Commitments and Contingencies |
3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2026 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments and Contingencies | 9. Commitments and Contingencies Legal, Regulatory, and Environmental Matters We are regularly subject to various legal, regulatory, and environmental matters in connection with our business. While we believe we have meritorious positions and will continue to vigorously defend our positions in these matters, we may not be successful in our efforts, and we cannot predict the effect of an adverse outcome of any such matter. If an unfavorable outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated, a liability is recognized. In the event of an unfavorable outcome, the liability may be in excess of amounts currently accrued. Because of the inherently unpredictable nature of legal, regulatory, and environmental matters and the wide range of potential outcomes for any such matter, no estimate of the possible losses in excess of amounts accrued, if any, can be made at this time regarding any matter specifically described below. As a result, additional losses actually incurred in excess of amounts accrued could be substantial. Unless otherwise disclosed below, we are unable to predict the outcome of any matter discussed below or reasonably estimate the amount of any associated costs and (or) potential liabilities. Additionally, it is possible that the outcome of any such matter, including market modifications, could materially impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and (or) liquidity. Legal Matters We are involved in various legal and administrative proceedings, investigations, claims, and litigation from time to time in the course of our business. Such matters may include, but are not limited to, those relating to employment and benefits, commercial disputes, personal injury, property damage, regulatory matters, environmental matters, and various other claims for injuries and (or) damages. While we believe we have meritorious positions and will continue to appropriately respond to all legal matters, because of the inherently unpredictable nature of legal proceedings, there is a wide range of potential outcomes for any such matter. Winter Storm Uri Lawsuits. In connection with the sale of Talen’s generating facilities in Texas in May 2024, the Company retained certain potential liabilities relating to claims filed from 2021 onward against its former Texas subsidiaries seeking unspecified damages for alleged losses caused by the defendants’ failure to provide sufficient power to the grid during Winter Storm Uri. The claims also allege similar liability against numerous other power market participants. These cases were transferred to a single multi-district litigation (MDL) court. In January 2023, the MDL court ruled on various motions to dismiss, but denied the motions to dismiss filed by the generator defendants. In December 2023, the Texas First Court of Appeals granted a mandamus petition and instructed the MDL court to grant the motions to dismiss filed by the generator defendants. In early 2025, the plaintiffs filed for mandamus relief in the Texas Supreme Court seeking to overturn the Texas First Court of Appeals. In March 2026, the Texas Supreme Court denied the plaintiffs’ requests. While Talen expects the dismissal ruling to be applied broadly to all Uri cases against Talen’s former subsidiaries, the cases remain pending at this time. If the cases are not dismissed, Talen’s maximum potential damages for claims filed prior to the restructuring are expressly limited by Talen’s plan of reorganization to payments from Talen’s insurers. However, claims filed after the restructuring by plaintiffs who did not receive effective notice of the restructuring, if any, may not be subject to the limitations in the plan. Talen cannot predict the effect of an adverse outcome for any such claims. See Note 9 to the Annual Financial Statements for certain other active legal matters. Regulatory Matters We are subject to regulation by federal and state agencies and other bodies that exercise regulatory authority in the various regions where we conduct business, including but not limited to the FERC; the DOE; the NRC; the North American Energy Reliability Corporation (“NERC”); the Federal Communications Commission; and state public utility commissions. In addition, the RTOs and ISOs in the regions in which we conduct business inherently have complex rules that are intended to balance the interests of market stakeholders. Proposed market structure modifications may lead to disputes among stakeholders that might not be resolved for a period of time as a result of regulatory and (or) legal proceedings. Accordingly, we are subject to uncertainty with respect to: (i) new or amended regulations issued by regulatory agencies; and (ii) changes in market design, tariff structure, capacity auctions, and (or) pricing rules. PJM Capacity Market Reform. In June 2023, the FERC accepted a request by PJM to delay certain PJM Base Residual Auctions in order for PJM to propose market reforms. PJM