federal or state income taxes will not result in adjustrnents that would be significant to the consolidated financial statements. The Company had net regulatory assets related to the probable recovery ofcetain deferred income tax liabilities from customers through future rates as of December 3 I (dollars in thousands): 2016 201 5 $109,853 S 28,966 101,240 17,609 NOTE 12. ENERGY PURCHASE CONTRACTS The below discussion only relates to Avista Utilities. The sole energy purchase contract at AEL&P is a PPA for the Snettisham hydroelectric project and it is accounted for as a capital lease. AEL&P does not have any other significant operating agreements or contractual obligations. See Note I 4 for further discussion ofthe Snettisham PPA. Avista Utilities has contracts for the purchase offuel for thermal generation, natural gas for resale and various agreements for the purchase or exchange of electric energy with other entities. The remaining term ofthe contracts range from one month to twenty-five years. Appendix 6 to Joint Application ll8 Page 125 of 414 Table 0f Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Total expenses for power purchased, natural gas purchased, fuel for generation and other fuel costs, which are included in utility resource costs in the Consolidated Statements oflncome, were as follows for the years ended December 3 I (dollars in thousands): 2016 201 5 2014 UtilitypowerresourcesS402,5T5$511,937$556,915 Thc following tablc dctails Avista Utilities' futurc contractual commitmcnts for power rcsourccs (including transmission contracts) and natural gas rcsources (including transportation contracts) (dollars in thousands): 2.017 20 I 8 20 I 9 2020 2021 Thereafter Total Power resources Natural gas resources Total 202,494 $ 95,549 187,080 $ 65.230 17 4,285 $ 53,860 I 09,878 S 41,340 96,485 $ 29,306 77 5,548 $ 349,468 $1,545,770 614 ?s r $ 298,043 $ 252,3 l0 $228,145$r5r,218$125,791 $1,125,0r6$2,180,523 These energy purchase contracts were entered into as part ofAvista Utilities' obligation to serve its retail electric and natural gas customers' energy requiremcnts, including contracts cntcred into for rcsourcc optimization. As a rcsult, thesc costs are recovcrcd eithcr through base retail ratcs or adjustments to retail rates as part ofthe power and natural gas cost deferral and recovery mechanisms. The above future contractual commitments for power resources include fixed contractual amounts related to the Company's contracts with certain PLrDs to purchase portions ofthe output ofcertain generating facilities. Although Avista Utilities has no investment in the PUD generating facilities, the fixed contracts obligate Avista Utilities to pay certain minimum amounts whether or not the facilities are operating. The cost ofpower obtained under the contracts, including payments made when a facility is not operating, is included in utility resource costs in the Consolidated Statements oflncome. The contractual amounts included above consist ofAvista Utilities' share ofexisting debt service cost and its proportionate share ofthe variable operating expenses ofthese projects. The minimum amounts payable under these contracts are based in part on the proportionate share ofthe debt service requirements ofthe PUD's revenue bonds for which the Company is indirectly responsible. The Company's total future debt service obligation associated with the revenue bonds outstanding at December 3 1, 2016 (principal and interest) was $65.2 million. In addition, Avista Utilities has opcrating agrecmcnts, settlcments and other contractual obligations rclated to its gcnerating facilitics and transmission and distribution services. The expenses associated with these agreements are reflected as other operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements oflncome. The following table details fi.rture contractual commitments under these agreements (dollars in thousands): 2017 20 I 8 2019 2020 2t)21 Thereafter Total Contractual obligations S 33,922 $ 28,783 S 32,549 $ 32,160 $ 27,019 $ 189,000 $ 343,433 NOTE 13. COMMITTED LINES OF CREDIT Avista Corp. Avista Corp. has a committed line of credit with various financial institutions in the total amount of $400.0 million. A two-year option was exercised by the Company in 201 6 to extend the maturity of the facility agreement to April 2021 . The committed line ofcredit agreement contains customary covenants and default provisions. The credit agreement has a covenant which does not permit the ratio of"consolidated total debf' to "consolidated total capitalization" ofAvista Corp. to bc greatcr than 65 pcrccnt at any time. As ofDeccmber 3 I , 20 I 6, the Company was in compliance with this covenant. Balances outstanding and interest rates ofborrowings (excluding letters ofcredit) under the Company's revolving committed lines ofcredit were as follows as ofDecember 3 1 (dollars in thousands): 2016 zot5 Balance outstanding at end ofperiod $ I 20.000 $ I 05,000 Lcttcrs ofcrcdit outstanding at end ofpcriod $ 34,353 S 44,595 Average interest rate at end ofperiod 1.50% 1.18% As of December 3 I , 20 I 6 and 201 5, the borrowings outstanding under Avista Corp.'s committed line of credit were classified as short-term borrowings on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. I l9 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 126 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION AEL&P AEL&P has a committed line of credit in the amount of $25.0 million that expires in November 201 9. As of December 3 I , 201 6 and 201 5, there were no borrowings or letters ofcredit outstanding under this committed line ofcredit. The committed Iine ofcredit agreement contains customary covenants and default provisions. The credit agreement has a covenant which does not permit the ratio of"consolidated total debt at AEL&P" to "consolidated total capitalization at AEL&P," including the impact ofthe Snettisham bonds to be greaterthan 67.5 pcrcent at any timc. As of Deccmber 31,2016, AEL&P was in compliance with this covcnant. 120 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 127 of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION NOTE I4. LONG-TERM DEBT AI\D CAPITAL LEASES The following details long+erm debt outstanding as ofDecember 3 I (dollars in thousands): Maturity Ycar Dercription Interest Ratc 2016 201 5 Avista Corp. Secured Long-Term Debt 2016 First Mortgage Bonds (l ) 2018 First Mortgage Bonds 201 8 Secured Medium-Tenn Notes 2Ol9 First Mortgage Bonds 2020 First Mortgage Bonds 2022 First Mortgage Bonds 2023 SecuredMedium-TennNotes 2028 SecuredMedium-TermNotes 2032 Secured Pollution Control Bonds (2) 2034 Secured Pollution Control Bonds (2) 2035 First Mortgage Bonds 2037 First Mortgage Bonds 2040 First Mongage Bonds 2041 First Mortgage Bonds 2044 First Mortgage Bonds 2045 First Mortgage Bonds 2047 First Mortgage Bonds 2051 First Mortgage Bonds (3) Total Avista Corp. secured long-term debt Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Secured Long-Term Debt 2044 First Mortgagc Bonds Total secured long+erm debt Alaska Energy and Resources Company Unsecured Long-Term Debt 2019 Unsecured Term Loan Total secured and unsecured long+erm debt Other Long-Term Debt Components Capital lease obligations Settled interest rate swap derivatives (4) Unamortized debt discount Unamortizcd long-term debt issuance costs Total Secured Pollution Control Bonds held by Avista Corporation (2) Current portion oflong-term debt and capital leases Total long-term debt and capital leases (l ) 0.84'h 5.95% 7.39%-7.45% 5.45% 3.89% 5.13o/o 7.18%-7s4% 6.37% (2) (2) 6.250/o s.70% 5.550/, 4.45% 4.11% 4.37% 4.23% 3.54% $$90,000 250,000 22,500 90,000 52,000 250,000 13,500 25,000 66,700 17,000 150,000 150,000 35,000 8 5,000 60,000 I 00,000 80,000 250,000 22,500 90,000 52,000 250,000 13,500 25,000 66,700 17,000 r 50,000 t 50,000 3 5,000 85,000 60,000 100,000 80,000 175,000 1,621,700 75,000 1,536,700 75,0004.54% 3.85% r.696,700 15,000 I ,61 l ,700 15,000 I ,71 I ,700 65,435 |,626,700 (7e2) (10,63 9) 68,60 t (26,s 1 s) (es6) (l 0,8s2) t ,7 65,104 (83,700) (3,287) 1,656,978 (83,700) (93,1 67) $ r,678,717 $ 1.480,1il In August 201 6, Avista Corp. entered into a term loan agreement with a commercial bank in the amount of $70.0 million with a maturity date of December 30, 20 I 6. Loans under this agreement were unsecured and had a variable annual interest rate. The Company borrowed the entire $70.0 million available under this agreement, which was used to repay a portion of the $90.0 million in first mortgage bonds that matured in August 201 6 This term loan was subsequently repaid in fulI in December using the proceeds fiom the first mortgage bonds issued in December 20 I 6 (discussed below). Appendix 6 to Joint Application 121 Page 128 of414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION (2)In Decernber 201 0, $66.7 million and $ I 7.0 million of the City of Forsyth, Montana Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds (Avista Corporation Colstrip Project) due in2032 and 2034, respectively, which had been held by Avista Corp. since 2008 and 2009, respectively, were refunded by new bond issues (Series 20 I 0A and Series 20 I 0B). The new bonds were not offered to the public and were purchased by Avista Corp. duc to market conditions. Thc Company expccts that at a later date, subjcct to markct conditions, these bonds may bc remarkctcd to unaffiliated investors. So long as Avista Corp. is the holder ofthese bonds, the bonds will not be reflected as an asset or a liability on Avista Corp.'s Consolidated Balance Sheets. InDccembcr20l6,AvistaCorp.issucdandsold$'lT5.0millionof3.54pcrccntfirstmortgagcbondsduein205l pursuanttoabondpurchasc agreement vrith institutional investors in the private placement market. The total net proceeds from the sale ofthe bonds were used to repay the $70.0 million term loan discussed above and to repay a portion of the borrowings outstanding under the Company's $400.0 million committed line ofcredit. ln connection with the execution ofthe bond purchase agreement, the Company cash-settled seven interest rate swap derivatives (notional ag9regate amount of $ I 25.0 million) and paid a total of $54.0 million. Prior to December 3 I , 20 | 6, settled interest rate swap derivatives were included as part oflong-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets because they were considered similarto a debt discount orpremium. During 2016, the Company reevaluated the presentation ofsettled interest rate swap derivatives and determined that since they are regulatory assets and liabilities that are being recovered through the ratemaking process, the morc appropriatc classification is as rcgulatory asscts and liabilities rathcr than as a componcnt oflong-tcrm debt. As such, as ofDecember 3 I , 20'l 6, the Company has included unamortized settled interest rate swap derivatives of$91.9 million in regulatory assets and $12.4 million in regulatory liabilities. The Company did not reclassifl any amounts as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 5 and prior because the amounts are not material to the financial statements. The increase in settled interest rate swap derivatives during 2016 is due to the cash settlement ofinterest rate swap derivatives discussed in detail above. There is no impact to the Consolidated Statements oflncome and the Consolidated Statements ofCash Flows forany periods as a result ofthe balance shect rcclassification. (3) (4) The following table details future long-term debt maturities including long-term debt to alfiliated trusts (see Note I 5) (dollars in thousands): 2017 20 I 8 2Ol9 2O2O 2021 Thereafter Total Debt maturities $$ 272,500 $ 105,000 $ 52,000 S $ 1,250.047 g 1.679,547 Substantially all of Avista Utilities' and AEL&P's owned properties are subject to the lien of their respective mongage indentures. Under the Mortgages and Dceds of Trust (Mortgages) securing their first mortgagc bonds (including secured medium-tcrm notes), Avista Utilities and AEL&P may cach issuc additional first mortgage bonds under their specific mortgage in an aggregate principal amount equal to the sum of: . 66-213 percent ofthe cost or fair value (whichever is lower) ofproperty additions ofthat entity which have not previously been made the basis of any application under that entity's Mortgage, or . an equal principal amount ofretired fint mortgage bonds ofthat entity which have not previously been made the basis ofany application under that entityrs Mortgagc, or . deposit ofcash. Howevel Avista Utilities and AEL&P rnay not individually issue any additional first mortgage bonds (with certain exceptions in the case ofbonds issued on the basis ofretired bonds) unless the particular entity issuing the bonds has "net eamings" (as defined in that entity's Mortgage) for any period of I 2 consecutive calendar months out ofthe preceding I 8 calendar months that were at least twice the annual interest requirements on all mo(gage securities at thc time outstanding, including the first mortgage bonds to be issued, and on all indcbtedness ofprior rank. As of Dccember 3 I , 20 I 6, property additions and retired bonds would have allowed, and the net eamings test would not have prohibited, the issuance of$ I .2 billion in aggregate principal amount of additional first rnortgage bonds at Avista Utilities and $20.8 million at AEL&P. Snettisham Capital Lease Obligation Included in long-term capital leases above is a power purchase agreement between AEL&P and AIDEA, an agency ofthe State ofAlaska, under which AEL&P has a take-or-pay obligation, cxpiring in Decembcr 203 8, to purchase all the output ofthe 78 MW Snettisham Hydroclectric Projcct. For accounting purposes, this power purchase agreement is treated as a capital lease. 122 Page 129 of 414Appendix 6 to Joint Application Table 0f Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The balances related to the Snettisham capital lease obligation as ofDecember 3 I were as follows (dollars in thousands): 2016 20t5 Capital lease obligation (l ) Capital lcase assct (2) Accumulated amortization ofcapital lease asset (2) (l ) The capital lease obligation amount is equal to the amount ofAIDEA's revenue bonds outstanding (2) These amounts are included in utility plant in sewice on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest on capital lease obligation Amortization of capital lcasc assct s 62,160 $ 7 t ,007 9,r 04 64,455 71,007 5,462 Interest on the capital lease obligation and amo(ization ofthe capital lease asset are included in utility resource costs in the Consolidated Statements of IncomeandtotaledthefollowingamountsfortheyearsendedDecember3l (dollarsinthousands): 2016 20r5 $3,157 $ 3,642 3,587 3,641 AIDEA issued $ I 00.0 million ofrevenue bonds in I 998 to finance its acquisition ofthe project and the payments by AEL&P were designed to be sufficient to enable the AIDEA to pay the principal ofand interest on its revenue bonds, which bore interest at rates ranging from 4.9 percent to 6.0 percent and were set to mature in January 2034. In August 20 I 5, AIDEA issued $65.7 million ofnew revenue bonds for the purpose ofrefunding all ofthe remaining outstanding revenue bonds for the Snettisham Hydroelectric Project. The newrevenue bonds have interest rates ranging from 4.0 percent to 5.0 percent and mature in January 2034. The capital lease obligation on Avista Corp.'s Consolidated Balance Sheet at any given time is equal to the amount ofrevenue bonds outstanding at that time. AEL&P is scheduled to make its last capital lease payment to AIDEA in December 2033. The payments by AEL&P under the PPA between AEL&P and AIDEA are unconditional, notwithstanding any suspension, reduction or curtailment ofthe operation ofthe project. The bonds are payable solely out ofAIDEA's receipts under the power purchase agreement. AEL&P is also obligated to operate, maintain and insure the project. The PPA did not change as a result ofthe refunding, other than lower capital lease payments, and the lower capital lease payments that resulted from the refunding will be passed through to AEL&P's customers. AEL&P's payments for power under the agreement are between $ 10.0 million and $ 10.5 million per year, including the capital lease principal and interest ofapproximately $5.5 million peryear. Snettisham Electric Company, a non-openting subsidiary ofAERC, has the option to purchase the Snettisham project with certain conditions at any time for the principaI amount ofthc bonds outstanding at that time. While the power purchase agreement is treated as a capital lease for accounting purposes, for ratemaking purposes this agreement is treated as an openrting lease with a constant level ofannual rental expense (straight line expense). Because ofthis regulatory trealment, any difference between the operating lease expense for ratemaking purposes and the expenses recognized under capital lease treatment (interest and depreciation ofthe capital lease asset) is recorded as a regulatory asset and amortized during the lateryears ofthe lease when the capital lease expense is less than the operating lease expense included in base rates. The Company evaluated this agreement to determine ifit has a variable interest which must be consolidated. Based on this evaluation, AIDEA will not be consolidatedunderASC8l0"Consolidation"becauseAIDEAisagovemmentagencyandASC8l0hasaspecificscopeexceptionwhichdoesnotallowfor the consolidation of govemmenl organizations. The following table details future capital lease obligations, including interest, under the Snettisham PPA (dollan in thousands): 2017 201 8 2019 2020 2021 Thcrcafter Total Principal Interest Total $$2,415 3,042 2,s3s $ 2,921 2,660 $ 2,795 2,800 $ 2,662 2,935 $ ) \)) 48,81 5 $ 16,674 62,160 30,61 6 $ 5,457 $ 5,456 s 5,455 S s,462 $ s,457 $ 6s,489 $ 92,776 NOTE I 5. LONG.TERM DEBT TO AFFILIATED TRUSTS In 1997, the Company issued Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Defen-able Interest Debentures, Series B, with a principal amount of $51.5 million to Avista Capital II, an affiliated business trust formed by the Company. Avista Capital II issued $50.0 million of Preferred Trust Securities with a floating distribution rate ofLIBOR plus 0.875 percent, calculated and reset quarterly. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 123 Page 1 30 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The distribution rates paid were as follows during the years ended December 3 I Low distribution rate High distribution ratc Distribution rate at the end ofthe year zUlO 201 5 2014 1.29% l.8l% t.8t% t.tt% 1.29% 1.29% | .l0o/o 1 ,l lo/o 1 .l lo/o Concurrent with the issuance of the Prefencd Trust Sccurities, Avista Capital II issued $ 1.5 million of Common Trust Securitics to thc Company. Thcsc debt securities may be redeemed at the option of Avista Capital II at any time and mature on ltne I ,203'l .ln December 2000, the Company purchased $ I 0.0 million ofthese Preferred Trust Securities. The Company owns I 00 percent ofAvista Capital II and has solely and unconditionally guaranteed the payment ofdistributions on, and redemption price and liquidation amount for, the Prefened Trust Securities to the extent that Avista Capital II has funds available for such payments from the respective debt securities. Upon maturity or prior redemption ofsuch debt securities, the Prefened Trust Securities will be mandatorily redeemed. The Company does not includc thesc capital trusts in its consolidated financial statements as Avista Corp. is not the primary beneficiary. As such, the sole assets of the capital trusts are $5 I .5 million ofjunior subordinated deferrable interest debentures ofAvista Corp., which are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. lnterest expense to affiliated trusts in the Consolidated Statements oflncome represents interest expense on these debentures. NOTE 16. FAIRVALI,]E The carrying values ofcash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings are reasonable estimates ol their fair values. Long-tenn debt (including curent portion and material capital leases) and longterm debt to affiliated trusts are reported at carrying value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Thc fair valuc hierarchy prioritizcs thc inputs used to measurc fair value. The hierarchy givcs the highcst priority to unadjustcd quotcd priccs in active ma*ets for identical assets or liabilities (Level I measurements) and the lowest priority to fair values derived from unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels ofthe fair value hierarchy are defined as follows: Level I - Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occurwith sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 2 - Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level I , but which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the repo(ing date. Level 2 includes those financial instrurents that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry-standard models that considervarious assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factom, and current market and contrdctual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all ofthese assumptions are observable in the markctplace throughout thc full term ofthc instrumcnt, can be derived from observable data or are supportcd by observablc levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Level 3 - Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally unobservable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with intemally devcloped mcthodologies that rcsult in management's best cstimate offair value. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level ofinput that is significant to the fair value measurement. Tlte Company's assessment ofthe significance ofa particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation olfair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The determination ofthe fair values incorporates various factors that not only include the credit standing ofthe counterpartics involved and the impact ofcredit enhancements (such as cash deposits and letters ofcredit), but also tlre impact of Avista Corp.'s nonperformance risk on its liabilities. 124 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 1 31 of 414 Table of Cont€trts AVISTA CORPORATION The following table sets forth the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments not reported at estimated fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as ofDecernber3 I (dollars in thousands): 2016 2015 Carrying Value Estimatcd Fair Value Carrying Value Estimatcd Fair Value Long-term debt (Level 2) Longterm debt (Level 3) Snettisham capital lease obligation (Level 3) Longterm debt to affiliated trusts (Level 3) Interest rate swap derivatives Foreign currency exchange derivatives Total $951,000 $ 677,000 62,160 5t,547 l ,048,661 $ 67 5,25t 62,800 3 8,660 95 |,000 s 592,000 64,455 5 t ,547 1,055,797 595,0t 8 63,1 s0 36,083 Thcse estimates of fair value of long-tcrm dcbt and long+erm dcbt to affiliated trusts were primarily bascd on available markct information, wlrich gencrally consists ofestimated market prices liom third party brokers for debt with similar risk and terms. The price ranges obtained fiom the third party brokers consisted ofpar values of75.00 to I 22.59, where a par value of I 00.00 represents the carrying value recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Level 2 long-term debt represents publicly issued bonds with quoted market prices; however, due to their limited trading activity, they are classified as Level 2 because brokers must generate quotes and make estimates using comparable debt urith similar risk and terms ifthere is no trading activity near a period end. Lcvel 3 long+crm dcbt consists ofprivate placcmcnt bonds and dcbt to affiliated trusts, which typically lrave no secondary trading activity. Fair valucs in Level 3 are estimated based on market prices from third party brokers using secondary market quotes for debt with similar risk and terms to generate quotes for Avista Corp. bonds. Due to the unique nature ofthe Snettisham capital lease obligation, the estirnated fair value ofthese items was determined based on a discounted cash flow model using available market information. Prior to December 3 I , 20 1 6, the Snettisham capital lease obligation was discounted to present value using the Moody's Aaa Corporate discount rate as published by the Federal Reserve. This rate was discontinued during the fourth quarter of 2016, as suclr going forward, the Company is using thc Morgan Markets A Ex-Fin discount ratc, which is the closcst approximation to thc ratc prcviously used. The following table discloses by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company's assets and liabilities measured and reported on the Consolidated Bafance Sheets as ofDecember 3 I , 2016 and 20 I 5 at fair value on a recurring basis (dollars in thousands): Level I Level2 Level 3 Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting (l )Total December 31,2016 Assets: Energy commodity derivatives Level 3 energy commodity derivatives: Natural gas exchange agreements Powcr exchangc agrecmcnt Foreign currency exchange derivatives Interest rate swap derivatives Deferred compensati on assets: Fixcd income sccuritics (2) Equity securities (2) Total Liabilities: Energy commodity derivatives Level 3 cnergy commodity derivativcs: Natural gas exchange agreement Power exchange agreement Power option agreement s $ 47,994 $$ (46,0ee) $1,895 1,789 5,48 I 7,2'.70 $6t,097 $94 $ (s0,546) S 17,915 69 25 (69) (2s ) (s)5 13,098 (4,348)8,750 |,789 5,48 I s $$56,871 $ 73,9'.78 28 $ (5s,es7) $ (39,248) (5) 9t4 5,885 13,449 76 34,730 23 5,954 13,47 4 76 (6e) (25) $$ l 30,877 $19,s04 $ (9s,304)$ s5,077 Appendix 6 to Joint Application t25 Page 132 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Level I Level2 Level 3 Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting (l )Total December 3 l, 201 5 Assets: Energy commodity derivatives Level 3 energy commodity derivatives: Natural gas exchange agreement Forcign currcncy exchangc dcrivativcs lnterest rate swap derivatives Deferred compensation assets: Fixed income securities (2) Equity securities (2) Total Liabilities: Energy commodity derivatives Level 3 energy commodity derivatives: Natural gas exchange agreement Power exchange agrcement Power option agreement Foreign cunency exchange derivatives Interest rate swap derivatives Total $$7 4,637 $ 2 1,548 $ (73,es4) $683 678 1,727 5,7 6t 1,548 1,727 5,761 $7,488 $76,187 $678 $ (74,634) $ s $97,193 $ t9 85,498 $(88,480) $ (678) 8,7r3 5,039 21,961 t7 85,498 5,7 t7 21,961 124 (2) $$ 182,710 $27,802 $(89,160) $ 121,352 (l) TheCornpanyispermittedtonetderivativeassetsandderivativeliabilitieswiththesamecounterpartywhenalegallyenforceablemasternetting agreement exists. In addition, the Company nets derivative assets and derivative Iiabilities against any payables and receivables for cash collateral held orplaced with these same counterparties. (2) These assets are trading securities and are included in otherproperty and investments-net and othernon-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The difference between the amount ofderivative assets and liabilities disclosed in respective levels in the table above and the amount ofderivative assets and liabilities disclosed on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is due to netting arrangements with certain counterparties. See Note 6 for additional discussion ofderivative netting. To establish fair value for energy commodity derivatives, the Company uses quoted market prices and forward price curves to estimate the fair value ofutility derivative commodity instruments included in Level 2. In particular, electric derivative valuations are performed using market quotes, adjusted forperiods in between quotable periods. Natural gas derivative valuations are estimated using New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) pricing for similar instruments, adjusted forbasin differences, using market quotes. Where observable inputs are available for substantially the full term ofthe contract, the derivative asset or liability is included in Level 2. To establish fair values for interest rate swap derivatives, the Company uses forwarrd market curves for interest rates for the term ofthe swaps and discounts the cash flows back to present value using an appropriate discount rate. The discount rate is calculated by third party broken according to the terms ofthe swap derivatives and evaluated by the Company for reasonableness, with consideration given to the potential non-performance risk by the Company. Future cash flows ofthe interest rate swap derivatives arc cqual to the fixcd intcrcst ratc in thc swap comparcd to the floating market intcrest ratc multiplicd by thc notiona[ amount for each period. To establish fair value for foreign currency derivatives, the Company uses fonvard market curves for Canadian dollars against the US dollar and multiplies the difference between the locked-in price and the market price by the notional amount ofthe derivative. Forward foreign currency market curves are provided by third party brokers. The Company's credit spread is factored into the locked-in price ofthe foreign exchange contracts. Deferred compensation assets and liabilities represent funds held by the Company in a Rabbi Trust for an executive deferral plan. These funds consist of actively traded equity and bond funds with quoted prices in active markets. The balance disclosed Appendix 6 to Joint Application t26 Page 1 33 of 414 (678) (2) 9,7 19 Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION inthetableaboveexcludescashandcashequivalentsof$0.4millionasofDecember31,20l6and$0.6millionasofDecember3l,2015 Level 3 Fair Vulue Under the power exchange agreement the Company purchases power at a price that is based on the average operating and maintenance (O&M) charges from three surrogate nuclearpowerplants around the country. To estimate the fairvalue ofthis agreernent the Company estimates the difference between the purchase price based on the future O&M charges and fonuand prices for energy. The Company compares the Level 2 brokered quotes and forward price curves described above to an intemally developed forward price which is based on the average O&M charges llom the three surrogate nuclear power plants for the current ycar. Because thc nuclcar power plant O&M chargcs are only known for onc year, all forward ycars are cstimated assuming an annual cscalation. In addition to the forward price being estimated using unobservable inputs, the Company also estimates the volumes ofthe transactions that will take place in the future based on historical average tnnsaction volumes per delivery year (November to April). Significant increases or decreases in any ofthese inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the curent year O&M charges for the surrogate plants is accompanied by a directionally similar change in O&M charges in future years. There is generally not a correlation between extemal market prices and the O&M charges uscd to develop the intcmal forward pricc. For the power commodity option agreement, the Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model to estimate the fair value, and this model includes significant inputs not observable or corroborated in the market. These inputs include: I ) the strike price (which is an intemally derived price based on a combination ofgeneration plant heat rate factors, natural gas market pricing, delivery and other O&M charges), 2) estimated delivery volumes, and 3) volatility rates. Significant increases or decreases in any ofthese inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. Generally, changes in overall commodity market prices and volatility rates are accompanied by directionally similar changes in the strike price and volatility assumptions used in the calculation. For the natural gas cornmodity exchange agreement, the Company uses the same Level 2 brokered quotes described above; however, the Company also estimates the purchase and sales volumes (within contractual limits) as well as the timing of those transactions. Changing the timing of volume estimates changes the timing ofpurchases and sales, impacting which brokered quote is used. Because the brokered quotes can vary significantly from period to period, the unobscrvablc cstimatcs ofthe timing and volume oftransactions can have a significant impact on the calculatcd fair value. Thc Company currently estimates volumes and timing oftransactions based on a most likely scenario using historical data. Historically, the timing and volume oftransactions have not been highly conelated with market prices and market volatility. The following table presents the quantitative information which was used to estimate the fair values ofthe Level 3 assets and liabilities above as of December 3 1, 20 1 6 (dollan in thousands): Fair Value (Net) at December3l,2016 Valuation Technique Unobsenable Input Range Power exchange agreement $(13,44e)Surrogate facility pricing O&M charges Escalation factor Transaction volumes $33.59-$49.r s/MWh (r ) 3%-2017 to2019 241 ,558 - 396,984 MWhs Power option agrccment (7 6)Black-Scholcs- Merton Strikc price Delivery volumes Volatility rates $37.83/MWh -2019 s54.40/MWh - 2018 157,517 - 285,979 MWhs 0.20 (2) Natural gas exchange agreement (s,88s)Intemally derived weighted-average cost ofgas Forward purchase prices Forward sales prices Purchase volumes Sales volumes $1.83 -$3.06/mmBTU $ I .90 - $5.1 4/mmBTU I 15,000 - 3 I 0,000 mmBTUs 60,000 - 3 I 0,000 rnmBTUs (l ) The average O&M charges for the delivery year beginning in November 20 I 6 were $39.22 perMWh. Forratemaking purposes the average O&M charges to bc included for recovcry in retail mtes vary slightly betwecn regulatory jurisdictions. Thc avemgc O&M charges for thc delivcry ycar beginning in 201 6 were $44.33 for Washington and $39.22 for Idaho. (2) The estimated volatility rate of 0.20 is compared to actual quoted volatility rates of 0.3 5 for 2017 to 0.26 in December 20 I 8. 127 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 1 34 of 414 Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION The valuation methods, significant inputs and resulting fairvalues described above were developed by the Company's management and are reviewed on at least a quarterly basis to ensure they provide a reasonable estimate offairvaluc each reporting period. The following table presents activity for energy commodity derivative assets (liabilities) measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 3 I (dollars in thousands): Natural Gas Exchange Agreement Powcr Exchange Agreement Powcr Option Agreement Total Year ended December 31, 201 6: Balance as ofJanuary l, 20 I 6 Total gains or (losses) (realizcd/unrcalized): Included in regulatory assets/liabilities (l ) Settlements Ending balance as ofDecember 3 1,2016 (2) Year ended December 31,2015: Balancc as ofJanuary 1.201 5 Total gains or (losses) (realizediunrealized): Included in regulatory assets/liabilities (l ) Settlerrents Ending balance as ofDecember 3 I,2015 (2) Year ended December 31,2014: Balance as ofJanuary I ,20 I 4 Total gains or (losses) (realizediunrealized): Included in regulatory assetsiliabilities (l ) Settlements Ending balance as ofDecember 3 I,2014 (2) 259 (l,l 0s) 400 8,1 l2 $(s,o3e) $ (2r,e6r) $(t24) S (27,124) 48 707 7,007 !_______qi!:l_ s (3s) (6.008 ) I.004 $ (13,44e) $(76) S (le3l0) $ (23,29e) $ (6,1 e8) 7,536 (424) $ (23,7s8) (l l,e06) 8,540 300 $(5,039) $ (21,961) $(124) S Q7,124) $(l,2re) $ (14,44r) s (77s) $ (16,435) 351 (s,778) (1,545) 3,873 (2,689) (l 0,002) I,144 s (3s) $ (23,2ee) $(424) $ (23,758) (1) Allgainsandlosscsareincludedinothcrregulatoryassctsandliabilities.Therewcrenogainsandlosscsincludcdincithernctincomcorothcr comprehensive income during any ofthe periods presented in the table above.(2) There were no purchases, issuances or transferc from other categories ofany derivatives instruments during the periods presented in the table above. NOTE 17. COMMON STOCK The payment of dividends on cornmon stock could be limited by: . certain covenants applicable to preferred stock (when outstanding) contained in the Company's Restated Articles oflncorporation, as amcnded (currently there arc no prcferred shares outstanding), . certain covenants applicable to the Company's outstanding long-term debt and committed line ofcredit agreements, . the hydroelectric licensing requirements ofsection I 0(d) ofthe FPA (see Note 1 ), and . certain requirements under the OPUC approval of the AERC acquisition in 2014. The OPUC's AERC acquisition order requires Avista Utilities to maintain a capital structure of no less than 40 percent common equity (inclusive of short-term debt). This limitation may be revised upon request by the Company with approval from the OPUC. The Company declarcd the following dividends for the year cnded Dccembcr 3 I 2016 2015 2014 Dvidends paid per common share $1.37 $1.32 $1.27 Appendix 6 to Joint Application t28 Page 135 of414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Under the most restrictive ofthe dividend limitations discussed above, which are the requirements ofthe OPUC approval ofthe AERC acquisition, the amount available for dividends at December 3 I . 201 6 was limited to 5263.4 rnillion. The Company has I 0 million authorized shares ofpreferred stock. Tlre Company did not have any preferred stock outstanding as ofDecember 3l ,2016 and 2015. Stock Repurc hase Programs During 2014 and 201 5, Avista Corp.'s Board of Directors approved programs to repurchase shares of the Company's outstanding common stock. The number ofshares repurchased and the total cost ofrepurchases are disclosed in the Consolidated Statements ofEquity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests. The average repurchase price was $3 1.57 in 2014 and $32.66 in 201 5. All repurchased shares reverted to the status ofauthorized but unissued shares. Equily Issuances In March 201 6, the Company entered into four separate sales agency agreements under which Avista Corp.'s sales agents may offer and sell up to 3.8 million new shares of Avista Corp.'s common stock, no par value, from time to time. The sales agency agreernents expire on February 29,2020.In 2016, 1.6 million shares were issued under these agreements resulting in total net proceeds of$65.3 million, leaving 2.2 million shares remaining to be issued. In 20 1 6, thc Company also issued S I .7 million (net ofissuancc costs) ofcornmon stock undcr thc employce plans. NOTE 18. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO AVISTA CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS The following table presents the computation ofbasic and diluted eamings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders for the years ended December 3 I (in thousands, except per share amounts): 201 6 201 5 20t4 Numerator: Net income from continuing operations attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders Net income from discontinued operations attributable to Avista Corp. slrareholders Subsidiary eamings adjustment for dilutive securities (discontinued operations) Adjusted net income fiom discontinued operations attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders for computation of diluted eamings per common share Denominator: Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding-basic Effect of drlutive securities: Performance and restricted stock awards Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding-diluted Earnings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders, basic: Eamings per common share fiom continuing operations Eamings per common share from discontinued operations Total eamings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders, basic Earnings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders, diluted: Eamings per cornmon share from continuing operations Eamings per common share from discontinued operations Total eamings per common share attributable to Avista Cory. shareholders, diluted There were no shares excluded from the calculation because they were antidilutive. 129 $ 137 ,228 $ I 18,080 $ I 19,81 7 5,147 72,224 5 $$s,t47 S 11 'rao 63.5 0 8 412 62,301 407 61,632 255 63.920 62,708 6r,887 s $ 2.16 $ $ 1.90 $ 0.08 $ t.94 1.r 8 s 2.t6 $1.98 $3.12 $ $ $ $ s $ 2.t5 1.89 0.08 I .93 I .17 $2.1s $1.97 S 3.10 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 136 of4l4 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION NOTE I9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES In the course ofits business, the Company becomes involved in various claims, controversies, disputes and other contingent matters, including the items dcscribed in this Notc. Somc ofthcsc claims, controvcrsies, disputcs and othcr contingcnt matters involve litigation or othcr contcstcd procccdings. For all such matters, the Company intends to vigorously protect and defend its interests and pursue its rights. However, no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome ofany particular matter because litigation and otlrer contested proceedings are inherently subject to numerous uncertainties. For matters that affect Avista Utilities' or AEL&P's operations, the Company intends to seek, to the extent appropriate, recovery ofincurred costs through the ratemaking process. C al ifo rnia R efund Pro ce edi ng In February 201 6, APX, a market maker in the Califomia Refund Proceedings in whose markets Avista Energy participated in the summer of 2000, asserted that Avista Energy and its other customer/participants may be responsible for a share ofthe disgorgement penalty APX may be found to owe to Pacific Gas & Elcctric (PG&E), Soutlrem Califomia Edison, San Dicgo Gas & Elcctric, the Califomia Attomey Gcncral (AG), the Califomia Department of Water Rcsourccs (CERS), and the Califomia Public Utilities Commission (together, the "Califomia Parties"). The penalty arises as a result of the FERC's finding that APX committed violations in the Califomia market in the summer of 2000. APX is making these assertions despite Avista Energy having been dismissed in FERC Opinion No. 536 from the on-going administrative proceeding at the FERC regarding potential wrongdoing in the Califomia markets in the summer of 2000. APX has identified Avista Energy's share ofAPX's exposure to be as much as $ I 6.0 million even though no wrongdoing allegations are specifically attributablc to Avista Energy. Avista Energy bclieves its settlemcnt with thc Califomia Partics in 2014 insulatcs it from any such liability and that as a dismissed party it cannot be drawn back into the litigation. Avista Energy intends to vigorously dispute APX's assertions ofindirect liability, but cannot at this time predict the eventual outcome. Pacific Northwest Refund Proceeding In July 200 I , the FERC initiated a preliminary evidentiary hearing to develop a factual record as to whether prices for spot market sales ofwholesale energy in the Pacific Northwest between December25,2000 and June 20,2001 werejust and reasonable. In June 2003, the FERC terminated the Pacific Northwest refund proceedings, after finding that the equities do not justifu the imposition ofrefunds. In August 2007, the Ninth Circuit found that the FERC had failed to take into account new evidence ofma*et manipulation and that such failure was arbitrary and capricious and, accordingly, remanded the case to the FERC, stating that the FERC's findings must be reevaluated in light ofthe new evidence. The Ninth Circuit expressly declined to direct the FERC to grant refunds. On October 3, 20 I I , the FERC issued an Order on Remand and on April 5, 20 I 3 expanded the temporal scope ofthe proceeding to permit pa(ies to submit evidence on transactions during the period from January I , 2000 through and including June 20, 200 I . On July 11,2012 and March 28,2013, Avista Energy and Avista Corp. filed settlements of all issues in this docket with regard to the claims made by the City of Tacoma and the Califomia AG (on behalf of the Califomia Department of Water Resources). The FERC approved the settlements and they are final. The remaining direct claimant against Avista Corp. and Avista Energy in this proceeding was the City of Seattle, Washington (Seattle). An evidentiary, trial typc hcaring bcfore an Administrativc Law Judge (ALJ) to permit parties to prcsent cvidcncc ofunlawful markct activity was conductcd in 20 I 3. WithregardtotheScattleclaims,onMarch2S,2Ol4,thcPresidingALJissucdanlnitial Dccisionfindingthat: l)Seattlcfailedtodcmonstratcthateithcr Avista Corp. orAvista Energy engaged in unlau{ul market activity and also failed to identify any specific contracts at issue;2) Seattle failed to demonstrate that contracts with either Avista Corp. or Avista Energy imposed an excessive burden on consumers or seriously harmed the public interest; and that 3) Seattle failed to demonstrate that either Avista Corp. or Avista Energy engaged in any specific violations ofsubstantive provisions ofthe FPA or any filed tariffs orrate schedules. Accordingly, the ALJ denied all ofSeattle's claims underboth section 206 and section 309 ofthe FPA. On May 22,2015, the FERC issued its Order on Initial Decision in which it upheld the ALJ's Initial Decision denying all ofSeattle's claims against Avista Corp. and Avista Energy. Seattle filed a Request for Rehearing ofthe FERC's Order on Initial Decision which was denied on December 3 I , 20 I 5. Seattle appealed the FERC's decision to the Ninth Circuit. In October 2016, Scattlc scttled all of the mattcrs with thc rcmaining parties and withdrcw its appcal at the Ninth Circuit. All the remaining parties signed the settlement agreement and a petition to dismiss the case was filed with the Ninth Circuit on October 27, 201 6. There are no remaining claims outstanding under this proceeding. The settlement did not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. 130 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 37 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Sierra Club and Montana Environmental Information Center Litigalion In 201 3, the Sierra Club and Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) (collectively "Plaintiffs"), filed a Complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Billings Division, against the Owners of the Colstrip Generating Project ("Colstrip"); Avista Corp. owns a I 5 percent interest in Units 3 & 4 of Colstrip. The other Colstrip co-Oumers are Talen Montana, LLC (formerly PPL Montana, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Talen Energy Corporation), Puget Sound Energy, Portland General Electric Cornpany, NorthWestem Energy and PacifiCorp. The Complaint alleged certain violationsoftheCleanAirAct,includingtheNewSourceReview,TitleVandopacityrequirementswithrespecttopost-January 1,2001 Colstripprojects. The Plaintiffs requested that the Court grant injunctive and declaratory relief, order remediation ofalleged environmental damages, impose civil penalties, require a beneficial environmental project in the areas affected by the alleged air pollution and require payment ofPlaintiffs' costs oflitigation and attomey fees. The tiability trial was scheduled to start on May 3 l, 201 6. The parties engaged in settlement discussions with the Plaintiffs to resolve the claims raised in the litigation. On July I 2, 20 I 6, the pa(ies filed a proposed Consent Decree with the court which contained the terms ofthe settlement ofthe matter with respect to all four units at Colstrip. The settlement does not include any monetary payments by any party, dismisses all claims against all four units, and provides for the shut-down ofunits I & 2 (which are owned solely by Talen Montana, LLC and Puget Sound Energy) no laterthan luly,2022. The Consent Decree was cntercd on Scptcmber 6, 20 I 6. Thc parties havc pctitioned thc Court for costs and attomcys' fees. Thc Court dcnied thc dcfcndant's claim for fccs and reduccd th e plaintiffs cl aimed fees from approximately $3.0 million to $ I .6 mill ion. On February l5,2017 the Court issued an Order adopting th is resolution in full and closing the case. The Company does not expect that this matter will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results ofoperations or cash flows. Cabinet Gorge Total Dissolved Gas Ahatement Plan Dissolved atmospheric gas levels (refened to as "Total Dissolved Gas" or"TDG") in the Clark Fork Riverexceed state ofIdaho and federal waterquality numeric standards downstream ofCabinet Gorge particularly during periods when excess river flows must be diverted over the spillway. Under the terms of the Cla* Fork Settlement Agreement (CFSA) as incorporated in Avista Corp.'s FERC license for the Clark Fork Project, Avista Corp. has worked in consultation with agencics, tribes and other stakcholdcrs to addrcss this issue. Undcr thc tcrms ofa gas supcrsaturdtion mitigation plan, Avista is rcducing TDG by constructing spill crest modifications on spill gates at the dam, and the Company expects to continue spill crest modifications over the next several years, in ongoing consultation with key stakeholders. Avista Corp. cannot at this time predict the outcome or estimate a range ofcosts associated with this contingency; however, the Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, ofall operating and capitalized costs related to this i ssue. Fish Passage at Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids In | 999, the Un ited States Fish and Wildl ife Service (USFWS) I isted butl trout as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. In 201 0, the USFWS issued a rcviscd dcsignation ofcritical habitat for bull trout, which includcs thc lowcr Clark Fork Rivcr. Thc USFWS issued a final recovcry plan in Octobcr 20 I 5. Thc CFSA describcs programs intendcd to hclp restorc bull trout populations in thc projcct arca. Using thc conccpt ofadaptivc managcmcnt and working closely with the USFWS, the Company evaluated the feasibility olfish passage at Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids. The results of these studies led, in part, to the decision to move forward with development ofpermanent facilities, among otherbull trout enhancement efforts. Parties to the CFSA are working to resolve several issues. The Company believes its ongoing efforts through the CFSA continue to eflectively address issues related to bull trout. Avista Corp. cannot at this time predict the outcome or estimate a range ofcosts associated with this contingency; however, the Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratcmaking proccss, ofall opcrating and capitalizcd costs rclatcd to fish passage at Cabinct Gorgc and Noxon Rapids. C o I le ctive B argai ni ng Ag re e me nts The Company's collectivc bargaining agreemcnts with the IBEW reprcscnt approximatcly 45 perccnt ofall ofAvista Utilities' cmployccs. A ncw three-ycar agreement with the local union in Washington and Idaho representing the majority (approximately 90 percent) of the Avista Utilities'bargaining unit employees was approved in March 20 I 6 and expires in March 201 9. A three-ycar agrccmcnt in Orcgon, which covcrs approximately 50 employees was sct to cxpire in March 20 1 7. A ncw thrcc-ycar agrccmcnt has bccn approved by the IBEW membenhip that will expire in March 2020. It is stitl awaiting approval from the National IBEW. 131 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 138 of414 Tabk of Contrnts AYISTA CORPORATION A collective bargaining agreement \ rith the local union of the IBEW in Alaska expires in March 201 7. The collective bargaining agreement with the IBEW in Alaska represents approximately 50 percent ofall AERC employees. The remainder ofAERC's employees are non-union. There is a risk that ifcollective bargaining agreements expire and new agreements are not reached in each ofourjurisdictions, employees could strike. Given the magnitude ofemployees that are covered by collective bargaining agreements, this could result in disruptions ofour operations. Howevel the Company bclieves that the possibility ofthis occurring is rcmote. Aher Contingencies In the normal coune ofbusiness, the Company has various other legal claims and contingent matters outstanding. The Company believes that any ultimate liability arising from these actions will not have a material impact on its financial condition, results ofoperations or cash flows. It is possible that a change could occur in the Cornpany's estimates ofthe probability or amount ofa liability being incurred. Such a change, should it occur, could be significant. The Conrpany routinely assesses, based on studies, expert analyses and legal reviews, its contingencies, obligations and commitments for remediation of contaminated sites, including assessments ofranges and probabilities ofrecoveries from other responsible parties who either have or have not agreed to a settlement as well as recoveries fiom insurance carriers. The Company's policy is to accrue and charge to current expense identified exposures related to cnvironmcntal rcmediation sites bascd on cstimatcs ofinvestigation, cleanup and monitoring costs to bc incuncd. Formattcrs that affect Avista Utilitics'or AEL&P's operations, the Company seeks, to the extent appropriate, recovery ofincurred costs through the ratemaking process. The Company has potential liabilities under the Endangered Species Act for species offish, plants and wildli fe that have either already been added to the endangered species list, listed as "threatened" or petitioned for listing. Thus far, measures adopted and implemented have had minimal impact on the Company. However, the Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, ofall operating and capitalized costs related to these issues. Under the federal licenses for its hydroelectric projects, the Company is obligated to protect its property rights, including water rights. In addition, the company holds additional nonJrydro water rights. The state ofMontana is examining the status ofall water right claims within state boundaries through a general adjudication. Claims within the Clark For* River basin could adversely affect the energy production ofthe Company's Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids hydroelectric facilities. The state ofldaho has initiated adjudication in northern Idaho, which will ultimately include the lower Clark Fork River, the Spokane Rivcr and thc Coeur d'Alcnc basin. The Company is and will continuc to bc a participant in thesc and any othcr rclevant adjudication processcs. The complexity ofsuch adjudications makes each unlikely to be concluded in the foreseeable future. As such, it rs not possible for the Company to estimate the impact ofany outcome at this tirne. The Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, ofall operating and capitalized costs related to this issue. 132 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 39 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION NOTE 20. REGI,JLATORY MATTERS Regulatory Assets and Liabilities The following table presents the Company's regulatory assets and liabilities as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6 (dollan in thousands): Receiving Rcgulatory Treatment (2) Expectcd Recovery or Refund Regulatory Assets: Investment in exchange power-net Regulatory asset.s for deferred income tax Regulatory assets for pensions and other postretirement benefi t plans Current regulatory asset for energy cornmodity derivatives Unamortized dcbt rcpurchasc costs Regulatory asset for settlement with Coeur d'Alene Tribe Demand side management progralns Defened maintenance costs Decoupling surcharge Regulatory asset for utility plant to be abandoncd Regulatory asset for interest rate swaps Non+urrent regulatory asset lor energy commodity derivatives Othcr rcgulatory asscts Total regulatory assets Regulatory Liabilities: Natural gas deferrals Power deferrals Regulatory liability forutility plant retirement costs Income tax related liabilities Regulatory liability for interest rate swaps Provision for eamings sharing rebate Decoupling rebate Other regulatory liabilities Total regulatory liabilities 2019 $ 43,126 123.596 3,633 4,585 $ 270,641 $ 301,006 $ 128,181 $ 699,828 S 5'19,632 $30,820 $ 23.528 17,880 18,7 47 273,983 Rcmaining Amortization Period (r) Eaming A Rctum Not Earning A Rcturn Total 2016 Total 2015 6,533 $ 101,372 13,700 45,265 I 9,1 00 37,912 8,481 240,t t4 I t,365 15,700 2,672 16,919 5 755 6,533 S l 09,853 240,tt4 I 1,365 13,700 45.265 t5,700 2,672 43,126 r 9,1 00 I 6l ,508 16,919 13,973 8,983 101,240 235,009 17,260 I 5,5 20 46,57 6 3,168 4,823 13,312 83,973 32,420 17,348 $$ (3) (4) (s) (6) 2059 (3) 201 8 201 8 (7) (8) (s) (3) (e) (3) (8) (3) 2017 (3) 30,820 $ 23,528 t2,442 2,405 2,505 28,966 3,69'7 3,257 8,749 6,600 273,983 28,966 2t,t9t 10.297 2,405 5,',762 261,594 17,609 23 12,237 2,373 3,420 (3) $ (3) $ s 345,683 $ 35,920 $ 1s,349 $ 396,952 $ 333,883 (l ) Eaming a retum includes either interest on the regulatory asset/liability or a retum on the investment as a component ofrate base at the allowed rate ofretum- (2) Expected recovery is pending regulatory treatment including regulatory assets and liabilities with prior regulatory precedence. (3) Remaining amortization period varies depending on timing ofunderlying transactions. (4) As the Company has historically recovered and currently recovers its pension and other postretirement benefit costs related to its regulated operations in retail rates, the Company records a regulatory asset for that portion ofits pension and other postretirement benefit funding deficiency. 133 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 140 of4l4 Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION (5) The UTC and the IPUC issued accounting orders authorizing Avista Corp. to offset energy comrnodity derivative assets or liabilities with a regulatory asset or liability. This accounting treatment is intended to defer the recognition ofmark-to-market gains and losses on energy commodity transactions until the period ofsettlement, subject to approval for recovery through retail rates. Realized gains and losses, subject to regulatory approval, result in adjustmcnts to rctail rates through purchascd gas cost adjustmcnts, thc ERM in Washington, the PCA mcchanism in Idaho, and periodic general rates cases. (6) For the Company's Washington jurisdiction and for any debt repurchases beginning in 2007 in all jurisdictions, premiums paid to repurchase debt arc amortized ovcr thc rcmaining life ofthe original dcbt that was rcpurchascd or, ifnew dcbt is issucd in connection with thc rcpurchasc, these costs are amortized over the life ofthe new debt. In the Company's other regulatory jurisdictions, premiums paid to repurchase debt prior to 2007 are being arrortized over the average remaining maturity ofoutstanding debt when no new debt was issued in connection with the debt repurchase. These costs are included in the Company's cost ofdebt calculation for ratemaking purposes and are recovered through retail rates. (7) In March 201 6, the UTC granted the Company's Petition for an Accounting Order to defer and include in a regulatory asset the undepreciated value of its existing Washington electric meters forthe opportunity for laterrecovery. This accounting treatment is related to the Company's plan to replace approximately 253,000 ofits existing electric meters with new two-way digital meters and the related software and support services through its AMI project in Washington State. Replacement of the meters is expected to begin in the second half of 201 7. For ratemaking purposes, the cxisting electric mctcrs won't bc rccorded as regulatory asscts until thcy arc physically rcmovcd from scrvice, but for GAAP purposcs, thcy are regulatory assets upon the commitment by management to retire the meters. (8) For intercst rate swap derivatives, each period Avista Utilities records all mark-to-market gains and losses in each accounting period as assets and liabilities and records offsctting rcgulatory assets and liabilitics, such that there is no incomc statcmcnt impact. This is similar to thc trcatmcnt of energy commodity derivatrves described above. Upon settlement ofinterest rate swap derivatives, the regulatory asset or liability is amortized as a component ofinterest expense over the term ofthe associated debt and are also included as a part ofthe Company's cost ofdebt calculation for ratemaking purposes. See Note I 4 regarding a reclassification ofsettled interest rate swap derivatives during 20 1 6. Settled interest rate swap derivatives which have been through a general rate case proceeding are classified as eaming a retum in the table above, whereas all unsettled interest rate swap dcrivativcs and scttlcd intcrcst ratc swap dcrivatives which have not been includcd in a gcncral rate casc arc classificd as cxpcctcd recovery. (9) This amount is dependent upon the cost ofremoval ofunderlying utility plant assets and the life ofutility plant. Power Cost Deferrals and Recovery Mechanisms Deferred power supply costs are recorded as a deferred charge on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for future prudence review and recovery through retail rates. The power supply costs defened include certain differences between actual net power supply costs incurred by Avista Utilities and the costs included in base retail rates. This difference in net power supply costs primarily results from changes in: . short-term wholesale market prices and sales and purchase volumes, . the level and avarlability ofhydroelectric generation, . the level and availability ofthermal generation (including changes in fuel prices), and . retail loads. In Washington, the ERM allows Avista Utilities to periodically increase or decrease electric rates with UTC approval to reflect changes in power supply costs. The ERM is an accounting method used to track certain differences between actual power supply costs, net ofwholesale sales and sales offuel, and the amount included in base retail rates for Washington customers. The Washington ERM calculation is subject to certain deadbands and sharing bands. For 201 6, the Company recognized a pre-tax benefit of $5.1 million under the ERM in Washington compared to a benefit of $6.3 million for 201 5. Total net deferredpowercostsundertheERMwerealiabilityof$2l.3millionasofDecember3l,20l6comparedtoaliabilityof$lS.0millionasofDecember3l, 20 I 5, and these deferred power cost balances represent amounts due to customers. Avista Utilities has a PCA mechanism in Idaho that allows it to modify electric rates on October I of each year with IPUC approval. Under the PCA mcchanism, Avista Utilitics dcfcrs 90 pcrccnt ofthc diffcrcncc bctwccn ccrtain actual net powcr supply cxpcnscs and thc amount includcd in basc rctail ratcs tbritsldahocustomers.TheOctoberl rateadjustmentsrecoverorrebatepowercostsdefenedduringtheprecedingJuly-Junetwelve-monthperiod.Totalnet power supply costs deferred under the PCA mechanisrn were a liability of $2.2 million as of December 3 I , 201 6 compared to an asset of $0.2 rnillion as of December3l,2015. t34 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page l4l of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Natural Gas Cost Deferrals and Recovery Mechanisms Avista Utilities files a PGA in all three states it serves to adjust natural gas rates for: I ) estimated commodity and pipeline transportation costs to serve natural gas customcrs for thc coming year, and 2) thc diffcrcnce betwccn actual and cstimated commodity and transportation costs for thc prior year. Total net deferrednaturalgascoststoberefundedtocustomerswerealiabilityof$30.8millionasofDecember3l,20l6comparedtoaliabilityof$lT.9millionasof December3l,20l5. Decoupling and Earnings Sharing Mechanisms Decoupling is a rnechanism designed to sever the link between a utility's revenues and consumers' energy usage. In each ofAvista Utilities'jurisdictions, each month Avista Utilities' electric and natural gas revenues are adjusted so as to be based on the number ofcustomers in ce(ain customer rate classes, rather than KWh and therm sales. The difference between revenues based on the number ofcustomers and revenues based on actual usage is deferred and either surchargcd orrebatcd to customcrs bcginning in tlre following ycar. llashinglon Decoupling and Earnings Sharing In Washington, the UTC approved the Company's decoupling mechan isms for electric and natural gas for a five-year period beginning January I , 201 5. Electric and natural gas decoupling surcharge rate adjustments to customers are limited to 3 percent on an annual basis, with any remaining surcharge balance carried forward lorrecovery in a future period. There is no limit on the level ofrebate rate adjustments. The electric and natural gas decoupling meclranisms each include an after-the-fact eamings test. At the end ofeach calendar year, separate electric and natural gas eamings calculations will be made for the prior calendar year. These eamings tests will reflect actual decoupled revenues, normalized power supply costs and othernormalizing adjustments. See below fora summary ofcumulative balances underthe decoupling and eamings sharing mechanisms. ldaho Fixed Cost Adjustment (FCA) and Earnings Sharing Mechanisms In Idaho, the IPUC approved the implementation ofFCAs for electric and natural gas (similar in operation and effect to the Washington decoupling mechanisms) for an initial term ofthree years, beginning January I , 20 I 6. For the period 20 I 3 through 20 I 5 tlre Company had an after-the-fact eamings test, suclr that ifAvista Corp., on a consolidated basis for electnc and natural gas operations in Idaho, eamed more than a 9.8 percent ROE, the Company was required to share with customers 50 percent of any eamings above the 9.8 percent. There was no provision for a surcharge to customers ifthe Company's ROE was less than 9.8 percent. This after-the-fact eamings test was discontinued as part ofthe settlement ofthe Company's 20 I 5 Idaho electric and natural gas general rates cases. See below for a surnmary ofcumulative balances under the decoupling and eamings sharing mechanisms. Oregon Decoup I ing M ec h an ism In February 2016, the OPUC approved the implementation ofa decoupling mechanism fornatural gas,similarto the Washington and Idaho mechanisms dcscribcd above. Thc dccoupling mechanism bccame effectivc on March I , 20 I 6 and tltcrc will bc an opportunity for interestcd partics to revicw thc mechanism and recommend changes, ifany, by September 20 1 9. An eamings review is conducted on an annual basis, which is filed by the Company with the OPUC on or before June I of each year for the prior calendar year. In the annual eamings review, ilthe Company eams lnore than I 00 basis po ints above its allowed retum on equity, one-third of the eamings above the | 00 basis points would be defened and later retumed to customers. The eamings review is separate fiom the decoupling mechanism and was in place prior to decoupling. See below for a summary ofcumulative balances under the decoupling and camings sharing mcchanisrns. 135 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 42 of 414 Trbl€ 0f Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Cumulative Decoupling and Earnings Sharing Mechanism Balances As ofDecember 31,2016 and December 3 1, 20 I 5, the Company had the following cumulative balances outstanding related to decoupling and eamings sharing mcchanisms in its various jurisdictions (dollars in thousands): December 3 I 2016 Washington Decoupling surcharge $ 30,408 S 10,933 Provision for eamings sharing rebate (5,1 13) (3A22) Idaho Decoupling surcharge $ 8,292 nla Provision for eamings sharing rebate (5,1 84) (8,814) Oregon Dccoupling surchargc $ 2,021 nla Provision for eamings sharing rebate (n/a) This mechanism did not exist during this time period. NOTE 2I . INFORMATION BY BUSINESS SEGMENTS The business segment presentation reflects the basis used by the Company's management to analyze performance and determine the allocation ofresources. The Company's management evaluates performance based on incorne (loss) Ilom operations before incorre taxes as well as net incorne (loss) attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders. The accounting policies ofthe segments are the same as those described in the summary ofsignificant accounting policies. Avista Utilities'business is managed based on the total regulated utility operation; therefore, it is considered one segment. AEL&P is a separate reportable business scgmcnt as it has scparate financial rcports that arc revicwcd in detail by thc ChiefOpcrating Dccision Maker and its operations and risks are sufficicntly different from Avista Utilities and the other businesses at AERC that it cannot be aggregated with any other operating segments. The Other category, which is not a reportable segment, includes other investments and operations ofvarious subsidiaries, as well as certain other operations ofAvista Caprtal. The following table presents infonnation for each ofthe Company's business segrnents (dollars in thousands): Avista ,1jl'liJ';:T:, 'Jfi;::'ffiJ Utilitics Company Total Utiliry Othcr ( I ) Total For the year ended December 3 1,2016:. Operating revenues Resource costs Other operating expenses Depreciation and anrortization hcome (loss) from operations Interest expense (2) Income taxes Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders Capital expenditures (3 ) December 3l 2015 $I,372,638 S 539,352 304,644 155,162 277,070 83,070 7 4,121 46,276 $ 12,014 I l,l5l 5,352 15,434 3,5 84 5,321 7,968 15,954 136 1,418,914 S 551 ,366 315,795 1 60,5 l4 292,504 86,654 7 9,442 23,569 $ 25,501 769 (2,701) 608 (1,3s6) (l 32) 1,442,483 551,366 341,296 16t,283 289,803 87,1 30 78,086 r37,228 406,997 $ 132,490 3 90,690 140,458 406,644 (3,230 ) 353 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 143 of414 Tabl€ of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Avista utilities Alaska Electric Light and Powcr Company Total Utility Other Intersegment Eliminations(l)Total For the year ended December 3 I, 20 I 5: Operating revenues Resource costs Other operating expenses Depreciation and amortization Income (loss) from operalions Interest expensc (2) Income taxes Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders CapitaI expenditures (3) For the year ended December 31,2014: Operating revenues Resource costs Other opcrating cxpcnscs Depreciation and amortization Income from opemtions lnterest expense (2) Incomc taxcs Net income from continuing operations attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders Capital expenditures (3) Total Assets: AsofDecember3l,20l6 AsofDecember3l,20l5 As ofDecember 3l.2Ol4 s l .41 r .863 $ 644,99r 292,096 138,236 241,228 76,405 64,489 r 13,360 38t,t7 4 1 ,413,499 $ 672,344 280,964 126,987 239,976 73,7 50 67,634 tt3,263 323,93 t $ 4,975,555 $ $ 4,601 ,708 $ $ 4.357.760 $ 44,778 $ 11,973 I 1,125 5,263 14,072 3,55 8 4,202 6.641 12,251 3,t52 1,585 273.770 s 265,73s $ 263,O70 S 1,456,641 $ 656,964 303,221 143.499 255,300 79,963 68,691 120,001 393,425 1,435,143 $ 678,244 286,832 129,57 0 246,197 75,132 69,450 tt6At5 325,5t6 5,249,325 $ 4,867,443 $ 4,620,830 $ 28,68s $ (s5o) $1 ,484,77 6 656,964 332,7 47 144,194 253,2 t 4 80,441 67,449 l 18,080 394,3 l0 I19,817 325,922 s 5,309,755 $ 4,906,649 $ 4,700,971 30,076 695 (2,086) 610 (1,242) (ss0) (1 32) $2t,644 $ 5,900 5,86 8 2,5 83 6,221 r,382 1,816 32,218 6t0 6,391 1,004 2,790 I,472,562 678,244 317,250 l 30,1 80 252,588 7 5,7 52 72,240 (t,e2t) 885 39,219 $ (1,800) $ (1,800) (384) 3,236 406 166 60,430 $ 39,206 $ 80,141 $ (l ) Intersegment eliminations reported as operating rcvenues and resource costs represent intercompany purchases and sales ofelectric capacity and energy between Avista Utilities and Spokane Energy (included in other). Intersegment elirninations reported as interest expense and net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corp. shareholden represent intercompany interrst.(2) Including interest expense to affiliated trusts.(3) The capital cxpcnditurcs for thc other busincsscs arc included as other capital cxpenditures on thc Consolidated Statcments ofCash Flows. The remainder ofthe balance included in other capital expenditures on the Consolidated Statements ofCash Flows for 2014 are related to Ecova. NOTE 22. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) The Company's energy operations are significantly affected by weather conditions. Consequently, there can be large variances in revenues, expenses and net income between quarters based on seasonal factors such as, but not limited to, ternperatures and streamflow conditions. 137 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 144 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION A summary ofquarterly operations (in thousands, except per share amounts) for 20 I 6 and 20 I 5 follows: March 3l 2016 Operating revenues Operating expenses Income fiom operations Net income (l ) Nct incomc attributablc to noncontrolling intcrcsts Net income attributable to Avista Corporation shareholders (1 ) Outstanding common stock: weighted-average, basic wei ghted-average, diluted Eamings pcr common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders, diluted (l ) $ s 57,649 S 27.254 $ 63,386 63,783 $0.43 $ Threc Monfis Ended March 3 I June 30 Three Months Ended June 30 September 30 Decembcr 3l 418,173 $ 3 l 2,088 318,838 $ )\'7 )A-7 303,349 $ 263,755 402,123 319,590 $ 106,085 s 61,591 $39.594 $82,533 57,665 (l 6) 27,287 (33) t2.26t (27) 40.1 03 (l 2) 12,234 S 40,091 62,605 62,907 63,857 64,325 64,1 85 64,620 0.620.92 $0.19 $ September 30 December 3 I 2075 Operatin g revenues from conti nuin g operations Operating expenses Iiom continuing operations Income frorn continuin g operations Net incomc from continuing opcrations Net income from discontinued operations Net income Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to Avista Corporation shareholders Amounts attributable to Avista Corp. sharcholdcrs: Net income from continuing operations attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders Net income frorn discontinued operations attributable to Avista Corp. shareholderc Net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders Outstanding common stock : wei ghted-average, basic weighted-average, diluted Eamings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders, diluted: Eamings per common share from continuing operations Eamings per common share from discontinued opemtions Total eamings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders, diluted $446,490 $ 356.915 337,332 $ 279,972 313,649 $ 277,73'7 387,305 3 t 6,938 $89,575 $ 57,360 $35,912 $ 70,367 $ 46y'62 $ 2s,078 $12,754 $ 289 33,876 4,662196 46,462 (13) 25,274 (28) 13,043 (32) 38,538 (17) $ 46,449 S 25,246 $13,01l $ 38,521 $46,449 $25,050 $ t96 12,722 $ 289 33,859 4,662 $ 46,449 $ 25,246 $13,0rl $ 38,521 $ 62,3 l8 62,889 62,281 62,600 62,299 62,688 0.54 0.07 0.74 $0.40 $o.zt s $0.74 $0.40 $o.2t $0.61 (l) Thc Company adopted ASU 2016-09 during the second quartcrof20l6,with a rctrospective cffcctive date ofJanuary 1,2016. Thc adoption ofthis standard resulted in a recognized income tax benefit of$ I .6 million in 20 I 6 associated with excess tax benefits on settled share-based employee payments. Because this standard was adopted in the second quarter of20 I 6, but has a retrospective effective date ofJanuary I , 20 I 6, the effects from the adoption were pushed back to the firct quarter of20 I 6 and the results for that quarter were recast in the presentation above. In all future reports which include the first quarter of20 I 6, the results for that quarter will be recast to include the eflects ofthe excess tax benefits recognized. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 138 Page 145 of4l4 62,308 62,758 Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION Item 9. Chanqes in and Disaqreements with Accountants on Accountinq and Financial Disclosure Not applicable. Item 9A, Controls and Procedures Conclusion Regarding the Elfectiveness ofDisclosure Controls and Procedures The Company has disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules I 3a-l 5(e) and I 5d-l 5(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of I 934, as amended (Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports it files or submits under the Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information rcquircd to be disclosed by thc Company in thc rcports that it filcs or submits under the Act is accumulatcd and communicatcd to thc Company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. With the participation ofthe Cornpany's principal executive ollicer and principal financial officer, the Company's rnanagement evaluated its disclosure controls and procedures as ofthe end ofthe period covered by this report. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness ofany system ofdisclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility ofhuman error and the circumvention or overriding ofthe controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosurc controls and procedurcs can only provide reasonable assurance ofachieving their control objcctivcs. Based upon this evaluation, thc Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective at a reasonable assurance level as ofDecember 3 I . 20 I 6. Management's Repofi on lntelnal Conttol Over Financial Reporting The Cornpany's rnanagement, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is responsible for establishing and rnaintaining adequate intemal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule I 3a-l 5(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of I 934). The Company's intemal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision ofthe Company's principal executive oflicer and principal financial officer to provide reasonable assuntnce rcgarding thc reliability offinancial rcpofting and the prcparation ofthc Company's financial statcmcnts for cxtcmal reporting purposcs in accordancc with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ofAmerica. The Company's intemal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertarn to the maintenance ofrecords that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions ofassets; provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation offinancial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ofAmerica, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations ofmanagement and the directors ofthe Company; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or tirnely detection ofunauthorized acquisition, use or disposition ofthe Company's assets tlrat could have a material effect on the Company's fi nancial statements. Under the supervision and with the participation ofthe Company's management, including the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company conducted an assessment ofthe effectiveness ofthe Company's intemal control over financial reporting based on the framework cstablished in Intemal Control-lntcgratcd Framework (201 3) issucd by thc Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Trcadway Commission. Bascd on this assessment, management determined that the Company's intemal control over financial reporting as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6 is effective at a reasonable assurance level. The Company's independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued an attestation report on the Company's intemal control over financial reporting as ofDecember 3 I , 20 1 6. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporling There have been no changes in the Company's intemal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's intemal control over financial reporting. 139 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 46 of 414 AVISTA CORPORATION REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PLtsLIC ACCOLINTING FIRM To tlre Board ofDirectors and Shareholders of Avista Corporation Spokane, Washington We have audited the intemal control over financial reporting ofAvista Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as ofDecember 3 1,201 6, based on criteria establishedin lntemal Conlrol - lntegrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Cornmission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective intemal control over financial reporting and for its assessment ofthe effectiveness of intemal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on lnlernal Control Over Financial Reporting. Ov rcsponsibility is to express an opinion on thc Company's intemal control ovcr financial rcporting bascd on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards ofthe Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective intemal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding ofintemal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness ofintemal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that ouraudit provides a reasonable basis forouropinion. A company's intemal control ovcr financial rcporting is a proccss dcsigncd by, or under the supcrvision of, thc company's principal cxccutivc and principal financial officers, or persons perlorming similar functions, and effected by the company's board ofdirectors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability offinancial reporting and the preparation offinancial statements for extemal purposes in accordance witlr generally accepted accounting principles. A company's intemal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (l ) pertain to the maintenance ofrecords that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the tmnsactions and dispositions ofthe assets ofthe company; (2) provide Icasonablc assurancc that transactions are rccordcd as necessary to pcrmit prcparation offinancial statcmcnts in accordance with gcncrally acccptcd accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures ofthe company are being made only in accordance with authorizations ofmanagement and directors ofthe company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection ofunauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Bccause ofthe inhcrent limitations ofintcmal control over financial rcporting, including the possibility ofcollusion or impropcr managcmcnt ovcrride of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections ofany evaluation ofthe eflectiveness ofthe intemal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree ofcompliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective intemal control over financial reporting as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6, based on the criteria establish ed in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (20l3) issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations ofthe Treadway Commission. Wc havc also audited, in accordancc witlr the standards ofthc Public Company Accounting Ovcrsight Board (Unitcd States), the consolidatcd financial statements as ofand for the year ended December 3 I , 20 I 6 ofthe Company and our report dated February 21 ,2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on those fi nancial statements. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Scattlc, Washington February 2l ,2017 140 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Table of Contents Page 147 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Item 9B, Other Information Nonc. PART III Item 10. Directors. Executive Officers and Corporate Governance The information required by this Item (other than the information regarding executive officers and the Company's Code ofBusiness Conduct and Ethics set forth below) is omitted pursuant to General Instruction G to Form l0-K. Such information is incorporated herein by reference as follows: . on and aftertlre date offiling with the SEC the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement relating to its Annual Meeting ofShareholders scheduled to be held on May I I, 2Ol'1.fuom such Proxy Statement; and. prior to such date, Iiom the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement, dated M arch 3 I , 2 0l 6, relating to its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May I 2, 201 6. Exccutivc Officcrs of the Regisrrant Namc Business Expcrience Scott L. Morris 5 9 Chairman, President and ChiefExecutive Officer effective January I , 200 8. Director since February 9, 2007; President and ChiefOperating Officer May 2006 - December 2007; Senior Vice President February 2002 -May 2006; Vice Prcsidcnt Novcmbcr 2000 - Fcbruary 2002; Presidcnt - Avista Utilitics August 2000 - December2008; General Manager- Avista Utilities forthe Oregon and Califomia operations October I 991 - August 2000; various other rnanagement and staffpositions with the Company since 1981 . Treasurersince January 2013; SeniorVice President and ChiefFinancial Officer(Principal Financial Officer) since September 2008; prior to employment with the Company held the following positions with Black Hills Corporation: Executive Vice President and ChiefFinancial Offrcer March 2003 to January 2008; SeniorVice President and Chief Financial OfficerMarch 2000 to March 2003;ControllerMay 1997 to March 2000. Senior Vice President, General Counsel and ChiefCompliance Oflicer since November 2005; Corporate Secretary since May 20 I 6; Senior Vice President and General Counsel August 2005 - November 2005; prior to cmploymcnt with thc Company: hcld sevcral lcgal positions with Unitcd Air Lincs, Inc. from 1995 to August 2005, most recently served as Vice President Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary. Senior Vice President ofHuman Resources since November 2005; Corporate Secretary November 2005 - April 201 6; Vicc Prcsident ofHuman Rcsourccs and Corporatc Sccrctary March 2003 - Novcmber 2005; Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Services February 2O02 - March 2003; various human resources positions with the Company April I 998 - February 2002. Scnior Vice Presidcnt since January 20 | 0; Vicc Prcsidcnt July 2007- Decembcr 2009; hesidcnt - Avista Utilities since January 2009; Vice Presrdent ofEnergy Resources and Optimization - Avista Utilities July 2007 - December 2008; President and Chief Operating Officer of Avista Energy February 2001 - July 2007; various other management and staffpositions with the Company since I 9 8 5. Senior Vice hesident since January 20 I 4; Vice President ofEnergy Resources since December 2012;Yice President ofCustomer Solutions - Avista Utilities June 20 I 2 - December 20 I 2; Vice President ofEnergy DeliveryApril20ll-December2012;VicePresidentofFinanceJune2009-April20ll;variousother management and staffpositions with the Company since 1996. Vice President, Controllerand Principal Accounting Officersince October20l5; various otlter management and staffpositions with the Company since 2001 . Vice President of Customer Solutions since February 201 5; various other management and staffpositions with the Cornpany since 2005. Vicc President and Chief Information Officcr since January 2007; Chicf Information Officcr Fcbruary 2001 - December 2006; various other management and staffpositions with the Company since 1 996. Vice President and ChielCounsel for Regulatory and Govemmental Aflairs since February 2004; Senior Vicc Prcsident and Gcneral Counsel Septembcr 1 998 - Fcbruary 2004. Marian M. Durkin Karen S. Feltes 6l Dcnnis P. Vcrmillion 141 Agc 53 63 55 Jason R. Thackston Ryan L. Krasselt Kevin J. Christie Jamcs M. Kensok David J. Meyer 47 47 49 58 63 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 148 of414 Mark T. Thies Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Executive Officers of the Registrant Natnc Age 58 Business Vice President since November 2000; Vice President ofState and Federal Regulation - Avista Utilities since March 2002:Yice President and General Manager of Energy Resources - Avista Utilities August 2000 - March 2002; various other rnanagement and staffpositions with the Company since I 981 . Vice Prcsident ofEncrgy Delivery sincc Dcccmbcr 20 I 5; various othcr managemcnt and staffpositions with the Company since 1996. Vice President and ChiefStrategy Officer since September 20 I 5; prior to employment with the Company, Executivc Vicc Prcsident ofCorporatc Dcvelopmcnt at Ecova, Inc. Kelly O. Norwood Hcathcr L. Rosentratcr Edward D. Schlect Jr. 39 56 All of the Company's executive officers, with the exception of James M. Kensok, David J. Meyer, Kelly O. Norwood, Kevin J. Christie and Heather L. Rosentraterwere officerc ordirectors of one ormore ofthe Company's subsidiaries in 2016. The Company's executive omcers are elected annually by the Board ofDirectors. The Company has adopted a Code ofConduct for directors, o{ficers (including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer), and ernployees. The Code of Conduct is available on the Company's website at $vw.avistacorp.com and will also be provided to any shareholderwithout charge upon written request to: Avista Corp. General Counsel P.O. Box 3727 MSC-12 Spokane, Washington 99220 -3'7 27 Any changes to orwaivers for executive officers and directors ofthe Company's Code ofConduct will be posted on the Company's website. Item I I. Executive Comoensation The information required by this Item is omitted pursuant to General Instruction G to Form I 0-K. Such information is incorporated herein by reference as follows: . on and after the date of filing with the SEC the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement relating to its Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on May I I ,2017 , from such Proxy Statement; and. prior to such date, from the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement, dated March 3 I , 201 6, relating to its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 12,2016. Item I 2. Securitv Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters (a) Security ownership ofcertain beneficial owners (orming 5 percent ormore ofRegistrant's voting securities): Information rcgarding sccurity ownership ofccrtain bcncficial owners (owning 5 pcrccnt or more ofRcgistrant's voting sccuritics) has been omitted pursuant to General Instruction G to Form l0-K. Such information is incorporated herein by reference as follows: . on and after the date of filing with the SEC the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement relating to its Annual Meeting of Shareholders schedulcd to bc hcld on May I 1,201 7, from such Proxy StatemenU and . prior to such date, from the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement, dated March 3 I , 2016, relating to its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 12,2016; reference also being made to Schedules I 3G, as amended, in file with the SEC with respect to the Registrdnt's voting securities (the infonnation contained in such schedules I 3G, as amended, not being incorporated herein by reference). (b) Securityownershipofmanagement: The information required by this Item regarding the security ownership ofmanagement is omitted pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 1 0-K. Such information is incorporated hcrcin by rcfcrcnce as follows: . on and after the date of filing with the SEC the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement relating to its Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on May I I , 20 I 7, from such Proxy Statement; and. prior to such date, from the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement, dated March 31 ,2016, relating to its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 12,2016. 142 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 149 of 414 Tabh of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION (c) (d) Changes in control: None Sccuritics authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans as ofDcccmbcr 3 I , 20 I 6 (a) Number of sccuritics to bc issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warants and rights (1) (b) Wcightcd avcragc exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (c) Number of recurities remaining available for future issuance undcr equity compensation plans (cxcluding securities reflected in column (a))Plan category Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (2)$1,152,979 (l ) Excludes unvested restricted shares and performance share awards granted under Avista Corp.'s Long-Term Incentive Plan. At Decernber 3 I , 20 I 6, I 09,806 Restricted Share awards were outstanding. Performance and market-based share awards may be paid out at zero shares at a minimum achievement level; 332.680 shares at target level; or 665,360 shares at a maximum level. Because there is no exercise price associated with restricted shares orperformance and market-based share awards, such shares are not included in the weighted-average price calculation.(2) Includes the Long-Term lncentive Plan approved by shareholders in I 998 and the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan approved by shareholders in 1996. In February 2005, the Board of Directors elected to terminate the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan. Item I 3, Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. and Director Indeoendence The information rcquircd by this Item is omitted pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 1 0-K. Such information is incorporated herein by reference as follows: . on and after the date offiling with the SEC the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement relating to its Annual Meeting ofShareholders scheduled to be held on May I 1,2017, from such hoxy Statement; and. prior to such date, from the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement, dated March 3 I , 20'l 6, relating to its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 12,2016. Item I 4. Princinel Accounting Fees and Services The information rcquired by this Item is omitted pursuant to General Instruction G to Form I 0-K. Such information is incorporated herein by reference as follows: . on and after the date of filing with the SEC the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement relating to its Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on May I 1,2017,from such Proxy Statement; and. prior to such date, from the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement, dated March 3l ,2016, relating to its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 12,2016. 143 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 150 of414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION PART IV Item I 5. Exhibits. Financial Statement Schedules (a) l. Financial Statements (Included in Part II ofthis report): Report oflndependent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consol i datcd Statcmcnts of Incomc for thc Ycars Ended December 3 1 , 20 1 6, 20 I 5 and 2014 Consolidated Statements ofcomprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 3 l, 20 16,2015 and 2Ol4 Consolidated Balance Sheets as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6 and 20 I 5 Consolidated Statements ofCash Flows for the Years Ended December 31,20'16,201 5 and 2014 Consolidated Statements of Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests for the Years Ended December 3 I , 20 I 6, 20 I 5 and 2014 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (a) 2. Financial Statcmcnt Schcdulcs: None (a) 3. Exhibits: Reference is made to the Exhibit Index commencing on page l47.The Exhibits include the management contracts and compensatory plans or arrangements required to be filed as exhibits to this Form I 0-K pursuant to Item I 5(b). 144 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 51 of414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION SIGNATT]RES Pursuant to the requirements ofSection I 3 or I 5(d) ofthe Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalfby the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. AVISTA CORPORATION February 2l,2017 By /s/ Scott L. Morris Datc Scott L. Morris Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requiremcnts ofthc Sccuritics Exchange Act of I 934, this report has been signcd bclow by the following pcrcons on bchalfofthc Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Sisnaturc Titlc Darc /s/ Scott L. Morris Principal Executive Offi cer February 21,2017 Scott L. Morris Chairman ofthe Board, President and Chicf Exccutivc Officer /s/ Mark T. Thies Principal Financial Offi cer February2l,20l7 Mark T. Thies (Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer) /s/ Rvan L. Krasselt Principal Accounting Officcr Fcbruary 2l,2Ol7 Ryan L. Krasselt (Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer) /s/ Erik J. Anderson Director February 2l ,2017 Erik J. Anderson /s/ Kristianne Blake Director February 21,2017 Kristianne Blake isl Donald C. Burke Dire ctor February 21,2017 Donald C. Burkc /s/ John F. Kelly Director February 21,2017 John F. Kelly /s/ Rebecca A. Klein Director Febnrary 21,2017 Rebecca A. Klein /s/ Marc F. Racicot February 21,2017 Marc F. Racicot Appendix 6 to Joint Application 145 Director Page I 52 of 414 Tabl€ of Contentr AVISTA CORPORATION /s/ Heidi B. Stanley R. John Taylor /s/ Janet D. Widmann Director Dircctor Director Dircctor February 21,2017 Fcbruary 2l ,2017 February 21,2017 Fcbruary 21,2017 Janet D. Widmann /si Scott H. Maw Scott H. Maw 146 Heidi B. Stanley /s/ R. John Taylor Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 153 of4l4 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION 3.1 (with June 30,2012 Form l0-Q) 3.1 3.2 3.2 4.1 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.1 0 4.1| 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 EXHIBIT INDEX Restated Articles oflncorporation ofAvista Corporation, as amended and restated June 6,20t2. Bylaws of Avista Corporation, as amended November I 4, 2014. Mortgagc and Dced of Trust, datcd as of June I , I 93 9. First Supplemental lndenture, dated as ofOctober I , I 952. Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofMay l, I 953. Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofDecember I , I 955. Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofMarch I 5, I 967. Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofJuly I , I 957. Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofJanuary l, I 958. Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofAugust l, I 958. Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofJanuary l, I 959. Ninth Supplcmcntal Indenturc, datcd as ofJanuary l, I 960. Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofApril 1,1964. Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofMarch l, I 965. Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May l, 1966. Thirteenth Supplcmcntal Indcnturc, datcd as ofAugust I , I 966. Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofApril 1, 1 970. Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofMay l, I 973. Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofFebruary I ,197 5. Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofNovember l,1976. Eighteenth Supplemental lndenture, dated as ofJune I , I 980. Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofJanuary l, I 98 l. Twentieth Supplemental lndenture, dated as ofAugust 1,1982. Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofSeptember l, I 983, Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofMarch 1, I 984. t47 Previously Filed (l) Wirh Rcgistration NumberExhibit 4.23 Exhibit (with Form 8-K filed as of November 14,2Ol4) 2407'7 2-9812 2-60728 2-13421 2-t3421 2-60728 2-60728 2-60728 2-60728 2-60728 2-60728 2-60728 2-60728 2-60728 2-60728 2-60728 2-60728 2-60728 2-69080 (with 1980 Form I 0-K) 2-79571 (with Form 8-K dated September 20, I 983) 2-94816 B-3 4(c) 2b}2 4(b!3 4(b)-4 2(b)-5 20)-6 2(b)-7 2(b).8 2(b)-e 2(bll o 2(b)-l l 2(b)-12 2(b)'1 3 2(b)-r4 2(b)-r s 2(b)-r 6 2(b)-17 2(b>18 4(a)-20 4(a)-21 4(a)-22 4(a\23 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 1 54 of 414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION Previously Filed (l) Wirh Registration Exhibit Number As Ex h ibit 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33 (with 1986 Form l0-K) (with 1987 Form l0-K) (with 1989 Form l0-K) 33-5 l 669 (with 1993 Form l0-K) (with 2001 Form I 0-K) 333-82502 (with June 30,2002 Form l0-Q) 333-3955 I (with September 30,2003 Form I 0- a) 333-646s2 (with Form 8-K dated as of Decernber I 5, 2004) (with Form 8-K dated as of December I 5, 2004) (with Form 8-K datcd as of December 15,2004) (with Form 8-K dated as of Dcccmber 15,2004) (with Form 8-K dated as ofMay 12, 200s) (with Fonn 8-K dated as of November I 7,2005) (with Form 8-K dated as ofApril 6, 2006) (with Form 8-K dated as of December I 5, 2006) (with Fonn 8-K dated as ofApril 3, 2008) (with Form 8-K dated as of November 26, 2008) (with Form 8-K datcd as of December I 6, 2008) (with Form 8-K dated as of Deccrnber 30, 2008) (with Form 8-K dated as of September I 5, 2009) (with Fonn 8-K dated as of November 25, 2009) (with Form 8-K dated as of December I 5, 20 I 0) (with Form 8-K dated as of December 20, 20 I 0) Twenty-Third Supplernental Indenture, dated as ofDecember l, I 986. Twcnty-Fourth Supplemcntal lndcnture, datcd as ofJanuary l, 1988. Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofOctober l, I 989. Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April I , I 993. Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofJanuary I ,1994. Twenty-Eighth Supplcmcntal Indcnturc, datcd as of Scptcmber I , 200 I Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofDecember I , 200 I . Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1,2002. Thirty-First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1,2003. Thirty-Second Supplernental Indenture, dated as of September l, 2003. Thirty-Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1,2004. Thirty-Fourth Supplernental Indenture, dated as ofNovember l, 2004 Thirty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofDecember 1,2004. Thirty-Sixth Supplemental Indcnturc, datcd as ofDcccmbcr 1,2004. Thirty-Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofDecember 1,2004. Thirty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May l, 2005. Thirty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofNovember I ,2OO5 . Fortieth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofApril l, 2006. Forty-First Supplementat lndenture, dated as ofDecember l, 2006. Forty-Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofApril 1,2008. Forty-Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofNovember l, 2008. Forty-Fourth Supplcmcntal Indcnturc, dated as ofDcccmber 1,2008. Forty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofDecember l, 2008. Forty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofSeptember 1,2009. Forty-Seventh Supplernental Indenture, dated as ofNovember l,2009. Forty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofDecember I , 20 I 0. Forty-Ninth Supplemental lndenture, dated as ofDecember I , 20 I 0. 4(a)-24 4(a)-2s 4(a)-26 4(aY27 4(a)-28 4(a)-29 4(b) 4(f) 4(b) 4(f) 4.34 4.35 4(a)33 4.t 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.3 4.t 4.1 4.5 4.1 4.36 4.37 4.38 4.39 4.40 4.4t 4.42 4.43 4.44 4.4s 4.46 4.47 4.48 4.49 4.50 Appendix 6 to Joint Application 148 Page 155 of414 Tabl€ of Contctrts AVISTA CORPORATION Previously Filed (l) Exhibit Wirh Registration Number As Exh ib it 4.51 4.52 4.53 4.54 4.55 4.56 4.57 4.58 4.59 4.60 4.61 4.62 4.63 4.64 (with Fonn 8-K dated as of December 30, 20 I 0) (with Form 8-K dated as of Februaryll.20ll) (with Form 8-K dated as of Augustl6,20ll) (with Form 8-K dated as of December 14,2011) (with Form 8-K dated as of November 30, 20 I 2) (with Form 8-K datcd as ofAugust 14,2013) (with Form 8-K dated as of April 18,2014) (with Form 8-K dated as of December I 8, 2014) (with Form 8-K dated as of December I 6, 201 5) (with Form 8-K dated as of December I 6, 20 I 6) (with Form 8-K dated as of December I 5, 2004) 333-82165 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.t 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.5 4(a) 4.1 4.3 3.1 3.2 N/A 10.1 Fiftieth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofDecernber I , 20 I 0 Fifty-First Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofFebruary l, 20 I I Fifty-Second Supplemental lndenture, dated as ofAugust I , 20 I I Fifty-Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofDecernber 1,201 I Fifty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofNovember I , 20 I 2. Fifty-Fifth Supplemcntal Indcnturc, datcd as ofAugust I , 20 I 3. Fifty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April I ,201 4 . Fifty-Seventh Supplemental Indenturc. dated as ofDecembel I , 20 I 4. Fifty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofDecember I , 20 I 5 Fifty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as ofDecember l, 201 6 Supplcmcntal lndcnture No. l, dated as ofDecembcr 1,2004 to the Indcnturc dated as of Apnl l, '1998 between Avista Corpomtion and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Indenture dated as ofApril l, I 998 between Avista Corporation and The Bank ofNew York, as Successor Trustee. Loan Agreement between City of Forsyth, Montana and Avista Corporation $66,700,000 City of Forsyth, Montana Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds (Avista Corporation Colstrip Project) Series 20 1 0A dated as ofDecember I , 20 I 0. Trust Indenture between City of Forsyth, and the Bank ofNew York Mellon Trust Cornpany, N.A., as Trustee, $66,700,000 City of Forsyth, Montana Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds (Avista Corporation Colstrip Project) Series 2010A, dated as ofDecember 1,2010. Loan Agreement between City of Forsyth, Montana and Avista Corporation $ 17,000,000 City of Forsyth, Montana Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds (Avista Corporation Colstrip Project) Series 20 I 0B dated as ofDecember I , 20 1 0. Trust Indenture between City of Forsyth, and the Bank ofNew York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, $ 17,000,000 City of Forsyth, Montana Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds (Avista Corporation Colstrip Project) Series 20 I 0B, dated as ofDecembcr 1,2010. Restated Articles oflncorporation ofAvista Corporation, as amended and restated June 6,2012 (see Exhibit 3.1 herein). Bylaws of Avista Corporation, as amended Novernber 14,2014 (see Exhibit 3.2 herein). Post-Effective Amendment No. I on Form l0/A, filed February 26,2015, to Registration Statement on Fonn I 0, filed September I 952. Credit Agreement, dated as ofFcbruary I 1 , 20 I I , among Avista Corporation, thc Banks Party hereto, The Bank ofNew York Mellon, Keybank National Association, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Co-Documentation Agents, Wells Fargo Bank National Association as Syndication Agent and an Issuing Bank, and Union Bank N.A. as Administrative Agent and an Issuing Bank. 4.65 4.66 4.67 4.68 4.69 I 0.1 (with Form 8-K dated as of December I 5, 20 I 0) (with Form 8-K dated as of Decernber I 5, 20 I 0) (with Fonn 8-K dated as of Decernber I 5, 20 I 0) (with Fonn 8-K dated as of Decernber I 5, 20 I 0) (with June 30,2012 Form l0Q) (with Form 8-K filed as of November 14,2014) (Form l0/A) (with Form 8-K dated as of February l l,2011) 4.2 4.4 Appendix 6 to Joint Application 149 Page I 56 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Previously Filed (l) wilh Registration As Exh ib itExhibit Number 10.2 10.5 (with 2002 Form l0-K)l0(b)-3 10.6 (with 2002 Form I0-K)l0(b)4 10.7 (with 2002 Form I 0-K)l 0(b)-s 2-60728 5(g) 2-60728 s(g)-l 2-60728 s(h) 2-60728 s(h)-l (with Scptembcr30,1985 Form 10- 1 a) Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as ofApril I 8, 20 I 4, among Avista Corporation, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as an Issuing Bank, Union Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent and an Issuing Bank, and the financial institutions identified hcrcofas Continuing Lendcrs and Exiting Lendcr. Bond Delivery Agreement, dated as ofApril I 8, 20 I 4, between Avista Corporation and Union Bank, N.A. First Amendurent and Waiver Thereunder, dated as of Decernber 14, 201 I , to the Credit Agreement dated as ofFebruary I I , 20 | I , among Avista Corporation, the Banks Party hereto, Wells Fargo Bank National Association as an Issuing Bank, and Union Bank N.A. as Administrative Agent and an Issuing Bank. Priest Rapids Project Product Sales Contract executed by Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, Washington and Avista Corporation dated Decernber 12,2001 (effective November I , 2005 for the Priest Rapids Development and Novernber I , 2009 for the Wanapum Development). Priest Rapids Project Reasonable Portion Power Sales Contract executed by Public Utility District No.2 of Grant County, Washington and Avista Corporation dated December 12,2001 (effective November l, 2005 for the Priest Rapids Development and November I , 2009 for the Wanapum Development). Additional Product Sales Agreement (Priest Rapids Project) executed by Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, Washington and Avista Corporation dated December 12, 200 I (effective November I , 2005 for the Priest Rap ids Development and November I , 2009 lorthe Wanapum Development). Power Sales Contract (Wells Project) with Public Utitity District No. I of Douglas County, Washington, dated as ofSeptember I 8, I 963. Amendment to Power Sales Contract (Wells Project) with Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County, Washington, dated as ofFebruary 9,1965. Reserved Share Power Sales Contract (Welts Project) with Public Utility District No. I of Douglas County, Washington, dated as of September I 8, I 963. Amendment to Reserved Share Power Sales Contract (Wells Project) with Public Utility District No. I ofDouglas County, Washington, dated as ofFebruary 9,1965. Settlemcnt Agreement and Covenant Not to Suc cxccutcd by the United Statcs Department ofEnergy acting by and through the Bonneville Power Administration and the Company, dated as ofSeptember I 7, I 985, describing the settlement ofProject 3 litigation. Orvnership and Operation Agreement for Colstrip Units No. 3 & 4, dated as of May 6, 1981. Avista Corporation Exccutivc Dcfcrral Plan. (3) Avista Corporation Executive Deferral Plan. (3)(8) Avista Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. (3X8) Avista Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. (3X8) Thc Company's Unfundcd Supplcmcntal Executivc Disability Plan. (3) Income Continuation Plan of the Company. (3) 150 (with Fonn 8-K dated as of April I 8, 2014) (with Form 8-K dated as of April 18,2014) (with Form 8-K dated as of December 14,201 l) (with 201 1 Form l0-K) (with 201 I Form I 0-K) (with 201 I Form I 0-K) (with 201 I Form I 0-K) (with 1992 Form l0-K) (with 2007 Form l0-K) l 0.l 10.2 l0.l I 0(s)-7 10.15 10.16 10.17 10.18 I 0(t)-l I 10.34 10.3 10.4 t 0.8 10.9 10.10 l0.l I 10.t2 10.14 10.15 10.16 10.17 10.18 10.19 10.13 (with 1981 Form l0-K) Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 1 57 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Previously Filed (l) Wirh Registration Number Exhibit Appendix A Avista Corporation Long-Term Incantive Plan. (3) Avista Corporation Performance Award Plan Summary. (3) Avista Corporation Performance Award Agreement 201 4. (3) Avista Corporation Perfonnance Award Agreement 2015. (3) Avista Corporation Performance Award Agreement 2016. (3) Employment Agreement between the Company and Marian Durkin in the form of a Letter of Employment. (3) Employmcnt Agreemcnt bctwccn the Company and Mark T. Thics in the form of a Letter of Employment. (3) Non-Officer Employee Long-Term Incentive Plan. Fonn ofChange ofControl Agreement between the Company and its Executive Officers. (3X5) Form of Change of Control Agreement between the Company and its Executive Omcers. (3X6) Form of Change of Control Agreement between the Company and its Executive Officers. (3X7) Form of Change of Control Agreement between the Company and its Executive Officers. (3X7) Avista Corporation Non-Employee Director Compensation. Statement Re: computation ofratio ofeamings to fixed charges. Subsidiaries of Regi strant. Consent oflndependcnt Rcgistcrcd Public Accounting Firm. Certification of Chief Executive Officer (Pursuant to I 8 U.S.C. Section I 350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 ofthe Sarbanes-Oxley Act of2002). Certification of Chief Financial Officer @ursuant to I 8 U.S.C. Section I 350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 ofthe Sarbanes-Oxley Act of2002). Certification of Corporate Officers (Pursuant to l8 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 ofthe Sarbanes-Oxley Act of2002). The following financial information from the Annual Report on Form I 0 K for the period ended December 3 I , 201 6, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and filed electronically herewith: (i) the Consolidated Statements oflncome; (ii) Consolidated Statements ofComprehensive Income; (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iv) the Consolidated Statements ofCash Flows; (v) the Consolidated Statements ofEquity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests; and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. As Ex h ibit I 0.21 10.22 10.23 10.24 10.25 10.23 10.30 10.31 101 10.1 99. r t 0.20 10.26 10.27 | 0.28 10.29 10.30 10.31 (with 2010 Definitive Proxy Statement filed March 31, 2010) (with 2010 Form I 0-K) (with 2014 Form l0-K) (with 201 5 Form I 0-K) (2) (with Form 8-K dated June 2 1, 200s) (with Form 8-K dated August 13, 2008) 33347290 (with 2010 Form l0-K) 10.32 t2 2t 23 3l.l (with 2010 Form I 0-K) (with 2010 Form 10-K) (with 201 0 Form I 0-K) Incorporated herein by reference. Fited herewith. Management contracts or compensatory plans filed as exhibits to this Form I 0-K pursuant to Item I 5(b). Fumished herewith. Applies to James M. Kensok, David J. Meyer, Kelly O. Norwood, Jason R. Thackston and Dennis P. Vemillion. Applies to Marian M. Durkin, Karen S. Feltes, Scott L. Morris, and Mark T. Thies. Applies to executive officers appointed after October I , 20 I 0. This applies to Kevin J. Christie, Ryan L. Krasselt, Ed D. Schlect and Heather L. Rosentrater. l5l (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) 31.2 32 101 (2) (4) (2) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 158 of4l4 Tahle of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION (8)Applies to executive officers appointed after February 4,201I . This applies to Kevin J. Christie, Ryan L. Krasselt, Ed D. Schlect and Heather L. Rosentrater. 152 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 59 of 414 Exhibit 10.24 AVISTA CORPORATION PERFORMAN C E AWARD AGRE EMENT This Performance Award Agreement (the "Agreement") is made by and between Avista Corporation, a Washington Corporation (the "Company") and the individual named in section 1 (the "Participant") as designated by the Avista Corporation Compensation and Organization Committee (the "Plan Administrato/). WHEREAS, Performance Awards are granted under the January 19, 2016 amended and restated Avista Corporation Long-Term lncentive Plan (the "Plan"). The terms and conditions of the Performance Awards are set forth below and in the Plan, which is incorporated into this Agreement by reference. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises contained herein and in the Plan, it is agreed as follows: Terms of Performance Awards. The terms of the Performance Awards are set forth as follows: (a) The "Participant" is (Participant's name) (b) The "Grant Date" is February 4,2016. (c) The total target number of eligible "Performance Awards" shall be (# of) units. "Performance Awards' granted under this Agreement are units that will be reflected in a book account maintained by the Company or a third party administrator during the Performance Cycle, and that will be settled in cash or shares of Avista Corporation Common Stock ("Common Stock") to the extent provided in this Agreement and the Plan. (d) The "Performance Cycle" is the period beginning on January 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2018. 2. Conditions to Award. Pursuant to this Award, the number of Performance Awards eamed will depend upon the Company's performance against specific performance metrics. The performance metrics are (i) Relative Total Shareholder Retum, which accounts for (# of) units of the total target award as set forth in section 'l(c), and (ii) Cumulative Eamings Per Share ('CEPS) which accounts for(# of) units of the total target award set forth in section 1(c). The total number of shares of Stock that will be issued in the settlement of this Award, based upon the Company's satisfaction of the metrics, will be determined by multiplying the Target Number of units allocated for each metric set forth in this section 2 by the applicable Payout Factor in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2, which is attached to and forms a part of this Agreement. 3. Settlement of Performance Awards. The Company shall deliver to the Participant one share of Common Stock (or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock) for each Performance Award earned by the Participant, as determined in accordance with the provisions of Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2, which is attached to and forms a part of this Agreement. The eamed Performance Award payable to the Participant shall be paid in shares of Common Stock or in cash (based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of the date the Plan Administrator certifies the attainment of the Page 1 of 10 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 1 60 of 414 Aivtsra X performance goals), or in a combination of the two, as determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion, except that cash may be distributed in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock. All Performance Awards and any Dividend Equivalents (as described in Section 5 below) eamed by a Participant under this Agreement are subject to the Recoupment Policy adopted by the Company's Board of Directors as amended from time to time ("Recoupment Policy'). lf a Participant becomes subject to the Recoupment Policy any Performance Award and associated Dividend Equivalent may be forfeited in whole or in part and all or part of any distribution payable to a Participant or his or her beneficiary under this Agreement may be recovered by the Company pursuant to the Recoupment Policy. 4. Time of Payment. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, payment of Performance Awards eamed will be delivered as soon as feasible after the end of the Performance Cycle and after the Plan Administrator certifies the attainment of the performance goals. 5. Dividend Equivalent Rights. Any Performance Awards may, in the Plan Administrato/s discretion, eam Dividend Equivalent Rights. ln respect of any Performance Award that is outstanding on the dividend record date for Common Stock, the Participant may be credited with an amount equal to the cash distributions that would have been paid on the shares of Common Stock covered by such Award had such covered shares been issued and outstanding on such dividend record date. Dividend Equivalent Rights are to be paid in cash based on the total number of Performance Awards eamed at the end of the Performance Cycle and delivered as soon as feasible after the Performance Cycle and after the Plan Administrator certifies the attainment of the performance goals. Dividend Equivalent Rights are subject to all applicable taxes, which are the responsibility of the Participant. The Dividend Equivalent Rights in respect of any Performance Awards that are not eamed as of the end of a Performance Cycle, shall be forfeited as of the end of the Performance Cycle. 