PPL Corp

Previous wording

Because PPL is a holding company, its debt and guaranty obligations are effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of its subsidiaries. Although certain agreements to which certain subsidiaries are parties limit their ability to incur additional indebtedness, PPL and its subsidiaries retain the ability to incur substantial additional indebtedness and other liabilities. Therefore, PPL's rights and the rights of its creditors, including rights of debt holders, to participate in the assets of any of its subsidiaries, in the event that such a subsidiary is liquidated or reorganized, will be subject to the prior claims of such subsidiary's creditors.

Current wording

Because PPL is a holding company, its debt and guaranty obligations are structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of its subsidiaries. Although certain agreements to which certain subsidiaries are parties limit their ability to incur additional indebtedness, PPL and its subsidiaries retain the ability to incur substantial additional indebtedness and other liabilities. Therefore, PPL's rights and the rights of its creditors, including rights of debt holders, to participate in the assets of any of its subsidiaries, in the event that such a subsidiary is liquidated or reorganized, will be subject to the prior claims of such subsidiary's creditors.

Previous wording

PPL may not realize the anticipated financial and operational benefits from the RIE acquisition if the business is not integrated in an efficient and effective manner or if integration takes longer than anticipated. These integration risks include potential difficulties in conversion of systems and information, difficulties in harmonizing inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures, practices and policies, disruption from the acquisition making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers, and diversion of management time and attention to integration and other acquisition-related issues. In addition, PPL has incurred, and will continue to incur, significant costs in connection with the integration, and additional unanticipated costs may arise. No assurance can be given that the anticipated benefits from the acquisition will be achieved or, if achieved, the timing of their achievement. These risks and their consequences could result in increased costs or decreases in the amount of expected revenues and could have a material adverse effect on PPL's business, financial condition and results of operations.

Current wording

PPL may not realize the anticipated financial and operational benefits from the RIE acquisition. PPL has incurred significant costs in connection with the integration, and additional unanticipated costs may arise. No assurance can be given that the anticipated long-term benefits from the acquisition will be achieved or, if achieved, the timing of their achievement. These risks and their consequences could result in increased costs or decreases in the amount of expected revenues associated with the

Previous wording

The rates we charge our utility customers must be approved by one or more federal or state regulatory commissions, including the FERC, KPSC, VSCC, PAPUC and RIPUC. Although rate regulation is generally premised on the recovery of prudently incurred costs and a reasonable rate of return on invested capital, there can be no assurance that regulatory authorities will consider all of our costs to have been prudently incurred or that the regulatory process by which rates are determined will always result in rates that achieve full or timely recovery of our costs or an adequate return on our capital investments. Federal or state agencies, intervenors and other permitted parties may challenge our current or future rate requests, structures or mechanisms, and ultimately reduce, alter or limit the rates we receive. Although our rates are generally regulated based on an analysis of our costs incurred in a base year or on future projected costs, the rates we are allowed to charge may or may not match our costs at any given time. Our regulated utility businesses are subject to substantial capital expenditure requirements over the next several years, which may require rate increase requests to the regulators in the future. If our costs are not adequately recovered through rates, it could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Current wording

The rates we charge our utility customers must be approved by one or more federal or state regulatory commissions, including the FERC, KPSC, VSCC, PAPUC and RIPUC. Although rate regulation is generally premised on the recovery of prudently incurred costs and a reasonable rate of return on invested capital, there can be no assurance that regulatory authorities will consider all of our costs to have been prudently incurred or that the regulatory process by which rates are determined will always result in rates that achieve full or timely recovery of our costs or an adequate return on our capital investments. Federal or state agencies, intervenors and other permitted parties may challenge our current or future rate requests, structures or mechanisms, and ultimately reduce, alter or limit the rates we receive. The requests for rate increases and the frequency of rate cases could face resistance from customers and other stakeholders, especially in a rising cost environment. Although our rates are generally regulated based on an analysis of our costs incurred in a base year or on future projected costs, the rates we are allowed to charge may or may not match our costs at any given time. Our regulated utility businesses are subject to substantial capital expenditure requirements over the next several years, which may require rate increase requests to the regulators in the future. If our costs are not adequately recovered through rates, it could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Previous wording

We are or may be subject to costs of remediation of environmental contamination at facilities owned or operated by our former subsidiaries.

Current wording

We are or may be subject to costs of remediation of environmental contamination at facilities that are currently owned by us or that are owned or operated by our former subsidiaries.