filed its market reform proposals with the FERC in October 2023. In early 2024, the FERC accepted portions of PJM’s proposed market changes and PJM scheduled certain PJM BRAs on a delayed basis. In September 2024, the Sierra Club and other organizations filed a complaint at the FERC challenging PJM’s rules establishing must-offer exceptions for PJM BRA participation by RMR resources. In October 2024, PJM announced it had concerns about the FERC considering the Sierra Club’s complaints about RMR resources in isolation and therefore intended to file a Section 205 proceeding under the Federal Power Act seeking the FERC’s approval of to-be-determined market reforms, including but not limited to potential revisions to the treatment of RMR resources. As a result, in October 2024, PJM formally requested, which the FERC approved, six-month delays to the scheduled PJM BRAs for the 2028/2029, and 2029/2030 PJM Capacity Years to June 2026, and December 2026, respectively. Currently, the auction for the 2030/2031 PJM Capacity Year in May 2027 is scheduled on a non-delayed basis. Talen can provide no assurance that these or any scheduled PJM BRAs will be held on such dates or at all. A series of filings aimed at reforming the PJM capacity market were filed at the FERC. In November 2024, the Joint Consumer Advocates, comprised of consumer advocacy groups and government entities from Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and the District of Columbia filed a complaint against PJM asking the FERC to find that PJM’s existing capacity market rules are unjust and unreasonable and to issue an order requiring certain short-term and longer-term changes to PJM’s capacity market rules. In response, PJM made two FERC filings in December 2024 to address what they perceive as capacity market design issues (the “PJM Capacity Market 205 Proceeding”). PJM proposed to retain the dual fuel combustion turbine as the reference resource and to implement a uniform non-performance charge throughout the RTO for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 PJM Capacity Years, and to administratively include RMR units that meet certain criteria as price takers in the capacity auctions for the next delivery years and will not assess penalties or pay bonuses to these RMR units. PJM’s filing also clarifies that being excused from being required to offer into the capacity market is no defense to exercising market power by electing not to offer. Further, PJM proposed to make changes to the capacity market mitigation rules. This proposal will eliminate the must-offer exception for intermittent and limited duration resources that are eligible to participate in the capacity market and will allow market sellers to incorporate a risk component in their capacity market offers. In February 2025, the FERC accepted PJM’s proposals in the PJM Capacity Market 205 Proceeding and as a result, the changes to the PJM BRA parameters described above as part of that proceeding were adopted for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 PJM Capacity Years. In December 2024, the Pennsylvania Governor filed a complaint against PJM at the FERC to address alleged elevated costs to consumers from the PJM capacity market in the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 PJM Capacity Years and proposed, among other things, a lower capacity price cap. As a result of a subsequent agreement between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and PJM that resolved the Governor’s complaint, the Governor withdrew the complaint in February 2025. In April 2025, the FERC accepted PJM’s proposals reflecting its agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As a result, the PJM BRA imposed a price collar with an approximate minimum and maximum price of $175/MWd and $325/MWd, respectively, which was effective for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 PJM BRAs. In April 2026, the FERC approved the extension of the same price collar framework for the 2028/2029 and 2029/2030 PJM Capacity Years. In February 2025, the FERC initiated a technical conference docket to consider broad resource adequacy issues across all RTOs, with the initial proceedings taking place in June 2025. The Company has intervened in the new technical conference docket and is closely monitoring those proceedings. Brandon Shores and H.A. Wagner RMR Agreements. In May 2025, the FERC approved each of the Brandon Shores and H.A. Wagner RMR agreements, under which: (i) Talen will operate the generation facilities in accordance with such arrangements from June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2029, or until such time as the necessary third-party transmission upgrades are placed into service; (ii) Brandon Shores will earn annual fixed-cost payments of $145 million ($312/MWd), inclusive of a $5 million per year unit performance “hold back;” (iii) H.A. Wagner will earn annual fixed-cost payments of $35 million ($137/MWd), inclusive of a $2.5 million per year unit performance “hold back;” and (iv) each facility will receive separate reimbursement for variable costs and approved project