6. Termination of Employment during Performance Cycle. Except as otherwise provided in section 7, this section 6 shall apply if the Participant's employment terminates during a Performance Cycle. lf the Participant's employment with the Company and/or Subsidiaries terminates during the Performance Cycle because of Retirement, Disability, or Death, the Participant shall be entitled to a prorated value of the PerformanceAward eamed in accordance with Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2, determined at the end of the Performance Cycle, and based on the ratio of the number of whole months the Participant was employed during the Performance Cycle to the total number of months in the Performance Cycle (36). lf a Participant's employment or services with the Company and/or Subsidiaries terminate on or as of the last day ol a Performance Cycle, such Participant will be deemed to have terminated after the end of such Performance Cycle. lf the Participant's employment with the Company and/or Subsidiaries terminates during the Performance Cycle for any reason other than Retirement, Disability, or Death, the Performance Award granted under this Agreement will be forfeited on the Date of Termination (as defined in section 9(b)); provided, however, that in such circumstances, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine that the Participant will be entitled to receive a prorated or other portion of the Performance Award. In case of termination for Cause, the Performance Award granted shall automatically terminate upon first notification to the Participant of such termination, unless the Plan Administrator delermines otherwise. lf a Participant's employment with the Company is suspended pending an investigation of whether the Participant shall be terminated for Cause, all the Participant's rights under any Award likewise shall be suspended during the period of investigation. The effect of a Company-approved leave of absence on the terms and conditions of an Award shall be determined by the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion. 7. Change in Control. lf a Change in Control occurs during the Performance Cycle, and the Participant's Date of Termination (as defined in section 9(b)) does not occur before the Change in Control date, the Participant shall be entitled to a prorated value of the Performance Award that would have been eamed by the Participant in accordance with Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2, determined as of the date of the Change in Control, prorated based on the ratio of the number of whole months the Participant is employed during the Performance Cycle through the date of the Change in Control, to the total number of months in the Performance Cycle; provided, however, that a Payout Factor of at least 100% as set forth 04105tr6 Page 2 of10 Aistsra Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 6l of 414 in Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2 for the Performance Cycle shall be deemed to have been achieved as of the date of the Change in Control. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 3 (with the exception of the application of the Recoupment Policy), 4, and 5, the value of the Performance Award, and any Dividend Equivalent Right, eamed in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section shall be delivered to the Participant in a lump sum cash payment as soon as feasible after the occurence of a Change in Control, with the value of a Performance Award equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock determined under the provision of section 3 as of the date of the Change in Control. Distributions to the Participant under sections 3 and 5 shall not be affected by payments under this section, except that the number of Performance Awards and Dividend Equivalent Rights eamed by and payable to the Participant shall be reduced by the number of Performance Awards and Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to which payment was made to the Participant under this section. 8. Taxes. The Participant is liable for any and all taxes, including withholding taxes, arising out of the grant, vesting, payment or settlemenl of any Performance Awards and Dividend Equivalent Rights. The Company shall have the right to require the Participant to remit to the Company, or to withhold awarded shares of Common Stock, or from any Dividend Equivalent Rights or other amounts due to the Participant, as compensation or othenvise, an amount sufficient to satisfy all federal, state and local withholding tax requirements. 9. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the terms used in this Agreement shall be subject to the following (a)Chanoe in Control. The term "Change in Control" is defined in section 2.4 ol the amended and restated Avista Corp. Long Term lncentive Plan. Date of Termination. The Participant's "Date of Termination" shall be the first day occuning on or after the Grant Date on wtrich the Participant is not employed by the Company or any Subsidiary, regardless of the reason for the termination of employment; provided that a termination of employment shall not be deemed to occur by reason of a transfer of the Participant between the Company and a Subsidiary or between two Subsidiaries; and further provided that the Participant's employment shall not be considered terminated while the Participant is on a leave of absence from the Company or a Subsidiary approved by the Participant's employer. lf, as a result of a sale or other transaction, the Participant's employer ceases to be a Subsidiary (and the Participant's employer is or becomes an entity that is separate from the Company), and the Participant is not, at the end of the 30day period following the transaction, employed by the Company or an entity that is then a Subsidiary, then the occurence of such transaction shall be treated as the Participant's Date of Termination caused by the Participant being discharged by the employer. Disabilitv. "Disability" means "disability" as that term is defined for purposes of the Company's Long Term Disability Plan or other similar successor plan applicable to employees. Retirement. "Retirement" of the Participant shall mean retirement as of the individual's retirement date under the Retirement Plan for Employees of Avista Corporation or other similar successor plan applicable to employees. 10. Assignabiiity. No Performance Award or Dividend Equivalent Right granted or awarded under the Plan may be assigned or transfened by the Participant other than by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and, during the Participant's lifetime, settlements of such Awards may be payable only to the Participant or a permitted assignee or transferee of the Participant (as provided below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may permrt such assignment or transfer and may permit a Participant of such Performance Awards or Dividend Equivalent Rights to designate a beneficiary who may receive compensation settlement under the Performance 04l05lt 6 Page 3 ofl0 (b) (c) (d) Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 162 of 414 Avtsta Award after the Participant's death; provided, however, that any amount so assigned or transfened shall be subject to all the same terms and conditions contained in this Agreement. 11. General 11.1 Award Agreements. PerformanceAwards granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written agreement that shall contain such terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions as the Plan Administrator shall deem advisable and that are not inconsistent with the Plan. 11.2 Continued Employment or Services; Rights in Awards. Nothing contained in this Agreement, the Plan, or any action of the Plan Administrator taken under the Plan or this Agreement shall be construed as giving any Participant or employee of the Company any right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or to limit the Company's or any Subsidiary's right lo terminate the employment or services of the Participant. 1 1.3 Registration. At the present time, the Company has an effective registration statement with respect to the shares. The Company intends to maintain this registration but has no obligation to do so. ln the event that such registration ceases to be effective, the Participant will not receive a Performance Award settlement or payment unless exemptions from registration under federal and state securities laws are available; such exemptions from registration are very limited and might be unavailable. By accepting the Agreement, the Participant hereby acknowledges that he/she has read the section of the Plan and this Agreement entifled Registration. 11 .4 No Rights as a Shareholder. No Award under this Agreement shall entitle the Participant to any dividends (except to the extent provided in an award of Dividend Equivalent Rights), voting or any other right of a shareholder unless and until the date of issuance under the Plan of the shares that are the subject of such Performance Award, are free of all applicable restrictions. 1 1.5 Compliance with Laws and Regulations. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may bifurcate the Plan so as to restrict, limit or condition the use of any provision of the PIan to Participants who are officers or directors subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act without so restricting, limiting or conditioning the Plan with respect to other Participants. '1 '1.6 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. lf any provision of theAgreement is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any person, or would disqualify any Performance Award under any law deemed applicable by the Plan Administrator, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended by the Plan Administrator to conform to applicable laws, or, if the Plan Administrator determines that the provision cannot be so construed or deemed amended without materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Performance Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Performance Award, and the remainder of the Agreement and any such Performance Award shall remain in full force and effect. 12. Administration. The authority to manage and control the operation and administration of this Agreement shall be vested in the Plan Administrator, and the Plan Administrator shall have all powers with respect to this Agreement as it has with respect to the Plan. Any interpretation of the Agreement by the Plan Administrator and any decision made by it with respect to the Agreement are final and binding. '13. Construction. This Agreement is subject to and shall be construed in accordance with the Plan, the terms of which are explicitly made applicable hereto. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the same definitions as set forth in the Plan. ln the event of any conflict between the provisions hereof and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall govem. 04/05tr6 Page 4 ofl0 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 63 of4l4 frttsta 14. Arnendment. This Agreement may be amended by written agreement of the Padicipant and the Company, without the consent of any other person. 15. Governing Law. The validity, construction, interpretation and enforceability of this Agreement shall be determined and govemed by the laws of the State of Washington without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws. For the purpose of litigating any dispute that arises under this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to exclusive jurisdiction in Washington State and agree that such litigation shall be conducted in the courts of Spokane County, Washington or the federal courts of the United States for the eastem district of Washington. 16. Successors. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otheruise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company) to agree in writing to assume the Company's obligations under this Agreement and to perform such obligations in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company is required to perform them. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company and any successor to its business and/or assets that assumes and agrees to perform the Company's obligations under the Agreement by operation of law or othenrvise. lN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Participant has executed this Agreement, and the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name and on its behalf, all effective as of the Grant Date. AVISTA CORPORATION By: Scott L. Monis Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer 04105116 Page 5 ofl 0 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 64 of414 *vtsta EXHIBIT 1 Performance Award Plan Relative Total Shareholder Return Metric and Goals 2016 - 201E Performance Cycle The following graph and table represent the relationship between the Company's relative three-year Total Shareholder Retum ("TSR') commencing January 1,2O16 and ending December 31, 2018 and the target award opportunity. The number of shares delivered at the end of the three-year Performance Cycle can range from zero to 2001o of the target number of units allocated under this metric. The actual issuance of shares depends on Avista's three-year TSR performance compared to the retums of the peer companies reported in the S&P 400 Utilities lndex and how we rank among them. To receive '1 00% of the Award allocated under this metric, Avista must perform at the 50th percentile among the companies in the S&P 400 Utilities lndex. To receive200o/o of theAward, Avista must rank at the l00thpercentile. lf Avista ranks below the 4orhpercentile, no stock awards or cash Dividend Equivalent Rights will be eamed. Dividend Equivalent Rights are calculated and paid out in cash when and to the extent the Performance Awards are issued. The following graph demonstrates the relationship between TSR ranking and various payout factors. Performance Awards are interpolated on a straight line for performance results between the figures shown. 3-year Relative TSR Percentile Rank 200Va 150% 100% 50% 0%40th 45th 50th 70th 85th Target Fz Fd e Min 10oth Max Pavout Factor 200% 150% 125% 100% 7Oyo 40% No Award Relative TSR Percentile Maximum Target Threshold I 001h 8 5,h 70,h 50rh 45rh 40'h <40'h TSR is calculated using S&P Research lnsight and reflects share price appreciation plus the impact of dividend distributions and the reinvestment of such dividends. To compute the TSR, an adjusted price is calculated by applying a monthly retum factor to the average closing share prices on the last trading day of November and December for the start and end of the Performance Cycle. 04/05lt6 Page 6 of10 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 65 of 414 lFrtsra From one year to the next, if S&P drops a company out of the index and adds another, the new company will be included in the ranking and the dropped company will be excluded. When a new company is added, they will be added to the ranking as if they had been in the ranking from the beginning - provided that there is pricing and dividend data at the beginning of the cycle. When a company is dropped everything related to that company will be excluded from the ranking as if the company was never part of the ranking. Seftlement Formula Example: Assuming that 970 Performance Award units were allocated under this metric at the beginning of the three-year Performance Cycle and Avista's TSR ranked at the 4Shpercentile after the three-year Performance Cycle, the Participant would receive 70o/o ol 970 or 679 shares of Avista common stock plus cash dividend equivalents. Payout Factor (oh olTarget) Target Number of Perlbrmance Awards Granted Percentile Rank 100.0% 98.2% 17.8% 16.0% | .7o/o 0.0o/o Final Number of Common Stocks Issued 70%x 970 679 shares plus cash dividends Percentile Ranking Methodology: The percentile rank is calculated using the PERCENTRANK function in MS Excel, excluding Avista from the list and rounding all results to the nearest whole percentile. The calculation can be replicated by ananging the TSR data from highest to lowest for all peers except Avista. A percentile ranking is calculated for each data point assuming 100.0th %ile for the highest data point, 0.0 %ile for the lowest data point, and the conesponding percentile for every other data point with an equal difference in percentile ranking for each data point. The TSR forAvista is calculated by determining Avista's rank in the list and interpolating between the percentile rankings for the companies immediately above and below based on the differences in TSR. An example, based on sample data is as follows: Comoanv Rankins I 2 47 (ABC Corp) 48 (XYZ Corp) 56 5'7 TSR 201.6% t35.9% 20.3% 16.0% -3.3o/o -10.5% lf a company's TSR is 18.9%, the resulting percentile ranking would be 17%, calculated as follows: 17oh = 16.0o/0 + [(18.9% - 16.0%) I (20.3o/o - 16.0%) . (',t7.8% - 16.0%)I Total Shareholder Return (tSR) Methodology: For purposes of this Agreement, a methodology for calculating a total retum to shareholder with dividend reinvestment was established. Retums are calculated daily based on stock price changes and dividend payments and then accumulated over the Performance Cycle. Below are additional assumptions used in Avista's calculation for TSR. General Assumptions: The starting and ending prices are determined by averaging the closing price on the last trading day of November and the last trading day of December at the beginning and the end of the Performance Cycle. An example, based on sample data is as follows: the stock price forthe start of the Performance Cycle forAvista is $34.90, which is the average of $35.35 ('1213112014) and S34.45 (11128120'14). Dividends are reinvested on a daily basis. For this example, a fictional ex-date for dividends per share is used for 04105116 Page 7 ofl 0 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 66 of 414 Aststa demonstration purposes. Daily retums are calculated over the performance cycle and added together resulting in the Cumulative TSR for the performance cycle. Date Closins Price Dividend ll2t/2014 33.90 0 |t24t2014 33.80 0 lu25l20t4 34.06 0.3 175 I I 126/2014 34.29 0 t t t27 t2014 34.29 0 11128/2014 34.45 0 Cumulative TSR I I l2l 12014 ro I I12812O14 Daily TSR NA (0.29s0%) 1.7086%+ 0.67 530/n 0.00% 0.4666% 2.5555% * [(34.06 + 0.3175) / 33.80] -l EXHIBIT 2 Performance Award Plan Cumulative Earnings Per Share Metric and Goals 2016 - 2018 Performance Period The following graph and table represent the relationship between the Company's Cumulative Eamings Per Share ('CEPS') commencing January 1, 2016 and ending December 31,2018 and the target award opportunity. The number of shares delivered at the end of the three-year Performance Cycle can range from zero lo 200o/o of the target number of units allocated under this metric. The actual issuance of shares depends on Avista's CEPS groMh performance over the three-year Performance Cycle. To receive 100% of the Performance Award allocated under this metric, Avista must achieve CEPS compounded groMh of 4.50o/o based on eamings guidance. To receive 200o/o ol the Award, Avista must achieve CEPS compounded growth of 6.00%. lf Avista's CEPS compounded growth is less than 3.00%, no stock awards or cash Dividend Equivalent Rights will be eamed. Dividend Equivalent Rights are calculated and paid out in cash when and to the extent the Performance Awards are issued. The following graph demonstrates the relationship between CEPS and various payout factors. Performance Awards are interpolated on a straight line for performance results between the figures shown. 3-year Cumulative Grorvth EPS 2OlYo 1s0% 100% SOVo 0% 3o/o Min 3.750/o 4.sa/o Target 5.25Yo 6oy'a Max 041051t6 Page 8 ofl0 Fz EO Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 167 of414 *ttsta Maximum Target 3-Year Cumulative Grovth 6.0o/o 5.625% 5.250/" 4.87s% 4.5% 4.125% 3.75% 3.375% 3% <30 Pavout Factor 200% t75% 150% 125% 1000/o 85% 70% 55% 40% No Award Threshold Performance is tracked over a three-year Performance Cycle thereby focusing on sustainability The performance metric CEPS provides for Performance Awards if the Company's cumulative EPS grows at a certain rate on a compounded annual basis. Cumulative EPS is fully diluted eamings per share determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and may be adjusted to remove the effects of such items as regulatory charges, income tax legislative changes and/or items of a non- routine or items of an extraordinary nature as determined by the Plan Administrator. Seftlement Formula Example: Assuming that 485 Performance Award units were allocated under this metric at the beginning of the Performance Cycle and Avista's cumulative EPS grew 4.875% over three years, the Participant would receive 125o/o of 485 or 607 shares of Avista common stock plus dividend equivalents in cash. Target Number of Performance Awards Granted Number of Common Stocks Issued 125%x 485 607 shares plus cash dividends Using the example formulas in Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2, the Participant would receive in total 88% of 1,455 (total target # of PerformanceAwards granted) or 1,286 Shares of Common Stock plus cash dividend equivalents. Payout Factor (7o ofTarget) Payout Factor (o/" ofTarget) Target Number of Performance Awards Granted TSR CEPS Total 7 0o/o 125% E80h x x x 970 485 1,455 Page 9 ofl0 679 607 I,286 04105n6 II ,*ststa Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 1 68 of 414 Number of Common Stocks Issued ACCEPTANCE AND ACKNOWLEDGM ENT l, a resident of the state of_, accept the Performance Award described in this Agreement and in the Plan, and acknowledge that I have received a copy of this Agreement and the Plan. I have read and understand the Plan, and I hereby make the representations, warranties and acknowledgments, and undertake the indemnity and other obligations, therein specified. Dated: Social Security Number Signature of Employee Printed Name 041051t6 Page l0 ofl0 /iiststa Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 169 of 414 Exhibit 10.32 Avista Corporation Non-Employee Director Compensation - 201 6 Prior to August 17 ,2016, directors who were not employees of the Company received an annual retainer of $ I 40,000 with $65,000 of the total retainer to be paid in stock each year. Directors had the option oftaking the remaining $75,000 in cash, stock or a combination ofboth cash and stock. The cash portion of the retainerispaid quarterly. Directorswere also paid $1,500 foreach meeting ofthe Board orany Committee meeting ofthe Board. Directorswho served as Board Committee Chairs received an additional $7,500 annual retainer, with the exception of the Audit Committee Chair, who received an additional $13,000 annual rctaincrand thc Compcnsation Committcc Clrair, who rcceivcd an additional $10,000 annual rctainer. Thc Lcad Directorrcccived an additional annual retainer of $20,000. Each year, the Govemance Committee reviews all components of director compensation. During 2016, the Govemance Committee engaged Meridian Compensation Partners LLC ("Meridian") to assist in this review. The information provided by Meridian was used to compare the Cornpany's current director compensation with peer companies in the utility industry and general industry companies of similar size (the "Director Peer Group"). The companies comprising the Director Peer Group are those companies in the S&P 400 Utilities Index. At its August 17,2016 meeting, the Board reviewed survey results lrom Meridian regarding cunent pay practices for director compensation. The Board approvcd an incrcasc in the annual retainerofan additional $5,000, effective Septembcr 1,2016. Thc total annual rctaincris now $145,000 with $70,000 of the total retainer to be paid in stock each year. Directors will have the option oftaking the remaining $75,000 in cash, stock or a combination ofboth cash and stock. The Committee chair retainers were also increased to the following amounts: Compensation & Organization Committee Chair is now $12,500. Audit Committee Chair is now $ 15,000, Govemance,t{ominating Committee Chair is now $10,000, Environmental, Technology & Operations Committee Chair is now $ 10,000 and the Finance Committee Chait Retainer is now $ 10,000. Each director is entitled to reimbursement ofreasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with meetings of the Board or its Cornmittees and related activities, including director education courses and materials. These expenses include travel to and from the meetings, as well as any expenses they incur while attending the meetings. The Company has a minimum stock ormership expectation for all Board members. Outside directors are expected to achieve a minimum investment of five timcs thc minimum portion of thcir cquity rctaincr payablc in Company common stock within five ycars of becoming a Board mcmber, and rctain at least that level of investment dunng his/her tenure as a Board member. Shares previously deferred under the former Non- Employee Director Stock Plan count for purposes ofdetermining whether a director has achieved the ownership expectation. Directors are prohibited frorn engaging in shon-sales, pledging, or hedging the economic interest in their Company shares. The orvnership expectation illustrates the Board's philosophy ofthe importance ofstock ownership fordirectors to further strengthen the commonality of interest between the Board and shareholders. The Govemance Committee annually reviews director holdings to determine whether they meet ownership cxpcctations. All dircctors currently comply bascd on theirycars ofservicc completcd on thc Board. There were no annual stock option grants or non-stock incentive plan compensation payments to directors for sewices in 2016 and none are currently contemplated under the current compensation structure. The Company also does not provide a retirement plan or deferred compensation plan to its directors. Listed below is compensation paid to each non-employee directorwho served during any part ofthe 201 6 fiscal year. Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 170 of4l4 Exhibit 12 AVISTA CORPORATION Computation of Ratio of Eamings to Fixed Charges Consolidated (Thousands ofDollars) Years Ended December 3 I 20 I 5 20t4 201 3 2012 $ 86,897 $ Total fixed $ 9l ,612 S ls $l$ 9 $ t92,t06 $ 162,347 S 1r6,567 Ratio of eamings to fixed charges 3.32 3.13 3.39 3.02 2.48 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 171 of4l4 201 6 Fixed charges, as defined: lnterest charges Amortization ofdebt expense and premium - net Interest portion of rentals Eamings, as defincd: Pre-tax income from continuing operations Add (deduct): Capitalized interest Total fixed charges above Total eamings (3,546) (3,e24) (3,676) (2,401) 85,315 78,84'7 ',78,73t 76,940 (2,651) 91,612 $ 304,363 $ 267,388 g 267,029 $ 237,402 $ 191,106 Exhibit 2l AVISTA CORPORATION SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT State or CountrySrrhsidiaru oflncomomtion Avista Capital,Inc. Washington Avista Development, Inc. Washington Avista Energy, Inc. Washington Avista Northwest Rcsources, LLC Washington Pentzer Corporation Washington Pentzerventure Holding II, Inc. Washington Bay Area Manufacturing, Inc. Washington Advanccd Manufacturing and Dcvelopment, Inc. Califomia Avista Capital II Delaware Steam Plant Square, LLC Washington Steam Plant Brew Pub, LLC Washington Courtyard Office Center, LLC Washington Alaska Energy and Resources Company Alaska Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Alaska AJT Mining Properties, Inc. Alaska SnettishamElectric Company Alaska Salix, Inc. Washington Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 72 of 414 Exhibit 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PT]BLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-33790,333-126577,333-179042 and 333-208986 on Form S-8 and in Registration Statement Nos. 333-l 87306 and333-209714 on Form S-3, relating to the consolidated linancial statements ofAvista Corporation and subsidiaries, and the effectiveness ofAvista Corporation's intemal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Repon on Form 1 0-K ofAvista Corporation for the year ended December 3 I , 20 I 6. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Seattle, Washington February 21,2017 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 173 of414 Exhibit 3l.l CERTIFICATION I, Scott L. Morris, certif, that: L I have revicwed this rcport on Form l0-K ofAvista Corporation; Based on my knowlcdgc, this rcport does not contain any untrue statcment of a material fact or omit to state a matcrial fact ncccssary to make the statements made, in light ofthe circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all matenal respects thc financial condition, rcsults ofoperations and cash flows ofthe rcgistrant as of, and for, the periods prcsentcd in this report; The registrant's other ccrtifiing officcr and I arc rcsponsiblc for establishing and maintaining disclosurc controls and proccdurcs (as dcfined in Exchange Act Rules I 3a-l 5(e) and I 5d-l 5(e)) and intemal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules I 3a-l 5(0 and I 5d-l 5(0) for the registrant and have: Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made knou,n to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; Designed such intemal control overfinancial reporting, orcaused such intemal control overfinancial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability offinancial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for extemal purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; Evaluated the effectiveness ofthe registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness ofthe disclosure controls and procedures, as ofthe end ofthe period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's intemal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case ofan annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's intemal control over financial reporting; and The registrant's other certifuing officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation ofintemal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit cornmittee ofthe registrant's board ofdirectors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation ofintemal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and repofi financial information; and Any fiaud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's intema[ control over financial reporting. Date: February 21,2017 /s/ Scott L. Moris Scott L. Monis Chairman ofthe Board, President and ChielExecutive Offi cer (Principal Executive Offi cer) J 4. a. b c. d. 5. b. Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 74 of 414 Exhibit 31.2 CERTIFICATION I, Mark T. Thies, certifi that: I . I have rcviewed this report on Form I 0-K ofAvista Corporation; Bascd on my knowlcdgc, this rcport docs not contain any untrue statcmcnt ofa material fact or omit to state a rnatcrial fact neccssary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects thc financial condition, rcsults ofoperations and cash flows ofthc rcgistrant as of, and for, thc pcriods prcscntcd in this rcport; Thc rcgistrant's othcr ccrtifuing officer and I arc rcsponsible for cstablishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as tlcfincd in Exchange Act Rules I 3a-l 5(e) and I 5d-l 5(e)) and intemal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules I 3a-l 5(0 and I 5d-l 5(0) for the registrant and have: a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made knou'n to us by others within those entities, particularly dunng the period in which this report is being prepared; b. Designed such intemal control over financial reporting, or caused such intemal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability offinancial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for extemal purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c. Evaluated the effectiveness ofthe registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report ourconclusions about the eflectiveness ofthe disclosure controls and procedures, as ofthe end ofthe period covered by this report based on such evaluation: and d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's intemal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quaner (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case ofan annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's intemal control over financial reporting; and The registrant's other certifuing officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation ofintemal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit cornmittee ofthe registrant's board ofdirectors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation ofintemal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to advercely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's intemal control over financial reponing. Date: Fcbruary 21,2017 /s/ Mark T. Thics Mark T. Thics Senior Vice President. Chief Financial Ofllcer, and Treasurer (Pnncipal Financial Offi cer) -) 4 5. a. b. Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 75 of 414 Exhibit 32 AVISTA CORPORATION CERTIFICATION OF CORPORATE OFFICERS (Fumished Pursuant to l 8 U.S.C. Section 1 350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 ofthe Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) Each of the undersigned, Scott L. Morris, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Avista Corporation (the "Company"), and Mark T. Thies, Scnior Vice Presidcnt and ChiefFinancial Officer ofthc Company, lrcrcby ccrtifics, pursuant to I 8 U.S.C. Scction 1 350, as adoptcd pursuant to Section 906 ofthe Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Company's Annual Report on Form I 0-K for the year ended December 3 I , 20 I 6 fully complies with the requirernents ofSection I 3(a) ofthe Securities Exchange Act of I 934, as amended, and that the information contained therein fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results ofoperations ofthe Company. Date: February 21,2O17 /s/ Scott L. Morris Scott L. Morris Chairman ofthe Board, President and Chief Executive Officer /s/ Mark T. Thics Mark T. Thies Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 1 76 of 414 T]NITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C.20549 Form 10-Q (Mark One) El QUARTERLYREPORTPURSUANT TOSECTTON r3 ORls(d)OFTHE SECURTTTESEXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENI'DED June 30. 2017 OR tr TRANSITIONREPORT PURSUANT TOSECTION l3 ORI5(d)OFTHE SECURITIESEXCHANGE ACT OF l934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO Commission file number l-3701 AVISTA CORPORATION (Exact name ofRegistrant as specified in its charter) Washington (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) l4l I East Mission Avenue, Spokane, Washington (Address of principal executive ollices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 509-489{500 Web site: http://www.avistacorp.com 91-0462470 fl.RS. Employer Identification No.) 99202-2600 (Zip Code) None (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (l ) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section I 3 or I 5(d) ofthe Securities Exchange Act of I 934 during the preceding I 2 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirementsforthepastg0days: Yes E No tr Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, ifany, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T ($23 2.405 of this chapter) during the preceding I 2 months (or for such shorter period that theregistrantwasrequiredtosubmitandpostsuch files). Yes E No E Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emcrging growth company. See thc definitions of"large accclcrated filcr," "acceleratcd filcr," "smallcr rcporting company," and "cmerging growth company" in Rule I 2b-2 ofthe Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer El Accelerated filer D Non-accelerated filer E (Do not check ifa smallerreporting company) Smallerreporting company tr Emerging growth company tr Ifan emerging growth company, indicate by check mark ifthe registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section I 3(a) ofthe Exchange Act E IndicatebycheckmarkwhethertheRegistrantisashell company(asdefinedinRulel2b-2oftheExchangeAct): Yes tr No E As of July 3l ,2017 ,64,411 ,244 shares of Registrant's Common Stock, no par value (the only class of common stock), were outstanding. Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 78 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION AVISTA CORPORATION INDEX Itcm No Forward-Lookin e Statements Available Information Part I. Financial Information Item l. Condensed Consolidated Financial Staternents Condcnscd Consolidated Statemcnts oflncome - Three and Six Months Ended June 30. 20 I 7 and 20 I 6 Condensed Consolidated Statements ofComorehensive Income - Three and Six Months Ended June 30. 20 I 7 and 20 I 6 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30. 201 7 and December3 l. 201 6 Condensed Consolidated Staternents ofCash Flows - Six Months Ended June 30. 20 I 7 and 20 I 6 Condensed Consolidated Statements ofEouitv - Six Months Endcd Junc 3 0. 20 I 7 and 20 1 6 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements Note l Summary ofSignificant Accounting Policies Note 2. New Accounting Standards Note 3. Derivatives and Risk Manaqement Note 4. Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Note 5. Committed Lines of Credit Note 6. Lone-Term Debt and Capital Leases Note 7. Lons-Tenn Debt to Affiliated Trusts Note 8. FairValue Note 9. Common Stock Note I 0. Eaminss oer Common Share Attributable to Avista Comoration Shareholders Note I l. Commitrnents and Continsencies Note 12. Information by Busincss Scqments Note I 3. Subseguent Events Report oflndependent Registered Public Accounting Firm Item 2 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Business Sesments Executive Level Sumrnary Regulatory Matters Results ofOoerations - Overall Non-GAAP Fi nancial Measures Results of Ooerations - Avista Utilities Results of Operations - Alaska Electric Light and Power Comoany Results ofOnerations - Other Businesses Critical Accountine Policies and Estimates Liouiditv and Caoital Resources Overall Liouidit], Review ofCash Flow Statement Canital Resources Capital Expenditurcs Off-Balance Sh eet Arran gements Pension Plan Contractual Obliqations Page No. I !. s 5 6 Z 9 ll 12 12 l4 l-6. 20 2t 22 21 23 27 28 28 ?o 3l 32 33 33 J]n 40 42 42 5! 54 54 55 55 55 l5 57 57 51 57 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 79 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Environmental Issues and Other Contineencies Enterprise Risk Management Item 3. Ouantitative and Oualitative Disclosures about Market Risk Item 4. Controls and hocedures Part II. Oth er In formation Item l. Leeal Proceedines Item lA. Risk Factors Iterr 2. Item 4. Item 6. Unresistered Sales ofEouitv Securities and Use ofProceeds Mine Safetv Disclosures Exhibits Signature ii 57 t-E 59. 59. 52 59 60 60 6r 62 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 180 of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Forward-Lookins Statements From time to time, we makc forwardlooking statements such as statcmcnts rcgarding projcctcd or futurc: . financial performance; . cash flows; . capital expenditures; . dividends; . capital structure; . other financial items; . strategic goals and objectives; . business environment; and . plans loroperations. These statements are based upon underlying assumptions (many ofwhich are based, in tum, upon furtherassumptions). Such statements are made both in our tcports filed under the Sccuritics Exchange Act of 1 934, as amendcd (including this Quarterly Repoft on Form 1 0-Q), and clscwhere. FonrardJooking statements are all statements except those ofhistorical fact including, without limitation, those that are identified by the use ofwords that include "will," ForwardJooking statements (including those made in this Quarterly Report on Form 1 0-Q) are subject to a variety ofrisks, uncertainties and other factors. Most ofthese factom are beyond our control and may have a significant effect on our operations, results ofoperations, financial condition or cash flows, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our statements. Such nsks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: Financial Risk . weathcr conditions (temperatures, precipitation lcvels and wind pattems), which affcct both cncrgy demand and elcctric generating capability, including the effect ofprecipitation and temperature on hydroelectric r€sources, the eflect ofwind pattems on wind-generated power, weather- sensitive customer demand, and similar effects on supply and demand in the wholesale energy markets; . our ability to obtain financing through the issuance ofdcbt and/or equity sccuritics, which can be affectcd by various factors including our credit ratings, interest rates and other capital market conditions and the global economy; . changes in interest rates that affect borrowing costs, our ability to effectively hedge interest rates for anticipated debt issuances, variable interest rate borrowing and the extent to which we recover interest costs through retail rates collected from custorners; . changes in actuarial assumptions, interest rates and the actual retum on plan assets for our pension and other postretirernent benefit plans, which can aflect future funding obligations, pension and other postretirement benefit expense and the related liabilities' . deterioration in the creditworthiness ofour customers; . the outcome oflegal proceedings and othercontingencies; . economic conditions in our service areas, including the economy's effects on customer demand forutility services; . declining energy demand related to customerenergy efficiency and/orconservation measures; . changes in the long-term global and our utilities' service area climates, which can affect, among other things, customer demand pattems and the volume and timing of strcamflows to our hydroclcctric resourccs; Utility Regulatory Risk . state and federal regulatory decisions or related judicial decisions that affect our ability to recover costs and eam a reasonable retum including, but not Iimited to, disallowance or delay in the recovery ofcapital investments, operating costs and commodity costs and discretion over allowed retum on investment; . possibility that our integrated resourcc plans for clectric and natural gas will not be acknowlcdged by thc state commissions; Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 181 of414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Energy Commodity Risk . volatility and illiquidity in wholesale energy markets, including the availability ofwilling buyers and sellers, changes in wholesale energy prices that can affcct opcrating income, caslt rcquirements to purchase clectricity and natural gas, value receivcd forwholesalc salcs, collateral rcquired of us by counterparties in wholesale energy transactions and credit risk to us from such transactions, and the market value ofderivative assets and liabilities; . default or nonperformance on the part ofany parties from whom we purchase and/or sell capacity or energy; . potential cnvironmental rcgulations affccting our ability to utilizc or resulting in the obsolcsccnce ofour power supply rcsources; Operational Risk . severe weather or natural disasters, including, but not limited to, avalanches, wind storms, wildfires, earthquakes, snow and ice storms, that can disrupt energy generation, transmission and distribution, as well as the availability and costs ofmaterials, equipment, supplies and suppo( services, . explosions, fires, accidents, mechanical breakdowns orotherincidents that may impairassets and may disrupt operations ofany ofourgeneration facilities, transmission, and electric and natural gas distribution systcms or othcr operations and may require us to purchasc replacemcnt power; . wildfires caused by our electric transmission or distribution systems that may result in public injuries or property damage; . public injuries or damage arising from or allegedly arising from our operations; . blackouts ordisruptions ofinterconnected transmission systems (the regional powergrid); . terrorist attacks, cyber attacks or other malicious acts that may disrupt or cause damage to our utility assets or to the national or regional economy in general, including any effects ofterrorism, cyber attacks or vandalism that darnage or disrupt information technology systems; . work force issues, including changes in collective bargaining unit agreements, strikes, work stoppages, the loss ofkey executives, availability of workers in a variety ofskill areas, and our ability to recruit and retain employees; . increasing costs ofinsurance. more restrictive coverage terms and ourability to obtain insurance; . delays or changes in con struction costs, and/or our ability to obtain required permits and materials for present or prospective facilities; . increasing health care costs and cost ofhealth insurance provided to ouremployees and retirees; . third party construction of buildings, billboard signs, towen or oth er structures within our rights of way, or placement of fuel receptacles within close proximity to our transfonners or other equiprnent, including overbuild atop natural gas distribution lines; . thc loss of kcy suppliers for materials or scrvices or disruptions to thc supply chain; . adverse impacts to our Alaska opcrations that could rcsult from an extended outage of its hydroelectric gcn crating rcsourccs or their inability to deliver energy, due to their lack ofinterconnectivity to any other electrical grids and the extensive cost ofreplacement power (diesel); . changing river regulation at hydroelectric facilities not owned by us, which could impact our hydroelectric facilities downstream; Compliance Risk . compliance with extensive federal, state and local legislation and regulation, including numerous environmental, health, safety, infrastructure protection, rcliability and other laws and regulations that affect our opcrations and costs; . the ability to comply with the temrs ofthe licenses and permits forourhydroelectric orthermal generating facilities at cost-effective levels; Technology Risk . cyber attacks on us or our vendors or other potential lapses that result in unauthonzed disclosure ofprivate information, which could result in liabilities against us, costs to investigate, remediate and defend, and damage to our reputationi 2 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 182of414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION . disruption to or breakdowns ofinformation systems, automated controls and other technologies that we rely on for our operations, communications and customer scrvice; . changes in costs that impcdc our ability to effectivcly implcment new information tcchnology systems or to operatc and maintain current production technology; . changes in technologies, possibly making some ofthe current technology we utilize obsolete or the introduction ofnew technology that may create new cyber security risk; . insufficient tcchnology skills, which could lcad to thc inability to devclop, modify or maintain our information systcms; Strategic Risk . growth or decline ofour customer base and the extent to which new uses for our services may mateialize or existing uses may decline, including, but not limited to, the effect ofthe trend toward distributed generation at customer sites, . the potential effects ofnegative publicity regarding business practices, whether true ornot, which could result in litigation or a decline in our common stock priccl . changes in our strategic business plans, which may be affected by any or all ofthe foregoing, including the entry into new businesses and/or the exit liom existing businesses and the extent ofour business development efforts where potential future business is uncenain; . non-regulated activities may increase eamings volatility; . failure to complete the proposed merger transaction could negatively impact the market price of Avista Corp.'s common stock or result in tcrmination fecs that could have a matcrial advcrsc effect on our results ofopcrations, financial condition, and cash flows; . the announced mergertransaction could result in shareholderclass action lawsuits against the Company, its management team and board of directors; External Mandates Risk . changes in environmental laws, regulations, decisions and policies, including present and potential environmental remediation costs and our compliancc with thcsc mattcrs; . the potential effects oflegislation or administrative rulemaking at the federal, state or local levels, including possible effects on our generating resources ofrestrictions on greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate concems over global climate changes; . political pressures or regulatory practices that could constrain or place additional cost burdens on our distribution systems through accelerated adoption ofdistributcd gcncration or clcctric-powcred transportation or on our encrgy supply sourccs, such as campaigns to halt coal-fircd power generation and opposition to other thermal generation, wind turbines or hydroelectric facilities; . wholesale and retail competition including altemative energy sources, growth in customer-owned power resource technologies that displace utility- supplied energy or that may be sold back to the utility, and altemative energy suppliers and delivery arrangements; . failure to identifo changes in legislation, taxation and regulatory issues which are detrimental orbeneficial to ouroverall business; . policy and/or lcgislativc changes rcsulting from the new prcsidential administration in various rcgulated arcas, including, but not limitcd to, potential tax reform, environmental regulation and healthcare regulations; and . the risk ofmunicipalization in any ofour service territories. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith. We believe they are reasonable based on, without limitation, an examination of historical operating trends, our records and other information available from third parties. There can be no assunnce that our expectations, beliefs or projections will be achieved or accomplished. Furthermore, any forwardJooking statement speaks only as ofthe date on which such statement is made. We undertake no obligation to update any forwardJooking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statcment is made or to rcflcct the occurence ofunanticipated evcnts. New risks, unccrtaintics and othcr factors emcrgc from timc to timc, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors, nor can we assess the effect ofeach such factor on our business or the 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 183 of4l4 Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION extent that any such factor or combination offactom may cause actual results to differmaterially from those contained in any forwardJooking statement. Available Information Our website address is rrrvw.avistacorp.com. We make annual, quarterly and current reports available at our website as soon as practicable after electronically filing these reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Information contained on our website is not part of this report. 4 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 84 of 414 Table ol Contents Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Avista Corporation PART I. Financial Information Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts (Unaudited) Operating Revenues: Utility revenues Non-utility rcvenues Total operating revenues Operating Expenses: Uti I ity operating expenses: Resource costs Othcr opcrating cxpcnscs Depreciation and amonization Taxes other than income taxes Non-utility operating expenses: Othcr operating cxpcnscs Depreciation and amortization Total operating expenses Income from operations Interest expense Irltercst expcnse to affiliated trusts Capitalized interest Other income-net Income before income taxes Income tax expense Net income Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders Weighted-average common shares outstanding (thousands), basic Weighted-average common shares outstanding (thousands), diluted Eamings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders: Basic Diluted Dividends declared per common share Three months ended June 30,Six months endcd June 30, 2.O17 20t6 20t7 2016 $308,729 $ 5,772 312,888 $ 5,950 739.266 s I 1,705 725,681 I 1,330 314,501 318,838 750,971 737.0t1 102,7 5t 8l ,965 42,643 23,802 7,086 157 I09,8t5 78,666 39,678 22,615 6,281 t92 268,337 156.449 84,628 56,464 271,534 t54,445 78,870 52,000 13,265 345 12,t06 380 258404 257,247 579,488 569,335 56,097 23,670 200 (8e0) (l,6s6) 6l .591 21,31 8 154 (837) (3,04 l ) t7 I,483 47,215 385 (1,614) (4,7 s7) 167,676 42,591 292 (1,7sl) (s,463) 43,997 16,710 130.254 46,395 132,007 47,055 2t,722 19 27,287 (33 ) 83,859 28 84,952 (4e) s 2t,771 $ 27,254 S 83,887 $ 84,903 64,401 64,553 63,3 86 63,7 83 64,382 64.51 I 62,995 63,368 $0.34 $ 0.43 $1.30 $1.35 $0.34 $0.43 s 1.30 $1.34 $ 0.3575 $ 0.3425 $ 0.71 50 $ 0.6850 The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part ofThese Statements. 5 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 185 of414 34,77 3 13,051 Ialtl4sil.4ls CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPRETIENSWE INCOME Avista Corporation Dollars in thousands (Unaudited) Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30, 20t7 2016 20t6 Othcr Comprchcnsivc Incomc (Loss): Total othercomprehensive income (loss) attributable to lnterests The Accompanying Notes are an Integrul Part ofThese Statemeuts. 6 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page I 86 of 414 201'7 $ 7t,722 $ 27,287 $ 83.859 $ 84,952 183 140 366 ( l ,089) 183 r40 366 (1,089) 84,225 8 3,863 $ 21,954 $ 27,394 $ 84,253 $ 83,814 2l,905 49 27,427 (33)28 (4e) Teble of Contents CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SMETS Avista Corporatiott Dollan in thousands (Unaudited) June 30, 201',7 December 3 l, 20t6 Asscts: Accounts and notes allowances of$5,607 and $5,026,180,265 Materials and fuel stock and stored natural 53,314 Other current assets 49,625 Net Utility Construction work in Less: Accumulated Other Non-current Assets: and amortization 1,558,773 Goodwill 57,672 57,672 Total other non-curent asscts 148,706 141,443 assets for deferred income tax Other regulatory assets Non-current asset derivatives Total deferred The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part ofThese Statements. 7 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 1 87 of 414 $13,4t0 $ 133,946 13,982 61,187 35,808 62,403 320,736 35t,341 5,6t7 ,233 I 69,000 5.506,499 150.47 4 5,656,973 1,509,473 4,147,500 r 18,984 234,046 r 34.533 168,084 15,023 5,432 l 09,853 240,114 135,75 r I 61 ,508 I 6,91 9 5,326 6'76,102 669,47 t $ 5,373,004 $ 5,309,755 Trble of Contents CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued) Avisla Corporation Dollars in thousands (Unaudited) June 30, 2017 Deccmbcr 3 1, Current Liabilities: Current dcbt and leases 2'/7,814 3,287 derivative liabilities 7,035 Accrued taxes otherthan income taxes Current and other benefits 11,235 Other current liabilities debt and leases t,403,064 | ,678,7 t7 retirement costs 2 80,5 80 273,983 income taxes 840,928 Other non-current liabilities and defened credits l53,3r9 Commitments and (See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements) Common stock, no par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 64,408,983 and, 64,187 ,934 shares issued and ofJune 2017 and December3 I ,07 5,667 Retained Interests liabilities and equity $ 5,3 73,004 $ 5,309,7 55 The Accompanying Noles are an Integral Part ofThese Statenents. 8 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 188 of414 $ l0 3.66 I )10 1,075,281 (7,s68) 581,014 1,68?,173 (21e) 1.648,727 (25r) l,686,894 I ,648,47 6 Table of Contents CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Avisla Corporation For the Six Months Ended June 30 Dollan in thousands (Unaudited) 2017 2016 $ 84,952 and amortization 86,790 8l ,071 Power and natural cost 6,366 9,958 Amortization of investment in I,225 1,225 Allowance for Funds Used Construction (AIUDC)(3,292)(4,3 68) Amortization of contract 7,192 defen-al 10,365 (24,787) Contributions to defined beneflt plan (! 4,800)(8,000) Accounts and notes receivable 45.37 5 50,062 Collateral for derivative instruments (s,4 60 )(8 3,499) Other current assets (3,82s)(4A36) Other current liabilities (3,787)3,197 ,l 53 The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements. 9 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 189 of4l4 Investing Activities: Utility propcrty capital cxpcnditurcs (cxcluding cquity-rclatcd AFUDC) Issuance ofnotes receivable at subsidiaries Equity and property investments made by subsidiaries Distributions received from investments Other Net cash used in investing activities 228,526 155,951 (177 ,714) (2,s00) (l 0,347) t,915 (e43) (l 82,8 l s) (9,668) (6,98 8) (r 89,s89)(206,624) Table of Contents CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued) Avisla Corporation For the Six Months Ended June 30 Dollars in thousands (Unaudited) 2017 2016 16,000 $55,000 1,247 47,t73 The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Parl ofThese Statemenls. 10 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 190 of4l4 Financing Activities: Net increase in short-term borrowings Maturity of long-tcrm debt and capital lcascs Issuance ofcommon stock. net ofissuance costs Cash dividends paid Other Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning ofperiod Cash and cash equivalents at end ofperiod $ (34,034)53,7 t I 3.03 8 r 0y'84 4.903 8,507 $13,410 $t3,522 Table of Contents CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUTTY Avista Corporation For the Six Months Ended June 30 Dollars in thousands (Unaudited) 20162017 Shares ofperiod 62,31 Shares outstanding at end ofperiod 63,704,295 Balance $ 1,075,281 $ 1,004,336 Issuance of common net ofissuance costs Balance at end ofperiod 47,173 | ,0'7 5,667 1,052,1 90 Balance at Balance at end ofperiod 581,014 530,940 Cash dividends on common stock Total Avista shareholdcrs'I ,687 ,t'7 3 1,617,02'7 Balance at (33e) Balance at end ofperiod The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part ofThese Staternents, l1 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 191 of4l4 64,187,934 221,049 (7,s68) 366 (6,6s0) (1,089) (7,739)(7,202) 618,708 572,57 6 (251) (28) (27e)(2e0) $ r,686,894 $ 1,6t6,737 49 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements ofAvista Corporation (Avista Corp. or the Company) as ofand for the interim periods ended June 3 0, 20 I 7 and June 30,2016 are unaudited; however, in the opinion ofmanagement, the statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair statement ofthe results for the intcrim periods. All such adjustments arc ofa normal recurring naturc. Thc condcnscd consolidated financial statcmcnts havc bccn prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ofAmerica (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form | 0-Q and Rule I 0-0 I ofRegulation S-X. Tlte Condensed Consolidated Statements oflncome for the interirn periods are not necessarily indicative ofthe results to be expected for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not contain the detail or footnote disclosure conceming accounting policies and other matters which would be included in full fiscal year consolidated financial statements; therefore, they should be rcad in conjunction with the Company's auditcd consolidatcd financial statements includcd in the Company's Annual Rcport on Form I 0-K for thc ycar ended December31,2016 (2016 Form l0-K). Please referto the section "Acronyms and Terms" in the 201 6 Form l0-Kfordefinitions ofcertain terms not defined herein. The acronyms and terms are an integral part ofthese condensed consolidated financial statements. NOTE I. SI,]MMARY OF SIGMFICANT ACCOT]NTING POLICIES Nature of Business Avista Corp. is primarily an electric and natural gas utility with certain otherbusiness ventures. Avista Utilities is an operating division ofAvista Corp., comprising the regulated utility operations in the Pacific Northwest. Avista Utilities provides electric distribution and transmission, and natural gas distribution services in parts ofeastem Washington and northem Idaho. Avista Utilities also provides natural gas distribution service in parts ofnortheastem and southwestem Oregon. Avista Utilities has electric generating facilities in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. Avista Utilities also supplies electricity to a small number of customers in Montana, most of whom are employees who operate Avista Utilities'Noxon Rapids generating facility. Alaska Encrgy and Rcsources Company (AERC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avista Corp. The primary subsidiary of AERC is Alaska Elcctric Light and Power Company (AEL&P), which comprises Avista Corp.'s regulated utility operations in Alaska. Avista Capital, Inc. (Avista Capital), a wholly ou,r:red non- regulated subsidiary ofAvista Corp., is the parent company ofall ofthe subsidiary companies in the non-utility businesses, with the exception ofAJT Mining Properties, Inc., which is a subsidiary of AERC. Basis ofReporting The condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses ofthe Company and its subsidiaries and other majonty owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities for which the Company or its subsidiaries are the primary beneficiaries, Intercompany balances were eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the Company's proportionate share ofutility plant and related operations resulting from its interests in jointly owned plants. Taxes Other Than Income Taxes Taxes other than income taxes include state excise taxes, city occupational and franchise taxes, real and personal property taxes and certain other taxes not based on income. Thesc taxes are generally bascd on revcnucs or thc value ofproperty. Utility relatcd taxcs collcctcd from customers (prirnarily statc cxcise taxes and city utility taxes) are reconded as operating rcvenue and expense. Taxes other than income taxes consisted ofthe following items for the three and six months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands): Three months ended June 30.Six months ended June 30, 20],7 2016 2017 20t6 Utility related taxes Property taxes Other taxes Total s t3,552 $ 9,432 818 12,5?3 $ 9,290 752 35,1 36 S I 9,83 8 1,490 30,93 8 19,710 1,352 $ 23,802 $22,615 S 56,464 $52,000 12 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 192 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Materials and Supplies, Fuel Stock and Storcd Nataral Gas Inventories ofmaterials and supplies, fuel stock and stored natural gas are recorded at average cost for our regulated operations and the lower ofcost or net rcalizable value for our non-regulated operations and consisted ofthe following as ofJune 30,2017 and Decembcr 3 I , 20 I 6 (dollars in thousands): June 30, Dccember 3 I, 20t7 2016 Matenals and supplies Fuel stock Stored natural gas Total $4t,492 $ 5,921 40,700 4,585 8,029l3774 $61,187 S 53,3 r 4 Defivative Assets and Liabilities Derivatives are recorded as either assets or liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets measured at estimated fair value. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Cornmission GITC) and the Idaho Public Utitities Commission (IPUC) issued accounting orders authorizing Avista Corp. to offset energy commodity derivative assets or liabilities with a regulatory asset or liability. This accounting treatment is intended to defer the recognition ofmark-to-market gains and losses on energy commodity transactions until the period ofdelivery. Realized benefits and costs result in adjustments to retail rates through purchased gas cost adjustments, the Energy Recovery Mechanisrn (ERM) in Washington, the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) mechanism in ldaho, and periodic general rate cases. The resulting regulatory assets have been concluded to be probable ofrecovery through future rates. Substantially all forward contracts to purchase or sell power and natural gas are recorded as derivative assets or liabilities at estimated fair value with an offsetting rcgulatory assct or liability. Contracts that arc not considercd derivatives arc accountcd for on the accrual basis until thcy are settlcd or realizcd unless there is a decline in the fairvalue ofthe contract that is determined to be other-than-temporary. For interest rate swap derivatives, Avista Corp. records all mark-to-market gains and losses in each accounting period as assets and liabilities, as well as offsetting regulatory assets and tiabitities, such that there is no income statement impact. The interest rate swap derivatives are risk management tools similar to energy commodity derivatives. Upon settlement ofinterest rate swap derivatives, the regulatory asset or liability is amortized as a component ofinterest expense over the term ofthe associated debt. The Company records an offset ofinterest rate swap derivative assets and liabi lities with regulatory assets and liabilities, based on the prior practicc ofthe commissions to provide rccovery through the ratcmaking process. As of Junc 30,2017 , thc Company has multiplc master nctting agrccments with a varicty of cntities that allow for cross-commodity nctting of derivativc agreements with the same counterparty (i.e. power derivatives can be netted with natural gas derivatives). In addition, some master netting agreements allow for the netting ofcommodity derivatives and interest rate swap derivatives for the same counterparty. The Company does not have any agreements which allow for cross-affiliate netting among multiple affiliated legal entities. The Company nets all derivative instruments when allowed by the agreement for presentation in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Fair Value Meosuruments Fair value represents the price that would be received when selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measuremcnt date. Energy commodity dcrivativc asscts and liabilitics, defencd compcnsation asscts, as wc[[ as derivatives rclatcd to interest rate swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts, are reported at estimated fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 8 for the Company's fair value disclosures. l3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 193 of4l4 Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net oftax, consisted ofthe following as ofJune 30,2017 and December 3 I , 20 I 6 (dollars in thousands): June 30, 201,7 Unfundcd benefit obligation for pcnsions and other postrctirement benefit plans - nct oftaxcs of$3,8 78 and $4,075, respectively $7,202 s The following table details the reclassifications out ofaccumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the three and six months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands). AmounLs Reclassificd from Accumulated Other Comprehensivc Loss Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, December 3l 2016 Details about Accumulated Othcr Comprchcnsive Loss Componcnts 2017 2016 2017 2016 7,568 Affected Line ltem in Statement of Income Amortization of defined benefit pension items Amortization ofnet prior service cost Amortization of net loss Adjustment due to effects ofregulation S (299) $ (3ll) $ (5e8) $ (622) (a) 3,638 3,642 $ 7,276 $ 7,284 (a) (3,0s7) (3,1 I 5) (6,1 I 5) (8,338) (u) (b) 282 216 563 (1,676) Total beforc tax (76) (l 97) 587 Tax benefit (expense) $ 183 $ 140 S 366 $ (1,089) Netoftax (a) These accumulated othercomprehensive loss components are included in the computation ofnet periodic pension cost (see Note 4 foradditional details).(b) TheadjustmentfortheeffectsofregulationduringthesixmonthsendedJune30,20l6includesapproximately$2.1 millionrelatedtothe reclassification ofa pension regulatory asset associated with one ofourjurisdictions into accumulated other comprehensive loss. Contingencies The Company has unresolved regulatory, legal and tax issues which have inherently uncertain outcomes. The Cornpany accrues a loss contingency ifit is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount ofthe loss or impairment can be reasonably estimated. The Company also discloses loss contingencies that do not meet these conditions for accrual ifthere is a reasonable possibility that a material loss may be incurred. As ofJune 30, 20 1 7, the Company has not recorded any significant amounts related to unresolved contingencies. See Note I I for further discussion ofthe Company's commitments and contingencies. NOTE 2. NEWACCOI,]NTING STANDARDS ASU No. 201 4-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Cuslomers (Topic 606)" In May 2014, the FASB issucd ASU No. 2014-09, which outlincs a single comprehcnsive model for cntities to usc in accounting for rcvenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle ofthe rEvenue model is that an entity should identify the various performance obligations in a contract, allocate the transaction price among the perfonnance obligations and recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies each performance obligation. This ASU is effective for periods beginning afler December I 5, 20 I 7. The Company has a revenue recognition standard implementation team that is working through implementation issues. The Company has evaluated this standard and is planning to adopt this standard in 201 8 upon its effective date. The Company is expecting to use a modified retrospective method of adoption, which would require a cumulativc adjustment to opening rctained camings, as opposed to a full retrospcctive application. Bascd on work performed to date, the Company has not identified any material cumulative adjustments necessary. 14 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 194 of 414 Table of C-ontents AVISTA CORPORATION Since the majority ofAvista Corp.'s revenue is from rate-regulated sales ofelectricity and natural gas to retail customers and revenue is recognized as energy is delivered to these customers, the Company does not expect a significant change in operating revenues or net income. The Company is in the process ol reviewing and analyzing certain contracts with customers (most ofwhich are related to wholesale sales ofpower and natural gas) and has not yet identified any significant differences in revenue recognition between current GAAP and ASU No. 2014-09. During the implementation process, the Company has identified several issues, the most significant ofwhich are as follows based on our current assessment: Contributions in Aid ol Construction - There was the potential that contributions in aid ofconstruction (CIAC) could be recognized as revenue upon the adoption of ASU No. 201449. Undercurrent GAAP, CIACs are accounted foras an offset to the cost of utility plant in service. Current preliminary implementation guidance indicates that CIACs will continue to be accounted for as an oflset to utility plant in service. Utilitv-Related Tdxes Collected from Customers - There were questions on the presentation ofutility related taxes collected from customers (primarily state excise taxes and city utility taxes) on a gross basis. Under current CAAP, the Company is allowed to record these utility related taxes on a gross basis in revenue when billed to customers with an offset included in taxes other than income taxes in operating expenses. The Company evaluated whether this gross presentation is appropriate underASU 2014-09 and the Company's preliminary assessment indicates that there will be no material changes to current presentation. Collectibililv -There were questions regarding the requirement that collection ofa sale be probable and how, or if, utilities should consider bad debt collection mechanisms (ridcrs, base rate adjustmcnts, ctc.) in asscssing probability ofcollcction on sales to low income customers. Currcnt prcliminary implementation guidance indicates that bad debt collection mechanisms should be considered; therefore, the Company does not expect a change to its current presentation going forward. The Company is monitoring utility industry implementation guidance as it relates to certain issues to determine if there will be an industry consensus regarding accounting and presentation ofthese items. In addition to the issues dcscribed above, thc Company also expccts significant changcs to its rcvcnuc-rclated footnote disclosurcs. Thc Company continucs to evaluate what information would be most useful forusers of the financial statements, including information already provided elsewhere in the document outside the footnote disclosures. These additional disclosures could include the disaggregation ofrevenues by geographic location, type ofservice, source of revenue or customer class. Also, the Company expects enhanced disclosures regarding its revenue recognition policies and elections. ASU No. 2 0 1 6-02 "Leases (Topic 84 2). " In February 20 I 6, thc FASB issucd ASU No. 2016-02. This ASU introduccs a new lcssce modcl that rcquires most lcascs to be capitalized and shown on the balance sheet with corresponding lease assets and liabilities. The standard also aligns certarn ofthe underlying principles ofthe new lessor model with those in Topic 606, the FASB's new revenue recognition standard. Furthermore, this ASU addresses other issues that arise under the current lease model; for example, eliminating the required use ofbright-line lests in current GAAP for determining lease classification (operating leases versus capital leases). This ASU also includes enhanced disclosures surrounding leases. This ASU is effective for periods beginning on or after December I 5, 20 I 8; however, early adoption is permitted. Upon adoption, this ASU must bc applicd using a modificd rctrospcctivc approach to the carliest pcriod prescntcd, which will likcly require restatements ofpreviously issued financial statements. The modified retrospective approach includes a number ofoptional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. The Cornpany evaluated tlris standard and determined that it will most likely not early adopt this standard before its effective date in 2019. The Company has formed a lease standard implementation team that is working through the implementation process. The most significant implementation challenge identified thus far relates to identifoing a complete population ofleases and potential Ieases under the new lease standard. AIso, thc Company is monitoring utility industry implcmentation guidancc as it rclates to scveral unrcsolvcd issues to dcterminc ifthere will be an industry consensus, including whether righrof-ways are considered leases. The Company has not yet estimated the potential impact on its future financial condition, results ofoperations and cash flows. ASU No. 201 6-09 "Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 7 I 8): lmprovemenls to Employee Share-Based Paymenl Accounting." In March 2016, the FASB issued ASUNo.2016-09. ThisASUsimplified several aspectsofthe accounting foremployee share-based payment transactions including: l5 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 195 of4l4 Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION . allowing excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies to be recognized as income tax benefits or expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of lncome rather than in Additional Paid in Capital (APIC), . excess tax benefits no longer represent a financing cash inflow on the Condensed Consolidated Statements ofCash Flows and instead will be included as an operaling activity. . rcquiring exccss tax benefits and tax dcficiencics to be excluded liom the calculation ofdilutcd camings pcr sharc, whcrcas undcr prcvious accounting guidance, these amounts had to be estimated and included in the calculation, . allowing forfeitures to be accounted for as they occur, instead ofestimating forfeitures, and . changing the statutory tax withholding requirements for share-based payrnents. The Cornpany early adopted this standard during the second quarter of20 I 6, with a retrospective effective date ofJanuary I , 20 I 6. The adoption ofthis standard resulted in a recognized income tax benefit of$ I .6 million in 20 I 6 associated with excess tax benefits on settled share-based employee payments. Because this standard was adopted in the second quarter of20 I 6, but had a retrospective effective date ofJanuary I , 20 I 6, the effects from the adoption were rcflcctcd in thc first quartcr of20 I 6 and thc Condensed Consolidatcd Financial Statcments for that quarter wcrc rccast from those presentcd when thc financial statements were originally issued. ASU No. 20 I 7-07 "Compensation-Retiremenl BeneJits (Topic 7 I 5): lmproving the Presentation oJ Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretiremenl Benefit Cosl " In March 20 1 7, the FASB issued ASU No. 20 1 7-07, which amends the income statement presentation ofthe components ofnet period benefit cost for an entity's defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. Under current GAAP, net benefit cost consists ofseveral components that reflect different aspects ofan employer's financial arrangements as well as the cost ofbenefits eamed by employees. These components are aggregated and reported net in the financial statcmcnts. ASU No. 2017 -07 rcquircs cntitics to (l ) disaggrcgatc the currcnt scrvicc-cost component from the othcr componcnts ofnet bcncfit cost (other components) and present it with other current compensation costs for related employees in the income statement and (2) present the other components elsewhere in the incorne statement and outside of income fiom operations. In addition, only the service-cost component olnet benefit cost is eligible lor capitalization (e.g., as part ofutility plant). This is a change from current practice, undcr which cntities capitalizc thc aggrcgate nct bcnefit cost to utility plant whcn applicablc, in accordancc with Fcdcral Energy and Rcgulatory Commission (FERC) accounting guidance. Avista Corp. is a rate-tegulated entity and all components ofnet benefit cost are currently recovered from rate payers as a component ofutility plant and under the new ASU these costs will continue to be recovered from rate payers in the same rnanner over the depreciable lives ofutility plant. As all such costs are expected to continue to be recoverable, the components that are no longer eligible to be recorded as a component ofplant for GAAP will be recorded as regulatory assets. This ASU is effective for periods beginning after December I 5, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. Upon adoption, entities must use a retrospective transition mcthod to adopt the requircmcnt for scparate prcscntation in the incomc statemcnt and a prospcctivc transition mcthod to adopt the requircment to limit the capitalizalion ofbenefit costs to the service-cost component. The Company does not expect to early adopt this standard and does not expect a material impact on its future financial condition, results ofoperations or cash flows upon adoption ofthis standard. NOTE 3. DERIVATIVES AND RISK MANAGEMENT The disclosures below in Note 3 apply only to Avista Corp. and its operating division Avista Utilities; AERC and its primary subsidiary AEL&P do not enter into derivative instruments. E nergy Co mmo dity De rivative s Avista Corp. is exposed to market nsks relating to changes in electricity and natural gas commodity prices and certain other fuel prices. Market risk is, in general, the risk of fluctuation in the market price of the commodity being traded and is influenced primarily by supply and dernand. Market risk includes the fluctuation in the market price of associated derivative commodity instruments. Avista Corp. utilizes derivative instruments, such as forwards, futures, swap derivatives and options in order to manage the various risks relating to these commodity price exposures. Avista Corp. has an energy resources risk policy and control procedures to manage these risks. As part oflAvista Corp.'s resource procurement and management operations in the electric business, Avista Corp. engages in an ongoing process ofresource optimization, which involves the economic selection from available energy resources to serve Avista Corp.'s Ioad obligations and the use ofthese resources to capture availablc cconomic valuc. Avista Corp. transacts in wholesalc markcts by selling and purclrasing electric capacity and energy, fuel for clcctric generation, and derivative contracts related to capacity, energy and fuel. Such transactions are part ofthe process ofmatching resources with load obligations and hedging a portion ofthe related financial risks. These transactions range from terms of intra-hour up to multiple years. t6 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 196 of4l4 Table 0f Contents AVISTA CORPORATION As part ofits resource procurement and management ofits natural gas business, Avista Corp. makes continuing projections ofits natural gas loads and assesses available natural gas resources including natural gas storage availability. Natural gas resource planning typically includes peak requirements, low and average monthly requirements and delivery constraints from natural gas supply locations to Avista Corp.'s distribution system. However, daily variations in natural gas demand can be significantly different than monthly demand projections. On the basis ofthese projections, Avista Corp. plans and executes a serics oftransactions to hedgc a portion ofits projected natural gas rcquircmcnts through fonward markct transactions and derivative instrumcnts. Thcsc transactions may extend as much as four natural gas operating years (November through October) into the future. Avista Corp. also leaves a significant portion ofits natural gas supply requirernents unhedged forpurchase in short-term and spot markets. Avista Corp. plans for sufficient natural gas delivery capacity to serve its retail customers for a theoretical peak day event. Avista Corp. generally has more pipeline and storage capacity than what is needed during periods otherthan a peak day. Avista Corp. optimizes its natural gas resources by using market opportunities to generate economic value that helps mitigate fixed costs. Avista Corp. also optimizes its natural gas storage capacity by purchasing and storing natural gas when prices are traditionally lower, typically in the summer, and withdrawing during higher priced months, typically during the winter. However, ifmarket conditions and prices indicate that Avista Corp. should buy or sell natural gas at other times during the year, Avista Corp. engages in optimization transactions to capture value in the marketplace. Natural gas optimization activities include, but are not limited to, wholesale market sales of surplus natural gas supplies, purchases and sales ofnatural gas to optimize use ofpipeline and storage capacity, and participation in the transportation capacity release market. The following table presents the underlying energy commodity derivative volumes as ofJune 30,2017 that are expected to be delivered in each respective year (in thousands of MWrs and mrnBTUs): Purchases Sales Elcctric Dcrivatives Gas Dcrivativcs Elcctric Dcrivativcs Gas Dcrivativcs Physical ( I ) MWH Financial ( I ) MWH Physical ( I ) mmBTUs Financial (l ) mmBTUs Physical ( I ) MWH Financial ( I ) MWH Physical ( I ) mmBTUs Financial ( I ) mmBTUsYcar Remainder 201 7 201 8 2019 2020 2021 Thereafter 185 397 235 999 307 737 7,418 610 910 63,423 78,488 42,77 5 ? 615 154 254 158 1.129 1,244 982 3,378 1,360 1.345 1,430 1,049 43,940 46,805 26,590 The following table presents the underlying energy cornmodity derivative volumes as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6 that are expected to be delivered in each respective year (in thousands of MWhs and mmBTUs): Purchues Sales El€ctric Derivatives Gas Derivativcs Elcctric Derivatives Gas Derivatives Physical ( I ) M\4+I Financial (1) MWH Physical (1 ) mmBTUs Financial ( I ) mmBTUs Physical ( I ) MWH Financial ( I ) MWH Physical ( I ) mnrRTl Is Financial ( I ) mmBTUsYear 2017 201 8 2019 2020 2021 Thereafter 510 397 235 907 t5,475 I 10,380 52,7 55 29,47 5 ) 1)\ 316 286 158 t,552 t,244 982 73,1 l 0 l5,l l3 4,020 4,1 65 1,i60 1,345 1.430 1,060 610 910 (1) Physical transactions represent commodity transactions in which Avista Corp. will take ormake delivery ofeitherelectricity ornatural gas; financial transactions represent derivative instruments with delivery ofcash in the amount ofthe benefit or cost but with no physical delivery ofthe commodity, such as futurcs, swap dcrivativcs, options, or fonvard contracts. The electric and natural gas derivative contracts above will be included in either power supply costs or natural gas supply costs during the period they are delivered and will be included in the various recovery mechanisms (ERM, PCA, and Purchased Gas Adjustments (PGA)), or in the general rate case process, and are expected to be collected through retail rdtes from customers. Appendix 6 to Joint Application t7 Page 197 of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Foreign Currency Exchange Derivatives A significant portion ofAvista Corp.'s natural gas supply (including fuel for power generation) is obtained from Canadian sources. Most ofthose transactions arc cxccuted in U.S. dollars, which avoids forcign currency risk. A porlion ofAvista Corp.'s short-tenn natural gas transactions and long-tcrm Canadian transportation contracts are committed based on Canadian currency prices and settled within 60 days with U.S. dollars. Avista Corp. hedges a portion ofthe foreign currency risk by purchasing Canadian currency exchange derivatives when such commodity transactions are initiated. The foreign currency exchange derivatives and the unhedged foreign culrency risk have not had a material effect on Avista Corp.'s financial condition, results ofoperations or cash flows and these differences in cost related to currency fluctuations are included with natural gas supply costs for ratemaking. The following table summarizes the foreign cunency exchange derivatives that Avista Corp. has outstanding as ofJune 30,2017 and December 3 I , 20 I 6 (dollars in thousands): June 30, Deccmber 3 l, 2017 2016 Number ofcontracts Notional amount (in United States dollars) Notional amount (in Canadian dollars) Interest Rate Derivatives Avista Corp. is affected by fluctuating interest rates related to a portion ofits existing debt, and future bonowing requirements. Avista Corp. hedges a portion ofits interest rate risk with financial derivative instruments, which may include interest rate swap derivatives and U.S. Treasury lock agreements. These interest rate swap derivatives and U.S. Treasury lock agreements are considered economic hedges against fluctuations in future cash flows associated with anticipated dcbt issuanccs. The following table summarizes the unsettled interest rate swap derivatives that Avista Corp. has outstanding as ofJune 30,2017 and December 3 I , 20 1 6 (dollan in thousands): Balance Sheet Date Number of Contracts Notional Amount Mandatory Cash Settlement Date $ 24 7,588 $ 10,075 2t 2,8t9 3.754 June 30,201 7 6 l4 6 ., 5 s 75,000 27 5,000 70,000 30,000 60,000 2017 201 8 2019 2020 2022 December3l,20166S75,0002017 t4 275.000 20r 8 6 70,000 2019 2 20,000 2020 5 60,000 2022 The fairvalue ofoutstanding interest rate swap derivatives can vary significantly from period to period depending on the total notional amount ofswap derivatives outstanding and fluctuations in market interest rates colnpared to the interest rates fixed by the swaps. Avista Corp. is required to rnake cash payments to settle the interest rate su'ap derivatives when the fixed rates are higher than prevailing market rates at the date ofsettlement. Conversely, Avista Corp. receives cash to settle its interest rate swap derivatives when prevailing market rates at the time ofsettlement exceed the fixed swap rates. Upon settlement ofinterest rate swaps, the cash payments made or received are recorded as a regulatory asset or liability and are amortized as a component of interest expense over the life ofthe associated debt. The settled interest rate swaps are also included as a part ofthe Company's cost ofdebt calculation for ratemaking purposes. l8 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 198 of4l4 Tabk of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Summary of Outstanding Derivalive Instruments The amounts recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as ofJune 30,2017 and December 3 1 , 20 I 6 reflect the offsetting ofderivative assets and liabilities where a legal right ofoffset exists. The following table presents the fairvalues and locations ofderivative instruments recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as ofJune 30, 2017 (in thousands): Fair Value as of June 30, 20 1 7 Dcrivative and Balancc Shcct Location Liability Net Asset (Liability) on Balance Shcct Gross Assct Gross Collateral Ncttcd Foreign currency exchange derivatives Other current assets Interest rate swap derivatives Othcr currcnt asscts Other properry and investments-net and other non-current assets Current interest nrte swap derivative liabilities Non-current interest rate swap derivative liabilities Energy commodity derivatives Other cunent assets Current energy commodity derivative liabilities Other non-current liabilities, regulatory liabilities and deferred credits Total derivative instruments recorded on the balance sheet Derivative and Balance Sheet Location $ 5,626 5,676 168 22,577 12,532 (208) (t,64s) (78,077) (336) (11) (36,716) (27,55s) 41,570 5,831 3,936 187 5,418 4,031 (36,s07) (336) 157 (8,3 08) (l l,087) 187 $$$ $ 46,766 $ (144,s48) $ s1,337 $ (46,44s) The following table presents the fair values and locations ofderivative instruments recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 3 l, 201 6 (in thousands): Fair Value as of Deccmber 3 I , 20 I 6 Gross Aset Gross Liabiliry Collatcral Netted Net Asset (Liabiliry) on Balance Sheet Foreign currency exchange derivatives Other current I iabilities Interest rate swap derivatives Other curenl assets Other property and investments-net and other non-current assets Current interest rate swap derivative liabilities Non-current intercst ratc swap dclivative liabilities Energy commodity derivatives Other current assets Current energy commodity derivative tiabilities Othcr non-cuncnt liabilities, regulatory liabilities and deferred credits Total denvative instruments recorded on the balance sheet $s$(28) $ (3e7) (l s,756) (s 7,82s ) (16,787) (29,s98) (29,990) $(23) 1 tg1 5157 (6,02s) (28,705) 1,895 (7,03s) ( l 3,289) 3,393 5,7 54 3,9s 1 18,682 16,335 I 3,071 q 71t 25,169 6,228 3,630 $ 6l,19l $ (1s0,381) $ 44,7s8 $ (44,432) Exposurc to Demandsfor Collateral Avista Corp.'s dcrivative contracts oftcn rcquire collatcral (in the form ofcash or lcttcrs ofcrcdit) or othcr credit enhancemcnts, or rcductions or tcrminations ofa portion ofthe contract through cash settlement. [n the event ofa downgrade in Avista Corp.'s credit ratings or changes in market prices, additional collateral may be required. In periods ofprice volatility. the level ofexposure can change significantly. As a result, sudden and significant demands may be made against Avista Corp.'s credit Appendix 6 to Joint Application l9 Page 199 of414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION facilities and cash. Avista Corp. actively monitors the exposure to possible collateral calls and takes steps to mitigate capital requirements. The following table presents Avista Corp.'s collateral outstanding related to its derivative instruments as of June 30, 201 7 and Decernber 3 I , 20 I 6 (in thousands): June 30, z0t'7 December 3 l, 2016 Energy commodity derivatives Cash collateral posted Letters of credit outstandin g Balancc shcct offsctting (cash collatcral against nct dcrivativc positions) Interest rate swap derivatives Cash collateral posted Letters of credit outstanding Balance sheet offsetting (cash collateral against net derivative positions) Energy commodity derivatives Liabilities with credit-risk-related contingent features Additronal collateral to post Interest rate swap derivatives Liabilities with credit-risk-related contingent features Additional collateral to post $15 ,924 $ 37,2s0 9,7 67 4t.570 13,100 41,570 t'7,134 24,400 9,858 34,900 3,600 34,900 Certain of Avista Corp.'s derivative instruments contain provisions that require Avista Corp. to maintain an "investment grade" credit rating from the major credit rating agencies. IfAvista Corp.'s credit ratings were to fall below "investment grade," it would be in violation ofthese provisions, and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions. The following table presents the aggregate fairvalue ofall derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a liability position and the amount ofadditional collateral Avista Corp. could be required to post as ofJun e 30,201'1 and December 3 I , 20 I 6 (in thousands): June 30, 2017 December 3 I 2016 $ 80,266 ll,2t0 I,124 1,046 73,978 21,100 648 648 $ NOTE 4. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS Avista Utilities Avista Utilities'pension and otherpostretirement plans have not changed during the six months ended June 30,2017. The Company's funding policy is to contribute at least the minimum amounts that are required to be funded under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, but not more than the maximum amounts that are currently deductible forincome tax purposes. The Company contributed $14.8 million in cash to the pension plan fortlre six months ended June 3 0, 2017 and expects to contribute a total of $22.0 million in 20 I 7. The Company contributed $ I 2.0 mill ion in cash to the pen sion plan in 20 I 6. 20 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 200 of 414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION The Company uses a December 3 I measurement date for its defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The following table sets lorth the components ofnet periodic benefit costs forthe three and six months ended June 30 (dollan in thousands): Pension Benefits Other Post-retirement Benefits 201'7 2016 201'7 2016 Three months ended June 30; Service cost lnterest cost Expected retum on plan assets Amortization ofprior scrvicc cost Net loss recognition Net periodic benefit cost Six months ended June 30: Service cost Intcrcst cost Expected retum on plan assets Amortization of prior service cost Net loss recognition Nct periodic bcncfit cost 1.623 $ 2,'77 3 (es0) (624) 2,593 1,583 3,093 (es0) (624) 2,859 s 5,092 $ 6,976 (7,900) 2,317 4,569 $ 6,900 (6,87s) 799 $ t,374 (47 s) (312) I,320 804 I,534 (47 s) (3t2) 1,4942,201 $ 6,485 $ 6,79s S 2,706 $ 3,04s $r0,134 $ 13,927 (r s,800) 4,863 9,088 $ 13,800 (r 3,62s) 4,091 $ 13,124 $ 13,354 $ 5,41s $5,961 Total net periodic benefit costs in the table above are recorded to the same accounts as labor expense. Labor and benefits expense is recorded to various projects based on whether the work is a capital project or an operating expense. Approximately 40 percent ofall labor and benefits is capitalized to utility property and 60 percent is expensed to other operating expenses. NOTE 5. COMMITTED LINES OF CREDIT Avista Corp, Avista Corp. has a committed line of credit with various financial institutions in the total amount of $400.0 million that expires in April 2021 . The committed line ofcredit is secured by non-transferable first mortgage bonds ofthe Company issued to the agent bank that would only become due and payable in the event, and then only to the extent, that the Company defaults on its obligations under the committed line ofcredit. Bonowings outstanding and interest rates ofborrowings (excluding letters ofcredit) under the Company's revolving committed line ofcredit were as follows as ofJune 30,2017 and December 3 I , 20 1 6 (dollars in thousands): June 30, December 3 1, 20t't 2016 Borrowings outstanding at end ofperiod $ 136,000 $ 120,000 Letters ofcredit outstanding at end ofperiod $ 56,703 S 34,353 Average interest rates at end ofpenod 1 .99% 1.50t% As ofJune 30, 20 I 7 and December 3 I , 20 I 6, the borrowings outstanding under Avista Corp.'s committed line ofcredit were classified as short-term borrowings on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The additional short-term borrowrngs outstanding as ofJune 30.201'7 on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet relate to a short-term note payable by a subsidiary for the acquisition of land that will be repaid in early 20 I 8. AEL&P AEL&P has a cornmitted line of credit in the amount of $25.0 million that expires in Novernber 201 9. As of June 30,2017 and December 3 I , 201 6, there were no borrowings or lettem ofcredit outstanding under this committed line ofcredit. The committed line ofcredit is secured by non-transferable first mortgage bonds ofAEL&P issued to the agent bank that would only become due and payable in the event, and then only to the extent, that AEL&P defaults on its obligations undcrthe committed linc of crcdit. 2t Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page20l of4l4 Table of Cotrtents AVISTA CORPORATION NOTE 6. LONG.TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASES The following details long-term debt outstanding as ofJune 30,2017 and December 3 1, 20 I 6 (dollars in thousands): Maturity InterestYear Desription Rate June 30, 20t7 December 3 I 20t6 Avista Corp. Secured Long-Term Debt 201 8 First Mortgage Bonds 2018 Secured Medium-Term Notes 2019 First Mortgage Bonds 2020 First Mortgage Bonds 2022 First Mortgage Bonds 2023 Secured Medium-Term Notes 2028 Secured Medium-Tem Notes 2032 Securcd Pollution Control Bonds (l) 2034 Secured Pollution Control Bonds (l) 2035 First Mortgage Bonds 2037 First Mortgage Bonds 2040 First Mortgage Bonds 2041 First Mortgage Bonds 2044 First Mortgage Bonds 2045 First Mortgage Bonds 2047 First Mortgage Bonds 2051 First Mortgage Bonds Total Avista Corp. secured long-term debt Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Secured Long-Term Debt 2044 First Mortgage Bonds TotaI securcd long-term dcbt Alaska Energy and Resources Company Unsecured Long-Term Debt 2019 Unsecured Term Loan Total secured and unsecured long+erm debt Other Long-Term Debt Components Capital lease obligations Unamortized debt discount Unamortized long-term debt issuance costs Total Sccured Pollution Control Bonds held by Avista Corporation (1) Cunent portion oflong-term debt and capital Ieases Total long-term debt and capital leases (l) 5.95% 7.39%-7.45% 5.45% 3.89% 5.13% 7.18%-7.54% 6.37% (t) (r ) 6.2s% 5.70% 5.55% 4.45% 4.1t% 4.37% 4.23% 3.54% 250,000 $ 22,500 90,000 52,000 250,000 13,500 25,000 66,700 17,000 150,000 150,000 35,000 85,000 60,000 100,000 80,000 175,000 250,000 22,500 90,000 52,000 250,000 13,500 25,000 66,700 17,000 150,000 150,000 35,000 85,000 60,000 100,000 80,000 175,000 $ I ,621,700 75,000 t,621,700 75,0004.54% 3.85% 1,696,700 15,000 1,696,700 15,000 1 ,7 11 ,700 I,711,700 63,791 (70e) ( l 0,204) 65.435 (7e2) (l 0,63 9) I ,7 64,57 8 (83,700) (27 7 ,814) | .7 65,704 (83,700) (3,2 8 7) $ 1,403,064 $ 1,678,717 In Dcccrnber 2010, $66.7 million and $ I 7.0 million of thc City of Forsyth, Montana Pollution Control Rcvcnue Refunding Bonds (Avista Corporation Colstrip hoject) due in 2032 ard 2034, respectively, which had been held by Avista Corp. since 2008 and 2009, respectively, were refunded by new variable rate bond issues (Series 20 I 0A and Series 20 I 0B). The new bonds were not offered to the public and were purchased by Avista Corp. due to market conditions. The Company expects that at a later date, subject to market conditions, these bonds may be remarketed to unaffiliated investors. So long as Avista Corp. is the holder ofthese bonds, the bonds will not be reflected as an asset ora liability on Avista Corp.'s Consolidated Balance Shccts. 22 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 202 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION NOTE 7. LONG-TERM DEBT TO AFFILIATED TRUSTS In 1997, the Company issued Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, Series B, with a principal amount of $51.5 million to Avista Capital tr, an affiliated busincss trust formcd by the Company. Avista Capital II issued $50.0 million ofPrcferred Trust Securities with a floating distribution rate ofLIBOR plus 0.875 percent, calculated and reset quarterly. The distribution rates paid were as follows during the six months ended June 30, 20 I 7 and the year ended December 3 I , 20 I 6: June 30, December 3 l, 2017 20t6 Low distribution rate High distribution ratc Distribution rate at the end ofthe period l.9loa 2.08% 2.08o/o t.29% t.81% 1.81% Concurrent with the issuance of the Preferred Trust Securities, Avista Capital II issued $ I .5 million of Common Trust Securities to the Company. These debt securities may be redeemed at the option of Avista Capital II at any time and mature on June I , 203 7. In December 2000, the Company purchased $ I 0.0 million of these Preferred Trust Securities. The Company owns I 00 percent ofAvista Capital II and has solely and unconditionally guaranteed the payment ofdistributions on, and redemption price and liquidation amount for, the Preferred Trust Securities to the extent that Avista Capital II has funds available for such payments from the respective debt securities. Upon maturity or prior redemption ofsuch debt securities, the Prefened Trust Securities will be mandatorily redeemed. The Company does not include thesc capital trusts in its consolidated financial statcmcnts as Avista Corp. is not thc primary bcncficiary. As such, thc sole asscts of the capital trusts are $5 I .5 million ofjunior subordinated deferrable interest debentures ofAvista Corp., which are reflected on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest expense to affiliated trusts in the Condensed Consolidated Statements oflncome represents interest expense on these debentures. NOTE 8. FAIRVALI,]E The carrying values ofcash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, and short-term borrowings are reasonable estimates of their fair values. Long-term debt (including current portion and material capital leases) and long-term debt to alliliated trusts are reported at carrying value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level I measurement) and the lowest priority to fair values derived from unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The three levels ofthe fair value hierarchy are defined as follows: Level I - Quotcd prices are available in active markcts for idcntical asscts or liabilitics. Activc markets arc those in which transactions for the asset or liability occurwith sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 2 - Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level I , but which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors, and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all ofthese assumptions are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term ofthe instrument, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Level 3 - Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally unobservable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with intemally dcveloped mcthodologics that rcsult in managcment's best ostimate offairvaluc. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entircty based on the lowest lcvel ofinput that is significant to the fair value mcasurcment. Thc Company's assessment ofthe significance ofa particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation offair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the flair value hierarchy levels. The determination ofthe fair values incorporates various factors that not only include the credit standing ofthe counterparties involved and the impact ofcredit enhancements (such as cash deposits and letters ofcredit), but also the impact of Avista Corp.'s nonperformance risk on its liabilities. 23 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 203 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following table sets forth the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments not reported at estimated fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as ofJune 30,2017 and December 3 I , 20 I 6 (dollars in thousands): June 30, 20 I 7 December3l.20l6 Carrying Value Estimatcd Fair Value Canying Value Esrimatcd Fair Value Long-term debt (Level 2) Long-term debt (Level 3) Snettisham capital lease obligation (Level 3) Long-term debt to affiliated trusts (Level 3) June 30, 201 7 Assets: Energy comrnodity derivatives Lcvcl 3 cncrgy commodity dcrivativcs: Natural gas exchange agreement Forei gn currency exchange derivatrves Interest rate swap derivatives Defened cornpensalion assets: Fixed income securities (2) Equity securities (2) Total Liabili6es: Energy comrnodity derivatives Level 3 energy commodity derivatives: Natural gas exchange agreement Power exchan ge agreement Power option agreernent Intercst mtc swap dcrivatives Total 7,783 $ 46,687 S $951,000 $ 6'.?7,000 60,953 51,547 1,076.925 $ 701,924 62,600 43,042 Level 3 951,000 s 67"1 ,O00 62,1 60 5 t ,547 r ,048,66 r 675,251 62,800 3 8,660 Total These estimates of fair value of long-term debt and long-term debt to affiliated trusts were primarily based on available mar*et information, which generally consists ofestimated market prices fiom third party brokers for debt with similar risk and terms. The price ranges obtained from the third party brokers consistcd of par valucs of 83 .5 0 to I 2 8.87, whcrc a par value of I 00.0 reprcscnts tlre carrying value rccordcd on thc Condensed Consolidated Balancc Shccts. Level 2 long-term debt represents publicly issued bonds with quoted market prices; however, due to their limited trading activity, they are classified as Level 2 because brokers must generate quotes and make estimates ifthere is no trading activity near a period end. Level 3 longterm debt consists ofprivate placement bonds and debt to affiliated trusts, which typically have no secondary trading activity. Fair values in Level 3 are estimated based on market prices from third party brokers using secondary market quotes for debt with similar risk and terms to generate quotes for Avista Corp. bonds. Due to the unique naturc ofthe Sncttisham capital lcasc obligation, the estimatcd fair value ofthcse items was determincd based on a discounted cash flow modcl using available market information. The Snettisham capital lease obligation was discounted to present value using the Morgan Markets A Ex-Fin discount rate as published on June 30, 20 I 7. The following table discloses by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company's assets and liabilities measured and reported on the Condensed Consolidatcd Balancc Sheets as ofJune 30,2017 and Dcccmbcr 3 I , 20 I 6 at fair value on a tccurring basis (dollars in thousands): Level I Level 2 Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting (l) $$35,r 98 $$(3s,041) $ (1e) (1,853) 157 187 9449 1,716 6,067 '79 187 I I,302 1,7 t6 6,067 s 79$(36,973) $17,576 s $ 46,203 $$(44,808) $ (7e) 1,395 a )\) r3,784 43 4,173 13,7 84 43 36,843 s 80,266 s 126.469 (43423) $18,079 $(88,310) $ 56,238 Appendix 6 to Joint Application 24 Page 204 of 414 &tut-@Ie$! AVISTA CORPORATION Level 2 Level 3 Counterparty and Cash Collateral Netting (l )Total December 31,2016 Assets: Energy commodity derivatives Level 3 energy commodity derivatives: Natural gas exchange agreement Powcr cxchangc agreemcnt Foreign currency exchange derivatives Interest rate swap derivatives Deferred compensati on assets: Fixed income securities (2) Equity securities (2) Total Liabilities: Energy commodity derivatives Level 3 energy comrnodity derivatives: Natural gas exchange agreement Porver exchan ge agreement Power option agreement Foreign currency exchan ge derivatives Intcrcst rate swap dcrivativcs Total $$47,994 $$ (46,099) $1,895 8,750 I,789 5,48 t 69 25 (6e) (2s) (5) (4,348) 1.789 5,481 S 7,270 $6l,o97 $94 $ (50,546) $17,915 $$56,871 $ 28 '73,978 $ (5s,e57) $ (5) (3 9,24 8) 914 5,885 13,449 76 23 34,730 5.954 13,47 4 76 (6e) (2s) 55,077 (l ) The Company is permitted to net derivative assets and derivative liabilities with the same counterparty when a legally enforceable master netting agreement exists. In addition, the Company nets derivative assets and derivative liabilities against any payables and receivables for cash collateral held or placcd with thcsc same countcrpafties.(2) Theseassetsaretradingsecuritiesandareincludedinotherpropertyandinvestments-netandothernon-currentassetsontheCondensedConsolidated Balance Sheets. The difference between the amount ofderivative assets and liabilities disclosed in respective levels in the table above and the amount ofderivative assets and liabilities discloscd on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets is due to netting arrangemcnts with certain counterpartics. See Note 3 for additional discussion of derivative netting. To establish fair value for energy commodity derivatives, the Company uses quoted market prices and forward price curves to estimate the fair value of energy commodity derivative instruments included in Level 2. In particular, electric derivative valuations are performed using ma*et quotes, adjusted for periods in between quotable periods. Natural gas derivative valuations are estimated using New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) pricing for similar instruments, adjusted for basin differences, using market quotes. Where observable inputs are available for substantially the full term ofthe contract, the derivativc asset or liability is includcd in Levcl 2. To establish fair valucs for intercst rate swap dcrivatives, the Company uscs forward markct curves for interest rates for the term ofthc swaps and discounts thc cash flows back to present value using an appropriate discount rate. The discount rate is calculated by third party brokers according to the terms ofthe swap derivatives and evaluated by the Company for reasonableness, with consideration given to the potential non-performance risk by the Company. Future cash flows ofthe interest rate swap derivatives are equal to the fixed interest rate in the swap compared to the floating market interest rate multiplied by the notional amount for each period. To establish fair value for foreign currency derivatives, the Company uses forward market curves for Canadian dollars against the US dollar and multiplies the diffcrcnce between thc locked-in price and the market pricc by the notional amount ofthe derivativc. Forward forcign currency market cuwes arc provided by thind party brokers. The Company's credit spread is factored into the locked-in price ofthe foreign exchange contracts. $$ 130,877 $19,504 $ (95,304)$ Appendix 6 to Joint Application 25 Page 205 of 414 Level I 5 13,098 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Deferred compensation assets and liabilities represent funds held by the Company in a Rabbi Trust for an executive deferral plan. These funds consist of actively traded equity and bond funds with quoted prices in active markets. The balance disclosed in the table above excludes cash and cash equivalents of $0.2 million as of June 30,2017 and $0.4 million as of December 3l , 201 6. Level 3 FairValue Under thc power cxchangc agreemcnt the Company purchases powcr at a price that is based on tlre avcrage opcrating and maintcnance (O&M) chargcs from three surrogate nuclear power plants around the country. To estimate the fair value of this agreement the Company estimates the difference between the purchase price based on the future O&M charges and forward prices for energy. The Company compares the Level 2 brokered quotes and forward price curves described above to an intemally developed forward price which is based on the average O&M charges from the three surrogate nuclear power plants for the current year. Because the nuclear power plant O&M charges are only known for one year, all forward years are estimated assuming an annual escalation. In addition to the forward price bcing cstimated using unobscrvable inputs, thc Company also cstirnatcs thc volumcs ofthc transactions that will take placc in the future based on historical average transaction volumes per delivery year (November to April). Significant increases or decreases in any ofthese inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the current year O&M charges for the surrogate plants is accompanied by a directionally similar change in O&M charges in future years. There is generally not a correlation between extemal market prices and the O&M charges used to develop the intemal forward price. For the power commodity option agreement, the Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model to estimate the fair value, and this model includes significant inputs not observable or corroborated in the market. These inputs include: I ) the strike price (which is an intemally derived price based on a combination ofgeneration plant heat rate factors, natural gas market pricing, delivery and other O&M charges) and 2) estimated delivery volumes. Significant increases or decreases in these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. Generally, changes in overall commodity market prices are accompanied by directionally similar changes in the strike price assumptions used in the calculation. Forthe natural gas commodity exchangc agrccment, thc Company uscs thc same Levcl 2 brokcrcd quotcs describcd abovc; howcvcr, the Company also estimates the purchase and sales volumes (within contractual limits) as well as the timing of those transactions. Changing the timing of volume estimates changes the timing ofpurchases and sales, impacting which brokered quote is used. Because the brokered quotes can vary significantly from period to period, the unobservable estimates ofthe timing and volume oftransactions can have a significant impact on the calculated fair value. The Company currently estimates volumes and timing oftransactions based on a most likely scenario using historical data. Historically, the timing and volume oftransactions have not becn highly conelatcd with markct prices and markct volatility. The following table presents the quantitative information which was used to estimate the fair values ofthe Level 3 assets and liabilities above as ofJune 3 0, 2017 (dollars in thousands): Fair Value (Net) at June 30, 20 I 7 Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range Power exchange agreement $(l 3,784)Surrogate facility pricing O&M charges Escalation factor Transaction volumes $33.59-$49.1 5A,IWh (l ) 3ol, - 2Ol7 to 2019 396.984 M\[hs Power option agreement $(43)Black-Scholes- Mcrton Strike price Delivery volumes $35.g2lMwh - 2019 $48.39iMWh - 2018 128,6t1 -254,363 MWhs Natural gas exchange agreement S (4,17 3)Intemally derived weighted average cost ofgas Forward purchase prices Forward sales prices Purchase volumes Sales volumes $ 1.66 - $2.38/mmBTU $1.67-53.29lmmBTU I 1 5,000 - 3 10,000 mmBTUs 60,000 - 310,000 mmBTUs (l ) The average O&M charges for the delivery yearbeginning in November 2016 are $39.22 per MWh. For ratemaking purposes the average O&M charges to be included for recovery in retail rates vary slightly between regulatory jurisdictions. The average O&M charges for the delivery year beginning in 20 1 6 are $44.33 for Washington and $39.22 for Idaho. 26 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 206 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The valuation methods, significant inputs and resulting fair values described above were developed by the Company's management and are reviewed on at lcast a quarterly basis to ensure they provide a reasonable estimate offair value each reporting period. The following table presents activity for energy commodity derivative assets (liabilities) measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands): Natural Gas Exchange PowerExchange PowerOption Agreement Agreement Agreement Total Three months ended June 30, 201 7: Balance as ofApril 1,201 7 Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized): Included in regulatory assets/liabilities ( I ) Settlements Ending balance as ofJune 30,2017 (2) Three months ended June 30,2016: Balance as ofApril l, 20 I 6 Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized): Includcd in rcgulatory assets/liabilitics (l) Settlements Ending balance as ofJune 30,2016 (2) Six months ended June 30,2017: Balance as ofJanuary 1,20 I 7 TotaI gains or (losscs) (realizediunrealizcd): Included in regulatory assets/liabilities (l ) Settlements Ending bafance as ofJune 30,2017 (2) (4,278) $ (l4,4le) $(266) $ (18,e63) (l es) (43) S (r 8,000) (6,006) $ (20,1 e3) S (97) S (26,2e6) $ 300 (672) 1,307 223 (644) 1,607 S (4,173) $ (13,784) $ s (1,ss l ) 700 4,400 1,179 (8)2,84t 1,879 $(6,857) $ (14,6 | 4) $(r 05) $ (2 1,s76) $(s,88s) $, (r 3,449) $(76) S (l e,4l o) 1,817 (r 0s) (s,r 6s) 4,830 33 (3,315) 4,725 s (4,173) $ (13,784) $(43) $ (l 8,ooo) Six months ended June 30,2016: Balance as ofJanuary I. 20 I 6 Total gains or (losses) (real izedlunrealized): lncluded in regulatory assets/liabilities (1 ) Settlements Ending balance as ofJune 30, 20 I 6 (2) s (s,039) $ (2r,961) $(t24) $ (27.124) 19 (t,309) 6,857 (3,2e6) 1,478 1,968 5,379 $(6,8s7) $ (14,614) S (ros) $ (2 r,s76) (l) Allgainsandlossesareincludedinotherregulatoryassetsandliabilities.Therewerenogainsandlossesincludedineithernetincomeorother comprehensive income during any ofthe periods presented in the table above. (2) There were no purchases, issuances or transfers from other categories ofany derivatives instruments during the periods presented in the table above. NOTE 9. COMMON STOCK In March 2016, the Company entered into fourseparate sales agency agreementsunderwhich Avista Corp.'ssalesagentsmay offerand sell up to 3.8 million new shares of Avista Corp.'s common stock, no par value, from time to time. The sales agency agreements expire on February 29,2020. As of June 30, 201 7, 1.6 million shares have been issucd under thesc agreemcnts, leaving 2.2 million sharcs remaining to be issued. No shares wcrc issued under these agrccments in the six months ended June 30, 20 I 7. In the six months ended June 30, 201 7, Avista Corp. issued 0.2 million shares of common stock, most of which were under employee incentive plans. The Company also issucd a small numbcr of sharcs under thc 401ft) employee investment plan. Total net proceeds for all issuanccs werc $ I .2 million. 27 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page207 of4l4 Tabk of Conteots AVISTA CORPORATION NOTE IO. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO AVISTA CORP. SHAREHOLDERS The following table presents the computation ofbasic and diluted eamings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders for the three and six months ended June 30 (in thousands, except per share amounts): Three months cnded Junc 30,Six months cndcd June 30, 20t7 20t6 2017 20t6 Numerator: Net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders Denominator: Wcighted-averagc numbcr of common sharcs outstanding-basic Effect of dilutive securities: Performance and restricted stock awards Wei ghted-average number of common shares outstanding-diluted Earnings per common share attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders: Basic Diluted Thcrc wcre no sharcs cxcludcd liom thc calculation bccausc thcy wcrc antidilutivc. $ 2t,771 S 27,254 $ 83,887 S 84,903 64,401 152 63,386 397 64,382 129 62,995 373 64,553 63,783 64,511 63,368 $0.34 $0.43 $1.30 $1.35 $0.34 $0.43 $ 1.30 s 1.34 NOTE 11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES In the course ofits business, the Company becomes involved in various claims, controversies, disputes and other contingent matters, including the items described in this Note. Some ofthese claims, controversies, disputes and other contingent matters involve litigation or other contested proceedings. For all such matters, the Company intends to vigorously protect and defend its interests and pursue its rights. However, no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome ofany particular matter because litigation and other contested proceedings are inherently subject to nurnerous uncertainties. For matters that affect Avista Utilities' or AEL&P's operations, the Company intends to seek, to the extent appropriate, recovery ofincurred costs through the ratemaking process. California Refund Proceeding In Fcbruary 201 6, APX, a market maker in thc Califomia Refund Procccdings in whose markcts Avista Encrgy participated in thc surnmer of 2000, asscrtcd that Avista Energy and its other customer/participants may be responsible for a share of the disgorgement penalty APX may be found to owe to the Califomia Parties (as defined in the 20 I 6 Fonn I 0-K). The penalty arises as a result ofthe Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission's (FERC) finding that APX committed violations in the Califomia market in the summer of 2000. APX is making these assertions despite Avista Energy having been dismissed in FERC Opinion No. 536 from the on-going administrative proceeding at the FERC regarding potential wrongdoing in the Califomia markets in the summerof 2000. APX has identificd Avista Encrgy's sharc ofAPX's cxposure to bc as much as $ I 6.0 million cvcn though no wrongdoing allegations are spccifically attributable to Avista Energy. Avista Energy believes its 2014 settlement v/ith the Califomia Parties insulates it from any such liability and that as a dismissed party it cannot be drawn back into the litigation. Avista Energy intends to vigorously dispute APX's assertions ofindirect liability, but cannot at this time predict the eventual outcome. Cabinet Gorge Total Dissolved Gas Abatement Plan Dissolved atmospheric gas levels (referred to as "Total Dissolved Gas" or "TDG") in the Clark Fork River exceed state ofIdaho and federal water quality numeric standards downstream ofCabinet Gorge particularly during periods when excess river flows must be diverted over the spillway. Under the terms of the Clark Fork Scttlement Agreemcnt (CFSA) as incorporated in Avista Corp.'s FERC licensc for the Clark Fork Projcct, Avista Corp. has workcd in consultation with agencies, tribes and other stakeholders to address this issue. Under the terms ofa gas supersaturation mitigation plan, Avista is reducing TDG by constructing spill crest modifications on spill gates at the dam, and the Company expects to continue spill crest modifications over the next several years, in ongoing consultation with key stakeholders. Avista Corp. cannot at this time predict the outcome or estimate a range ofcosts associated with this contingency; however, the Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, ofall operating and capitalized costs related to this issue. 28 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 208 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Fish Passage at Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids In I 999, th e Un ited States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) I isted butl trout as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. In 201 0, the USFWS issued a revised designation ofcritical habitat forbull trout,which includesthe lowerClark Fork River. The USFWS issued a final recovery plan in October20l5. The CFSA describes programs intended to hclp restorc bull trout populations in thc project area. Using the conccpt ofadaptivc managcmcnt and working closely with the USFWS, the Company evaluated the feasibility of fish passage at Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids. The results ofthese studies led, in part, to the decision to move forward with development ofpermanent facilities, among other bull trout enhancement efforts. Parties to the CFSA are working to resolve several issues. The Company believes its ongoing efforts through the CFSA continue to effectively address issues related to bull trout. Avista Corp. cannot at this time predict the outcome or estimate a range ofcosts associated with this contingency; however, the Company will continue to seek recovery, through thc ratemaking process, ofall operating and capitalizcd costs rclatcd to fish passagc at Cabinct Gorgc and Noxon Rapids. Other Contingencies In the normal course ofbusiness, thc Company has various othcr legal claims and contingcnt mattcrs outstanding. Thc Company believcs that any ultimatc liability arising from these actions will not have a material impact on its financial condition, results ofoperatrons or cash flows. It is possible that a change could occur in the Company's estimates ofthe probability or amount ofa liability being incurred. Such a change, should it occur, could be significant. See "Note I 9 ofthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" in the 20 I 6 Form I 0-K for additional discussion regarding other contingencies. NOTE 12. INFORMATION BY BUSII\ESS SEGMENTS The business segment presentation reflects the basis used by the Company's management to analyze performance and determine the allocation ofresources. The Company's management evaluates performance based on income (loss) from operations before income taxes as well as net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders. The accounting policies ofthe segments are the same as those described in the summary ofsignificant accounting policies. Avista Utilities'business is managed based on the total regulated utility operation; therefore, it is considered one segment. AEL&P is a separate reportable business segment as it has separate financial reports that are reviewed in detail by the ChiefOperating Decision Maker and its operations and risks are sufficiently diflerent fiom Avista Utilities and the other businesses at AERC that it cannot be aggregated with any other operating segments. The Other category, which is not a reportable segment, includes other investments and operations ofvarious subsidiaries, as well as certain other operations ofAvista Capital. The following table presents information for each ofthe Company's business segrnents (dollars in thousands): Avista iJ"rI;:',;H:, ',Jffi;::fl"Jj Utilities Company Total Utility Other ( I ) Total For the three months ended June 30. 201 7: Opcrating rcvenucs Resource costs Other operating expenses Depreciation and amortization Income (loss) from operations lnterest expense (2) Income taxes Net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corp sharcholders Capital expenditures (3 ) $296,7 47 S 99,46t 78,970 41,195 53,97 | 22,826 12,892 2t ,'7 65 88,612 11 ,982 $ 3,290 2,995 1,448 1 5q7 895 1,075 I ,681 2,339 29 308,7 29 $ 102,7 5l 8l ,965 42,643 5 7,5 68 23,721 13,967 23,446 90,951 s,772 $3 14,50 I 102.7 51 89,05 l 42.800 5 6.09 7 23,870 l 3,05 l $ 7,086 157 (1,47 t) t/b (el6) (1,67s) 134 (27) 21 ,771 91 ,085 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 209 of 414 Table of Contcnts AVISTA CORPORATION Avista Utilities 302,641 $ 106,607 7 5,790 38,35 I 59,862 20,462 | 6,349 26,771 88,048 80,204 t74,0t5 702,788 $ 265,685 149,046 7 6,217 161,107 40,880 45,021 81,758 172,483 Alaska Electric Light and Powcr Company 1,058 5,889 4,01 9 10,332 Total Utility Other Intsrsegment Eliminations(l)Total For the three months ended June 30,2016: Operating revenues Resource costs Other operating expenses Depreciation and amortization Income (loss) from operations Intcrest cxpensc (2) Income taxes Net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders Capital expenditures (3) For the six months ended June 30, 201 7: Operating revenues Resource costs Othcr opcratin g cxpenscs Depreciation and amortization Income (loss) from operations Interest expense (2) Incomc taxcs Net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders Capital expenditures (3) For the six months ended June 30,2016: Operating revenues Resource costs Other operating expenses Dcprcciation and amortization Income (loss) from operations Interest expense (2) Income taxes Net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corp. sharehol ders Capital expenditures (3 ) Total Assets: As ofJune 30,2017: As ofDecember 31,2016: 10,247 $ 3,208 2,876 I,327 2,252 895 676 3 r 2,888 $ 109,815 78,666 39,678 62,t t 4 21,357 17,025 $ 27,829 93,937 739,266 268,337 156,449 84,628 173,388 47,298 47,447 85,73 8 177,7 t4 85,7 7 7 182,815 5,950 S 6,281 t92 (523) 149 (3 ls) (57s ) 46 s 1 1,705 $ l 1,330 s t2,106 380 (l,l s6) 310 (537) (874) 165 59,7 56 S 60,43 0 $ 318,838 109,815 84,947 39,870 61 ,59 I 2t,472 I 6,71 0 27,254 93.9 8 3 $7 50,97 1 268,337 t69,7 t4 84,97 3 171,483 47,600 46,39s 83,887 I 77,883 s 84,903 182,980 $ 5,3 73,004 $ s,3 09,7 s s $ (34) $712,128 $ 262,O74 150,682 8t,733 162,606 45,509 43,909 27,138 $ 6,263 s,7 67 2,895 10,782 l,789 3,538 13,265 34s (r,90s) 343 (r,052) (41) 5,534 3,699 (r,851) 169 $22,893 S 5,849 5,399 2,653 11)< I,790 2,571 725,68t $ 271,534 154,445 78,870 I 68,832 42,670 47,592 737,01I 271 ,534 166,551 79,250 167 ,67 6 42,883 47,055 (e7) $ 5,034,778 $ 278,470 $ 5,313,248 $ s 4,975,555 $ 273,770 $ 5,249,325 S (l ) Intersegment eliminations reported as interest expense represent intercompany interest.(2) Including interest expense to affiliated trusts.(3) The capital expenditures forthe otherbusinesses are included in otherinvesting activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements ofCash Flows. 30 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 210 of4l4 Tabl€ of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION NOTE I3. SI,tsSEQI.IENT EVENT On July I 9, 201 7, Avista Corp. entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (Merger Agreement), by and among Hydro One Limited (Hydro One), Olympus Holding Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hydro Onc (US parcnt), and Olympus Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of US parcnt (Mcrgcr Sub). Hydro Onc, based in Toronto, is Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution providerwith more than 1.3 million customers, C$25.0 billion in assets and annual revenues ofover C$6.5 billion. Thc Mcrgcr Agrccmcnt provides for Avista Corp. to bccomc an indircct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydro Onc. At thc cffectivc time of thc mcrgcr, each share ofAvista Corp. Common Stock issued and outstanding, other than Dissenting Shareholder Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and shares of Avista Corp. Common Stock that are owned by Hydro One, US Parent or Merger Sub or any oftheir respective subsidiaries, will be converted automatically into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $53.00, without interest. Consummation ofthe merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver ofspecified closing conditions, including, but not limited to, (i) the approval ofthe merger by the holders ofa majority ofthe outstanding shares ofAvista Corp. Common Stock, (ii) the receipt ofregulatory approvals required to consummate thc Mcrgcr, including approval from the FERC, thc Committcc on Forcign Invcstmcnt in thc Unitcd States (CFIUS), thc Fcderal Communications Commission (FCC), the UTC, IPUC, Public Service Commission of the State of Montana (MPSC), OPUC, and the RCA, and (iii) the expiration or termination ofthe applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust hnprovements Act of I 976. as amended. Avista Corp. expects to file for all necessary approvals within 45 to 60 days from the date ofthe Merger Agreement and the merger is expected to close during the second halfof2O I 8. The Merger Agreement also contains customary representations, warranties and covenants ofAvista Corp., Hydro One, US Parent and Merger Sub. These covenants include, among others, an obligation on behalfofAvista Corp. to operate its business in the ordinary course until the Merger is consummated, subjcct to ccrtain cxceptions. In addition, thc partics arc requircd to usc rcasonablc bcst cfforts to obtain any rcquired rcgulatory approvals. Avista Corp. has made certain additional customary covenants, including, among others, and subject to certain exceptions, (a) causing a meeting ofAvista Corp.'s shareholders to be held to consider approval ofthe Merger Agreement and (b) a customary non-solicitation covenant prohibiting Avista Corp. from soliciting, providing non-public information or entering into discussions or negotiations concerning proposals relating to altemative business combination transactions, except as and to the extent permitted under the Merger Agreement wrth respect to an unsolicited written Takeover Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) made prior to the approval of the Merger by Avista Corp.'s shareholders if, among other things, Avista Corp.'s board of directon determines in good faith that such Takeover Proposal is or could be reasonably expected to lead to a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and that failure to take such actions would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent v/ith its fiduciary duties underapplicable law. The Merger Agreement may be terminated by Avista Corp. and Hydro One by mutual consent and by either Avista Corp. or Hydro One under cerlain circumstances, including iftheMcrgcrisnotconsummatcd by Scptcmbcr30,20l8 (subjcct to an cxtcnsion ofup to six monthsby eithcrparty ifall ofthc conditions to closing, other than the conditions related to obtaining required regulatory approvals, the absence ofa law or injunction preventing the consummation of the Merger and the absence of a Burdensome Condition (as defined in the Merger Agreement) in any required regulatory approval, have been satisfied). The Merger Agreement also provides for cefiain additional termination rights for each of Avista Cory. and Hydro One. Upon termination of the Merger Agreement under certain specified circumstances, including (i) termination by Avista Corp. in order to enter into a definitive agreement \Mith rcspcct to a Supcrior Proposal, or (ii) tcrmination by Hydro Onc following a withdrawal by Avista Corp.'s board or dircctors of its rccommcndation of the MergerAgreement, Avista Corp. will be required to pay Hydro One a termination fee of $103.0 million (Company Termination Fee). Avista Corp. will also be required to pay Hydro One the Company Tennination Fee in the event Avista Corp. signs or consummates any specified altemative transaction within twelve months following the termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances. ln addition, if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances due to the failure to obtain required regulatory approvals, the imposition ofa Burdensome Condition with respect to a required regulatory approval, or the breach by Hydro One, US Parent or Merger Sub oftheir obligations in respect ofobtaining regulatory approvals, Hydro One will be required to pay Avista Corp. a termination fee of $ I 03.0 million. 31 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page211 of414 Table of Contcnts REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PIJBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board ofDirectors and Shareholders of Avista Corporation Spokane, Washington We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet ofAvista Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as ofJune 30,2017, and the related condensed consolidated statements ofincome and comprehensive income for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30,201 7 and 20 I 6 and thc relatcd condcnsed consolidated statcmcnts ofequity and cash flows for thc six-month pcriods endcd June 30, 2017 and 20 I 6. These intcrim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards ofthe Public Company Accounting Overcight Board (United States). A review ofinterim financial information consists principally ofapplying analytical procedures and making inquiries ofpersons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards ofthe Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective ofwhich is the expression ofan opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. Based on our reviews, we are not aware ofany material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for thern to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ofAmerica. We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards ofthe Public Company Accounting Oversrght Board (United States), the consolidated balance shcct ofAvista Corporation and subsidiarics as ofDcccmbcr 3 I , 20 I 6, and thc rclated consolidated statcmcnts ofincomc, comprchcnsive incomc, equity and redeemable noncontrolling interests, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 2l ,2O17 ,we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In ouropinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet fiom which it has been derived. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Seattle, Washington August 1,2017 32 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 212 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analvsis of Financial Condition and Results of Ooerations Management's Discussion and Analysis ofFinancial Condition and Results ofOperations has been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. The interim Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations does not contain the full detail or analysis which would be included in a full fiscal year Form I 0-K; therefore, it should be read in conjunction with the Cornpany's 2016 Fonn l0-K. Business Sesments Our busincss scgmcnts havc not changcd during the six months ended June 30, 20 I 7. See thc 20 1 6 Form I 0-K as well as "Note 1 2 ofthe Notcs to Condenscd Consolidated Financial Statements" for further information regarding our business segments. The following table presents net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders for each ofour business segments (and the other businesses) for the three and six months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands): Three rnonths ended June 30,Six rnonths ended June 30, 2017 2016 201'7 20t6 Avista Utilities AEL&P Other Net income altributable to Avista Corp. shareholders $2t,765 S 1,681 (l,67s) 26,771 $ I,058 (5 75) 80,204 $ 5,534 (r,8sl) 8l .758 4,019 (874) 2t ,771 $27.254 $83,887 $84,903 Execudve Level Summerv Overall Results Net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders was $21 .8 million for the three months ended June 30, 201 7, a decrease from $27.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 20 I 6. Net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders was $83.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 20 I 7, a decrease from $84.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 201 6. The decrease in eamings for both the second quarter and first halfof2O I 7 was due to a decrease in eamings at Avista Utilities and an increase in losses at our other businesscs, partially offset by an increasc in eamings at AEL&P. Avista Utilities' eamings decreased for both the second quarter and year-to-date 20 I 7 due to an increase in other operating expenses, primarily due to an increase in generation, transmission and distribution maintenance costs, and increased depreciation and amortization and interest expense. As previously discussed, our 20 I 6 rcquests for gencral ratc incrcases in Washington were dcnied; therefore, we are not rcceiving regulatory recovcry ofthe incrcase in expenses. In addition, there were also merger transaction costs incurred during the second quarter of20 I 7, which are not being passed through to customers. The increase in costs was partially offset by an increase in gross margin (operating revenues less resource costs) as a result ofgeneral rate increases in Idaho and Oregon, customer growth and lower electric resource costs. See "Results of Operations - Overall - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for funher discussion of gross margin. AEL&P eamings increased for the second quarter and year-to-date 20 1 7 primarily as a result ofan increase in electric gross margin (operating revenues less resource costs), due to an interim gencral rate incrcase and highcr loads duc to colder weather in the first quarter, partially offsct by an increasc in opcrating expenses and a decrease in AFUDC and capitalized interest due to the construction ofan additional back-up genemtion plant in 201 6. The increase in losses at our other businesses for both the second quarter and year-to-date 20 I 7 was primarily related to renovation expenses and increased compliance costs at one ofoursubsidiaries and additional losscs on investmcnts as compared to 2016. More detailed explanations ofthe fluctuations are provided in the results ofoperations and business segment discussions (Avista Utilities, AEL&P, and the other businesses) that follow this section. Recent Development On July I 9, 201 7, Avista Corp. entered into a Merger Agreement that provides for Avista Corp. to become an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydro One. Subject to thc satisfaction orwaiverofspccified closing conditions, the merger is cxpectcd to closc during thc second halfof20l8. At thc effcctive timc ofthe merger, each share ofAvista Corp. Common Stock issued and outstanding other than Dissenting Shareholder Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and shares olAvista Corp. Comrnon Stock that are owned by Hydro One, US Parent or Merger Sub or any oftheir respective subsidiaries, will be converted automatically into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $53.00, without interest. For further information, see "Note l3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" and Avista Corp.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 19,2017. 33 $ Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 213 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Resulatorv Matters Generul Rate Cqses Wc rcgularly rcview thc nced for elcctric and natural gas ratc changcs in cach statc in which we providc scrvice. Wc expect to continuc to file for ratc adjustments to: . seek rccovery ofoperating costs and capital investments, and . seek the opportunity to earn reasonable retums as allowed by regulators. With regards to tlre tirning and plans for future filings, the assessment of our need for rate relief and the development of rate case plans takes into consideration short-term and long-term needs, as well as specific factors that can affect the timing ofrate filings. Such factors include, but are not limited to, in-service dates ofmajor capital investments and the timing ofchanges in major revenue and expense items. Avtsta Utilities ll/ashington General Rate Cases 20 I 5 General Rate Cases In January 20 I 6, we received an order (Order 05) that concluded our electric and natural gas general rate cases that were originally filed with the UTC in Fcbruary 201 5. New clcctric and natural gas ratcs were effcctive on January 11,2016. Thc UTC-approved rates wcre dcsigncd to provide a I .6 pcrcent, or $ 8.1 million dccrcasc in clcctric basc revenuc, and a 7.4 pcrcent, or $ I 0.8 million increasc in natural gas base revenue. The UTC also approved a rate ofretum (ROR) on rate base of7.29 percent, with a common equity ratio of48.5 percent and a 9.5 percent retum on equity (ROE). UTC Order Denying Industrial Customers of Northwest Utililies / Public Counsel Joint Motion.for Clarification, UTC Staff Motiotl to Reconsider and WC Staff Motion to Reopen Record On January 19,2016, the Industrial Custorncrs ofNorthwest Utilities flCNt-J") and thc Public Counsel Unit of the Washington Statc Oflicc of thc Attomey General (PC) filed a Joint Motion for Clarification with the UTC. In the Motion for Clanfication, ICNU and PC requested that the UTC clarif the calculation ofthe electric attrition adjustment and the end-result revenue decrease of$8.1 rnillion. ICNU and PC provided theirown calculations in theirMotion, and suggested that the revenue decrease should have been $19.8 million based on theirreading ofthe UTC's Order. On January I 9, 20 I 6, the UTC Staff, which is a scparatc party in the gcncral ratc casc procccdings from thc UTC Advisory Stafi filcd a Motion to Reconsider with the UTC. In its Motion to Reconsider, the Staffprovided calculations and explanations that suggested that the electric revenue decrease sl.rould have been a revenue decrease of$27.4 rnillion instead of$8.1 million, based on its reading ofthe UTC's Order. Further, on February 4,2016,the UTC Stafffiled a Motion to Reopen Record for the Limited Purpose of Receiving into Evidence Instruction on Use and Application of Staff s Attrition Model, and sought to supplement the record "to incorporate all aspects of the Company's Power Cost Update." Within this Motion, UTC Staffupdatcd its suggcsted clcctric rcvenuc dccrcase to $ I 9.6 million. None of the parties in their Motions raised issues with the UTC's decision on the natural gas revenue increase of $'l 0.8 rnillion. On February 19 ,2016, the UTC issued an order (Order 06) denying the Motions surnmarized above and aflirming Order 05, including an $ 8.1 million decrease in electric base revenue. PC Petition for Judicial Review On March I 8, 20 I 6, PC fi led in Thurston County Superior Court a Petition for Judicial Review of the UTC's Order 05 and Order 06 described above that concluded our 20 I 5 electric and natural gas general rate cases. In its Petition for Judicial Review, PC seeks judicial review offive aspects of Order 05 and Order 06, alleging, among other things, that (l ) the UTC exceeded its statutory authority by setting rutes for our natural gas and electric services based on amounts for utility plant and facilities that are not "used and useful" in providing utility service to customers; (2) the UTC acted arbitrarily and capriciously rn granting an attrition adjustment for our electric operations after finding that the we did not meet the newly articulated standard regarding attrition adjustments; (3) the IITC erred in applying the "end results test" to set rates forourelectric operations that are not supported by the record; (4) the UTC did not correct its calculation ofour electric rates after significant erors were brought to its attention; and (5) the UTC's calculation ofour electric rates lacks substantial evidence. 34 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 214 of 414 Table ol C'ontents AVISTA CORPORATION PC is requesting that the Court (l ) vacate or set aside portions ofthe UTC's orders; (2) identifu the errors contained in the UTC's orders; (3) find that the rates approved rn Order 05 and reaffirmed in Order 06 are unlawfill and not fair,just and reasonable; (4) remand the matter to the UTC for funher proceedings consistent with these rulings, including a delennination ofour revenue requirement for electric and natural gas services; and (5) find the customers are entitled to a refund. On April I 8, 201 6, PC filed an application with thc Thurston County Superior Court to certify this mattcr for rcvicw dircctly by thc Court of Appcals, an intermediate appellate court in the State ofWashington. The matterwas certified on April 29,2016 and accepted by the Court ofAppeals on July 29,2016. The parties provide briefs to the Court, after which the Court will set the matter for argument. On July 7, 20 I 7, ICNU filed a briefin support ofPC. The UTC and Avista Corp. will respond on or before August 7, 20 I 7. Oral argument has been set for September 12,2017 before the court. A decision from the Court is not expected until late 2Ol7,al the earliest. In its briefto the Court, the UTC, while defending the use ofits attrition adjustment nevertheless requested a partial remand back to the IITC to reevaluate the implementation ofour power cost update as part ofthe general rate case on appeal, doing so by means ofa supplemental evidentiary hearing. The powercost update at issue represents approximately $12.0 million ofcosts. The new rates established by Order 05 will continue in effect while the Petition for Judicial Review is being considered. We believe the UTC's Order 05 and Order06 finalizing the electric and natural gasgeneral rate casesprovide areasonableend result forall parties. Ifthe outcome ofthejudicial reviewwere to result in an electric rate reduction greaterthan the decrease ordered bytheUTC, it may result in a refund liability to customers ofup to $9.5 million,which is net ofan approximately $2.5 million refund forWashington electric customersrelated to the 2016 provision forearnings sharing that we have already accrued. 20 I 6 General Rale Cases On December I 5, 20 I 6, the UTC issued an order related to our Washington electric and natural gas general rate cases that were originally filed with the UTC in February 2016. TheUTC orderdenied the Company's proposed electric and natural gasrate increase requests of$38.6 million and $4.4 million, rcspectivcly. Accordingly, our current electric and natural gas retail rates rcmained unchangcd in Washington Statc, following the ordcr. Our original requests were based on a proposed ROR of 7.64 percent with a common equity ratio of48.5 percent and a 9.9 percent ROE. On December 23, 20 I 6 we filed a Petition for Reconsideration or, in the altemative, Rehearing (Petition) with the UTC related to our 20 1 6 general rate cases. On February 27 ,2017 ,we received an order from the UTC denying our Petition and confirming its previous order in the case. In its order denying the Petition, the UTC generally referred back to its prior findings and conclusions. See the 20 I 6 Form I 0-K for a detailed discussion surrounding UTC's prior findings and the information included in our Petition. We determined that an appeal ofthe UTC's decision to the courts would involve a significant amount ofuncertainty regarding the level ofsuccess ofsuch an appeal, as well as the timing ofany value that might come following a process that would take between one and two years. The Company believes greater long-tcrm value can be achicved through focusing on ncw general rate cascs than through appcaling thc UTC's dccision in thc courts. Following the conclusion of the 2016 case, wc met with the Commissioncrs to bcttcr undcrstand their conccms and their cxpectations going forward. Thc Company also met with members of the Commission Staffand other parties to discuss needs and expectations prior to filing the next general rate case. While these meetings with the Commissioners and Staffwere constructive, there can be no assurance as to the outcome of any future general rate case. 20 1 7 General Rate Cases On May 26,2017,we filcd two requcsts with thc UTC to rccovcr costs rclatcd to powcr supply and systcm maintcnance as wcll as capital invcstments made since the last determination ofour rate base in the 20 1 5 Washington general rate cases. The two filings are summarized as follows: Power Cosl Rate Adjustmenl The first filing is an electric only power cost rate adjustment that would update and reset power supply costs, effective September l, 201 7. We rcquestcd an overall incrcasc in bitled clcctric ratcs of2.9 pcrcent (dcsigned to incrcasc annual clectric rcvcnucs by $ I 5.0 million). Thc kcy drivcrs behind this request are related to the expiration ofa capacity sales 35 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 215 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION agreementwith anotherutility and an increase in theprice ofnatural gas to fuel ourgenerating plants. Any newratesresulting from the powercost ratc adjustmcnt would expirc upon thc conclusion ofthe clectric general ratc casc (discusscd in further detail bclow), ifapproved. On June l6,2017,ICNU filcd a Motion with the UTC to dismiss the power cost rate adjustmcnt filing, or in thc altcmative, consolidatc thc filing with the pending general rate case filing. The UTC Staffand PC filed responses supporting ICNU's Motion. We expect the UTC to address the power cost rate adjustment by August 10,2017 , at which time they will either approve or deny the request or indicate additional steps that may be necessary. General Rate Requests The second request relates to elcctric and natural gas gcncral rate cases. Wc filed three-ycar ratc plans for clectric and natural gas and have rcqucsted the following for each year (dollars in millions): Elcctric Natural Gas Effective Date Proposed Revenue Increase Proposed Base Rate Increase Proposed Revenue Increase Proposed Base Rate Increase May I . 2018 (l ) May 1,2019(2) May t ,2020 (2) $ $ $ 8.3 4.2 4.4 6r.4 14.0 r4.4 t2.s% $ 25% $ 2.s% $ 9.3% 4.4% 4A% (1 ) The $6 ! .4 million electric revenue increase includcs the $ I 5.0 million power cost rate adjustment discussed abovc. (2) As a part ofthe electric rate plan, we have proposed to update power supply costs through a Power Supply Update, the effects ofwhich would also go into effect on May 1,2019 and May l,2020. The requested rcvenue increases for 201 9 and2020 do not include any power supply adjustments. Our request is based on a proposed ROR of 7.76 pcrccnt with a common cquity ratio of 50.0 perccnt and a 9.9 perccnt ROE. As a part ofthe three-year ratc plan, ifapproved, we would not file another gcneral rate case until June l, 2020, with new ratcs effective no earlier than May 1,2021. The major drivers ofthese general rate case requests is to recover the costs associated with our capital investments to replace infrastructure that has reached the end ofits useful life, as well as respond to the need for reliability and technology investments required to maintain our integrated energy services grid. Among the capital investments included in the filings are: . Major hydroelectric investments at the Little Falls and Nine Mile hydroelectric plants. . Generator maintenance at the Kettle Falls biomass plant that will ensure efficient generation and operations. . The ongoing proj ect to systematically replace portions ofnatural gas distribution pipe in our scrvice area that were installed prior to 1 9 8 7, as well as replacement ofother natural gas service equipment. . Transmission and distribution system and asset maintenance, such as wood pole replacements, feeder upgrades, and substation and transmission line rebuilds to maintain rcliability for our customers. . Technology upgrades that support necessary business processes and operational efficiencies that allow us to effectively manage the uti lity and serye customels. . A refresh ofthe customer-facing website, providing relevant information, greater accessibility on mobile devices, easier navigation, and a streamlined payment experience. The UTC has up to I I months to review the general rate case filings and issue a decision. AMI Projecl in Washington State In March 20 I 6, the UTC granted our Petition for an Accounting Order to defer and include in a regulatory asset the undepreciated value ofour existing Washington electric meters for the opportunity for later recovery. This accounting treatment is related to our plans to replace approximately 253,000 ofour existing electric meters with new two-way digital meters and the related software and support services through our AMI project in Washington State. Replacement of the meters is expected to 36 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 216 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION begin in the second halfof20 I 8. As ofJune 30, 20 I 7, the estimated undepreciated value for the existing meters is $ I 9.8 million. In April 20 I 7, we identified approximately 70,000 natural gas encoder receiver transmitters (ERTs) that will need to be replaced as part ofthe AMI project. In May 201 7, wc filed a Pctition with thc UTC requesting dcfcncd accounting trcatmcnt for the investmcnt costs associated with thc Washington AMI projcct, including components such as meter commun ication networks, information management systems and the natural gas ERTs. The Petition requests the defen*al and inclusion in a regulatory asset of all AMI investment costs over the multi-year implementation period, until the costs can be reviewed for prudence in a future regulatory proceeding and recovered in retail rates. The undepreciated value ofthe natural gas ERTS is approximately $3.7 million. Idaho General Rale Cases 201 6 General Rute Case In December 20 I 6, the IPUC approved a settlement agreement between us and other padies in our electric general rate case, concluding our Idaho electric general rate case originally filed in May 20 1 6. New rates took effect on January I ,2017 under the settlement agreement. We did not file a natural gas general rate case in 20 I 6. The scttlement agrcement increased annual electric base ratcs by 2.6 percent (dcsigned to incrcase annual clcctric revenues by $6.3 million). The scttlcmcnt revenue increase is based on a ROR of 7.58 percent with a common equity ratio of 50 percent and a 9.5 percent ROE. In addition to the agreed upon increase in electric revenues to recover costs primarily driven by our increased capital investments in infrastructure to serve customers, the settlement agreement includes the continued recovery of approximately $4.1 million in costs related to the Palouse Wind Project through the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) mechanism rather than through base rates. In ouroriginal request we requested an overall increase in base electric rates of6.3 percent (designed to increase annual electric revenues by $15.4 million), effective January 1,2017. Our original request was based on a proposed ROR of7.78 percent with a common equity ratio of50 percent and a 9.9 percent ROE. 20 I 7 General Rale Cases On June 9,2Ol7,we filed electric and natural gas general rate requests with the IPUC to recover increased power supply costs and capital investments rnade since the last determination ofour rate base in the 201 6 Idaho electric general rate case and the 201 5 Idaho natural gas general rate case. We filed two-year rate plans for electric and natural gas and have requested the following for each year (dollars in millions): Electric Natural Gas Proposed Rcvcnuc Increase Proposed Base Proposed Rcvcnuc Proposcd Basc January 1,2018 $ 18.6 7.5% $ 3.5 8.8% January 1,2019(l) $ 9.9 3;7% $ 2.1 5.0% (l ) We are not proposing to update base power supply costs for year two of the rate plan, but rather have any differences flow through the PCA mechanism. Our requests are based on a proposed ROR of 7.81 percent with a common equity ratio of 50.0 percent and a 9.9 percent ROE. As a part ofthe two-year rate plan, ifapproved, we would not file a new general rate case for a new rate plan to be effective prior to January I , 2020. The major drivers ofthese general rate case requests is to recovcr the costs associated with our capital investments to replace infrastructure that has reached the end ofits useful life, as well as respond to the need for reliability and technology investments required to maintain our integraled energy services grid. Among the capital investments included in the filings are: . Generator maintenance at the Kettle Falls biomass plant that will ensure efficient gencration and operations. . The ongoing project to systematically replace pofiions ofnatural gas distribution pipe in our service area that were installed prior to I 987, as well as replacement of other natural gas service equipment. Effective Date Rate [ncrease lncrease Rate Increase Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page217 of414 AVISTA CORPORATION . Transmission and distribution system and asset maintenance, such as wood pole replacements, feederupgrades, and substation and transmission line rebuilds to maintain reliability for our customers. . Technology upgrades that support necessary business processes and operational effciencies that allow us to effectively manage the utility and serve customers. . A rcfrcsh ofthc customer-facing wcbsite, providing relevant information, greater acccssibility on mobilc dcvices, casier navigation, and a streaml ined payment experience. A procedural schedule has been agreed to by the parties in the case, and recommended to the IPUC, which would result in an IPUC decision on orbelore January 1,2018. Oregon General Rate Cases 201 5 General Rate Case On Fcbruary 29,2016,thc OPUC issued a prcliminary ordcr (and a final order on March I 5, 20 I 6) concluding our natural gas gcneral ratc casc, which was originally filed with the OPUC in May 201 5. The OPUC order approved rates designed to increase overall billed natural gas rates by 4.9 percent (designed to increase annual natural gas revenues by $4.5 mill ion). New rates went into effect on March I , 20 I 6. The final OPUC order incorporated two partial settlement agreements which were entered into during November 20 I 5 and January 20 I 6. The OPUC order provides for an overall authorized ROR of7.46 percent with a common equity ratio of50 percent and a 9.4 percent ROE. The November 201 5 partial settlement agreement, approved by the OPUC, included a provision for the implementation of a decoupling mechanism, similar to the Washington and Idaho mechanisms described below. See further description and a summary ofthe balances recorded under this mechanism below. 20 I 6 General Rate Case On May 16,2017, an all-party settlement agreement was filed with the OPUC, which, if approved by the OPUC, would resolve all issues in the case and new rates would take effect on October I , 20 1 7. The settlement proposes that, effective October 1,201 7, we would receive an increase in rates designed to increase annual base revenues by 5.9 percent or $3.5 million. In addition, in the settlement agreelnent, we agreed to non-recovery ofcertain utility plant expenditures, which resulted in a write-offof approximately $0.8 million in the second quarter of 2O17. The proposed settlement agreement reflects a 7.35 ROR with a corrrmon equity ratio of 50 percent and a 9.4 percent ROE. Alasks Electric Light and Power Compan! Alaska General Rate Case In Scptembcr 2016, AEL&P filed an clectric gcneral rate case with thc RCA. AEL&P was grantcd a rcfundable intcrim basc ratc incrcasc of 3.86 pcrccnt (designed to increase electric revenues by $ I .3 million), which took effect in November 20 I 6. AEL&P has also requested a permanent base rate increase ofan additional 4.24 percent (designed to increase electric revenues by $ I .5 million), which, if approved, could take eflect in February 201 8. Tlr is represents a combined total rate increase of8.l percent (designed to increase electric revenues by $2.8 million). Included in the general rate case are additional annual revenues of$2.9 million from the Greens Creek Mine, which offsets a portion ofthe rate increase to retail customers that would otherwise occur. The RCA must rule on permanent rate increase requests within 450 days (approximately l5 months) from the date of filing, unless otherwise extended by consent ofthe parties. The timeline for the AEL&P general rate case, with the consent ofthe parties, was extended to February 8, 20 1 8. The rate request is based largely on the addition ofa new backup generation plant (Industrial Blvd. Plant) to rate base. Avista Utilities Parc hased Gas Adj ustments PGAs are designed to pass through changes in natural gas costs to Avista Utilities' customers with no change in gross margin or net income. [n Oregon, we absorb (cost or benefit) I 0 percent ofthe difference between actual and projected gas costs included in retail rates for supply that is not hedged. Total net dcfcned natural gas cosrs among all junsdictions were a liability of $29.0 million as of Jun c 30,2017 and a liability of $3 0.8 million as of Decembcr 3 I , 20 I 6. These balances represent amounts due to customers. 38 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page218 of4l4 Table of Contents Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Power Cost Deferrals and Recovery Mechanisms The ERM is an accounting method used to track certain differences between Avista Utilities'actual power supply costs, net ofwholesale sales and sales of fucl, and thc amount included in basc retail ratcs for our Washington customcrs and dcfcr these diffcrcnces (ovcr the $4.0 million dcadband and sharing bands) for future surcharge or rebate to customers. See the 20 I 6 Form I 0-K for a full drscussion ofthe mechanics ofthe ERM and the various sharing bands. Total net defened powercosts underthe ERM wasa liability of$23.5 million as ofJune 30,2017, compared to a liability of$21.3 million as ofDecember3l, 20 I 6. These deferred power cost balances represent amounts due to customers. Avista Utilities has a PCA mechan ism in Idaho that allows us to modif, electric rates on October I of each year with IPUC approval. Under the PCA mechanism, we defer 90 percent ofthe difference between certain actual net power supply expenses and the amount included in base retail rates for our Idaho customers for future surcharge or rebate to customers. The October I rate adjustments recover or rebate power supply costs deferred during the preceding July- June twelve-month period. Total net power supply costs deferred under the PCA mechanism were a liability of$7.4 million as ofJune 30,2017 and a liability of$2.2 rnillion as ofDecernber 3 I , 20 I 6. These deferred power cost balances represent amounts due to customers. Decoupling and Earnings Sharing Mechanisms Decoupling is a mechanisrn designed to sever the link between a utility's revenues and consumers'energy usage. ln each ofAvista Utilities'jurisdictions, each month Avista Utilities' electric and natural gas revenues are adjusted so as to be based on the number ofcustomers in certain customer rate classes and assumed "normal" kilowatt hour and therm sales, rather than being based on actual kilowatt hour and therm sales. The difference between revenues based on the number ofcustomers and revenues based on actual usage is defened and either surcharged or rebated to customers beginning in the following year. Only the residential and commercial customer classes are included in our decoupling mechanisms described below. llushinglon Decoupling and Earnings Sharing Mechanisms In Washington, the UTC approved our decoupling mechanisms for electric and natural gas for a five-year period beginning January I , 201 5. Electric and natural gas decoupling surcharge rate adjustments to customers are limited to a 3 percent increase on an annual basis, with any remaining surcharge balance carricd forward for rccovcry in a future period. Thcre is no limit on the lcvcl ofrebatc ratc adjustmcnts. The decoupling mechanisms each include an afterthe-fact eamings test. At the end ofeach calendar year, sepamte electric and natural gas eamings calculations are made for the calendar yearjust ended. These eamings tests reflect actual decoupled revenues, norrnalized power supply costs and other nonnalizing adjustments. The operation ofthe Washington decoupling and eamings sharing mechanisms has not changed for the six months ended June 30, 201 7. These decoupling and eamings sharing mechanisms are more fully described in the 2016 Form I 0-K. See below for a summary of cumulative balances under the decoupling and earnings sharing mechanisms. ldaho Fixed Cost Adjustment (FCA) and Eanrings Sharing Mechanisms In Idaho, the IPUC approved the implementation ofFCAs for electnc and natural gas (similar in operation and effect to the Washington decoupling mechanisms) for an initial term ofthree years, beginning January I , 20 I 6. For the pcriod 20 I 3 through 20 I 5, we had an after-thc-fact eamings test such that ifAvista Corp., on a consolidated basis for electric and natural gas operations in Idaho, eamed more than a 9.8 percent ROE, we were required to share with customers 50 percent of any eamings above the 9.8 percent. This after-the-fact eamings test was discontinued, effective January I , 20 I 6, as part ofthe settlement ofour 20 I 5 Idaho electric and natural gas general rates cases. See below for a summary of cumulative balances under the decoupling and eamings sharing mechanisms. Ore go n Dec oup I in g Me c h ani sm In February 201 6, the OPUC approved the implementation of a decoupling mechanism for natural gas, similar to the Washington and Idaho mechanisms described above. The decoupling mechanism became effective on March I , 201 6. There will be an opportunity for interested parties to review the rnechanism and recommend changes, ifany, by September 20 1 9. An eamings review is conducted on an annual basis, which is filed by us with the OPUC on or before June I of each year for the prior calendar year. In the annual eamings review, if we eam more than I 00 basis points above our allowed retum on equ ity. on e- third ofthe eamings above the I 00 basis points would be deferred and later retumed to customers. See below for a summary ofcumulative balances under the decoupling and eamings sharing mechanisms. 39 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page219 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Cumulative Decoupling and Earnings Sharing Mechanism Balances As of June 30, 201 7 and December 3 1 , 2016, we had the following cumulative balances outstanding related to decoupling and eamings sharing mechanisms in our variousjurisdictions (dollars in thousands): June 30, December 3 l, 2017 2016 Washington Decouplingsurcharge S 24,031 S 30,408 Provision for eamings sharing rebate (5,860) (5,1 I 3) Idaho Decoupling surcharge $ 6,345 $ 8,292 Provision for eamings sharing rebate (3,73 | ) (5,1 84) Oregon Dccoupling surchargc (rcbate) $ (l 9) $ 2,021 Sec "Rcsults ofOpcrations - Avista Utilitics" for furthcr discussion ofthc amounts rccordcd to operating rcvcnucs in 20 I 7 and 20 I 6 rclated to thc dccoupling and eamings sharing mechanisms. Results ofOperations - Overall The following provides an ovewiew ofchanges in our Condensed Consolidated Statements oflncome. More detarled explanations are provided, particularly for opcrating rcvenucs and operating cxpenscs, in thc busincss scgmcnt discussions (Avista Utilitics, AEL&P, and thc othcr busincsses) that follow this secti on. The balances included below for utility operations reconcile to the Condensed Consolidated Statements oflncome. Three months ended June 30, 201 7 compared to the thtee n onths ended June 30,2016 The following graph showsthetotal change in net income attributable to AvistaCorp. shareholders forthe second quarterof20l6 to the second quarterof 20 I 7, as well as the various factors that caused such change (dollars in millions): s7.1 53.7 9(3.3)5{3.0) IotalCh.n8ein Nd UilityRaenu6 &sts s{0.2)5(o.El s(4.2) S(s.s) s{4.E| GherUtilltyOFrnry UtilityD@.eciaoon h-Utlly lncmeTartp€n*ExFnEs rndAmodzrtlon Op.rdl6gE&nr6 rnd D+rdladon cndhortiu6tim Utility revenucs decreascd due to a dccrcasc at Avista Utilities, partially offsct by an incrcasc at AEL&P. Avista Utilities'revcnues decrcascd primarily due to a decrease in electric and natural gas wholesale sales and a change in the electric provision for eamings sharing. These revenue decreases were partially offset by an electric general mte increase in Idaho, a natural gas general rate increase in Oregon and higherretail electric and natural gas heating loads due to customer gro*th and weather that was cooler than the prior year. There were electric decoupling surcharges during both the second quarter o f 2017 and 2016 and natural gas decoupling surcharges during the second quarter of20 I 6, but there was a natural gas decoupling rebate during the second quarter of20 I 7. The surcharges were larger in 20 I 6 because weather was warmer than normal during that period. AEL&P's revenues increased primarily due to a general rate increase and higher retail heating loads due to weather that was cooler than the prior year. There was also a slight increase in the number ofcustomers at AEL&P. Utility resource costs decreased due to a decrease at Avista Utilities, partially offset by a slight increase at AEL&P. Avista ooo oI o o mo =.a@ -iD -.1 =o:. 0.6o o Appendix 6 to Joint Application 40 Page 220 of 414 Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION Utilities'electric resource costs decreased due to a decrease in purchased power, resulting from a decrease in volumes and a decrease in wholesale prices, as well as a decrease in fuel for generation resulting from higher hydroelectric generation and lower thermal generation. The increase in utility other operating expenses was due to an increase at Avista Utilities and a slight increase at AEL&P. The increase at Avista Utilities'was the result ofan increase in generation, transmission and distribution maintenance costs, as well as a write-offin Oregon ofutility plant associated with a gcneral rate case settlemcnt. There were also merger transaction costs incurred during thc sccond quafier of20 I 7, which are not being passed through to customers. The increased costs were partially offset by decreases in pension, other postretirement benefit and medical expenses. Utility depreciation and amortization increased due to additions to utility plant. Non-utility other operating expenses increased primarily due to renovation expenses and increased compliance costs at one ofour subsidiaries. Income taxes decreased due to a decrease in income before income taxes. Our effective tax rate was 37.5 percent for the second quarter of20 I 7 colnpared to 38.0 percent for the second quarter of20l 6. Other was primarily related to an increase in interest expense, due to additional debt being outstanding during 20 I 7 as compared to 20 I 6 and partially due to an increase in the overall interest rate. Also, there was an increase in utility taxes other than income taxes prirnarily due to revenue related taxes and property taxes. Lastly, therc was an increase in losses on investments at our subsidiaries. Six months ended June 30,2017 conpored lo the sk months ended June 30,2016 The following graph shows the total change in net income attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 20 I 6 to the six months ended June 30,201 7, as well as the various factors that caused such change (dollars in millions): s13.6 53.2 So.7s0.4 s{1.1)s(t.o) s(s.8) 5(2.0) Tot.lChsnF in Xd utilityRaenE Non Utlity Utility revenues increased due to increases at both Avista Utilities and AEL&P. Avista Utilities'revenues increased primarily due to an electric general rate increase in ldaho, a natural gas general rate increase in Oregon and higher retail electric and natural gas heating loads due to customer growth and weather that was cooler than the prior year. The increased utility revenues were partially offset by decoupling rebates in the first halfof20 I 7 due to weather that was cooler than normal. This compares to decoupling surcharges during the first halfof201 6. These increases were partially offset by a change in the electric provision for eamings sharing, which incrcascd revenuc during 20 I 6 (duc to a reduction to the 20 I 5 provisions in Washington and Idaho rccordcd in 20 I 6). AEL&P's revenues increased primarily due to a general rate increase and higher retail heating loads due to weather that was cooler than the prior year. Utility resource costs decreased due to a decrease at Avista Utilities, partially offset by a slight increase at AEL&P. Avista Utilities' electric resource costs decreased due to a decrease in purchased power, resulting from a decrease in wholesale prices, partially offset by an increase in volumes, and a decrease in fuel for generation resulting from higher hydroelectric generation and lower thermal generation. The increase in utility other operating expenses was due to an increase at Avista Utilities and a slight increase at AEL&P. The increase at Avista Utilities'was the result ofan increase in generation, transmission and distribution maintenance costs, as well 4t Sllool Utllity Rsilrcc uillty OF.6q Wlity orydatm bn-Utlity lncfre t r Eryne Other Costs [tFrss rnd Amdhlm OFratlr{ Epcnias .ad DeddonddAMk tu mo = GI mo l.l0q ,ooo o o oo oo o Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page221 of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION as a write-offin Oregon ofutility plant associated with a general rate case settlement. There were also merger transaction costs incurred during the second quarter of20 1 7, which are not being passed through to customers. The increased costs were partially offset by decreases in pension, other postretirement benefit and medical expenses. Utility depreciation and amortization increased due to additions to utility plant. Non-utility other operating expenses increased primarily due to renovation expenses and increased compliance costs at one ofour subsidiaries. Income taxes decrcased primarily duc to a dccrcase in income before incomc taxes. Our effectivc tax ratc was 35.6 pcrcent for the first six months of20 I 7 and 20t6. Other was primarily related to an increase in interest expense, due to additional debt being outstanding during 20 I 7 as compared to 20 I 6 and partially due to an increase in the overall interest rate. Also, there was an increase in utility taxes other than income taxes prirnarily due to revenue related taxes and property taxes. Lastly, therc was an increase in losses on investments at our subsidiaries. Non-GAAP Financial Measures The following discussion for Avista Utilities includes two financial measures that are considered "non-GAAP financial measures," electric gross margin and natural gas gross margin. In the AEL&P section, we include a discussion of electric gross margin, which is also a non-GAAP financial measure. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measurc ofa company's financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included (excluded) in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The presentation ofelectric gross margin and natural gas gross margin is intended to supplement an understanding ofoperating performance. We use these measures to determine whether the appropriate amount ofrevenue is being collected from our customers to allow for the recovery ofenergy resource costs and operating costs, as well as to analyze how changes in loads (due to vr'eather, economic or other conditions), rates, supply costs and other factors impact our rcsults ofoperations. In addition, we present electric and natural gas gross margin separately bclow for Avista Utilities sincc cach business has diffcrent cost sources, cost recovery mechanisms andjurisdictions, such that separate analysis is beneficial. These measures are not intended to replace income from operations as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator ofoperating performance. The calculations ofelectric and natural gas gross margins are presented below. Results of Ooerations - Avista Utilities Thrce months ended June 30,201 7 compared to the three n onlhs ended June 30,2016 The following table presents Avista Utilities'operating revenues, resource costs and resulting gross margin for the three months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands): Electric Natural Gre Intracompany Total 20't7 201 6 20t'7 2016 20t7 2016 2017 2016 Operating revenues $ 230.558 69.421 s l6l.13l $ 234,791 $ 7 3,350 80,430 $ 44,275 80,955 $ 46,362 (t4,241) $ (14,241) (r 3,1 os) $ (l3,l0s) 296,747 $ 99,461 302,641 I 06,607Resource costs Gross margin $ 161,441 $ 36,155 S 34,593 $$s 197.286 $ 196,034 The gross margin on electric sales decreased $0.3 million and the gross margin on natural gas sales increased $ I .6 million in the second quarter of20 I 7 compared to the second quarter of20 I 6. The slight decrease in electric gross margin was primarily due to a change in the provision for eamings sharing (which reduced electric gross margin by $2.0 million for 2017 as compared to 201 6), rnostly offset by a general rate increase in Idaho, customer groMh and lower resource costs. For the second quarter of 201 7, we had a $0.6 million pre-tax benefit under the ERM in Washington, compared to a $0.2 million pre-tax expense for the second quarter of20 I 6. For the full year of20 I 7, we expect to be in an expense position under the ERM within the $4 million deadband because power supply costs were not reset for 20 I 7 since our 20 I 6 request for a general electric mte increase in Washington was denied. Ifpower supply costs are reset in our Power Cost Rate Adjustment request, we would expect to be in a benefit position under the ERM within the $4 million deadband for the full year of 201 7. See further discussion of tlre Washington order in "ltem 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis - Regulatory Matters." The incrcasc in natural gas gross margin was primarily due to a gcncral ratc increasc in Oregon and customer growth. Intracompany revenues and resource costs represent purchases and sales ofnatural gas between our natural gas distribution operations and our electric generation operations (as fuel for our generation plants). These transactions are eliminated in the presentation oftotal results for Avista Utilities and in the condcnscd consolidated financial statcments but are included in thc separatc results for electric and natural gas prcsented bclow. 42 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 222 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following graphs present Avista Utilities'utility electric operating revenues and megawatt-hour (MWh) sales for the three months ended June 30 (dollars in rnillions and MWhs in tlrousands): Electric Operating Reven ues $7{ I 37-!.{ $7.1 7 507 ) 3:7 I S:6.e $27.7 g: I .e S:0.8$17.(t $tts fl8: *trslst]"1t''{Coun.tt'"to\ $rrl,r$rr'$t $rroresau S$'ri ot$t$ 'l'I$tlli'' :(lt7 I :{}t6 (l) This balance includes public street and highway lighting, which is considered part ofretail electric revenucs and it also includcs rcvcnucs and rebatcs from decoupling. Electric Energy lllWh Sales $:.1 Botd"nt*o'( ,':rrrrtr'rcrc\r\\+drrtttrs\fr\ttt\eq'lt\' I :0t7 l0ltr 43 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 223 of 414 75$751 ?0.1 ?t0 {{.1 .l iH n Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following table presents Avista Utilities' decoupling and customer eamings sharing mechanisms by jurisdiction that are reflected in utility electric operating revenues for the three months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands): Electric Opcrating Revenues 2017 2016 Washington Decoupling surcharge $ 3,661 S 4,553 Provision foreamings sharing (l) (130) 1,1 19 Idaho Decoupling surcharge $ 862 $ 2,651 Provision foreamings sharing (2) nla 711 ( I ) The provision for eamings sharing in Washington for the second quarter of 20 I 7 represents an adj ustrnent of the 20 I 6 prov ision for eam ings sharing. We are not expecting a provision for eamings sharing in Washington relating to 2017 eamings. The provrsion for eamings sharing in Washington in thesecondquarterof20l6resultedftoma$l.2millionreductioninthe20l5provisionforeamingssharing(whichincreased20l6revenues),partially offsct by a $0. I million provision for thc sccond quartcr of 20 I 6. (2) Theprovisionforeamingssharinginldahointhesecondquarterof20l6resultedfromareductioninthe20l5provisionforeamingssharing(which increased 20 I 6 revenues). Beginning in 20 I 6 there is no longer an eamings sharing mechanism in Idaho. Total electric revenuesdecreased $4.2 rnillion forthe second quarterof20lT as compared to the second quarterof20l6 primarily reflecting the following: . a $7.0 million increase in retail electric revenue due to an increase in total MWhs sold (increased revenues $3.8 million) and an increase in revenue perMWh (increased revenues $3.2 million). . The increase in total retail MWhs sold was the result ofweather that was cooler than the prior year (which increased electric heating loads, partially offset by a decrease in cooling loads), as well as customer groMh. Compared to the second quarter of20 I 6, residential electrjc use per customer increased 6 percent and commercial use per customer decreased 2 percent. Heating degree days in Spokane were I 2 percent below normal, but 45 percent above th e second quarter o f20 I 6. Cool ing degree days rn Spokane were 54 percent above normal, but I 2 pcrcent belo\r'thc sccond quartcr of20 I 6. . The increase in revenue per MWh was primarily due to a general rate increase in Idaho and a greaterportion ofretail revenues from residential customers in the second quarter of20 I 7. . a $ I 0.1 million decrease in wholesale electric revenues due to a decrease in sales prices (decreased reven ues $7.2 rnill ion) and a decrease in sales volumes (decreased revenues $2.9 million). The fluctuation in volumes and prices was primarily the result of our optimization activities. . a $1.1 million increase in sales offuel due to an increase in sales ofnatural gas fuel as part ofthermal generation resource optimization activrties. For the second quarter of20 I 7, $5.3 million ofthese sales were made to our natural gas operations and are included as intracornpany revenues and resource costs. For the second quarter of20 I 6, $8.0 million ofthese sales were made to our natural gas operations. . a$2.7 million decrease in electric revenue due to decoupling. Weatherwas generally warmerthan normal in both penods, which resulted in decoup ling surcharges for both the second quarter o f 2017 and 20 I 6; however, the surcharges were larger during 20 I 6 since the weather di flered morc from normal in 2016 than it did in 2017 . Dccoupling mecltanisms arc not impactcd by fluctuations in weathcr comparcd to prior ycar, thcy are only impacted by weather fluctuations as compared to normal weather. 44 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 224 of 414 Table of Con(ents AVISTA CORPORATION The following graphs present ourutility natural gas operating rcvenues and therms delivered forthe three months ended June 30 (dollars in millions and therms in thousands): Natural Gas Operating Revenues $,iJ s il76 tl.) (' $15.0 llt) ?Sllo 1t0 l f.l q B*l'dslttrrr\Cor$$et$$\\ih!'\eil$c 'l.slti:i''' lot 7 :ol6 (l) Thisbalanceincludcsintemrptiblcandindustrialrevenues,whichareconsidcrcdpartofrctailnaturalgasrevenucsanditalsoincludesrcvcnuesand rebates from decoupling. Therms Delil'eretl l i l.(r l: uq.$$"! ,r t.q7l +5,6,1.1 { t.07.t ::.348 to.:e7 I 5. t6.l g.]tlN\tld C rrrrrrrrcrcd \ih\t\es'Jt\c l'\$$:r I :rtr I trrlr, 45 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 225 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following table presents Avista Utilities'decoupling and customereamings sharing mechanisms byjurisdiction that are reflected in utility natural gas operating revenues for the three months ended June 30 (dollan in thousands): Natural Gas Opcrating Revenues 20t7 2016 Washington Decoupling surcharge $ 30 S 3,595 Provision for eamings sharing (617) (320) Idaho Decoupling surcharge (rebate) $ (l 06) $ 589 Oregon Dccoupling surcharge (rebatc) $ (121) $ 1,690 Total natural gas revenues decreased $0.5 million for the second quarter of20 I 7 as compared to the second quarter of20 I 6 primarily reflecting the lollowing: . a $ I 0.3 million increase in natural gas retail revenues due an increase in volumes (increased revenues S | 4.4 million), partially offset by lower retail ratcs (dccrcased rcvcnues $4.1 million). . Wesoldmoreretailnatural gasinthesecondquarterof20lTascomparedtothesecondquarlerof20l6duetoweatherthatwascoolerthan the prior year. Compared to the second quarter of20 I 6, resrdential natural gas use per customer increased 39 percent and commercial use pcr customcr incrcascd 33 pcrccnt. Hcating dcgrcc days in Spokanc wcrc I 2 pcrccnt bclow normal, but 45 pcrcent abovc thc sccond quarter of20 I 6. Heating degree days in Medford were I I percent below normal, but 60 percent above the second quarter of20 I 6. " Lower retail rates were due to PGAs, partially offset by a general rate increase in Oregon. . afi4.7 rnillion decrease in wholesale natural gas revenues due to a decrease in volumes (decreased revenues $l 3.0 million), partially offset by an increase in market prices (increased revenues$8.3 million). lnthe second quarlerof2017, $9.0 rnillion ofthese saleswere made to ourelectric generationoperationsandareincludedasintracompanyrevenuesandresourcecosts. Inthesecondquarterof20l6,$5.1 millionofthesesaleswere made to our electric genemtion operations. Differences between revenues and costs from sales ofresources in excess ofretail load requirements and from resource optimization are accounted for through the PGA mechanisms. . a $6.1 million decrease in natural gas revenue due to decoup ling. Weather was generally warmer than normal during the second quarter 20 I 7; however, due to the shape ofthe normal usage curve for natural gas in the decoupling mechanism, this resulted in a small rebate during the second quarter in Idaho and Oregon and a small net surcharge in Washington. This compares to significant decoupling surcharges in the second quarter of 20 I 6. Decoupling mechanisms are not impacted by fluctuations in weather compared to prior year, they are only impacted by weather fluctuations as comparcd to normal wcather. The following table presents our average number ofelectric and natural gas retail customers for the three months ended June 30: Electric Natural GasCustonrers Customers 2017 2016 201'7 2016 Rcsidcntial Commercial Intemrptible Industnal (l ) Public street and highway lighting Total retail customers 333,465 42,07 4 1,328 558 329,551 41,732 3 06,23 8 15 1q7 38 250 299,860 34,867 5t 255I,346 559 377,425 373,1 88 34t,723 335,019 (l ) The decrease in electric industrial customers as compared to the second quarter of20 1 6 is primarily related to a decrease in Washington irrigation customers. 46 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 226 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following our uti I Total resource costs in the graphs above include intracompany resource costs of S I 4.2 million and $ I 3.1 million for the three months ended June 3 0, 20 I 7 and Junc 30,2016, rcspectively. Total electric resource costs decreased $3.9 million for the second quarter o f 2017 as compared to the second quarter of 20 I 6 reflecting the fol lowing: . a S 7.3 million dccrcase in purchased power duc to a decrcasc in thc volumc of powcr purchascs (decrcascd costs S I .I million) and a decreasc in wholesale prices (decreased costs $6.2 million). The fluctuation in volumes and prices was primarily the result ofour optimization activities during the quarter. . a $5.5 million decrcasc in fucl forgencration primarily due to a decrcase in thcrmal gcneration (due in part to incrcased hydroelectric generation). . a $ I .5 million increase in other fuel costs. This represents fuel and the related derivative instruments that were purchased for generation but were later sold when conditions indicated that it was more economical to sell the fuel as Electric Resource Costs Sl5 t)$lr s $t{} 0 t0t 7 s3 $t.r 0 c$s\s'(.)t\t:{i.\$ O{tc{ :0t6II sre S $18.0 to.*lA .e$e(slro$ g$rchosEu f upltct n Natural (las Resource (:osts s] i $le I $7 1 -s0: Natuml 5its purdhirsud :ol6 Othcr I :or7 Appendix 6 to Joint Application 4'7 Page227 of4l4 $lt 7 tr Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION part of the resource optimization process. When the fuel or related derivative instruments are sold, that revenue is included in sales of fuel. . a $7.0 million increase from amortizations and deferrals ofpower costs. This change was primarily to result oflower net power supply costs. . a $0.2 million net increase from othcr regulatory amortizations and other clcctric rcsource costs. Total natural gas resource costs decreased $2.1 million for the second quarter of 201 7 as compared to the second quarter of 20 16 reflecting the following: . a $5.4 million increase in natural gas purchased due to an increase in the market price ofnatural gas (increased costs $ I 6.0 million), partially offset by a decrease in total therms purchased (decreased costs $ I 0.6 million). Total therms purchased decreased due to a decrease in wholesale sales, partially offset by an increase in retail sales. . a $0.8 million increase in otherregulatory amortizations. . an $ 8.3 million decrease from amortizations and deferrals of natural gas costs. This reflects lower natural gas prices compared to our authorized PGA rates and the deferral ofthese lower costs, which occurred in the current quarter for future rebate to customers. Six months ended June 30, 201 7 compared to the six months ended June 30, 201 6 The following table presents our operating revenues, resource costs and resulting gross margin for the six months ended June 30 (dollan in thousands): Elcctric Natural Gas Intracompany Total 201't 2016 201'7 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 0peraling revenues Resource costs Gross margin $ 494.276 160,302 s 333.9',7 4 $ 497,s93 167.702 $ 2so.642 134,562 s l 16,080 $ 236,365 $ 129,153 (32,790) $ (32,790) (3 1,1 70) $ (3 l,l 70) '7 t2,t28 $ 262,074 702,788 265,685 $ 329,891 $ t07,212 $$$ 450,054 $ 437,103 The gross margin on electric sales increased $4. I million and th e gross margin on natural gas sales increased $8.9 million. The increase in electric gross margin was primarily due to a general rate increase in ldaho, customer growth and lower resource costs, partially offset by a change in the provision for eamings sharing (which reduced electric gross margin by $3.0 million for20l'1 as compared to 2016). Forthe six months ended June 30,2017, we recognized a pre-tax benefit of $4.6 million underthe ERM in Washington compared to a benefit of $4.2 million forthe six months ended June 30,2016. The increase in natural gas gross margin was primarily due to a general rate increase in Oregon and customer growth. Intracompany revenues and resource costs represent purchases and sales ofnatural gas between our natural gas distribution operations and our electric generation operations (as fuel forourgeneration plants). These transactionsare eliminated in the presentation oftotal results forAvistaUtilitiesand in the condensed consolidated financial statements but are included in the separate results for electric and natural gas presented below. 48 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 228 of 414 Table of Contents AYISTA CORPORATION The following graphs present our utility electric operating revenues and megawatt-hour (MWh) sales for the six months ended June 30 (dollars in millions and MWhs in thousands): Electric Operating Reven ues $la{ q Sltr8 0 $l5l.r 91.1q.(t S53 I SSt 6 $-<8I $.1q 5 s36 8 Si6 0 5-11 I$ls t R*tU'rtrst otr'$€rira\ rtdusud \Nho\cEc\e Sr\es .,i to"\0t\rr:rc l0t 7 t :0t6 Electric Energ.v- lllWh Sales l.q('.1 t.r5l 1.676I.567 1.55 I t.lil Ec"0cltlttt\C $rt$lcts-r*\\rr$rrs$1$\ftfrt'NsN torT I toro 49 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 229 of 414 867 liltl tr Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following table presents Avista Utilities'decoupling and customer eamings sharing mechanisms byjurisdiction that are reflected in utility electric operating revenues for the six months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands): Elcctric Opcrating Revenucs 2017 201 6 Wrshington Decoupling surcharge (rebate) $ (1,461) S 8,634 Provision foreamings sharing (l) (130) 2,169 Idaho Decoupling surcharge (rebate) $ (1,096) $ 5,031 Provision foreamings sharing (2) n/a 7ll ( I ) The provision for eamings sharing in Washington for the six months ended June 3 0, 201 7 represents an adj ustment of the 201 6 provision for eam ings sharing. We are not expecting a provision for eamings sharing in Washington relating to 201 7 eamings. The provision for eamings sharing in Washington in the six months ended June 30, 2016 resulted from a $2.5 million reduction in the 201 5 provision for eamings sharing (which increased 20 I 6 revenues), partially offset by $0.3 million provision for the six months ended June 3 0, 2016. (2\ The provision for eamings sharing in Idaho in the six months ended June 30, 201 6 resulted from a reduction in th e 201 5 provision for eamings sharing (which increased 20 I 6 revenues). Beginning in 20 I 6 there is no longer an eamings sharing mechanism in Idaho. (n/a) This mechanism did not exist during this time period. Total electric revenues decreased $3.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 20 I 7 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 20 1 6 primarily refl ecting the following: . a $30.6 million increase in retail electric revenue due to an increase in total MWhs sold (increased rcvenues $22.2 million) and an increase in revenue per MWh (increased revenues $8.4 million). . The increase in total retail MWrs sold was the result of weather that was cooler than the prior year (which increascd electric heating loads, partially offset by a decrease in cooling loads), as well as customer growh. Compared to the six months ended June 3 0, 20 I 6, residential electric use per customer increased I 0.6 percent and commercial use per customer increased 0. I percent. Heating degree days in Spokane were 6 percent above normal and 29 percent above the first six months of20 I 6. Year+o{ ale 2016 cooling degree days were 54 percent above normal (mostly in June). However, cooling degree days were I 2 percent below the prior year. . The increase in revenue per MWh was primarily due to a general rate increase in Idaho and a greater portion ofretail revenues from residential customers in 2017. ' a $l 9.4 million decrease in wholesale electric revenues due to a decrease in sales volumes (decreased revenues $6.8 million) and a decrease in sales prices (decreased revenues $ I 2.6 million). The fluctuation in volumes and prices was primarily the result ofour optimization activities. ' a $0.8 rnillion increase in sales offuel due to an increase in sales ofnatural gas fuel as part ofthermal generation resource optimization activities. For the six months ended June 30,201? , $ I 3.3 million ofthese sales wer€ made to our natural gas operations and are included as intracompany revenues and resource costs. For the six months ended June 30,2016, $ I 6.3 million ofthese sales were made to our natural gas operations. . a $ I 6.2 million decrease in electric revenue due to decoupling. For the year-todate, weather was overall cooler than normal in 20 1 7, which resulted in decoupling rebates for the first halfof20 I 7. Weather was warmer than normal in the first halfof20 I 6, which resulted in significant decoupling surcharges. Decoupling mechanisms are not impacted by fluctuations in weather compared to prior year, they are only impacted by weather fluctuations as compared to normal weather. 50 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 230 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following graphs present our utility natural gas operating revenues and therms delivered for the six months ended June 30 (dollars in millions and therms in thousands): Natural Gas Operating Revenues fl:6 l $t0l l s6tl.6 $0t 6 $61 6 t{{ e i:o 5 s3: Bc+$crrrr:r\C orrrrlctctil \{hrNi''$e ()$\c'1 f :r-)t7 :0lo Therms Deliveretl ilt-r55 lt8.-r05 r:8.7 rq 98.5q9 lo5. l9a q5.5s(r 77,t21 5(r.19.] BertSe$lt$C rrrr*tc{c$\$\!Nir\'r ('!$\el I :0t7 t t{rto 51 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page231 of4l4 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following table presents Avista Utilities' decoupling and customer eamings sharing mechanisms by jurisdiction that are reflected in utility natural gas operating revenues for the six months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands): Natural Gas Operating R€venues 2017 2016 Washington Decoupling surcharge (rebate) $ (5,221) $ 6,766 Provision foreamings sharing (617) (536) Idaho Decoupfing surcharge (rebate) $ (883) S 2,126 Oregon Dccoupling surchargc (rebate) $ (2,050) S 1,858 Total natural gas revenues increased $14.3 million for the six months ended June 30,201 7 as compared to the six months ended June 30,201 6 primarily refl ecting the following: . a $33.5 million increase in natural gas retail revenues due to an increase in volumes (increased revenues $43.3 million), partially offset by lower rctail ratcs (dccrcascd rcvcnucs $9.8 million). . Wesoldmoreretail natural gasinthesixmonthsendedJune30,20lTascomparedtothesixmonthsendedJune30,20l6due tocooler weather and customer groMh. Compared to the first six months of20 I 6, residential natural gas use per customer increased 28 percent and commcrcial use pcr customcr incrcascd 29 pcrccnt. Hcating dcgrcc days in Spokane wcrc 6 pcrccnt abovc normal and 29 pcrcent abovc thc first six months of20 I 6. Heating degree days in Medford were 3 percent below normal, but 24 percent above the first six months of20 I 6. " Lower retail rates were due to PGAs, partially oflset by a general rate increase in Oregon. . a $l.0 rnillion decrease in wholesale natural gas revenues due to a decrease in volumes (decreased revenues $22.6 million), mostly offset by an increase in prices (increased revenues $2 1 .6 million). ln the six months ended June 3 0, 20 1 7, $ I 9.5 million ofthese sales were made to our electric generation operations and are included as intracompany revenues and resource costs. In the six months ended June 30,2O16, $14.9 million ofthese sales were made to our electric generation operations. Differences between revenues and costs from sales ofresources in excess ofretail load requirements and from resource optimization are accounted for through the PGA mechanisms. . an $ I 8.9 million decrease in natural gas r€venue due to decoupling. For the year-to-date, weather was overall cooler than normal in 20 I 7, which resulted in decoupling rebates for the first halfof20 I 7. Weather was warmer than nonnal in the first halfof20 I 6. which resulted in significant decoupling surcharges. Decoupling mechanisms ale not impacted by fluctuations in weathercompared to priolyear, they are only impacted by weather fluctuations as compared to normal weather. The following table presents our average nurnber ofelectric and natural gas retail customers for the six months ended June 30: Elcctric Customers Natural Gas Customers 20t7 2016 2017 20t6 Residential Commercial Intemrptiblc Industnal (l ) Public street and highway lighting Total retail customers 333,885 42,070 1,327 562 329,810 41.698 306,231 35,2t7 37 251 299,966 34,87 4 38 2561,347 555 377,844 373,410 341,736 335,1 34 (l ) The decrease in electric industrial customers as compared to the fint halfof2Ol 6 is primarily related to a decrease in Washington irrigation customers. 52 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 232 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION The following graphs present our utility resource costs for the six months ended June 30 (dollars in millions): Electric Resource (losts s?l r S("1 I ${:t til li:il:$l.l : $j0 q $30 7 \r.t tt{, \rtrr c\rrr:tt gt$cts\1$\i$s\((rbls 0r\rgr tuP\ tot O$t'$ :or7 I rort, Netural Gas Resource (lo$t$ $lts i $ild 8 S(i I $tt { Natur:rl gls putchirstd Clllrrr f :ot7 :0lo Total resource costs in the graphs above include intracompany resource costs of$32.8 million and $31.2 million forthe six months ended June 30,2017 and June 30,201 6, respectively. Total electric resource costs decreased $7.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 20 I 7 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 20 I 6 reflecting the following: . a $7.0 million decrcase in purchased power due to a decrease in wholesalc prices (decreased costs $7.5 million), partially offset by an increase in the volume ofpower purchases (increased costs $0.5 million). The fluctuation in volumes and prices was primarily the result ofour optimization activities during tlre period. . an $ I I .5 million decrease in fuel for generation primarily due to a decrease in thermal generation (due in part to increased hydroelectric generation). . a $2.3 million increase in otherfuel costs. . an $8.2 million increase fiom amortizations and deferrals of power costs. This change was primarily to result of lower Appendix 6 to Joint Application 53 Page 233 of 414 s:l .) Table 0f Contents AVISTA CORPORATION net power supply costs. . a $0.6 million increase in other regulatory amortizations and other electric resource costs. Total natural gas rcsource costs incrcascd $5.4 million for the six months cndcd Junc 30, 20 I 7 as comparcd to thc six months endcd June 30, 20 I 6 rcflccting the following: . a $ I 3.7 million increase in natural gas purchased due to an increase in the price of natural gas (increased costs $24.0 mi llion), partial ly offset by a dccrcase in total thcrms purchascd (dccreased costs $ I 0.3 million). Total thcrms purchased dccrcased duc to a dccrcase in wholesalc salcs, partially offset by an increase in retail sales. . an $1 1.8 million decrease from amortizations and delerrals ofnatural gas costs. This reflects lowernatural gas prices compared to ourauthorized PGA rates and the deferral ofthese lower costs, which occurred in the current period for future rebate to customers. ' a S3.5 million incrcase in othcrregulatory amortizations. Results ofOperations -Alaska Electric Light and Power Comoany Three months ended June 30, 201 7 compared to the three months ended June 30, 201 6 and six months ended June 30, 201 7 compared to the six months ended June 30, 20 I 6 NetincomeforAEL&Pwas$l.TmillionforthethreemonthsendedJune30,20lTcomparedto$l.l millionforthethreemonthsendedJune30,20l6.Net incomc was $5.5 million for thc six months endcd Junc 3 0, 201 7 comparcd to $4.0 million for thc six months cndcd Junc 30, 20'l 6. The increase in eamings for both the second quarter and year-to-date was primarily due to an increase in electric gross margin which was $8.7 rnillion for the second quarter of20 I 7, compared to $7.0 million for the second quarter of20 I 6. For the year-to-date, electric gross margin was $20.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 20 I 7, compared to $ I 7.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 20 I 6. The increase in electric gross margin was partially offset by an increase in operating expenses and a decrease in equity-related AFUDC due to the construction ofan additional back-up generation plant in 2016. The increase in electric gross margin was primarily related to an interim general rate increase, effective in November 20 I 6, and increases in electric heating loads due to weather that was cooler than the prior year. There were also slight increases in residential and commercial customers. This was partially offset by an incrcase in rcsource costs primarily duc to purchascd power expcnse, defcned powcr supply expenscs and fucl cxpense. While thc coolcr wcather did have somc cffcct on AEL&P revenucs during 201 7, AEL&P has a relativcly stablc load profilc as it docs not havc a largc population ofcustomers in its service territory with electric heating and cooling requirements; therefore, its revenues are not as sensitive to weather fluctuations as Avista Utilities. However, AEL&P does have higher winter rates for its customers during the peak period of November through May of each year, which drives higher revenues during those periods. Operating cxpenses incrcascd primarily due to supplics cxpcnsc for thc ncw back-up gcncration plant, which wcnt into scrvice at thc cnd of20 I 6. Results of Ooerations - Other Businesses Net losses lor our other businesses were $ I .7 miltion for the three months ended June 30, 20 I 7 compared to $0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 201 6. Net losses were $ I .9 million for the six months ended June 30, 201 7 compared to $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 201 6. Net losses forthe second quarter20l 7 and the six months ended June 30,201 7 were primarily related to renovation expenses and increased compliance costs at one ofour subsidiaries and additional losses on investments as compared to 20 I 6. These were partially offset by a decrease in corporate costs (including costs associated with exploring strategic opportunities). Critical Accountinq Policies and Estimates The preparation ofour consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Changes in these estimates and assumptions are considered reasonably possible and may have a material eflect on our consolidated financial statements and thus actual results could differ fiom the amounts reported and disclosed herein. Our critical accounting policies that require the use ofestimates and assumptions were discussed in detail in the 20 I 6 Form I 0-K and have not changed materially from that di scussion. 54 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 234 of 414 Table of Contetrts AVISTA CORPORATION LiouidiW and Canital Resources Overall Liouidiw Ou.rsources ofoverall tiquidity and the requirements forliquidity have notmaterially changed in the six months ended June 30,2017. See the 2016 Form l0- K for further discussion. As of Junc 30, 201 7, we had $207.3 million of availablc liquidity under thc Avista Corp. committed linc of crcdit and $25.0 million undcr thc AEL&P committedlineofcredit.Withour$400.0millioncreditfacilitythatexpiresin Apil202l andAEL&P's$25.0millioncreditlacilitythatexpiresin November 20 I 9, we believe that we have adequate liquidity to meet our needs for the next I 2 months. Review of Cash Flow Statement Overall During thc six months endcd Junc 30, 20 I 7, positivc cash flows from opcraling activitics were $228.5 million, which includcd contributions to our pcnsion plan of $ 14.8 million. Other cash requirements included utility capital expenditures of $ I 77.7 million, dividends of $46.2 million. Operatins Activities Net cash provided by operating activities was $228.5 nrillion for the six months ended June 30, 20 I 7 corrpared to $ I 56.0 rnillion for the six months ended June 30, 20 I 6. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily related to the amount ofcollateral posted for derivative instruments where we posted $5.5 million in the firsthalfof20lT,compared to S83.5 million posted in the first halfof20l6. Or:rcollateral increased in 2016 due to a decrease in the fair value ofoutstanding interest rate swap derivatives at that time and also due to fewer counterparties accapting letters ofcredit as collateral In 20 I 7, more counterparties are accepting letters ofcredit as collateral rather than cash. In addition for the first halfof20 I 7, we had increased net income (after consideration of non-cash items included in net income) of $235.5 million, compared to $224.0 million in 201 6. We also increased our pension contributions from $8.0 million in the first half of 201 6 to $ 14.8 million in the first half of 201 7. lnvestinp Activities Net cash used in investing activities was $ I 89.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 201 7, compared to $206.6 million for the six months ended June 30,2016. During thc first half of 201 7, we paid $ 177.7 million for utility capital expcnditurcs comparcd to $ I 82.8 million for the first half of 2016. Also, during the first halfof20 I 7, our subsidiaries invested $ I 0.3 million in equity and property, compared to $7.0 mitlion invested during the first halfof20 I 6. Financing Activities Net cash used by financing activities was $34.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 20 I 7, compared to net cash provided ofS53.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 20 I 6. We had the following significant transactions: short-term borrowings increased by $ I 6.0 million in the first halfof20 I 7, compared to an increase of$55.0 million in 20 I 6, cash dividendspaid to Avista Corp. shareholders increased to $46.2 million (or$0.715 pershare) forthe firsthalfof20lT from $43.3 million (or $0.685 per share) for the first halfof20 I 6, and issuance of$ I .2 million (net ofissuance costs) under share-based compensation plans. In 20 I 6, we issued $47.2 million ofcomrnon stock under sales agency agreements. 55 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 235 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Caoital Resources Our consolidated capital structure, including the current portion oflong+erm debt and short-tenn borrowings, and excluding noncontrolling interests, consisted ofthe following as ofJune 30,2017 and December 3 I , 20 I 6 (dollars in thousands): Junc 30, 201 7 Dcccmber3l,20l6 Amount Pcrccnt of total Amount Pcrccnt of total Current potion oflong-term debt and capital leases Shon-tcrm borrowings Long-term debt to affiliated trusts Long-term debt and capital leases Total debt Total Avista Corporation shareholders' equ i ty Total Borrowings outstanding at end ofperiod Lcttcrs ofcredit outstanding at cnd ofpcriod Maximum borrowings outstanding during the period Average borrowings outstanding during the penod Average interest rate on borrowings during the period Avcragc intcrest ratc on borrowings at cnd ofpcriod $2'77,814 136,398 51,547 t ,403,064 7.8% $ 3.8% 15% 39.5% 3,287 120,000 51,547 t,67 8,717 0.lo/o 3.4% 15% 47.9% I,868,823 I,687,173 52.6% 47.4% l,853,5s 1 I,648,727 52.90h 47.1o/o $ 3.5 5 5.996 100.0% $ 3,502,278 100.0% Our shareholders' cquity incrcased $38.4 million during thc first six months of20 I 7 primarily due to nct income, partially offset by dividends. We need to finance capital expenditures and acquire additional funds for operations from time to time. The cash requirements needed to service our indebtedness, both short-term and long-term, reduce the amount ofcash flow available to fund capital expenditures, purchased power, fuel and natural gas costs, dividends and other requircmcnts. Committed Lines of Credit Avista Corp. has a committed line of credit with various financial institutions in the total amount of $400.0 million that expires in Apil2O2l . As of June 30, 20 I 7, there were $ I 36.0 rnillion ofcash borrowings and $56.7 million in letters ofcredit outstanding (which were prirnarily issued as collateral for our energy commodity and interest rate swap derivatives), leaving $207.3 million ofavailable liquidity under this line ofcredit. The Avista Corp. credit facility contains customary covenants and default provisions, including a covenant which does not permit ourratio of"consolidated total debt" to "consolidated total capitalization" to be greater than 65 percent at any time. As ofJune 30, 201 7, we were in compliance with this covenant with a ratio of 52.6 pcrcent. AEL&P has a $25.0 million committed line of credit that expires in November 201 9. As of June 30, 2017, there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding under this committed line ofcredit. The AEL&P credit facility contains customary covenants and default provisions including a covenant which does not permit the ratio of"consolidated total debt at AEL&P" to "consolidated total capitalization at AEL&P," (including the impact ofthe Snettisham obligation) to be greater than 67.5 percent at any time. As of June 30,2O17, AEL&P was in compliance with this covenant with a ratio of 54.1 percent. Balances outstanding and interest rates of bomowings (excluding letters of credit) under Avista Corp.'s committed line of credit were as follows as of and for the six months ended June 30 (dollan in thousands): 2017 2016 $ $ $ $ 136,000 $ 56,703 S 136,000 $ I 05,1 57 S t.67% 1.99% I 60,000 45,795 r 60,000 l 18,832 1.22% 1.22% Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 236 of 414 There were no borrowings outstanding under AEL&P's committed line ofcredit as ofJunc 30, 20 I 7 and June 30, 20 I 6. ,{,s of June 30, 2017, Avista Corp. and its subsidiaries were in compliance with all of the covenants of their financing agreements, and none of Avista Corp.'s subsidiaries constituted a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Avista Corp.'s committed line of credit. Equiu Issaances See 'Note 9 ofthe Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" for a discussion ofour equity issuances during 2O16 and 2017 . 56 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION 201 7 Liquidity Expectations In the second half of 20l7,we expect to issueup to $90.0 million oflong-term debt andup to $70.0 million ofcommon stock in orderto fund planned capital expenditures and maintain an appropriate capital structure. After considering the expected issuances oflong+erm debt and common stock during 2017 ,we expect net cash flows from operating activities, together with cash available under our committed line ofcredit agreements, to provide adequate resources to fund capital expenditures, dividends, and other contractual commitments. Canital Exnenditures We are rnaking capital investments in generation, transmission and distribution systems to preserve and enhance service reliability for our customers and replace aging infrastructure. Our estimated capital expenditures for 20 I 7, 20 I 8 and 20 I t have not materially changed during the six months ended June 30, 201 7. See the 201 6 Form I 0-K for further information. Olf-Balance Sheet Arra nsements As of June 30, 201 7, we had $56.7 million in letters of credit outstanding under our $400.0 million comrnitted line of credit, compared to $34.4 million as of December 3 1, 20 I 6. The increase in outstanding letters ofcredit is partially related to negotiations with interest rate swap counterparties to accept letters of credit as collateral ratherthan cash collateral and also due to issuing additional letters ofcredit as collateral based on changes in the fairvalue ofinterest rate swap and energy commodity dcrivativcs during the six months cnded Junc 30,2O17 . Pension Plan Avistu Atifities In the six months ended June 30,2017 we contributed $14.8 million to the pension plan and we expect to contribute a total of $22.0 million in 2017. We expectto contribute a total of$l 10.0 million to thepension plan in theperiod 2017 through 202l,with annual contributions of$22.0 million overthat period. The final determination ofpension plan contributions for future periods is subject to multiple variables, most ofwhich are beyond our control, including changes to the fair value ofpension plan assets, changes in actuarial assumptions (in particular the discount rate used in determining the benefit obligation), or changes in federal legislation. We may change ourpension plan contributions in the future depending on changes to any variables, including those listed above. See "Note 4 ofthe Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" for additional infonnation regarding the pension plan. Contractual Ohlisations Our future contractual obligations have not materially changed during the six months ended June 30,2017 . See the 20 I 6 Form I 0-K for our contractual obligations. Environmental Issues and Contingencies Our environmental issues and contingencies disclosures have not materially changed except for the following during the six months ended June 30, 20 I 7. See the 20 I 6 Fonn I 0-K for all other environrnental issues and contingencies. Climate Change - Federul Regulatory Actions The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final rules for the Clean Power Plan (Final CPP) and the Carbon Pollution Standards (Final CPS) on August 3, 201 5. The Final CPP and the Final CPS are both intended to reduce the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions liom certain coal-fired and natural gas electric generating units (EGUs). These rules were published in the Federal Register on October 23, 20 I 5 and were immediately challenged via lawsuits by other parties. ln a separate but related rulemaking, the EPA fin alized, CO2 new source performance standards (NSPS) for new, modified and reconstructed fossil fuel-fired EGUs under CAA section I 1 I (b). These EGUs fall into the same two categories ofsources regulated by the Final CPP: steam generating units (also known as "utility boilcrs and IGCC units"), which primarily bum coal, and stationary combustion turbines, which primarily bum natural gas. Thc promulgated and proposed grccnhouse gas rulcmakings mcntioncd above havc bccn lcgally challcnged in multiple venucs. On February 9,2016, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a request forstay, halting implementation of the CPP. On March 28,2017,the Department of Justice has filed a motion v/ith the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) requesting that the Court hold the cases challenging the CPP in abeyance while the EPA reviews the final rules applicable to existing, as well as to new, modified, and reconstructed electric generating units pursuant to an Executive Order issued by President Trump. The Executive Order also instructed the EPA to review the CPP rule. On April 28,2017 the D.C. 57 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page237 of414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION CircuitissuedorderstoholdthelitigationregardingtheCleanAirAct{lll(d)CleanPowerPlanandthe$l1l(b)NewSourcePerformanceStandardsfor powcr plants in abcyance for a period of60 days with status rcports due from the EPA evcry 30 days. Thc EPA has continued to ask the Court to hold the rules in abeyance, and, as a result of its ongoing review of the Final CPP, in June 2017 transmitted a draft proposed rule to the OfIice of Management and Budget. The contents olthat proposed rule have not been made public. Given these ongoing developments, we cannot fully predict the outcome or estimate the extent to which our facilities may be impacted by these regulations at this time. We intend to seek recovery ofany costs related to compliance with these requirements through the ratemaking process. Enterorise Risk Manasement The material risks to our businesses were discussed in our 20 I 6 Form I 0-K and have not materially changed during the six months ended June 30, 20 I 7. Refer to the 20 I 6 Fonn I 0-K for further discussion ofour risks and the mitigation ofthose risks. Financial Risk Our financial risks have not materially changed during the six months ended June 30, 201 7. Refer to the 201 6 Fonn I 0-K Tlre financial risks included below are required interim disclosures, even ifthey have not materially changed fi'om December 3 I ,2016. Intercst Rate Rish We use a variety oftechniques to manage our interest rate risks. We have an interest rate risk policy and have establ ished a policy to limit our variable rate exposures to a percentage oftotal capitalization. Additionally, interest rate risk is managed by monitoring market conditions when timing the issuance of long+erm debt and optional debt redemptions and establishing fixed rate long-term debt with varying maturities. See "Note 3 ofthe Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" for a summary ofour interest rate swap derivatives outstanding as ofJune 30,2017 and December 3 1,201 6. Credit Risk Avista Utilities' contracts for the purchase and sale ofenergy commodities can require collateral in the form ofcash or letters ofcredit. As ofJune 30, 20 I 7, we had cash deposited as collateral in the amount of$15.9 million and letters ofcredit of$37.3 million outstanding related to ourenergy derivative contracts. Price movements and/or a downgrade in our credit ratings could impact further the amount olcollateral required. See "Credit Ratings" in the 20 I 6 Form I 0-K for furthcr information. For cxamplc, in addition to limiting our ability to conduct transactions, ifour crcdit ratings wcrc lowered to bclow "investmentgrade"basedonourpositionsoutstandingatJune30,20lT,wewouldpotentiallyberequiredtopostupto$4.1 millionofadditionalcollateral. This amount is different from the amount disclosed in "Note 3 ofthe Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" because, while this analysis includes contracts that are not considered derivatives in addition to the contracts considered in Note 3, this analysis takes into account contractual threshold limits that are not considered in Note 3. Without contractual threshold limits, we would potentially be required to post up to $4.7 million of additional collatcral. Under the terms ofinterest rate swap derivatives that we enter into periodically, we may be required to post cash or letters ofcredit as collateral depending on fluctuations in the fair value ofthe instrument. As ofJune 30, 20 I 7, we had interest rate swap derivatives outstanding with a notional amount totaling $5 I 0.0 million and we had deposited cash in the amount of $41 .6 million and letters of credit of $ I 3.1 million as collateral for these interest rate swap derivatives. If our credit ratings were lowered to below "investment grade" based on our interest rate swap derivatives outstanding at June 30, 20 I 7, we would be required to post up to $ I I .2 million ofadditional collateral. Enerpv Commoditv Risk Our energy commodity risks have not materially clranged during the six rnonths ended June 30, 20 I 7, except as discussed below. Refer to the 20 I 6 Form I 0- K. The following table presents energy commodity dedvative fair values as a net asset or (liability) as ofJune 30, 2017 that are expected to settle in each respective year (dollars in thousands): Purchses Sales Electric Derivatives Gas Derivatives Elcctric Derivatives Gas Derivatives Ycar Remainder 201 7 201 8 2019 2020 2021 Thereafter (2,48s) $ (6,880) (4,321) s (732) $ (280) (3s7) (14,207\ $ (9,41 6) (6,1 60) (48e) 1,995 $ 4,234 4,569 Physical (1) Financial (1) Physical (1) Financial (l) Physical (1) Financial (1) Pltysical (l) Financial (l) $456 (347 ) (l,r 68) (70) $ (24) (l e) (21 3) $ (870) (8el) (1,2s6) (840) 5,808 3,402 1,557 58 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 238 of 414 Table 0f Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Electric Derivatives Gas Dcrivativcs Elcctric Derivatives Gas Dcrivatives Ycar 2017 201 8 2019 2020 2021 Thereafter Physical(l) Financial(l) Physical(l) Financial(l) Physical(l) Financial(l) Physical(l) Financial(l) $(4,274\ $ (5,5e8) (3,123) (4,00s) $ (2,170) (3,732) (370) l.939 $97$ (23s) (266) s 5'.16 854 975 $ (2,036) $ (el0) (e27) ( l ,288) (86e) (3,440) 709 103 ( I ) Physical transactions represent commodity transactions where we will take or make delivery of either electricity or natural gas; financial transactions represent derivative instruments with delivery ofcash in the amount ofthe benefit or cost but vr'ith no physical delivery ofthe commodity, such as futures, swap derivatives, options, or forward contracts. The above electric and natural gas derivative contracts will be included in either power supply costs or natural gas supply costs during the period they are delivered and will be included in the various recovery mechanisms (ERM, PCA, and PGAs), or in the general rate case process, and are expected to eventually be collected through retail ratcs from customers. Item 3. Ouantitative and Oualitative Disclosures about Market Risk The information required by this item is set forth in the Enterprise Risk Management section of "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results ofOperations" and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 4. Controls and Procedures Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness ofDisclosute Controls ond Procedures The Company has disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules I 3a-l 5(e) and I 5d-l 5 (e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1 934, as amended) (Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports it files or submits under the Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information rcquired to bc disclosed by thc Company in thc reports that it filcs or submits under the Act is accumulatcd and communicated to the Company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. With the participation ofthe Company's principal executive oflicer and principal financial officer, the Company's management evaluated its disclosure controls and procedures as ofthe end ofthe period covered by this report. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness ofany system ofdisclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility ofhuman error and the circumvention or overriding ofthe controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosurc controls and proccdures can only provide reasonable assurance ofachieving their control objcctives. Based upon this cvaluation, thc Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective at a reasonable assurance level as ofJune 30,2017. There have been no changes in the Company's intemal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second quarter o f 201? thar have materially aflected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's intemal control over financial reporting. PART II. Other Information Item l. Lesal Proceedinss See "Note I I ofNotes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" in "Part I. Financial Information Item l. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements." Item lA, Risk Factors Pleasc rcfcr to the 20 I 6 Form 1 0-K for disclosurc ofrisk factors that could have a significant impact on our results ofopcrations, financial condition or cash flows and could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially fiom those discussed in our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including this Quarterly Report on Form I 0-Q), and elsewhere. These risk factors have not materially changed frorn the disclosures provided in the 20 I 6 Form I 0-l( except for the following: 59 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 239 of 414 The following table presents energy commodity derivative fair values as a net asset or (liability) as ofDecember 3 I , 20 I 6 that are expected to be delivered in each respective year (dollars in thousands): Purchmes Sales (22s) (33) (40) Iablc-ul.es$cu! AVISTA CORPORATION RISKS RELATED TO THE PROPOSED MERGER WITH IIYDRO ONE The Conditions to the Merger May Not Be Satisfied. The proposed Merger with Hydro One requires approval by the holders of a majority of Avista Corp.'s outstanding shares of common stock and the receipt of regulatory approvals, inctuding from the FERC, the CFIUS, the FCC, the UTC, IPUC, MPSC, OPUC, and the RCA. Such approvals may not be obtained or the regulatory bodies may seek to impose conditions on the completion ofthe transaction, which could cause the conditions to the Merger to not be satisfied or which could delay or incrcasc the cost ofthe transaction. In addition, thc failure to satisfu othcr closing conditions could rcsult in a termination ofthc Merger Agreement by Hydro One or Avista Corp. Termination Fee. Upon termination of the Merger Agreement under certain specified circumstances, we will be required to pay Hydro One a Termination Fee of $ 103.0 million. We will also be required to pay Hydro One the Termination Fee in tlre event we sign orconsummate any specified altemative transaction within twelve months following the termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances. Any fees due as a result of termination could have a material adverse eflect on our results ofoperations, financial condition, and cash flows. Market Value of Avista Corp. Common Stock; Access to Capital. There can be no assurance that the Merger will be consummated. Failure to consurnmate the Merger could (i) affect the value of Avista Corp.'s common stock, including by reducing it to a level at or below the trading range preceding the announcement ofthe Merger and (ii) negatively affect our access to and cost of both equity and debt financing. Additionally, if the Merger is not consummated, we will have incurred significant costs and diverted the time and attention of management. A failure to consummate the Merger may also result in negative publicity, litigation against Avista Corp. or its directors and officers, and a negative impression of Avista Corp. in the financial markets. The occurrence ofany ofthese events individually or in combination could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results ofoperations and stock price. In addition to thcsc risk factors, scc also "Forward-Looking Statemcnts" for additional factom which could havc a significant impact on our opcrations, results ofoperations, financial condition or cash flows and could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equitv Securities and Use of Proceeds (a) Not applicable (b) Not applicable (c) Not applicable Item 4, Mine SafeN Disclosures Not applicable. 60 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 240 of 414 Table of Contents AVISTA CORPORATION Item 6. Exhibits 2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July I 9, 201 7, by and among Avista Corporation, Hydro One Limited, Olympus Holding Corp. and Olympus Corp. (l ) l2 Cornputation of ratio of camings to fixcd chargcs (2) 15 Letter Re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information (2) 3 I . I Certification ofChiefExecutive OIficer (Pursuant to I 8 U.S.C. Section I 350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 ofthe Sarbanes- Oxley Act of2002)(2) 3 I .2 Certification ofChiefFinancial Officcr (Pursuant to I 8 U.S.C. Scction I 350, as Adoptcd Pursuant to Scction 302 ofthe Sarbanes- Oxley Act of20D2)(2) 32 Certification ofCorporate Officers (Fumished Pursuant to I 8 U.S.C. Section I 350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 ofthe Sarbanes0xley Act of 2002) (3) l0l ThefollowingfinancialinformationfromtheQuarterlyReportonForml0-QfortheperiodendedJune30,20lT,iormattedinXBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and filed electronically herewith: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements oflncome; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements ofComprehensive Ilcome, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements ofcash Flows; (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements ofEquity; and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. (2) (l ) Previously filed as exhibit 2.1 to the registrant's Current Repo( on Form 8-K, filed as ofJuly 19,2017 and incorporated herein by reference. (2) Filed herewith. (3) Fumished herewith. 61 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page24l of4l4 Table of Conlents AVISTA CORPORATION SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements ofthe Securities Exchange Act of I 934, the registrant has duly caused this repo( to be signed on its behalfby the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. AVISTA CORPORATION (Registrant) Date: August 1,2017 /s/ Mark T. Thies Mark T. Thies Senior Vice President Chief Financial Offi cer, and ir"u.ur". (Principal Financial Offi cer) nt Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 242 of 414 Exhibit l2 AVISTA CORPORATION Computation of Ratio of Eamings to Fixed Charges Consolidated (Thousands ofDollars) Six months ended Years Ended December 3 I 30,2017 2016 20t5 2014 2013 2012 s 47,s38 $ 86,897 $ 80,613 $ 74,02s $ 73,772 $ 71,843 t,324 1,287 s 49,748 $ 9l t2$15 $ 78,847 $ 78,731 $ 76,940 s 130,2s4 $ 21s,402 $ l8s,6l9 $ r92,106 t62.347 I16,567 Ratio of eamings to fixed charges 3.59 3.32 3.13 3.39 3.02 2.48 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 243 of 414 Fixed charges. as defined: Interest charges Amortization ofdebt expense and premium - net Interest portion of rentals Total fixed charges Eamings, as defined: Pre-tax income from continuing operations Add (deduct): Capitalized interest Total fixed charges above Total canrings (r,614) 49,748 (2,6s t) 9t,612 (3,546) 85,315 (3,924) 78,84'.7 (3,67 6) 78,731 (2,401) 76,940 s 178,388 $ 304,363 $ 267,388 $ 267,029 $ 237 ,402 S l9l ,r 06 Exhibit l5 August 1,2017 To the Board ofDirectors and Shareholders ofAvista Corporation l4l I East Mission Ave Spokane, Washington 99202 Wc havc rcvicwed, in accordancc with thc standards ofthe Public Company Accounttng Oversight Board (Unitcd Statcs), the unaudited intcrim financial information ofAvista Corporation and subsidiaries for the periods ended June 30,2017 and 201 6, as indicated in our report dated August l, 201 7; because we did not perform an audit, we expressed no opinion on that infonnation. We are aware that our report referred to above, which is included in your Quarterly Report on Form I 0-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 20 I 7, is incorporated by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-33790,333-126577,333-179042 and 333-208986 on Form S-8 and in Registration Statement No. 333- 209714 on Form S-3. We also arc aware that thc aforcmcntioned rcport, pursuant to Rulc 436(c) undcr the Sccurities Act of I 933, is not considcrcd a pa* ofthe Registration Statements prepared or certified by an accountant or a report prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning ofSections 7 and I I ofthat Act. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Scattlc, Waslrington Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 244 of 414 Exhibit 3l.l CERTIFICATION I, Scott L. Morris, certify that: l. I havc rcvicwcd this rcport on Form I 0-Q ofAvista Corporation; 2.Bascd on my knowledgc, this rcport docs not contain any untrue statemcnt ofa material fact or omit to statc a rnaterial fact ncccssary to makc the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, rcsults ofoperations and cash flows ofthe registrant as o{ and for, thc periods prcscntcd in this rcport; Thc rcgistrant's other ccrtifuing officcr and I are responsiblc for establishing and maintaining disclosurc controls and proccdurcs (as dcfincd in Exchange Act Rules I 3a-l 5(e) and I 5d-l 5(e)) and intemal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules I 3a-l 5(f) and I 5d-l 5(0) for the registrant and have: a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b. Designed such intemal control over financial reporting, or caused such intemal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability offinancial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for extemal purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c. Evaluated the effectiveness ofthe registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report ourconclusions about the effectiveness ofthe disclosure controls and procedures, as ofthe end ofthe period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's intemal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's founh fiscal quarter in the case ofan annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to matenally affect, the registrant's intemal control over financial reporting; and The registrant's other certifing officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation ofintemal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee ofthe registrant's board ofdirectors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation ofintemal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely aflect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and repoft financial information; and b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant ro [e in the registrant's intemal control overfinancial reporting. /si Scott L. Moms 3. 4. 5. Datc: August 1,2017 Scott L. Morris Chairman ofthe Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executi ve Offi cer) Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 245 of 414 Exhihit 3l.2 CERTIFICATION I, Mark T. Thies, certify that: l. I havc rcvicwed this report on Form I 0-Q ofAvista Corporation; Date: August l, 20 I 7 2.Bascd on my knowledge, this rcport docs not contain any untrue statcment ofa matcrial fact or omit to statc a rnatcrial fact ncccssary to make the statements made, in light ofthe circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects thc financial condition, results ofopcrations and cash flows ofthe registrant as ol, and for, the periods prcscntcd in this report; The rcgistrant's other certifying officcr and I are responsiblc for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defincd in Exchange Act Rules I 3a-l 5(e) and I 5d-l 5(e)) and intemal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules I 3a-l 5(f) and I 5d-l 5(0) for the registrant and have: Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; Designed such intemal control over financial reporting, or caused such intemal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability offinancial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for extemal purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; Evaluated the effectiveness ofthe registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness ofthe disclosure controls and procedures, as ofthe end ofthe period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's intemal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case ofan annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's intemal control over financial reporting; and The registrant's other certirying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation ofintemal control over financial reponing, to the registrant's auditors and the audit cornmittee ofthe registrant's board ofdirectors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a. All significant deficiencies and nraterial weaknesses in the design or operation ofintemal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's intemal control over financial reporting. 