Previous wording

Extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations are applicable to LG&E's and KU's generation supply, including its air emissions, water discharges (ELGs) and the management of hazardous and solid wastes (CCRs), among other business-related activities, and the costs of compliance or alleged non-compliance cannot be predicted and could be material. In addition, our costs may increase significantly if the requirements or scope of environmental laws, regulations or similar rules are expanded or changed as the environmental standards governing LG&E’s and KU’s businesses, particularly as applicable to coal-fired generation and related activities, continue to be subject to uncertainties due to rulemaking and other regulatory developments, legislative activities and litigation, administrative and permit challenges. The Biden administration is considering a wide range of potential policies, executive orders, rules, legislation and other initiatives in connection with climate change that may affect these costs. Depending on the extent, frequency and timing of such changes, LG&E and KU may face higher risks of unsuccessful implementation of environmental-related business plans, noncompliance with applicable environmental rules, delayed or incomplete rate recovery or increased costs of implementation. Costs may take the form of increased capital expenditures or operating and maintenance expenses, monetary fines, penalties or forfeitures, operational changes, permit limitations or other restrictions. At some of our older generating facilities it may be uneconomic for us to install necessary pollution control equipment, which could cause us to retire those units. Our ability to retire plants we believe are uneconomic is expected to be subject to receipt of regulatory approvals. Market prices for energy and capacity also affect this cost-effectiveness analysis. Many of these environmental law considerations are also applicable to the operations of our key suppliers or customers, such as coal producers, power producers and industrial power users, and may impact the costs of their products and demand for our services.

Current wording

Extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations are applicable to LG&E's and KU's generation supply, including its air emissions, water discharges (ELGs) and the management of hazardous and solid wastes (CCRs), among other business-related activities, and the costs of compliance or alleged non-compliance cannot be predicted and could be material. In addition, our costs may increase significantly if the requirements or scope of environmental laws, regulations or similar rules are expanded or changed as the environmental standards governing LG&E’s and KU’s businesses, particularly as applicable to coal-fired generation and related activities, continue to be subject to uncertainties due to rulemaking and other regulatory developments, legislative activities and litigation, administrative and permit challenges. In recent years, the federal government has undertaken various efforts aimed at addressing climate change, some of which remain subject to legal challenge, that may affect these costs. The Registrants are unable to predict changes in regulations, regulatory guidance, legal interpretations, policy positions, and implementation actions that may result from the change in Presidential administrations. Depending on the extent, frequency and timing of such changes, LG&E and KU may face higher risks of unsuccessful implementation of environmental-related business plans, noncompliance with applicable environmental rules, delayed or incomplete rate recovery or increased costs of implementation. Costs may take the form of increased capital expenditures or operating and maintenance expenses, monetary fines, penalties or forfeitures, operational changes, permit limitations or other restrictions. At some of our older generating facilities it may be uneconomic for us to install necessary pollution control equipment, which could cause us to retire those units. Our ability to retire plants we believe are uneconomic is expected to be subject to receipt of regulatory approvals. Market prices for energy and capacity also affect this cost-effectiveness analysis. Many of these environmental law considerations are also applicable to the operations of our key suppliers or customers, such as coal producers, power producers and industrial power users, and may impact the costs of their products and demand for our services.

Previous wording

We are subject to operational, regulatory and other risks regarding natural gas supply infrastructure.

Current wording

We are subject to regulatory and other risks regarding natural gas supply infrastructure.

Previous wording

A natural gas pipeline explosion or associated incident could have a significant impact on LG&E’s natural gas operations or result in significant damages and penalties that could have an adverse impact on LG&E’s financial position and results of operations. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration enforces regulations that govern the design, construction, operation and maintenance of pipeline facilities. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in the assessment of fines or penalties against LG&E. These regulations require, among other things, that pipeline operators take certain measures with respect to pipeline integrity. Depending on the results of integrity tests and other integrity program activities, we could incur significant and unexpected costs to perform remedial activities on our natural gas infrastructure to ensure our continued safe and reliable operation. Recent pipeline incidents in the U.S. have also led to the introduction of proposed rules and possible federal legislative actions which could impose restrictions on LG&E’s operations or require more stringent testing to ensure pipeline integrity. Implementation of these regulations could increase our costs to comply with pipeline integrity and safety regulations.

Current wording

The PHMSA enforces regulations that govern the design, construction, operation and maintenance of pipeline facilities. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in the assessment of fines or penalties against LG&E. These regulations require, among other things, that pipeline operators take certain measures with respect to pipeline integrity. Depending on the results of integrity tests and other integrity program activities, we could incur significant and unexpected costs to perform remedial activities on our natural gas infrastructure to ensure our continued safe and reliable operation. Recent pipeline incidents in the U.S. have also led to the introduction of proposed rules and possible federal legislative actions which could impose restrictions on LG&E’s operations or require more stringent testing to ensure pipeline integrity. Implementation of these regulations could increase our costs to comply with pipeline integrity and safety regulations.

Previous wording

We are subject to operational, regulatory and other risks regarding natural gas supply infrastructure in Rhode Island.