investments. In August 2025, the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel filed an appeal of the FERC’s order approving the Brandon Shores and H.A. Wagner RMR agreements. Talen has intervened in that proceeding and plans to participate. Interconnection of Large Loads. In October 2025, DOE directed the FERC to consider reforms to expedite and facilitate how large loads interconnect to the interstate transmission system. DOE stated that the Federal Power Act permits the FERC to exert jurisdiction over load interconnections even though it has not historically done so. DOE provided a draft advance notice of proposed rulemaking (“ANOPR”) and directed the FERC to initiate rulemaking procedures. In November 2025, the FERC requested public comment on the ANOPR, and the Company provided comments. DOE directed the FERC to take final action by the end of April 2026. In August 2025, PJM began an accelerated process known as a Critical Issue Fast Path (“CIFP”) process with stakeholders to address how to integrate large load customers quickly and reliably. The CIFP stakeholders represented a wide range of views about resource allocations, costs, and how the addition of large loads like data centers to PJM should be managed in the context of the capacity market. The Company was an active participant in the CIFP process and submitted a joint proposal amongst itself, Constellation, Calpine, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google representing the group’s collective views on the best approach to large load additions. Neither the joint proposal nor any of the other proposals submitted received broad stakeholder support during voting. Nevertheless, PJM had planned to make a filing at the FERC in January 2026 containing PJM’s ultimate proposal to be in place for the 2028/2029 PJM BRA. In December 2025, however, the FERC issued an order in a show cause proceeding on large loads co-located with generation. The FERC directed PJM to submit an informational report containing, among other items, all of the CIFP proposals. The FERC also found that the PJM tariff was unjust and unreasonable as to the interconnection of co-located loads. The FERC requested tariff revisions be submitted over the next 30-60 days and established a hearing schedule, which begins in February 2026, to establish rates, terms, and conditions of several new transmission services. In January 2026, the National Energy Dominance Council (“NEDC”) and the Governors from each of the 13 states in PJM issued a “Statement of Principles” for PJM. Among other things, the statement calls for PJM to conduct a reliability backstop auction for new baseload capacity with 15-year contracts by September 2026. It also urged PJM to extend the existing price collar for the next two BRAs. Hours after the NEDC/Governors’ principles were released, the PJM Board of Managers issued a Board Decisional Letter — the final step in the Large Load Addition CIFP process. The Board’s Decisional Letter adopted specific elements of various proposals, including load forecasting improvements, voluntary bring your own generation paired with an expedited interconnection track, a holistic review in the coming year of investment incentives in PJM’s markets, and immediate initiation of a reliability backstop procurement. PJM Reliability Backstop Procurement. In February 2026, PJM launched a series of workshops to develop a proposal for a reliability backstop procurement, a one-time, transitional procurement of capacity to begin to address the expected future load growth in the PJM region. As with the CIFP process, the Company is actively participating and presented a joint proposal with a cross-sector coalition. In April 2026, PJM staff presented its proposal for a two-phase reliability backstop procurement. The first phase, which would run from September 2026 to March 2027, entails PJM acting as a “matchmaker” for bilateral contracts; the second phase, which would not commence until March 2027, is a centralized procurement. Additional workshops to receive feedback on the proposal and receive alternative proposals are scheduled in May. PJM anticipates it will make a filing at FERC in June 2026. Environmental Matters Extensive federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations are applicable to our business, including those related to air emissions, water discharges, hazardous substances, and solid waste management. From time to time, in the ordinary course of our business, Talen may be: (i) subject to environmental remediation work at its facilities; (ii) involved in other environmental matters; or (iii) become subject to other, new or revised environmental statutes, regulations, or requirements. It may be necessary for us to modify, curtail, replace, or cease operation of certain facilities or performance of certain operations to comply with statutes, regulations, and other requirements imposed by regulatory bodies, courts, or environmental groups. We may incur significant costs to comply with these requirements, including increased capital expenditures or operation and maintenance expenses, monetary