3. 4. a. b. d. isl Mark T. Thies Mark T. Thics SeniorVice President Chief Financial Offi cer, and rr.uru... (Principal Financial Offi cer) Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 246 of 414 c. 5. Exhibit 32 AVISTA CORPORATION CERTIFICATION OF CORPORATE OFFICERS (Fumished Pursuant to I 8 U.S.C. Section I 350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 ofthe Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) Each ofthe undersigned, Scott L. Morris, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Avista Corporation (the "Company"), and Mark T. Thies, Sen ior Vicc Prcsidcnt and Chicf Financial Officer ofthe Company, hcreby certifics, pursuant to I 8 U.S.C. Scction I 3 50, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 o f the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Company's Quarterly Repon on Form I 0-Q for the quarter ended Jun e 30,2017 fully complies with the requirements ofSection I 3(a) ofthe Securities Exchange Act of I 934, as amended, and that the information contained therein fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results ofoperations ofthe Company. Date: August 1,2017 /s/ Scott L. Morris Scott L. Morris Chairman ofthe Board, President and Chief Executive Officer /s/ Mark T. Thics Mark T. Thies Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page247 of4l4 hyd,oOn e D I D T ,f.Y rr f f ,/.a,.t.*- { II \ l tfl -t DDA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT ONE OF NORTH AMERICA'S LARGEST ELECTRIC UTILITIES (TSX: H! Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 248 of 414 Hydro One Limited is Conodo's lorgest pure-ploy electric tronsmission ond distribution utility with $ZS billion in ossets ond onnuol revenues of over $6.5 billion. lt tronsmits ond distribules electricity sofely ond reliobly ocross the Province of Ontorio, home to 38 percent of the country's populofion. Hydro One owns qnd operoles o 3O000 circuit km high-voltoge lrqnsmission network tronsmitting 98 percent of Ontorio's electric copocity, ond o 123,000 circuit km lower-volioge dishibution network serving 75 percent of the geogrophy of the province ond more thon 1.3 million residentiol ond business cuslomers. Hydro One limiled become o public compqny coincident with its initiol public offering in November 2015, ond ib common shqres ore listed on lhe Toronlo Stock Exchonge (TSX: H). HYDRO ONE'S BUSINESS YEAR ENDED DECEiIBER 3I, (CAD $ millions, except per shore omountsl 20r6 20r5 Revenues Purchosed power Revenues (net of purchosed potr-rl Operotion, mointenonce ond odministrotion Depreciotion ond omorlizotion lncome before finoncing chorges ond income tox expense Finoncing chorges lncome tox expense Nel income ottribur,oble lo common shoreholders Diluted eornings per common shore Adiusted diluted eornings per common shore r Net cosh from {used in) operoting octivities Adiusted net cosh from operoting octivities2 Copitol investments S 6,552 3,427 3,125 t,069 778 1278 393 t39 721 t.2l t.2t r,656 1,656 1,697 $ 6,538 3,450 3,088 t,135 7s9 1,194 376 105 690 1.39 l.l6 {r,2s3l 1,557 1,663 Tronsmission - overoge monthly Ontorio 60-minute peok demond /Mfl 20,690 20,344 Appendix 6 to Joint Application 26,289 Page249 of414 Distribution - electricity distributed to Hydro One customers /GWhl 28,764 ' 2015 Adiusted eornings per shore (EPS) is colculoted using lhe number o[ common shores outstonding ol December 31, 2016 ' 2015 omount excludes the $2,810 million non-cosh impoct o{ lPOreloted odiustments TRANSMTSSTON -----------l DISTR|BUTION #{Tftrd ItHtliu-u 987" ol copocily .r=_dL iltli:s-z and 25Y" of end cuslomers 75"/" oQ geogrophy HYDRO ONE'S ROIE IN THE ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM MYIFI ,i1+7 l[ Elechiciry Tronsformer (lncreosed t<r higher voltoge Tronsmission System Tronsformer {Decreosed lo medium voltoge) Distribution Syslem Tronsformer lDecreosed Io lower volloge) Generolion Sources Percentoge of Onlqrio morkel lndushiol, Residentiol, Commerciol Cuslromers TOIAT ASSETS $25.35 BILLION O Tronsmission rl Diskibution O Other TOTAT SHAREHOLDER RETURN' NOVEMBER 5, 2OI5 IPO TO DECEMBER 3I, 2OI6 HYDRO ONE I.IMITED S&P/TSX CAPPED UTITITIES RATE BASE $rz.as BILLION R.EVENUES (NET OF PURCHASED POWER COSTS) REGUTATED EARNINGS BEFORE FINANCING CHARGES AND INCOME TAXES 2 3 4 6 8 l0 II t2 14 49 53 98 99 $3,t25 $t,gte MTLUON Mil.LtON CONTENTS letter from the Boord Choir Letter from the President ond CEO Tronsmission Operotions Distribution Operotions Customers ond Communities Environmentol Sustoinobility Corporote Governonce Why lnvest in Hydro One Monogemenl's Discussion ond Anolysis Consolidoted Finonciol Stolements Notes to Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements Boord of Directors ond Senior leodership Corporote ond Shoreholder lnformotion 2x s&P/TSX COMPOSITE INDEX INDEX s&P 500 EI.ECTRIC UTII.ITIES INDEX s&P 500 INDEX "Source: Bloomberg ond S&P 19.7% 15.9% 16.3% 9.? Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDxo oNE LrmrrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTcA's ,-o*orr, ,Ba$€ &6r0eof 4I4 37x \ / t 17.4% ' \ .t "Hydro One hos ochieved much over this post yeor while moking significonf progress in loying the foundotion ond building lhe orgonizotionol momentum lo deliver increosing vqlue for its customers ond shoreholders in fhe yeors to come." A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD Deor fellow shoreholders, 2016 wos Hydro One's first full yeor os o public compony, ond its evolution to o more broodly owned ond customer- focused orgonizotion is well underwoy. The compony hos ochieved much over this post yeor, including executing its 20l6 finonciol ond operoting plons ond generoting totol shoreholder return of 19.7% since the November 2015 initiol public offering. lt hos olso mode significont progress in loying lhe foundotion to deliver increosing volue for its customers ond shoreholders in lhe yeors to come. One of President ond Chief Executive Officer Moyo Schmidt's key obiectives over the post yeor wos to significontly strengthen lhe compony's senior leodership teom, ond in thot regord we now hove new execulives heoding Hydro One's operotions, customer service, legol, ond slrotegy functions. Eoch of these indlviduols hos brought significont experience ond copobilities to Hydro One, ond the Boord of Directors is very confident thot we now hove in ploce fie depth ond breodth of leodership expertise thot will further occelerote the compony's evolution. ln April 2016, lhe Province of Ontorio sold on odditionol 15% of its stoke in Hydro One to the public in o very successful secondory offering. This followed the November 2015 initiol public offering o[ the shores of Hydro One, ond served to double the public f oot of the compony lo 3O% of shores outstonding while ot the some time meosurobly increosing the troding volume ond liquidity of the shores. This konsoction wos not dilutive to our existing public shoreholders, ond wos onolher step by lhe Province towords its stoted gool of reducing its ownership of Hydro One to 40%. While the Province of Ontorio remoins o significont shoreholder of Hydro One, lhe outonomy of the compony ond independence of our Boord of Direclors is enshrined in o governonce ogreement between Hydro One ond the Province. This governonce ogreement wos executed in odvonce of lost yeor's initiol public offering ond hos operoted os designed to ensure thot the compony is governed os on independenl commerciol entily with the Province's role limited to thot of o shoreholder. I would like lo recognize my fellow Boord members for their service over lhis busy period of chonge. Our Boord is comprised of o diverse ond occomplished group of proren leoders, eoch of whom is very committed lo the success of Hydro One ond the highest stondords of corporole governonce. The Boord hos been highly engoged with AAoyo Schmidt ond his leodership teom in defining the strotegy for the orgonizotion ond chorting the poth forword over the course of the next few yeors. I would olso like to ocknowledge the hord work ond commitment o[ the more thon 5,500 regulor employees of Hydro One. This teom of dedicoted professionols works lirelessly - often oround the clock ond in potentiolly hozordous weolher ond conditions - to ensure thot eleclric power is tronsmitted ond distributed sofely, reliobly ond cost-effectively to the millions of citizens of Ontorio ond the communities in which they live ond work. Thonk you for your investmenl ond conlinued support, DAVID F. DENISON, O.C. Choir of the Boord Hydro One Limited ABpenCixdte Jnffi$ AnplntqafiOnroRT rsX: H Page25l of4l4 t "We hove ossembled q teom of tolented ond deeply experienced leoders who ore dedicoted to tronsforming Hydro One into o more disciplined, cuslomer- focused ond commerciolly oriented electric tronsmission ond distribution service provider." I A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO Deor fellow shqreholders, This is o new ero ot Hydro One. 2016 wos o konsformotive yeor os we emborked on our iourney from good to greot. ln this first full yeor os o public compony, we underlook o compony-wide syslemotic review of our business. Through this intensive process, we idenlified o number of iniliotives, metrics ond torgels thot will enoble us to drive greoter efficiency ond effectiveness ocross cuslomer service, operotions, procurement, network plonning, copitol dep oyment ond odministrotion. Accordingly, we hove ossembled o teom of tolented ond deeply experienced leoders who ore dedicoted lo tronsforming Hydro One into o more disciplined, customer- focused ond commerciolly oriented eleckic lronsmission ond distribution service provider. We ore becoming significontly more customer ond performonce driven by focusing on compony-wide occountobility, productivity, ond efficiency while olso engoging more prooctively with our communities ond First Notions ond M6tis portners. Mony Ontorions feel the pressure of increoses to their electricity bills, so we ore doing our port to keep Hydro One's portion of the bill os low os possible. We ore olso providing customers wilh meoningful conservotion progroms so they con loke greoter control of their consumption ond monoge their bills. Port of this move involves informolion lechnology inveslmenls lhot enoble the shift from poper-bosed systems to increosingly mobile, online ond poperless technologies. Hydro One's employees hove embroced our tronsformotionol iourney to becoming o commerciol enterprise, one focused on delivering volue for customers ond shoreholders. This tronsformotion is centrol to our octions ond strotegies, ond is enshrined in oll thot we endeovour lo ochieve. As we move the orgonizotion forword ond modernize Ontorio's electricol grid, I believe thot we hove multiple opportunities to creote increosing volue for our cuslomers ond shoreholders olike. While we ore fortunole to hove o skong foundolion for growth upon which to build, we ore olso owore thot there ore opportunities for us to enhonce cuslomer service ond improve our execution copobilities ocross the business- We olso oppreciote the criticolily of occeleroting the poce of upgroding Ontorio's oging electric power system ond the significont infroslructure investmenl thot is needed to build ond mointoin o skong, modern ond relioble grid. We mode importont progress this yeor on the regulolory front, where we now hove o plon wilh o cleor line of sight to the imminent konsition from o cost of service-bosed regulotory model to o more dynomic performonce-bosed, customer- focused regulotory model. We ore fully engoged ond goining troction on this front in both segments of our reguloted business. We expect to complete the lronsition to o performonce-bosed regulotory fromework in our distribution segment in eorly 2018 ond in our tronsmission segmenl in eorly 2019. ln oddition lo the significont volue we intend lo creote in improving the performonce of our subslonliol existing operotions, there is olso volue lo be creoted in conlinuing to leod the consolidotion of whot is still o frogmenled system of electric utility ossels in Ontorio. As such, during 2016 we significontly sfepped up the rigour ond copobilities oround how we ocquire ond integrote other eleckic utilities. Our successful integrotion of the Holdimond ond Woodstock municipol utilities is o good indicotor of things to come. During the yeor, we olso compleled lhe ocquisition of Greot Lokes Power Tronsmission ond onnounced lhe ocquisilion of Orillio Power Distribution, two reguloted electric utililies in Onlorio which further odd to our leodership position. My thonks go out to the thousonds of Hydro One employees ocross Ontorio for embrocing this tronsformotionol lourney ond their unwovering commitment 1o our customers. I olso extend my oppreciotion to our Boord of Directors for its supporl ond confidence in monogemenl. The future is bright ond we will continue to power forword, 7rt@ MAYO SCHTIIDT Presldenl ond Chief Execulive Officer Hydro One Limited Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE L,/*'ED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA's Lanorsr rPa&€ &fr'?$f $14 ,f ' -.1 \m !N 2016, HYDRO ONE CO'IIPLETED THE PURCHASE OF GREAT LAKES POWER TRANS'NISSION, THE SECOND LAR,GEST EIECTRICITY TRANSMITER !N ONTARIO. THIS ACOUISITION INCREASED HYDRO ONE'S TRANST|ilSSION CAPACITY lN ONTARIO TO 98/", WHItE lrtlPROVlNG rHE CO'VIPANY'S ABILITY TO CONNECT GENERATORS IN NORTHERN ONTARIO TO ELECTRICITY DEXIAND IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO. ETECTRIC TRANSMISSION SEGMENT The scole of Hydro One's tronsmission operotions increosed during 2016 to opproximotely 30,000 circuit-kilomekes of high-voltoge lines. Hydro One tronsmits high-voltoge eleckicity from nucleor, hydroeleclric, nolurol gos, wind ond solor generotion sources to locol distribution componies ond to directly connected industriol customers ocross Onlorio. Hydro One's lronsmission ossets con be divided into three moin cotegories: Tronsmission slotions Used for the delivery of power, voltoge tronsformolion ond switching, the stotions serve os connection points for both customers ond generotors. Tronsmission lines Bulk tronsmission lines deliver power from generoting stotions or connections lo receiving ferminol stotions. Areo supply lines loke power from the network ond konsmit it to customer supply lronsmission stotions ot customer lood cenkes. Network operolions The Ontorio Grid Control Cenlre monoges oll of Hydro One's tronsmission ond sub-tronsmission operotions. During 2016, copitol investmenls in Hydro One's lronsmission segmenl totoled $988 million, including expenditures on the following proiects: TORONTO MIDTOWN TRANSMISSION REINFORCEMENT PROJECT ln 20.l6, Hydro One substontiolly completed work on the $l l8 million Toronto Midlown Tronsmlssion Reinforcement Prolect which refurbished the existing tronsmission infroslructure lhot serves midtown Toronlo ond oreos to the wesl. This fiveyeor proiect reploced ,14,500 melres of tronsmission cobles ond provides 100 megowotts of odditionol copocity lo serve the locol distribution compony ond its cuslomers. GUEI.PH AREA TRANSM]SSION REFURBISHMENT PROJECT Hydro One substontiolly completed the $87 million Guelph Areo Tronsmissior' Refurbishment Prolect thot will help meet the electricity needs of the growing southwestern Ontorio region. The proiect included upgroding o five-kilomeke section of existing tronsmission lines, ond instolling new konsformer ond swilching equipment ot the tronsformer stolion. More thon 340 conslruclion professionols were involved in the construcllon phose of the proiect. COTTABORATION WTH TONDON HYDRO Hydro One entered inlo o colloborotive investment with London Hydro lo modernize lhe equipment in Hydro One's Nelson Tronsformer Stotion. Hydro One identified o need to reploce oging equipment ond London Hydro conkibuted finonciolly for o voltoge conversion of the stotion to be consistent wlth the other six locol tronsformer stotions, ollowing lhe entire London Hydro system lo be inlerconnected. The prolect will olso increose the reliobility of supply to on imporlont stotion thot serves much of downlown London. These proiects together with mony others underwoy ensure thot Ontorions continue lo receive o sofe, relioble supply of electricily now, ond for yeors to come. o,ooo +ffi-E3 CIRCUIT KILOMETR.ES OF HIGH.VOLTAGE LINES E!== illlltililil A TRANSMtSSION STATIONS 306 PROV|NCtAt CAPACITY Appefijffife JoffiI Anpliqafioa'oRT TSX: H a o o//o Page 253 of 414 I ONE OF NORTH AMERICA'S IARGEST ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMITTERS to Joint.{ b. : \-"l ,l I)/,, ONE OF NORTH AMERICA,S TARGEST E.E.I11I3 UlIL]I,EIJ J Photo coulesy o{ Brion Pielas Photogrophy m.pietersphoto.com HYDRO ONE's 5,5OO SKIIIED AND DEDICATED E'VIPLOYEES SERVE T.3 MlttION VATUED R,ESIDENTIAI AND BUSINESS CUSTO'YIERS ACROSS ONTARIO. HYDRO ONE IS THE PROVINCE'S TARCEST TOCAL EIECTR,IC POWER DISTRIBUTION COiIPANY WITH APPN,OXIAIATELY I23,OOO CIN,CUIT KIIO'IIETR,ES OF POWER IINES. ETECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SEGMENT Operoting in rurol, suburbon ond urbon communities spreod ocross lhe province of Ontorio, home to 38 percent of the populotion of Conodo, Hydro One possesses significont economies of scole ond brings fo beor o slrong commitment to ensuring o modern ond relioble locol eleckicity system for ils 'l.3 million cuslomers. This commitmenl olso includes serving customers in 2l remote communilies spreod ocross the for reoches of northern Ontorio thot ore nol connected to the electricity tronsmission grid. CUSTOMER CONSUTTATION ln mid-2016, Hydro One onnounced o province-wide consuhotion process to seek inpul from ils cuslomers on lhe development of o fiveleor rote plon thot wlll help shope future inveslments in Hydro One's electric distribution system. The gool of the consultotion wos to better understond how Hydro One's customers' needs ore being met by lhe current syslem, ond the types o[ reliobility ond service improvements customers would volue most. This included oddressing oging eleclricity infroskucture, system repoirs ond responding lo power outoges, power quolity ond costs, os well os new producls, services ond web-enobled tools to moke il eosier for cuslomers lo do business wilh Hydro One. The feedbock influenced detoiled plons thot the compony will submlt lo the Ontorio Energy Boord, who will uhimotely delermine lhe investments ond role plons for Hydro One's locol distribution segmenl for fie 2018 through 2022 period. ACQUISITION OF ORII.IIA POWER ln August 2016, Hydro One onnounced thot it reoched o definitive ogreement to ocquire Orillio Power Distribution Corporotion in o tronsoclion volued ot over $41 million. Hydro One will integrote into its operolions opproximolely .l4,000 customers locoted in Simcoe County, home to o populotion of more thon 30,000 ond port of the Huronio region of Cenlrol Ontorio. Hydro One's current service territory includes lhe oreos surrounding the City of Orillio ond this ocquisition enobles Hydro One lo reolize operolionol synergies over time. After closing, Hydro One olso intends to conskuct severol grld conkol ond operoting focilities in Orillio. The ocquisition is conditionol upon the sotisfoction of customory closing conditions ond opprovol o[ the Ontorio Energy Boord. SERVING MANITOUTIN ISI.AND ln October 2016, Hydro One onnounced thot o new distribution stolion will be built to serve customers on Monitoulin lslond, locoted in northern Ontorio on Loke Huron. The new distribution stotion will reploce the Liille Current Distribution Stotion, which wos originolly built in ,1950, ond will help improve rellobillty ond increose copocity for the opproximotely 10,000 customers who live on Moniloulin lslond. CIR.CUIT KITOMETRES OF LOCAL DISTRIBUTION LINES GEOGRAPHY OF PROVINCE SERVED l23,OOO r.3M ri RESIDENTIAL & BUSTNESS CUSTOMERS ACROSS ONTARIO AppenCix6te,lnffia Anphiqalio€'oRT TSX: H Page 255 of 414 t it tI t' l 'I ? I Appendix 6 to Joint HYDRO ONE II'IAITED ONTARIO'S TARGEST TOCAT ETECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY \ a ,t\ \ .s lt,( &: .ri.t. - f,\ <-J o \ a il-, a f, ,.. .:j l'I* ) -{ a ,:'tts a , ONE OF NORTH AMERICA,S I.ARGEST EI.EU] iII. UIILI I;EJ I 'i F a Ia I I - of 414 €t l' F I1,fr a r/ "1 tt(, l IFT-/)\lL/-- hydro 7 -1 I-/t \ { F=t "l \t A I II SERVING CUSTOMERS AND COM'YIUNITIES RELIABTY AND SAFETY \l Tij 'l I 7 s \ 1 /t \ I&ffiirr! Lr...ltEr) r,,,, ir.*,-r...rpoR' TSX, H ,/Page v (9 For further informotion on Hydro One's commitments to customers go to ) HydroOne.com/ Commitments Throughout 2016, Hydro One's skilled ond dedicoted employees responded 24 hours o doy, seven doys o week fo quickly ond sofely restore power for cuslomers through often extremely chollenging weother, terroin ond circumstonces. Hydro One olso continued to provide new ond enhonced progroms ond services lo further define the compony's commitment lo customer service ond energy conservolion. PROACTIVE OUTAGE AI.ERTS ln eorly 2016, Hydro One wos the first utility in Conodo to offer cusfomers prooctive outoge olerls. Customers who register for lhis service receive personolized emoil or lexl olerls obout ouloges thol moy offect lheir homes, colloges, forms or smoll businesses, os well os informotion on estimoted times of restorolion. Since lounching the progrom, Hydro One hos senl hundreds of thousonds of prooctive olerts to customers. This service is on extension of Hydro One's exisling suile of outoge communicotion tools, which includes online outoge mops ond smortphone opps. GET tOCAt IN FIRSI NATIONS COMMUN]TIES Hydro One begon fo offer o new service model in First Notions ond M6tis communities which focuses on locol, foce-to{oce inleroclions lo ensure cuslomers ore informed of ond hove occess lo oll of the conservolion ond ossistonce progroms the compony offers. Meeting with Chiefs ond Councils, representolives from Hydro One's Customer Service leom visit communities throughout the province ond conduct informotion-shoring sessions with customers. FAR,M RAPID RESPONSE TEAM Hydro One onnounced the lounch of its Form Ropid Response Teom thot ossists lhe compony's 13,000 [orming cuslomers to identify, ossess ond mitigote onJorm electricol issues. This new opprooch better serves the needs of Hydro One's forming customers ond wos developed in portnership with the Ontorio Federotion of Agriculture. This streomlined process olso provides Hydro One's forming customers o single, speciolized point of contoct to better ossisl with their specific on{orm concerns. PAPERTESS BII.IING AND HIGH USAGE ATERTS ln lote 2016, Hydro One lounched poperless billing notificotions ond high usoge olerls to provide customers with more visibility ond control over their occounts ond energy use. With billing notificotions, customers sign up to receive poperless billing together with personolized insights ond progrom promotions, which olso provide o new online self- service chonnel for customers os on olternotive to contocting the coll centre. With high usoge olerls, customers receive emoils or fexl messoges if their usoge during o billing period is trending higher thon o predefined threshold. Customers olso receive guidonce on how they con odiusl their energy use before the end of ihe billing period. Through the enhonced web portol, cuslomers con olso eosily find more informolion obout lheir energy use, os well os explore o wide ronge of energy tips ond conservotion progroms provided by Hydro One. SERVING CUSTOMERS & COMMUNITIES CUSTOMER SERVICE FIRST NATIONS PARTNERSH IPS RE LIABILITY SUSTAINABILITY SAFETY DIVERSITY COMMUNITY INVESTMENT Throughout 2016, Hydro One commified millions o[ dollors in donolions ond sponsorships to communilies it serves ocross Onlorio. The conlribulions supporled communily proiects such os the Morksfoy outdoor ice rink roof-building proiect for the locol municipolity, benefiting the community's locol youth. Ofher communily initiotives include the compony's portnership wifi Righl b Ploy's Promoting Life-Skills in Aboriginol Youih progrom, o non-profit orgonizotion thot oims to deliver so[e, fun ond educotionol progromming to Aboriginol youlh. Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE ,r trED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTcA's Lanorsr rP&gr€ &fi,,8.Of 4la TRANSMITTING AND DEIIVERING SOME OF THE CTEANEST ETECTRIC POWER IN NORTH AMERICA l it-@ f; ';. rr{ l[r *'t-rp ##7.-t a t I . ff Ft. d. -\ol. t. ..i.3' )**t AS A STEWARD OF THE GR,ID, HYDRO ONE IS FOCUSED ON TRANS'YIITTING AND DETIVERING SAFE, CTEAN AND SUSIAINABLE ENER,GY. THIS YEAR, THE COMPANY PRODUCED ITS FIR,ST CORPON.ATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBITIY REPORI, ONE WHICH ADHER,ES TO THE GUIDETINES FOR THE G4 GtOBAt R,EPORTING INlrIATlvE AND !S PART OF A CONTINUED EFFORT BY THE CO'ITPANY TO ENHANCE THE TR.ANSPAR,ENCY, ACCOUNIABITITY AND IINE OF SIGHT TO ITS SUSIAINABTE OPERATIONS. ENVIRONMENTAT SUSTAINABILITY HEBER DOWN CONSERVATION AR,EA Hydro One's Forestry teom portnered with the Centrol Loke Ontorio Conservotion Authority ond neighbouring utillties to mitigote the spreod of Phrogmiles, on invosive species, on 3,500 squore metres of o right-of-woy corridor in lhe Heber Down Conservotion Areo. Chollenging ond cosfly to remove, such invosive species threolen lokes, rivers ond forests. Together with o locol controctor ond using o voriety of control methods bosed on locotion, density ond sunounding vegetotion of eoch oreo, the compony begon work on eliminoting the invosive species from its right-of-woy. With thousonds of kilometres of tronsmission Iine corridors crossing the province, the compony hos token o leodership role in engoging with locol stokeholders, toklng o prooctive opprooch to lond monogement ond pooling community resources to monoge lhe spreod of invosive species. VEGEIAflON MANAGE'ilENT To ensure the continued sofe operotion of Hydro One's tronsmission ond distribution lines, the compony conducls province-wide vegetotion monogement operolions to mointoin reliobility ocross the system. As port of the compony's ongoing commitmenl lo locol communities, Hydro One hos consulted with conservotion outhorities ond is working with locol seed distributors to develop ond test pollinotor-friendly seed mixes. Pollinotors include vorious forms of bees, wosps, onts, flies, moths, beetles, bots ond birds These species leed on nector ond pollen from plonts ond their populotions in Ontorio ore generolly in decline due to hobitot loss, diseose, pesticide use ond climote chonge. To mitigote this, Hydro One is working to incorporote pollinotor-friendly seed os port of its vegetotion monogement work in oppropriote oreos os on olternotive to gross seed. locolly, this work supports provinciol initiotives like the Pollinotor Heolth Action Plon developed by the Ontorio Ministry of Agriculture, Food ond Rurol A[[oirs. CORPORATE KNIGHT'S BEST 50 COR,PORATE CIIIZENS Hydro One wos ronked os the top utility in the l5th onnuol ronking of the 2Ol5 Corporote Knights Conodo's Best 50 Corporote Cltizens. The Best 50 Corporote Citizens in Conodo ronking ossesses o brood ronge of Conodion enterprises on o set o[ l2 sustoinobility metrics, including corbon, woter ond woste productivity, percenl o[ toxes poid, leodership gender diversity, innovotion, heolth ond sofety performonce, ond pension fund quolity. Being recognized os one of Conodo's Best 50 Corporote Citizens is o lestoment to Hydro One's core volues ond demonstrotes thot the compony continues to develop o slrong culture of sustoinobility ond corporote responsibility. Customers, investors ond citizens of Ontorio should expect thot Hydro One will power forword in its responsible leodership on Corporote Citizenship in Conodo. tor furlher informotion on Hydro One's commitments lo lhe environment, go lo ) HydroOne.com/OurCommilment AppenCix6lo JnffiI Anplrqafiotr'oRl TSX: H (0 Page259 of4l4 rS I.'\. \I @@@@ CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OVERVIE\V f crtnrn O MEMBER BOAR,D OF DIR,ECTORS AND CO'YTMTTTEES Dovid Denison - Choir NOMINAIING, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, PUBLIC POTICY AND REGUIATORY HUiIAN RESOURCEg HEAITH, SAFETY, ENVIRON'IiENT AND FIRST naroxs aruo mirrs Moyo Schmidt - President ond CEO lon Bourne o * Chorles Brindomour a o Morc Coiro oa Chrislie Clork o o George Cooke a o Morionne Hor'ls o * lomes Hinds o O Kothryn Jockson a a Roberto .lomieson a o Fronces Lonkin a o Phi ip Orstno *o lone Peveretl *o Gole Rubenstein o a Hydro One ond its independent Boord of Direclors recognize the lmportonce of corporote governonce to the effective monogement of the compony. lndependence, lntegrity ond occountobility ore the foundolion of the compony's opprooch to corporote governonce. It is in the long-term best interests of shoreholders os well os customers ond promotes ond strengthens relotionships with employees, the communilies in which lhe compony operotes ond other stokeholders of the compony. The Boord of Directors is firmly supported in these commitments by o governonce ogreement between Hydro One ond the Province of Ontorio, which wos executed in odvonce of the November 2015 initiol public offering of the compony ond ossures thot the Province's role is limited to thot of o shoreholder ond not o monoger of the business. Hydro One's Boord o[ Directors ls composed of o diverse ond occomplished group of independent, proven business leoders with deep corporote governonce experience. The Boord's primory role is overseeing corporote performonce ond the quolity, depth ond continuity of monogement required to meet lhe compony's strotegic obiectives. Hydro One is committed to best proctices o[ corporote governonce, ond regulorly reviews the compony's governonce proctices in response to chonging governonce expectotions ond regulotions. The Compony's proctices ore fully oligned with the rules ond regulotions issued by Conodion Securities Administrotors ond the Toronto Stock Exchonge, including notionol corporote governonce guidelines ond reloted disclosure requirements. HYDRO ONE'S GOOD GOVERNANCE PR,ACTICES FULI.Y IN DEPENDENT BOARD {EXCLUDTNG CEO) CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND WHISTI,EBI.OWER HOTI.INE ANNUAI, REVIEWS OF BOARD AND COMMITTEE PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE AUTHORITY TO RETAIN INDEPENDENT ADVISORS BOARD AND COMMITTEE IN.CAMERA DrscusSroNs DIRECTOR SHARE OWNERSHIP GUIDETINES GOVERNANCE AGREEMENT WIIH PROVINCE BOARD EDUCATION SESSIONS TERM I.IMITS FOR DIRECTORS SEPARATE BOARD CHAIR AND CEO COMMITMENT TO DIRECTOR DIVERSITY MAJORITY VOTING FOR DIRECTORS @ For o complete description of Hydro One's corporote governonce slructure ond proctices ond individuol director biogrophicol informolion, go to ) HydroOne.com/l nvestors Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDro oNE ,rvurED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTcA's Lrnorsr rR&$r€ &60rOf 41a AUDIT Business is 99 percent reguloted ond operotes in o stoble, tronsporent ond colloborolive rote-reguloted environment 3 One of the lorgest pure ploy electric utilities in North Americo, with significont scole ond o leodership position in Conodo's most populoted province I Unique combinotion of electric tronsmission ond locol distribution, with no moteriol exposure lo commodity prices 2 Strong governonce structure ond o fully independent Boord ollow compony to operote outonomously, tronsform its culture ond drive shoreholder volue creotion on multiple fronts 5 Timing of operotionol tronsformotion coincident with tronsition to Ontorio's incentive bosed regulotory fromework expected to creote volue for both customers ond shoreholders 6 Consistent rote bose growlh expecled under muhi-yeor copitol inveslment progrom to upgrode oging electric power system infrostructure 4 Attroctive dividend yield with 70 - 80 percent lorget poyout rotio ond opporlunity for growth with role bose exponsion, efficiency reolizotion ond continued consolidotion B Strong A-roted investment grode bolonce sheet with one of the highest-quolity credit profiles in the North Americon utility sector I Proven monogement teom with demonstroted experience in lronsforming orgonizotions, occeleroting performonce ond creoting significont shoreholder volue 7 A unique opportunity to porticipote in the tronsformotion of o premium, lorge-scole utilityI TEN REASONS TO INVEST IN HYDRO ONE I:! [!YbkO Clr: L,l,..lllD ] )lr,\l'.lil-/.r iEPORT TSX: H Page261 of4l4 hydroon e 2OT 6 FINANCIAL REPORT TIIANAGE'IIENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANAYSIS Consolidoted Finonciol Highlights ond Stotistics Overview Resuhs of Operotions Common Shore Dividends Copilol lnveslments Summory of Sources ond Uses of Cosh l-iquidity ond Finoncing Strotegy Regulotion Olher Developments NonCAAP Meosures Reloted Porty Tronsoctions Risk Monogement ond Risk Foctors Foword-looking Stotements ond lnformotion CONSOUDATED FINANCIAI. STAIE'IIENTS Monogement's Reporl lndependent Auditors' Report Consolidoted Stotements of Operotions ond Comprehensive lncome Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets Consolidoled Stolemenls of Chonges in Equity Consolidoted Stolemenls of Cosh Flows NOTES TO CONSOTIDATED FINANCIAL STATEiTENTS BOARD OF DIR,ECTORS AND SENIOR IEADER,SHIP CORPORATE AND SHAREHOTDER. INFOR}IATION t4 14 t5 17 l8 20 22 23 25 26 28 29 30 44 53 98 99 49 47 48 49 50 5t 52 >=z>ez za>g =:a= o; I (-)C6 oz I <40>U =L<8m=Zod>. m =z zot 2 =zzo_>r 62 EoaO r,2fr(t =om=zar>@lmI 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE urvurED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTcA's r.o*otsr P&gfr ?,6trof 614 hyd,oon e AAonogement's D For the yeors ended December 31, 2Ol6 ond 201 ISCUSSION ON 5 d Ano ys rs The following Monogement's Discussion ond Anolysis {MD&A) of the finonciol condition ond results o[ operotions should be reod together with the consolldoted finonciol stolemenls ond occomponying notes (the Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements) of Hydro One Limited (Hydro One or the Compony) for the yeor ended December 3 I , 20,l 6. The Consolidoled Finonciol Stotements ore presented in Conodion dollors ond hove been prepored in occordonce with United Stotes (USl Generolly Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). All finonciol informotion in this MD&A is presented in Conodion dollors, unless otherwise indicoted. Consolidoted Finonciol Highlights And Stotistics Yeor ended Decenber 3l lmillions of dollors, except os othervvise noted) The Compony hos prepored this MD&A in occordonce with Notionol lnstrument 5l-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligotions o[ the Conodion Securities Administrotors. This MD&A provides informotion for the yeor ended December 31 , 2016, bosed on informotion ovoiloble to monogement os of Februory 9, 2017. The comporotive informotion consists of the results of Hydro One lnc. up to October 3I , 2015, ond the consolidoted results of Hydro One ond Hydro One lnc. from November l, 2015 to December 3,), 2015. See further detoils in section "Other Developments - Chonge in Hydro One Ownership Structure". 2016 2015 Chonge Revenues Purchosed power Revenues, net of purchosed power Operotion, mointenonce ond odminisfrotion costs Depreciotion ond omortizotion Finoncing chorges lncome tox expense Net income ottributoble to common shoreholders of Hydro One Bosic eornings per common shore (EPS) Diluted EPS Bosic pro formo odiusted nonGAAP EPS (Adiusted EPS)r Diluted Adiusted EPSI Net cosh from (used in) operoting octivities Adiusted net cosh from operoling octivitiesr Funds from (used in) operotions (FFO)r Adiusted FFOI Copitol investments Assets ploced in-service Tronsmission: Averoge monthly Ontorio 6Gminute peok demond /MW Distribution: Electricity distributed to Hydro One customers /GWhl 6,552 3,427 3,r25 r,069 778 393 139 721 $ l.2l $ l.2l $ l.2l $ l.2l 1,656 1,656 1,494 1,494 1,697 1,605 20,690 26,289 6,538 3,450 3,088 r,t35 759 376 r05 690 r,663 1,476 20,344 28,764 $ i.:s$ t.rs $ t.to$ t.to 11,248) 1,562 11,479) 1,331 lo.7/"1 l.l/o (s.8%) 2.5% 4.5% 32.4% 4.5% 112.e%) l2.e%l r', <o/ 4.5% 232.7% 6.0% 201.o% I l.l /o l.U /o a 70/ | -/ /o (8.6%) December 3 I 2016 2015 Debt to copitolizotion rotio2 52.6%50.7% I See section "Non€AAP Meosures" for description ond reconciliolon of Adiusted EPS, odiusted nel cosh from operoting octivities, FFO ond Adiusted FFO. 2 Debt to copilolizotion rotio hos ben colculoted os totol debt (includes totol longlerm debt ond short-term borrowings, net o[ cosh ond cosh equivolenh) divided by totol debt plus totol shoreholders' equity, including preferred shores but excluding ony omounts reloted to noncon]rolling interesl. ABpendirc6lp',lns Appljp,a,tisnpoRT TSX: H Page 263 of 414 Overview Hydro One is the lorgest electricity konsmission ond distribution compony in Ontorio. Through its wholly owned subsidiory, Hydro One lnc., Hydro One owns ond operoles substontiolly oll of Ontorio's electricity tronsmission network, ond on opproximotely 123,000 circuit km lowvohoge distribution network. Hydro One hos three business segments: (i) tronsmission; (ii) distribution; ond (iiil other business. Tronsmission Segment Hydro One's lronsmission business owns, operotes ond mointoins Hydro One's tronsmission system, which occounls for opproximotely 98% of Ontorio's konsmission copocity bosed on revenue opproved by the Ontorio Energy Boord (OEB). The Tronsmission Business consists of the tronsmission system operoted by Hydro One lnc.'s subsidiories, Hydro One Networks lnc. (Hydro One Networks) ond Hydro One Soult Ste. Morie LP {formerly Greot Lokes Power Tronsmission LP (Greot Lokes Power)), os well os o 66% interest in B2M Limiled Portnership (B2M LPl, o limited portnership between Hydro One ond the Sougeen Olibwoy Notion in respect of the BruceloMilton tronsmission I i ne. The Compony's tronsm ission business is o rotereguloted business thol eorns revenues moinly from chorging lronsmission rotes thot ore opproved by the OEB. The tronsmission business represented opproximotely 51% of the Compony's totol ossets os ot December 31, 2016, ond opproximotely 5'1 % ol its 20.1 6 revenues, net of purchosed power. 2016 2015 2*0z za>g.=tATa=d I6.)C<tax Z I Electricity tro nsmified r /MWh,/ Tronsmission li nes sponning the province lcircuit-kibmetres) Rote bose lmillions of dollors) Copitol investments /mll/ions of dollors) Assets ploced in-tu*i.. l^illiont of dollort) 136,989,747 30,259 10,775 988 937 137,Ot | ,780 29,35s 10,175 943 696 r Elechicity honsmitted represents totol elechicity tronsmission in Ontorio by oll honsmitters. Distribution Segment Hydro One's distribution business is the lorgest in Ontorio ond consists of the distribution system operoted by Hydro One lnc.'s subsidiorles Hydro One Networks ond Hydro One Remote Communities Inc. The Compony's distribution business is o rote reguloted business thot eorns revenues moinly by chorging distribution rotes thot ore opproved by the OEB. The distribution business represented opproximotely 37/" ol the Compony's totol ossets os ot December 31 , 2O16, ond opproximotely 47% of its 201 6 revenues, net of purchosed power. O Residentiol & Generol Service O Lorge Users O Embedded Diskibutors 2016 20 r5 Electricity distributed to Hydro One customers /GWhl Electricity distributed through Hydro One lines /GWhlt Distribution lines sponning the province lckcuitkilonetres) Distribution customers lnumber of cuslomers) Rote bose lmillions of dollors) Copitol investments /mil/ions of dollors) Assets ploced in-service lmillions of dollors) 26,289 37,394 122,599 1,355,302 7,056 703 662 28,764 40,721 123,425 1 ,347,231 6,739 711 775 I Units dishibuted through Hydro One lines represent totol distribution syslem requirements ond include elechicity distributed to consumers who purchosed power dirrtly lrom the lndependent Eleclricity System Operotor (IESO]. Other Business Segment l-1ydro One's other business segmenl consisls of the Compony's telecommunicolions business ond certoin corporote oclivlties. The telecommunicotions business provides lelecommunicolions support for the Compony's lronsmission ond distribution businesses, ond olso offers communicotions ond lT solutions to orgonizotions with broodbond network requirements utilizing Hydro One Telecom lnc.'s (Hydro One Telecom) fibre optic network to provide diverse, secure ond highly relioble broodbond connectivity. Hydro One's other business segment is nol rotereguloled. This segment represenled opproximolely 12% o[ Hydro One's totol ossets os ot December 3 I , 201 6, ond opproximotely 2% ol ns 2Ol 6 revenues, net of purchosed power. Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE Lrrr{rED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTCA'S T.ARGEST PEAgft ?6fit$f *14 28. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Primory Foctors Affecting Results Of Operotions Tronsmission Revenues Tronsmission revenues primorily consist o[ the Compony's tronsmission rotes opproved by the OEB which ore chorged bosed on the monthly peok electricity demond ocross Hydro One's highvoltoge network. Tronsmission rotes ore designed to generote revenues necessory lo construct, upgrode, extend ond support o tronsmission system with sufficienl copocity to occommodote moximum lorecosted demond ond o reguloted return on the Compony's investment. Peok eleckicity demond ls primorily influenced by weother ond economic condilions. Tronsmission revenues olso include exporl revenues ossocioted with tronsmitting electricity lo morkets outside of Ontorio. Ancillory revenues include revenues lrom providing mointenonce services to power generotors ond from third-porty lond use. Distribution Revenues Distribution revenues include the distribution rotes opproved by the OEB ond omounts to recover the cost of purchosed power used by lhe customers of lhe distribution business. Distribution rotes ore designed to generole revenues necessory to conslruct ond support the locol dlstribution system with sufficient copocity to occommodote existing ond new custorner demond ond o reguloted return on the Compony's inveslment. Accordingly, distribution revenues ore influenced by distribution rotes, the cost o[ purchosed power, ond the omount of electricity the Compony distributes. Distribution revenues olso include oncillory dislribution service revenues, such os fees reloled to the ioint use o[ Hydro One's distribution poles by the telecommunicotions ond coble television induskies, os well os miscelloneous revenues such os chorges for lole poyments. Purchosed Power Costs Purchosed power cosls ore incuned by the distribution business ond represent the cost of the eleclricity purchosed by the Compony for delivery to cuslomers within Hydro One's distribulion service territgry. These costs comprise the wholesole commodity cost of energy, in oddition to wholesole morket service ond lronsmission chorges levied by the IESO. Hydro One posses the cost of electricily thot it delivers lo its cusfomers, ond ls therefore nol exposed to wholesole electricity commodity price risk. Operotion, Mointenonce ond Administrotion Costs Operotion, mointenonce ond odministrotion (OM&A) costs ore incurred to support the operotion ond mointenonce of the lronsmission ond distribulion syslems, ond olher costs such os property loxes reloted to tronsmission ond distribution llnes, stolions ond buildings. Tronsmission OM&A costs ore incurred to sustoin the Compony's high-vohoge tronsmission slotions, lines ond rights-of-woy, ond include preventive ond corrective mointenonce costs reloted to power equipment, overheod tronsmission lines, tronsmission stotion sites, ond lorestry control to mointoin sofe dislonce between line spons ond kees. Distribution OA/&A costs ore required lo mointoin the Compony's lowvoltoge distribution system, ond include costs reloted to diskibution line cleoring ond forestry control to reduce power outoges coused by trees, line mointenonce ond repoir, os well os lond ossessment ond remediotion. Hydro One monoges its costs through ongoing efficienry ond productivity initiotives, while continuing to complele plonned work progroms ossocioted with the development ond mointenonce of its tronsmission ond distribution networks. Depreciotion ond Amortizotion Depreciotion ond omortizotion cosls relole primorily to depreciotion of the Compony's properry, plont ond equipment, ond omorlizolion ol certoin inlongible ossets ond regulotory ossets. Depreciotion ond omortizotion olso includes the costs incurred to remove property, plont ond equipment where no osset relirement obligotions hove Gen recorded on the bolonce sheet. Finoncing Chorges Finoncing chorges relole lo the Compony's finoncing octivities, ond include interest expense on the Compony's longlerm debt ond short- ierm borrowings, goins ond losses on interesl rote swop ogreements, nel of interest eorned on short-term investments. A portion of finoncing chorges incurred by the Compony is copitolized to lhe cost of properly, plont ond equipment ossocioted with the periods during which such ossets ore under conslruction before being ploced in-service- lncome Toxes Hydro One ond its subsidiories were exempt from regulor Conodion federol ond Ontorio income lox (Federol Tox Regime) ond insteod poid on equivolent omount referred to os poyments in lleu o[ corporole income toxes (Pllsl to the Ontorio Eleclricity Finonciol Corporotion {OEFC) under tl'e Electricity Acl (PlLs Regime) until October 2015. Since then, Hydro One ond its subsidiorles hove been subiect to the Federol Tox Regime. ABpen,#rc6fe Jnfint Applipn$iompoRT TSX: H Page 265 of 414 Results of Operotions Nei lncome Net income ottributoble lo common shoreholders for the yeor ended December 31, 20l6 wos $721 million, on increose o[ 4.5%fron the prior yeor. Eornings were positively offected by lower OAI8,A ond higher revenues net ol purchosed power. These positive effects were portly offset by non-recurring items reloted to the Compony's IPO in 20,15, nomely on increose in the effective tox rote primorily driven by lPOreloted tox benefit of $ I 9 million recorded in 20 I 5 ond divestiture of Hydro One Brompton lnc. (Hydro One Brompton) in 2015. Excluding these lPOreloted effects, net income increosed by 10.9%. Revenues Yeor ended December 3l lmillions of dollors, except os othervvise notedl Bosic EPS ond Adiusted Bosic EPS Bosic EPS wos $.l.21 in 2Ol6 (2015 - $1.391. Bosic EPS is significontly offected by the weighted overoge number of shores in issue being different from lost yeor due to the elfects of the lPO, ond is the most significont reoson for the lower EPS compored to lost yeor Adiusbd Bosic EPS, which odiusts {or the inconsislent number of shores in issue, wos $t.2t in 20l6 (2015 - $.].16), driven by increosed nel income compored to lost yeor. See section "NonCA"AP Meosures" for description of Adlusted EPS. 2016 201 5 Chonge ,*az iB>r!-s6T6a6 Iq.)Ca@x z I Tronsm ission Distribution Other 1,584 4,915 53 r,536 4,949 5J 3.17" lo.7%l 6,552 6,538 o.2% Tronsmission volumes: Averoge monthly Onlorio 6Gminute peok demond lMWi Dlstribution volumes: Electricity distributed to Hydro One customers /GWhl 20,690 26,289 20,344 28,764 | -/ /o 18.6%) Tronsmission Revenues Tronsmission revenues increosed 6y 3.1% in 20,16 primorily due to the following: r prior yeor revenues were of{ected by o regulotory driven reduction of $28 million reloted to differences between octuol ond forecost provincewide conservotion ond demond monogement sovings during 2014, which did not recur in 20l6; . higher overoge monthly Ontorio 6Gminute peok demond moinly due to wormer weother in the second ond third quorlers of 201 6, os well os the impoct of severol extremely cold doys thot more thon offset the overoll milder weother in the fourth quorter of 20 1 6; ond r increosed OEBopproved tronsmission rotes for 20,]6. Operotion, Mointenonce ond Administrotion Costs Yeor ended December 3 I lmillions of dollors) Distribution Revenues Distribution revenues decreosed by O.7% in 2O I 6 primorily due to the following: r the divestlture of Hydro One Brompton in August 20,l5, which olso coused the moiority o[ the decreose in distribution volumes; ond o lower overoll energy consumption resulting from milder weother in the first ond fourth quorters of 201 6; portiolly offset by . higher power costs from generotors thol ore possed on to customers, excluding the impoct of diveslilure of Hydro One Brompton; o increosed OEBopproved distribulion rotes for 2016; ond r increosed revenues due to o rote order reloted lo shoredrse revenue. 2016 201 5 Chonge Tronsmission Distribution Other 382 608 79 414 633 BB 17.7%) 13 e%) lo.2%) r,069 1.135 {5.8%) Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LtrvurED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA's ,o*orsr P&gft ?fi6egf *14 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Tronsmission OM&A Costs Tronsmission OM&A decreosed by 7 .7% in 20I 6 primorily due to lower proiect cost ond inventory writedowns coupled wilh lower octivity reloted to tronsformer equipment refurbishments ond stotions moinlenonce. Distribution OM&A Costs Dislribution OM&.A decreosed by 3.9% in 201 6 primorily due to the following: o decreose in bod debl expense including the impoct of revised estimotes of uncollectible occounts; r the divestiture of Hydro One Brompton in August 2015; o lower support services costs; ond o lower costs ossocloted with underground distribution coble locotes; portiolly offset by . higher volume of vegetotion monogement octivities. Other OM&A Costs Other OM&A decreosed by 10.2% in 20 I 6 primorily due to lower costs reloting to lhe integrotion of ocquired locol distribution componies ond lower consulting cosls. Depreciotion ond Amortizolion The increose ol $ I 9 million or 2.5% in depreciotlon ond omorlizotion costs for 20 l6 wos moinly due to the growth in copitol ossels os the Compony continues to ploce new ossets in-service, consistent with its ongoing copilol investmenl progrom. Finoncing Chorges The increose of $17 million or 4.5%in finoncing chorges lor 2016 wos moinly due lo the following: . on increose in inlerest expense on longlerm debt moinly due to the increose in weighted overoge longlerm debt bolonce outstonding during the yeor, portiolly oflset by o decreose in the weighted overoge interest rote for long-term debt; ond o on increose in interest expense on short1erm notes moinly due to the increose in weighted overoge shorl-term notes bolonce outstondlng during the yeor, os well os on increose in the weighted overoge interest rote for short-lerm notes. lncome Tox Expense Income tox expense in 2016 increosed by $34 million compored lo 20 I 5, ond the Compony reolized on effective lox rote o[ opproximolely 1 5.7% io 201 6, compored to opproximotely 1 2.8% reolized in 2Ol5. The increose in the tox expense is primorily due to the effect of on lPOreloted posillve tox odiustment of $,l9 million in 201 5, coupled with higher income before toxes in 20 I 6. Common Shore Dividends ln 20,16, the Compony declored ond poid cosh dividends to comrnon shoreholders os follows: Dote Declored Record Dote Poyment Dote Amount per Shore Totol Amounl {nillions of dollors) Februoryll,2Ol6 Moy 5, 20l6 August I 1,2016 November ,l0,2016 Morch 17, 2016 lone 14, 2016 September 14,2O16 December 14,2016 Morch 31, 2Ol6 lune 30, 2016 September 30, 2016 December 30, 201 6 $0.3a' $o.z t $0.21 $o.z t 202 125 125 125 577 rThiswos$efirstcommonshoredividenddecloredbytheComponyfollowingthecompletionolihinitiol publicofferinginNovember20l5.The$0.34per shore dividend included $0. I 3 for the post{PO period from November 5 to December 3 I , 201 5, ond $0.21 for the quorter ended Morch 3 I , 201 6. Following the conclusion of the fourth quorter of 20,16, the Compony declored o cosh dividend to common shoreholders os follows: Dote Declored Record Dote Poyment Dote Amount per Shore Totol Amount (millions of dollors) ABpenr#rc6te.Jnr$ Appli,q'4.liottpoRT TSX: H Morch 3l. 2017 $0.21 Page267 of4l4 Februory 9,20)7 Morch l4,2Ol6 125 Divestiture of Hydro One Brompton On August 31 , 2015, o dividend wos pold to the Province of Ontorio (Province) by konslerring to o compony wholly owned by the Province oll of the issued ond outstonding shores o[ Hydro One Brompton ond intercompony indebledness owed to Hydro One Inc. by Hydro One Brompton. Hydro One's 20,)5 consolidoted results of operotions lnclude the resuhs of Hydro One Brompton up to August 3'l , 2015. The following tobles present quorterly results of Hydro One Brompton thol were included in consolidoted results o[ Hydro One for the yeor ended December 3l , 20,15. Quorter ended lnillions of dollors) Mor. 3l , 201 5 lun. 30, 2015 Sept. 30, 2015 Dec.3l, 201 5 2015 Totol >;oz ZA>g-t;sa= <; I6.)C@aoz I Revenues Purchosed power OM&A Depreciotion ond omortizotion Income lox expense 125 t07 6 5 129lll 6 4 I 100 BB 4 2 (t) 354 306 16il Net income 777 21 Copitol investments il 28 Selected Annuol Finonciol Stotistics Yeor ended December 3l lmillions of dollors, except per shore onounts) 2016 2Ol5 2014 Totol revenue 6,552 6,538 6,548 Net income ottribuloble to common shoreholders 721 690 731 Bosic ond diluted EPS $ L21 $ ].39 $ t.SS BosiconddilutedAdiustedEPS $ t.zt $ t.lO $ 1.23 Dividends per common shore declored $ 0.97r $ 1.83 $ 0.56$r.12 $r.03 $r.38 rThe$0.gTpershoredividendsdecloredin20l6included$0.l3fortheposrlPOperiodfromNovember5toDecember3l,20l5,ond$0.84fortheyeor ended December 31, 2O16. December 3 I (millions of dollors)2016 201 5 20)4 9 Totol ossets Totol non-current finonciol liobilities 25,35 r )A )AA 22,550 207 373I Quorterly Results of Operotions Quorter ended (nillions of dollors, except EPS) Dec.3l, 201 6 Sep. 30, 2016 Jun.30, 2016 Mor. 31, 2016 Dec.3], 201 5 Sep. 30, 20 r5 lun. 30, 20r5 Mor. 3], 20r5 Revenues Purchosed power Revenues, net of purchosed power Net income to common shoreholders Bosic EPS Diluted EPS Bosic Adiusted EPS Dilured Adiusted EPS 1 ,614 858 756 128 1,686 896 790 208 r,563 838 725 t3t 1,706 870 836 233 1,546 803 743 152 1,522 786 736 143 1,645 856 789 r88 1,808 970 838 228 $ o.22 $ 0.21 $ 0.22 $ o.2l $ 0.39 $ o.3e $ o.3e $ o.3e $ 0.26 $ o.2s $ 0.26 $ 0.25 $ 0.35 $ 0.3s $ 0.3s $ 0.35 $ o.zo $ 0.26 $ o.za $ o.zt $ o.ss $ o.ss $ o.sz $ o.sz $ o.zz $ o.zz $ o.zz $ 0.22 $ o.tz $ o.az $ o.ss $ 0.38 Voriotions ln revenues ond net income over the quorters ore primorily due to the impoct of seosonol weother conditions on customer demond ond morket pricing. Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRO ONE LtrvurED ONE OF NORTH AMERtCA',s '.o*orsr Prage ?l6ffeof 614 8 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Copitol lnvestments The Compony mokes copitol investmenls to mointoin the sofety, reliobllily ond lntegrity of its tronsmission ond distribution ossets ond lo provide lor the ongoing growh ond modernizolion required to meet the exponding ond evolving needs of ils customers ond the electricity morket. This is ochieved through o combinolion of susloining copitol investments, which ore required to support the continued operolion o[ Hydro One's existing ossets, ond developmenl copitol investments, which involve both odditions to existing ossets ond lorge scole proiects such os new tronsmisslon lines ond tronsmission stotions. 2016 201 5 Chonqe The following toble presents Hydro One's 2O I 6 ond 20 I 5 copitol investments: Yeor ended December 3l (millions of dollors) Tronsmission Sustoin ing Development Other 750 r56 82 706 166 71 16.o%) I5.5% 988 943 4.8% Dishibution Susloining Development Other 384 217 102 (3.s%) 11.4%) 9.7% 398 220 93 703 711 l.r Other 6 1,697 r,663 33.3 l.U /o I Totol copitol investments Tronsmission Copitol lnvestments Tronsmission copitol investments increosed by $45 million or 4.8%in 2016. Principol impocts on the levels of copiiol investments included: r on increosed volume o{ work on overheod line refurbishmenls ond insulotor replocements; r on increosed volume of integroled stotion component replocemenls lo sustoin certoin oging ossels ot tronsmission stotions; r continued work on moior locol oreo supply network development proiecls, such os the Hollond Tronsmission Stotion, the Howthorne Tronsmission Stotion, ond the Toronto Mldtown Tronsmission Reinlorcemenl; ond o increosed investments reloting to informotion iechnology infrostructure ond customer progroms, enhoncemenl proiects, including investments to integrote mobile technology with the Compony's existing work monogement tools; portiolly offset by o decreosed investments in syslem enhoncement projects, primorily due to completion of certoin proiects ond o difference in timing o[ work on other proiects; ond o completion of the Guelph Areo Tronsmission Refurbishment proiect. Distribution Copitol lnvesiments Distribution copitol investments decreosed by $8 million or l.l% in 2016. Principol impocts on the levels of copitol inveslments included: . reduced copilol expenditures due to the diveslilure o[ Hydro One Bromplon in 2015; ond o o lower volume of work within stotion refurbishment progroms ond lower volume of spore tronsformer purchoses; portiolly offset by o lncreosed investmenls reloted to informolion technology infrostructure ond customer progroms together wilh upgrode ond enhoncemenl proiecls, including investments to integrote mobile technology with the Compony's existing work monogement tools; ond . investmenls in smort grid technology to mitigote power quolity impocts o[ distributed generotion ond to improve ouloge response times. ABpen,#rc6tc.Jnts ApplieEtionpoRT TSX: H Page 269 of 414 Moior Tronsmission Copitol lnvestmenl Proiects The following toble summorizes the stotus of significont lronsmission proiecls os ot December 3 I , 20 I 6: Proiect Nome locotion Type Anticipoted ln-Service Dote Estimoted Cost Copitol Cost ToDote Development Proiects: Guelph Areo Tronsmission Refurbishment Toronto Midtown Tronsmission Reinforcement Supply to Essex County Tronsmission Reinforcement Clorington Tronsmission Stolion Northwest Bulk Tronsmission Line Eost-Wesl Tie Stotlon Exponsion Guelph oreo Southwestern Ontorio Toronto Soulhwestern Ontorio Windsor-Essex oreo Southwestern Ontorio Oshowo oreo Southwestern Ontorio Thunder Boy Northwestern Ontorio Northern Onlorio Tronsmission line upgrode New tronsmission line New tronsmission line ond stotion New tronsmission stotion New lronsmission line September 2016r December 20162 To be determined 201 B $73 million $]3 million 20rI $262 million $ ,l92 million $87 million $86 million $1 'l B million $l l3 million To be determined Stotion exponsioo 2O2O $ 166 million ,*az za>tr 3Aa1 <n I6oc =z I Susloinment Proiects: Bruce A Tronsmission Stotion Richvlew Tronsmission Stotion Circuit Breoker Replocement Lennox Tronsmission Stotion Circuit Breoker Replocement Beck #2 Tronsmisslon Stotion Circuit Breoker R"plSlgrglt Tiverton Southwestern Ontorio Toronto Southwestern Ontorio Noponee Southeostern Ontorio Niogoro oreo Soulhwestern Ontorio Stotionsusloinment 20,l9 Stotionsustoinment 20]9 Stotion sustoinmenl 2O2O Stotion sustoinmenl 2021 $.l09 million $83 million $102 million $68 million $95 million $15 million $93 million $28 million lMojorportionsof theproiectwerecompletedondplocedin-serviceinSeptember20l6.Workoncertoinminorportionsof theproiectcontinuesinlhefirst quoder o| 2017. 2 Mojor portions of fie proiect were completed ond ploced in-service in December 2016. Work on certoin minor portions of the proiect continues in the firsl quorter of 20 1 7. Future Copitol lnvestments Following is o summory of estimoted copitol investments by Hydro One over the next five yeors. The Compony's eslimoles ore bosed on monogement's expectotions of lhe omount of copitol expenditures thot will be required to provide tronsmission ond distribution services thot ore efficient, relioble, ond provide volue for customers, consistent with the OEB's Renewed Regulotory Fromework. These estimotes differ lrom the prior yeor disclosures, reflecting onnuol increoses of $ I 26 million for 2017 , $ I 1 3 million for 201 B, $239 million for 2019, ond $360 million for 2O2O. These future copitol inveslments reflect monogement's best estimotes ond, os opplicoble, proieclions included in rote filings currently in process. These proiections ond lhe timing of expenditures ore in lorge port subiect to opprovol by the OEB, ond will be odiusted going foword os oppropriote to reflect rote decisions by the OEB. Appendix 6 to Joint Application HYDRo oNE LIMITED oNE oF NoRTH AMERIcA,s LARGESI P€gE ?T7ETOfA14 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS The following toble summorizes Hydro One's onnuol projected copilol investmenlsfor 2Ol7 to 2021 , by business segment: [millions o{ dollors) 2Ol7 201 I 2019 2020 2021 Tronsmission Distrlbution Other 1,086 648 12 1,132 647 9 1,217 771 B 1,278 71< 6 1,486 749 B Totol copitol investments 1,746 1,788 1,996 2,019 2,243 The following loble summorizes Hydro One's onnuol projected copitol investmenls for 2017 lo 2021 , by cotegory: lmillions of dollors) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Susloinlng Development Otherr t,t07 414 225 1 ,165 400 aaa 1,219 484 293 1,327 487 20s 1,546 490 207 Totol copitol investments 1,746 1,788 1,996 2,019 2,243 I "Other" copibl expenditures consisl of spmiol proiects, such os those reloting to informotion technology. Summory Of Sources And Uses Of Cosh Hydro One's primory sources of cosh flows ore funds generoted lrom operotions, copitol morket debt issuonces ond bonk credit focilities thot ore used lo sotisfy Hydro One's copitol resource requirements, including the Compony's copitol expenditures, servicing ond repoyment o[ debt, ond dividend poyments. Yeor ended December 3l lmillions of dollors) 2016 2015 Cosh provided by (used in) operoting octivities Cosh provided by finoncing octivilies Cosh used in invesling oclivities 1,656 t6t (1,86r) 11,248) 2,954 11,712) Decreose in cosh ond cosh equivolents 144)(6) Primory foctors behind the increose in cosh provided by operoting octivities The increose in cosh provided by operoting octivities is primorily due to o deferred tox recovery of $2.8 billion recorded in 2015 thot resulted os o consequence of leoving the PlLs Regime ond entering the Federol Tox Regime. Primory fociors behlnd the decreose in cosh provided by finoncing octivities Sources o[ cosh . The Compony received $2.3 billion proceeds from issuonce of long-term debt in 20,16, compored to $350 milllon recelved lost yeor. . The Compony received $3,03 1 million proceeds from issuonce of short-term notes in 20,16, compored to $2,891 million received lost yeor. r In 20,l5, the Compony received $2.6 blllion proceeds lrom common shores issued to the Province prior to the completion o[ the initiol public offering (lPO). Uses of cosh r Dividends poid in 20,l6 were $596 million, consisting of $572 million common shore dividends ond $ l9 million preferred shore dividends, compored to $BBB million poid in 20.)5. 20l5 dividends consisted of $25 mlllion common shore dividends, $13 million preferred shore dividends, os well os on $800 million speciol dividend poid to the Province prior to the completion o[ the rPo. e The Compony repoid $4,053 million o{ short-term noles, compored to $ I ,400 million repoid lost yeor. o The Compony repoid $502 million of long-term debt in 20,l6 compored to $585 million repoid lost yeor. ABpendirc6te',lnri$ ApplipntionpoRT TSX: H Page271 of4l4 Primory foctors behind the increose in cosh used in investing octivities Uses of cosh o Copitol expenditures were $29 million higher in 201 6, primorily due to increosed konsmission copilol investments consistent with the Compony's ongoing copitol investment progrom. Liquidity ond Finoncing Strotegy Short-term liquidity is provided through funds from operotions, Hydro One lnc.'s commerciol poper progrom, ond the Compony's consolidoted bonk credit focilities. Under the commerciol poper progrom, Hydro One Inc. is outhorlzed to issue up to $.1.5 billion in short-term noles with o term lo moturi! of up to 365 doys. At December 3,l, 20,16, Hydro One lnc. hod $469 million in commerclol poper borrowings outstonding, compored to $1,49.1 million outstonding ot December 3,), 2015. ln oddition, the Compony ond Hydro One Inc. hove revolving bonk credit focilities totolling $2,550 million moturing in 2021 . The Compony moy use the credit focilities for working copitol ond generol corporote purposes. The short-term liquidity under lhe commerciol poper progrom, the credit focilities ond onticipoted levels of funds from operolions ore expected to be suf{icient to fund the Compony's normol operoling requirements. At December 3 1 , 201 6, the Compony's longlerm debt ln the principol omount of $ l0,6Zl million included $ 10,523 million long- term debt issued under Hydro One lnc.'s Medium Term Note (MTN) Progrom ond long-term debt in the principol omount of $148 million held by Greot Lokes Power. At December 31, 2016, the moximum outhorized principol omount o[ notes issuoble under the current MTN Progrom prospectus filed in December 20'l 5 wos $3.5 billion, with $ I .2 billion remoining ovoiloble for issuonce until Jonuory 20,) 8. The Credit Rotings At December 3 I , 201 6, Hydro One's corporote credit rotings were os follows: Rothg Agency o ln 2016, the Compony poid $226 million to ocquire Greot Lokes Power, compored to o totol of $90 million poid in 2015 to ocquire Holdimond County Utilities Inc. (Holdimond Hydro) ond Woodstock Hydro Holdings lnc. (Woodstock Hydro). e ln Augusl 2015, on investmento{ $53 million wos mode in Hydro One Bromplon prior to its divestilure lo the Province. longlerm debt consists o[ notes ond debentures thot moture between 2017 ond 2064, ond ot December 3 I , 20 I 6, hod on overoge term to moturily of opproximotely 15.9 yeors ond o weighted overoge coupon of 4.3%. On Morch 30, 20I 6, Hydro One filed o finol universol short form bose shelf prospectus (Universol Bose Shelf Prospectus) wilh securilies regulotory outhorities in Conodo. The Unlversol Bose Shelf Prospectus ollows Hydro One to offer, from time to lime in one or more public oflerings, up to $8.0 billion of debt, equity or olher securities, or ony combinotion thereof, during the 25-month period ending on April 30, 2018. Hydro One filed the Universol Bose Shelf Prospectus in port to Iocilitote the secondory offerings of outstonding shores of the Compony by the Province, ond to provide lhe Compony with increosed finoncing flexibility going lorword. ln 2016, Hydro One completed o secondory offering of o portion of its common shores previously owned by the Province. See section "Other Developments - Chonge in Hydro One Ownership Structure" for detoils of this tronsoction. Upon closing of the konsoction, $6,030 million remoined ovoiloble under the Universol Bose Shelf Prospectus. At December 3l , 2016, the Compony ond Hydro One lnc. were in complionce with oll finonciol covenonts ond limitotions ossocioted with the outstonding borrowings ond credit focilities. Corporote Credit Roting >*oz >g =>@+aA Ga oCaaoZ I Stondord & Poor's Roting Services {S&P} Hydro One hos not obtoined o credil roling in respect of ony of its securilies. An issuer roting from S&P is o forwordlooking opinion obout on obligor's overoll creditworthiness. This opinion focuses on the obligor's copocity ond willingness to meet its finonciol commitments os lhey come due but it does not opply to ony specilic finonciol obligotion. An obligor with o long-term credit roting o['A' hos strong copocity lo meet its finonciol commilrnenls but is somewhot more susceptible to the odverse effects o[ chonges in circumslonces ond economic conditions thon obligors in higher-roted cotegories. The roting obove is not o recommendotion lo purchose, sell or hold ony of Hydro One's securities ond does not comment on the morket price or suitobility of ony of the securities for o porticulor investor. There con be no ossuronce thot the roting will remoin in effect for ony Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LrilrrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTCA'S uncesr Pea$ft ?rlaegf 'A14 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS given period of time or thol the roting will not G revised or withdrown entirely by S&P ot ony time in the future. Hydro One hos mode, ond onticipotes moking, poyments to S&P pursuonl to ogreements entered into wilh S&P in respect o[ the roting ossigned to Hydro One ond expecls lo moke poyments to S&P in the luture to the extent it obioins o roting specilic to ony o[ its securities. Long{erm Debt Roting At December 3l , 20,l6, Hydro One Inc.'s long-term ond shortlerm debt rotings were os follows: Short+erm Debt Roting Agency Roting DBRS Limited Moody's lnvestors Seryice S&P R-l (low) Prime2 A-t {his A3 A A Effect of lnterest Rotes The Compony ls exposed to fluctuotions of interest rotes os its reguloted return on equiV (ROE) is derived using o formuloic opprooch thot tokes into occount chonges in benchmork interest rotes for Government of Conodo debt ond ihe A-roted utility corporote bond yield spreod. See section "Risk Monogement ond Risk Foctors - Risks Reloting to Hydro One's Business - Morkel, Finonciol Instrument ond Credit Risk" for more detoils. Pension Plon In 20,l6, Hydro One contributed opproximotely $l0B million to its pension plon, compored to contributions of opproximotely $177 million in 2015, ond incurred $ll6 milhon in net periodlc pension benefit costs, compored to $ 163 million incurred in 2015. lnJune 2016, Hydro One lnc. filed on octuoriol voluotion of its Pension Plon os ot December 31, 20.l5. Bosed on this voluolion ond 201 6 levels of pensionoble eornings, the 20,l 6 onnuol employer contributions hove decreosed by opproximotely $72 million from $ I 80 million os estimoted ot December 3 I , 201 5, primorily due to improvements in lhe funded stotus of the plon ond future octuoriol ossumplions. The decreose olso reflects the impoct o{ chonges implemented by monogement to improve lhe bolonce belween employee ond Compony conlributions to the Pension Plon. The updoted octuoriol voluotion resulted in o $25 million decreose in 20 I 6 revenue with o corresponding decreose in OM&A costs, os the lower pension contributions will be returned to customers through the penslon cost vorionce deferrol occount in fulure role opplicotions. The Compony estimotes thot lolol pension contributions for 2017 ond 20I 8 will be opproximorely $ 105 million ond $ 102 million, respectively. The Compony's pension benefits obligotion is impocted by vorious ossumptions ond estimotes, such os discount rote, role o[ return on plon ossefs, rote o[ cost of living increose ond mortolity ossumptions. A full discussion of the signlficont ossumptions ond estimotes con be found in the section "Criticol Accounting Estimotes - Employee Future Benefits". Other Obligotions Off-Bolo nce Sheet Arro ngements There ore no off-bolonce sheet orrongements thot hove, or ore reosonobly likely to hove, o moterlol current or future effect on the Compony's finonciol condition, chonges in finonciol condition, revenues or expenses, results of operofions, liquidity, copitol expenditures or copitol resources. ABpen,#rc6lo',Inri$ Applinn6ionpoRT TSX: H Page 273 of 414 Summory of Controctuol Obligotions ond Other Commerciol Commitments The following toble presents o summory of Hydro One's debt ond other moior conlroctuol obligotions ond commerciol commitments: December 3l , 201 6 Less thon I -3 3-5 (millions of dollorsl Totol I yeor yeors yeors More thon 5 yeors Controctuol obligotions (due by yeor) Longlerm debt - principol repoyments 10,671 Longlerm debt - interest poyments 8,145 Short-term notes poyoble 469 Pension conkibutionsr 207 Environmentol ond osset retirement obligotions 243 Outsourcing ogreements 374 Operoting leose commitmenls 42 Long-term softwore,/meler ogreement 73 602 456 469 r05 27 r65 lt 17 1,484 827 102 5t 196 t6 33 r,156 754 65 4 t3 l8 Totol controctuol obligotions 20,224 1 ,852 2,7Oq 2,010 13,653 Other commerciol commitments lby yeor of expiry) Credit focilitiesz 2,550 2,550 Letters of credit3 174 174 Guoronteesa 330 330 Totol other commerciol commitments 3,054 504 2,550 I Conlributions to the Hydro One Pension Fund ore generolly mode one month in orreors. The 201 7 ond 201 8 minimum pension conhibutions ore bosed on on octuoriol voluotion os ol December 31, 2015 ond proiected levels of pensionoble eornings. 2 On August 15,2O16, Hydro One lnc. terminoted its creditfocilities totolling $2.3 billion moturing in June2020 ond October 2018, ond entered inb o new $2.3 billion credit focility moluring in June 2021 . On November 7,2O16, the moturity dote of Hydro One's $250 million credit focility wos exbnded from November 2020 to November 2021. 3 Letters of credil consist of o $ 150 million letter of credit reloted lo retirement compensotion orrongements, ond le[ers of credit totolling $24 million provided os prudentiol support.{ Guorontees consist of prudentiol support provided to fie IESO by Hydro One lnc. on beholf of its subsidiories. Regulotion The OEB opproves both the revenue requiremenls o[ ond the rotes chorged by Hydro One's reguloted tronsmission ond dishibution businesses. The rotes ore designed lo permit the Compony's tronsmission ond distribution businesses lo recover lhe ollowed costs The following toble summorizes the stotus of Hydro One's moior regulotory proceedings: Applicotion Yeor(s)Typ" ond to eorn o formulo-bosed onnuol rote of return on its equity invested in the reguloted businesses. This is done by opplying o specified equity risk premium to forecosted interest roles on longlerm bonds. In oddition, the OEB opproves rote riders to ollow {or the recovery or disposition of specific regulotory defenol occounts over specified time fromes. Stotus Z>9z >d>g346Ads(,oc<n<,oz I ElechiciV Rotes Hydro One Networks Hydro One Networks Hydro One Networks B2M LP Greot Lokes Power 2015-2016 2017-2018 2015-2017 201 5,20 r 9 2017 Tronsmission - Costof-service Tronsmission - Costof-service Distribulion - Custom Tronsm ission - Costof-service Tronsm ission - Costof-service OEB decision received OEB decision pending OEB decision received OEB decision received OEB decision pending Mergers Acquisitions Amolgomotions ond Divestitures Greol Lokes Power Orillio Power n/o n/o Acquisition Acquisilion OEB decision received OEB decision pending Leove to Construct Supply lo Essex County Tronsmission Reinforcemenl Project n/o Section 92 OEB decision received Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LrrurED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTCA'S ,orors, P€ge ?r7rt$f A14 7,429 6,r08 'to0 9 2 5 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Hydro One hos obtoined revenue requirement opprovols from the OEB, subiect to certoin onnuol odiustments, for Hydro One NeMorks' tronsmission business through 20l6,lor B2M LP through 2019, ond for Hydro One Networks'dislrlbution business to the end ol 2017. The following loble summorizes the key elements ond slotus of Hydro One's electricity rote opplicotions: Applicotion Yeor ROE Allowed (A) or Forecost (F)Rote Bose Rote Applicotion Stotus Rote Order Stotus Tronsmission Hydro One Nefworks 2016 2017 20r B 9. r9% (A) B.7B%\Al 8.7e%lF) $ 10,040 million $ 10,554 million $ll,226million Approved in Jonuory 20 1 5 Filed in Moy 2016 Filed in Moy 2016 Approved inlonuory 20l6 To be filed in 20l Z Ql To be filed in 2017 Q4 B2M LP 2016 2017 20r B 2019 9.19% (A) B.7B7"l ) 8.78%lF) 8.78%lFl $5 l6 million $509 million $502 million $496 million Approved in December 20l5 Approved in December 20l5 Approved in December 20 1 5 Approved in December 20,15 Approved inJonuory 2016 Filed in December 2016 To be filed io 2Ol7 Q4 To be filed in 2Ol B G4 Greot Lokes Power 2017 9. r9% (F)$2 I 8 million Filed in December 20l6 Filed in December 2a16 Dishibution Hydro One Nel'works 2016 2017 9.19%lA) 8.78%l l $6,863 million $7, 190 million Approved in Morch 20,15 Approved ln Morch 20]5 Approved in April 2015 Approved in December 20 I 6 Hydro One Networks On Moy 3l , 20,16, Hydro One Networks [iled o cost-of-service opplicotion with the OEB {or 2017 ond 2018 konsmission rotes. The opplicotion seeks opprovol o{ role bose of $ i0,554 million for 2017 ond $1 1 ,226 milllon lor 20 I 8. In October 20 I 6, the OEB issued updoted cost o[ copitol porometers for rotes effective in 2O]7, including on updoted 20 17 ollowed ROE of B.ZB%. The opplicotion olso loys out o plonned lronsmission copitol inveslment progrom for the five-yeor period ending on December 3l , 2021, with investments in copitol spending primorily to oddress reliobility, sofety ond customer needs, in o costelfective monner. Monogement expects thot o decision will be received in the lirst holt of 2017 , ond thot new rotes will be retrooctive toJonuory 1 , 2017. Future lronsmission rote opplicotions ore onlicipoted to be filed under the OEB's incentive bosed regulotory fromework. Hydro One Networks plons to submit on opplicotion for 2O18-2022 distribution rotes under the OEB's incenlivebosed regulotory fromework in the first quoner ol 2017. B2M LP OnJonuory 14,2O16, the OEB issued its Decision ond Rote Order opproving the B2M LP revenue requiremenl recovery through the 20 I 6 Uniform Tronsmission Rotes. On December I , 201 6, B2M LP filed o Droft Rote Order with o revised 2017 revenue requirement o[ $34 million, reflecting updoted 2017 cosl of copitol porometers issued by the OEB in October 20,l6. Other Regulotory Developments OEB Pension ond Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Generic Heoring ln 2015, the OEB begon o consullotion process lo exomine pensions ond OPEBs in rotereguloted utilities, with the obiectives of developing stondord principles to guide its review of pension ond OPEB reloted costs in the future, ond to estoblish specific requirements lor opplicotions ond oppropriote ond consistent regulotory mechonisms for cost recovery. Hydro One ond other stokeholders [iled written submissions with respect lo initiol OEB queslions intended to solicit views on the key issues o[ interest to the OEB. Following o stokeholder forum inJuly 2016, updoled writlen submissions were filed with the OEB in September 20 1 6. lt is onticlpoted thot subsequent to the OEB's review o[ the updoted written submissions, the OEB will outline principles to guide its review o[ penslon ond OPEB reloted costs in the fulure, ond provide further guidonce on opplicolion requirements ond regulotory mechonisms for cost recovery. Other Developments Chonge in Hydro One Ownership Structure In November 2015, Hydro One ond the Province completed on IPO on lhe Toronto Stock Exchonge o[ opproximotely 89.3 million common shores o[ Hydro One, representing l5% of the Province's ownershlp position. Prior to the complelion of the lPO, Hydro One ond its subsidiory, Hydro One lnc., completed o series o[ lronsocllons (PrelPO Tronsoctions) thot resulted in, omong other things, the ocquisition by Hydro One of oll of the issued ond ABpenr8r6lp',lfiis Applion6ionpoRT TSX: H Page 275 of 414 outstonding shores of Hydro One lnc. from the Province ond the issuonce of new common shores ond prefened shores of Hydro One to the Province. Both Hydro One ond Hydro One lnc. ore reporting issuers. ln April 2016, lhe Province completed o secondory offering of 83.3 million common shores of Hydro One on the Toronto Stock Exchonge. Hydro One did not receive ony o[ the proceeds lrom eilher of the soles of common shores by the Province. At December 3l , 2016, the Province directly holds opproximotely 70.1% of Hydro One's totol issued ond outstonding common shores. Closs Action Lowsuit Hydro One lnc., Hydro One Networks, Hydro One Remote Communities lnc., ond Norfolk Power Distribulion Inc. ore defendonts in o closs oction suit in which the representotive plointiff is seeking up to $ I 25 million in domoges reloted to ollegotions of improper billing proctices. A certilicotion motion in the closs oction is pending. Due to the preliminory stoge of legol proceedings, on estimote of o possible loss reloted to this cloim connol be mode. Acquisitions lntegrotion of Holdimond Hydro ond Woodstock Hydro In 20.15, the Compony ocquired Holdimond Hydro ond Woodstock Hydro, two Ontoriobosed locol distribution componies. ln September 20,)6, the Compony successfully completed the integrotion o[ both entities, including the integrotion of employees, customer ond billing informotion, business processes, on{,operolions. tronsmission business operoting olong the eostern shore of [oke Superior, north ond eost of Soult Ste. Morie, Ontorio. The totol purchose price for Greot Lokes Power wos opproximotely $376 million, including the ossumplion o[ opproximotely $150 million in outstonding indebtedness. OnJonuory 16,2O17 Greot Lokes Power's nome wos chonged to Hydro One Soult Ste. Morie LP. On December 23,2016, Greot Lokes Power filed on opplicotion for 2017 rotes, requesting on increose to the opproved 2016 revenue requiremenl ol 1.9%, resulting in on u@oted revenue requiremenl of $41 million. Acquisition of Orillio Power In August 2016, the Compony reoched on ogreement to ocquire Orillio Power Distribution Corporotion (Orillio Power), on electricil'y distribution compony locoted in Simcoe Counly, Onlorio, lor opproximotely $41 million, including the ossumption of opproximotely $15 million in outstonding indebtedness ond regulotory liobilities, sublect to closing od justments. The ocquisilion is subiect to regulotory opprovol by the OEB. Hydro One Work Force l-1ydro One hos o skilled ond llexible work force of opproximotely 5,500 regulor employees ond over 2,@0 nonregulor employees provincewide, cornprising o mix o[ skilled trodes, engineering, professionol, monogeriol ond executive personnel. Hydro One's regulor employees ore supplemented primorily by occessing o lorge externol lobour force ovoiloble through orrongements wlth the Compony's trode unions for vorioble workers, sometimes refened to os "hiring holls', ond olso by occess to conlroct personnel. The hiring holls offer Hydro One the obiliry to flexibly utilize highly troined ond oppropriotely skilled workers on o proiect-byproiect ond seosonol bosis. Acquisition of Greot Lokes Power On October 31 , 2O16, following receipt of regulotory opprovol of the tronsoction by the OEB, Hydro One completed the ocquisition of Greot Lokes Power, on Ontorio reguloted electricity The following toble sets oul lhe number o[ Hydro One employees os ot December 3 I , 201 6. Regulor Employees Non-Regulor Employees Totol z>9z za>gr=taea= C; I6.)C(n <,ttoz I Power Workers' Union (PWU) The Society of Energy Professionols {Society) Conodion Union of Skilled Workers (CUSWI ond conslruction building trode un ions2 3,470 r,365 698r 44 4,168 1,409 1,275 1,275 Totol employees represented by unions Monogement ond non-represented employees 4,835 659 2,017 2B 6,852 687 Totol employees 5,494 2,045 7,539 I lncludes 528 nonregulor "hiring holl" employees covered by the PWU ogreement. z Employees ore iointly represented by both unions. The construction building kode unions hove colleclive ogreemenh with the Electricol Power Systems Conskuction Associotion (EPSCA). Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE uxUrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA's,o*ors, P€ge?r76rgf *14 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Shore-bosed Com pensotion During 2016, the Compony gronted owords under its longlerm Incenlive Plon, consisting of Performonce Stock Units (PSUs] ond Restricted Stock Unils (RSUs), oll o[ which ore equity settled. At December 3 I , 20 I 6, 230,600 PSUs ond 254,1 50 RSUs were outstonding. No long-term incentive owords were gronted during 2015. poid on prelerred shores, ond (iii] distributions lo noncontrolling interest. Adiusted FFO is defined os FFO, od justed for the impoct of the deferred income tox osset thot resulted os o consequence o[ leoving the PlLs Regime ond entering the Federol Tox Regime. Monogement believes thot FFO ond Adiusted FFO ore helpful os supplementol meosures of the Compony's operoting cosh flows os they exclude timing-reloted flucluotions in non-cosh operoting working copitol ond cosh flows not ottributoble to common shoreholders, ond, in the cose of Adiusted FFO, the impoct of the lPGreloted deferred income lox osset. As such, these meosures provide consistent meosures o[ the cosh generoting performonce of the Compony's ossels. 2016 201 5 Non-Goop Meosures Funds from Operotions (FFO) ond Adiusted FFO FFO is defined os net cosh from operoting oclivities, odlusted for {i} chonges ln noncosh bolonces reloted to operolions, (ii) dividends The following toble presents the reconciliotion of nel cosh from operoting octivities to FFO ond Adiusted FFO: Yeor ended December 3l (millions of dollors) Net cosh from (used in) operoting ocllvities Chonges in non-cosh bolonces reloted to operotions Preferred shore dividends Distributions to noncontrolling inleresl 1,6s6 | ,2481 (r 34) 1213)(re) (r 3)(e) (5) FFO Less: Deferred income tox ossetl Adiusted FFO 1 ,494 r,33l r lmpoct of defurred income tox ossel lhot resulted os o consequence of leoving the PlLs Regime ond entering the Federol Tox Regime. Adiusted EPS The following bosic ond diluted Adlusted EPS hos been prepored by monogement on o supplementory bosis which ossumes lhot the totol number of common shores outstonding wos 595,000,000 in eoch of the yeors ended December 3 l, 20,1 6 ond 201 5. The supplementory pro formo disclosure is used internolly by monogement subsequent to the IPO of the Compony's common shores in November 20l5 to ossess lhe Compony's performonce ond is Yeor ended December 3 I considered useful becouse it eliminotes the lmpoct of o different ond noncomporoble number o[ shores outstonding ond held by the Province prior to ihe lPO. Adiusted EPS is considered on importont meosure ond monogement believes thot presenting it consistently for oll periods bosed on the number o[ outstonding shores on, ond subsequent to, the IPO provides users with o comporotive bosis to evoluote the operotions of the Compony. 2016 20r5 Net income ottributoble lo common shoreholders lmillions of dollors) Pro formo weighted overoge number of common shores Bosic Effect o[ dllutive stock'bosed compensotion plons 721 s9s,000,000 1,700,823 690 595,000,000 94,691 Diluted Adiusted EPS Bosic Diluted 596,700,823 595,094,691 $ $ 1.21 1 .21 I .16 I .16 $ $ ABpenr#r6tp JnrS ApplipntionpoRT TSX: H Page277 of4l4 1 494 t] 47ql (2,8 r0) Adiusted Net Cosh from Operoting Activities Adiusted net cosh from operoting octivilies is defined os net cosh from operoting octivilies, odiusted for the impocl of the defened income tox osset thot resulted os o consequence of leoving the PlLs Regime ond entering the Federol Tox Regime. Monogement believes thot this meosure is helpful os o supplementol meosure o[ the Compony's net cosh from operoting oclivities os il excludes the impoct o[ the lPOreloted defened income lox osset. As such, odiusted net cosh from operoting octivities provides o consislent meosure o[ the Compony's cosh from operoting octivities compored to prior periods. 201 5 The lollowing loble presents the reconciliotion of net cosh from operoting oclivllies to od justed net cosh from operotlng oclivilies: Yeor ended December 3 I lmillions of dollors) 2016 ,t9z z- \t>{-64 aa6g oCaaoz I Net cosh lrom {used in) operoting octivities Less: Deferred income lox osselr 1,656 11,24Bl 12.8 l0) net cosh from octivities I lmpoct of deferred income tox osset thot resulted os o consequence of leoving the PlLs Regime ond entering the Federol Tox Regime. To the extent thot odiusted nel income is used in future conlinuous disclosure documents of Hydro One, itwill be defined os net income, odlusted for certoin items, including nonrecurring items ond other onetime items thot monogemenl does not consider to be reflective of the operotlng perlormonce of the Compony. No such odiustments to nel income ore presenled in this MD&A. Monogemenl believes thot this meosure will be helpful in ossessing the Compony's finonciol ond operoling performonce in the future. 562 FFO, odlusted FFO, odlusted bosic ond diluted EPS, odiusted net cosh from operoling octivities, ond odiusted net income ore nol recognized meosures under US GAAP ond do not hove o stondordized meoning prescribed by US GAAP. They ore therefore unlikely to be directly comporoble to similor meosures presented by other componies. They should not be considered in isolotion nor os o substitule for onolysis ol the Compony's flnonciol informolion reported under US GAAP. Reloted Porty Tronsoctions The Province is the moiorily shoreholder of Hydro One. The IESO, Ontorio Power Generotion lnc. (OPG), OEFC, OEB, ond Hydro One Brompton ore reloted porties to Hydro One becouse lhey ore controlled or significontly influenced by fie Province. The following is o summory ol the Compony's reloted porty tronsoctions during the yeor ended December 31, 2016: Yeor ended December 3 I 2016 2015 (millions of dollors)RelotedPorty fronsoction Provincel Dividends poid Common shores issued2 IPO costs subsequently reimbursed by the Province3 451 8BB 2,600 7 IESO Power purchosed Revenues for konsmission services Distribution revenues reloted to rurol rote protection Distribution revenues reloted to the supply of eleckicity to remote northern communilies Funding received reloted to Conservotion ond Demond Monogement progroms 2,096 1,549 12s 32 63 2,31 B t,548 127 1a 70 OPG Power purchosed Revenues reloted to provision o{ construction ond equipment mointenonce services Costs expensed reloled to the purchose of services 6 5 I 1l 7 I OEFC Poyments in lieu of corporote income loxesa Power purchosed lrom power conlrocts odministered by the OEFC lndemnificotion fee poid (terminoted effective October 3l , 20,15) 2,933 6 B OEB Hydro One Bromptonl Revenues from monogement, odministrotive ond smort meter network services r On August 3 'l , 20 l 5, Hydro One lnc. completed the spinoff of its subsidiory, Hydro One Brompton, to the Province. 2 On November 4,2O15, Hydro One issued common shores to the Province for proceeds of $2.6 billion. 3 ln 2015, Hydro One incurred certoin IPO reloted expenses totolling $7 million, which were subsequently reimbursed to the Compony by the Province. a ln 201 5, Hydro One mode PlLs to the OEFC totolling $2.9 billion, including deporture tox of $2.6 billion. Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE UM|TED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA',s tARGEST P€&ft ar?ffrof4l4 OEB I 12 2 r,656 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS At December 31 ,2O16,lhe omounts due from ond due to reloted porties os o result of the lronsoctions described obove were $ I 5B million oad $\47 millton, compored to $ l9l million ond $ I 38 million ot December 3l , 2015, respectively. At December 3 I , 20 I 6, included in omounts due to reloted porties were omounts owing lo the IESO in respect of power purchoses of $ 143 million, compored to $ l 34 million ot DecemGr 3 l , 201 5. Risk Monogement ond Risk Foctors Risks Reloting to Hydro One's Business Regulotory Risks ond Risks Reloting to Hydro One's Revenues Risks Re/oling to Obtoining Rote Orders The Compony is subject to lhe risk thot the OEB will not opprove lhe Compony's tronsmission ond distribulion revenue requirements requested in outstonding or luture opplicolions for rotes. Role opplicotions for revenue requiremenls ore subiect to the OEB's revlew process, usuolly involving porticipotion from iniervenors ond o public heoring process. There con be no ossuronce thot resulting decisions or role orders issued by the OEB will permil Hydro One to recover oll cosls octuolly incurred, costs o[ debt ond income toxes, or to eorn o porticulor ROE. A foilure to obtoin occeptoble rote orders, or opprovols o[ oppropriote returns on equity ond costs octuolly incuned, moy moleriolly odversely offect: Hydro One's lronsmission or distribution businesses, the undertoking or timing o[ copitol expenditures, rolings ossigned by credit rollng ogencies, the cost ond issuonce o{ longlerm debt, ond other motlers, ony of which moy in lurn hove o moleriol odverse effecl on the Compony. In oddition, there is no ossuronce thot the Compony will receive regulotory decisions in o timely monner ond, therefore, costs moy be incurred prior to hoving on opproved revenue requirement. Risks Re/oting to Actuol Performonce Agoinst Forecasts The Compony's obility to recover lhe octuol costs of providing service ond eorn the ollowed ROE depends on the Compony ochieving its forecosts estoblished ond opproved in the rotesetting process. Actuol costs could exceed the opproved forecosls if, for exomple, the Compony incurs operolions, moinlenonce, odministrotion, copitol ond linoncing costs obove those included in the Compony's opproved revenue requirement. The inobilily to obtoin occeptoble role decisions or to recover ony significont difference belween Iorecost ond octuol expenses could moterlolly odversely offect the Compony's finonciol condition ond results of operolions. Further, the OEB opproves the Compony's lronsmission ond distribution rotes bosed on proiected electricity lood ond consumption levels, omong other loctors. l[ octuol lood or consumplion moteriolly folls below projected levels, the Compony's revenue ond nel income for either, or bolh, of lhese businesses could be moleriolly odversely offected. Also, the Compony's current revenue requirements for these businesses ore bosed on cost ond olher ossumplions thot moy not moteriolize. There is no ossuronce thot the OEB would ollow rote increoses sufficient to offsel unfovouroble finonciol impocls from unonticipoted chonges in electricity demond or in the Compony's costs. The Compony is subiect to risk of revenue loss from other loctors, such os economic kends ond weother conditions thot influence the demond for electricily. The Compony's overoll operoling results moy [luctuote substontiolly on o seosonol ond yeor-toyeor bosis bosed on these lrends ond weother conditions. For instonce, o cooler thon normol summer or wormer thon normol winter moy reduce demond for electricity below thot forecost by the Compony, cousing o decreose ln the Compony's revenues from the some period o{ the previous yeor. The Compony's lood could olso be negotively offecled by successlul Conservotion ond Demond Monogement progroms whose results exceed forecosled expectotions. Ris/<s Re/oting to Rote'selling ltAodels for Tro nsmission o nd Di stribution lhe OEB opproves ond periodicolly chonges the ROE for tronsmission ond distribution businesses. The OEB moy in the future decide to reduce the ollowed ROE for either of lhese businesses, modify the formulo or methodology it uses to determine the ROE, or reduce the weighting o[ the equity componenl of the deemed copitol structure. Any such reductlon could reduce the net income o[ lhe Compony. The OEB's recent Custom lncentive Rote-setting model requires thot the term o[ o cuslom rote opplicotion be o minimum liveyeor period. There ore risks ossocioted with forecosling key inputs such os revenues, operoting expenses ond copitol, over such o long period. For lnstonce, i[ unonticipoted copitol expenditures orise thot were not contemploled in the Compony's most recent rote decision, lhe Compony moy be required to incur costs thot moy not be recoveroble until o luture period or nol recoveroble ot oll in future roles. This could hove o moteriol odverse effecl on the Compony. After rotes ore set os port o[ o port o[ o Custom lncentive Rote opplicotion, fie OEB expects there to be no further rote opplicotions for onnuol updotes within the fiveyeor lerm, unless there ore exceptionol circumstonces, with the exception of the cleoronce o[ esloblished deferrol ond vorionce occounts. For exomple, the OEB does noi expect to oddress onnuol role opplicotions for updotes for cost o{ copitol {including ROE}, working copitol ollowonce or soles volumes. lI there were on increose ln inlerest rotes over the period of o rote decision ond no corresponding chonges were permitted to the Appendir6le',ln'lr$ Applipn$iompoRT TSX: H Page 279 of 414 Compony's ollowed cost of copitol (includlng ROE), then the result could be o decreose in the Compony's finonciol performonce. To the extent thot the OEB opproves on In-Service Vorionce Account lor the tronsmission ond/or distribution businesses, ond should the Compony [oil to meet the threshold levels of in-service copitol, the OEB moy recloim o corresponding portion of the Compony's revenues. Risks Re/otin g to Copitol Expenditures ln order lo be recoveroble, copitol expenditures require the opprovol of the OEB, either through the opprovol of copitol expenditure plons, rote bose or revenue requirements for the purposes of setling lronsmission ond distribution rotes, which include the impoct of copitol expendilures on rote bose or cost of service. There con be no ossuronce thot oll copitol expenditures incuned by Hydro One will be opproved by the OEB. Copilol cost overruns moy not be recoveroble in tronsmission or distribution roles. The Compony could incur unexpected copitol expenditures in mointoining or improving its ossets, porliculorly given thot new technology moy be required to support renewoble generotion ond unforeseen technicol issues moy be identified through implementotion of proiects. There is risk thot the OEB moy not ollow [ull recovery ol such expenditures in the future. To the extent possible, Hydro One oims to mitigote this risk by ensuring prudent expenditures, seeking from the regulotor cleor policy direction on cost responsibility, ond preopprovol of the need for copitol expenditures. Any future regulotory decision by the OEB to disollow or limit the recovery o[ ony copitol expenditures would leod to o lower thon expected opproved revenue requirement or rote bose, potentiol ossel impoirment or chorges to the Compony's results of operotions, ony of which could hove o moleriol odverse effect on the Compony. Risks Re/otin g to Deferred Iox Assel As o result of leoving the PlLs Regime ond entering the Federol Tox Regime in connection with the IPO of the Compony, Hydro One recorded o deferred tox osset due to the revoluoiion of lhe tox bosis of Hydro One's fixed ossets ol their foir morket volue ond recognition of eligible copitol expenditures. Monogement believes this will result in onnuol net cosh sovings over ol leost the next five yeors due to the reduction o[ cosh income toxes poyoble by Hydro One ossocioted primorily with o higher copitol cost ollowonce. There is o risk thot, in current or future rote opplicotions, the OEB will reduce the Compony's revenue requirement by oll or o portion of those net cosh sovings. lf the OEB were lo reduce the Compony's revenue requiremenl in this monner, it could hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony. Risks Re/oting to Other Applicotions to the OEB The Compony is olso subiect to the risk thot it will nol obtoin required regulotory opprovols for other motters, such os leove to conskucl opplicotions, opplicotions for mergers, ocquisitions, omolgomotions ond divestitures, ond environmenlol opprovols. Decisions to ocquire or divesl other reguloted businesses licensed by the OEB ore sublect to OEB opprovol. Accordingly, fiere is he risk thot such motters moy not be opprwed or thot unfovouroble conditions will be imposed by he OEB. First Notions ond M6tis Cloims Risk Some of the Compony's current ond proposed tronsmission ond distribution ossets ore or moy be locoted on reserve (os defined in the lndion Act (Conodo); Reserve) londs, ond londs over which First Notions ond M6tis hove Aboriginol, treoly, or other legol cloims. Some First Notions ond M6tis leoders, communilies, ond their members hove mode ossertions reloted to sovereignty ond iurisdiclion over Reserve londs ond troditionol terrilories ond ore increosingly willing to ossert their cloims through the courts, tribunols, or by direct oction. These cloims ond/or settlement of these cloims could hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony or otherwise moteriolly odversely impoct the Compony's operotions, including the development ol current ond future proiects. The Compony's operotions ond octivities moy give rise to the Crown's duty to consult ond potentiolly occommodote First Nolions ond M6tis communities. Procedurol ospects of lhe duty to consult moy be delegoted to the Compony by the Province or the lederol government. A perceived loilure by the Crown to sulficiently consult o First Notions or M6tis community, or o perceived foilure by the Compony in relotion to delegoted consultotion obligotions, could result in legol chollenges ogoinst the Crown or the Compony, including judiciol review or iniunction proceedings, or could potentiolly result in direct oction ogoinst the Compony by o community or its citizens. ll this occurs, it could disrupt or deloy the Compony's operotions ond octivities, including current ond {uture proiects, ond hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony. Risk from Tronsfer of Assels Locoted on Reserves The tronsfer orders by which the Compony ocquired certoin of Ontorio Hydro's businesses os of April I , 1999 did not tronsfer title to ossels locoted on Reserves. The tronsfer of tille to these ossets did not occur becouse outhorizotions originolly gronted by the lederol government for the construction ond operotion of these ossets on Reserves could not be tronsferred without required consent. In severol coses, the outhorizotions hod either expired or hod never been issued. >*ozi6>g-a;s@? <;(f 6.)Caaoz I Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE uMrrED oNE ot NoRTH AMERTCA'S LARGEST EPEAgft arffe rOf 41 4 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Currently, the Ontorio Electricity Finonciol Corporolion holds legol tille to these ossets ond it is expected thot the Compony will monoge them until it hos obtoined permils to complete the title tronsfer. To occupy Reserves, the Compony musl hove volid permits issued by Her Mojesty the Queen in the Right of Conodo. For eoch permit, the Compony must negoliote on ogreement (in the form of o memorondum o[ understonding) with the First Notion, the Ontorio Elecxicity Finonciol Corporolion ond ony members o[ the First Notion who hove occuponcy rights. The ogreement includes provisions whereby the First Notion consenls to the federol government (presently lndigenous Affoirs ond Northern Development Conodo) issuing o permit. For konsmission ossets, the Compony must negotiote terms of poyment. lt is diflicult to predict the oggregote omounl thol the Compony moy hove to poy, either on on onnuol or onelime bosis, to obtoin the required ogreements from First Notions. lf the Compony connot reoch sotisfoclory ogreements with ihe relevont First Notion to obtoin federol permits, it moy hove to relocote these ossets to other locotions ond restore the londs ol o cost thot could be substontiol. In o limited number of coses, il moy be necessory to obondon o line ond reploce it with diesel generotion locilities. ln either cose, the costs reloting to these ossets could hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony if the costs ore not recoveroble in future rote orders. Complionce with Lows ond Regulotions Hydro One must comply with numerous lows ond regulotions offecting its business, including requirements reloting to tronsmission ond distribution componies, environmenlol lows, employment lows ond heolth ond sofety lows. The foilure o[ the Compony to comply with these lows could hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony's business. See olso "- Heolth, Sofety ond Environmentol Risk". For exomple, Hydro One's licensed tronsmission ond distribution businesses ore required to comply wlth the lerms of their licences, with codes ond rules issued by lhe OEB, ond with other regulotory requirements, including regulotions o[ the Notlonol Energy Boord. In Ontorio, lhe Morket Rules issued by the IESO require the Compony to, omong other lhings, comply with the reliobility stondords estobllshed by the North Americon Eleclric Reliobility Corporotion (NERCI ond Northeost Power Coordinoting Council, Inc. (NPCCI. The incrementoi costs ossocioted with complionce with these reliobility stondords ore expected to be recovered through rotes, but there con be no ossuronce thot the OEB will opprove the recovery o[ oll of such incrementol costs. Foilure to obtoin such opprovols could hove o moteriol odverse effecl on the Compony. There is the risk thot new legislotion, regulotions, requirements or policies will be introduced in the future. These moy require Hydro One to incur odditionol costs, which moy or moy not be recovered in future tronsmission ond distribution rotes. Risk of Noturol ond Other Unexpected Occurrences The Compony's focilities ore exposed to the effects o[ severe weother conditions, nolurol disoslers, mon-mode events including but not limited to cyber ond physicol tenorist type ottocks, events which originote from third-porly connected syslems, or ony other polentiolly cotostrophic events. The Compony's focilities moy nol wilhslond occurrences of this type in oll circumstonces. The Compony does not hove insuronce for domoge lo its tronsmission ond dislribution wires, poles ond lowers locoted outside its lronsmission ond distribution slotions resulting from these or other events. Where insuronce is ovoiloble lor other ossets, such insuronce coveroge moy hove deductibles, limits ond/or exclusions. Losses from losl revenues ond repoir costs could be substontiol, especiolly for mony o[ the Compony's focilities thot ore locoled in remole oreos. The Compony could olso be sublect to cloims for domoges coused by its foilure to tronsmit or distribute electricity. Risk Associoted with lnformotion Technology lnfrostructure ond Doto Security \ The Compony's obility to operote effectively in the Onlorio electricity morket is, in port, dependent upon it developing, mointoining ond monoging complex informolion lechnology syslems which ore employed to operote ond monitor its tronsmission ond dlstribution focilities, finonciol ond billing systems ond other business systems. The Compony's increosing relionce on informotion systems ond exponding doto networks increoses ils exposure to inlormotion security lhreots. The Compony's tronsmission business is required to comply with vorious rules ond stondords lor lronsmission reliobility, including mondotory stondords estoblished by the NERC ond the NPCC. These include slondords reloting lo ryber-security ond informolion technology, whlch only opply to certoin of the Compony's ossets (generolly being those whose foilure could impoct the functioning of the bulk electricity system). The Compony moy mointoin dilferent or lower levels o[ informotion technology security {or ils ossets thot ore not subiect to these mondolory stondords. The Compony must olso comply with legislotive ond licence requiremenls reloting to the collection, use ond disclosure of personol informotion ond inlormolion regording consumers, wholesolers, generolors ond reloilers. Cyber-ottocks or unouthorized occess lo corporote ond informotion technology systems could result in service disruplions ond system [oilures, which could hove o moteriol odverse elfect on the Compony, including os o result of o foilure to provide electricity to cuslomers. Due to operoting criticol infrostructure, Hydro One moy be ot greoter risk of cyber-ottocks lrom third porties (including slole run or controlled porties) thot could impoir or incopocilote its ossets. ln oddltion, in the normol course of its operotions, the Compony collects, uses, processes ond stores informotion, which could be ABpendir6ln Jnrnfi Appl,ipE$ionpoRT TSX: H Page 281 of 414 exposed in the event o[ o cyber-security incident or other unouthorized occess, such os informotlon oboul customers, suppliers, counterporties ond employees. Smurity ond system disosler recovery controls ore in ploce; however, there con be no ossuronce thot there will not be syslem Ioilures or security breoches or thol such threots would be detected or mitigoted on o timely bosis. Upon occurrence ond detection, the focus would shih from prevention to isolotlon, remediotion ond recovery until the incident hos been fully oddressed. Any such syslem foilures or securily breoches could hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony. Work Force Demogrophic Risk By the end o[ 2016, opproximotely 22% of the Compony's employees who ore members o[ the Compony's defined benefit pension plon were eligible for retirement under thot plon, ond by the end ol 2017, up to opproximotely 23% could be eliglble. These percentoges ore not evenly spreod ocross the Compony's work force, but tend to be most significont in the most senior levels of the Compony's stoff ond especiolly omong monogement stoff. During eoch o{ 2Ol6 ond 20.l5, opproximotely 3% of the Compony's work force elected to retire. Accordingly, the Compony's continued success will be tied to its obility lo continue to ottroct ond retoin suflicient quolified stoff to reploce the copobility lost through retirements ond to meel lhe demonds of lhe Compony's work progroms. Lobour Relotions Risk The substontiol moiority of lhe Compony's employees ore represented by either the PWU or the Society. Over the post severol yeors, signilicont effort hos been expended to increose Hydro One's flexibiliry to conduct operotions in o more costeflicient monner. Although the Compony hos ochieved improved flexibility ln its colleclive ogreements, the Compony moy not be oble to ochieve further improvements. The Compony reoched on ogreement with lhe PWU for o renewol collective ogreement with o threeyeor term, covering the period from April 1 , 201 5 to Morch 3,l , 201 8 ond on eorly renewol collective ogreement with the Society with o threeyeor term, covering the period from April l , 201 6 to Morch 3 1 , 20.1 9. The Compony olso reoched o renewol collective ogreement with the Conodion Union of Skilled Workers for o threeyeor lerm, covering the period from Moy | , 201 4 to April 30, 201 7. Additionolly, the EPSCA ond o number of construclion unions hove reoched renewol ogreements, to which Hydro One is bound, for o fiveyeor term, covering the period from Moy I , 2015 to April 30, 2020. Future negotiotions with unions present the risk o[ o lobour disruption ond the obilily to sustoln the continued supply of energy to customers. The Compony olso foces finonciol risks reloted to its obilit/ to negotiole colleclive ogreements consislent with ils rote orders. In oddition, in the event of o lobour dispute, the Compony could foce operotionol risk reloted to contlnued complionce with its requirements of providing service lo customers. Any of these could hove o moleriol odverse effecl on the Compony. Risk Associoted with Arronging Debt Finoncing The Compony expects to borrow lo repoy its existing indebledness ond to fund o portion of copitol expenditures. Hydro One lnc. hos substontiol debt principol repoyments, including $602 million in 2O)7,$753 million in 20.l8, ond $Z3l million in 20.l9. ln oddition, from time to time, the Compony moy drow on its syndicoled bonk lines ond or issue shortlerm debt under Hydro One lnc.'s $ l .5 blllion commerciol poper progrom which would moture within opproximotely one yeor of issuonce. The Compony olso plons to incur continued moteriol copitol expenditures for eoch of 2017 ond 20,1 B. Cosh generoied from operotions, oher the poyment ol expected dividends, will not be sufficient to lund the repoyment of the Compony's existing indebtedness ond copitol expenditures. The Compony's obility to ononge sufficient ond cost-effective debt finoncing could be moteriolly odversely offected by numerous foclors, including the regulotory environment in Ontorio, the Compony's results of operotions ond finonciol posilion, morket conditions, the rotings ossigned to its debt securities by credit roling ogencies, on inobility of the Corporotion to comply with its debt covenonts, ond generol economic conditions. A downgrode in the Compony's credit rolings could restrict the Compony's obility to occess debl copitol morkets ond increose the Compony's cost of debt. Any foilure or inobility on the Compony's port to bonow the required omounts o{ debt on sotisfoctory terms could impoir its obllity to repoy moturing debt, fund copitol expenditures ond meet other obligotions ond requirements ond, os o result, could hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony. Morket, Finonciol lnstrument ond Credit Risk Morket risk refers primorily to the risk of loss thot resulls from chonges in costs, foreign exchonge rotes ond interest rotes. The Compony is exposed to fluctuotions in inlerest rotes os its reguloted ROE is derived using o formuloic opprooch thot tokes inlo occount onticipoted interest rotes, but is not currently exposed to moteriol commodity price risk or moteriol foreign exchonge risk. >=z>oz >B>gr-t}T6a6(f6r)caaoZ I Appendix 6 to Joint Application HYDRO ONE Lti trED ONE OF NORTH AMERtCA',S ro*Cry Pragft ?fffleofsl 4 In oddition, the Compony expects the skilled lobour morket for its industry to be highly competitive in the future. Mony o[ the Compony's current employees ond mony of the potentiol employees it would seek in the future possess skills ond experience thot would olso be highly sought ofter by other orgonizotions inside ond outside the electricity sector. The foilure to ottroct ond retoin quolified personnel for Hydro One's business could hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS The OEBopproved odiustment formulo for colculoting ROE in o deemed regulotory copilol structure of 60% debt ond 4O% equity provides for increoses ond decreoses depending on chonges in benchmork interest roles for Governmenl of Conodo debt ond the A-roted utility corporote bond yield spreod. The Compony estimotes thot o decreose of I 0O bosis points in the combinotion of the forecosted long-term Government o[ Conodo bond yield ond the A-roted utility corporote bond yield spreod used in determining its rote o[ return would reduce the Compony's tronsmission business' 2Ol B net income by opproximotely $23 million ond ils distribution business' 20lB net income by opproximotely $,)5 million. The Compony periodicolly utilizes inlerest rote swop ogreements to mitigote elements of interest rote risk- Finonciol ossets creote o risk thol o counterporty will foil to dischorge on obligotion, cousing o finonciol loss. Derivotive finonciol instruments resull in exposure to credit risk, since there is o risk of counterporty defouh. Hydro One monilors ond minimizes credil risk through vorious techniques, including deoling with highly roted counterporties, limiting totol exposure levels with individuol counlerporties, entering inlo ogreements whlch enoble net settlement, ond by monitoring the linonciol condition of counterporties. The Compony does not trode in ony energy derlvotives. The Compony is required to procure eleckicily on beholf o[ competitive retoilers ond cerloin locol distribution componies for resole to their customers. The resulting concentrotions o[ credit risk ore mitigoted through the use of vorious security orrongements, including letters o[ credit, which ore incorporoted into the Compony's service ogreements with these retoilers in occordonce with the OEB's Retoil Settlement Code. The [oilure to properly monoge these risks could hove o moleriol odverse effect on the Compony. Risks Reloting to Asset Condition ond Copitol Proiects The Compony continuolly incurs susloinment ond development copitol expenditures ond monilors the condition of its tronsmission ossels to monoge the risk o[ equipment foilures ond to determine the need for ond timing o{ moior refurbishments ond replocements o[ its konsmission ond distribution infrostructure. However the lock o[ reol time monltoring o[ distribution ossets increoses the risk of distribution equipment foilure. The connection of lorge numbers of generotion focilities to the distribution network hos resulted in greoter thon expected usoge of some of the Compony's equiprnent. This increoses mointenonce requirements ond moy occelerote the oging o[ the Compony's ossets. Execulion ol the Compony's copitol expenditure progroms, porticulorly for development copitol expenditures, is porliolly dependent on externol foctors, such os environmentol opprovols, municipol permits, equipmenl outoge schedules thot occommodote the IESO, generotors ond tronsmission-connected customers, ond supply choin ovoilobility for equlpment suppliers ond consulting services. There moy olso be o need for, omong other things, Envionmenlol Assessmenl Acl (Ontorio) opprovols, opprovols which require public meelings, oppropriote engogement with First Notions ond M6tis communilies, OEB opprovols of expropriotion or eorly occess to property, ond other octivitles. Obtoining opprovols ond corrying out these processes moy olso be impocted by opposition to lhe proposed site of the copitol investments. Deloys in obtoining required opprovols or foilure to complete copitol proiects on o timely bosis could moteriolly odversely offect tronsmission reliobility or customers' service quolity or increose moinlenonce costs which could hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony. Externol foctors ore considered in the Compony's plonning process. lI lhe Compony is unoble to corry out copitol expenditure plons in o timely monner, equipment performonce moy degrode, which moy reduce nelwork copocity, result in customer lnlerruplions, compromise the reliobility of the Compony's networks or increose the costs o[ operoting ond mointoining these ossets. Any of these consequences could hove o moteriol odverse eflect on the Compony. Increosed compelilion for lhe development o[ lorge tronsmission proiects ond legislotive chonges reloting to the selection o[ lronsmillers could impoct lhe Compony's obility to expond its existing tronsmission system, which moy hove on odverse effect on the Compony. To the extent thot other porlies ore selected to conslrucl, own ond operole new tronsmission ossets, lhe Compony's shore of Ontorio's tronsmission network would be reduced. Heolth, Sofety ond Environmentol Risk The Compony is subject to provinciol heolth ond sofe1y legislotion Findings of o [oilure to comply with this legislotion could result in penolties ond reputotionol risk, which could negotively impoct the Compony. The Compony is subiect to extensive Conodion federol, provinciol ond municipol environmentol regulotion. Foilure lo comply could subject the Compony to [ines or other penolties. ln oddition, the presence or releose o[ hozordous or other hormful substonces could leod to cloims by third porties or governmentol orders requiring the Compony to toke specific octions such os investigoting, controlling ond remedloting the effects of these substonces. Contominotion o[ the Compony's properties could limit its obihly to sell or leose these ossets in the future. ln oddition, octuol future environmentol expenditures moy vory moteriolly from the estimotes used in the colculotion of the environmentol liobilities on the Compony's bolonce sheet. The Compony does not hove insuronce coveroge lor these environmentol expenditures. ABpen,#r6le Jffs Aoplip'a$ionpoRT