Company: SOJE
Filing Date: 2025-02-20
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000092122-25-000018
Chunk: 3405

Company: SOUTHERN CO
Filing Date: 2025-02-20
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 7
Chunk 3405
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Nicor Gas

In June 2023, the Illinois Commission concluded its review of the Qualifying Infrastructure Plant (QIP) capital investments by Nicor Gas for calendar year 2019 under the QIP rider, also referred to as Investing in Illinois program. The Illinois Commission disallowed $32 million of the $415 million of capital investments commissioned in 2019, together with the related return on investment. Nicor Gas recorded a pre-tax charge to income in the second quarter 2023 of $38 million ($28 million after tax) associated with the disallowance of capital investments placed in service in 2019. The disallowance is reflected on the statement of income as an $8 million reduction to revenues and $30 million in estimated loss on regulatory disallowance. On August 3, 2023, the Illinois Commission denied a rehearing request filed by Nicor Gas. On August 24, 2023, Nicor Gas filed a notice of appeal with the Illinois Appellate Court. On November 25, 2024, the Illinois Appellate Court agreed with the Illinois Commission's review of the QIP capital investments by Nicor Gas for calendar year 2019 under the QIP rider apart from one immaterial item. On December 24, 2024, Nicor Gas filed a petition for leave to appeal $14 million of the 2019 QIP disallowance with the Illinois Supreme Court. Nicor Gas defends these investments in infrastructure as prudently incurred.

In connection with Nicor Gas' 2023 general base rate case proceeding, the Illinois Commission disallowed $126.8 million of capital investments that have been completed or were planned to be completed through December 31, 2024. This includes $31 million for capital investments placed in service in 2022 and 2023 under the Investing in Illinois program and $95.9 million for other transmission and distribution capital investments. Nicor Gas recorded a pre-tax charge to income in the fourth quarter 2023 of $58 million ($44 million after tax) associated with the disallowances, with the remaining $69 million related to prospective projects that will be postponed and/or reevaluated. The disallowance is reflected on the statement of income in estimated loss on regulatory disallowance. On January 3, 2024, the Illinois Commission denied a request by Nicor Gas for rehearing on the base rate case disallowances