Current wording

We are subject to regulatory and other risks regarding natural gas supply infrastructure in Rhode Island.

Previous wording

A natural gas pipeline explosion or associated incident could have a significant impact on RIE's natural gas operations or result in significant damages and penalties that could have an adverse impact on RIE’s financial position and results of operations. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration enforces regulations that govern the design, construction, operation and maintenance of pipeline facilities. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in the assessment of fines or penalties against RIE. These regulations require, among other things, that pipeline operators take certain measures with respect to pipeline integrity. Depending on the results of integrity tests and other integrity program activities, we could incur significant and unexpected costs to perform remedial activities on our natural gas infrastructure to ensure our continued safe and reliable operation.

Current wording

The PHMSA enforces regulations that govern the design, construction, operation and maintenance of pipeline facilities. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in the assessment of fines or penalties against RIE. These regulations require, among other things, that pipeline operators take certain measures with respect to pipeline integrity. Depending on the results of integrity tests and other integrity program activities, we could incur significant and unexpected costs to perform remedial activities on our natural gas infrastructure to ensure our continued safe and reliable operation.

Previous wording

A resurgence, or new variant of COVID-19 or other pandemic health event and related remediation efforts could present challenges to businesses, communities, workforces, markets and supply chains. At this time, the Registrants’ cannot predict the ways in which and the extent to which these or other pandemic-related factors may affect their business, earnings or other financial results.

Current wording

A pandemic health event and related remediation efforts could present challenges to businesses, communities, workforces, markets and supply chains. At this time, the Registrants cannot predict the ways in which and the extent to which these or other pandemic-related factors may affect their business, earnings or other financial results.

Previous wording

Climate change may produce changes in weather or other environmental conditions, including temperature or precipitation levels, and thus may impact consumer demand for electricity. In addition, the potential physical effects of climate change, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, floods, and other climatic events, could disrupt our operations and cause us to incur significant costs to prepare for or respond to these effects. Climate change may also contribute to heightened risk or severity of wildfires, which could disrupt our operations and cause us to incur significant costs, though the annual FEMA National Risk Index for wildfires in the jurisdictions in which we provide service is very low to relatively moderate. These or other meteorological changes could lead to increased operating costs, capital expenses or power purchase costs. Greenhouse gas regulation could increase the cost of electricity, particularly power generated by fossil fuels, and such increases could have a depressive effect on regional economies. Reduced economic and consumer activity in our service areas -- both generally and specific to certain industries and consumers accustomed to previously lower cost power -- could reduce demand for the power we generate, market and deliver. Also, demand for our energy-related services could be similarly lowered by consumers' preferences or market factors favoring energy efficiency, low-carbon power sources or reduced electricity usage. The Registrants' responses to such climate-related risks include compliance with evolving governmental policy and developing and implementing strategies designed to meet net zero carbon emissions goals, which may affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Current wording

Climate change may produce changes in weather or other environmental conditions, including temperature or precipitation levels, and thus may impact consumer demand for electricity. In addition, the potential physical effects of climate change, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, floods, and other climatic events, could disrupt our operations and cause us to incur significant costs to prepare for or respond to these effects. Climate change may also contribute to heightened risk or severity of wildfires, which could disrupt our operations and cause us to incur significant costs, though the annual FEMA National Risk Index for wildfires in the jurisdictions in which we provide service is very low to relatively moderate. These or other meteorological changes could lead to increased operating costs, capital expenses or power purchase costs. Greenhouse gas regulation such as the EPA’s May 2024 rule governing emissions from certain fossil fuel-fired electric generating units could increase the cost of electricity, and such increases could have a depressive effect on regional economies. Reduced economic and consumer activity in our service areas -- both generally and specific to certain industries and consumers accustomed to previously lower cost power -- could reduce demand for the power we generate, market and deliver. Also, demand for our energy-related services could be similarly lowered by consumers' preferences or market factors favoring energy efficiency, low-carbon power sources or reduced electricity usage. The Registrants' responses to such climate-related risks include compliance with evolving governmental policy and developing and implementing strategies designed to meet net zero carbon emissions goals, which may affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Previous wording

We are involved in legal proceedings, claims and litigation and periodically are subject to state and federal investigations arising out of our business operations, the most significant of which are summarized in Item 1. Business and "Regulatory Matters" in Note 7 to the Financial Statements and in "Legal Matters" and "Regulatory Issues" in Note 13 to the Financial Statements. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these matters, nor can we reasonably estimate the costs or liabilities that could potentially result from a negative outcome in each case.

Current wording

We are involved in legal proceedings, claims and litigation and periodically are subject to state and federal investigations arising out of our business operations, the most significant of which are summarized in Item 1. Business and "Regulatory Matters" in Note 7 to the Financial Statements and in "Legal Matters" and "Regulatory Issues" in Note 12 to the Financial