TSX: H Page 283 of 414 There is olso risk ossocioted with obtoining governmentol opprovols, permits, or renewols of existing opprovols ond permits reloted to conshucling or operotlng locilities. This moy require environmenlol ossessment or result in the imposition of condilions, or both, which could result in deloys ond cosl increoses. Hydro One emits cerloin greenhouse goses, including sulphur hexofluoride or "SF6". There ore increosing regulotory requirements ond costs, olong with ottendont risks, ossocioted with the releose ol such greenhouse goses, oll of which could impose oddltionol moteriol costs on Hydro One. Any future regulotory decision to disollow or limit the recovery o[ such costs could hove o moleriol odverse effect on the Compony. Pension Plon Risk Hydro One hos the Hydro One Deflned Benefil Pension Plon in ploce for the moiority of its employees. Contributions to the pension plon ore estoblished by octuoriol voluotions which ore required to be [iled with the Finonciol Services Commission of Ontorio on o kienniol bosis. The mosl recently filed voluotion wos prepored os ot December 3l , 201 5, ond wos filed in June 2016, covering o three yeor period from 20,l 6 to 201 8. Hydro One's contribulions to its pension plon sotisfy, ond ore expected to sotisfy, minimum funding requiremenls. Contributions beyond 2018 will depend on the funded position o[ the plon, which is determined by investment returns, interest rotes ond chonges in benefits ond octuoriol ossumplions ot thot time. A determinotion by the OEB thot some of the Compony's pension expenditures ore nol recoveroble through rotes could hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony, ond this risk moy be exocerboted if lhe omount o[ required pension conlributions increoses. The OEB hos begun o consultolion process thot will exomine pensions ond other postemployment benefits in reguloted utilities. See "- Other Post-Employment ond Post-Retirement Benefits Risks". The outcome ol this consultotion process is uncertoin ond the Compony is unoble to ossess the impoct of lhe potentiol chonges stemming from the review ot this time. Risk of Recoverobility of Totol Compensotion Costs The Compony monoges oll of its totol compensotion costs, including pension ond other postemployment ond post-retirement benefits, sublect to restrictions ond requirements imposed by the collective borgoining process. Should ony element o[ totol compensotion costs be disollowed in whole or port by the OEB ond not be recoveroble from customers in rotes, the costs could be moteriol ond could decreose net income, which could hove o moteriol odverse effecl on the Compony. Other Post-Employment ond PosFRetirement Benefits Risks The Compony provides other posfemployment ond post-relirement benefits, including workers compensotion benefits ond long-term disobilily benefits to quolifying employees. The OEB hos begun o consultotion process thot wlll exomine pensions ond other post- employment benefits in reguloted utilities. The objectives of the consultotion ore lo develop stondord principles to guide the OEB's review of pension ond other post-employment ond post-retirement benefits costs in the future, lo esloblish specific inlormotion requirements for opplicotion ond to estoblish oppropriote regulotory mechonisms for cosl recovery which con be opplied consistently ocross the gos ond electricity sectors for rote+eguloted utilities. The outcome of this consultotion process is uncertoin ond lhe Compony is unoble lo ossess the impoct o{ the potentiol chonges stemming from the review ot lhis time. A determinotion thot some of the Compony's postemploymenl ond post-retirement benelit costs ore nol recoveroble could hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony. Risk Associoted with Outsourcing Arrongements Consislent with Hydro One's strotegy o{ reducing operoting costs, it hos enlered into on outsourcing orrongement with o third porty for the provision o[ bock office services ond coll centre services. l[ the outsourcing orrongement or stotements of work thereunder ore terminoted for ony reoson or expire before o new supplier is selected ond fully tronsilioned, the Compony could be required to incur significont expenses to tronsler to onother service provider or insource, which could hove o moteriol odverse effecl on the Compony's business, operoling resulls, finonciol condition or prospects. Risk from Provinciol Ownership of Tronsmission Corridors The Province owns some o[ the corridor londs underlying the Compony's tronsmission system. Although the Compony hos the stotutory right to use these tronsmission corridors, the Compony moy be limited in its options to expond or operote its systems. Also, other uses of the tronsmission conidors by third porties in coniunction with the operolion o[ the Compony's syslems rnoy increose sofety or environmentol risks, which could hove o moleriol odverse effecl on the Compony. Litigotion Risks ln the normol course of the Compony's operolions, it becomes involved in, is nomed os o porty to ond is the subject of, vorious legol proceedings, including regulotory proceedings, tox proceedings ond legol octions, reloting to octuol or olleged violotions of low, common low domoges cloims, personol iniuries, property domoge, property toxes, lond rights, the environment ond controct Z>az za>g =;Y7aadIa c ; z I Appendix 6 to Joint Application HYDno oNE uMrrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTcA's ,.o*ort, Prage ?ff#,egf 414 Risks Reloting to the Compony's Relotionship with the Province Ownership ond Continued lnfluence by the Province ond Voting Power; Shore Ownership Restrictions The Province currently owns opproximotely 70.1% o[ the outstonding common shores of Hydro One. the Electricity Act restricts the Province from selling voting securities of Hydro One (inciuding disputes. The outcome of outstonding, pending or future proceedings connot be predicted with certoinly ond moy be determined odversely to the Compony, which could hove o moteriol odverse effecl on lhe Compony. Even if the Compony prevoils in ony such legol proceeding, the proceedings could be costly ond timeconsuming ond would divert the ottention o[ monogemenl ond key personnel from the Compony's business operotions, which could odversely offect the Compony. See olso "Other Developmenls - Closs Action Lowsuit". Tronsmission Assets on Third-Porty Londs Risk Some o[ the londs on which the Compony's tronsmission ossets ore locoted ore owned by third porties, including the Province ond federol Crown, ond ore or moy become subiect to lond cloims by Firsl Notions. The Compony requires volid occupotion rights to occupy such londs (which moy loke the form of lond use permils, eosernents or otherwise). lf the Compony does not hove volid occupotionol rights on third-pori/ owned londs or hos occupotionol rights thot ore subiect to expiry, it moy incur moteriol cosls lo obtoin or renew such occupolionol rights, or if such occupolionol rights connol be renewed or obtoined il moy incur moteriol costs lo remove ond relocole ils ossets ond restore the subiect lond. lf the Compony does not hove volid occupotionol rights ond musl incur costs os o result, this could hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony or othewise moteriolly odversely impoct the Compony's operotions. Reputotionol ond Public Opinion Risk Reputotion risk is the risk of o negolive impoct to the Compony's business, operotions or [lnonciol condition thot could resuh from o deteriorotion of Hydro One's reputolion. The Compony's reputotion could be negotively impocted by chonges in public opinion, oltltudes towords the Compony's privolizotion, loilure to deliver on ils cuslomer promises ond other externol forces. Adverse reputolionol events could hove negotive impocts on the Compony's business ond prospects including, but not limlted to, deloys or deniols of requisite opprovols ond occommodolions for the Compony's plonned proiects, escoloted costs, legol or regulolory oction, ond domoge to stokeholder reloiionships. common shores) of ony closs or series if it would own less thon 40% ol the oulstonding number o[ voting securities of thot closs or series oher the sole ond in cerloin circumstonces olso requires the Province to toke steps to moinloin thot level of ownership. Accordingly, the Province is expected to continue to mointoin o significont ownership interest in voting securities of Hydro One for on indefinite period. As o result o[ its significont ownership o[ the common shores of Hydro One, the Province hos, ond is expected indefinitely to hove, the obllity to determine or significontly lnfluence the outcome o[ shoreholder votes, subiect to the restrlctions in the governonce ogreement enlered into belween Hydro One ond the Province doted November 5, 2015 (Governonce Agreement; ovoiloble on SEDAR ol www.sedor.com). Despite the terms o[ lhe Governonce Agreement in which lhe Province hos ogreed to engoge in the business ond offoirs of the Compony os on investor ond nol os o monoger, there is o risk thol the Province's engogement in lhe business ond offoirs o[ the Compony os on inveslor will be informed by its policy obiectives ond moy influence the conduct of the business ond o[[oirs of the Compony in woys thot moy not be oligned with the interests o[ other shoreholders. The shore ownership restrictions ia lhe Electricity Act {Shore Ownership Restrictions) ond the Province's significont ownership of common shores of Hydro One together effectively prohibit one or more persons octing together from ocquiring control o[ Hydro One. They olso moy limit or discouroge tronsoclions involving other lundomenlol chonges to Hydro One ond the obility o[ other shoreholders to successfully contest the election of the directors proposed for election pursuonl to the Governonce Agreemenl. The Shore Ownership Reskictions moy olso discouroge troding in, ond moy limit the morket for, the common shores ond olher voting securities. Nominotion of Directors ond Confirmotion of Chief Executive Officer ond Choir Although director nominees ore required to be independent o[ both the Compony ond the Province pursuont to the Governonce Agreement, lhere is o risk thot the Province will nominote or confirm individuols who sotisfy the independence requirements but who it considers ore disposed to support ond odvonce its poliry oblectives ond give disproportionole weight to the Province's inlerests in exercising their business judgment ond boloncing the interesls of the stokeholders o[ Hydro One. This, combined with the {oct certoin motters require o twothirds vote of the Boord of Dlrectors, could ollow the Province to unduly influence certoin Boord octions such os confirmotion o[ the Choir ond confirmotion of the Chief Executive Officer. Appen,#r6lo',lnriiled App[ipn0ionpoRT TSX: H Page 285 of 414 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Boord Removol Rights Under the Governonce Agreement, lhe Province hos the right to withhold from voting in fovour ol oll director nominees ond hos the right to seek to remove ond reploce lhe entire Boord of Directors, including in eoch cose its own director nominees but excluding the Chief Executive Officer ond, ot the Province's discretion, the Choir. ln exercising these rights in ony porticulor circumstonce, the Province is entitled to vote in its sole interest, which moy not be oligned with the interests of other shoreholders, More Exlensive Regulotion Although under the Governonce Agreement, the Province hos ogreed to engoge in the business ond offoirs of Hydro One os on inveslor ond not os o monoger ond hos stoted thol ils intention is to ochieve its policy obiectives through legislotion ond regulotion os it would with respect to ony other utility operoting in Ontorio, there is o risk thot the Province will exercise its leglslotive ond regulotory power to ochieve policy obiectives in o monner thol hos o moteriol odverse eflect on the Compony. Prohibitions on Selling the Compony's Tronsmission or Diskibution Business Ihe Electricity Acr prohibits the Compony from selling oll or substontiolly oll of the business, property or ossets reloted to its honsmlssion system or distribution system lhot is reguloted by the OEB. There is o risk thot these prohibitions moy limit the obility of the Compony to engoge in sole tronsoclions involvlng o substonliol portion of eilher system, even where such o tronsoction moy otherwise be considered to provide substontiol benefits to the Compony ond the holders of lhe common shores. Future Soles of Common Shores by the Province The Province hos indicoted thot it cunently intends to sell further common shores of Hydro One over time, until it holds opproximotely 40% of the common shores, subiect to the selling restriclions ogreed with the Underwriters. The regiskotion rights ogreement between Hydro One ond the Province doted NovemGr 5, 2O I 5 (ovoiloble on SEDAR ot www.sedor.com| olso gronts the Province the right to request thot Hydro One file one or more prospectuses ond toke other procedurol steps to focilitote secondory offerings by the Province o[ the common shores of Hydro One. Future soles o[ common shores o{ Hydro One by the Province, or the perception thot such soles could occur, moy moterlolly odversely offect morket prices for these common shores ond impede Hydro One's obility to roise copitol through the issuonce of odditionol common shores, including the number of common shores lhot Hydro One moy be oble to sell ot o porliculor time or the totol proceeds thot moy be reolized. Appendix 6 to Joint Application Limitotions on Enforcing the Governonce Agreement The Governonce Agreement lncludes commitments by the Province restricting the exercise o[ its rights os o holder o[ voting securitles, including with respect lo the moximum number of directors thot the Province moy nominote ond on how the Province will vole with respect to other director nominees. Hydro One's obility to obtoin on eflective remedy ogoinsl the Province, il the Province were not to comply with these commitments, is limited os o result of the Prrceedings Agoinst the Crown Act lOntorio). This legislotion provides thot the remedies of injunction ond specific performonce ore not ovoiloble ogoinst the Province, olthough o court moy moke on order declorotory of the rights of the porties, which moy influence the Province's octions. A remedy o[ domoges would be ovoiloble to Hydro One, but domoges moy not be on effective remedy, depending on the noture of the Province's noncomplionce wlth the Governonce Agreement. Criticol Accounting Estimotes ond Judgments The preporotion o[ Hydro One Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements requires the Compony to moke key estimoles ond criticol iudgments thot offect the reported omounts of ossets, liobillties, revenues ond costs, ond reloted disclosures of contingencies. Hydro One boses its estimotes ond iudgments on historicol experience, currenl conditions ond vorious other ossumptions thot ore believed lo be reosonoble under the circumslonces, lhe resuhs of which form the bosis for moking judgments oboul the corrying volues of ossets ond liobilities, os well os identiFying ond ossessing the Compony's occounting treotment with respect to commitments ond contingencies. Actuol results moy differ from these estimotes ond iudgments. Hydro One hos identified the following criticol occounting estimotes used in the preporotion o[ its Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements: Revenues Distribution revenues ottributoble to the delivery of elechlcily ore bosed on OEBopproved distribution rotes ond ore recognized on on occruol bosis ond include billed ond unbilled revenues. Billed revenues ore bosed on electricity delivered os meosured from cuslomer meters. At the end of eoch month, electricity delivered to cuslomers since the dote of the lost billed meter reoding is estimoted, ond the corresponding unbilled revenue is recorded. The unbilled revenue estimote is offected by energy consumption, weother, ond chonges in the composition of customer closses. HyDRo oNE uiurED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTCA'S ,.enoesr P&Se ?rft 6rgf *1 4 z>9z zG)>tr 366a a;I oC@<toZ I MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Accounts Receivoble ond Allowonce for Doubtful Accounts The ollowonce for doubtful occounts reflecls the Compony's best estimole of losses on billed occounts receivoble bolonces. The Compony estimotes the ollowonce for doubtful occounts on customer receivobles by opplying internolly developed loss rotes to the outslonding receivoble bolonces by oging cotegory. Loss rotes opplied to the occounts receivoble bolonces ore bosed on hisloricol overdue bolonces, customer poyments ond write-offs. Regulotory Assets ond Liobilities Hydro One's regulotory ossets represent certoin omounts receivoble from future eleckicily customers ond costs thot hove been deferred for occounting purposes becouse it is proboble thot they will be recovered in future rotes. The regulotory ossets moinly include costs reloted to the pension benefit liobility, deferred income tox liobilities, post-retirement ond postemployment benefit liobility, shorebosed compensotlon cosls, ond environmenlol liobilities. The Compony's regulotory liobilities represent certoin omounts thot ore refundoble to {uture electricily cuslomers, ond pertoin primorily to OEB deferrol ond vorionce occounts. The regulotory ossets ond liobilities con be recognized for rotesetting ond finonciol reporting purposes only i[ the omounts hove been opproved lor inclusion in the electricily roles by the OEB, or iI such opprovol is iudged to be proboble by monogement. l[ monogement iudges thot it is no longer proboble thot the OEB will ollow the inclusion of o regulotory osset or liobiliry in future electricity rotes, the opplicoble corrying omount of the regulotory osset or liobility will be reflected in results of operotions in the period thot the iudgment is mode by monogement. Environ menfol Liobiliiies Hydro One records o liobility for the eslimoted future expenditures ossocioled with the removol ond destruction of PCBcontominoted insuloting oils ond reloted electricol equipment, ond for the ossessmenl ond remediotion of chemicolly contominoted londs. There ore uncertointies in estimoling future environmentol costs due to polentiol externol events such os chonges in legislotion or regulotions ond odvonces in remediotion technologies. ln determining lhe omounts to be recorded os environmenlol liobilities, the Compony eslimotes lhe current cost ol compleling required work ond mokes ossumptions os to when the future expenditures will octuolly be incurred, in order to generote future cosh flow informotion, All foctors used in eslimoting the Compony's environmentol liobllities represenl monogement's best estimotes of lhe present volue of costs required lo meet exisling legislotion or regulolions. However, it is reosonobly possible thot numbers or volumes of contominoted ossets, cost estimotes to perform work, inflotion ossumptions ond the ossumed pottern of onnuol cosh flows moy differ significontly lrom the Compony's current ossumptions. Environmentol liobililies ore ABpen,#rc61p',lm$ ApplipngionpoRT TSX: H reviewed onnuolly or more lrequently i[ significont chonges in regulotions or olher relevonl foclors occur. Estimote chonges ore occounted f or prospectively. Employee Future Benefits Hydro One's employee future benefits consist o[ pension ond post- retirement ond postemployment plons, ond include pension, group life insuronce, heolth core, ond longlerm disobility benefits provided to the Compony's currenl ond retired employees. Employee future benefils costs ore included in Hydro One's lobour costs thot ore either chorged lo resulls o[ operotions or copllolized os port of the cosl o{ property, plont ond equipment ond intongible ossets. Chonges in ossumptions offect the benefit obligotion of the employee future benefits ond lhe omounts thoi will be chorged lo results of operotions or copitolized in fulure yeors. The following significont ossumptions ond estimotes ore used to determine employee future benefit costs ond obligotions: Weighted Averoge Discount Rote The weighled overoge discounl rote used to colculote the employee fulure benefits obligotion is determined ot eoch yeor end by relerring to the most recently ovoiloble morket interest rotes bosed 6n "[fr"- roted corporote bond yields reflecting the durolion of the opplicoble employee future benefit plon. The discount rote ot December 3,l, 20 I 6 decreosed ro 3.9O% llron 4.00% ot December 3 l, 20 1 5) for pension bene{its ond decreosed to 3.90% (from 4. 10% used ot December 3 I , 20,) 5) for the post-retirement ond postemployment plons. The decreose in the discount rote hos resulted in o corresponding increose in employee future benefits liobilities for the pension, post-retiremenl ond postemployment plons for occounling purposes. The liobilities ore delermined by independent octuories using the proiected benefit method proroted on service ond bosed on ossumptions thot reflect monogement's best estimotes. Expected Rote of Return on Plon Assets The expected rote o[ return on pension plon ossets is bosed on expectotions of longlerm roles of return ot the beginning of the yeor ond reflects o pension osset mix consistenl with the pension plon's current investment policy. Rotes of return on the respective portlolios ore delermined with reference lo respective published morket indices. The expected rote of return on pension plon ossets reflecls the Compony's long-term expeciotions. The Compony believes thot this ossumption is reosonoble becouse, with the pension plon's bolonced inveslment opprooch, the higher volotility o[ equity investment returns is intended to be oflsel by the greoter stobility of fixed-income ond short-term inveslment returns. The net result, on o longlerm bosis, is o lower relurn lhon might be expected by investing in equities olone. ln the short term, the pension plon con experience fluctuotions in octuol rotes o[ relurn. Page287 of414 Rote of Cost of Living lncreose The role o[ cost of living increose is determined by considering diflerences between long-term Governmenl of Conodo nominol bonds ond reol return bonds, which increosed from 1 .50% per onnum os ot December 3l ,2015 lo opproximolely i .80% per onnum os ot December 3l , 2016. Given the Bonk of Conodo's commitmenl to keep long-term inflotion between l.0O% ond 3.OO%, monogement believes thot the current rote is reosonoble to use os o longlerm ossumption ond os such, hos used o 2.0% per onnum inflotion rote lor employee {uture Gnefits liobiliry voluotion purposes osotDecember3l,20l6. Mortolity Assumptions The Compony's employee future benefits liobiliv is olso impocted by chonges in life expectoncies used in mortolity ossumptions. lncreoses in life expectoncies of plon members result in increoses in the employee future benefits liobilit/. The mortoliry ossumption used ot December 3 I , 20.l 6 is 95% of 20,l 4 Conodion Pensioners Mortolity Privote Sector toble projected generotionolly using improvement Scole B (compored to .l00% of 2014 Conodion Pensioners Mortolity Public Sector toble proiected generotionolly using improvement Scole B used ot December 31, 20l5). The mortolity toble wos updoted bosed on o review of the historicol mortolity experience o[ the pension plon members. Rote of lncreose in Heolth Core Cost Trends The costs o[ post-retirement ond postemployment benefits ore delermined ot the beginning of the yeor ond ore bosed on ossumplions for expected cloims experience ond fulure heolth core cost inflotion. A 'l% increose in the heolth core cosl trends would result in o $23 million increose in 20,16 interestcost plus service cost, ond o $289 million increose in the benefit liobiliV ot December 31, 20,]6. Business Combinotions Monogement's judgment is required to estimote the purchose price, to identi{y ond to determine foir volue of oll ossets ond liobilitiei ocquired. The determinotion of the [oir volue ol ossels ond liobilities ocquired is bosed upon monogement's estimotes ond certoin ossumptions. Toxes Hydro One ossesses the likelihood thot deferred tox ossels will be recovered from future toxoble income. To the extent monogement considers it is more likely thon not thot some porlion or oll of the deferred tox ossels will not be reolized, o voluotion ollowonce is recognized. Asset lmpoirment Within Hydro One's reguloted businesses, the corrying costs of most of the long-lived ossets ore included in the rote bose where they eorn on OEBopproved rote o[ return. Asset corrying volues ond the reloted return ore recovered through OEBopproved rotes. As o result, such ossets ore only tested for impoirment in the event thot the OEB disollows recovery, in whole or in port, or if such o disollowonce is judged to be proboble. The Compony regulorly monitors the ossets of its unreguloted Hydro One Telecom subsidiory for indicotions of impoirment. As ot December 3,), 20,16, no osset impoirment hod been recorded lor ossets within Hydro One's reguloted or unreguloted businesses. Goodwill is evoluoted for impoirment on on onnuol bosis, or more frequently if circumstonces require. Hydro One hos concluded thot goodwill wos not impoired ot December 3 1 , 201 6. Goodwill represenls the cost of ocquired distribution ond tronsmission componies thot is in excess o{ the foir volue of the net identi{ioble ossets ocquired ot the ocquisition dote. Disclosure Controls And lnternol Controls Over Finonciol Reporting Internol conlrols hove been documented ond tested for odequocy ond effectiveness, ond continue lo be refined over oll business processes. ln complionce with the requirements o[ Notionol lnskument 52-109, the Compony's Certifying Officers hove reviewed ond certified the Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements for the yeor ended December 3l , 2016, together with other finonciol informotion included in the Compony's securities filings. The Certi{.ying Officers hove olso certified thot disclosure conhols ond procedures (DC&P) hove been designed to provlde reosonoble ossuronce thot moteriol lnformotion reloting to lhe Compony is mode known within the Compony. Further, the Certilying Officers hove certified thot internol controls over finonciol reporting (ICFR) hove been designed to provide reosonoble ossuronce regording the reliobility ol finonciol reporting ond the preporotion of the Consolidoted Finonciol Stotemenls. Bosed on the evoluotion ol the design ond operoting effectiveness of the Compony's DC&P ond ICFR, the Certifying Officers concluded thot the Compony's DC&P ond ICFR were effeclive os ot December 3 I , 201 6. >;oz 2B>g-64 o= <; Uac)Caaoz I Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LrMrrEo oNE oF NoRTH AMERTCA'S T.ARGE$ PEAgft ?ffffegf$l4 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS New Accounting Pronouncements The following lobles present Accounling Stondords Updotes {ASUs) issued by the Finonciol Accounting Stondords Boord thot ore opplicoble to Hydro One. Recently Adopted Accounting Guidonce ASU Dote issued D.r.ripti-Effective dote lmpoct on Hydro One 2014-16 November 2014 This updote clorifies thot oll relevonl lerms ond feolures Jonuory I , 201 6 should be considered in evoluoting the noture of o host controcl for hybrid finonciol instruments issued in the form of o shore. The noture of the host controct depends upon the economic chorocteristics ond risks of lhe entire hybrid finonciol instrument. No moteriol impoct upon odoption 20l 50 l lonuory 20 l 5 Extroordinory items ore no longer required to be presented seporotely in lhe income stolemenl. .lonuory 1 , 201 6 No moteriol impoct upon odoption 201 5A2 Februory 2015 Guidonce on onolysis to be performed to determine whether certoin lypes of legol entities should be consolidoted. Jonuory 1, 2016 No moteriol impoct upon odoption 2015O3 April 2015 Debt issuonce costs ore required to be presented on the bolonce sheet os o direct dedudion from the corrying omount o[ the reloled debt liobilily consistent with debt discounts or premiums. Reclossificotion of deferred debt issuonce costs ond net unomortized debt premiums os on olfset to longlerm debt. Applied retrospectivelv. .lonuory 1,2016 2015-05 April 2015 Cloud computing orrongements thot hove been ossessed to contoin o soflwore licence should be occounled for os internol-use sof]wore. .lonuory 1 , 20 1 6 No moieriol impoct upon odoption 2015-16 September 201 5 Adiustments to provisionol omounls thot ore identified during the meosurement period o[ o business combinotion in the reporting period in which the odiustment omount is determined ore required to be recognized. The omount recorded in cunent period eornings ore required to be presented seporolely on the foce of the income stotement or disclosed in the notes by line ilem. Jonuory 1,20.)6 No moteriol impocl upon odoption 2015'17 November 2015 All deferred tox ossets ond liobilities ore required to be clossified os noncurrent on the bolonce sheet, This ASU wos eorly odopted os o[ April 1 , 201 6 ond wos opplied prospectively. As o result, the current portions of the Compony's deferred income tox ossels ore reclossified os noncurrent ossets on the consolidoled Bolonce Sheet. Prior periods were nol retrospeclively odiusted. )onvory 1 ,2017 201609 Morch 2Ol6 Severol ospects of the occounting for shorebosed poyment tronsoctions were slmplified, including the income tox consequences, clossificotion of owords os either equity or liobilities, ond clossilicotion on the stotement of cosh flows. This ASU wos eorly odopted os o[ October 1,2O16 ond wos opplied retrospectively. As o result, the Compony occounts for forfeitures os they occur. There were no other moteriol impocts upon odoption. Jonuory l, 2017 Appendir6l€',lnri$ Applipp$ion'o*'TSX: H Page 289 of 414 Recently lssued Accounting Guidonce Not Yet Adopted ASU Doie issued Description Effective dote Anticipoted impoct on Hydro One 2O14Oq Moy 2014 - 2015'14 December 20r6.08 20r6 20r6-r0 2016-12 2016-20 ASU 20I 4O9 wos issued in Moy 201 4 ond lonuory 'l , 20 I 8 provides guidonce on revenue recognilion reloting to the konsfer of promised goods or services to customers in on omount thot reflects the considerotion to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchonge {or those goods ond services. ASU 20.l5-'14 deferred the effecrive dote of ASU 2O14Qq by one yeor. Additionol ASUs were issued in 201 6 thot simplify honsition ond provide clority on certoin ospects of the new stondord. Hydro One hos completed its initiol ossessment ond hos identified relevont revenue streoms. No quontitotive determinotion hos been mode os o deloiled ossessment is now underwoy ond will continue through to the third quorter o{ 2017, wilh the end result being o determinotion of the finonciol irrpoct o[ this stondord. Tl'e Compony is on trock for implementotion of this >7az za>(!;aa= <; (7 oC UZ I 20I60I Jonuory 2O16 stondord the effective dote. Under ossessmenlThis updote requires equity investments lo be lonuory l, 2018 meosured ot foir volue with chonges in [oir volue recognized in nel income, ond requires enhonced disclosures ond presenlotion of finonciol ossets ond liobilities in the finonciol stotements. This ASU olso simplilies the impolrment ossessment of equity investments wifiout reodily determinoble {oir volues by requiring o quolitotive ossessment to identify impoirment. 2O\6Q2 Februory 2016 Lessees ore required to recognize the rights ond obligotions resulting lrom operoting leoses os ossets {right to use the underlying osset for the term of the leose) ond liobilities (obligotion to moke future leose poyments) on the bolonce sheet. An initiol ossessment is currently undewoy encompossing o review of oll existing leoses, which will be followed by o detoiled review of relevont conlrocts. No quontitotive determinotion hos been mode ot this time. The Compony is on trock for implementotion Jonuory 1, 2019 of this stondord the eflective dote. 20 1605 Morch 2016 The omendmenls cloriFy thot o chonge in lhe counterporly to o derivotive inshument thol hos been designoted os the hedging inslrument under Topic 8,15 does not, in ond of itself, require dedesignotion of thot hedging relotionship provided thot oll other hedge occounting criterlo continue to be met. Jonuory i, 201 8 Under ossessment 201606 Morch20l6 Contingentcoll (put) optionsthotoreossessedto Jonuory1,2017 Nomoteriol impoct occelerote the poyment o[ principol on debt instrumenls need to meet the criterio o[ being "cleorly ond closely reloted' to their debl hosts. 2ObA7 Morch 20 I 6 The requirement to retrooctively odopl the equity Jonuory 1 , 201 7 No moteriol impoct method of occounting if on investment quolifies for use of the equily method os o result of on increose in the level of ownership or degree of influence hos been eliminoted. 201&l 1 Moy 2016 This omendment covers lhe SEC Stoff's rescinding of Jonuory 1, 2019 certoin SEC Stof{ observer comments thot ore codified in Topic 605 ond Topic 932, effective upon the odoption of Topic 606 ond Topic B ,15, effective to No moleriol impocl colncide with the effective dote of 2014-16 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE UrrurED oNE oF NoRTH AMERICA'S Lo*ous, P€&e ?r?e rgfd l4 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS ASU Dote issued Description Effective dote Anticipoted impoct on Hydro One 20.l6-13 lune 2016 The omendmenl provides users with more decision- Jonuory l, 2019 useful informotion obout the expected credit losses on finonciol instruments ond other commilments to extend credit held by o reporting entity ot eoch reporting dote. Under ossessment 20,l6i5 August 2016 Theomendmentsprovideguldonceforeightspecific Jonuory'l ,2018 Underossessment cosh flow issues with the obiective o[ reducing the existino diversilv in proclice. 2016- l6 October 2016 The omendment eliminoles the prohibition of Jonuory ) , 2O1B recognizing current ond deferred income toxes for on intro€ntity osset honsfer, other thon inventory, until the osset hos been sold lo on oulside pony. The omendment will permit income tox consequences of :r.l,t:".*"* to be recognized when the tronsfer Under ossessment 2016-lB November 2016 The omendment requires thot restricled cosh or Jonuory 1, 2018 restricted cosh equivolents be included wlth cosh ond cosh equivolents when reconciling the beginning ond end-of-period bolonces in the slotemenl of cosh flows. Under ossessment 2017{1 Jonuory 2017 The omendment clorifies the definition o{ o business Jonuory 1, 2O1B Under ossessment ond provides odditionol guidonce on evoluoting whelher tronsoctions should be occounted for os ocouisilions (or disposols) o[ ossets or businesses. ARpen,#r6le Jni$ ApplicEtionpoRT TSX: H Page29l of 414 Summory of Fourth Quorter Results of Operotions Three months ended December 3l lmillions of dollors, except EPS)2016 201 5 Chonge Revenues Distribution Tronsmission Other 1,228 373 t3 r,t48 361 la 7.0% 3.3% >7oziB>g;aat <; I .)Caa UZ I 14 786 Y.l/o 1\.6% 122.27"1 (10.3%) 8s8 r63 98 26 146 )26 29 Costs Purchosed power OM&A Distribution Tronsmission Other Depreciotion ond omortizotion 287 204 30r 193 14.7%l 5.7/" 1,349 1,280 < /o/ lncome before finoncing chorges ond income toxes Finoncing chorges 265 r0r a/a 9.5% 7.4%94 lncome before income toxes lncome tox expense 164 29 t48 r0.8% r 00.0% Net income r35 147 Net income ottributoble to common shoreholders of One Bosic EPS Diluted EPS 128 $ o.22 $ o.zt 143 $ 0.26 $ 0.26 11s.4%) l)e.2%) Copitol investments Distribution Tronsmission Other 201 274 2 t98 251 2 1.5% 9.2% 477 451 < ool Net lncome Nel income ottributoble to common shoreholders for the quorter ended December 3l,2Ol6of $l28 million isodecreoseof $ 15 mlllion or .10.5% from the prior yeor. Excluding the effect o[ on lPOteloted positive tox odiustment of $ l9 million in the fourth quorter of 201 5, net income lor the quorter increosed by 3.2%. Revenues The quorterly increose of $l2 million or 3.3% in tronsmission revenues wos primorily due to higher overoge monthly Ontorio 60-minute peok demond os severol extremely cold doys during the quorter increosed peok lronsmission demond ond OEB-opproved lronsmission rote increoses. The quorterly increose of $80 million or 7 .Q% in distribution revenues wos primorily due to higher power costs from generolors thot ore possed on to customers ond increosed OEBopproved distributlon rotes for 2O I 6, portiolly offset by lower energy consumption resulling from milder weother. Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LtntrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTCA'S TARGEST PdAgft ?flfirgfAl 4 1,522 t8 )%1 {10.5%) MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OM&A Costs The quorterly decreose of $28 million or 22.2% in tronsmission OM&A costs wos primorily due lo lower proiect cost ond inventory writedowns ond lower expenditures reloted to forestry control ond line cleoring on the Compony's konsmission rights-o{-woy. The quorterly increose of $ I Z mlllion or 1 1 .6% in distribution OM&A cosls wos primorily due to higher volume o[ vegetotion monogement octivilies, portiolly offset by lower costs reloted to restoring power services ond storm response. Depreciotion ond Amortizotion The increose of $ I I million or 57% io depreciotion ond omortizotion costs for the fourth quorler of 20]6 wos moinly due to the growth in copitol ossets os the Compony continues to ploce new ossets in-service, consistent with its ongoing copitol investment progrom. Finoncing Chorges The quorterly increose of $7 m illion or 7 .4% in f inoncing chorges wos primorily due lo on increose in interest expense on long-lerm debt resulting from the increose in weighted overoge long-term debt outstonding during the quorter. lncome Tox Expense Income lox expense for the fourth quorter of 2016 increosed by $28 million compored to 20.15, ond the Compony reolized on effeclive tox role of opproxim otely 17 .7% in the fourth quorler of 20 1 6 compored to opproximotely O.7% in 2Ol 5 . The increose in tox expense is primorily due to the following: o the elfect of on lPOreloted positive tox odjustment of $ I 9 million in the fourth quorter of 2015; t higher income before toxes in lhe {ourth quorter of 2016; ond o o decreose in deductible temporory differences such os copitolized pension deducted for tox purposes. Copitol lnvestments The increose in tronsn:ission copilol investments during the lourth quorler wos primorily due to o on increosed volume of work on insulotor replocements; o on increosed volume of integroted stotion componenl replocements to reploce deterioroted ossets ot tronsmission stotions, ond . higher volume of demond work ossocioted with equipment foilures ond spore kons{ormer equipment purchoses, portiolly offset by r reduced work on the Clorington Tronsmission Stotion os the proiecl neors completion. The increose in dishibution copitol investments during lhe fourth quorter wos primorily due to o increosed investmenls reloted to informotion technology inlrostructure ond customer progroms together with upgrode ond enhoncement proiects, includlng inveslments to integrote mobile technology with the Compony's existing work monogement tools; . higher volume o[ focility upgrodes ond consiruction o[ new operotion centres; ond . higher volumes of work ossocioted with further enobling certoin of Hydro One's ossels to be lointly used by the telecommunicotions ond coble television industries, os well os relocotion o[ poles, conductors ond other equipment os required by municipol ond provinciol rood outhoritles; portiolly offset by . higher storm restorolion work in the prior yeor primorily os o result o[ two slgnificont wind storms during the fourth quorter of 2015. Forword-looki ng Stotements And lnformotion The Compony's orol ond written public communlcotions, including this docurnent, ohen contoin forword-looking slotements thot ore bosed on currenl expeclotions, estimotes, forecosts ond projections obout the Compony's business ond the industry, regulolory ond economic environments in which it operotes, ond include beliefs ond ossumptions mode by lhe monogement of the Compony. Such stotements include, but ore not limited to: slotements regording the Compony's tronsmission ond distribution rotes resulting from rote opplicotions; slotements regording the Compony's llquidity ond copitol resources ond operotionol requirements; stotements obout the stondby credit focilities; expectotions regording the Compony's finoncing octivities, stolements regording the Compony's moturing debt; slotements reloled to credit rotings; stotements regording ongoing ond plonned projects ond,/or initiolives, including expected results ond completion dotes; stotements regording expected future copitol ond developmenl inveslments, the timing of these expenditures ond the Compony's investmenl plons; stotements regording conkoctuol obligolions ond other commerciol commitments; stotements reloted to the OEB; stotements regording future pension conlributions, the pension plon ond voluolions; expectolions reloted to work force demogrophics; stotements obout collective ogreements; stotements reloted to dividends; stolements reloted to cloims; expectotions regording toxes; stotements reloted to occupotionol rights; stotements obout nonGAAP meosures; slolemenls reloted to crilicol occounting estimotes, including expectotions regording employee future benefits, environmentol liobilities, ond regulotory ossets ond liobilities; expectotions reloted to the effect of interest roles; slotements obout the Compony's reputotion; stotements regording cyber ond doto security; slotements reloted to future soles ol shores of Hydro One; stotemenls reloted to the Compony's Appen,#r6ro'Jn'lS Applip,adionpoRT TSX: H Page 293 of 414 relotionship with the Province; stotements regording recenl occounling-reloted guidonce; expectotions reloted to tox impocts; slotements reloled to the Universol Bose Shelf Prospectus; ond stolemenls reloted to the Compony's ocquisitions, including stotements obout Greot Lokes Power ond Orillio Power. Words such os "expecl", "onticipote", "intend", "ottempt", "moy", "plon", "will", "believe", "seek", "estimote", "gool" , "oim", "torget", ond voriotions o[ such words ond similor expressions ore intended to identify such forwordlooking stolements. These stotements ore not guoronlees o[ future performonce ond involve ossumptions ond risks ond uncertointies thot ore difficult to predict. Therefore, octuol outcomes ond results moy differ moteriolly lrom whot is expressed, implied or forecosted in such forword-looking stotemenls. Hydro One does not intend, ond it discloims ony obligotlon, to updote ony forword- looking stotements, except os required by low. These forword-looking stotements ore bosed on o voriely ol foctors ond ossumptions including, bul not limited to, the following: no unforeseen chonges in the legislotive ond operoting fromework for Ontorio's electricity morkel; fovouroble decisions from the OEB ond other regulotory bodies concerning outstonding ond luture rote ond other opplicotions; no unexpected deloys in obtoining the required opprovols; no un{oreseen chonges in role orders or rote setting methodologies Ior the Compony's distribution ond tronsmission businesses; continued use of US GAAP; o stoble regulotory environment; no unfovouroble chonges in environmentol regulotion; ond no significont event occurring outside the ordinory course o[ business. These ossumptions ore bosed on informotion cunently ovoiloble to the Compony, including informotion obtoined from thlrd- porty sources. Actuol resuhs moy dilfer moteriolly from those predicted by such forword-looking slotements. While Hydro One does not know whot impoct ony of these differences moy hove, the Compony's business, results of operotions, finonciol condition ond credit stobility moy be moteriolly odversely offected. Foctors lhot could couse octuol results or outcomes to differ moteriolly from the results expressed or implied by fowordlooking stotements include, omong other things: o risks ossocioted with the Province's shore ownership o[ Hydro One ond other relotionships with the Province, including polentiol conflicts of interest thot rnoy orise between Hydro One, the Province ond reloted porlies; o regulotory risks ond risks reloting to Hydro One's revenues, including risks reloting to rote orders, octuol performonce ogoinst forecosts ond copitol expenditures; o the risk thot the Compony moy be unoble to comply with regulotory ond legislotive requirements or lhot lhe Compony moy incur odditionol cosls for complionce thot ore not recoveroble through rotes; r the risk of exposure of the Compony's focilities to the effects of severe weolher conditions, nolurol disosters or other unexpected occurrences for which the Compony is uninsured or for which the Compony could be sublect to cloims for domoge; . public opposition to ond deloys or deniols of the requisite opprovols ond occommodotions for the Compony's plonned proiects; o the risk thot Hydro One moy incur significont costs ossocioled with tronsferring ossets locoted on Reserves (os defined in the /ndlon Act (Conodo)); r the risks ossocioted with informotion system security ond mointoining o complex informotion technology system infrostructure; r the risks reloted to the Compony's work force demogrophic ond its potentiol inobility to ottroct ond retoin quolified personnel; r the risk of lobour disputes ond inobility to negotiote oppropriote collective ogreements on occeptoble terms consistent with the Compony's rote decisions; o risk thot the Compony is not oble to orronge sufficient cosleffective finoncing to repoy moturing debt ond to fund copllol expenditures; o risks ossocioted with fluctuotions in interest roles ond foilure to monoge exposure to credit risk; r the risk thot the Compony moy not be oble to execute plons for copitol proiects necessory to mointoin the performonce of the Compony's ossets or to corry out proiects in o timely monner; r the risk of noncomplionce with environmentol regulotions or foilure to mitigote significont heolth ond sofety risks ond inobilily to recover environmentol expenditures in rote opplicotions; o the risk fiol ossumptions thot form the bosis of the Compony's recorded environmenlol liobilities ond reloted regulolory ossets moy chonge; o the risk of not being oble to recover the Compony's pension expenditures in future rotes ond uncertointy regording the future regulolory treotment of pension, other postemployment benefits ond post-retirement benef its cosfs; o the potentlol thot Hydro One moy incur slgni{icont expenses to reploce functions currently outsourced if ogreements ore lerminoted or expire before o new service provider is selected; o the risks ossocioted with economic uncertoint/ ond finonciol morket volotility; . the inobility to prepore [inonciol stotements using US GAAP; ond . the impoct o[ the ownership by the Province of londs underlying the Compony's lronsmission system. Hydro One coutions the reoder lhot lhe obove list of foctors is not exhoustive. Some of these ond other foctors ore discussed in more detoil in the section "Risk Monogement ond Risk Foctors" in lhis MD&A. Z>az za>g 3A 6= o;(,6oCU, oz I Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE umrrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTCA'S TARGEST PEAgfr ?TQ AtAt Al4 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS ln oddition, Hydro One coutions the reoder lhot informotion provided in this MD&A regordlng the Compony's outlook on cerloin motters, including potentiol future investments, is provided in order to give conlext to the noture of some of the Compony's fulure plons ond moy not be oppropriote for other purposes. Additionol informolion obout Hydro One, including the Compony's Annuol Informotion Form, is ovoiloble on SEDAR ol www.sedor.com ond the Com pony's website ot www. HydroOne.com/lnvestors. ARpentiip6t€.ln'iilS Applinesioft poRT TSX: H Page 295 of 414 AAo nogement's Report The Consolidoted Finonciol Stolemenls, Monogement's Discussion ond Anolysis (MD&A) ond reloted finonciol informotion hove been prepored by the monogement of Hydro One Limited (Hydro One or the Compony). Monogement is responsible for the integrity, consistenry ond reliobility of oll such in{ormotion presented. The Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements hove been prepored in occordonce with United Stotes Generolly Accepted Accounting Principles ond opplicoble securities legislotion. The MD&A hos been prepored in occordonce with Notionol Instrument 5l .102. The preporotion of the Consolidoted Finonciol Stolements ond informotion in the MD&A involves the use of estimotes ond ossumptions bosed on monogement's iudgment, porticulorly when tronsoctions olfecting the current occounting period connot be flnolized with certointy until luture periods. Estimotes ond ossumptions ore bosed on hisloricol experience, cunenl conditions ond vorious ofier ossumptions believed to be reosonoble in lhe circumstonces, with criticol onolysis o[ the significont occounting policies followed by the Compony os described in Note 2 to the Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements. The preporotion o[ the Consolidoted Finonciol Stotemenls ond the MD&A includes informotion regording the estimoted impoct o[ future events ond tronsoctions. The MD&A olso includes informotion regording sources of liquidity ond copitol resources, operoling trends, risks ond uncertoinlies. Actuol resulls in lhe future moy differ moteriolly from the present ossessmenl of this informotion becouse future events ond circumstonces moy not occur os expected. The Consolidoted Finonciol Slotements ond MD8,A hove been properly prepored within reosonoble limits of moteriolity ond in light of informotion up to Februory 9,2017. Monogement ls responsible for estoblishing ond mointoining odequote internol control over finonciol reporting for the Compony. ln meeting its responsibility {or the reliobility of finonciol informotion, monogement mointoins ond relies on o comprehensive system o[ internol conkol ond internol oudit. The system o[ internol control lncludes o written corporole conduct policy; implementotion of o risk monogement fromework; effective segregolion ol duties ond delegotion o[ outhorities; ond sound occounting policies thot ore regulorly reviewed. This structure is designed to provide reosonoble ossuronce thot ossets ore sofeguorded ond thot relioble informotion is ovoiloble on o timely bosis. ln oddition, monogement hos ossessed lhe design ond operotlng effectiveness of the Compony's internol control over finonciol reporling in occordonce wilh the criterio set forth in Internol Control - Integroted Fromework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Orgonizotions of the Treodwoy Commission. Bosed on this ossessment, monogement concluded thot the Compony mointoined effective internol control over finonciol reporting os of December 31, 2016. The effectiveness of these internol controls is repoded to the Audit Committee of the Hydro One Boord o[ Directors, os required. The Consolidoted Finonciol Stoiements hove been oudited by KPMG LLP, independent externol oudilors oppoinled by the shoreholders o[ the Compony. The externol oudltors' responsibility is to express their opinion on whether the Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements ore loirly presented in occordonce with United Stotes Generolly Accepted Accounling Principles. The Independent Audilors' Report outlines the scope ol their exominotion ond their opinion. The Hydro One Boord of Directors, through its Audit Committee, is responsible for ensuring thot monogement fulfills its responsibilities for finonciol reporting ond internol conkols. The Audit Committee of Hydro One met periodicolly wilh monogement, the internol ouditors ond the externol ouditors lo sotisfy itself thot eoch group hod properly dischorged its respective responsibiliry ond to review the Consolidoled Finonciol Stotements before recommending opprovol by the Boord o[ Directors. The externol ouditors hod direct ond lull occess to the Audit Committee, with ond without the presence of monogement, to discuss their oudit findings. The President ond Chief Executive Officer ond the Chief Finonciol Officer hove certified Hydro One's onnuol Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements ond onnuol MD&A, reloted disclosure controls ond procedures ond the design ond effectiveness of reloted internol controls over finonciol reporting. On beholf o[ Hydro One's monogement: TrtJ:4- ,4,4 Moyo Schmidt President ond Chief Executive Officer Michoel Vels Chief Finonciol Officer Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LrMrrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTcA's ,.o*ors, P€ge ?frfiegf &14 To the Shoreholders of Hydro One Limiled We hove oudited the occomponying Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements of Hydro One Limited, which comprise the consolidoted bolonce sheets os ot December 3,l, 2Ol6 ond December 31, 20,i5, the consolidoted stotements of operotions ond comprehensive income, chonges in equity ond cosh {lows for the yeors then ended, ond notes, comprising o summory of significont occounting policies ond other explonotory informotion. Mo n o ge m e nlt Responsib i I i ty fo r th e Con sol i d o ted Finonciol Stolemenls Monogemenl is responsible for the preporotion ond foir presentolion of these Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements in occordonce with United Sloles Generolly Accepted Accounling Principles, ond for such internol control os monogemenl determines is necessory to enoble the preporotion ol Consolidoted Finonciol Stolements lhot ore free from moteriol misstotement, whether due lo froud or error. Auditors' Responsibility Our responsibility is to express on opinion on these Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements bosed on our oudits. We conducted our oudits in occordonce with Conodion generolly occepted ouditing slondords. Those stondords require thol we comply with ethicol requirements ond plon ond perlorm the oudit to obtoin reosonoble ossuronce obout whether the Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements ore free from moteriol misstotement. An oudit involves performing procedures to obtoin oudit evidence obout the omounts ond disclosures in the Consolidoted Finonciol Slotemenls. The procedures selected depend on our iudgment, including the ossessment of the risks of moteriol misstotement of the Consolidoted Finonciol Slotements, whether due to froud or error. ln moking those risk ossessments, we consider internol conkol relevont lo the entity's preporotion ond foir presentotion of the Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements in order to design oudit procedures lhot ore oppropriote in the circumstonces, bul not for the purpose of expressing on opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internol control. An oudit olso includes evoluoting the opproprioteness of occounting policies used ond the reosonobleness of occounting estimotes mode by monogement, os well os evoluoting the overoll presenlotion of the Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements. We believe thot the oudit evidence we hove obtoined in our oudlts is sufficient ond oppropriote to provide o bosis for our oudit opinion. Opinion ln our opinion, lhe Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements present foirly, in oll moteriol respecls, the consolidoted finonciol position of Hydro One Limited os ot December 3.l, 20,l6 ond December 3,l, 20,l5, ond its consolidoted results of operotions ond its consolidoted cosh flows for the yeors then ended in occordonce with United Stotes Generolly Accepted Accounting Principles. r'ha /4? Chortered Professionol Accountonts, Licensed Publ ic Accountonts Toronto, Conodo Februory 9,2O17 ARpendir6ln .lnfts Appl,ipntionpoRT TSX: H Page297 of414 Independent Auditors' Report Consol idoted Stotements of ond Comprehensive lncome Operotions For the yeors ended December 3 I , 20 I 6 ond 201 5 Yeor ended December 31 lmillions of Conodion dollors, excepl per shore omounts)2016 20r5 Revenues Distribution {includes $ 160 relored porty revenues; 20.]5 - $ 159) lNote 26) Tronsmission (includes $ I ,553 reloted porly revenues; 201 5 - $ I ,5541 lNote 26) Other 4,915 1,584 53 4,949 r,536 53 6,552 6,538 Cosh Purchosed power (includes $2,103 reloted porty costs; 20l5 - $2,335|t (Note 26) Operotion, moinfenonce ond odminiskotion (Note 261 Depreciotion ond omorlizotion /Nofe 5l 3,427 t,069 778 3,450 r, r35 759 5,274 5,344 lncome before finoncing chorges ond income toxes Finoncing chorges fNole 6i 1,278 393 1,194 376 lncome before income toxes lncome loxes lNotes 7, 26) 88s 139 BlB r05 @o;o1-7tr6r9Zod>.mI lz z.)t 2 Net income 746 713 Other comprehensive income Comprehensive income 746 714 Nel income ottributoble to: Nonconkolling interest /Nole 25i Preferred shoreholders Common shoreholders 6 t9 721 t0 t3 690 746 713 Comprehensive income ottributoble to: Noncontrolling ;"terest /Nole 25i Preferred shoreholders Common shoreholders 6 t9 721 to t3 691 746 714 Eornings per common shore /Note 23l Bosic Diluted $ 1.21 $ r.2i $ t.sq $ t.sc Dividends per common shore declored (Note 22)$ 0.97 $ 1.83 See occomponying notes to Consolidoted F tnonciol Sfofements. Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LrxurED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTcA's lo*"r., PAge ?rQffrgf4l4 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS At December 3 I , 2Ol 6 ond 201 5 Decembr 3l lmillions of Conodion dollors) Consol idoted Bolcnce Sheets 2016 2015 Assets Cunent ossets: Cosh ond cosh equivolents Accounts receivoble /Note 8/ Due from reloted porties (Note 26) Olher current ossets /Note 9/ 50 838 r58 102 94 776 t9t 105 148 r66 Property, plont ond equipmenl /Note l0i Olher long-term ossets: Regulotory ossets /Note l2i Deferred income tox ossets /Note Z/ lntongible ossets /Nole I li Goodwill lNote 4) Other ossets 19,140 17,968 3,145 1,235 349 327 7 3,0r 5 r,636 336 163 10 5,063 5,1 60 Totol ossets 25,351 24,294 Liobilities Cunent liobilities: Shortlerm notes poyoble /Note l5l Long-term debt poyoble within one yeor /Nole l5i Accounls poyoble ond other current liobilities /Note l3l Due to reloted porlies /Nofe 26/ 469 602 945 147 1,491 500 868 138 2,163 2,997 Long-term liobilities: Longlerm debt {includes $548 meosured otfoirvolue; 20,l5 - $5,l}/No,es 15, 16] Regulotory liobilities lNote l2) Defened income tox liobilities (Note 7) Other long+erm liobilities (Note l4) 10,078 209 60 2,752 8,207 236 207a Taa 13,099 11 ,373 Torol liobiliries 15,262 14,370 Contingencies ond Commitments /Noles 28, 29) Subsequent Events /Note 3li Noncontrolling interest subiect to redemption lNote 25) Equity Common shores /Notes 21, 22) Prefened shores /Notes 21, 22) Additionol poid-in copitol (Note 24) Retoined eornings Accumuloted other comprehensive loss 22 5,623 418 34 3,950 (81 5,623 4tB t0 3,806 (B) 23 Hydro One shoreholders' equity Noncontrolling interest /Nofe 25/ 10,o17 50 9,849<o Totol equity 10,067 9,90r 25,35 r 24,294 See occom po nyi n g n ole s to C onsol i doted F i no nci ol Sfofemenfs. On beholf o[ the Boord of Direclors: Dovid Denison Choir \F (> Philip Orsino Choir, Audit Committee ABpendirc6lp rJnia$ Applip'a.tionpoRT TSX: H Page 299 of 414 \f>r-..; Consolidoted Stotements of Chonges in Equily For the yeors ended December 3 I , 2Ol 6 ond 2Ol 5 Yeor ended December 3 I , 201 6 Common Preferred Shores Shores Accumuloted Norr Additionol Other Hydro One conholling Poid-in Retoined Comprehensive Shoreholders' lnterest lolol of Conodion Loss Jonuory 1,2016 5,623 418 r0 3,806 740 (8)9,849 740 52 4 (6) 9,90r 744Nel income Other comprehensive income Distributions lo nonconlrolling inferest Dividends on preferred shores Dividends on common shores Stock-bosed compensotion /Note 24/ - - 24 (l e) ls77l (r el (s771 24 (6) (t el ls77l 24 December3l,20l6 5,623 418 34 3,950 (8) 10,017 50 10,067 Yeor ended Decembr 31, 2015 Common Shores Pre[ened Shores Accumuloted Non- Additionol Other Hydro One controlling Poid-in Retoined Comprehensive Shoreholders' Interest Totol of Conodion Loss lonuory i,2015 Net income Other comprehensive income Distributions to noncontrolling interest Dividends on prefened shores Dividends on common shores Hydro One Brompton spin-off /Note 4/ PrelPO Tronsoctions /Note 2 ii Stock-bosed compensotion /Note 24J 3,3 r4 4,249 703 (1 3l l87sl (2s81 (e) 1 7,554 703 I 49 7 t[l 7,603 710 I t4t (t 3) (BZ5) 1454) 2,923 l0 (13) lB7 sl 14541 2,523 10 (re6) 2,505 418 r0 December 3l , 2015 5,623 418 l0 3,806 (Bl I 849 529 901 See occomponying notes to Consolidoted Finonciol Stofemenls. AC\>\J1/TA;9za a>.mU =z Z.) 2 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LrxurED oNE or NoRTH AMERTcA's ,o*ors, Pagft 30e rof4l4 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Consolidoted Stotements of Cosh Flows 2016 201 5 Operoting octivities Net income Environmento I expenditures Adiustments for non<osh items: Depreciotion ond omortizotion (excluding removol costsl Regulotory ossets ond liobilities Deferred income toxes lNote 7) Other Chonges in noncosh bolonces reloted to operotions /Note 2Zl 746 (20) 713 (le) 688 (16) It4 t0 134 668 (31 12,844) 24 213 Net cosh from (used in) operoting octivities 1,656 \1,248) Finoncing octivities Long-term debt issued Long-term debt repoid Shortlerm notes issued Short-term noles repoid Common shores issued Dividends poid Dishibutions poid to noncontrolling interest Chonge in bonk indebtedness Other 2,300 (502) 3,03 r (4,0s3) 350 (58s) 2,891 11,400) 2,600 (888) (5) t2) t7) (5e6) (e) (t 0l Net cosh from finoncing octivities l6t 2,954 lnvesting octivities Copitol expenditures lNote 27) Property, plont ond equipment lntongible ossets Copitol contribulions received lNole 27) Acquisitions lNote 4) lnvestment in Hydro One Brompton (Note 4) Other (r,600) (61) 21 12241 {r,595) t37l 57 (e0) (s3) 6J Net cosh used in investing octivities (1,86r) 11,7121 Net chonge in cosh ond cosh equivolents Cosh ond cosh equivolents, beginning o[ yeor 144l 94 (6) r00 Cosh ond cosh equivolents, e1d {yggl 50 94 See occom po nyi ng note s to Co n sol i dot ed F i no n ci ol Sfofemenfs. Appent{ir6to Jn'ls ApplipntiottpoRT TSX: H Page 301 of 414 For the yeors ended December 3 I , 2Ol 6 ond 2Ol 5 Yeor ended December 3l lmillions of Conodion dollors) For the yeors ended December 3 I , 201 6 ond 2Ol 5 I . Description of The Business Hydro One Limited {Hydro One or the Compony) wos incorporoted on August 31 , 20,l5, under the Business Corporofions Act (Ontorio). On October 31, 2015, the Compony ocquired Hydro One lnc., o compony previously wholly owned by the Province of Onlorio (Province). The ocquisition ol Hydro One lnc. by Hydro One wos occounted for os o common control konsoction ond Hydro One ls o contlnuotion of business operotions of Hydro One lnc. At December 31 , 2016, the Province holds opproximotely 70.1% 12015- B4%lof thecommonshoresof HydroOne. Seenote2l lor further detoils regording the reorgonizotion of Hydro One. The principol businesses of Hydro One ore the tronsmission ond distribution of electricity to customers wilhin Ontorio. 2. Significont Accounting Policies Bosis of Consolidotion ond Preporotion These Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements include the occounts of the Compony ond its subsidiories. lntercompony konsoctions ond bolonces hove been eliminoted. The comporotive informotion to these Consolidoted Finonciol Slotements hos been presented in o monner similor to the pooling-of-interests method. The comporotive inlormotion consists of the results of operotions of Hydro One lnc. prior to October 31, 2015, ond the consolidoted results of operotions of Hydro One from the dote of incorporotion on August 3 1, 2015 to December 3,1, 2015, which include the results of Hydro One Inc. subsequent to its ocquisition on October 31 , 2015. The comporotive informolion hos been combined using historicol omounts. ln oddition, Hydro One's issued ond oulstonding common shores prior to October 3 I , 201 5 hove been retrooctively odiusted for the purposes of presentotion to reflect the effects of the ocquisition of Hydro One lnc. using the exchonge rotio estoblished for the ocquisition. The Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements ore refened to os "consolidoted' for oll periods presented. On August 3 1 , 201 5, Hydro One lnc. completed the spin-off of its subsidiory, Hydro One Brompton Networks lnc. {Hydro One Brompton) to the Province {see note 4). The comporotive informotion to these Consolidoted Finonciol Stolements includes the results of Hydro One Brompton up to August 3 1 , 20 I 5. Stotements Bosis of Accounting These Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements ore prepored ond presented in occordonce with United Stotes (US) Generolly Accepted Accounting Principles {GAAP) ond in Conodion dollors. Use of Monogement Eslimotes The preporotion of finonciol stotements requires monogement to moke estimotes ond ossumptions thot offect the reported omounts of ossets ond liobllities ot the dote of the finonciol stotements ond the reported omounts of revenues, expenses, goins ond losses during the reporting periods. Monogemenl evoluotes lhese estimoles on on ongoing bosis bosed upon historicol experience, current conditions, ond ossumptions believed to be reosonoble ot the time the ossumptions ore mode, with ony odiustments being recognized in resuhs of operolions in the period they orise. Significont estimotes relote to regulotory ossets ond regulotory liobilities, environmentol liobilities, pension benefits, post-retirement ond postemployment benefits, osset relirement obligotions, goodwill ond osset impoirmenls, contingencies, unbilled revenues, ollowonce for doubtful occounts, derivotive instruments, ond deferred income tox ossets ond liobilities. Actuol resulls moy differ signilicontly from these estimotes. Rote Setting The Compony's Tronsmission Business consisis of the tronsmission buslness of Hydro One Inc., which includes the lronsmission business of Hydro One Networks lnc. (Hydro One Networks), Hydro One Soult Ste. Morie LP (previously Greot Lokes Power Tronsmission LP {Greot Lokes Power}}, ond its 66% interest in B2M limited Portnership (B2M LP). The Compony's Distribution Business consists of the dishibution business o[ Hydro One Inc., which includes the distribution businesses o[ Hydro One Networks, os well os Hydro One Remote Communities lnc. (Hydro One Remote Communities). Tronsmission In November 20,15, the OEB opproved Hydro One Networks' 201 6 tronsmission rotes revenue requirement of $ I ,480 million ln December 20 1 5, the OEB opproved B2M LP's 20,l 5-20 i 9 rotes revenue requirements of $39 million, $36 million, $37 million, $38 million ond $37 million lor the respective yeors. OnJonuory 14, 201 6, the OEB opproved the B2M LP revenue requirement recovery through the 201 6 Uniform Tronsmission Rotes, ond the estoblishment of o deferrol occount to copture costs of Tox Rote ond Rule chonges. Notes to Consolidoted Finoncio azz6>;ufr62IoaOi,2fra =om=z0r>a1mI 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LtrrurED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA,s lo*crsr PASft SrQfirOfAl4 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Distribution ln Morch 2015, the OEB opproved Hydro One Networks' distribution revenue requirements of $.1,326 million for 2015, $1,430 million for 2016 ond $1,486 million for 2017. The OEB hos subsequently opproved updoted revenue requirements o[ $1,410 million for 20l6 ond $1,4.l5 million for 2017. On Morch 17,2U6, the OEB opproved on increose ol 2.1O%to Hydro One Remote Communities' bosic roles for the distribution ond generotlon of electricil'y, with on effective dote of Moy 1 , 2016. Regulotory Accounting The OEB hos the generol power to include or exclude revenues, costs, goins or losses ln the rotes o[ o specific period, resulting in o chonge in the timing of occounling recognition from thot which would hove been opplied in on unreguloted compony. Such chonge in timing involves the opplicotion of rotareguloted occounting, giving rise to the recognltion o[ regulotory ossets ond liobilities. The Compony's regulotory ossels represeni certoin omounls receivoble from future customers ond costs thot hove been defened for occounting purposes becouse it is proboble thot they will be recovered in future rotes. ln oddition, lhe Compony hos recorded regulotory liobilities thot generolly represent omounts thot ore refundoble to future customers. The Compony continuolly ossesses the likehhood o[ recovery of eoch of ils regulotory ossels ond contlnues to believe thot it is proboble thot the OEB will include its regulotory ossets ond liobilities in setting of future rotes. lf, ot some future dote, the Compony iudges thot il is no longer proboble thot the OEB will include o regulotory osset or liobiliry in setting future rotes, the oppropriote corrying omount would be reflected in results of operotions in the period thol the ossessment is mode. Cosh ond Cosh Equivolents Cosh ond cosh equivolents include cosh ond short-term investments with on originol moturity of three months or less. Revenue Recognition Tronsmission revenues ore collected through OEBopproved rotes, whlch ore bosed on on opproved revenue requirement thot includes o rote of return. Such revenue is recognized os electricity is tronsmitted ond delivered to customers. Distribution revenues ottribuloble to the delivery o[ electricity ore bosed on OEBcpproved distribution rotes ond ore recognized on on occruol bosis ond include billed ond unbilled revenues. Billed revenues ore bosed on electricily delivered os meosured from customer meters. At the end o[ eoch month, electriclty delivered to cuslomers since lhe dote of the lost billed meter reoding is estimoted, ond the conesponding unbilled revenue is recorded. The unbilled revenue estimote is offected by energy consurnption, weother, ond chonges in the composition o[ customer closses. Distribution revenue olso includes on omount reloting to rote prolection for rurol, residentiol, ond remole customers, which is received kom the lndependent Electricity System Operotor (IESO) bosed on o stondordized customer rote thot is opproved by the OEB. Revenues olso include omounls reloted to soles of other services ond equipment. Such revenue is recognized os services ore rendered or os equipmenl is delivered. Revenues ore recorded net o[ indlrect toxes Accounts Receivoble ond Allowonce for Doubtful Accounts Billed occounts receivoble ore recorded ot the invoiced omounl, net of ollowonce for doubtful occounts. Unbilled occounts receivoble ore recorded ot their estimoted volue. Overdue omounts reloled to reguloted blllings beor interest ot OEBopproved rotes. The ollowonce for doubtful occounls reflects the Compony's best estimote of losses on billed occounls receivoble bolonces. The Compony estimotes the ollowonce for doubtful occounls on billed occounts receivoble by opplying internolly developed loss rotes to the outstonding receivoble bolonces by oging cotegory. Loss rotes opplied to the billed occounls receivoble bolonces ore bosed on hisloricol overdue bolonces, customer poyments ond write-offs. Accounts receivoble ore writtenoff ogoinst the ollowonce when they ore deemed uncollectible. The ollowonce for doubtful occounts is offected by chonges in volume, prices ond economic conditions. Noncontrolling interest Noncontrolling interesl represents the portion of equity ownership in subsidiories lhot is not ottributoble lo shoreholders of Hydro One. Noncontrolling interest is initiolly recorded ot foir volue ond subsequently the omounl is odiusted for the proportionote shore of nel income ond other comprehenslve income ottributoble to the nonconkolling interest ond ony dividends or distributions poid lo the noncontrolling interest. lf o konsoction results in the ocquisition of oll, or port, ol o noncontrolling interesl in o subsidiory, the ocquisition of the noncontrolling interest is occounted for os on equity tronsoction. No goin or loss is recognized in consolidoted net income or comprehensive income os o result of chonges in the noncontrolling inlerest, unless o chonge resuhs in lhe loss of control by the Compony. ABpendirc6le',lnfiS ApplipntionpoRT TSX: H Page 303 of 414 lncome Toxes Prior to the lPO, Hydro One wos exempt from tox under the /ncome Iox Act (Conodo) ond the Toxotion Act, 2007 lOntorio) {Federol Tox Regime). However, under lhe Electricity Act, Hydro One wos required to moke poyments in lieu o[ tox (PlLs) to the Ontorio Electricily Finoncing Corporotion {OEFC) (PlLs Regime). The PlLs were, in generol, bosed on the omount o[ tox thot Hydro One would othewise be lioble to poy under the Federol Tox Regime if it wos not exempt lrom toxes under lhose stotutes. ln connection with the IPO of Hydro One, Hydro One's exemption from tox under the Federol Tox Regime ceosed to opply. Upon exiting the PlLs Regime, Hydro One is required lo moke corporote income tox poyments to the Conodo Revenue Agency {CRA) under the Federol Tox Regime. Current ond defened income toxes ore computed bosed on the lox roles ond tox lows enocted os ot the bolonce sheet dote. Tox benefits ossocioted with income tox positions loken, or expected to be token, in o tox return ore recorded only when the "morelikely-thon-not" recognition threshold is sotisfied ond ore meosured ot the lorgest omounl of benefit thot hos o greoter thon 50% likelihood of being reolized upon settlement. Monogemenl evoluotes eoch position bosed solely on the technicol merits ond focts ond circumstonces of the position, ossuming the position will be exomined by o toxing outhority hoving full knowledge o[ oll relevont informotion. Significont monogement iudgment is required lo determine recognition thresholds ond the reloted omount of tox benelits to be recognized in the Consolidoted Finonciol Slolements. Monogement reevoluoles tox posilions eoch period using new inlormolion obout recognition or meosurement os it becomes ovoiloble. Deferred lncome Toxes Deferred income toxes ore provided for using the liobilily method. Deferred income loxes ore recognized bosed on the estimoted {uture lox consequences ottributoble to temporory differences between the corrying omount of ossets ond liobilities in the Consolidoted Finonciol Stotemenls ond their conesponding tox boses. Deferred income tox liobilities ore recognized on oll toxoble temporory differences. Deferred tox ossets ore recognized to the extent thot it is morelikely-thon-not thot these ossets will be reolized from toxoble income ovoiloble ogoinst which deductible temporory differences con be utilized. Deferred income toxes ore colculoted ot the tox rotes thot ore expected to opply in the period when the liobiliry is settled or the osset is reolized, bosed on the tox rotes ond tox lows thot hove been enocted os ot the bolonce sheet dote. Defened income toxes thol ore not included in the rotesetting process ore chorged or credited lo the Consolidoted Stotements of Operolions ond Comprehensive lncome. lf monogemenl determines thot it is morelikelython-not thot some or oll o[ o defened income tox osset will not be reolized, o voluotion ollowonce is recorded ogoinst the defened income tox osset lo report the net bolonce ot the omount expected to be reolized. Previously unrecognized deferred income tox ossets ore reossessed ot eoch bolonce sheet dote ond ore recognized to the extenl thot it hos become morelikelython-not thot the tox benefit will be reolized. The Compony records regulotory ossets ond liobilities ossocioted with deferred income loxes thot will be included in lhe rote-setting process. The Compony uses the flow-through method to occount for investment tox credits (lTCs) eorned on eligible scientilic reseorch ond experimentol development expenditures, ond opprenticeship iob creotion. Under this method, only non-refundoble lTCs ore recognized os o reduction to income tox expense. Moteriols ond Supplies Moteriols ond supplies represenl consumobles, smoll spore ports ond construction moteriols held for internol construction ond moinlenonce of property, plont ond equipment. These ossets ore corried ot overoge cost less ony impoirments recorded. Property, Plont ond Equipment Properiy, plont ond equipment is recorded ot originol cost, net of cuslomer contributions, ond ony occumuloled impoirmenl losses. The cost of odditions, including bettermenls ond replocemenl ossel components, is included on the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets os property, plont ond equipment. The originol cost of property, plont ond equipment includes direct moteriols, direct lobour {including employee benefits), controcted services, ottributoble copltolized f inoncing costs, ossel retiremenl costs, ond direct ond indirect overheods thot ore reloted to the copitol proiect or progrom. Indirect overheods include o portion o[ corporote costs such os finonce, treosury, humon resources, lnformotion technology ond executive costs. Overheod costs, including corporote functions ond field services costs, ore copitollzed on o fully ollocoted bosis, consislent with on OEBopproved methodology. Properly, plont ond equipment in service consists of tronsmission, distribution, communicotion, odminisirotion ond service ossets ond lond eosements. Property, plont ond equipment olso includes luture use ossets, such os lond, moior components ond spore ports, ond copitolized proiect development cosls ossocioted wlth deferred copitol proiects. =Zzo>r -fi6-. =6aO i,9fra =om=zor>@1mtf, 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE umtrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA's Lrnoesr P&&ft 004r0f414 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Tronsmission Tronsmission ossets include ossets used lor the tronsmission of high- vohoge electricity, such os konsmission lines, supporl structures, foundotions, insulotors, connecting hordwore ond grounding systems, ond ossets used to step up the voltoge of electricity from generoting stotions lor tronsrnission ond to step down vohoges for distribution, including trons{ormers, circuit breokers ond switches. Distribution Distribution ossels include ossets reloted to the distribution of lowvoltoge electricity, including lines, poles, switches, konsformers, proleclive devices ond melering systems. Communicotion Communicotion ossets include fibre optic ond microwove rodio systems, opticol ground wire, towers, telephone equipment ond ossocioled bulldings. Adminislrotion ond Service Administrotion ond service ossets include odministrotive buildings, personol computers, tronsport ond work equipment, tools ond other minor ossels. Eosements Eosements include stotutory rights of use for tronsmission corridors ond obutting londs gronted under the Re/loble Energy ond Consumer Protection Act, 2002, os well os other lond occess rights. lntongible Assets lntongible ossels seporotely ocquired or inlernolly developed ore meosured on initiol recognilion ot cost, which comprises purchosed softwore, direct lobour (including employee benefits), consulting, engineering, overheods ond ottributoble copitolized [inoncing chorges. Following initiol recognition, intongible ossets ore corried ol cost, net of ony occumuloled omortizolion ond occumuloted impolrment losses. The Compony's intongible ossets primorily represent moior computer opplicolions. Copifolized Finoncing Costs Copitolized finoncing costs represent interest costs ottributoble to the conslruction o[ properly, plont ond equipment or development of intongible ossefs. The finoncing cost of ottribuloble borrowed funds is copitolized os poil of the ocquisition cost of such ossets. The copitolized linoncing costs ore o reduction o[ finoncing chorges recognized ln the Consolldoted Stotements o[ Operotions ond Comprehensive lncome. Copitolized finoncing costs ore colculoted using the Compony's weighted overoge effective cost of debl. Construction ond Development in Progress Conslruction ond development in progress consists of the copitolized cost of constructed ossets thot ore not yet complete ond which hove not yet been ploced in service. Depreciotion ond Amortizotion The cosl of property, plonl ond equipment ond inionglble ossets is deprecioted or omortized on o stroight-line bosis bosed on the estimoted remoining service life of eoch osset cotegory, except for konsport ond work equipment, which is deprecioled on o declining bolonce bosis. The Compony periodicolly initioles on exlernol independent review o[ its property, plont ond equipment ond intongible osset depreciotion ond omortizotion rotes, os required by the OEB. Any chonges orising from OEB opprovol of such o revlew ore lmplemented on o remoining service life bosis, consistent with their inclusion in electricity rotes. The losl review resulted in chonges to rotes elfectiveJonuory 1, 20,15. A summory of overoge seryice lives ond depreciotion ond omorlizotion rotes for the vorious closses o[ ossets is included below: Averoge Service Life Rote Ronge Averoge Property, plont ond equipment: Tro nsmission Distribution Communicotion Admlnistrotion ond service Intongible ossets 56 yeors 46 yeors I 6 yeors I 8 yeors I 0 yeors 17" - 3% 1"/" - 7o/" 17" -1 57" 17" -20% 10% l/o 6% 7% o% Appen,#rc6le,,lfiftS ApplipE$ionpoRT TSX: H Page 305 of 414 ln occordonce with group depreciotion proctices, the originol cost of property, plont ond equipment, or moior componenls thereof, ond lntongible ossets thot ore normolly retired, is chorged to occumuloted depreciotion, with no goin or loss being reflected in results o[ operotions. Where o disposition of property, plont ond equipment occurs through sole, o goin or loss is colculoled bosed on proceeds ond such goin or loss is included in depreciotion expense. Acquisitions ond Goodwill The Compony occounts {or business ocquisitions using lhe ocquisition method of occounting ond, occordingly, the ossels ond liobilities of the ocquired enlilies ore primorily meosured ot their estimoted foir volue ot the dote o{ ocquisition. Goodwill represents the cost of ocquired componies thol is in excess of the foir volue of the net identifioble ossels ocquired ot the ocquisition dote. Goodwill is not included in rote bose. Goodwill is evoluoted for impoirment on on onnuol bosis, or more frequently if circumstonces require. The Compony performs o quolitotive ossessment to determine whether it is morelikelython-not thot the [oir volue of the opplicoble reporting unit is less thon its corrying omount. lf the Compony determines, os o result of its quolitotive ossessment, thot it is not morelikelython-not thot the foir volue o[ the oppllcoble reporting unit is less thon its corrying omount, no further testing is required. lf the Compony determines, os o result of its quolitotive ossessment, thot il is morelikelython-not thot the foir volue o{ the opplicoble reporling unit is less thon its corrying omount, o goodwill impoirment ossessment is performed using o hruostep, foir voluebosed test. The [irst step compores the foir volue of the opplicoble reportlng unit to its corrying omount, including goodwill. lf the corrying omount of the opplicoble reporting unit exceeds its foir volue, o second step is performed. The second step requires on ollocotion of foir volue to the individuol ossets ond liobilities using purchose price ollocoiion in order to delermine the implied foir volue of goodwill. lf the lmplied Ioir volue of goodwill is less thon the corrying omount, on impoirment loss is recorded os o reduction to goodwill ond os o chorge to results o[ operolions. For the yeor ended December 3l, 20,16, bosed on the quolitotive ossessment performed os ot September 30, 2016, the Compony hos determined thot it is not morelikelython-not thot lhe foir volue o[ eoch opplicoble reporting unit ossessed is less thon its corrying omounl. As o result, no further testing wos perlormed, ond the Compony hos concluded thot goodwill wos not impoired ot December 3 I , 20,1 6. Long-Lived Asset lmpoirment When circumstonces indicole the corrying volue o[ long-lived ossets moy not be recoveroble, the Compony evoluotes whether the corrying volue of such ossets, excluding goodwlll, hos been impoired. For such long-lived ossets, the Compony evoluotes whether impoirment moy exist by esllmoting future estimoted undiscounted cosh flows expected to result from the use ond eventuol disposition o[ the osset. When olternolive courses of oction to recover the corrying omount o[ o long-lived osset ore under considerotion, o probobility weighled opprooch is used to develop estimotes of future undiscounted cosh flows. l[ the corrying volue of the long-lived osset is not recoveroble bosed on the estimoted future undiscounted cosh flows, on impoirment loss is recorded, meosured os the excess o[ the corrying volue of the osset over its foir volue. As o result, the ossel's corrying volue is odiusted to ils eslimoted foir volue. Within its reguloted business, the corrying costs of most of Hydro One's longllved ossets ore included in role bose where they eorn on OEBopproved rote of return. Asset corrying volues ond the reloted return ore recovered through opproved rotes. As o result, such ossels ore only tested for impoirment in the event thot the OEB disollows recovery, in whole or in port, or if such o disollowonce is iudged to be proboble. Hydro One regulorly monitors the ossets of its unreguloted Hydro One Telecom subsidiory for indicotions o[ impoirment. Monogement ossesses the [oir volue of such longlived ossets using commonly occepted techniques. Techniques used to determine foir volue include, but ore not limited to, the use of recent third-porty comporoble soles for relerence ond internolly developed discounted cosh flow onolysis. Signiliconl chonges in morket conditions, chonges to the condition of on osset, or o chonge in monogement's intent lo utilize the ossel ore generolly viewed by monogement os triggering evenls lo reossess the cosh flows reloted to these longllved ossets. As ot December 3 1 , 20 1 6 ond 20 1 5, no osset impoirment hod been recorded for ossets within either the Compony's reguloted or unreguloted businesses. Costs of Arronging Debt Finoncing For finonciol liobillties clossified os other thon held{or-troding, the Compony defers the externol tronsoclion costs reloted lo obtoining debt finoncing ond presents such omounts net o[ reloted debt on the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets. Deferred debl issuonce cosls ore omortized over lhe conlroctuol life of the reloted debt on on effective- interest bosis ond the omorlizotion is included within finoncing chorges in the Consolidoted Stolements of Operotions ond Comprehensive lncome. Tronsoction costs for items clossified os held{or-troding ore expensed immediotely. Comprehensive lncome Comprehensive income is comprised of nel income ond other comprehensive income {OCl). Hydro One presents net income ond OCI in o single continuous Consolldoted Stotement o[ Operotions ond Comprehensive lncome. azzo>=-fr62IoaO,9fra =om=z9d5mC, 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LrMrrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTCA'S unorv Ptagft 306eOf4l4 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Finonciol Assets ond Liobilities All finonciol ossets ond liobilities ore clossified into one of lhe following five cotegories: heldlomoturity; loons ond receivobles; held{or-troding; other liobilities; or ovoiloblefor-sole. Finonciol ossets ond liobllities clossified os held{or-troding ore meosured ol foir volue. All other finonciol ossets ond liobilities ore meosured ot omortized cosl, excepl occounls receivoble ond omounts due from reloted porties, which ore meosured ot the lower of cost or foir volue. Accounts receivoble ond omounts due lrom reloled porties ore clossified os loons ond receivobles. The Compony considers the corrying omounts o[ occounts receivoble ond omounts due {rom reloted porties to be reosonoble estimoles of [oir volue becouse o[ the short time to moturity of lhese instrumenls. Provisions for impoired occounts receivoble ore recognized os odjustments to the ollowonce for doubilul occounls ond ore recognized when there is obiective evidence thot the Compony will not be oble to collect omounts occordlng to the originol terms. All [inonciol instrumenl tronsoctions ore recorded ot trode dote. Derivolive instruments ore meosured ot foir volue. Goins ond losses from loir voluotion ore included within finoncing chorges in lhe period in which they orise. The Compony determines the closslficotion o[ its [inonciol ossets ond liobilities ot the dote o[ initiol recognition. The Compony designotes certoin o[ its finonciol ossets ond liobililies lo be held ot foir volue, when il is consistent with the Compony's risk monogernent policy disclosed in Note l6 - Foir Volue of Finonciol lnstruments ond Risk Monogement. Derivotive lnstruments ond Hedge Accounting The Compony closely monitors the risks ossocioted with chonges in inleresl rotes on its operotions ond, where oppropriote, uses vorious instrurnents to hedge lhese risks. Certoin of lhese derivolive instruments quolify for hedge occounting ond ore designoled os occounting hedges, while others either do not quolify os hedges or hove not been designoted os hedges (hereinofter referred to os undesignoted controcts) os they ore port of economic hedging relotionships. The occounling guldonce for derivolive instrumenls requires the recognition o[ oll derivolive inslruments not identified os meeting the normol purchose ond sole exemptlon os eilher ossels or liobilities recorded ot foir volue on the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheels. For derivolive inskuments lhot quolify for hedge occounting, the Compony moy elect to designote such derivollve instruments os either cosh flow hedges or foir volue hedges. The Compony offsets foir volue omounls recognized on its Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets reloted to derivotive instruments execuled with the some counterporty under the some moster netting ogreement. For derivotive instruments thot quolify for hedge occounting ond which ore designoted os cosh flow hedges, the effective portion o[ ony goin or loss, net of fox, is reported os o component of occumuloted OCI {AOCI) ond is reclossified to results of operotions in the some period or periods during which the hedged tronsoction offects results of operolions. Any goins or losses on lhe derivotive instrument thot represent either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded Irom the ossessment of effectiveness ore recognized in results of operotions. For [oir volue hedges, chonges in [oir volue of both the derivoiive instrument ond the underlying hedged exposure ore recognized in the Consolidoted Stotements of Operotions ond Comprehensive Income in the cunent period. The goin or loss on the derivotive inslrumenl is included in the some line item os the offsetting goin or loss on lhe hedged item in the Consolidoted Stotements of Operolions ond Comprehensive lncome. The chonges in folr volue o[ the undesignoted derivotive inskuments ore reflected in results of operotions. Embedded derivolive instruments ore seporoted from their host controcts ond ore corried ot [oir volue on the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets when: (o) the economic choroclerislics ond risks of the embedded derivotive ore not cleorly ond closely reloted to the economic chorocteristics ond risks o[ the host conlroct; (b) the hybrid instrument is not meosured ot foir volue, with chonges in [oir volue recognized in results of operotions eoch period; ond (c) the embedded derivolive itself meets lhe definition o[ o derivotive. The Compony does not engoge in derivotive troding or speculotive octivities ond hod no embedded derivolives ot December 31 , 2016 or 2Ol 5. Hydro One periodicolly develops hedging strotegies loking into occount risk monogement obiecllves. At the inception of o hedging relotionship where the Compony hos elected to opply hedge occounting, Hydro One formolly documents the relotionship between the hedged item ond the hedging lnskument, the reloled risk monogernent objeclive, the noture o[ the specific risk exposure being hedged, ond the method for ossessing the effectiveness of the hedging relotionship. The Compony olso ossesses, both ot the inception of the hedge ond on o quorterly bosis, whether the hedging instruments ore effective in offsetting chonges in [oir volues or cosh flows of the hedged items. Employee Future Benefits Employee luture benefits provided by Hydro One include pension, post-retirement ond post-employment benefits. The costs o[ the Compony's pension, posl-retirement ond post-employment benelit plons ore recorded over lhe periods during which employees render service. Appendirc6lo.lm$ Applipe0ionpoRT TSX: H Page307 of414 The Compony recognizes the funded stotus of its defined benelit pension, post-retirement ond postemploymenl plons on ils Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets ond subsequently recognizes fie chonges in funded stotus ot the end of eoch reporting yeor. Dellned benefit pension, post-relirement ond postemployment plons ore considered to be underfunded when the proiected benefit obligotion exceeds the foir volue of the plon ossets. Liobilities ore recognized on the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets lor ony net underfunded projected benelit obligotion. The net underfunded proiected benefit obligotion moy be disclosed os o cunenl liobility, long-lerm liobility, or both. The current portion is lhe omount by which the octuoriol present volue o[ benefits included in the benefit obligotion poyoble in the next 'l 2 months exceeds the foir volue ol plon ossets. lf the foir volue of plon ossets exceeds the proiected benefit obligotion o[ the plon, on osset is recognized equol to the net overfunded prolected benefit obligotion. The post-retirement ond postemployment benelit plons ore unfunded becouse there ore no reloted plon ossets. Hydro One recognizes its conkibutions to the defined contribution pension plon os pension expense, wilh o portion being copitolized os port of lobour costs included in copitol expenditures. The expensed omounl is included in operotion, moinlenonce ond odministrotion costs in the Consolidoted Stolements of Operotions ond Comprehensive lncome. Defined Benefit Pension Defined benefit pension costs ore recorded on on occruol bosis for finonciol reporting purposes. Pension cosls ore ocluoriolly determined using the projected benefit method proroled on service ond ore bosed on ossumplions thot reflect monogement's best eslimole of lhe effect of future events, including future compensotion increoses. Posl service costs from plon omendmenls ond oll octuoriol goins ond losses ore omorlized on o stroight-line bosis over the expected overoge remoining service period of octive employees in the plon, ond over the estimoted remoining life expectoncy o[ inoctive employees in the plon. Pension plon ossets, consisting primorily of lisled equity securities os well os corporote ond government debt securilies, ore foir volued ot the end of eoch yeor. Hydro One records o regulotory osset equol to the net underfunded prolected benefit obligotion for its pension plon. PosFretirement ond Postcmployment Benefits Post-retirement ond postemployment beneflts ore recorded ond included in rotes on on occruol bosis. Costs ore determined by independent octuories using the projected benefit method proroted on service ond bosed on ossumptions thot reflect monogemenl's besl estimotes. Post service costs from plon omendments ore omortized to results of operotions bosed on the expected overoge remoining service period. For post-relirement benefits, oll octuoriol goins or losses ore de{ened using the "corridor" opprooch. The omount colculoted obove the "corridor" is omortized lo results of operotions on o skoight-line bosis over the expected overoge remoining service life o[ octive employees in the plon ond over the remoining life expectonry of inoctive employees in the plon. The post-retirement benefit obligotion is remeosured to its foir volue ot eoch yeor end bosed on on onnuol octuoriol report, with on offset to the ossocioted regulotory osset, to the extent of the remeosurement odiustment. For postemployment obligotions, the ossociofed regulotory liobilities representing ocluoriol goins on lronsition to US GAAP ore omortized lo results o[ operolions bosed on the "corridor" opprooch. The octuoriol goins ond losses on postemployment obligotions thot ore incurred during the yeor ore recognized immediotely to results of operotions. The postemployment benefit obligotion is remeosured to its foir volue ot eoch yeor end bosed on on onnuol octuoriol reporf, with on offset to the ossocioted regulotory osset, to the extent of the remeosurement odiustment. All post-retirement ond postemployment fulure benefit costs ore ottribuled to lobour ond ore either chorged to results of operotions or copitolized os port of the cost of property, plont ond equipment ond intongible ossets. Stock-Bosed Compensotion Shore Gront Plons Hydro One rneosures shore gront plons bosed on foir volue of shore gronts os estimoted bosed on the gront dote shore price. The cosls ore recognized in the finonciol slotemenls using the grodedvesting ottribulion method for shore gront plons thot hove both o perlormonce condition ond o service condition. The Compony records o regulotory osset equol to the occrued costs of shore gront plons recognized in eoch period. Forfeitures ore recognized os they occur (see note 3). Direclors' Deferred Shore Unit (DSU) Plon The Compony records the liobilities ossocioled with its Directors' DSU Plon ol foir volue ot eoch reporting dote until sefllement, recognizing compensotion expense over fhe vesting period on o stroight-line bosis. The folr volue of the DSU liobility is bosed on the Compony's common shore closing price ot the end of eoch reporting period. Long{erm lncentive Plon (LTIP) The Compony meosures its LTIP ot foir volue bosed on the gront dote shore price. The reloted compensotion expense is recognized over the vesting period on o stroight-line bosis. Forfeitures ore recognized os lhey occur. az70.>1 62 =oaOi,9fra =om=za:>a4mI 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE Lt*urED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA's ,o*ors, P&gft }rQffrOfSl 4 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Loss Contingencies Hydro One is involved in cerloin legol ond environmentol motters lhot orise in lhe normol course of business. In the preporolion ol its Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements, monogement mokes iudgments regording the future outcome o[ contingent events ond records o loss for o conlingency bosed on its best estimote when it is determined thot such loss is proboble ond the omount of lhe loss con be reosonobly estimoted. Where the loss omount is recoveroble in future roles, o regulolory osset is olso recorded. When o ronge estimote for the proboble loss exists ond no omount within the ronge is o better estimote thon ony olher omount, the Compony records o loss ot the minimum omounl wilhin the ronge. Monogement regulorly reviews currenl informolion ovoiloble to determine whether recorded provisions should be odiusted ond whether new provisions ore required. Estimoting proboble losses moy require onolysis of multiple forecosts ond scenorios thot often depend on judgments obout potenliol octions by lhird porties, such os federol, provinciol ond locol courts or regulotors. Contingent liobilities ore often resolved over long periods o[ time. Amounts recorded in the Consolidoted Finonciol Stotements moy differ from the octuol oulcome once the contingency is resolved. Such differences could hove o moteriol lmpoct on luture results o[ operotions, finonciol position ond cosh flows of the Compony. Provisions ore bosed upon current eslimotes ond ore subiect to greoter uncertoinl"y where the projeclion period is lengthy. A signiflcont upword or downword trend in the number of cloims [iled, the noture of the olleged iniuries, ond the overoge cost of resolving eoch cloim could chonge the estimoted provision, os could ony substontiol odverse or fovouroble verdict ot triol. A federol or provinciol legislolive ouicome or skuciured settlement could olso chonge the estimoted liobility. Legol fees ore expensed os incurred. Environ mentol Liobilities Environmentol liobilities ore recorded in respect of post contominotion when il is determined thot future environmentol remediolion expenditures ore proboble under existing stolute or regulolion ond the omount of lhe future expenditures con be reosonobly eslimoted. Hydro One records o llobility for the estimoted future expenditures ossocioted with contominoted lond ossessment ond remediotion ond for the phoseout ond destruction of polychlorinoted biphenyl (PCB)- conlominoled minerol oil removed from electricol equipment, bosed on the present volue of these estimoted future expenditures. The Compony determines the present volue with o discount rote equol to its credilodiusted risk{ree interesl role on [inonciol instruments with comporoble moturities to the pottern o[ future environmentol expenditures. As the Compony onticipoles lhot the future expenditures will continue to be recoveroble in future roles, on offsetting regulolory osset hos been recorded to reflect lhe future recovery ol these environmentol expendilures from cuslomers. Hydro One reviews its estirnotes of future environmenlol expenditures onnuolly, or more frequently if lhere ore indicotions thot circumstonces hove chonged. Asset Retirement Obligotions Assel retirement obligotions ore recorded for legol obligotions ossocioted with the future removol ond disposol of longJived ossets. Such obligotions moy resuh from the ocquisition, construclion, development ond/or normol use of the osset. Conditionol osset retirement obligotions ore recorded when there is o legol obligotion to perform o future ossel retirement octivi! but where the timing ond/ or method of settlement ore conditionol on o fulure evenl thot moy or moy nol be wilhin lhe control of the Compony. ln such o cose, the obligotion to perform lhe osset reliremenl octivity is unconditionol even though uncertointy exists obout the timing ond/or method of settlemenl. When recording on ossel relirement obligotion, the presenl volue o[ the estlmoted luture expenditures required to complele the ossel retiremenl oclivity is recorded in lhe period in which the obligotion is incurred, iI o reosonoble eslimote con be mode. In generol, the present volue of the estimoted future expenditures is odded to the corrying omount of the ossocioted osset ond the resulting osset retirement cost is deprecioted over the estimoted useful life of the osset. Where on ossel is no longer in service when on osset retirement obligotion is recorded, lhe osset retirement cost is recorded in results of operotions. Some o[ the Compony's tronsmission ond dislribution ossets, porticulorly lhose locoted on unowned eosemenls ond rightso[woy, moy hove osset retirement obligotions, conditlonol or otherwise. The mo jority of the Compony's eosements ond righlsof-woy ore either of perpetuol durotion or ore outomoticolly renewed onnuolly. Lond rights wilh finite lerms ore generolly subiect to exlension or renewol. As the Compony expects to use the moiority of its focilities in perpetuity, no osset retirement obligotions hqve been recorded for these ossets. l[, ot some fulure dote, o porticulor focility is shown not to meel lhe perpeluily ossumption, il will be reviewed to determine whether on estimoble osset reliremenl obligotion exists. ln such o cose, on osset retirement obligotion would be recorded ot thot time. The Compony's osset reliremenl obligotions recorded to dote relote to estimoted future expenditures ossocioled with the removol ond disposol of osbesloscontoining moteriols instolled in some of its focilities ond wlth the decommissioning o[ specific swilching stotions locoled on unowned sites. Appendir6le',lm€6 ApplipEtionpoRT TSX: H Page 309 of4l4 3. New Accounting Pronouncements The following tobles present Accounting Stondords Updotes {ASUs) issued by the Finonciol Accounting Stondords Boord IFASBI thot ore opplicoble to Hydro One: Recently Adopted Accounting Guidonce ASU Dote issued Description Effective dote lmpocl on Hydro One 2014-16 November 2014 This updote clorifies thot oll relevont terms ond Jonuory 1, 2016 No moteriol impoct upon odoption feotures should be considered in evoluoting the noture of o hosl conhoct for hybrid finonciol insfruments issued in the form of o shore. The noture of the host controct depends upon the economic chorocteristics ond risks of the entire hybrid f inonciol instrumenl. 20 'l 50 I Jonuory 201 5 Extroordinory ilems ore no longer required to be Jonuory 1 , 20 I 6 No moteriol impoct upon odoption . presented seporotely in lhe income stolement. 20\ 5O2 Februory Guidonce on onolysls to be performed to Jonuory 1 , 2016 No moteriol impoct upon odoption 2015 delermine whefier certoin lypes of legol entities should be consolidoted. 2015O3 April 2015 Debl issuonce costs ore required to be presented on the bolonce sheet os o direct deduction from the corrying omount of the reloted debt liobility consistent with debt discounts or premiums. Jonuory 1, 20,l6 Reclossificotion of deferred debt issuonce costs ond net unomortized debt premiums os on offset to longlerm debt. Applied rehospectively (see note 15). 20,l 5O5 April 20 1 5 Cloud computing orrongements thot hove been Jonuory I , 20 I 6 No moteriol impocl upon odoption ossessed lo contoin o softwore licence should be occounted {or os internol-use softwore. 2015-16 September 201 5 Adiustments to provisionol omounb thol ore Jonuory 1 , 2016 No moteriol impoct upon odoption identified during the meosuremenl period of o business combinolion in he reporting period in which the odfustment omount is delermined ore required lo be recognized. The omount recorded in currenl period eornings ore required to be presented seporotely on the foce of the income stotement or disclosed in the notes by line item. 2015-17 November 20 r5 All deferred tox ossets ond liobilities ore required to be clossified os noncurrent on the bolonce sheet. Jonuory 1 ,2017 lhis ASU wos eorly odopted os of April 1 , 20 1 6 ond wos opplied prospectively. As o result, the current portions of lhe Compony's defened income lox ossets ore reclossified os noncurrent ossets on the consolidoted Bolonce Sheet. Prior periods were not retrospectively odiusted (see note Z). azzo.>q 6-. E6aOi,2mo =om=z9r>Aj mI 3 201 609 Morch 201 6 Severol ospects of the occounting for shor+ bosed poyment tronsoctions were simplilied, including the income tox consequences, clossificotion of owords os either equily or liobilities, ond clossificotion on the stotement of cosh flows. Jonuory I , 201 7 This ASU wos eorly odopted os of October 'l , 20,16 ond wos opplied rekospectively. As o result, the Compony occounts for forfeitures os lhey occur. There were no olher moteriol impocts upon odoption. Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE UtilrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA's uncrsr P€Sft ffie rOf414 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Recently lssued Accounting Guidonce Not Yet Adopied ASU Dote issued O"r.ripti." eff".W 201409 2015-14 2016-08 2016-10 2016-12 20)6-20 Moy 2014 - December 2016 ASU 201 4-09 wos issued in Moy 201 4 ond provides guidonce on revenue recognition reloting to the lronsfer of promised goods or services lo customers in on omounl thot reflects the considerotion to whlch the entity expects lo be entitled in exchonge for those goods ond services. ASU 20,]5-,l4 defened the effective dore o{ ASU 2014{9 by one yeor. Additionol ASUs were issued in 201 6 thot simplify tronsition ond provide clority on certoin ospects of the new stondord. Jonuory 1, 2018 Hydro One hos completed its inltiol ossessment ond hos identified relevont revenue slreoms. No quontitolive determinolion hos been mode os o detoiled ossessmenl is now underwoy ond will continue through to the third quorter ol 2O17, with the end result being o determinotion of the [inonciol impoct o[ this stondord. The Compony is on trock for implementotion o{ this stondord by the effective dote. 2016-0.1 Jonuory 20)6 This updote requires equity investments to be meosured ot foir volue with chonges in foir volue recognized in net income, ond requires enhonced disclosures ond presentotion of finonciol ossets ond liobilities in the finonciol stotemenls. This ASU olso simplifies the impoirment ossessment of equity investments without reodily determinoble foir volues by requiring o quolilotive ossessment to identify impoirment. .lonuory 1, 20lB Under ossessment 2016{2 Februory 2016 Lessees ore required to recognize the rights ond lonuory 1 ,2019 An initiol ossessment is currenlly underwoy obligotions resulting lrom operoting leoses os enconpossing o review of oll exisling leoses, ossets (right to use the underlylng osset for the whlch will be followed by o detoiled review o[ term o{ the leose) ond liobilities {obligotion to relevont controcts. No quontltotive determinotion moke future leose poyments) on the bolonce hos been mode ot this lime. The Compony is on sheet. trock lor implementotion o[ this stondord by the effective dote. 201605 Morch 20.1 6 The omendments clorify thot o chonge in the counterporty to o derivotive instrument thot hos been designoled os the hedging instrument under Topic 815 does not, in ond of itself, require dedesignotion of thol hedging relotionship provided thot oll other hedge occounting criterio conlinue to be mel. Jonuory l, 2018 Underossessmenl 201 606 Morch 201 6 Contingent coll (put) options thot ore ossessed to Jonuory 1 , 2017 No moleriol impoct occelerole the poyment of principol on debt instrumenls need lo meet the criterio of being "cleorly ond closely reloted" lo lheir debl hosts. 2Ol607 Morch 20,16 The requirement lo retrooclively odopt the equity Jonuory 1 ,2017 No moteriol impoct method of occounling if on investment quolifies for use of the equily method os o result of on increose in the level of ownership or degree of influence hos been eliminoted. 20 r 6-il Moy 2016 This omendment covers the SEC Stoff's Jonuory 1, 2019 No moteriol impoct rescinding of cerloin SEC Stoff observer comments thot ore codilied in Topic 605 ond Topic 932, effective upon the odoption o[ Topic 606 ond Topic 815, effective to coincide with the effective dote of Updote 2O14-16. Appenr#r6tp.InrS Appliap.tionpoRT TSX: H Page 3l I of 414 ASU Dote issued Description Effective dote Anticipoted impoct on Hydro One 2016-13 June20I6 Theomendmentprovidesuserswithmore Jonuory I,20I9 Underossessment decision-useful informotion obout the expected credil losses on finonciol instruments ond other commitments to extend credit held by o ol eoch dote 20,1615 August2016 Theomendmentsprovideguidonceloreight .Jonuory 1,20i8 Underossessment specific cosh flow issues with the obiective o[ reducing the existing diversity in proctice. 20 16-,l6 October 2016 The omendment eliminotes the prohibition of Jonuory 1 , 2018 Under ossessment recognizing currenl ond defened income toxes for on introenlily ossel tronsfer, other thon inventory, until the osset hos been sold to on outside porty. The omendment will permit income tox consequences of such tronsfers to be recognized when the tronsfer occurs. 2016-l B November 2016 The omendment requires thot reshicted cosh or Jonuory 1, 201 8 Under ossessmenl restricted cosh equivolents be included with cosh ond cosh equivolents when reconciling the beginning ond endof-period bolonces in the stotement of cosh flows. 2017Q1 Jonuory 2017 The omendment clorlfles the definition of o business ond provides odditionol guidonce on evoluoting whether tronsoctions should be occounted for os ocquisitions (or disposols) of ossets or businesses. Jonuory '1 , 20,18 Under ossessrnent 4. Business Combinotions Acquisition of Greot Lokes Power On October 31 , 2016, Hydro One ocquired Greot Lokes Power, on Ontorio reguloled eleciricity tronsmission business operoling olong the eoslern shore of Loke Superior, north ond eost of Soult Ste. Morie, Ontorio from Brookfield Infrostruclure Holdings lnc. The totol purchose price for Greot Lokes Power wos opproximotely $376 million, lmillions of dollors) inciuding the ossumption of opproximotely $ 150 million in oulstonding indebtedness. The following toble summorizes the delerminolion o[ the finol foir volue of the ossets ocquired ond liobilities ossumed:nzZO>=2fia2PoaOi,2fr@ =om=zar>@1mo 3 Cosh ond cosh equivolents Properl'y, plont ond equipment lntongible ossets Regulotory ossels Goodwill Working copitol Long-term debt Pension ond postemployment benefit liobilities, net De{erred income toxes 5 221 I 50 r59 l2t (r 86) (s) 226 Goodwill o{ opproximotely $ 159 million orising from the Greol Lokes Power ocquisilion consists lorgely of the synergies ond economies of scole expected from combining the operotions of Hydro One ond Greot Lokes Power. Greot Lokes Power contributed revenues of Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE UM|TED oNE oF NoRTH AMERICA'S Lo*ousr P€gft 3rtr?eOf41 4 NOTES TO CONSOTIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS $6 million ond less thon $l million of net income tothe Compony's consolidoted finonciol resuhs for the yeor ended December 3l , 2016. All costs reloted to the ocquisilion hove been expensed through the Consolidoted Stotements o[ Operotlons ond Comprehensive Income. Greot Lokes Power's finonciol informolion is not moteriol to the Compony's consolidoted finonciol resulls for the yeor ended December 3 I , 20 I 6 ond therefore, hos not been disclosed on o pro formo bosis. On Jonuory 16, 2017 , the nome of Greot Lokes Power wos chonged to Hydro One Soult Ste. Morie LP. Agreement to Purchose Orillio Power On August 15, 2016, the Compony reoched on ogreement to ocquire Orillio Power Distribution Corporotion (Orillio Power), on electricity distribution compony locoted in Simcoe County, Ontorio, from the City of Orillio for opproximotely $4,I million, including the ossumption of opproximotely $ l5 million in outstonding indebtedness ond regulotory liobililies, subiect to closing odjustments. The ocquisition is subject to regulotory opprovol by the OEB. Acquisilion of Woodstock Hydro On Oclober 3 I , 20,1 5, Hydro One ocquired Woodstock Hydro Holdings lnc. (Woodstock Hydro), on electricity distribution compony locoted in southwestern Ontorio. The totol purchose price for Woodstock Hydro wos opproximotely $32 million. The purchose (millions of dollors) price wos finolized ond the Compony mode the flnol purchose price poyment ol $3 million in 2016. The following toble summorizes the determinotion o[ the foir volue of the ossets ocquired ond liobilities ossumed: Working copitol Property, plont ond equipmenl Intongible ossets Deferred income tox ossets Goodwill Long-term debt Derivolive instruments Post-retirement ond postemploymenl bene[it liobility Regulotory liobilities Other long-tern liobilities 4 27 I 2 22 t17l (3) (r) (l) t2t 32 Goodwill of opproximotely $22 million orising {rom the Woodslock Hydro ocquisition consists lorgely o[ lhe synergies ond economies ol scole expected from combining the operotions o[ Hydro One ond Woodstock Hydro. All of the goodwill wos ossigned to Hydro One's Diskibution Business segment. Woodstock Hydro conlributed revenues of $ l2 million ond net income of $2 million to the Compony's consolidoted finonciol resuhs for the yeor ended December 31, 2015. All costs reloted to the ocquisilion hove been expensed through the Consolidoted Stotemenls of Operolions ond Comprehensive lncome. Woodstock Hydro's linonciol in{ormolion is not moteriol to the Compony's consolidoted finonciol results for the yeor ended December 3 I , 201 5 ond therefore, hos not been disclosed on o pro formo bosis. Acquisition of Holdimond Hydro On June 30, 20 1 5, Hydro One ocquired Holdimond Counly Utililies lnc. {Holdimond Hydro), on electricity distribution cornpony locoted ln soulhwestern Ontorio. The totol purchose price for Holdimond Hydro lmillions of dollors) wos opproximotely $23 million. The purchose price wos finolized in 20 16. The lollowing toble summorizes the determlnolion o[ the foir volue of the ossets ocquired ond liobilities ossumed: Cosh ond cosh equivolents Working copitol Property, plont ond equipmenl Deferred income tox ossets Goodwill Long-term debt Regulotory liobilities 3 5 52 ,| 33 (18) (3) 73 Appenr#rc6tn rJnus Applip'a.liompoR, TSX: H Page 313 of414 Goodwill of opproximotely $33 million orislng from the Holdimond Hydro ocquisition consists lorgely o[ lhe synergies ond economies of scole expected from combining the operotions of Hydro One ond Holdimond Hydro. All of the goodwill wos ossigned to Hydro One's Distribution Business segmenl. Holdimond Hydro contributed revenues of $32 million ond net income of $6 million to lhe Compony's consolidoted finonciol results for the yeor ended December 3l , 20,l5. All costs reloted to the ocquisition hove been expensed through the Consolidoted Stotements ol Operotions ond Comprehensive Income. Holdimond Hydro's finonciol informotion is not moteriol to the Compony's consolidoted finonciol results for the yeor ended December 3 I , 20 1 5 ond therefore, hos not been disclosed on o pro formo bosis. Hydro One Brompton Spin-off On August 3 I , 201 5, Hydro One completed the spinoff of its subsidiory, Hydro One Brompton. The spinoff wos occounted os o non-monetory, nonreciprocol tronsfer with the Province, bosed on its corrying volues ot August 3 I , 20.1 5. Tronsoctions thot immed iotely preceded the spin-off os well os the spinoff were os follows: . Hydro One subscribed for 352 common shores o[ Hydro One Brompton for on oggregote subscription price of $53 million; ond . Hydro One tronsferred to o compony wholly owned by the Province oll the issued ond outstonding shores of Hydro One Brompton os o dividend-in-kind; ond oll of the long-term intercompony debt in oggregote principol omount of $ lg3 million plus occrued interest of $3 million owed by Hydro One Brompton to Hydro One os o return of stoted copltol o[ $196 million on its common shores. 