fines, remediation costs, penalties, or other restrictions. Legal challenges to environmental rules or permits add to the uncertainty of estimating future compliance costs. In addition, in January 2025, President Trump issued executive orders directing the heads of all federal agencies to identify and begin the processes to suspend, revise, or rescind all agency actions, including existing regulations, that are unduly burdensome on the identification, development, or use of domestic energy resources. Consequently, in March 2025, the EPA announced that it will reconsider and potentially roll back 31 regulations and policies, many of which directly impact Talen, and various executive actions were taken in April 2025 to further encourage deregulation. The EPA’s reconsiderations for many of these regulations and policies remain ongoing, and certain executive orders have subsequently been challenged by states and individual plaintiffs. Future provisions, implementation, and enforcement of these executive actions and the environmental rules continue to be uncertain. Further, costs may increase significantly if the requirements or scope of environmental laws or regulations, or similar rules, are expanded or changed in other ways. EPA CSAPR and Nitrogen Oxides (“NOx”) Requirements. Coal-fired generation facilities, including those in which Talen has ownership, have been the subject of EPA regulations and efforts by certain states and other parties to strengthen applicable NOx emission limits under the Clean Air Act. In 2015, the EPA revised the 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone to 70 parts per billion (the “EPA 2015 Ozone Standard”). This action triggered updates to state-specific compliance requirements as well as provisions that are intended to limit cross-state emissions. In June 2023, the EPA published a rule in connection with the EPA 2015 Ozone Standard updating the EPA CSAPR ozone season NOx allowance trading program for 2023 and beyond (the “Good Neighbor Plan”). Talen’s facilities in Maryland and Pennsylvania were subject to the new rule; however, the entire rule was challenged by multiple parties, and subsequently the Good Neighbor Plan was stayed in its entirety by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2024 pending a complete review of the rule by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. In November 2024, the EPA issued an interim final rule indicating it plans to provide NOx allocations and budgets from the previously applicable and less restrictive Revised CSAPR Update Rule until the Good Neighbor Plan matter is resolved. After initially denying the EPA’s request in February 2025, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in April 2025, granted the EPA’s motion requesting the Good Neighbor Plan litigation be held in abeyance pending the EPA’s review of the stayed rule and further orders by the court. As a result, future implementation and enforcement of the Good Neighbor Plan has continued to be uncertain. In January 2026, the EPA proposed Phase 1 of its reconsideration of the Good Neighbor Plan. In its proposal, the EPA proposes to approve state implementation plan submissions governing interstate emissions from eight states (Alabama, Arizona, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, and Tennessee). If finalized, these states would no longer be subject to Good Neighbor Plan requirements. Although Talen does not operate in any of the states identified in the proposed rule, EPA in its proposal states that it intends to undertake a separate action to address interstate transport obligations for the remaining states covered under the Good Neighbor Plan. EPA MATS Rule. In May 2024, the EPA published a rule that requires coal-fired generation facilities to reduce particulate matter emissions by the middle of 2027 (or 2028, if an extension is approved) (the “2024 EPA MATS Rule”). Challenges to the 2024 EPA MATS Rule were filed in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, including by Talen and 23 states. The appeal on the merits of the 2024 rule remains pending in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, but the litigation has been held in abeyance since February 2025, while the EPA reconsidered the rule. In February 2026, the EPA completed its reconsideration and issued a final rule repealing the lower particulate matter standards set in the 2024 amendments and reverting to particulate matter standards promulgated in the 2012 EPA MATS Rule (the “MATS Repeal Rule”). In March 2026, environmental groups challenged the MATS Repeal Rule in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Talen filed a motion to intervene in the MATS Repeal Rule litigation in April 2026. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order holding the challenge to the 2024 EPA MATS Rule in abeyance until the litigation over EPA’s MATS Repeal Rule is fully resolved. No assurance can be provided as to whether the MATS Repeal Rule will survive judicial challenge and when such challenges will be resolved. Colstrip was not expected to meet the 2024 particulate matter standard without substantial upgrades to its control equipment. As a result, if the MATS Repeal Rule is vacated by a court or reconsidered by the EPA in the future, Talen Montana and the other Colstrip co-owners may face the decision either to invest in new cost-prohibitive control equipment or retire the Colstrip facility. Such a decision must be evaluated in conjunction with other compliance requirements. In April 2025, President Trump granted Colstrip a two-year exemption from compliance obligations of the 2024 EPA MATS Rule via Section 112(i)(4) of the Clean Air Act. Environmental groups filed separate lawsuits in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for D.C., challenging the presidential exemptions issued to Colstrip and other fossil fuel-fired power plants. On August 5, 2025, the EPA filed a motion in each case requesting the courts hold the litigation in abeyance for six months pending the EPA’s efforts to repeal the 2024 EPA MATS Rule. Talen filed motions to intervene in both cases on August 8, 2025. On September 3, 2025, the U.S. District Court for D.C. granted the EPA’s motion to hold the case in abeyance for six months and also granted Talen’s motion to intervene. Plaintiffs filed a motion asking the court to reconsider its decision to hold the case in abeyance. The U.S. District Court for D.C. denied that motion in November 2025. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the EPA’s motion for an abeyance and Talen’s motion to intervene in October 2025. In March 2026, the U.S. District Court for D.C. granted plaintiffs’ motion to hold the case in abeyance until the litigation over EPA’s MATS Repeal Rule is fully resolved. It is expected that a similar motion will be filed in the D.C. Circuit. The Company could be forced to make operating decisions about the future of Colstrip before clarity is obtained on legal challenges regarding the MATS Repeal Rule and the presidential exemption litigation. EPA GHG Rule. In May 2024, the EPA published a rule that establishes carbon dioxide limits for new electric generating units (“EGUs”) and greenhouse gas (“GHG”) guidelines for certain existing EGUs. Under the guidelines, if existing coal-fired EGUs operate beyond 2031, GHG reductions, such as those achieved by the addition of carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”), are required to be implemented by the end of 2031. Colstrip is not expected to meet the new rules without substantial technology upgrades and pipeline infrastructure build-out. As a result, Talen Montana and the other Colstrip co-owners face the decision either to invest in new cost-prohibitive controls (e.g., CCS technology) or retire the Colstrip facility by the end of 2031. Such a decision must be evaluated in conjunction with compliance requirements under the May 2024 EPA MATS Rule. Petitions have been filed in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, including by coalitions representing 27 states and an ad hoc coalition of power producers of which Talen is a member, requesting a review of the EPA GHG Rule. Stay motions were denied by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in July 2024 and the U.S. Supreme Court in October 2024. Appeals of the EPA GHG Rule remain pending in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has held the litigation in abeyance since February 2025 to allow the EPA to reconsider the rule. No assurance can be provided as to when the challenges to the EPA GHG Rule will be resolved or whether such challenges will be resolved in the Company’s favor. In June 2025, the EPA released a proposed rule to repeal all GHG emission standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. As an alternative, the EPA is proposing a narrow repeal of GHG standards, which would eliminate all emissions guidelines and standards for existing power plants and the Phase 2 GHG emissions standards that would apply to new combustion turbines beginning in 2032. Under the alternative proposal, Phase 1 GHG emissions standards applicable to new and reconstructed baseload fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbines would be retained. The public comment period on the proposal expired in August 2025. No assurance can be provided as to whether the rule will be finalized and whether a final rule will survive judicial challenge. The EPA has also in the past stated its intent to develop GHG regulations for existing natural gas combustion turbines; however, no rule has been proposed, and no recent statements have been made. Operating decisions about the future of Colstrip are highly dependent on the fate of the EPA GHG Rule as well as the EPA MATS Rule. Given the legal and regulatory uncertainties with both rules, it is possible the Company will be required to make decisions about Colstrip’s future before it has clarity about the outcome of litigation and (or) the EPA’s regulations. GHG Endangerment Finding. In February 2026, the EPA issued a final rule rescinding its 2009 finding that GHG emissions endanger public health and welfare and repealing all GHG emissions standards for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines. The EPA made the 2009 endangerment finding in order to promulgate GHG emission standards for new motor vehicles under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act and has subsequently relied on this finding as a basis to regulate other sources of GHGs. In the final rule, EPA states it must rescind the endangerment finding because it lacks the statutory authority to regulate GHG emissions from vehicles in response to global climate changes concerns. The EPA does not explicitly state how the rescission impacts its authority to regulate GHG emissions from stationary sources. However, the final rule acknowledges that EPA has relied on the endangerment finding “to extend the GHG regulatory program to new and existing stationary source performance standards and guidelines for power plants under CAA section 111.” Citizen groups, states, municipalities and cities have challenged the final rule in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. No assurance can be provided as to whether the rule will survive judicial challenge. NSPS for Stationary Combustion Turbines. In January 2026, the EPA finalized a rule revising new source performance standards (“NSPS”) for stationary combustion turbines. The final rule establishes NOx emission standards for various combustion turbine sizes, retains existing SO2 standards and establishes design efficiency subcategories and utilization requirements. The final rule applies to combustion turbines that commenced construction, modification, or reconstruction after December 13, 2024. As a result, the rule could impact certain, newer generating assets of the Company or development projects. In March 2026, environmental groups challenged the final rule in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and separately filed with the EPA a petition for administrative reconsideration. Talen is a member of an ad hoc industry coalition that filed a motion to intervene in the case in April 2026. No assurance can be provided as to when the challenges to the final NSPS will be resolved or whether such challenges will be resolved in the Company’s favor. Pennsylvania RGGI. In October 2019, the then-Governor of Pennsylvania signed an executive order directing the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (the “PADEP”) to draft regulations establishing a cap-and-trade program with the intent of enabling Pennsylvania to join the RGGI, a multi-state regional cap-and-trade program comprised of several Eastern U.S. states. In April 2022, Pennsylvania entered the RGGI program, with compliance set to begin on July 1, 2022. However, in November 2023, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled RGGI was an invalid tax and voided the rulemaking. The PADEP appealed this decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and filed notice with the court that the RGGI program would not be implemented while the appeal is pending. In July 2024, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court permitted certain non-profit environmental groups to intervene in the case. Oral argument in the case took place in May 2025. In November 2025, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a budget that included provisions requiring Pennsylvania to withdraw from RGGI. As a result, the PADEP filed an application to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court requesting to discontinue its appeal. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted the application and dismissed the case in January 2026. EPA ELG Rule. In November 2015, the EPA revised the effluent limitation guidelines (“ELGs”) for certain power generation facilities, which imposed more stringent standards for wastewater streams as facility discharge permits are renewed. In 2020, the EPA issued changes that would exempt coal generation facility operators from meeting certain wastewater standards if the facility would commit to cease coal-fired generation by the end of 2028, which Talen elected for its wholly owned coal operations. In May 2024, the EPA published revisions to the EPA ELG Rule, which imposed additional requirements for legacy wastewater and combustion residual leachate. These revisions impact Talen’s active generation facilities that have both CCR units and hold National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) discharge permits. These sites include Brandon Shores, Brunner Island, Montour, and potentially Martins Creek. Talen is evaluating what: (i) potential discharge limits may apply; (ii) treatment may be required; and (iii) the implementation timeline may be. Obligations for installing any new wastewater treatment equipment, if necessary, will not be known until each applicable state where the active generation facilities operate makes its own determination with respect to NPDES permit renewals with new limits and associated timing. As a result of the future permit conditions, additional capital expenditures and (or) AROs may be required, which may have a material impact on Talen’s operations and (or) financial condition. Multiple challenges, including