2015 As o result of the spinoff, goodwill reloted to Hydro One Bromplon of $60 million wos eliminoted from the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheet. 5. Depreciotion And Amortizotion Yeor ended December 3 I lmillions of dollors)201 6 Deprecioiion of property, plont ond equipment Asset removol costs Amortizotion of intongible ossets Amortizotion of regulotory ossets 612 90 56 20 595 9l 54 t9 778 759 6. Finoncing Chorges Yeor ended December 3l lnillions of dollors)2016 20r5 lnterest on long-term debt Interest on short-term notes Other Less: Interest copitolized on conslruction ond development in progress Interest eorned on inveslmenls 424 9 l6 (54) t2t 4)7 2 14 ls2) (3) azzo>r 6-. EdaOi9ma =om=zar>a1mI 3 Goin on interesl-rote swo 393 376 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HYDRO ONE Lt'ntrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA',s unorsr P€88 3rlL4rOf414 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 7. lncome Toxes lncome toxes ,/ provision for PlLs differs from the omount thot would hove been recorded using the combined Conodion {ederol ond Ontorio stolutory income tox rote. The reconciliotion between the stotutory ond the effective tox roles is provided os follows: Yeor ended December 3l (nillions o{ dollors) 2016 2015 Income toxes ,/ provision for PlLs ot stotutory role Increose (decreose) resulting from: Net temporory differences recoveroble in future roles chorged lo cuslomers: Copitol cost ollowonce in excess of depreciotion ond omortizotion Pension contribulions in excess o[ pension expense Overheods copitolized for occounting but deducted for tox purposes lnterest copitolized for occounting but deducted for tox purposes Envlronmentol expend itures Other 235 217 (s3) (16) (t 6) (14) (s) 5 l37j 125l (t 5) (t 3) (5) (6) Net tem porory d ifferences Net tox benefit resuhing from tronsition lrom PlLs Regime lo Federol Tox Regime Hydro One Brompton spin-off Net perlonert differences (ee)(r0r ) (te) 7 I3 Tolol incolre toxes / provision for PlLs 139 r05 The moior components of income tox expense ore os follows: Yeor ended December 3l lmillions of dollors)2016 20r5 Current income toxes ,/ provision for PlLs Deferred income toxes ,/ provision for (recovery o[) PlLs 25 114 ) ala 12,B44l Totol income toxes ,/ provision for PlLs r39 105 Effective income tox role 15.7%)2.8% The provision for current income toxes / PlLs is remitted to the CRA (Federol Tox Regime) ond the OEFC (PlLs Regime). At December 3 l, 2016, $14 million {2015 - $l million} receivoble from the CRAwos included in other current ossets ond $6 million (2015 - $12 millionl receivoble from the OEFC wos included in due from reloted porlies on the Consolidoled Bolonce Sheet. ln conneclion with the IPO in 2015, Hydro One's exemption from tox under the Federol Tox Regime ceosed to opply. Under the PlLs Regime, Hydro One wos deemed lo hove disposed o[ its ossets immediotely be{ore it lost its tox exempt stotus under the Federol Tox Regime, resuhing ln Hydro One moking poyments in lieu o[ tox (Deporture Tox) totolling $2.6 billion. To enoble Hydro One to moke the Deporlure Tox poyment, the Province subscribed for common shores o{ Hydro One for $2.6 bilhon in 2Ol5 (see note 21). Hydro One used the proceeds of this shore subscription to poy the Deporture Tox. The 20l5 totol income toxes,/ provision for PlLs included o current provision of $2,600 million ond o deferred recovery o[ $2,BlO million resuhing from the tronsition from the PlLs Regime to lhe Federol Tox Regime. The defened recovery wos not included in the rotesetting process. Deferred income tox bolonces expected lo be included in the rofe-setting process ore offset by regulotory ossets ond liobilities to reflect the onticipoted recovery or disposition o[ these bolonces within future electricil.y rotes. Appentiir6te.InrHS ApplirqnlionpoRT TSX: H Page 31 5 of 414 Deferred lncome Tox Assets ond Liobilities Deferred income tox ossets ond liobilities orise from differences between the corrying omounts ond tox bosis o{ the Compony's ossets ond liobilities. At December 3l , 2016 ond 2015, deiened income tox ossets ond liobilities consisted of the following: Decenber 3l (millions of dollorsl 2016 Deferred income tox ossets Depreciotion ond omorlizotion in excess o[ copitol cost ollowonce Non-deprecioble copitol properl'y Post-retiremenf ond postemployment benefits expense in excess of cosh poyments Envi ronmentol expenditures Non-copilol losses lnvestment in subsidiories Other 201 5 495 271 607 74 213 75 30 937 271 578 7\ 62 55 t0 Less: voluotion ollowonce 1,765 (3s2) 1,988 (333) Totol delerred income tox ossels Less: currerl porlion 1,413 r,655 t9 1,413 1,636 December 3 I lmillions of dollors)2016 201 5 Deferred income tox liobilifies Regulotory omounts thot ore not recognized for lox purposes Goodwill Copitol cost ollowonce in excess of depreciolion ond omortizotion Other (r 53) (10) 164l (t I l (153) (t0) 142) t2t Totol defened income tox liobilities Less: current portion (238)l2o7l (238)\207) Net deferred income tox ossets 1,175 1,448 The net defened income lox ossets ore presented on the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets os follows: hcember 3l lnillions of dollorsl 2016 201 5 Current: Other current ossets Longlerm: Delerred income tox ossets Deferred income tox liobililies 1,235 (60) 19 r,636 t2o7) azzo>:1 62Po6Oi,9ma =oME:zar>a4m(f 3 Nel de{erred income tox ossels 1,175 1,448 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE L, trED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA's ,o*crs, PAge &[6rgf4l 4 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The voluotion ollowonce for defened tox ossels os ot December 3l 201 6 wos $352 million (20I 5 - $333 million). The voluotion ollowonce primorily relotes to temporory differences lor nondeprecioble ossets ond investments in subsidiories. As of Yeor of expiry lmillions of dollors) December 31 , 2016, the Compony hod non-copilol losses corried forword ovoiloble to reduce future yeors' toxoble income, which expire os follows: 2016 20 r5 2434 2435 2436 2 222 s80 2 232 Totol losses 804 234 8. Accounts Receivoble December 3 I (millions of dollors)2016 201 5 Accounts receivoble - billed Accounts receivoble - unbilled 431 442 379 458 Accounts receivoble, gross Allowonce lor doubtful occounts 873 837 Accounts receivoble, net B3B The following toble shows the movements in the ollowonce for doubtful occounts for the yeors ended December 3l , 20,)6 ond 2Ol5 Yeor ended December 3l lnillions of dollors) 2016 Allowonce for doubtful occounts -Jonuory 1 Writeoffs Additions to ollowonce for doubtful occounts 776 201 5 (61) 37 (66) 37 t32\ll Allowonce for doubtful occounls - December 3l {35)(6rI 9. Other Current Assets December 3l lmillions of dollors)201 6 20 r5 Regulotory ossets /Note l2i Moteriols ond supplies Deferred income tox ossets /Notes 3, Zi Prepoid expenses ond other ossets 37 t9 36 21 t9 2946 102 r05 Appen,#rc6ro JfilS Appl,ipE$ionpoRT TSX; H Page 317 of414 t61l 10. Property, Plont And Equipment December 31, 2016 (millions of dollors) Property, Plont ond Equipment Accumuloted Depreciotion Construction in Progress Totol Tronsmission Distribution Communicotion Administrotion ond service Eosements 14,692 9,656 1,233 1,632 628 910 243 20 6l 10,740 6,594 476 769 561 4,862 3,305 777 924 67 27,841 9,935 1,234 19,140 December 31, 2Ol5 (millions of dollors) Property, Plont ond Equipment Accumuloted Depreciolion Construction in Progress Totol Tronsmission Distribution Communicotion Adminiskotion ond servlce Eosemenls \3,704 9,205 1,165 1,531 622 853 238 2B 36 9,936 6,266 489 719 558 4,621 3,177 704 B4B 64 26,227 9,414 I ,155 17,968 Finoncing chorges copitolized on property, plont ond equipment under construction were $52 million in 201 6 (201 5 - $50 million) ll.lntongibleAssets December 31, 2Ol6 (millions of dollors) lntongible Assets Accumuloted Amortizolion Development in Progress Tolol Computer opplicotions softwore Other 621 5 326 4 348 I 53 626 330 53 349 December 31,2015 (millions of dollors) lntongible Assets Accumuloted Amortizotion Development in Prooress Totol Computer opplicotions sofh^r'ore Other 579 270 4 24 333 7 3 586 274 24 Finoncing chorges copitolized to intongible ossets under development were $2 milllon in 2016,2015 - $l million). The estimoled onnuol omortizotion expense for intongible ossets is os follows: 20 17 - $54 million; 20,] 8 - $54 million; 20,l9 - $45 million; 2O2O - $2T nillion; ond 2021 - $26 million. 336 =zzo.>+ 6-. E6oO\2fra =om=Z9;rmg 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE uiilrED oNE or NoRTH AMERtcA's rorces, PAge &lLffrOf4la NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 12. Regulotory Assets And Liobilities Regulotory ossets ond liobilities orise os o result ol the rotesetting process. Hydro One hos recorded the lollowing regulotory ossets ond liobilities: Decenber 3 I (nillions of dollors) 2016 2015 Regulobry ossets: Defened income lox regulotory osset Pension benefit regulotory osset Post-retirement ond postemployment benefits Environmentol Retoil settlement vorionce occounl Debt premium Shorebosed compensotion Distribution system code exemption 2015'2017 rote rider B2M LP stort-up costs Penslon cost vorionce Other 1,587 900 243 204 145 32 31 t0 7 5 4 14 1,445 952 240 207r0 r0 r0 20 B 37 12 Tolo regulotory ossets Less: current porlion 3,182 37 3,05 r 36 Regulotory liobilities: Green Energy expenditure vorionce Externol revenue vorionce CDM deferrol vorionce Deferred income tox regulotory liobllity Other 76 87 53 23 l6 69 64 54 4 I8 Tolo regu otory liobilities Less: currenl porlion 209 255 t9 209 236 Deferred lncome Tox Regulotory Asset ond Liobility Deferred income toxes ore recognized on temporory differences between the corrying omount o[ ossets ond liobilities in lhe finonciol stotements ond the corresponding tox boses used in the computotion of toxoble income. The Compony hos recognized regulotory ossets ond liobilities thot correspond to deferred income loxes thol flow through the rotesetting process. In the obsence o{ rolereguloted occounting, the Compony's income tox expense would hove been recognized using the liobility method ond there would be no regulotory occounts estoblished for toxes to be recovered through future rotes. As o result, the 20l6 income tox expense would hove been higher byopproximotely $ l04 million (20.15 - $lOl million). Pension Benefit Regulotory Asset ln occordonce with OEB rote orders, pension costs ore recovered on o cosh bosis os employer contributions ore poid to the pension fund in occordonce wilh the Penslon Benefits Acf (Ontorio). The Compony recognizes the net unfunded stotus of pension obligotions on the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheels with on offset to the ossocioted regulotory osset. A regulotory osset is recognized becouse monogement considers it to be proboble thot pension benefit costs will be recovered in the future through the rotesetting process. The pension beneflt obligotion is remeosured to its foir volue ot eoch yeor end bosed on on onnuol octuoriol report, with on offset to the ossocioted regulotory osset, to the extent of the remeosurement odiuslmenl. In the obsence o[ rotereguloted occounting, 20,16 OCI would hove been higher by $52 million (20,)5 - $284 million). Post-Reti rement o nd Post-E m ployment Benef its The Compony recognizes the net unfunded stotus of post-retirement ond post-employment obligotions on lhe Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets with on incrementol offset to the ossocioted regulotory ossets. A regulotory ossel is recognized becouse monogement considers it lo ABpenr#r6le.Jnift ApplioEtionpoRT TSX: H Page 319 of4l4 3,145 3,015 be proboble thol post-retirement ond postemployment benefit costs will be recovered in the future through the rotqsetting process. The post-relirement ond post-employment benefit obligotion is remeosured to its foir volue ot eoch yeor end bosed on on onnuol octuoriol report, with on offset to lhe ossocioted regulotory osset, lo fie exlent of the remeosurement odiustment. ln the obsence o[ rotereguloted occounting, 20 I 6 OCI would hove been lower by $3 million (201 5 - higher by $33 milhon). Environmentol Hydro One records o llobiliry for the estimoted fulure expenditures required to remediote environmenlol contominotion. Becouse such expendibres ore expected to be recoveroble in future rotes, the Compony hos recorded on equivolent omount os o regulotory osset. ln 20.l6, the environmentol regulotory osset decreosed by $ 1 million (20.l 5 - $24 millionl to reflect reloted chonges in the Compony's PCB liobiliry, ond increosed by $lO million (20,l5 - $l million) due to chonges in the lond ossessment ond remediolion liobiliry. The environmenlol regulotory osset is omorlized to results of operolions bosed on the pottern of octuol expenditures incurred ond chorged to environmentol liobilities. The OEB hos the discretion lo exomine ond ossess the prudency ond the timing of recovery of oll of Hydro One's octuol environmentol expenditures. ln the obsence of rote-reguloted occounting, 201 6 operotion, mointenonce ond odminishotion expenses would hove been higher by $9 million {201 5 - lower by $23 million). ln oddition, 20,l6 omortizotion expense would hove been lower by $20 mlllion (201 5 - $ l9 million), ond 2016 finoncing chorges would hove been higher by $B million (2015 - $ lO millionl. Retoil Settlement Vorionce Account (RSVA) Hydro One hos deferred certoin retoil settlemenl vorionce omounls under the provisions of Artlcle 490 of the OEB's Accounting Procedures Hondbook. ln Morch 201 5, the OEB opproved the disposition of the totol RSVA bolonce occumuloted lrom Jonuory 2012 to December 20 13, including occrued interest, lo be recovered through the 2O15'2017 Rote Rider. Debt Premium The volue o{ debt ossumed in the ocquisition of Greot Lokes Power hos been recorded ot foir volue in occordonce with US GAAP - Business Combinotions. The OEB ollows for recovery of interest ot the coupon rote of the Senior Secured Bonds ond o regulotory osset hos been recorded for the difference between the foir volue ond foce volue of this debt. The debt premium is recovered over the remoining term ol the debt {see note 15). Shore-bosed Compensotion The Compony recognizes costs ossocioted with shore gront plons in o regulotory osset os monogement considers it proboble thot shore gront plons costs will be recovered in the future through the rote setting process. In fie obsence of rotereguloted occounting, 2016 operotion, mointenonce ond odministrotion expenses would hove been higher by $9 mlllion 12015 - $5 million). Distribution System Code (DSC) Exemption lnlune 2010, Hydro One Networks filed on opplicotion with the OEB regording the OEB's new cost responsibility rules contoined in the OEB's October 2009 Notice of Amendment to the DSC, with respect to the connection of certoin renewoble generotors thol were olreody connected or thot hod received o connection impoct ossessment prior to October 21 ,2009. The opplicotion sought opprovol to record ond defer the unonticipoted costs incurred by Hydro One Nefworks thot resulted lrom the connection of certoin renewoble generotion focilities. The OEB ruled thot identified specific expenditures con be recorded in o defenol occount subiect to the OEB's review in subsequent Hydro One Network distribution opplicotions. ln Morch 2015, the OEB opproved the disposition o[ the DSC exemption deferrol occount ot December 3 1 , 20 I 3, including occrued interest, which is being recovered through the 20,l5 2017 Rote Rider. In oddition, the OEB olso opproved Hydro One's requesl to discontinue this deferrol occounl. There were no odditions to this regulotory occount in 20 I 5 or 20 I 6. 2015-2017 Rote Rider ln Morch 2015, os port of its decision on Hydro One Networks' distribution rote opplicotion Ior 2015-2019, the OEB opproved the disposition o[ certoin defenol ond vorionce occounls, including RSVAs ond occrued interest. The 20'l 5-20,l7 Rote Rider occount includes the bolonces opproved for disposition by the OEB ond is being disposed in occordonce with the OEB decision over o 32-month period ending on December 31 , 2017. B2M LP Stortup Costs In December 20,15, OEB issued its decision on B2M LP's opplicotlon for 2Ol5-2019 ond os port of the decision opproved the recovery of $8 million o{ stort-up costs reloting to B2M LP. The costs ore being recovered over o fouryeor period which begon in 2016, in occordonce with the OEB decision. Pension Cosl Vorionce A pension cosl vorionce occount wos estoblished for Hydro One Networks' tronsmission ond distribution businesses to trock the difference between the oduol pension expenses incurred ond =zzo>1 6-. E6aOi,9fr(u =om=zad\fiU 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LrMrrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTCA'S Lnncesr #eagft O?+fregf A14 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS estimoted pension cosls opproved by the OEB. The bolonce in this regulotory occount rellects the excess of pension costs poid os compored to OEBopproved omounts. ln Morch 2015, the OEB opproved the disposition of the distribution business portion of the totol pension cost vorionce occount ot December 3.1, 20,1 3, including occrued interesi, which is being recovered through the 2015'2017 Rote Rider. In the obsence of rote-reguloted occounting, 20,l6 revenue would hove been higher by $25 million {2015 - lower by $6 millionI Green Energy Expenditure Vorionce ln April 20 1 0, the OEB requested the estoblishment of defenol occounts which copture the difference between the revenue recorded on the bosis of Green Energy Plon expenditures incurred ond lhe octuol recoveries received. Exiernol Revenue Vorionce In Moy 2009, the OEB opproved forecosted omounts reloted to export service revenue, externol revenue from secondory lond use, ond externol revenue from slotion mointenonce ond engineering ond construclion work. In Novem\er 2012, the OEB ogoin opproved .l3. Accounts Poyoble ond Other Current Liobilities December 3 I (millions of dollors) Iorecosted omounts reloted to lhese revenue cotegories ond extended the scope to encomposs oll other externol revenues. The externol revenue vorionce occount bolonce reflects the excess of octuol exlernol revenues compored to the OEBopproved forecosted omounts. CDM Deferrol Vorionce Account As port of Hydro One Networks' opplicotion for 20,1 3 ond 2014 tronsmission rotes, Hydro One ogreed to estoblish o new regulotory defenol vorionce occount lo trock the impoct of octuol Conservotion ond Demond Monogement (CDMI ond demond response resulh on the lood forecost compored to the estimoted lood forecost included in the revenue requirement. The bolonce in the CDM deferrol vorionce occount relotes lo the octuol 20 I 3 ond 20,1 4 CDM compored to the omounts included in 20 I 3 ond 20,1 4 revenue requirements, respectively. There were no odditions to this regulotory occount in 2016. 2016 20r5 Accounts poyoble Accrued liobilities Accrued inlerest Regulotory liobilities (Note l2) t8r 659 r05 r55 598 96 l9 945 868 14. Other Long-Term Liobilities Decembr 3l lmillions of dollors)2016 201 5 Post-retirement ond post-employment benefll liobiliry /Note l8l Pension benefit liobiliry lNote l81 Environmentol liobilities (Note I 9) Asset retirement obligotions lNote 20) Long-term occounts poyoble ond other liobilities 1,641 900 177 9 25 r,560 t85 9 17 Appendirc6ln r,lnrS Applip,a6ionpoRT TSX: H 2,752 Page321 of4l4 2,723 .l5. Debt ond Credit Agreements Short-Term Notes ond Credit Focilities Hydro One meets its shorl-term liquidity requirements in port through the issuonce of commerciol poper under Hydro One lnc.'s Commerciol Poper Progrom which hos o moximum outhorized omount o{ $ I .5 billion. These shortlerm notes ore denominoted in Conodion dollors with vorying moturities up to 365 doys. The Commerciol Poper Progrom is supported by Hydro One lnc.'s committed revolving credit focilities totolling $2.3 billion. On August 1 5, 2016, Hydro One lnc. terminoted its $ I .5 billion revolving stondby credit focility moturing inJune 2020 ond its $800 million threeyeor senior, revolving term credit focllity moturing in October 2018 (colleclively Prlor Credit Focilitiesl. On the some dote, Hydro One lnc. entered into o new credit ogreement for o $2.3 billion revolving credit focility moturing inJune 202,1 (New Credit Fociliry). The New Credit Focility ronks equolly with ony existing ond future senior debt of Hydro One lnc., ond hos customory covenonts substontiolly similor to lhe covenonts under the Prior Credit Focilities. ln oddition, on November 7, 2016, the moturity doie of Hydro One's $250 million credit focility wos extended from November 2O2O to November 202 I . At December 31 ,2O16, Hydro One's consolidoted committed, unsecured ond undrown credit focilities totolling $2,550 million consisted of the following: lmillions of dollors) l&tu1ry 4q Hydro One lnc. Revolving stondby credit focility Hydro One Fiveyeor senior, revolving term credit {ocility )une 2021 November 202 I 2,300 250 Totol 2,550 The Compony moy use the credit focilities for working copitol ond generol corporote purposes. lf used, interest on the credit focilities would opply bosed on Conodion benchmork rotes. The obligotion of eoch lender to moke ony credit extension under its credit focility is subiect to vorious conditions including thot no evenl o[ defoult hos occurred or would result lrom such credit exlension. Appendix 6 to Joint Application Long-Term Debt At December 3 I , 201 6, $ I 0,523 million long-term debt wos issued by Hydro One lnc. under Hydro One Inc.'s Medium-Term Note (MTN| Progrom. The moximum outhorized principol omount of notes issuoble under lhe cunenl MTN Progrom prospectus filed in December 20.l5 is $3.5 billion. At December 3i, 20i6, $ i .2 billion remoined ovoiloble for issuonce untilJonuory 20,1 B. ln oddition, ot December 31, 20,l6, the Compony hod long-term debt of $ I 84 million ossumed os port of the Greot Lokes Power ocquisition. HyDRo oNE uMtrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA,s Lancrsr P€&ft 0frA$f Al4 =zzo_>r 6-. E6aOrr\>Y1Zfia =om=zor>q1mI 3 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The following loble presents outstonding long-term debt ot December 3 I , 20.l 6 ond 20 'l 5 December 3l lmillions of dollors)2016 201 5 4.64% Series I 0 notes due 20,l 6 Flooting-rote Series 27 notes due 2016r 5.18% Series l 3 notes due 2017 2.78%Series 2B notes due 20l8 Fiooling-rote Series 3l notes due 20l9l I .48% Series 37 notes due 20.l92 4.40% Series 20 noles due 2O2O i.62% Series 33 notes due 20202 I.84% Series 34 notes due 2021 3.20% Series 25 notes due 2022 2.77% Series 35 notes doe 2026 2.35% Debentures due 2030 6.93% Series 2 notes due 2032 6.35% Series 4 notes due 2034 5.36% Series 9 notes due 2036 4.89% Series l2 notes due 2037 6.03% Series IZ notes due 2039 5.49% Series l8 notes due 2O4O 4.39% Series 23 notes due 2O4l 6.59% Series 5 notes due 2043 4.59% Series 29 notes due 2043 4.17% Series 32 notes due 2044 5.00% Series I I notes due 2046 3 .9I % Series 36 notes due 2046 3 .72% Series 3 8 notes doe 2047 4.00% Series 24 notes due 205 I 3.79% Series 26 notes due 2062 4.29% Series 30 notes due 2064 6o; 750 228 s00 300 350 s00 600 500 400 s00 38s 600 400 300 500 300 315 435 3s0 325 350 450 225 3r0 50 450 50 600 750 228 300 350 400 500 385 600 400 300 s00 300 3r5 435 350 325 tl) 310 50 600 Hydro One lnc. long-term det r 0,523 8,723 6.6% Senior Secured Bonds due 2023 {Foce volue - $ I I 2 mlllion) 4.6% Note Poyoble due 2023 (Foce volue - $36 million) 144 40 Greot Lokes Power lorgterm debt 184 10,707 8,723 Add: Net unomortized debt premiums3 Add: Unreolized mork-io.morket loss (goin)2 Less: Deferred debt issuonce costs3 15 l2l (40) 17 (34) Totol long-term debt i 0,680 8,707 I The interesl rotes of the flooting-rote notes ore referenced to the 3month Conodion dollor bonkers'occeptonce rote, plus o morgin. 2 The unreollzed mork-to-morket net goin relotes lo $50 million o[ the Series 33 notes due 2020 ond $500 million Series 37 notes due 201 9 (20I 5 - loss relotesto$50millionof theSeries33notesdue2020). Iheunreolizedmork-lomorketnetgoinisoffsetbyo$2million(20,l5-$l million) unreolized mork-tomorket net loss (2015 - goinl on the reloted fixed-teflooting interesl-role swop ogreements, which ore occounted for os [oir volue hedges. See note I 6 - Foir Volue of Finonciol lnstruments ond Risk Monogement for detoils of {oir volue hedges. 3 Effective Jonuory I , 20l, 6, defered debt issuonce costs ond net unomortized debt premiums were reclossified from other longJerm ossets ond other long-term liobilities, respectively, os on offset to long-term debt upon odoption of ASU 20 I 5-03 (see note 3). Bolonces os ot December 3 I , 20 I 5 were updoted to reflect the retrospective odoplion of ASU 20 1 5-03. ABpen,#r6fp.Jnns ApplienlionpoRT TSX: H Page 323 of 414 The totol long-lerm debt is presenled on the consolidoted bolonce sheets os follows: December 3l (millions of dollors)2016 20r5 Cunent liobilities: Long-term debt poyoble within one yeor Long-term Iiobilities: Long-term debl 602 10,078 500 8,207 Totol long-term debt r 0,680 8,707 ln 20,l 6, Hydro One issued $2,300 million (201 5 - $350 million; o[ long-term debt under the MTN Progrom, ond repoid $502 million (201 5 - $550 million) of totol long+erm debt. Principol repoyments ond reloted weighted overoge inlerest rotes ore summorized by the number of yeors to moturily in the following toble: Long{erm Debt Weighted Averoge Principol Repoyments lnlerest Rote (millions of dollors) (7")Yeors to Moturity 1 yeor 2 yeors 3 yeors 4 yeors 5 yeors 602 753 731 653 503 5.2 2.8 1.4 2.9 1.9 6 - l0 yeors Over 1O yeors 3,242 1,234 6,195 2.8 3.3 5.2 10,671 4.3 Inlerest poyment obligotions reloted to long-lerm debt ore summorized by yeor in the following toble: Yeor lnterest Poyments (millions of dollors) 2017 20r I 2019 2020 2021 456 425 402 384 370 azzo>r 6-.EdaO r,9fr(u =om=z0r> mI 3 2022-2026 2027+ 2,O37 1703 4,405 8,1 45 I 6. Foir Volue of Finonciol lnstruments ond Risk Monogement Foir volue is considered to be the exchonge price in on orderly konsoction beMeen morkel porticiponts to sell on osset or lronsfer o liobility ot the meosurement dote. The foir volue definition focuses on on exit price, which is the price thot would be received in the sole of on osset or the omount thot would be poid to tronsfer o liobility. Hydro One clossi{ies its foir volue meosurements bosed on the following hierorchy, os prescribed by the occounting guidonce for foir volue, which prioritizes the inputs to voluolion lechniques used to meosure [oir volue into three levels: Level 1 inputs ore unodlusted quoted prices in octive morkets for identicol ossets or liobilities thot Hydro One hos the obility to occess. Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE UiUTED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA',s Lenoesr rP€sE ofrAtrgf Al4 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS An octive morket for the osset or liobiliry is one in which tronsoctions for lhe osset or liobility occur with sufficienl frequency ond volume lo provide ongoing pricing inlormotion. Level 2 inputs ore those other thon quoted morket prices thot ore observoble, either directly or indirectly, for on osset or liobility. Level 2 inputs include, but ore not limited to, quoted prices for similor ossels or liobilities in on octive morket, quoted prices for identicol or similor ossels or liobilities in morkels thot ore nol octive ond inpuls olher thon quoted morket prices thot ore observoble {or the osset or liobiliry, such os interest-rote curves ond yield curves observoble ot commonly quoted intervols, volotilities, credit risk ond defoult roles. A Level 2 meosurement connot hove more thon on insignificonl portion of the voluotion bosed on unobservoble inputs. Level 3 inputs ore ony foir volue meosurements thot include unobservoble inputs for the osset or liobility for more thon on insigni{icont portion o[ the voluotion. A Level 3 meosuremenl moy be bosed primorily on Level 2 inputs. Non-Derivotive Finonciol Asseis ond Liobilities At December 3 I , 201 6 ond 20,1 5, the Compony's corrying omounls o[ cosh ond cosh equivolents, occounls receivoble, due from reloted porties, shortlerm notes poyoble, occounts poyoble, ond due to reloted porties ore representolive of foir volue becouse of the short- term nolure of these inslrurrents. 2At 5 Foir Vo ue Foir Volue Meosurements of Long-Term Debt The foir volues ond corrying volues of the Compony's longlerm debt ot December 31, 20l6 ond 2015 ore os follows: December 3t 2016 2016 2Ol5 lmillions of dollors/ Corrying Volue Foir Volue Corrying Volue Long-term debl $50 million of MTN Series 33 notes $500 million of MTN Series 37 notes Other notes ond debentures 50 498 r0,r32 50 498 11 ,462 5l 8,656 5l 9,942 r 0,680 12,010 8,707 9,993 Foir Volue Meosurements of Derivotive lnstruments At December 31 , 2O16, Hydro One lnc. hod interest-rote swops in lhe omount of $550 million (20I 5 - $50 millionl thot wos used to conveil fixed-rote debt to flooting-rote debt. These swops ore clossified os o foir volue hedges. Hydro One Inc.'s foir volue hedge exposure wos equol to obout 5% l2}l 5 - 1%l ol its totol longlerm debt. At December 3 I , 201 6, Hydro One Inc. hod the follow;ng inleresl-rote swops designoted os foir volue hedges: . o $50 million fixed-tqflooting interest-rote swop ogreemenl to convert $50 million of the $350 million MTN Series 33 noles moturing April 30, 2020 into three-month vorioble role debt; ond . two $,l25 million ond one $250 million fixed-toflooting interest- role swop ogreements to convert the $500 million MTN Series 37 notes moturing November lB, 20l9 into thresmonth vorioble role debt. At December 3l , 2016 ond 20,l5, the Compony hod no interest- rote swops clossified os undesignoted controcts. Level 2 Level 3 Foir Volue Hierorchy The [oir volue hierorchy o[ finonciol ossets ond liobilities ot December 3l , 2O16 ond 20,15 is os follows: December 3l , 2Ol 6 Corrying Foir (millions of dollors) Volue Volue Level I Assets: Cosh ond cosh equivolents 50 50 50 50 50 50 Liobilities: Short-term notes poyoble Long-lerm debt, including currenl portion Derivolive instruments Foir volue hedges - interest-rote swops 469 r 0,680 2 469 i 2,010 2 469 I 2,010 2 ABpenr#r6lo',ln'if$ 4pplia,s$io{rpoRT TSX: H I t,t5l 12,481 471 12,010 Page 325 of 414 December 31,2015 (millions of dollors) Corrying Volue Foir Volue Level 'l Level 2 Level 3 Assets: Cosh ond cosh equivolents Derivotive instrumenls Foir volue hedge - interest-rote swop 949494 95 95 95 Liobilities: Short-term notes poyoble 1 ,491 Long-term debt, including current portion 8,ZOZ 1,491 9,993 1,491 i 0,1 98 I I ,484 1,491 9,993 Cosh ond cosh equivolents include cosh ond short-term investments. The corrying volues ore represenlolive of foir volue becouse of the shod-lerm noture o{ these instruments. The foir volue of the hedged portion of the long+erm debt is primorily bosed on the present volue o[ future cosh flows using o swop yield curve to determine the ossumption for interest rotes. The foir volue of the unhedged portlon of the long-term debt is bosed on unodiusted periodend morket prices for the some or similor debt of the some remoining molurities. There were no significont lronsfers between ony of the [oir volue levels during the yeors ended December 31, 20,l6 ond 2015. Risk Monogement Exposure to morket risk, credit risk ond liquidlty risk orises in the normol course of the Compony's business. Morket Risk Morket risk refers primorily to lhe risk ol loss thot results from chonges in costs, foreign exchonge rotes ond inlerest rotes. The Compony is exposed to fluctuotions in interest roles os its reguloted return on equity is derived using o formuloic opprooch thot tokes into occount onticipoted interest rotes. The Compony is not currently exposed to moteriol commodity price risk or moteriol foreign exchonge risk. The Compony uses o combinotion of fixed ond vorioblerote debt to monoge the mix of its debt portfolio. The Compony olso uses derivotive finonciol instrumenls to monoge interest-rote risk. The Compony utilizes inlerest-rote swops, which ore I'ypicolly designoted os foir volue hedges, os o meons to monoge its interest rote exposure to ochieve o lower cost of debt. The Compony moy olso utilize inlerest-rote derivotive instruments to lock in interest-rote levels in onticipotion of future linoncing. A hypotheticol '100 bosis poinls increose in interest roles ossocioled with vorioblerote debt would not hove resulted in o significont decreose in Hydro One's net income for the yeors ended December 3 l, 20l 6 or 201 5. For derivotive instruments thot ore designoted ond quolify os foir volue hedges, the goin or loss on lhe derivotive instrument os well os the oflseiling loss or goin on the hedged item ottributoble to the hedged risk ore recognized in the Consolidoted Slotements of Operotions ond Comprehensive lncome. The net unreolized loss {goin) on the hedged debt ond the reloted inlerest-rote swops for the yeors ended December 31, 20l6 ond 20.l5 wos not significont. Credir Risk Finonciol ossets creole o risk thot o counterporty will foil to dischorge on obligotion, cousing o finonciol loss. At December 3.1, 2016 ond 20 l5, there were no significont concentrotions ol credit risk with respect to ony clogs o[ finonclol ossets. The Compony's revenue is eorned from o brood bose of cuslomers. As o result, Hydro One did nol eorn o significont omount of revenue {rom ony single customer. At December 3 I , 201 6 ond 201 5, fiere wos no significont occounts receivoble bolonce due from ony single customer. At December 3,1, 20.l6, the Compony's provision for bod debts wos $35 million (20,15 - $61 million). Adiustments ond writeoffs were determined on the bosis of o review o{ overdue occounts, loking into considerotion historicol experience. At December 31, 2016, opproximotely 6% ,,2015 - 6%) ol the Compony's net occounts receivoble were oged more thon 60 doys. Hydro One monoges its counterporly credit risk through vorious techniques lncluding: enlering inlo konsoclions with highly roted counlerporties; limiting totol exposure levels wlth individuol counterporties; entering into mosler ogreements which enoble net settlement ond the controcluol right of offset; ond monitoring the [inonciol condition of counterporties. The Compony monitors current azzo>r 6u,.EdaOi,gmo =om=zvdrmI 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE urvurED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTcA'sla*ors, P€&e ?A6$f *14 9,993 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS credit exposure to counlerporties both on on individuol ond on oggregofe bosis. The Compony's credit risk for occounts receivoble is limited to the corrying omounts on the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets. Derivotive finonciol instruments resuh ln exposure lo credil risk since there is o risk of counterporty defoult. The credit exposure o[ derivotive controcls, before colloterol, is represenled by the foir volue o[ conlrocts ot lhe reporting dote. At December 31, 2016 ond 2015, the counterporty credit risk exposure on the [oir volue of these interesl-rote swop controcts wos not significont. At December 3'] , 2016, Hydro One's credit exposure for oll derivotive instruments, ond opplicoble poyobles ond receivobles, hod o credit roting of investment grode, wlth four finonciol inslilutions os lhe counterporfy. Liquidity Risk Liquidiry risk refers to the Compony's obility to meet its finonciol obligotions os they come due. Hydro One meets its short-term liquidity requlrements using cosh ond cosh equivolents on hond, funds December 3 I lmillions of dollors) from operotions, the issuonce of commerciol poper, ond lhe revolving stondby credit focilities. The short-term liquidity under the Commerciol Poper Progrom, revolving stondby credit focilities, ond onticipoted levels o{ [unds from operotions ore expected to be sufficient lo fund normol operoling requirerrenls. At December 31 ,2O16, occounts poyoble ond occrued liobilities in the omount of $840 million {201 5 - $753 million) were expected to be settled in cosh ot lheir corrying omounts within the next l2 months. 1 Z. Copitol AAonogement The Compony's oblectives with respect lo its copitol slructure ore to mointoin effective occess to copitol on o longlerm bosis ot reosonoble rotes, ond to deliver oppropriote finonciol returns. ln order to ensure ongoing occess lo copitol, the Compony torgets to mointoin skong credit quolity. At December 3l , 20l6 ond 20,)5, the Compony's copitol structure wos os follows: 2016 20r5 Long-term debt poyoble within one yeor Short-term notes poyoble Less: cosh ond cosh equivolenls 602 50 469 s00 1,491 94 Long-term debt Prefened shores Common shores Retoined eornings 1,021 10,o78 418 5,623 3,950 Totol Hydro One lnc. ond Greot Lokes Power hove cuslomory covenonls typicolly ossocioted with longlerm debt. Hydro One Inc.'s long-term debt ond credit focility covenonts limit permissible debt to 75% of ils totol copitolizotion, limit the obility to sell ossets ond lmpose o negotive pledge provision, subject to customory exceptions. At December 3 1 , 201 6, Hydro One Inc. ond Greot Lokes Power were in complionce with oll covenonts ond limitotions. ,l8. Pension ond Post-retirement ond Post-em ployment Benef its Hydro One hos o defined benefit pension plon (Pension Plon), o defined contribution pension plon (DC Plon), o supplemenlory pension plon, ond posfretirement ond postemployment benefit plons 21 090 t9 951 Defined Conlribution Pension Plon Hydro One estoblished o DC Plon effectlveJonuory l, 20,16. The DC Plon is mondolory ond covers eligible monogement employees hired on or oflerlonuory 1 ,2016, os well os monogement employees hired before Jonuory 1 , 20 1 6 who were not eligible or hod not irrevocobly elected to join the Pension Plon os of September 30, 20,15. MemGrs of the DC Plon hove on option to conlribute 4%, 5% or 6% of their pensionoble eornings, with motching contributions by Hydro One. Hydro One contributions to the DC Plon for the yeor ended December 3,l, 20l6 were less thon $l million (2015 - $nil). At December 3l , 20.16, Compony contribulions poyoble included in occrued liobilities on the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets were less thon $l million {201 5 - $nil). ABpendirc6lp JAIS ApplipntignpoRT TSX: H Page327 of4l4 1,897 8,207 418 5,623 3,806 Defined Benefit Pension Plon, Supplementory Pension Plon, ond Post-Retirement ond Post-Employment Plons The Pension Plon is o defined benefit contributory plon which covers oll regulor employees of Hydro One ond its subsidiories. The Pension Plon provides benefits bosed on highest threeyeor overoge pensionoble eornings. For Monogement employees who commenced employmenl on or ofterJonuory ),2004, ond for Society of Energy Professionols-represenled stoff hlred olter November 17, 2005, benefits ore bosed on highest liveyeor overoge pensionoble eornings. After relirement, pensions ore indexed to inflotion. Membership in the Pension Plon wos closed to Monogement employees who were not eligible or hod not inevocobly elected to ioin the Pension Plon os of September 30, 20,l5. These employees ore eliglble to ioin the DC Plon. Compony ond employee contributions to lhe Pension Plon ore bosed on ocluoriol voluotions performed ot leost every three yeors. Annuol Pension Plon contributions for 2Ol6 of $l0B million (20,]5 - $lZZ million) were bosed on on octuoriol voluotion effeciive December 3 l, 201 5 {20I 5 - bosed on on ocluoriol voluotion effective December 3l , 20,1 3) ond the level o[ pensionoble eornings. Estimoted onnuol Pension Plon contributions{ror 2017 ond 20lB ore opproximotely $105 million ond $102 million, respectively, bosed on the octuoriol voluotion os ot December 3,1, 20,15 ond proiected levels of pensionoble eornings. Yeor ended December 3 I lnillions of dollors) Future minimum contributions beyond 2018 will be bosed on on octuoriol voluotion eflective no loter thon December 3l , 2018. Contributions ore poyoble one month in orreors. All of the contributions ore expected to be in the form of cosh. Hydro One recognizes the overfunded or underfunded stotus of the Penslon Plon, ond post-retirement ond postemployment benefit plons (Plons) os on osset or hobility on its Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets, with offsetting regulotory ossets ond liobilities os oppropriote. The underfunded benefit obligotions for the Plons, in the obsence of regulotory occounting, would be recognized in AOCI. The impoct o[ chonges in ossumptions used to meosure pension, post-retirement ond postemployment benefit obligotions is generolly recognized over the expecled overoge remoining service period of the employees. The meosuremenl dote for the Plons is December 3I . Penslon Benefits 2016 2015 Posl-Retirement ond Post-Employment Bene[its 2016 201 5 Chonge in proiected benefit obligotion Proiected benefit obligotion, beginning o[ yeor Current service cosl Employee contributions lnlerest cost Benefits poid Net octuoriol loss (goinl Chonge due to Hydro One Brompton spinoff 7,683 144 45 308 {3s4) (s2) 7,535 \46 40 302 {334) I ,610 42 67 (43) 14 1,582 43 64 l47l 127) (s) (61 azzo>r6\ =oaOt2fr@<om=ZOr>@1m(, 3 Projected benefit obligotion, end of yeor 7 ,774 7 ,683 I ,690 1 ,6] O Chonge in plon ossets Foir volue of plon ossets, beginning of yeor Actuol return on plon ossels Benefits poid Employer conkibutions Employee contribulions Administrotive expenses 6,731 370 (354) l0B 45 (261 6,299 582 (ss4) 177 40 (3 3l 147) 47 tagr 43 Foir volue of plon ossets, end o[ yecr 6,874 6,73) Un[unded stotus 900 952 1,690 I ,610 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE umtrED oNE or NoRTH AMERTcA's ,o*ous, P€&e O2fiOt*14 The Hydro One Supplementol Pension Plon (Supplementol Plon) provides members of the Pension Plon with benefits thot would hove been eorned ond poyoble under the Pension Plon but for limitotions imposed by the /ncome Iox Act (Conodol. The Supplementol Plon obligotion is included with other post-retiremenl ond post-employment benefit obligotions on the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Hydro One presents its benelit obligotions ond plon ossets net on its Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets os follows: December 3 I (millions of dollors) Pension Benefits 2016 Post-Retirement ond Post-Employment Bene[ils 2016 201520t 5 Other ossets Accrued ltobilities Pension benefit liobility Post-retirement ond postemployment benelit liobility lr 900 952 5056 1,6412 1,560 Nel unfunded stotus 899 952 1,697 I ,610 I Represents the funded stotus of Greot Lokes Power's defined benefit pension plon. 2 Includes $7 million (2015 - $nil) reloting to Greot lokes Power's postemployment benefit plons. The funded or unfunded stolus of the pension, posl-retirement ond postemployment benefit plons refers to the dilference between the foir volue of plon ossets ond the projecled benefit obligotions for lhe Plons. The funded,/unfunded slotus chonges over time due to severol foclors, including contribution levels, ossumed discount rotes ond octuol returns on plon ossets. The following toble provides the proiected benefit obligotion (PBO), occumuloted benefit obligolion (ABO) ond Ioir volue of plon ossets for the Pension Plon: December 3l (millions of dollors) 2016 2015 PBO ABO Foir volue o[ plon ossets 7,774 7,O94 6,874 7,683 7,O20 6,731 On on ABO bosis, the Pension Plon wos funded o197"/" ol December 3,1, 20l6 (2015 -96%1. On o PBO bosis, the Pension Plon wos funded ot 88% ot December 3.l, 20l6 (20,]5 - BB%). The ABO differs from the PBO in thot the ABO includes no ossumption obout fulure compensotion levels. Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs The following toble provides the components o[ the net periodic benefit costs for the yeors ended December 31, 20,16 ond 2015 for the Pension Plon: Yeor ended December 3l lmillions of dollors) 2016 2015 Cunent service cost, net of employee contributions Interesl cost Expected return on plon ossets, net of expenses Amortizotion o[ octuoriol losses Prior service cosl omortizotion 144 308 (4321 96 146 302 1406) 119 2 Net periodic benefit costs 116 163 Chorged to results o[ operotions]4B I The Compony follows the cosh bosis of occounting consistent with the inclusion of pension costs in OEBcpproved rotes. During the yeor ended December 3.l, 2016, pension costs of $108 million l2)l5 - $177 millionl were ottributed to lobour, of which $48 million (2015 - $81 million) wos chorged to operotions, ond $60 million {20 i 5 - $96 million} wos copitolized os port of the cost of property, plont ond equipment ond inlongible ossets. 8r Appendirc6fe',lnid$ ApplipnlionpoRT TSX: H Page 329 of 414 The following toble provides the components ol the net periodic benefit cosls for the yeors ended December 3.l, 2016 ond 20l5 lor the post- retirement ond postemployment benefit plons: Yeor ended December 3l (millions of dollors) 2016 201 5 Current service cost, nel o[ employee contributions lnlerest cost Amortizotion of octuoriol losses Prior service cost omortizotion 42 67 t5 43 64 t4 Net periodic benefit costs 124 121 Chorged to resulls of operotions 55 55 Assumptions The meosurement of the obligotions of the Plons ond lhe costs o[ provlding benefits under lhe Plons involves vorious foctors, including the development of voluolion ossumptions ond occounting poliry elections. When developing the required ossumptions, the Compony considers historicol inlormotion os well os future expeclotions. The meosurement of bene{il obligotions ond cosls is impocted by severol ossumplions including the discount rote opplied to benefit obligotions, the long-term expected rote o[ return on plon ossets, Hydro One's expected level of contributions to the Plons, lhe incidence o{ mortolity, the expected remoining service period ol plon porticiponts, the level The following weighted overoge ossumplions were used to delermine the benefit obligotions ot December 3 I , 201 6 ond 201 5: Post-Retirement ond Pension Benefits Post-Employment Benefits Yeor ended December 31 2016 2015 2016 2015 Significont ossumptions: Welghted overoge discounl rote Rote of compensotion scole escolotion (long-term) Rote of cost o[ living increose Rote of increose in heolth core cost trendsr 16.25o/operonnumin2OlT,grodingdownlrc4.36%peronnuminondoher203l (2015-6.38%in20l6,grodingdownto4.36%peronnuminond ofter 2031). The lollowing weighted overoge ossumptions were used to delermine the nel periodic benefit costs for the yeors ended December 3 l, 20.l6 ond 2015. Assumptions used lo determine cunentyeorend beneflt obligotions ore the ossumptions used to estimote the subsequentyeor's net periodic benefit costs. Yeor ended Decenber 31 2016 2015 Pension Benefits: Weighted overoge expected role of return on plon ossets Weighted overoge discount rote Rote of compensotion scole escolotion {long-term) Rote o{ cost of living increose Averoge remoining service life of employees /yeors/ of compensolion ond rote of compensotion increoses, employee oge, length o[ service, ond the onticipoted rote of increose of heolth core cosls, omong other foctors. The impoct of chonges in ossumptions used lo meosure the obligotions o[ the Plons is generolly recognized over the expecled overoge remoining service period o{ the plon porticiponts. In selecting the expecled rote of return on plon ossets, Hydro One considers historicol economic indicolors thot impoct osset relurns, os well os expectotions regording future long-term copilol morket performonce, weighted by torget osset closs ollocotions. ln generol, equity securities, reol estole ond privote equity inveslments ore forecosted to hove higher returns thon fixed-income securities. 3.90% 2.50% 2.00% 4.OO% a <Ao/ 2 00% 3.90% 2.50y" 2.00% 4.36% 4.10% 2.50% 2.OO% 4.36% 6.50y" 4.007" 2.507" 2.OOy" t5 6.50% 4.OO% 2.50% 2.OO% 13 azzo->r 62PoaOi,9fi6<om=z9r>a1m(, 3 Post-Retirement ond Post-Employment Benefits: Weighted overoge discount rote Rote of compensotion scole escolotion (long-term) Rote of cost of living increose Averoge remoining service life of employees lyeorsi Rote of increose in heolth core cost kendsl 4.107" 2.50v" 2.OO% 15.3 4.36% 4.OO% 2.50% 2.0O7" 13.8 4.36% r 6.38% per onnum in 201 6, groding down to 4.36% per onnum in ond ofter 2031 (2015 - 6.52% in 201 5, groding down to 4.36% per onnum in ond oher 2031). Appendix 6 to Joint Application HYDRO ONE TIIIITED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTcA's Lnncesr Pe0$ft Srierof*l4 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The dlscount role used lo determine the current yeor pension obligotion ond the subsequenl yeor's net periodic benefit costs is bosed on o yield curve opprooch. Under the yield curve opprooch, expecled future benefit poyments for eoch plon ore discounted by o rote on o lhird-porr/ bond yield curve corresponding lo eoch durotion. The yield curve is bosed on "AA" long-term corporole bonds. A single discount rote is colculoted thot would yield the some present volue os the sum of the discounted cosh flows. Theelfeciof o l%chongeinheolthcorecosttrendsontheprojectedbene{itobligotionforthepost-retirementondpost-employmentbenefitsot December 3I , 20,]6 ond 2015 is os follows: December 3 I (millions of dollorsl 2016 2015 Prolected benefit obligotion : Effect of o I % increose in heolth core cost lrends Effect of o l% decreose in heolth core cost trends 289 12211 lJl (re6) Thee{feclof o l%chongeinheollhcorecostkendsontheservicecostondintereslcostfortheposl-retirementondpost-employmentbenelitslor the yeors ended December 3 I , 20I 6 ond 20,l 5 is os follows: Yeor ended December 3 I (millions of dollors)2016 2015 Service cost ond interest cost: Effect of o 'l% increose in heolth core cost trends Effect of o 'l% decreose in heolth core cost lrends 23 117l 22 (16) The following opproximole life expectoncies were used in the mortolity ossumptions to determine the projected benefit obligotions for the pension ond posl-reliremenl ond postemployment plons ot December 31 , 2016 ond 20 i5: December3l,20l6 Life expectoncy ot 65 for o member currently ot Aqe 65 Age 45 December 3 1, 20] 5 Life expectoncy ot 65 for o member currently ot Age 65 Age 45 Mole Femole Mole Femole Mole Femole Mole Femole 2624252324IJ2422 Estimoted Future Benefit Poyments At December 3,1, 20 16, estimoted future benefit poyments to the porticiponts of the Plons were: (millions of dollors) Post-Retirement ond Pension Benefits PostEmployment Benefits 2017 20r 8 2019 2020 2021 2022 rhrovgh to 2026 321 331 340 349 358 t.910 56 ca 60 ot 64 355 Appendirc6te',lfiint ApplipEJionpoRT TSX: H 3,609 Page 331 of4l4 Totol estimoted futur" b"nufit poyr"ntr lh,o,654 Components of Regulotory Assets A portion o[ octuoriol goins ond losses ond prior service costs is recorded within regulotory ossels on Hydro One's Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets to reflect the expected regulotory inclusion o[ these Yeor ended Dxenber 3l (millions of dollors) omounts in fulure rotes, which would otherwise be recorded in OCl. The following toble provides the ocluoriol goins ond losses ond prior service costs recorded within regulotory ossets: 2016 201 5 Pension Benefits: Acluoriol oss (goin) lor the yeor 35 {l B ] ) Amorlizolion o[ octuorio osses (96) (ll9) Prior service cost omortizotion - (2) {6i) (s02) Post-Retirement ond Post-Employment Benefits: Actuoriol loss (goin) for the yeor Amorlizotion of octuoriol losses Prior sevice cost omortizotion 14 (t s) t27) (14) (rl The following toble provides the components of regulotory osseb thot hove not been recognized os components of net periodic benefit costs for the yeors ended December 3,), 2Ol 6 ond 201 5: Yeor ended December 3l lmillions of dollors)2016 (41) 20r5 Pension Benefits: Prior service cost Actuoriol loss 900 952 900 952 Post-Reti rement ond PostEm ployment Benef its: Actuoriol loss 243 240 243 240 The following toble provides the components of regulotory ossets ot December 3l thot ore expected to be omortized os componenls of net periodic benefit costs in the lollowing yeor: December 3 I lmillions of dollors) Pension Benefils2016 2015 Posl-Retirement ond Post'Employmenl Benefits2016 2015 azZA>= 62>oaOi2fro =om=zai>a1m(, 3 Prior service cost Actuoriol loss B69679 79 96 86 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNG urrurED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA's Le*oes, PAge ffifirgfAl4 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Pension Plon Assets lnvestment Strotegy On o regulor bosis, Hydro One evoluotes lls inveslment slrolegy lo ensure thot Pension Plon ossets will be sufficient to poy Pension Plon benefits when due. As port o[ this ongoing evoluotion, Hydro One moy moke chonges to its torgeted osset ollocolion ond investment strolegy. The Pension Plon is monoged ol o net osset level. The moin obiective o[ the Pension Plon is to sustoin o certoin leve] o[ net ossets in order to meet the pension obligotions of the Compony. The Pension Plon fulfills its primory objective by odhering to specific investment policies outlined in its Summory of Investment Policies ond Procedures {SIPP), which is reviewed ond opproved by the Humon Resource Committee o[ Hydro One's Boord o[ Directors. The Compony monoges net ossels by engoging knowledgeoble externol inveslment monogers who ore chorged wlth the responsibiliry o{ investing existing funds ond new funds {current yeor's employee ond employer contributions) in occordonce with the opproved SiPP. The performonce of the monogers ls monilored through o governonce struclure. Increoses in net ossets ore o direcl result of investmenl income generoled by investments held by the Pension Plon ond conlributions to the Pension Plon by eligible employees ond by the Compony. The moin use o[ net ossets is for benefit poyments to eligible Pension Plon members. Pension Plon Asset Mix At December 3I , 20,)6, the Pension Pon torget ossel ollocotions ond weighted overoge osset ollocotions were os follows: Torget Allocotion (%) Pension Plon Assets (%) Equily securities Debt securities Otherr 55.0 35.0 r 0.0 58.7 33.6 7.7 100.0 r 00.0 I Other investments include reol estote ond infrostruclure inyestmenls. At December 31, 2016, the Pension Plon held $l l million (2015 - $9 million) Hydro One corporote bonds ond $450 million (2015 - $420 million) of debt securities of the Province. Concentrotions of Credit Risk Hydro One evoluoied its Pension Plon's osset portfolio for the exislence o[ significont concentrolions o[ credit r]sk os ot December 3 1 , 20 I 6 ond 20 1 5. Concentrotions thot were evoluoted include, but ore not limited to, investment concentrotions in o single enlify, concentrotions in o type o[ induslry, ond concentrotions in individuol [unds. At December 3,l, 2016 ond 20,]5, there were no significont concenlrolions {defined os greoter thon 1O% of plon ossets) of risk in the Pension Plon's ossets. The Pension Plon monoges its counlerporly credit risk with respect to bonds by investing in investment-grode ond government bonds ond with respect to derivotive instruments by tronsocting only with linonciol institutions roted ot leost "A+" by Stondord & Poor's Roting Services, DBRS Limiied, ond Fitch Rotings lnc., ond 'Al" by Moody's lnvestors Service, ond olso by utilizing exposure limits to eoch counterporty ond ensuring thot exposure is diversified ocross counterporties. The risk o[ defoult on lronsoclions in listed securities is considered minimol, os the trode will Ioil if either porly to the tronsoction does not meet its obligotion. Foir Volue Meosurements The following tobles present the Pension Plon ossets meosured ond recorded ot foir volue on o recurring bosis ond their level within the foir volue hierorchyot December 3,l, 20,16 ond 2015: December 3l,2Ol6 (millions of dollorsl Level I Level 2 Level 3 Totol 20Pooled funds Cosh ond cosh eouivolenls Short-term securilies Corporote shores - Conodion Coroorote shores - Foreion Bonds ond deber^tures -to.odion 146 9I 2,985 127 445 146 1279ll 3,098 1,943 193 r3 1,943 193 or2 Bonds ond debentures - Totol [oir vo ossetsl 042 2,396 r At December 3l ,2O16, the totol foir volue of Pension Plon ossels excludes $22 million of interest ond dividends receivoble, $15 million of purchosed inyestments poyoble, $9 million of pension odministrotion expenses poyoble, ond $7 million of sold investments receivoble. 425 6,863 Appenrijr6lp',lnif6 Appliaa$ionpoRT TSX: H Page 333 of414 December 31,2015 lmillions of dollors)Level I Level 2 Level 3 Totol Pooled funds Cosh ond cosh equivolenls Short-term securities Corporote shores - Conodion Corporote shores - Foreign Bonds ond debenlures - Conodion Bonds ond debentures - Foreign t9t BO7 2,931 80 30r Jt4 t9l 80 BO7 3,047 2,072 201 116 2,072 20l' Totol [oir volue of plon ossetsl 3,529 2,492 30r rAtDecember3l,20l5,thelotol foirvolueof PensionPlonosselsexcludes$2Tmillionof intereslonddividendsreceivoble,ond$lSmillionrelotingto occruols for pension odminishotion expense ond foreign exchonge controcls poyoble. See note l6 - Foir Volue of Finonciol lnskuments ond Risk Monogement for o description o[ levels within the foir volue hierorchy. 6,722 Chonoes in the Foir Volue of Finonciol lnstruilents Clossified in Level 3 The following toble summorizes the chonges in [oir volue o[ [inonciol inslruments clossified in Level 3 for the yeors ended December 31, 2016 ond 2015. The Pension Plon clossilles finonciol instrumenls os Yeor ended December 3 I lmillions of dollors) Level 3 when the foir volue is meosured bosed on ot leost one significont input thol is not observoble in lhe morkets or due to lock of liquidity in certoin morkets. The goins ond losses presented in the toble below moy include chonges in [oir volue bosed on both observoble ond unobsenvoble inputs. 2016 201 5 Foir volue, beginning o[ yeor Reolized ond unreolized goins Purchoses Soles ond disbursemenls 30r 23 l5l (50) 144 5l 106 Folr vo end of There were no significont tronsfers between ony ol the foir volue levels during the yeors ended December 3l , 20.l6 ond 20,)5. The Compony performs sensitivily onolysis for loir volue meosurements clossified in Level 3, substituting the unobservoble inputs with one or more reosonobly possible olternotive ossumptions. These sensilivity onolyses resulted in negligible chonges in the foir volue o[ finonciol instruments clossified in this level. Voluotion Techniques Used to Determine Foir Volue Pooled funds moinly consisl o[ privote equity, reol estote ond infrostruclure investments. Privote equity investments represent privote equity funds thol invest in operoling componies thot ore not publicly troded on o stock exchonge. lnvestment skotegies in privote equily include limited portnerships in businesses thot ore chorocterized by high internol growth ond operotionol efficiencies, venture copitol, leveroged buyouts ond speciol situotions such os distressed inveslments. Reol estole old infrostructure inveslments represent funds thot invest in reol ossets which ore not publicly troded on o stock Appendix 6 to Joint Application 425 30r exchonge. lnvestment strotegies in reol eslote include limited portnerships thot seek to generote o totol return through income ond copitol growth by investing primorily in globol ond Conodion limited portnerships. lnvestment strolegies in inlrostructure include limited portnerships in core infrostructure ossets focusing on ossets thot generote stoble, long+erm cosh flows ond deliver incrementol returns relotive to conventionol fixed-income inveslments. Privote equity, reol estote ond infrostructure voluotions ore reported by the fund monoger ond ore bosed on the voluotion of the underlying inveslmenls which includes inputs such os cosl, operoting results, discounted future cosh {lows ond morket-bosed comporoble doto. Since these voluotion inputs ore not highly observoble, privote equity ond infrostructure investments hove been cotegorized os Level 3 within pooled funds. Cosh equivolents consist of demond cosh deposits held with bonks ond cosh held by the investment monogers. Cosh equivolents ore cotegorized os Level l. Shorl-term securities ore volued ot cost plus occrued interest, which opproximotes foir volue due to their short-term noture. Short-term securilles ore cotegorized os Level 2. HyDRo oNE uMrrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTcA's Lo*ors, Pagft 3fi4r0f41 4 azzo.>r 6-. EdaO 1,2fio =om=zad\mI 3 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Corporote shores ore volued bosed on quoted prices in octive morkets ond ore cotegorized os Level I . lnveslments denominoted in foreign currencies ore tronsloted into Conodion currency ot yeorend rotes of exchonge. Yeor ended December 31, 2016 lmillions of dollors) Bonds ond debentures ore presenled ot publlshed closing trode quotolions, ond ore cotegorized os Level 2. PCB Lond Assessment ond Remediotion I 9. Environmentol Liobiliiies The lollowing tobles show the movements in environmentol liobilities for the yeors ended December 3 I , 20 i 6 ond 20,) 5: Totol Environmentol liobilities, Jonuory 1 lnlerest occretion Expenditures Revoluotion odiustment r48 59 207 718 (r l (e) (201(r) r0 e Environmentol liobilities, December 3 I Less: current portion 143 l8 6l I 204 27 125 52 177 Yeor ended December 31, 201 5 lmillions of dollors)PCB Totol [ond Assessment ond Remediotion Environmentol liobilities, Jonuory I lnterest occretion Expenditures Revoluotlon odiustment 172 8 (8) t24) 67 2 (il) I 239 t0 (t e) 123) Environmentol liobiltties, December 3 I Less: current porlion 148 12 59 r0 207 22 136 49 The following tobles show the reconciliotion between the undiscounted bosis of the environmentol liobilities ond the omount recognized on the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets ofter foctoring in the discount rote: r85 December 3l,2Ol6 lnillions of dollors)PCB Lond Assessment ond Remediotion Totol Undiscounted environmentol liobililies Less: discounting occumuloled liobililies to present volue r58 t5 66 22A 205 Discounted environmentol liobilities 143 6l 204 December 31, 2Ol 5 lmillions of dollors)PCB Lond Assessment ond Remediotion Totol Undiscounted environmentol liobilities Less: discounting occumuloled liobilities to present volue r68 20 61 t,tv 222 Appendir6tp JmS Applip'a6ioftpoRl TSX: H 148 59 Page 335 of 414 Discounted environmentol liobililies 207 At December 31 ,2016, the estimoted future environmentol expenditures were os follows lmillions of dollors) 2017 20r B 2019 2020 2021 Thereofter 27 26 25 36 8t 224 Hydro One records o liobility for the estimoted future expenditures for lond ossessment ond remediotion ond for the phoseout ond destruction of PcB€ontominoted minerol oil removed from electricol equipment when it is determined thot future environmentol remediotion expenditures ore proboble under existing stotute or regulotion ond the omounl o[ the future expenditures con be reosonobly estimoted. There ore uncertointies in estimoting future environmenlol costs due lo potentiol exlernol evenls such os chonges in legislotion or regulotions, ond odvonces in remediotion technologies. ln determining the omounts to be recorded os environmenlol liobilities, the Compony estimotes the currenl cost of completing required work ond mokes ossumptions os to when the fulure expenditures will octuolly be incurred, in order to generote future cosh flow informotion. A long- term inllotion rote ossumption of opproximolely 2% hos been used to express fiese currenl cosl estimotes os estimoted future expenditures. Future expenditures hove been discounted using foctors ronging from opproximotely 2.0%1o6.3%, depending on the oppropriote rote for the period when expendilures ore expected to be incurred. All foctors used in estimoting the Compony's environmentol liobilities represenl monogement's best estimoles of the present volue of costs required lo meel existing legislolion or regulolions. However, it is reosonobly possible thot numbers or volumes of contominoted ossets, cosl estimotes to perform work, inflotion ossumptions ond the ossumed pottern o[ onnuol cosh flows moy differ significontly from the Compony's current ossurnptions. ln oddition, with respect to the PCB environmentol liobility, the ovoilobility of criticol resources such os skilled lobour ond replocement ossets ond the obility to toke mointenonce outoges in criticol focilities moy influence the timing of expenditures. PCBs The Environmenl Conodo regulotions, enocled under the Conodion Environmentol Protection Act, 1999, govern the rnonogement, storoge ond disposol of PCBs bosed on certoin criterio, including type of equipmenl, inlse stotus, ond PC&contominotion thresholds. Under cunent regulotions, Hydro One's PCBs hove to be disposed of by the end of 2025, with the exception of speclflcolly exempted equipment. Contominoted equipment will generolly be reploced, or will be decontominoted by removing PCB<ontominoted insuloting oil ond retro filling with replocement oil thot conloins PCBs in concenlrotions of less thon 2 ppm. The Compony's best estimole of the totol estimoled fulure expenditures to comply wilh cunent PCB regulotions is $ ,158 million (2015 - $ .l68 million). These expendiiures ore expmted to be incuned over the period hon 2017 to 2025. As o resuh of its onnuol review of environmentol liobilities, the Compony recorded o revoluotion odiustment in 20l6 to reduce the PCB environmenlol liobility by $ 1 million (201 5 - $24 million). Lond Assessment ond Remediotion The Compony's best estimote of the totol estimoted future expenditures to complete its lond ossessment ond remediotion progrom is $66 million (20.l5 - $61 million). These expenditures ore expected to be incurred over the period Irom 2017 to 2032. As o result o[ ils onnuol review o[ environmenlol liobilities, the Compony recorded o revoluotion odiustment in 20 i 6 to increose the lond ossessment ond remediotion environmentol liobility by $ I 0 million (2015-$l million). 20. Asset Retirement Obligotions Hydro One records o liobility Ior the estimoted future expenditures lor the removol ond disposol of osbeslos-contoining moteriols instolled in some of its focilities ond for the decommissioning of specific switching stotions locoted on unowned sites. Asset retirement obligotions, which represent legol obligotions ossocioted with the retirement of certoin tongible long-lived ossels, ore computed os lhe present volue of the projected expenditures for the future retirement of speci{ic ossets ond ore recognized in the period in which the liobilit/ is incuned, if o reosonoble estimote of Ioir volue con be mode. lI the osset remoins in service ot lhe recognition dote, the presenl volue of the liobility is odded to the corrying omount of the ossocioted osset in the period the liobiliry is incurred ond this odditionol corrying omount is deprecioted over the remoining li{e of the ossel. lf on osset retirement obligotion is recorded in respecl of on outof-service osset, the ossel retirement cost is chorged lo resuhs of operotions. Subsequent to the azzo_>r 6-. EdaO>Y1Zmo =om=zar>q1 6I Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE uMrrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTCA'S T.ARGEST EPEASft 3fr.6egf *14 3 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS initiol recognition, the liobilhy is odiusted for ony revisions to the eslimoted fulure cosh flows ossocioted with the ossel retiremenl obligotion, whlch con occur due to o number of loctors including, but not limited lo, cost escolotion, chonges in technology opplicoble to the ossets to be retired, chonges in legislotion or regulotions, os well os lor occretion of the liobility due to the possoge o[ time until the obligotion is settled. Depreciotion expense is odiusted prospectively for ony increoses or decreoses to the corrying omount of the ossocioted osset. In determining the omounts to be recorded os ossel retirement obligotions, the Compony estimoles the currenl foir volue for compleling required work ond mokes ossumptions os to when the future expenditures will octuolly be incurred, in order to generote future cosh flow informotion. A long-term inflotion ossumption of opproximotely 2% hos been used to express these cunenl cost estimotes os estimoted fulure expenditures. Future expendilures hove been discounted using foctors ronging lrom opproximotely 3.0% to 5.0%, depending on the oppropriote rote for the period when expenditures ore expected to be incuned. All foctors used in estimoting the Compony's ossel retirement obligotions represenl monogement's best estimotes o[ the cost required to meet existing legislotion or regulotions. However, it is reosonobly possible thot numbers or volumes of contominoted ossets, cost estimotes to perform work, inflotion ossumptions ond the ossumed pottern of onnuol cosh flows moy differ significontly from the Compony's current ossumptions. Assel retirement obligotions ore reviewed onnuolly or more frequently if significont chonges in regulotions or other relevont foctors occur. Estimote chonges ore occounled for prospectively. At December 3 1 , 201 6, Hydro One hod recorded ossel retirement obligotions of $9 million (20,15 - $9 million), primorily consisling of the estimoted future expenditures ossocioted with the removol ond disposol o[ osbestos<ontoining moleriols instolled in some of its focilities. The omount of interesl recorded is nominol. 21. Shore Copitol Common Shores The Compony is outhorized to issue on unlimited number of common shores. At December 3 l, 201 6 ond 2Ol 5, the Compony hod 595 million common shores issued ond outstonding. The omount ond timing of ony dividends poyoble by Hydro One is ot the discretion of the Flydro One Boord of Directors ond is estoblished on the bosis o{ Hydro One's resulls of operotions, mointenonce of its deemed regulotory copitol slrucfure, finonciol condition, cosh requirements, the sotisfoction of solvency lests imposed by corporote lows for the declorotion ond poyment o[ dividends ond other foctors thot the Boord of Directors moy consider relevont. Common Shore Offerings ln November 2015, Hydro One ond the Province completed on initiol public offerlng (lPO) on the Toronto Stock Exchonge of opproximotely l5% of its 595 million outstonding common shores. ln April 201 6, the Province completed o secondory offering of opproximolely 83.3 million or l4% common shores of Hydro One on the Toronto Stock Exchonge. Hydro One did not receive ony of lhe proceeds from the sole of the common shores by the Province. Preferred Shores The Compony is outhorized to issue on unlimited number of preferred shores, issuoble in series. At December 3l , 2016, two series of prefened shores ore outhorized for issuonce: the Series 1 prefened shores ond the Series 2 prefened shores. At December 31, 20.16, the Compony hod ,l6,720,000 Series 1 prelerred shores ond no Series 2 preferred shores issued ond outslonding. Hydro One moy from time to lime issue preferred shores in one or more series. Prior to issuing shores in o series, the Hydro One Boord of Directors is required to fix the number of shores in lhe series ond determine the designolion, rights, privileges, restrictions ond conditions ottoching to thot series o[ prefened shores. Holders of Hydro One's prelerred shores ore not entitled to receive notice o[, to ottend or to vole ot ony meeting of the shoreholders o[ Hydro One excepl thot votes moy be gronted to o series of prefened shores when dividends hove not been poid on ony one or more series os determined by the opplicoble series provisions. Eoch series of preferred shores ronks on porily with every other series of preferred shores, ond ore entitled to o preference over the common shores ond ony other shores ronking iunior to the preferred shores, with respect to dividends ond the distr;bution o[ ossets ond return of copitol in the event of the liquidotion, dissolution or winding up of Hydro One. For the period commencing from the dote of issue of the Series I prefened shores ond ending on ond including November 19, 2020, the holders of Series I prelerred shores ore entitled to receive fixed cumulotive preferentiol dividends of $'l .0625 per shore per yeor, if ond when declored by the Boord of Directors, poyoble quorterly. The dividend rote will resel on November 20,2O2O ond every five yeors thereofter ot o rote equol to the sum of the then fiveyeor Government of Conodo bond yield ond 3.53%. The Series 1 prelerred shores will not be redeemoble by Hydro One prior lo November 20, 2020, but will be redeemoble by Hydro One on November 20, 2O2O ond on November 20 of every fihh yeor lhereofter ol o redemption price equol to $25.00 for eoch Series 1 preferred shore redeemed, plus ony occrued or unpoid dividends. The holders ol Series 1 preferred shores will hove the right, ot their oplion, on November 20, 2O2O ond on November 20 of every fifth yeor thereofter, to convert oll or ony of their Series 1 preferred shores into Series 2 prefened shores Appendirc6lp',lfih$ Applipe0ioft poRT TSX: H Page 337 of 414 on o oneforone bosis, subject to cerloin restriclions on conversion. Al December 3l , 2016, no preferred shore dividends were in orreors. The holders of Series 2 preferred shores will be entitled to receive quorlerly flooting rote cumulotive dividends, if ond when declored by the Boord of Directors, ot o rote equol to the sum of the then three month Government of Conodo lreosury bill rote ond 3.53% os reset quorterly. The Series 2 prelerred shores will not be redeemoble by Hydro One prior to November 20, 2020, but will be redeemoble by Hydro One ot o redemption price equol to $25.00 for eoch Series 2 preferred shore redeemed, if redeemed on November 20, 2025 or on November 20 o[ every fifth yeor thereofier, or $25.50 for eoch Series 2 prelened shore redeemed, if redeemed on ony other dole ofter November 20, 2O2O , in eoch cose plus ony Common shores issued - purchose ond concellotion of preferred shores k/ Acquisition of Hydro One lnc. /di Common shores o[ Hydro One lnc. ocquired by Hydro One Common shores o[ Hydro One issued to Province Prefened shores of Hydro One issued to Province Common shores issued /ei occrued or unpoid dividends. The holders of Series 2 preferred shores will hove the right, ot their option, on November 20, 2025 ond on November 20 of every fifth yeor thereoher, to convert oll or ony o[ their Series 2 prefened shores into Series 1 prefened shores on o one{orone bosis, subject to certoin restrictions on conversion. Reorgonizotion Prior to the completion of the lPO, Hydro One ond Hydro One lnc. completed o series of tronsoctions (PrelPO Tronsoctions) thot resulted in, omong other things, on October 31, 20,15, Hydro One ocquiring oll of the issued ond outstonding shores o[ Hydro One lnc. from the Province ond issuing new common shores ond preferred shores to the Province. The following tobles present the chonges to common ond preferred shores os o result of PrslPO Tronsoctions, os well os the movement in the number of common ond prelerred shores during the yeor ended December 31, 2015. There wos no movement in common or preferred shores during the yeor ended December 3 1 , 20,l 6. Preferred Shores of TCommon Shores 323 (3231 13,4411 3,023 418 4r8 Prefened Shores /number oI shores/ Common Shores Equity Tempororv Equitv Number of shores -Jonuory 1 , 2015 (o) 100,000 - I 2,920,000 Common shores issued /b/ 100,000 PrelPO Tronsoctions: Common shores issued - purchose ond concellotion of prefened shores /ci 2,640 - (l2,92O,@Ol Acquisition of Hydro One lnc. /di Common shores of Hydro One lnc. ocquired by Hydro One (102,640) Common shores of Hydro One issued to Province I 2, 197,500,000 Preferred shores o[ Hydro One issued to Province - 16/20,@0 - Common shores issued /e/ 2,600,000,000 Common shores consolidotion 202 Number ol shores - December 3 l, 201 5 595,000,000 16,720,@o (o) At jonuory I , 20 1 5, oll common ond prefened shores represenl the shores of Hydro One lnc. (b) On August 3l , 2015, Hydro One wos incorporoted under the Business Corporotions Acl (Ontorio) ond issued 100,000 common shores to the Province for proceeds of $.l00,000. (c) On October 3 I , 2015, Hydro One lnc. purchosed ond concelled 12,92O,OOO preferred shores of Hydro One lnc. previously held by the Province for concellotion ot o price equol to the redemption price of the preferred shores iololling $323 million, which wos sotisfied by the issuonce to the Province of 2,640 common shores o[ Hydro One lnc. ld) On October 31, 2015, oll ol the issued ond outstonding common shores of Hydro One lnc. were ocquired by Hydro One from the Province in relurn for 12,197,5O0,OOO common shores ol Hydro One ond 16,720,000 Series I prefened shores of Hydro One. {e) On November 4,2O15, Hydro One issued 2.6 billion common shores to the Province for proceeds of $2.6 billion. (f) On November 4,2O15, the common shores of Hydro One were consolidoted by woy of orticles of omendment opproved by the Provlnce os sole shoreholder so thot, ofier such consolidotion, 595,000,000 common shores of Hydro One were issued ond outstonding. =zz6>:1 62 =oaOi,9fr6 =om=z9r>@1mI 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HYDRO oNE Lti trED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA',s Lnncrsr #€sft ari8rof 61 4 2,600 Totol Pre-lPO Tronsoclions odjustment 2,50s (323) I NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Shore Ownership Restriciions I6e ElectrictltT Acl imposes shore ownership reslrictions on securities of Hydro One corrying o voting right {Voting Securities). These reslrictions provide thot no person or compony {or combinotion of persons or componies octing iointly or in concert) moy beneliciolly own or exercise control or direction over more thon l0% o[ ony closs or series of Voting Securities, including common shores of the Compony (Shore Ownership Restrictions). The Shore Ownership Restrictions do not opply to Voting Securities held by fie Province, nor lo on underwriter who holds Voting Securities solely for the purpose of distribuling lhose securities to purchosers who comply wilh the Shore Ownership Restrictions. 22. Dividends In 20,l 6, preferred shore dividends in the omount of $ I 9 milllon (20.l5 - $13 million) ond common shore dividends in the omounl o[ $5ZZ million (20,l5 - $875 million) were declored. The 2016 common shore dividends inc|tde $77 million for the post-lPO perlod Yeor ended December 3l from November 5 to December 3l , 2015, ond $500 mi lion for the yeor ended December 31, 201 6. ln August 2015, Hydro One declored o dividend in-kind on its common shores poyoble in ol of the issued ond outstonding shores o[ Hydro One Bromplon (see note 4). 23. Eornings Per Shore Bosic eornings per common shore (EPS) is colculoted by dividing nel income ottributoble to common shoreholders of Hydro One by the weighted overoge number of common shores outstonding. Diluted EPS is colculoled by dividing net income ottributoble to common shoreholders of Hydro One by the weighted overoge number o[ common shores outslonding odlusted for the effects of potentiolly dilutive stock-bosed compensotion pions, including the shore gronl plons ond the longlerm lncentive Plon, which ore colculoled using the treosury stock method. 2016 2015 Net income ottributoble to common shoreholders (nillions of dollors) 721 Weighted overoge number of shores Bosic 595,000,000 Effect of dilutive stock-bosed compensolion plons fNole 24i ,l,700,823 690 496,272,733 94,691 Dt ured EPS Bosic Diluted 596,700,823 496,367,424 $1.21 $r.21 $1.3e $1.3e Pro formo Adiusted non-GAAP Bosic ond Diluted EPS The following pro formo odjusted nonCAAP bosic ond diluted EPS hos been prepored by monogemenl on o supplementory bosis which ossumes thot lhe lotol number of common shores outstonding wos 595,000,000 in eoch of the yeors ended December 3 I , 20 I 6 ond 2015. The supplementory pro formo disclosure is used internolly by monogement subsequent to the IPO of Hydro One to ossess the Yeor ended December 3l (unoudited) Compony's per{ormonce ond is considered useful Gcouse it eliminoles the impoct o[ o different number ol shores outstonding ond held by the Province prior to the iPO. EPS is considered on imporlont meosure ond monogement beiieves thot presenting it for oll periods bosed on the number of outstonding shores on, ond subsequent to, the IPO provides users with o comporoble bosis to evoluote lhe operotions o[ the Compony. 2016 201 5 721 690 595,000,000 1,700,823 595,000,000 94,691 Diluted Pro formo odiusted nonCAAP EPS Bosic Diluted s96,700,823 595,094,691 $1.21 $1.21 $1.16 $1.16 The obove pro formo odiusted nonCAAP bosic ond diluted EPS does not hove ony stondordized meoning in US GAAP Appendir6lo Jniil$ Appliap$ionpoRT TSX: H Page 339 of 414 Net income ottributoble to common shoreholders (millions of dollors) Pro formo weighted overoge number of common shores Bosic Effect of dilutive stock-bosed compensotlon plons lNote 24) 24. Stock-bosed Compensotion Shore Gront Plons At December 31 , 2O16, Hydro One hod two shore gront plons (Shore Gront Plons), one for the benefit of certoin members of the Power Workers' Union (the PWU Shore Gront Plon) ond one for the beneflt of certoin members of The Society of Energy Prolessionols (the Society Shore Gront Plon). The PWU Shore Gront Plon provides for lhe issuonce of common shores of Hydro One from treosury to cerloin eligible members o[ the Power Workers' Union onnuolly, commencing on April 1 ,2017 ond continuing until the eorlier of April 1 , 2O2B or the dote on eligible employee no longer meets the eligibiliry criterio of the PWU Shore Gront Plon. To be eligible, on employee must be o member ol the Pension Plon on April 1, 20l5, be employed on lhe dote onnuol shore issuonce occurs ond continue to hove under 35 yeors o[ service. The requisite service period for the PWU Shore Gront Plon begins on July 3, 2015, which is the dote the shore gront plon wos rotified by the PWU. The number o[ common shores issued onnuolly lo eoch eligible em ployee will be equol to 27% of such eligible employee's solory os ot April I , 201 5, divided by $20.50, being the price of the common shores of Hydro One in the lPO. The oggregote number of common shores issuoble under the PWU Shore Gront Plon sholl not exceed 3,98 I ,763 common shores. ln 201 5, 3,979,062 common shores were gronled under the PWU Shore Gront Plon. The Socieiy Shore Gront Plon provides for the issuonce o[ common shores of Hydro One from lreosury to certoln eligible members of The Society of Energy Professionols onnuolly, commencing on April 1, 2018 ond continuing unlil the eorlier of April 1, 2029 orthe dote on eligible employee no longer meels the eligibility criterio o[ the Society Shore Gront Plon. To be eligible, on employee must be o member of the Pension Plon on Seplember l, 2015, be employed on the dote onnuol shore issuonce occurs ond conlinue to hove under 35 yeors of service. Therefore the requisite service period for the Society Shore Gront Plon begins on September 1, 20,l5. The number o[ common shores issued onnuolly to eoch eligible employee will be equol to 2.0% of such eligible employee's solory os ot September 1 , 2O1 5, divided by $20.50, being the price of the common shores of Hydro One in the lPO. The oggregote number of common shores issuoble under the Society Shore Gront Plon sholl not exceed I ,434,686 common shores. ln 2015, I ,433,292 common shoresweregronted under the Society Shore Gront Plon. The foir volue of the Hydro One Limited 2015 shore gronts of $ I I I mlllion wos estimoted bosed on the gront dote shore price o{ $20.50 ond is recognized using the groded-vesting ofiribution method os the shore gront plons hove both o performonce condition ond o service condition. No shores were gronted under the Shore Gront Plons in 20,16. Totol shore bosed compensotion recognized during 201 6 wos $2 | million (20I 5 - $ I O million) ond wos recorded os o regulotory ossel. A summory o[ shore gront octivity under the Shore Gront Plons during yeors ended December 31 , 2016 ond 2015 is presented below: Yeor ended December 3l 20t6 Shore Gronts lnumber of common shores) Weighted- Averoge Price Shore gronts outstonding -Jonuory \ ,2016 Gronted (non-vested) Forfeited 5,412,354 177 939) $20.50 $20.50 Shore oronts outstondino - December 3.l, 20,l6 5,334,415 $20.s0 3 Shore Gronts Weighted- Averoge PriceYeor ended December 31, 2Ol 5 of common s,412,354 $20.so Shore gronls outstonding -Jonuory I , 20,l5 Gronted (non-vested) Shore oronts outstonding - December 3,1, 20.15 5,412,354 $zo.so Directors' DSU Plon Under the Compony's Directors' DSU Plon, direclors con elect lo receive credil for their onnuol cosh reloiner in o notionol occount o[ Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LtlurED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA's unoesr P&Sft 04e egf414 azzo>i 6-.>daO\>fr6 =om=Z9d\mI DSUs in lieu o[ cosh. Hydro One's Boord ol Directors moy olso determine from time to time thot speciol circumslonces exist thot would reosonobly iustify the gront of DSUs to o director os compensotion in oddition to ony regulor retoiner or fee to which the director is entitled. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Eoch DSU represents o unit with on underlying volue equivolenl to the volue o[ one common shore o[ the Compony ond is entitled to occrue common shore dividend equivolents in the form of odditionol DSUs ot the time dividends ore poid, subsequenl to declorotion by Hydro One's Boord of Directors. Yeor ended December 3l lnumber of DSUs)2016 20 r5 DSUs outstonding -Jonuory 1 DSUs gronted 20,525 78,558 20,525 DSUs outstonding - December 3l 99,083 20,525 For the yeor ended December 31 ,2O16, on expense of $2 million 120.15 - less thon $1 million) wos recognized in eornings with respect to the DSU Plon. At December 3I , 2016, o liobiliry of $2 million (December 3,l, 2015 - lessthon $l millionl, reloted to outslonding DSUs hos been recorded ot lhe closing price of the Compony's common shores o[ $23.58 ond is included in occrued liobilities on the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheets. Employee Shore Ownership Plon Effective December I 5, 201 5, Hydro One estoblished on Employee Shore Ownership Plon (ESOP). Under the ESOP, certoin eligible monogement ond non-represented employees moy contribute between 1% ond 6% of their bose solory towords purchosing common shores of Hydro One. The Compony motches 50% of lhe employee's conkibutions, up to o moximum Compony contribution of $25,000 per colendor yeor. ln 2016, Compony contributlons mode under the ESOP were $2 million (20I 5 - $nil). Long-term lncentive Plon Effeclive August 3 1 , 20 I 5, the Boord of Directors o[ Hydro One odopted on LTIP. Under the LTIP, long-term lncentlves ore gronted to certoin executive ond monogement employees of Hydro One ond its subsidiories, ond oll equity-bosed owords will be settled in newly issued shores of Hydro One from treosury, consislent wilh the provisions of the plon. The oggregote number o[ shores issuoble under the LTIP sholl not exceed I 1,900,000 shores of Hydro One. The LTIP provides llexibllily to oword o ronge o{ vehicles, including restricted shore units (RSUs), performonce shore units (PSUsl, slock oplions, shore oppreciolion rights, restricted shores, deferred shore units ond other shorebosed owords. The mix of vehicles is intended to vory by role to recognize the level of executive occountobility for overoll business performonce. Durlng 2016, the Compony gronted owords under its LTIP, consisting o[ PSUs ond RSUs, oll o[ which ore equity settled, os follows: Yeor ended Decenber 3l 201 6 Number of PSUs Number of RSUs Units outstonding -Jonuory 1 , 2016 Units gronted 235,420 258,970 Units forfeited (4,820) (4,820) 230,600 254,150 The gront dote totol foir volue o[ the owords wos $ l2 million (2015 - $nil). The compensolion expense recognized by the Compony reloting to these owords during 2016 wos $3 million (2015 - $nil). 25. Noncontrolling lnterest On December l6,2Ol4, tronsmisslon ossets tololling $526 million were lronsfened from Hydro One Networks to B2M LP. This wos finonced by 60% debt ($316 millionl ond 40% equity ($2 l0 million). On December 17, 2014, the Sougeen Olibwoy Notion (SON) ocquired o 34.2% equity interest in B2M LP for considerolion of $72 million, represenling the foir volue of the equity interest ocquired The SON's initiol investment in B2M LP consisls of $50 million ol Closs A unils ond $22 million o[ Closs B units. The Closs B units hove o mondotory put option which requires thot upon the occunence o[ on enforcement event (i.e. on event o[ deloult such os o debt defoult by the SON or insolvency event), Hydro One purchose the Closs B units of B2M LP for net book volue on the redemption dote. The noncontrolling interest reloting to the Closs B units is clossified on the Consolidoted Bolonce Sheet os temporory equlty becouse the redemption feoture is outside the control of the Compony. The bolonce of the noncontrolling interest is clossilied within equity. Appendjrc6Io.Jnrira$ App[ioE$ionpoRT TSX: H Page 341 of 414 The following tobles show the movements in noncontrolling interest for the yeors ended December 3,1, 20,)6 ond 2015 Yeor ended December 31, 2016 (millions of dollors) Temporory Equity Equiry Totol Noncontrolling interesl -Jonuory 1 , 2016 23 (3) 2 52 (6) 4 75 (e) 6 Distributions to noncontrolling interesl Net lncome ottributoble to noncontrolli inleresl Noncontrolling interest - December 3l , 20l6 22 50 72 Yeor ended December 31, 201 5 lnillions of dollors) Temporory Equil'y Equily Totol Noncontrolling interest -Jonuory I , 2015 Distributions to noncontrolling interest Nel income ottributoble 1o noncontrolling inleresl zt (11 3 49 14) 7 70 {s) t0 Noncontrollinq lnteresl - December 3l , 2015 23 52 75 26. Reloted Porty Tronsoctions The Province is the moiority shoreholder of Hydro One. The IESO, Oniorio Power Generotion lnc {OPG), OEFC, OEB, ond Hydro One Brompton ore reloted porties to Hydro One becouse they ore controlled or significontly influenced by the Province. Reloted Porty Tronsoction Yeor ended December 3l 2016 201 5 lmillions of dollors) Provincel Dividends poid Common shores issued2 IPO cosls subsequenlly reimbursed by the Province3 451 BBB 2,600 7 IESO Power purchosed Revenues for tronsmission services Distribution revenues reloted to rurol rote protection Distrlbution revenues reloted lo the supply o[ electricity to remote norlhern communities Funding received reloted to Conservotion ond Demond Monoqemenl progroms 2,096 1,549 125 32 63 2,318 1,548 )27 32 70 OPG Power purchosed Revenues reloted to provislon of construction ond equipment moinlenonce services Costs expensed reloted to lhe purchose of services 6 5 I il 7 I OEFC Poyments in lieu of corporote income toxes4 Power purchosed Irom power controcls odministered by the OEFC Indemnificotion fee poid (terminoted effective October 3l , 20,l5) 1 2 933 6 B OEB OEB fees il 12 Hydro One Bromptonl Revenues from monoq ond smort meler network services J I On August 3 I , 201 5, Hydro One lnc. completed the spinoff of its subsidiory, Hydro One Brompton, to the Province. 2 On November 4,2O15, Hydro One issued common shores to the Province for proceeds of $2.6 billion. 3 ln 201 5, Hydro One incurred certoin IPO reloted expenses totolling $7 million, which were subsequently reimbursed to the Compony by the Province. a ln 2O15, Hydro One mode PlIs to the OEFC totolling $2.9 billion, including Deporture Tox of $2.6 billion. Soles to ond purchoses from reloted porties ore bosed on the requirements of the OEB's Affiliote Relotionships Code. Outstonding bolonces ot period end ore interest free ond settled in cosh. az70->r 6-. E6aO 1.2fra =om=ZV;Im(, 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE umtrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERrcA,s Lenorsr rP€Sft 0#A&f *14 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The omounts due to ond from reloted porties os o result of the tronsoctions refened to obove ore os lollows: December 31 lnillions of dollors)2016 201 5 Due from reioted porties Due to reloted portiesr rlncludedinduetorelotedportiesotDecember3l ,20l6oreomountsowingtothelESOinrespectof powerpurchosesof $l43million(2015- $ I 34 million). r58 11471 t9t (r 38) 27. Consolidoted Stotements of Cosh Flows The chonges in noncosh bolonces reloted to operotions consisl o[ the following Yeor ended Dxember 3l lmillions of dollors)2016 201 5 Accounts receivoble Due from reloted porties Moteriols ond supplies Prepoid expenses ond olher ossels Accounts poyoble Accrued ltobilities Due to reloted porties Accrued interest Longlerm occounts poyoble ond other liobilities Posl-reti rement o nd postem ployment benef it lio bllity (60) 33 2 (l s) t9 53 9 9 6 78 245 JJ 2 4 t23) lts) l8e) 14) 60 r34 2t3 Copiiol Expenditures The following toble reconciles between investments in property, plont ond equipment ond the omount presented in the Consolidoted Stotements of Cosh Flows ofter occounling for copitolized depreciotion ond the net chonge in reloted occruols: Yeor ended December 3 I (millions of dollors) 2016 2015 Copitol inveslments in property, plont ond equipment Copitolized depreciotion ond net chonge in occruols included in copitol investments in properV, plont ond equiprent (r ,630) (r ,623) 30 2B Copitol expendil!res - property, plont ond eq (r,600) (r ,5es) The following toble reconciles between investments in intongible ossets ond the omount presented in the Consolidoted Stotements ol Cosh Flows olter occounting for the net chonge in reloted occruols: Yeor ended December 3 I lnillions of dollors) 2016 2015 Copitol investments in intongible ossets Nel chonge in occruols included in .opitol inu"rt*"nt 167l (40) 6 3 Copitol expenditures - intonqible ossets (61)137) Appentiip6lo Jmnt Appli,qe.lisft poRT TSX: H Page 343 of 414 Copitol Contributions Hydro One enters into controcls governed by the OEB Tronsmission System Code when o konsmission cuslomer requests o new or upgroded tronsmission connection. The customer is required lo moke o copitol conlribution to Hydro One bosed on the shortfoll between the present volue of the costs of lhe connection focility ond the present volue of revenues. The present volue ol revenues is bosed on on estimote of lood forecost for the period of the conhocl wlth Hydro One. Once lhe connection focility is commissioned, in occordonce Supplementory lnformotion Yeor ended December 3 I (millions of dollors) with the OEB Tronsmission System Code, Hydro One will periodicolly reossess the estimoted of lood forecost which will leod to o decreose, or on increose in the copitol contrlbutions from the customer. The increose or decreose in copitol contributions is recorded directly to fixed ossels in service. ln 2016, copitol conlributions from lhese reossessments totolled $2.l million (2015 - $57 mlllion), which represenls the difference between the revised lood forecost o[ electricily tronsmitted compored to the lood forecost in the originol controct, subiect to certoin odjustments. 2016 2015 Net interest poid lncome toxes ,z PlLs poid 418 32 416 2,933 28. Contingencies Legol Proceedings Hydro One is involved in vorious lowsuils, cloims ond regulotory proceedings in the normol course of business. ln the opinion of monogement, the oulcome of such motters will not hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony's consolidoted finonciol position, results of operotions or cosh flows. Hydro One lnc., Hydro One Networks, Hydro One Remole Communities, ond Norfolk Power Distribution lnc. ore delendonts in o closs oction suit in which the representolive plointiff is seeking up lo $ I 25 million in domoges reloted to ollegotions of improper billing proctices. A certificotion motion in the closs oction is pending. Due to the preliminory stoge of legol proceedings, on estimote of o possible loss reloted to this cloim connot be mode. December 31, 2016 (millions of dollors)2017 Tronsfer of Assets The tronsfer orders by which the Compony ocquired certoin of Ontorio Hydro's businesses os of April l, 1999 did not tronsler title to some ossets locoted on Reserves (os defined in the lndion Act (Conodo)). Currently, the OEFC holds these ossets. Under the terms of the tronsfer orders, the Compony ls required to monoge these ossets until it hos obtoined oll consents necessory to complete the tronsfer o[ title of these ossets to itself . The Compony connot predict the oggregote omount thot it moy hove to poy, either on on onnuol or onetime bosis, to obtoin the required consents. In 20.l6, the Compony poid opproximotely $l million (20,l5 - $1 milllonl ln respect of consents obtoined. lf the Compony connot obtoin the required consents, the OEFC will continue to hold these ossets for on indefinite period of time. lf the Compony connol reoch o sotisloctory settlement, it moy hove to relocote lhese ossets to other locotions ot o cost thot could be substontiol or, in o limited number of coses, to obondon o line ond reploce it with dieselgenerotion focilities. The costs reloting lo these ossets could hove o moteriol odverse effect on the Compony's results o[ operotions if the Compony is not oble to recover them in fuDre rote orders. 2019 2020 2021 Thereofter 29. Commitments The following toble presents o summory of Hydro One's commitments under leoses, outsourcing ond other ogreements due in he next 5 yeors ond thereofier. 20r I =zzo>r 6a E6aOi,9fra =om=zaalmI 3 Outsourcing ogreements Long-term softwore,/meter ogreement Operoting leose commitmenls 165 l7 il 102 t7 l0 94 t6 6 2 17 10 9 5 2 2 I 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LrmrrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTCA'S uncesr Pra&fr lrtABgf 414 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Outsourcing Agreements Inergi LP {lnergi), on offiliote of Copgemini Conodo lnc., provides services lo Hydro One, including setllements, source to poy services, poy operotions seNices, informotion technology, finonce ond occounting services. The ogreemenl with Inergi for these services expires in December 2019. ln oddition, lnergi provides cuslomer service operotions oulsourcing services lo Hydro One. The ogreement for lhese services expires in Februory 201 B. Brookfield Globol Integroted Solutions ([ormerly Brook[ield Johnson Controls Conodo LP) lBrookfield) provides services lo Hydro One, including locililies monogement ond execution of certoin copitol projects os deemed required by the Compony. The ogreement with Brookfield for these services expires in December 2024. Longterm softwo re/meter ogreement Trilliont Holdings Inc. ond Trilliont Neworks (Conodo) lnc. (collectively Trilliont) provide services to Hydro One for the supply, moinlenonce ond support services for smorl meters ond reloted hordwore ond softwore, including odditionol softwore licences, os well os certoin pro{essionol services. The ogreement with Trilliont for these services expires in December 2025,6ut Hydro One hos the option to renew for on odditionol term of five yeors ot its sole discretion. Operoting Leoses Hydro One is committed os lessee lo irrevocoble operoting leose conlrocls for buildings used in odminlstrotive ond service-reloted functions ond storing lelecommunicotions equipmenl. These leoses hove typicol terms of between three ond live yeors, but severol leoses hove lesser or greoter terms to oddress speciol circumstonces ond/or opportunllies. Renewol options, which ore generolly prevolent in most leoses, hove similor terms of three lo five yeors. All leoses include o clouse to enoble upword revision of the rentol chorge on on onnuol bosis or on renewol occording to prevoiling morket conditions or preestoblished rents. There ore no reskictions ploced upon Hydro One by entering inlo these leoses. During lhe yeor ended DecemGr 3 I , 20 I 6, lhe Compony mode leose poyments totolling $ll mtllion (2015 - $Z million). Other Commitments Prudentiol Support Purchosers of electricity ln Onlorio, through the IESO, ore required to provlde security to mitigote the risk of their defoult bosed on their expected octivily in the morkel. As ot December 31 , 2016, Hydro One lnc. provided prudentiol support to the IESO on beholf of its subsidiories using porentol guorontees of $329 million (2015 - $329 million), ond on beholf of o distributor using guorontees of $ I million (20.l5 - $ 1 million). In odditlon, os ot December 3l , 20 1 6, Hydro One lnc. provided letters of credit in the omount of $24 million (2015 - $15 million), including $17 mtllion (2015 - $ I 5 million) to the IESO. The IESO could drow on these guorontees ond,/or lerers of credit if these subsidiories or distrlbutor foil to moke o poymenl required by o defoult notice issued by the IESO. The moximum polentiol poyment is the foce volue of ony letters o[ credit plus the omount of the porentol guorontees. Retirement Compensotion Arrongements Bonk letters o[ credit hove been issued to provide securify for Hydro One Inc.'s liobillty under the terms of o trust fund estoblished pursuont to the supplementory pension plon for eligible employees of Hydro One lnc. The supplementory pension plon trustee is required to drow upon these letters of credit i[ Hydro One lnc. is in defoult o[ its obligotions under the terms o[ lhis plon. Such obligotions include the requirement lo provide the kustee wilh on onnuol octuoriol report os well os leflers of credit sufficient to secure Hydro One Inc.'s liobility under the plon, lo poy benefits poyoble under the plon ond to poy lhe letter of credit fee. The moximum potentiol poyment is the foce volue of the letters of credil. At December 3 1 , 20 1 6, Hydro One lnc. hod letters of credit of $ .j50 million {20,l5 - $ I 39 million} outstonding reloting to reliremenl compensolion orrangements. 30. Segmented Reporting Hydro One hos three reportoble segments: o The Tronsmission Business, which comprises the tronsmission of high voltoge electricily ocross lhe province, interconnecting more thon Z0 locol distrlbution componies ond certoin lorge directly connecled industriol cuslomers throughout the Ontorio electricity grid; r The Distribution Business, which comprises the delivery of eleclricity to end cuslomers ond cerloin other municipol electricity distributors; ond r Other Business, which includes certoin corporote octivities ond the operotions of the Compony's telecommunicotions business. The designotion of segments hos been bosed on o combinotion of regulotory stotus ond the nolure of the services provided. Operoting segments of the Compony ore determined bosed on informotion used by the chief operoting decision moker in deciding how to ollocote resources ond evoluote the performonce o[ eoch of the segments. The Compony evoluotes segmenl performonce bosed on income before finoncing chorges ond income toxes from continuing operolions (excluding certo in ollocoted corporote governonce costs). Appen,#p6le'JnftS AppliontionpoRT TSX: H Page 345 of 414 The occounting policies lollowed by lhe segments ore the some os those described in the summory of significont occounling policies (see note 2). Yeor ended December 3 I , 201 6 lmillions of dollors)Tronsmission Diskibution Other Consolidoted Revenues Purchosed power Operotion, mointenonce ond odminiskotion Depreciotion ond omortizotion r,584 382 390 4,915 3,427 608 379 53 79 I 6,552 3,427 r,069 778 lncome (loss) before finoncing chorges ond income toxes 812 50r (35) 1,278 Copitol investments 988 703 6 1,697 Yeor ended December 31, 201 5 lmillions of dollors)Tronsmission Diskibution Other Consolidoted Revenues Purchosed power Operotion, mointenonce ond odministrolion Depreciotion ond omorlizotion r,536 414 374 4,949 3,450 633 380 53 BB 5 6,538 3,450 1,t35 759 lncome {loss) before [inoncing chorges ond income toxes 748 486 (40)t,194 Copitol investments 943 711 9 i,663 Totol Assets by Segment: December 3 I lnillions of dollors)2016 2015 Tronsmission Distribution Other 13,0O7 9,337 3,007 12,045 9,200 3,049 Totol ossets 25,35 r )A )AA All revenues, cosls ond ossets, os the cose moy be, ore eorned, incurred or held in Conodo. 31 . Subsequent Events Dividends On Februory I, 2017 , prefened shore dividends in the omount o[ $4 million ond common shore dividends in the omount of $ I 25 million ($0.2 1 per common shore) were declored. azzoD4 A6 >o@Ot9fia =om=z0;ImI 3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LtMtrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERtcA's ,o*orsr P€gft 046rgf *14 ) BOARD OF DIRECTORS & SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM @ For detoiled biogrophicol informotion of Hydro One Limited boord members ond senior leodership, go to ) HydroOne.com/lnvestors BOARD OF DIRECTORS I Dovid Denison, o.c., rcPA, FcA Choir of the Boord 2 lon Bourne, cD.D, F.rcD Boord Choir, Bollord Power Systems s Chorles Brindomour CEO, lntoct Finonciol Corporotion a Morcello (Morcl Coiro Vice Choirmon, Reslouronts Bronds lnternotionol s Christie CIork, rcr, rcpa Director, Loblow Componies o George Cooke Boord Choir, OMERS Administrotion Corp 7 Mo4goret (Morionne) Horris Boord Choir, IIROC I Jomes Hinds Former Boord Choir, IESO ond OPA r Kothryn J. Jockson, pn.o Director, Portlond Generol Electric l0 Roberto Jomieson o.c., c.M., r.p.g rr.B, u.D lHoN) Pres'den' ond CEO, lndspire I i Hon. Fronces L, lronkin, o.c., p.c., c.M. Member o[ Senote o[ Conodo tz Philip 5. Orsino, o.c., rcPA, FcA Directot Bonk o[ Montreol 13 Jone Peverell, rcMA, rcD.D Director, Conodion lmperiol Bonk of Commerce la Gole Rubenstein Portner, Goodmons [[P t5 Moyo Schmidt President ond CEO, Hydro One Limited SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM 15 Moyo Schmidt President ond CEO 16 Poul H. Borry EVP, Strotegy & Corporote Developmen' iz Greg Kiroly Chief Operoting Officer l8 Judy McKellor EVP Chief Humon Resources Officer t9 Ferio Pugliese EVB Customer Core & Corporote Affoirs 20 Jomes (Jomie) Scorlett EVP, Chief Legol Offtcer zt Michoel Vels Chtef Finonctol Officer 15/ AppenCix6tp JnffiI Anpliqalion'oRT TSX: H Page347 of414 211 1 7 1t 4 t6 r8 20 17 l9 2l r-tDt 5/86 129 !B l0 [: 13)r\o.t\ 14 CORPORATE & SHAREHOTDER INFORMATION CORPORATE OFFICES 483 Boy Street, Souih Tower Toronlo, Onlorio, M5G 2P5 r.416.345 5000 www.HydroOne.com CUSTOMER INOUIRIES Cuslomer Service: 1.888.664.9376 or CuslomerCommunicotions@HydroOne.com Report on Emergency 124 hours): 1.800434 r235 SHAREHOLDER SERVICES lf you ore o registered shoreholder ond hove inqulries regording your occount, wish to chonge your nome or oddress, or hove queslions obout dividends, duplicote moilings, lost slock ceriificoles, shore tronsfers or estote settlements, conlocl our lronsfer ogenl ond regislror: Computershore Trust Compony of Conodo 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor Toronlo, ON M5J 2Yl l.5l4 982 7555 or 1 800.564.6253 service@compulershore.com INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS AND ANALYSTS lnstitutionol investors, securilies onolysls ond others requiring oddltionol finonciol informotion con visil HydroOne.com/lnvestors or contocl us ol: 1.416.345 6867 lnvestor. Relolions@HydroOne.com or Bruce.Monn@HydroOne.com MEDIA INQUIRIES I 416 345 6868 or 1.877.5067584 Medio. Relotions@HydroOne.com STOCK EXCHANGE TISTING Toronio Slock Exchonge (TSX): H {cusrP #44BBf 20B) EOUITY INDEX INCLUSIONS Dowlones Select Utilities (Conodo) lndex FTSE All-World lndex Series MSCI World {Conodo) lndex S&P/TSX Composite I ndex S&P/TSX Utilities lndex S&P/TSX Composite Dividend lndex S&P/TSX Composite [ow Volotility lndex DEBT SECURITIES For deloils of the publlc debt securities of Hydro One ond ils subsidiories, pleose reler to the 'Debt lnformofion" seclion under HydroOne.com/l nveslors INDEPENDENT AUDITORS KPMG LLP ON-LINE INFORMATION Hydro One is commitled to open ond full finonciol disclosure ond besl proctices in corporoie governonce. We invile you to visil lhe lnveslor Relotions section o[ HydroOne.com/lnvestorRelotions where you will find odditionol informotion obout our business, including events ond presenlotions, news releoses, regulotory filings, governonce proclices, corporote sociol responsibility ond our conlinuous disclosure moleriols, including quorterly finonciol releoses, onnuol informotion [orms ond monogement informotion circulors. You moy olso subscribe lo our news by emoil to oulomoticolly receive Hydro One news releoses electronicolly. COMMON SHARE DIVIDEND INFORMATION 2017 Expected Dividend Dotes Record Dole*: Poyment Dote*: Morch 14,2017 luoe l3,2Ol7 Sepiember 12,2017 December l2,2Ol7 Morch 3l ,2017 )une 30, 2017 Seplember 29,2017 December 29,2017 * Subiect to Boord opprovol Unless indicoted otherwise, oll common shore dividends poid by Hydro One ore deslgnoted os "eligible" dividends for the purposes o[ lhe lncome Iox Act lConodol ond ony similor provinciol legislotion. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN IDRIP) Hydro One offers o convenient dividend reinveslmenl progrom for eligible shoreholders lo purchose odditionol Hydro One shores by reinvesting lhelr cosh dividends wilhoul incurring brokeroge or odminiskotion fees. For plon informolion ond enrolmenl moieriols or lo leorn more obout the Hydro One DRIP, visil HydroOne.com/DRIP or Compulershore Trust Compony of Conodo ol lnveslorCenhe.com/ HydroOne SUSTAINABILITY Hydro One is committed lo continuing lo grow responsibly ond we focus our sociol ond environmentol sustoinobility efforts where we con moke the mosl meoningful impocls on both. To leorn more. visil HydroOne.com/ OurCommitmenl CAUTION REGAIDTNG FORWARD.TOOKING INFORIIATION AND OTHER RISKS This onnuol report includes forwordJooking slolements oboul the finonciol condition, plons ond prospects of Hydro One thot involve risks ond uncertoinfies ond nonCAAP mmsures thol ore detoiled in the "Risk Monogement ond Risk Foctors', 'Forword-Looking Stotements ond lnformotion", ond "Non-GAAP Meosures" sections of fie MD&A contoined herein, which should be reod in coniunction with oll sections of this document. &THIS DOCUMENT IS PRIMARITY PUBTISHED IN ELECIRONIC FORMAT TO MINIMIZE ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. PI-EASE THINK BEFORE PRINTING. THE FIBRE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE STOCK OF THE PRINTED VERSION COMES FROM WEI.I,.MANAGED FORESTS, CONTROTI-ED SOURCES AND RECYCI.ED WOOD OR FIBRE. SOCIAL MEDIA Foliow Hydro One on: @ Stoy up-to-dofe with the lotest Hydro One investor informotion ol ) HydroOne.com/lnveslors @ 2017 llydro One [imiled Printed in Conodo Design by Bould Creotive bouldcreotive.com Fl rwnrnpl t*itt"..omlHydroOne H 4fi.,??Sneor,,cior @ u;m:Inhy*.oon" il rruxrorNl||l link"din..omlcompony/hydro-one m tfiB, PR -F Awards Appendix 6 to Joint Application HyDRo oNE LtMtrED oNE oF NoRTH AMERTcA's Lrncrsr rP&g€ &4&Of,A14 H HYDRO ONE TITVIITED IS ONE OF NORTH AMERICA'S LARGEST ELECTRIC UTILITIES, WITH A REGULATED TRANSMISSION GRID TRANSMITTING 98 PERCENT OF ONTARIO'S ELECTRIC POWER, AND A REGULATED LOCAL DISTRIBUTION OPERATION DELIVERING ELECTRICITY TO MORE THAN I.3 MILLION RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS CUSTOMERS ACROSS 75 PERCENT OF THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE PROVINCE - f {f f t f ftIvy \4 g i fr H h yd ro HydroOne.com Appendix 6 to Joint z\pplication Page 349 of 4l4 hy dro e ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM FOR HYDRO ONE LIMITED FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,2016 March 27,2017 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 350 of4l4 TABLE OF CONTENTS GLOSSARY PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION .............. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION.............. ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY OVERVIEW............... General Overview Overview of an Electricity System..... THE ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY IN ONTARIO Regulation of Transmission and Distribution.............. Transmission Distribution., Legislative Provisions Specific to Hydro One Elimination of Certain Legislation With Respect to Hydro One............... I 4 4 7 7 7 7 7 8 9 9 Recent Legislative Amendments Affecting the Electricity Industry Generally RATE-REGULATED UTILITIES. Rate Appl ications in Ontario.................... CORPORATE STRUCTURE................ Incorporation and Office Corporate Structure and Subsidiaries GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS l0 l0 t2 12 l2 l2 l3 t4 t4 l4 l4 t7 17 22 26 27 27 27 28 28 29 30 Incorporation and Initial Public Offering................... Acquisition of Hydro One Inc Hydro One Brampton Nefworks Inc. Secondary Common Share Offering First Nations and Hydro One Limited Shares Agreement to Acquire Orillia Power Acquisition of Great Lakes Power Integration of Haldimand Hydro and Woodstock Hydro........... Acquisitions Generally Customer Focus............ BUSINESS OF HYDRO ONE.............t7 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 Business Segments Transmission Business Distribution Business Other Business First Nations and Mdtis Communities Outsourced Services........ Employees Health, Safety and Environmental Management Environmental Regulation.. Insurance...... Reorganizations RISK FACTORS Dividend Policy DIVIDENDS 30 30 Dividend Reinvestment Plan 3l 31 DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE 31 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 351 of 414 General Description of Capital Structure .3t .32 .32 Common Shares Preferred Shares MARKET FOR SECURITIEs 33 Trading Price and Volume Penalties or Sanctions..... .33 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.. Directors and Executive Officers Information Regarding Certain Directors and Executive Officers Corporate Cease Trade Orders and Bankruptcies. .....34 .....3 8 Confl icts of Interest..... 38 39 39 39Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers AUDIT COMMITTEE 39 40 41 42 42 42 43 48 48 48 50 51 5l 5l 52 53 Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures AGREEMENTS WITH PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER Registration Rights Agreement INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS Relationships with the Province and Other Parties LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS.................... TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR.......... ADDITIONAL INFORMATION............ SCHEDULE *A" HYDRO ONE LIMITED AUDIT COMMITTEE MANDATE.................. Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 352 of 414 ll GLOSSARY When used in this annual information form, the following terms have the meanings set forth below unless expressly indicated otherwise: "$" or "dollar" means Canadian Dollars. "2015 Underwriting Agreement" has the meaning given to it under "Material Contracts". "2016 Underwriting Agreement" has the meaning given to it under "Material Contracts". "Annual MD&A" means management's discussion and analysis for Hydro One Limited for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed on SEDAR under Hydro One Limited's profile at www.sedar.com. "Board" means the Board of Directors of Hydro One Limited. "CDM" means conservation and demand management. "common shares" means the common shares in the capital of Hydro One Limited. "Custom IR Method" has the meaning given to it under "Business of Hydro One - Transmission Business - Regulation - Transmission Rate Setting. "DMS" has the meaning given to it under "Business of Hydro One - Distribution Business - Regulation - Capital Expenditures". "Electricity Act" means the Electricity Act, 1998 (Ontario). "Great Lakes Power" means Great Lakes Power Transmission LP. "Governance Agreement" means the governance agreement dated November 5,2015 between Hydro One Limited and the Province. "G \ryh" means gigawatt-hours. "Haldimand Hydro" means Haldimand County Utilities Inc. "Hydro One" or the "Company" have the meanings given to such terms set out under "Presentation of Information". "Hydro One Limited" has the meaning given to it under "Presentation of Information". "Hydro One Inc." has the meaning given to it under "Presentation of Information". "IESO" means the Independent Electricity System Operator. "kV" means kilovolt. "kW" means kilowatt. "management" has the meaning given to it under "Presentation of Information". "Market Rules" means the rules made under section 32 of the Electricity Act that are administered by the IESO. Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 353 of 414 I "NERC" has the meaning given to it under "The Electricity Industry in Ontario - Regulation of Transmission and Distribution - IESO". "Norfolk Power" means Norfolk Power Inc. "NPCC" has the meaning given to it under "The Electricity Industry in Ontario - Regulation of Transmission and Distribution - IESO". "OBCA" means the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) "OEB" means the Ontario Energy Board "Ontario" or the "province" has the meaning given to it under "Presentation of Information". "Ontario Energy Board Act" means the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 (Ontario) "Orillia Power" means Orillia Power Distribution Corporation "PCB" means polychlorinated biphenyls. "Province" has the meaning given to it under "Presentation of Information" "Registration Rights Agreement" means the registration rights agreement dated November 5,2015 between Hydro One Limited and the Province. "Removal Notice" has the meaning given to it under "Agreements with Principal Shareholder - Govemance Agreement - Govemance Matters - Election and Replacement of Directors - Province's Right to Replace the Board". "Reserve" means a "reserve" as that term is defined in the Indian Act (Canada). "Revenue Cap Index" has the meaning given to it under "Business of Hydro One - Transmission Business - Regulation - Transmission Rate Setting". "RRF" has the meaning given to it under "Business of Hydro One - Distribution Business - Regulation - Distribution Rates". "Share Ownership Restrictions" has the meaning given to it under "The Electricity Industry in Ontario - Legislative Provisions Specific to Hydro One - 10% Ownership Restriction". "shares" has the meaning given to it under "Agreements with Principal Shareholder - Registration Rights Agreement - Demand Registration". "Special Board Resolution" has the meaning given to it under "Agreements with Principal Shareholder - Governance Agreement - Govemance Matters - Board Approvals Requiring a Special Resolution of the Directors". "Specified Provincial Entity" has the meaning given to it under "Agreements with Principal Shareholder - Governance Agreement - Governance Matters - Nomination of Directors - Independence". "trust assets" has the meaning given to it under "Interests of Management and Others in Material Transactions - Relationships with the Province and Other Parties - Transfer Orders". "TS" means transmission station. Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 354 of 414 2 "TSX" means the Toronto Stock Exchange. ('T!Yh" means terawatt-hours. "U.S. GAAP" means United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. "Voting Securities" means a security of Hydro One Limited carrying a voting right either under all circumstances or under some circumstances that have occurred and are continuing. "Woodstock Hydro" means Woodstock Hydro Holdings Inc. J Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 355 of 414 PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION Unless otherwise specified, all information in this annual information form is presented as at December 31,2016. Capitalized terms used in this annual information form are defined under "Glossary". Words importing the singular number include the plural, and vice versa, and words importing any gender include all genders. The AnnualMD&A and the audited consolidated financial statements of Hydro One Limited as at and for the year ended December 31, 2016, are specifically incorporated by reference into and form an integral part of this annual information form. Copies of these documents have been filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and are available on SEDAR at urvw.sedar.com. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise requires, references to "Hydro One" or the "Company" refer to Hydro One Limited and its subsidiaries taken together as a whole. References to "Hydro One Inc." refer only to Hydro One Inc. and references to "Hydro One Limited" refer only to Hydro One Limited. In addition, "Province" refers to the Province of Ontario as a provincial government entity, and "Ontario" or the "province" in lower case type refers to the Province of Ontario as a geographical area. References to "management" in this annual information form mean the persons who are identified as executive officers of Hydro One Limited and its subsidiaries, as applicable, in this annual information form. Any statements made by or on behalf of management are made in such persons' respective capacities as executive officers of Hydro One Limited and its subsidiaries, as applicable, and not in their personal capacities. See "Directors and Officers" for more information. This annual information form refers to certain terms commonly used in the electricity industry, such as "rate-regulated", "rate base" and "return on equiQl". For a description of these terms, see "Rate- Regulated Utilities". Rate base is an amount that a utility is required to calculate for regulatory purposes, and refers to the net book value of the utility's assets for regulatory purposes. Return on equity is a percentage that is set or approved by a utility's regulator and represents the rate ofreturn that a regulator allows the utility to earn on the equity component of the utility's rate base. In this annual information form, all dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. All references to "$" or "dollars" refers to Canadian dollars. Hydro One Limited and Hydro One Inc. prepare and present their financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain information in this annual information form contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information in this annual information form is based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about Hydro One's business and the industry in which Hydro One operates and includes beliefs of and assumptions made by management. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to: the Company's transmission and distribution rate applications, and resulting rates and impacts; expected impacts of changes to the electricity industry; the Company's maturing debt and standby credit facilities; expectations regarding the Company's financing activities; credit ratings; ongoing and planned projects and/or initiatives, including expected results and timing; expected future capital expenditures, the nature and timing of these expenditures, including the Company's plans for sustaining and development capital expenditures for its distribution and transmission systems; expectations regarding allowed return on equity; expectations regarding the ability of the Company to recover expenditures in future rates; the OEB; future pension contributions, the pension plan and valuations; expectations regarding the ability to negotiate collective agreements consistent with rate orders and to maintain stable outsourcing arrangements; expectations related to work force demographics; expectations regarding taxes; 4 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 356 of 414 occupational rights; expectations regarding load growth; the regional planning process; expectations related to Hydro One's CDM requirements and targets; the Company's customer focus and related initiatives; statements related to the Company's relationships with First Nations and Mdtis communities, statements related to environmental matters, and the Company's expected future environmental expenditures; expectations related to the effect of interest rates; the Company's reputation; cyber and data security; the Company's relationship with the Province; future sales of shares of Hydro One; acquisitions, including the Company's acquisition of Orillia Power; expectations regarding the Governance Agreement and other agreements with the Province; expectations regarding the manner in which Hydro One will operate; expectations regarding Hydro One's dividend policy and the Company's intention to declare and pay dividends, including the target payout ratio of 70%o to 80% of net income; and legal proceedings in which Hydro One is currently involved. Words such as "aim", "could", "would", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "attempt", "may", "plan", "will", "believe", "seek", "estimate", "goal", "target", and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identifu such forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking information. Hydro One does not intend, and it disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, except as required by law. The forward-looking information in this annual information form is based on a variety of factors and assumptions including, but not limited to: no unforeseen changes in the legislative and operating framework for Ontario's electricity market; favourable decisions from the OEB and other regulatory bodies concerning outstanding and future rate and other applications; no unexpected delays in obtaining the required approvals; no unforeseen changes in rate orders or rate setting methodologies for Hydro One's distribution and transmission businesses; no unfavourable changes in environmental regulation; continued use of U.S. GAAP; a stable regulatory environment; and no significant event occurring outside the ordinary course of business. These assumptions are based on information currently available to Hydro One, including information obtained from third-party sources. Actual results may differ materially from those predicted by such forward-looking information. While Hydro One does not know what impact any of these differences may have, Hydro One's business, results of operations, financial condition and credit stability may be materially adversely affected if any such differences occur. Factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by forward-looking information include, among other things: risks associated with the Province's share ownership of Hydro One and other relationships with the Province, including potential conflicts of interest that may arise between Hydro One, the Province and related parties; regulatory risks and risks relating to Hydro One's revenues, including risks relating to rate orders, actual performance against forecasts and capital expenditures; the risk that the Company may be unable to comply with regulatory and legislative requirements or that the Company may incur additional costs for compliance that are not recoverable through rates; the risk of exposure of the Company's facilities to the effects of severe weather conditions, natural disasters or other unexpected occurrences for which the Company is uninsured or for which the Company could be subject to claims for damage; public opposition to and delays or denials of the requisite approvals and accommodations for the Company's planned projects; the risk that Hydro One may incur significant costs associated with transferring assets 5 a a a a Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 357 of 414 a located on Reserves; the risks associated with information system security and with maintaining a complex information technology system infrastructure ; the risks related to the Company's work force demographic and its potential inability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the risk of labour disputes and inability to negotiate appropriate collective agreements on acceptable terms consistent with the Company's rate decisions; the risk that the Company is not able to arrange sufficient cost-effective financing to repay maturing debt and to fund capital expenditures; risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates and failure to manage exposure to credit risk; the risk that the Company may not be able to execute plans for capital projects necessary to maintain the performance of the Company's assets or to carry out projects in a timely manner; the risk of non-compliance with environmental regulations or failure to mitigate significant health and safety risks and inability to recover environmental expenditures in rate applications; the risk that assumptions that form the basis of the Company's recorded environmental liabilities and related regulatory assets may change; the risk of not being able to recover the Company's pension expenditures in future rates and uncertainty regarding the future regulatory treatment of pension, other post- employment benefits and post-retirement benefits costs; the potential that Hydro One may incur significant expenses to replace functions currently outsourced if agreements are terminated or expire before a new service provider is selected; the risks associated with economic uncertainty and financial market volatility; the inability to prepare financial statements using U.S. GAAP; and the impact of the ownership by the Province of lands underlying the Company's transmission system. Hydro One cautions the reader that the above list of factors is not exhaustive. Some of these and other factors are discussed in more detail under the heading "Risk Management and Risk Factors" in the Annual MD&A. You should review such section in detail, including the matters referenced therein. In addition, Hydro One cautions the reader that information provided in this annual information form regarding Hydro One's outlook on certain matters, including potential future expenditures, is provided in order to give context to the nature of some of Hydro One's future plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. a a a a a a a a o a a a 6 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 358 of 414 ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY OVERVIEW General Overview The electricity industry is made up of businesses that generate, transmit, distribute and sell electricity. While traditionally a mature and stable industry, innovation and technological change are expected to have a significant impact on the industry in the foreseeable future. Hydro One's business is focused on the transmission and distribution of electricify. Transmission refers to the delivery of electricity over high voltage lines, typically over long distances, from generating stations to local areas and large industrial customers. Distribution refers to the delivery of electricity over low voltage power lines to end users such as homes, businesses and institutions. Overview of an Electricity System The basic configuration of a typical electricity system showing electricity generation, transmission and distribution is illustrated in the following diagram: a W## *=ffi -i-T*'-'-=-B# .;n:#g,*fffH*,, GenerolDr Transmission and distribution networks are sometimes referred to as the "electricity grid" or simply "the grid". For simplicity, the diagram above does not show customers directly connected to the transmission system or distributed generation sources or other distributors that may be connected to the distribution system. THE ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY IN ONTARIO Regulation of Transmission and Distribution General The Electricity Act and the Ontario Energy Board Act establish the general legislative framework for Ontario's electricity market. The activities of transmitters and distributors in Ontario are overseen by three main regulatory authorities: (i) the OEB, (ii) the IESO, and (iii) the National Energy Board. Onturio Energlt Boord The OEB is an independent and impartial public regulatory agency. The Ontario Energy Board Act provides the OEB with the authority to regulate Ontario's electricity market, including the activities of transmitters and distributors. The OEB has the following objectives in relation to the electricity industry . to protect the interests of consumers with respect to prices and the adequacy, reliability and quality of electricity service, 7 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 359 of 414 Imns[ormcr (ln<rcorcd to Higha \&ltogc) Ironcmisriil Syrlem Ironr{ormer lDecrco*d to Lorvcr Volngc| Dirlribution 5yrhm Tronslormer (DxrGorcd lo tower volhgel to promote economic efficiency and cost effectiveness in the generation, transmission, distribution, sale and demand management of electricity and to facilitate the maintenance of a fi nancially viable electricity industry, to promote electricity conservation and demand management in a manner consistent with the policies of the Province, including having regard to the consumer's economic circumstances, to facilitate the implementation of a smart grid in Ontario, and to promote the use and generation of electricity from renewable energy sources in a manner consistent with the policies of the Province, including the timely expansion or reinforcement of transmission systems and distribution systems to accommodate the connection of renewable energy generation faci I ities. The OEB is responsible for, among other things, approving transmission and distribution rates in Ontario. It also approves the construction, expansion, or reinforcement of transmission lines greater than two kilometres in length, as well as mergers, acquisitions, amalgamations and divestitures involving distributors, transmitters and other entities which it licenses. The activities of transmitters and distributors are subject to the conditions of their licenses and a number of industry codes issued by the OEB. These codes and other requirements prescribe minimum standards of conduct and service for licensed parlicipants in the electricity market. IESO The IESO manages the operation and reliability of Ontario's bulk power system and administers the wholesale electricity market. It is governed by a board whose chair and directors are appointed by the Province. The IESO also coordinates province-wide conservation efforts. Transmitters and other wholesale market participants must comply with the Market Rules issued by the IESO. The Market Rules require transmitters to comply with mandatory North American reliability standards for transmission issued by the Norlh American Electric Reliability Corporation ("NERC") and the Northeast Power Coordinating Council, Inc. ("NPCC"). The IESO enforces these reliability standards and coordinates with system operators and reliabiliry agencies in other jurisdictions to ensure energy adequacy and security across the interconnected bulk electricity system in North America. National Energlt Board The National Energy Board is an independent federal regulatory agency, govemed by the National Energt Board Act (Canada) and has jurisdiction over the construction and operation of international power lines, as well as interprovincial lines that are designated as being under federal jurisdiction (of which there are currently none). As Hydro One owns and operates ll active intemational power lines connecting Ontario's transmission system with transmission systems in Michigan, Minnesota and New York, Hydro One is required to hold several certificates and permits issued by the National Energy Board and is subject to its mandatory electricity reliability standards and reporting requirements. Transmission Transmission companies own and operate transmission systems that deliver electricity over high voltage lines. Hydro One's transmission system accounts for approximately 98%o of Ontario's electricity transmission capacity based on the revenues approved by the OEB. The Company's transmission system is interconnected to systems in Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Quebec and is part of the North American electricity grid's Eastern Interconnection. The Eastern Interconnection is a contiguous electricity transmission system that extends from Manitoba to Florida and from east of the Rocky Mountains to the North American east coast. Being part of the Eastern Interconnection provides benefits 8 a a Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 360 of414 to Ontario, such as greater security and stability for Ontario's transmission system, emergency support when there are generation constraints or shortages in Ontario, and the ability to exchange electricity with other jurisdictions. Distribution Distributors own and operate distribution systems that deliver electricity over power lines at voltages of 50kV or less to end users. In Ontario, as at December 31, 2015,71local distribution companies provided electricity to approximately five million customers. During 2016, Hydro One completed integration of two local distribution companies. The distribution industry in Ontario is fragmented, with the l5 largest local distribution companies accounting for approximately 78oh of the province's customers. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Hydro One Inc., Hydro One owns the largest local distribution company in Ontario, which serues over 1.3 million, predominantly rural customers, or approximately 26oh of the total number of customers in Ontario. A local distribution company is responsible for distributing electricity to customers in its OEB-licensed service territory, and in some cases to other distributors. A service territory may cover large portions or all of a particular municipality, or an otherwise-defined geographic area. Distribution customers include homes, commercial and industrial businesses and institutions such as governments, schools and hospitals. Legislative Provisions Specific to Hydro One In addition to legislation in Ontario that impacts all transmitters and distributors, there is legislation that is specific to Hydro One. Specifically, the Electricity Act requires Hydro One's head office and principal grid control centre to be maintained in Ontario, restricts the disposition of substantially all of its OEB- regulated transmission or distribution business, prohibits any change to its jurisdiction of incorporation, requires the Company to have an ombudsman, contains a 10o/o ownership restriction with respect to Voting Securities and restricts the Province from selling Voting Securities if it would own less than 40%o of the Voting Securities of any class or series as a result of the sale. Ombudsman The Electricity Act requires the Company to have an ombudsman to act as a liaison with customers and to establish procedures for the ombudsman to inquire into and report to the Board on matters raised with the ombudsman by or on behalf of customers. See "General Development of the Business - Customer Focus - Ombudsman" for more information. 1 0t% Ownership Restriction The Electricity Act imposes share ownership restrictions on the Voting Securities. These restrictions provide that no person or company (or combination of persons or companies acting jointly or in concert) may beneficially own or exercise control or direction over more than lOYo of any class or series of Voting Securities, including common shares of the Company (the "Share Ownership Restrictions"). The Share Ownership Restrictions do not apply to Voting Securities held by the Province, nor to an underwriter who holds Voting Securities solely for the purpose of distributing those securities to purchasers who comply with the Share Ownership Restrictions. The articles of Hydro One Limited provide for comprehensive enforcement mechanisms that are applicable in the event of a contravention of the Share Ownership Restrictions. 9 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 361 of 414 Maintenance of 40% Ownership As of December 31, 2016,the Province owned approximately 70.1% of Hydro One Limited's common shares. The Province has indicated that it intends to sell further common shares over time, until it holds approximately 40% of Hydro One Limited. See the Annual MD&A under the heading "Risk Management and Risk Factors" for more information. The Electricity Act restricts the Province from selling Voting Securities (including common shares of Hydro One Limited) if it would own less than 40o/o of the outstanding number of Voting Securities of that class or series after the sale. If as a result of the issuance of additional Voting Securities by Hydro One Limited, the Province owns less than40%o of the outstanding number of Voting Securities of any class or series, the Province must, subject to the approval ofthe Lieutenant Governor in Council and the necessary appropriations from the Legislature, take steps to acquire as many Voting Securities of that class or series as are necessary to increase the Province's ownership to not less lhan 40o/o of the outstanding number of Voting Securities of that class or series. The manner in which, and the time by which, the Province must acquire these additional Voting Securities will be determined by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The Province has been granted pre-emptive rights by Hydro One Limited to assist it in meeting its ownership requirements under the Electricity Act as described under "Agreements with Principal Shareholder - Governance Agreement - Other Matters - Pre-emptive Rights". Elimination of Certain Legislation With Respect to Hydro One ln2015, priorto completion of the initial public offering of Hydro One Limited, Hydro One Inc. and its subsidiaries ceased to be subject to a number of Ontario statutes that apply to entities owned by the Province. Hydro One Limited is similarly not subject to those statutes. In making the transition, the Auditor General of Ontario, the Financial Accountability Officer, the Information and Privacy Commissioner and the Provincial Ombudsman continued to exercise certain of their powers with respect to the Company in certain limited circumstances until December 4,2015. The Information and Privacy Commissioner could also continue to issue certain orders with respect to the Company until June 4, 2016. The Company is required under the Financial Administration Act (Ontario) and the Auditor General Act (Ontario) to provide financial information to the Province for the Province's public reporting purposes. Recent Legislative Amendments Affecting the Electricity Industry Generally Tax Incentives Tax incentives were included in the 2015 Ontario Budget to promote consolidation in the electricity distribution sector. The 2015 Ontario Budget announced a reduction in the tax rate for transfers of electricity assets from 33o/o to 22%o and to NIL for distributors with fewer than 30,000 customers. In addition, the budget also introduced a capital gains exemption where capital gains arise as a result from exiting the payments in lieu of corporate taxes regime. These changes apply for the period beginning January 1,2016, and ending December 31,2018. Ontario Rebatefor Electricity Consumers Act, 2016 The Ontario Rebate for Electricity Consumers program commenced on January 1,201'1 . This program provides financial assistance to residential, farm, small business and other eligible consumers in respect of electricity costs equal to a rebate of eight percent (8%) of the base invoice amount for each billing period. This rebate appears as a line item on eligible consumers' electricity bills. Appendix 6 to Joint Application t0 Page 362 of 414 Energt Statute Low Amendment Act, 2016 The Energ,, Statute Law Amendment Act, 2016 came into force on January 1,2017. This Act affects the transmission and distribution sector of the electricity industry in Ontario, amending various sections of the Ontario Energy Board Ac| the Electricity Act and the Green Energt Act, 2009 (Ontario). The Energy Statute Low Amendment Act, 2016 amended the Electricity Act to require the Minister of Energy to produce long-term energy plans that may require the OEB and the IESO to issue implementation plans to achieve the objectives of those plans and the OEB would be guided by such plans' objectives in exercising its powers and performing its duties. The plans may require the IESO to enter into contracts to procure or develop, among other things, transmission systems or any part of such systems. Once the IESO has commenced the procurement process, the OEB is prohibited from granting leave to construct except where the applicant is the party with whom the IESO has entered into a contract for the development or construction of the transmission project. The Energt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2016 also prohibits new feed-in tariff programs, but grandfathers existing ones. Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act,2016 Pursuant to the Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act, 2016, the Province introduced a cap and trade program in Ontario beginning January 1,2017. The program caps the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that Ontario homes and businesses are allowed to emit, and lowers that limit over time. Hydro One Networks Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydro One Limited, is deemed a mandatory participant in the cap and trade program based on its annual carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. As required, Hydro One Networks Inc. registered under the program in November 2016, and will comply with its requirements. Bill 27 - Burden Reduction Act,2016 Bill 27 was introduced into the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in September 2016 and received Royal Assent on March 22,2017. This is an omnibus bill amending various statutes, including the Ontario Energy Board Act and the Electricity Act. Bill 27, among other things, amends the Ontario Energy Board Act in a number of ways related to deferral and variance account review and oversight and review of transactions between transmitters and distributors and electricity generators. Bill 95 - An Act to amend the Ontario Energt Board Act, 1998 Bill 95 was introduced into the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and received Royal Assent on February 22,2017. Bill 95 impacts a distributor's ability to disconnect customers by broadening the power of the OEB to prescribe, as a condition of a distributor's licence, periods during which disconnections of low- volume consumers may not take place. At the end of February 2017, the OEB issued a decision and order amending the licenses of all Ontario electricity distributors prohibiting the disconnection of residential customers by reason of non-payment for the balance of the 2017 winter period. See "General Development of the Business - Customer Focus - Winter Moratorium and Winter Relief Program" for more information. Appendix 6 to Joint Application il Page 363 of4l4 RATE-REGULATED UTILITIES Rate Applications in Ontario Framework The term "rate-regulated" is used to refer to an electricity business whose rates for transmission, distribution or other services are subject to approval by a regulator. The rate base of a rate-regulated utility refers to the net book value of the utility's assets for regulatory purposes. Rate base differs from a utility's total assets for accounting purposes, primarily because it includes the regulated assets of a utility. The OEB is the regulator that approves electricity transmission and distribution rates in Ontario. Transmission rates have historically been determined based on a cost-of-service model, while distribution rates are generally determined using a performance-based model. These models are reviewed and modified by the OEB from time to time. In February 2016, the OEB updated the filing requirements for electricify transmission applications and introduced new revenue requirement setting options. The requirements changed the framework for setting a transmitter's revenue requirement from a cost-of-service approach to a performance-based approach similar to that outlined in the RRF for electricity distributors. To facilitate the transition to the new framework, existing transmitters may still apply for revenue requirement approval based on a one or two year cost-of-service application for their first application following the issuance of the new filing requirements. In a cost-of-service model, a utility charges rates for its services that allow it to recover the costs of providing its services and earn an allowed return on equity. A utility's retum on equiry or "ROE" is the rate of return that a regulator allows the utility to eam on the equity portion of the utility's rate base. The costs of providing its services must be prudently incurred. Cost savings are typically passed on to customers in the form of lower rates reflected in future rate decisions. In a cost-of-service model, the utility has the potential to retain cost savings that are achieved in the intervening years between rate decisions. Cost of Service ($)+Return on Equity ($)Revenue Requirement ($) In a performance-based model, a utility also charges rates for its services that allow it to recover the costs of providing its services and earn an allowed return on equity. However, the rates charged by the utility in a performance-based model assume that the utility becomes increasingly efficient over time, resulting in lower costs to provide the same service. If a utility achieves cost savings in excess of those established by the regulator, the utility may retain some or all of the benefits of those cost savings, which may permit the utility to earn more than its allowed return on equity. Incorporation and Offi ce Hydro One Limited was incorporated on August 31,2015, under the OBCA. Its registered office and head office is located at 483 Bay Street, 8th Floor, South Tower, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2P5. On October 30, 2015, the articles of Hydro One Limited were amended to authorize the creation of an unlimited number of Series I preferred shares and an unlimited number of Series 2 preferred shares, with the Series I preferred shares to be issued to the Province. Appendix 6 to Joint Application l2 Page 364 of 414 CORPORATE STRUCTURE On October 31,2015, allof the issued and outstanding shares of Hydro One Inc. were acquired by Hydro One Limited from the Province in exchange for the issuance to the Province of common shares and Series I preferred shares of Hydro One Limited. On November 4,2075, the arlicles of Hydro One Limited were amended to authorize the consolidation of its outstanding common shares such that 595,000,000 common shares of Hydro One Limited were issued and outstanding. Corporate Structure and Subsidiaries The following is a simplified chart showing the organizational structure of Hydro One and the name and jurisdiction of incorporation of certain of its subsidiaries. This chart does not include all legal entities within Hydro One's organizational structure. Hydro One Limited owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of the voting securities of all of the subsidiaries listed below. ('unrttrrxt slurrur anl S+virs I prr'frrttd ;hlr*r ("trntr*on sh;trci Puhhi l)r'ht I (nr",,I {rU"{rl' I i 3:1",,lt 1",, Rett* RrLulrltrl llusirrrssrs \0n_Rllt(-Rc,;ulxtcrl llurintsxr Notes: (l)As of Decernber 31, 2016, the Province directly owned approximately 70.1%o of Hydro One Limited's outstanding common shares and 100% ofthe outstanding Series I preferred shares. Indirectly held through a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydro One Limited that acts as a holding company for Hydro One's non-rate-regulated businesses. (2) Certain of Hydro One's subsidiaries are described below a Hydro One Inc. - acts as a holding company for Hydro One's rate-regulated businesses. Its publicly-issued debt continues to be outstanding. t3 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 365 of 414 Pnryincc'r'l'ubbc Shurultr.rltlcrs llydru Llnt'Lirurtt.d {C}nurrirr) I lydnr Onc Inc (Ontlrio) llr,tlro Ons Rr:nxrlr t'onrnrunitics lns, IOltturiul H1'drr,r ()nc Nclstrtks lne (Llntrriol lll'tlnr ()nc 'lcL'com lnr. tOrttnrio) Hydro One Networks Inc. - the principal operating subsidiary that carries on Hydro One's rate- regulated transmission and distribution businesses. Hydro One Remote Communities Inc. - generates and supplies electricity to remote communities in northem Ontario. a Hydro One Telecom Inc. - carries on Hydro One's non-rate-regulated telecommunications business. GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS The following key events occurred in 2015,2016 and early 2017 in respect of Hydro One. Incorporation and Initial Public Offering On August 31,2015, Hydro One Limited was incorporated by the Province as its sole shareholder. On November 5,2015, Hydro One Limited completed its initial public offering on the TSX by way of a secondary offering of 81,100,000 common shares by the Province at a price of $20.50 per share for aggregate gross proceeds to the Province of $1,662,550,000. On November 12,2015, the underwriters in the initial public offering exercised their option to purchase an additional 8,150,000 common shares from the Province at a price of 520.50 per share for additional aggregate gross proceeds to the Province of S167,075,000. Hydro One Limited did not receive any proceeds from the initial public offering. Acquisition of Hydro One Inc. Prior to the closing of the initial public offering, all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Hydro One Inc. were acquired by Hydro One Limited. Under applicable Canadian securities laws, the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Hydro One Inc. was considered a "significant acquisition". Hydro One Limited filed a business acquisition report in respect of the acquisition on January 14,2016. See "Business of Hydro One - Reorganizations" for more information. Hydro One Brampton Networks Inc. On August 31,2015, all of the issued and outstanding shares of Hydro One Brampton Networks Inc. were transferred to the Province. Hydro One was not a participant in nor did it receive any proceeds from the transfer of Hydro One Brampton Networks Inc. to the Province. Following the transfer to the Province, Hydro One provided certain management, administrative and smart meter network services to Hydro One Brampton Networks Inc. pursuant to service level agreements. These agreements terminated as of February 28,2017 . Secondary Common Share Offering On April 14,2016, the Province completed a secondary offering of 72,434,800 common shares of Hydro One Limited at a price of $23.65 per share for aggregate gross proceeds to the Province of $1,713,083,020. On April29,2016,the underwriters in the secondary offering exercised their option to purchase an additional 10,865,200 common shares from the Province at a price of $23.65 per share for additional aggregate gross proceeds to the Province of $256,961,980. Following the completion of the transaction, the Province held approximately 70.1% of total issued and outstanding common shares. Hydro One Limited did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common shares by the Province. a a Appendix 6 to Joint Application 14 Page 366 of 414 First Nations and Hydro One Limited Shares In July 2016, the Province and First Nations in Ontario, as represented by the Chiefs-in-Assembly, announced an agreement-in-principle for the Province to sell to First Nations up to approximately l5 million shares of Hydro One Limited, depending on the level of First Nation participation. All First Nations have been invited to participate. A minimum threshold of 80% First Nation participation by the end of 2017 is required for this transaction to close. Hydro One Limited is not a party to this transaction. Agreement to Acquire Orillia Power In August 2016, the Company reached an agreement to acquire Orillia Power, an electricity distribution company located in Simcoe County, Ontario, for approximately $41 million, including the assumption of approximately $ I 5 million in outstanding indebtedness and regulatory liabilities, subject to closing adjustments. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval by the OEB. Acquisition of Great Lakes Power On October 31,2016, following receipt of regulatory approvalof the transaction by the OEB, Hydro One completed the acquisition of Great Lakes Power, an Ontario regulated electricity transmission business operating along the eastern shore of Lake Superior, norlh and east of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The total purchase price for Great Lakes Power was approximately $376 million, including the assumption of approximately $150 million in outstanding indebtedness. On January 16,2017, Great Lakes Power's name was changed to Hydro One Sault Ste. Marie LP. Integration of Haldimand Hydro and Woodstock Hydro In 2015, the Company acquired Haldimand Hydro and Woodstock Hydro, two Ontario-based local distribution companies. In September 2016, the Company successfully completed the integration of both entities, including the integration of employees, customer and billing information, business processes, and operations. Acquisitions Generally The Company intends to continue to evaluate local distribution company consolidation opportunities in Ontario and intends to pursue those acquisitions which deliver value to the Company and its shareholders. Over time, the Company may also consider larger-scale acquisition opportunities or other strategic initiatives outside of Ontario to diversifo its asset base and leverage its strong operational expertise. These acquisition opportunities may include other providers of electrical transmission, distribution and other similar services in Canada and in the United States. Customer Focus Hydro One is transitioning into a corporation which is more commercially oriented; that is, one that has a greater focus on customers, greater corporate accountability for performance outcomes, and company- wide increase in productivity and efficiency. Customer Service Hydro One is committed to delivering significant value to customers by becoming easier to do business with, being available when customers need assistance, and always staying connected. This includes specific, measurable commitments to customers that encompass all areas of service. Hydro One's billing system is stable and outperforming its previous system in terms of timeliness, accuracy and reliability. In 2017, the Company intends to launch a new corporate website, improve its self-service portal, and introduce a newly designed customer bill. Additionally, the Company is committed to increasing the Appendix 6 to Joint Application l5 Page367 of4l4 availability of customer service at the local level, and increasing face to face customer engagement. Review of Operations Hydro One has been focused on the identification of opportunities for improved corporate performance and the development of strategies to drive more efficient, cost-effective operations. Hydro One conducts regular reviews of key corporate activities and programs, covering areas such as construction services and project management practices, asset deployment and controls, information technology and cybersecurity, vegetation management practices, fleet services and utilization, supply chain management and business continuity planning. Operational improvements in capital planning and execution have already been observed, and improvements have been made to work execution process. The OEB's rate decisions also contain directions to Hydro One to become more cost efficient and improve value to customers. ll'inter Moratorium and ll/inter Relief Program Hydro One has an existing policy (the winter disconnection moratorium) that from December I to March 3l it will not disconnect residential customers whose accounts are in arrears. In 2016, Hydro One instituted its winter disconnection moratorium as of November 25. Hydro One announced its new Winter Relief Program in December 2016, as an extension of its existing winter disconnection moratorium. This new initiative is intended to help residential customers facing extreme hardship and who have had their electricity service disconnected by reaching out to these customers directly to help re-connect their electricity service for the remainder of the winter. As part of the program, Hydro One will waive reconnection fees and also work with customers to determine payment options to bring their accounts up-to-date and to evaluate various support programs in which certain customers may be eligible to participate. Ontario Rebate for E lectricity Consumers Program See "The Electricity Industry in Ontario - Recent Legislative Amendments Affecting the Electricity Industry Generally - Ontario Rebate for Electricity Consumers Act, 2016" for infornation on the Ontario Rebate for Electricity Consumers program. Ombudsman The Electricity Act requires that the Company have an ombudsman to act as a liaison with customers and to establish procedures for the ombudsman to inquire into and report to the Board on matters raised with the ombudsman by or on behalf of customers. These procedures are set out in a written mandate and terms of reference. The role of the ombudsman is to facilitate resolution of complaints by customers of the Company that remain unresolved after having been processed through the Company's complaints handling process. The ombudsman is an impartial and independent investigator, who makes recommendations to facilitate the resolution of both individual and systemic issues with a view to achieving a resolution that is fair to both the customer and the Company. The main purposes of the ombudsman are to address procedural and substantive unfairness, handle unresolved complaints, conduct systemic reviews that will lead to improvements in programs and systems, support the Company in holding its employees accountable for carrying out the Company's directives and their responsibilities, and support the Board in its mandate to govern in a just, fair, and equitable manner. The ombudsman also works with the OEB to maintain integrated procedures for liaising with the Company and inquiring into matters raised by customers with the ombudsman. The ombudsman is an office of last resort within the Company. 16 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 368 of 414 BUSINESS OF HYDRO ONE Business Segments Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Hydro One Inc., Hydro One is Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution utility with approximately $25.3 billion in assets and 2016 revenues of over 56.5 billion. Hydro One owns and operates substantially all of Ontario's electricity transmission network and is the largest electricity distributor in Ontario by number of customers. The Company's regulated transmission and distribution operations are owned by Hydro One Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydro One Limited. Hydro One delivers electricity safely and reliably to over 1.3 million customers across the province of Ontario, and to large industrial customers and municipal utilities. Hydro One Inc. owns and operates over 30,000 circuit kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines and approximately 123,000 circuit kilometres of primary low-voltage distribution lines. Hydro One has three business segments: (i) transmission; (ii) distribution; and (iii) other business. Each of the three segments is described below. Hydro One's transmission and distribution businesses are both operated primarily through Hydro One Networks Inc. This allows both businesses to utilize common operating platforms, technology, work processes, equipment and field staff and thereby take advantage of operating efficiencies and synergies. For regulatory purposes, Hydro One Networks Inc. files separate rate applications with the OEB for each of its licensed transmission and distribution businesses. Transmission Business Overview Hydro One's transmission business consists of owning, operating and maintaining Hydro One's transmission system, which accounts for approximately 98% of Ontario's transmission capacity based on revenue approved by the OEB. All of the Company's transmission business is carried out by its wholly- owned subsidiary Hydro One Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary Hydro One Networks Inc. and through other wholly-owned subsidiaries of Hydro One Inc. that own and control Great Lakes Power (now Hydro One Sault Ste. Marie LP), as well as through the Company's 660/o interest in B2M Limited Partnership. B2M Limited Partnership is a limited partnership between Hydro One and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which owns the transmission line assets relating to two circuits between Bruce TS and Milton TS. Hydro One's transmission business represented approximately 5l% of its total assets as at December 31,2016, and accounted for approximately 51o/o of its total revenue in 2016, net of purchased power and 50Yo of its total revenue in 2015 , net of purchased power. The Company's transmission business is one of the largest in North America and is a rate-regulated business that earns revenues mainly from charging transmission rates that are subject to approval by the OEB. In February 2016,the OEB updated the filing requirements for electricity transmission applications and introduced new revenue requirement setting options. During the transition period from the cost-of- service model to the performance-based model, the Company's transmission rates are determined based on a cost-of-service model. Transmission rates are collected by the IESO and are remitted by the IESO to Hydro One on a monthly basis, which means that Hydro One's transmission business has no direct exposure to end-customer counterparfy risk. Transmission rates are based on monthly peak electricity demand across Hydro One's transmission network. This gives rise to seasonal variations in Hydro One's transmission revenues, which are generally higher in the summer and winter due to increased demand, and lower during other periods of reduced demand. Hydro One's transmission revenues also include revenues associated with exporting energy to markets outside of Ontario. Ancillary revenue includes revenues from providing maintenance services to generators and from third party land use. 17 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 369 of 414 Business The Company's transmission system serves substantially all of Ontario, with the exception of the James Bay and Fort Erie areas, and transpofted approximately 137 TWh of energy throughout the province in 2016. Hydro One's transmission customers consist of 44 local distribution companies (including Hydro One's own distribution business) and 87 large industrial customers connected directly to the transmission network, including automotive, manufacturing, chemical and natural resources businesses. Electricity delivered over the Company's transmission network is supplied by 126 generators in Ontario and electricity impofted into the province through interties. Interties are transmission interconnections between neighbouring electric systems that allow power to be imported and exported. The high voltage power lines in Hydro One's transmission network are categorized as either lines which form part of the "bulk electricity system" or "area supply lines". Power lines which form part of the bulk electricity system typically connect major generation facilities with transmission stations and often cover long distances, while area supply lines serve a local region. Ontario's transmission system is connected to the transmission systems of Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Quebec through the use of interties, allowing for the import and export of electricity to and from Ontario. Hydro One's transmission assets were approximately $13 billion as at December 31, 2016 and include transmission stations, transmission lines, a control centre and telecommunications facilities. Hydro One has approximately 306 in-service transmission stations and over 30,000 circuit kilometres of high voltage lines whose major components include cables, conductors and wood or steel suppoft structures. All of these lines are overhead power lines except for approximately 277 circuit kilometres of underground cables located in certain urban areas. B2M Limited Partnership is Hydro One's parlnership with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation with respect to the Bruce-to-Milton transmission line. B2M Limited Partnership owns the transmission line assets relating to two circuits between Bruce TS and Milton TS, while Hydro One owns the transmission stations where the lines terminate. Hydro One maintains and operates the Bruce-to-Milton line. Hydro One has a66Yo economic interest in the partnership. Hydro One's transmission network is managed from a central location. This centre monitors and controls the Company's entire transmission network, and has the capability to remotely monitor and operate transmission equipment, respond to alarms and contingencies and restore and reroute interrupted power. There is also a backup facility which would be staffed in the event of an evacuation of the centre. Hydro One uses telecommunications systems for the protection and operation of its transmission and distribution networks. These systems are subject to very stringent reliability and security requirements, which help the Company meet its reliability obligations and facilitate the restoration of power following service interruptions. On October 31,2016, following receipt of regulatory approval of the transaction by the OEB, Hydro One completed the acquisition of Great Lakes Power, an Ontario regulated electricity transmission business operating along the eastem shore of Lake Superior, north and east of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The total purchase price for Great Lakes Power was approximately $376 million, including the assumption of approximately $150 million in outstanding indebtedness. On January 16,2017,Great Lakes Power's name was changed to Hydro One Sault Ste. Marie LP. See "General Development of the Business - Acquisitions Generally" for more information. Appendix 6 to Joint Application t8 Page 370 of 414 Regulation Transm ission Rate Setting As discussed under "Rate-Regulated Utilities", transmission rate setting in Ontario has changed. The OEB has created two new revenue plan options: the Custom Incentive Rate Setting Plan (the "Custom IR Method") and the Incentive Index Rate Setting Plan (the "Revenue Cap Index"). Transmitters may still apply for revenue requirement approval based on a one or two year cost-of-service application for their first application following the issuance of the filing requirements, as the OEB has recognized that a transition period may be needed. Under the Custom IR Method, the revenue requirement is adjusted though the rate term to reflect forecasts, the OEB's inflation analysis, and internal and extemal benchmarking evidence. Under the Revenue Cap Index the first year's revenue requirement reflects the transmitter's cost of service, and annually thereafter, this amount is subject to a formulaic increase reflecting productivity and stretch commitments proposed by the transmifter. Revenue Cap Index applicants can request incremental capital funding. The OEB sets transmission rates based on a two-step process. First, all transmitters apply to the OEB for the approval of their revenue requirements. Second, the OEB aggregates the total revenue requirements of all transmitters in Ontario and applies a formula to arrive at a single set of rates that are charged to ratepayers for the three types of transmission services applicable in Ontario, namely: network services, line connection services and transformation connection services. The three separate rates charged for these services are the same for all transmitters and are referred to as "uniform transmission rates". Uniform transmission rates for all transmitters are set by the OEB on an annual basis, using the revenue requirements set out in the most recent rate decision issued for each transmitter. The updated filing requirements for transmitters mandate that steps be made towards the integration of core RRF concepts into revenue requirement applications. Transmitters applying for revenue requirements under the Custom IR Method or Revenue Cap Index must include (i) evidence of the continuous improvement and efficiency gains anticipated to be achieved over the rate term; (ii) a mechanism to protect ratepayers in the event of eamings significantly in excess of the regulatory net income supported by the return on equity established in the approved revenue requirement; and (iii) proposed performance metrics applicable to their individual circumstances. A key component of rate- setting under the RRF is benchmarking evidence to support cost forecasts and system planning proposals. A transmitter must apply for the approval of its revenue requirement for an initial base year covered by the rate decision. The revenue requirement for subsequent years is determined based on a formula that accounts for inflation and certain productivity factors set by the regulator. The revenue requirement in these subsequent years is set on the assumption that the transmitter is lowering its cost of service over the period covered by the rate decision due to efficiency or productivity improvements. A transmitter is permitted to retain all or a portion of the cost savings achieved in excess of the estimate established by the regulator during the period covered by the rate decision. Recent Transmission Rate Applications Hydro One Networks Inc., B2M Limited Partnership and Great Lakes Power (now Hydro One Sault Ste. Marie LP) file separate applications for the approval of their revenue requirements for transmission services. In January2015, the OEB approved Hydro One Networks Inc.'s 2015 transmission rate order for transmission services, which provided for a revenue requirement of S1 ,47'7 million for 2015 and $l,5l6million for 2016 (excluding B2M Limited Partnership). These revenue requirements reflect an l9 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 371 of 414 approved rate base of 59,651 million, return on equity of 9.30% and deemed capital structure of 60% debt and 40Yo equity. In January 2016,the OEB issued its decision and order on 2016 transmission revenue requirement for Hydro One Networks Inc. approving a revenue requirement of approximately $1,480 million based on an approved rate base of $ 10,040 million and a return on equity of 9.19%o. In May 2016, Hydro One Networks Inc. filed a transmission rate application with the OEB for its 2017- 2018 revenue requirements on a cost of service basis, electing to take advantage of the transition period available to transmitters before the OEB requires transmitters to choose between the two incentive-based revenue plan options. In its application, Hydro One Nefworks Inc. requested the OEB's approval of rates revenue requirements of S1,505 million for 2017 and $1,586 million for 2018. These rates revenue requirements reflect the requested rate base of $10,554 million for 2017 and $11,226 rnillion for 2018, and reflect an allowed ROE of 9.19o/ofor eachyear. In December 2016, pursuant to the OEB's publication of its cost of capital parameters for2017 rateyear, Hydro One Networks Inc. updated its transmission rate application to reflect the change. The revised rates revenue requirement for 2017 is $1,487 million and $1,558 million for 2018. Furthermore, the cost of capital update reflects ROE, short-term and long-term debt cost updates. As a result, the ROE in the application has been updated to 8.78%o for 201 7 and the same rate is being a placeholder for 201 8. In preparing its application, Hydro One Networks Inc. carried out customer engagement and incorporated the feedback into its application. As part of the transmission rate application, Hydro One Networks Inc. also filed its proposed five-year transmission system capital plan. In March 2015,82M Limited Paftnership filed an application for revenue requirements covering the 2015 to 2019 period. B2M Limited Partnership requested revenue requirements of $39million for 2015, $36 million for 2016, $37 million for 2017, 538 million for 2018 and $37 million for 2019. In January 2016,the B2M Limited Partnership revenue requirement was approved. In December 2016, B2M Limited Partnership filed a draft rate order with a revised 2017 revenue requirement of $34 million. See also the Annual MD&A under the subheading "Regulation - B2M LP". In December 2016, Great Lakes Power filed an application with the OEB for 2017 rates, requesting an increase to the approved 2016 revenue requirement of l.9o/o, resulting in an updated revenue requirement of $41 million. Reliabilitv Standards for Transmission The Company's transmission business is required to comply with various rules and standards for transmission reliability, including mandatory standards established by the NERC and the NPCC, both of which are industry organizations involved in promoting and improving the reliability of transmission networks in North America. These reliability standards are enforced by both the IESO and the National Energy Board. Among its standards, the NERC has also established and continues to issue revised requirements to ensure that utilities and other users, owners and operators of the bulk electricity system in North America have appropriate procedures in place to protect critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks. Hydro One's physical, electronic and information security processes have been and are being upgraded to meet these revised requirements. Hydro One expects to continue to perform additional work and incur further costs to comply with the NERC's updated and revised standards. Hydro One anticipates that these costs will be incurred annually over a number of years and will be recovered in rates. See the Annual MD&A under the subheadings "Risk Management and Risk Factors - Compliance with Laws and Regulations; - Risk Associated with Information Technology Infrastructure and Data Security; - Risks Relating to Asset Condition and Capital Projects" for more information. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 20 Page 372 of 414 Regional Planning The OEB oversees regional planning processes to ensure that transmission and distribution investments are coordinated at a regional level. The OEB has indicated it will rely on regional planning studies and reports to support rate applications submitted by transmitters and distributors and "leave to construct" applications submitted by transmitters. In Ontario, the regional planning process is led by the transmitter responsible for a particular geographic region. Forthis purpose, the province is divided into 2l regions. As the largest transmitter in Ontario, Hydro One plays a key role in the regional planning process and is responsible for leading the regional planning process in 20 ofthe 2 I designated regions. The first cycle of the regional planning process for all of the 21 regions is expected to be completed in 2017. Once a transmission and distribution infrastructure plan is finalized, the transmitter responsible for each region will take steps to implement the recommended transmission investments and distributors in the region will implement the recommended distribution investments in their respective service territories. In conducting regional planning, Hydro One works closely with the IESO and all distributors in the region to jointly identiff needs and develop transmission and distribution investment options. Hydro One also coordinates with the IESO on its Integrated Regional Resource Planning process. Capital Expenditures The Company anticipates that it will spend approximately $ 1,086 million to $ I ,486 million per year, over the next five years, on capital expenditures relating to its transmission business. The Company's capital expenditure plans are included in Hydro One's applications to the OEB for transmission rates. See "Capital Investments - Future Capital Investments" in the Annual MD&A for more information on future capital expenditures. The Company incurs both sustaining capital expenditures and development capital expenditures. Sustaining capital expenditures are those investments required to replace or refurbish lines or station components to ensure that transmission assets continue to function as originally designed. Hydro One's plans to maintain, refurbish or replace existing assets are based upon risk assessments, asset condition assessments and end-of-service life criteria specific to each type of asset. Priorities are assigned to each type of investment based upon the extent of the risks that it mitigates. Investments to sustain Hydro One's transmission assets are critical to maintain the safety, reliability and integrity of its existing transmission network. Hydro One's sustainment capital plan is designed to maintain Hydro One's transmission reliability performance, as determined by measures such as the average length (in minutes) of unplanned interruptions per delivery point. The Company expects that significant investments will be required in its existing infrastructure over the long term. The Company's development capital expenditure plan is designed to address Ontario's changing generation profile, accommodate load growth in areas throughout Ontario and support the expected change in generation mix. Development capital expenditures include those investments required to develop and build new large-scale projects such as new transmission lines and stations and smaller projects such as transmission line or station reinforcements, extensions or additions. The Company engages with various stakeholders, including its customers, as it develops its capital plans. It also engages affected communities and parties who may be impacted by individual projects. The Company also consults with First Nations and Mdtis communities whose rights may be affected by its projects. 21 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 373 of 414 Co mpetitive Condittons The Company's operations are currently limited to Ontario, where the Company operates and maintains substantially all of Ontario's transmission system. Competition for transmission services in Ontario is currently limited. The adoption by the OEB of uniform transmission rates that apply to all transmitters also reduces the financial incentive for customers to seek alternative transmission providers, since each transmitter in Ontario charges the same uniform rate for transmission services. Hydro One competes with other transmitters for the opportunity to build new large-scale transmission facilities in Ontario. Management believes that Hydro One is well-positioned to pursue the development of such facilities. However, the competitive process was amended by the proclamation of the Energt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2016 to allow for the selection of a transmitter outside the existing competitive process. See "The Electricity Industry in Ontario - Recent Legislative Amendments Affecting the Electricity Industry Generally- Energt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2016" for more information. Hydro One does not compete with other transmitters with respect to investments which are made to sustain or develop its existing transmission infrastructure. Distribution Business Overview Hydro One's distribution business consists of owning, operating and maintaining Hydro One's distribution system, which Hydro One, through Hydro One Inc., owns primarily through its wholly- owned subsidiary, Hydro One Networks Inc., the largest local distribution company in Ontario. The Company's distribution system is also the largest in Ontario. The Company's distribution business is a rate-regulated business that earns revenues mainly by charging distribution rates that are subject to approval by the OEB. The Company's distribution rates are generally determined using a performance- based model, except for the distribution rates of Hydro One Remote Communities Inc., which are set on a cost-recovery basis and do not include a return on equity. Hydro One's distribution business represented approximately 37% of its total assets as at December3l, 2016,and accounted for approximately 47o/o of its total revenue in2016, net of purchased power and48o/o of its total revenue in2015, net of purchased power. Hydro One's distribution business also includes the business of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hydro One Remote Communities Inc., which supplies electricity to customers in remote communities in northern Ontario. Distribution revenues include distribution rates approved by the OEB and amounts to reimburse Hydro One for the cost of purchasing electricity delivered to its distribution customers. Distribution revenues also include minor ancillary service revenues, such as fees related to the joint use of the Company's distribution poles by participants in the telecommunications and cable television industries, as well as miscellaneous charges such as charges for late payments. As at December 31, 2016, Hydro One's distribution assets were $9,337 million. Business Hydro One delivers electricity through its distribution network to over 1.3 million residential and business customers, most of whom are located in rural areas, as well as 53 local distribution companies (including Hydro One's own distribution business). Hydro One's distribution system includes approximately 123,000 circuit kilometres of primary low- voltage distribution lines and approximately 1,000 distribution and regulating stations. Other distribution assets include poles, transformers, service centres and equipment. Hydro One's distribution system services a predominantly rural territory. As a result of the lower 22 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 374 of 414 population density in the Company's service territory, the Company's costs to provide distribution seruices may be higher than those of distributors who service urban areas. Furlhermore, unlike the distribution systems found in urban areas, most of Hydro One's distribution system was not designed with redundancy, to be interconnected in loops with other distribution lines, with the result that interruptions experienced al any point along a distribution line in Hydro One's network can cause all customers downstream of the interruption point to lose power. Accordingly, the reliability of Hydro One's distribution system is lower than that of local distribution companies which service urban territories that typically have redundancy built into their systems. The Company engages in vegetation management activities to maintain the reliability of Hydro One's distribution system on a preventive basis and to protect public health and safety. This consists of the trimming or removal of trees to lower the risk of contact with distribution lines, thereby reducing the risk of power outages, and preventing potential injury to the public or employees. The Company's monitoring systems assist with determining areas of priority and with system restoration. The Company relies on its local line crews for these restoration activities. Hydro One's distribution business is involved in the connection of new sources of electricity generation, including renewable energy. Hydro One invests in upgrades and modifications to its distribution system to accommodate these new sources of generation and ensure the continued reliability of its distribution network. As at December 3 l, 2016, there were approximately 15,000 small, mid-size and large embedded generators connected to Hydro One's distribution network, including approximately 14,000 generators with capacities of up to l0 kW. As at December 31,2016, Hydro One also had approximately 1,500 generators pending connection. Hydro One has played a significant role in the installation of smart meters and the migration of distribution customers to time of use pricing in Ontario. Smart meters are regarded as an integral means of promoting a culture of conservation, and they allow customers to change their electricity consumption patterns and reduce their costs. Hydro One has completed all material activities associated with the implementation of smart meters, and has transitioned the vast majority of its customers to time of use pricing. Acquisitions Agreement to Acquire Orillia Power In August 2016,the Company reached an agreement to acquire Orillia Power, an electricity distribution company located in Simcoe County, Ontario, for approximately $41 million, including the assumption of approximately $ l5 million in outstanding indebtedness and regulatory liabilities, subject to closing adjustments. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval by the OEB. Integration of Haldimand Hydro and Woodstock Hydro ln 2015, the Company acquired Haldimand Hydro and Woodstock Hydro, two Ontario-based local distribution companies. In September 2016, the Company successfully completed the integration of both entities, including the integration of employees, customer and billing information, business processes, and operations. See "General Development of the Business - Acquisitions Generally" for more information. Regulation Distribution Rates Distribution rates in Ontario are determined using a performance-based model set out in the OEB's Renewed Regulatory Frameworkfor Electricity Distributors: A Performance-Based Approach, which is 23 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 375 of 414 sometimes referred to as the "RRF". Under the RRF, distributors in Ontario may choose one of three rate- setting methods, depending on their capital requirements: 4m Generation Incentive Rate-Setting (now known as Price Cap IR), Custom Incentive Rate-Setting, or Annual Incentive Rate-Setting Index. The RRF contemplates that a distributor will apply for the approval of its revenue requirement for an initial base year covered by the rate decision. The revenue requirement for subsequent years is determined based on a formula that accounts for inflation and certain productivity factors set by the regulator. The revenue requirement in these subsequent years is set on the assumption that the distributor is lowering its cost of service over the period covered by the rate decision due to efficiency or productivity improvements. The RRF allows the distributor to retain all or a portion of the cost savings achieved in excess of the estimate established by the regulator during the period covered by the rate decision. This allows the distributor an ability to earn more than its allowed return on equity. The RRF provides incentives for distributors to achieve certain performance outcomes, namely: customer focus, operational effectiveness, public policy responsiveness and financial performance. The OEB has indicated that customer focused outcomes and continuous performance improvements by distributors are central to the RRF framework objectives. The OEB has further indicated that distributors should develop plans that respond to customer service needs. A distributor must submit proposed performance measures as part of its application for distribution rates under the RRF. Distributors may also propose their own performance measures for approval by the OEB. In its most recent distribution application, Hydro One submitted eight additional quantitative measures relating to areas that will be the subject of increased spending levels over the next few years, such as pole replacements, distribution station refurbishments and vegetation management. Distributors are required to report to the OEB on their performance against the performance measures approved as part of their most recent rate decision. The OEB's review process under the RRF follows a process similar to that of a transmission rate application for the review ofthe anticipated cost ofservice for providing distribution services, other than as noted above. Once the revenue requirement for distribution services is determined, it is allocated across the distributor's customer rate classes using a methodology approved by the OEB resulting in the setting of individual rates for distribution services based on each customer rate class. Hydro One currently has l3 customer rate classes. Distribution rates in Ontario are not the same for all distributors and reflect the particular circumstances of each distributor, including its own costs of providing electricity service to its own particular customers. The OEB policy, A New Distribution Rate Design for Residential Electricity Customers, changes the current distribution rate design for residential customers (a combination of a fixed monthly rate and a variable charge) to a fixed monthly charge only. In December 2015, the OEB increased the transition period for certain customer classes of Hydro One Networks Inc. to eight years to mitigate bill impacts. Implementation will occur over the next three to seven years for Hydro One Networks Inc.'s residential customers. The OEB has also initiated a working group to consider possible changes to the design of rates for commercial industrial customers. Changes to rate design will not impact the rates revenue requirement to be collected for each customer class. Distribution Rate Applications The Company's distribution rates, other than the distribution rates of Hydro One Remote Communities Inc., are determined using a performance-based model. In March 2015, the OEB issued a decision regarding Hydro One Networks Inc.'s distribution rates for the three-year period from 2015 to2017, providing for a revenue requirement of S1,326 million for 2015, $1,430 million for 2016 and $1,486 million for 2017. The 2015 revenue requirement reflects an approved 24 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 376 of 414 rate base of $6,552 million, retum on equity of 9.300/, and a deemed capital structure of 600/o debt and 40Yo eqtity. The rates are effective as of January I in each year. On January 14,2016, the OEB issued its final decision and order approving Hydro One Networks Inc.'s draft rate order for 2016 rates. In December 2016, the OEB issued its decision and order approving Hydro One Networks Inc.'s distribution rates effective January 1,2017. The overall impact of this decision is a reduction of the proposed 2017 revenue requirement to approximately Sl,4l5 million from $1,486 million. The 2017 revenue requirement reflects an approved rate base of $7,190 million, return on equity of 8.78%oanda deemed capital structure of 60'/o debt and 40o/oequity. The overall impact of the new rates is a reduction in distribution delivery charges for most residential customers. In December 2016, the OEB approved increases to the rates charged in the service areas for the former Haldimand Hydro, Woodstock Hydro and Norfolk Hydro, effective January 2017. Hydro One Networks Inc. expects to file a distribution rate application for 2018 to 2022 in the first quafter of2017. Hydro One Remote Communities Inc.'s business is exempt from a number of sections of the Electricity Act which relate to the competitive market. For example, Hydro One Remote Communities Inc. continues to apply bundled rates to customers in remote communities. Hydro One Remote Communities Inc.'s business is operated on a break-even basis, without a return on equity included in rates. As a result, any net income or loss in the year related to the regulated operations of Hydro One Remote Communities Inc. is recorded in a regulatory variance account for inclusion in the calculation of future customer rates. For more information, see the Annual MD&A under the heading "Regulation". Conservation and Demand Management CDM requirements in Ontario require distributors to achieve specific energy savings targets by encouraging their customers to reduce their energy usage. Distributors seek to achieve these targets through a number of different initiatives, including by offering customers energy saving devices for use at home, cash rebates for the purchase of energy efficient light bulbs and other products. Incentive programs are also offered to small, medium, and large businesses, as well as industrial customers. Distributors are responsible for developing and submitting CDM plans and reporting on their progress towards achieving specific energy-savings targets. The IESO oversees compliance with CDM requirements in Ontario and also reimburses distributors for the costs of complying with CDM requirements. Hydro One expects that its costs of complying with CDM requirements will be fully reimbursed by the IESO. As a result, CDM- related costs that are reimbursed by the IESO are not included in Hydro One's rate applications to the OEB. Distributors in Ontario are collectively required to achieve a total of 7 TWh of electricity savings by December3l,2020, with each local distribution company being allocated individual energy-savings targets and budgets. Targets and budgets for CDM were allocated to distributors in October 20 14. Hydro One Networks Inc.'s 2015-2020 CDM energy savings target is 1,159 GWh and its CDM plan was approved by the IESO on July 8, 2015. In December 2016, Hydro One Networks Inc.'s 2015-2020 CDM energy savings target was revised to 1,221 GWh to reflect the integration of the CDM targets of Norfolk Power, Haldimand Hydro and Woodstock Hydro. In December 2016, Hydro One Networks Inc. also submitted a joint CDM plan with another local distribution company to the IESO for approval. The joint target for Hydro One Networks Inc. increased by 35 GWh to 1,256 GWh by 2020. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 25 Page 377 of 414 Capital Expenditures Hydro One's asset sustainment activities are based on an assessment of asset condition. Distribution asset renewals are undertaken when assessments indicate there is a high risk of failure and where further maintenance activities are not appropriate. Capital expenditures for the Company's distribution business in the near term are anticipated to focus on new load connections, storm damage, wood pole replacement, and system capability reinforcement. In addition, the Company expects to continue to construct new distribution lines and stations in the future in response to system growth forecasts, continued suburban community development, high load relief requirements and requirements to connect new sources of generation. The Company expects that it will spend approximately $647 million to S771 million per year over the next five years on capital expenditures relating to its distribution business. Hydro One is continuing to modernize its distribution system through the deployment of smart devices (including remotely controllable switches and breakers as well as faulted circuit indicators) as power system assets are renewed. Hydro One is also implementing a new Distribution Management System ("DMS") at its Ontario Grid Control Centre. The DMS will enable distribution components to be monitored and controlled, perform real-time analysis and determine, with greater precision, the location of equipment failures. Additional functionality is planned, in future, to allow field staff to view system conditions remotely in real-time. Smart metering data will also be used to deliver operational and asset management benefits such as better notification of outages and their scope, asset loading information and other data. For more information on future capital expenditures, see the Annual MD&A under the subheading "Capital Investments - Future Capital Investments". Co mpetitive Co nditions Hydro One's distribution service area is set out in its licence issued by the OEB. Only one distributor is permitted to provide distribution services in a service territory, and distributors have exclusive rights to provide service to new customers located within their service territory. As a result, there is very little direct competition for distribution services in Ontario, except near the borders of adjoining service territories, where a distributor may apply to the OEB to claim the right to serve new customers who are not currently connected to its distribution grid. In March 2016,the OEB directed all local distribution companies to eliminate load transfer arrangements by June 21 ,201'7. Load transfer affangements arise when a customer is within one distributor's service area but is served by a second distributor. The Company has load transfer arrangements with over 50 local distribution companies. Hydro One Networks Inc. has developed an implementation plan to eliminate load transfer arrangements. As a result, some of the Company's customers will be transferred to the adjacent local distribution companies and other customers will be added to the Company's customer base. To create more efficiency in the distribution sector, the Premier's Advisory Council on Government Assets endorsed the need for faster consolidation among local distribution companies in Ontario, which may result in competition for acquisition or merger opponunities. Potential acquirers may include strategic and financial buyers, in addition to other local distribution companies. Other Business Hydro One's other business segment consists of principally its telecommunications business, which provides telecommunications support for the Company's transmission and distribution businesses as well as certain corporate activities including a deferred tax asset. The telecommunication business is carried out by its wholly-owned subsidiary Hydro One Telecom Inc. It also offers communications and information technology solutions to organizations with broadband network requirements utilizing Hydro One Telecom Inc.'s fibre optic network to provide diverse, secure and highly reliable connectivity. 26 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 378 of 414 Hydro One Telecom Inc. is not regulated by the OEB. However, Hydro One Telecom Inc. is registered with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission as a non-dominant, facilities- based carrier, providing broadband telecommunications services in Ontario with connections to Montreal, Quebec, Buffalo, New York and Detroit, Michigan. The other business segment represented approximately 12o/o of Hydro One's total assets as at December 31,2016, and accounted for approximately 2o/o of its total revenue, net of purchased power in each of 2016 and 2015. The deferred tax asset arose on the transition from the provincialpayments in lieu of tax regime to the federal tax regime in connection with the Company's initial public offering and reflects the revaluation of the tax basis of Hydro One's assets to fair market value. First Nations and M6tis Communities Hydro One believes that building and maintaining respectful, positive and mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations and Mdtis communities across the province is important to achieving the Company's corporate objectives. Hydro One is committed to working with First Nations and M6tis communities in a spirit of cooperation, partnership and shared responsibility. Hydro One's equity partnership with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation in respect of the Bruce-to-Milton transmission line demonstrates the Company's commitment to these principles. In keeping with the Company's First Nations and Mdtis Relations Policy, Hydro One's First Nations and Mdtis Relations team provides guidance and advice to support the Company in developing and advancing positive relationships. Hydro One also has several programs related to First Nations and Mdtis communities and their citizens. These include educational and training opportunities which provide opportunities for work terms, First Nations and Mdtis procurement partnership agreements along with community investments, customer support and outreach. Together, Hydro One Networks Inc. and Hydro One Remote Communities Inc. serve approximately 90 First Nation communities. The Company's Health, Safety, Environment and First Nations & M6tis Committee of the Board is responsible for assisting the Board in discharging the Board's oversight of responsibilities relating to effective occupational health and safefy and environmental policies and practices at Hydro One, and its relationship with First Nations and M6tis communities. Outsourced Services To gain efficiencies and cost reductions, Hydro One has outsourced certain non-core functions, including facilities management services with respect to its stations and other facilities, and certain back-office services such as information technology, payroll, supply chain, call centre and accounting services. The Company's back-office services and call centre services are provided by a third party service provider under an agreement that expires on December3l,2019 for back-office services, and on February 28, 2018 for call centre services. The Company has an option to renew the agreement for two additional terms of approximately one year each. The Company's facilities management services are provided by a third party service provider under an agreement that expires on December3l ,2024 with an option for the Company to renew the agreement for an additional term of three years. Employees As at December 31,2016, Hydro One had approximately 5,500 regular employees and over 2,000 non- regular employees province-wide comprised of a mix of skilled trades, engineering, professional, managerial and executive personnel. Hydro One's regular employees are supplemented primarily by accessing a large external labour force available through arrangements with the Company's trade unions for variable workers, sometimes referred to as "hiring halls", and also by access to contract personnel. The hiring halls offer Hydro One the ability to access highly trained and appropriately skilled workers on a project-by-project basis. This provides the Company with more flexibility to address seasonal needs and unanticipated changes to its budgeted work programs. The Company also offers apprenticeship and 27 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 379 of 414 technical training programs to ensure that future staffing needs will continue to be met. For more information on employees, see the Annual MD&A under the heading "Hydro One Work Force". Health, Safety and Environmental Management Hydro One has an integrated Health, Safety and Environment Management System that includes key elements for the successful minimization of risk and continued performance improvements. Health, safety and environmentalhazards and risks are identified and assessed and controls are implemented to mitigate significant risks. The Company has policies in place regarding Health and Safety, Environment, Workplace Violence and Harassment and Public Safety. Hydro One Networks Inc. is a designated "Sustainable Electricity Company" by the Canadian Electricity Association. The brand demonstrates Hydro One's commitment to responsible environmental, social and economic practices, and to the principles of sustainable development. Given the nature of the work undertaken by Hydro One employees, health and safefy remains one of the Company's top priorities. The Company is committed to creating and maintaining a safe workplace which is one of Hydro One's stated core values, and maintaining safety through a concentrated focus on the elimination of serious incidents or "near-misses" which have the potential to cause serious injuries. The Company has developed and is continuing to develop a number of programs and initiatives for accident prevention and to minimize the risk of injury to the public associated with its facilities and operations. Measures are in place to monitor, on a regular basis, health, safety and environment performance using proactive and reactive measures and/or qualitative and quantitative measures. Since 2004,ihe evolution of Hydro One's recordable rate, its key health and safety perforrnance measure, has seen a reduction of approximately 85% in the number of recordable rate incidents. All measures are monitored by management and by the Health, Safety, Environment and First Nations & Mdtis Committee. Management compensation has been tied, in part, to success in achieving annual health and safety performance targets. A program allowing for an effective early and safe return to work has allowed the Company to ensure that, when injuries occur, employees recover and retum to the workplace as soon as possible. ln 2016, Hydro One continued with its "Journey to Zero" safety initiative that began in 2009. This initiative compares Hydro One to other companies to identi! performance gaps. Safety perception assessments were completed in 2009,2013 and 2015. The assessment identified opportunities for improvement and forms the development of new health and safety initiatives using cross-functional teams from across the province. Environmental Regulation Hydro One is subject to extensive federal, provincial and municipal regulation relating to the protection of the environment that govems, among other things, environmental assessments, discharges to water and land and the generation, storage, transportation, disposal and release of various hazardous substances. Estimated environmental liabilities are reviewed annually or more frequently if significant changes in regulation or other relevant factors occur. Estimated changes are accounted for prospectively. Permits and Approvals The Company is required to obtain and maintain specified permits and approvals from federal, provincial and municipal authorities relating to the design, construction and operation of new and upgraded transmission and distribution facilities. Examples include environmental assessment approvals, permits for facilities to be located in parks or other regulated areas, water crossing permits, and approvals to discharge to air and water. Some projects may require environmental approvals from the federal 28 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 380 of 414 government. Interconnections with neighbouring utilities in other provinces and states also require federal approval and will be subject to federal regulatory review. In general, larger projects are subject to an individual environmental assessment process, pursuant to the Environmental Assessment Act (Ontario). The majority of approvals fall under a class environmental assessment process which provides for more streamlined approvals. The scope, timing and cost of environmental assessments are dependent on the scale and type of project, the location (urban versus rural), the environmental sensitivity of affected lands and the significance of potential environmental effects. Regulation of Releases Federal, provincial and municipal environmental legislation regulates the release of specific substances into the environment through the prohibition of discharges that will or may have an adverse effect on the environment, which can include liquids, gasses and noise. Releases occur in the course of the Company's normal operations. Accordingly, Hydro One has spill, leak prevention and leak mitigation programs involving the testing, replacement, repair and installation of containment systems including re-gasketting of transformers and sulphur-hexafluoride-filled equipment. In addition, the Company has an emergency response capability which the Company believes is sufficient to minimize the environmental impact of spills and to comply with its legal obligations. Pursuant to the Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act, 2016, the Province introduced a cap and trade program in Ontario beginning January 1,2017 . For more information, see "The Electricity Industry in Ontario - Recent Legislative Amendments Affecting the Electricity Industry Generally - Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act, 20lC'. Hazardous Substances Hydro One manages a number of hazardous substances, such as PCBs, herbicides, and wood preservatives. In addition, some facilities have substances present which are designated for special treatment under occupational health and safety legislation, such as asbestos, lead and mercury. The Company has environmental management programs in place to deal with PCBs, herbicides, asbestos, and other hazardous substances. Land Assessment und Remediation Hydro One has a pro-active land assessment and remediation program in place to identifu and, where necessary, remediate historical contamination that has resulted from past operational practices and uses of certain long-lasting chemicals at the Company's facilities. These programs involve the systematic identification of contamination at or from these facilities and, where necessary, the development of remediation plans for the Company's properties and affected adjacent private properties. As at December 31,2016, future consolidated expenditures related to Hydro One's land assessment and remediation program were estimated at approximately $61 million, and undiscounted liabilities were estimated at approximately $66 million. These consolidated expenditures are expected to be spent over the period ending 2032. Addilional acquisitions could add to land assessment and remediation expenditures. The consolidated expenditures on this program for 2016 were approximately $9 million. These costs are expected to be recovered in the Company's transmission and distribution rates. Insurance Hydro One maintains insurance coverage, including liability, all risk property, boiler and machinery and directors' and officers' insurance. The Company also maintains other insurance coverage that is required by law, covering risks such as automobile liability, pesticide liability and aircraft liability. The Company does not have insurance for damage to its transmission and distribution wires, poles or towers located 29 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 381 of 414 outside transmission and distribution stations, including damage caused by severe weather, other natural disasters or catastrophic events or for environmental remediation costs. The OEB has generally permitted the recovery of costs associated with extreme weather events, such as the ice storm that occurred in 1998. Reorganizations In 2015, prior to the closing of the initial public offering of Hydro One Limited, Hydro One completed a series of transactions resulting in, among otherthings, the acquisition by Hydro One Limited of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Hydro One Inc. and the issuance of new common shares and preferred shares of Hydro One Limited to the Province. The Province then sold a portion of its common shares of Hydro One Limited pursuant to the initial public offering. A series of pre-closing steps occurred, including: On October 31,2015, Hydro One Inc. repurchased its existing preferred shares held by the Province for cancellation at a price equal to the redemption price of the preferred shares (being equal to approximately $323 million) satisfied by the issuance to the Province of common shares of Hydro One Inc. having an aggregate fair market value equal to the price to be paid for the preferred shares. All of the issued and outstanding common shares of Hydro One Inc. were acquired by Hydro One Limited in return for the issuance to the Province of 12,197,500,000 common shares and 16,720,000 Series I preferred shares of Hydro One Limited. Hydro One Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries were required to pay a $2.6 billion "deparlure tax" to the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation as a consequence of the initial public offering. The outstanding common shares of Hydro One Limited were consolidated such that 595,000,000 common shares were issued and outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the initial public offering. RISK FACTORS A discussion of Hydro One Limited's risk factors can be found under the heading "Risk Management and Risk Factors" in the Annual MD&A. DIVIDENDS The Company did not declare or pay cash dividends in 2015. [n2016, the Company declared and paid cash dividends to common shareholders as follows: I This was the first common share dividend declared by the Company following the completion of its initial public ot'tbring in November 2015. The $0.34 per share dividend included $0.13 for the post-IPO period from November 5 to December 31, 2015, and $0.21 for the quafier ended March 31 , 2016. a o a Date Declared Record Date Payment Date Amount per Common Share February 11,2016 March 17,2016 March 31,2016 $0.34' Mav 5,2016 June 14,2016 June 30,2016 $0.2 r August 11,2016 September 14,2016 September 30,2016 s0.2 r November 10,2016 December 14,2016 December 30,2016 s0.21 Appendix 6 to Joint Application 30 Page 382 of 414 Under applicable Canadian securities laws, the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Hydro One Inc. was considered a "significant acquisition". Hydro One Limited filed a business acquisition report in respect of the acquisition on January 14,2016. See also "General Development of the Business" for more information. On February 9,2017, the Board declared a dividend of $0.21 per share on each of its outstanding common shares to be paid on March 31,2017 to shareholders of record on March 14,2017 . The dividend represents payment for the first quarter ending March 31,2017 . ln2016, the Company declared and paid cash dividends to the Province, the sole holder of the Series I preferred shares as follows: On February 9, 2017, the Board declared a dividend of $0.265625 per share on each of its Series I preferred shares and it was paid on February 21,2017 . Dividend Policy The Board has established a dividend policy pursuant to which Hydro One Limited expects to pay an annualised dividend amount on its common shares, based on a target payout ratio of '70o/o to 80% of net income. The amount and timing of any dividends payable by Hydro One Limited will be at the discretion of the Board and will be established on the basis of Hydro One's results of operations, maintenance of its deemed regulatory capital structure, financial condition, cash requirements, the satisfaction of solvency tests imposed by corporate laws for the declaration and payment of dividends and other factors that the Board may consider relevant. The preferred shares of Hydro One Limited are entitled to a preference over the common shares with respect to the payment of dividends. Other than the foregoing, there is currently no restriction that would prevent the Company from paying dividends at current levels. For more information on dividends, see the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements of Hydro One Limited as at and for the years ended December 31,2016 and 2015 under the headings "Dividends" and "Subsequent Events". Dividend Reinvestment Plan On February 11,2016, the Board approved the creation of a Dividend Reinvestment Plan which is currently in place. The Dividend Reinvestment Plan enables eligible shareholders to have their regular quarterly cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional Hydro One common shares acquired on the open market. DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE General Description of Capital Structure The following description may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirefy by reference to, the terms and provisions of Hydro One Limited's articles, as they may be amended from time to time. Hydro One Limited's authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares and an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series. As at December 31,2016, there were 595,000,000 common shares, 16,720,000 Series 1 preferred shares and no Series 2 preferred shares issued and outstanding. Date Declared Record Date Pavment Date Amount per Preferred Share February 11,2016 N/A February 22.2016 s0.32602739 May 5,2016 N/A May 20,2016 s0.265625 August 11.2016 N/A August 22,2016 $0.26s625 November 10,2016 N/A November 21,2016 $0.265625 Appendix 6 to Joint Application 3l Page 383 of 414 Common Shares Holders of common shares are entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of shareholders, except meetings at which only the holders of another class or series of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class or series, and holders of common shares are entitled to one vote per share at all such meetings of shareholders. Hydro One Limited's common shares are not redeemable or retractable. Subject to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to any other class or series of shares, including the Series I preferred shares and Series 2 preferred shares, holders of common shares are entitled to receive dividends if, as, and when declared by the Board. Subject to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to any other class or series ofshares, including the Series I preferred shares and Series 2 preferred shares, holders of common shares are also entitled to receive the remaining assets of Hydro One Limited upon its liquidation, dissolution or winding-up or other distribution of Hydro One Limited's assets for the purposes of winding-up its affairs. See "Dividends - Dividend Policy" for a description of Hydro One Limited's dividend policy. The Voting Securities of Hydro One Limited, which include the common shares, are subject to share ownership restrictions under the Electricity Act and certain other provisions contained in the articles of Hydro One Limited related to the enforcement of those share ownership restrictions. The share ownership restrictions provide that no person or company (or combination of persons or companies acting jointly or in concert), other than the Province or an underwriter who holds Voting Securities solely for the purposes of distributing them to purchasers who comply with the share ownership restrictions, may beneficially own or exercise control or direction over more lhan 10oh of any class or series of Voting Securities of Hydro One Limited. Preferred Shares Hydro One Limited may from time to time issue preferred shares in one or more series. Prior to issuing shares in a series, the Board is required to fix the number of shares in the series and determine the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to that series ofpreferred shares. Subject to the OBCA, holders of Hydro One Limited's preferred shares or a series thereof are not entitled to receive notice of, to attend or to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of Hydro One Limited except that votes may be granted to a series ofpreferred shares when dividends have not been paid on any one or more series as determined by the applicable series provisions. Each series of preferred shares ranks on parity with every other series of preferred shares with respect to dividends and the distribution of assets and return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Hydro One Limited. The preferred shares are entitled to a preference over the common shares and any other shares ranking junior to the preferred shares with respect to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets and return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Hydro One Limited. Series I Preferred Shares and Series 2 Prefened Shares For the period commencing from October 31,2015, and ending on and including November 19,2020,the holders of Series I preferred shares will be entitled to receive fixed cumulative preferential dividends of $1.0625 per share per year, ifand when declared by the Board, payable quarterly on the 20ft day of November, February, May and August in each year. The dividend rate will reset on November 20,2020 and every five years thereafter at a rate equal to the sum of the then five-year Government of Canada bond yield and3.53%o. The Series I preferred shares will not be redeemable by Hydro One Limited prior to November 20, 2020, but will be redeemable by Hydro One Limited on November 20, 2020 and on November 20 every fifth year thereafter at a redemption price equal to $25.00 for each Series I preferred share redeemed, plus any accrued or unpaid dividends. The holders of Series I preferred shares will have the right, at their option, on November 20, 2020 and on November 20 every fifth year thereafter, to converl all or any oftheir Series I preferred shares into Series 2 preferred shares on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain restrictions on conversion. 3Z Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 384 of 414 The holders of Series 2 preferred shares will be entitled to receive quarterly floating rate cumulative dividends, if and when declared by the Board, at a rate equal to the sum of the then three-month Government of Canada treasury bill rate and3.53%o as reset quarterly. The Series 2 preferred shares will be redeemable by Hydro One Limited at a redemption price equal to 525.00 for each Series 2 preferred share redeemed if redeemed on November 20,2025, or on November 20 every fifth year thereafter or $25.50 for each Series 2 preferred share redeemed if redeemed on any other date after November 20, 2020,in each case plus any accrued or unpaid dividends. The holders of Series 2 preferred shares will have the right, at their option, on November 20, 2025, and on November 20 every fifth year thereafter, to convert all or any oftheir Series 2 preferred shares into Series I preferred shares on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain restrictions on conversion. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Hydro One Limited, or any other distribution of assets of Hydro One Limited for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the holders of Series I preferred shares and Series 2 preferred shares will be entitled to receive 525.00 for each Series I preferred share and each Series 2 prefened share held by them, plus any unpaid dividends, before any amounts are paid or any assets of Hydro One Limited are distributed to holders of common shares and any shares ranking junior to the Series 1 preferred shares and Series 2 preferred shares. After payment of those amounts, the holders of Series I preferred shares and Series 2 preferred shares will not be entitled to share in any further distribution of the property or assets of Hydro One Limited. Except as required by the OBCA, neither the holders of Series I preferred shares nor the holders of Series 2 preferred shares shall be entitled to receive notice of, or to attend meetings of shareholders of Hydro One Limited and shall not be entitled to vote at any such meeting, unless Hydro One Limited fails for eight quarters, whether or not consecutive, to pay in full the dividends payable on the Series I preferred shares or Series 2 preferred shares, as applicable, whereupon the holders of Series I preferred shares and Series 2 preferred shares, as applicable, shall become entitled to receive notice of and attend all meetings of shareholders, except class meetings of any other class of shares, and shall have one vote for each Series I preferred share or Series 2 preferred share held at such meetings, as applicable. CREDIT RATINGS For a description of Hydro One Limited's credit ratings, see the Annual MD&A under the heading "Liquidity and Financing Strategy". MARKET FOR SECURITIES Trading Price and Volume The common shares are listed on the TSX under the symbol "H". The following table sets forth the high and low reported trading prices and the trading volume of the common shares on the TSX for each month commencing I antary 201 6: Period Hieh ($) Low ($) Volume April2016.. May 2016. June 2016. 22.60 23.31 24.50 24.50 24.84 25.98 21.85 21.90 23.15 23.50 23.56 24.14 3,929,776 4,489,699 7,835,876 21,127,653 23,222,353 30,645,553 Appendix 6 to Joint Application 33 Page 385 of 414 January 2016 ........ February 2016 ........ March 2016......... Period July 2016. August 2016......... September 2016......... October 2016. November 2016 December 2016. January 2017......... February 2017......... March I to March 242017...... Hish ($) Low ($) Volume Position/Title Independent 25.51 25.10 25.36 24.02 22.06 22.59 23.49 23.22 23.04 Principal Occupation 9,548,768 7,138,631 7,031,417 6,765,511 I1,932,522 9,719,103 8,368,1 l6 8,400,000 g,4oo,ooo Committees 26.80 26.48 26.54 26.02 24.58 23.65 24.49 24.17 24.08 The Series I preferred shares and Series 2 preferred shares of Hydro One Limited are not listed or quoted on any marketplace. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS Directors and Executive Officers The following table sets forth information regarding the directors and executive officers of Hydro One as of December 31,2016. Each of the directors was first appointed on August31,2015. Each director is elected annually to serve for one year or until his or her successor is elected or appointed. Name, Province or State and Country of Residence Age Ma1,o Schmidt Ontario. Canada Paul Barry North Carolina- United States Gregory Kiraly Ontario. Canada Judy McKellar C)ntario^ Canada Ferio Pugliese Ontario, Canada James Scarlett Ontario, Canada 59 President and Chief Executive Officer and Director 59 Executive Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development 52 Chief Operating Officer 60 Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer 48 Executive Vice President, Custonrer Care and Corporate Affairs 63 Executive Vice President, ChiefLegal Officer 55 Chief Financial Officer President and Chief Executive Officer Executive Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development Chief Operaling Officer Executive Vice President, Chief -Human Resources Officer Executive Vice President, Customer Care and Corporate Affairs Executive Vice President, Chief -Legal Officer No Michael Vels Ontario. Canada Appendix 6 to Joint Application 34 Chief Financial Officer Page 386 of 414 Name, Province or State and Country of Residence .{ge Position/Title Independent Principal Occupation Committees David F. Denison Ontario. Canada 64 Director and Chair of the Yes Board Board Chair, Hydro One Limited and Hydro One Inc. Ian Bourne'r' Alberta. Canada 69 Director Yes Chair, Ballard Power Systems Inc. Human Resources Committee (Chair); Nominating, Corporate Governance. Public Policl & Regulatory Committee Audit Committee; Human Resources Comrnittee Charles Brindamour Ontario. Canada 46 Director Yes Chief Executive Officer. Intact Financial Corporation Marcello (Marc) Caira( rr Ontario, Canada 62 Director Yes Vice-Chairman. Restaurant Brands International Inc. Human Resources Committee; Nominating. Corporate Governance, Public Policy & Regulatory Committee Christie Clark Ontario. Canada 63 Director Yes Corporate Director Human Resources Committee; Nominating. Corporate Govemance, Public Poticy & Regulatory Committee George Cooke'r) Ontario, Canada 63 Director Yes President, Martello Associates Consulting I Chair, OMERS Administration Corporation Audit Committee; Health, Safety, Environment and First Nations & Mdtis Committee Margaret (Marianne) Harris Ontario, Canada 59 Director Yes Corporate Director Human Resources Committee; Health, Safety, Environment and First Nations & M6tis Committee (Chair) Audit Committee; Health, Safety, Environment and First Nations & Mdtis Committee James Hinds Ontario. Canada 59 Director Yes Corporate Director Kathryn Jackson(1) Pennsylvania. United States 59 Director Yes Corporate Director Nominating, Corporate Governance. Public Pol icy & Regulatory Committee; Health, Safety, Environment and First Nations & Mdtis Committee Roberta Jamieson Ontario. Canada 64 Director Yes President and Chief Executive Officer, Indspire Audit Committee; Health, Sat'ety, Environment and First Nations & M6tis Committee Audit Committee; Nominating, Corporate Governance. Public Policy & Regulatory Committee Audit Committee (Chair); Nominating, Corporate Governance, Public Policy & Regulatory Committee Human Resources Frances Lankin Ontario. Canada 62 Director Yes Corporate Director Philip S. Orsino Ontario, Canada 62 Director Yes Corporate Director Jane Peverett(r)58 Director Appendix 6 to Joint Application Yes 35 Corporate Director Page 387 of 414 Name, Province or State and Country of Residence Position/Title Independent Principal OccupationAge Committees British Columbia. Canada Gale Rubenstein,r) Ontario. Canada Committee; Nominating. Corporate Governance, Public Policy & Regulatory Committee (Chair) Human Resources Committee; Health, Safety, Environment and First Nations & Mdtis Committee 63 Director Yes Partner, Goodmans LLP Notes: ( I ) These directors have been designated as the Province's nominees to the board of directors of Hydro One tbr the purpose of the Govemance Agreement. The following includes a brief profile of each of the executive officers of Hydro One, which include a description oftheir present occupation and their principal occupations for the past five years. For profiles of each of the directors of Hydro One, see Hydro One Limited's Management Information Circular under the subheading "About the Nominated Directors - Director Profiles". Mayo Schmidt is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro One. Prior to joining Hydro One, Mr. Schmidt served as President and Chief Executive Officer at Viterra Inc., a global food ingredients company operating in l4 countries. Early in his career, Mr. Schmidt held a number of key management positions of increasing responsibility at General Mills, Inc. until he joined ConAgra as President of their Canadian operations and spearheaded ConAgra's expansion into Canada.ln2007, he led a $2.0 billion acquisition of Agricore United, then a $2.2 billion acquisition of ABB, Australia's leading agriculture corporation, growing Viterra Inc. from a $200 million market capitalization to finally a sale in 2012 for over $7.5 billion. Mr. Schmidt currently sits on the Board of Directors of Agrium Inc. as Chairman of the Governance Committee and Chairman of the Special Committee for the Merger of Equals of Agrium and Potash Corp. forming a $38 billion global fertilizer giant. He is a member of Harvard University Private and Public, Scientific, Academic and Consumer Food Policy Group, and is on Washburn University's Foundation Board of Trustees. Mr. Schmidt received his Honorary Doctorate of Commerce from Washburn in2016 and his B.B.A. from Washbum in 1980. Effective September 1,2016, Paul Barry was appointed to the role of Executive Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development of Hydro One Networks Inc. Mr. Barry has significant strategy, business development and financial expertise in the electric power, natural gas, and water utility sectors. Mr. Barry was recently Chief Executive Officer and founding partner of Public Infrastructure Partners LLC, a power and utility strategic advisor to leading private equity, infrastructure, and pension funds in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Mr. Barry's prior executive leadership roles include Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, and President of the commercial and international business for Duke Energy Corporation. At Duke Energy, Mr. Barry was responsible for executing over $50 billion of strategic transactions that transformed the company into the largest electric utility in North America. He served as CFO for Pepco Holdings, a Fortune 500 mid-Atlantic utility based in Washington, D.C., and was Vice President, Business Development, Energy Financial Services, for General Electric Company. Mr. Barry also served as Senior Advisor, City of Los Angeles, Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the largest municipal electric and water utility in the U.S., and as Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Kinross Gold Corporation. Mr. Barry eamed an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he also attended the Executive Program, and a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, in Finance from Northeastern University. Effective September 12, 2016, Gregory Kiraly was appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer 36 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 388 of414 (COO) of Hydro One. As COO, Mr. Kiraly oversees the transmission and distribution value chain including Planning, Engineering, Construction, Operations, Maintenance, and Forestry; Shared Services functions including Facilities, Real Estate, Fleet, and Procurement; and the Telecom and Remote Communities subsidiaries. Mr. Kiraly is a power and utilities executive with 30 years of experience. He has an extensive background in energy transmission and distribution, in both electricity and gas, having served in various executive leadership roles across three of the largest investor-owned utilities in the U.S.; Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), and Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G). Mr. Kiraly most recently held the role of Senior Vice President, Electric Transmission and Distribution for PG&E in San Francisco, and also served in several other key executive assignments over the past eight years. Prior to joining PG&E, Mr. Kiraly held executive-level positions at Capital Commonwealth Edison (Exelon) in Chicago from 2000-2008 in the areas of Distribution System Operations, Construction and Maintenance, and Energy Delivery. Prior to ComEd, Mr. Kiraly started his career at PSE&G in New Jersey, having served in various leadership roles over 15 years, where his accountabilities focused on Health and Safety, Electric and Gas Distribution. Judy McKellar is the Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer of Hydro One Inc. She was appointed to this position on November 11,2016. Ms. McKellar has held various roles of increasing responsibility at Hydro One Networks Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Hydro One Limited, in the Human Resources department over her 30+ year career and was appointed VP of Human Resources in 2010. In 2014, she assumed the additional responsibility of Senior Vice President of People and Culture/Health, Safety and Environment and serves as the accountable executive for the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors. Ms. McKellar earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Victoria College, University of Toronto and was recently named as one of 2015's 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada by PricewaterhouseCoopers in the "Public Sector" category. Effective September 9, 2016, Ferio Pugliese was appointed to the role of Executive Vice President, Customer Care and Corporate Affairs of Hydro One Networks Inc. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Pugliese held progressively senior leadership roles in hospitality, pulp and paper and airline industries with responsibility for human resources, operations and customer service. Since 2007, Mr. Pugliese was a member of the Executive Leadership team at Wesdet Airlines serving as WestJet's Executive Vice President People, Culture and Inflight Services and in 2013 led the launch and successful operation of the company's regional airline as President of WestJet Encore. WestJet Encore was recognized for having the continent's top on-time performance for regional airlines in 2015. Mr. Pugliese is highly recognized as a market leader in customer service and brings expertise in building and leading a winning culture focused on serving customers and communities. Mr. Pugliese was recognized by Caldwell Partners as one of Canada's Top 40 under 40 in 2007. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Adult Education from Central Michigan Universify, an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science and an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Windsor. Effective September 1,2016, James Scarlett was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Hydro One. Prior to joining Hydro One, Mr. Scarlett was a Senior Partner at Torys LLP. He joined Torys in March 2000 and held a number of leadership roles at the firm, including head of Torys' Capital Markets Group, Mining Group and International Business Development Strategy. Mr. Scarlett was also a member of the firm's Executive Committee from 2009-2015. Prior to joining Torys, Mr. Scarlett was a partner at another major Canadian law firm. While at that firm Mr. Scarlett held leadership roles as head of its Corporate Group, Securities Group and as a member of its Board. Mr. Scarlett was also seconded to the Ontario Securities Commission in 1987 and was appointed as the first Director of Capital Markets in 1988, a position he held until his retum to private law practice in 1990. Mr. Scarlett is currently a director of Camp Oochigeas, a charity for kids with cancer. Mr. Scarlett eamed his law degree (J.D.) from the University of Toronto in l98l and his Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of McGill in 1975. He is highly recognized in his profession having been consistently and repeatedly named to numerous prestigious lists and rankings. In 2015, Mr. Scarlett earned his ICD.D (Institute of Corporate Directors) designation. 