stay requests, to the EPA ELG Rule have been filed in various U.S. Courts of Appeal by parties that include 15 states, environmental groups, and industry groups, including the Utility Water Act Group (“UWAG”), of which Talen is a member. The appeals have been consolidated in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, which denied requests to stay the rule in October 2024. At the EPA’s request, the Eighth Circuit has held the consolidated challenges in abeyance since February 2025 to allow the EPA to reconsider the rule. In March 2025, the EPA announced that it will revise the EPA ELG Rule as part of its deregulation agenda while considering immediate relief from some of the existing leachate requirements. In June 2025, the EPA announced that it will issue a proposal in 2025 to extend compliance deadlines under the 2024 EPA ELG Rule and seek information to potentially inform further rulemaking. In September 2025, the EPA issued a direct final rule extending a short-term deadline and a companion proposal extending many compliance deadlines for the 2024 EPA ELG Rule and providing some flexibility relating to some deadlines in the 2020 ELG Rule. In November 2025, the EPA issued a notice withdrawing the direct final rule due to the receipt of adverse comments. The EPA finalized its proposal in December 2025. Among other things, the final rule extends zero-discharge compliance deadlines established in the 2024 EPA ELG Rule by five years from December 31, 2029 to December 31, 2034. The extension rule has been legally challenged by environmental groups. These challenges have been consolidated in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and UWAG’s motion to intervene in the consolidated litigation was granted in March 2026. In the final rule, the EPA also stated it is considering further rulemaking to revise the regulatory standards in the 2024 EPA ELG Rule. No assurance can be provided as to when the challenges to the EPA ELG Rule merits will be resolved or whether such changes and challenges will be resolved in the Company’s favor. EPA CCR Rule. In April 2015, the EPA established regulations under the RCRA to identify CCRs as nonhazardous solid waste and provided CCR management and siting requirements. The 2015 rule was modified in 2020 after a 2018 D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling found that, among other things, the EPA did not adequately regulate unlined impoundments. In its 2020 rulemaking, the EPA specified procedures for owners to extend the operating timeline of certain unlined impoundments. Talen submitted an extension request under this process for an unlined impoundment at Montour, which was withdrawn in December 2024, following the end of basin operations and the initiation of basin closure. The 2018 D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling also found that the EPA did not properly address legacy surface impoundments in the 2015 CCR rule. As a result of the finding, in May 2024, the EPA finalized additional federal CCR regulations effective in November 2024 (the “Legacy CCR Rule”), which provided new requirements for legacy CCR surface impoundments and new requirements for other CCR disposal and management areas at active power plants (“CCRMUs”). This rule has been challenged in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals by multiple parties, including two industry groups of which Talen is a member. In December 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a requested stay of the Legacy CCR Rule. At the EPA’s request, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has held the case in abeyance since February 2025 to allow the EPA to reconsider the rule. Additionally, the EPA is being challenged by other industry parties on new regulatory interpretations that could be consequential to CCR unit closure practices and costs. In March 2025, the EPA announced that it will prioritize the coal ash program by expediting state permit reviews. The EPA has also announced it will reform the EPA CCR Rule and provided in the Legacy CCR Rule litigation proceeding that EPA CCR Rule reforms will be completed in 2026. As an initial reform step, in February 2026, the EPA issued a final rule extending compliance deadlines for elements in the Legacy CCR Rule, including required applicability assessments, the initiation of new groundwater monitoring detection, and the initiation of unit closure. In April 2026, the EPA issued a proposal to amend various provisions in the CCR regulations. Among other things, the EPA proposes to rescind all requirements for CCRMUs, restore the categorical exemption for onsite beneficial use of CCR, and allow for site-specific flexibilities for closures of CCR units through a CCR permitting program. EPA is accepting comments on the proposal until June 12, 2026. No assurance can be provided as to when and how federal CCR regulations will change further, when the legal challenges to the Legacy CCR Rule will be resolved, how the EPA’s interpretations or further EPA CCR Rule reforms will be resolved, or whether such challenges will be decided in the