37 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 389 of 414 Michael Vels is the Chief Financial Officer of Hydro One. Before joining Hydro One, Mr. Vels was the Chief Financial Officer for Maple Leaf Foods Inc. Mr. Vels had over 20 years of experience with Maple Leaf Foods Inc. where he was responsible for leading organizational change, multiple capital market transactions, business acquisitions and divestitures, information technology transformations and restructurings. He also served on the board of directors of Maple Leaf Foods Inc.'s public traded subsidiary, Canada Bread Company, Limited. Mr. Vels led complex multi-divisional finance teams, information solutions and communications and investor relations functions and has considerable experience with mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Canada's National Ballet School. Mr. Vels eamed a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Witwatersrand, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a Chartered Accountant (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) and he has earned his ICD.D (lnstitute of Corporate Directors) designation. Information Regarding Certain Directors and Executive Officers As at December 31, 2016,the directors and executive officers of Hydro One Limited beneficially owned, controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, as a group, 128,608 common shares, which represented approximately 2%o of the outstanding common shares. Corporate Cease Trade Orders and Bankruptcies Except as described below: none of the directors or executive officers of Hydro One Limited is, or within the last l0 years has served as, a director or executive officer of any company that, during such service or within a year after the end of such service, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; none of the directors or executive officers of Hydro One Limited is, or within the last l0 years has served as, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company that, during such service or as a result of an event that occurred during such service, was subject to an order (including a cease trade order, or similar order or an order that denied access to any exemption under securities legislation), for a period of more than 30 consecutive days; or a a none of the directors or executive officers of Hydro One Limited nor any shareholder holding shares sufficient to materially affect control of Hydro One Limited, within the last l0 years has become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets ofthe director. In May 2004, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Inc., a predecessor to Viterra Inc., initiated a disposition of its hog operations, which had been carried on through certain of its subsidiaries, through a court supervised process under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada). On April 12, 2005, the Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission issued a cease trade order against four of these subsidiaries for failing to file the required annual continuous disclosure documents. The cease trade order was revoked on October 18,2010 pursuant to Viterra Inc.'s application to effect a re-organization of the entities in question. Mr. Schmidt served as an officer and/or director of these entities at the time. Mr. Orsino was a director of CFM Corporation from July 2007 until his resignation in March 2008. In April 2008, CFM filed for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada). a Appendix 6 to Joint Application 38 Page 390 of 414 Ms. Peverett was a director of Postmedia Network Canada Corp. between April 2013 and January 2016. On October 5,2016, within one year of Ms. Peverett's resignation from the board of directors, Postmedia completed a recapitalization transaction (the recapitalization transaction) pursuant to a court approved plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act. As part of the recapitalization transaction, approximately US $268.6 million of debt was exchanged for shares that represented approximately 98% of the outstanding shares atthat time. Additionally, Postmedia repaid, extended and amended the terms of its outstanding debt obligations pursuant to the recapitalization transaction. Penalties or Sanctions None of the directors or executive officers of Hydro One Limited, nor any shareholder holding shares sufficient to materially affect control of Hydro One Limited, has been subject to any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority or been subject to any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a cou( or regulatory body that would likely be considered impoftant to a reasonable investor making an investment decision. Conflicts of Interest To the best of the Company's knowledge, there are no existing potential conflicts of interest among the Company and the directors or executive officers of the Company as a result of their outside business interests as at the date of this annual information form. Certain of the directors and executive officers serve as directors and executive officers of other public companies. Accordingly, conflicts of interest may arise which could influence these persons in evaluating possible acquisitions or in generally acting on behalf of the Company. Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers No director, executive officer, employee, former director, former executive officer or former employee or associate of any director or executive officer of Hydro One Limited or any of its subsidiaries had any outstanding indebtedness to Hydro One Limited or any of its subsidiaries except routine indebtedness or had any indebtedness that was the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by Hydro One Limited or any of its subsidiaries. AUDIT COMMITTEE The Audit Committee must consist of at least three directors, all of whom are persons determined by Hydro One to be both "independent" (within the meaning of all Canadian securities laws and stock exchange requirements and the Governance Agreement) and "financially literate" (within the meaning of other applicable requirements or guidelines for audit committee service under securities laws or the rules of any applicable stock exchange, including National Instrument 52-ll0 - Audit Committees). At least one member of the Audit Committee will qualiff as an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by the applicable rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee comprises Philip S. Orsino (Chair), Charles Brindamour, George Cooke, James Hinds, Roberta Jamieson and Frances Lankin. Each of the audit committee members has an understanding of the accounting principles used to prepare Hydro One's financial statements and varied experience as to the general application of such accounting principles, as well as an understanding of the internal controls and procedures necessary for financial reporting. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, in the form set out under Schedule "A" hereto, which sets out the Audit Committee's responsibilities. 39 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 391 of4l4 Relevant Education and Experience Charles Brindamour Mr. Charles Brindamour is the Chief Executive Officer of Intact Financial Corporation, Canada's largest properry and casualty insurance provider. Mr. Brindamour began his career with Intact in 1992 as an actuary and held over the years a number of progressive management positions. Under Mr. Brindamour's leadership, the company became an independent and widely-held Canadian company in 2009 and two years later engineered the acquisition of AXA Canada; the largest acquisition in the history of Canada's property and casualty insurance industry. Mr. Brindamour is a board member of Intact Financial Corporation, the C.D. Howe Institute, the Geneva Association, the Business Council of Canada and Branksome Hall. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee of the University of Waterloo's Climate Change Adaptation Project, serves on the advisory board of Gibraltar Growth Corporation and is co-chair of Laval University's "Grande Campagne". Mr. Brindamour is a graduate of Laval University in Actuarial Sciences and an associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society. George L. Cooke Mr. George Cooke is a corporate director and the Chair of the board of directors of the OMERS Administration Corporation, CANATICS (Canadian National Insurance Crime Services) and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. OMERS is one of Canada's largest pension funds and OMERS Administration Corporation is responsible for pension services and administration, investments, and plan valuation. Mr. Cooke is the former President and CEO of The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company (The Dominion), formerly a property and casualty insurance company, a position he held from 1992to August 2012.ln August 2012,Mr. Cooke retired from his role as President of The Dominion and continued to hold the position of Chief Executive Officer of the company until December 31, 2012. Mr. Cooke obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree (Hons.) in Political Studies and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Queen's University. He also holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Assumption University in Windsor. Mr. Cooke was a member of the Board of Directors of The Dominion (1992-2013), the Insurance Bureau of Canada (1992-2013), E-L Financial Corporation (1992-2012), Empire Life (1992-2002) and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited ( 1995-l 999), and he was also Executive Vice-President with E-L Financial Corporation Limited (1992-2013). James Hinds Mr. James Hinds is a corporate director. He is also a director of Allbanc Split Corp., a mutual fund company. He is a retired investment banker, having previously served as Managing Director of TD Securities Inc., prior to which he held positions at CIBC Wood Gundy Inc. and Newcrest Capital Inc. Mr. Hinds was the past chair of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), a Crown corporation responsible for operating the electricity market, and was also chair of the former Ontario Power Authority Board of Directors (2010-2014) until its merger with the IESO effective January 1,2015. Mr. Hinds was a member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of both the IESO and Ontario Power Authority. Mr. Hinds received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Victoria College at the University of Toronto, a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business and a law degree from the University of Toronto Law School. Roberta L. Jamieson Ms. Roberta Jamieson is a Mohawk woman from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario, where she still resides. She is also President and Chief Executive Officer of Indspire, Canada's premiere Indigenous-led charity, and Executive Producer of the Indspire Awards, a nationally broadcast gala honoring Indigenous achievement. Ms. Jamieson was the first First Nations woman to earn a law degree in Canada; the first non-parliamentarian appointed an ex-officio member of a House of Commons Committee; the first woman Ombudsman of Ontario (1989-1999); and in December 2011, she was the 40 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 392 of 414 first woman elected Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She was also a Director of the Ontario Power Generation Inc. Board of Directors (2012-2015) and served on its Risk Oversight Committee. Ms. Jamieson was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 1994 and promoted to an Officer in20l6. Ms. Jamieson holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario. Hon. Frances L. Lankin, P.C., C.M. Hon. Frances Lankin is a corporate director. She was the former President and CEO of the United Way Toronto (2001-2010), a Toronto-based charity. ln2009, Ms. Lankin was appointed to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and served for five years as a member of the Security Intelligence Review Committee. [n2014, Ms. Lankin was appointed to the Premier's Advisory Council on Government Assets whose mandate was to review and identiff opportunities to modernize government business enterprises, and in 2011 and2012,she co-led a review of Ontario's social assistance system as part of the province's poverfy reduction strategy. During her first term as an elected Member of Provincial Parliament, Ms. Lankin served in a variety of Cabinet roles including Chair of Management Board, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and Minister of Economic Development and Trade. Ms. Lankin is a Director of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and Chair of the SocialResponsibility Committee of the Board. She is the former Chair of the National NewsMedia Council, and a former Director of the Institute of Corporate Directors, where she sat on the Audit Committee. Additionally, she sat on the Ontario Hospital Association's Audit Committee from2012-2013. Ms. Lankin was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2012. In April of 2016, Ms. Lankin was appointed to the Senate of Canada where she sits as an Independent Senator from Ontario. Ms. Lankin serves on the Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration. Philip S. Orsino, O.C., FCPA, FCA Mr. Philip S. Orsino is a corporate director. He was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Jeld- Wen Inc., a global integrated manufacturer of building products from 20ll until he retired in 2014. Formerly until October 2005, Mr. Orsino was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Masonite International Corporation for 22 years. Mr. Orsino is a director of The Bank of Montreal and Chair of its Audit and Conduct Review Committee and a director of The Minto Group, a private real estate developer, and chair of the Audit Committee. He was the recipient of the 2003 Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year Award and received the University of Toronto's Distinguished Business Alumni Award for 2002.He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and holds a degree from Victoria College at the University of Toronto. Mr. Orsino was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in2004. Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures The Audit Committee Charter requires that all non-audit services to be provided to Hydro One Limited or any of its subsidiaries by the extemal auditors or any of its affiliates are subject to pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 41 Page 393 of4l4 Auditors'Fees The aggregate fees billed by KPMG to Hydro One and its subsidiaries in 2016 and2015 for professional services are presented below: Audit F Audit-Related Fees(a) Tax Fees: SR&ED(s) Tax Credit Claim General Tax Advice Other Fees(6) Total Year ended December 31,2016 $ I ,524,814 $488,854 $90,000 $57,500 s413,643 Year ended December 31, 2015 $ r,376,s $ 412,200 s90,000 N/A N/A $2,574,811 $1,878,700 Notes:(r) The nature of the services rendered u,as: audit of annual financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, and statutory and regulatory filings. (2) Additional services in 2016 included: IFRS reporting to the Province, audit of annual financial statements of acquired companies and audit of financial system enhancements and complex accounting.(3) $475,000 of these fees related to the company's initial public offering completed on November 5. 2015, which are recoverable iiom the Province. (4) The nature of the services rendered was: translations and audit of the Hydro One Pension Plan and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company's financial statements that are not reported under Audit Fees.(5) Scientific Research and Experimental Development.(6) The nature ofthe services rendered was: due diligence activities. PROMOTERS Hydro One Inc. has taken the initiative in founding and organizing Hydro One Limited and may therefore be considered a promoter of Hydro One Limited for the purposes of applicable securities legislation. In connection with a series of pre-closing transactions completed in connection with the initial public offering of Hydro One Limited, on October 31,2015, Hydro One Limited acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Hydro One Inc. from the Province in exchange for the issuance to the Province of 16,720,000 Series I preferred shares and 12,197,500,000 common shares. See "Corporate Structure - Corporate Structure and Subsidiaries", "General Development of the Business" and "Business of Hydro One - Reorganizations". Although the Province was identified as a promoter of Hydro One for purposes of the initial public offering, as a result of the entering into of the Governance Agreement and completion of the initial pubtic offering, Hydro One no longer believes the Province is a promoter of Hydro One. AGREEMENTS WITH PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER In connection with the November 2015 completion of the initialpublic offering of Hydro One Limited, on November 5,2015, Hydro One and the Province entered into: the Governance Agreement to address the Province's role in the govemance of Hydro One Limited; and the Registration Rights Agreement to provide the Province with the right to require Hydro One Limited to facilitate future secondary offerings of common shares or preferred shares owned or controlled by the Province. 42 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 394 of 414 a a The material terms of the Governance Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement are summarized below. A copy of each of the Governance Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement has been filed on SEDAR and is available under Hydro One Limited's profile at www.sedar.com. The discussion in this annual information form concerning the Governance Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement is not complete, and is qualified in its entirety to the text of the Governance Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, each of which should be referred to. Not all of the terms of the Governance Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement are described in this annual information form. Governance Agreement Governance Matters The Governance Agreement specifically addresses the following governance matters The governance principles under which Hydro One Limited and its subsidiaries will be managed and operated. The nomination of directors, which includes: (i) the requirement for a fully independent board of directors (other than the Chief Executive Officer), and (ii) the maximum number of directors that may be nominated by the Province. a The election and replacement of directors. a Approvals requiring a special resolution of the directors Governance Principles The Govemance Agreement provides that the business and affairs of Hydro One Limited will be managed and operated in accordance with certain governance principles. The governance principles provide that: Hydro One Limited will maintain corporate governance policies, procedures and practices consistent with the best practices of leading Canadian publicly listed companies, having regard to Hydro One Limited's ownership structure and the Governance Agreement. The board of directors of Hydro One Limited is responsible for the management of the business and affairs of Hydro One Limited. With respect to its ownership interest in Hydro One Limited, the Province will engage in the business and affairs of Hydro One Limited as an investor and not a manager, and the Province intends to achieve its policy objectives through legislation and regulation, as it would with respect to any other utility operating in Ontario. Nomination of Directors The Govemance Agreement establishes qualification standards for director nominees, provides for the number of directors that may be nominated and establishes a process for confirming nominees. The Governance Agreement recognizes that the Board is to be a fully independent board (independent of both Hydro One and the Province), except the Chief Executive Officer, as described under the subheading " - Independence" below. a a a a Appendix 6 to Joint Application 43 Page 395 of 414 a Dir e c t or Qual ifi c at i on St andards Under the Governance Agreement, the Province and the Nominating, Corporate Governance, Public Policy & Regulatory Committee have agreed to nominate as directors, qualified individuals of high quality and integrity who have the experience, expertise and leadership appropriate to manage a business of the complexity, size and scale of the business of Hydro One Limited, on a basis consistent with the highest standards for directors of Canada's leading public companies. In addition, a majority of the directors must be resident Canadians (as defined in the OBCA). Independence Each director nominee must, among other things be independent of Hydro One Limited (other than the Chief Executive Officer) within the meaning of Ontario securities laws governing the disclosure of corporate governance practices; be independent of the Province (other than the Chief Executive Officer). A director will be independent of the Province if he or she would be independent of Hydro One Limited within the meaning of Ontario securities laws governing the disclosure of corporate governance practices if the Province and each Specified Provincial Entity were treated as Hydro One Limited's parent under that definition, but excluding, in the case only for the current directors, any prior relationship that ended before August 31,2015. In addition, he or she may not be an employee or official of the Province or any Specified Provincial Entity, either: (i) currently or, (ii) within the last three years (excluding in the case of (ii), the current directors whose prior relationship ended before August 31,2015); and meet the requirements of applicable securities and other laws and any exchange on which the voting securities are listed. A "Specified Provincial Entity" means (l)(a) the Ontario Financing Authority, (b) the IESO, (c) Ontario Power Generation Inc., (d) the Electrical Safety Authority, (e) Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation, (f) Infrastructure Ontario, or (g) a subsidiary of, or a person controlled by, any organization listed in (a) to (f); and (2) the OEB. Number of Directors Under the articles of Hydro One Limited and pursuant to the terms of the Govemance Agreement, the Board will consist of no fewer than l0 and no more than l5 directors, with the initial Board consisting of l5 directors until the first annual meeting of shareholders following the completion of the initial public offering of Hydro One Limited. Board Nominees The nominees to be proposed for election to the Board by Hydro One Limited at annual meetings of shareholders will be determined as follows: a a The Chief Executive Officer will be nominated The Province will be entitled to nominate that number of nominees equal to 40%o of the number of directors to be elected (rounded to the nearest whole number), subject to certain exceptions. The Nominating, Corporate Govemance, Public Policy & Regulatory Committee will nominate the remaining directors. 44 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 396 of 414 a a a B oard N omination Proc es s Under the Governance Agreement, the Province and representatives of the Nominating, Corporate Governance, Public Policy & Regulatory Committee are to meet after each annual meeting of shareholders to discuss expected upcoming departures from the Board (whether due to resignation, retirement or otherwise) and the impact such departures will have on the Board, having regard to continued compliance with the Governance Agreement and the ability of the Board to satisfu the Board's skills matrix, diversity policy and other governance standards. Under the Govemance Agreement, at this meeting the Nominating, Corporate Governance, Public Policy & Regulatory Committee is to make recommendations to the Province respecting potential candidates for director, including potential candidates for nomination by the Province. The Province has no obligation to nominate any of the individuals recommended as one of its director nominees. Not later than 60 days prior to the date by which proxy solicitation materials must be mailed for Hydro One's annual meeting of shareholders, each of the Province and theNominating, Corporate Governance, Public Policy & Regulatory Committee will notif,, the other of its proposed director nominees. If a proposed nominee is not already a director of Hydro One or is then a director but whose circumstances have materially changed in a way that would affect whether she or he would continue to meet the director qualification standards under the Governance Agreement, then the Province or the committee, as the case may be, will have 10 business days to confirm that nominee or reject that nominee on the basis that the nominee does not meet those director qualification standards. If a director nominee of the Province or the Nominating, Corporate Govemance, Public Policy & Regulatory Committee is rejected, then the Province or the committee will be entitled to nominate additional candidates until a nominee is confirmed by the other. If no replacement nominee is confirmed for a director who was expected to depart from the board and that director does not resign, that director shall be re-nominated. The Province and the committee will use commercially reasonable efforts to confirm director nominees prior to the date by which proxy solicitation materials must be mailed for the annual meeting of shareholders. E,lection and Replacement of Directors The Governance Agreement provides for how the Province will vote with respect to director nominees, including its nominees and those of the Nominating, Corporate Governance, Public Policy & Regulatory Committee, a a a the Province may vote at contested elections, the Province may seek to replace the Board by withholding votes or voting for removal, and Board vacancies will be filled. Voting on Director Elections At any meeting of shareholders to elect directors, the Province is required to vote in favour of the nominees selected by the Province and the Nominating, Corporate Govemance, Public Policy & Regulatory Committee in accordance with the board nomination process set out in the Governance Agreement, except in the case of contested director elections or where the Province seeks to replace the Board in accordance with the Govemance Agreement. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 45 Page397 of4l4 Contested Elections At any meeting of shareholders to elect directors of Hydro One Limited at which there are more nominees for directors than there are directors to be elected, the Province may vote its Voting Securities in its sole discretion (including to vote in favour of other candidates instead of the Province's nominees), except that the Province willvote in favour of the election of the Chief Executive Officer as a director. Right to Withhold Votes The Province is required under the Governance Agreement to vote in favour of all director nominees of Hydro One Limited, subject to the Province's overriding right to withhold from voting in favour of all director nominees and its right to seek to remove and replace the entire Board, including in each case its own director nominees but excluding the Chief Executive Officer and, at the Province's discretion, the Chair. Depending on the number of withheld votes a director nominee receives at a meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected, that director nominee may be required to tender his or her resignation to the Board in accordance with Hydro One Limited's majority voting policy. Province's Right to Replace the Board The Province may at any time notify Hydro One Limited that it intends to request that Hydro One Limited hold a meeting of shareholders for the purposes removing all of the directors in office, including those nominated by the Province, with the exception of the Chief Executive Officer and, at the sole discretion of the Province, the Chair (a "Removal Notice"). If the Province gives Hydro One a Removal Notice, then the Chair shall coordinate the establishment of an ad hoc nominating committee comprising one representative of each of the five largest beneficial owners of Voting Securities known to the Company (or if at least three such owners are not willing to provide a representative, then the individuals the Province proposes to nominate as replacement directors). The Province and the ad hoc nominating committee will identiff and confirm replacement directors to be nominated at the shareholders' meeting pursuant in accordance with the process set out in the Govemance Agreement. Each replacement director nominee must meet the same qualification and independence standards under the Govemance Agreement as for any director nominee. Hydro One Limited will call the shareholders' meeting once the replacement director nominees are confirmed pursuant to this process, and will hold the shareholders' meeting within 60 days of this confirmation. At the shareholders'meeting, the Province will vote in favour of removing the current directors with the exception of the Chief Executive Officer and, at the Province's discretion, the Chair, and will vote in favour of the new independent director nominees. Board Aoprovals Requiring a Special Resolution of the Directors The Governance Agreement provides that certain actions require approval by a resolution of the Board passed by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the directors, or consented to in writing by all of the directors (a "Special Board Resolution"). Matters requiring approval by a Special Board Resolution include: the appointment and annual confirmation of the Chair, a the appointment and annual confirmation of the Chief Executive Officer, and changes to certain specified govemance standards specified in the Govemance Agreement to be "Hydro One's governance standards". The governance standards subject to this special approval requirement include the Board's skills matrix, the Ombudsman's Mandate, the Diversity Policy and the Majority Voting Policy, the Corporate Govemance Guidelines, the mandates of the Board and its committees, position descriptions for the Chief Executive Officer, the Chair, the directors and committee chairs, and the Stakeholder Engagement Policy. 46 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 398 of 414 a a Othet Matters In addition to the governance matters noted above, the Govemance Agreement also addresses the following matters: a a Restrictions on the right of the Province to initiate fundamental changes. Pre-emptive rights provided to the Province with respect to future issuances of Voting Securities by Hydro One Limited. a Acquisition limits with respect to the Province's acquisition of outstanding Voting Securities. Restrictions on Province's Right to Initiate Fundamental Changes The Province has agreed not to initiate a fundamental change to Hydro One Limited (as defined in Part XIV of the OBCA), including not to initiate any arrangement or amalgamation involving Hydro One Limited or any amendment to the articles of Hydro One Limited. The Province may, however, vote its Voting Securities as it sees fit in the event any fundamental change is initiated by Hydro One Limited or another shareholder of Hydro One Limited. Pre-emptive Rights Hydro One Limited has granted to the Province a pre-emptive right to acquire additional Voting Securities as part of future offerings by Hydro One Limited of Voting Securities. If Hydro One Limited proposes to issue Voting Securities in the future, whether pursuant to a public offering or a private placement, Hydro One Limited must notiff the Province of the proposal and provide information in accordance with the provisions of the Govemance Agreement at least 30 days in advance and must offer the Province the right to purchase tp to 45o/o of the Voting Securities being offered. Any Voting Securities not purchased by the Province pursuant to the offer may be purchased by any other person pursuant to the proposed offering. The pre-emptive right also applies with respect to any proposed issuance by Hydro One Limited of securities convertible into or exchangeable for Voting Securities except securities convertible into or exchangeable for Voting Securities: (i) pursuant to certain employee or director compensation plans; (ii) pursuant to any dividend re-investment arrangement of the Company that is consistent with dividend reinvestment arrangements of other publicly traded utilities in Canada (including as to discount rates) and that does not include a cash purchase option; (iii) pursuant to a rights offering that is open to all shareholders of Hydro One Limited; or (iv) pursuant to any business combination, take-over bid, arrangement, asset purchase transaction or other acquisition ofassets or securities ofa third parfy. 45% Acquisition Limit The Province has agreed in the Governance Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, not to acquire previously issued Voting Securities if after that acquisition, the Province would own more than 45o/o of any class or series of Voting Securities. This restriction does not limit the Province from acquiring Voting Securities on an issuance by Hydro One Limited, including pursuant to the exercise by the Province of its pre-emptive right. See "Agreements with Principal Shareholder - Governance Agreement - Other Matters - Pre-emptive Rights" above. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 47 Page 399 of 414 Registration Rights Agreement Demand Registration Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, Hydro One Limited has granted the Province certain demand registration rights providing that, from time to time while the Province is a "control person" of Hydro One Limited within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, the Province can require Hydro One Limited to file, at the expense of the Province (except for internal expenses of Hydro One Limited or other expenses that Hydro One Limited would have incurred in the absence of such a request), and subject to certain exceptions, one or more prospectuses and take other procedural steps as may be reasonably necessary to facilitate a secondary offering in Canada of all or any portion of the common shares or preferred shares ("shares") held by the Province. " Piggt- Back" Registration If Hydro One Limited proposes to undertake a Canadian public offering by prospectus, the Province is entitled, while it is a "control person" of Hydro One Limited within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, to include shares owned by it as part of that offering, provided that the underwriters may reduce the number of shares proposed to be sold if in their reasonable judgment all of the shares proposed to be offered by Hydro One Limited and the Province may not be sold in an orderly manner within a price range reasonably acceptable to Hydro One Limited. In that case, the shares to be sold will be allocated pro rata between Hydro One Limited and the Province based on their relative proportionate number of shares requested to be included in the offering. Hydro One Limited and the Province will share the expenses of the offering (except for internal expenses of Hydro One Limited) in proportion to the gross proceeds they each receive from the offering. Private Placements Hydro One Limited has also agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to assist, at the Province's expense, the Province in any sale by it of shares of Hydro One Limited pursuant to an exemption from the prospectus requirements, in the preparation of an offering memorandum and other documentation and by facilitating due diligence by the prospective buyer. Customary Agreements Hydro One Limited and the Province have also agreed to enter into customary agreements, including "lock-up" agreements, on customary market terms in connection with such transactions. Hydro One Limited also agreed to certain indemnification and contribution covenants in favour of the Province and any underwriters involved in such transactions. INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS Other than as noted below and elsewhere in this annual information form, there are no material interests, direct or indirect, of any director or executive officer of the Company, any shareholder that beneficially owns, or controls or directs (directly or indirectly), more than l1Yo of any class or series of Hydro One Limited's outstanding voting securities, or any associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing persons, in any transaction within the three years before the date hereof that has materially affected or is reasonably expected to materially affect the Company. Relationships with the Province and Other Parties Overyiew The Province is Hydro One Limited's principal shareholder. The OEB is the principal regulator of 48 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 400 of 414 Ontario's electricity industry. The Province appoints the board members of the OEB and fills any vacancies on the OEB. The OEB is obligated to implement approved directives of the Province concerning general policy and objectives to be pursued by the OEB and other directives aimed at addressing existing or potential abuses of market power by industry participants. The IESO, among other matters, directs the operation of the Ontario power system by balancing supply and demand of electricity and directing electricity flow and assumed the responsibility for forecasting supply and demand of electricity over the medium and long term to meet the needs of the province. The board of directors of the IESO, other than its Chief Executive Officer, is appointed by the Province in accordance with the regulations in effect from time to time under the Electricity Act. In connection with the initial public offering of Hydro One Limited, the Company entered into the Governance Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement with the Province. See "Agreements with Principal Shareholder". Transfer Orders The transfer orders pursuant to which Hydro One Inc. acquired Ontario Hydro's electricity transmission, distribution and energy services businesses as ofApril 1,1999, did not transfer certain assets, rights, liabilities or obligations where the transfer would constitute a breach of the terms of any such asset, right, liability or obligation or a breach ofany law or order (the "trust assets"). The transfer orders also did not transfer title to assets located on Reserves, which assets are held by the Ontario Energy Financial Corporation. For more information, see the Annual MD&A under the subheading "Risk Management and Risk Factors - Risk from Transfer of Assets Located on Reserves". Hydro One is obligated under the transfer orders to manage both the trust assets (until it has obtained all consents necessary to complete the transfer of title to these assets to Hydro One) and the assets otherwise retained by the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation that relate to Hydro One's businesses. Hydro One has entered into an agreement with the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation under which it is obligated, in managing these assets, to take instructions from the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation if Hydro One's actions could have a material adverse effect on the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation. The Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation has retained the right to take control of and manage the assets, although it must notifl and consult with Hydro One before doing so and must exercise its powers relating to the assets in a manner that will facilitate the operation of Hydro One's businesses. The consent of the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation is also required prior to any disposition of these assets. The Province also transferred officers, employees, assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of Ontario Hydro in a similar manner to its other successor transferees. These transfer orders include a dispute resolution mechanism to resolve any disagreement among the various transferees with respect to the transfer ofspecific assets, liabilities, rights or obligations. The transfer orders do not contain any representations or warranties from the Province or the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation with respect to the transferred officers, employees, assets, liabilities, rights and obligations. Furthermore, under the Electricity Act, the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation was released from liability in respect of all assets and liabilities transferred by the transfer orders, except for liability under Hydro One's indemnity from the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation. The parties, with the consent of the Minister of Finance, agreed to terminate such indemnity effective October 31,2015. By the terms of the transfer orders, each transferee indemnifies the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation with respect to any assets and liabilities related to that transferee's business not effectively transferred, and is obligated to take all reasonable measures to complete the transfers where the transfers were not effective. Hydro One has indemnified the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation in respect of the damages, losses, obligations, liabilities, claims, encumbrances, penalties, interest, taxes, deficiencies, costs and 49 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 401 of 414 expenses arising from matters relating to the Company's business and any failure by Hydro One to comply with its obligations to the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation under agreements dated as of April 1,1999. These obligations include obligations to employ the employees transferred to Hydro One under the transfer orders, make and remit employee source deductions (including tax withholding amounts, and employer contributions), manage the real and personal properties which the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation continues to hold in trust or otherwise and take any necessary action to transfer all of these properties to the Company, to pay realty taxes and other costs, provide access to books and records and to assume other responsibilities in respect of the assets held by the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation in trust for the Company. Departure Taxes By virtue of being wholly owned by the Province, Hydro One was exempt from tax under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Taxation Act, 2007 (Ontario). However, under the Electricity Act, Hydro One was required to make payments in lieu of tax to the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation. The payments in lieu of tax were, in general, based on the amount of tax that Hydro One would otherwise be liable to pay under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Taxation Act, 2007 (Ontario) if it was not exempt from taxes under those statutes. In connection with the initial public offering of Hydro One Limited, Hydro One's exemption from tax under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Taxation Act, 2007 (Ontario) ceased to apply. Under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Taxation Act, 2007 (Ontario), Hydro One was deemed to have disposed of its assets immediately before it lost its tax exempt status resulting in Hydro One making payments in lieu of tax under the Electricity Act totalling $2.6 billion in respect thereof, calculated by reference to the Income Tax Act (Canada) ("departure tax"). Hydro One Inc. also paid the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation approximately $0.2 billion in additional payments in lieu of tax in connection with the initial public offering and approximately $0.1 billion in other payments in lieu of tax instalments. For a discussion of the departure tax and the related financial implications on the Company, see the Annual MD&A under the heading "Related Party Transactions". MATERIAL CONTRACTS The following are the only material contracts, other than those contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, which Hydro One Limited has entered into since the beginning of the last financial year, or entered into prior to such date but which contract is still in effect: (a) the underwriting agreement (the "2016 Underwriting Agreement") dated April7,20l6, between Hydro One Limited, the Province and a syndicate of underwriters pursuant to which the underwriters agreed to purchase, and the Province agreed to sell 72,434,800 common shares (such number of shares subsequently increased to an aggregate of 83,300,000 common shares) of Hydro One Limited at a price of $23.65 per share. The 2016 Underwriting Agreement provides that Hydro One Limited will indemnifu the underwriters and each of their respective affiliates, and their directors, officers, partners, employees, agents and controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under Canadian securities legislation ; (b) the underwriting agreement (the "2015 Underwriting Agreement") dated October 29,2015, between Hydro One Limited, Hydro One Inc., the Province and a syndicate of underwriters pursuant to which the underwriters agreed to purchase, and the Province agreed to sell 81,100,000 common shares (such number of shares subsequently increased to an aggregate of 89,250,000 common shares) of Hydro One Limited at a price of $20.50 per share. The 2015 Underwriting Agreement provides that Hydro One Limited and Hydro One Inc. will jointly and severally 50 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 402 of 414 indemniff the underwriters and each of their respective affiliates, and their directors, officers, partners, employees, agents and controlling persons against certain liabilities, including liabilities under Canadian securities Iegislation; (c) the Govemance Agreement, described under "Agreements with Principal Shareholder"; and (d) the Registration Rights Agreement, described under "Agreements with Principal Shareholder". Copies of the foregoing material agreements have been filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS The Company is from time to time involved in legal proceedings of a nature considered normal to its business. Except as disclosed below, Hydro One believes that none of the litigation in which it is currently involved, or has been involved since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year, individually or in the aggregate, is material to its consolidated financial condition or results of operations. The Company is not subject to any material regulatory actions. Hydro One Inc., Hydro One Networks, Hydro One Remote Communities Inc., and Norfolk Power Distribution Inc. are defendants in a class action suit in which the representative plaintiff is seeking up to $125 million in damages related to allegations of improper billing practices. A certification motion in the class action is pending. Due to the preliminary stage of legal proceedings, an estimate of a possible loss related to this claim cannot be made. In connection with the reorganization of Ontario Hydro, Hydro One Inc. succeeded Ontario Hydro as a parry to various pending legal proceedings relating to the businesses, assets, real estate and employees transferred to it. Hydro One Inc. also assumed responsibility for future claims relating to the businesses, assets, real estate and employees acquired by Hydro One Inc. and arising out of events occurring prior to. as well as after, April l, 1999. In addition to claims assumed by the Company, it is, from time to time, named as a defendant in legal actions arising in the normal course of business. There are currently no actions that are outstanding which are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company. INTEREST OF EXPERTS KPMG LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, located at 333 Bay Street, Suite 4600, Bay Adelaide Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2S5, is the auditor of Hydro One Limited. and has audited the consolidated financial statements of Hydro One Limited as at and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31,2015. KPMG LLP has confirmed that it is independent of Hydro One Limited and Hydro One Inc. within the meaning of the relevant rules and related interpretations prescribed by the relevant professional bodies in Canada and any applicable legislation or regulation. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR The transfer agent and registrar for Hydro One Limited's common shares is Computershare Trust Company of Canada at its principal office in Toronto, Ontario. 5l Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 403 of 414 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Additional information relating to Hydro One Limited may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Additional information, including with respect to directors' and officers' remuneration and indebtedness, principal holders of Hydro One Limited's securities and shares authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, is contained in the Company's management information circular for its most recent annual meeting of shareholders that involves the election of directors. Additional financial information is provided in the Annual MD&A and in the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements of Hydro One Limited for 2016. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 52 Page 404 of 414 SCHEDULE "A" HYDRO ONE LIMITED AUDIT COMMITTEE MANDATE Purpose The Audit Committee (the "Committee") is a committee appointed by the board of directors (the "Board") of Hydro One Limited (including its subsidiaries, the "Company"). The Committee is established to fulfill applicable public company obligations and to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to financial reporling including responsibility to oversee: (a) the independence, qualification and appointment of external auditors; (b) the integrity of the Company's financial statements and financial reporting process, including the audit process and the Company's intemal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures and compliance with other related legal and regulatory requirements; (c) the performance of the Company's financial finance function, internal auditors and external auditors; and (d) the auditing, accounting and financial reporting process. The function of the Committee is oversight. It is not the duty or responsibility of the Commiftee or its members: (a) to plan or conduct audits; (b) to determine that the Company's financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; or (c) to conduct other types of auditing or accounting reviews or similar procedures or investigations. The Committee, its Chair and its members with accounting or finance expertise are members of the Board, appointed to the Committee to provide broad oversight of the financial, risk and control related activities of the Company, and are specifically not accountable or responsible for the day to day operation or performance of such activities. Procedures L Number of Members - The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board. The Committee will be composed of not less than three (3) Board members. 2. Independence - The Committee shall be constituted at all times of directors who are "independent" (a) within the meaning of all Canadian securities laws and stock exchange requirements, each as in effect and applicable to Hydro One Limited from time to time; and (b) of the Province of Ontario within the meaning of the Governance Agreement between the Company and the Province of Ontario (as amended, revised or replaced from time to time, the "Governance Agreement"). 3. Financial Literacy - Each member shall be "financially literate" within the meaning of other applicable requirements or guidelines for audit committee service under securities laws or the rules of any applicable stock exchange, including NI 52- I 10. At least one member will otherwise qualiff as an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. 4. Cross-Appointment - No member may serve on the audit committee of more than two other 53 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 405 of 414 public companies, unless the Board determined that this simultaneous service would not impair the ability of the member to serve effectively on the Committee. 5. Appointment and Replacement of Committee Members - Any member of the Committee may be removed or replaced at any time by the Board and shall automatically cease to be a member of the Committee upon ceasing to be a director. The Board shall fill any vacancy if the membership of the Committee is less than three directors. Whenever there is a vacancy on the Committee, the remaining members may exercise all its power as long as a quorum remains in office. Subject to the foregoing, the members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board annually and each member of the Committee shall remain on the Committee until his or her successor shall be duly appointed and qualified or his or her earlier resignation or removal. 6. Committee Chair - Unless a Committee Chair is designated by the full Board, the members of the Committee may designate a Chair by majority vote of the full Committee. The Committee Chair shall be responsible for leadership of the Committee and reporting to the Board. If the Committee Chair is not present at any meeting of the Committee, one of the other members of the Committee who is present shall be chosen by the Committee to preside at the meeting. The Committee Chair shall also appoint a secretary who need not be a director. 7. Conflicts of Interest - If a Committee member faces a potential or actual conflict of interest relating to a matter before the Committee, other than matters relating to the compensation of directors, that member shall be responsible for alerting the Committee Chair. If the Committee Chair faces a potential or actual conflict of interest, the Committee Chair shall advise the Board Chair. If the Committee Chair, orthe Board Chair, as the case may be, concurs that a potential or actual conflict of interest exists, the member faced with such conflict shall disclose to the Committee the member's interest and shall not be present for or participate in any discussion or other consideration of the matter and shall not vote on the matter. 8. Meetings - The Committee shall meet regularly and as often as it deems necessary to perform the duties and discharge its responsibilities as described herein in a timely manner, but not less than four (4) times a year. The Committee shall maintain written minutes of its meetings, which will be filed within the Company's corporate minute books. The Board Chair may attend and speak at all meetings of the Committee, whether or not the Board Chair is a member of the Committee. 9- Separate Private Meetings - The Committee shall meet regularly, but no less than quarterly, with the Chief Financial Officer, the head of the internal audit function (if other than the Chief Financial Officer) and the extemal auditors in separate private sessions to discuss any matters that the Committee or any of these groups believes should be discussed privately and such persons shall have access to the Committee to bring forward matters requiring its attention. The Committee shall also meet at each meeting of the Committee without management or non- independent directors present, unless otherwise determined by the Committee Chair. 10. Professional Assistance - The Committee may require the extemal auditors to perform such supplemental reviews or audits as the Committee may deem desirable and may retain such special legal, accounting, financial or other consultants as the Committee may determine to be necessary to carry out the Committee's duties, in each case at the Company's expense and inform the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of any such retainer. The Company's external auditors will have direct access to the Committee at their own initiative. I l. Reliance - Absent actual knowledge to the contrary (which shall be promptly reported to the Board), each member of the Committee shall be entitled to rely on: (a) the integrity of those persons or organizations within and outside the Company from which it receives information; (b) the accuracy of the financial and other information provided to the Committee by such 54 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 406 of4l4 persons or organizations; and (c) representations made by management and the external auditors as to any information technology, internal audit and other permissible non-audit services provided by the external auditors to the Company and its subsidiaries. 12. Reporting to the Board - The Committee will report through the Committee Chair to the Board following meetings of the Committee on matters considered by the Committee, its activities and compliance with this Mandate. Responsibilities The principal responsibilities of the Committee are Selection and Oversight of the External Auditorsl. approve the terms of engagement and, if the shareholders authorize the Board to do so, the compensation to be paid by the Company to the external auditors with respect to the conduct of the annual audit. The extemal auditors are ultimately accountable to the Committee and the Board as the representatives of the shareholders of the Company and shall report directly to the Committee and the Committee shall so instruct the external auditors. 2.evaluate the quality of service, independence, objectivity, professional skepticism and performance of the external auditors and make recommendations to the Board on the reappointment or appointment of the external auditors of the Company to be proposed for shareholder approval and shall have authority to terminate the external auditors. If a change in external auditors is proposed by the Committee or management of the Company, the Committee shall review the reasons for the change and any other significant issues related to the change, including the response of the incumbent external auditors, and enquire on the qualifications of the proposed external auditors before making its recommendation to the Board. review and approve policies and procedures for the pre-approval ofservices to be rendered by the external auditors. All permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Company or any of its affiliates by the external auditors or any of their affiliates that are not covered by pre-approval policies and procedures approved by the Committee shall be subject to pre-approval by the Committee. The Committee shall have the sole discretion regarding the prohibition of the external auditor providing certain non-audit services to the Company and its affiliates. The Committee shall also review and approve disclosures with respect to permissible non-audit services. review the independence and professional skepticism of the external auditors and make recommendations to the Board on appropriate actions to be taken which the Committee deems necessary to protect and enhance the independence of the external auditors. In connection with such review, the Committee shall: actively engage in a dialogue with the extemal auditors about all relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the external auditors, including whether there are any disputes, restrictions or limitations placed on their work; (b)obtain from external auditors at least annually, a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the Company and the external auditors and their affiliates; (c)ensure the rotation of the lead (and concurring) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by applicable law or professional practice; and (d)consider the auditor independence standards promulgated by applicable auditing 55 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 407 of 414 J 4 (a) regulatory and professional bodies review and approve policies for the hiring by the Company of employees or former employees of the external auditors. require the external auditors to provide to the Committee, and review and discuss with the external auditors, all notices and reports which the external auditors are required to provide to the Committee or the Board under rules, policies or practices of professional or regulatory bodies applicable to the external auditors, and any other reports which the Committee may require. Such reports shall include: (a)a description of the external auditors' internal quality-control procedures, any material issues respecting the external auditors raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, peer review or review body with auditing oversight responsibility over the external auditors, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the external auditors, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues; and (b)a report describing: (i) the proposed audit plan and approach, (ii) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used by the Company; (iii) all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles related to material items that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the external auditors; and (iv) other material written communication between the external auditors and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadj usted d i fferences. meet periodically with the extemal auditors to discuss their audit plan for the year, progress of their activities, any significant findings stemming from the extemal audit, any changes required in the planned scope of their audit plan, whether there are any disputes or any restrictions or limitations on the external auditors. review the experience and qualifications of the audit team and review the performance of the external auditors, including assessing their effectiveness and quality of service, annually and, every five (5)years, perform a comprehensive review of the performance of the external auditors over multiple years to provide further insight on the audit firm, its independence and application of professional standards. Appointment and Oversight of Internal Auditors 9. review and approve the appointment, terms of engagement, compensation, replacement or dismissal of the intemal auditors. When the internal audit function is performed by employees of the Company, the Committee may delegate responsibility for approving the employment, terms of employment, compensation and termination of employees engaged in such function other than the head of the Company's intemal audit function. l0 meet periodically with the internal auditors to review and approve their audit plan for the year, and discuss progress of their activities, any significant findings stemming from intemal audits, any changes required in the planned scope oftheir audit plan and whether there are any disputes, restrictions or limitations on intemal audit. ll review summaries of the significant reports to management prepared by the internal auditors, or the actual reports if requested by the Committee, and management's responses to such reports. t2 communicate with, as it deems necessary, the internal auditors with respect to their repofts and 56 5 6. 7 8 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 408 of 414 recommendations, the extent to which prior recommendations have been implemented and any other matters that the internal auditor brings to the attention of the Committee. The head of the internal audit function shall have unrestricted access to the Committee. 13. evaluate, annually or more frequently as it deems necessary, the internal audit function, including its activities, organizational structure, independence and the qualifications, effectiveness and adequacy of the function. Oversight and Review of Accounting Principles and Practices14. review and discuss with management, the external auditors and the internal auditors (together and separately as it deems necessary), among other items and matters: (a) the quality, appropriateness and acceptability of the Company's accounting principles, practices and policies used in its financial reporting, its consistency from period to period, changes in the Company's accounting principles or practices and the application of particular accounting principles and disclosure practices by management to new transactions or events; (b) all significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including the effects of alternative methods within generally accepted accounting principles on the financial statements and any "second opinions" sought by management from an external auditor with respect to the accounting treatment of a parlicular item; (c) any material change to the Company's auditing and accounting principles and practices as recommended by management, the external auditors or the internal auditors or which may result from proposed changes to applicable generally accepted accounting principles; (d) the extent to which any changes or improvements in accounting or financial practices, as approved by the Committee, have been implemented; (e) any reserves, accruals, provisions or estimates that may have a material effect upon the financial statements of the Company; (f) the use of any "pro forma" or "adjusted" information which is not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (g) the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives on the Company's financial statements and other financial disclosures; and (h) legal matters, claims and contingencies that could have a significant impact on the Company's fi nancial statements. 15. review and resolve disagreements between management and the external auditors regarding financial reporting or the application ofany accounting principles or practices. Oversight and Monitoring of Internal Controls16. exercise oversight of, review and discuss with management, the external auditors and the intemal auditors (together and separately), as it deems necessary: (a) the adequacy and effectiveness ofthe Company's internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations; Appendix 6 to Joint Application 57 Page 409 of 414 (b)any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in intemal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures, and the status of any plans for their remediation; (c)the adequacy of the Company's internal controls and any related significant findings and recommendations of the external auditors and internal auditors together with management's responses thereto; and (d)management's compliance with the Company's processes, procedures and internal controls. Oversight and Monitoring of the Company's Financial Reporting and Disclosures17. review with the external auditors and management and recommend to the Board for approval the audited annual financial statements and unaudited interim financial statements, and the notes and Management's Discussion and Analysis accompanying all such financial statements, the Company's annual report and any other disclosure documents or regulatory filings containing or accompanying financial information of the Company, prior to the release of any summary of the financial results or the filing of such reports with applicable regulators. t8.discuss eamings press releases prior to their distribution, as well as financial information and earnings guidance prior to public disclosure, it being understood that such discussions may, in the discretion of the Committee, be done generally (i.e., by discussing the types of information to be disclosed and the type of presentation to be made) and that the Committee need not discuss in advance each earnings release or each instance in which the Company gives earning guidance. t9 review with management the Company's disclosure controls and procedures and material changes to the design of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. receive and review the financial statements and other financial information of material subsidiaries of the Company and any auditor recommendations concerning such subsidiaries. 2l meet with management to review the adequacy of the process and systems in place for ensuring the reliability of public disclosure documents that contain audited and unaudited financial information. Oversight of Finance Matters22. periodically review matters pertaining to the Company's material policies and practices respecting cash management and material financing strategies or policies or proposed financing arrangements and objectives of the Company. periodically review the Company's major financial risk exposures (including foreign exchange and interest rate) and management's initiatives to control such exposures, including the use of financial derivatives and hedging activities. review and discuss with management all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), leases and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons, that may have a material current or future effect on financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital resources, capital reserves, or significant components ofrevenues or expenses. review and discuss with management any equiry investments, acquisitions and divestitures that may have a material current or future effect on financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital resources, capital reserves, or significant components of 58 20 25. 24. 25 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 4l 0 of 414 revenues or expenses. 26. review and discuss with management the Company's effective tax rate, adequacy of tax reserves, tax payments and reporting of any pending tax audits or assessments, and material tax policies and tax planning initiatives. 27. review the organizational structure of the finance function and satisfu itself as to the qualifications, effectiveness and adequacy of the function. 28. review the work plan and progress on implementation of major information technology system changes and satisff itself as to the adequacy of the information system infrastructure. Regulatory Matters29. review the financial impact to the Company of electrical regulatory initiatives. 30. review the financial implications of Company initiatives which may have a material impact on transmission and distribution rate filing applications. Code of Business Conduct and Whistleblower Policy 31. review and recommend to the Board for approval any changes to the Code of Business Conduct for employees, officers and directors of the Company. 32. review and approve changes to the whistleblower policy or other procedures for: (a) the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, intemal accounting controls, or auditing matters; and (b) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. 33. oversee management's monitoring of, compliance with the Company's Code of Business Conduct and the Whistleblower Policy. Enterprise Risk Management 34. review the Enterprise Risk Management framework for the Company and assess the adequacy and completeness of the process for identifuing and assessing the key risks facing the Company. 35. meet with the head of the Enterprise Risk Management function at least semi-annually. 36. ensure that primary oversight responsibility for each of the key risks identified in the Enterprise Risk Management framework is assigned to the Board or one of its Committees. Additional Responsibilities37. review the Company's privacy and data security risk exposures and measures taken to protect the security and integrity of its management information systems and Company and customer data. 38. review and approve in advance any proposed related-parfy transactions and required disclosures of such in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations and consistent with the Company's related party transaction policy, and report to the Board on any approved transactions. 39. review on an annual basis reports on the expense accounts of the Chief Executive Officer and his or her direct reports. 40. undertake on behalf of the Board such other initiatives as may be necessary or desirable to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to financial reporting and perform such other functions as required by law, stock exchange rules or the Company's constating 59 Appendix 6 to Joint Application Page 4l I of 414 documents. 41.review annually the adequacy of this Mandate and ensure that it is disclosed in compliance with applicable securities laws and stock exchange rules and posted on the Company's website. Appendix 6 to Joint Application 60 Page 412 of 414 hy dro e Appendix 6 to Joint Application 61 Page 4l 3 of 414 APPENDIX 7 r'*:= r;/1 i_rra ; :}:F 5 (:) r4l ;,I DIRECT AS SIGNMENT PROTOCOL Date: September 7,2017 To: From: All Employees KellyNorwood o Subject: Protocol for Direct Assignment of Costs Associated with Hydro One's Acquisition of Avista Corp. Accounting for Costs Related to Hvdro One Prior to Closinq Prior to the date of closing of the Hydro One's acquisition of Avista Corp, presently anticipated to be in the second half of 2018, all costs associated with due diligence and other activities will continue to be recorded below the line to a non-utility account (FERC Account No. 426500). The following table summarizes the accounting for such expenses: Pmject FERC Acct Sewice Jurisdicition trERC Acct Description Number Pmjcct Description Debit 426500 ZZ ZZ Miscellaneous Income Deduction 77705316 Hydro One Avista Acquisition XXXX Direct Assisnment of Costs to Hvdro One Post-Closins Following the date of closing, to the extent Avista employees dedicate time and incur costs supporting the operation of Hydro One, those costs would be separately tracked and directly assigned to Hydro One.ll2 In the future, if opportunities arise for the consolidation of certain Avista and Hydro One utility functions, where the utilities have an opportunity to benefit from specialized expertise or to achieve efficiencies, the following situations may arise whereby Administrative Services may be provided between and among the Company and its Utilities, a) the Companies may directly assign or allocate any corporate or administrative costs, common costs, or costs incured for the benefit of the Utility or Utilities, to a Utility or the Utilities, b) the Companies may procure any I Time and costs incuned include, but are not limited to activities for the following: a) services by the Board of Directors, and executive, management, professional, technical and clerical employees; b) financial and accounting services, corporate govemance and compliance services, legal services, audit services, information and technolory services, treasury services, investor relations services, governmental and regulatory services, human resources services, communications services, payroll processing services, employee benefits participation, procurement and fleet management, tax and related services, contract negotiation and administration services, insurance and risk management serviceg environmental services and engineering and technical services; c) the use of office facilitieg including but not limited to office space, furniture, equipment, machinery, supplies, computers and computer software, communications equipmen! insurance policies and other personal property; d) the use of automobiles, airplanes, other vehicles and equipment; 2 Likewise, if tlydro One employees were to provide support for Avista's utility operations, such costs would be directly assigred to Avista. The Company expects such assignment of costs, both to Hydro One and from Hydro One, to be relatively small since Avista will continue to operate as a standalone utility.o llPase Appendii 7 t5 Joint Application Page I of2 corporate or administrative services from a Utility or the Utilities for the Company's benefit, or c) the Companies may procure any corporate or administrative services from each other or agree to directly assign or allocate common costs to each other.3 With regard to the accounting process for assigning and billing corporate or administrative costs, these employee costs would be charged to suspense accounts (Defened Debit Account No. 186), loaded for benefits, and would then be established as a receivable (FERC Account No. 146) when billed to Hydro One. If other resources are expended during the course of this work, such as travel or consulting services, these costs are also charged to suspense accounts and billed to Hydro One. All corporate services provided, and costs incurred, would be direct billed to Hydro One at cost and no margin or profit shall be included and no assets allocated, provided that any amount billed to Hydro One shall be adjusted to the extent necessary to comply with any U.S. federal or Canadian transfer pricing or similar tax law. Avista will use the same methodology for direct assignment of costs to the proposed Hydro One subsidiary operations, as we currently do for existing subsidiary operations. A summary of the accounting for post-closing costs directly assigned to Hydro One is provided below. Hydro One Transaptio&g To record transaction when employee charges time or incurs costs related to Hydro One: FERC Pmject Ac(l Scnico. Jurirdicllion l'f,Rc Acca Dctcripaioo ltfumbcr Proircl Dlrcdption Debit Crcdit f 86XXX ZZ ZZ MiscellmeousDefenedDebits 777XXXX SubBilling-HydroOne XXXX To record transaction to establish a receivable from Hvdro One: FERC Proj€ct A..t Son,irn .Iurisdicitio n tr.}:R('Ac.t Dcrfinii6n Number Pmicct DcscriDtlon Dcbil ('rolit t46XXX t86XXX ZZ Accouts ReceivrbE Assoc Company - Hydro One Miscellaneous Defened Debits 777XXX)< Sub Billing - Hydro One 777XXXX Sub Billing - I{ydro One xxxx xxxx To record transaction of a payment made to Avista Corp from Hvdro One: FERC Accl Scrricc Juri3dicition !'ERC Acct Of5crinlion Project Number Pmicct llestrinlion Iltbil fmdill3txxx l46XXX 7-Z 7X' ZZ, ?.2 Cuh Accouls Rcctivablc Asso6 Company - Hydro Onc 777XXYJ< Sub Bitling - Hydm Onc xxxx xxxx For questions regarding direct assigffnent of costs associated with Hydro One or any other subsidiary costs, please contact Jeanne Pluth, Manager of Regulatory Accounting 495-2204, or Jennifer Smith, Senior State and Federal Regulatory Analyst at 495-2098. 3 The Company would file proposals with the Commission as required. 2lPage Appendix 7 to Joint Application Page 2 of2 APPENDIX 8 MASTER LIST OF COMMITMENTS MAST'ER LIST OF COMMITMENTS A. Reservation of Certain Authority to the Avista Board of Directors [See Direct Testimony of Morris/Schmidt/Ch ristie/Pu gliesel Consistent with and subject to the terms of Exhibits A and B to the Merger Agreement (referred to as "Delegation of Authority") contained in Appendix 5 of the Joint Application, decision-making authority over commitments 2-15 below is reserved to the Board of Directors of Avista Corporation ("Avista") and any change to the policies stated in commitments 2-15 requires a two-thirds (213) vote of the Avista Board: Governance Executive Management: Avista will seek to retain all current executive management of Avista, subject to voluntary retirements that may occur. This commitment will not limit Avista's ability to determine its organizational structure and select and retain personnel best able to meet Avista's needs over time. The Avista board retains the ability to dismiss executive management of Avista and other Avista personnel for standard corporate reasons (subject to the approval of Hydro One Limited ("Hydro One") for any hiring, dismissal or replacement of the cEo); Board of Directors: After the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Avista's board will consist of nine (9) members, determined as follows: (i) two (2) directors designated by Hydro One who are executives of Hydro One or any of its subsidiaries; (ii) three (3) directors who are not officers, employees or directors (other than as an independent director of Avista or Olympus Equity LLC) of Hydro One or any of its affiliates and who are residents of the Pacific Northwest region, to be designated by Hydro One (collectively, the directors designated in clauses (i) and (ii) hereof, the "Hydro One Designees"), subject to the provisions of Clause 2 of Exhibit A to the Merger Agreement; (iii) three (3) directors who as of immediately prior to the closing of the Proposed Transactionl are members of the Board of Directors of ,tvista, including the Chairman of Avista's Board of Directors (if such person is different from the Chief Executive Officer of Avista); and (iv) Avista's Chief Executive Officer (collectively, the directors designated in clauses (iii) and (iv) hereof, the "Avista Designees"). The initial Chairman of Avista's post-closing Board of Directors shall be the Chief Executive Officer of Avista as of the time immediately prior to closing for a one year term. If any Avista Designee resigns, retires or otherwise ceases to serve as a director of Avista for any reason, the remaining Avista Designees shall have the sole right to | "Proposed Transaction" means the transaction proposed in the Joint Application of Avista and Hydro One filed on September 14,2017. 2 J Appendix 8 to Joint Application Page I of 13 t. nominate a replacement director to fill such vacancy, and such person shall thereafter become an Avista Designee. The term "Pacific Northwest region" means the Pacific Northwest states in which Avista serves retail electric or natural gas customers, currently Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington; Business Operations Avista's Brand and Plan for the Operation of the Business: Avista will maintain Avista's brand and Avista will establish the plan for the operation of the business and its Subsidiaries; Capital Investment for Economic Development: Avista will maintain its existing levels of capitill allocations for capital investment in strategic and economic development items, including property acquisitions in the university district, suppolt of local entrepreneurs and seed-stage investments; Continued Innovation: Avista will continue development and funding of its and its subsidiaries' innovation activities; Union Relationships: Avista will honor its labor contracts and has the authority to negotiate, enter into, modify, amend, terminate or agree to changes in any collective bargaining agreement or any of Avista's other material contracts with any labor organizations, union employees or their representatives; Compensation and Benefits: Avista will maintain compensation and benefits related practices consistent with the requirements of the Merger Agreement; Local Presence/Community Involvement Avista's Headquarters: Avista will maintain (a) its headquarters in Spokane, Washington; (b) Avista's office locations in each of its other service territories, and (c) no less of a significant presence in the immediate location of each of such office locations than what Avista and its subsidiaries maintained immediately prior to completion of the Proposed Transaction; l0 Local Staffine: Avista u,ill maintain Avista Utilities' staffing and presence in the communities in which Avista operates at levels sufficient to maintain the provision of safe and reliable service and cost-effective operations and consistent with pre- acquisition levels; 11.Communitv Contributions: Avista will maintain a S4,000,000 annual budget for charitable contributions (funded by both Avista and the Avista Foundation). Appendix 8 to Joint Application Page 2 of l3 4 5 6. 7 8 9 Additionally, a $2,000,000 annualcontribution will be made to Avista's charitable foundation;2 12 Communitv Involvement: Avista will maintain at least Avista's existing levels of community involvement and support initiatives in its service territories; 13.Economic Development: Avista will maintain at least Avista's existing levels of economic development, including the ability of Avista to spend operations and maintenance funds3 to support regional economic development and related strategic opportunities in a manner consistent with Avista's past practices; 14.Membership Orsanizations: Avista will maintain the dues paid by it to various industry trade groups and membership organizations; and 15.Safetv and Reliabilitv Standards and Service Qualitv Measures: Avista will maintain Avista's safety and reliability standards and policies and service quality measures in a manner that is substantially comparable to, or better than, those currently maintained. B. Rate Commitments [See Direct Testimony of ThiesiEhrbarfLopezl 16. Treatment of Net Cost Savings: Any net cost savings that Avista may achieve as a result of the Proposed Transaction will be reflected in subsequent rate proceedings, as such savings materialize. To the extent the savings are reflected in base retail rates they will offset the Rate Credit to customers, up to the offsetable portion of the Rate Credit. 17.Treatment of Transaction Costs: Avista will not recover the following costs in rates: (i) legal and financial advisory fees associated with the Proposed Transaction; (ii) the acquisition premium; (iii) any senior executive compensation tied to a change of control of Avista; and (iv) any other costs directly related to the Proposed Transaction. 2 Note that Commitment 53 contains an additional commitment relating to charitable contributions; pursuant to that commitment Hydro One will cause Avista to make a one-time contribution of $7,000,000 to Avista's charitable foundation at or promptly following closing of the Proposed Transaction. 3 Operations and maintenance funds dedicated to economic development and non-utility strategic opportunities will be recorded below-the-line to a nonoperating account. Appendix 8 to Joint Application Page 3 of 13 18.Rate Credits: Avista and Hydro One are proposing to flow through to Avista's retail customers in Washington, Idaho and Oregon a Rate Credit of $31.5 million over a lO-year period, beginning at the time the merger closes.a The Rate Credit consists of two components, and reflects an increased level of savings in years 6- l0 as illustrated in the table below. Two-Step Rate Credit Proposal Annual Crcdit Yean 1-5 Annual Crcdit Yean 6-10 Total Credit TotalCredit $2.65 Million $3.65 Million $31.50 Million Oftetable Credit $1.70 Million $2.70 Million $22.00 Million The Total Rate Credit to customers for the first five years following the closing would be $2.65 million per year, and the credit would increase to $3.65 million per year for the last five years of the 1O-year period. A portion of the annual total Rate Credit would be offsetable, as indicated in the table above. During the l0- year period the financial benefits will be flowed through to customers either through the separate Rate Credit described above or through a reduction to the underlying cost of service as these benefits are reflected in the test period numbers used for ratemaking. At the time of the close, the $2.65 million benefit will be provided to customers through a separate Rate Credit, as long as the reduction in costs has not already been reflected in base retail rates for Avista's customers. To the extent Avista demonstrates in a future rate proceeding that cost savings, or benefits, directly related to the Proposed Transaction are already being flowed through to customers through base retail rates, the separate Rate Credit to customers would be reduced by an amount up to the offsetable Rate Credit amount. The portion of the total Rate Credit that is not offsetable effectively represents acceptance by Hydro One of a lower rate of return during the lO-year period. a The AEL&P operations in the City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska, operate substantially independent of Avista Utilities, and these costs, from which the merger-related cost savings are derived, are currently not being charged to AEL&P. Therefore, there are no financial cost savings to flow through to AEL&P customers. For Avista's retail operations in Montan4 Avista has approximately 30 retail customers and total retail revenue of approximately $74,000. Due to the very limited retail operations by Avista in Montana, for administrative efficiency the past practice by the Montana Public Service Commission has been to review the final rates recently filed and approved in the State of Idaho, and approve those for Avista's Montana customers, when a request is made by Avista. The date of the last approved retail rates in Montana for Avista was April 27,2011. Since that time electric retail rates have increased in the State of Idaho, but Avista has not proposed similar increases for its Montana customers. Because Avista's current retail rates for its Montana customers are already below its cost of service, and for the sake of administrative efficiency, Avista and Hydro One are not proposing to flow through financial benefit to Avista's Montana customers related to the Proposed Transaction. (If a proportionate benefit to Montana customers were to be calculated based on the level of retail revenue, the total annual Rate Credit for all customers combined would be approximately $190.) Appendix 8 to Joint Application Page 4 of 13 The 531.5 million represents the "floor" of benefits that will be flowed through to Avista's customers, either through the Rate Credit or through benefits otherwise included in base retail rates. To the extent the identifiable benefits exceed the annual offsetable Rate Credit amounts, these additional benefits will be flowed through to customers in base retail rates in general rate cases as they occur. The increase in total Rate Credits for years 6-10 will provide time for Avista and Hydro One to identify and capture over time an increased level of benefits, directly related to the Proposed Transaction, that can be flowed through to customers. Avista and Hydro One believe additional efficiencies (benefits) will be realized over time from the sharing of best practices, technology and innovation between the two companies. It willtake time, however, to identifu and capture these benefits. The level of annual net cost savings (and/or net benefits) will be tracked and reported on an annual basis, and compared against the offsetable level of savings. C. Regulatory Commitments [See Direct Testimony of Thies/Ehrbar/Lopez] 19. State Regulatorv Authoritv and Jurisdiction: Olympus Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries, including Avista, as appropriate, will comply with all applicable laws, including those pertaining to transfers of property, affiliated interests, and securities and the assumption of obligations and liabilities. 20.Compliance with Existins Commission Orders: Olympus Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries, including Avista, acknowledge that all existing orders issued by the Commission with respect to Avista or its predecessor, Washington Water Power Co., will remain in effect, and are not modified or otherwise affected by the Proposed Transaction. 21. Separate Books and Records: Avista will maintain separate books and records. 22 Access to and Maintenance of Books and Records: Olympus Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries, including Avista, will provide reasonable access to Avista's books and records; access to financial information and filings; audit rights with respect to the documents supporting any costs that may be allocable to Avista; and access to Avista's board minutes, audit reports, and information provided to credit rating agencies pertaining to Avista. Olympus Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries, including Avista, will maintain the necessary books and records so as to provide an audit trail for all corporate, affiliate, or subsidiary transactions with Avista, or that result in costs that may be allocable to Avista. The Proposed Transaction will not result in reduced access to the necessary books and records that relate to transactions with Avista, or that result in costs that may be allocable to Avista. Avista will provide Commission Staff and other parties to regulatory proceedings reasonable access to books and records (including those of Olympus Holding Corp. or any affiliate or subsidiary companies) required to Appendix 8 to Joint Application Page 5 of l3 veri0/ or examine transactions with Avista, or that result in costs that may be allocable to Avista. Nothing in the Proposed Transaction will limit or affect the Commission's rights with respect to inspection of Avista's accounts, books, papers and documents in compliance with all applicable laws. Nothing in the Proposed Transaction will limit or affect the Commission's rights with respect to inspection of Olympus Holding Corp.'s accounts, books, papers and documents pursuant to all applicable laws; provided, that such right to inspection shall be limited to Olympus Holding Corp.'s accounts, books, papers and documents that pertain solely to transactions affectin g Av i sta' s regul ated uti lity operations. Olympus Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries, including Avista, will provide the Commission with access to written information provided by and to credit rating agencies that pertains to Avista. Olympus Holding Corp. and each of its subsidiaries will also provide the Commission with access to written information provided by and to credit rating agencies that pertains to Olympus Holding Corp.'s subsidiaries to the extent such information mav affect Avista. Cost Allocations Related to Corporate Structure and Affiliate Interests: Avista agrees to provide cost allocation methodologies used to allocate to Avista any costs related to Olympus Holding Corp. or its other subsidiaries, and commits that there will be no cross-subsidization by Avista customers of unregulated activities. The cost-allocation methodology provided pursuant to this commitment will be a generic methodology that does not require Commission approval prior to it being proposed for specific application in a general rate case or other proceeding affecting rates. Avista will bear the burden of proof in any general rate case that any corporate and affiliate cost allocation methodology is reasonable for ratemaking purposes. Neither Avista nor Olympus Holding Corp. or its subsidiaries will contest the Commission's authority to disallow, for retail ratemaking purposes in a general rate case, unreasonable, or misallocated costs from or to Avista or Olympus Holding Corp or its other subsidiaries. With respect to the ratemaking treatment of affiliate transactions affecting Avista, Avista and Olympus Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries, as applicable, will comply with the Commission's then-existing practice; provided, however, that nothing in this commitment limits Avista from also proposing a different ratemaking treatment for the Commission's consideration, or limit the positions any other party may take with respect to ratemaking treatment. Avista will notify the Commission of any change in corporate structure that affects Avista's corporate and affiliate cost allocation methodologies. Avista will propose revisions to such cost allocation methodologies to accommodate such changes. Appendix 8 to Joint Application Page6ofl3 23 Avista will not take the position that compliance with this provision constitutes approval by the Commission of a particular methodology for corporate and affi liate cost allocation. Ratemakins Cost of Debt and Equitv: Avista will not advocate for a higher cost of debt or equity capital as compared to what Avista's cost of debt or equity capital would have been absent Hydro One's ownership. For future ratemaking purposes: a. Determination of Avista's debt costs will be no higher than such costs would have been assuming Avista's credit ratings by at least one industry recognized rating agency, including, but not limited to, S&P, Moody's, Fitch or Morningstar, in effect on the day before the Proposed Transaction closes and applying those credit ratings to then-current debt, unless Avista proves that a lower credit rating is caused by circumstances or developments not the result offinancial risks or other characteristics ofthe Proposed Transaction; b. Avista bears the burden to prove prudent in a future general rate case any pre- payment premium or increased cost of debt associated with existing Avista debt retired, repaid, or replaced as a part ofthe Proposed Transaction; and Determination of the allowed return on equity in future general rate cases will include selection and use of one or more proxy group(s) of companies engaged in businesses substantially similar to Avista, without any limitation related to Avista's ownership structure. Avista Capital Structure: At all times following the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Avista will have a common equity ratio of not less than 44 percent, (as calculated for ratemaking purposes) except to the extent the Commission establishes a lower equity ratio for Avista for ratemaking purposes. FERC Reporting Requirements: Avista will continue to meet all the applicable FERC reporting requirements with respect to annual and quarterly reports (e.g., FERC Forms I , 2, 3q) after closing of the Proposed Transaction. Participation in National and Resional Forums: Avista will continue to participate, where appropriate, in national and regional forums regarding transmission issues, pricing policies, siting requirements, and interconnection and integration policies, when necessary to protect the interest of its customers. Treatment of Confidential Information: Nothing in these commitments will be interpreted as a waiver of Hydro One's, its subsidiaries', or Avista's rights to request confidential treatment of information that is the subject of any of these commitments. Commission Enforcement of Commitments: Hydro One and its subsidiaries, including Avista, understand that the Commission has authority to enforce these 24 c 25 26. 27. 28 29 Appendix 8 to Joint Application Page 7 of 13 commitments in accordance with their terms. If there is a violation of the terms of these commitments, then the offending party may, at the discretion of the Commission, have a period of thirty (30) calendar days to cure such violation. The scope of this commitment includes the authority of the Commission to compel the attendance of witnesses from Olympus Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries with pertinent information on matters affecting Avista. Olympus Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries waive their rights to interpose any legal objection they might otherwise have to the Commission's jurisdiction to require the appearance of any such witnesses. 30 Submittal to State Court Jurisdiction for Enforcement of Commission Orders: Olympus Holding Corp., on its own and its subsidiaries' behalf, including Avista's, will file with the Commission prior to closing the Proposed Transaction an affidavit affirming that it will submit to the jurisdiction of the relevant state courts for enforcement of the Commission's orders adopting these commitments and subsequent orders affecting Avista. 31.Annual Report on Commitments: By May 1,2019 and each May I thereafter through May 1 ,2023, Avista will file a repofi with the Commission regarding the implementation of the commitments as of December 3l of the preceding year. The report will, at a minimum, provide a description of the performance of each of the commitments. If any commitment is not being met, relative to the specific terms of the commitment, the report must provide proposed corrective measures and target dates for completion of such measures. Avista will make publicly available at the Commission non-confidential portions of the repoft. 32.Commitments Bindine: Hydro One, Olympus Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries, including Avista, acknowledge that the commitments being made by them are binding only upon them and their affiliates where noted, and their successors in interest. Hydro One and Avista are not requesting in this proceeding a determination of the prudence, just and reasonable character, rate or ratemaking treatment, or public interest of the investments, expenditures or actions referenced in the commitments, and the parties in appropriate proceedings may take such positions regarding the prudence, just and reasonable character, rate or ratemaking treatment, or public interest of the investments, expenditures or actions as they deem appropriate. D. Financial Integrity Commitments [See Direct Testimony of Thies/Lopez] 33. Capital Structure Support: Hydro One will provide equity to support Avista's capital structure that is designed to allow Avista access to debt financing under reasonable terms and on a sustainable basis. 34 Utilitv-Level Debt and Preferred Stock: Avista will maintain separate debt and preferred stock, if any, to support its utility operations. Appendix 8 to Joint Application Page 8 of l3 35. Continued Credit Ratings: Each of Hydro One and Avista will continue to be rated by at least one nationally recognized statistical "Rating Agency." Hydro One and Avista will use reasonable best efforts to obtain and maintain a separate credit rating for Avista from at least one Rating Agency within the ninety (90) days following the closing ofthe Proposed Transaction. If Hydro One and Avista are unable to obtain or maintain the separate rating for Avista, they will make a filing with the Commission explaining the basis for their failure to obtain or maintain such separate credit rating for Avista, and parties to this proceeding will have an opportunity to participate and propose additional commitments. 36. Restrictions on Upward Dividends and Distributions: a. If either (i) Avista's corporate credit/issuer rating as determined by at least one industry recognized rating agency, including, but not limited to, S&P, Moody's, Fitch, or Morningstar is investment grade or (ii) the ratio ofAvista's EBITDA to Avista's interest expense is greater than or equal to 3.0, then distributions from Avista to Olympus Equity LLC shall not be limited so long as Avista's equity ratio is equal to or greater than 44 percent on the date of such Avista distribution after giving effect to such Avista distribution, except to the extent the Commission establishes a lower equity ratio for ratemaking purposes. Both the EBITDA and equity ratio shall be calculated on the same basis that such calculations would be made for ratemaking purposes for regulated utility operations. b. Under any other circumstances, distributions from Avista to Olympus Equity LLC are allowed only with prior Commission approval. 37.Pension Fundins: Avista will maintain its pension funding policy in accordance with sound actuarial practice. 38 SEC Reportins Requirements: Following the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Avista will file required reports with the SEC. 39.Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxlev Act: Following the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Avista will comply with applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. E. Ring-Fencing Commitments [See Direct Testimony of Thies/Lopez] 40 Independent Directors: At least one of the nine members of the board of directors of Avista will be an independent director who is not a member, stockholder, director (except as an independent director of Avista or Olympus Equity LLC), officer, or employee of Hydro One or its affiliates. At least one of the members of the board of directors of Olympus Equity LLC will be an independent director who is not a member, stockholder, director (except as an independent director of Olympus Equity LLC or Avista), officer, or employee of Hydro One or its affiliates. The same individual may serve as an independent Appendix 8 to Joint Application Page9ofl3 director of both Avista and Olympus Equity LLC. The organizational documents for Avista will not permit Avista, without the consent of a two-thirds majority of all its directors, including the affirmative vote of the independent director (or if at that time Avista has more than one independent director, the affirmative vote of at least one of Avista's independent directors), to consent to the institution of bankruptcy proceedings or the inclusion of Avista in bankruptcy proceedings. 41. Non-ConsolidationOpinion: a. Within ninety (90) days of the Proposed Transaction closing, Avista and Olympus Holding Corp. will file a non-consolidation opinion with the Commission which concludes, subject to customary assumptions and exceptions, that the ring-fencing provisions are sufficient that a bankruptcy court would not order the substantive consolidation of the assets and liabilities of Avista with those of Olympus Holding Corp. or its affiliates or subsidiaries (other than Avista and its subsidiaries). b. Olympus Holding Corp. must file an affidavit with the Commission stating that neither Olympus Holding Corp. nor any of its subsidiaries, will seek to include Avista in a bankruptcy without the consent of a two-thirds majority of Avista's board of directors including the affirmative vote of Avista's independent director, or, if at that time Avista has more than one independent director, the affirmative vote of at least one of Avista's independent directors. c. Ifthe ring-fencing provisions in these commitments are not sufficient to obtain a non-consolidation opinion, Olympus Holding Corp. and Avista agree to promptly undertake the following actions: (i) Notifu the Commission of this inability to obtain a non-consolidation opinion. (ii) Propose and implement, upon Commission approval, such additional ring-fencing provisions around Avista as are sufficient to obtain a non- consolidation opinion subject to customary assumptions and exceptions. (iii) Obtain a non-consolidation opinion. 42.Olvmpus Equity LLC: Olympus Holding Corp. indirect subsidiaries will include Olympus Equity LLC between Avista and Olympus LLC 2. See the post- acquisition organizational chart in Appendix I of the Joint Application. Following closing of the Proposed Transaction, all of the common stock of Avista will be owned by Olympus Equity LLC, a new Delaware limited liability company, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Olympus LLC 2. Olympus Equity LLC will be a bankruptcy-remote special purpose entity, and will not have debt. 43.Restriction on Pledge of Utilitv Assets: Avista will agree to prohibitions against loans or pledges of utility assets to Hydro One, Olympus Holding Corp., or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates, without Commission approval. Appendix 8 to Joint Application Page 10 of13 44 Hold Harmless: Notice to Lenders: Restriction on Acquisitions and Dispositions: a. Avista will generally hold Avista customers harmless from any business and financial risk exposures associated with Olympus Holding Co.p., Hydro One, and Hydro One's other affiliates. b. Pursuant to this commitment, Avista and Olympus Holding Corp. will file with the Commission, prior to closing of the Proposed Transaction, a form of notice to prospective lenders describing the ring-fencing provisions included in these commitments stating that these provisions provide no recourse to Avista assets as collateral or security for debt issued by Hydro One or any of its subsidiaries, other than Avista. c. In furtherance of this commitment i. Avista commits that Avista's regulated utility customers will be held harmless from the liabilities of any unregulated activity of Avista or Hydro One and its affiliates. In any proceeding before the Commission involving rates of Avista, the fair rate of return for Avista will be determined without regard to any adverse consequences that are demonstrated to be attributable to unregulated activities. Measures providing for separate financial and accounting treatment will be established for each unregulated activity. ii. Olympus Holding Corp. and Avista will notiff the Commission subsequent to Olympus Holding Corp.'s board approval and as soon as practicable following any public announcement of: (l) any acquisition by Olympus Holding Corp. of a regulated or unregulated business that is equivalent to five (5) percent or more of the capitalization of Avista; or (2) the change in effective control or acquisition of any material part of Avista by any other firm, whether by merger, combination, transfer of stock or assets. Notice pursuant to this provision is not and will not be deemed an admission or expansion of the Commission's authority or jurisdiction over any transaction or in any matter or proceeding whatsoever. Within sixty (60) days following the notice required by this subsection (c)(ii)(2), Avista and Olympus Holding Corp. or its subsidiaries, as appropriate, will seek Commission approval of any sale or transfer of any material part of Avista. The term "material part of Avista" means any sale or transfer of stock representing ten percent (10%) or more of the equity ownership of Avista. llt.Neither Avista nor Olympus Holding Corp. will assert in any future proceedings that, by virtue ofthe Proposed Transaction and the resulting Appendix 8 to Joint Application Page ll of13 corporate structure, the Commission is without jurisdiction over any transaction that results in a change of control of Avista. d. If and when any subsidiary of Avista becomes a subsidiary of Hydro One or one of its subsidiaries other than Avista, Avista will so advise the Commission within thirty (30) days and will submit to the Commission a written document setting forth Avista's proposed corporate and affiliate cost allocation methodologies. 45.Olympus LLC 2 and Olvmpus Equitv LLC Sub-entities: Olympus LLC 2 will not operate or own any business and will limit its activities to investing in and attending to its shareholdings in Olympus Equity LLC, which, in turn, will not operate or own any business and will limit its activities to investing in and attending to its shareholdings in Avista. 46.No Amendment of Ring-Fencins Provisions: Olympus Holding Corp. and Avista commit that no material amendments, revisions or modifications will be made to the ring-fencing provisions as specified in these regulatory commitments without prior Commission approval pursuant to a limited re-opener for the sole purpose of addressing the ring-fencing provisions. F. Environmental, Renewable Energy, and Energy Efficiency Commitments [See Direct Testimony of Christie/Pugliesel 47. Renewable Portfolio Standard Requirements: Hydro One acknowledges Avista's obligations under applicable renewable portfolio standards, and Avista will continue to comply with such obligations. 48 Renewable Energy Resources: Avista will acquire all renewable energy resources required by law and such other renewable energy resources as may from time to time be deemed advisable in accordance with Avista's integrated resource planning process and applicable regulations. 49 Greenhouse Gas and Carbon Initiatives: Hydro One acknowledges Avista's Greenhouse Gas and Carbon Initiatives contained in its current Integrated Resource Plan, and Avista will continue to work with interested parties on such initiatives. 50.Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report: Avista will report greenhouse gas emissions as required. 51.Efficiencv Goals and Obiectives: Hydro One acknowledges Avista's energy efficiency goals and objectives set forth in Avista's 2017lntegrated Resource Plan and other plans, and Avista will continue its ongoing collaborative efforts to expand and enhance them. 52. Optional Renewable Power PJogram: Avista will continue to offer renewable power programs in consultation with stakeholders Appendix 8 to Joint Application Page 12 of l3 G. Community and Low-Income Assistance Commitments [See Direct Testimony of Morris/Schmidt/Ch ristie/Pugliesel 53. Community Contributions: Hydro One will cause Avista to make a one-time $7,000,000 contribution to Avista's charitable foundation at or promptly following closing.s Low-Income Energv Efficiencv Fundins: Avista will continue to work with its advisory groups on the appropriate level of funding for low income energy efficiency programs. 55.Addressinq Other Low-Income Customer Issues: Avista will continue to work with low-income agencies to address other issues of low-income customers, including funding for bill payment assistance. 5 Note that Commitment I I contains additional provisions relating to Avista's charitable contributions. 54. Appendix 8 to Joint Application Page 13 of 13 APPENDIX 9 %l 1/\ t -r'l* t./ }.7 5 (-l)\, () I l-1,;f IDENTIFICATION OF AVISTA AND HYDRO ONE OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVES ,) Identification of Avista and Hydro One Officers and Executives A. The current officers of Avista are as follows: Scott L. Morris is Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Avista Corporation. He was elected President in 2006 and named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 2008. Mr. Morris is an experienced utility executive who has served in a variety of leadership positions since joining the Company in 1981. Mark T. Thies is Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Avista Corporation. Mr. Thies joined the Company in September 2008 with extensive experience in finance, risk management, accounting and administration in the utility sector, Marian M. Durkin is Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer for Avista Corporation. Ms. Durkin joined the company in 2005 and is responsible for coordinating and overseeing Avista's ethics and compliance programs as well as providing counsel and guidance to the Avista's Board of Directors and officers on legal matters relevant to the company and its subsidiaries. I)ennis P. Vermillion is Senior Vice President of Avista Corporation and President of Avista Utilities, having held both positions since 2009. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Avista Corporation's subsidiary Alaska Electric Light and Power Company. Mr. Vermillion joined Avista in 1985 and has held various management positions. Karen S. Feltes is Senior Vice President and the Chief Human Resource Officer for Avista Corporation. Ms. Feltes joined Avista in 1998 and is a human resources professional with a 20- year career in both the public and private sectors. 50062009 v2 Appendix 9 to Joint Application Page I of5 James M. Kensok is Vice President and Chief Information and Security Officer for Avista Corporation. Mr. Kensok has been the vice president and chief information officer for Avista since 2007 and chief security officer since January of 2013. Mr. Kensok is an experienced technology executive with more than 30 years of national and international experience in developing, and managing information and operational technologies, network communications, and executive leadership of advanced enterpri se technolo gy environments. Edward D. Schlect Jr. is Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Avista Corporation. Mr. Schlect has over 30 years in the energy industry, initially at PacifiCorp and The Washingon Water Power Company, now known as Avista. He rejoined Avista in 2015 after serving as a founder of Ecova, an energy information firm, where he served in executive roles, Kelly O. Norwood is Vice President of State and Federal Regulation for Avista Corporation. Mr. Norwood joined the Company in June 1 98 I and held positions within the finance and energy resource departments before serving as Vice President and General Manager of Energy Resources. He was named a corporate officer in November 2000 and was appointed Vice President of State and Federal Regulation for Avista Utilities in July 2002. David J. Meyer is Vice President and Chief Counsel for Regulatory and Governmental Affairs for Avista Corporation. Mr, Meyerjoined the Company in 1998 and has represented Avista in a number of areas, including regulatory and business-related capacities. He is a member of the Washington, Idaho and Oregon State Bar associations and the Federal Energy Bar Association. 50062009 v2 Appendix 9 to Joint Application Page 2 of5 Ryan L. Krasselt is Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer for Avista Corporation. Mr. Krasselt was named to his current position in October 2015, having joined Avista in 2001 as a financial business partner in the accounting department. His experience at Avista has also included leadership roles within treasury and risk management Kevin J. Christie is Vice President for Customer Solutions for Avista, a position he has held since 2015. Mr. Christie joined Avista in 2005 with extensive experience in finance and the energy industry and has held leadership positions in natural gas planning and finance prior to his role in Customer Solutions. Heather L. Rosentrater is Vice President of Energy Delivery atAvista Corporation. Since joining the Company in 2005, Ms. Rosentrater has managed departments and projects in transmission, distribution and SCADA, as well as asset management. She is responsible for electric and natural gas engineering, operations and shared services, such a fleet, facilities and supply chain. Jason R. Thackston is Senior Vice President of Energy Resources for Avista Corporation. He joined the Company in 1996 and has held leadership positions in customer solutions, energy delivery, finance, risk management, investor relations and corporate development. B. The current officers and executives of Hydro One Limited are as follows: David F. Denison is a director and the board chair of Hydro One Limited. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, a global investment management organization, from 2005 to 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Denison was President of Fidelity Investments Canada Limited. Mr. Denison is an Officer of the Order of Canada. 50062009 v2 Appendix 9 to Joint Application Page 3 of5 Mayo M. Schmidt is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro One Limited. Prior to joining Hydro One in 2015, Mr. Schmidt served as President and Chief Executive Officer at Vitera, Inc., a global food ingredients company operating in l4 countries. Early in his career, he held a number of key management positions of increasing responsibility at General Mills, Inc. until he joined ConAgra as President of their Canadian operations and spearheaded ConAgra's expansion into Canada. Gregory K. Kiraly is the Chief Operating Officer of Hydro One Limited. Mr. Kiraly is a power and utilities executive with 30 years of experience and has an extensive background in energy transmission and distribution, in both electricity and gas. He has served in various executive leadership roles across three of the largest investor-owned utilities in the United States, namely Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), and Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G). He was appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer in September of 2016. James D. Scarlett is the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Hydro One Limited. Prior to joining Hydro One in September of 2016, he was a Senior Partner at Torys, LLP for sixteen years where he held a number of leadership roles. Chris Lopez is the Senior Vice President of Finance for Hydro One Limited. Prior to joining Hydro One, he was the Vice President of Planning and Mergers & Acquisitions at TransAlta. Paul H. Barry is the Executive Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development at Hydro One Limited. Mr. Barry has significant strategy, business development and financial expertise in the electric power, natural gas, and water utility sectors. Mr. Bany's prior executive 50062009 v2 Appendix 9 to Joint Application Page 4 of5 leadership roles include Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, and President of the commercial business for Duke Energy Corporation. He joined Hydro One in September of 2016. Judy McKellar is the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Hydro One Limited. Ms. McKellar has held various roles of increasing responsibility at Hydro One in the Human Resources department during her more than thirty year career and has held her current position since November of 2016. Ferio Pugliese is the Executive Vice President, Customer Care and Corporate Affairs at Hydro One Limited. Mr. Pugliese is highly recognized as a market leader in customer service. He was appointed to his current position in September of 2016, after serving as President of WestJet Encore, WestJet's regional airline. Maureen Wareham is Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Chief Ethics Officer of Hydro One Limited, and is responsible for the oversight and management of the operations of the Board of Directors, its Commiffees, and Hydro One's subsidiary companies'board operations. As Chief Ethics Officer, she is responsible for carrying out advisory and reporting functions associated with the Code of Business Conduct. 50062009 v2 Appendix 9 to Joint Application Page 5 of5