Company’s favor. Talen continues to review the Legacy CCR Rule provisions that went into effect in 2024, perform the required applicability assessments, and await additional EPA CCR Rule reforms. As a result of the EPA’s February 2026 CCRMU Extension Rule, initial facility evaluation reports to identify CCR areas which may become regulated and subject to the rule’s requirements are now due in February 2027. Following that, site investigation may be required to further investigate applicability, and a subsequent facility report is due in February 2028. The Company has initiated reviews under the facility evaluation report requirements at locations with ash impoundments that have long since ceased coal operations as well as at locations with current coal operations to meet these deadlines. No assurance can be provided as to whether any specific ash impoundments owned by the Company may or may not be within scope of the updated Legacy CCR Rule until the Company completes its assessments within the regulatory timeframe. As of March 31, 2026, the Company has recognized cost estimates in complying with the Legacy CCR Rule’s initial compliance requirements and deadlines, including the initial groundwater monitoring requirements. The Company does not yet have sufficient information available to estimate costs for the future compliance obligations under the rule. As the Company continues its applicability evaluations and site assessments to determine the scope of work on its properties imposed by the new rule, additional new AROs and (or) revisions could be required. It is expected estimates will be available, under the timeline provided for by the regulations, as described above, at the completion of the initial facility evaluation reports or at the completion of a subsequent site investigation. Such AROs or ARO changes could be material and, as a result, may have a material impact on Talen’s operations and (or) financial condition. Certain Resolved Matters See Note 9 to the Annual Financial Statements for certain legal matters previously resolved. Guarantees and Other Assurances In the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements to provide financial performance assurance to third parties on behalf of certain subsidiaries. These agreements primarily support or enhance the stand-alone creditworthiness attributed to a subsidiary or facilitate the commercial activities in which these subsidiaries engage. Such agreements may include guarantees, stand-by LCs, and (or) surety bonds. Additionally, they may include customary indemnifications to third parties related to asset sales and other transactions. The probability of expected material payment and (or) performance for these assurance agreements is believed to be remote. Surety Bonds. Surety bonds provide financial performance assurance to third parties on behalf of certain Company subsidiaries for obligations including but not limited to environmental obligations and AROs. In the event of nonperformance by the applicable subsidiary, the beneficiary would make a claim to the surety, and the Company would be required to reimburse any payment by the surety. Talen’s liability with respect to any particular surety bond is released once the obligations secured by the surety bond are performed. Surety bond providers generally have the right to request additional collateral or request that such bonds be replaced by alternate surety providers. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the aggregate amount of surety bonds outstanding was $211 million and $228 million, respectively, including surety bonds posted on behalf of Talen Montana as discussed below. Talen Montana Financial Assurance. Pursuant to the Colstrip Administrative Order on Consent (the “Colstrip AOC”), Talen Montana, in its capacity as the Colstrip operator, is obligated to close and remediate coal ash disposal impoundments at Colstrip. The Colstrip AOC specifies an evaluation process between Talen Montana and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (the “MDEQ”) on the scope of remediation and closure activities, requires the MDEQ to approve such scope, and requires financial assurance to be provided to the MDEQ on approved plans. Each of the co-owners of Colstrip has provided its proportionate share of financial assurance to the MDEQ for estimates of coal ash disposal impoundments remediation and closure activities approved by the MDEQ. The aggregate amount of surety bonds posted to the MDEQ on behalf of Talen Montana’s proportionate share of such activities was $103 million and $114 million as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. Talen Montana’s surety bond requirements may increase due to scope changes, cost revisions, and (or) other factors when the MDEQ conducts annual reviews of approved remediation and closure plans as required under the Colstrip AOC. The surety bond requirements are expected to decrease as Colstrip’s coal ash impoundments remediation and closure activities are completed. See Note 8 for additional information on Colstrip AROs.
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